The Soul Labyrinth <Remake> [Closed]

”Okay, let’s start with basics. I’m an entity from another realm, known to the other realms as the Soul Labyrinth, a place where the spirits from all other realms gather to wait for their judgement in the afterlife. I work as a Knight whose duty is to protect the Labyrinth from intruders and open the Labyrinth’s portals for those who miss any one of the spirits in our care and you—“ the figure’s cold and sharp cyan irises were met with Adara’s ”—was thinking of someone in our realm just now. What I mean is that if you want to meet them again, you can…”

Jade had been walking home from work, the shop was never busy but Asra always kept her late all she wanted was sleep but she had to get food seeing as her fridge was almost empty last night

”More than certainly, but the process may be a bit difficult… even for gods and goddesses who somehow find themselves wandering in the Labyrinth, they can take up to three weeks, months, or even years to get out. The place is confusing, not the center of it, but the structuralism that exist within it” the figure stated, brushing their hair up a bit. The vessels and veins on half of their face twitched and moved around, vibrating fast and uncontrollably.
”Ah yes… I haven’t fully introduced myself just yet… the name is Connor Lewis, a Knight in the thirteen generation that work in the Labyrinth“ the figure introduced with a sinister grin.

(Oooh, my favorite guy.)
Kye glanced at the portal and took a step forward. "I have been known to navigate complex places fairly well," he have Connor a half smile. ""My name is Kye, Kye Gathrodir, peacekeeper and cave navigator of the ninja. And I would be interested in seeing someone specific again."
I hate you right now.
Feeling mutual.

There was a gloomy and slightly eerie hotness that surrounded Jade. She would feel as if things around her were hotter than they actually were. Something was following her. Or perhaps, someone.

(Ahhh, sarcasm XD)
(Oh yeah, I’ve changed the designs of some of the characters so they won’t look the same as they were last time)

Connor nodded before he, too, took a step towards the open portal.
”After you—“ he gestured towards the doors leading into the Labyrinth. Perhaps he wasn’t expecting much but Kye was setting himself up for a journey he and his ‘soulmate’ was going to remember.

Hinata's cigar burned slowly as she walked through the empty park, hands in her pockets as she thought. She could sense the person following her; still, she was unbothered by this new development in her day. By now, she was used to people doing this to her. She chose to ignore the presence, letting her mind wander as much as her feet were.

Jade could feel eyes on her back as she unzipped the hoodie she had over her shirt and tied it around her waist

The figure who was following Hinata wore a gray hoodie and white sport pants. They looked quite ominous and that was supported by the pocket watch they tied around their wrist. Pressing the watch open once, time froze and only the footsteps of the figure can be heard coming towards Hinata.
”Walking away without greeting your guest?” the figure’s metallic irises glowed through the shadows of their hood. They reached out to touch the girl once, unfreezing her while still maintaining the environment around them.

(You might remember who this is :P)

A wisp-like creature came into view around Jade.
”Missing someone? Someone dead?” the will o’ wisp asked quite frankly without much thought or emotion put into the question. The flaming spirit encircled Jade a bit, waiting for an answer.

Jade saw the figure but did not answer the question bearing her pain inside of her sister Ay-a's death just asking "Ghast or just smoke?"

Connor nodded before he, too, took a step towards the open portal.
”After you—“ he gestured towards the doors leading into the Labyrinth. Perhaps he wasn’t expecting much but Kye was setting himself up for a journey he and his ‘soulmate’ was going to remember.

Kye felt his strap making sure he had his pack and then he stepped into the portal.
If we die, I'm blaming you.

(It's very likely I remember who it is :D )

Hinata turned to face the person, her eyes darting over them once as she assessed them. Damn time manipulators. She takes the cigar out of her mouth, flicking some smoke away.
"I have my reasons."

The flaming spirit started to fade into reality, presenting a humanoid form.
”Phantom… actually” the figure corrected as they dusted themself a bit.
”I’ve answered your question, now answer mine, you were missing someone who’s dead, were you not?”

As Kye stepped into the portal, he would appear again in a dark hallway. The portal closed soon after, the figure who called himself Connor, did not follow Kye down into the hallway.
”New down here?” one humanoid figure walked up to him and patted his shoulder to get his attention. The figure seemed human-like for the most part except the fact that their legs were faded out of reality, having only light blue smoke replacing it.

(Well he has changed a bit, you might like him better now)
”Really?” the figure was fidgeting with the pocket watch they had.
”Can I hear it?” the figure asked before giggling softly.
They soon, while waiting for an answer, played with their watch like a yo-yo and they seemed pretty skilled at it as well.

”The Soul Labyrinth, home to Phantoms—“ the figure had to cough once before continuing ”—sorry, uh, you may have met one of the hundreds of thousands of us before, we do roam different realms to do different things whether for mission or just for rest and new adventures” the figure answered quite thoroughly. It was true, the locals of the Labyrinth loved travel more than anything.

As Kye stepped into the portal, he would appear again in a dark hallway. The portal closed soon after, the figure who called himself Connor, did not follow Kye down into the hallway.
”New down here?” one humanoid figure walked up to him and patted his shoulder to get his attention. The figure seemed human-like for the most part except the fact that their legs were faded out of reality, having only light blue smoke replacing it.

Kye jumped a good four feet from the figure, doing a skip off the wall and turning in mid air to face whoever it was. "Sweet baby Jesus, where on planet Megalodon did you come from?" he was crouched with his hands resting on the ground. He looked so small in that position, but he didn't actually look scared.
I have a feeling more people are going to show up like that so get use to it.
Always behind. I hate people showing up behind me.
After autumn? I don't think anyone could blame you for not liking people behind you.
We agreed never to speak of that again.

”From that hall…?” the figure answered in confusion.
”Sorry to scare you like that, seems like you don’t like it” the figure apologized before straightening their posture.
”Anyways, you’re here ‘cause you missed someone, right?” the humanoid wanted to make sure before saying anything else.

"You could say that, yes," Kye nodded standing up straight again. His heart rate slowly going back down. He realized that it had been pounding in his ears when the figure appeared behind him. Something about this place had put him on edge and he was starting to feel a bit of panic rising in his chest. This didn't usually happen, even in dangerous situations.
Kid take a breath and look around. Exploring usually calms you down, even from standing still. Name three things that you see right now.
I see this person, the odd patterns on the walls, and a few cracks on the ground.
Okay, now Tell me something about the walls.
I already said that they had odd patterns on them, but judging from the size and texture it would not take much to blow a hole through them.
Good keep exploring the area and when you've found her, we can then leave.
Right.
(Note what Kye said there it may come up again.)

(Noted)

”In that case, it may be great for you to know that you’ve come to the right place. Welcome to the Soul Labyrinth’s entry hallways. The main body of the Labyrinth is outside of this indoor maze, but be aware that while you are in these hallways—“ the figure smiled sinisterly but with fear in his eyes ”—the Knights are chasing you down until you leave” the figure ended before running away back into the darkness.

With that said, sounds of screams and footsteps running through the maze started to fade into reality. Other spirits came running towards and away from where Kye was.

There was a number in flames above Kye.
”47…” it was unclear as to what the number indicated, but one thing’s for sure; the hunt is on.

Kye stared after the figure for a moment with his mouth slightly hanging open. Then his eyes flicked up at the number above him.
Regretting decision.
I told you we shouldn't go into that portal, but nooooooooooo, let's not listen to Gelion.
Yes, let us not listen to Gelion.
Oooooooh a little snippy I see.
I would probably be less snippy if you were not always talking. How many of these Knights do you think there are?
I don't know I've only heard of the Soul Labyrinth one time and that was a looooong time ago.
Wonderful, keep the shield up and we should be fine.
Aye aye Captain.

A loud painful scream came from one of the other halls inside the maze.
”46” the number changed.

As Kye would follow the figure from earlier, there were no signs that the figure was actually in front of him anymore. One other thing worth noting was the fact that the walls and floor had changed. Now, the walls were symmetrical and the floors were marbled and parts of it were carpeted.

"I am going to guess that the number changing mean one less person in here. One less alive person," he muttered to himself.
Likely.
Kye studied the walls and floor, but was also listening. His keen ears able to pick up sounds that most people couldn't hear. He'd spent most of his life underground in solitary, and even though Gelion spent a lot of time talking within Kye's head, his ears had adjusted to hear much quieter sounds. Another thing about having lived in caves his whole life, he'd learned to navigate. His navigation skills had been honed in on and he was going to use them.
He rounded a corner and looked around. "This is a nice-ish place, you know."
Yeah, super comforting, the screams in the background the ever looming presence of being hunted, the fact that we're lost in a maze that we don't know the size of. Super nice.
You know, for a demon you seem pretty unsettled by this, I though all you demons lived in conditions like this.
Well, we don't, be considerate.
I am considerate. You are just annoying.

”Oi oi—“ A young male voice had called out to Kye from behind him. ”—and where do you think you’re going?” the figure asked.
Unlike the ‘Connor’ Kye met earlier, this man had two sheaths of swords on him; one was colored black and one was colored white. His eyes were glowing blue and his hair was a swaying style with shades of black.

(Do you remember this gud boi? :P)

(I do.)
Kye spun on his heel, his hand going instinctively back towards his pack. He froze and studied the figure in front of him. "I came here in search of my mother," Kye explained calmly. "Who are you?"
Again with the appearing behind me.
Just don't die.
Keep the shield up and we will be fine.

”Well, if you want the duty name I’m a Knight of this place and if you want the real name—“ the figure yawned a bit, using his right hand to cover his mouth while reaching for one of his blades, the white one, with his left, holding onto its handle ”—it’s Aisen Faltur… anyways, you’ve probably heard the rules already so—“ the figure disappeared almost instantly, appearing again above Kye ”—you and I need to play by the rules” he came down with his white blade at hand, attempting to cut off Kye’s throat.

Kye ducked away and looked at the guy again. "That will do nothing," he said calmly. "Notice the purple glow." He gestured to himself, and was indeed glowing faintly purple. "Why exactly are you trying to kill me? What did I do?"

”Call it ironic, but the Soul Labyrinth lacks… souls” the Knight accepted, not yet sheathing his blade but not in his hostile manner anymore it seems.
”With peace going around all over the realms, it’s hard to find… you know, souls or spirits to fill up the place. What’s left are just us Knights, the other officers, and some million spirits scattered which isn’t a lot at all” the figure sighed when he finished and turned back to Kye.
”Which was why we were given this duty. Heaven and Hell aren’t happy with how we’re performing however” the man shrugged, eyeing Kye again. His irises softened a bit.
”Also, what’s a demon doing inside you?”

Fuck!!!!
Language!
He knows I'm here! How?!
I do not know, watch your mouth.
Kye didn't relax and moved a little farther back from Aisen. "He is my abidance demon," he explained calmly. "He requires a host body to survive. By residing within myself he stays alive, and in return he protects me."

”A controllable demon? Sounds a bit far fetched to me but I’ll let it slip…” Aisen said with a bit of clear hesitation.
”We’re on the look out for demons and angels right now so it’s good to be on edge with someone like him inside you. My advice? Don’t let the other Knights find you, they won’t be as kind as I am. Good luck finding your way out… or wait until the clock chimes” the Knight said before jumping up above the maze and landing somewhere else. He put clear emphasis on the words ‘like him’ when refer to the demon that resides within Kye’s body. More than likely, he views these entities as people like him and not to a different class or level.

"I am not in control of him," Kye muttered as Aisen disappeared. He turned and started moving again, now at a faster pace.
I'm taking it upon myself to mask my presence behind your soul.
You should have done that earlier.
I didn't think of it earlier.

As Kye moved through the maze, the walls and floor changed every now and then.
The number above decreased drastically at one point, going from “46” to “32” within a second or two. Something was clearly not wanting living people around.
Now he was faced with a decision. There were sounds of happy screams coming from somewhere near and the number above him changed “32” to “30”. He was met with a three-path route and one clearly led to an exit.

(Where will you go?)
(The Front Path)
(The Right Path)
(The Left Path)