As we entered the temple, we were greeted by a magnificent sight. The pillars, adorned in ivory, were engraved with masterful depictions of serpents and owls. Yet, these pillars were more than they appeared, upon closer inspection, they were intricately laced with bookshelves, their contents ever-changing, as if the knowledge within them was alive. The barren floor, stripped of the expected grandeur, seemed to reflect a deeper truth; a raw connection to the earth, perhaps mirroring the unsettled ground beneath our feet. With every step, the room seemed to pulse with disarray, the air thickened, the shadows deepened, as though chaos itself lived in these walls. The floor was strewn with unopened, yet clearly disturbed, boxes, as if someone had been searching for a specific one without caring for the contents of the others. Finally, my eyes landed on a solitary figure seated on a throne.
The man was both menacing and endearing, his demeanour a paradox of excitement and calm. I couldn't quite decipher his expression. One hand rested on a box, identical to those scattered around the floor. His throne was simple, with the only distinguishing feature being a serpent bust carved into the armrests. He looked at us with a complex gaze, a blend of sorrow, longing, and the faintest trace of gratitude; as if our presence was a bittersweet reminder of something lost. Then he spoke.
"Welcome, all, to my patron's labyrinth." His voice carried a weight of years hidden behind a youthful visage. "My patron brought you here at the request of her most trusted Olympian. She asked me to guide you, but first, I must judge whether you are worthy. If you can decipher who I am, I will grant you guidance. Identify will not work on me. However, in respect to my patron's wishes, I will allow each of you to ask one question, but you may not confer with each other."
We instantly recognized the power behind his words. I glanced at my companions, giving them silent permission to speak. This wasn't arrogance or pride, just the unsettling realisation that I might not have the answers they needed. Doubt gnawed at me, a familiar but unwelcome companion
Shawn, ever eager but often overlooked, spoke first. "Are you a former king of Athens who built a magnificent palace?" The moment he spoke, we all stared at him in disbelief. His question, though well-intentioned, left us all cringing in disbelief, stating something that was already obvious given the clues and the layout of the room.
The king gazed down at Shawn with a bemused smirk, clearly amused by his foolishness. "I'm genuinely astonished by your stupidity. Can you not read between the lines? Since this question is far more foolish than I anticipated, I'll give you a hint for your next question. Look around. This room is a window into my soul. It reflects what encompasses my entire being. This room is me… so, to answer your question, yes, I was a king in Athens." He shook his head, seemingly irritated by the need to state the obvious. I couldn't blame him, what king doesn't sit on a throne? Shawn had asked a foolish question, reducing our chances.
However, the hint the king provided was incredibly significant. When I first entered the room, I believed it to be a reflection of Athena, since this was her test. But certain things didn't add up. Why would Athena, known as the most organised Olympian, be represented by both order and chaos? If this were Hermes' temple, I would understand the clutter. But now I realised the clutter was part of this man's soul. He himself was in turmoil. But this wasn't enough for me. Why was the floor left bare, raw and unrefined? Why did the serpent dominate over the owl, as if one side of him struggled to overpower the other? And what was the significance of the boxes? These things puzzled me. I understood their presence but not their importance to the man before me.
Rebecca spoke next. "What's with the boxes?" Her voice, sharp with frustration, carried more than just anger; there was a deep-seated urgency, as if she was defending something far more personal, which made sense given that Shawn's absurd question had cast doubt on our group. I could hear the frustration in her voice. As she asked the question, she glared at Shawn. In her glare, I caught a flicker of something darker, a wound that had been festering long before this encounter, something that had grown more intense since the incident.
The king responded after a moment's hesitation, likely due to the disrespectful tone of her question. "Hmm, while I dislike the way you asked, I shall forgive you, given that tensions are clearly running high. To answer your question, the boxes are crucial to my upbringing. They are the reason I am who I am. I don't know why there are many of them here, but I do know that this box-" he pointed to the small box next to him, "-is the reason I am here."
This response provided more clues. I was slowly connecting the dots. A man deeply connected to boxes from a young age, a man who became king, a man beloved by Athena. But what was their relationship? Was it like that of mother and son? Lovers? I still wasn't sure. Why were the serpents more prominent than the owls in this room? Shouldn't a king give more respect to his patron? What if the serpents represented him, just like the boxes did? I was racking my brain, trying to recall myths involving serpents, boxes, and the goddess of wisdom.
While I was lost in thought, Anna spoke. "This may be a gamble, but were you raised under the guidance of the goddess of wisdom, and are you connected with the founding of Athens' most sacred traditions?" This was the question I needed, a calculated risk to probe the relationship between this man and the goddess of wisdom. But there was a greater risk in the fact that she had asked two questions in one. I feared his response. I still didn't have all the information I needed. I prayed he wouldn't lose his temper; too many times, I'd seen anger turn to violence, decisions made in haste that cost lives. This felt all too familiar. I knew the danger of trying to trick a superior.
His voice dropped, laced with a controlled fury. "You dare test me with trickery? Your insolence would have earned you severe consequences were it not for the rules that bind me. But you know what? I'll play along. I will answer both of your questions, but in return," he pointed directly at me, "Decipher who I am, and do so without aid. Alone, stripped of your allies' insights, can you stand against the weight of expectation, or will you fracture like all those before you?" My stomach tightened as his words sank in. I cursed silently, realising his true intention. He wanted to break us, to test not just our wits but our unity. He doubted my intelligence, clearly. He wanted to make it clear that he didn't care about what I had to say. He wanted to sow discord within our group. After all, he was not yet our guide.
"Lady Athena did indeed raise me, something for which I am forever grateful. And yes, she entrusted me with the responsibility of founding Athens' most sacred traditions. So, do you think you know who I am?"
My mind raced, but for the first time, clarity began to emerge from the chaos. I could feel the pieces aligning, a strange confidence building as I connected the dots. The boxes symbolise his birth. He was raised by Athena. Serpents were linked to his myth. He was one of the most important kings in Athens' history. I had to piece it together. Wait, I read about him before. Just the night before in fact. It felt too convenient to be simply a coincidence. So with a deep breath I began relaying my thoughts.
"You are the earth-born king of Athens, nurtured by Athena, founder of sacred traditions, and a symbol of divine wisdom,Erichthonius."
The king smiled at me with a newfound respect, his gaze wandering as if inviting me to elaborate on the reasoning behind my deduction before he would fully accept it. I took a deep breath, gathering my thoughts before speaking. "You presented us with a riddle wrapped in this room, a reflection of your soul, as you said. The moment we stepped inside, the pillars adorned with both serpents and owls caught my attention. The serpents, far more prominent, hinted at something beyond Athena's usual symbolism. It was clear that the serpents were not just decorations, they represented a deep connection to your very being.
The floor, left bare and earthy, spoke of a connection to the earth itself, a clue that led me to consider someone born of the earth, as you were. The cluttered state of the room, with unopened boxes scattered about, suggested turmoil, a lingering connection to the very circumstances of your birth. The fact that the boxes are central to your identity, as you yourself mentioned, pointed me directly to the myth of the infant hidden in a chest, a symbol of your early life under Athena's care.
When you confirmed that you were raised by Athena and tasked with establishing sacred traditions in Athens, the pieces fell into place. Only one figure in Athenian legend is so closely tied to both Athena and serpents, who was earth-born and played such a pivotal role in the city's early history.
You are Erichthonius, the earth-born king of Athens, nurtured by Athena herself. The serpents reflect your unique birth and identity, the boxes of your early life, and the traditions you founded at the very core of Athens' culture. All these clues converge to reveal your true identity."
The king's stern expression softened, just slightly, as if reluctantly impressed. "Not bad," he conceded, amusement barely masking a newfound respect. "You are better than I expected. You are indeed correct, and I will guide you through this labyrinth.
Firstly, I will explain what this labyrinth entails. The labyrinth is no mere trial; it is a reflection of your fears, your doubts, your resolve. Each floor will strip away your assumptions, test not just your wits but the very fabric of your bond. The first floor will confront your wits and strength, two forces often at odds… but the strength you need isn't what you think
The second floor is a test of the body. You will face a trial where your individual strengths mean nothing unless bound by trust. Alone, you will falter. Together, you might stand a chance.
The third floor is where most falter. A test of the eyes. It would ruin the surprise to tell you more.
The fourth floor is a battle of the souls. Simple, right? Just the strongest foe you have ever faced.
The fifth floor is pure combat. Simple as that. I wonder how you will face this.
And on that happy note, it is time to begin. I will give you ten minutes to speak, to prepare, though nothing can truly prepare you for what lies ahead. Use your time wisely, for once you begin, there will be no turning back, and no second chances. The labyrinth sees all, and it does not forgive."
We sat on the barren earth beneath the oppressive gaze of the powerful king. It was clear his role went beyond mere guidance. His eyes pierced through us, probing our thoughts. Time ticked by, his true intent unmistakable. He didn't want us to plan, nor to prosper. He wanted to test us. Yet, one of us seemed oblivious to his scrutiny.
"Alright then, any plans on how we're going to do this?" Shawn, with his usual knack for breaking tension, spoke up. His ignorance was a gift I hadn't realised I needed. Without him, the precious minutes we had to plan would have slipped away unnoticed.
Anna followed suit, her voice laced with unease. "I don't even know how we're supposed to plan this. We can't plan for what we don't know." Her voice betrayed the panic she tried to suppress. Too many things were still unknown.
Rebecca's voice sliced through the air, low and venomous, like a predator ready to strike. "If we have to hunt something, leave it to me." she said, her tone dripping with arrogance. "None of you will be much help. What happens to the beast is my decision, and I won't discuss it. Don't you remember, Hudson? That first day? Your arrogance got us all hurt. What if something had happened to my sister? I'm done following your lead, only to worry more about her afterward. You know I'm right."
Her words hit like poison-tipped daggers. She wanted me to feel the sting. It was a shocking turn. But I suppose that meant Shawn was right. Her sympathy is unnecessary. I had done too much for her, fought a Chimera for her. How dare she question me? She wanted to surpass me, but I wouldn't allow it. Not now. Not ever.
"Shut the fuck up, Harris."
"What did you say?"
"Enough about your sister!" I snapped, my voice laced with venom. "You think she's the only one that matters? There are four of us here, not just her!"
Rebecca's glare was ice cold, her eyes burning with fury. "If you weren't so arrogant, maybe we wouldn't have been hurt in the first place! What if she had died, Hudson? What then?"
"Arrogant?" I laughed, the sound hollow. "We fought a fucking Chimera to save you! What more do you want from us, Rebecca? You think your suffering is the only one that matters? We've all bled, we've all lost, but you don't give a damn!"
"I don't need you, Hudson. I don't need anyone. Just stay out of my way." Her words were deliberate, too sharp to be casual. She wanted me to react, to lose my cool. But why? Was she trying to provoke me, or was she testing how far I'd go?
"Shut the fuck up!" My voice boomed, louder than I intended. The others flinched. "I'm sick of your bullshit authority. You're not the only one in this game. We survive together, or none of us make it out alive. Get that through your head."
Rebecca's lips curled into a sneer. "I don't trust you. Not anymore."
"I don't care." My words dripped with bitterness. "We hunt the beast. We work together. End of story."
Beep! An enraged goddess openly shows hostility.
A potential patron is proud of your defiance.
I felt the weight of my rage lift, but I didn't care about the consequences. As the tension melted from my shoulders, I looked around at the reactions of my companions.
Shawn's face was frozen in shock, his eyes wide at my outburst. His brows furrowed in confusion, almost as if asking why I spoke now. Shawn's smile was faint, too controlled. He agreed with me, but he was holding something back. Was it fear? Or was he just relieved I said what he couldn't?
Anna was expressionless, her eyes hollow and lifeless. She looked at me like a statue, her gaze a deep, unreadable abyss. Her face betrayed nothing, but I sensed an undercurrent of hatred hidden beneath the surface.
Ericthonius was the most surprising. His devilish grin spread wide as he glanced between Rebecca and me. He wasn't allowed to interfere, as per his promise, but his excitement was palpable. His eyes flickered with amusement as he calculated all the possibilities. He was supposed to guide us, but I couldn't tell if his help would lead to salvation or ruin.
But it was Shawn who defused the situation with a heavy sigh. "Let's not focus on it. Planning for an ethical dilemma before we even know what it is won't help us."
Anna spoke next, her voice devoid of emotion. "I think there are only two floors where we'll need to work together. The others will test individual intelligence. We need to figure out the fifth-floor boss and solve the riddle on the first floor together. But after that, there's no need to stay together. Frankly, I think we need some time apart. Tensions are too high."
Her words carried reason, each one carefully selected. It felt like Anna was stepping out of the shadows for the first time. She'd always been quiet, lurking on the edges of our plans, but now… now she was speaking up, guiding us. Why now? Anna wasn't the harmless healer we thought she was. A healer is supposed to be the most trustworthy, the one who keeps us alive when everything falls apart. The peaceful, the kind. But now I wasn't so sure. The healer, after all, decides who lives… and who doesn't.
That day, I learned never to underestimate a healer.