A few minutes later, they were stood in front of the fireplace in one of the guest rooms. Orion put his palm over the crackling flames, and made a deep cut with his dagger. His blood dripped down on to the flames and a second later, they were extinguished, revealing a dark staircase.
“From this point onwards, there are dozens of powerful spells that make the detection of the dark arts extremely difficult” explained Orion as they climbed down the stairs.
“Ah…like the kind over the Sinister Snake and the Labyrinth?” asked Seifer.
“Well, not quite as strong as the Labyrinth” replied Orion while he opened the door to the first laboratory. This was the biggest one, meant for multiple low level Potioneers to work at. As expected, Seifer didn’t show much interest and so Orion quickly moved on to the more important ones.
It’s been an hour and 54 minutes, just seven more thought Seifer right as they appeared before a large bronze door. He turned to look at Orion who shook his head, making Seifer raise an eyebrow.
“This last one is off limits to anyone but myself and father” said Orion firmly.
“But this is the one I’m most curious about. I’ve always wanted to see a super lab that has all the equipment needed to make high level dark potions” said Seifer.
“Sorry but I can’t allow it. You are a prodigious Potioneer, you can have your own super lab like that one day” said Orion with an apologetic smile.
“Who knows if I’ll live long enough to have my own super lab? If I see this is I can die without regrets the next time we overestimate ourselves in the Dungeon” said Seifer with a laugh.
Orion winced at the realization that Seifer would indeed not live long enough to have his own super lab. Seized with guilt, he could not help but decide to let him in.
“Alright, come on in” said Orion with a sigh.
Seifer immediately noticed a certain silver door when they stepped in but made no mention of it. For the next few minutes, he quietly walked around inspecting the lab and talking about the equipment. Orion was floored by Seifer’s knowledge about all the advanced equipment.
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A second later, he was floored in the literal sense. Orion gasped on the ground, struggling to breathe. He saw the blurry figure of Seifer approach him and pour something into his mouth before he momentarily lost consciousness.
When it returned, he felt a lot better although still not good by any means. He opened his mouth to thank Seifer for whatever he did but before he could he was roughly picked up.
“That’s not the antidote, Orion. It temporarily holds off the effects but makes it even deadlier. Not even the best healer in Ceres could save you now” said Seifer.
“But this could” he said as he twirled a small vial of clear liquid in his hands.
“The antidote to the Draught of Perseus, made from the very same Perseus leaf that the poison was made with.” continued Seifer.
“Why?” murmured Orion.
“Nothing personal, Orion. But some opportunities are too great to ignore” said Seifer, not revealing that he knew of the plot to kill him. In case kidnapping the vampire didn’t go as planned, he needed to keep that a secret for his contingency plan.
“Now, take me to the vampire. Or you’ll die” said Seifer.
“How do I know you won’t let me die anyway? What if that isn’t even the antidote at all?” said Orion grimly.
“If you don’t do as I say, you will die. If you do as I say, you might die. It’s clear what the better choice is” said Seifer.
Orion turned his head, clenching his fists in anger and despair. At the same time, a small part of him felt as though he deserved this. With no other option, he walked over to the other door unsteadily.
As soon as he pressed his hands to the silver door, it melted away entirely. He walked in first, with Seifer following closely behind. The small room behind it was entirely white with no furniture except a small bed that also entirely white.
On this bed, a tiny figure was sound asleep. Seifer stepped closer to the vampire, surprised to see that it was a little blonde girl who seemed no older than six.
He quickly injected her arm with a sleeping potion before bringing out a black leather briefcase out of his tulak ring. Tulak rings couldn’t carry living people inside. This briefcase on the other hand, was also made from the scales of a Tulak Snake and specialized for carrying living people.
It only had access to two cubic meters compared to the five that his tulak ring could access but it was more than enough to fit this little girl. Seifer gently placed her inside before shutting the briefcase and looking towards Orion.
“Let me into the Labyrinth, I will give you your antidote before I leave”
Orion sighed with displeasure, but he had no choice. A minute later, they were back in the very first laboratory, in front a massive steel door. This time the Harkes just typed in a code and the door sprung open.
Seifer flew into the darkness and right as he did, Orion felt a sharp impact on his chest. He picked up the vial that had dropped to the floor and hoped dearly that this would actually save him.