CHAPTER 11: THE LABYRINTH

Norrin bolted as fast as his legs would carry him and prepared to make the jump. When his foot felt the edge of the pedestal Norrin pushed forward with his leap, straining every muscle to jump as far as he can. In that instant his body began to tingle. He felt a small spark of static flow through his muscles, as small bolts of lightning shot out from his skin. His vision tunneled as the light in the room sped forward. The air cracked around him and his ears popped. In one instantaneous moment, Norrin crossed the void and landed with a small stumble from his momentum carrying him forward. He found himself on the other platform staring at the open doorway. He realized he had cleared at least fifty meters in less than a second. His heart was beating fast and his breath was heavy, but he could not tell if it was from the physical exertion of the dash, or the excitement of this new ability.

“You made it!” Nassima exclaimed as she materialized by his side.

Norrin caught his breath. He was surprised he made it, but he kept that thought to himself to project an air of confidence.

“Yeah, I did! That was incredible! We are free!” He exclaimed as he lifted arms in victory.

“Not quite,” Nassima replied as she turned toward the doorway. Norrin followed her glance, now worried about what lay ahead. Beyond the entry there was a small narrow hall, leading to another opening. He walked through the passage and entered another large room. In this room there was a doorway on each wall to the left and right of him, and one in the front. He searched his bag for another firelight when Nassima interrupted.

“Let your eyes adjust to the darkness, you may have to blink a few times.”

Norrin did as she said, and when he refocused his eyes, the room became illuminated, only the color was off, because he perceived everything with a soft blue hue. The room was still in darkness, but his sight improved to the point where it did not matter.

“I can see in the dark?” he blurted in surprise which made Nassima let out a small chuckle. Norrin’s newfound capabilities were beyond his belief, and he wondered what other abilities he inherited from her.

Norrin scanned each of the doorways one by one. They all had high walls with pathways which either split or turned around corners. He stood puzzled, then again paced each doorway looking for a clue that showed him the right way to go. As he did, he began to lose heart, because he knew what this was. He escaped a prison only to be caught in a labyrinth.

“What kind of prison is this?” he questioned Nassima. He was certain she must have some knowledge of her place of confinement. She warned him of dangers but failed to mention what exactly he was up against.

“Forgive me Norrin, even I did not realize the lengths my enemies have gone to keep me imprisoned. Crossing that void may be one of the easier obstacles you will be facing.”

“What do you mean?”

“I was never to be found,” Nassima replied with a slight sadness in her voice, “The hall we were in is the end point of a labyrinth. We must find the way in, which will also be the way out.”

“Who are these enemies, and why are they so determined to keep you from returning to the world?” Norrin pondered.

“I’m not sure, my memory of the events that led to my capture is hazy,” Nassima replied.

“Well, whoever they are I bet they won’t be too happy with me for helping you escape.”

“That may be true, Norrin; does that worry you?”

“Naw, I am used to having a target on my back. I’m a Chaser and it comes with the territory,” Norrin said with a shrug. “My main concern is getting us out of here. So, which way do you think we should go?”

“We go this way,” Nassima said pointing to the doorway on the left, “there is something we must retrieve first, and I feel it’s nearby.”

“What is it?” Norrin was curious, as he also felt something drawing him towards that direction. He approached the doorway she indicated and felt his skin tingle and the hair on his arms stand on end.

“My Spear. There is no other weapon like it. It’s an extension of all my powers, and now you will be able to wield it.”

Norrin’s interest was piqued. “Well, then let’s get going.”

Following Nassima's lead Norrin passed through the doorway, but even with the superior night vision granted to him, he found the darkness of the labyrinth unnerving. The floor, walls, and ceiling were all cold, smooth and colored in a blackness that seemed to absorb all light. It was so dark, a starless night sky looked like a summer’s day in comparison. It was a darkness that sucks the hope out of one’s soul. The dark color caused all the walls to blend in and obscured the corners. Everything just looked the same. Even the aura of radiance that Nassima’s spirit form emitted struggled to penetrate it. He could not even imagine anyone attempting to navigate this maze without a guiding light such as hers.

“Hey, could you not drift too far ahead? I feel the pull of the spear also, but without your light I will lose my bearings. I didn’t know such darkness existed.”

“Nor did I,” Nassima responded, “I am actually impressed by the color of the walls. It eclipses all other colors of the spectrum.”

“Yeah, and it hides the corners of this maze, so I cannot see when a turn comes up. I have almost smashed my face several times now, but you don’t have that problem,” Norrin added with a nervous laugh.

“Do not worry yourself Norrin, I am unable to traverse too far away from you, even if I wanted to. Unfortunately, when I do drift too far out of your radius, I become static, unable to move at all.”

“That is an interesting bit of information,” Norrin said as he contemplated the implications of this particular detail of their bond. “So, what if I need, ummm, a little privacy?”

“I can give you all the privacy you wish for,” Nassima said as she disappeared from his sight, leaving Norrin alone in the silent darkness.

“Nassima? Nassima! Okay I get your point!”

Norrin heard her laughter echo in the back of his head, before she reappeared sporting a devious grin.

“Very funny, I didn’t think the Azuri goddess of battle would have such a sense of humor,” Norrin said as he walked away.

Nassima’s grin disappeared. “Do not call me that. Such a silly title.”

“You don’t like being called the goddess of b…oh shit!”

Norrin barely registered the click from the panel that depressed under his foot, but it gave him just enough warning for him to jump-dash before the entire floor gave way to a pit of spikes.

“Gods damn it! This maze is also rigged with traps?” he exclaimed.

“It seems we must be more careful than I thought,” Nassima told him, “I will play my role as your guide, but there may be numerous dangers hidden in this labyrinth. Even with my powers you must remain vigilant to survive them all.”

Norrin gave a silent nod as they resumed their trudge through the mysterious labyrinth.