Labyrinth- Jareth's Return

14. Contemplate the Escape

Jareth walked on along the pathways through the trees before a familiar ashy land came into view. The trees slowly thinned out as he continued to walk toward the foggy atmosphere. Stopping to catch his breath, he sat upon a boulder looking at his surroundings. Looking up at the fog was fading, he caught a glimpse of the mountain before him. It still was quite a way to travel but it looked intimidating even at a distance. "There it is. The great crag that shrouds the Shadowlands.. Baskara." Jareth stared up at the volcano in the distance, a continuous stream of ash and smoke streamed out of the great mountain's top.

Baskara has been active since the war, the clash of the two strong beings triggered this mighty mountain to break, and cause a never ending flow of fire and lava. It exploded at first, shaking the lands entirely causing cracks and fissures throughout each kingdom. It nearly crumbled the Shadowlands into extinction if it wasn't for King Tato's persistence. Even if all powers of the underground would combine, they could not withstand Baskara. No one has attempted to climb it, if so they never returned from it. It is the most rugged and dangerous place within the underground. If it wasn't for Baskara, maybe the underground would be in better shape. Its ash clouds extend even to the goblin kingdom, giving a faint orange like hue to the skys. Some days are better than others, but of all the kingdoms, the Shadowlands remain covered as if Baskara itself was punishing them for their insolence.

The troll kingdom and elven kingdoms managed well from the clouds for they lied far from this intimidating beast, but even they were not spared from the crags' sudden awakening. No matter how much they begged and pushed Jareth, he could never get Almother to help. All she ever said was it wasn't in her control of what Baskara's wrath had caused. Baskara's anger was still ongoing as Almother described. Jareth asked her many times if there was a being in that mountain but she never said. She would leave it unanswered. Whatever hides within that mountain, even Jareth could not tame.

Looking at the mountain now it's as intimidating as the stories described. If anything the stories were watered down compared to what stood before him. After the clouds shrouded the mountain again, Jareth looked down at his crystal. It looks like I'm at the Shadowlands borders, which means there should be a hidden path that trails along the edge. With that it should bring me to Dracius's castle. Jareth sighed as he tried to manipulate the ball to see Sarah, but his power was too weak to change it. Frustrated he put the crystal away and groaned. As if mimicking him the volcano roared in the distance, as it pushed more ash out of its mouth.

Looking around, Jareth found the path and continued on away from the volcano. I hope Sarah is okay.

The trees became more and more barren as he traveled down the path until he came to an unusual clearing. This wasn't on the map.. Jareth approached with caution as he neared the edge of it. The whole circle was lined with dark stones. Looking at the circle closely, he could see the slight break within the dirt in the clearing. As he studied it he heard faint steps in the distance. Jareth looked around in panic as he tried to find a way out when he noticed a large tree nearby. Jareth backed away slowly from the circle watching his step as he found a low enough branch to grab. He hopped up on a branch and slowly ascended the tree until he was cloaked in its shadows and branches. As he settled, he heard faint voices nearing below making their way to the circle. Ogres. Jareth breathed lightly as he tried listening in to their conversation.

"So I said to myself, if it weren't for Kronk, we wouldn't be the ones retrieving these supplies for that cursed wedding."

"Bah! Don't let the king hear ye say that. We will be next if we mess up his dinner."

"Yeah, yeah you right Grum. We should just focus on the dinner plans."

"Oi lookie here."

The one called Grum pointed at the circle. "Ain't a single beast fell in our trap! I told ya we should've left bait! But you insisted not to." The other ogre grumbled as he looked at the undisturbed circle. "Well Grum how bout you go in there and set it then? If you're so smart at making traps!"