When Good Loses Its Grip {Grishaverse Big Bang 2021}

Chapter 23

Leoni's heart pounded in her chest. 

The Labyrinth of Memories. Supposedly a place of change, from what she'd read. People looked into their past to understand their future. 

Leoni wondered how until she looked up, and gasped. 

Tiny crystal stars dotted the walls of the labyrinth, creating constellations. So THAT'S what's creating the silver light, Leoni thought. She glanced at Alina, whose orb bore the same stars on its crystal exterior. Alina didn't look back at Leoni, though. For some reason, she was staring ahead. It looked like they were in deep thought. 

Tearing her eyes away from the fortune teller, Leoni looked around again. 
"Doesn't the Labyrinth have monsters in it?" she asked under her breath. 
"It does," Dimitri answered, and Leoni jumped at the sudden sound of his voice. Dimitri didn't notice though, flicking through the book. "The monsters are in separate chambers, though. We're just in the corridors." 
"How odd," Leoni said aloud. Alina turned around and looked at her. 
"Not really. The Zonai used this Labyrinth's stars to predict the future. We avoided the monsters." 
"So you can remember everything?" Dimitri asked eagerly. 
Alina gave the knight a deadpan look. "No." 
Dimitri pursed his lips. "Right," he responded. Leoni couldn't help but giggle. Out of the corner of her eye, the princess saw Alina turn away with a smile on their face. 
 
Leoni stepped forward, and her ankle suddenly flopped. Leoni yelped, falling forward. Dimitri managed to catch her, stopping her from landing on the ground. Alina looked on. 
"Are you alright?" Dimitri asked. Leoni nodded. 
"My ankle hurts a bit, but I'll be alright." 

"Past…" a voice hissed. 

Leoni looked up, eyes wide. "Who said that?" she called out. Dimitri's hand was immediately on the Master Sword. He pulled Leoni to her feet. 

"Discover your past…" 

Leoni leaned on Dimitri, head whipping to and fro. "Where are you?" She whispered. 

A monster suddenly leaped out at her from the side. Leoni screamed. Dimitri stepped forward, attempting to cut through it with the Master Sword. He didn't reach far enough. The monster, still unhurt, hissed again, taking a step towards Leoni. 

"I thought you said the monsters were in the chambers!" Leoni exclaimed. 
"They are! Well, they're supposed to be!" Dimitri responded. 

The two stood back to back. Leoni summoned her light and swung it at the monster, which roared in pain and collapsed, turning into ashes. 

Five more monsters came out of the darkness. Leoni brandished her power. Once she'd killed two monsters, another jumped onto her. Leoni screamed. Dimitri threw his sword, and the weapon lodged itself into the monster's neck. It turned to ashes. Leoni scrambled to her feet. Dimitri suddenly screamed. A monster had slammed him against a wall, and was trying to rip his arm off.

"Dimitri!" Leoni yelled. She wielded her power again, but a monster grabbed her arm and tried to pull her towards its jaws. 

"Help!" Dimitri cried. 

"I'm trying!" Leoni called as she tried to pry herself out of the monster's jaws. The princess grabbed the Master Sword and swung it, severing her enemy's head in half. 

Leoni ran towards Dimitri as fast as she could. She summoned her light again and shot it towards the monster. Dimitri was on the ground now, screaming. The monster was trying to kill him with its claws. Leoni reached Dimitri, Master Sword in her hand, but her palms were slick with sweat. She dropped it. Leoni then tried to pry the monster off Dimitri, but it didn't work. The monster roared and turned towards Leoni, intending to kill her.

Before the monster could succeed, a black, red and purple substance collided with it, wrapping around the opponent and squeezing it until it turned to ashes. Leoni's eyes widened. 

Alina stood in the centre of the corridor, their orb hovering above one hand, and Malice flowing from the other. 

"Move," the fortune teller hissed, grabbing Leoni's and Dimitri's hands. Before Leoni could protest, Alina shoved the princess and knight into a chamber before slamming the door.