Deeper Into The Labyrinth (Experimental)

      Many stories had been told about a labyrinth found deep beneath the ground, where criminals are taken to receive punishment for their sins. It wasn’t brought up very often, except in children’s storybooks or collections of campfire ghost stories; a dark and dreary underground maze, full of narrow passageways and dead ends. There was no entrance and no exit. Those who find themselves stuck inside are doomed to forever suffer the horrors trapped within its ragged stone walls. Yet despite its presence in fictional works, the place was very much real. Unfortunately for Pidge, he discovered that fact very recently.

      When he had first woken up, Pidge did not immediately recognize the room he was currently laying in. It had taken a few moments to get his bearings and realize that he was being housed inside a dark cave of sorts. The darkness surrounded him, making it hard to see. The only source of light came from these small torch-like candles that barely gave off a small glow that only illuminated tiny portions of the wall. Even with limited vision, he was able to see the outlines of his surroundings. From what he could tell, he was all alone. Not a soul, other than his own, could be found anywhere. The floor was bare and the air felt cold. Yet despite the room’s spacious design, Pidge felt as if he were suffocating, the walls appearing to close in on him with every second that passed. Why was he here? What he did he do to anger the Holy Ones?

      His breathing was starting to become frantic and his eyes darted across the room, hoping to spot some sort of exit. A cold chill ran down his spine when he found none. He really was stuck here. Pidge closed his eyes as he tried to calm himself, focusing on slowing down his breathing. Perhaps, this was all a dream? Maybe he was not really here. He was probably at home, safe and sound, experiencing one of those vivid nightmares he had once heard his cousin talking about. Yes, that has to be it. He opened his eyes and was disappointed to find that he was still there in that dark, lonely room.

      Pidge anguished over his current situation and sank to the floor in a depressed heap. This was the end of the line for him. He would never get to see his family ever again or feel the warmth of the sun wash over his skin. His final image would be that of a cold, nearly pitch- black cave, devoid of warmth and happiness. What a tragic end for a young soul like him.

      As he wallowed in self-pity, Pidge’s ears began to pick up an unusual sound. He could’ve sworn that he was hearing someone hum, but that couldn’t be possible. He was alone in this room the last time he checked. Allowing his curiosity to take over, he picked himself up and turned to the source of the noise, his startled eyes landing on a peculiar beast. The creature in question looked to be a furry, old wolf. It was large in stature and sharp fangs could be seen, poking out from its upper lip. This image may not be strange, but what made the creature so peculiar was the additional eyeball resting on its forehead.

      “It’s rude to stare, you know.” The wolf spoke in a deep and gruff voice. The sound of it startled Pidge out of his reverie.

      “I- I’m sorry...” Pidge stuttered awkwardly, still reeling from its sudden appearance, “Who are you and h-how did yo-“

      “My name is Horus, one of the many residents of The Labyrinth.” The wolf gave Pidge a friendly smile, “You shouldn’t be so surprised I’m here now when I wasn’t before. You and I both know of the mysterious forces that occupy this realm. Magic is not a foreign concept now, or is it?”

      “N-no, I suppose not.” Though not everyone had the power to wield it, magic did exist and was used regularly by the Holy Ones. They were the guardians of the world and made sure to maintain peace throughout the realm. Not many dared go against their word and the few that did were sent here. What Pidge couldn’t remember, however, was what he did to disobey them.

      “Are you a prisoner?” He asked Horus, who had now turned his attention to a bowl full of herbs. Pidge hadn’t noticed the objects before.

      “No. No, I am residing here voluntarily,” the wolf stated, crushing the leaves between his paws, “It may seem rather strange that an old creature, like myself, would want to stay in a place as horrid as this, but I have my reasons. Though I am all for peace and tranquility, I do not quite agree with our deity’s methods. Leaving us under the rule of the three brothers was a mistake. Asmit is too cruel to the prisoners here.”

      Pidge knew of the three brothers. They were the first living beings to be created by Firdaus, the great creator. They made the brothers immortal and gave them power over the world. The two eldest were Timaios and Asmit, while the youngest was Nemesio. Timaios watched over the living and Asmit guarded the deceased. Nemesio was put in charge of the Labyrinth, but there were rumors that he gave that power to Asmit. The Labyrinth used to be much more peaceful until Asmit took over. He was very cruel with his punishments and seemed to enjoy inflicting the worst kinds of torture on his victims; many of whom were guilty of nothing more than holding different beliefs.

      “I know what you mean...I’ve heard the stories.” Pidge looked down as he pawed at the ground with his foot. He was surprised that nothing had happened to him yet, but he was sure his punishment would come soon enough. “I suppose you are here to inflict my punishment in his stead? At least I know you will make it more bearable. I do not know what I have done, though it seems that I have no choice but accept my fate.”

      “Heh, you’ve got it all wrong, boy-”

      “My name is Pidge.”

      “Oh, pardon....Pidge. I am not here to cause you harm. I am here to help you.”

      Pidge looked up in surprise. He had not expected the wolf to give him such an answer.  Helping a prisoner was a great risk and any who dared try such a thing would be subject to Asmit’s anger. It would be a death sentence for sure. “H-help me?! But why?!”

      “I’ve already told you why. I do not agree with Asmit’s ways and I want to help you escape.” Horus stopped what he was doing and turned to Pidge, spotting his incredulous look, “I know the reason you are here and I do not believe you deserve to be imprisoned.”

      “You do? Can you tell m-”

      “SSHH!” Horus suddenly stiffened, his back straight and his ears were perked, swiveling towards an unheard sound, “I am afraid we can not speak any longer.”

      “Why not?” Pidge did not want to stop this conversation. He still had many questions and Horus seemed to have all the answers. He needed to know more, but based on Horus’s fearful tone, staying to chat was not an option. He had no idea what he heard, but the mystery of it all was building a sense of dread within him.

      “They are coming.” Horus simply stated, quickly gathering his supplies, “Listen. You have to head deeper into the Labyrinth and find the center. Once there, I shall meet you again and lead you out. Along your journey, I’ll be sure to send a few of my friends your way, so that they may guide you. If you come across Asmit, run and do not let his underlings capture you. You will no longer have a chance at escape if you do.”

      “B-but-”

      “Quickly, go! And before you leave...” Horus then raised his paw and suddenly blew a strange powder at Pidge’s face and said before disappearing, “For good luck.”

      Not long after he left, Pidge heard a low growl coming from the shadows. Fear spread throughout his body, nearly paralyzing him as he slowly turned to the source of the sound. His eyes widened at finding a small pack of monsters stalking toward him. They were black in color, with green markings that glowed in the dimly-lit room. Their mouths seemed to secrete a strange liquid that did not look anything like regular saliva. His best guess that it was probably poison, since it did not burn the ground as it landed on the dirt. Their growls grew louder as they approached him and before one of them could pounce, Pidge bolted out of the area, running towards an opening that he swore wasn’t there before. As he ran, he could hear the patter of paws and the snapping of teeth behind him. He did not dare to look back, fearing that doing so would slow him down.

      Running as fast as his feet could carry him, Pidge could feel his lungs beginning to burn as he gasped for air. He was beginning to lose speed and his legs were starting to ache. At this rate, he was going to get killed for sure. Death by poisonous beasts did not appeal to Pidge, so he had to think of something fast. Surprisingly, despite being stuck in a maze-like prison, he had yet to come across any corridors. Searching the walls as he sped through the hallway, he spotted what looked like a door a few yards up ahead. Sparing a glance behind him, he saw that he had somehow managed to create a bit more space between the pack and himself. Using the last of his rapidly depleting strength, Pidge sprinted towards the door and barged into the new room, closing it behind him. Not long after, a loud BANG could be heard as the creatures collided with the wooden barrier, giving it a few hard hits before falling silent. The growling had stopped and Pidge could only assume they had left.

      Taking a moment to breathe, Pidge collapsed on the ground, his heart was pounding and his breathing was labored. He had managed to escape this obstacle of the maze, but he knew that there was more to come. Though the immediate danger had passed, he could not stay here. No place in the Labyrinth was safe and if he wanted to leave, he would have to keep moving. Horus had told him to meet him at the center and that was exactly where Pidge would go. He did not want to stay in this hellhole any longer than he had to and hopefully Horus was not playing any tricks on him. He had to get out, but in order to do that, he would have to go deeper into the Labyrinth. Pidge did not know what was in store, but he would be ready. He would do anything to return home and nothing would stop him.