“W-what are you going to… do to me?” I questioned stumbling on forming words. Darkness has always been an enemy of mine. When I’m in an aphotic place, I feel as though I’m being watched or followed. You don’t know what to expect if you can’t see, right?
He didn’t answer, but instead, something exotic or maybe outlandish shot out of his hand that zapped into the wall-or what I think was the wall. Then, flames ignited on the wall and a shadowy silhouette appeared. As I inhaled sharply, I wondered… Was he going to burn the Labyrinth down? Is he trying to kill me? I probably would’ve been burnt to a crisp already… why is the fire acting so slowly?
“Shadows… they destroyed our Kingdom, Laverth, little by little. They demolished, they devoured, they devastated. They killed and they threatened. They-they did malicious things that one can’t even describe. But Seekers, what are they? Seekers rescue, save, and kill those demons! They defeat Shadows, pulverize them, and decimate them. Seekers are heroes. We would sacrifice ourselves to save Laverth so we have to be brave. All you have to do is crush those Soul Shifters! Those menacing, vivid, pieces of energy! You!” He pointed straight at me, “Did you want to become a Seeker? If you do, we shall continue… the test.”
With just a snap of fingers, the hallway instantly turned dark again. I heard a whizz of wind as I instinctively dodged the knife, hearing the whirr of the sharp blade. As I kept skillfully ducking, evading, and deflecting the nimble knife that was trying to suck a bit of my blood, I could almost imagine the mysterious man’s mouth twisting into a smirk. It’s almost as if he knew I would become tired sooner than him. But if your enemy underestimates you, it’s a plus for you. Just act like you’re tired and then strike when he weakens.
Waiting for the right exact slice of time, I shut my eyes and concentrated on the noise of the blade slashing and stabbing the air as if it were trying to make the air give in into a million pieces. This would go on until I hear the precise second he weakens thinking I’m weakening. Then, there it was. That huff of breath acting like an alert told me that this was the time. The time to strike.
With one prompt and sudden move, my dagger was suddenly right in front of the caped creature. I confidently stared into his eyes that were covered by his hood, waiting for him to surrender, but all he did was say something. And it wasn’t something I expected.
“Well done. Are you reading for the labyrinth?” Was he talking about the palace? As if he knew my thoughts, he clapped his hands together and even being blind in the darkness, I could tell he was gone. With my outstretched arm, I could feel smooth but cool walls. Was this literally a labyrinth? Is that why the palace was called Labyrinth? A booming voice startled my thoughts that stated, “Escape the labyrinth.”
How would I escape a maze in darkness? I can feel, but that’ll be too much anxiety and confusion. The darkness… to be truthful, I’m not only an enemy of darkness, but I’m a bit afraid. Anything could jump at you in the darkness. Even if you were trained and skilled, you still don’t have night vision and can see everything. How would I- It suddenly occurred to me. My father’s saying, his quote.
“Be free and let your inner soul and heart lead you through fear.” I just have to trap my fears and let them sail away; I need to forget about them. Use my heart and soul to think what’s best for me and don’t let my fears stop me. That’s something Father would want me to do.
I slid across the labyrinth while I moved my fingers in a series of beats across the walls to firm my posture. It would be just sad, downright sad if I tripped in the maze and lost my focus. Keep moving, Melee, this is important because if I never make it out, how would I survive in this dark design? Does this ever end?
