Chapter 10 - Overcome the Fable, the Family Who Show Us the World

Leader and I sneak behind the corner of the barracks, our eyes fixed on the Auralis Gate.

Four uniformed officers from the Guard Regiment stand at attention behind the timber palisades lining the unfinished street. At first glance, they seem focused and firm, but if you look closer, amusingly, they’re so bored that they’ve been drawing in the dirt with the flat bottoms of their spears.

Leader’s attention shifts. “I think that might be…”

A caravan drawn by three colossal steeds more muscular than oxen comes into view from the massive rift.

As it rolls to a stop, I take a good look. It’s a stately roofless, double-axel metal reinforced wooden wagon. Sturdier and bulkier than any merchant carts in Rosebell, it’s clearly retrofitted for battle.

A flagpole rises from the back, bearing the Nation Elite flag with its blade-compass emblem. Everything about it screams their motto: ‘Fighting for and protecting justice.’ Five burly soldiers ride on top, their expressions many variations of welcoming.

“It’s the Nation Elite.”

“Never mind. The Silas Family isn’t with them.”

The Nation Elite converse with the superior gatekeeper, handing over official paperwork with a wax seal. The gatekeeper nods and exchanges words as he returns the documents, and the caravan continues down Central Street, heading north into the heart of Rosebell.

Leader laments. “‘We’re around the right time. I guess we have to wait a little longer… Oh, look, another caravan! That might be them.”

“But it looks the same as the Nation Elite’s.”

“Yup, it should look nearly the same.”

“Huh? I thought you said they were Conquerors.”

“…They are Conquerors.”

“…Oh.”

“That’s him. The guy sitting in the coachman’s seat -- Silas.”

A man sits with one leg casually draped over the side of the coachman’s seat. His easygoing grin says he’s in control of everything, even the breeze plays with his dark blue hair.

Around him are three others -- a woman with keen eyes leaning against the side of the wagon, a guy with a longbow slung over his back who looks like he’s already scheming, and an older man studying everything with an intensity that feels like he’s solving a riddle no one else even knows exists.

There’s this… vibe. Of veneration. It’s clear Silas isn’t their boss. He’s their gravity.

Stopping at the palisades, Silas leaps down like he’s been doing this forever. Instead of giving official papers, he pulls out a sack and hands it to the superior gatekeeper. The guard opens it, lifting out a bottle that catches the sunlight, its contents gleaming like molten grapes.

“Liquor?”

The gatekeeper goads huskily. “High-quality stuff, eh? Guess you Conquerors know how to make an entrance!”

Silas rests an arm against the wagon, grinning. “Only keeping the peace, friend. Now, how about you keep this passage open for our guests? We’ll be turning right back for today.”

The guard stops when he notices Leader and me, his gaze narrowing. “I see your armor, but attack is the best defense. I can’t let anyone unarmed past the Gate.” Then, to Silas’s group, “If you bring back corpses, we won’t be able to unsee that, no matter how tasty your bribe is.”

I open my mouth to retort, but Silas raises his hands. “No need to intimidate our guests. Let’s sort this out.”

Before the guard can respond, a thunderous bark shakes the air. “WROOF!”

The tarp covering the wagon trembles, and the guard stiffens. “The hell is that? What are you hiding back there?”

The Conqueror with the bow steps forward. “What? Our puppy? She’s part of the Family. Here.” He tosses me a sheathed dagger. “Now you’re armed. Problem solved, right?”

A dagger is nothing given the situation, but many would make due. The guard steps back. “Fine. Just keep your mutt under control.”

“Mutt?” The woman by the wagon, smirks, leaning backward. “Careful. Skoll doesn’t like being underestimated.”

As if on cue, the tarp lifts, and out steps… I don’t even know what.

“Holy shit!” The guards staggers back.

It’s a massive wolf with fur of white snow and a spiral horn jutting out of its head like it’s ready to impale the moon.

The bow guy laughs. “Meet Skoll. She’s a good girl, as long as you’re not on her bad side. Right, Skoll?”

“WROOF!” Skoll barks, deep enough to make my bones vibrate.

“See? Friendly.”

The guard mutters something about “lunatic Conquerors” but waves us through, probably too spooked to care anymore.

As the caravan starts moving again, I climb aboard with Leader, still staring at the giant wolf. “S-She wasn’t around last time.”

“You betcha. Skoll is our secret weapon. She was with her pack for a while but returned to us. There’s no need to fear, she only impales if we ask her to.”

“What about her bite?” Leader mutters, both of us keeping our distance.

“She’s a good girl. You’ll see.” The woman next to Silas tosses her hair over her shoulder. “Introductions, then. I’m Belariz, but everyone calls me Bela. I’m the swordswoman of this merry band. You must be the one who’s given Leader this new fire in his voice.”

“Brawler,” I reply automatically.

Bela smirks knowingly, her eyes flicking to Leader. “Both of you have got a good one here. Leader’s quiet, but when he talks about you, there’s no mistaking his conviction. It’s good to meet the reason behind that.”

Leader’s face reddens, but he doesn’t deny it.

The older gentleman nods faintly, keeping it short. “Edward. Navigator and swordsman.”

Leon waves a hand. “Leon. As you can see, I’m an archer extraordinaire.”

“Well, mostly.”

“You bitch.”

“And last but definitely not least…” Silas turns, his grin as sharp as a blade. “I’m Silas, the head of these misfits. Lancer… yeah, lancer for now. Welcome to the Silas Family.”

…

The Labyrinth stretches out endlessly, its vast corridors are as splendid as Leader and I remember. Stone walls rise high on either side, streams snake along the ground, their crystal-clear waters reflecting patches of grass and clusters of trees. The air is thick with the scent of moss and damp stone, a blend of mystic nature that pulls them deeper.

This is our first real step into the unknown in a while. And the Silas Family? They navigate it like it’s their backyard.

Silas is perched on the coachman’s seat like a king enjoying his domain, and he glances back with a smirk. “What’s the matter? Feeling small yet?”

I scoff. “Not at all. I’ve been waiting for this.”

“Good. Then let’s see how much you actually know.” Silas gestures toward the sky. “Tell me -- if the main function of this Labyrinth is a terminal from one Auralis Gate to the next, why don’t we just climb out of here?”

“Huh?”

“You mean escape the Labyrinth? To climb the walls to get a view from above?”

“Exactly.” Silas opens himself as if hugging the world. “Seems obvious, right? Adding that it’d help us not get lost, why doesn’t everyone do it?”

Leon grins. “Let’s show ‘em.”

Without hesitation, Leon notches an arrow and fires it skyward.

The arrow climbs high, climbs high--

A violent shudder rips in space. Jagged opalescent fractures surround the arrow. The shaft halts midair as if trapped between worlds and snaps in half, sending the splintered pieces down to Earth like drumsticks, the resulting clatter sending squirrel-like animals scampering.

I stare wide-eyed. “The hell--?!”

Edward, arms crossed, observes coolly. “That’s why we don’t mess with the sky.”

“The Labyrinth isn’t just stone and tunnels. It’s a cage. And cages exist for a reason. This place -- The First Circle -- is safe, if and only if you know how to work within the rules. We have enough to survive. Check it. Bela.”

“Yes, captain!” Bela unveils the tarp covering the back of the caravan. My jaw drops at the variety of tools, provisions, and supplies neatly arranged inside.

It’s a survival setup designed for both practicality and indulgence. Among the gear, my eyes land on something that makes my stomach rumble.

“No way… Is that tenderloin?” I gesture at a jar filled with filet mignon-looking cuts submerged in brine.

“It sure is.” Bela hands it over. “A5 Beast Cow. Freshly prepared before we arrived in Rosebell. Hehehe~. You look ready to pounce.”

I wipe my mouth quickly. “A Beast Cow? Man, the last time I had A5 was months ago.”

Leon inquiries. “Months? Not a carnivore, aye?”

“It’s not about diet. Remember, I told you. We have been saving up. For our dear friend.”

Edward, who has been silently observing the conversation, speaks up. “Commendable. Most people wouldn’t understand the value of that kind of sacrifice.”

Silas adds, “Why don’t we get this chow down? Steaks need an hour in the drink, to lose that brine, but after that? They'll be so soft, they'll disappear on your tongue."

“Alright, while we do that, bets are open! What’ll happen to this shot?”

“Don’t. Let’s not get skewered this time.”

Silas shrugs. “Those unseen cracks up there? Same as the ones around the Gate. They don’t like being touched, and the rejection results can be random. Besides, the real secrets of the Labyrinth are all around us. Where’s the fun in climbing out of an adventure when you can dive headfirst?”

Bela tosses a sidelong glance. “Rumor has it the Nation Elite are investigating a way to bypass the Labyrinth’s rules and access the top. Honestly, cheating the Labyrinth feels wrong. Those cracks represent a boundary of the Deities. If the Nation Elite tries to manipulate it, they may provoke something far worse than they’re prepared to handle.”

Bloodlust.

“GRRR!!” Skoll, the ever-vigilant warhound stiffens menacingly.

Silas doesn’t hesitate. “Edward, Leon -- back formation. Bela, prep. Skoll, point. Brawler, Leader -- hold tight.”

Their guests barely process the commands before the Silas Family moves as one.

Edward and Leon fall back, positioning themselves without falter. Bela draws her rapier. Silas tightens his grip on the reins, guiding the warhorses into a controlled retreat following Skoll’s bound.

No panic. No wasted movement.

This isn’t their first time on the brink of death.

My knuckles turn white on the side of the caravan at the sheer velocity. “Wait -- shouldn’t we see what it is first?!”

“Rules, Brawler! There’s always something to enforce them, fun as it is to outplay! There’s trouble ahead, a hostile Beast!” Silas taps his nose, a knowing smile on his face. “Skoll’s sense of smell! She’s never wrong about danger! You’d better trust her! She’s saved our hides sweet, sweet travel time more than I can count!”

Leader meets my eyes. “Can’t we just push through whatever it is?!”

“Yeah! Let’s see what riled Skoll!”

“Are you sure? Good spirit! Here I thought to retreat for our newbies! Let’s--!!” Bone-chilling screams rip through the Labyrinth, cutting Silas off. The hellish waves overlap, as though multiple Beasts consuming each other in a vicious battle.

Leader and I freeze at the tsunami of terror, our bravado draining as the eerie cries grow louder as they bounce off the walls.

The corridor should be empty. It is. As if all the small animals that should be fleeing couldn’t escape death’s clutches.

“What is that?” Whatever grotesque creature, it would aspire wails that threatened to crush their very souls.

“Keep the retreat! Everyone, move!”

“““On it!!”””

Silas cracks the reins, urging the warhorses to cover ground. “Let’s hold our word with the gatekeepers, yeah?!” The sudden lurch nearly sends Leader tumbling off the back of the wagon. We steady ourselves, hands instinctively hovering over the hilts of our daggers.

Leon dismounts his separate warhorse mid-gallop, seamlessly boarding the wagon as Bela swaps with him. He retrieves his storage quiver and notches an arrow, aiming toward the unseen threat behind them.

Once again, every action, every role is fulfilled without indecisiveness. These people -- the Silas Family -- aren’t run-of-the-mill adventurers, but seasoned warriors who have experienced Labyrinth’s dangers so much that outliving everything it throws at them has become innate. These warriors could trailblaze through Hell.

Leader is awe-struck. “They’re incredible.”

My playful demeanor has been immersed in luxuriating respect. “Yeah. Real Conquerors.”

After several tense minutes of retreat, Skoll barks again. “WROOF!”

The tension evaporates as the Silas Family relaxes.

“All clear! No battle, but what a good rush.”

Leon slides the arrow back into the box. “That scream? Was that a Beast tussling with a Cerberus Bear?”

“Are you our third newcomer?” Bela jests. “Yes. The strongest hunter of the First Circle. They’re the reason why people ridicule solo-ers for entering the Labyrinth.”

Leader grips his dagger with renewed confidence, despite his trembling. “We can take it down one day, right, Brawler?”

“Of course! Let’s see who can get the cub to sit faster!”

“What weapons would you use? Swords? Bows like me? Do either of you have training?”

Leader and I turn sheepish.

“Uh… not really. But I would love to learn.”

“Same. The fiercest weapon I’ve held is a Bladeback’s tail -- got my palms cut.”

“You two are reckless! Seriously funny! If you’re inclined after that, let’s start your training today!”

“Thank you, Master Silas!”

“Master Silas! I’d love that! But it won’t be me -- Edward here can train you.”

The mostly stoic Edward gives us a rare, unforgiving smirk.

Leader gulps. “Uh… why’s he looking at us like that?”

“That’s not a smile. That’s the look our little brothers and sisters give us before a game.”

“Why do I have the feeling Edward’s training will be brutal?”

“We’ll just have to go all out.”

“Right… or we’ll be destroyed.”

Bela’s stomach rumbles louder than the Cerberus Bear and she hopes no one heard. “Let’s eat first.”