Denizens of the Labyrinth

They left literally in the morning. As soon as dawn broke through the skies, they were ready to go and the inn keeper saw them off, giving Baek a flask of tea and packages of food for the others. They thanked him profusely and left.

The canyon, where the gate was erected. was the biggest gate that Jazmel had seen since he had entered the labyrinth. It was one large strip of light. It was like a prism; the gate was fashioned like a doorway, but it stretched all the way to sky. But then the true beauty occurred, lines of myriad of colours, that split off and headed off into thousands of different directions.

“This is one of the prettiest gates I have ever seen.” Katie said and everyone looked at her.

“What, yes so what. I am just a girl too.” She said and turning her head, she walked faster than the others.

Sadé hid a smile, a little chuckle and then hurried after her.

They entered the gate together and for the first time there was no lag between floors. They stepped through a desert and immediately stepped onto plains. Large plains which went on for miles and miles and miles. Jazmel could not see the end of the land around him, even the others; whose eyes were not as keen as his own. They were all looking around in amazement at the expanse of the land.

SYSTEM QUEST!

…

SEEK OUT THE RED BISON TRIBE!

…

TO MOVE ON, YOU MUST COMPLETE THE TASK SET BY THE TRIBE.

That was the first time Jazmel had seen something like this, but he soon realised he was not the only one.

“A system quest is usually quite difficult.” Baek surmised, but the others were still looking around to see if they could see anybody else.

“Bannerman, do you see anything?” as the only active one who lived in the forest, Bannerman tended to be the main scout when they were in the wilds.

“I will be able to orientate myself better when we descend into the plains. Let us go.” He said, making his own way down.

They entered the expanse and with Bannerman leading them it was not long before they entered the valley and the mountains rose up around them, changing the scenery but adding to the beauty of the setting. Jazmel was in awe, and he could not conceal it. It was beautiful and there was so many things to enjoy around him.

“Wait.” Bannerman said and with a raised hand the mood changed, everyone grew tense.

A head popped out of the undergrowth and then others too. They were wolves, bigger than any Jazmel or Sadé had seen before. Taller than even Bannerman, but the mood was tense all the same. The wolves sniffed at Bannerman, and he let them before he stood in defiance of the others and the wolves whined a little, but he huffed at them, and they moaned before bumping his head and body with their snouts before moving off to let him lead their party through.

“Cousins?” Katie asked and Patton laughed a little, which made them all smile. “Wolves are territorial. I just had to let them know we were kin.” He said, ignoring the jab from Katie. “Well next time we are meeting your family, I will bring some snacks for them.” she quipped, and Bannerman huffed at her.

They pushed through and for almost an hour they continued alone and without any other creatures disturbing them. the scenery barely changed, and it was not until they had been in this new gate for almost half a day when they came across the camp of the tribe.

Hooting and hollering happened quickly, an alarm sound that the tribe used to rouse everyone. Soon they were running at the party with primitive weapons; axes and spears. But the group did not raise their own, they expected this and Baek simply stood ahead, with his hands clasped behind his back as usual.

“We come in peace tribesmen.” He spoke normally, but his voice carried across the valley and the tribespeople stopped their rushing, shaken by his power.

A group peeled off from the larger amount and an older man, wearing a headrest of feathers and flowers stepped forward. His face aged from time in the sun and tattooed with designs that carried a hint of Mana, Jazmel’s eyes noticed it all.

“What brings you before the red bison tribe traveller.” The old man asked, and Jazmel realised he must be the chief.

“We come seeking a quest, we want to pass through these lands and the only way to do so. Is through a quest from yourselves.” Baek said, implying what the system had told them already.

“The all father speaks to you too?” the old chief said.

“Come.” He beckoned towards the tepees that the tribe lived in.