Chapter 17

Harith, Nana and Lolita outran the minotaur that has been haunting the maze for thousands of years.

Nana felt goosebumps as the roar of the minotaur echoes all throughout the place.

"We have to be more careful. If you heard some familiar voices calling out to you, do not answer back or that minotaur would locate us," Harith warned.

"Does that mean the one I thought before that is Harley is actually that creature?" Nana asked and he simply nodded in response.

"Now, that is just creepy," Lolita commented. "We have to find our way out before it corners us."

"Then, start running now," said a voice from behind. The two girls screamed in surprise as Harith grabbed them and ran.

The red, furry minotaur came running after them and his footsteps caused mini-earthquakes. He is even holding a huge, metallic, squared hammer.

"Why is he so scary?!" Nana complained.

"I don't really like this especially that creature!" Lolita stated. "I can not help but think he is the combination of Hulk and Thor!"

"Hulk and Thor?! Who are they?! Are they fighters of the Land of Dawn?" Harith asked as they continue to run.

"You look like an idiot right now, Harith. They appear on movies!" Lolita replied.

"Who in their right minds think of movies at this kind of situation?" Harith scoffed.

"Me, obviously," Lolita replied. As they make a sharp right turn, someone is standing before them. He is wearing a golden mask and a blue cloak covered his head down to his shoulders.

All of them did not get curious of his face but their eyes were set on his hand. It looks like lava is freely flowing on it. They sensed yet another danger so without a word spoken, they all backed off and went on the right side.

"Guess we're unlucky to find two opponents in one maze," Nana simply commented, trying not to panic.

"The question is, how long do we need to run?" Lolita stated.

The ground shook which made it seem like they're bouncing while running.

"Harith, what is that on top of your head?" Nana asked as she pointed at a mark above Harith.

Lolita looked above and saw something.

"A meteorite?" she mumbled but the image of the masked man before crossed her mind.

"Nana, Harith!" she called out as they came into a halt. "Behind me!"

The two followed her instructionl and waited for the masked man's attack.

"Nana, summon Molina. Harith, prepare. That thing is the man we saw earlier," Lolita said.

Molina immediately puffed up beside them.

As Aldous shapeshifted back into his original form, his fist is ready to pummel the three teenagers.

"Guardian's Bulwark activate!" Lolita shouted and her hammer transformed into a formidable shield. Aldous landed his fist on her shield and a strong shockwave was emitted. Lolita did not dare let go of the shield or else they'll be done for.

Molina came running after the unwanted company and locked him up inside him. Harith positioned himself parallel to Aldous and his phantom appeared on the opposite side.

"Synchro Fission!"

A strong force of magic strikes Aldous on both side while being trapped inside Molina.

"The minotaur is here!" Nana panicked as her eyes set on the huge creature. This caused her to lose focus and had Molina vanish.

The three of them has nowhere to run for they are trapped between Minotaur and Aldous.

"You," Aldous speaks up as he clenched his dangerous fist. "After searching in this maze for thousands of years, I finally get to see the traitor."

Minotaur simply huffed as he tightens his grip on his large hammer.

"I guess these two have some kind of personal issue so let's take this time to escape," Lolita whispered so as the two dangerous creatures gaze at each other, waiting for someone to initiate the attack, the three slowly slipped away and found themselves safe for a while.

Shockwaves came booming at them as Minotaur and Aldous commenced their fight.

"It's better to have shaking grounds rather than to be on the run," Nana stated.

"Harith, what magic do you have up on your sleeves?" Lolita asked with curiosity.

"Nothing much," he simply replied. "We really need to find our way out or else we'll meet another opponent."

As they walk through random paths, they noticed a black, sharp-mouthed creature.

"Is that a Snore?" Harith asked as he took a better look at it.

"Snore? You mean snoring?" Lolita asked.

"No, it's a creature that usually accompanies black magicians," the mage replied.

Gloom tried to show the right way but the three did not dare follow it, thinking that it's just another trap.

"Just how much of an idiot are they?" Lylia muttered impatiently as she looks at how the three teenagers walk away from the right path towards the exit.

"They're just being careful," Harley replied as he looked over her shoulder. "Make Gloom stand over the wrong paths so they could not go the wrong way."

"I am doing this in return of saving me back at the Dark Magic Realm. After this, I won't help you anymore," Lylia snarled as she follows his instruction.

"Then, I'll have to save you as many times as I can so you could return it back," Harley stated, still looking at the orb where they could see where Gloom is. "Hey, there are three crossroads there. Turn Gloom into two."

Lylia clicked her tongue and rolled her eyes before looking at Gloom.

"Geminio," she casted and Gloom became two.

"Wow, you learned quite good spells. Who taught you?" Harley asked.

"I taught myself," she replied. "Not all of us have a teacher to guide us."

This time, Harley looked at Lylia but only he could see one side of her face. She is a good magician and with proper training and guidance, she'll become a great one.

"Help us get out from this enchanted place. In return, I will ask my family's trainor to teach you," he proposed a deal.

Lylia did not respond. She simply focused on her orb and helped Gloom guide the three lost sheeps.

"You'd be able to freely read ancient spells, practice in the magic training hall and even stay in the Vance household," Harley tempted her.

"I'd rather learn on my own than have those luxury yet be shamed upon by other mages," Lylia remarked without looking at him.

"Have you heard of Lunox?" Harley asked which made Lylia react. He smirked for he seemed to be succeeding in getting her come to their side. "She possesses both light and dark magic. She has trained countless magic wielders. She also used to teach dark magicians before they were banned. She looks at things with equity, a perfect teacher indeed. She's currently in my school."

Lylia couldn't help herself but be tempted. She has read a lot of books back at the Dark Magic Realm and Lunox has been constantly mentioned for her greatness. Becoming her student has been a dream of hers, she wouldn't deny that.

"But can I endure bad judgment from light mages?" she asked herself. She pictured herself to be out from the dark and practice her magic but she couldn't see herself being the medium of resentment and criticism just because she came from the lineage of black magicians. She would be the only student there to practice black magic. The experience might be intolerable.

"They're here," she said and the three appeared before them.

"We're out!" Nana and Lolita yelled in relief.

"Harley," Harith muttered and he felt so ashamed for being helped by him.

"Come here, Gloom," Lylia called and her pet came to her arms.

"She's the one who helped you," Harley stated as he pointed at Lylia.

"Thank you so much!" Nana and Lylia said in chorus as they crushed into her for a hug.

"The Snore was actually helping us, we thought it's just another trap. Sorry about that, Gloom," Lolita said as she pets the Snore and it purred.

"I know you still don't trust me and still holds a grudge against me, you're free to feel that way," Harley said to Harith. "As long as we stick together, find the heart of the Enchanted Forest and get back home, that's good enough."

Harith swallowed his pride and lends out his hand for handshake, which Harley gladly accepted.

Thus, their journey continued.