As the light from the orb dimmed, Number 11 exhaled slowly, finally allowing the tension to leave his body.
His wings fluttered nervously as he drifted back toward the screens where he was watching the humans.
"Always watching... always waiting to pounce," he muttered, his expression sour.
"Number 3 acts like a king, but he'll never be the true ruler. Only one has that right."
His mind wandered to thoughts of the Fairy King, Beruel, a name spoken with reverence and fear among the fae.
Beruel had been one of the few to rise in power, securing influence not only within the fairy courts but also within the darker forces of the Nether Cult.
Beruel's strength was legendary, his ambition boundless—and it was for him that Number 11 worked tirelessly, hoping to prove his worth.
"I must succeed for the King," he whispered, his sharp eyes glinting with determination.
"If I fail this mission, Number 3 will use it to discredit me, and the King's favor will slip through my fingers."
He knew that Number 3 just wanted to steal the glory from him which was why he had told him to report to him first.
Of course he had no intention of doing it but he didn't have the guts to refuse him outrightly.
He just hoped that the goodwill and eventual promotion from King Beruel would be enough to shield him from the anger of Number 3.
Failure was not an option. The Arcana—the ancient artifact hidden within the labyrinth—would secure not only his place but also help the Nether Cult grow in power, a vital step in Beruel's plans.
If he failed... well, he didn't want to think about what the Head of the Cult would do, let alone the consequences from his own kind.
Still, there was time. The adventurers were doing most of the work. He could afford a little more patience.
Turning his attention back to the shimmering screens, Number 11 began watching the Adventurers with renewed interest.
*
*
Davis nodded. "Like you, we were separated from the original group when we entered this cursed place. Been fighting golems and dodging traps ever since. But no matter where we go, there's no clear way out."
Neron remained silent for a moment, weighing his options. The reality of them being stuck in the maze with no clear escape route wasn't ideal.
Teaming up—at least temporarily—might give them a better chance of survival.
"We're heading deeper into the labyrinth," Neron said after a moment. "You can join us, but we're not here to babysit. Stay out of our way, and we'll stay out of yours."
From the corner of his eyes, he saw Lily glance sharply at him trying to catch his attention but he didn't look at her.
Davis chuckled, his eyes gleaming with amusement. "Fair enough. We're all here for the same reason anyway."
Lily shot Neron a glance, but he gave her a slight nod, signaling that it was better to work together for now.
Lily shifted uneasily, still not entirely convinced about teaming up with the newcomers as she wanted them to be alone.
"Let's not waste time," she muttered, sheathing her dagger.
They moved in silence, each step echoing through the dark stone halls.
Davis, walking beside Neron, glanced at him from the corner of his eye. "You seem calm for someone in a place like this. Most adventurers would've lost their nerve by now."
Neron didn't respond immediately, his gaze fixed on the surroundings.
Finally, he muttered, "Fear clouds judgment. That's when mistakes happen."
Davis raised an eyebrow but didn't push the conversation further. He noticed that the masked guy wasn't big on small talks.
There was something unsettling about him and he couldn't wait to see him in action.
As they pressed on, the corridor began to widen, revealing an expansive chamber with towering pillars stretching into the shadows above.
Davis nodded. "Let's hope it's not another trap."
Neron's eyes darkened. "It's always a trap. Question is—are we ready for it?"