The Tale of Xenosa

Driving You Crazy

After that moment of brainstorming we decided to run down and look for Lady Katalina, we planned to ask her about how we can find the maze again, considering that the labyrinth is a moving object. We sped down the stairs and continued to call out Lady Katalina's name "Lady Katalina are you here? We have to ask you something!" Cresia called out. "I'm outside, at the garden" we then hurriedly went out of the hut and went to the garden. We were both out of breath once we got there. I calmed myself down and then started to talk "Since we've decided to go back to the maze and fight the bakunawa, we figured that we should do some research first" I started. "Thanks for the books, by the way, 'twas a big help. So any-" I was mid-sentence when Lady Katalina decided to cut me off, she raised her hand as if wanting me to pause and said, "Wait. What books? I didn't leave you any." Upon hearing that Lacresia and I looked at each other. She then proceeded to say, "You know the magic one and the novel?" Lady Katalina shook her head and said, "And I'm telling you I didn't lend you any." Well, that was weird. I then told Cresia to go upstairs and get the books but to our dismay, she came back empty-handed. With wide eyes, she looked at me and uttered the words, "The books aren't there Ches. They're gone" I only nodded at her as a response. I then glanced at Lady Katalina expecting her to say something comforting about the situation. "'Perhaps, there are other forces that want to help you in this quest of yours." Lady Katalina said. Though she said it in a soft consoling manner I can't help but think, who are the others that want to help us? Why do they even wanna help? This whole situation just kept getting better and better. After one mystery was solved here came another one. Lady Katalina then cleared her throat and said, "anyway, you can continue with what you were about to say." "Uhm, as I was supposed to ask you if you know of a way we can go back to the Labyrinth?" she took a sip of the tea in her cup and answered "That's easy. Just follow the direction of the rising sun and where it sets. That should lead you right to the entrance. I don't suggest bringing your guides with you. I fear that the maze may not want to let them track it again, considering what you did the last time you were there." I shifted uncomfortably in my seat hearing what she just said. As if on cue, the memories of Cheska and me the first time we were there came rushing back into my mind. Sheesh, 'til now I really can't believe that we did that. I did that. It sounds very far from the Cheska I was only a few weeks ago. "The map that you found should lead you to the bakunawa's lair. And to make it easier for you guys," Lady Katalina said and stopped mid-sentence to whistle. There then came a falcon that landed on her shoulder. "Everyone meet Randy. He will help you with your journey to find the labyrinth's entrance." she continued while petting the falcon on its back. Randy was an all-black falcon, its eyes were sharp, it was as if he was looking at his prey. Its wings were wide and huge, his overall color was black but had a small white portion of feathers on his stomach. Overall he looked super dangerous. "Now you guys should leave at first light, that should give you enough time to find the labyrinth before dark. It's far too dangerous to travel at night as well, considering that you two are traveling together, the stench of your demigod blood is as strong as ever. As a result, you two will attract a lot more creatures of the dark." she explained. After that short conversation, Lady Katalina prepared Randy and had him in his cage for tonight. This was to ensure he would be there early tomorrow and wouldn't wander anywhere else. Also to prepare him I saw her feed him with some words and what I was guessing to be some other bird food I wasn't familiar with. Lacresia and I went upstairs and prepared ourselves for the trip. We packed our bags and filled them with medicinal herbs and other bandages. I packed the flashlight Lady Katalina gave us, as well as extra batteries for it. I then packed some clothes and a sleeping bag also the map I found last time. And a water tumbler. I also sharpened the knife I used. Lacresia on the other hand also packed her stuff. I saw her prepare her weapon, which was some kind of double-edged sword. Some clothes, her water tumbler, and as well as a sleeping bag. We weren't sure as to how many days we were going to need to travel there but I was sure we'll be getting out of there as soon as we can. After packing I decided to go and play with Luci, "Hey there girl I'll be leaving tomorrow, sadly I can't take you with me. But I'll come back to you as soon as I can, " I said while patting her head and rubbing her stomach. After I played with her, I washed my hands and went back up to our room, and slept. And just like the first light of morning came, Cresia, Randy, and I set off. Lady Katalina with Louis and Luci bid us goodbye at the hut's door. "Stay safe my young demigods. Come back as soon as you can and don't hesitate to call for help. I will be listening." Lady Katalina said while waving. We were now knee-deep into the forest. The trees were tall and you could tell that no humans has inhabited this place in quite a long time. Green and yellow algae could be seen on the side of the bark of the trees, and some of the rocks. I could hear a stream nearby. I whistled at Randy, indicating that I wanted him to fly down. We've been walking for a few hours now and we were almost out of water. The bird then went down and landed on my shoulder. We then followed the sound of the river, when we got there the river looked as if it was enchanted. It was so beautiful and clean. It was a sight to behold! I bent down and said a small prayer to the magical creatures that might've lived there. Asking for their permission and for forgiveness in intruding on their home. Nature spirits in particular are territorial with their homes so it was necessary to ask for permission. We then proceeded to fill our tumblers with water. Lacresia and I shared but only a few words on this whole trip. We were both anxious about this quest but that won't stop us from going. We were both enjoying the comfortable silence we have. I was about to stand up and when Cresia help my arm, "Ches aren't you scared about this?" she said. "I am Cres but I don't really have a choice. All the signs point to there. I need to get to Biringan and find the answers I need. I feel like I'm supposed to on this. Like this is the right thing to do." I answered. She sighed and said, "I guess so. I feel like I'm supposed to go there as well. Although I'm not asking questions right now, I feel like I'll find something about myself there." I nodded at her and she got up as well. I looked around and noticed that it was about noon already. We'll need to hurry if we want to get there by sunset. We decided to sit back down and eat lunch there, considering that it was the only place in the entire forest that seemed to be safe enough to have our meal. After we ate went right back to our journey. I gave Randy some worms and gestured for him to go up again. We then followed his trail again. It was already about 3 in the afternoon, we were both tired and dirty at this point. Dirty in the sense that we might've slipped a couple of times on the way. Randy is now flying in a circling motion above us. This must mean we've arrived already. I whistled for him to go down. I didn't get it through how were we supposed to find the entrance here? I was looking around the place trying to find some symbols like the ones I found the first time, but unluckily I didn't find any. Lacresia on the other hand propped herself on the ground. "Cres what are you doing? We're supposed to be looking for the entrance." I said she then shook her and answered "We won't find it. Well at least not right now. It will reveal itself by sunset" she answered. "And how do you know about this?" I asked her. "Well, it's what I did the first time. C'mon sit we'll have to wait and see." And so we waited. Finally, sunset came, the golden rays of the last light of the sun illuminated the place, just like what Lacresia said the opening revealed itself to us. It was underneath a big rock covered with a very thick bush on top. Upon seeing that Randy then went inside and flew ahead. We hurriedly followed him inside, scared that we might lose Lady Katalina's bird. It would be a big problem if we did. Just like that, we were now back inside the Labyrinth. I then got the map from my pack and looked at it. It looked like Randy knew where he was going but the last we were here, I didn't see this specific pathway before. Has it changed so much over a few days? The entire map was arranging itself every time we went down a tunnel. I could feel that we were now deep inside the Labyrinth as the air became thinner by the minute. I looked over at Cresia and noticed that she was clutching her chest, "You good there Cres?" I asked. "Yep, I'm good. I just need to get used to the air around here." I then nodded at her. We followed Randy for quite some time, and to my amazement, we didn't encounter any kind of monster here. Randy sure knew his way around here. I then noticed that Randy stopped moving he went down on my shoulder and beckoned his beak over a dark tunnel. It was as if he was telling us that this was as far as he would go. He then flew away from my shoulder and had left us there. I looked over at Cresia and saw that she offered me her hand. I took her hand and together we went through. My eyes widened at what I saw and my legs seemed to be glued at the place I was at. I looked at Cresia and said, "We're here."