#Book 2: Labyrinth | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

guildofempyreans · 6 months ago

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Chapter 1: "A Visitor"

//GOD DAMN, HERE I GO! It's Book 2 time!

Let's see how the next part of the journey through Lemuria begins...//

Emotions. Desires. Feelings…

Why did they have to feel like this?

They were distracting. They muddled his head, made him feel sick to his stomach. The feelings he experienced in the past. All the tears shed, the worry, the fear. All the weaknesses, plain to see. He wasn’t supposed to let himself feel this way. Nothing was supposed to phase him after Adhara took him in. That was what he’d decided.

But now they were trying to spill out.

Siegril reared his head back and smacked it into his knees.

His head was ringing, and the sounds around him didn’t make it any better. Even though he’d found a secluded alleyway, Maginia was never quiet enough. All sorts of noise from the main streets were able to drown him out, but now his mind was filled with white noise.

He needed any thoughts and memories of his parents and brother out of his head. All the unnecessary feelings he’d picked up in his time in Maginia. He couldn't stand feeling so…

Vulnerable.

Siegril raised his head, holding his legs tighter together. He couldn’t allow these feelings to keep affecting them like this. He couldn’t. He couldn’t.

He stood up, wiping his face off with his sleeve. He just needed to focus on something else. That was it.

The expedition itself. That was worth focusing on. He still felt too incompetent in battle. Training could be a good way to regain focus. Money wasn’t as much of an issue now, thanks to…

…Right, Luxes. He was supposed to be supplying him with Amritas, taking one of the biggest weights off his shoulders. It still seemed too good to be true, even with the caveat of having to help him in his research whenever he wanted.

Siegril quietly stepped out of the alleyway and blended into the crowd, deciding to set his sights on the hospital. Go there, then train. That worked.

Luxes seemed to spend a lot of time at Redray, so he was likely there. The one issue was that he seemed to always be sent off on missions with…

Siegril’s stomach churned at the thought.

If he was looking for Luxes, he’d likely find Flynn, given the track record. Normally, he wouldn’t care much what someone’s feelings for him were. But what happened between him and Flynn wasn’t his doing. He couldn’t stand seeing the fear in his eyes from something he couldn’t control. Something he didn’t want to happen.

Siegril looked up. The sun was nearly gone, but the moon wasn’t out… meaning it’d been about two hours since he’d left the inn. And he was still thinking like this.

All because he wasn’t strong enough to resist the Hollow Queen’s magic like everyone else. He wasn’t strong enough to do this or that. That’s all it felt like in this expedition. Every single time, something had gone wrong, and someone else had to step in for him.

I’m not always like this, am I?

Am I really this pitiful?

... ... ...

Siegril yanked the hospital door open. The cooler air inside was a welcome shock to the system.

Standing behind the desk was Uriel, putting a folder away. Her back faced the door, but her head spun around so that it faced Siegril.

“Welcome.”

Taking a quick look around, the waiting room only had one person in it. A medic, by the look of their white coat, who was reading a book. They had brown scruffy hair that covered their left eye, tied into a short, low ponytail. They also had some stubble, and generally seemed unkempt.

Siegril narrowed his eyes. There was something strange about them.

“Hello.”

He turned back towards Uriel.

“Is Luxes here?” he asked.

“Yes.” she turned the rest of her body towards Siegril. “Do you want me to call him?”

He nodded.

Uriel closed her eyes, and the circlet on her head changed from orange to bright blue. Siegril took a step back and hovered a hand to the inside of his sleeve.

“Luxes. Come to the front.”

She was silent for a few seconds. “Quiet. A visitor has requested you.”

Siegril, bewildered, dropped his stance. What exactly was she doing?

“Siegril. You have worked with him before.”

He heard the medic’s book close quietly.

After another pause, Uriel uttered a quick “Goodbye” before her circlet shifted back to its regular orange color.

“Luxes will be here soon.” she said, opening her eyes. “I suggest that you find a spot to wait.”

Siegril looked at the opposite end of the waiting area. There was no reason to entertain whatever odd feeling that medic brought in him. At least, not up close. Maybe if he observed them from a distance, he would–

“Siegril.”

The voice was so quiet that he’d hardly heard it. Yet he whipped around, eyes wide open. Hearing, and looking closer at the medic who gave him a lazy little wave, that odd feeling turned to…

Familiarity.

But Siegril didn’t know what to say or do.

In the end, he chose to sit in the chair across from them, and quietly look on. Waiting for them to speak first.

“Well…” they began. “Never thought I’d see you outside of Etria. Or away from the old man’s hip.”

He wasn’t too surprised he had forgotten, but…

Oz. That was this medic’s name. Despite working in the proclaimed slums of Etria, they were a licensed doctor. When Siegril had first moved in with Adhara, Oz was living in the house as well. They were the one who patched him up and got him eating, again.

Around six months later, however, Oz had left. Siegril hadn’t seen them since.

He didn’t pry the subject, especially since Adhara had given enough of an explanation for him. Oz had gone to find new work. That didn’t explain how the mood of the house briefly shifted after the fact, but again, he didn’t want to pry. It was always just odd. The house had gotten quieter for a time, even though the loudest of the three wasn’t the one who’d left.

“It’s been a while.” If his guess was right, it had been about seven years since he’d last seen Oz.

“Mmmh… Hey, stand up.” they said.

Siegril did so, despite wondering why.

“Huh.” Oz leaned to the side of their chair, propping an elbow up and placing their cheek on their hand.

“You were… ‘bout this tall last time I saw you.” they noted, raising their hand near the top of their forehead. “Really been a while.”

Siegril nodded, then sat back down. …Had he really been that short? He still wasn’t considered tall now, but… time had flown. Enough for him to not immediately recognize Oz. While he technically hadn’t known them for long, they were a constant presence in that short time.

“How’s life treatin’ you, Siege? Better?”

He had to twitch his ears to hear Oz, but once he did, he looked down. “I…”

Guess so, is what his brain was piloting him to answer. But, was that true? Between then and now, shouldn’t he be more sure of how things have been?

He was. He knew. Despite how he was feeling at the moment…

“Yeah.” he kept his head lowered to hide the small smile as he admitted it.

“That so? Glad to hear it, you know? Really am.”

Despite the monotonous tone that some may interpret differently, he knew Oz’s words were genuine.

“Kinda wish I could’ve stayed, but…” they sighed. “Life wanted me elsewhere, and your old man...”

They shook their head. “Ah, ‘nough of that. Speaking of ‘Dara… You here with him?”

“No.” he answered plainly, more caught up on whatever Oz was going to say before changing the subject. Back then, it didn’t matter. Oz left, and that was that. Now, though? Siegril’s curiosity was building. It wasn’t enough to ask yet, but it was going to remain in the back of his mind.

“So. Made any friends here?” they asked, reclining into the chair.

Siegril nodded. “We’re in the same guild.”

At least, two people who plainly said they were friends. As for the others in the guild, he doubted Ylva or Ruki would say they weren’t friends. Wing was Wing, and Alverion…

Well, he was an acquaintance, if that. More like a coworker.

“I was joking, you know? But that’s good.” With a breathy chuckle, they continued. “Quiet lil’ Siegril, going out on his own? Making friends, joining guilds. Grew up fast.”

“You’re quieter than me.”

Oz snorted, looking up with a crooked smile. “And grew with some sass, huh? I meant the amount you speak. You’ve spoken ‘bout a thousand times as many syllables in this talk alone than you’d done in all the time I was living with you two.”

“Hm.” Back then, he could barely bring himself to speak, even when he wanted to. He just couldn’t. Oz believed the reason was linked to his experiences with the Wyvern, his brother, and his parents. Siegril never fully understood it, but he wasn’t one to doubt Oz.

“Wait…” Oz sat up straighter in their chair. “You’ve gone an’ become an explorer, fighting monsters n’ all? Does that mean your Mana–”

“No.” Siegril took a quick look around.

No one else was here except for Uriel. He wasn’t sure if she was even able to hear the conversation, though. As a member of the staff, her knowing wouldn't be the worst case. Then again, everyone else he’d met here already knew one way or another. She likely had some idea.

Still, even if people knew, most didn’t know the extent. Oz was made aware when they’d first met. They tried what they could to help, but nothing worked.

Siegril couldn’t bring himself to look at Oz. He lowered his voice in shame. “I still have to drink it.”

Neither said or did anything, until Siegril heard the leather and slight creak of the chair Oz was in. A moment later, they sat down next to him.

He felt a pat on his shoulder, then another. Siegril was happy to see Oz again, but there was always this underlying melancholy between them. It felt strange to go back to that ‘normal’ the two had so quickly.

He hoped something could change about that.

As minutes passed, he wasn’t sure if the ticking of the clock in the room was making the otherwise quiet hospital better or worse.

A door had clicked open further within the room.

“Good to see you, Siegril.”

He listened to the clicking of Luxes’ shoes as he got closer. A heel-to-toe walk… Expected, from someone like Luxes. He seemed to think highly of himself.

Without warning, he practically fell into the chair across from Siegril with a groan. His head was thrown back, and his arms were reclined over the adjacent chairs. “Apologies…! I’ve just been running ragged this past week…”

“One of your friends?”

“Huh?” Luxes grumbled. His head lolled to the side, and he opened his eyes. Oz gave him a similar, halfhearted wave.

Luxes’ visible eye widened as he sat up. He cleared his throat and ran his fingers through his hair. “It’s nice to meet you, indeed. Are you a new employee?”

“Maybe one day.” Oz replied. “I’ve just been scoping out the medical facilities on this ship.”

His ears twitched as Oz spoke. He leaned in with an arched brow. “What was that?”

“They’re not an employee.” Siegril answered. “They’re checking out other hospitals to see if they wanna work at one.”

“Ah!” Luxes had stopped adjusting his hair and addressed Oz with a smile. “You don’t have to be so meek around me, you know?”

“Meek?” they droned before yawning.

Luxes laughed. “If you’d like to know more about the place, feel free to come to me tomorrow.”

“Oh. So, you work here?”

“I do not.” he replied. “Or… Hm. Perhaps I do. Albeit unofficially. But we’re getting off track. One; I work closely with the owner and his brother. I know more than the average employee. Two; what exactly have you summoned me for, Siegril?”

“It’s about the missions.”

“Oh? Well, what is it?” he asked, straightening up. “I already have a different guild to help me with one this week, in case you were hoping for a new request so soon.”

“No, I…”

He stopped, looking down in realization.

Right…

He had nothing to ask.

He just wanted a distraction. But he couldn’t just say that. And of all people to ask for a distraction from, why Luxes? They weren’t friends, guildmates, or anything like that. On the contrary, Luxes was basically his boss now.

“...Want you to be more clear about what’s in the places you ask us to go.” He figured he was a good enough liar for this to work. Besides, this was something he’d like Luxes to do. “Not just monsters. I mean stuff like the thorns in the Giant’s Ruins. And the amount of monsters. Didn’t you say you went in there before? Why didn’t you tell us?”

“What…?!” Luxes nearly whined. “Haven’t you already known that the Giant’s Ruins were similar to the jungle? And does the amount of monsters really matter? That’s the sort of thing you should expect, strolling into a monster’s domain! You could say I’m helping you learn a lesson! Never underestimate the labyrinth, as they say!”

Siegril could only glare at Luxes, who tilted his head and smiled innocently as a response.

“Oh, very well, I’ll see what I can do.” he added. “Actually, how’s this? I’ve been asked to investigate a labyrinth that’s been given the name ‘Untrodden Basin’. It’s a place with sticky patches of mud and tricky chameleons that conjure ice. Your guild’s assistance would be appreciated, especially with your ability to paralyze those chameleons in place.”

He pointed at Siegril with a grin. “Was that good enough for you?”

Siegril narrowed his eyes before looking away. “Yeah. Thanks. And we’ll see if we can help.”

“Good~!” he said, placing a finger on his chin. “Now, I’m hoping to have this Untrodden Basin cleared out by the end of the month. There’s much to learn on these islands, and more still, once the fog surrounding the Isle of Solitude has cleared. I can’t just waste my time in these small-scale labyrinths!”

“Alright.”

Coming here wasn’t all bad, then. He had a potential new mission, and even got to meet Oz again. He just needed to see if the guild was up to Luxes’ task before confirming.

…It was odd, needing to consult with others before taking on any tasks. He wasn’t a fan of having to wait for his decisions, but that was what being in a team meant. He just had to get used to it, for now.

“Well, then. If that’s all, I should be going.” Luxes stood from his seat. “Biscotti may still need some help.”

Siegril nodded. That was all he needed to do here, then. It was time to get up and leave.

“Wait.”

And yet…

“How’s… Flynn?”

“ Flynn? ” Luxes repeated. He turned to Siegril, crossing his arms and murmuring for a minute. “Well, his injury’s healing, if that’s what you’re worried about. I can’t say when he’ll be back out and about, though. Something else seems to be an issue.”

“What is?” Siegril asked.

Luxes shrugged. “I’m not entirely sure. Biscotti seems to know, but he’s not telling me. I figured the Hollow Queen’s magic had some residual effect, but that’s apparently not the case.”

What exactly did that mean? Flynn’s injury was fine, but something was wrong enough to make him think the Hollow Queen still had some effect on him? Siegril wasn’t sure if he wanted to pry further or not.

“I must say, I’m surprised you’re so concerned.”

Because it wasn’t him who did that. He didn’t want to. He didn’t mean to. And he could barely even think enough to stop himself. How could he possibly feel good about himself after that? And how could he possibly combat a power like that, if something similar happened? The chances weren’t low, with the unpredictability of the labyrinth’s monsters.

Luxes cleared his throat after a moment. “Well, if that’s all you need, I’ll hopefully be visiting the Baku Inn soon.”

“Okay.” He listened to the same heel-toe walk until Luxes left into the deeper section of the clinic before standing up, himself.

“Oh. You leaving?”

Siegril quickly looked over, having forgotten Oz was there. He nodded.

“Mind if I go with you? We don’t need to play anymore catchup, I just wanna talk with you a bit more.”

“Okay.” he murmured, nodding again. “But I’m going to the inn I stay at, then I’m leaving to train.”

“Hmmh… Got it. I should head home soon, myself.”

While he wasn’t too comfortable with chatting, he hated the idea of being left alone with his thoughts more. And so, the two left the hospital.

They walked in relative silence for a few minutes. People were still loitering around, whether they were civilians or explorers on their way to, or from, the islands. Never quiet, never peaceful… that just seemed to be how Maginia was. A person was never exactly alone here, for better or worse.

Oz strayed slightly behind. Siegril heard them rifle through their bag before pulling out a sort of wrapper.

They presented a bar, about the size of their entire hand. “Here ya go. Eat.”

Siegril glanced at the bar. Under the street light, he could make out that it was some sort of nutrient bar.

“You haven’t been eating enough, have you?” Despite their unbothered gaze, Oz’s voice was laced with a suspicion that Siegril couldn’t argue against.

“Been trying…” he hesitantly responded, snatching the bar. “The inn I stay at has good food.”

“That so? Guess I should check inside the place.” they said. “They still serve dinner at this time?”

“There’s probably something left.”

“Good, good. So you should get yourself some dinner if you haven’t already.”

Siegril sighed, turning around and walking ahead. “Okay…!”

Oz chuckled. “Alright, fine. I’ll shut up ‘bout you needing to eat. Now, about your guild…”

“Hey. Why do you want me to talk so much after giving me food?”

Neither spoke for a moment. Siegril used the opportunity to take a bite. It was pretty flavorless and, combined with their talk about the inn’s food, just made him want some of Leonidas’ cooking more.

“Guess I could’a thought that out better.” they admitted, scratching their chin.

The two remained quiet as they walked, even after Siegril finished eating and handed Oz the wrapper to put in their bag.

The inn was beginning to bring him some level of comfort, especially after putting that table into his room. After his evening out, he was relieved to go back. Maybe introducing Oz to the inn, and whoever in the guild was awake and around, wouldn't be too bad of a way to spend time before going off to train.

Plus, there was a chance they’d be interested in joining the guild. It didn’t seem likely, considering Oz was scouting out various hospitals and clinics, but the guild would unquestionably benefit from more healing.

Nearing the building, Siegril could hear something unusual inside. He slowed his steps to listen better.

“What’s wrong?” Oz asked.

“People’re being loud in there.”

“Heh… Not a fan?”

“I don’t really care.” he said, walking towards the entrance. “I just dunno why they’re being loud.”

“Only one way to find out, Siege.” they noted, a bit of levity in their tone.

Siegril twisted the handle, pushing the door open.

The sight of Folze in the foyer was already enough to put him on alert. Ylva was speaking with him, and Wing was at her side.

“...think’s goin’ on?!” Ylva spoke with undeniable urgency.

“I…” Folze paused, turning to the entrance. “Siegril…”

“Sieg!” Ylva shouted. “Yer alright!”

Despite the pit in his stomach, Siegril nodded and started to walk towards the two. He could hear Oz quietly trailing behind.

“Yeah. Why?” As much as he didn’t want to be bothered, this seemed important. Folze didn’t just stand out in the open like this. Not to mention Ylva’s comment.

“Have ya seen Ain?!” she asked.

Siegril’s legs suddenly felt heavy. He shook his head. “Why…?”

“I felt a powerful, unknown presence enter your room.” Folze spoke in a slow, methodical voice. A part of his cloak weaved upward to touch his head. “It was only for a moment. But after that… Ain’s presence became weaker, and the unknown’s became stronger. Now, his presence is nowhere to be felt.”

“What?”

#etrian odyssey #empyreantale #overcome the labyrinth #book 2

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