《Quest for the Elysian Fields》


 Chapter 1 - Part 1

    The miner dusted his hands off as he walked. He greeted his fellow workers along the way. He heard wooden wedges being struck by stone, heard stone being struck by stone.


    The place was invaded by strings and bits of sounds. Lamps were installed at every interval of ten meters. The ground was clean, the air fresh. It was a rare luxury accorded to him and his friends, before the air became thick and saturated, with the stench of ammonia and ethanol.


    He was in a cave - a small cave. It was somber, hallowing and dank, as he proceeded. Arriving at a joint, the miner twisted his way into an alcove - one often overlooked. There, the ground was gravelly, and the space inside afforded his body barely any room for maneuvers.


    Even then, the miner smiled. This place was where he had saved the most ores to later sell in all secrecy. He bent to brush aside the gravel, revealing a blackened shovel, which had one large crack running from the base to half its length.


    The miner took the shovel, and proceeded onward, along the alcove, before turning to the side. He headed towards an exit different from the one he had come from.


    As he crept along, the walls constricting him thus, he heard people speaking ahead of him; ¡°I¡¯m done working in the mines. At first I enlisted because of the money, but since the person I love rejected me, I don¡¯t need to suffer through all this.¡±


    Another man chuckled. ¡°You are a fool. That¡¯s good money. Even if we both work inside the mines, you are still getting a larger cut than me, so be grateful.¡±


    ¡°You are just a poor spectacle. Don¡¯t put me on the same boat as you! Besides, it¡¯s just money, right? All you need, Brown, is only plant your funny-looking fruits, and you can live the rest of your life. That¡¯s totally different from me!¡±


    ¡°Well, yeah, you are right. I¡¯ve been a lazy bum all my life, and can be just that for the rest of it. I don¡¯t feel the need to seek to influence people or consort materialism. As for you, what¡¯s your next job gonna be?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s going to be¡­ Oh man, I forgot about it!¡± The man laughed, and Brown, while initially maintaining silence, joined him. The miner smiled at the resolution of this conversation, and gripped his shovel tightly, remembering the face of the daughter who was dependent solely on him.


    He sighed, before moving forth with renewed vigor; he felt like joining in the merriment. As he crept, he suddenly sensed a presence behind him. Something pierced through his back before he could even turn his head. His vision darkened and sizzling pain struck him.


    The scream which ensued was inchoate. The miner thrashed about the narrow space, banging his head until it was bloodied, and slumped down, unconscious. ¡°Hey! Did you hear something?¡±


    ¡°No, must just be your imagination,¡± Brown said. The man, not seeming to hear him, turned to look at a crevice.


    ¡°Did Router turn up yet?¡±


    ¡°Not that I know,¡± answered Brown.


    The man hurried along the cave, grabbing a lamp from its post, and came back to investigate the place which now served as cradle for a corpse.


    ***


    Elysia stared at the river; her own face, all prim and proper, was reflected into it. She convinced herself that she was only doing this to check whether a smear of mud was still left on it, but then, a boy came along, saying:


    ¡°You are gazing at the river again? Don¡¯t you get tired of this narcissistic act?¡±


    ¡°Duff!¡± Elysia exclaimed, standing there speechless.


    ¡°I gaze at the river pretty often too, but hey, could you give me one of those buckets if you are not gonna deliver them?¡±


    ¡°No, thanks. I was just about to get going,¡± replied Elysia, facing away from him. Duff smirked and followed after her.


    ¡°Say, do you know the story of the ¡®Happy King¡¯?¡± he asked, easily matching her hastening steps.


    ¡°No, do you?¡± returned Elysia, distrusting him. Duff was a thief, from what she had heard. He was a parent-less vagabond.


    ¡°Well, I do. So here¡¯s how the story goes: There was once-¡±


    ¡°Hey! W¨¹nder! Thank god you are here. Could you help me carry these buckets to Mrs. Detroit¡¯s?¡± She was relieved to find a boy, barely four feet tall, even when she knew him to be fifteen years old. He was standing near a tree, eating some candies.


    ¡°Elysia¡­ How are you?¡± W¨¹nder asked.


    ¡°I¡¯m doing fine, except for someone tailing me despite my unwillingness for him to do so.¡±


    ¡°I can see that. How are you doing, Duff?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m fit as a fiddle, if I were to honestly answer,¡± answered the latter, while smiling in an abashed manner. ¡°Do you have some extra candy?¡±


    ¡°I do. By the way, did you mean to follow Elysia till she reached Mrs. Detroit¡¯s place?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, of course I was!¡± Duff affirmed, ¡°A lady needs protection after all.¡±


    ¡°Who are you to decide that I do?¡± retorted Elysia, her face flushed. She was about to turn around and storm away, before remembering W¨¹nder¡¯s presence. ¡°Come along with me, W¨¹nder. Mrs. Detroit will be pleased to see you.¡±


    ¡°That I would, but I¡¯m waiting for my brother. Could you allow Duff to help you just this once? I promise that he won¡¯t try to steal from you or anything.¡±


    Elysia stared at him, her face livid, before deciding to let it slide. ¡°Okay, I guess I can let Duff handle it just this once. Come with me next time, won¡¯t you, W¨¹nder?¡±


    ¡°Alright, I will.¡± W¨¹nder smiled at her, before presenting Duff with red and orange sweets. ¡°The red ones are made from raspberries and sugar, while these are made from oranges.¡±


    ¡°Got it!¡± affirmed Duff, before stuffing his mouth with three candies already. ¡°By the way, where did you get those candies? They are certainly different from those minty ones you would give me before.¡±


    ¡°They are from the new store, in the Downtown quarters.¡±


    ¡°Town? I can¡¯t remember the last time I¡¯ve been there,¡± mused Duff, ¡°well, I guess I¡¯ll try to explore things this weekend.¡±


    ¡°W¨¹nder, I hope your brother returns soon,¡± Elysia said, before smiling and ensued. ¡°Let¡¯s get going then, Duff.¡±


    Duff faced her. ¡°Okay.¡± Elysia handed over one bucket to Duff, telling him to be careful as he held it, and they went on their way to Mrs. Detroit¡¯s.


    W¨¹nder pocketed his candies, and whistled an old tune, all mirthful. He touched the tree besides him, exploring its texture, before breaking contact, albeit reluctantly, and headed for the mines.


    ***


    It had been one hour since W¨¹nder started walking. The path was rocky, the wind hoarse; it screamed and hollered with inanimate devices, making him shiver. His skin felt cold to his touch. The surface he walked upon was errant with gusts of air.


    W¨¹nder smiled. The cave was found above and deep into the mountains, so he had to make an arduous climb to reach his destination. Above him, alpine swifts swiped across the sky, their white underbellies barely perceivable under the clouds.


    Just as W¨¹nder got to within three miles of the mines, he found himself face to face with his brother. The latter was alone, and often so, did he walk alone. W¨¹nder nodded at Brown, and gave him an accolade, before walking past him to see any fellow miners.


    W¨¹nder saw none. ¡°What¡¯s up, brother? Did something happen at the mines?¡± His brother, a man with scraggy beards, and a pair of piercing eyes, looked at him gravely, and deigned to reply only after nodding to himself, a long span gone.


    ¡°Something indeed happened, W¨¹nder. In fact, more than one thing happened.¡± Brown looked back the direction he had come from. ¡°Men disappeared, and two were even killed.¡± Brown looked at him gravely. ¡°And you know what that means, W¨¹nder?¡±


    ¡°...That means you are going to the village to ask for a search party?¡± W¨¹nder answered.


    ¡°No, little brother,¡± Brown sighed, resuming , ¡°it means that entry to the mines has been forbidden. I won¡¯t be a miner tomorrow.¡±


    ¡°And what about the search party?¡± W¨¹nder asked, all expectant, in wanting to keep up with his brother.


    Brown resumed walking. ¡°Well, you are the first one to think of that. Let¡¯s go to the village and get our party. Our search party.¡± He had repeated the word ¡®party¡¯ like it was something important, and W¨¹nder wondered at the way his brother contorted this word, as he was often used to doing, like the word or idea seemed foreign to him.


    His brother, though known to be a lax person, was someone W¨¹nder respected for doing all the things he thought important, as well as for considering W¨¹nder¡¯s words, even when he was a kid; Brown was attentive, at least only to him.


    ¡°Yeah, we had better hurry along, brother,¡± W¨¹nder acceded, more worried about his brother than the men his brother had pronounced dead. For sure, the search party would take care of things for him. He matched his brother¡¯s pace, before noticing a dark red patch on his brother¡¯s left arm.If you come across this story on Amazon, it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it.


    ¡°What¡¯s that, brother?¡± he asked.


    ¡°It¡¯s just a scratch I got while walking,¡± he sighed, ¡°should have pulled down my sleeves.¡±


    ¡°Okay,¡± W¨¹nder breathed in, ¡°and what about your friends? What about Router?¡±


    Brown studied W¨¹nder¡¯s face for a second, before relenting. ¡°He died.¡±


    ¡°I see.¡± W¨¹nder remained quiet while they walked. The wind swirled and picked up, like a living organism, sweeping through the ravine. And they silently moved at the bottom, at times hearing canorous echoes, and at times a mere din.


    ***


    Elysia sighed while looking at Duff eating the snacks Mrs. Detroit had graciously offered to him. The boy she looked at had a scar just above his left eyebrow. He looked poor, sloven, and yet, she could not help noticing the air of vulnerability about him; it seemed strangely endearing to her, even if she had made it her habit not to look at things she deemed vile.


    Mrs. Detroit, in contrast to Duff, was a tall, slender woman, who was, for all intent, a jovial person, and liked to talk a lot. The room they were in was roughly four meters by six - it was pretty large for the neighbourhood. Mrs. Detroit was asking Duff if he had any place to stay at, while Elysia was mulling over the merits and demerits of Duff


    She had grown up prejudiced, and yet, was being told off by her father as of late - or rather, ever since her mother had died. Elysia did not like the way he would address her, and yet, she would feel lonely without him around. The room was decked with two bookcases, and one long table. Mrs. Detroit was her mother¡¯s sister; she was Elysia¡¯s aunt. Elysia had thought Mrs. Detroit would approve of her reproaches about Duff, but found no ally in her as well.


    Perhaps it was because she had so many things in common with the latter, not to mention W¨¹nder. It had already been three years since her mother had left her. Elysia pondered over her father¡¯s occupation, and about what her mother had seen in him. She thought that she would rather live in a more distant age - in a future more distant from the present she was living. It made her dreamy, as she reminisced about the princes her mother would tell her about in bedtime stories.


    She could not talk about these stories with her father. And her friends talked about other topics, like what to cook, and about their other house chores. She thought them unimaginative, except that for herself, Duff would call her lazy if she talked about her ideal future to him. The young boy would soil his clothes planting a cabbage here or a carrot there, and would proudly tell people not to run over the places he had planted these crops as if the land itself belonged to him.


    ¡®Oh, how I long for the cities,¡¯ she thought to herself.


    Duff, listening to Mrs. Detroit carefully, affirmed that he indeed had a place to stay, and upon her further inquiries, confirmed that he had taken a proper bath. Mrs. Detroit smiled at his replies, and asked him if he would like to read some stories from her fardel - her collection of short stories, and interesting chitchat about personage and emotions. As for Elysia, she knew them all.


    She wanted more adult-like stories. However, she had yet to find an interesting book for adults like her, as she so believed herself to be, at the age of sixteen. Mrs. Detroit had done her best to narrate stories to Elysia - stories which were heartwarming and kind. But what Elysia sought were stories of ghosts and myths, and chivalrous knights. She however felt distant from those ghosts, as much as their tales would give her a good scare.


    It was the most impossible notion for her that adult stories could resemble the stories she would read as fairy tales. Duff soon closed his book and asked Mrs. Detroit to read stories for him. Duff was rather inquisitive in nature, and asked a lot of questions to Mrs. Detroit, such as why Redbeard would kill his elephants. Elysia took part in the conversation when the legend of the valorous knight, Arbott came up. A knight who would go to wondrous places, and save princesses from dragons, and who was loved by the villagers, whenever he happened to meet them.


    Mrs. Detroit narrated Arbott¡¯s adventures in a timely fashion, with much puns on the words found in the story. Duff laughed heartily at each of her antics, and was going to continue doing so, until a knock came at the door. Elysia found herself relieved at the sound; she jumped to her feet, and went to open the door, even though Mrs. Detroit asked Elysia to wait for her.


    As Elysia opened the door, she found a tall figure looking down on her.


    ***


    W¨¹nder walked along the cobblestone path, looking out for unhinged round stones to put back into place. He carefully took his steps, idling away as he was used to doing. The scenery in front of him was the same as always. It included the same blue sky, and a black path laced with undergrowth here and there. W¨¹nder took care not to rustle his brother, who was carrying lumps of coal.


    Brown had gotten these hefty lumps from the storehouse at the base of the mountain. The mountain had occupied the most part of Brown¡¯s life since his father had died. And pretty much the same could be said of W¨¹nder. If let alone, nothing would happen to this duo. Brown was W¨¹nder¡¯s support; W¨¹nder was Brown¡¯s support. Whether it was laughing or crying, W¨¹nder would do these only in front of Brown.


    It was not surprising. After all¡­


    ¡­


    ¡°Broward, your mother died.¡±


    Brown gripped his hands into fists, and bite his lips. ¡°What about the child?¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s alive. And healthy.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m glad,¡± said Brown, tears flowing from his eyes. One could not be sure whether he was crying of relief or sadness. He tried smiling, but a sob choked his breath, and before he knew it, he was crying like a baby. ¡°Father, I¡¯m happy for the child. I¡¯m happy.¡±


    Brown was a perplexing child. His father, an old, bearded man with a pair of glasses, patted Brown on his shoulder, before hugging him tightly. ¡°You can cry all you want. I know it hurts.¡±


    At that moment, Mr. Loxias was much surprised that his seven-year-old did not resent his little brother for his mother¡¯s death. He was very surprised. Afterwards, Brown helped with bringing up the child earnestly, and even after some time had passed, after some friends had pointed out to Brown that it was because of his little brother that his mother had died, Brown had taken no heed of them.


    However, as for W¨¹nder, he knew nothing of the privilege he had been denied. He would grow up seeking assurance mostly from his brother, and look at the other children and women like he was afraid of them.


    The father was a teacher, and would often leave W¨¹nder to a nursing woman, all alone in his house, while Brown attended school. The woman would bicker and complain, but kept to the house. It was irrational for her to be kept alone with a baby for days upon days, and yet, the father did nothing to amend the situation. The woman eventually refused to continue no matter how much money Mr. Loxias offered her.


    What W¨¹nder had gained in solitude had been hours of tutoring to him by a woman who had a fierce love for stories. When W¨¹nder was four years old, his father decided to seek his fortune in sheep-rearing; he had had an accident with a horse which had caused him to lose his sense of hearing in one ear. It was also the age when W¨¹nder was allowed to study alongside the other children.


    However, W¨¹nder had finally got to understand what mothers were, from his fellow playmates. He started growing depressed, and would cry everyday. His brother kept asking him about what was wrong, before W¨¹nder finally said:


    ¡°Broward, mother¡¯s dead.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s alright W¨¹nder. It¡¯s alright. Your brother is here.¡±


    Brown instigated a love for sceneries in W¨¹nder; he would often take him on hiking trips, or visit strange towns together. He would present him with gifts at times. Slowly, but surely, W¨¹nder had recovered from feeling the absence of a mother. When W¨¹nder was ten years old, his father died, and Brown got to working as a miner.


    ¡­


    W¨¹nder whistled along as he walked. Their path soon transformed into an alley. Trees with blue blossoms aligned each side of it. Wherever the eyes went, there was nothing but trees. The wind was gentle, filled with a delicious perfume which put even Brown in a good humour. Soon, these blue blossoms would turn into berries. As they walked, they reached a bend; around the bend, the village revealed itself, some hundred yards away, and the grove abruptly reached its end.


    The pair soon entered the village. They got across the houses, and reached the village square. Among the crowd which manifested in front of them, W¨¹nder perceived a familiar face, and waved his hand. It was a person who looked gaunt and bitter despite having a youthful appearance. It was Pan Faunus, the forester¡¯s son. He looked more anxious than usual, and approached them the moment they were four yards away.


    ¡°Brown, how were things like at the mine?¡±


    Brown looked up at Pan. ¡°There was nothing good in there today.¡±


    Pan stared at him with unease. ¡°..How was it?¡±


    ¡°Like I said, there-¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t mean that!¡± Pan said in an urgent voice, before composing himself. ¡°Anything. Did you see anything unusual in the caves? Some growls or grunts¡­ which seemed like those of animals?¡±


    ¡°Well, I didn¡¯t. What¡¯s the problem?¡±


    ¡°Earlier, this morning, I had seen some monsters in the forest,¡± Pan imparted, motioning for them to resume walking. ¡°They were golden in color and were heading towards the caves.¡±


    Brown¡¯s brows creased. ¡°Are you sure that you didn¡¯t get drunk and start seeing things?¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t,¡± Pan sighed, before inclining his face away from Brown as the latter smelled the air about him. ¡°And even if I did, I¡¯ve never been more sober than now.¡±


    ¡°Certainly,¡± Brown noted. ¡°So? What kind of monsters did you see? Bears? I assure you that I haven¡¯t seen a single animal in the mines since I started working, let alone yellow bears.¡±


    ¡°Then¡­ Did anyone get injured? Did someone report having heard grunts or the sort?¡±


    ¡°Nobody heard grunts, but people did-,¡±.


    ¡°Oh, the knight!¡± Pan looked ahead eagerly, before ensuing. ¡°Excuse me for a moment, Brown. I called a knight to investigate the caves.¡±


    ¡°Nah, no excuse given. I¡¯ll talk to the knight as well.¡±


    Pan stared at Brown. ¡°Come along then.¡±


    Brown turned to W¨¹nder, telling him to follow them. But the latter seemed distracted. ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡±


    ¡°Nothing. I think I just saw Elysia passing by us.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry. The other workers will inform her about what happened.¡±


    ¡°I see,¡± W¨¹nder muttered. ¡°She¡¯s gonna need some comforting later on. Can we buy something for her next time we head to the town, brother?¡±


    ¡°We can.¡±


    Brown and Pan greeted the knight in their loud voices, as W¨¹nder observed, followed by W¨¹nder¡¯s own greetings. The knight had a high nose bridge, and fierce-looking eyes. He looked frightening to W¨¹nder, though, W¨¹nder noted, that Brown seemed to think nothing of it. The crowd around them started whispering, wanting to know why the knight was here.


    ¡°Sir Rudeus, I am the one who had requested for your assistance,¡± Pan bowed.


    The knight, Sir Rudeus, nodded in acknowledgement. ¡°State your business.¡±


    ¡°Sir, strange animals were sighted in the forest - animals which were heading for the caves. I request that some investigations be made upon it, as it may endanger the miners.¡±


    The knight remained quiet, seeming to consider Pan¡¯s words. ¡°Have the miners reported anything?¡±


    ¡°No, sir.¡±


    ¡°Well, yes. I actually have something to rep-!¡±


    ¡°I was not addressing you,¡± said Sir Rudeus drily to Brown. The knight raised his head and said at length. ¡°It was a waste of time coming here. I shall see myself back to my station.¡±


    He turned to leave. Pan was dumbfound, while Brown asked him to wait up, and said. ¡°Sir Rudeus! Strange things have indeed been happening at the mine! Some people were found killed in there today itself!¡±


    ¡°Wait a minute! You didn¡¯t really mention that to me!¡± becried Pan.


    ¡°Well, sorry about that. I was just about to mention it.¡±


    ¡°You should have said things like that sooner!¡±


    ¡°Well, I¡¯ll hear you out later. Things are getting busy at Ellion right now¡± indicted the knight, stamping away. Ellion was the knights¡¯ headquarters,


    ¡°Please wait up!¡± shouted Brown, but Sir Rudeus did not even stop his march. Brown hastened to the knight, pleading him to send a search party to the mines, and talked about the disappearances, as much as the gruesome details in which he had found Router¡¯s dead body.


    The knight paused in his steps. ¡°Well, alright. I¡¯ll send some squires after I get back to the headquarters.¡±


    ¡°Thank you very much!¡± exclaimed Brown, followed by similar words from Pan. Brown wondered about the knight¡¯s previous act of marching away while trivializing their problem like this, just because of some confusion. Maybe he had considered their matter trifling precisely because of that little confusion - but it seemed unjustifiable.


    ¡®Knights these days sure are proud,¡¯ thought Brown.


    Once the knight was gone, Pan asked. ¡°Where are the other miners, Brown?¡±


    ¡°They should have come back by now,¡± he looked behind Pan, and nodded, ¡°yeah, they are already here!¡±


    Pan turned back, and saw that Brown¡¯s words were true. He came up to the miners, and said that he was glad to find them safe. They responded with gratitude and anxiety, speaking of the mysterious disappearances and narrating the grimy murders committed by god knew who. They were tired, sweaty, and their faces seemed drained of all colour.


    W¨¹nder approached the lot, searching for Elysia, before looking back the way they had come. He found no signs of her. Brown watched the scene silently, before sighing. ¡°Let¡¯s go home, W¨¹nder.¡±


    But the boy stood still. ¡°Elysia is not coming.¡±


    ¡°What do you mean?¡±


    ¡°The person I saw back then was definitely Elysia.¡±


    ¡°Are you sure it was her?¡±


    ¡°Yeah.¡±


    ¡°Well, let¡¯s leave her be. Maybe she wants to be alone for a while.¡±


    ¡°But she was accompanied by somebody I didn¡¯t know.¡±


    ¡°Maybe it¡¯s one of her distant relatives?¡±


    W¨¹nder kept quiet.


    ¡°Okay, we¡¯ve still got some good hours before sunset. I guess we can afford another trip. Should make for some good exercise,¡± said Brown, ruffling his brother¡¯s head. ¡°But only until the start of the ravine, alright? I wouldn¡¯t know what to do if Pan¡¯s words proved to be true.¡±


    ¡°Alright.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not really sure. But I¡¯m curious about this man, now that I think of it. It¡¯s bad enough that Elysia is a girl.¡±

 Chapter 1 - Part 2

    Elysia stared at the man beside her with perplexed eyes. ¡°I didn¡¯t know that such a passage existed in the mountains. Are you sure we should be heading this way?¡±


    ¡°Yes, I¡¯m definitely certain of it. This is the path we should take.¡±


    Elysia kept quiet. It had been fifteen minutes since she had been walking. Besides that, she thought the yellow eyes of the man to be eerie. Suddenly she heard shouts behind her. She turned back to notice W¨¹nder hastening towards her. Behind him, Brown seemed to be shouting something. As they came closer, Elysia heard him clearly.


    ¡°Hey! Stop running!¡±


    It was unusual for W¨¹nder to do something contrary to his brother¡¯s wish. Elysia¡¯s heart jumped at the thought that he had done that for her. The boy looked aloof as usual, and somehow, the only way he could seem earnest was by the way he glanced at her while catching his breath. ¡°What are you doing here, W¨¹nder?¡±


    ¡°Where are you going, Elysia?¡±


    ¡°To the mines. I heard my father has gotten incapacitated by an injury,¡± she supplied.


    Alarm flashed in W¨¹nder¡¯s eyes as he kept on looking at her. ¡°But your father is dead. Who told you that he was injured?¡±


    ¡°What did you say? W¨¹nder, I¡¯m not forgiving you if this is your idea of a joke.¡±


    ¡°Well, I¡¯m speaking the truth. Your father¡¯s body will probably be brought back to us once the knight and his squires have secured the parameters tomorrow. You can ask my brother, if you want to confirm my words.¡±


    Elysia was silenced. She twirled her hair, a sign of growing anxiety in her case, as W¨¹nder was well aware of. The man beside her paused. He looked stoic, and somehow threatening. He had thinly cropped hair, and was more on the muscular side. He adjusted his shirt, and cleared his throat. ¡°Your father is waiting, Elysia. And it¡¯s getting cold too. He must be in quite some pain, now as we speak.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s just absurd!¡± cried Brown while approaching them. ¡°I saw Router¡¯s dead body with my own two eyes. Even now, I feel miserable knowing that he¡¯s gone. We were great friends together.¡±


    Elysia looked in Brown¡¯s direction, obviously divided about who to believe, judging from her expressions. Her eyes teared up, and her lips started trembling. She still looked the same as the prim and proper girl who had glanced at the river earlier this day; she did not start weeping. ¡°You are lying, Brown. My father can¡¯t be dead. He told me that fate would not have him dead. If not it would just be too unfair.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s not the case, Elysia!¡± argued W¨¹nder ardently, ¡°my brother would never lie to me. You¡¯ll have to come back to the village. I¡¯m sure the other miners will supply you with the same answer as my brother did.¡±


    Elysia gripped the pouch she had been holding since all this time. W¨¹nder could not guess what was in there just from the form it took from the content inside. Elysia¡¯s next words clarified things for him. ¡°No, I won¡¯t go to them. I haven¡¯t time. I have to bring the medicines immediately to dad or he¡¯ll suffer. Let¡¯s go, Mr. Reynolds.¡±


    W¨¹nder stretched his hand forward, thinking of grabbing Elysia¡¯s hands, but thought better of it and restrained himself. ¡°I¡¯m coming with you people then.¡±


    He glanced at his brother and then stared intently at the guy named Reynolds. The man only shrugged, and started walking. Brown came up to W¨¹nder and patted him on the back. ¡°You did well, W¨¹nder,¡± he whispered, and glared heatedly at the man beside Elysia. ¡°He¡¯s a fairly new face. I¡¯ve only seen him on a few occasions.¡±


    The path wounding from the village to the mines was inlaid between mountain ridges on both sides. Reynolds approached the rocky barrier on the right, and parted the bushes and young tree shoots, moving almost mechanically, to uncover a wall. The wall was covered in briar and brambles of green and brown and a murky shade of yellow. Peering hard at it, he grazed his hand about its surface, and finally gave a push. A path opened itself to the group. ¡°Let¡¯s get going now, Elysia.¡±


    The girl uncertainly considered the entrance in front of her, before giving a sharp nod, and moved through the rocky threshold. Behind her, W¨¹nder and Brown recollected themselves from their initial looks of awe and interest, before following the pair.


    ***


    Duff sidled away the feathery pen he held against the table surface, and watched it drop while issuing a yawn. He glanced at the small stream which Mrs. Detroit had indicated on a map - a map which labeled the stream as Silver Road Bourns.


    It had a magical sound to it. Duff thought that he would find great pleasure in telling W¨¹nder about the stream, and they could afterwards set out together to explore it. However, one thing bothered him immensely. ¡°Mrs. Detroit, what¡¯s a bourn?¡±


    ¡°Oh dear, are you referring to the title of the small streams depicted here?¡± Duff nodded, albeit almost affably, because he was alone with her. Things would have been more fun with Elysia or W¨¹nder around; he could have pulled their legs with jokes and questions. ¡°Well, I¡¯m surprised you could guess that this word is a noun.¡±


    Duff blushed. ¡°Uh, yeah¡­ I guess. ¡®Silver Road¡¯ is not another word for a stream, so only ¡®Bourns¡¯ is left.¡± It flustered him to receive praises so frequently as when he was in Mrs. Detroit¡¯s company. He was not used to it, nor had he had someone tell him praises for a long time since he was born. It made him want to find a hole and hide. And he had often ran away from it through thievery and running away from the houses which would shelter him.


    ¡°Such a wild animal you are, Duff,¡± commented Mrs. Detroit, making him feel weird. ¡°A bourn is a small stream. Especially one which flows intermittently, or seasonally. In other words, it¡¯s sometimes dry, and sometimes, it can probably build up a tenth of the energy and vivacity of a normal torrent. By the way, did you know that all of us are animals?¡± Duff shook his head. ¡°Well, now you know. Anyway, how did you like the legend which I told you about?¡±


    Duff considered her words. All that he had heard had caused his heart to become pumped up; he was a bit excited. ¡°Well, I found it really interesting. And are you done reading, Mrs. Detroit?¡±


    Mrs. Detroit deigned to gasp in astonishment. ¡°Why do you ask, Duff? Is it boring?¡±


    Duff smiled slyly at the question. ¡°No, I¡¯m asking you precisely because I don¡¯t want it to become boring.¡± He stood up, grabbing his cup and drinking the bittersweet coffee from it at one go. ¡°I¡¯m going after Elysia.¡±If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    ¡°I see,¡± Mrs. Detroit considered sweetly, her eyes drawn downwards to the floor, ¡°well, take care, won¡¯t you?¡± She lifted her eyes and smiled at him brightly.


    ¡°Yeah, I will!¡±


    Closing the door behind him, Duff thought of the legends and myths Mrs. Detroit had narrated to him, and grinned from ear from ear. The Elysian fields. The possibility of another realm beyond all that he knew. And the key which was rumored to be buried in the Taitanus mountain, only some kilometers away from him - the key to a new world.


    It was precisely at the entrance of the mountain called Taitanus where W¨¹nder and Brown were heading. To its mines of silver and golden troves.


    ***


    At the Taitanus mountain, slumbered a huge mound of flesh. It beseemed the very personification of ostentation. Adorned in nothing but gold, that thing''s reddish - crimson - skin seemed to glisten and reflect the gold it was wearing.


    It was on a huge bed of intricate silverwork, heads of skeletons and roses etched to the bed¡¯s side. The mound of flesh lay in a vast room, and screeches could be heard as a horde of indescribable monsters passed by the foot of his bed. Snores and annoying sounds came from a mouth, as if savoring something, and the mound of flesh shifted, to reveal the outline of a leg.


    Out of the room where laid the person, out of the mines, and a few kilometers from the mines¡¯ entrance was the group led by Elysia. Elysia¡¯s face was bathed in ruth and self-pity. She seemed close to hugging herself. Mr. Reynolds wore a snide glare, staring only forward with his golden irises.


    Brown and W¨¹nder acted like amenable companions, and concealed their thoughts with a show of helpless ambivalence. Apparently, the path they were on was a shorter route to the mines. Brown planned on having W¨¹nder restrain Elysia at his signal, while Brown would deal with Reynolds. And they would head back. Brown¡¯s conclusion had been that a gang of ruffians had sheltered itself in the cave. However, Reynolds guarded Elysia staunchly and he caught Brown right in an attempt to jump upon him. This checked Brown into place, and made him more hesitant to make his ambush.


    Elysia did not seem to be aware of Brown¡¯s movements, while he bade his time. She fumbled with her leather pouch, taking out black pills made of leaves, and checking each analgesic, each potion with untrained eyes. It made W¨¹nder think that they would have been better off fetching a doctor rather than Elysia if Router had truly been injured.


    The cave they were in had large cracks in its roof, starting with the one aligning by the path they took. The sun was now behind them, casting warmth on their backs. The sound of water could be heard. Stalagtites and stalagmites cast dark shadows in the dim vastness which surrounded them. The air was humid, the ground slippery. The screech of a hawk was heard, somewhere in the sky, before it most presumably descended upon its prey.


    This distracted Reynolds enough to make him look upwards, and Brown sped towards him, pushing the man down and moved to restrain him. The latter got hurt by the protrusions on the damp floor, and became breathless, looking at Brown wildly, before wrestling with Brown and kicked him away.


    ¡°Curses!¡± shouted Brown, struggling to stay afoot.


    Reynolds got up, groaning with pain. ¡°What are you trying to do to me?¡±


    ¡°Well, where were you taking this young lady exactly?¡±


    Reynolds lunged at Brown with a punch, which the latter could only block, due to his unstable footing. He tried to follow up with another punch, but Brown swiped at his foot, and he stumbled before grabbing Brown¡¯s waist and bringing him down with him. Brown fell on his bottom, wincing in pain.


    ¡°I told you that her father needs her help.¡±


    ¡°And I told you that he¡¯s dead! The dead don¡¯t ask for help!¡±


    Reynolds gave a blow to Brown¡¯s face. ¡°Well, fine. You want to come along, right? That makes it easier for you. You can check whether he¡¯s alive with your own eyes.¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s dead,¡± Brown stared hard at him. ¡°You can¡¯t change my mind.¡±


    Reynolds punched him on his nose; it was a glancing blow. ¡°I won¡¯t be the one to change your mind, fool. Let¡¯s go.¡±


    Brown looked at him with confusion. Reynolds glowered back with hatred, before finding Elysia observing him with wide eyes. He tucked at his collar, cleared his throat and resumed walking. Elysia glanced at Brown with consternation, before moving on. ¡°That was stupid, Brown.¡±


    As she walked, W¨¹nder heard her whisper that her father wasn¡¯t dead. Brown stood up, looking at W¨¹nder with reproach. The latter shrugged; he had held Elysia¡¯s hand during the time his brother had been scuffling around, but released it the moment Brown was at a disadvantage.


    ¡°Such a frosty pair, the two of them,¡± bemoaned Brown, addressing himself to W¨¹nder. ¡°But I guess that makes it worth having come here.¡±


    ¡°You mean because we could affirm the fact that Elysia is being deceived?¡±


    ¡°No, I mean this good old fight,¡± Brown said, wiping his mouth - blood came away with the back of his palm.


    Elysia glanced back at them, but Brown said nothing to her. She sulked and puffed, only in the way she could, and looked forward. W¨¹nder didn¡¯t know what to make of this expression, or whether to consider it an exaggeration of a reaction, or feminine artifice¡­ as much as Brown couldn¡¯t.


    ¡°W¨¹nder, you heard of the legends that said that vampires inhabited the mines?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I did.¡±


    ¡°Well, doesn¡¯t it look like it is false?¡±


    ¡°I already know that, brother. I did explore the mines with you.¡±


    ¡°No, you don¡¯t say. You¡¯ve only had glimpses of it, because the guards wouldn¡¯t let you go further in.¡±


    ¡°I guess that¡¯s true¡­¡±


    ¡°By the way, how¡¯s your education going? Is Mr. Larkins doing a good job out of teaching you?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve often told you that he¡¯s being a big help,¡± W¨¹nder said, ¡°I¡¯ll maintain my words no matter what you say.¡±


    ¡°I see. Did you ask the tailor if he needed an assistant yet.¡±


    ¡°I went to ask him, but he said I was too young to do a job.¡±


    ¡°Strange of him. He was the one who told me that I had to work at the mines. Maybe he thinks you have a better chance than me.¡±


    W¨¹nder looked at Brown with inquiring eyes. ¡°Better chance at what, brother?¡±


    ¡°Well, how should I say it? A better chance at setting up a family?¡±


    W¨¹nder looked ahead with a pensive face. ¡°Do you want to set up a family, brother?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s impossible for me, you know?¡±


    ¡°Then, doesn¡¯t that make it even more impossible for me?¡±


    ¡°You can¡¯t be so sure, W¨¹nder.¡±


    ¡°Nor can you be, brother. If you want a family for me, then I want a family for you too.¡±


    Brown smiled widely. ¡°Well, that¡¯s something to look forward to.¡±


    Elysia, still leading ahead of them, paused in her footsteps, and asked Brown. ¡°Say, my father is alive, right? What you said before was a lie, right?¡± Her tone was subdued, docile, as if she were fearful, and she did indeed seem so when asking her question, for her voice faltered.


    Brown looked at her unhappily. ¡°I¡¯m not answering that again.¡± This somehow pacified Elysia, for she visibly stopped fretting, and twirling her hair. The rest of the trip went on without much incident. At one point, they came across a panoply of streams tinted with sulfur and chrome-colored deposits.


    They gradually transitioned into a darker cave, where there were no cracks in the roof, and they could move on only after Reynolds took out a torch, and lighted it with the sparks from a pair of flintstones. ¡°Well, I suppose the following apothegm goes quite well here. ¡®It is not sufficient to carry religion in our hearts, as fire is carried in flintstones¡¯. Though, I beg to differ that moral codes are much more likely than religion.¡±


    W¨¹nder looked at Brown, wondering about what he was talking about, but thought no more of it, since Reynolds did not seem to care enough to listen to Brown, and Elysia was too desolate to partake in his wit.


    And so, they progressed through the cave, while hardly making a sound. It was as if they were honoring, with their silence, a dirge which only they could hear. The cave, despite being akin to a playground for W¨¹nder, was also something he was afraid of because of its sheer darkness. Elysia was even less familiar with the likeness of caves. The only people the two could look to for support, in such a place, had been involved in a fight already, and they wondered about what would happen if another fight were to take place.


    ¡®The fire will most likely be put out if another brawl breaks out,¡¯ surmised W¨¹nder, aspiring to keep his brother close company so that he wouldn¡¯t commit any rash acts again. In the first place, he was worried about reaching the end of their walk, and finding himself in the middle of thugs; he wondered if his brother realized such a thing.


    The remaining distance was covered in about one hour, during which they climbed up, hopped past, and scaled down the cave¡¯s ground. It was tiring business for W¨¹nder, though his brother seemed used to it. Elysia heaved a sigh of relief the moment Brown declared that they had reached the mines. Mr. Reynolds made no objection to it.


    ¡°Alright! Now show us where Router is!¡± Brown exclaimed, ¡°I¡¯m sure you are quite apt to proving the impossible, since you haven¡¯t killed me yet.¡±


    Just by a little, W¨¹nder thought he could again understand what his brother was thinking.

 Chapter 1 - Part 3

    The wind swished wildly from a natural vent on W¨¹nder¡¯s left. It gushed forth in waves, and blurred all sounds, bringing a chill to W¨¹nder¡¯s body. As he observed, Reynolds mouthed. ¡°I¡¯ll show you to him. Follow me.¡±


    Had Reynolds been a victim of aspersions? W¨¹nder could only guess as much. Or perhaps hunting down Elysia and W¨¹nder after getting rid of Brown might have been too much risky - W¨¹nder had such doubts after understanding his brother¡¯s plan. ¡°Lead me on,¡± Brown conferred, his face yellowish under the glow of the torch.


    W¨¹nder looked apprehensively at his brother, but the latter merely nodded his head, his jaw firmly set. Elysia gripped the hem of her dress, following Reynolds, and W¨¹nder stepped in behind them, walking slowly, looking down. The cave brightened as they crossed through another room. ¡°We are now in the working area for silver ore extraction, W¨¹nder,¡± Brown said, turning to his right.


    He came face to face with a monster with a reptilian head.


    Brown ducked, as the monster lunged above him, and crashed upon Reynolds. The latter separated himself from the creature with a tremendous shove.


    ¡°Curses of hell! Where did that come from?!¡± Brown panted. Elysia and W¨¹nder hurried along to get behind Brown. Brown lifted the torch, and swung it around to prevent the fire from extinguishing itself.


    The monster, which looked like it had the head of a lizard, and limbs covered with scales harried at Reynolds, tracing arcs in the air with its claws. These looked extremely sharp and shimmered dully in the flickering glow of the torch. The creature¡¯s eyes were a bright red, and long fangs protruded from its jaws. It had a reddish-brown skin, and stood upright on its hind legs as it swiped its arms at Reynolds.


    The man charged at the lizard-like creature with his shoulder, and placated it against the cave¡¯s wall. A sharp sound was heard, as if a bony junction had been cracked. Reynolds pressed the monster forcefully to the wall, before turning his body like a spring, and reverting it back upon the lizard-headed humanoid to give a final charge.


    "..."


    Another crack was heard, as the monster groaned in pain.


    Reynolds stepped back, jumping away without any delay. Elysia looked at the scene, her face aghast. The air was suddenly heavy, with deep breaths and choking sounds heard, as the monster clawed at its face, which seemed dislodged, and shrieked stridently, before spitting a glob of what looked like blood.


    It finally turned its body over, trying to lift itself back up. For an instant, W¨¹nder thought that the creature looked pitiful. He felt like he could empathize with it, and the fact that he felt that made him scared. Elysia whimpered inchoately, caught by the shock of the turn of events, and trembled as she held W¨¹nder¡¯s hand.


    W¨¹nder himself was no exception to the fear. The thing in front of him certainly was a monster which could incite blood-curdling screams. ¡°Thanks, Reynolds,¡± Brown murmured, admiration and hesitation in his voice.


    ¡°You are welcome.¡± Reynolds looked at them, seeming to inquire about their safety, but his eyes was dead-set on Elysia and only Elysia. W¨¹nder thought that queer, but what was more queer was when Brown pointed out to him that he was crying.


    Brown hugged him, whispering in his ear. ¡°I¡¯m sure you haven¡¯t soiled yourself, so I won¡¯t ask. Put up a brave face now, or it¡¯ll be worse remembering things later on.¡± He then went on to hug Elysia, and said something in Elysia¡¯s ear as well. This calmed her visibly. And lastly, he addressed Reynolds. ¡°Young man, what age are you?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m¡­ Please wait a moment.¡± Reynolds held his head, as if it were aching, and hissed, his eyes held acutely open, before he finally, as if surpassing something immense, said. ¡°I¡¯m eighteen years old. I come from-¡± He growled, and groaned, before looking at Brown with empty eyes. ¡°What was I saying?¡±


    ¡°You were telling me about where you come from¡­¡± Brown shielded the two adolescents with both hands.


    ¡°Oh! That¡¯s right, where I come from¡­ Sorry, I forgot about its name. I¡¯ve travelled a lot, you see?¡±


    ¡°I see, that¡¯s alright,¡± Brown assured him, as the man beheld him with bloodshot eyes. ¡°Thank you for subjugating the creature. He was a frightful one.¡± The monster lay there without being able to get up, and at length, stopped its struggles, death dawning upon it.


    ¡°Yeah, you bet he was. I¡¯ve seen the likes of him a dozen times.¡±


    ¡°You mean you know where it came from?¡±


    Reynolds stared at Brown for a moment, before the light in his eyes appeared to grow duller. ¡°No, I haven¡¯t the faintest idea where it comes from.¡± He coughed. ¡°Besides that, let¡¯s keep going. We¡¯ll be in trouble if more of these monsters appear.¡±


    ¡°You intrigue me,¡± Brown said aloud. Reynolds looked at him with a raised eyebrow, but Brown only waved his right hand at him, saying not to mind his words. ¡°Seeing such a creature here in the caves is a first for me. I wonder if it came from the unexplored territory we had discovered yesterday. It just opened up right after a wall of the cave crumbled to dust. Not even bits or lumps remain of the wall. It¡¯s quite mysterious.¡±Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.


    ¡°Sounds interesting,¡± Reynolds said mindlessly, as if his former spirit of interaction had gone.


    Brown walked on silently, pausing before each bend, as if expecting a monster to pop up at the end of each one. ¡°Such a killjoy,¡± he mused after the third bend.


    W¨¹nder looked at him reproachfully. ¡°You want to get us killed, brother?¡±


    Brown did not appear to hear him. He instead seemed to focus his attention on Reynolds. ¡°You think these creatures can talk, W¨¹nder?¡±


    ¡°I would not think so, brother.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, right. That¡¯s right, huh?¡±


    ¡°You are rambling about anything at all, aren¡¯t you?¡± Reynolds mused darkly. ¡°Why don¡¯t you hurry so that we can reach Router much more quickly? I¡¯ll take care of the monsters for you. More like, let me take the lead. It¡¯s much more practical this way.¡±


    Brown shrugged but did not concede his place. ¡°I would be troubled if you got injured first, and we couldn¡¯t take care of the creatures which might show up.¡±


    ¡°Thank you for your concern, but I can evade the creatures as easily as you.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s some fine info from you. Why didn¡¯t you become a squire rather than a miner?¡±


    Reynolds paused in his steps. ¡°The flow was just against me becoming that.¡±


    Brown pondered over his words. ¡°Flow?¡± He couldn¡¯t say anything more than this, as he was parted aside, and Reynolds took the lead. ¡°Reynolds, are you another one of those cursed people?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not!¡± yelled Reynolds, his face transformed into a grimace.


    Brown glanced at Reynolds with a placid, lukewarm look on his face. ¡°Your eyes were not yellow when you were fighting, Reynolds. Do you think it¡¯s yellow again now?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s none of your business.¡± Reynolds motioned for Elysia to come behind him, and Brown chose not to intervene. ¡°You should protect your little companion, Brown. I haven¡¯t been to this cave¡¯s uncharted territory, but if that¡¯s where that lizardman came from, I would think that the entire cave is endangered.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s very rational of you,¡± grumbled Brown while keeping a stoic face. He moved to the back of the group, to protect W¨¹nder, like Reynolds had said, leaving the man himself perplexed. ¡°Talking to you almost makes me feel like the dead body I saw was a lie, but Router is definitely dead. I don¡¯t know what to make of you, Reynolds.¡±


    Reynolds kept quiet for a while, before relenting. ¡°That¡¯s fine by me.¡±


    Brown jumped on his reply. ¡°You know, Elysia is quite an artless girl. Her only vanity is what her youth brings out in her.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t understand why you are telling me this.¡±


    ¡°That aside, I feel like I really want to ask you what I¡¯ve been thinking so far now,¡± Brown cleared his throat. ¡°Tell me truthfully, will you?¡±


    Reynolds halted his steps anew. ¡°What do you want?¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ve been making much leeway from the place where Router¡¯s dead body was found. Where are you taking us? Are we heading to your lair? Are you part of a-¡±


    ¡°We are not heading to any lair, and I¡¯m not what you mean to say I am.¡± Reynolds turned his head to his left. ¡°Are you satisfied?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not,¡± Brown pushed, before suddenly noticing something by the wall on the right. He stopped walking. ¡°By the way, Reynolds, did you hear of any monsters which looked all golden roaming in the mines?¡±


    ¡°You are too talkative, Mr. Loxias.¡±


    ¡°I owe that to my surname,¡± said Brown, making a proud announcement of it. He bent and looked at a hole to his right. He put his hand into it, and felt a draft of air coming from the hole. He went for a torch hanging by the wall, and took it from its metal bracket. ¡°Should I assume you didn¡¯t hear of these monsters?¡± pondered Brown. He approached the hole. ¡°Well, what have we got here?¡±


    ¡°What are you looking at, brother?¡± W¨¹nder stopped in his track, as did the pair ahead of him.


    ¡°W¨¹nder, could you help me for a bit?¡± Brown tapped above the hole. ¡°I want you to get in there.¡±


    ¡°Okay!¡± W¨¹nder acceded, walked over, and then got on his knees. Brown handed him the torch. W¨¹nder took it, and then crept into the hole, his knees scraping against the rocky surface.


    ¡°You are making us lose precious time,¡± declared Reynolds, grabbing Elysia¡¯s hand, and ensuing. ¡°We¡¯ll go on ahead if the boy doesn¡¯t come back out in ten minutes.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, yeah, do whatever you want, but leave Elysia here. You¡¯ve got the medicine you wanted, right? I¡¯m not letting my friend¡¯s daughter go through any more danger. God knows how stupid I am for only realizing this now.¡±


    ¡°Oh, but you are stupid indeed,¡± Reynolds said, in a strange voice. It was a cold, inhumane voice.


    ¡°What¡­ did you say?!¡± Brown asked him loudly.


    ¡°Congratulations, your brother is gonna get killed.¡± The face glowering at him through the torch¡¯s light looked imperious, scornful, before it returned to its grim, serious self. ¡°¡­Huh? What? What just happened right now?¡± Elysia stared at him in terror, and tried to get free from his hold, but couldn¡¯t do it. ¡°I¡¯m not holding you. I swear it isn¡¯t me who is holding you!¡±


    Brown looked at him with a threatening glare, before scrambling into the hole, and looked for the light coming from the torch held by his brother. He found him standing in front of what seemed to be a polka-dotted egg. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary, except that the egg was the height of his brother, and was as large as the oldest tree in Delossus, the village they lived in.


    Under the light of the fire, Brown noticed another egg at the entrance they had come from. Brown assumed that these only looked like eggs, but for hearing a crack, which was then followed by another, and then another one. The eggs looked about ready to hatch. ¡°Oh shit!¡± The cracks on the eggs grew wider, and Brown shouted to W¨¹nder to get back through the hole, but the latter remained frozen, and Brown ran to him, taking his trembling hand, and charged back for the hole, but a monster of golden shades sprung out of the egg by the side of the hole. ¡°Damn!¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s go, Elysia, it¡¯s dangerous in there!¡±


    ¡°B-But! But W¨¹nder! W¨¹nder is in there!¡±


    Brown could hear Elysia resisting Reynolds, but he couldn¡¯t do a thing in his current situation. ¡°I really should have considered tackling Reynolds again. Shouldn¡¯t have mattered even if the man looked strong.¡±


    Even as W¨¹nder asked him questions, and looked at the monster in front of them with terrified eyes, Brown took the torch from W¨¹nder¡¯s hands, looked behind them, and noticed that the path continued on ahead, turning sharply to the right. ¡°Got no choice.. Let¡¯s run for it, W¨¹nder!¡±


    While the second monster was taking birth into this world, Brown sprinted along the path presented in front of him, holding on tightly to his brother¡¯s hand, and looked no more behind him.


    ***


    Duff had noticed a lot of men walking towards the mines with young girls. He wondered if something was going on there. He came across a person he knew, but when he tried to approach him, he got the cold treatment.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know a brat like you! Get lost!¡±


    Duff found it to be puzzling. There was Brenda, the raven-haired girl. And there, Blair, who would make scarecrows to place in her father¡¯s wheat field. Their parents were all people he knew and was on familiar terms with.


    ¡°I wonder why they are all heading for the mines. Did something important happen there?¡± he brooded silently, while making his way alongside them.

 Chapter 1 - Part 4

    Reynolds¡¯s grasp on Elysia¡¯s arm was hard while he dragged her away from the hole where they had left Brown and W¨¹nder. Elysia gripped her free hand, gritting her teeth. She thought hard about it, and thought even harder, but couldn¡¯t accept it.


    ¡°Say, Mr. Reynolds. Is my father dead like Brown said?¡±


    ¡°Why do you ask?¡±


    ¡°Why did you abandon him in there? What was in that place? Why-¡±


    ¡°I!¡± Reynolds said aloud, silencing her, ¡°¡­I didn¡¯t do anything of the sort. Your father had something to tell you in private. It won¡¯t matter even if Brown and his little sibling come later.¡±


    ¡°Is it true?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, it is,¡± Reynolds looked her in the eyes. ¡°It definitely is.¡±


    Elysia felt like she couldn¡¯t believe him. ¡°And what was in there? What was-¡±


    ¡°I think it was another lizardman.¡±


    Elysia gasped at the answer. ¡°I¡­¡± she couldn¡¯t shake off the feeling that going along with Reynolds was wrong, but her father needed her - that¡¯s what she kept telling her. ¡®Why am I so docile?¡¯ she asked herself.


    Reynolds continued walking silently, without taking further note of her. He looked about their surroundings with caution clear in his eyes, as they glazed before the fire of the torch, which swayed lambently, to the whims of the cave as air moved in and out of it.


    ¡°You should be more daring than that for a girl this age,¡± Reynolds said after a while. Elysia felt even worse than she had been before just with these words. She hoped that Brown was safe. ¡®He is safe,¡¯ she thought willfully, and this bolstered her to ask.


    ¡°What¡¯s going to happen to Brown and W¨¹nder?¡±


    ¡°Well, they¡¯ll most likely kill the lizardman and head back our way.¡±


    Elysia could hardly believe him, and yet, she found herself agreeing. ¡°I see.¡±


    Her mind filled up with turmoil, and confusion. She thought herself fearful - fearful of every shadow, fearful of seeing her father¡¯s corpse in front of her, at the next step she would make, and even dreaded the return of W¨¹nder and his brother.


    The path ahead of her looked bleak.


    ***


    Brown held on tight to his brother¡¯s hand as he raced across the cave¡¯s floor. The sound of their footsteps resonated with the thundering ones behind them. Brown ran through the cave; he ran like a runner running his lap, taking long strides, and feeling the wind against his shivering body, and the torch flickered and flickered, almost like it was about to extinguish itself, but held on each time it came close to its demise.


    ¡°W¨¹nder, Pan¡¯s little story was true! We¡¯ve got those yellow bastards chasing us like no tomorrow!¡±


    W¨¹nder took a deep breath. ¡°Yeah!¡± The somber path of the cave haunted his eyes, and the torch kept beaconing forward like a will-o¡¯-wisp. The darkness felt cold, the torch¡¯s warmth felt like a flume blasting against his body.


    Behind them, the creatures approached, making weird screeches. W¨¹nder kept running, following solely his brother¡¯s urgency, and trying not to be distracted by the sounds which almost shadowed them.


    The path was unusually long. W¨¹nder wondered if they would reach a dead end. His brother seemed calm, and W¨¹nder felt like he could leave worrying to him. Only, his brother was far from being in his element.


    The path grew rougher, the air grew thinner, and Brown remarked, with a bit of sarcasm. ¡°You reckon these creatures will find us too bony and leave us alone?!¡±


    ¡°I would rather not find out, brother!¡±


    ¡°Precisely, right?! I wonder when they will stop chasing us!¡± Brown gripped W¨¹nder¡¯s hand harder. ¡°Brace yourself W¨¹nder, and don¡¯t panic!¡± So saying, Brown increase the pace of their running, and after a few seconds, slammed his body against the cave¡¯s wall.


    Nothing happened. The creatures grew closer, and Brown spat. ¡°This bloody hurts!¡± W¨¹nder looked at his brother with worry, as they kept on running, and his brother kept on hissing ¡°curses!¡± under his breath.


    The path forward narrowed. They eventually felt constrained and had to release hands. The monsters thrashed about the narrow aperture, and stopped in their tracks. As Brown and W¨¹nder advanced through it, they came out in the open again. Coming out of the narrow space, Brown dragged W¨¹nder out, and pointed his torch to inspect the monsters.


    They were effectively trapped at the other side of the path. Their features were rocky, and yet, Brown thought he could hear something flapping while he observed them. They had heads, and after some time of trying to get in the space between the two walls to reach Brown together, a single one of the creature thrust itself partway through.


    It had scales of a golden color, a snout of a golden color, and even the eyes which looked at Brown were all golden without the trace of any iris. Its head was small though. ¡°Well, alright let¡¯s keep going.¡± W¨¹nder walked on after Brown had taken the lead. They took a few steps forward, springing forth as if ready to break into a sprint anew.


    Brown couldn¡¯t see any wall; the area about them was largely unconstrained, making Brown comment. ¡°It wouldn¡¯t do good for these golden creatures break out through here. I can¡¯t even make out any leading path right now. Would suck if we got at a dead end,¡± he kicked a stone. ¡°W¨¹nder, get to the left. I¡¯ll get to the right. We¡¯ll stay close to each wall, and find any leading path. First one who finds it gives out a shout, okay?¡±Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions.


    ¡°Alright!¡±


    Brown grabbed W¨¹nder¡¯s shoulder, ¡°I¡¯ll give you this,¡± he gave him the torch, ¡°now, get going.¡±


    They got to exploring and contouring the walls of the cavern they had found themselves in. The monsters groaned and screeched just meters from them, and the latter¡¯s cries grew dimmer after a dozen meters spent exploring the walls. W¨¹nder held his torch at eye level, taking bold steps forward to make up for time in case the golden creatures got through to them.


    He walked on, feeling himself going down a slope, and hurried along. It was another fifteen minutes before he saw some light at the bottom of the slope. Some dozens of meters from him, he could hear quick shuffling steps, heading downwards, like him.


    W¨¹nder felt renewed vigour, and walked swiftly, before stumbling, and having to come a stop. The ground returned to being even. He did not slip again, and walked hastily. Soon, he would reach that growing expanse of light. He couldn¡¯t wait to shout out to his brother.


    He slowed down, for the ground was becoming steep again. Soon, he found the sky gaping from within the amorphous light which enticed him. W¨¹nder trekked carefully along the slope, and was one step from the light when his brother yelled. ¡°W¨¹nder, stop right now!¡±


    W¨¹nder came to a halt, puzzling over his brother¡¯s command. In fact, he couldn¡¯t see him anywhere near the light as he looked to the right. He pointed his torch behind him, and then looked under his feet to get the footing to get back up. What he saw, only a few feet from him, was a sudden drop, and some traces of trees at the end of it.


    ¡°Alright, brother! I¡¯m getting back!¡±


    ¡°Got you!¡±


    W¨¹nder climbed back up to the crevice, and was soon met by his brother, returning in turn. Brown took the torch from W¨¹nder, and illuminated the narrow path. ¡°May the cat eat you, and may the devil eat the cat! Bloody monsters.¡±


    W¨¹nder stayed quiet at this sudden outburst, and Brown handed him back the torch. He then took W¨¹nder¡¯s hand and led him along the right wall. They emerged in a place filled with light, and there, W¨¹nder saw that the ground disappeared from under them to reflect upon a lush view of a forest. The answer to this was simple; they were standing on the edge of a cliff. A crag in a cave.


    And as W¨¹nder looked to the left, he saw the ground sloping in a descent, to protrude forth, acutely curbing down, and finally give onto the forest. If he had continued downwards, he would probably have slid down, and ended up in a free dive on empty air.


    ¡°I was almost a goner¡­¡± W¨¹nder stated.


    ¡°We still are,¡± corrected Brown. ¡°We¡¯ve hit our dead end.¡±


    ***


    Elysia thought the men who were working all around her to be feverish. Their faces looked worn out, and they seemed to spend a great deal of ardor in mining for the precious ores of gold and silver which the mountain of Taitanus was known for.


    When she tried to give out a call, not one of them responded to her. After a few more hesitant call-outs to them, she stopped trying altogether. The cave was lit with torches on both sides, just like it had been when they met the lizardman. The fact that she knew the men who were working served to console her, but at one time, she found a person gaping at her, and then proceeding to tell her. ¡°Your father¡¯s dead. Why don¡¯t you run away?¡±


    ¡°He is not!¡± she retorted. And the man, after getting bashed by his companion, retracted his words, and acted differently from the way he had upon her first time seeing him there. Elysia found this to be queer. ¡°Don¡¯t be so harsh on him,¡± she said, despite herself. She did not know where she was heading anymore, and her only companion being Reynolds, she found herself breaking into tears.


    ¡°I see that girl is a crybaby. Should I silence her? Master Oregon is hungry.¡±


    ¡°Shut up, wooden doll. This girl is in my company.¡±


    The person in question laughed, and said. ¡°It makes no difference to me whether she¡¯s in your company or not. Master Oregon will still have his meal as he pleases.¡±


    Elysia could not quite understand the kind of conversation these two people were having. The person speaking to Reynolds definitely looked human. She wondered if that person was called a doll only because of his bony appearance.


    He certainly seemed to have a pair of ruddy cheeks, hollowed-out eyes, and his smile made her skin cringe. She observed him apprehensively while he passed by her side. The men all wore linen clothes, and the surroundings looked surreal. For her first time visiting a cave, Elysia was quite caught up in trying to come to grips with the fact that she was inside a mountain.


    The men struck the ground hard with their pickaxes and grunted while mechanically repeating the action again and again. Elysia looked up the dark ceiling. ¡®I wonder if it will all come down on us with all this digging¡¯, she pondered, wiping the tears drying on her cheeks, and observed Reynolds¡¯s rigid face. ¡°You are not lying, are you?¡±


    Reynolds paused in his steps. ¡°Why would I lie to you?¡±


    His answer got her confounded. ¡°Th-That¡­ Maybe you are lying to me because you want to take¡­ take my hand!?¡±


    ¡°Maybe I should consider doing that. I quite fancy prim and proper ladies.¡±


    ¡°You¡­ You are doing it right now?¡± She considered her words as she felt a lump growing in her throat. ¡°You are doing it, right?!¡±


    Reynolds started laughing darkly at her words. ¡°You are really funny, girl!¡±


    ¡°Stop mocking me! I won¡¯t come along with you anymore!¡±


    ¡°What? You don¡¯t want to see your father?¡±


    ¡°...¡± Elysia gritted her teeth. She considered letting out a yell, but she doubted that it would help in her situation.


    ¡°Now, let¡¯s get going. You were hurrying along just a few moments ago, weren¡¯t you?¡±


    ¡°You dumb oaf!¡± Elysia hurled the most terrible insult she knew of to him. Some of the miners stopped working. Elysia thought they would grab her.


    ¡°You should discipline this girl you have here, Reynolds!¡± cried out a bald man.


    ¡°Yeah. She seems¡­ choleric,¡± said the person working next to the bald man. And then, as if they had made a personal joke, the miners laughed. ¡°That¡¯s why you shouldn¡¯t have daughters, Tom! Look at her! What is she doing here?¡±


    ¡°Well, Mike, do you remember why we are working here?¡±


    ¡°Oh, I don¡¯t remember. I¡¯ve been forgetting things lately.¡±


    ¡°Well, let¡¯s head away from this choleric girl. She seems like she¡¯s gonna be a bother.¡±


    The miners trundled along leisurely, before their gait straightened, and they continued working seriously some dozens of yards from Elysia and Reynolds.


    ¡°What¡­ What did he say, Reynolds? What does choleric mean?¡±


    ¡°He told you to watch your mouth. And you should. You are not gonna call me an oaf again,¡± Reynolds said, grabbing her shoulder and looking her in her eyes.


    She stared at him. ¡°But what about the word? What does it mean?¡±


    Reynolds looked at her intently, and then frowned. ¡°Ah, kids!¡± Elysia flinched. ¡°You got angry. That¡¯s all he said.¡±


    Elysia looked beside Reynolds¡¯s face, not daring to confront him. And Reynolds let go, before commanding her to keep up her march as she had before. Elysia obeyed him, looking down as she kept walking.


    Carts filled with ores rolled past her, while the carriers laboriously made it move. They moved past her, and advanced in front of her, and they disappeared. She thought that they were heading outside. She felt reassured on realizing that.


    However, as they kept walking for half an hour more, she started to doubt herself.


    ***


    Brown glanced at the sky silently.


    There was darkness behind him, and the only thing he was sure of was the ground under him. It had already been close to an hour since he had been wasting time sitting here, on the cusp of empty air, waiting for something to come up in his mind - an idea - so that he could escape from this godforsaken place.


    W¨¹nder looked at the vast panorama which extended in front of them - a purple-blue sky, as if waiting to be cast with clouds and rain down on them, and a forest beneath their feet, which continued forth before giving unto a river. Musing about how it would have been much better to have come here on a different occasion, W¨¹nder thought he remembered something important.


    ¡°Brother, at that time, the monster had a different face, didn¡¯t it?¡±


    ¡°At what time?¡± Brown yawned, rubbing his shoulders.


    ¡°Well, when you cursed at it - at that time.¡±


    Brown adjusted himself against the wall of the cave. ¡°Well, I didn¡¯t notice anything, if you ask me.¡±


    ¡°Arrrree you¡­ speaking abouttt¡­ me?¡±


    ¡°Holy shit!¡± Brown startled, stumbling almost down the precipice outside the cave.

 Chapter 2 - Part 1

    Brown crept along the ridgy surface of the cave¡¯s wall, and was at a safe distance from the edge which gave onto the forest. W¨¹nder was right beside him, illuminating the threat which they thought they have escaped with his torch; it was a golden creature - one which had taken on a humanoid shape. And it spoke.


    ¡°You¡­. Whaattt do¡­ you¡­ desirrrrrrre?¡±


    The monster slowly pointed a long finger in W¨¹nder¡¯s direction, and waited for a reply.


    ¡°What are you?¡±


    ¡°...¡±


    Brown¡¯s question was greeted with silence. The creature closed upon Brown¡¯s face, peering deep into his eyes. Brown stared back into the bottomless eyes gazing at him.


    ¡°It would be cool if you gave a reply, you know?¡±


    The creature transmuted his hand into a trident, and closed his eyes abruptly. ¡°You ask this of me, human?¡± Its slur was gone.


    ¡°Yeah!.. I do.¡±


    ¡°I am the Orgon seer. And right now, I am the servant of Oregon.¡±


    ¡°I am his servant,¡± resounded another voice behind him, and W¨¹nder jerked the torch to the right, shedding light on the source of the voice; a lugubrious face reflected back to his eyes. The newcomer walked towards his peer, and scrutinised Brown, much like the other creature had.


    ¡°We are the Orgon seer,¡± said the two golden monsters. ¡°So tell us what your desire is.¡±


    Brown sighed, closing his trembling fists, and smiled. ¡°I want you to leave us alone.¡±


    The trident came crashing besides Brown¡¯s face. ¡°Make a wish! Make a wish and you¡¯ll be able to leave this place unscathed.¡±


    Brown felt so giddy with dark humor at that moment, that he found it hard not to smirk. ¡°You should choose someone else for your bloody wish-granting, Mr. Orgon.¡±


    The creatures blinked. ¡°Why? Do you not want to see yourself rich?¡±


    ¡°Why would I want to see that? I wish that I could make more important things come true rather than something plain like that?¡±


    The trident drew a line away from Brown¡¯s head. ¡°What would those important things be?¡±


    Brown smiled. ¡°Be able to protect my brother as long as I live, and show him all kinds of places.¡±


    The trident swung back across the line.


    Brown ducked, kicking the creature in the chest; it remained rooted in place, while the second creature continued:


    ¡°You could wish for glory, for greatness. We would find no difficulty granting you that. Are you certain you don¡¯t need to state a different wish.¡±


    Brown breathed raggedly, as he got to his feet. He looked at the creatures with wide eyes, and gasped. ¡°You know, you need not ask this thing again. I don¡¯t need your help.¡±


    ¡°Very well, I shall grant you that you have nerves of steel,¡± the creature turned its face downwards, inclining it at an odd angle, almost snapping off the neck. ¡°I shall protect your brother for you. Are you prepared to make a contract with me for it? I can tell that you won¡¯t live long enough to protect your brother all his life.¡±


    ¡°Ah, well, I can¡¯t. Nah. What are you exactly?¡±


    ¡°Do you wish to know what I¡¯m made of?¡±


    ¡°Not really,¡± Brown walked away from them, W¨¹nder right beside him.


    The creatures kept looking at Brown at each movement he made. ¡°Get rid of these two, I¡¯m heading out,¡± said the creature with the trident-hand, and jumped idly on the cave, stomping a small crater onto the cave¡¯s floor, and it stretched its hands forward. They started transforming. ¡°Here I was, giving you the opportunity to be king, to have the best concubines, and you rejected it so thoughtlessly.¡±


    The creature grew wings, and his upper body sleeked forward, his hands fully turning into claws. Brown edged back carefully, looking intently at the humanoid which remained behind. ¡°Too bad for you! Repent and envy the person who will get the privileges I offered you!¡± The creature¡¯s voice reverberated throughout the cave, growing raucous as it said it.


    The next instant, it flung itself into the chasm outside the cave, before rising up in the sky, its feet transformed into those of a lizard, and his wings made a vibrating sound as they carried it onward.


    ¡°...¡±


    ¡°...¡± ¡Á 2


    Brown felt cold sweat breaking on his forehead. He hissed air out of his lungs, and observed the remaining monster warily.


    ¡°You lot are going to die here,¡± it said.


    ¡°Now! Let¡¯s run for it, W¨¹nder!¡±


    ¡°Roger!¡±


    Brown started for the exit, followed by his brother. The creature laughed, pursued them, and right as they were about to enter the narrow passageway, extended his hand to form a long pole, and barred their path.


    The creature formed a visor over his face, vambraces and gauntlets over his arms, and came charging towards Brown. The latter flung himself back against the cave¡¯s wall. His body slammed hard against its surface, and Brown gasped at the shock, his back feeling worn out.


    W¨¹nder kept the torch upon the glittering profile of the creature, as it gave a hideous smile. It retracted its arm, and stampeded towards W¨¹nder in turn. The whole cave gave groans and grunts, while W¨¹nder ducked and ran towards the left, before throwing his body to the floor, the monster¡¯s hand breezing just over his head.


    The monster marched onward, its sabaton clinking against the ground, and it held its hand loosely like its companion had its head when talking to Brown - the gauntlet was at its loose end, much like a rock at the end of a sling, and the creature flung it at W¨¹nder anew.


    It caught Brown on his forearms, as the latter shielded his brother.


    ¡°I see you humans are most foolish!¡± exclaimed the humanoid, stomping towards Brown, and crashed his hand into the latter¡¯s stomach, before vying for W¨¹nder.If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    W¨¹nder took up the flickering torch on the ground and headed towards the left of the cave. ¡°Come catch me if you dare, you piece of monstrosity!¡±


    The creature trampled the ground with a few backward steps, and said. ¡°Oh, but I can capture you just fine!¡±


    It came charging towards W¨¹nder, blazing through the air, as the latter raced along the wall, and went down the steep slope hazardously. W¨¹nder ran on, and on, saying, ¡°I bet even a wolf could run faster than you.¡±


    The creature accelerated towards W¨¹nder¡¯s silhouette, and chided. ¡°You poor soul! Oh, but I can run! And faster than even the fastest animal I can!¡±


    W¨¹nder weaved onward, past the point where his brother had told him to stop, and then made for the right. His feet got dragged downward, but he persisted, his knees scrapping on the floor, as he slipped down, and then went cripplingly for the higher grounds.


    The monster looked at him with puzzlement, and tried forcing itself to a stop, successfully decelerating, but then Brown slammed against him from behind, forcing it to plummet down the cave¡¯s slope, as the latter ran back to his brother, catching his hand, and tried giving him a pull, whereas the monster screamed furiously while sliding down the cave, and finally came out into the air.


    Brown hurriedly pulled his brother back to safety, and said. ¡°Now, let¡¯s bail out of here, W¨¹nder! God knows what will happen to us if that monster comes flying back!¡±


    W¨¹nder nodded, getting to his feet, and they made for the narrow passageway. Once past it, they limply ran along the tunnel, hardly making out the way through the darkness; the torch had gone down the slope, so they were blind as they paved through the walls of the cave.


    Brown ran on silently, heaving and puffing, hardly catching on his breath as he proceeded through the cold air rampant in the cave.


    ***


    Elysia looked about herself as she walked alongside Reynolds.


    ¡°We¡¯ll reach our destination soon,¡± murmured the stoic, yellow-eyed man, as he tugged at his shirt, rustling his finger along its front.


    ¡®Where?¡¯ thought Elysia, as she hung upon these words of his.


    The cacophony of pickaxes and spades at work came in subdued snippets to her ears. As they advanced further in the cave, it became her impression that the walls of the cave were much more smooth, and the ceiling seemed to become higher.


    The cave become grand; the walls parted to reveal monolithic statues of gold. At the far end of the cave, stood a few men.


    Elysia walked slowly towards them, reproachful towards Reynolds for not having conducted her to her father as yet. The people gathered there seemed sinister, and wore hoods. As she walked towards them, she felt out of place - more so than she had earlier - and her legs trembled.


    ¡°Who goes there?¡± cried a guard on the left side, by one of the golden statues, which represented a deer being hunted by a lion.


    ¡°It¡¯s me! It¡¯s me, Reynolds.¡±


    The guard looks at Elysia with golden eyes, much like Reynolds. ¡°And who is that girl accompanying you?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s a new toy for Master Oregon.¡±


    ¡°Toy? What are you sayi-?!¡± started Elysia in outrage.


    ¡°Oh, I see. It¡¯s perfectly fine to leave her to me and take your leave then.¡±


    ¡°Never mind that. I want to bring something to master Oregon¡¯s attention. I want this little girl to remain with me for a little longer while I¡¯m at it. Do you mind?¡±


    The guard raised an eyebrow, stomping his spear on the ground. ¡°That¡¯s rather unusual. You are a very unusual person. Perhaps the master needs to personally reshape your behavior. You may pass.¡±


    Reynolds nodded at the guard, and grabbed Elysia¡¯s hand, practically dragging her along. Much like Elysia had guessed, they were now in a room which no longer resembled the interiors of a cave, looking well-polished, and lit in all nooks and corners. The room had an air of majesty.


    ¡°I¡¯m not a little girl, you know?¡± chided Elysia sulkily.


    ¡°I wouldn¡¯t know about that. You are too trusting. Well, here¡¯s to hoping your father does not mind this naive attitude of yours.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s it to you? You know nothing of my father.¡±


    ¡°Indeed, I may perhaps know nothing at all of your father. Nothing at all,¡± iterated Reynolds, and they soon reached the end of the room - or rather, hall. Bats flew overhead, and Elysia looked inquiringly at the people standing beside her, only to find a cold look from the first person she met eyes with.


    At this end of the hall, there seemed to be a huge part of the wall protruding to form a giant seat. Elysia wondered about what this part of the room served for, and checked for stairs and dawdled towards the right, finding some shadows by the side of the wall. These turned out to be mushrooms, and they were about her height.


    She found them in a patch, and they seemed warm when she touched them. Above all, the color of their stalks were purplish and their caps were either green or blue, but mostly they all had azure warts.


    As she wondered about what these strange things were doing here, a big hand suddenly grabbed a chunk of them, and it went up, going to a crater which chomped on them ravenously.


    Elysia screamed out in terror, and ran for protection by Reynolds¡¯s side. The latter found it ironic and smirked, before gazing up at the monster which showed itself, getting out of an aperture by the right.


    ¡°Greetings to your highness!¡±


    ¡°Greetings to you, master Oregon!¡±


    The red thing nodded, and lumbered its feet ahead, making the very ground tremble. It was a creature about fifteen feet high, and its legs, its arms, its belly were all bulging. Its under-belly was covered with a gilded, yellow cloth, and its upper body was covered with only what appeared to be a waistcoat, equally yellow in color.


    Oregon kept on munching the mushrooms, and trudged along the room, before taking his place on top of the protrusion in the cave, seating down there. The air grew heavy, and everyone waited for a while, until the giant cleared his throat.


    Reynolds took it as a sign to present his case. ¡°Master Oregon. Here¡¯s the girl you have asked me to bring to you. She hopes to meet her father.¡±


    Oregon peered at Elysia with wizened, yellow eyes, and then smiled, almost like a feline animal. ¡°I see. You want to see your father, girl.¡±


    Elysia apprehensively peeked from behind Reynolds. ¡°Yes, that¡¯s why I came here. He¡¯s very ill, isn¡¯t he?¡±


    ¡°Did you know that I live here?¡±


    Elysia shook her head uncertainly.


    ¡°Indeed! Well, tell me your name, and that of your father, little girl, so that I can bring you to him.¡±


    Elysia felt relieved. ¡°My name is Elysia! And my father¡¯s name is David. Ah, he''s also called Router!¡±


    ¡°I see¡­¡± stated the giant in a deep voice, ¡°can you tell me your family name, if you could be so gentle as to do so?¡±


    ¡°My family name is Minsworth,¡± Elysia said, looking at Oregon with wide eyes, as he scrutinized her from above.


    Oregon brought his hand down in front of Elysia, and said a few words in a sepulchral tone; a statue of gold materialised in front of his palm. ¡°Well then, here is your father. You should approach him now.¡±


    Elysia found herself confounded, and didn¡¯t move for a while, before Reynolds softly pushed her forward. She hesitantly took a few steps forward, before finding the statue floating towards her. She observed the statue perfunctorily, before its face caught her attention; without a doubt, it was the rugged, lean face of her father, and she could trace out his body with her eyes, right along the contours of the statue.


    ¡°Why is he a statue?¡± Elysia blinked.


    The giant coughed, cleared his throat, and said. ¡°By the gods, I feel so famished! Well, girl? What do you say? Touch him. He¡¯ll be warm to your touch.¡±


    Elysia did as she was told, helpless. ¡°He¡¯s certainly warm,¡± she said in a desolate voice.


    ¡°Well, you should be grateful. I cured the man of his illness.¡±


    Elysia let go of the pouch she had been holding. ¡°And what should be done for him to get back to normal? Should I wait?¡±


    ¡°Of course not, my dear. All you have to do is work for me until I call for you again.¡±


    Elysia now knew why Reynolds had been so fishy. She also considered whether the statue standing in front of her was really her father or perhaps the latter had been dead all along.


    ¡°I see. I¡¯ll work,¡± she said.


    Reynolds patted her on the back. ¡°You¡¯ve done well.¡±


    She did not understand why he had said that. She did not understand the abrupt way in which he had pronounced his judgement on W¨¹nder and Brown when they had encountered those unknown creatures at the other side of the cave. Reynolds was a vexing person - his ambiguity in character had led her till here.


    All she knew was that she was trapped.


    ¡°You liar,¡± she whispered under her breath.


    Reynolds looked at her in silence, before approaching the giant. ¡°Master Oregon, I come bearing news. I¡¯ve found one lizardman in the cave.¡±


    ¡°...¡± Oregon scoffed at his words, ¡°Is that all?¡±


    ¡°Yes,¡± conferred Reynolds, gulping back a lump of emotion in his throat. ¡°I¡¯ve neutralized it. However, I fear that it may pose a danger to the miners if more reptiles came from the place this one did.¡±


    ¡°I see. How mystifying! You should see yourself to an empty cell in the dungeon. Do yourself the pleasure of locking yourself there on your own.¡±


    Reynolds looked at him in surprise.


    ¡°Guard! Bring this girl to the chamber of the mythril statue.¡±


    Elysia looked at Reynolds inanely, finding him in a crestfallen state, and then looked on, as she was led through the left side of the hall, and into another tunnel.


    Behind her, she thought she heard Reynolds speak up to the giant.

 Chapter 2 - Part 2

    ¡°Why must I be imprisoned? I did nothing wrong!¡±


    ¡°Why indeed?! You¡¯ve been a good pawn, Reynolds. You¡¯ve served your purpose. So that¡¯s why, I guess?¡±


    ¡°What purpose? All I did was escort a girl here!¡±


    ¡°You are asking this question? That¡¯s why I proclaim that you are useless! I don¡¯t need a servant who has a mind of his own!¡±


    Reynolds blinked at this outburst. He looked down his feet, and said. ¡°Oh, I remember. I am not supposed to be here!¡±


    Reynolds looked in the direction Elysia had disappeared off to, took a step forward, but reconsidered his actions, backtracking, and was about to run away, before one of the hooded individuals was upon him, and gave him a jab on his neck. Reynolds went down, and lay there, as the person uncovered his head, and looked at Oregon.


    ¡°Your techniques appear to have grown rusty, Master Oregon.¡±


    ¡°Of course they would grow rusty. I¡¯ve been sealed in this bloody cave for over three centuries. Frankly, you don¡¯t need to worry about my techniques.¡±


    ¡°So it seems,¡± said the person, glancing at Reynolds.


    ¡°My gracious! Are you interested in this man here?¡± asked Oregon, rubbing his hands.


    ¡°Surely you jest, red Oregon. He just¡­ seems queer.¡±


    ¡°Queer?¡± Oregon observed the well-built muscles of Reynolds, and relented, ¡°well, perhaps he is. He might have served to more purposes than that of a miner.¡±


    ¡°I want to take his custody,¡± said the person, waving her hair from the back of her cloak; they fell in cascades, resting softly on her shoulders. ¡°I happen to need a champion to challenge the valley of the priestess of the Crescent Moon.¡±


    Oregon looked at her warily. ¡°You already got your previous knight killed?¡±


    ¡°Yes. I did. I don¡¯t suppose you have any problems with that, red Oregon,¡± said the woman in a singsong voice.


    ¡°You seem rather enthusiastic. I wonder what¡¯s got you so excited. You believe there¡¯s gold in the valley? Hitch me up if you happen to find some! If you do find them first, that is.¡±


    The woman laughed. ¡°You¡¯ve really been slumbering like an oaf since the past century, haven¡¯t you?¡±


    The giant slammed his hand on the woman. It was stopped by one of the hooded individuals, with the flat of a huge sword. Oregon was disappointed. ¡°What brings you here anyway?¡±


    ¡°I came to inform you that queen Demesne won¡¯t be taking up your offer of assistance.¡±


    Oregon grew livid with anger, his face dark red with the increased concentration of blood on it. ¡°And I thought I was doing you a favor! Has she lost her mind?¡±


    ¡°To the contrary,¡± said the woman, ¡°she only surmised that she had no use of a shady seer which resorted to menace at every inconvenience it faced.¡±


    ¡°Are you referring to my seer? I assure you that he has a clean conscience! Why, he wouldn¡¯t even hurt a fly!¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ve had ample time to bear witness to that clean conscience of his. He¡¯s basically a monster raving about gold, and constantly seeking to fulfill desires, and if the person fell short of desires, he would kill the very one whom he had been contracted with.¡±


    ¡°And what¡¯s so inconvenient about it that you would drop his usage?¡±


    ¡°People grow selfish just by using it. These golden monsters don¡¯t care about ranks and will go to any length just to have their target¡¯s desires fulfilled. They unnecessarily create conflicts.¡±


    ¡°If I¡¯m not mistaken, your queen is still expanding her territories, isn¡¯t she?¡± Oregon scoffed. ¡°That¡¯s far from docile when comparing it to those golden creatures, wouldn¡¯t you say? What you are doing is simply massacring dozens of-!¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not our fault that some people still keep up tribe mentalities, and come warmongering to us,¡± intoned the woman loudly.


    ¡°Sure, sure. That¡¯s what everyone found guilty of a corrupt conscience says. You are just doing it in the name of chivalry and development, am I right?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s enough of chitchat. Ah! By the way, your creatures were too weak, so they won¡¯t be coming to see you,¡± said the woman, as one of the hooded individuals presented a chest in front of Oregon, and opened it.


    Inside were gems of all colors, glittering green, scalding red, and even glazed blue. The chest was two feet by one foot in size, and had a height of about one foot. ¡°Oh! How nice of you to have brought these! I was just considering whether I should let you get away with your life or not.¡±


    Oregon smiled, and lifted the small chest with his thumb and index finger. ¡°These preciosities shall head straight for my treasure trove. I don¡¯t want to see you here anymore though. Get going already!¡±This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    The woman went up to Reynolds, and lifted him by the shoulder. His face fell upon her opulent chest, and she considered handing him over to one of her guards. But, out of a certain habit picked up from her mother, she didn¡¯t part with the man, and heaved him over her shoulders, before heading away.


    ¡°Gold may be wealth for you Oregon, but it is nature which verily has value in this world. Nature never did betray the heart that loved her after all.¡±


    ***


    Elysia wondered if she should consider escaping from the cave and calling the knights.


    The guard in front of her looked like he might need some sleep, and wore his clothes in a sloven manner, prompting her to think that she could make this decision. She was convinced that the giant wouldn¡¯t run fast with his hulking appearance.


    The guard remained silent as he walked her to the chamber of the mythril statue. Elysia thought that it was just a room much like the one she had just come from. She was still unsure about the issue of her father, which prevented her from acting, so she could use some clues to clear away her doubts.


    Once they arrived at a door with a low ceiling, the guard opened it and urged her to enter. Elysia obliged, and got inside expecting to be alone. However, the first thing she saw were girls. Some of them were lying down near what appeared to be a statue of a woman holding a flower, while the rest were up and about, staring at her as she made her entrance.


    The door closed behind her, as the guard left her there. Elysia stared back at the girls, and timidly made a few steps forward. ¡°Hello everyone.¡±


    ¡°...¡±


    She did not receive a response. There were six girls in all in the room. Counting herself, that made seven. Elysia wondered about the giant¡¯s plan for her, and the ones in front of her. The room had a dozen structures which looked like sarcophagi, each evenly spaced, and three of girls were redolent on them.


    ¡°What are you girls doing here?¡± she asked, dreading the reply she would get. Elysia approached them, looking at the girls lying on top of the stone tombs to notice purple threads attached to each one¡¯s right wrist. These serpented along the ground to get under the only statue in the room.


    And there were more threads from where the lot came from.


    ¡°What are¡­ these threads?¡± Elysia asked, finding the ones connected to the wrists of the girls to be a more vivid purple. To be precise, as she picked one of them up, she found it to be closer to the color of blood.


    Elysia swiftly threw it down. Upon impact, the thread started to bleed a little, before it repaired itself, and the blood on the ground got absorbed back into it. ¡°What¡­ Just what is this thing?¡±


    The girls in the room were younger than her - by her guess, the oldest one was most likely eleven to thirteen years old. The latter just said. ¡°It is a thread. It sucks your blood until you are dry, and that¡¯s the only thing it¡¯ll do to you.¡±


    Elysia stared at the girl. ¡°You mean¡­ until you are dead?¡±


    ¡°Yes, that¡¯s what it¡¯ll do,¡± said the girl again, her voice empty of emotion.


    ¡°I see¡­¡± Elysia conferred. ¡°Since when were all of you captured?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± said the girl, before staring at the other girls. They all shook their head. ¡°It¡¯s been three times in a row that I¡¯ve slept and then woken up. That¡¯s all I know for certain.¡±


    ¡°Where do you - what¡¯s your name?¡± asked Elysia, feeling uneasy.


    ¡°My name is Ialda.¡±


    ¡°And where¡¯s your home?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s on the other side of this mountain. It¡¯s in a village called Kingshill.¡±


    ¡°I see,¡± Elysia conferred anew.¡±Did you come here by your own will?¡±


    ¡°The golden creature asked the village chief to send us here.¡±


    Elysia was puzzled by her reply. ¡°What golden creature are you talking about?¡±


    Ialda looked at her languidly, and refused to talk. Elysia observed that the latter¡¯s cheeks looked sallow, and her eyes were the only thing about her which shone. The other girls looked pretty much the same.


    ¡°Did you eat anything yet?¡±


    ¡°Yeah¡­ We did. We ate mushrooms,¡± answered another girl, who had pigtails.


    ¡°And do you know why you could be here? Besides for giving blood to this statue, I mean.¡±


    The girls all looked at her with wonderment. Elysia found it hard to resist the pain that budded in her heart at that very instant. She fell to her knees, and started praying, staying like this as if her life depended on it, until she heard one of the girls lambent on the tombs say. ¡°I really hope my brother will be safely removed from the statue.¡±


    Elysia wordlessly completed her prayer, and looked at the girls while trying not to cry. She asked them if they had seen any reptilian kind of monsters, and they said that they didn¡¯t. Elysia decided to survey the room for a little.


    She looked at the first wall, and then at the second wall. She scarcely found anything of interest there, except for gritty surfaces which surely meant nothing, and she got down to examining the prime object of interest in the room - the statue of the woman.


    The woman seemed to wear a dress, and was holding a bunch of small flowers, rather than one large one, as she had been led to believe upon first inspecting it. As far as she could tell, the piece of sculpture had been intricately made, and while Elysia looked under the right foot of the statue, she oddly found some leaves there.


    She stooped and plucked one of them, holding it to her nose, to find that it smelled like mint. Ialda followed her, and took a look at the plants growing there. ¡°These are Oregano mints. I wonder how they are growing here. We have no sunlight in this place.¡±


    Elysia found that this plant had motivated Ialda to a certain extent. Ialda started recounting something she had apparently heard from her grandmother. ¡°There was once a giant who disliked trees of all kinds. He disliked them to such an extent, that people even thought up songs to illustrate his passion for hating them.¡±


    ¡°Among the trees and plants that the giant hated,¡± said Ialda, ¡°there was the Oregano mint, which, by merely its scent, was said to burn his lungs, and by its mere touch, corroded the skin of the giant. Thus, the giant was named Oregon.¡±


    ¡°Well, pardon me, Ialda, but do you know that the giant who had ordered us to be kept here is called Oregon?¡±


    ¡°That, I didn¡¯t know.¡±


    ¡°So that giant has this kind of weakness,¡± Elysia said to herself, ¡°it¡¯s no use though, since I can¡¯t make use of this knowledge. Well, at least now I know that the trees in the forest next to the mines might be able to stop the giant if he ever gets out of here.¡±


    ¡°But that could well be just a legend,¡± said Ialda, stifling a yawn. ¡°I wonder how long we¡¯ll remain in this room. Maybe we¡¯ll all die waiting.¡±


    Elysia found herself affected by the gloominess of the girl, and made an effort to ask the other girls their names; they were called ¡®Mary¡¯, and ¡®Jeanne¡¯. Smelling the leaves of the minty plant she found at the foot of the statue, Elysia thought herself refreshed, and proceeded to examine the wall behind the statue. On it, she saw the engraving of a giant, a tree, and she also noticed a queer drawing of what resembled a bear, or perhaps a wolf in it.


    Elysia checked the final wall, and found nothing worthwhile. She took a seat at one of the tombs, as the other girls had already done. And wondered if she would really be able to see her father after all this.

 Chapter 2 - Part 3

    ¡°Well, we made it back!¡± pronounced Brown, slapping W¨¹nder on his back.


    ¡°Yeah, we did!¡± affirmed the latter, looking back at the hole they had just crept through; they had returned to where they had originally been with Reynolds and Elysia.


    ¡°And now, we have no idea of where that bastard Reynolds may have gone off,¡± complained Brown, looking ahead of himself with a serious glint in his eyes.


    W¨¹nder kept quiet, as his brother took long strides forward, to wind himself up further, after the lengthy crawl-and-run they had just had. W¨¹nder himself felt his legs trembling as he remembered the coldness and darkness of the tunnel just behind him, and the creatures they had left behind.


    Upon agreeing to wait, W¨¹nder observed his brother, as the latter ran a lap back to the natural vents they had passed through to enter the mines, and then came back, saying:


    ¡°Let¡¯s go this way!¡± he pointed towards the opposite side of which Reynolds and Elysia had probably passed by. ¡°This route is a shortcut to the latest borders we¡¯ve mined to. We can make back our way searching for Elysia there. Should turn out fine even if they went far or close.¡±


    W¨¹nder agreed, and the two brothers started walking. Needless to say that the scene of the cave was a bit dreary to W¨¹nder¡¯s eyes, now that he had been through danger in it. Both brothers were equipped with a torch, and Brown took the lead.


    Still, W¨¹nder more or less looked forward to the cave exploration. The roof of the cave was all black, while its lit walls were a blend of gray and black, gleaming almost yellow with the shine of the torches. The tunnel was somber - hazy - and the footsteps of the two individuals resounded with thuds while they made their way through it.


    The tunnel continued on endlessly, shadows invading the spots where the torches¡¯ lights couldn¡¯t reach. From W¨¹nder¡¯s perspective, it seemed like a monotonous road, unwaveringly remaining the same at each new torch they reached, each checkpoint they made.


    The walls revealed veins of silver, and at times gold while they proceeded. But these were mostly nothing more than scraps - mere layers which solely added color to the walls, muddying them, or sprucing their surfaces to provide a silvery shine.


    W¨¹nder thought that the tunnel much resembled the old church in the village. The walls looked rough-hewn with the rocks, and the air at times smelled salty while they proceeded. This was no surprise, for this cave was reputed to have lots of minerals in its depths, the prime one of which was table-salt deposits.


    Brown told W¨¹nder that these were to be found in the lower levels of the cave, and he spoke of a stream surging from the insides of the cave whenever it was spring time, and that it rained a lot.


    At a few intervals, stalactites could be found in the tunnel, some even joining with the ground, and there was a few amounts of alcoves - barely large enough to fit in a dog - and entrenched spaces where the miners had focused on digging.


    A few spades and pickaxes could be found in some of these alcoves, and some buckets trailed along dug up gravel, abandoned for perhaps another day of working. W¨¹nder felt bummed at the fact that he had to abstain from handling these pieces of instrument, as much as his curiosity was piqued when Brown mentioned discovering one or two jewels while he had been mining.


    After about an hour or so, Brown said. ¡°Think you can keep going, W¨¹nder?¡±


    ¡°No worries, brother, I can.¡±


    ¡°Good,¡± Brown averred, keeping his eyes straight ahead.


    W¨¹nder felt somewhat tired, and his legs were growing limp, but he would rather not tell his brother about that. His hands were sweaty - cold sweat dried on the back on his shirt - and W¨¹nder felt like he was breathing stagnated air.


    While he contemplated making small talk with Brown to keep himself invigorated, W¨¹nder suddenly heard a roar ahead of him. His brother stopped, and then bade W¨¹nder to wait before slowly creeping forward.


    W¨¹nder did wait, and it took his brother less than one minute to join him back.


    ¡°Thepath ahead seems to have collapsed.¡±


    ¡°What should we do then?¡± W¨¹nder asked, shifting the hold of his torch to his left hand.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know. We¡¯ve made it to all the way here. It may still be feasible to find a way through all the fallen rocks. However, it¡¯s going to be dangerous if we resort to going through that. We should probably retu-¡±


    The wall on their left cracked loudly.


    ¡°What was that?¡± Brown asked, looking behind him.


    His brother looked at him in silence, and then, another crack appeared on the wall, before it blasted off, all the rocks from it rushing outward like projectiles. Brown dragged his brother forward, and watched the rocks slam on the right wall of the cave, trudging thunderously as they made contact with each other and rolled down the ground.


    Brown kept to the corner of the right wall, before hearing another crack, and rushed forth to keep clear as another segment of the wall was destroyed. In the aftermath of it all, Brown found that both his path ahead, and that of retreat had been closed off.


    He breathed hard, recovering from the shock of the events which had unfolded in front of him, but then heard a ruffling sound, and then a roar. W¨¹nder peeked at the inside of the cracked wall, lifting his torch up.


    Mere meters from him appeared the jaws of a monster, and its eyes glowed red. Brown swiftly grabbed W¨¹nder, and made a break for it, heading towards the left, seeing as it was their only escape route.


    The monster growled lugubriously, and made a terrible wheeze. And it stamped a talon at thefront of the two brothers, cutting their path. It opened its cavernous mouth, showing its ferocious teeth, before Brown drawled. ¡°Get under, W¨¹nder!¡±


    W¨¹nder mechanically ducked, the monster¡¯s teeth snapping at the air above him, and they got smothered by the throat of the beast. ¡°Now! Let¡¯s get away by passing under its leg!¡±


    W¨¹nder followed his brother¡¯s orders, speechless, feeling a huge draft of wind as he went under the monster¡¯s body. They entered a huge room, which had torches lit at far ends of the left and right, on the front.


    They kept running, as the monster moved its body, and started charging in pursuit, rapidly gaining on them and opened its jaws, about to prowl upon them anew.This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    Just when it was a foot from them, its movements stopped, and a tremendous hiss was heard, before silence ensued, and then the monster gave a mighty roar. Brown and W¨¹nder kept running, following the light of W¨¹nder¡¯s torch, and they suddenly felt the room growing hot; Brown looked behind to find the monster breathing fire upon them, and he prayed that it would not reach them.


    ¡°That¡¯s a goddamn dragon!¡± he exclaimed reaching the end of the room, and waited for W¨¹nder to catch up. The monster kept roaring, and breathed mightily throughout the room, and each time Brown thought the flames would reach them. W¨¹nder spotted the exit to the room, and they bailed outside, stopping to survey their surroundings.


    ¡°Well,¡± Brown panted,¡± we seem to have no room for alacrity today.¡±


    ¡°Where did that creature come from, brother?¡±


    Brown took a sharp look at his brother, ¡°That¡¯s what I would like to ask too, W¨¹nder.¡±


    They rested against the walls by the entrance leading to the dragon¡¯s chamber. ¡°It¡¯s pretty hot,¡± remarked W¨¹nder.


    ¡°You bet. My throat feels so parched.¡±


    ¡°It must be hard for you, brother. You¡¯ve been mining since early morning and now you got dragged into something this dangerous.¡±


    Brown mellowed his eyes, and smiled bleakly. ¡°You shouldn¡¯t be worrying about me, brother. We are both stuck at the moment.¡±


    The dragon kept roaring behind them, illuminating the wall, and bathing it in hot blasts of air. W¨¹nder¡¯s ears grew numb while he rested. He brought his hand to it, and felt something sticky. Upon examination, he found that it was blood.


    Brown peered at that, and said. ¡°Can you hear me from both ears, W¨¹nder?¡±


    ¡°Well¡­ My right ear feels a little numb.¡±


    The dragon roared anew, fiercer than ever.


    ¡°Could someone make that dragon shut up? Even I would have my voice grow hoarse if I screamed so much.¡±


    ¡°You sound as if you are a dragon yourself, brother.¡±


    ¡°You know that I¡¯m not,¡± Brown chuckled.


    W¨¹nder laughed a bit as well, though it felt a bit forced.


    ¡°It¡¯s really hot, right?¡±


    ¡°Yeah¡­¡±


    Brown stood up, and asked for the torch. After taking a look at the dragon¡¯s room, Brown examined the passageway they had found themselves in. The first end he chose balked abruptly at a wall of granite. Brown examined the wall, finding a rusted pitcher lying at its foot, and a spade as well; he lifted the latter, and reversed the pitcher, checking to see whether it contained any substance.


    As for the wall of granite, he gave it a few bangs with the spade, and pressed his ear close to it, hoping to catch some air draught behind it, but with no luck. He concluded that neither could the wall could be broken, and nor did it seem likely for another path to be right behind these walls.


    Brown came back to W¨¹nder. ¡°This side seems to be a dead-end. Let¡¯s continue ahead. I¡¯m sure that this place doesn¡¯t exist by some mere hazard.¡± He flung the spade upon the side-wall for effect.


    ¡°Where did you get the spade?¡± W¨¹nder asked, standing up, and dusting his clothes.


    ¡°It was lying around somewhere about the dead-end. I guess it should come in handy for protection.¡±


    ¡°Protection? You think we may find some more lizardmen, brother?¡±


    ¡°No,¡± Brown looked ahead, while his brother matched in with his footsteps. ¡°It¡¯s just for protection.¡±


    ¡°I see,¡± W¨¹nder replied, his voice sounding dubious. ¡°What about the pitcher?¡±


    ¡°Might just come in handy. I¡¯ll show you when I find something else.¡±


    W¨¹nder was puzzled, but nodded nonetheless. ¡°Okay.¡±


    While they walked, they encountered stairs - stairs which sloped downwards. Brown paused, inspecting the walls about them for any clue of where they could be, but it was futile. They started climbing down the stairs; it sometimes broke off, sometimes had missing steps, and veered sharply to the left at a certain point.


    The path continued on for about half a league, before Brown and W¨¹nder came across a crossroad.


    ***


    ¡°There¡¯s nothing more inept than cowards,¡± muttered Oregon, clobbering about the throne room. There was no one else in the room, and he winded himself up in a foul mood. ¡°Those damn lackeys of Demesne! They dare goad me to this extent. They even destroyed my precious mediums of the Orgon Seer!¡±


    He stomped his giant foot against the wall, making the air ripple with the succinct sound of a crack. The wall, in effect, displayed a line, which zigzagged up to the height of the knees of Oregon.


    Oregon kicked the wall again, and engaged in this action repeatedly, until he grew bored of it. ¡°Enough, I¡¯m growing hungry now.¡±


    Oregon narrowed his golden eyes, and considered the mushrooms at the right end of the room, which were in the same appearance - purple stalks and green caps - as they had been in the previous room where he had talked with Demesne¡¯s agents but he shook his head. ¡°Some meat should now be in order.¡±


    He trundled along the left side of the room, and peeked into the entrance there. The place reflected in his eyes was filled with golden statues, artifacts of all kinds, including swords and armors, and lances, as much as golden plates and chalices.


    His eyes fixed upon the small chest of gems that the woman back then had offered to him. It was a petty addition to his collection, but it was still a worthy one. Oregon nodded with satisfaction, and made his way to the south of the room, and eventually exited the room, entering a cavern which was shaped in the form of a birdcage.


    There, flowed a giant stream of gold, protected by the creatures which served as the mediums of the Orgon Seers. The roof was at about ten meters from the ground, and it looked like nothing more than a dark point from the ground. The place had over half a dozen entrance points, three of which included the route of the stream flowing about the center of the room.


    The stream came from the north-west and broke into two parts, much like a slingshot, and had a bridge of gold right at its middle. At its other side, there seemed to be hoards of statues. Oregon swiftly crossed to the other side of the stream, watching the golden substance glimmer with warm eyes.


    Once across it, he took up the various statues of bears, wolves, and deer, studying them with the utmost interest. The stream flowed on, a pleasant sound of rushing gold to Oregon¡¯s ears. Such a stream could not exist outside of the Taitanus Mountain - there was a relic which the giant possessed, which he bathed into the river, and from whence, the water of the stream adapted the properties of gold.


    ¡°Bland,¡± commented Oregon, looking at the statue of a bear. ¡°Lame,¡± he commented, looking at the statue of a sheep, ¡°half-baked, pathetic, monotonous!¡±


    None of the statues appealed to him. The ground was strewn with bits of golden ores, with some silver added to it; they greeted his lambent feet as sedge would a sedulous promenade.


    The room was pervaded by not only the sound of rushing gold, but welcomed the cacophony of miners working on the statues as well, panting and heaving as their tools clinked and cracked through the cooling gold to make it meld together into a statue. At the far left of the room, a furnace brewed; around the half-circle of the room facing to the right, golden crystals were propped up, emitting golden rays which were strong enough to light up the entire room, save for the dark spot at the top of the roof.


    Oregon lifted another statue, and his eyes finally brimmed with satisfaction. What he was observing was the sculpture of a dragon, albeit not as detailed as the sculptures of the wolves and bears.


    Oregon carefully placed it on the ground, beside a set of human statues, each life-sized. The Orgon mediums stared at each of the statues, and slowly, they transformed into the very objects they were seeing.


    ¡°I see we are quite busy here,¡± mumbled Oregon jollily. Soon, his attention came upon a bony creature with ruddy cheeks and hollowed-out eyes. ¡°Oh, Bot! Happy to see you back!¡± he exclaimed, and then in a more conspiratorial tone, ¡°how about it? Did you prepare a juicy meal for me?¡±


    ¡°Oh, but I did Master Oregon! Let me ask my servants to come forward.¡±


    ¡°Sure, sure. I¡¯m just so famished. Why didn¡¯t you come earlier?¡±


    ¡°I was looking for the right meal, master.¡±


    ¡°I suppose you would. Well, what do we have here?¡±


    Under the expectant gaze of Oregon, two wooden dolls carried a human figure to him. It was a figure tied to wooden poles, its hands and legs tied up, while a piece of cloth had been used to muffle it. And it had long hair, as well as an angular face. If it were allowed to grow up, it would surely develop into a fine creature - that¡¯s what Oregon thought.


    The figure in question was a girl, and her appearance was no different from that of Elysia. ¡°That¡¯s not all that appetizing, Bot. I need them more chubby, you know that.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m most aggrieved by your discontentment, Master Oregon. This was the best one I could find. Should I perhaps¡­¡±


    ¡°No need,¡± Oregon chastised, flashing his teeth. ¡°I¡¯ve been so ravenous that I could even gobble you down, Bot.¡± Oregon laughed. ¡°I¡¯ll heartily eat the ones which have yet to be escorted here.¡±


    ¡°Understood, Master Oregon!¡±


    ¡°Indeed¡­¡±


    Oregon waited for the wooden dolls to untie the girl, and seized her, as she hollered, and screamed with blood-curdling intensity. Oregon smiled obscenely, and chomped upon the poor girl with avidity.

 Chapter 2 - Part 4

    Brown explored all three paths when they had arrived at the crossroads. While he was lighting his torch upon the road by the left, he heard a scream - it came from the distance. The scream echoed off the walls of the cave, and lasted for a while, but silence finally came back.


    ¡°Brother, that scream¡­¡±


    ¡°Yeah, that¡¯s bad news.¡± Brown finally found the thing he had been looking for, and lifted it. ¡°We had better hurry.¡±


    ¡°But where to?¡±


    Brown lifted a wooden stick lying somewhere on the ground. ¡°Hell if I know, W¨¹nder. This entire situation has escalated to a level which I can¡¯t even make heads or tails of.¡±


    ¡°...You mean that it¡¯s that serious?¡±


    ¡°You saw the dragon, right?¡±


    ¡°I did,¡± W¨¹nder replied, watching Brown tearing a piece of cloth off his shirt and wrapping it around the top of the wooden stick. He knotted it tightly. Brown then dipped the stick into the pitcher he had carried along with him.


    ¡°Okay. Point out your torch, W¨¹nder.¡± W¨¹nder did as he was told. Brown touched his stick to the flame of the torch, and it lit up, blazing as some undrenched parts of the cloth went up in cinders.


    ¡°Do we separate and explore each path on our own, brother?¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t need to do that.¡±


    ¡°Why?¡±


    ¡°Show me your leg.¡± W¨¹nder showed his leg. ¡°See? I did think that you had a limp since a while now.¡±


    W¨¹nder bit his lips. ¡°Then, I¡¯ll follow you.¡±


    ¡°No,¡± Brown patted W¨¹nder on his back. ¡°You stay right here. I¡¯ll take a look around and come back in a while.¡±


    ¡°What if a lizardman attacks you?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll be careful.¡±


    ¡°Two¡¯s better than one,¡± W¨¹nder said, wincing as Brown kicked W¨¹nder lightly on his calf. ¡°You said that, brother.¡±


    ¡°Well, let me take that back. You are tired, W¨¹nder.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s not really fair.¡±


    ¡°I know, W¨¹nder,¡± Brown smiled, giving his brother an accolade. ¡°Just take a breather. I¡¯ll skewer any lizardman if I come across one.¡±


    W¨¹nder stared at the ghastly face of his brother through the dim light offered by their respective torches. ¡°I¡¯ll follow you if you are not back by twenty minutes.¡±


    ¡°Make that fifteen. Although I¡¯m sure that you¡¯ll see me coming even earlier than that.¡±


    ¡°Got it.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ll make it out of here, just you wait.¡±


    ¡°Yeah,¡± W¨¹nder high-fived his brother.


    And Brown was gone.


    The cave was rift with lugubrious shadows at each corner W¨¹nder looked. W¨¹nder stared idly at his feet. He turned around, surveyed the path that had led them to this place and noticed that the ground had transitioned from gravels of pebble and decay to sand.


    He thought he would have been less nervous now that he was away from Reynolds and the dragon, but his feet still trembled, and his spine felt cold. The cave echoed at every creak his feet made against the ground.


    W¨¹nder looked at the wound at his calf - there was a small, bloodied gash there. It hurt a little, but not so much that it could prevent him from making a few steps every second - W¨¹nder walked back and forth, trying to ease away his anxiety, but the slightest air current in the cave made his hairs stand on ends.


    Soon, about five minutes had passed, and W¨¹nder started to feel too worn out to take even a step further, when he heard more screams - this time, it was coming from even closer. W¨¹nder stopped pacing himself, listening intently to the sound.


    A few steps forward confirmed to him that the screams were coming from the path on the right. For a moment, W¨¹nder thought that it was the screech of one of those lizardmen, even though he had only heard one of them, but as he approached, that notion left his mind - most assuredly, it was the shouts of a woman.


    W¨¹nder felt conflicted between wanting to keep his word with Brown, and reaching out to the voice asking for help. It took him half a minute to finally decide on following through to the source of the voice.This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.


    ¡°Well, I¡¯m sorry brother!¡± W¨¹nder yelled, in the direction of the path his brother had taken.


    W¨¹nder gripped his left hand into a fist, and rushed forward into the eastern path. The ceiling abruptly elevated, and the tunnel grew narrower, but W¨¹nder ambled through, listening to the screams as they intensified.


    W¨¹nder¡¯s legs felt stiff, and the air swirled about his body like a phantom, all frigid. He wiped his eyes, all breathless. The cave led him on, until a light started shimmering into the distance.


    W¨¹nder beheld the light, edging closer and closer to it. It seemed ethereal, ebullient, and it glowed with a green color, like burning sulphur. W¨¹nder weaved further through the tunnel, until he was mere meters from the light.


    Panting, gulping large potions of air, W¨¹nder discerned the figure beyond the light.


    ***


    Brown felt somewhat reassured that he hadn¡¯t encountered another lizardman so far - this meant that there was a good chance that he wouldn¡¯t encounter one anytime soon. He marched forth determinedly, certain that whatever he saw next would not be as threatening as a dragon itself.


    The world seen through his eyes was glazed against the flume emanating from the makeshift torch he held on his right hand. The cave grew more sophisticated as he made his way forward. Gushes of wind blasted against him from the front.


    Brown shielded his face, watching the flame dance like a will-o¡¯-wisp in the darkness. His brusque march led him to a statue lying by the side of the cave. It was a clear-cut portrait of a human - a miner - a person he knew.


    ¡°What the hell does this mean?¡±


    Brown tried lifting the statue, and then shifted it slightly so that it was still redolent, but in a straight line parallel to the cave¡¯s wall.


    The statue held an astrolabe, and seemed incredibly life-like. ¡°What have they done to you, Dowell?¡±


    The atmosphere surrounding him seemed more sprite-like than it had ever been. The sorry sight of a comrade reduced to this state made his eyes turgid with tears which, yet, refused to fall.


    The light reflected from the statue in glitters, which showered upon Brown¡¯s face and the cave¡¯s wall. Upon close inspection, Brown found a broken part of the statue, which seemed to have bones inside it - these stuck out against his palm.


    ¡®What kind of sorcery is this?¡¯ Brown brooded, his jaws firmly set. The cave left him with a bitter taste in his mouth. Brown strode forward, hoping to unravel the mystery behind the state his friend had fallen.


    ***


    W¨¹nder glanced sideways, before looking down. He faced ahead, and said. ¡°Who are you?¡±


    The light which had beaconed him thus, glowered emerald to his face. W¨¹nder gritted his teeth against the pain pulsing against his calf. His feet felt flaccid, almost like they were without structure because of the degree to which W¨¹nder had grown tired. He verily felt attenuated.


    The being in front of him whimpered and wept, soaring above, touching the end of the ceiling. ¡°What kind of¡­ thing are you?¡± repeated W¨¹nder, gazing at it vexedly.


    Inanely, the silhouette removed its hands from around its chest. ¡°I¡¯m Mideia¡­ I¡¯m glad I¡¯ve met you.¡±


    W¨¹nder observed the figure in silence. ¡°Mideia. You are literally floating. You are pretty much getting cosy with the ceiling. Are you a ghost?¡±


    The being wiped its tears, and iterated. ¡°Just what did you say?¡±


    ¡°I just asked if you are a ghost.¡±


    ¡°I am - I mean, who was getting cosy with the ceiling!?¡±


    ¡°You were. In fact, what are you even doing up there?¡±


    Mideia¡¯s eyes flashed with a shade of cobalt. ¡°Is that the way humans are supposed to treat ghosts?¡±


    ¡°Dunno! I¡¯m just doing what my brother told me to do in such situations.¡±


    The ghost descended from its high perch, and W¨¹nder noticed that the person he was talking to was in fact a girl. ¡°I wonder. Humans are supposed to treat ghosts more respectfully, in a more foreboding manner, and like¡­as if us ghosts are akin to God. You get the general idea.¡¯


    ¡°That¡¯s an interesting view on how things should be. I appreciate it. I learned a lot.¡±


    The sprite looked at him, speechless. She considered continuing her crying, but looked the boy over. ¡°And you are?¡±


    ¡°Just a passer-by.¡±


    She looked at him in shock. The ghost whimpered, and sniffled, lighting three green candles in front of her, and then blew upon them, projecting them on W¨¹nder¡¯s face.


    ¡°Now then, now that I¡¯ve satisfied my curiosity, I believe that I shouldn¡¯t be a bad guest, and take my leave right about now.¡±


    W¨¹nder retracted his feet mechanically, feeling his heart close to jumping out of his chest. ¡°Oh no, you won¡¯t!¡± The spirit created a web right behind W¨¹nder and pulled W¨¹nder back towards her. ¡°I expected you to look more callous,¡± she said, peering into W¨¹nder¡¯s eyes.


    ¡°If I¡¯m not too presumptuous, I believe that I look fairly callous. Maybe you should consider waiting for another person to come up so that he or she fits the kind of face you are looking for.¡±


    The ghost touched the ground with diaphanous feet, and then swooned. ¡°I see. You are rather adept at exhibiting false bravado.¡±


    W¨¹nder felt himself being lifted off the ground. ¡°And what does that make of me?¡±


    ¡°It makes you quite perfect for being the recipient of my tale, I suppose?¡±


    ¡°You need to take revenge on someone? I hope that you are not a typical bad spirit. I unfortunately am short on my supplies of cares to give to these kinds of creatures.¡±


    The spirit pulled W¨¹nder even closer to her. ¡°But well, I presume you wouldn¡¯t mind hearing me out just this once if you are already trapped and all, wouldn¡¯t you agree?¡±


    W¨¹nder glimpsed at the ground, and found that it was already more than five feet above him. ¡°Certainly.¡±


    The spirit smiled in delight, and swirled about him. After more than sixty seconds, W¨¹nder wondered about how long she would continuing doing this trick of hers; his head was growing dizzy from trying to follow her with his eyes.


    She assuredly inspired fear into him, and his limbs grew rigid from needing to move. ¡®Maybe I should have restricted myself from strolling until my brother came back after all,¡¯ W¨¹nder thought.


    ¡°By the way, why were you crying?¡±


    ¡°Is it only now that you are asking this question?¡±


    ¡°Well, I¡¯m ready to listen to your sob story and all. Figured I should actually ask you before I forget.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s far from a wonderful response, but anyway, quite satisfactory. I¡¯ll tell you about my tale then. It¡¯s rather simple so make sure to hear it all, okay?¡±


    ¡°Let me in on that talk too,¡± said a familiar voice, and the spirit¡¯s face puffed as it looked behind W¨¹nder.

 Chapter 3- Part 1

    Brown stood still, as the spirit scrutinised him with sky-blue eyes. ¡°Who are you?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m Broward, this guy¡¯s brother,¡± said Brown, ruffling W¨¹nder¡¯s hair as he took his place beside him. ¡°Why didn¡¯t you listen to me, little brother?¡± he asked, gazing warmly at W¨¹nder.


    W¨¹nder found himself back on the ground.


    ¡°This ghost here was busy weeping, and I just kinda came here seeking to comfort her. Thought she was imprisoned or something.¡±


    ¡°Alright, I got it. And what¡¯s your name, Miss Ghost?¡±


    The spirit swooned about the ceiling of the cave, refusing to speak to Brown.


    ¡°Okay, I guess we¡¯ll just leave. Come along, W¨¹nder.¡±


    W¨¹nder obediently followed his brother¡¯s words, and turned to leave, before the ghost exclaimed. ¡°Wait! Wait! Stop! I was just surprised. Please listen to my story!¡±


    Brown stopped, before facing the ghost. ¡°I¡¯m not an expert on fulfilling the regrets of ghosts. Neither is my brother. Because we don¡¯t wish to complicate things for you, we¡¯ll take our leave.¡±


    ¡°...¡±


    ¡°...¡± ¡Á2


    Brown shrugged and started retreating from this place. The fact that the tunnel was narrow proved to be a problem though.


    ¡°You¡¯ll really leave?¡± asked the spirit in a trembling voice. This gave Brown cause for thought, as his steps balked. ¡°Why will you-!?¡±


    ¡°No, never mind. We¡¯ll stay to hear your narration.¡±


    The ghost looked at them blankly, and then smiled like an angel - that was a huge difference from the rising tremor in her voice just a moment ago. W¨¹nder felt uncomfortable with his brother tempting the spirit to go on a rampage. He had only been held back by a web of some kind, but W¨¹nder did not doubt that the ghost would be a frightful creature if she got angry.


    Despite all the fooling around of his brother, he knew the latter to have a good heart - even though his behavior went off-tangent whenever faced with an abnormal situation.


    ¡°I see. You¡¯ll hear me out. In the end, I¡¯m still glad I met you, little man. Or rather, wait a minute, what¡¯s your name, little man?¡± W¨¹nder looked at her speaking in amazement, before she pointed to him, reiterating. ¡°What¡¯s your name?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m W¨¹nder.¡±


    ¡°I see. Nice to meet you, W¨¹nder.¡±


    ¡°Likewise,¡± W¨¹nder bowed, even though he thought that they had already met and gotten well-acquainted with a small conversation already. Nonetheless, he thought that her voice was somewhat sweet.


    The wind whirled about like an impetuous beast overheard, while Mideia was looming over the duo. Her body looked translucent, yet effervescent, amorphous, yet somehow shaped in the form of a girl, and above all, it brightened the entire cave with with its greenish gleam.


    ¡°Now then, I think it¡¯s time I told you about my past.¡±


    ***


    Mideia¡¯s father was a farmer. His name was Midas.


    Like the former king of legend, who went by the same name, Midas had attained the ability to transform what he touched into gold. With this power, Midas became a knight. Eventually, after a series of disasters, he was able to restrain his powers, and went on to restart his life with agriculture, leaving behind a certain kingdom, after abdicating all his rights as a knight.


    Having forsaken his glory, he immersed himself in the daily strifes of farm-life; he woke up with the sun, and went to bed with the sun. However, the desire to reclaim his title never escaped his heart.


    Midas got married to a benevolent young lady, and she gave birth to two daughters. The family never lacked anything and enjoyed momentary bliss. Midas was ever careful not to touch his beloved family longer than necessary, and prided himself for being a good father who taught his daughters everything they needed, from farming, to sewing, fishing, hunting, horse-riding, and food preservation techniques.


    He even taught them how to build houses and to fight.The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.


    One day, a hooded person came along seeking his elder daughter¡¯s hand. Midas inquired about his name, profession, and asked him to bring along a member of his family to talk about marriage. The hooded person adhered to his words. Along came the mother of the man, and a pompous marriage was organised and put into motion.


    The hooded person - now recognised by the name of Oregon - seemed surprised and asked Midas how he had come across so much wealth as to organise such a grand ceremony. Midas, drunk from the festivities, revealed his ability to alter anything into gold. The hooded person accepted Midas¡¯s words and asked him to make a demonstration. Midas obliged, and upon showing it to Oregon, asked the latter not to say a word about it to anyone.


    Oregon was delighted and proclaimed Midas to be part of the Orgon bloodline. Midas was puzzled. Upon his asking, Oregon clarified that those inheriting this ability to transform anything into gold were able to summon a higher being, who could make Midas a king.


    Recalling his aspirations to reclaim his title as a knight, Midas agreed to use his powers again. Thus, a strange ritual ensued, during which the higher being was called into existence. It manifested into the body of Midas, and it called itself as the ¡®Orgon Seer¡¯. Oregon laughed as he watched the seer come into being, crying. ¡°Come to me! Hurry! Come to me! I am your master!¡±


    However, just as Oregon thought the success of the ritual was a foregone conclusion, the inquisition descended upon the two, and both Midas and Oregon were beheaded. However, one grew into an abomination, and the other¡¯s pulse did not stop, nor did his body stop regenerating any limb which was cut off. Midas¡¯s body even turned swords into gold while he lay asleep. Midas was enchained and sealed into the Taitanus mountain, where various other things had also been sealed in the past. Midas¡¯s family was hunted down, and their corpses had been interred in the Taitanus mountain, alongside Midas.


    As for Oregon, he escaped and ran rampant for a few more years before the inquisition finally caught him.


    ***


    ¡°I really hated that ceremony when Oregon had married my sister. There were nothing but objects of gold there. Gold this, gold that. Things were so identical that it irked me to no end.¡±


    ¡°But it¡¯s fine as long as it has value,¡± grumbled Brown, snooping about the cave¡¯s floor for any telltale piece of object which could validate anticipation for a treasure trove. ¡°I¡¯ll be rich, I¡¯ll be king, and I¡¯ll be just.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve often heard of the inquisition in the tales that Mrs. Detroit would narrate to me,¡± W¨¹nder supplied, ¡°They were part of the Red Grail civilization which went extinct about two centuries ago by some mysterious circumstances.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s been that long already?¡± mused the sprite, before looking at her body - the body of a ghost¡¯s.


    ¡°Brother, I was pretty sure you said you didn¡¯t consort materialism,¡± W¨¹nder muttered, looking at Brown while frowning.


    ¡°You bet I don¡¯t. Just living seems fine enough to me. Isn¡¯t that true for everyone?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s right, huh?¡±


    ¡°But I never said that I wanted things to continue the way they are now,¡± Brown apprised, holding his gaze steadily ahead. ¡°Knights and Lords ruling upon us, and us having to submit to each of their demands? That¡¯s not right. This place needs something better than just a way to subsist and die while the rest can rest on their laurels simply because they have the goods.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t really understand what you are saying, brother,¡± W¨¹nder said in a low tone, ¡°you are pretty content right now, aren¡¯t you?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s true,¡± Brown said at length, ¡°But I have just one wish I would like to see come true if I had the possibility. A climb to the top. That¡¯s all.¡±


    ¡°That leaves me with hardly any choice,¡± W¨¹nder muttered, remembering all the books he had read at Mrs. Detroit¡¯s place, all the places he had explored together with his brother. He also remembered the creatures which proclaimed themselves to be the Orgon Seer.


    ¡°But well, this doesn¡¯t matter, since I don¡¯t have the opportunity,¡± Brown imparted, ¡°I just want to see everyone doing what they like without anything bothering them.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s pretty vague,¡± observed Mideia, swooning about Brown, and then W¨¹nder in turn. ¡°What I meant for you people to do is find help and stop Oregon¡¯s projects, since his seal is coming undone. Can I entrust you with this?¡±


    ¡°I got it. I¡¯ll do it,¡± Brown announced solemnly.


    W¨¹nder acceded in turn, and found Mideia to be so beautiful that she seemed almost like a blooming flower when she smiled. He made sure to keep his breath in check and burned the sight into his eyes. ¡®I wonder if all ghosts are this beautiful,¡¯ he found himself thinking - except that he didn¡¯t know how dangerous such a thought was.


    ¡°Mr, Broward, the ideal you are seeking can be gained through distributing the learning rights - that¡¯s what the Red Grail Civilization did.¡±


    Brown looked at Mideia with a perplexed expression, as if he didn¡¯t believe her. However, W¨¹nder hung upon her words, considering it, and thinking it to be true. It seemed to W¨¹nder like Mideia had come from a greater era of prosperity than the one they currently were in, and yet, the history books did not seem to indicate that - only that the Red Grail civilization had existed and nothing beyond that.


    ¡°And so, coming back on the topic of Oregon, there¡¯s something else I want you to do.¡± Mideia conferred.


    ***


    Elysia walked about the chamber she was in. The statue of the woman with the flower remained sedentary while she kept looking at it.


    The children lying redolent on the sarcophagi whimpered weakly, and their faces looked drained of color. Elysia was worried that these girls might die if they were to remain imprisoned in this place.


    However, she was also scared of the giant. While she continued pacing about and around the tombs at her feet, the door suddenly opened. It was the same bony guard with the sloven appearance who had conducted her towards this room.


    He seemed to wear a thick, brown garb, and seemed pretty warm - this caused the envy of Elysia, for she was feeling pretty cold for her part. ¡°Miss Elysia, seeing as you look pretty grown-up, my master has changed his mind about wanting to keep you here with the colleens.¡±


    ¡°...So where do I go?¡± Elysia asked, trying to look brave.


    ¡°That¡¯s a tough question. I still haven¡¯t monitored the places where your presence might come in handy after all.¡±


    ¡°Are you the one who is going to supervise me?¡±


    ¡°Oh no, I¡¯m not! I¡¯m just going to bring you to the sphere and then leave you to your own device once I¡¯ve found an appropriate placement for you,¡± said the guard nodding to himself.


    ¡°What sphere? What do you mean?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ll understand when you come into its presence. Everyone does.¡±

 Chapter 3 - Part 2

    Elysia passed by the hall, and went back into the tunnels. The guard watched over her from a distance, not even having deigned to tie her up. Elysia looked at the guard in turn, all suspicious, all invective, and all tense.


    The guard was as sloven as ever, and seemed quite in his element, not even a look of distrust crossing his eyes. They walked on, roaming among the miners, who mined and harvested the broken pieces of coal and inlays of metal they found, fervent at their task.


    ¡°The miners are all working for the sake of this giant called ¡®Oregon¡¯. Why is that?¡±


    ¡°As if I would know the answer to that,¡± the guard said, looking at her with hard eyes.


    Elysia kept quiet after this. Soon, they entered a passageway shrouded in a purple haze. The path was straight - without bend - and had elaborate engravings of circles and lines, and unknown figures on the ground. And at the end of it, a gargantuan sphere awaited her.


    The air vibrated. Elysia caught subdued chimes in her ears as she approached. The sphere had black clouds ominously shifting about its surface. Elysia thought back upon the prospects of escaping from this place. The guard seemed to be all too relaxed. And she felt her instincts telling her that this sphere was going to do something bad to her.


    However, the passageway was too narrow right now. So, she walked on, and kept on doing so, until she found the passageway to be suitably wide. At this point, her head had started aching. It began as a migraine, and grew so intense that she felt her mind being crushed by vicious hands, and felt her hands trembling from the pain.


    She screamed.


    ¡°Go on further,¡± urged the guard, hollering wildly, ¡°quickly, approach the sphere!¡±


    Elysia looked in the direction of the guard, and rushed towards him. She felt her body being restrained by the sphere behind her, but she nonetheless threw herself at the guard. The latter panicked, his big eyes growing wide, and he tried to get out of the way.


    Elysia¡¯s head bonked the elbow of the man, and she groaned at the impact. She fell to the ground, and felt her head clearing up, a numbing sensation prevailing upon all the pain. She lifted herself back up, taking a glance at the guard, who had stepped back towards the sphere, and had frozen expressions, as if he had stopped thinking.


    Elysia looked back at the part of the passageway leading into the cave, and raced towards it. ¡®I did it!¡¯ she thought, ¡°I¡¯m going away from this hell!¡± The thought of the girls in the chamber with the woman¡¯s statue flashed in front of her eyes, and she gritted her teeth, running on.


    Her head pulsed like it was going to burst, but she paid no heed to the pain. Her vision blackening; her breath growing sparse. She emerged into the cave, finding bewildered miners, but none of them cared enough to pay more attention to her.


    Elysia ran to liberty.


    ***


    W¨¹nder looked at the path ahead with ardent eyes. In the caves of a mountain, he had entered a labyrinth of trees. It felt unreal, illusory, and all the more breathtaking. The air felt damp, with a tendency to smell like petrichor, along with a leafy smell.


    W¨¹nder felt enchanted. The space above him appeared to have a really high ceiling, the height of which he could not even begin to estimate. Much like a maze, there were, in effect, trees lined up on each side of him. And as he walked, he often reached crossroads, followed by dead-ends, or more crossroads.


    The road split up several times, and before he knew it, a feeling of being lost had settled into his heart. Brown kept close to W¨¹nder, and tried forestalling any dead-end by checking the passage himself, before coming back to report to W¨¹nder.


    The place was illuminated by large crystals hanging from the ceiling, and golden dusts sparkled as they descended upon the two brothers. The trees gave way to hedges of grass, and at times melded together with these hedges.


    The hedges were filled with green leaves, but there were also red and orange leaves mixed in. Brown was vigilant, tersely looking around each corner, each curve, like he expected a monster to pop up.


    The reason why they found themselves in a place like this was because of the quest the ghost, Mideia, had handed to them. They had taken the remaining path from the crossroad which led them to the statue Brown had discovered, as much as to the ghost.


    ¡°This place is rather exasperating,¡± Brown said.


    ¡°I don¡¯t think so,¡± refuted W¨¹nder. ¡°I find that it¡¯s beautiful.¡±


    ¡°More like, aren¡¯t you tired? You¡¯ve been walking for way too long.¡±


    W¨¹nder looked at his brother with earnest eyes. ¡°This place just doesn¡¯t seem like something you would see once in a lifetime. The ghost was pretty too.¡±


    ¡°And the dragon was so ferocious that it wouldn¡¯t be strange if he happened to kill you a dozen times over.¡±


    W¨¹nder laughed awkwardly at that. Brown looked at the lit-up ceiling in wonderment.


    ¡°It should already be night outside this cave.¡±


    They walked on silently, before W¨¹nder echoed. ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°I hope we find that panacea guy fast enough.¡±


    ¡°I hope so as well,¡± said W¨¹nder, trekking about the uneven ground while admiring the brilliance of the hedges surrounding him, and before he had time to notice, the floor of the cave had turned into that of a meadow - a lawn which cropped up to cover every part of the ground.Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings.


    They followed through the path carefully, taking care not to miss a turn, checking each divergence, and therefore making slow progress. There were no lizardmen here, nor any other animals were yet to be seen.


    It was like this place was in a world of its place, removed from the reaches of the outer world. W¨¹nder thought that he might perhaps be stepping in virgin land. At the turn of a bend, W¨¹nder found the path growing much more woody ahead of him. He rushed forth, much against the warning of his brother, only to stop a few steps ahead.


    The ground opened up in front of him, like a giant chasm.


    At the bottom, there was a small creek, bleeding this deep valley which prevented them from proceeding forth.


    ***


    Elysia was left unperturbed no longer shortly after her absconding from the guard.


    All around her, the miners drawled and repeated:


    ¡°Escapee.¡±


    ¡°Escapee!¡±


    ¡°Find her! Find her!¡±


    And then, they started towards her.


    It was weird. They seemed mechanical.


    Elysia felt like she had some good more yards to go before she felt tired. She sprinted across the cave, jumping over stalagmites, running across an uneven floor. She kept up her pace, sweating and heaving.


    A few minutes later, she stood, gasping. She had merely followed her impulse, but she felt horrible, when the thought that she might have sentenced her father to death surfaced into her mind.


    She trundled along the cave, her arm hitting a sconce and in turn a blazing torch. This gave her a moment to pause, before she pushed against the wall, dragging her body away from the flame. She moved onward, and onward, struggling to move on, her mind a turmoil, before she noticed a moving statue in front of her.


    She could scarcely believe what she was seeing. She clung to the wall, not knowing where to hide, but fortunately, the statue was heading to the other side, across the intersection which Elysia had failed to notice.


    Elysia gathered her courage anew, and brusquely walked, step by step, towards the intersection, getting out of her side of the tunnel to see the statue walking on towards the right.


    She had the impression that the statue¡¯s appearance was a bit queer - a bit like a monster. She took the path in front of her, hoping not to find another one of those statues. She walked on, before hastily backtracking and hiding by the right wall. A walking statue, which was golden in color, headed straight on, not turning to discover her.


    Elysia turned back, and started walking in the tunnel from which the statue had emerged. The path grew polished, much like the passageway which had led to that giant sphere, though it had no engravings.


    Elysia followed through the somber cave, her stomach queasy with fear and nervousness. Her hair clung to her neck, and she felt goosebumps on her skin. Yet, she made her way, unraveling dungeons to her eyes - they appeared by her sides, and they were numerous.


    Inside were lizardmen and nothing else for as long as her eyes scanned the cells. Elysia gulped and walked on, as the monsters noticed her, and screeched, hissed, and croaked.


    They had leathery muscles, and their fangs were a frightening lot to observe. Their reddish-brown skins seemed to sap off the light which reflected upon them from the torches. Their red eyes glowed in the shadows, and they showed their tongues, salivating in hunger.


    Elysia walked past them in a flurry, trying to ignore all their screams. She ambled on, before she came upon a dungeon cell with an old man in it. The old figure lay despondently on a bed of stone, He seemed like nothing but bones, and he was bald.


    His cloth was a white linen tunic, and a white pair of trousers. The man was comatose, and the door to his cell was open. Elysia looked at him, and thought that she could perhaps find a way out by questioning him - he seemed too old to attack her.


    And thus, she approached him, before being startled by his voice when she was about three yards away from him. It was a deep, wizened voice, which had a tremor to it.


    ¡°What brings you here?¡± he asked, before opening his eyes.


    ¡°I¡­I was looking for a way out of this cave, out of this mountain.¡± Elysia replied, after a start.


    The old man turned his eyes to look at her. His eyes were gray, and they looked her over carefully, before he said, as if in nostalgia. ¡°Then, you have come to the wrong place. ¡®Here¡¯ is the heart of this cave. ¡®Here¡¯ is where all the principal things are. ¡®Here¡¯ is where the giant performs his art.¡±


    Elysia looked at him with blank eyes, not understanding his words. ¡°Like what?¡±


    ¡°Like creating the mediums for his seer.¡±


    ¡°I see. And which way should I head to get out of here?¡±


    ¡°...Would you really take leave from here all alone?¡±


    Elysia glanced at him with guilty eyes. ¡°How should I expect to save anyone? I don¡¯t know where they are.¡±


    The old man smiled. ¡°Oh¡­ I know where your prisoners are. They are just farther along this path.¡±


    Elysia¡¯s eyes clouded. ¡°I don¡¯t know about them.¡±


    She turned away from the old man. If he wouldn¡¯t tell her of a way out, then she was fine searching for it herself.


    ¡°Wait. Your friend was searching for you. He came here all alone, screaming out your name just a moment ago, until he got caught by one of the mediums.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know who you are talking about. You should know nothing about me.¡±


    ¡°Oh, but I do. He was asking for a girl fitting your description. And you are definitely the girl he was seeking. He told me his name was Duff.¡±


    ¡°Duff?¡± Elysia had to do a double take. ¡®Why would he come here?¡¯ she pondered.


    ¡°He was such a wild boy. Came here following those unfortunate ones who were being escorted along. Those girls who would serve as food for the giant. The mediums couldn¡¯t quite apprehend him until he had been badly bruised.


    Elysia felt her heart fill with elation. She was glad that Duff had come for her.


    ¡°Your name¡­ It is Elysia, right?¡± ensued the old man, turning his head towards her. ¡°You should continue on ahead of here. You¡¯ll find your friend, imprisoned near the golden furnace.¡±


    Elysia considered his words. And remembered the words W¨¹nder had told her:


    ¡°When you reach the pit of isolation, my dear Elysia, you will want to find courage and comfort by relying on your friends and peers. Whatever your aspiration, wanting to protect your friends or their happiness is a important thing to do. It does not matter even if you feel that you are more angry for their sake, than for yourself. It¡¯s important, after all¡¯


    She thought of the number of times Duff had joined her whenever she would feel lonely. She thought of the number of times she smiled and bid away her tears whenever he was there.


    ¡°I¡­ I¡¯m going to rescue Duff. And W¨¹nder too,¡± she said.


    The old man did not question, nor laugh at her. ¡°I see. Well, don¡¯t disturb me, I¡¯ll be taking my nap.¡±


    Elysia wandered off the cell of the old man, and continued onward across the various empty cells. She did not know where W¨¹nder had gone off to, or whether he was safe, so she would leave saving him only after calling for the knights, but she definitely could save Duff.


    Elysia continued along the path she had been on, and exited the tunnel filled with cells. Soon, she found herself in a room filled with statues of petrified people whom she could recognize. There were dozens of them, each so lifelike, that she was convinced they were the actual people, as she stared at them in horror.


    The room¡¯s ceiling was high enough for the giant to get in, so Elysia was worried that this place was part of the latter¡¯s lair. After the statues, she was finally met by prisons which were embedded in the walls of the place.


    The first few ones were empty, and beside each cell, there was a golden statue. At the fifth cell, Elysia found Duff. The latter looked a bit tired, but brightened up when he saw her.


    ¡°Elysia! Where have you been?¡±


    ¡°Duff!¡± she exclaimed, full of relief. ¡°I don¡¯t know where I was myself, but just you wait, I¡¯m going to get you out here!¡±


    ¡°And how would you do that?¡± said someone thunderously. Elysia looked behind her to notice the giant in the room. Her face blanched. She looked back at the entrance she had come from to flee, but found the golden statues which she had previously seen barring the way.

 Chapter 3 - Part 3

    Following the creek downstream, Brown eventually found that it dug further downward, until it disappeared from sight. The chasm closed up. The further downstream they went, the easier it became to cross to the other side.


    Jumping across it, he took some time to catch his breath. His brother followed right behind him. The grass rustled as W¨¹nder steadied himself. Gripping their torches, the two advanced towards one of the paths leading into the maze anew. The trees were much bigger and crowded, while the grass was tall.


    ¡°I wonder how much longer this torch will last,¡± Brown complained, looking at the makeshift object while it hungrily ate away at the cloth it was lit from. The spade was still in his left hand.


    ¡°Probably not for long,¡± conferred W¨¹nder looking about the maze. Compared to the dusty trees which bordered the path leading to the mines, the ones here looked luxurious and full of life. They had bursting verdant hues, and they smelled of freshness.


    W¨¹nder sniffed at the air curiously, taking note of the pungent smell of leafiness and nothing much beyond that. It was like the very air was condensed to reflect the fact that they were walking amidst trees - amidst a place which seemed like it hadn¡¯t even welcomed animals.


    As he peered at one of the hedges, trying to find at least an insect of some kind, his brother called out. ¡°By the bosom of Demesne, this is huge!¡±


    ¡°You think so too, brother?¡± W¨¹nder asked, stunned at the silence which followed his brother¡¯s exclamation. Not a thing stirred - not even the flourish of a breeze - despite the fact that they were surrounded by so many trees. ¡®The forest is much noisier than that,¡¯ thought W¨¹nder.


    ¡°Of course, I do! In fact, I¡¯m more than eager to meet the person who built this maze. It¡¯s just so stupidly long and tenuous.¡±


    W¨¹nder smiled. ¡°I don¡¯t think the person who built it would love to hear that. Besides, the curse you used is only said when faced to a brutal act. What¡¯s-¡±


    ¡°This very situation is brutal. It¡¯s harsh for you, right? Why should we walk all the way through this annoying labyrinth just to meet someone.¡±


    W¨¹nder felt the grass blades tickling at his calves; his injury was not stinging like it had been before, which would be for the better part of one hour. ¡°I can¡¯t really complain as you do, brother,¡± W¨¹nder muttered, ¡°This maze was most likely built to protect something.¡±


    ¡°Or to prevent something from escaping. Well, I wouldn¡¯t be one to guess though.¡±


    W¨¹nder looked ahead with speculative eyes. He decided to change the topic. ¡°So, you want to get more prosperous, brother?¡±


    ¡°Are you still worried about what I said back then to Mideia?¡±


    ¡°No. Not really.¡±


    ¡°...¡±


    ¡°...¡±


    ¡°My bad. You are more important than the prospect of being prosperous to me, W¨¹nder.¡±


    The latter looked back at him dubiously. ¡°I¡¯m not a kid anymore, brother.¡±


    ¡°Well, I guess you are not.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ll find Elysia and save everyone in this cave.¡±


    ¡°Yeah. That¡¯s goes without saying.¡±


    The two brothers stayed quiet, trudging along the grassy path, looking forward with determined eyes. The light of the crystals illuminated their backs, casting a shadow ahead of them. They walked on, and walked on, reaching a grand archway.


    Along it, the arches were wrapped tightly in vines, which had pine-shaped leaves. W¨¹nder went to the side, observing the vines from close. In front of his eyes were berries, engorged to a purple shade; they looked unquestionably delicious.


    W¨¹nder felt hungry, felt saliva forming in his mouth.


    He bent and reached for the berries. ¡°Wait, what are you doing, W¨¹nder?¡±


    W¨¹nder looked at the berry he had plucked on his hand. ¡°Well, I found this berry.¡±


    Brown extended his palm, and ushered for the fruit. After W¨¹nder had handed it to him, he took one look at it, and said. ¡°I can¡¯t identify it. It could be poisonous.¡±


    ¡°It looks edible though,¡± W¨¹nder commented, ¡°it has the same appearance as raspberries.¡±


    ¡°Just leave it be,¡± Brown said, throwing the berry away.


    ¡°Oh well¡­ Okay, I guess.¡± W¨¹nder eyed the arch stoically, before moving on.


    ¡°You can look forward to one thing though, W¨¹nder,¡± Brown apprised, ¡°I¡¯ll forage up a basket of berries for you once we get out of here.¡±


    ¡°Okay, brother. I want some real dark and sweet mulberries.¡±


    ¡°Wow, that¡¯s some tall order. I wonder if I can find some at this time of the year,¡± Brown said, while scratching his chin.Support the creativity of authors by visiting the original site for this novel and more.


    ¡°I¡¯ll help you look for it.¡±


    ¡°Okay, as you wish.¡±


    W¨¹nder smiled. Brown chuckled at that. The cave was their sky. The promenade continued like this until they reached a certain place of habitation. It was something of a cross between a treehouse, and a log house. Brown found that intriguing.


    While wondering about what kind of person could live in this kind of place, W¨¹nder followed Brown''s footsteps as, without further ado, the latter entered the house. Inside, it was, as to be expected, dimly lit. There was a saw lying by the doorstep, a table in the center of the first room they found themselves in, and the floor was covered with a huge, red piece of tapestry, which had a faded, dotted design; it looked almost brown.


    The room had windows on both sides, while it had only one chair. Two wooden mugs stood on the table alongside a jar made of ceramics. To all intent and purpose, the place looked empty.


    Brown took the liberty to search the place over: he opened the cupboards which were attached to one wall of the room; he peeked into the other room of the house. The cupboards contained platters made of wood, and lumps of coal and charcoal. The other room had a bed, a mantelpiece, and a stove right under the mantelpiece.


    Further inspections unveiled some manuscripts made of wood - ¡®pretty rigid to the touch¡¯, Brown observed. W¨¹nder found a jar containing some fruits shaped like apples, but with hard skins. There were practice swords, as well as a wooden buckler.


    This place was a real treasure of exploration for W¨¹nder, since it was the first time he had seen these kinds of things from up close. He turned back from the table, about to head towards his brother, when he found a huge dog staring at him from the doorway.


    ***


    Elysia stared at the golden flames burning some mere meters away from her.


    Duff watched her from his prison, looking all dejected. She was on a podium of sorts, all alone. The giant was some four meters away from her, dwarfing all the moving statues which guarded the entrances to this room.


    Elysia was facing a wall - a wall of gold which would periodically burst alive with fire. As she watched, the ground before her opened up, revealing smoldering embers below. The heat wave which escaped from the resulting vent on the ground was horrible. Elysia felt her skin grow hot, and her hair singe. It was like she was thrust right on top of a blazing bonfire.


    A man with ruddy cheeks and a bony appearance kept her in check with a dagger at her throat.


    ¡°Get closer to the furnace! Quickly!¡± said the man, moving his weapon away from her throat, and pushed her body forward. It was hard for Elysia to breathe.


    ¡°Elysia! You don¡¯t need to listen to them! Just try and get away from here!¡± shouted Duff from behind his stone bars.


    ¡°Push her again, Bot. I really hate disobedient girls,¡± said Oregon, looking perfunctorily at Duff, before turning his attention back to Elysia.


    Elysia kept quiet, looking at the flames in terror. Bot made a grim expression, and moved forward to do as Oregon ordered. At that instant, Elysia escaped from his touch, and stepped away from the furnace, looking up at Oregon.


    ¡°Mister Giant! Where is my father?¡±


    ¡°Your father?¡± Oregon iterated, ¡°what father?¡±


    Elysia looked at him in confusion. ¡°You said that you had healed him! You even showed him to me, even though he seemed petrified. Please show him to me again! I¡¯ll work hard and then you can turn him back to normal like you said!¡±


    ¡°But why show him to you?¡± Oregon asked pensively.


    ¡°I just felt doubtful. All these statues here can move. Was the statue you showed me something like that as well? I want to see for sure again!¡±


    ¡°So you are saying I was lying?¡±


    Elysia stared at him mutely. She flexed her fingers but held her eyes steadily on his face.


    Oregon scoffed and lifted his hand, pointing it towards the furnace. As Elysia watched, molten gold clung together, and surfaced from the wall. It twisted, stretched, and finally formed the image of Elysia¡¯s beloved father.


    It moved away from the furnace by shifting by the side of the wall, and then stepped on firm ground. Elysia watched it move with a sense of awe. And yet, she was all aghast. The thing moved for a few steps, and then stopped, its face morphing to look like it was wailing..


    It headed towards Elysia in this manner, molten gold dripping from it, and Oregon watched with amusement, while the statue came closer and closer to Elysia, until it was reduced to her height. And it approached her further, until only its torso and face remained. Elysia looked at it, her sorrowful eyes riveted on the fading figure, before it suddenly grew amorphous, and bubbled up, and then dropped to the ground with a splatter.


    Elysia kept staring at the poodle of gold in silence.


    ¡°Thank God I remembered his name and his face. I¡¯m impressed with myself, if I may say so,¡± clamored Oregon, holding his hands to his hips and looking at Elysia with proud, patronizing eyes. ¡°I just so dislike disobedient individuals. Won¡¯t you die for me? You are way too skimpy so I don¡¯t even feel like eating you.¡±


    Elysia¡¯s lips trembled.


    ¡°Elysia! Elysia! Listen! Just get away from here!¡± screamed Duff, ¡°you hear me? Just run away already!¡±


    Elysia could hardly hear him. She looked downward and stared at the gold in a forlorn manner. She felt tears forming and gliding down her cheeks. She couldn¡¯t bring herself to admit that she understood what the giant implied with this demonstration.


    Oregon drawled on nonetheless. ¡°The fact that you are even here, my little girl, is because your father is dead. You see, I like my meals to be spiced with a little bit of despair. Your father was killed by the Orgon Seer. And the Orgon Seer always knows the name of the person it killed. All I needed to do after that was coerce information from the miners.¡± Oregon smiled widely. ¡°You were just lured to this place to become my food!¡±


    This forced a sob out of Elysia. Her eyes became blurry, and she felt all force leave her legs. She slumped to the ground, and quietly wept, feeling her shoulders grow heavy.


    ¡°Well now! I remembering telling you that I was famished, Bot! Have you prepared another meal for me?¡± The man nodded. Oregon laughed pleasantly at that. ¡°I see! Alright then, girl!¡± he said, peering down at Elysia,¡± now that you¡¯ve poured away all your feelings, won¡¯t you jump into this little pit of fire over there?¡±


    Elysia¡¯s shoulders shook and she remained on the ground, all abject.


    ¡°I see that you are obstinate,¡± Oregon said gruffly. ¡°Bot, hurry up and push her in!¡±


    ¡°But sir, I¡¯ll burn¡­¡±


    ¡°Never mind! I¡¯ll just toss her in myself.¡± The giant trundled towards Elysia, when a statue came rushing into the room from the entrance the giant had come from.


    Oregon frowned, looking at the thing with disdain. ¡°What is it?¡±


    The statue knelt to the ground, its appearance more like a golem in essence, rather than a human, and then spoke in a mechanical, monotonous voice. ¡°Master Oregon, we have some intruders.¡±


    ¡°What? So early?¡± Oregon¡¯s face transformed into a grimace. ¡°Well, it matters not. I dare say that I¡¯m really looking forward to what kind of warriors I¡¯ll have the honor of facing after three long centuries.¡±


    The statue remained on the ground. ¡°We have already apprehended a few of these intruders.¡±


    Oregon clapped his hands. ¡°Excellent! This is boring in its own way, but we are better off minimising the risks until I¡¯m completely ready. Well done!¡±


    While Oregon was congratulating the statue, he started hearing a weird sound in the room. The sound started with a crack, then another crack, before ending with a thud.


    Duff had freed himself.

 Chapter 3 - Part 4: Galling Goads

    ¡°Brother!¡± W¨¹nder warned, looking at the dog. Its height seemed to be about four feet. It looked gruesome, with dark eyes, dark-brown fur, and a menacing pair of jaws.


    Brown turned back from his scurrying around, and noticed the dog. He brandished the rusty spade he had picked up earlier, and lifted the single buckler in the room. The dog growled at his action, before its tremor intensified, and it raced forward and pounced on Brown.


    Brown held off, as the dog snapped its jaws against the shield. The beast snapped its jaws a few more times, before it swerved around the buckler, its eyes flashing with bloodthirst. Looking at the ferocity the animal displayed, W¨¹nder understood that it would bite into his brother¡¯s flesh if nothing was done. Surveying the room, he found a previously ignored knife lying on the table, and swiftly took it up, before rushing to assail the dog.


    His strike never made it.


    Right in front of him, the beast had morphed into a shaggy human.


    ¡°What the?¡± let out Brown.


    ¡°...¡± the person looked at him mutely. He was hunched over at the moment. Appearance-wise, the person was the same height as Brown. His hair was dark-brown, his face was heavily bearded and his eyes looked sharp and brown - a murky combination of green and brown, all dark.


    ¡°Fascinating! I was under the illusion that I was fighting a beast just now. What are you?¡±


    The man looked at Brown suspiciously. He straightened his back, and gripped the edge of the shield; Brown tried to pull it away, but not before the man had crushed off the edge he was holding, such that a chunk was missing from the wooden buckler.


    ¡°You are not very talkative, are you?¡± Brown remarked, taking up a wooden sword from the corner of the room, and tried slashing the empty air with it, while keeping his distance from the shaggy person. ¡°I asked you what you are.¡±


    The man threw a punch at Brown, which Brown blocked with the shield. The shield cracked, splinters of it flying about the air. ¡°Begone!¡±


    Brown raised an eyebrow, still holding up his shield. ¡°Begone? We came here to-¡± Brown caught another attack with the buckler, ¡°-talk! A ghost sent us! A girl!¡±


    This checked the person into place; he lowered his arms. ¡°Well, first things first, I¡¯m no illusion,¡± he held forward his right hand, which rippled alive with thick fur, ¡°I¡¯m a werewolf.¡±


    Brown sighed. ¡°I take it you are the inhabitant of this house.¡±


    ¡°Inhabitant?¡± The man laughed. ¡°I guess you could say that. I¡¯m Alexias Grandivor, another creature sealed in this Icarutian Maze, in the depths of Taitanus!¡±


    ¡°Icarutian Maze?¡± uttered W¨¹nder. Brown looked at his brother with a puzzled face; he couldn¡¯t help but catch the wonderment in W¨¹nder¡¯s eyes.


    ¡°Anything coming to mind, W¨¹nder?¡±


    W¨¹nder shook his head.


    ¡°What business do you have with me, anyway? You say a ghost sent you?¡±


    ¡°Indeed, her name is Mideia,¡± Brown acceded, ¡°we want to find a way to turn the statues of the people trapped in gold back to humans.¡±


    ¡°Whatever statues you mean?¡± asked Alexias bluntly.


    ¡°The statues which Oregon made. Mideia apprised me on that.¡±


    ¡°I dunno. I haven¡¯t the faintest idea about what you are on about,¡± returned the werewolf, taking up the only chair in the house and sitting down.


    ¡°Well, I don¡¯t know who I¡¯m talking about either. I¡¯ve been a miner here for five years, and I haven¡¯t so much as seen the shadow of even someone like you.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s a given. I don¡¯t get to be away from this place anyway.¡±


    ¡°The other miners never mentioned any rumors about this place either,¡± Brown had to look at him incredulously. ¡°Alexias¡­ how long have you been here?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t remember.¡±


    ¡°I see. No wonder you know nothing,¡± Brown noted.


    [¡°He doesn¡¯t remember. Don¡¯t tell me he¡¯s an immortal?¡± pondered W¨¹nder in astonishment.]


    ¡°Well? What are these statues you speak about?¡± asked Alexias in a gruff voice. He was quite perplexed by Brown, who hadn¡¯t even batted an eye when considering his answer.


    ¡°They are statues made by a certain individual called Oregon. Apparently he was brought here some two hundred years ago or sometime thereabout. Moving on, on my way here, I found a statue which was the spitting image of a friend I know. A part was broken off from it, revealing flesh and bones,¡± Brown explained. ¡°Also, W¨¹nder, this person can¡¯t be immortal just because he cannot remember how long he¡¯s been here.¡±


    ¡°I guess,¡± W¨¹nder mouthed.


    ¡°Perhaps this man called Oregon used a petrification spell,¡± Alexias offered, ¡°that aside, tell me your name.¡±


    ¡°Oh, me? I¡¯m Broward Loxias. I turn twenty-three years old next year.¡±


    ¡°I see, Broward. I didn¡¯t ask for your age.¡±


    ¡°I just kinda mentioned it. By the way, it¡¯s pronounced ¡®Bravard¡¯,¡± Brown continued nonetheless.


    ¡°I see where your nerve comes from now,¡± Alexias conferred, ¡°you are talkative.¡±


    ¡°Perhaps by a bit too much. I got tricked grandly by that Reynolds back then, right W¨¹nder?¡±


    W¨¹nder nodded while smiling wryly. ¡°That was quite unfortunate, brother.¡±


    Alexias slammed his hand on the table. ¡°And then? What was it about the ghost? Is she somewhere close by?¡±Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    Brown and W¨¹nder looked at each other in confusion.


    ¡°Well, of course, she¡¯s not here. She can only move for a certain distance¡­ probably,¡± W¨¹nder said.


    ¡°Well, as luck would have it, I don¡¯t believe in ghosts.¡±


    ¡°What a coincidence! I didn¡¯t too,¡± Brown commented curtly.


    ¡°What? Are you angry?¡± Alexias directed towards Brown.


    ¡°Why, ain¡¯t I allowed to be chirpy?¡±


    Alexias sighed. ¡°Well, that¡¯s not a tone which I would exactly qualify as being chirpy, but yeah, fine.¡±


    ¡°Mideia is a ghost, and she needs our help. And we need your help too. We have our friends¡¯ lives, and that of my little brother¡¯s childhood friend to save. By answering to our query, you will be doing us a huge favor.¡±


    The werewolf raised his bushy eyebrow. ¡°Excuse me, but I¡¯m not used to doing favors. I have something to protect here-¡±


    ¡°What? You won¡¯t help us? Selfish bastard.¡±


    ¡°-But, at any rate, I¡¯ll help- Wait, why did you insult me?¡±


    ¡°At any rate, there¡¯s something that this Mr. Alexias wants to protect here, W¨¹nder. What¡¯s it about, Alexias? Besides, if you were going to help, why didn¡¯t you say that first?¡±


    ¡°Well, I just kinda went along the flow.¡±


    Brown crossed his arms, and smirked. ¡°I¡¯m sorry for having insulted you. It is in fact I, Bravard Loxias, who am a bastard.¡±


    ¡°You forgot the ¡®selfish¡¯ part.¡±


    Brown looked aghast for a second. ¡°Oh, that¡¯s for certain.¡±


    Alexias grabbed one of the two wooden mugs lying on the table, and headed for the leftmost cupboard facing his right. ¡°So, you want my help for a petrification spell, huh?¡±


    ¡°Well, that¡¯s about right. Though¡­ Mideia also asked us to find people to help stop Oregon¡¯s projects as well.¡±


    Alexias opened the cupboard, and took out a water skin from it, pouring the substance it contained into his mug.¡°I¡¯m sorry, but I won¡¯t help beyond helping create the potion to revert to the pretrification spell. If you are fine with this, then let me list off the items you need to procure to allow me to make the potion.¡±


    ¡°Please do,¡± urged W¨¹nder, his eyes shining brightly.


    ¡°Let¡¯s see¡­ What I want are water from the fountain of a certain fairy, blood from the person who¡¯s caused the petrification spell, and red-blue berries from around this labyrinth. Let me add that I will not assist you with procurement of any of the given ingredients. Especially not for the fairy.¡±He took a swig at his mug, murmuring softly that it tasted good.


    ¡°I see you are on really bad terms with that fairy.¡±


    ¡°You said red-blues berries? You mean the ones growing from the vines with pine-shaped leaves?¡± asked W¨¹nder.


    ¡°That¡¯s quite a few things I don¡¯t know any details about. Where¡¯s the fountain, and should I be wary of the fairy? I presume Midas¡¯s blood will do, unless we end up targeting this Oregon. I don¡¯t know where to find either of them too,¡± mused Brown, giving W¨¹nder a perplexed look.


    Alexias pondered over his words for a while, before grinning, almost like a wolf would if it could and said. ¡°I sincerely pity you for your hardships. Oregon and Midas aside, you¡¯ll find the fairy if you head up north past this house, and turn to the right at the third fork of the path, and then climb a certain hillock. It¡¯s pretty steep though, so be careful.¡±


    ¡°Your pity has certainly been received with sincere intents,¡± smiled Brown, all sardonic. ¡°I trust we should be able to catch either one of Midas or Oregon and drain him of his blood.¡±


    Alexias laughed. ¡°You speak like a vampire.¡±


    ¡°A vampire? What¡¯s that?¡± asked Brown, a soft curve in his mouth indicating good humor, though his eyes were dark and serious.


    ¡°Creatures who suck your blood,¡± said Alexias, studying Brown¡¯s face attentively.


    Without betraying any fear on his face, Brown said. ¡°Oh, creatures of your kind? I have a feeling that I will hit it off well if I meet one.¡±


    ¡°Not of my kind-¡±


    ¡°Basically something like huge mosquitoes?¡± quipped in W¨¹nder, stifling a yawn.


    Remarking not a trace of reaction from the boy either, Alexias frowned. ¡°Coming back on topic, what you said about the red-blue berries, what you said about them growing from vines with pine-shaped leaves - that is indeed true.¡±


    ¡°Convoluted.¡±


    ¡°Long.¡±


    W¨¹nder and Brown commented on Alexias¡¯s speech and then W¨¹nder said. ¡°I want to go to fetch those purple berries. Is that alright with you, brother?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, that¡¯s perfectly fine by me.¡±


    ¡°I give you my blessings. You will definitely need them,¡± said Alexias.


    Brown looked at him sharply. ¡°Why?¡±


    ¡°Oh, for no particular reason,¡± said Alexias. W¨¹nder got out of the house, closed the door, and his fading, hastening steps followed. ¡°Well now, the climb up that particular hillock is gonna be arduous and¡­ dangerous. In fact, it was a good joke I think, but what you¡¯ll be climbing is in fact a cliff.¡±


    ¡°Bring it on, little pup, I have plenty of experience under my belt.¡±


    Alexias¡¯s eyes seethed and burned. ¡°You are pretty insolent, human.¡±


    ***


    Duff felt enraged by the scene unfolding in front of him.


    Elysia was being pushed towards a furnace, and a bullying giant was trifling her emotions. His head ached with his anger, and his body trembled as did his eyes sear and glare without budging from the figure of Oregon.


    He knew he had to do something; he knew that his courage was being tested. If he did nothing right now he would certainly regret it. And out of the corner of his eyes, Duff spied a golden statue - it spurred him to action.


    Sticking his arms out of the gaps between the stone bars, he tried moving the golden statue. It would not budge at first, so he stuck his left foot into the stone bars, and lifted the other one from the ground, hanging upon the statue with his arms. The statue moved and took its place again. Duff started oscillating his body, feeling the statue move with rising frequency, until it came to a tangent where it could not sustain a straight position.


    Duff brought his arms back in, using his other foot as a support to remove his left one, and rolled back towards the inside of the cave. It was a miraculous stunt, for the statue came crashing upon the stone bars, swerving to the side and destroying quite a few of the bars.


    Looking at the jagged exit he had made, Duff moved his limbs and came creeping out of his cell. He was holding part of one of the stone bars in his left hand. Elysia looked at him with a mixture of relief and worry. Duff huffed and puffed and looked at Oregon with animosity and a victorious gleam in his eyes.


    ¡°I¡¯m so famished I could eat you whole, you vile piece of murdering flesh,¡± Duff exhorted, his voice growing raucous. And he walked towards the giant defiantly.


    Oregon seemed to find it amusing, for he raised a hand to prevent the statues under his control from acting, and Duff gave a solid hit to Bot¡¯s jaw when the latter tried to approach him.


    ¡°Well, well, what are you going to do, little maggot?¡±


    ¡°Mr. Giant, there¡¯s a black maggot on your shoulder. It¡¯s disgusting. Let¡¯s get away Elysia,¡± said Duff fastidiously and almost as a matter of fact.


    Elysia looked at Duff with perplexed eyes, but the latter had already reached Elysia, and grabbed her hand. He ran behind Oregon, as the latter started towards them, but then had to turn his humongous body. Duff used the pointed side of his stone slab to make a gash on the Achilles¡¯ heel of Oregon.


    ¡°Such a petty trick, you miserable fools!¡± thundered Oregon. ¡°After them!¡± he ordered, limping with his foot for a while, waiting for the injury to heal - which it did without dozens of seconds.


    The statues did as ordered, and Duff retracted his path, going back when the statues were in the middle of the room. ¡°Let¡¯s split up and meet back at the exit. We are definitely getting out of here!¡± conferred Duff, releasing Elysia¡¯s hand.


    Duff winced a bit while he kept running, feeling the pain when his head had hit the surface from when he had rolled to the ground after destabilizing the golden statue. He had to adjust his own balance, coming close to getting caught by one of the statues, but he swerved his body away in time, and reached the exit, moving a few steps out, before turning upon himself and waving at Elysia.


    The latter looked at his frantic face and gave him a tiny smile, but Duff, hardly smiled, only waving at her, and once she had joined him, he took her hand anew, and they were racing through the cave.


    Duff noticed tears falling from Elysia¡¯s face, but paid no mind to it, only gripping her palm harder, and running on and on, hearing the statues close behind them. They went across the shrieking lizardmen as these set up a cacophony in their prisons, and eventually, they reached the entrance leading to the ¡®sphere¡¯.


    Elysia pointed out the way from there, and they kept running. They came across miners, but went by too quickly to take note of the latter¡¯s reactions.At times they were greeted by complete darkness, at times one of them stumbled, but they kept on running.


    And they did so for close to ten minutes, until they came upon a group of people covered in armor.

 Chapter 4 - Part 1: I see steel

    W¨¹nder walked along those luxurious trees, those dear greeneries of nature and got lost in admiration of those beautiful arches overhead, as he made his way towards the vines burgeoning with berries.


    The crystals shone so brightly above him that they could barely be distinguished from the sun. W¨¹nder wondered if this place had things like midday and night. The grass rustled and bustled, and while W¨¹nder was absorbed in contemplation, a giant shadow appeared behind him.


    ***


    Brown pulled at the ropes Alexias had handed to him, making sure they did not break or slide apart. He was slightly suspicious, now that he had angered the werewolf by and large.


    To the rope was tied a hook, which Brown used to clutch on the table in the room, and gave that too a pull, before removing it, and swung the rope in circles, experimentally throwing it ahead of him, successfully managing to make it cling to the upper window ledge.


    Alexias raised an eyebrow at him. Brown only smiled back and shrugged, before clicking his belts together. ¡°These wooden latches will hold, right?¡±


    ¡°You threw the hook towards me on purpose, didn¡¯t you?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t see why I would do that,¡± Brown said in a serious tone. ¡°So I take it they will hold.¡±


    ¡°Assuredly. You want to check some other things?¡±


    ¡°No. As assuredly as you said, the gloves are coarse, the knee patches seem helpful, and I don¡¯t seem to be required to make more preparations than that.¡±


    ¡°Those words are well-met.¡±


    ¡°Are you trying to be solemn?¡±


    ¡°Perhaps I am. That¡¯s convoluted in its own way.¡±


    ¡°For sure, it is,¡± Brown said, patting Alexias¡¯s shoulder.


    ¡°As fearless as ever,¡± murmured Alexias.


    ¡°That¡¯s what a brother¡¯s got to be,¡± returned Brown.


    ¡°You should tell me about it some day.¡±


    ¡°So, you¡¯ve got no sibling.¡±


    ¡°No, I no longer don¡¯t.¡±


    Brown looked at Alexias in the eyes. ¡°Must have been hard for you, man.¡± He started putting a backpack on his back.


    ¡°But I do have the semblance of a familiar person in this maze. We are on eternally unfriendly terms though.¡±


    This gave Brown pause. ¡°And where might that extremely familiar sibling be?¡±


    Alexias looked at Brown hard in the eyes. ¡°Well, he roams the labyrinth as he pleases.¡±


    ¡°I hope he¡¯s a vegetarian.¡±


    Alexias kept his silence.


    Brown looked at him with incredulous eyes, and dropped his backpack, taking up the knife W¨¹nder had discarded, putting it in his pocket, and took his spade and the buckler. He gave Alexias a dark look, before opening the door with force and dashing out.


    ***


    Elysia stumbled backwards as the armored people looked at her.


    ¡°You two!¡± drawled one of the armored men, ¡°what are you doing here?¡±


    Elysia shied away from their gaze, but Duff answered. ¡°We are looking for our way out of here. We come from the Delossus village.¡±


    ¡°I see. What¡¯s your¡­ no, that aside, have you noticed anything weird in this cave?¡±


    ¡°You mean things like a giant, or little girls being led here or people¡¯s mind seeming to be under someone¡¯s control?¡±


    The men were quiet for a while. One of them removed his helmet. ¡°These are great evils you speak of, my boy,¡± his face looked worn, his nose aquiline, and his eyes sincere. ¡°What¡¯s your name?¡±


    ¡°Duff Stanford, my good sir,¡± Duff said hastily, warily; he gave an ironic smile.


    ¡°Duff. Duff Stanford. I shall remember your name. Could you navigate us through this place?¡±


    ¡°And what of this young lady,¡± Duff motioned to Elysia, ¡°can it be seen likeable to you to see her to her village. She has been horribly afflicted by all the scenes she¡¯s seen. She¡¯s more tired than her ¡®pareil¡¯ would wish for.¡±


    ¡°You speak too honorably for your age, little boy. You ought to learn some humility for your rank and your bruises.¡±Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.


    Duff looked at him, surprised. ¡°Uh, well, I hope I haven¡¯t offended you, my kind sir.¡± He laughed awkwardly. ¡°I apologize for this lowly self of mine for having the gall to ask a favor of your kind sir.¡±


    The man listened intently to Duff¡¯s speech, and then burst out laughing. ¡°Why you little brat! You sure know how to jest. You amuse me!¡± He extended a hand. ¡°Now, stop being insincere, and shake my hand. My name is John Ambrosius. Good to have met you.¡±


    Duff shook his hand, and smiled good-naturedly.


    ¡°Well, do you think you could lead us to the bad guy?¡±


    ¡°I will. I just want to make sure you don¡¯t drag Elysia into this.¡±


    John peered into Duff¡¯s eyes. ¡°I see steel and frankness¡­ But I do believe it common.¡± He turned to Elysia. ¡°Young lady, what do you want to do?¡±


    Elysia looked at John, and saw no pity there. It reinforced her, invigorated her heart. ¡°I¡¯ll stay with you.¡±


    ¡°Alright,¡± said John in a high tone, ¡°I see no use of you, so you¡¯ll stay at the back of the troops.¡± He turned to face his fellow soldiers, or, as Duff imagined, knights and pages. ¡°Lyams!¡± A young man detached himself from the others. ¡°See to it that the lady remains at ease till she is home safely.¡±


    ¡°Understood, sir!¡±


    Elysia went to his side. ¡°That should be good.¡±


    ¡°If I may ask, who are you people?¡± Duff worded.


    ¡°Pertinent question. We are the Knights of Asina - the transborder knights, as your people might have come to know us.¡±


    ¡°No idea, sir.¡±


    ¡°The way you said it sounds almost desultory to my ears. But I¡¯ll let it pass, since you are free to use the nuances of language,¡± said John, smiling thinly.


    ¡°You are rather generous, sir Knight.¡±


    ¡°No need to be so polite. We Knights of Asina consider ourselves equal to our citizens.¡±


    ¡°Then, let me lead you, dear knights.¡± Duff turned, and started walking, before noticing Oregon¡¯s statues in front of him, and walked back, before cavorting hastily and went behind the knights. ¡°Well then, the evils you speak of have appeared in front of you, dear knights. I don¡¯t plan to be a burden on you.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s a thought to be thankful about. However, we just got attacked by some weird reptilian creatures, so, though it¡¯s a sad result for us, you are allowed to use the sword one of our comrades used to own. You should be able to defend yourself when in need.¡±


    ¡°I see I can be more than a burden.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t aim so high as to lose your life, Duff!¡± chastised one of the knights close to him.


    John put his helmet back on, and brandished up his steel, blackened mace up - a towering entity which gathered increasing mass about it in a rectangular manner till its apex. And at its apex was a pyramid, and the pyramid sat on a cube, which had pyramids on its other four sides. He walked slowly towards the statues, as they remained in front of him, seemingly in a state of confusion. ¡°Steady, steady, assault!¡±


    John aimed his mace towards the head of the first statue. The latter started retracting its steps, but the mace had already connected with its face, causing it to explode. John spun in the counter-direction of which he had swung his mace, and connected it with the statue¡¯s head again, blowing away the remaining chunk of the golem¡¯s head.


    The two statues on each side of the first statue threw themselves towards John, and were met by the swords of two knights. The latter¡¯s bodies reclined and drifted backward until they came side-by-side with John.


    The headless statue flailed its arms wildly, and froze, its whole body cracking as a new head sprung, little by little, from its neck. John gave it a broadsided charge, and jumped, pressing his body hard at the torso of the hulking statue. It was toppled backward, falling on its back like any solid, heavy object would - with a thud. John pushed himself off the statue¡¯s body just inches before it touched the ground, and stood, and bore his mace upon the joint of the right arm of the statue; it cracked, and he gave it a blow, and it cracked again, and he slugged harder and harder at it until the thick joint came apart.


    The other knights came, thrusting themselves before John, and raised their bucklers; they shielded him. John lifted himself and slugged at the legs of the statues which were badgering his protectors. He slugged at these legs in a frenzy - in such a frenzy that the statues started retreating.


    There were seven statues in all - seven, or so it had been the case; five slimmer, swifter golems joined the scuffle, alongside some miners. John looked at the charging miners with disappointment in his face. They were carrying pickaxes, and seemed positively aggressive. ¡°There¡¯s no need to hold back, comrades! Human or golem - if we can¡¯t or shouldn¡¯t kill them, we can just maim or knock them down. Don¡¯t hesitate!¡±


    As proof, John slipped past the golems and swung his mace to block off the pickaxe of one of the forerunners, and used his other hand to grab the handle of and wrench the pickaxe from the miner; John dropped the pickaxe, and gutted the miner hard. The latter bent over and fell down. John retrieved the pickaxe in the face of the upcoming statues, and passed it behind.


    As if as per a usual accord, the weapon was passed behind till it reached the back of the group. The next assailant was a slim statue, which was carrying a lance made of a silvery material. John attacked from the right, to the top, and was parried, and tried from the left, to the bottom, and was parried again as the statue rotated its lance. John bent his body backward and turned a bit to the right, and took a sideways lunge at the statue with his mace; by his sides, the knights had superseded him, rubble of stone lying in their wake.


    The statue took the opening before his drawing back and his lunge to deliver a piercing attack towards his chest - it was thwarted by the mace, even as the point of the lance inscribed a scratch on John¡¯s armor, and met the empty air after a clang.


    John raised his mace with both hands and brought it down upon the statue. The statue tried piercing him again, when John¡¯s blow reached him first and crashed rigidly against its torso. The slim statue¡¯s upper body swerved backwards in recoil, but it stood firm. ¡°Tough Bastard,¡± John whispered. He looked at the statue¡¯s body carefully, noticing golden patterns on it.


    Around him, casualties resulted from clashes with the miners equipped with their pointy pickaxes, and the other four slim golems were holding their ground against his soldiers. The bawdy mining folks, however, were eventually neutralized, and the knights found themselves pouring their energy in trying to fend off the lances of the golems.


    That was when Duff found something peculiar; some of the knights stood back, placing the tip of their swords on the ground, placing both hands on their pommels, and started up an incantation. The air started getting sucked towards their swords; the blades of their swords started crackling, turning into a fiery red. Steam came off these in huge drafts and rolled off into the cave.


    The gleam the swords gave off was dazzling, and all at once, the swords plunged into the cave¡¯s ground, and they chanted: ¡°Aurum, Argentum - Exorior!¡±


    The ground cracked, and thetemperature in the cave dramatically dropped. The slim statues held back against as much as four knights, their arms a flurry, their lances, a blurry. And as they fought, guttural, raucous sounds came out of the human-like outlets on their faces.


    The knights finished their incantations and dragged their swords from the ground. These shone with a bluish glow from the fuller which ran across the length of the blades, and the air vibrated and throbbed such as to be audible to the ear when they swung these swords to test them out. And immense heat emanated from the weapons.


    ¡°Magnus igne ardens!¡± they all said crisply.


    Their blades went ablaze; their eyes reflected the flames. They moved their legs, and they hastened, and some of them trailed the tips of their swords along the ground as they charged forth. The statues looked at them with dull golden eyes, and behind them glowed the red, menacing eyes of reptilian figures.

 Brief overview of the countries of the knights of Asina and Sina.

    So, the Asina people are guys who are descendants of the Sinese people, and they have been educated In another way, amassed and made to interact with people, while having different ideologies being taught in their midst.


    It¡¯s like creating a semi-homologous environment, whereby the people of one particular country can find a divergence from their country. In this case, the Asina people would adopt the same mindset that ¡®anything can be done as long you have the will to do it¡¯, and perform their economical growth in such a way that it resembles the Sina nation. It is understood that the main thing driving the Sinese is ¡®pride¡¯ (national pride, and primitive clan pride), and that having a group - a pride - of Asinese developed would act as buffer towards the influence of the Sinese people, since they are altogether, geographical too close to countries which pretend to impose, and have started exhibiting signs of corruption, virtually complete violation of private lives, unjustifiable torture, and even more, dehumanizing to a grave extent. (Need to do some research to make it more, hugely so, grounded.)


    The lack of a concrete buffer - as another power - means virtual unification of nations, as the Sina (unification) did. An alternative would be represented in Asina, with the powers, the distributed authorities, and not just a union with borders


    The Sina nation:


    There, big brother Poplar Bilis is gonna rate your existence. If you pay your bills late, if you are handicapped or simply idle even one day away, and that you are not as hardworking as a workaholic, who runs the risk of death through overworking, then, prepare yourself to be pressured indefinitely, to have your wishes, and life dreams, and the aftermath of their satisfactions trampled by a system judging all your habits, presenting itself as the most unequal system yet, without any international manifestation or demonstration, and ultimately, you can happily commit suicide under all the pressure. Such a country is a country with no philosophers anymore, since what entails humanity, its happiness, its essence and all will be cut off. It¡¯ll still be run by money, and by clan favoring. In this nation, there¡¯s a character called ¡®Makishima¡¯ - not for some jp familiarisation, but for what the character represents.Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings.


    In contrast, Asina leads an almost idealized existence, with its people receiving their basic needs, like food, clothing, shelter, travel, water, adequate technological tools (for one is often nothing or under-performing without one¡¯s tools) and such through a simple accumulation of points which is lowkey monetary means, except that it¡¯s individualized, and rewards for further stuffs are put forth through optional competitions and courses. Asina is a time-based economy, by which its citizens will have as much food, and as much clothing they want, with traveling privileges coming per age milestone, and cumulative if not spent, with scholarships for visa arrangements and subsequent travels, much like internships, being feasible. Merit comes in the form of rewards, like food or certain kinds of offices to be held, and accessible to all. Even an idle person, if of a mind to put himself to work, will have several doors open to him irrespective of his habits, save for perhaps criminal charges, which is minimal, since money not being involved includes no thieving, or drug dealings. The transparency is most clear here, since at a certain age, a person will have roughly the same benefits as any other person of his age. Being forever punctual to his work, much like in the army, without regard for reasons, is much like being in an army, and even a cause for showing how similar it is to schools. Adults as kids - such a thing is for the Sina nation, and punctuality is more of a manner of cordiality than a rule to cut ¡®points¡¯, since merit and usefulness are not determined by such ambiguous and non-indicative bases - at best, it shows that the candidate has fulfilled the amount of time required, but not his level of expertise or attention he or she has or gave to his work.