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

Chapter XXV: Time, the Illusion

Roku rolls over and lays her head on Drayk's chest. She looks up at him with a smile on her face as she runs her fingers through her hair to straighten it. He kisses her on the top of her head and rests his hand on her shoulder.

"I love you Drayk," Roku says with a smile.

"Love you too," Drayk says back, "I don't know what I'd do without you."

"Me either. It's hard to remember a time without you now. We've been through so much."

"Indeed we have, and it's not over yet."

"Drayk?"

"Yeah?"

"What do you want to do once this is all over?"

"I want to settle down in a house secluded somewhere peaceful, maybe near a waterfall. Somewhere I can relax and remain out of thought from anyone not important to me. A place where we can be together. That won't be until after the war, and after we help the peoples of this world recover from all of this."

"Well, I'm glad we've.... rested. We should go train in the Labyrinth now."

Drayk nods and gets up from the bed. He starts to get dressed while Roku climbs out of bed. Once they've changed into the dark grey training robes left by Bahemyth, they grab their weapons. What they are going to face down here is a complete mystery. Every story of visits from here include some very different experiences. Even Sammi had told them about the chimera she had to vanquish here. Once prepared, the Bringers of Hope step out of the small room and into the giant labyrinth.

Within the first few minutes, the illusions begin. Images of people are seen running through the corridors and disappearing. These people are unknown to them, except for glances of a few. Roku is surprised to have seen a glimpse of her former master, Crito and even of her mother. Suddenly, the Bringers of Hope are staring straight into the eyes of a young man that looks remarkably like Leon.

"Hello, Bringers of Hope," the young man says, "I know I do not know you yet, but you two know me. I have decided to leave you a message if you will. Bahemyth has explained how this place works, so I don't see why this won't work."

"Leon?" Roku asks rather amused by the man's younger appearance.

"That's right. I am Leon of Ragnarok," the younger Leon replies, "Gaia has told me of a message that you are to know when you reach this point and this is the only way I figured I could get you a secured message. There is a way to buy more time. We cannot discuss it more here. Find me in the Halls of Illusionary Time. It's a chamber at the far end of the Labyrinth of Time, where no one else has been before. There, we can talk in peace. Although, I will not be this age. I am no where near strong enough to reach the chamber yet. It's time for me to leave this place now, I will return here when I can."

The young Leon turns around and starts to walk away. His image disappears almost instantly. Drayk and Roku look at each other in disbelief.

"That really was Leon.... so young when he was here," Roku jokes.

"Yeah. He looked like he wasn't older than just a teenager," Drayk adds, "He knew about us from even that age? That was so long ago. It we met his real father from within the Heart of Gaia, then Leon is almost as old the human race. Many thousands of years.... Leon?"

"Gaia is all knowing."

"Yes, but why would Leon need to know so young? Did Gaia really plan this from the very beginning?"

"Well Drayk, we won't know by discussing this among ourselves. We need to seek out the Halls of Illusionary Time."

"I know. I've heard about that chamber, well read about it actually when we studying under Leon. There's a reason why no one has been there. It's a treacherous journey and the beasts are unlike anything ever encountered. I've only read where people have gotten close, but had to retreat or lose their lives."

"Well, we aren't the average people. I know they weren't either, or they'd never be here to start with. We were chosen by Gaia, if anyone can make it, we can."

"You got that confidence from me you know."

Roku sticks her tongue out at him and skips off ahead. Drayk sighs and follows her, walking closely behind. The Labyrinth of Time's size is unknown to all, except to its keeper. Rumors have told of its believed size, which is bigger than the planet it's supposed to be within. A never-ending labyrinth, endless as far as the eye can see. The Bringers of Hope start by ascending the staircase to get a good view of the labyrinth. Far out in the distance, on the complete opposite side of the spiral stairs, is a large gate like opening. It looks like it would be really big, considering its size from so far away.

"Think that's the entrance to the Halls of Illusionary Time?" Roku asks him.

"Must be. It is in the far end of this pace," Drayk answers, "That looks like the best place to start anyway."

Roku runs her fingers over the claw marks across her face. For a moment, the scars remind her of her father. He is the very reason she never tried to completely heal her scars. They are a remembrance to him. Even though he had so much wrong, Roku had forgiven him. Drayk notices her lost in thought so he clears his throat. She snaps out of it and looks at Drayk, her face turning a little red.

"I understand," Drayk simply says as he starts heading down the staircase.

Roku smiles as she follows him down. She knows this is going to be quite the trek, but it must be done. A journey through the Labyrinth of Time, deep into the unknown depths of it.

Months have passed within the labyrinth and the Bringers of Hope are feeling less than hopeful now. The two of them have been walking on endlessly and slaying every creature that tried to stand in their way. Neither one of them has wanted to stop for anything, not even sleep. Roku has used her magic to revitalize themselves the entire time so they can journey without stopping. They have not spoken words in almost a week. Neither one of them can find anything they want to say so they both decided to leave the time to their own thoughts.

Roku's mind has been stuck on her father, Kraag. The memory of his sacrifice haunts her. Even after all of the wrong he had done and everything he did in the name of darkness, he still gave his own life for the light. A part of Roku would very much like to find answers about the kind of man her father really was, however she knows that that will never be possible. Her thoughts turn to the place they are walking in. Hope hits her for a moment, thinking that maybe she can confront him here, just as Leon had confronted them.

Drayk is attempting to block out his own thoughts. His sister keeps returning to his mind, which overwhelms him with guilt. His father Lance may have been a corrupted bastard, but he had very sound morals when it came to family. Drayk was raised knowing that it's his responsibility to care for his sister. Even though he knows deep down that what happened to Sammi was completely impossible to avoid, he can't help but feel guilty. For the second time, he has lost his kid sister. Only this time, it is for good.

Not even here, in the Labyrinth of Time, can the Bringers of Hope rid themselves of their own nightmares. This place where time in the outside world is virtually nonexistent just gives them more time to think. Roku stops walking starts crying. Hearing this, Drayk turns around. Without even asking, he walks over to her and holds onto her, letting her cry in his arms. After a few moments, she looks up at him and smiles.

"Thank you Drayk," Roku says with a sniffle.