Heir of the Labyrinth

Chapter 8: Shadows of Pride

The Goblin Castle, usually alive with the hum of goblin mischief and the laughter of enchanted creatures, felt different today. The air was thick with tension. In the grand hall, the towering stone walls seemed to press in, and the flickering torchlight cast long, ominous shadows that danced across the floor.
At the center of the hall stood Jareth Jr., his mismatched eyes burning with frustration, his fists clenched tightly at his sides. Before him, atop the throne, sat Jareth, the Goblin King, exuding calm authority, though there was a sharpness in his gaze that Jr. had rarely seen.

-"Why won't you just listen to me for once?" Jareth Jr.'s voice echoed through the hall, thick with anger and hurt. His wild dark brown hair fell over his face as he glared up at his father from between them, his usually playful demeanor now replaced by a storm of emotion.

Jareth, calm as ever, rested his chin on his hand, looking up and down at his son with a measured expression. His crystal ball, which always seemed to appear in his palm whenever he was thinking deeply, floated above his hand, spinning slowly. "I am listening, Junior But what you're asking is reckless."

Jareth Jr. took a step forward, his anger rising. "Reckless? It's what I'm meant to do! I'm your son—I'm supposed to be able to handle this magic by now! How do you expect me to learn if you never let me try anything on my own and later you are telling me I am seeking trouble?"

Jareth sighed, and for a moment, a flicker of vulnerability crossed his face, but it was quickly replaced by his usual aloofness. "You aren't ready, Jr. There are powers in this kingdom that even I—"

-"Enough!" Jareth Jr. cut him off, his voice shaking with fury. "I'm not a child anymore! You keep treating me like I'm some fragile little boy who can't handle himself. For your information I already sneaked to the unseen patch few days ago"

Jareth stood slowly, his towering figure casting a shadow over his son. "This isn't about treating you like a child," he said, his voice dropping to a dangerous, low tone. "This is about understanding your limits before you hurt yourself, or worse, someone else."

Jareth Jr. felt the sting of his father's words and the heat rising in his chest. He was tired of being protected, of being held back. He had spent his entire life living in his father's shadow, always the "Goblin King's son," but never quite his own person. And now, when he wanted to take control of his own magic, his own destiny, his father was standing in the way again.

"I can handle the magic better than you! You just don't trust me!" Jareth Jr.'s voice cracked, the truth of his fear spilling out. "You think I'm weak. You forgot who saved you.."

Jareth's eyes widened slightly, a brief moment of shock passing over him. He hadn't expected the conversation to take this turn, but before he could respond, Jareth Jr. pushed on.

-"You're afraid I'll never be like you!" Jr. shouted, his face flushed with anger. "You think I'm a failure! That I'll never be the king you are!"

The hall fell silent. The accusation hung in the air like a physical presence, heavy and oppressive. Jareth Jr. stood trembling, his heart pounding in his chest, the adrenaline of the moment clouding his thoughts.
Jareth's eyes darkened, his posture stiffening. For the first time in years, his calm façade cracked. "Do you really think that's what I believe?" His voice was quiet, but it cut through the silence like a blade.

Jareth Jr. looked away, unable to meet his father's gaze, the rush of anger beginning to fade into something colder—regret, perhaps, but it was too late now. He had said it. He had said the thing he'd been afraid of for years, the thing that had gnawed at the back of his mind every time his father corrected him, every time he stumbled in his magical training.