Labyrinth- Jareth's Return

17. Unfolding a Prophecy

As the smog cleared, what looked to be a mountain came into view. The sides of the mountain were blackened and charred. Bits of fire burned along the sides as Xerxes glided around the crag with his back tilted toward it. Sarah held on as she watched the smoke seep from the mountaintop and the fires burn. A groan came from the dragon as he spoke. "Welcome to Baskara."

Xerxes dived down gently until a cave opening came into view on the side of the mountain, his wings pushing hard against the air as he came closer to the ground landing on the ledge. Rocks tumbled as he took steps toward the cave. He lowered his head allowing Sarah to climb down off of him. "Is it safe for me to walk?" Sarah inquired as she stared down the dark cavern.

Xerxes' eyes slitted as he stared down the hall and nodded. "Yesss. Perfectly safe for you."

Xerxes tilted his head toward the entrance. "After you, my queen." Sarah looked up into Xerxes eyes and relaxed seeing the reassurance before looking back again, taking her first step into the darkness.

As her eyes adjusted, a warm glow showed in the distance, the air felt warm and surprisingly pleasant. Xerxes watched every step she took and unbeknownst to her, she left a trail of grass and flowers that slowly climbed the floor and walls replacing the ash to earth as she made her way down in fascination. Xerxes smiled and relaxed, Finally.

Sarah stopped as the cave walls opened up to a giant open space. The glow came from the lava that flowed through the cave near the bottom of the opening; warming the space more than the cavern was just moments ago. Xerxes stepped slowly next to her as he hummed. "It's been so long since I have returned home." Xerxes breathed out smoke before breathing in again with satisfaction. Sarah looked around before looking back up to Xerxes. "This is your home?" Sarah asked before Xxerxes nodded in agreement. "All dragons come from Baskara."

Sarah looked around in fascination taking in the caverns that lined the walls like little holes dotting the rocks above. "Why have you been away from it for so long?"

Xerxes looked down, his tongue slithered in and out of his face as he turned away. "Come, my Queen."

Sarah looked back before following Xerxes down a slope that slanted down into another open space. As Xerxes stood, he looked back at Sarah and lowered his head. "My Queen. Please wait here."

Xerxes stared at Sarah until she nodded before turning back around; rounding a corner that led to another cave. Sarah clapped her hands together before she walked around, looking at the walls then back from where she came. She furrowed her brows as she watched green take over the path she walked stretching all the way toward her feet. Startled, she took a step back away from the grass on the rocky ground only for the greenery to form with each step.

Her eyes widened as she kept taking steps forming more grass until she was surrounded with it. She leaned against the rock wall, watching as flowers and vines shot up the wall from behind her covering the entire rock toward the ceiling. Trees slowly grew on the ledges as flowers and greenery spread across from where she touched. She stepped away from the wall and looked at everything before her. "How did I.." She began to question as she stared down at her hands when suddenly the floor rumbled slightly as heavy steps came closer. She covered her hands and turned around to see a familiar face come into view.

"Hello. Sarah. We convene again."

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Jareth moved farther and farther from Nagendra's screams, going deeper into the dungeons. My doesn't this look familiar? He thought as his boots clicked against the stone. Suddenly he froze before a stall squinting at the figure that laid inside. Bending down he took a closer look only to watch it shift away from him.