Heir of the Labyrinth

Chapter 19: Many faces of the Labyrinth

Jareth Jr. found himself wandering through the giant stone walls one bright afternoon, he couldn't help but feel a mixture of excitement and anxiety. He wasn't alone, though. By his side were two of his new, somewhat eccentric, companions: the gentle giant Ludo and the ever-loyal, ever-brave Sir Didymus, who rode atop his trusty steed Ambrosius.

-"Right, where do we go now?" Jareth Jr. asked, holding up a tiny compass his father had given him long ago. He wasn't sure how to use it, but it seemed like the right moment to try.

-"Fear not, young master!" Sir Didymus exclaimed with a twirl of his staff. "The path ahead shall yield no obstacle that cannot be overcome by valor and bravery!"

-"Bravery," Ludo muttered, nodding solemnly, though it seemed he might have been more concerned with a butterfly lazily drifting past his nose.

The trio pressed on, Jareth Jr. leading the way, though he often stopped to ask Sir Didymus for help navigating—or at least pretending to. Despite his efforts, the twists and turns of the Labyrinth felt more confusing by the minute. At times, the very walls seemed to shift on their own, leading the group in circles, playing its game again.

After what felt like hours of wandering, they stumbled upon a river—its waters flowing rapidly, glinting in the sunlight. A rickety old bridge stretched across it, creaking ominously in the breeze.

-"Ludo, can you swim?" Jareth Jr. asked, peering nervously at the swaying bridge.

Ludo scratched his chin, his giant fingers tangling in his red fur. "Swim... slow." He wasn't exactly known for his agility, especially when it came to things involving water.

-"Nonsense!" Sir Didymus barked, hopping off Ambrosius and stepping confidently onto the bridge. "A knight must never fear! Onward, comrades!"

Jareth Jr. hesitated, glancing at Ludo, who shrugged and stepped carefully onto the wooden planks. As they all began to cross, Jareth Jr. felt his heartbeat quicken with every creak and groan of the bridge. Halfway across, something caught his eye on the far bank—a familiar figure standing tall, arms crossed, with a sharp, disappointed gaze.

It was Jareth the Goblin King.

Jareth Jr. froze, staring in disbelief. His father had appeared out of nowhere, watching them with that same unimpressed look he always seemed to have, as though amused but mildly annoyed by everything around him.

-"What's he doing here?" Jareth Jr. muttered under his breath. He hadn't expected to run into his father in the Labyrinth, of all places.

Sir Didymus, completely oblivious, continued to lead the charge, marching across the bridge with exaggerated determination. Ludo followed close behind, but Jareth Jr. couldn't keep his eyes off his father. Was Jareth judging him? Testing him? It made his stomach churn.

Distracted by his thoughts, Jareth Jr. missed a loose plank beneath his feet. With a startled yelp, he slipped, his arms flailing wildly as he nearly tumbled over the edge of the bridge. The cold, rushing river below seemed all too eager to welcome him into its depths.

-"Ahh! Help!" Jareth Jr. shouted, grabbing onto the side of the bridge with one hand. His legs dangled dangerously close to the water.

-"Jr. fall!" Ludo bellowed, his deep voice shaking the air. Without a second thought, the gentle giant reached out with his enormous hands and plucked Jareth Jr. back onto the bridge with ease.

-"Th-thanks, Ludo," Jareth Jr. gasped, heart still pounding in his chest. He glanced back toward the riverbank where his father had been standing, but Jareth had already vanished.

-"Valiant rescue!" Sir Didymus proclaimed, oblivious to the near disaster as he stood triumphantly on the other side of the bridge. "Onward, my friends! The adventure continues!"