Two days had passed and the nine champions didn’t find a single clue as to where the key was hidden. They were all sitting at the long table. It was dinner time. The world outside was as dark as their thoughts. Myles was playing with a spoon, spinning it atop the wooden table. A ring with a ruby, as big as a walnut shone in his left hand. The rest were eating in silence or brooding, their appetite had failed them.
That morning, Guss had vanished while his team was going through some tunnels underground. He didn’t show up for lunch or dinner.
“Something’s been bothering me ever since he disappeared,” slender man spoke, breaking the heavy silence. “Don’t we all magically teleport to the dining room?”
“We do,” Vivian answered. She had given up on her cloak. It hindered her movement, her words. “I remember the initiator saying weapons weren’t allowed in the mansion. She didn’t say anything about fighting with bare fists though.”
A shrill laughter filled the dining room. “Splendid!” the initiator spoke for the first time in two days. “That doesn’t help you find me though.”
“Shut yer trap!” Cane shouted.
“A bit hurt we lost a friend, are we?” the initiator commented. “Don’t worry big guy, if worse comes to worst, I’ll allow you a heavenly night with your Greta before I take your life!” Laughter filled the mansion again. It took some time for the woman’s haunting, taunting laugh to fade away.
“What do we do?” Rose asked. “We’ve combed the place and we’ve found nothing, zilch!”
“She’s been here,” Myles let go of his spoon then looked at the remaining eight champions. “How else would you explain Guss’ disappearance? There’s something else that really bugs the fuck outa me. Greta was here when the initiator spoke to us in this dining room. If they’re one and the same, how was she able to speak without her voice emanating from the body she inhabited?”
“There’s no spell for that?” Karp asked.
“Not that I know of, no,” Vivian answered. “Myles, you might be onto something. What’re you thinking?”
“I think we’ve approached this from the wrong angle. Instead of dealing with the rules, trying to find the keys, we should focus on who, or what’s keeping us here.”
“And how will that help us get out of here?” Slender asked.
“If we know what we’re dealing with, we might have a chance at finding where she hides.” Myles was about to speak again when Vivian interrupted.
“He’s right. We’re being tested by some unknown entity. This mansion feels strange, incomplete. Why didn’t I think of this before?”
“What should we do then? What to look for?” Rose was anxious. The day before, she got into a heated argument with Guss.
The old man told them they were wasting their time, following one man’s words. He still suspected Myles to be the key holder. Rose argued that Guss was just an old man, who followed an outdated thinking process. The argument got to a point where Guss dared the woman to go outside. He wanted to show her how outdated his process thinking was by beating it into her.
“She can see and hear us. She must have planted something inside the mansion that allows her that. Perhaps even the Pho – “ Myles suddenly stood up. He stormed out of the dining room while the others followed him with questioning eyes.
“Oy! Where’re ya headin’?” Cane made to follow him but Rose held him by the arm.
“Let him follow his crazy ideas,” she said. “Maybe Guss was right. He might be the one playing us. Didn’t it cross your minds?”
“Choo getting at?” a short stout man by the name of Pip asked. He was the quiet type, spoke only when necessary.
“Yesterday I defended him in front of the old man. Next thing we know, the one who suspects him most disappears. Don’t you think it a little too convenient?”
“He was the only one who didn’t fall asleep, like we did,” Slender commented.
“That’s not true,” Vivian retorted. “He told us – “
“He told us what we needed to hear Vee!” Rose blurted out. “I’ve seen how he walks about, inspecting cracks between the walls. I say he’s leading us around, playing us while time ticks. We’ve only got four days left!”
“You,” Pip pointed at Cane then went on, “I saw the look you giv’im. Nuffing but hate and mistrust! D’you know who he is?”
Everyone looked at the big bear expectantly. Cane stared at his empty plate. Despite the difficult situation they were in, Cane never missed a meal. Vivian told him he loved food more than life itself just the other day. He happily agreed to it. After Pip asked him about Myles, Cane’s happy demeanor during meal times vanished.
“He knows summat!” Pip shouted (though squealed would be more accurate).
“Cane,” Vivian held the big bear by the hand. “Do you know who Myles is?”
“Go on big guy,” Rose urged. “Or do you love Blondie more than food?”
Cane shot the woman a spiteful look. He clenched his fists together, unwilling to talk. Everyone watched him in silence. There was no getting out of it. He didn’t even know why he kept quiet. He also suspected Myles. Ever since they got inside Ulmir’s Castle, he’d been acting strange. He took a deep breath, exhaled then talked.
“I met ‘im before the Contest. He helped me carry the monster to the Altar.”
“What monster?” Karp asked.
“A big ugly shroom, almost as high as the castle walls,” he answered. “It nearly killed me, almost took Greta with – I suppose she took Greta with ‘er.”
“Did he help you beat that thing?” Rose asked.
“No, but – “
“So he didn’t even help you fight the thing, but you let him join you. For free?” Rose’s voice was rising, almost to a sharp shrill.
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“It’s complicated,” Cane answered.
“As complicated as it was with that girl Vegat? She cost us three lives just because it was complicated.” Rose gestured in the air, in a motion suggesting quotes. “You saw how he blamed that poor girl. Don’t be a fool Cane Moss. Tell us what you know of that man.”
Cane gritted his teeth. His fists were clenched even tighter, to the point where his nails dug into his callus hand. As he was about to speak, they heard footsteps then Myles walked into the room.
“Look at this,” he said, brandishing a shiny thing in the air.
“Is that a Photon?” Vivian asked.
“She’s watching us from afar. She must’ve snuck in to get rid of Guss.”
Myles smiled happily. He was expecting some praise, at least a surprised reaction. But the others cast their dark gazes at him. They looked at him, squinting, gritting teeth. Rose was the worst of the bunch. Her breath had gotten ragged. Her feet shuffled in the ground, like a bull ready to charge forward.
“What’s with all the funny faces?” he asked, backing away. His arms were thrown forward, as if to repel the negative energy that invaded him.
“How do we know you didn’t kill Greta?” Rose asked.
“What?”
“How do we know – “ Rose furiously advanced, her right index thrown forward. “ – that you didn’t kill her, disposed of her body as you did with Guss? And you’re the one playing us!” Her last sentence was pronounced in such fury that Myles was showered with spit.
“Look,” Myles took a step backwards then continued, “I understand you haven’t seen that woman ever since I confronted her. But she’s around, watching us as we speak. She wants this. She’s manipulating us to fight each other.”
“That’s wut someone’d say if ‘e were about ter die!” Pip shouted.
“He’s trying to convince us to stick together. He’s scared, we’ve cornered him!” Rose shouted at the other champions. Pip had really helped her there. She pointed at Myles as she screamed, her shrill voice penetrating their eardrums.
“He’s the only loser here now. If you let him manipulate you, spin his web of lies, we’ll stick together alright. But we’ll start disappearing, one by one. And we’d still stick together again, until he’s the only one left.”
“I say off’im!” Pip squealed.
All champions advanced at once. Myles started backing away, fast. Vivian was the first to reach him. She turned her back to him, flung her arms aside then yelled. “STOP!” Cane was second to stand next to Vivian. He also blocked the others from reaching Myles.
“We have no proof he’s the initiator;” Vivian shouted at them. “Do you really think he’d be the impostor, and yet tell us about Greta? Don’t you think it stupid for an evil entity that wants us all dead?” The champions started eyeing each other. Doubt had settled within their eyes, except Rose, Pip and Slender.
“See that?” Rose screamed at the others. Her shrill voice was unpleasant to hear. “His schemes run deep, this sly fox! He’s bewitched your minds, gained your trust! And now you’re like sheep to the slaughter.”
“I believe in this case, the accused should speak for himself,” Myles spoke.
His voice was louder and deeper than Rose’s. “You speak about me, as if I wasn’t here, listening to you. You didn’t even let me answer your questions. Can’t you even listen? Try it, you’ll find its effects on your doubtful hearts, liberating!”
Rose gritted her teeth, she made to speak but Myles interrupted her. “We’ve listened to your accusations long enough. Don’t you think these people, who you claim I manipulate, should listen to my side of the story? No? Let’s put it to a vote.”
Myles raised his hand then spoke again. “Those in favor of listening to me, instead of that raving woman, raise your hands.”
Rose, Pip and Slender were the only ones who didn’t.
“I can’t convince you that I haven’t killed Greta,” he started. Cane looked at him with slits instead of eyes, he still suspected him of killing the woman. Myles was merciless and cunning. A part of him urged him not to trust Myles, or Zedd, or whatever he called himself.
“I can’t convince you that I didn’t kill Guss either. I’m not going to hide it from you. This situation quite suits me.” Champions started whispering to each other.
Rose shouted a “I told you so!” to Pip to which he nodded.
“Not the strongest argument to start with I know,” Myles went on. He looked at Vivian, Karp, Lillin then Cane. They all frowned at him, unsure why he’d spoken in the first place. “But I can tell you this. You can kill me now and be disappointed because I have no key. Or you can wait for me to reveal what I’ve found out. Then make your own decisions.”
Myles turned around then disappeared inside a corridor. Rose pushed her way through and followed the cunning man. The rest followed quickly after.
“Where are we going?” Rose asked as she followed Myles through a corridor whose walls were shaped like an “S”. Myles didn’t answer. He quickened his pace instead then turned through another, narrower corridor.
“Hey!” Rose shouted. “The fuck’re we going?”
Myles took yet another turn. All the other champions trotted behind him. He took what must have been ten more turns before he stopped. They were standing in yet another corridor. The walls around them were puzzle like. Some pieces appeared to be missing.
“We must’ve lost her by now,” Myles said.
“Lost who?”
“I’ll be brief about this. The thing that imprisons us here is a dark entity called a Scion. Master told me a story about them once. They’re vicious, extremely cunning and most of all, very dangerous. We might not be dealing with a Goddess, but we’re dealing with something much worse!”
“And why did you bring us here specifically?” Vivian asked. “And what’s that on your hand?”
Myles held the shining object in the air. “This is a corrupted Photon, specialty of the Scions. They’re exactly as you suspected Vivian,” he answered while holding the shining object between his index and thumb. “The Scion controls these little creatures now. She’s watching our every move. My guess is, she doesn’t have any form at the moment, just borrows it from dead ones.”
“How’re we supposed to find her then?” Rose asked.
“Challenge it, fight it!” Myles answered.
“How? You just said she has no form,” Vivian retorted.
“Scions are creatures without form. They only take shape in spaces where Ancient Magic is active. That’s where their strength really shines. Or at least that’s what master told me. They’re Rogue Fragments.”
Everybody looked at him questioningly, except Vivian who cleared things out. “It’s what happens when Spirit Fragments, part of Old Gods’ souls, gain sentience. But I’ve read it was just a rumor.”
“I didn’t believe the story master told me either, it didn’t make any sense. But what’s happening to us now only proved me wrong. What we’re dealing with is a Scion that specializes in corruption.”
Everybody looked at Myles questioningly again.
“My master made sure I was up to date on my readings. I know things.” He looked irritated at the distrustful gazes everybody gave him. “This mansion is just the Scion’s memory of this place – or something else entirely. All I know is that it’s deliberately incomplete. Hence the weird shaped walls, the wooden floors merged with cobble stones and all that.”
“So it’s not Greta?” Cane asked.
“I’m afraid she’s dead all the same friend. You went looking for her on the first day right?”
Cane nodded.
“Did you find her?”
“Nah, she found me, matter of fact.”
“There was an explosion that day. Many people died. She must’ve died with the others. The Scion took her appearance then came to you. Have you ever seen her eat?”
“Nah, she always offered me her food. She didn’t have an appetite.” Cane’s pupils grew larger. It slowly dawned on him that he’d been talking to a ghost, happily accepting her chocolate pudding.
“How do we find this Scion?” Karp asked.
“I don’t believe this is her territory. My guess is, we’re trapped in another world, a dream perhaps or an old memory.”
“What makes you say that?” Vivian was the most interested of the bunch. What Myles revealed to them seemed to ring some bells.
“Her memory of this place is hazy. She’s using a real place in Ulmir’s Castle to replicate the mansion. Her lair must be somewhere within the forest.”
“You said that we’d lost her earlier,” Vivian said.
“What the hell are you listening to him for?” Rose shouted. “He’s filling your silly brains with fairy dust, useless shit!”
Myles fixed the silver haired woman with furious eyes. He clenched his fists and urged himself to calm down.
“I’m going to look for her lair in the forest,” he told everyone. “You’re free to follow me and find your own answers. Or you can stay here. Wait for the Scion to finish you.”
Myles walked back a few steps, distancing himself from the others. “I have no time to convince you all I’m not the initiator. Those who wish to come with me, step forward. Those who want to follow that raving woman, stay where you are.”