Angel's Ascension: Rapid Descent (Book Two)

Chapter 8: Maze of Mysteries

The group had entered the citadel and took in the massive array of hallways, rooms, and stairs which were all colored in light grey.

"This is like a giant maze, how do we even find which way to go?" Cheyanne asked with an annoyed  scowl, "Or where to find them?" She took caution and scouted out the maze-like structures.

"We should search each room until we find who we're looking for." Lucy suggested and gave her a shrug, "Covering more ground can work in our favor, too."

She went up to one of the various rooms and saw an empty room.

"Take caution, do not go alone unless you are confident enough to do so!" Arch shouted as the group split up and left Ralph at the entrance.

"I-I'll just be here on guard in case anything happens or doesn't...good luck!" He pulled out his phone and took pictures of paintings and furniture.

***

Lucy ran into a room and saw that it was a giant forest area. Full of trees and a stream of water that ran through the floor. Hills almost reached the roof of the room and flowers had covered the grey floor.

What is this? Are the other rooms like this or different? Why is it so quiet?

She continued to walk through the forest and could sense someone close by her. The presence seemed to jump up and down with power which made her hands tremble.

"Who's there!? Show yourself and fight me!" Lucy took a defensive stance by lifting her arms up to her chest.

The rustle of leaves and splashing water alerted her to the southern part of the forest.

"...Thought I heard a familiar voice, I guess these rooms connect to one another." Talai stepped out of the clearing and held a hand up so Lucy could see him.

"Oh, that's a relief, I figured you were someone sneaking up on me for a fight." She sighed, "This room feels very ominous. So, Tal, did you bump into anyone else yet?"

Lucy could feel a faint sense of someone else near them. It gave her a cold shiver and made her wings twitch.

"I can sense you and maybe some of the others near us. It's quite weird if you ask me, I should be able to sense further presences but something must be masking them."

Talai looked around the forest and tried to sense anyone out.

"Now, where's the fun in that? We like to play with you first before killing." Az jumped down from a tall tree and landed on the floor in his human form, "This just happens to be my lucky day!"

"No transformation this time?" Lucy let out a scoff and stepped in front of him with her arms crossed, "What happened to being a big bad beast?"

"I don't need that form anymore, what I have right now will more than suffice! Spades wanted me to rough you up so I hope you're ready for a beating." He snarled at her and golden flames appeared behind him, "Your friend will get his ass kicked since he stopped me from snacking last time!" Az stood there with a wicked smirk on his face.

"I'd like to see you try, we'll take you out five seconds flat!" Talai yelled which shook the ground from under him.

Energy gauntlets appeared around his arms and blew back any surrounding flowers. He pointed at Az and clenched his gauntlets before sparks flew out.

"This time will be your downfall, angel! Now come and face the cleansing of my flames!" Az's flames spun around him and lit the nearby floor on fire.

Lucy the powered with her purple aura and took out a long blade from her right palm. The trees began to sway and quiver under all the pressure as gusts of wind swirled around them.