Distrust

The walk through the labyrinth was cloaked in a heavy silence, broken only by the grotesque, wet sounds of the fleshy walls shifting and pulsating around them. The occasional hum of the bioluminescent fungi punctuated the air as the trio made their way through the dimly lit corridors, leaving the eerie Glow Gardens behind. The atmosphere, oppressive and alien, seemed to mirror the tension building between them.

Kuro led the group in his sensory form, his tall, insectoid figure moving with deliberate precision. His antennae twitched rhythmically, scanning the air for disturbances. Eleanor followed closely behind him, her eyes darting warily at the walls. She couldn't shake the faint sense of unease that clung to her like a shadow. It reminded her of their departure from the Temporal Tree, but the weight this time wasn't as crushing—just unnerving. Luke brought up the rear, dragging his feet slightly as if the energy to walk was steadily leaving him.

I can't get a read on Kuro, Luke thought bitterly, gripping the adventivore femur tightly in his hand. He helps me, then he threatens me—claims that Aldric's letter saved me from being killed. Then he makes the abnormals at the Shifting Bazaar trust me, only to coldly order the labyrinth to kill the bandits. No hesitation. No remorse. He's an enigma. Why does the labyrinth even listen to him? Kael or Ashtor, sure—they're legends—but Kuro? He must've been a child during the Relic War. What could he have done to earn their respect?

Luke's mind churned with questions, one spiraling into another. And who betrayed us? Someone told those bandits about our arrival. Someone convinced them to go against Kuro. It has to be someone clever, someone who knows how to exploit weaknesses. But who? His grip on the femur tightened unconsciously as his thoughts darkened. Is Kuro an enemy? Did he only protect me to toy with me? To send me running in circles for Solen's amusement? His gaze drifted to Eleanor's back. And what about her? Could she be working with them?

Eventually, they reached an empty hallway, where Kuro stopped and began preparing a patch of the fleshy floor to rest on. He moved methodically, almost mechanically, smoothing out the surface with practiced hands.

"Let's take a break for tonight," he said, his voice matter-of-fact.

Luke and Eleanor exchanged surprised looks. The realization hit them both—how long they'd been walking, how the concept of time had slipped away from them in the absence of sunlight. It had been nearly twenty hours since they'd last rested, and yet neither had noticed, their focus consumed by the labyrinth's surreal environment.

"Tomorrow, we continue," Kuro added, his tone neutral as he lay down. "We'll head to our final destination: the Heart Nexus."

With that, he closed his eyes, his breathing soon steadying as sleep overtook him.

Luke and Eleanor began setting up their equipment in silence. They worked side by side, erecting the same tent-like shelter they'd used on their journey to the Abnormal Kingdom. Unlike before, Luke's hands moved with surprising ease, his muscle memory guiding him through the process without hesitation.

Eleanor chuckled softly, attempting to lighten the mood. "Hey, you actually did it this time without screwing up! You might be worth something, Luke!"

Her grin was wide, almost mischievous, but the words hung in the air, unanswered.

"Luke?" she asked, her expression softening when she noticed his silence. Her gaze moved to his face, where his eyes—darker than their usual vibrant emerald—were locked in a faraway stare.

What about Sylveria and Aldric? Luke's thoughts surged back to the forefront, drowning out the world around him. Are they allies? Clara said humans won the Relic War. What if Sylveria blames me for the loss of her people? What if she wants revenge?

His fingers brushed against the femur at his side, the cold touch grounding him as his mind spun. And Aldric? He's powerful, respected. Why would he accept that bet about training me? He lost his best friend, Kael, to humans. Could this all be some grand act of revenge? Did he send me to the Abnormal Kingdom knowing they'd hate me? What about Clara's message? 'Fate demands your presence; you cannot decline.' Is that a code for something?

The thought of Aldric's letter flared in his mind. I never even read it. Kuro could've lied about what it said. His jaw tightened as the pieces refused to fit.

"Luke!" Eleanor's voice was sharper now, cutting through his spiraling thoughts.

Can I trust Eleanor? She was always present during the meetings, even before I arrived. Is that why Aldric got lost? So that Sylveria would have time to inform Eleanor of their betrayal on me? Or was it done during her time captured in the jail cell? In fact, why is Eleanor chosen for this mission? She's from the Sylvera's slums. Even if she has an essence, her involvement with the Queen and Elders is suspicious.

"Luke!" Eleanor called again, her voice trembling with frustration and worry.

And why is this stupid Knowledge Thing not giving me any answers?!

"LUKE!"

Her shout finally broke through, jerking him back to reality.

Luke blinked, his head snapping toward Eleanor, who stood inches from him, her hands gripping his shoulders firmly. Her face was a mixture of worry and anger, her eyes searching his for clarity.

"What the hell was that?" she demanded, her voice edged with concern. "I've been calling your name for the last ten minutes!"

He stared at her for a long moment, the storm in his mind refusing to settle. Should I trust her? The thought hung in the air like a phantom before Luke finally made his decision.

"I'll be honest," he said coldly, his voice steady but devoid of warmth. His hand dropped to the adventivore femur at his side. "I don't trust any of you."

Eleanor's hands faltered, falling away from him. "What…?" she whispered, her voice small and strained. "What are you talking about, Luke?"

Her own hand moved instinctively toward the bow slung across her back. She noticed his grip on the femur, and her face shifted, the playful grin she often wore giving way to sorrow and disbelief.

Luke's tone grew harder, sharper. "Everything feels too coincidental. You, Aldric, Sylveria, the Elders, Kuro, Ashtor, Clara—everyone. You all started helping me for no reason. Despite knowing nothing about me. There are too many coincidences. Too many reasons to doubt all of you."

Eleanor's voice cracked. "Luke… don't do this. Don't be foolish. Why would we betray you?"

The word foolish struck him like a hammer, reigniting the fire of his frustration. He winced, his voice dropping to a low, venomous whisper. "I can count the reasons you should stand by me on one finger. The reasons for you all to turn against me? They're endless."

Eleanor took a shaky step back, her bow still on her back but her hand hovering near it. "Luke…" she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "Don't do something you'll regret."

The tension between them thickened, the air around them growing heavier with unspoken fears and rising suspicions. The faint sounds of the labyrinth pulsing around them served as the only reminder that they weren't entirely alone, even if they were worlds apart.