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The outer floors were exactly that, floors outside of the Maze. In fact anyone could watch what people did within on the outer floors. They surrounded the Mazes structure from beginning to end.

"As you all know, beyond the gates to your right, is the starting point of this Maze. This Maze is called 'Waling Spirits', it is one of 10 within the Capital." Spoke the announcer as everyone was lined up with whoever had come with them.

It was mostly servants and special grade Combatants though, why would a parent of high status have time or want to do something so trivial?

"You will not be totally helpless though, before entering, your suit will be hooked into our system via magic circuitry. Your vitals, your organs and most of your body should remain protected. That is unless you find yourself in a fight you cannot win. If that is the case, each of you will be given a teleporting crystal made of the highest grade. However, should you use this while completing the Maze and not at the end, you will fail."

Looking around the hall, Zion could see it, the pressure to succeed and bring honour to the names that each kid was here presenting. None of them wanted to fail.

It was certain that that man earlier was the man in charge here too. A man with a dignified presence and a well groomed appearance.

Yet one thing was mentioned that neither Marcus or Prolen had told him on his way here.

"You'll stay here until you complete the Maze. Whether this takes you a week from now or a month, years or more. Unless you use that teleporting crystal, here you'll remain. No one will come to get you, you lose your teleporting crystal, your problem."

Insanity! That's what this was, he was clueless, a complete in the dark bumpkin. Knew nothing about anything only some basics and far fetched rumours!

How the hell was he going to survive against everyone here!? There was no rules against killing others! Whatever happened in those walls was fair gain!

"Prolen-" Zion started but officers had already moved the servants, special grade Combatants and more to the side.

There was no escape, he'd just signed his life away to the shitty last name of Volitum. With the Cheshire Cat at the top of his shit list! (Marcus).

"If you do die, your bodies will not be recovered due to policies but last moments captured by your suits will be issued to your families." The announcer finished as the officers began to march everyone to the main door.

'Fucken brutal!' Zion shuddered as the huge metal gated door opened up slowly. What seemed to be magic circles on the doors lit up to signify the fortitude.

They were serious.

You go in, you risk it all and depending on skill, you either rise or fall.

Looking back one last time he could see Prolen, however his mouth was moving. Zion wasn't a pro at reading lips but it was obvious what he was saying.

"Trust no one"

It was easier said than done if you knew what you were doing...

But Zion didn't know a damn fucken thing!

----

[A day ago, Marcus's office:]

"My Lord, is this really the right way for him to learn? We have fine tutors and other various staff to give him what he needs-"

"-It's not enough" Came Marcus's voice, cutting Prolen off. "He's already 8 years old, time has been wasted. There are children younger than him of high class magic and self defence capabilities. At least with the Maze he'll have a chance at real combat, real threats. Not make belief bullshit" Marcus finished as Prolen pinched the bridge of his nose.

"He came from the country, he doesn't know formal adequate or understand reasonable basic knowledge of day to day. His background is laughable if not pathetic, of course there's his mother but she's already succumbing to her illness. What stems this bizarre hope for this child, why go so far?"

"Because I knew his father, the very person the Empire forgot and the exact same individual the Capital used. A true warrior- no, a monster." Marcus clicked his tongue as he finished the submission to the tower documentation.

"What makes you think he'll agree?" Prolen asked as Marcus stood up from his desk. He then walked briefly to look out the large windows behind his desk. They overlooked the front of his mansion which reflected his contributions.

"Because I saw it in him, he wants more than this. He knows he doesn't belong here, so I'll give him the chance to earn it."

-----

[Present 4:27pm Thursday:]

It was cold and damp, he hadn't felt that in awhile. Seems like it had rained inside the Maze; the thing about the Maze was that each level was different.

But everyone knew that, what individuals never expected was full environments and weather systems with walls.

Magic was one hell of a drug.

By now some kids had already gone on their own paths. But Zion couldn't seem to move, before entering they gave you a choice in weapons.

Of course he didn't know how to use a single one of them.

So a sword was it and the teleporting crystal. That's all they gave, the rest you'd need to figure it out.

A survival of the fittest situation, hunt, gather, use and manage information. At any rate, starving is probably what kills of a quarter of applicants each year.

"So, I propose a deal, you come and work for me and I'll protect you." Said a young boy who looked 6 at most. His toffee coloured hair and grey eyes was an astounding combination.

He was sure to grow into his looks in the future- granted there was one.

"I said I didn't need the protection" Zion knew that voice, it was the girl he'd accidentally bumped into before induction.

He finally got a better look at her, she wasn't as tall as the young boy but she was already sporting insane muscle definition.

'Why would anyone in the right mind think she needed protection?' Zion scoffed at his own thought as the boy seemed to plead with her.

Her hair was long and a nice shade of white, her eyes however were like the murky ocean. A dark brownish green that appeared black in dim lit areas.

She clearly wasn't interested in involving herself with anyone. She made that crystal clear to the others who were listening in. Actions do speak louder than words after all and in a swift movement the young boys face tasted the muddy floor beneath them in seconds.

"Shit." Cursed someone from the right of Zion. It seemed she was popular for all the wrong reasons.

People wanted someone with capability in their team. But their impressions were foul for taking advantage of them, in this case it was her they wanted.

Seems she had made a rather big contribution to her family name outside the Maze, that everyone, except Zion, knew her.

Not wanting to stick around for any problems that may arise from the situation. Zion made an escape to his right away from the commotion.

A person can always play it safe when they know the outcome but in here, it seemed safer to always continue to move.

Something about staying in one place seemed to be a guttural reaction to Zion.

Especially when making loud sounds could turn out to be a bigger problem than just what lurks in the shadows.