Color rolls along the sand... Traces of orange, red, and black. It's dry out here. Not hot. Just dead air.

  At the center of the Den, Z3's darkest region, we arrive... Melody watches through the window. "There's no guards."

  I chuckle and clutch Nathaniel as I open the door. "Why would there be?"

  Jackson and Lucas avert their eyes. They drag Barthelemy out and place him on a stretcher. It hovers off the ground, following us towards a small building.

  Lucas whispers to Jackson. "We really leaving him here? This place is in the middle of nowhere."

  Jackson shivers. "I feel weird."

  Melody tugs at my sleeve. "What is this place?"

  I smirk. "The KWCR headquarters."

  They pause. I turn. Their eyes scan the building.

  I shrug. "What were you expecting? A big shiny tower?" I continue walking.

  Melody huffs. "What about the tunnels?"

  Jackson and Lucas look at each other.

  I sigh. "They're in here."

  The building is made of red rock. Worn down shelves with decaying artifacts. A few lanterns.

  Melody stops. "Someone's been here."

  Jackson inspects a wooden chest. I grab his hand. "That's not for you."

  Lucas brushes sand off a podium. "What was this place?"

  I gesture to the center. "The humans would congregate here and read scriptures."

  Melody hums. "About what?"

  I shake my head. "To recount the past maybe."

  Lucas leans against the podium. "Here we gather to remember the end of our race!" The podium snaps and he tumbles. "Shit!"

  I tease. "Now you'll have to pay a fine."

  He shakes the sand off and stumbles into Jackson. "Seriously?"

  I laugh. "No."

  Melody stares at a golden bell hanging off the wall. She nudges it. A soft chime. The building rattles. "What did I do?"

  I smile. "Relax!"

  They stand still. Eyes darting around the tiny room. Water pours from the ceiling and into a small hole. We listen to water fall.

  Jackson whispers. "You hear that?"

  Melody heads for the entrance. I grab her. "Wait!"

  The floor shifts. A staircase opens up. It's dark inside. I grab a lantern and lead them into a chamber.

  Droplets patter. They stay close. Stones weep.

  Melody whispers. "It's not what I expected."

  I hum.

  She sighs. "Thought the tunnels would be... I don't know what I thought... Figured there'd be..."

  Jackson jokes. "Something trying to kill us?" He huffs. "Me too."

  Lucas checks Barthelemy. "Why is he asleep?"

  Melody looks at me. I glance at Nathaniel. "A sleeping spell."

  Lucas bumps Jackson. "Hey..." Jackson nods. "Why'd he ask us to come?" Jackson shrugs.

  We enter a large chamber. An entryway to our left. A larger one to the right. Columns extend up into the darkness. The stone is slick and red. Water rushes nearby.

  Melody scoffs. "How'd they cut this stone?"

  "We didn't..." Jingling. Gold chains. "The humans constructed this temple." Silky red fabric. Shimmering mask. "We didn't think you'd return so soon, Zachariah."

  I bow. "It's nice to see you again, Hyme."

  She stands at the edge of the light. Her glowing green eyes peer into mine. "You've brought others."

  I smile. "We're headed to the Underworld."

  Hyme chuckles. "I'd expect nothing less of you." She gestures. "Your friend there... Is he dangerous?"

  I shake my head. "He asked me to do this."

  She nods. "I see." The chains jingle. "Come with me."

  Lanterns ignite. The chamber is tall. Narrow. Mask-covered eyes follow us from elevated walkways. Whispers cross between them.

  Ahead is a short tunnel with an elongated staircase where an intense pale blue light pours out. The sound of rushing water grows louder. Nathaniel shifts.

  Jackson whispers. "What is this place?"

  Melody shivers. "It's cold!"

  Lucas looks at me. "Where are we?"

  I glance between them. "This is where the humans used to live...before Nobles. They called it Labyrnth."

  We enter an enormous chamber. Stairs crisscross high and low. Water rains from above. Light seeps from the walls. A stone bridge reaches to the far wall. Walkways branch from it. Plants sprawl over everything. A giant tree with pink flowers sits at the end.

  Melody gasps and spins around. "This place is..."

  Jackson laughs and points. "Look at that!" He runs to the railing and looks up. "It's like a maze!" He looks down, standing on the tips of his toes. "And down there! People are bathing!"

  Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

  Lucas pulls him back. "Be careful!"

  Jackson squeezes his hand. "Have you ever seen anything like it?" He bounces. "I want to explore everything!"

  Lucas snickers. "I know you do." He touches Jackson's cheek. "But we're on a mission." Jackson leans into him, then glares at me.

  Melody shuts her eyes and breathes. "It's like... The water... The room... It's singing to me."

  Hyme bows. "Labrynth was built to draw in energies from this world and beyond. All of my people live here. This temple is sacred to us. We never leave."

  I approach her and watch the others. "The Shepherds?"

  She nods. "They will be glad to see you, but just you."

  I gulp and pass Nathaniel to her. She shudders. "What great power! He is not like us. Where did you find him?"

  I hush her. "Later..."

  I wave to the others. "I have to check in. Please, stay with Hyme and she'll give you the grand tour of this place."

  Hyme nods to me, then turns to the group. She cradles Nathaniel and smiles. "Let's start with stairs..."

  They follow her through a high arch. She points to a staircase leading down. "Down there is where we bathe." They turn to the right. "Over here will take you up into the main library and living quarters." She tilts her head. "Where would you like to go first?"

  Jackson raises his hand. "The library!"

  Hyme chuckles. "Yes, I thought so."

  They follow her up another staircase that allows them to see the chamber from a better angle. Some staircases go nowhere. Turning into walls or dead ends.

  Melody looks around. "Both sides are identical!" She looks down. "There's a garden!"

  Hyme stands beside her. "The symmetry distills the mind of imperfection. Our sanctuary helps us maintain connection to our ancestors. If you'd like, we can go down there. Muriel may speak to you."

  Melody jolts. "Muriel?" Her eyes linger on the large tree.

  Hyme takes in Melody's profile. "Yes, she'll talk. Your energy needs cleansing..." She touches Melody's face. "But you have a pure heart."

  Melody chuckles and pushes her hand away. "What'll she say?"

  Hyme giggles and strokes Nathaniel's nose.

  Jackson yanks Lucas's hand. "Are you seeing this?"

  Lucas smiles. "I see it, Jack!"

  Jackson points above. "The details in the ceiling! Look at how the water falls in perfect uniform!"

  They continue up more stairs. People bow and welcome them. They reach the library where several scholars argue amongst themselves.

  Jackson peers over a young scholar sitting at a desk. Lucas stays by Barthelemy and watches Jackson. Melody approaches the scholars who gather around a map.

  One scholar scoffs. "The OT clearly states that unless SAD steps foot in Pelaris we cannot interfere!"

  Another growls. "SAAF can no longer be distinguished from SAD! They've violated the OT and we must uphold the DPFI!"

  A third one follows up. "WAF has defended Pelaris for over 100 years. It's been 120 years since our army spilled blood there. If we act now, then we jeopardize the integrity of the DPFI!"

  They pause and stare at Melody. "What is it, girl?"

  Melody bows. "I come from Pelaris and I'm one of the highest ranking members in the Wyre's Armed Forces (WAF)." She steps up to the table and examines the map. "About a week ago, the Sentient Armed and Allied Forces (SAAF) executed 12,000 Nobles in Dulphine. I believe they're searching for something with the potential to end this war."

  They stroke their beards. "What's your name?"

  She bows again. "My name is Melody Ulsam."

  They step back.

  "An Ulsam?"

  "Thief!"

  "She's a deceiver!"

  Hyme pats Melody on the shoulder and leads her away. "Don't mind them. They're stuck in their ways and cannot see into the heart of others."

  Melody crosses her arms. "What would they know?" She stomps toward a ledge which overlooks the entire chamber. Her eyes trace the piling stairs.

  Hyme sighs and touches the amulet around Nathaniel's neck. "So, Zachariah's taken a liking to you." She lifts his hand. "A seal... Soul binding..." She hums.

  I walk up a staircase and watch the group explore the library. Melody looks contemplative. Hope she's not brooding over my story.

  There's a passage behind a wall of water. It leads into a sweltering chamber where lava flows along the walls. I pass many faces that I recognize. They keep their distance.

  Further down, I enter a dim blue chamber with water spread across the floor and pieces of land to walk upon. Children play in the water. Their parents pull the aside and glare at me.

  At the edge is a white brick structure with long white columns. On top is more dirt and grass. I see the Shepherds lounging on their thrones. They rise when I approach.

  Solfer leaps and splashes into the water. He trudges towards me. "Is the wine playing tricks on me?"

  I wait.

  He scoffs. "This cannot be the same man I knew!"

  I grin. "Perhaps your old age has limited your ability to see things clearly."

  Solfer grunts. "Perhaps your old age has made you unrecognizable!"

  My brow raises. "Are you challenging me to a duel, Solf-ee?"

  He puffs his chest. "It'd be an honor!"

  We stare at one another, then laugh. He yanks me into the water. I shiver and stand. Solfer cackles. "Now we're even!"

  Xolie places a hand on her hip and stares down at us. "You boys better stop playing around!" She smirks. "Without me!" She plunges into the water and grabs my ankles, dragging me down.

  We wrestle for a moment, then Rhyme pulls me out. "Where's my hug?" He squeezes me.

  I choke. "Rhyme!" My back pops. "It's...nice to see you."

  We head into the white structure and sit in a warm room. Solfer lays by a stream of lava, dipping his hand in and rubbing his chest. Xolie leans against a column. Rhyme sits on the floor.

  My gut tightens. "After I leave, I'll be heading into SAAF territory."

  Xolie shrugs. "You don't need our permission."

  Solfer flicks lava at her. "Do what you want!"

  Rhyme tilts his head. "Why?"

  I show them the seal on my hand. They gather. "I bound my soul to an infant with unimaginable power. They have equipment that I can use to study his blood."

  Xolie holds her hip. "What are you going to look for exactly?"

  I huff. "Genetic markers."

  Rhyme shifts. "You don't think he's a Noble?"

  I shake my head. "Not like any I've seen."

  Solfer touches the seal and it zaps him. "Ouch!" He pops his finger in his mouth. "It can't be broken?"

  I drop my hand. "Not by you!"

  Rhyme stares at my hand. "Is it like our seals?" He points to his eye.

  I nod. "In a way, but if you're severely wounded you won't die. This child is different. He was dead when I found him, yet his power burned through everything."

  Xolie grunts. "Why not take the power for yourself?"

  I don't like the thought. Nathaniel could grow up to be someone the world can't ignore. Even with my instruction, he might fall into temptation.

  Jackson grabs Lucas and drags him away from the library. "I have to show you something!"

  Lucas trips over his feet. "Slow down!"

  Melody watches them rush off, then moves next to Barthelemy. She looks at him and huffs. "Did you really ask him to wipe your mind? What's so bad about what you've done? You didn't eat anyone..."

  Hyme stands next to her. "She's ready for you."

  Melody sighs. "What's so special about a tree?" She turns to it. "What would it have to say to someone like me?"

  Hyme nudges her. "Go find out."

  Melody walks down the steps. She winds up back where she started. Far from the tree. She presses on. Marching down steps. Catching Jackson and Lucas locking lips under an arch. Stumbles into the bathing area, then goes back up.

  Melody sits on the stairs and rubs her knees. "This is a lot of walking." A petal brushes her arm. She reaches for it and it stays just past her fingertips. It leads her to a set of wooden doors. Beyond them is the tree.

  She shudders and pushes through. The tree moans. A woman sits on a swing hanging from one of the branches. Melody joins her.

  The woman is covered in shiny fabrics. Her voice is muffled. "You have strong ties to light and dark elements."

  Melody leans back. "I don't know what that means."

  The woman stands. "Come to me after you've spoken with the tree." She points to a small entrance beside them. Melody nods, then the woman leaves.

  The tree creeks as Melody rocks back and forth. She stares at the leaves. "I don't know why I agreed to come here." The branch moves with her. "I've spent most of my life looking up to Zachariah. He's been like a father to me, but lately I've felt... What if I'm meant for something more than this? What if I'm not supposed to be with him?"

  She shivers and hugs her arms. "I know we're always doing what we think is right, but sometimes it feels like there is no right choice. I feel like I'm following in his footsteps and I didn't know it until he said something."

  The tree squeaks.

  Melody clenches her fists. "Aren't you supposed to be talking back?"

  Petals fall around her. Her stomach sinks and her muscle relax. She slumps over...

  Melody groans and sit up. Next to her is a large statue of a woman holding a jug which pours milk into a pond. Melody holds her stomach.

  The statue glances at her. She jumps back. The statue smiles. "Don't be frightened, little one. You may have a drink."

  Melody kneels and scoops the milk into her hand. She sips, then sighs. "This is sweet!" She looks up and the jug hangs in the air, pouring milk. "Wha—"

  A hand lifts her. The statue brings her close to its face. Voice soft. "You've experienced a great loss recently."

  Melody clutches her chest. "How'd you know?"

  The statue stares. "You've sought a replacement for your father yet the man you chose doesn't fit."

  Melody hangs her head. "It's true."

  "If not a father he makes, then an enemy he'll become."

  The statue drops her. She screams and falls onto the swing. Petals sway. Milk gone.

  Melody clings to the swing. Eyes searching the statue. She huffs and leans back. "What kind of dream was that?"