||07||

'That bastard' Zion was angry, disappointed?No not really. Just angry, Marcus didn't even make it seem like he had a choice.

That much was clear as the attendant riding with him filled out some of his own documents.

He thought to say something but chose to sit in silence not wanting to hinder his work.

"You're free to talk Zion Volitum, I'm your attendant as much as I am your founding fathers"

A founding father was an interesting way of saying adoptive father.

"So, am I really going to the Maze?" Zion enquired as the attendant flipped to another page of the document he had.

"That is correct young master" he wasn't used to that. Formality terminology was only for those who'd earned it or were born in it.

But it only made sense to call a great man's now son that. But still, to Zion it was a weird notion. Hell, everything was.

"You may call me Prolen, young master, my job is to make sure you are fully inducted before anything starts." Finishing the documents he had, Prolen then placed his finger on a small box embedded in a table between the two.

Without a seconds notice the table opened and expanded showing holographic imaging as a map of where they were and where they were going appeared.

It was the first time Zion had seen it, that he slightly leaned in.

Touching the hollowgram the map zoomed out showing the basic structure of Sections and zoning.

Right now they were passing Section 2, Zone 4, a little ways North of Marcus's Mansion.

Entering a pass code on one of the windows, the windows you could once look through became enclosed into darkness. As the hollowgrapic map was now the only light that presented itself.

"I'll be truthful with you here young master, you may die. But in saying that, if you don't and fail. You might have been more lucky to have be killed. The lord isn't a very forgiving man, no matter his outwards expressions"

'You mean his eccentric bullshit' Zion hissed in thought as the hollowgrapic map changed to a diagram of layers and traps.

"The Maze" Zion blurted out, he'd seen it in one of the books he'd read recently. The Maze wasn't like a bunch of hedges and traps or stops. No, it was like a tower, built sturdy and built with years worth of magic. Enough to keep hideous hungry beings inside it.

The only way to finish a Maze, is to get to the top and portal out.

However you can portal out before then but that would mean failing the Maze.

"Others have put those even younger than you through such perils." Prolen said as he adjusted his glasses.

Prolen looked to be around his late 20's, his striking long blonde hair and emerald eyes could have had him mistaken for nobility.

He wore slightly different clothing than the servants of the mansion. His bore a more resemblance to the combatants armour.

"So make no mistake, you maybe young but younger have surpassed and ruled those Mazes"

It was such a bizarre thing to think about, his body was that of an 8 and a half year old right now. The fact that nobility and higher status individuals put their children in at such tender ages?

'The fact that they die and not a single eye would bat from it.' It was kinda a disgusting notion, when he'd been so used to protecting the innocence of children in his former life.

Here the culture was to reign over, become strong or die trying.

"Zion Volitum" he heard his name being called and looked up. "Did you hear anything I just said?"

"Would it be bad if I said no?" Zion replied sheepishly, as Prolen returned a deadpanned expression before closing the hologram and restoring the windows to their original state.

"As I was saying, when we arrive there, you'll need to wear these" holding up what looked to be a black skin tight suit with arm and leg bands, Zion frowned. "It'll protect you more than any high tech armours, make no mistake, the Maze is a battlefield. But intellect is your best friend when it comes to conquering one."

"Have you been in one?" It wasn't as simple of a question he'd thought it was, as Prolen looked to be at a standstill.

"Yes..." Prolen eventually filled the silence. But Zion could see he wasn't saying everything.

He didn't want to assume the worst had happened but the silence was deafening at the times he couldn't overlook.

"We're here" Prolen said, as he opened the carriage and took the case that held Zion's suit and the documents he was filling out earlier.

Walking towards the entrance they were stopped by officers on site.

While Zion waited he looked up.

'It's massive' his thoughts were colliding, he was actually starting to feel fear now.

But looking around him at the gate, he saw others arranging documents and more.

Young boys and girls of various ages and backgrounds were being processed like he was. Yet they were already in their suits and didn't even look to care for the slaughter ahead.

'They're all psychotic' he slightly grimaced as Prolen had gestured to follow.

"The rules will be made clear with the others that'll enter with you." Stopping he turned to Zion, "Do not trust anyone."

The way Prolen said that made him believe his fall into silence held more significance to it.

"Get dressed first, go forward to you left" he handed over the suit case to Zion as Prolen than walked to talk to an officer.

Trying to get into the suit was like trying to push a nook into a cranny that just didn't want to go in.

To say it was tight was an understatement, it was like second skin. The arm and leg bands made up some of the nakedness feeling he had. But the constant feeling of slight stickiness didn't feel great either.

Walking back out in it was like having a massive wedgie, only it just felt that way. As a suit, it was made well and practical for tiny bodies. Zion just wasn't used to it yet.

Seeing Prolen, he walked forward accidentally bumping into someone else.

"Sorry" he blurted out as an agitated 'hum' was heard in response. Looking at who he'd bumped into, a young girl no older than 7 looked back.

"Do you make a habit of bumping into things" she said as Zion looked baffled at her mannerism.

She was of nobility standing, he vocabulary was beyond that of an adult already.

'Children here are just built different huh' he concluded in his mind as she left without introducing herself.

He knew she'd just insulted him for being clumsy in the most backhanded way possible. But he couldn't shake Prolen's warning about not trusting anyone.

What good would it do him or anyone to get to know one another, when ultimately, those that were there now. May in fact never come out.

"Young master, it's not a good look to be standing and spacing out in the corridor." Prolen's voice came from behind as Zion turned around and saw he was accompanied by another.

"So this is Marcus's boy? Hardly looks like him though" questioned the man next to Prolen.

"He takes after his Mother in looks" Prolen responded to the strangers enquiry.

As the man hummed in response as Zion's eyes furrowed.

'What is going on? Is it frowned upon to adopt a child in higher status families?' He wondered as the man smiled at him, to which he simply nodded.

"I guess we will be expecting great things from him then if the blood of Marcus run deep."

'Runs deep my ass' Zion rolled his eyes as the grinning idiot came to mind as he was being dragged out not even 2hrs ago.

He was rather thankful they weren't related... at least he hoped not. It's not like he knew enough to assume, everyone was keeping secrets from him.

"Everyone, induction will be starting now, so can everyone present make your way to the first outta floor."