Legend of Parocaav II: Against the Darkness (rough draft)

Chapter XXIV: Arrival to the Labyrinth

The Bringers of Hope gather near Tao as he chants an ancient dialect. In a flash of light, they disappear from the abandoned city. Within a split second, the three of them appear before the worn down shack. The lands here have been consumed, left in total lack of any color. Roku looks around in shock and turns to face Drayk.

"Lady Parocaav really is draining this planet.... isn't she? There is no sign of life here and the words in the winds are rather.... sad," Roku sighs, "I really wish it wasn't true. We can't let her do this to Gaia.... or to the planet. Drayk, we have to stop her."

"Most definitely," Drayk agrees, "So, this the Labyrinth of Time?"

"This is merely the entrance to the labyrinth," Tao explains, "Its actual size is unknown, in both physical and in time."

"That's right. One can be in all time and no time simultaneously.... according to ancient text," Drayk ponders out loud, "I remember reading some things about it when we were in the Forgotten Forest."

"So, shall we?" Roku teases, "Or we going to just stand here, staring at that old shack and talk about it?"

Drayk smiles at her and they start walking towards the shack. Tao stands still as they walk away. Roku realizes he isn't following, so she turns around to look at him.

"Go on. I've spent enough time in the Labyrinth of Time. Believe me. Well, I have some more unfinished business elsewhere anyways. Do not worry. We'll encounter one another again," Tao jokingly tells them as he vanishes in a flash of light.

"On our own again," Drayk sighs, "Seems to be the way it's suppose to be."

Roku smiles at him and turns to face the shack quickly, her hair runs across his face. Drayk smirks and knocks on the door. As soon as he does, the sound of locks unlocking is heard from inside the shack. Bahemyth, the tired looking old man, opens the door and smiles. He widens the door enough to allow them entry. The Bringers of Hope follow the old man down the hospital staircase without saying a word. Their eyes widen at the size of the labyrinth as they descend down to the bottom level. Bahemyth leads them into a room far behind the staircase, concealed with a false boulder.

Once they enter, Bahemyth immediately sits in the large throne like chair. The Bringers sit down in the two chairs facing father time. The chairs are embroidered with their names and the color of the chairs match their hair colors perfectly. The room itself is large in size. The walls are decorated with tranquil pictures of the world outside. There is a big bed in the back of the room with a side table on both sides. The sitting area is closer to the door, almost segregated from the sleeping area behind it.

"Greetings, Bringers of Hope," Bahemyth says with a smile, "Such an exciting occasion. This is your.... only visit to my lair."

Roku nervously swallows before she starts to speak, "Master Bahemyth, we-"

"Young Roku, no need for such titles. Please, just refer to me as Bahemyth," Bahemyth interrupts, "You do still prefer Roku, right?"

"Yes. That's the name I wish to live up to," Roku tells him nervously, "Crito meant so much to me. He's more of my true origin than.... Kraag."

"Bahemyth, we have a favor to ask of you," Drayk mentions when he finds the chance to speak.

"Very well. What is your request?" Bahemyth asks, seeming intrigued.

"We seem to be running low on time.... we would like to be able to train here," Roku explains, "Maybe even keep you company for awhile. We'd love to hear your stories."

"Such a kind hearted young lady. Very well," Bahemyth smiles, "I agree to your request."

"Would we be able to leave here at a time before we arrived?" Drayk asks.

"I simply cannot allow that," Bahemyth sighs, "It's within my power, but not something I do unless it's necessary."

"I understand," Drayk states, "So, is it true you're mutual in all of this?"

"Yes. Either way, I will survive. Whether the world end at the hands of Lady Parocaav, or some other way. I will live on. The past cannot be destroyed, and there will always be a future. I will end. I am the keeper of time. I am time itself. Time might be forever, but it is also just an illusion," Bahemyth answers in a very serious tone, "Now then. I understand the two of you are fond of tea?"

Several hours later ~

The Bringers of Hope have been chitchatting with Bahemyth for some time before Drayk starts to think about where he is sitting. He had read that only people of importance were allowed within the Labyrinth of Time. Even after all that has happened up until now, it's just now setting in that Roku and himself are important. When he was a child, Drayk wanted nothing more than to make something of himself, to do something worth while. He had told everyone for years that his main reason for joining the Resistance was to live up to his father's honor. The truth of it is that Drayk has always wanted to end this war. To end up actually being the one to help end it is still unbelievable to him.

"Drayk," Roku says, breaking him from his thoughts, "Drayk, are you alright?"

"Yeah. I'm fine. Was just lost in thought," Drayk explains, "Don't worry Roku, it's nothing serious. Just pondering the fact that we are going to be the ones to end the war."

"Still trying to fathom it?" Roku teases.

"Yes," Drayk replies.

"So, before you go out there, keep in mind that this place has an effect on the human brain. Time is nonexistent here," Bahemyth tells them, "To your simple minds, time will create illusions. They are very real, but only illusions. You will see images of those who have been here before, even able to see what they were doing here. When you see them, it means they will have seen you as an illusion when they were here as well. While only illusions, you are actually both there, and both not. The way you humans perceive time is astounding."

"Thank you Bahemyth," Roku says with a smile.

"This is greatly appreciated," Drayk agrees, "Time is something we need."

"Time is all I can offer you. If you need me, just call out. Do not seek me out. I will come to you. There are events that happen here that you are not permitted to witness," Bahemyth says with a stern voice, "The Labyrinth of Time is free for you to explore, but do not go behind any door you encounter. Doors only lead to places I hold my conversations, such as the room we are in now. This room is the only one you are allowed to enter. Come and go as you please. This room will be yours for the duration of your stay. Now then, I am retiring to my reading chambers for some alone time."

The Keeper of Time gets up and walks out of the room, slowly closing the door behind him. Drayk looks over at Roku, admiring her beauty with a smile on his face. She catches him looking and gives him a smile back. He kisses her before standing up and then walks over to the bed. The blankets wave as Drayk jumps onto the bed. He rolls onto his side, facing Roku, and gestures her to join him. She smiles and walks over the edge of the bed. After a moment, she climbs into the bed with him.