Chapter 8 - The Eye of Xoan
Rickard steadied his breath as he marched on, fighting to keep exhaustion from overtaking his body. He held a hand to his exposed abdomen, the warmth of holy magic filling his belly, his other hand holding his sword. A deep cut, starting near his pelvis and nearly reaching his ribcage, was not bleeding, though the hand on his belly was covered in his blood.
To his right, he heard the sound of glass cracking. Without looking, he raised his blood-covered hand, channeled lightning at his fingertips, and flung it towards his right. Even without glancing over, he knew that the body that suddenly hit the floor was another of his living reflections, brought to life by the magic of this maze. He returned the hand to the cut on his belly.
"You'll falter soon," Rickard's voice spoke as the Argentsori walked the maze. He glanced to his right to see his smirking reflection - with purple eyes - walking alongside him. "You know more than anyone that a candle, no matter how bright, will inevitably be snuffed. Flame is fleeting, but the darkness is eternal."
Rickard grunted as he flung another volley of lighting at the taunting mirror. The mirrored wall remained pristine, and the living reflection continued to speak. "Your family name is tainted with Corruption. You house a demon within your very body. No power, no devotion to the House, will save you from that failure. Give in to it, you'll find that it welcomes you with open arms."
Don't listen to it!
Imozen's voice spoke in Rickard's head.
It was not a failure to save me. It was, in fact, a triumph of your mercy and power.
Rickard wanted to believe her, but as he looked back, his heart sank. Trailing behind him were bodies of the reflections he had slain. Underneath them, blood as black as ink pooled. Initially, the reflections when they first emerged would get up and keep attacking. Now, it seemed the labyrinth had devised a new way to wear down the Argentsori.
All Rickard could manage, all that he knew that he must do, was walk on, and try to find the others.
"Rickard."
The Argentsori stopped in his tracks, and looked to the wall, stunned. The reflection spoke gently, and, looking more closely, Rickard saw that the reflections were no longer purple. The original Rickard stood tall as it waited for its response.
"Listen to her, Rickard," the reflection said, "You are not meant to do this alone."
As it finished its statement, a rumble shook throughout the labyrinth. Rickard watched, in awe, as the wall began to part, creating a new path for him. He saw as the walls shifted, rose, and fell, his goal now revealed:
The glowing, piercing Eye of Xoan, staring back at him.
Strangely, he felt his strength returning to his body, the fire in his body growing into an inferno. He looked down to see his hand completely clean of his blood, as well as his cut disappearing entirely. Even healed, however, Rickard felt a lingering trace of doubt. This wasn't his doing.
Perhaps Aylala, or one of the others found a way to manipulate the labyrinth he reasoned to himself. I was too caught up in my own self-pity to even help myself. How could I-
"Mister Rickard?"
A quivering voice interrupted his thoughts, and looked behind him to see its source. Several feet away, Corbas the holstaur approached. He was moving slowly, and when Rickard looked closer, he saw why. On Corbas' back his two kobold lovers, Vai and Ezzi, rested against him. He clutched his grimoire to his chest with both hands, which rose and fell with heavy breaths.
"A-are you alright, sir?" Corbas asked softly.
Rickard took a deep breath before moving closer to the poly-couple. "I think I should be asking you and the kobolds that," he said as he approached them. Now closer, he realized that Corbas' eyes were red, his cheeks damp with tears.
Guilt stung Rickard's chest. "I'm sorry I wasn't able to protect you," Rickard said grimly.
"You don't have to-" Corbas began.
"Don't make excuses for me!" Rickard grunted. It was forceful enough that Corbas whimpered and took a step back.
Rickard let out a long sigh. "Sorry, it's just," he stammered out, trying to find the right way to apologize. It was then he took a closer look at the two kobolds on his back. They were skinny and small, wheezing against one another. It looked as though they were breathing their last breaths.
"I-I think-" Corbas said, his voice finally breaking. "I-I think the labyrinth, it's affecting them the most, being kobolds. I-I don't know w-what to do, I-"
"Don't worry," Rickard said, sheathing his sword. "I can help them." He brought both hands up slowly, watching for Corbas' reaction. The lithe holstaur simply nodded as he let Rickard place his hands on both Vai and Ezzi. Rickard closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and let the burning energy of holy fire flow from his belly and through his palms. The Corruption he felt affecting the kobolds, made it seem he was trying to untie a knot which kept retying itself. It fought and kicked, but Rickard was determined to save them.
With a burst of energy, a thunder clap sounded around them. He felt a bit of lightning shock the kobolds. Their eyes snapped open, revealing them to be pupiless and glowing brightly. Corbas watched with awe as their bodies seemed to fill up before his eyes, returning to their original state.
After a few moments, Rickard removed his hands, and Ezzi and Vai's eyes returned to normal. They both took deep breaths, hands clutching their chests.
"Fuck," Vai said weakly between gasps, "Where am I?" She looked around, only for her eyes to stop on Ezzi as she caught her breath. Vai's ears drooped. "Ezzi, sweetie! Are you alright?!"
Ezzi whipped her head back around, paused for a moment, and bounced in place with a wide smile. Her bust, returned to its original, nearly overwhelming size, bounced in turn. "Aaawww!" She squealed. "I can't remember the last time you called me 'sweetie'!"
Before Vai could say anything in response, Ezzi crushed her with her hug, making sure to press her breasts against hers, which were much smaller. "And I'm perfectly fine, so no need to worry! I just hope you're fine too!"
Eventually, Vai, despite her wounded pride, returned the embrace, whispering something into her ear. Rickard let a smile grow on his face, seeing their restoration. He looked back down to his hands, once covered in his own blood, now completely clean. The warmth from his spell that revived the kobolds still remained. He closed his fists, as if trying to contain the warmth for as long as possible. A reminder of what he should be: a protector.
I'm glad you see what I see,
Imozen's voice said in his head, light and cheery.
Why I've remained after all this time.
Rickard looked up and saw that Vai was off of Corbas' back, dagger in hand. Ezzi remained, and was leaning over to whisper something into one of Corbas' long, rabbit-like ear. He saw as Corbas' cheeks darkened in a blush, due to his chocolate-covered skin, and Ezzi smiled wickedly. He reattached his grimoire to his side as he fiddled with his hands.
"M-m-mister Rickard?" Corbas asked shyly.
"Yes, Corbas?" Rickard answered.
Instead of responding, his blush grew and he covered his face with his long ears. Rickard cocked an eyebrow, curious and amused at the shy holstaur.
Ezzi giggled, getting his attention. "He's too shy to ask, so I'll ask," she said, "Mister Rickard, would it be ok if, as thanks for helping us, Corbas gave you a kiss on the cheek?"
Rickard's eyes went wide at the request, far from his expectation. Yet, he simply smiled.
"Of course he may," he said, his voice deep and soft.
Ezzi giggled and clapped in response. "Weeeell?" she said to Corbas. "Go on, baby. Just like you wanted."
Rickard tried to avoid eye contact as Corbas moved closer with trembling hooves. He let go of his ears, revealing his blushing face. Eventually, he was close enough that Rickard could lean down, allowing Corbas to give a quick peck on his right cheek.
"Thank you," Corbas said, so quietly that, had his face not been so close, Rickard might not have heard it.
"Great!" Vai blurted out, getting everyone's attention. "Now that we're all satisfied I think it's high time we finished this." She pointed to the Eye, indicating what she meant.
Rickard looked and saw as dark smoke began to form above the Eye. No doubt indicating the dragon's return.
"Quite," Rickard responded. Unsheathing his sword from his side, he turned to Corbas and Ezzi. "Ready?"
