The maze had an unyielding presence. A heavy weight pushed down on all who entered, the darkness swallowing them both physically and mentally. But in the deep vastness that was the black was the vanguard of Mana-Script.

Sol took point. His dark purple armour clinked and clanged with every step; the overlapping plates slapped together with every forceful step. His long hair bounced up ever so slightly with every foot placed in front of the other. His left hand never left his side, his hand constantly hovering over his sword’s sheath. He was near the edge of the light which meant he found it hard to put his foot out far. Every step landed on the edge of the orange glow, not daring to find out what was in the deep blackness beyond his view.

Slightly behind him was Agni, the torch bearer. His tall muscular build appeared mismatched to his very reserved nature. The fire he had produced lit up the area around him and allowed for his outfit to be seen perfectly. An outfit that looked like he was off to the gym, a black polyester top with red lines over the stitches. His trousers followed a similar design philosophy except these had a red zip halfway down each of the thighs. If it weren’t for these red accents on his clothing it wouldn’t have been a stretch for someone to think the fire was floating by itself. The black outfit melded into the darkness and seemed to ignore the light source close to it.

The final member of the party was Zero. He was the one who stood out the most visually. Though he was the only one dressed in everyday clothes the fact he wasn’t in some specific get up was what made him unique. He was in a white shirt with charcoal grey trousers, and he even was wearing black work shoes. The only item that had been made specifically for him were a pair of white gloves that had a stylised zero number on them.

As the three stepped through the darkness, barely able to make out the walls either side of them, there was little sound. The footsteps they all should have produced seemed to be completely silenced by the maze. No clanking from the metal armour, no spits from the fire, and no clicks from the heel of work shoes. It wasn’t until Sol spoke that there was any sound.

“Would it not be better for me to run through this maze and take out any every other team?”

“And how would you do that without me?” Agni responded with a sigh.

“Well I’d keep running until I found someone.”

“And if you ran into a wall?”

“Zero, surely you have to agree it would be easier for me to do that than walk slow.” Sol pleaded for help realising that he had actually lost to Agni already.

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“Well I do not see how that would be any more productive than the plan Jude has laid out for us.” He said matter-of-factly.

“Thank you Zero. I should have expected that from a man who has been raised to take orders.”

They ended up bickering for some time, Sol never got his way and they kept moving forward. It was not until they turned a corner that the bickering stopped. Before them was another team, a full team. In between the two squads was a turning to the left. Sol finally cracked a smile. The candleholder for the other team was at the front and the rest of them huddled in close.

There was a mutually understanding. Everything was quiet. Sol’s left leg dragged itself back. The maze which had previously had no breeze, not even the slightest, began to fill with wind. There was a small circle around the purple Samurai filled itself with whipping winds. His right hand place itself gently over the handle of the blade. Zero tugged on the bottom of his gloves. Agni stood tall. His hand outstretched.

“Now” was the only word that spoken.

There were only two things the other team saw. Agni’s smile and a brief flash of steel. Then the flame was gone and now it was Sol’s moment.

It all happened a bit fast for most of them to comprehend.

Sol pulled his blade from its sheathe, which in turn created a blade of air. The air was so sharp that it cut down one of the front guards immediately sending them out of the maze. By the time the air had reached them Sol appeared from the darkness, cutting down another. It was not long before a counterattack had begun.

A giant fist came down on the ground where Sol had stood but he had already left that spot. Eyes darted around trying to find where he could have gone. The light could only light up so much. One place it did not reach was the sky. Hidden in the darkness above Sol rained down attacks. He swooped down, took one out and then shot himself up before he could be seen.

“Finish it already Sol.” A monotone voice cried out from the darkness.

Sol landed behind group he had been terrifying, only a handful remained. He once again dragged is leg back and got into a sprint start, holding his blade. The wind kicked up around him, spilling out into the world around them. Then he shot off.

The incredible speed he reached the other side, now in front of them. His tailwind caught up and suddenly there were only three left. Those three had managed to avoid being fatally injured, by Sol’s choice. Like a predator playing with its food he took delight in having someone to witness what he had done. The candle had been cut, but the flame not gone out. The wick sat upon the end of his blade. He brought it up to his face and blew.

Darkness consumed all.

It was not until Agni relit his flame that it was seen that the other team had been eliminated from the test. Sol stylishly sheathed his sword and smiled.

“Happy now?” Agni asked

“Very”

The three continued into the maze. They were a little too far away to hear the wall that had just collapsed behind them.