The group composed of Cort, Lond, Emile, and Leaf left the entry room of the labyrinth and emerged into a long stone hallway. It was wide enough to fit multiple groups their size, and also lit by the same orange lanterns.
"So should we just look out for rooms with monsters and clear them out?" Lond asked.
"That works with me," Cort replied. He looked at their guest. "You okay with that, Leaf?"
"That's fine," he answered, tapping his staff excitedly on the floor. "We're bound to come across them anyway. This first floor isn't too large, and we were planning to stay up here for today."
The group continued walking as they chatted. Emile led the way, nose held up in the air and sniffing every few seconds. Cort had heard tales of Savorian's unique traits, so Emile being able to sniff out monsters would be unthinkable.
"How'd you get separated from your group?" Cort asked as they continued down the straight corridor.
"Veranus's barrier is a shuffler," Leaf explained. Lond's eyes were curious, and Leaf launched into his elaboration before Cort could interject. "There are a number of entryways to the first floor, and that first barrier will shift to a different one after a group steps through. I got held up by the guard, so I came out at a different spot from them."
"Do different labyrinths have different types of barriers?" Lond asked. "What about the one at Vim, Cort?"
"I don't remember the name of it, but yeah Vim's has a trick to it," Cort replied. "It's a narrow passageway, so you can only enter one at a time. You have to be careful. You never know what you'll see in the first room of a labyrinth."
The group came to a sudden halt. A fork in the path split the hallway in two. Emile glanced at the left path for a moment. Then he suddenly turned and started walking down the path to the right.
"You sure that's the right way?" Leaf asked.
"One of those rabbit things ran off from the fight earlier," Emile said. He was still walking so Cort and Lond followed along the path. Leaf didn't move until Emile added, "One of you cut it or something, and I can smell the blood."
They continued down the path still. Another group of divers walked towards them, and Cort looked to Leaf for any sign. There was none, and the two groups walked by each other with some quick nods and "Hello's" before continuing down the hallway away from each other. Cort imagined that was a normal encounter between groups in the labyrinth. Every diver followed their own set of goals, it seemed.
"Lond, I got a quick question for you," Emile stated. "What's the extent of your magic power?"
Lond wiggled the fingers with rings a bit, the thin chain making the softest noise. "I can use level one fire and water magic," he answered. "That fireball you saw and a blast of water as strong as a punch is about what I can muster in a fight."
"Are you planning on using the magic stones you don't sell to strengthen your ring?" Leaf asked. Cort was intrigued by that. He had heard magical equipment could be made stronger with the magic stones, another key reason they were traded in labyrinth cities.
Lond nodded. "It's why Iphos-Magus suggested I dive in the first place. He says wizards learn best when they work for their progress."
"Yeah that sounds like Iphos," Emile chimed in.
Cort got the familiar feeling of Ashen crawling along his body and up through his collar. The ermine popped out and said, "Master Cort, do you think your sword can be enhanced through the stones?"
"Oh cool," Leaf said. He sped up to walk alongside Cort and Ashen, staring at the ermine. "I've never seen a talking animal before. Where'd you get him?"
"I have been with Master Cort since he was born," Ashen answered. He sounded a bit offended at not being asked directly.
"Ashen, play nice," Cort said. "Also, my sword isn't a magical weapon. You were there when I bought it. It's a little better than scratch." Magical equipment were typically the spoils of a labyrinth, either found as treasure or a reward for slaying one of the boss monsters.
Emile came to a stop, as did the entire group. They all fell silent and even Ashen became alert. Cort drew his sword soundlessly, and he watched Leaf retrieve a gold ring from his pocket and slip it on.
Before them, the pathway forked again. Ahead was a straight hallway, but off to the right it was a sharp turn around a corner that they could not see past. Emile's focus was on the side path.
"The rabbit should be around the bend there, but something's wrong," Emile whispered. His typical joy was replaced by a grave tone. "It's not bleeding anymore. Not that I can smell anyway."
"Can a feralise heal itself?" Lond asked.
"Not in my experience," Cort answered.
"This labyrinth is pretty new though," Leaf added. "The first floor isn't even fully explored yet."
Cort walked slowly to the corner. He could hear something from beyond it. Footsteps at least. Something else tapping on the stone floor or walls. There was the faintest sound of grunting and grinding teeth.
"They're waiting to ambush us," Ashen whispered back to the group. "I can't tell how many."
"Let's spring the trap," Emile said. He started walking forward, and Cort yanked him by the arm. The Savorian could have easily broken free, but he stopped and looked at Cort. "You want me to hold your hand, kid?"
Ashen crawled scurried along Cort's arm, then up Emile's before standing on his shoulder to get face to face with Emile.
"You cannot just walk in without a plan," Ashen hissed out. "I can hear them talking. They hate intruders like us. They want to kill us."
"I'll kill them first," Emile said, casual and simple. "I'm gonna teach you about the food chain, little ferret. I'm a Savorian, and they're my breakfast. You wanna be my snack?"
Emile flashed his teeth at Ashen and growled softly. Cort had already raised his sword, pressing the tip to Emile's throat. He understood Emile's strength and speed, but Cort was preparing to kill Emile to save Ashen. He just needed to move forward before Emile did and he could do it.
"Let's calm down, gentleman," Lond said. He had pulled down his mask so his stern voice would be clear. He put one hand on Cort's shoulder, then reached out to Ashen. Lond allowed the ermine to back away slowly and onto his arm, but Ashen continued glaring at Emile. "Cort, lower your sword."
Cort did as requested, but he was still glowering at Emile. He could not deny, the man's strength would continue to come in handy. He had even seen proof of Emile's power when he left behind a bar room of dead soldiers. Yet for that brief moment, Cort considered killing a man he would be diving with.
I'm okay, Ashen whispered into Cort's mind. He had made his way back onto Cort's shoulder. I'll be heading back to my spot. Some men just have to remind people they're strong. Take your time. You can be his equal one day.
The boy and his ermine nodded to each other, and Ashen slithered back under Cort's shirt. Emile's snarl had become a closed mouth grin once again, and Lond let out a sigh of relief before readjusting his mask and speaking to the group.
"Emile and Cort should take point," he began. "You two are the most physically inclined. I will stay near the entry and use my spells to support where I can. Leaf, I'm not sure how you'll fit in."
Leaf raised his hand to show off the ring he had just donned. "I've got some decent wind magic now, so I'll work with you."
"Excellent. We'll clear out the room. Don't stop fighting until there're no monsters left. Are you two ready?"
Cort looked up at Emile. He was greeted with another cheeky grin, and then the Savorian winked at him. He finally released his grip on Emile's arm and smiled back to him. "I'm ready," Cort said.
"Seems like there's room for humans at the top of the food chain," Emile said. "Let's go catch a rabbit."