Heir to the Labyrinth

Chapter Four

I started humming ‘Within You’ as Luca and I walked through the trash piles. I took me a moment to notice that he was humming along. I was about to say something until I was rammed into by a large creature.

“Whoa!” I shouted as I looked at the creature. It was around three feet long, maybe four feet, and was neon orange. It’s eyes were a bright green, and it somewhat resembled a large, fluffy wolf. It sat in front of me like a wolf and howled loudly. It then frowned, as best as a wolf-creature could, and opened it’s large mouth again.

“I apologize for being so uncivilized, howling and such. I am Aztore Zervas. It is a pleasure to meet you, Miss…” The creature, Aztore, drifted off. Did he want my name? I’ll say it anyway…

“It’s quite alright. I’m Emilia Williams, daughter of Jareth and Sarah Williams. It’s nice to meet you too, Aztore.” I told him with a grin. Luca seemed to be in shock, until I flicked his nose.

“Ow!” He rubbed his nose and turned to Aztore, still with Mom on his shoulders, “I’m Luca Jacobs. It’s, uh, nice to meet you too.”

“Where are you two on your way to? And why are you holding an unconscious woman on your shoulders? My goodness, is that Sarah?” Aztore asked in bewilderment.

“We are going back to the castle, and yes, that is my mom,” I replied to him quickly. “I’m not trying to be rude, but we really need to go. Jareth might be worrying…”

Aztore chuckled, “Of course you can go. I’m not going to try and stop you, but may I come along? I do want to have a word with Jareth”.

Awesome! Another pet! Wait a second, Willum and Elsa haven’t said much in a while. I peeked in my pocket and saw them sleeping. I grinned and looked up at Aztore. “Sure! Alright, let’s get a move on!” I shouted to Luca and Aztore. I was seriously wondering how my mom still hasn’t woken up yet…

Emilia, where are you?

I heard in my mind. So it IS Jareth!

I’m on my way to your castle with some other people I found! Mom’s unconscious…

I responded back.

I didn’t hear anything after that so I continued on towards the castle.

“So Emilia, how’d you get here?” Luca asked me curiously.

I shrugged, “My mom made this crystal cube- Holy zebras! I forgot!” I shouted at them. How could I forgot about the crystal hearts? I closed my eyes and focused. I once again felt a small weight in my hand and heard Luca gasp.

“How’d you do that?” He asked, in shock once more. I smiled and dropped the heart while grabbing Luca and Aztore.

In seconds, we were in the throne room in Jareth’s castle. Jareth was pacing around his goblins who also looked worried.

“Jareth! I’m back!” I yelled, shooting him a lopsided grin as he snapped towards me. He rushed over and hugged me tightly.

“Thank goodness you’re alright,” He said, letting out a relieved breath. Jareth quickly let go and cleared his throat.

“Who are they?”

“Friends.”

“From where?”

“Multiple places.”

“How did you find them?”

“I have a people tracking device built in me.”

“Why is that hoodlum holding my Sarah?” Jareth asked angrily, taking Mom from Luca’s shoulders.

“He isn’t a hoodlum, Jareth. That’s Luca Jacobs, he’s from my world.” I told him as he eyed him suspiciously.

“Who is that giant ugly dog?” Jareth asked meanly.

I glared, Aztore was awesome! “That is Aztore Zervas, and he isn’t ugly! He’s cool!” I stuck my tongue out at him. Why was he being so mean?

“Yes, I am Aztore. Do you not remember me, Jareth? You banished me from the Labyrinth and turned me into this creature! I came to speak to you. I want to be Fae again.”

Huh? Jareth turned Aztore into a wolf-thing? Why is he so mean?

Jareth and Aztore were glaring profusely so I decided to step in.

“Why did you turn Aztore into a wolf-thing?” I asked inquiringly.

Jareth turned to me and looked away, “It’s none of your business, Emilia. Go take your friend Luca to get some food from the kitchen”

I glared at him this time, why can’t I know?

“She has every right to know, Jareth. So why not tell her before she finds out her self?” Aztore questioned.

“No, and that’s final. Take him to your room or something but don’t take him around me.” Jareth commanded and left abruptly after. What in the world is going on? I looked at Aztore for answers and he just sighed.

“Come, let’s go to your room. I assume it’s in the third hallway, second door?” Aztore said. I gasped and made a strange face.

“How did you know that? That’s awesome! Are you like psychic or something?” I asked rapidly.

Aztore chuckled, “That room was supposed to be yours when you were little. While your mother was pregnant, they designed the room. But your mother had to leave, for various reasons.”

What? I was actually going to live here? Why won’t people give me straight answers? What reasons is he talking about? I must have looked very confused, because he said, “I shall tell you once we reach your room. Come Emilia, Luca.”

Holy crap! I forgot about Luca! I turned to him to find him confusedly staring at me. I grinned sheepishly and shrugged as we went to the room I called mine. Answers were going to be coming soon. Oh, happy zebras!