C 14. Finally, Out!

"I'm disappointed in us!

To say that chosen ones from the Strong Bone Clan cannot keep up with the mild test of this passage.

We were tested to be the best from our respective families.

Have you forgotten about the long-winded training we have gone through?

Have you forgotten about the labyrinth of Spiky bones? It was twelve thousand meters beneath the ground where we fought beast and monsters for more than a year.

And yet, we whine for a little jogging. This is not even the Maze. This is the road toward it."

His voice was not loud, and it sounded as if he was just narrating a story. But people were able to understand what he meant.

"If we can't keep up in this minor trial I guess we are not worthy to keep up.

Failure begins when the notion of failure invades our mind. And worst of all, we have already failed.

Because we believe we cannot keep up, we cannot endure, we blame others that want to push forward.

I want to remind us, this is not the beginning, and yet we have failed! Then, are we worthy of what is to come?"

That's all he said. The clan members said nothing but shove ration to their stomach and get ready. Among all that Daniel said, the thing that makes them ashamed is "We have failed"

Failure is something that they despise the most in life. During wars, again and again, it was shown that those with the title Strong Bone either died in battle or won the battle.

Death is winning, but retreat whatever it was, referred to as failure. Here with no threat of death, the scion of Strong Bone failed. It's a vicious blow to their pride.

And with that, they are filled with shame, and no one whines again. In fact, there is this anger and competitiveness that sprout.

Five days have passed like this.

Though after days passed the anger and competition subsidies. But no one complained. They keep moving.

What strikes them on nerves is, the road seems endless. They run and run, passing door after door, but there is no end to it.

The dark brown sidewalls, dark brown floor and the sparse gemrays on the wall were the only things they saw.

And the sound of their footsteps was the only repetitive sound their ears hear.

It was boring seeing something and hearing it over and over, again and again. Their brains yearn for something new.

Their eyes become dull, and action becomes monotonous like a robot. Some invent storytelling to elevate everyone's mood.

Daniel takes it upon himself to be a source of entertainment. He appeared to have endless energy in him. He moves around singing and dancing, making jokes and encouraging people.

He also changed the way people rest. One hour during the rest period, he requested to play mind games. Such as cards that required calculation and strategy to play.

And it worked, it took away the boredom for time. Some are even excited for nighttime to come, not for the rest but the games.

That comes to wane and no longer gives excitement. He changed another strategy. That is calculating the number of times he whistles far a day.

The way to do it is that at certain intervals he will whistle, and they take a record, but sometimes he will whistle many times consecutively.

The adults among them did not join but the kids, but later they joined. It was interesting because it involved auditory illusions.

The passageway echoed sound and the way Daniel whistled it made it hard for them to decipher which one was the actual sound, not the echo.

There is no reward for the winner but a sense of satisfaction with success. After a week the boredom strikes again. The game is no longer appealing.

Yet, to Daniel, it was a challenge for his brain to continue producing ideas to elevate their mood. If something becomes obsolete he changes to a new thing.

People began to join him in inventing new games, and it served as a challenge to them to be more creative constantly.

***

Finally, Out!!! I thought we will not reach the end" little Li exclaimed.

…

It happened after Samuel came to an abrupt halt. He barked some orders to the Mole team to scout ahead.

As they came back, they were brimming with smiles. Happiness, gladness was written all over their faces.

People were already having good expectations seeing their expression. And when it was announced, little Li shouted.

"Finally Out!"

…

After many days, they reached the end of the passage. And their destination is a City.

The abandoned city has some broken buildings that surely need renovations. The buildings are made out of rocks and stones.

Everyone thought that Samuel would allow them to look around and rest for a full day, but he said they will move forward.

Daniel as always moves around giving personal greetings. He encouraged people to keep up. It was not even the beginning, so they need to keep up.

But Daniel sneaked to Samuel and advised them they should at least rest for a day, but Samuel said, "We keep moving. We almost reached where the Orbs are."

Daniel looked at his ID glass, there was a map on it with strange characters. "You can read the characters?"

"Stupid question!"

"Why are you always on edge! Little thing and you flare-up."

"You are the cause, lazy idiot. A waste of…"

"Cough!"

They all turn together. A woman, a party member of the Moles. Well, she is the leader of the party. "Take it easy. Daniel, show him your talent book!"

"No need. The map you saw now is indicating the path that will lead to the nearest Orb collector. And I want to occupy a single Orb collector to prepare everyone.

There will be a competition at the later stages of the maze. And it will be intense, preparation is the most important. Hurry up, we don't want to wait any longer."

He bolted forward. Daniel and the rest were forced to carry those that can't keep up.

As Samuel was running he slowed down for them to catch up while he was busy checking among the numerous Orb Collector locations from the Glass ID.

The Glass was also serving as a map with some pictures that showed different places and their relevant distance.

After checking, he sighed. "Look like solo Orb Collectors are deeper inside. But we need that to stop them from losing control!"

He looked at Daniel and said, "Don't mind my mood.. What you did back in the passage is impressive. I guess you understand the condition we were in?"

"Yes, I do."

"What condition?" Elaine and Elina asked in unison. Elaine is the Mole leader.