The camp still smoldered behind us, the faint crackle of dying flames a whisper against the cold dawn. Smoke rose in curling tendrils, carrying the scent of ash, charred wood, and blood.
A grim symphony of victory, if you could call it that. Around me, the freed slaves shuffled, their movements slow and hesitant, like deer unsure if the predator had truly gone.
I leaned against a crooked tree, letting my body relax for the first time in hours. My shoulder still throbbed from where the guard's spear had struck me, and the cut on my palm from gripping the pickaxe too tightly stung like hell. Small prices to pay for what we'd accomplished.
Faco sat beside me, his small form curled up as he absently picked at a scab on his knuckle. He hadn't let go of the torch yet, its flame now reduced to a weak flicker.
"You should get some rest," I said, my voice low but firm.
He looked up at me with tired eyes, the dark circles beneath them making him look years older. "And let you plot without me? Not a chance."
I almost smiled. Almost.
"Fair enough. But you'll need your strength for what's coming next."
His brows furrowed, and he shifted closer. "What's coming next, exactly? You have a plan, right?"
Ah, the question of the hour. Did I have a plan? Yes. Was it a good plan? That was debatable. But plans weren't carved in stone—they were written in blood and chaos, always subject to change.
I let out a slow breath, watching it fog in the chilly air. "We head to the labyrinth."
Faco blinked, his expression caught between confusion and dread. "The labyrinth? The death trap? The place where people go in but don't come out?"
"That's the one," I said, straightening. "We need power, and the labyrinth has exactly what we're looking for. Artifacts, knowledge, weapons—it's all there, waiting for someone brave enough—or stupid enough—to claim it."
He didn't look convinced, but then again, who would? The labyrinth was sure to be the kind of place parents whispered about to keep their kids in line. "If you don't finish your chores, I'll send you to the labyrinth!" That kind of thing.
Faco opened his mouth, probably to argue, but the words died as the system's cold, disembodied voice echoed in my head.
[System notification: Quest updated]
[Objective: Enter the labyrinth and retrieve the artifact of dominion]
[Reward: progression of the crown of shadows and additional skills]
I clenched my fists, the reminder of the "system's" presence sending a jolt of unease through me. It was always watching, always waiting, its cryptic messages dangling rewards just out of reach. But it didn't feel like a benevolent guide. No, this "system" had its own agenda, and I was just the pawn lucky—or unlucky—enough to play along.
Faco must've seen something in my expression because his voice softened. "You're really serious about this, aren't you?"
I met his gaze, my voice steady. "If we don't take risks, we'll stay weak. And weak men don't survive long in this world."
That shut him up.
---
As the sun climbed higher, I gathered the rest of the slaves—if I could even call them that anymore. Freed men and women, yes, but freedom without purpose was an empty gift. They stood in a loose circle around me, their faces a mix of exhaustion, wariness, and cautious hope.
"We move at dawn tomorrow, I've decided to head to the labyrinth below the cliff ahead." I announced, keeping my tone even. "Those who wish to follow me will find strength and purpose. Those who don't are free to leave. No one will stop you."
Murmurs rippled through the group, but no one spoke outright. Some shifted uncomfortably, their eyes darting to the horizon as if they were already weighing their chances of escape. Others stared at me with something close to reverence, though I doubted they understood what they were signing up for.
One man, tall and broad-shouldered, finally stepped forward. His name was Toren, if I remembered correctly—a former farmer with a face that looked like it had been carved from granite. "And what happens if we follow you?" he asked, his voice deep and steady. "What do you offer that's better than this?"
It was a fair question, and I didn't flinch from it. I stepped closer, meeting his gaze head-on. "I offer a chance to be more than pawns. More than cattle waiting to be slaughtered. I offer power. Real power, not the kind that gets taken away the moment someone stronger comes along."
Toren's jaw tightened, and I could see the gears turning in his head. After a long moment, he nodded. "I'll follow you."
One by one, the others began to step forward. A few hung back, their faces pale with fear. I didn't blame them. Not everyone was built for the kind of path I intended to walk. And maybe some had homes to go to.
By the time the sun dipped below the horizon again, I had a group of twenty—small, ragged, and inexperienced, but determined.
---
We set out at dawn; after gathering weapons, feeding supplies and new clothings. Leaving the ruins of the camp behind.
The journey to the labyrinth was grueling, the terrain rough and unkind. The forest stretched endlessly before us, its towering trees casting long shadows that seemed to shift and twist when no one was looking.
Faco walked beside me, his usual chatter replaced by a tense silence. Behind us, the others trudged along, their makeshift weapons clutched tightly in their hands.
"Do you know much about this labyrinth?" Faco finally asked, breaking the quiet.
"Enough to know it's dangerous," I said. "And enough to know it's worth the risk."
He didn't look reassured, but he didn't press further.
By the time we reached the foothills where the labyrinth lay hidden, the sun was setting, bathing the landscape in hues of orange and red. The entrance to the labyrinth was a massive, gaping maw carved into the side of the mountain, its edges worn smooth by time.
I stopped just short of the entrance, my gaze fixed on the darkness beyond. The air was colder here, heavy with a sense of foreboding.
Faco shifted uneasily beside me. "So… what's the plan?"
I smirked, gripping the hilt of my newly acquired blade—a crude weapon salvaged from the overseer's camp, but it would do for now. "The plan is simple: we go in, we survive, and we come out stronger."
He let out a shaky laugh. "Great. Love a simple plan."
I turned to the group behind me, raising my voice so they could all hear. "This is the first step. Inside this labyrinth lies the power we need to carve out a place in this world. Some of you won't make it. That's the truth. But for those who do, you'll never have to fear being weak again."
Their faces hardened with resolve, and I felt a flicker of pride. These weren't slaves anymore. They were something more.
Without another word, I stepped into the labyrinth, the darkness swallowing me whole.
And behind me, they followed.