CHAPTER 12: TWENTY QUESTIONS

The darkness of the sprawling labyrinth Norrin was trapped in began to gnaw on his morale like a hungry scavenger on a bone, and it was not long until Nassima’s ominous words about hidden dangers came true.

“Stop here and do not move,” Nassima warned him after rounding a corner. “Do you see what is different about the walls ahead?”

“I can barely see anything at all! It’s ridiculous how dark it is in here!” Norrin exclaimed. He kept his tone light and playful as he tried to play it cool, but he knew Nassima could feel the growing frustration inside of him.

“I think there is a trap ahead, you will have to move fast here.” She explained.

Norrin limbered up by shaking his arms and legs out in preparation, “Okay let’s do it.”

He took a step back and launched himself into a full sprint. As he bounded down the narrow hallway, he heard another slight click and the low mechanical swish of panels sliding open. In an instant a rapid-fire succession of deadly darts came flying out of walls. Norrin’s heart raced as he felt the darts whistle through the air just behind him. He jump-dashed every few steps to avoid the continuous barrage, until he reached safety.

“By the lights, that was close!” He exclaimed. “What in the cold hell is this place? Who could survive such a trap?”

“No mortal could,” Nassima replied.

“No mortal would even attempt to step foot in a place like this.”

“Exactly my point, you should not be here, this is not a place for humans to venture into.”

“Well, good for me that I like going to places where I should not be.” Norrin said while flashing a charming grin. “Now I just have to get out.”

“I promise I will lead the way,” Nassima asserted with sincerity.

Norrin believed her now. He already came to conclusion that escaping the first chamber was an impossible feat without her help, and now it was even more proven how much the bonding benefitted his escape. She had given him incredible powers that preserved his life in this dark labyrinth and was eager to learn how he could use that power to reach their ultimate goal. But he also needed to learn the limits of that power it seemed. Because, after rounding a couple more corners he found himself facing a long stretch of corridor with the floor completely missing. Nassima drifted far to the other side, so Norrin could gauge the distance he had to travel.

“We are close. The spear will be in reach once you cross this chasm. You can do this.” Her words of encouragement soothed Norrin, making the toll the labyrinth and its dangers took a little lighter.

Norrin grimaced as he began his traversal across the pit. He dashed to the furthest possible point his ability permitted, and rebounded from wall to wall, until he reached the other side. On the final jump he landed in a clumsy tumble which left him on his hands and knees on the floor.

“Easy,” he said between heavy breaths. Even though his body ached, he was drenched in sweat and a little dizzy from the jumps. However, he was determined to prove to Nassima he would be able to make it through this ordeal. He fought through his pain and exhaustion and put on a brave face to impress the goddess. Nassima however knew better.

“Your strength is weaning, you should take time to recover,” she said as she moved beside him, concerned for his being.

“Just a few minutes,” Norrin said while he leaned his back against the wall in a squatting position. He remembered that Nassima could sense what he was feeling. With their connection, she knew every emotion and sensation he was experiencing, and she could tell he was distressed. He felt a little foolish for putting on a strong front, but he was grateful that she had patience with him while he regained his stamina. He decided the small break would be a good time to get some questions answered.

“Do all of the Azuri have this dashing ability?” he asked as he began to catch his breath.

“No, not all have this ability,” Nassima answered, “I honed this ability to enhance my fighting skills. Other Azuri focus on the abilities that best suit them.”

“So, you get to choose your powers?”

“Not exactly, our powers are a natural and unique part of us, like a talent; we can then choose to refine said talent. It is like a person who can sing; one may have a naturally beautiful singing voice and can practice and strengthen their voice to try to become one of the best singers in the world. Or they can go on another path of life and be content with using their natural singing talent whenever they feel inclined to do so.”

“You keep saying the Azuri are not gods, but you have these powers. So, if you are not gods, what are you?”

“It is not easy to explain, but we are not much different from you. Our histories are intertwined in a way. In our domain, I am considered part of the newest generation of a lineage that goes far beyond your people’s time.”

“The newest generation? Your legend goes back hundreds of years though. How old are you?”

“Rude,” Nassima replied with a straight face and cut eyes.

“That old?” Norrin joked and secretly prayed he wouldn’t regret his words.

Nassima went along with the joke, and laughed at his wit, which made Norrin breathe a little easier.

“I have been alive for 363 cycles. So that would be approximately 2,904 of your solar years.”

“Whoa. Well, I can confidently say you don’t look a day over 1,000.” Norrin responded with a wink.

Nassima laughed again. “We Azuri age differently too. If I calculate it directly I would be around 22 solar years in human age.”

“Oh, that would make you three solars younger than me then!” Norrin realized.

“Correct, so it’s no wonder you need a break... old man,” Nassima joked back with a wink of her own.

Norrin let out a guffaw. He was surprised by how jovial she was. It was an unexpected pleasure to be able to speak so nonchalantly with someone who is known as a goddess, which brought a more serious question to his mind.

“Why don’t the other Azuri come forward and proclaim they are not gods also? Humans have been worshipping the Azuri and dedicating their entire lives around this worship. Even though the last 'official' record of the Azuri appearing in our world was many generations ago.”

“That is a question I will address upon my return. In the past when the Azuri first came to these lands, we interacted with humans more often, but only to act as guides and help humans advance. We were forbidden to impose our wills upon humanity and certainly did not strive to be idolized and worshipped,” Nassima revealed. “I am disappointed by the events that have occurred in my absence. Whoever imprisoned me set off a chain of events that altered the true purpose of the Azuri. This is not just a violation against me, but a crime against humanity.”

“So, where do you all come from?” Norrin asked.
“The Dawnlands, far and away from this land and sea, I have not seen our domain in
close to 300 cycles, but I hold it close to my heart. For now, I reside with a select few others in Cloudhold, our city and home.”

“Where is this Cloudhold? I have studied almost all the maps of Teoria and have travelled across most of it and never heard of such a place.”

“Cloudhold is nowhere you will be able to reach and can be anywhere.”

“Okay…” Norrin replied to the riddle-like answer to his question. “So, in this Cloudhold, are there other Azuri possessing powers such as yours, who have trained to be warriors?”

“In Cloudhold, everyone is trained in combat. But none possess my powers, because like I explained our powers are unique to each individual.”

“What about in the Dawnlands?”

“The Dawnlands are another level. It is where I was raised, educated and trained under the guidance of very talented and wise masters.”

“So, there are Azuri more powerful than you?”

Nassima paused before answering, “The most powerful warrior isn’t the one that always wins the battle. Power is only part of the equation. Victory and defeat come from willpower and the willingness to push themselves, and their opponent, to the edge. To exhaust the limits of their power and keep fighting.”

“Have you ever been defeated?” Norrin asked, hoping to not offend the deity.

“Every great warrior has been, this is how they have learned to be great.”

“Interesting,” Norrin said as he stretched to his feet. “Thank you for answering my questions. I know it’s not much further to go. I’m ready to continue,” he told Nassima.

He enjoyed their brief conversation and was happy she was willing to accommodate his curiosity. He need not ask any more questions now, even though he had many more.

“Your inquisitiveness is an admirable quality, Norrin Shai. If you have any more questions, do not hesitate to ask,” Nassima stated.

Norrin smiled at the open invitation to pick her brain, but the pull of Nassima’s weapon had grown stronger than before. He was eager to see if he was truly able to wield its might.