The trio landed with a wet thud, the ground beneath them quivering slightly from the impact. Faint vibrations rippled outward, disappearing into the distance as the living environment shifted around them. The oppressive sounds of wet, organic movement filled the air—squelching, pulsing, and the faint creak of stretching sinew. The very structure seemed alive, moving to rearrange itself, ensuring that no layout stayed the same for long. The twisting corridors and arching paths were nothing like the labyrinth they had traversed initially.
Kuro brushed himself off and glanced around. "Alright," he said, his voice cutting through the unsettling symphony, "we can check off one of the three locations where the abnormal relic might be. That leaves the Glow Gardens or the Heart Nexus."
"Which one do we go to first?" Eleanor asked, stepping instinctively between Kuro and Luke. Her body language was defensive, her hand brushing her bowstring as she recalled Kuro's heated words from the house..
"The Glow Gardens," Kuro said decisively, a faint grimace passing over his face. "I really don't want to go to the Heart Nexus."
Luke gave a barely perceptible sigh. In all honesty, I want to go to the Heart Nexus. If we check all three locations and don't find the relic, we'll achieve the best-case scenario—a world where it doesn't exist and can't fall into the Hands of Fate's clutches.
Before moving, Kuro shifted into his sensory form. His figure elongated, sprouting additional limbs and luminous, lidless eyes that blinked in perfect unison. He lowered himself close to the quivering floor, tendrils extending outward to connect with the surface. The labyrinth seemed to respond, vibrating faintly as if sharing its secrets.
After a few moments, Kuro returned to his usual form. "Alright, I know where to go!" he announced, his confidence cutting through the oppressive atmosphere.
The group moved in silence, their surroundings constantly shifting with grotesque fluidity. The soft, yielding floor squished underfoot, the air thick with the faint tang of decay. Hours passed in this unrelenting, alien environment, until distant sounds began to rise above the labyrinth's ambient groans. Voices, laughter, and the occasional burst of chaotic noise grew louder as they pressed on.
They rounded a corner and stepped into a vast, bustling hallway.
Buildings of mismatched materials lined the space, many shaped like nomadic tents with flexible frames, clearly designed for quick assembly and disassembly. Glowing strands of bioluminescent material stretched across the ceiling, casting the area in soft, shifting hues. Abnormals filled the space, their forms varied and surreal—some towering and angular, others small and round, moving with grace or clumsiness depending on their build.
The atmosphere was oddly peaceful—civilized even. Children played games in the open spaces, weaving between market stalls. Merchants shouted prices for strange wares, and the scent of unfamiliar spices filled the air. Despite the eerie labyrinth just beyond, this place felt like a sanctuary for its inhabitants.
"Welcome to the Shifting Bazaar!" Kuro exclaimed, his tone lighter than usual.
Luke and Eleanor froze, their eyes wide as they took in the scene. The chaotic beauty of the bazaar was overwhelming. For a moment, it was almost serene, a reprieve from the constant danger of the labyrinth. But then, Luke noticed the change.
The abnormals—hundreds, possibly thousands—had turned to stare. They welcomed Kuro and Eleanor warmly, their expressions ranging from curiosity to delight. But their reaction to Luke was entirely different. Their gazes turned sharp, and the weight of their animosity pressed down on him like a physical force. Bloodlust rippled through the crowd, poised and ready to erupt at the slightest provocation.
Kuro was immediately swarmed by a group of young abnormals, their unformed and asymmetrical bodies wiggling with excitement. Their high-pitched voices overlapped as they called out to him.
"Kuro! Kuro!" they exclaimed. "Have you come to play with us?"
"Maybe later," Kuro replied with a small smile. "I'm on an important mission right now."
The children pouted, their expressions exaggerated in ways that made Luke's head spin. Is that a pout? Or is that just… their face?
"What about him?" one child asked, pointing at Luke.
"He looks weird," said another.
"I've never seen an abnormal like him before," added a third.
Luke opened his mouth to speak but stopped himself, Kuro's earlier warning ringing in his ears: "Don't speak unless you're directly addressed." He glanced around and felt the weight of countless hostile gazes.
Is this why Kuro told me to keep quiet? Do they hate me that much? Luke's heart pounded as the realization sank in. Even answering a child's innocent question could be seen as a threat—as if I'm here to manipulate or harm them. A chill ran down his spine. I owe Kuro a thank you for the advice. Without it, I'd already be dead.
"No, no, he's a human!" Kuro said with a sly grin.
The children froze, their round, reflective eyes widening in shock.
"A human?!" the children echoed in unison. Their confusion quickly turned to fear.
"AHHH! MOM, A HUMAN IS HERE! RUN AWAY!" they screamed, scattering like startled birds.
Luke stood there, dumbfounded. Just what kind of stories are they telling about humans?
Kuro chuckled, clearly amused. Then his demeanor shifted, his expression becoming more serious. "Alright," he said, turning back to his companions, "since the Glow Gardens are always moving, we'll need to split up and ask the locals where it's currently located."
Luke stiffened. The idea was absurd. Before he could voice his protest, Eleanor stepped in.
Eleanor immediately frowned. "Kuro, even if I can split up from you since I'm an elf, Luke is screwed. They absolutely hate humans, and simply suggesting he separate from us is like telling him to commit suicide."
Kuro paused, rubbing his chin in thought. He didn't want them to stay grouped; the interrogation process would take far too long that way. But he was also pragmatic enough to understand the risks. He pondered the situation carefully, his golden eyes narrowing slightly.
Kuro was also smart enough to understand what his people needed. He knew that they hated humans, but this prejudice was only going to harm them in the long run. He wanted to use Luke to reintroduce humans to abnormals, to redefine the perception of adults and to shape the perception of children.
Finally, with a sigh, he asked Eleanor, "Luke is with Aldric. Who sent you?"
"Sylveria, Queen of the Elves," Eleanor said without hesitation.
A grin spread across Kuro's face, wider than any grin should be. one that made Luke and Eleanor instantly wary. Luke's stomach dropped. Oh no. Don't tell me he's about to—
But it was too late. Kuro had already taken several steps forward, raising his voice to an ear-splitting shout.
"Abnormals! I, Kuro, am here to announce the presence of two individuals! Luke, a human sent by Aldric Visionweaver, and Eleanor, an elf sent by Sylveria Mirrorblade!"
For a moment, there was silence. Then the bazaar erupted into roars of shock and surprise.