/Niko
The ruckus caused by someone had made quite the show by now.
The shouts and grumbling of the creatures was maddening - the pain and the agony. The shouts of unknown sources echoed from the floors below.
I walked to the further wall - a small window located there - I wished to check if I could see anything, but to great misfortune - the window was textured, leaving me with nothing to distinguish out there.
Cat was on the edge and defensive towards Doppel. Another barely understood the gravity of the problem when facing White Hare.
Although he was the keeper of the Labyrinth and the main trouble of the place - he was not to blame. Not by me at least. He was made that way through all the endless experimentation that happened here. Just trying to protect his new obtained dysfunctional home.
He forgot that he could escape from here and be having freedom.
Guess I am not the only one with memory issues.
Screams and scratching noises could be heard from outside, Hare would not budge from his spot, staring at his prey.
"Not happy to see me?" – Keeper spoke softly. –" Saddening to see you like this. I think I might actually help you out."
His rabbit ears are pointy, hair soft, eyes looking around as he mulls over own words. Well, the downside to this lunatic is that he's charming.
"Why would a keeper dare involve himself this way? Is it not your wish to keep the labyrinth forever?" – Cat spoke.
Well, might assume that Cat had survived some of the torture inflicted by this maniac. Not that I am ever defending Hare in any way. He was one to torture me at some point. I won't really wish to go through that again.
My sullen cries for help and pleads for mercy just excited him more, as he loved to push needles where they're not supposed to go, knives slicing parts of skin from my body. Not a happy time at all.
"Hmmm…" – Hare walked towards me, as I kept my eye contact. - "I might sometimes just feel like it." - He answered Cat.
With each step Hare made, ashes on the ground made a rustling sound like snow, walls were covered in splattered blood of ones who suffered here. Bones scattered near walls. Faint light from ceiling holes made room reveal how much of a torture chamber it was.
"Where is Red?" – Doppel looked up, hearing laughter somewhere.
Crushing sound of chainsaw slashing through bodies, bastards crying out for the last time as they die. Some commands being yelled and firearms used. Explosions are echoing again.
"Stop ruining my precious labyrinth you bastards!" – yelled White Hare as he snapped. He stopped and kicked a pile of bones, ripped off a leftover map that hung on the wall tossing it aside. "How dare they?! I worked so hard on it! Darn these soulless oblivious bastards!"
He was upset, which made me smile. I let out a tired smile, as I observed him throwing a tantrum.
"Apologies." - He let out, trying to collect himself from the fuming rage that burns.
I couldn't help myself and laughed out loud.
Cat grabbed Doppel by the hand again, pulling her close to self, as if the knighthood in his veins were reinstated.
Hare looked at me puzzled. He was the least to expect being laughed at.
Growling of something new arrived. It was mixed up with yelling of a man - presumably commanding this obscene creature. Most likely forces have united to storm this fortress of madness. Well, this place was giving nightmares to people for a few good centuries.
I walked closer to Hare and touched his ear. The warm, fluffy, soft ear. I couldn't keep self from smiling.
He was in utter confusion.
"You smell like chrysanthemum. Sweet and warm - like summer." – I let out.
"Why… would you say it?" – Hare was in awe - uncertain where this might lead.
My healthy guess - he never had anyone touch him after the experiments in such a way.
With a corner of my eye I noticed Cat giving me nod, wrapping hands around Doppel and using his magic to teleport from here.
Sudden sharp pain in my chest took me by surprise. I opened my mouth to gasp more air, whilst grabbing onto my chest. My eyes began tearing up.
Hares hands held me by the shoulders.
"I must find Red." – I cried.
The Keeper looked at me with a gentle feel. His forehead touched mine.
"Go get her. Red is seeking for you too." – Hare spoke. Then after a short pause and a soft kiss on my forehead he spoke again. - "I just realised something. I... I missed you. Torturing you was my greatest pleasure."
I looked up at him. His smile was that of the warmest ones, his eyes gentle. But the idea behind - he is broken beyond comprehension - true keeper, true torturer.
The pain in my chest was lesser, I smiled at him, letting out a giggle.
Before letting my shoulders go, he kissed me on the lips, lightly. It's like the kiss from death itself - funny in a way.
"I'll dream of the day when I can put you into misery, as you cry my name whilst pleading for mercy." - He spoke softly.
"You do know that it sounds like the torture and pleasure simultaneously." - I laugh.
"I'll be looking forward to it next time." - He gives me a smile, as my heart skips a beat. Then he vanishes in thin air. His magic allows him so.
"Me too. I guess." - I let out, as I checked something at my side - the little purse was hanging from my left side. Few daggers and a few dozen of thin needles.
I felt my heart squeeze. He, although such an asshole - gave me weapons to fight with. Damn Hare of the Labyrinth. Maybe you were the one to keep watch after my body this whole time I was out?"
I gulped down the wish to find him and ask. Red is waiting for me, after all. I pull myself together and walk to the door, yanking it open and stepping out.
Hallway is reeking of gas - filthy kind. I see that it makes bastards corrode and become pile of gooey liquid. Making it harder to move - as it all is slippery.
Not the best sort of circumstances when already having half floors crumbled to bits - nothing much to step on already.
The cries of chainsaw were coming from the area where blasts took off. There was a great chance that maybe Red was exhausted from dealing with intruders.
"Well, whoever you are, you better leave her for me to handle." – I thought as I was about to set off into the hall.
In an instant - the wall on my left blew up. Having bastards flying in - smashing against the next wall. Red was blasted along with them.
Reds' messed mad look, as she gripped her chainsaw, was quite amusing.
"Refurbishing, are we?" – I giggled with sarcasm.
Red noticed me, her smile spreading on her lips, although she managed to give me an evil eye.
The gunmen who fought Red were pushing in. The bombs thrown by them, gave a new wave of gas, making bastards dissolve, crying in pain.
"We have another one! Shoot to kill!" – Soldier shouted through his protective mask, as his gun pointed towards me, noticing my existence.
"What? Me too? Really? How flattering! But not today!" – I darted towards men, grabbing needles from my waist pocket, given to me by Hare.
I pushed needles in their spines - knocking boys off to sleep.
Red smirked as she observed. When all the distractions were asleep - I turned to face her.
"What the hell are they about?" – I took a good look at Red.
Her dress ripped, stockings barely holding, her cleavage ever revealed, hair a mess and a chainsaw as bloody as it gets, with chunks of someone's meat on a side.
"Red, that look - you are trying to seduce me?" – I pressed her lips and nodded. Somehow it was pretty funny.
" And you sure dare talk smack to me." - Red flicked strands of blood soaked hair from her face. - "I need to wipe that happy look off your face. Before these goons intrude again."
She sounded slightly tired from all the combat she led downstairs.
"Ugh, you give me chills." - I smile.
I turned to the rustling sound - more soldiers were coming. Someone fired shots.
I ran to grab Red by the hand and pulled her along with me to escape.
"Let's sort it out a bit later, shall we? Or we'll get evened out by these lads. Don't want you dead yet, darling." - I felt like my adrenalin spiked.
Such obscure atrocity made Red comply for that one moment. Having to cut her play time so early surely was frustrating.
We ran through the hall, up the stairs, having something blasted aside behind us, getting stairs to crumble down, before all the stairs collapsed.
We managed to reach the rooftop of the building. Guess the curse magic began to break, if I ever could reach the rooftop.
A grandiose view around. Smoke rising up from below. Fire burning around the labyrinth. I went to check what's below - battalion - fully armed and storming the labyrinth.
"What the hell? What are They doing here?" – I said.
Red breathed out, now seeming like a ceasefire situation caught up with her. She wiped her forehead, then tossed her red hair back, so they don't get in the way. Her long blood soaked hair looked majestically, delicate face, feminine and beautiful. Her grey eyes flickered - reflecting some fire that kept up outside.
"These idiots just blasted their way in, seeking for something. Someone. Finally mustering courage to face what they fear most. Silly sods." – Red checked her chainsaw for damages, then looked up at me – "We still have a fight to sort out between us."
With this said Red made her chainsaw screech and gunned towards me. I managed to dodge at the last minute.
"Oh hey now! You want to sort it out now? Of all times?" – I spoke as I dodged the attacks.
"Now or never!" – Growled Red, launching at me with another attack.
I grabbed the stashed dagger - defending myself.
Red made move after move targeting the head and heart of the opponent. One hit with her chainsaw guaranteed imminent death. So balancing it out in such a place - having gun handling fighters around - is troublesome. I moved swiftly, mostly due to my adrenaline spike. Feeling more like the insanity void starts crawling from my depths to the outside.
I heard a voice inside me. Like a telepathy that was used by certain species here. But the voice pleaded for death. Over and over. Then it hit - it was Red! In a softer, more humble voice. The way it was years ago. Before she became the "experiment that went wrong". Such pleading made me distracted for a moment, having chainsaw flying at me.
Getting me pinned against the wall, that conveniently was a single such thing out here. The pressure Red put on the chainsaw made it lower down, bruising the edge of my shoulder. Having blood gushing out, as pieces on own flesh are torn.
Red, smiling at me, looking victorious, as chainsaw gripped well at my bone.
Red put her hand on my wound, admiring damage. Her chainsaw was silent, standing still. With a trembling hand, I pulled out a dagger, gunning it swiftly at Red's heart. Red coughed blood, smiling.
"I knew I could trust you with this. With getting me freed. Thank you." - Her blooded fingers touched my cheek, then the weakened body fell in my embrace.
Holding Red with one hand, as I'm pulling self down to free myself from the chainsaw grip.
As I slithered down the wall… Holding Red, smiling, lifeless, she felt cold. Last hug and kiss was all I could give to Red as goodbye. Pain was coming to me as waves at sea - making me grit teeth, then let out a breath, then again.
The blasts got closer. Soldiers found me, seized me and dragged along with them to the outside.
Camp was set right outside the labyrinth. There were few generals hurdled around, keping control.
I was tossed inside the tent. With a short look around I saw Doppel. That gave a bit of a question. Though I wanted to know where's Cat and Hare.
In a beat a few guards and three men walked in. Guards set up around the perimeter of the tent, the trio stood opposite us.
"Are you a part of this labyrinth setup? What are your duties within it?" – harshly spoke bearded man. By the looks he had - he seemed to just come from mountains. Rough and hairy. Bulky man.
"Am not. Never were. Not a single duty in here. Just got tossed inside to clean it up. Order was from a psycho as far as I'm concerned." - I looked right in this beasts eyes. Calm, like the man just walked into a trap. The conviction of my voice was of high merit.
"What's your name, you piece of trash?" - The mountain man growled.
Talk about lack of manners. I let out a sigh.
"Right hand of Emperor Elleney Drieth, Niko." – I replied in a cold voice. That reply made all the men around freeze for a moment - having the most surprised look you could think of. Then the man gave a laugh.
"You'll be sent out to trial in the City of Amereq. Along with this person." – He pointed at Doppel. – "There sure as hell can't be two right hand people of the same Emperor. Unless you both are lying."
This clutz lied about being associated with the Emperor. Geez. She's bloody troublesome.
I open my mouth slightly to let out the growl from pain. The cut on my shoulder from Red was highly painful, highly annoying.
"I suppose that would be a nuisance." - Man in priest robes walked in, his long white hair caught my eyes. - "I'm taking custody of these prisoners. The Commander General agreed."
Man handed the piece of a letter to the mountain man.
"Heh! It's all yours Verin! Make sure they get the right deserved punishment!"
Bearded man signalled to others, then they all left.
Verin took a look at both of us.
"Apologies, but the restraints will be off later. Please follow me."
I got up, then gave a judging glance at Doppel.
"What? I wanna live." - She said to me, as she followed the priest.
"Fucking idiot." - I murmured.
We follow the man into the carriage, where inside I see Cat and Hare. Verin snaps fingers and restraints fall off.
"I'm Prime Oracle Verin, came as a magic support commander." - Spoke priest, as he gave us a look.
Oracle ordered the driver to get a move on, hurrying out of St. Gregor Labyrinth's land.
"I apologize for crude treatment from these soldiers. They are far from genuine comprehension about ways of magic. They are more of a different type." - Verin smiled. - "I was ordered to scout you all out and make sure of your safety."
"I'll return the three of you to the Emperor's palace, there, you'll decide what you want to make a path for next. As for you," - he looked at me, - "I'll leave you off near a sacred tree. I'm told by spirits you'll find your way from there."
Doppel changed seats with Hare, to hug up to Cat. Hare took a look at my bleeding shoulder.
"You should get this treated." - His soft and reassuring voice was not really reaching me. I kept looking at the fast changing scenery in the window, trying to divert self from the annoying pain that makes me want to cry.
"Ni.." - Hare pulled me by the chin to face him. My eyes now locked with his.
"Dare to lie to my face again and I'll skin you alive." - My own voice, in a hushed tone, made him smile.
He pulled closer to me, his fingers now tracing my neck, going towards the wound.
"Red did a good one on you." - Hare smiled wider. The madness flickering in his eyes, fingers pushing into the wound. I only grit my teeth. - "Oh, yes, yes. I do remember, you always were the one to bring me such pleasant satisfaction."
I gripped his hand, pushing it away from me. He yanked it out, fingers having my blood on them. He licked it.
"You still taste splendid." - He suddenly pulled my face again, to kiss me forcefully, tongue pushing in. In return he got slapped across his face, having my elbow smash his torso.
"Play this shit again and you're a dead rabbit." - I hissed.
Hare, although feeling a sharp pain, smiled and giggled.
"You are the one for me." - He almost sang out in a cheery tone.
/Kriss
"Patient is dying! Get a PHY syringe! We can't let her escape!" – Doctor shouted in despair.
Around the bed, where the red haired girl lied, swarmed a doctor and nurses - trying to keep the body alive. But it was too late.
Although injected with dozens of liquids that worked before to keep her alive. In a state of coma, even if against her will - now all of that drugging was pointless. Nothing worked.
"Thank you…" - whispered redhead, her voice hoarse and barely audible. Then it all ended. Heart stopped.
Personnel started leaving the room.
Only I stood behind.
"Shit." – I mumbled. – "She got her claws on another one. Shit."
The frustration was building up
"Doctor Kriss, you have a call from the Director!"– Nurse called out from the hall.
"Coming!"
With the most unsatisfied look I got out of the room. Before going further, I requested nurses to get rid of the body.
"Cremate it!" - I groaned.
/Erick
A splendid day outside! Sun shining, flowers blooming – making my heart fill with joy. Up ahead was a great city with picturesque white walls and ancient rock pavements.
"I sure am here again!" – I took my first step towards the great destination – Town of Amereq.