In which it is dark

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At least I won't have to see Luria's terrified face when we die.

I tried looking to the positive side, but there really wasn't one. I was terrified. Luria was terrified. That... thing just put out our fire, and now we had no way of defending ourselves.

The blind creature could never see us. It could only smell us, and by now, my body was coated in sweat and grime, the creature could probably smell me from a kingdom away.

All I could think of was Naji. He was always there, despite the many times he held me above a cliff, threatening to throw me off.

But other than that, Naji was my best friend. I didn't want to leave him.

The creature didn't strike. It didn't move. I still felt Luria on me, and I still heard her heavy, terrified breathing, but I couldn't see her. I couldn't even see my hand in front of my face. The beast roared at us, and Luria screamed. Slimy saliva flew all over us, some of it getting on my face.

Soon, Luria's screams turned into crying, and I realized the creature wasn't even moving anymore. The only sound I heard was Luria's tears, and they were beginning to grow a bit annoying.

Could the creature have left? It was a risky move, but I wasn't going to die holding a child cradled up against the wall in fear.

I reached out my hand, praying to the Gods that I didn't get my hand bitten off.

Fortunately, the only thing I felt was the air. The creature had left. It had spared us.

"It's gone." I said quietly to Luria.

"a-a-are yo-you s-sure?" She stuttered, her voice scared and shaky.

"Yeah." I said, hoping the creature really was gone.

Slowly and carefully, I pried Luria off of me, then stood up.

"Let's go find another torch." I said, beginning to question the creatures completely.

They didn't kill us, and they obviously had the chance. Could this have been by Calysta, or was there a chance that the creatures weren't as dangerous as they seemed?

A smile tugged at my lips as a bit of hope filled my heart.

I felt a small hand grasp onto mine, and I knew it was Luria's. I put my hand on the wall and began to walk, hoping to find light.

In all this darkness finding a single torch would be great. I never liked the dark.

The only sound that kept me from a deafening silence was Luria's shaking breathing. Sometimes when I was in the forest, things would get so quiet. I hated it. It nothing short of awful.

And then finally, I could see. I saw light in the distance. There was light... Actual light!! I ran to it, Luria not far behind me, then dropped to me knees, joy overwhelming me. I took a minute to just stare at my surroundings. Take in everything, then I grabbed the torch. There was more light, and I would find it. I would get out of this wretched maze, and I would have a long talk with my sister.

"Ayla..." Luria said, "Why didn't it kill us?"

The creature. It had spared the both of us. I don't know why, but it did, and now we were saved. But only for the moment.

"I don't know." I told her. "I don't know."

After that, we didn't bump into any more of the beasts. It was quiet. Quiet and dull, but I liked it like that. It was safe, at least. But I was hungry, and I was thirsty. Luria surely was too, and so is everyone else. Everyone else who is still alive, that is.

"No." I whispered to myself. I can't think like that. I'm sure everyone's fine... well, besides the deathening need for food and rest.

For a bit longer, we walked, hunger and thirst eating away at the both of us.

And then I heard it. The slight sound of cheering. Luria snapped her head up at me, a smile forming on her lips.

We were thinking the exact same thing. People.

Quickly, we ran to where the sound where the cheering was coming from. I sighed in relief when I saw natural light from the real world.

I blinked a few times, the light blinding. I smiled, then laughed, despite the fact that I could barely keep my eyes open.

Two young girls put a flowered necklace over my head. I looked at Luria, who also wore the same wreath of delicate white flowers. A sign of victory.

I glanced forward, then smiled when I saw a familair face.

I ran to Ingram and couldn't help wrapping my arms around him in a hug. I thought he had died.

"I'm happy you're alive!" I bubbled to him. I looked back at Luria, who was also in the hug, crying tears of joy and relief. But I couldn't blame her. Ingram was the only father figure she really had...

"I'm glad you two are alive, too." Ingram said, his voice a bit raspy and dry.

I broke off from the hug, then looked around. I didn't see Calysta anywhere...

It looked like Ingram, Luria, and I were the only ones out. My heart skipped a beat in fear. What if they didn't make it out? I thought about Caasi. How would she feel if Daniel died? I shook off the thought. They were probably fine. Eri and Daniel are strong. There's no way they'd die.

And Anselm. I didn't know him very well, but he seemed nice. And during the first trial, he had proven himself to be a skilled warrior.

"Tell me," A voice said, "Was it skill, or luck?"

I turned to where I heard the voice, then noticed a boy in a suit of armor walking towards us. He wasn't wearing a helmet, so I could clearly see his face. Now, I took time to closely examine his face. His dark eyes were sharp and hard. He had tan skin and dark brown hair. If I remembered correctly, this was Calden, the Captain of the Gaurd. He was fairly young, but his father was ill, so Calden had to fill the role.

"Skill." Ingram said, taking a defensive step in front of Luria and I.

Calden eyed Luria, who was trying her best to make an intimidating face, but in all reality, she just looked like an innocent cat. I knew exactly what he was thinking when he looked at Luria. I felt a burst of run through me. Luck didn't help her survive. Skill did. EVen though Luria was young, she could put up quite the fight. I could barely image the warrior she'd become one day.

If she lives that long, a voice cooed in my head. I knew the voice spoke the truth, but I didn't want to acknowlegde that. The dark side of my head.... The reasonable part of me. One day, I'll need to break free of my fantasy. The world is dark.

"Yeah." I said, stepping out of Ingram's shadow. "I'd like to see you try that."

Calden just laughed. "Dear, I've been through that maze so many times."

I grimaced a bit by the word 'dear'. It annoyed me to be called that by someone like him.

"Well, you're just a stupid pillock!" Luria yelled at him, crossing her arms over her chest.

I couldn't help but laugh. I didn't know Luria knew what that was.

"Okay." Calden said, shouldering his way past Ingam, and Ingram, knowing place, didn't react, but I could see his hands clenched. Calden was barking up the wrong tree.

Calden walked to Luria, the looked down upon her.

It angered me, but I knew that was exactly what he wanted. He was taunting us.

"Throw insults, little peasant girl." He sneered. "See where that gets you."

I didn't care about ranks. I had created a bond with Luria. She was like my own child, in a way. I saw he got to Luria. Something about 'peasent' seemed to get under her skin. I wouldn't tolerate it.

"If you know what's best for you, I suggest closing your mouth." I said, my voice coming out as a low growl.

I could see a lopsided smile forming on his lips. That made me want to punch him even more.

"Enough with your taunts, Calden." Another figure said, her voice playful. I looked to see the elven girl from before. Fenna.

I studied Fenna for a moment. Her eyes were enchantingly beautiful. And the way her silvery blonde hair draped down her shoulders made her look like a goddess.

I looked down at myself, suddenly a bit self cautious of my apperance.

Calden looked back at Fenna.

"Ah, Fenna." He said, turning a bit red with embaressment. "I-I didn't see you there."

"Yeah." Fenna said, putting her hands on her hips. "I could tell."

She turned a slight shade of rose, and I began to wonder if Calden's blush was of embaressment, or something else. Somehing more more intersting

Fenna glanced to the entrance of the maze.

"It's taking them a long time." She said, "I'm getting worried."

"They can take care of themselves." I snapped, unsure of why I did.

Fenna took a moment to study me.

"So, you must be Ayla?" Fenna asked, ignoring my snap.

"Yes." I said, trying to cover what just happened. I don't know why I snapped.

I just feel so... angry.

"I'm Fenna." Fenna said, giving me a soft smile.

I smiled back a bit awkwardly. Still, I wasn't used to being with this many people.

"I'm Luria." Luria said happily.

Fenna smiled and laughed, then bent down so she was face to face to Luria.

"Nice to meet you, Luria." She said, putting her out her hand for a handshake.

Luria grabbed her hand and shook it.

All I remember after that was Ingram saying something was wrong, then seeing nothing but darkness.

Sorry for missing last week's update! School started and it's been taking up all of my time!!