Marion-san
(?)Community Member
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- Posted: Wed, 21 Aug 2013 02:40:03 +0000
“They're not ready, my Lord.”
“Then we'll have to make them ready."
"You can't mean.... But they're just children!” A pause, distinct and harsh in the current conversation. “Well mostly children. They have no experience!"
"We don't have time to coddle them!” A harsh snap and a deep sigh. It was obvious this was the last thing desired. Unfortunately… “They must be made ready now, or the world will fall."
“Yes...yes... of course. Alright” A wave of hands and a message was delivered, summoning the children of the gods, by force, into a place that could easily prove deadly.
All over the world, the scene was repeated: a mysterious fog swept into an area, wrapping itself tightly around a few random young people. When the fog cleared, they were gone. Some were teens, others young adults. Some were sleeping, and others were out and about, going about their days. Each, however, had strange abilities, though some were latent. No one suspected they were products of a godly lineage. Why would they?
When they reappeared, they found themselves in a maze made of stone and hedges that rose high into the sky. Much too high to even dream of seeing over. Corridors stretched into oblivion, with hundreds of turnoffs along the way. The group frantically looked around them, many clearly in a panic. Some tried to push through the hedges in a desperation to get out, but were grabbed by vines and found themselves swallowed down, never to be seen again. That had to be the worst part: A labyrinth of horrifying proportions, with walls too high to deal with and hedges that could eat someone alive.
Those remaining soon realized that there would be no escape. At least, not in that way. Some put it together quickly: they would have to find their way out. Or die trying.
But not all those shrouded in the fog had made it to clearing. “Where are the others?”
“Someone has interfered. We should get them out of there!”
“It's too late.” Another heavy sigh. This was not going as planned already. “Once a mortal enters the maze they cannot leave it until they reached the end.”
Silence hung heavy for a few moments as that ominous statement was considered. “Well, at least the Minotaur has been chained. Right?”
In the maze, the demigods had started splitting up a little. Some talked in frightened or worried voices to one another, debating what to do. Others desperately searched for answers, hoping they could find a way out that wasn’t immediately seen. But all fell silent when a voice cut through the air:
“Welcome, children of the gods! I am Zeus and this is your first test. Each of you have the blood of a god running in your veins. With that blood comes power. And with that, a destiny.” There was a pause and an image shimmered in the center of the clearing, hovering there in midair. Shown were pictures of the chaos that had infected the world, focusing primarily on where it had all begun: Chicago. “It should go without saying that your world is in danger. It is up to you children, our children, to save this world. This maze will help you to learn to work together and understand your abilities. You can—”
The voice was cut off as the image in the air shattered, throwing the clearing into semi darkness. A few cries of surprise filled the air before an eerie silence overwhelmed them. What was going on?
A new voice cut in, filled with a cold amusement: “You can save the world?” The resounding, echoing laugh was like ice, cold and biting, mocking their fears and bravado. “Why do that when you could have a chance to rule it? To change it for the better?” Another pause, meant to allow the demigods to think on the words. Were there things they did not agree with? Could they really change it, make it better? Just what was—
“I have done some...modifications on the maze to help make it a bit more… interesting. If you can survive it, then you have a choice. Follow the path to be the gods’ lackey and preserve this wretched world. Or take the path to become something much more powerful, something that might even bend the gods to your will. The choice is yours...if you can survive. Good luck.”
The voice vanished, making way for Zeus' to fill the air once more. “It seems that it is true. The maze has been tampered with. Unfortunately, we cannot correct the changes” His voice sounded worried, thoroughly disconcerted, Obviously, this was not going to his plan. And if the gods’ plans were so easily derailed…. “This is no longer just a test. Make it through the Labyrinth. Survive. Work together and you will find the true path to nobility and what it truly means to be a hero. Be safe, children.”
His voice vanished, leaving a hefty silence in its wake. The demigods… the gathered children… they were left alone with no idea of how to use the powers that were being referred to. No true experience in fighting, and no guidance. No knowledge of the horrors that were waiting for them, just around every corner….