There were five now. in just a matter of a few days, Amais had officially been in a party for this whimsical, fantastical adventure he was on and only spoke to one of them, which was Elentera. And Elentera would talk to the other vampire named Scion, who had a strange vibe to him anyway. Then the two wolves stayed close to each other. he knew Zerera's name but not the other girl's; she hadn't bothered to share so their party at the moment was quite boring.
He looked around; this part of the maze was smooth, no puddles marring the ground. the walls and floor were even and everything was great overall.
Elentera noticed Amais's happy mood. "So is it gone?"
"Yuh-huh," he said happily. "He was following us for a couple of hours but then all of a sudden turned his head and started walking in the opposite direction for some reason."
"I see, well, that's interesting," She was happy for him, especially since it seemed like he was going through something right now and it was blissful for a moment until the sea above rumbled.
"Naphy uf es deryr ayl," the northern girl whispered.
Amais looked up at the sea as something moved above, slithering like a snake. it was as magical as it was colossal. Its mouth widened, its fangs shined, but not towards them; it was facing straight ahead at something else in the sea and it darted away, leaving all of them in awe. Before they could even think about what had just happened, a second passed and an indescribable current slammed past, holding the snake by its neck. It was water incarnate, a creature made of deadly current like a living whirlpool, as it started to force the snake inside its current-like skin. The currents worked like shredders, as the serpent sunk in and all that came out was blood that filled the sea above.
Amais looked down. He would just ignore it in this moment, at least. Why worry about such things as this when he could just relax knowing that it was up there and not down here? And luckily, Amais had been right; the entity didn't even acknowledge them, moving on its merry way to Amais's relief as he closed his eyes and sighed.
"Amais, get out of your head," Elentera snapped, dragging the boy. The rest were already running.
"W-What?" he piped, running alongside her as he turned his head to see what was behind him. There was nothing there at first glance except water dripping from the walls and puddles on the ground. So what were they running from? But he shuddered; the maze hadn't looked like that a few moments ago.
This place is worse than the tree. The sounds of feet against the rock and the puddles splashing in each step became deafening as it moved, the wall clustered with eyes as dark ooze made the floor came alive and so did the walls as they all came together now, leaving cracks in the wall. It came towards them gasping and wailing with a voice much like his own and Amais felt lightheaded by the noise, wondering what the others heard; they didn't seem affected by it but he was.
The giant clump of darkness dragged its limbs one by one as they formed slowly. It picked up more of itself as they walked along. The maze looked similar once more as the creature, fully formed, now chased after them.
It mimicked a bone snapping, which made Amais shudder as he gasped desperately, making him panic inwardly even as he ran. He clutched his hands tightly, gritting his teeth; his chest tightened. As it continued to wail in agony, just like his head was in this moment. He wanted it to stop; he couldn't take the noise. It was driving him mad.
He wanted to turn his head.
He wanted to give up.
But he ran.
Until finally it stopped as Amais heaved and dropped to the floor in a cold sweat, even if he shouldn't be. Everyone else was out of breath and just looked at him, but he didn't want them too he stepped going further ahead and entered an octagonal plaza. There were eight different passageways they could go through now. He didn't care about just going.
There were steps rising to whatever lay in the middle of the plaza. he counted four sets of stairs, each having six steps, until the final platform, which had three. everything was made of a black obsidian-like material. just what was this place for? he didn't know until he stepped to the middle, where he found a statue of a knight.
It looks similar to him, doesn't it
A statue of honour.
A statue of duty.
A statue to valour.
That's what he'd imagine anyway. as he gazed at it and stepped closer, he fell against the floor looking at it and the ocean above. He's been paranoid lately and he knew why but he didn't know how to fix it, if that even made sense. He looked up at the statue.
The armour was intricately detailed, holding engravings on the chest plate and back. It was how he'd imagine a holy knight to look like from some fantasy novel. It was the practical definition of one anyway. The helmet had two wings and the statue's gaze was up high to the sea above; its sword was proudly pointing up at the sky; the tip was right to the water as if he was holding the whole sea itself. Compared to all else down here, this place had been pristine and clean. It was beautiful and breathtaking. As he looked at the memorial before looking at a pedestal that held engravings of a language he did not know.
He was in awe for that moment and stood back up. it was strangely beautiful in a place like this. As someone walked next to him, it wasn't who he thought it was. It was the male vampire Scion who was glaring at him for a reason he did not know.
Did I offend him
But soon after, another joined, a girl. It was the northerner who looked at the statue curiously; her gaze then turned to the engravings, which she would read in the language he did not know.
Myakr ehyl fu rakur warvyr veyr
Myakr ehyl fu bernum warvyr ehyl
Myakr ehyl fu narum warvyr veyr
Ranan mari
Sef fu nit valkyr eet kloryr yuyir ef
Rakur fu cer hu nit ire zyros nire
Nara cer voro
Nara veyr aero
Veyr eet onam nara
Kura nyl Ranan
Zyrem rhy myakr
Amais looked at her as she spoke and had no idea what she meant, but he remembered the name Ranan. The girl's gaze turned to him, seeing he was looking at her. He simply raised his hand in a friendly manner.
"Hi."
She turned her gaze, ignoring him, and he stood there awkwardly and wished he wasn't there at that moment as the vampire spoke something and the girl turned to glare at him. The tension was electric between the two as Amais just stood there awkwardly, hoping a fight didn't ensue but having no idea of how to deescalate what was currently unfolding.
They were about to throw hands or really clash sword and dagger, but Amais went between the two, which, in hindsight, wasn't a good idea, as the metal came into contact with his skin and bent. It turned out to be a great idea. Amais's fortitude truly was amazing as the two just stared in horror. It didn't pale even a fraction in comparison to Amais's own shock in this moment.
He looked at each of them, and they backed off as he simply stood there; it felt even more awkward. I should've just let them fight.
Zerera soon joined them and looked at Scion and the girl going to her. The two were close, though they seemed to bicker and argue a lot, with each ending with the boy looking scared and the girl mad.
He felt someone nudge him and looked, seeing Elentera's smirk. "Hey, how'd you make out?" Elentera asked curiously.
He laughed awkwardly. "Oh great, you know, I stopped a fight and ended up denting both their weapons in the process."
She just looked at him and sighed before smiling. "You're unbelievable, you know. Anyways, what's this? she asked curiously."
"A statue or memorial of Ranan a great knight," he said honestly
She stepped closer to the statue, admiring it before turning her head to the engraving. "Oh, it seems so too. Sounds like some king or hero here. It's written in the language of the gods," she murmured honestly
He looked at her. "Language of the gods?"
"Yeah, it's what I and the wolves can speak, though that vamp there can't," she teased lightly as he nodded understandingly as he looked around.
"You alright, Amais?"
He looked at her and stretched casually. "Oh, uhm, that whole thing with me before, I was just surprised, that's all," he said casually.
She looked at him and chuckled. "Did I mention I hate liars too?"
He looked at her and then at himself, unsure of how to say it and before he could, Scion started to speak to Elentera. She gave him a guilty look but flashed a reassuring smile before focusing on the vampire as Amais just stood there looking at the statue.
The Abysswalker and the Gravewalker.
I wonder if I'll end up like him.