The Amethyst Flame

Chapter 12 - The Sweetest Song

I heard the most gorgeous song as I followed the being's voice. The funny thing is, my mother sang me this exact tune as a child; it's an old piece called "The River Song," and just about everyone in Colmer knows it. In case you're not familiar with it, this is how it goes:

I see a river so pure and a river so deep

A river flowing still

This river flows

Above the rocks and above the trees

This river flows

Like the sands of time

Take me where my heart is

Take me to the river

Take me home

Legends say a nymph wrote it after losing her partner, and a hunter overheard her singing it while hunting for badgers. Whatever the case, it reminded me of my mother and how much she loved me.

The singing gradually became amplified as I followed its origin. Every second, it became more and more gorgeous. I had forgotten entirely that I was in a maze.

"I am your freedom. I am your joy. I will grant unto you everything you desire," the voice spoke soothingly.

"I want my mother back," I replied.

The voice went silent, and that's when I realized what had just happened in horror. I had been in a trance the entire time. I was being led towards my death.

"No, no! Stay away from me, beholder! Come any closer, and I will slay you!" I shouted with shaking hands.

"My child, surely you realize how powerless you are?" it asked mockingly. The voice wasn't gentle anymore. It took on a caustic tone that made me shudder.

"Even so, I-I-I c-c-could always walk around you and find a different exit," I stammered anxiously.

"Alas, I guard the only exit!" The monster exclaimed.

That was when I felt an agonizing slap on the back of my head. I turned around to see an annoyed Arthur.

"Jethro, it's lying!"

"I dare not lie about such things. My master has designed this maze. I am but a servant," it spoke calmly.

"Yeah? And who is this master of yours?" I barked.

"I cannot reveal his name, for I shall surely perish if I do."

"What a load of rubbish! I refuse to believe a word of this!" I shouted.

"Alas, it is so. From my first breath until my last, I am cursed with the mark of Aekthes. I can never leave this maze because of it." It whined.

"And is this how you want to spend the rest of your life? I heard a beholder could live to be four hundred years old. Please, think about how meaningless he has made your life! We need to know who this master is. If you tell us, I swear to slay him," I spoke with sorrow in my heart.

"Silence! You will do no such thing!" the torch exclaimed.

"You! You brought us here to die!" I spoke angrily.

"I did, yes." It calmly replied.

"But why? What did we ever do to you?" Jethro asked in horror.

"You think I don't know about your distrust and contempt for me? I entered your bodies to see if you'd make perfect servants. It would appear you'd make better trophies. I could have given you everything! You tossed me aside like last week's pottage. I could have given you power above all power. Strength above all strength. We could have changed the world!" The voice boomed; the purple flames glowing brighter than ever.

"So why'd you teach us those spells, to begin with?!" I asked angrily.

"It's no fun watching someone die in seconds. I like watching my prey suffer before succumbing. I saw the memories of your mother dying from shadow frenzy. Your mother was a sickly bitch, and you two were her runts. I hope you enjoy your death. I know I certainly will!" The voice echoed. This was briefly followed by sinister laughter.

The walls shook, and pieces of the labyrinth began to crack and fall apart.

"Beholder, I need his name!" I shouted in desperation.

"Maelfor!" It shouted before letting out a bloodcurdling scream.

We ran towards the deceased beholder and were horrified to see that only ashes remained of it. The curse was real, and it only obeyed Maelfor because it had no other choice.

We saw the exit directly ahead of us and ran to it, not looking back for a single second.

We escaped just as the maze collapsed and imploded.