||09||

People say they have hope but really that's a term that's sometimes just as bleak as the situation.

Zion was hungry, no, starving, It had only been 6hrs according to his suits built in vitals monitor. Which was located on his left arm, if where he was currently wasn't a death zone. It would have been perceived as rather beautiful for the lush greenery.

But he needed food, badly.

He'd stayed away from bush berries, if anything he was taught in his past life. It was that TV had a cruel power over the human mind as he would watch people go paralysed from eating poisonous berries.

'I need to find water too' he reminded himself as he tracked through long grass cautiously.

His senses sucked bit at least he wasn't dead yet. According to a conversation he overheard by chance with 2 others taking on the Maze. He heard that if lucky, one can come into contact with a vassal.

Although rare, a vassal was a spirit or a part of one. It's said that if you finished the Maze with all Vassal blessing you'd get more achievements and a very expensive gift.

Then again, children will say anything in this world.

While being alone he had time to think, thinking about his Mother and Nanny, his home. But surprisingly his father in this life that he new nothing about.

He'd finally been told why his mother's health had been deteriorating for so long.

Severing a soul connector?

What for? They were essentially a piece of you, your other half. Relics found in exploration of vast distances. Why do something so destructive to yourself? What for?

Relics found in space, it sounded far fetched but it was the truth. Relics were found in various areas and remade with technology as stated before. But individuals would pay top dollar for one in any condition, so exploration business boomed in the Capital.

The Empire searched beyond ground level, the sea was no exception.

It really begged the question of where did the relics come from first? If there was a whole world out there, who were the first who made and used a relic now known as a soul connector?

Maybe he should do that? If everything failed in this torment now and he hung in the towel. The exploration business he read about briefly might be a winner.

'Fuck who am I kidding, I signed a contract. I essentially belong to him' gritting his teeth, he knew the only way he'd ever be able to go anywhere, he'd need to prove himself first capable.

A weird thought struck him suddenly as he stopped.

'If this world has tech to go beyond space, than, who's making the drones? Were they robots or something else?'

It always baffled him truthfully, what were Drones? Drones Were just as much of a threat as normal war- well as normal as mecha wars go with magic and more.

So where do they originate from?

Maybe he was thinking too much into it given he knew nothing. But as his stomach growled he sighed.

How long would he be in here for?

As if hearing his troubles a loud thud was heard up ahead. He paused, heartbeat in his throat, did he turn around or confront it head on?

What good was a sword if not used?

It wasn't a normal sword either but rather a heat infused blade of some kind. Nothing fancy of course but definitely high enough technology that could afford an arm n a leg- or someone else's if used correctly.

Hearing a crunch of what sounded like bones he couldn't overlook it now. Curiosity killed the cat but it has nine lives-

Looking through some trees, it was a slight clearing ahead but his eyes never moved from a particular spot.

That spot being towards a fallen animal and the same girl from before. Only addition was her appearance and the substance pouring from her mouth.

'A vampire' his mind rattled as the girl wiped her mouth with a face of disgust. It seemed the blood she had consumed was a foul meal play.

Zion couldn't really believe it, he was aware that this world harboured all kinds of creatures as well as humans... but it was still a shock without a doubt. It seemed this Maze would be a lot of first time experiences for him. It also made sense why she was so toned for her age.

'After all vampire kin are extremely blessed with talent from the day they're born. Depending on the blood they've inherited, in this case would it be royalty?'

Did he confront her or simply watch her leave? Was it considered rude to interrupt a feasting vampire or was it weird to watch?

Both outcomes sucked, if he went out now he was disturbing someone but if he stayed here, he was a stalker. She might also think he was attempting to ambush her as well.

It was clear at the start she preferred to work alone, turning around was his best option.

But it was short lived as his hair was grabbed and he was yanked out of the trees.

"Fuck" he hissed as she watched him suspiciously. His hands rubbed his head as her feet got in his line of view from the ground.

'Shit' his mind was trying to think of a great excuse for a less shit outcome.

"I've never heard of you" wasn't exactly what he expected her to say first.

Looking up, the young girls arms remained crossed as she looked to contemplate her next action.

"I said, I've never heard of a child like you"

"Aren't we the same age?" Zion spoke without thinking but her gaze turned more sour.

"Don't compare vampire lineage to that of a mere mortal. I've seen and killed more in my first year of living." She boasted, as Zion looked behind her again to the large monster she'd killed and fed upon.

Yeah there was no way he could do that, she had earned the right to use her ego.

"But as I said before, I should have been informed of everyone taking on the Maze prior to yesterday. So who even are you?" She said.

As Zion slowly got up, sensing that she would hopefully not drag his sad excuse for a Volitum.

As much as he hated Marcus's gut right now, he would rather not insult the last name he was given.

He could picture it now, his soul connector chewing on his left over bones as Prolen's words of 'you'd be better dead than failing' rang through his mind.

"I don't know you either" Zion said as the girls eyes widened.

"You,-?" She pointed in disbelief and then back at herself "-Don't know me!?" Now she actually looked her age somewhat. It almost looked like she was on the verge of a tantrum to the knowledge of not being known.

"Well, if you must know, I'm Erica Vivaldi Damiscu" Her proudness to that name was definitely on show with the one arm behind her back and one across her chest. She had mannerism alright.

'What a mouth full' Zion sheepishly thought with a slight awkward smile. How was he going to top that introduction? Than it hit him, he wouldn't.

"That's cool, I'm Zion Volitum" as soon as Zion finished his sentence the hot blooded vampire immediately looked like she'd gone through the tumble drier.

"Um" she started like a ghost in the distance as Zion went to leave now while she was stunned like a dear caught in headlights.

"Hey!" She then Shouted finally noticing his absence.

'Shit run!' He said to himself as he took off but what the hell was he thinking? Outrunning a vampire!? He really was an idiot.

"I said stop!" She said in his right ear as she had well and truly caught up and had grabbed his shoulders yanking him, yet again, to the ground.

"Oh come on, what do you want from me" Zion yelled out against better judgement.

"You're the one running!" Erica Shouted back as the two took no notice of their surroundings. "Is it true what you said?"

"What is?" He said, laying defeated on the now mud like leafy floor. Hoping she'd just go, as much as having someone capable like her in a team would be.

She was annoying.

"You said Volitum right? As in Marcus Volitum? The cold hearted prince of the Capital?"

"Oh look, a name that suits the founding father" he spat as he got up yet again from the ground.

"So it's true, you're HIS son?" She looked insulted to the information. "You're not exactly what I'd have thought his kin would look like" she blatantly said without thinking as Zion finally took a look around.

Where they were was the next gate to the second floor, the exact thing him and countless others were attempting to find.