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Deep beneath the earth lies an endless maze called the Labyrinth. Its tunnels twist and turn, constantly changing and never-ending. Creatures, horrifying monsters created by ancient magic, prowl below, trapped within its walls. Beyond the Labyrinth lies the barrier to the Final Destination, where the Gatekeeper keeps vigil, waiting to open the Gate.
There are few known ways to enter the Labyrinth. Some claim to be swallowed by the earth, suddenly appearing in the labyrinth tunnels with no way out. Some claim the entrances are scattered among the land disguised as caves or outcroppings. However, deep in the farlands, carved into the base of the Thessalon Mountains between the Twin Vineer Peaks, lies the entrance to the Labyrinth. Two giant bronze doors, etched with intricate designs and detailed in gold and copper, slowly weathered by time, stand shut, waiting for any brave (or foolish) soul to open them.
Many have tried to conquer the Labyrinth, only to disappear in its ever-changing corridors. Many believed the Labyrinth contained unfathomable treasures in the center and sought it for their own greed and glory. Some enter, hoping to study the Labyrinth and its patterns, mapping out a way for others. Some fled to the Labyrinth, hoping to find an escape from their oppressors. No one ever returns.
Except one.
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Long ago, when the Ancients were still rising, an evil King rose to power. He ruled with an iron fist, hunting down all who opposed his reign. Many fled to the farlands, searching for the fabled Final Destination. While searching for the Final Destination, they stumbled upon the doors of the Labyrinth. They began to congregate outside the doors and created a small settlement called Goldon. Years passed as many explored the Labyrinth, hoping to find the Final Destination with no success. Eventually, they began to lose hope, and the settlement began to grow.
Many years later, the Final Destination is nothing but a rumor. The tyrant has claimed even the far reaches of Goldon, and hope is lost. Soldiers ruthlessly patrol the streets while the Governor reigns from his mansion. The Labyrinth doors are heavily guarded, and none are allowed to enter. The people begin to go hungry, and soon they begin to look to the Labyrinth for supplies. People begin to sneak into the Labyrinth, searching for treasure or supplies to increase their survival. Goldon becomes a den for refugees, thieves, and treasure hunters, hoping for a chance at the Labyrinth.
One day, two refugees took shelter in Goldon. They quickly learned of the Labyrinth and the raids and discovered a talent for navigating the Labyrinth. They easily became known as the most successful raiders and were both loved by the citizens for their generosity and despised by the raiders for their skill.
One day, one of the Refugees fails to return from the Labyrinth. The other, fearing the worst, enters the labyrinth, searching for their partner. As they search, the Labyrinth almost seems to shift to their will, leading them straight to their partner. Their presence was not unnoticed, and some raiders discovered them. They begin to hunt them down, their greed consuming them. The Refugees flee farther into the tunnels, farther than any dare to go. They quickly become lost inside the twisting maze.
The refugees had only heard stories of the Labyrinth's sentience. They had assumed they were only stories. They knew the rules. Ignore the callings, clear your mind, push forward, and NEVER bargain with the Labyrinth. A bargain with the Labyrinth will only bring death.
After stumbling around for days, they begin to notice strange things. They noticed how the corridors shifted beneath their touch, the walls pulsing like veins. They watch the tunnels ahead switch directions in the blink of an eye. They hear the growls of monsters echo through the corridors. But most of all, they hear the whispers of the Labyrinth itself. In the silence of the tunnels, it tugs on the back of their minds, a small unnatural voice speaking of great loneliness, centuries of anger, and its vengeful wrath. The Labyrinth is lonely. The Labyrinth demands that they stay.
Just when all hope seemed lost, the Labyrinth suddenly shifted, and the refugees found themselves in a strange corridor, much different from the Labyrinth, that seemed to stretch for miles in either direction. Torches lined the walls as they walked down the corridor until it turned into stairs. At the top, a small archway of light stood. They rush up the stairs to the outside of the Labyrinth, greeting the fresh air.
They were far past the mountains of home, rolling green meadows surrounding them on either side as far as the eye can see, with a small dirt road to guide them. Ahead of them was a shimmering blue barrier stretching from one end of the world to the other. The dirt road led to a gatehouse just outside the barrier. A lone man stood outside, keeping watch. Just beyond the barrier was the faint outline of a shining, floating city. An ethereal sight one could only dream of.
The Final Destination
The refugees cheered, and one began to rush towards the gate but quickly fell short when they realized their companion did not follow. The other refugee remained unmoving on the edge of the shadows of the Labyrinth. The refugee called to their friend
"Come! Let us cross the barrier together, and enter the Final Destination!"
But their friend shook their head, a solemn expression upon their face.
"My dearest companion, I cannot join you." They admit sorrowfully. "I'm afraid I have made a terrible choice."
"What have you done, my dear friend?" The other inquires, "Whatever it is, it does not matter now, for we have finally found the freedom we have sought for so long."
"On the contrary, my friend.” Their friend replies, shaking their head in dismay. “I'm afraid I have condemed myself. The Labyrinth does not give freely, and the price of freedom is bitter."
The refugee begins to despair. "My friend, my dearest companion, did you not heed the warnings? Did you bargain with the Labyrinth?"
"We were not meant to leave, my dearest friend.” The friend replies sorrowfully, “The Labyrinth is lonely and demands company. It was only for a fleeting moment, but I proposed a deal. Your freedom for mine. It was only for a moment, but just a moment was enough."
The refugee begins to weep. Their companion, their dearest friend, was now to be torn away, doomed to live beneath the earth in the dark of the Labyrinth. They wept, mourning their friend until the Labyrinth began to grow impatient. The ground shifts as the refugees bid their last farewell, their sorrows bitter as one returns down to the earth.
-:-
The Labyrinth rejoiced in its newfound companionship. Its own loneliness has finally come to an end. As they remained in the Labyrinth, the magic slowly began to infect the Refugee. The refugee began to learn more about the Labyrinth, how to communicate with it, and how to sense the shifts in tunnels. The monsters began to recognize the refugee as one of them, avoiding them instead of attacking, and some became companions to the Refugee.
Soon, the refugee became known as the Warden, Keeper of the Labyrinth. The Warden began to use their new abilities to help other refugees like they used to be. They learned how to trap raiders and lead them toward the monsters of the Labyrinth. They learned how to guide refugees to the Final Destination, leading them from the doors to the stairway, where their dearest friend, now known as the Gatekeeper, would lead them to the gatehouse.
And when the last of the refugees would pass through the gates, the Gatekeeper would stand, hand outstretched towards their dearest friend in invitation. And each time, the Warden would smile and turn away, returning to the Labyrinth's clutches, forever bound to the dark until the day their bargain is fulfilled.