Denizens of the Labyrinth

They had left the archives to shop, and Jazmel was not looking for anything specific, but he had known for a while that he would need to restock his supplies also.

The first store they stopped at was filled with potions, Jazmel bought stamina and health potions. The store keeps, offered him an antidote potion alongside his order and Jazmel sent him the gold coins.

170X GOLD COINS SPENT

5X HEALTH POTIONS

5X STAMINA POTIONS

1X ANTIDOTE POTION

He almost stuttered, but he knew money needed to be spent for him to continue. After the treasure pit he had found, he had found lots of money and was doing fine with it. But also, there was so much more to explore inside the labyrinth. He could always find more wealth; he knew that now.

Sadé bought much the same, and then some other things. Ingredients for things she and Katie seemed to be creating or trying to make use of. He and the others tended to leave them to their devices when they were discussing herbs and parts. It was a thing they seemed to enjoy all on their own. They passed a man sitting in the street, he looked homeless and so Jazmel flicked some coins into a little bowl he had set out in front of him, and he smiled up at him.

“Thank you, young Seeker, keep going along your path. Seek the white.” He said and to someone else, it might have just been words they brushed off. But to Jazmel they felt like something was behind them, hidden in a meaning. He thanked the man in kind and continued following Sadé as she made her way around the city stores.

He did not find anything worth buying, even the swords were not better than the two he already carried. He would find something in the next city or town they would find themselves in. after a while, they headed back to the inn and realising they were the last, the grew a little embarrassed.

“Let’s eat!” Katie shouted and running past them, she headed back out. To find somewhere else to eat rather than their inn. They soon found a restaurant, much larger than their inn. The ground floor had hundreds of tables set out and the murmur of laughter and dining was a warm buzz floating around the room. A server entered the room and noticing them, standing at the entrance. Hurried over to greet them.

“Welcome to Xiuying Koi. How may we best provide a service?” he asked, bowing low and Jazmel wondered if he even had a spine.

“Table for five please.” Patton asked.

“The ground floor is filled up I am afraid. The second floor too, the third floor has some tables, but it is quite expensive.” He offered, lowering his head even more.

“I assure you; we can pay our way.” Patton explained, his face stone like.

“Then let me welcome you kind Seekers.” He led them up the stairs and they followed behind.

Three flights of stairs and on each floor the opulence of the design and décor changed. The third floor was one such, red ribbons hung from the ceiling in thick wads, women in almost see through garb rappelled down from the ceiling and then climbed back up, in alluring dance sequences. Tables had been arranged around the many pillars that held up the ceiling and so many were hidden from prying eyes.

Jazmel could see the different fluctuations of Mana, and some were deep and purer, much purer than any he had seen before. Some were even hidden, hiding their strength from those who might pry, he wondered what ability or skill it took to be able to do that. They were seated and Patton paid the man immediately, he bowed low; gratefully then promised to send over the other servers with menus.

“Did everyone get what they needed?” Patton asked and everyone nodded.

“Good, while I was out. I found something interesting.” He mentioned and they all leaned forward to listen.

“There are three arches here, they are monitored and guarded. You can only leave through one of the three.” He explained.

“But where do the three go?” Bannerman asked.

“That is the thing, the gates are still random. They send you where the labyrinth think is the most appropriate. But within the whole of Empyrean city, those are the only gates that Seekers can travel through.”

“Well, which one do we pick?” Jazmel asked and they all looked at him.

“Even if they are randomised, we clearly must choose from one of the three. Which should we choose?” he continued. Patton was staring at him and then a smile lit his face up.

“You know, I did not even consider that when I was told about the gates. But you are right, we must choose one and we cannot all go through all three at the same time. We might end up in various places, party or not.” Patton said.

“I say three.” Katie said and Bannerman grunted in agreement. This drew the eyes of Patton, Sadé and Jazmel.

“Most people will always pick one or two. Three is probably the least known about, I like finding out and learning new things while in the labyrinth.” Katie explained her reasoning and then rolled her eyes at the amazement and wonder in their eyes.

“I am not stupid; I just prefer to live with excitement. You are very boring; you need me to liven the party.” She told them and everyone laughed and rolled their eyes now.

Sweet honey wine had been poured out for them all and they were now drinking, awaiting food. Jazmel had picked some brazened sea king. A tier I fish monster, quite weak on its own. But a school of these could cause some damage. The others ordered their own types of meals, Sadé had gotten the same thing as him and he watched as she sipped her wine and waited for her food.

“Seat us anywhere.” A loud voice said, and Jazmel looked over towards the stairway, to see the same server who had greeted them. bringing another group to the third floor. This was much bigger than their own, around twenty Seekers shuffled in, dressed in assorted armour and garb except for the first three.

The main one, was dressed in fine trousers and a pristine white shirt that reminded Jazmel of snow. His hair was a silky black and tied back with a felt ribbon. he walked with his hands clasped behind his back, but once on the floor. He snapped a fan open and wafted it in his own face.

The other man seemed to be his confidant, dressed like him. But of less quality, he seemed to be a guard if anything. His eyes floating around the room and monitoring everyone else, he noticed Jazmel watching him and for a moment their eyes locked. But after that, he moved on.

The third was a young woman, her hair was purple. A darker tone than Sadé, but also longer. It flowed down her back and over her shoulders till it was past her waist. She wore a flowing dress of green and in it she did look good. She also was scanning the room, she looked at Jazmel and maybe she noticed Sadé, but her eyes stuck to their table for a moment before she continued to look around. Jazmel turned back to his table as their food was brought over, and they dug in. hunger taking over all over needs.

The large group had been seated not too far from them, the ruckus of them all growing louder as they waited to be offered drinks and food. Patton shook his head, irritated in the way they were treating the servers, but nobody said anything. They simply stuck to their own table.

“Bring us another bottle!” Someone from the group roared, a server rushed off to find more wine.

Banner growled and Katie patted his shoulder, but everyone was growing annoyed. Even other Seekers at their own tables had begun to look over at the group, but nobody said anything yet.

They were drinking and laughing loudly amongst themselves, but it was much louder than the scene had been, Jazmel could feel the tension growing steadily.

“Excuse me.” Jazmel looked up and the young woman with the purple hair had come over.

“Hello.” He said and stood up to greet her more appropriately. She nodded in kind and then smiled at him.

“I was talking to her though.” She said and Sadé who had been watching, suddenly grew stiff.

“Yes?” she asked, and the girl cocked her head.

“You are elven?”

“No?”

“You must be your hair is like mine.”

“I am not an elf.”

“Ahh you are Elfin.” The girl stated and Sadé stiffened again.

“No worries, we are all kin. Your hair is proof of that enough. Which house clan do you hail from?”

“I am from the Moonflower house.” Sadé told this girl, and this caused her to change her energy immediately. She dropped to both her knees and crossing her arms over her chest in a position of fealty. She lowered her head.

“Saif, from the house of Elduin, greets the elder.” She did not shout but it was loud enough that others noticed her movement.

“Stop, stop that. You know I am not part of the rulers.” Sadé insisted and the girl stayed down until Sadé had to get up and physically make her stand.

“What is going on here?” the young man with the fan had made his way over now, he was smirking, but Jazmel could already tell he did not like something about this man.

“Saif, why are you bowing to these people? I alone am your Master.” He said and she shuddered but said nothing.

“I know that, Master. But she is one of my clan.” The girl stuttered out and Jazmel suddenly got the idea that he did not like what seemed to be unfolding here.

“Master?” Sadé questioned and the man smiled.

“Well not really, her family had debts they could not pay off. They ended up asking me to let their daughter work for me. She is only a tier I Seeker, but she is fabulous at other services.” This made Sadé hiss.

“How much do you owe this man?” she turned to the girl who had been slowly shrinking behind her.

“4 white gold coins my lady.” She said and everyone shook their head. It was a lot of money, Jazmel could pay it right now, but something stayed his hand. He was looking around the room and, in the corner, an older man was looking at him intently. Studying him from afar but intensely.

“I will pay her debt off, and you will leave her family be?” Sadé said and the girl whimpered but the man smiled even more, a snarl forming too.

“Well, it may be 4 white gold coins, but the accrued interest has brought it to 6.” He smiled, this stifled Sadé, and she grew annoyed.

“I owe you a white gold coin anyway.” Katie said and she flicked one through the air and Sadé caught it deftly. She looked at her with soft look and Katie, nodded ever so slightly.

“I owe you one too, for all the lessons.” Jazmel said and in turn gave her another. She looked at him, her eyes searching his own.

“Free her then.” Sadé said and the man grit his teeth, knowing he was defeated.

Something flashed between he and Sadé, the girl seemed to feel it too. But Jazmel could not see it and he wondered if it was the system changing ownership. Whatever they had been doing, was done now as Jazmel watched the money leave Sadé’s hand and he imagined appear in the man’s storage.

“You can have her; she wasn’t worth the debt anyway.” He turned to leave, and Jazmel exhaled slowly. But he turned back on his heel, looking at Sadé with a nasty tint to his eye.

“I am in the need of an elf; you seem to be quite well developed. Are you interested in replacing her?” he asked and before Sadé could respond, Jazmel had drawn Hajime, and the blade tip was right below the man’s chin.

“Watch your mouth. Do not dare to disrespect her.” Jazmel was burning with rage, and he could feel it boiling over inside, but on the outside, he was cool as steel and tempered. Such was the way of the byakko spirit.

“How dare you bare your sword on me!” the man shouted and the Seekers from his table began to make their way over, swords and other assorted weapons drawn. Bannerman roared, claws formed and his fangs showing. He was ready. Jazmel did not move though, neither did the man. Frightened beneath the blade of Jazmel. One of his group launched himself at Bannerman, they begun a scuffle. Katie was already whirling her blade and Patton, sword drawn was fending off others.

“Tell your men to stop, I will kill you.” Jazmel warned but the man simply spat and said nothing.

Sadé had grown angry, her tails had formed now and blue fire pooled into both hands as she prepared to fight.

“No weapons in the dining hall!” a loud voice shouted and when Jazmel looked up, guards had appeared at the stairway.

“Put up your weapons or be forcefully removed.” They threatened and slowly they did just that, Jazmel the last to do so.

“I can tell you are in for trouble.” The young man smiled and backing off he made his way to the guards. The girl was still so frightened and began to cling to Sadé, who had extinguished her flames.

“Hey, you!” the guard called, and Jazmel watched as he stalked over.

“You dare to raise your sword against the son of the Ward captain?” the guard clearly had been bought; he had not even asked what had caused the fight. He simply was acting out how he wanted to.

“I-.” Jazmel began but was cut off.

“You and your group will leave, as for the young elf? She will stay so I might question her about what happened.” He said and immediately Jazmel understood.

“She will leave with us, or we will not be leaving.” He said and drawing his sword again, but this time the tip pointed at the ground.

“A mere Seeker dares to challenge my authority?” the guard went to grab Jazmel and Jazmel intercepted before striking at the wrist with his sword, to his dismay the guard simply bounced it off and Jazmel saw that Mana covered his entire body.

“NOT TOO MUCH!” someone shouted, and Jazmel darted backwards his group sticking close and surrounding the girl to stay covering her.

“WHO DARES TO DEFILE MY RESTAURANT?” the booming voice shouted, and a man stepped in, surrounded by guards and other powerful folk.

“He is a Ranker. Great.” Katie whispered and the group all sighed, he was stronger than all of them, Jazmel could tell immediately.

“Sir it is this man who is trying to cause a problem.” The guard shouted over his shoulder and with a smile directed at Jazmel. He turned to face his Master and bowed as he neared. The Ranker strolled over, and the pressure alone would have driven Jazmel to his knees, but in his spirit, he felt the byakko core roar in defiance and he stood still, but a light sweat salted his brow.

“You can stand up even beneath my intent. That is impressive, but for the defiling of my store I will take an arm.” The man said and he raised his hand in a backhand. Mana rippled across the edge of his palm and Jazmel fought his body to prepare and raise his sword.

“Shouldn’t we Master of the labyrinth leave the Seekers to deal with Seekers?” a soft voice offered and immediately the pressure fell away from Jazmel like a light breath.

Looking around he noticed the elder man who had been watching him before, standing quite close. His hands were clasped behind his back, Jazmel could not see his Mana or read anything about him. The man simply was an older man who now stood beside Jazmel, he had not even heard him make his way over.

“Master Baek, I must ask your forgiveness. I did not know you were here.” the owner of the restaurant bowed. All his followers fell bowing too.

“The young ward captain is in the wrong, he evaluated this group and when they did as he asked. He questioned the honour of the lady and as such the young man stood at her defence. Maybe I should go and speak with this ward captain, let him know what his son is doing.” The old man stated, and the owner fell to his knees this time.

“Master Baek, I will deal with this and the ward captain now. Please let me pay for your meals, you, and your young friend. Please.” The fear in his voice was enough that Jazmel now knew this old man was strong and someone to fear.

“Thank you, young friend. I feel a little better knowing you are willing to step in for justice.” The old man called Baek stated.

“Please young sir, accept this from me.” It was a pouch and Jazmel could tell there were gold and white gold coins inside. He took it and whisked it into his storage ring.

“We will go.” Sadé said and putting her arms around Saif, she led her out and they all followed. Patton and Jazmel taking up the rear. They had reached the ground floor when the old man appeared again, Jazmel had not heard him at all.

“A moment of your time young man.” Patton waited and Jazmel said it was ok, they headed to their own inn and Jazmel promised to follow shortly.

“Thank you for stepping in, I think the owner might have killed me.” Jazmel admitted and Baek simply looked at him.

“Sorry I am glad to see young Seekers doing what is right. I think what you and your friends were doing was admirable and so I have a gift. A wager if you will.” The man known as Master Baek stated.

“What would we be wagering?” Jazmel asked.

“I have a riddle if you can answer it. I will have lost, but if you cannot. Then you will suffer defeat.”

“What will the loser have to do?”

“If you lose, you will have to be my retainer for three whole days. Whereas if I lose, I will be your retainer.” Baek explained. This offers stunned Jazmel if he lost. He would be a retainer for this stranger but if he won, he would gain an immensely powerful retainer himself. Someone who could help all the party moving forward.

“I accept.” Jazmel stated and Baek smiled a little but inclined his head.

DING!

…

WAGER OFFERED

…

WINNER RETAINS THE SERVICES OF THE LOSER!

ACCEPTED!

“The riddle is simple;

For thousands of years,

Seen only in tale.

The wind as a sail,

For one thunderous gale.

Shiny stores rich in lore,

The burning temper, like Earth’s core.”

Jazmel was stumped it sounded familiar, oddly enough. But he also knew he had not heard it before, not that he could recall. He pondered and Baek merely stood, patiently. Jazmel felt the moments pass but nothing could tell him why the words felt so familiar to him.

“Do you know it young Master?” Baek asked Jazmel and waited patiently.

“I think I do, or I feel I do.” Jazmel said, Baek cocked his head and listened.

In his mind he thought of all the things this riddle could be and as if directly in the centre of his being. He heard a roar. It was unlike anything he had heard before in his life, nothing like any monster he had seen yet. Even the byakko spirit that resided in him was quelled by this behemoth and that was what caught him at his core.

“Dragon.” Jazmel whispered and Baek smiled.

“Can you repeat that?”

“It is a dragon.” Jazmel said and winced as he noticed Baek had not reacted to his answer.

DING!

CONGRATULATIONS

…

JAZMEL HAS WON THE WAGER

RETAIN THE SERVICES OF MASTER SEEKER BAEK.

Jazmel stopped breathing. Baek was a Master Seeker, he had thought it was just an honorific they were offering him. But he had turned out to be that powerful indeed. Jazmel accepted the notification on the system and immediately his own stats popped up.

Name: Jazmel

Level: 23

Species: Human

Rank: Seeker tier I

Health: 680/680

Stamina: 600/600

Mana: 650/650

STR:28 PER:22

VIT:26 END:34

INT:26 WIL:34

AGL:27 DEX:28

Skills:

Sword sense (tier I)

Slash (tier II)

Flight of the Blue kite (tier I)

Whirlwind (tier I)

Title(s):

FIEND SLAYER

SERPENT SLAYER

Unused Stat points:

16X WHITE GOLD COINS

867X GOLD COINS

Item(s):

100X GIANT SERPENT KILLED

34X GREAT SERPENT SKINS COLLECTED

25X GREAT SERPENT CORPSES COLLECTED

42X GREAT SERPENT FANGS COLLECTED

17X GREAT SERPENT GLANDS COLLECTED

RUSTED HELM COLLECTED

X3 RUSTED GREAVES COLLECTED

NEMEAN LION BONE

4X COLD IRON ORE

1/3 PIECES OF THE PLAQUE

TWILIGHT CROWN

BRANCH OF A TREE

5X HEALTH POTIONS

5X STAMINA POTIONS

1X ANTIDOTE POTION

SHADOW WRAITH LVL 8

BAEK LVL 112

PARTY:

5/5

Master Baek was level one hundred and twelve. Jazmel almost fainted.

“Come, I need to explain to the party how I Managed to gain the favour of a Master.” Jazmel explained and Baek simply smiled, a wry smile.