Andrew Bailey & The Eternal Maze

Chapter - 22

"We have to get the word back no matter what. I don't care who, we just need one of us to get back alive!"

The situation was hectic. It shouldn't have been possible to be in this situation.

"Sir! The gate has been breached, I'm afraid it's only a matter of time befor-"

Before being able to fully report the situation, the one reporting collapsed to the ground, grasping his neck. Foam started coming out from his mouth, as he struggled desperate for air.

"All we had to do was let one little rat scamper back to his nest and we'll find a whole bunch just hiding. Thank you for leading the way."

He looked up at the beings that were looking down at him as if they were looking at trash. Thinking that he just made a huge blunder, despair filled his face. Did he just drag his comrades down with him?

"Dispel."

With just one word, the constriction was gone and he could breathe again. Panting to get his breath back, he looked up at his superior and savior.

"Sir. Haa-aaa, I'm so sorry."

"You did your job, there's no need for an apology. Now let me do mine. The rest of you get out of here. Send the word back quickly, I'll do what I can here."

" Hoho, big talk for the commander of the losers. What can you possibly do?"

"I may be joining my fellow comrades soon enough so I'll just take as many of you with me."

The commander drew his sword and charged in without fear, intending to buy his men as much time as he can.

"Are you even sure you can bring a single of us down?" A grin was given towards the commander as he went ahead to clash his own blade against the commander's. 

The soldiers that ran for their lives looked behind in guilt, the place that they should have defended with their lives was in flames and smoke. They should have been there with their fellow comrades but they knew they had one last mission to do. One of them must head back alive. The future of their countrymen depends on their survival.

Knowing that going in different directions would give them more chances for survival, they did so and went their separate ways.

"So what do we do?"

"There's only one thing to do... Take a walk pretending we don't need a break. We can't stay here Snow, if it's only the two of us, we won't be in too much trouble even if we stay outside. Staying in this mansion feels like there will be future health repercussions.

"So let's sneak out since the rest are probably resting. I don't even want to stay in this mansion for one more second."

Walking through the halls, they could tell that it was once a beautiful mansion. Just how did it turn out like this. 

"I've heard before that before Hades took over as the ruler of the underworld, there used to be Olympians who worked here. Perhaps these were the quarters of the workers or their superiors that were living here at the time." 

"You are surprisingly knowledgeable. I've noticed ever since the survival game began, especially the time when there was a leech on me and when those weird beasts attacked." Said Snow.

"Those were beasts known as dinosaurs, they were recorded in books that I had once read before. There wasn't any sketches or illustrations so I might be wrong. It was surprising enough to see such creatures in person but what was more surprising was that those dinosaurs had anti aura abilities. It's absolutely unheard of.

Ethena was left deep in thought, letting Snow lead the way. Though she came to a halt when suddenly she walked right into Snow.

"Ouch, What's the deal Snow? Why did you suddenly stop?"

"Oh sorry about that, It's just that we were supposed to be in the lobby by now and well just where are we?"

"What? Weren't you leading the way? Did you get lost?"

" That can't be... I could have sworn that I knew the way. The lobby should have been right here. Wherever here is."

"Great now we're lost, in this rodent infested dump."

"Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding!"

All of a sudden, a bell sound was ringing throughout the mansion. Everyone near and in it could hear it. 

"What's going on? Is this part of the test?" Snow asked. 

"Four dings. Can't be. I've never heard of such a situation."

"What? What are you talking about Ethena. What situation."

"I can't blame you for not knowing. After all, we were all studying in the institution for so long you probably wouldn't remember without a refresher but when you hear four dings it means that the enemy is coming."

"What!? An enemy? What could enemy possibly be coming. we are in the underworld for pete sake!"

"I don't know Snow. I don't know."