The weather today seemed nice, and the people, especially, are extra nice. I wave back, and they smile. I've met several of my friends out in the street today, and of course, I've lent an extra hand to their tasks.
They could've accomplished it themselves, of course, but it's nice to help.
A missing purse here, a missing kitten here, advice for an old man there, and the most interesting of all, teaching a nice elderly lady to break the sound barrier.
Nothing much.
The air was stale for a second, causing me to pause. It was wrong, very wrong.
My intuition said so, but nothing seemed out of the ordinary. No enemies, no one with hostile intent, no one was casting dangerous spells, and no signs of anything strange other than the momentary stale air.
A buzz caught my ear. No, it's a hum rather. A persistent hum of something strange, something electric? It was strange indeed. I've never heard such strange reverberation before, but I could tell it was something electric.
The scent came back, that stale air. The space around me shifted and twisted, as if I drank the strongest poison or the most potent alcoholic beverage. I never felt dizzy, but the space around me was dizzying.
Then poof. I've lost consciousness for a moment, then I woke up.
In a place so foreign, so yellow, so monotonous.
There it was again, that soft electrical buzzing.
I looked up, and there was the source of the hum and light, rectangular in shape, embedded in the ceiling. The color it emanated was of the bright yellow variety; it looked comfortable, and it would've certainly been if it weren't for these long, repeating corridors.
I stayed calm. I am the sword saint after all. The Reinhard van Astrea. An above-average hero, since there were a lot more people who were more heroic than I was. The Dragon Sword Reid was still sheathed, hanging on my waist. My clothing wasn't damaged; it was spotless.
However, my Divine Protections were acting strangely, as if the connection to Od Laguna was there but faint. I tried to calm my divine protections, but it felt like they were leaving or were being erased.
Then the connection stabilized, but it was weak, very weak. It was there, but it felt like I couldn't wish for some protection any time soon. No matter, Od Laguna was there, and that's what matters the most.
Time to scout ahead and look for any signs of trouble or exit. *Wham!*
Time stilled, at least for me. I've dashed forward with amazing speed, scanning and registering the topography of this place. It seemed endless...
Wow...
It really never ends. However, there was furniture scattered about: a chair with a strange design, a shovel, a shirt, tissues, and a sign with a language that I couldn't read.
There were no signs of life. I couldn't even hear a faint breathing or a faint voice. It was just the humming of the electric light device above me and my own anxiety.
*Wham!* I was back at my original location. It's better not to leave here since rescue might arrive, but I have an inkling of an idea that it may not arrive or, at the very least, may not arrive soon.
It's better to cover more ground; perhaps the exit was close?
I sprinted again, mindful of my speed this time; the corridors are long, and I would prefer not to bump into someone as soon as I turn, which would be very rude.
Also, they'd die from the impact.
Also, I'd rather not hit a wall as soon as I turn.
I don't tire easily, nor do I slight my mental fortitude that easily, but these walls and never-ending hums were tiring, really tiring. However, it's not a strain that I couldn't handle.
...
...
...
My Divine Protection of Drafts, which allows me to know where the exit is, isn't functioning well. I'd get a hint, a mark, or a sense that an exit is near, but it would vanish. As if whatever's keeping me here is either taunting me or preventing the exit from manifesting.
However, it can't keep doing this forever. It felt like I was getting close, even if only a centimeter close. I was still getting close.
...
...
...
It's been hours, specifically four hours. I've run and opened every door, but it would lead to another long corridor. The doors would also lead to a set of corridor mazes full of doors, filled with their own corridor maze.
Having had enough of the running, I made holes in several walls. No dice, it would lead to another corridor. Then, I started to feel the walls, looking for a thicker wall. Then repeatedly delivered blow after blow, making an even bigger hole.
No dice, it would still lead to another corridor. I just made a shortcut instead.
I started thinking vertically. If there's no exit horizontally, then vertically there has to be one. I kicked the ceiling above me, causing it to collapse. The lights flickered before returning to their dull functions.
No dice, it led to another set of corridors. I tried digging down, but there's still no exit. It was an eternity of yellow corridors.
Never-ending corridors.
I've slapped myself, thinking that a sword saint should never lose his composure this easily.
Felt was probably looking for me now, and so are her friends. I don't want to inconvenience them because of my errant mistake. I should look for a way out, now more than ever. My most humble patron, Od Laguna, was still present, albeit faint.
I needed guidance, I needed a solution. I closed my eyes, asking for help. Anything to help me leave this cursed place, an eternity of disgusting yellow.
[ Divine Protection of Proper Directions. ] = You will always know the right way to go.
With great haste, I started heading in a different direction. My intuition is telling me that this is the right way. However, I can't help but feel unsure.
Also, I should put in more effort in mapping this place since an average person might not be able to exit from here. If they were to come here.
Oh? The exit's this way? This is confusing, lots of twists and turns.
No, I am heading in the wrong direction. It's a left, not a right.
It must be this door. Wait, no.
Another long corridor... Whatever, so long as this is the right way.
...
...
...
No, it's not this door, and it's not this door, and it's not that hallway either. Am I lost? This place must be an authority or the place of a witch.
I can't afford to remain inept here. The worst-case scenario is that it's currently nighttime. That must mean that the table has been set, and dinner is prepared.
I need to go back; it's rude to keep people waiting. I need your help again, my patron. I apologize for being so needy. I will make amends soon.
The moment I felt defeated, I felt the sudden strengthening of my connection with Od Laguna. It's finally stable.
[ Divine Protection of Tricky Doors.] = You will know if a door leads to nothing.
[ Divine Protection of Hallway Distinction. ] = You will know if a hallway is directionless.
[ Divine Protection of Stress Relief. ] = Your stress will subside over time, significantly faster than usual.
Three protections? Od Laguna, I don't need this much. I only needed assistance.
However, my apologies fell on deaf ears since my patron was quiet, as if it was now resting. I need to make the most of what my patron gave me.