The Seventh Floor
Kael and Mara stood in the Guildhall, their hands resting on the wooden table as the Guild representative finished outlining the details of the job. The faint echo of voices from nearby adventurers filled the room, but the pair's attention was entirely focused on the task ahead.
"The item we need you to retrieve is located on the seventh floor of the labyrinth," the Guild representative explained, her voice steady. "It's believed to hold critical information, one that could change the way we understand the deeper floors."
Kael exchanged a glance with Mara. There was something about this job that felt different. They had taken plenty of requests before, but this one felt heavier—more significant.
"Why is this item so important?" Mara asked, her tone calm, but a spark of curiosity in her eyes.
"It's not just an artifact," the Guild representative replied. "It's believed to contain information about the labyrinth's origins. If you succeed, you'll have access to floors deeper than ever before, potentially uncovering answers to questions that have been haunting this city for generations."
Kael's mind immediately went to the mysteries surrounding the Ashten, the Echo Born, and the Daughter of the Forgotten Blood. The seventh floor seemed like an important step towards answers that eluded him. If they could get in and retrieve the item, it might be their best chance at learning more about these ancient mysteries.
"You understand the risks?" the Guild representative added, her gaze shifting between Kael, Mara, and the rest of their party.
"We do," Kael answered, nodding. "We'll accept the job."
The representative seemed satisfied with their resolve, but her expression held a flicker of caution. "You'll need to go immediately. The floor is tightly secured, so you may face some resistance on the way."
---
Kael, Mara, Arden, and Zerai moved through the bustling streets of Velmora, their destination the labyrinth's entrance just outside the city gates. The city was alive with the usual mix of adventurers, merchants, and citizens, all navigating the maze of cobblestone streets. As they passed a narrow alley, they nearly bumped into Eryndor and Liora, who had been walking in the opposite direction. For a moment, there was a brief pause in the flow of people around them, as the two groups recognized each other. Kael gave a nod of acknowledgment, and Eryndor, who had been speaking to Liora in low tones, raised an eyebrow but returned the gesture with a respectful incline of his head. "It seems we're headed to the same place," Eryndor remarked, glancing at the familiar path leading toward the labyrinth. "Shall we go together?" Liora's eyes flicked to Mara and Zerai, her gaze neutral, before she gave a subtle nod of agreement. Without a word of protest, the two groups adjusted their pace to walk side by side, the hum of the city swirling around them as they made their way toward the entrance, a shared destination pulling them forward.
As Kael, Mara, Arden, Zerai, Eryndor, and Liora made their way towards the labyrinth entrance, the air seemed to grow heavier. The stone walls of the tunnel loomed like silent witnesses, and the deeper they went, the more the memories of their previous encounters lingered at the edges of their thoughts.
Kael couldn't help but think back to the third floor, the first time they had ventured through the labyrinth's main entrance. The echoes of the battles they fought there still haunted him, though they didn't let those memories overtake their focus.
Zerai walked a little ahead of the group, his steps light and purposeful. His mind was elsewhere, though—secretly calculating how this job could be a distraction. A distraction from the consequences of their recent encounter at the bandit camp. He didn't voice it, but the uneasy feeling in his gut told him that Kael and the others were still unaware of just how much they were being pulled into the labyrinth's hidden webs.
Mara, noticing the tension in Zerai's stride, shot him a sidelong glance. "You alright?" she asked.
Zerai gave a small nod, a faint smile playing at the corners of his lips. "Always." But the flicker in his eyes said more than words could.
Their journey to the seventh floor was quiet, with the sounds of their footsteps against the stone filling the silence. The deeper they descended, the more Kael could feel the labyrinth's weight pressing down on him. Every step brought them closer to the answers they sought—and to the dangers they hadn't yet fully understood.
As they neared the seventh floor entrance, the first sign of resistance appeared.
A group of mercenaries stood at the foot of the entrance, their armor gleaming under the dim light. The sigil of House Kaelthorn was emblazoned across their chestplates, an unmistakable mark of authority. They stood, arms crossed, blocking the path.
One of the guards stepped forward, his eyes narrowing as he scanned the group. "This floor is now under the control of House Kaelthorn. You're not allowed to enter."
Mara exchanged a glance with Kael, then with Zerai. This wasn't what they had expected. The labyrinth had always been a place of neutrality, not something claimed by any one house.
Liora, who had been walking silently at the back, stepped forward. She studied the guards, her sharp eyes narrowing with suspicion. "They're not soldiers of Kaelthorn," she muttered under her breath. "Mercenaries hired to keep the floor secured, probably to do the dirty work."
Kael turned to Zerai, whose mind had already started working. Zerai stepped forward, a wry grin curling on his lips.
"Perhaps there's something we can do to change your minds," Zerai said, his tone casual as he reached into his pouch and pulled out a small pouch of coins.
The mercenaries only chuckled, their leader shaking his head. "Not interested in your bribe," he said coldly. "Either you finish your business on the lower floors or go higher if you've been permitted. Otherwise, leave."
The group stood still for a moment, the realization settling in. There were too many of them—twenty-plus guards stationed at the entrance, and they were outnumbered six to twenty. There was no way to fight their way through without consequences.
Zerai's smirk faded, and he stepped back into the group, his eyes scanning the surroundings. "Looks like this door's closed to us for now."
Before anyone could offer a response, a voice called out from behind them.
"Wait, a Dreawyn?"
The group turned to see a noble from House Kaelthorn emerging from the camp of mercenaries. He seemed surprised, almost pleased to see Eryndor standing among them.
Eryndor nodded politely, recognizing the noble immediately. "It's been a while," he said with a respectful bow.
The noble motioned for Eryndor and Liora to follow him, and the mercenaries stepped aside. The noble spoke in a low voice, "Come, we'll discuss matters inside."
---
Inside a nearby camp, the noble wasted no time in addressing the situation. "You are aware, I'm sure, that House Kaelthorn has legal rights to the seventh floor now?" he asked Eryndor, his tone firm but not unfriendly. "You can't just waltz in here like it's still neutral ground."
Eryndor nodded, his expression neutral. "I understand. It's just that our mission—"
"Is not your concern," the noble interrupted smoothly, his gaze shifting towards Kael's party. "Kaelthorn's legal claim to this floor is legitimate, according to the documentation. And if you want to enter, you'll need to seek permission from us."
The words were simple, but their weight hung heavy in the air. It was clear that the noble was exercising his rights, and Eryndor had little room to argue.
"We will return to the surface," Eryndor said after a pause, his voice calm. "It seems we have more work to do."
---
The group made their way back to the surface, their thoughts swirling with new information. Kael's party, now more uncertain than ever, headed back to the Guildhall. Their minds raced with questions, but there was nothing they could do for now.
Eryndor, when he arrived back at House Draewyn, relayed everything to his mother, Lady Thalira. The words hung heavy between them as Eryndor spoke of House Kaelthorn's claim over the seventh floor and the implications for both House Draewyn and the Guild. His mother listened in silence, weighing each word carefully.
---
Back at the Guild, Kael and his party reported to their employer. They explained that they had been blocked from entering the seventh floor by the mercenaries, who were working on behalf of House Kaelthorn. The Guild representative nodded thoughtfully, acknowledging the new development.
"We'll find another way," the representative said, her voice steady. "This mission isn't over. But we'll need to adjust our approach. For now, you'll focus on other tasks—until we figure out how to proceed."
Kael nodded. There was no choice but to move forward, even if the path was uncertain. The labyrinth had become more dangerous than they had expected, and the answers they sought remained just out of reach.
The mission was far from over.
To be continued...