Denizens of the Labyrinth

They had left the ship nearly a week ago, they had been deep in the hinterlands since, and Jazmel had gained a great deal of experience. Learning what he could from every one of the group. Bannerman taught him how to scout a little and pick up trails of different animals. Patton taught him how to build a hidden camp but also how to set a little alarm made of rocks found around them to keep them all alerted.

Katie and Sadé showed him how to set traps also, small ones such as a simple red flower they found had seeds within its buds and they exploded into a very irritating spray that caused rashes and light burns. He took and stored some seeds in his storage space.

They had fought different type of monsters and creatures at different moments. Creatures that were territorial but either were defeated or sent off in fear by their group. Patton was teaching the group how to fight together, and this was working more effectively. Each time they tried a separate way and after he asked them all different questions. Things that might help later or what they all thought they could do better. It was surprisingly helpful, and Jazmel was consuming at great deal of information from each bout.

It was another three days before they Managed to escape the grasslands and enter the hill slopes. The group now refreshed and well rested. The foraging that Sadé had been doing, kept them healthy with fruits and herbs along the way and Bannerman hunted for them each time they started camp. This was a peaceful time, and it was uneventful for a time.

The second day outside of the grasslands they came across another party. Both took note of one another and yet no words were said between them. Patton finally broke the silence and asked them if they had seen the gate. The leader, it would seem was a Centaur. Half man and half horse, two of his party rode on his back while the others simply ran beside him.

“We just entered through a gate a day west of here.” he called out. Patton thanked him and directed him towards the port and which way to begin going, they nodded their thanks and headed in that direction. Patton asked Bannerman to see if he could spot the gate they had mentioned and to scout the route out. He left immediately.

“Let’s set up a camp here.” he told them, and they went about their duties doing so. Jazmel setting up the traps and alarm from the previous times.

“Do you think the gate they used will be the same gate we can use to exist this place?” Sadé asked and Katie simply shrugged.

“Well, a gate is a doorway, and a door is both an entrance and an exit. Nobody knows how the gates work inside the labyrinth.” Patton considered and quietly everyone thought about his words.

“Well, in my city. We were told that the Labyrinth had not rotated in almost ten years. When it does or if it does. New gates and new parts of the labyrinth will open for everyone to gain.” Katie told them and Jazmel listened, mystified.

“Yes. My father told me the Celestial snake within the centre of the labyrinth controls the course of it and if it moves even a little. The whole labyrinth will twist and turn. Creating new gates.” Sadé told them Jazmel smiled at this, a little excited at all the different adventure possibilities. Then he felt sad again, suddenly worried about Tango again. He was still hoping to find him. He would. They rested for a few hours and Bannerman returned telling them what they had all not hoped.

“The gate is there, but the archway is empty. It is not for us; our task must be taking us down a different path.” He told them and Patton simply thanked him for his scouting but then sat in silence.

DING!

THOSE WHO HAVE OVERCOME WILL GO ON

…

PARTY SHARED PLOT

OVERCOME TWO FLOORS TOGETHER

DEFEAT A BEHEMOTH

ALL PARTY MEMBERS MUST OVERCOME A TRIBULATION

REWARDS VARY UPON COMPLETION

The system chimed aloud to them all, the first time Jazmel had heard it outside of his mind. They were all stunned and looked around each other.

“A party shared plot?” Katie uttered.

“We have to defeat a behemoth.” Sadé said and looked worried.

“When it says a tribulation, does that mean we all have to overcome a tier tribulation Seeker? Because that means we have a lot of grinding to do.” Patton mused. Bannerman merely grunted and Jazmel just took it in, listening to everyone else’s thoughts.

“Right. First things first. This floor and the next floor will oversee that for us. A behemoth is a lot for us even at tier III we need to consider that later. But what level are you all?” Patton asked.

“20.” Bannerman growled.

“32.” Katie said with a bow and Jazmel gasped, realising she was already nearing tier III.

“19.” Sadé said with a shy smile.

“18.” Jazmel said, a little annoyed he was the lowest one again.

“22.” Patton said finally with a wry smile.

“We have a lot of grinding to do. But that is fine, we need to even ourselves out and the quicker we grow the easier it will be for us to accomplish our party shared plot.” He was motivating them, but Jazmel was already motivated. He needed to level up. They rested and begun to see what they could do to level up. Jazmel wondered what he would use for his next tier tribulation. Hopefully, they would come across another store or auction, and this would be enough to allow Jazmel to better prepare.

While everyone was resting, he walked out of the camp, his Mana eyes could detect any changes in his environment, so he knew he was all right. He stepped up and climbed up onto one of the lower slopes that were close. It took him a little time, but he made it to the top and overlooking the hinterlands the setting sun, cloaked the land in an orange hue. A sound like wind whistling could be heard and turning to face it, he noticed a break in the slope. It was not a cave as such, but a rather deep indent and when he investigated it. It barred entry.

DING!

TRIAL GATE FOUND

…

WILL YOU COMPLETE THE TRIAL?

…

Jazmel hesitated but thinking on his low level again he felt motivated. He pressed against it again and this time the barrier was gone.

TRIAL GATE OPEN

SEEKER ENTER

Jazmel was on the hinterlands slopes a moment ago and now he was in a white void. A singular platform as wide as an auditorium, he found himself standing alone.

SEEKER CHALLENGING THE TRIAL

SURVIVE THE WAVE

He immediately went to draw his sword, but nothing happened. He went to check his satchel but found it was not around his waist. He was bare, wearing nothing but the clothes on his back.

WAVE 1

BEGIN!

In front of him, just a few yards away. A green being appeared, it was snaggle toothed and bare, wearing nothing but a loincloth covered its lower half. It clutched a rusty dagger but was about half the size of Jazmel. It rushed him, and he side stepped its first attack, then another. He then pushed it away when it swung again, he darted backwards to evade a backhand slash from the creature. He hesitated and the creature leapt onto him. Stabbing down at him, the blade scraped his chest and with anger he threw it from him. It landed awkward and its neck twisted. It did not move again.

STATUS CONDITION

LIGHT WOUND

TIER I GOBLIN KILLED

WAVE 2

The goblin disappeared but left its knife. Jazmel picked it up and the rusted blade felt unbalanced but sturdy in his hand.

BEGIN!

This time two goblins appeared, both clutching knives and this time a small leather piece of armour each. This time Jazmel did not hesitate and killed them both. A dagger across the throat and then another stab to the back of the head. They fell dead and disappeared. He picked up both their blades and waited.

TIER I GOBLIN X2 KILLED

WAVE 3

BEGIN!

This time it was not a goblin; it was something much larger than the goblin. Still green; but this time it was muscular and a little taller. It was stronger too; he could see from the focus in its eyes, and they were keen on Jazmel. Keen on killing him, this monster clutched an axe and raised it as it charged, he tried to sidestep it too. But it changed its direction too and mid stride swung and attacked him immediately, Jazmel evaded it safely, but he was struck by a backward swing. This drove him off his feet and Jazmel luckily used the sword to block. But this monster was dangerous still, he flicked out the blade and struck it on the shoulder. It gritted its teeth and pushed through the pain, but Jazmel used that moment to steady himself and prepare better.

The goblin mutant rushed forward, and Jazmel literally crashed his scabbard on its hands and made sure that it dropped the axe.

Slash

The skill move struck its hands and while one was cut off and the other bloodied, it simply roared and grabbed for the axe it had previously dropped. He hurried in and slashed its neck with his next movement. Flying past it in a darting run as he slashed through it. not looking back, he heard it gurgle and crash to the ground in death.

TIER I HOBGOBLIN KILLED

So, it was a hobgoblin he thought to himself, he hadn’t seen one of those before, but he made sure to analyse the fight he had just had on reflection. It was a sort of training after all.

WAVE 4

BEGIN!

Before the next wave could have happened, he prepared himself and thought about what to do next. The monsters appeared and he waited for them to rush him. They immediately decided to attack him from both sides, but he was not wasting any moments.

Slash!

He sent a wide ranged attack at him, and Mana sliced through the air towards the hobgoblins. One tried to block the attack and stumbled to a knee beneath its attack. He struck the closest and though it was a deep wound it didn’t die, but in his hurry. The other struck him across the back.

DANGER!

HEALTH DOWN 15%

WARNING!!

He winced and sucked his teeth. Unhappy to be caught off guard, he backed off and made sure he could see them both in his sights. Instead, he struck out again, this time it felt different. The Mana moved different and propelled across his blade in a long strike and a jagged swathe of Mana in the shape of a scythe carved through the air and struck both the hobgoblins. Knocking them off their feet, Jazmel was shocked and immediately felt the knew skill settle in his final skill slot.

NEW SKILL

WHIRLWIND, using Mana a slash like a whirlwind is directed at the victim

SKILL ADDED

Whirlwind (tier I)

Two hobgoblins this time, both wielding swords and axes. This time they rushed him together; he took a bad hit to the shoulder and then a knock across the ribs took his breath. He killed them both but this time he had been wounded. He wheezed and waited, slowing his breath down and trying to force his body to begin healing itself.

TIER I HOBGOBLIN X2 KILLED

WAVE 5

HEALTH REPLENISHED!

The system flushed him with energy and his body knitted itself back together again. He was grateful but the experience also let him know, he could not be wounded again. He needed to reflect on his movements quicker. But he was also pleased about the new move he had learned; he was already thinking about how the move could be used on others. It had

BEGIN!

This time the monster was taller than him. A darker green this time, fangs and scars riddled its face. An intense hate seemed to form in the eyes of the monster. It was muscular and wide in the shoulders. It clutched a double headed axe and raising it above its head. It charged Jazmel. He had gotten used to the headlong rush and so he slashed it across the stomach as it rammed past him. Waiting for it to fly past him, he rushed in, darting into its reach.

Using the knife, he had hidden in his belt. He struck the knee and elbow of the creature. Its skin was thick, but the knee wound was deep. It barged him with the butt end of its axe and before it could swing it wildly. He stabbed down into its hand; it almost dropped its axe. But backhanded him instead. He felt that attack, he spat a wad of blood from his mouth and waited as it roared with rage.

Flight of the blue kite!

He skipped back and with his sword he slashed it across the chest. The form of a blue Mana bird struck; cutting its skin and making it bleed profusely. It swung downward with its axe but missed him. He had spun to the left of it. He stabbed with the knife and struck with the sword. taking its hand, then stabbing it in between the ribs and then taking its head off. All in a flurry of simple moves.

ORC KILLED

WAVE 6

BEGIN

Thankfully, it was not two orcs. But instead, it was a Draugr. An undead warrior. Its body held together with ice and Mana. Its armour thick with chainmail and frost. The knife did not even dent the armour and as it swung with its sword and shouldered him with its shield. It took some time before he was able to get into its defence. He struck hard and took the head off from the back cutting through its spin and neck with some strength. He swapped swords as the one he had been using dulled. A heavier blade meant more power and he felt like for some reason he would need it.

DRAUGR KILLED

WAVE 7

BEGIN!

This time it was a human, or the shape of one. Mana was inside it, but it felt like a fiend. A creature that was functioning with little will. This fight was even easier than the previous and this worried him, he barely needed to steel himself for this. He struck deep and true; taking it through the bare chest.

PUTTY DOLL KILLED

WAVE 8

BEGIN!

This time it was another doll but better made, there was three Mana cores within its body as his eyes told him. He fought a bout and realised this thing had been made to know how to wield a sword. He did not fight it for long, as its intent wavered at the end. His eyes showed him where to strike and his sword sense kept him focused on the flow of the bout. The doll defended itself better than the previous doll, but his eyes showed him exactly where to aim for and what to attack. But he disarmed it and then slashed it deep through its chest core, cutting through all three Mana cores it crumpled in on itself and vanished.

SWORD WRAITH KILLED

WAVE 9

BEGIN!

This time it was two of them, but Jazmel had prepared. He used the sword of the fallen wraith and fought both, ensuring that he kept them directly in front of him and not letting them gain any advantage on him. This bout was strenuous, and he found himself breathing deeply and haggard, he was low on Mana and stamina, he could feel the fatigue in his limbs. He would need to buy more potions. He would need to keep those up, there was a lesson in this also. Something that he was making sure to learn, all the lessons of the labyrinth. The exhaustion of the previous waves had begun to catch up to him and he now was waning. The sword wraith to his left balked first and driving his sword into its gut. He pushed it back, giving him space to deal with the other. By the time it had pulled his blade from within. He had dispatched the other and whirling on it he struck with his other sword. driving his sword through the cores in its chest and shattering it. The Mana light left its eyes and it crumpled to the ground before crumbling.

X2 SWORD WRAITH KILLED

WAVE 10

THE FINAL WAVE

DO YOU WISH TO CONTNUE?

He sighed, catching his breath in deep inhales.

“Yes.” He said in an inhale.

SWORDS RETURNED!!

He smiled at that and pulled Hajime from his storage space and felt the comfort of his familiar sword grip. But in his heart, he knew he was being prepared for his hardest trial yet.

BEGIN!

This time what materialised was something that jarred his whole body and he froze. Something stood before him that he had never seen before and yet every fibre in his body let him know he knew what it was immediately.

The wraith that formed this time was completely made of Mana and shadow it was a man, completely formed of black Mana and shadow. There were no features at all not even eyes, but everything emanating from this being told Jazmel it was a warrior. It wore simple robes and yet in its hands held a katana of high quality. Jazmel could tell from the Mana wrapped around the sheath and sword. the wraith had not even moved yet, but Jazmel could tell it was stronger than all creatures before.

He drew Hajime and holding it with both hands, held it to the side waiting. The wraith drew its own katana, slowly and Jazmel licked his lips. The blade was truly a beautiful creation. The wraith leapt at him, and they clashed. Strike after strike.

Slash

Flight of the blue kite!

The wraith met him equally, after around ten strikes, Jazmel could tell they were equal in power. He focused and let his skill take control of his body, sword sense blurred all other notions and only thought of the sword. this time he struck high but then feinted and struck low. The wraith rebuttal and managed to deflect but not before striking him on the forearm.

WARNING!

CONDITION: BLEEDING

This monster had caught him again and he felt the wounds to prove it, but he focused. Breathing long and deep, he steadied his trepid heart and drove on. He winced but did not stop his own attacks. He caught the wraith on the shoulder and the blade was deep, blood did not seep from the wound, but Mana crept out.

Whirlwind!

he had decided to use this skill for multiple monsters, but in a close duel such as this. It was a formidable attack to create an opening for himself. The wraith was buffeted by the winds of Mana that his skill created, the wraith stepped back out and he could see the many wounds of the whirlwind of Mana. There was a lot of little wounds, but the wraith made no show of pain, and then changed its stance. Its sword in front and offering no openings. Jazmel copied it, this was the last attack. The final bout between he and the wraith. Rushing forward, Jazmel threw himself into his final strike. The sword moved with no effort; it was his greatest movement. There were no flaws or excess in his strike. He took the wraith in the throat. Striking hard and deep, almost decapitating it but not enough to fully remove its head. It fell behind him, but he was still transfixed in the movement of his sword. seconds felt like hours, but when he pulled himself from within the system thrummed.

FINAL WAVE

COMPLETE!

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE SEEKER

THE FIRST TRIAL GATE OF THE SEEKER IS COMPLETE

REWARDS TO BE GIVEN

…

EXP TO BE GIVEN

…

DING!!

The system whirled and pulled him from the trial gate and within a moment’s breath. He was out on the slope again. The system notifications flooded his mind, and he opened them to see what had happened.

LEVEL UP

LEVEL UP

EXP EARNED

LEVEL UP

+3 STR

+5 END

+3 INT

+5 AGL

+5 DEX

+10 WIL

REWARDS GIVEN

TIER II BONE FROM THE NEMEAN LION

TIER I SWORD FROM AVALON

TIER I SIRIUS CITRUS FRUIT

He literally could not believe what he had gained in that trial zone. His stats were phenomenal, the growth had raised him exactly as he had needed it, but he had also now gained experience. He knew a lot more about his own skills than before. Especially on how to wield the sword, he had been reflecting on the different waves he had endured, and, in his mind, he was trying to figure out how to get back to that moment of flawless sword movement.

His stats now showed as.

Name: Jazmel

Level: 21

Species: Human

Rank: Seeker tier I

Health: 600/680

Stamina: 325/600

Mana: 650/650

STR:28 PER:22

VIT:26 END:29

INT:26 WIL:34

AGL:27 DEX:28

Skills:

Sword sense (tier I)

Slash (tier I)

Flight of the Blue kite (tier I)

EMPTY SLOT

Title(s):

FIEND SLAYER

EMPTY SLOT

Unused Stat points: 0

675X GOLD COINS

SHADOW WRAITH:

LEVEL 7

PARTY:

5/5