I scoop up the congee into my wooden bowl, and grab a spoon from the pile. As we sit down, I start to scoop food into my mouth with abandon. Dalyva does too, but she seems almost lost in thought.

  I almost spoke up, but then she did instead, blurting out. “You know about my past, right?” I nod, confused and surprised by the sudden question. “Yeah.” I confirm. “And I know about yours?” I look at her, but say. “Yeahhhhh??? Sort of.” I stretch out the word with skepticism, adding the last bit with a bit of hesitation. “Well, what do we know about Taegans?” She seems just genuinely curious, and I reply with all I know. “He grew up in the desert, he was in Mara-Ni before now, and he’s an adventurer…?” I trail off, not sure what else. “Doesn’t count, childhood. That’s just generally.” I pause for a moment, scouring my brain for an answer.

  I feel like I should know, given how much we’ve been through together, yet I don't. Then, I remember where I came from, and he did too. The whole reason we thought we were siblings aside from our looks. “He was found in a broken carriage.” I say. “One thing?” She remarks, and I admit, that it was wholly true. “Well, I don’t know anything else.” I say, a bit nervous.

  Dalyva nodded. “Yeah. I know a little, but not much about your past either. Share? Since Taegans asleep. ” Yeah, she’s direct, but it gets to the point, and we don’t want to wake up a sleeping Taegan. And so, I tell her my story. “I had ups and downs, but nothing as extreme as with people who I really knew about dying.” I said, and proceeded to start explaining my life.

  “Well, I’ll start I guess with Matron. Matron is the orphanage director, who takes care of all the kids in the orphanage. She’s extremely kind, and I love her. She, well, raised me for years, and other kids, even as an adult she let me stay there until I figured out what I wanted to do.” I smile as I recall her kindness.

  “I had a friend, and he helped his dad with their fruit selling business last I saw. We went to school together, and made lots of memories.“ I wasn’t sure what else I was supposed to say, and so when I finished, Dalyva looked at Tae, who was crawling out of the tent.

  Both of us stared at him in unison. “Taegan, what was your childhood like?” I ask, and he stares at me like I’ve become headless, before heaving a sigh of exasperation, and some other emotion I couldn’t quite identify into the mix.

  He stares back at me, and then says in a completely serious voice. “I need some alcohol before I tell that story.”

  I stare. I…. Well, I hadn’t even thought about what his childhood was like, I hadn’t even considered that it could’ve been bad. Sure, that one night I saw him cry was… odd, but I thought it was just because he had come here and well, see me almost die, that would hurt anyone. But, when he asked me that question, it just became even more… I don't know. I felt sad that he thought that, and it was bizarre that he would even question his human nature. Sure, lots of people had mixed heritages, but I don't feel that it was that kind of question.

  He walks over to the dimensional bag, and pulls out the cherry blossom ale that we had forgotten about, and sets it down in front of him as he sits on the ground. He gets his breakfast, eating it under the gazes of me and Dalyva, before finally speaking up. “What? It’s not all rainbows and sunshine.” He seems slightly defensive and self conscious of the fact he’s sharing his story.

  ————————————————

  I grab the bottle, take a swig, and set it down with a refreshed breath of air. Feeling a bit buzzed, I started. “I suppose I should start where I grew up. In the village, you had to pay to go to school, and it was expensive too. It wasn’t exactly legal, but they did it anyways for the money.” Dalyva looked horrified that they were exploiting people, but stayed quiet as I continued.

  “Me and some others would sneak up into the school attic however, and learn a lot from that, and do the people who went to school’s homework for a couple copper, especially the rich kids. They paid the best. Well, I had a group of friends, and I was brought up by desert scouts. I had one particular favourite.” I take another swig, Shankhe and Dalyva paying rapt attention to my story. “A father figure, you could say.” I could almost hear the question on their lips. What happened? “Then, the monster surge came. It happened when I was about 10, so seven years ago. I went out with Catri-that's the name of the desert scout-however we ran into a group of iron monsters, way stronger than what Catri, or definitely me, could handle. It was before the expected surge was supposed to happen, so we didn’t know that monsters of that strength were going to be there.”

  They stare at me, Dalyva with sympathy as she’s guessing what’s going to happen next, and Shankhe still with curiosity. “He was….” Even with the alcohol, it was hard to say what happened, but I managed of course, with the help of the buzz. “Killed.” I finish, and they stare at me, not really shocked by how it happened, as I had made it seem like that was going to happen by my wording and expressions, as well as my actions.

  “Then, I only had my friends to rely on, and we all had a fun time together.” I stare off wistfully. “Being adventurers, hunting monsters, doing some dungeons…” I started to think of the cheerful, non-dead adventures we shared, and thought that if not for the alcohol, which for some reason kept me grounded, I would’ve already burst into tears long before I got to my friends. “Well, that all ended five years after Catri’s death, when we went out monster hunting, too cocky for our own good, as we ended up getting destroyed by these bronze rank monsters. But of course, we weren’t supposed to be out here, as hunting monsters before you turn 16 is punished in most places and illegal in others.

  We however wanted to be free, and did so even when we knew that our Souls were still maturing.” Yes, peoples Souls had to mature enough before they could absorb Spirit, even if they were killing monsters. Not many people know what happens to Spirit when you kill a monster before you’re mature, but those who do know either don't want us to know because it's horrible or are thinking it's a very good strategy to get stronger. Well, it didn’t hurt me so I don't really care. Aside from my internal thoughts, I continue the story of my life.

  “Since no one knew we were there, everyone ended up bleeding out, and dying in the sand.” A deep chugging of the bottle. “There were two of us left. Me and Garu. However, Garu was… oppressed. His family was mean, wanting him to become a proper noble boy, studying studiously and being their best son. But, he didn’t want that. He wanted to be free, to travel the land with me and the rest, and so, he didn’t make it out of there alive either.”

  I didn’t elaborate, but both of them could guess at my meaning. Dalyva looked almost panicked, unsure if she should’ve dredged up such stories, and Shankhe just looked repulsed, repulsed that people would be so demanding. “When I returned to the town, you could say… people didn’t like me. Garu’s family hated me especially, when I showed no emotion that their son had died. Many people….” I closed my mouth. I was being more open than usual, but that didn’t mean I still wasn’t reserved on what I said. I shake my head. “Never mind.” Shankhe stares, silently encouraging me to continue, but not with a ‘I’m going to use this against you look’ but a more ‘we want to help’ look. Dalyva too took on the expression as they took in more and more of my story.

  A sigh escaped me, and reluctantly I whispered. “They beat me. Called me monstrous, inhumane, a devil, demon, not worthy to live.” Even with the alcohol dulling my emotions, a single tear slipped down my cheek. Shankhe gawked at me, finally realising why I asked the question that I did ages ago, but then murderous. Not at me, but the people who hurt me when I was at my lowest.

  My face took on a more cheery tone, but it was forced, enstrangled from the real Taegan and plastered onto this face. “But I escaped.” I say. “And made it to Mara-Ni.”As much as I’d like to say Shankhe and Dalyva looked happy, they looked at me, Shankhes eyebrow raised in a clear gesture of- 'What's next?’

  I didn’t like to share this bit. I didn’t like to share any of it, but this memory. It was more recent, fresh in my mind, and hurting. You see, and I narrated this out loud- “I had made it at a very bad time, a coal rank monster had managed to escape a dungeon, wreaking havoc all over the town nearby. Houses were on fire, people were cowering in fear, and there was nothing I could do.”

  A shiver ran down my spine, and Sha came up and hugged me, waiting for me to continue. “People were dead, and the giant drake of iron rank was swiping its giant claws at some innocent people. I was scared, helpless, yet I couldn’t look away, and that's when the drake's head rolled off its body.” I paused and Dalyva and Shankhe were staring at me like I just told the most horrifying story ever, and I suppose I did. “Then what?” Asks Dalyva nervously. “Then, I saw a man. He had flowing red hair, and his eyes glowed a clear teal colour. He had saved us. As we cleaned up, him and his team helping the injured and burying the dead, I discovered that he was a warrior. Specifically, he was a Paktuan warrior.

  The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

  That’s why I want to be one as well, to save and help people in need, so they’re not as helpless as I was. We had a big toast that night, and they invited me into their village, even in their darkest of times, and everyone shared stories about the people lost under the stars. I stayed there for two years, and just a couple weeks ago decided to leave before the monster wave in order to start going to Paktu.”

  After a couple moments of awkward silence, Dalyva spoke up nervously. “You… didn’t have the best childhood, did you Tae?” It was a stupid question, and she definitely looked like she regretted it the moment she said it, but I shrugged. “No, I didn’t.” I admit, as Shankhe is merely still processing how my life was.

  ————————————————

  Finally addressing his story, she walked over to him, and just wrapped him in a hug. I too came over and joined the hugging, while Tae just stood there like a shot creature, unsure what to do.

  “Tae.” Whispered Dalyva into his shoulder. I could feel her hesitation, after all, what do you say in that situation. Then, I thought of something. “Tae, why do you still wear a desert mask even if you were in Mara-Ni for two years?” He shrugs, putting his focus on me and not my emotions-and if you ask how I know that, I have no clue-and replies. “Because not all of the sand brings back bad memories, and also, it’s just my culture, it’s something I instinctively find comforting.” I nod. “Cool.” And we end the conversation there in silence. It’s not quite awkward, but it sort of is.

  My mind goes back to that day he broke down and I realised how his question was correlating to his backstory. His voice that night. ‘Am I human to you?’ That question reminds me that not everyone gets everything for granted. I quickly pull myself out, and let go of Taegan as he manages to get his hand on the almost finished bottle, and tips the bottle towards his mouth, waiting for the alcohol to drip down into his mouth, well and truly tipsy by now, if not drunk, but I doubt that because of how he’s acting pretty coherent.

  I think Dalyva already knew that aside from him revealing his past, this conversation wasn’t going anywhere, and that’s why she started to pack up the breakfast stuff with us, knowing how we weren’t really ready to fully talk about things like this.

  Finally finishing packing up-and Taegan putting the finished bottle somewhere it wouldn’t break-we started to head to the last door, and as we did, Taegan picked up the dimensional bag with everything in it, and walked over to his tent, starting to pack it up and put it in the bag. “What are you doing?” Asked Dalyva, hurrying over to where Taegan is putting the tent away. “Leave it, we’ll come back. Put the dimensional bag down.” Suddenly, something that had never happened before happened. Guide spoke without being spoken too, and seemingly for a very little reason. “Once you do the Trophy Trial, you will not be returning to the main trial room.”

  All of us instantly turn our heads to Guide, and I stare at it with disbelief. “It… heard us?” I asked, a bit shocked that it had said anything. After all, we didn’t really listen to it when we came out of the trial rooms any more, and aside from the introduction time, it hadn’t really said anything. We acknowledged its words as the truth, as it never has a reason to lie to us, and started to pack up everything, including the stones used on the fire, our tents, sleeping bags…. Yeah, suffice to say, over the days we’ve had this place as our resting place, we’ve taken advantage of the area and just left things there, knowing they’d be safe upon our return. It was a luxury we had taken for granted, and one soon to be ruined as we took steps out of the trials and to the next part in this labyrinth, or dungeon. Whichever one it was. I had forgotten at this point.

  We gathered our weapons, and headed to the room with its symbol marked a gold medal, and a one inscribed on it. I stare at the door with trepidation. This… was the end. Not of our journey, and not of our connection, but of a place I had almost once called home. You see, over the time it took to do the trials, it had become almost familiar to get around the campfire and talk, or just eat, even on the rare occasion to fight and play around. It was something that I had truly appreciated. A rest in the storm, many would call it, and I knew that from now on, we would have no mercy like this again until we left this place.

  Hand against the wood, my eyes connect with ones of blood, an inner strength reflecting in them and ready to face any challenge coming our way, before flickering to cloth on skin, and nodding and my hand pushed, and we ended up opening the door. Truly, who knew that pushing on a door would open it? Such discoveries today had been made.

  When I stared into the room, it felt familiar, although i had to search for how for a second, before I realised it was the exact same as the one from the Smarts room, all purple with no feature aside from the door behind us, a board in front of us, and a small pillar that maybe was as tall as a normal desk, with a handprint in it, and a couple words carved into the board read- ‘Place thy hand upon the pillar and derive from it what makes thou stronger.’ I stared for a moment, trying to come to the conclusion of what that meant, for it meant something important, I was sure of that.

  “Dalyva?” I turn to her with a curious gaze, and she just, sort of, chuckles? “It means place your hand upon the stone and they will tell you what makes you stronger.” She translates from the complicated wording on the wall. Okay, so it wasn’t that bad, but it was kind of hard to someone who never paid attention in class. Sure, i probably should’ve, and am paying for it now, but like, its hard to focus when all my friends are talking and providing interesting information, like how one of the fishman’s ships had crashed into the rocks fighting another band of fishmen. I start to walk over, but Taegan pulls me back. I stare at him. “What?” I ask, curious as to why he stopped me.

  He stares at me like I was insane, shakes his head, sighs, before saying. “Because, just maybe, we should think before touching it, and have an actual plan?” He sarcastically looks at me, and although knowing he’s either a very strong drinker and is just lightly tipsy or full on drunk, i begin to suspect that he’s only lightly tipsy, even with having downed what would be half a bottle of alcohol, with it being dwarves alcohol as well meaning its got a lot more kick for the amount of liquid in the bottle.

  I turn to Dalyva, waiting for her to break this tie with the obviously correct answer. “I agree with Taegan.” And immediately i have lost faith in the people i am grouped with.

  Truly, this labyrinth has diminished their intelligence, turning me, a mere going-to-be-once-I-got-out-of-this-place-adventurer, into the smartest here. Taegan sits on the floor, and we all follow, Dalyva looking around for any clues or hints aside from the board and pillar. “So, do you think it’s safe?” She questions, and Taegan shrugs. “Yeah. I just think that we need to carefully think about what’s happening here, because it seems strange that it’d only have one room, although it might be like the Smart Trial and have rooms revealed after we do it.” I just block out most of what they’re saying, after all, I don't get it. Why wouldn’t you just do it, it seems perfectly safe, and we can't see any traps.

  Finally they come to the conclusion that Taegan can go first, and I watch with anticipation as he walks up there and places his hand on the pillar, in the hand indentation. I wait for a second, before on the screen, where before it was carved instructions now read something completely different.

  ‘Please fill out this information sheet.’ I was confused. An information sheet, why would it need that? The board changes to the sheet of information, some things already filled out;

  ‘Name-

  Species-

  Age-

  Rank- Bronze

  Specialisation-

  Please state “my name is”, and then your name, and continue that with the rest of the blank spaces.’

  I look to Taegan, who is starting to do that. “My name is Taegan.” He starts off, and then, as his name appears where the blank spot was before, he continues. “My species is human.” Suddenly he shivers, and he looks back at us with eyes wide. “I-I got shocked…” He’s in disbelief, as where before it had instructions on how to fill in the blanks it says. ‘Please do not lie.’

  “Please do not lie?” Taegan says incredulously. “I am human. What else could I be?” Dalyva starts to get up, and walks over to where Taegan is, almost as if she’s looking at something. She picks up a clump of his sandy hair that was near his face, and moves it to the side, away from his ear. Pointing at his ear, I see something that wasn't there before he ranked up. His ears were pointed. However, they aren’t long like an elf’s, it wouldn’t be an orc or goblin, since those have green skin, and I was utterly stumped as to what it could be. Then, I realised something. If Taegan had it, wouldn’t I too? I reach my hand up, fast but with hesitation, before finally touching my ear. Everything felt mostly the same, except instead of round at the top, it was pointed. What could it be?

  Taegan tried something. “My species is unknown.” And luckily, that worked. It put three question marks on his information sheet, and he continued. But both me and Dalyva were thinking about what our species could be. Fairy? Well, we dont have wings. I just tune back in to what Taegans doing as he finishes stating his specialisation. In the end, once he’s done, one question comes up.

  ‘Would you worship the master of this labyrinth?’

  Immediately I can see him almost physically double back, and then quickly reply with a hurried, but definite. “No, never in my life!” He said. The board stayed that way for a couple more seconds, almost as if it was waiting for him to revoke his decision and say yes, before putting up a full information sheet with added things already filled out.

  ‘Name- Taegan

  Species- ???

  Age- 17

  Rank- Wood

  Specialisation- Sand

  Worship- No

  Corruption level- 2%

  Please remove your hand so that the next person can get evaluated.’

  We all stare at it, and Taegan removes his hand quickly. I stand up to go next, a bit eager, but thats fine. I place my hand on the still warm stone, and as the information sheet appears, states my name, and then my species as human. That was a mistake. A tiny electrical current runs up my arm and then down my spine, making me shiver. The same message when Taegan said he was human appeared. ‘Please stop lying.’ And so instead. “My species is unknown.” Is what I said, and the board likes that. I’m kind of happy that I’m not human though, as that means I’m more likely to be Taegans brother. Once I fill out all the areas, I get the worship question, and answer with. “Hell no.” I say, horrified to even think that the person who made my entire forearm, plus half of my upper arm purple, a person I would worship. Finally, I got my finished information sheet.

  ‘Name- Shankhe

  Species- ???

  Age- 17

  Rank- Wood

  Specialisation- Water

  Worship- No

  Corruption level- 15%

  Please remove your hand so that the next person can get evaluated.’

  I do so, and Dalyva does hers. However, while she’s doing that, I can tell that Taegan is looking at me concerned, almost… scared, even. He stares at me, and then goes over to me, staying near me, like he’s afraid I’ll disappear at any moment. It was probably due to my high corruption percentage. I smile, trying to reassure him that I’m okay, but his face stays blank, unreadable.

  ‘Name- Dalyva

  Species- Human

  Age- 16

  Rank- Common

  Specialisation- Sand

  Worship- No

  Corruption level- 5%

  Please remove your hand.’

  All of us stare at it expectantly, confused on what to do, why we did that, and if it was necessary. Dalyva removes her hand, the pillar sinks into the ground and the board says something. ‘Go through the door.” The board then splits open, revealing a purple forest.