Chapter 37

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Chapter 37: Monsters under children's bed exists

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Hakun's P.O.V

It's been a week since we were in this labyrinth. We reached about 28 dead ends and there were also some skeletons and coffins in some places.

I was pretty sure that this Labyrinth will lead us nowhere but to our death. But If that happens, then. Whatever.

It has only been me and Arcane talking about some stuff. But sometimes, Hushy would join us. And right now, we were talking.

"Yes, and It hurts me to even think about him being better than me!" Ma-drama na pahayag ni Hushy. Then tinutukan si Alpha.

"Well, wala kang magawa eh. Pinanganak talaga siyang mayaman, gwapo, matalino, at prinsepe." Arcane replied while boredly looking at his nails.

"Geez, should I trim my nails or what.?" He added.

"Naku po, kung hindi lang ata pinanganak na prinsepe tong si Alpha. He will be no different from all the other rich kids na fini-flex yung mga branded nila." Hushy said, then he stuck his finger in his nose.

"Teka lang guys, mangungulangot muna ako." Hushy then took a huge step behind us as he focused on whatever he is doing.

I just heaved a sigh as I look at the other guys who are walking. Chloe and Chippy looks like they are sharing a hearty conversation.  Emerald is walking with Bluve, Alpha and Chummy are walking together. Sergio and Leo are walking together, Leo keeping his gaze on Emerald while Sergio is staring at Hushy.

Hushy on the otherhand is in our back, Like I said. Minding his own business.

I then looked at Arcane who pulled out Chips from his bag and opened it.

"Want some?" He offered me. I just took a handful and began eating.

The path was so dark and we would sometimes get lost bacause of the darkness. Then we finally made a stop on two maze pathways, the left and the right.

The left side is pretty dark and too moist, there are also growing moss over and it looks like a pathway back to the forest the right side isn't that dark and there are hint of sunlight. There are also cobwebs covering the whole path but it is still managable to dust the cobwebs off.

I then turned to look at Chloe. She then noticed me as she tilted her head.

"Can't you just make a shooting star a make a wish to get us out of here?" I asked.

Everybody then turned to look at her woth the same question stuck in their minds.

"No, it doesn't work like that. I can't make stars without seeing the moon." She whispered as she slightly shuddered. Ofcourse, there was only darkness and light above us just to remind us that it's morning or evening. But never see the sun or the moon.

"So I'm useless right now until I see the moon again." She then smiled bitterly.

I also am fed up with this paths. I can't even tell which is which. We might end up not saving The Trio.

I then shook my head. Fine let's just guess which path to take.

"Wait." Sergio then looked at us.

"I-I can guess which path to take." He said as he slump over his shoulders and looked down on his feet as he can feel the pressure from all of our stares.

We just all stared at him, I could hear nothing but the sound of crunching chips coming from Arcane.

Sergio didn't say anything, nor did anyone. That's what made him nervous.

"What to do?" Alpha Asked.

Sergio was finally relieved that someone asked, he then looked at Hushy.

"Well, I can check underground and tell you which is the right path."  He explained.

Finally, some sort of help...!

We were miraculously watching him till now as he was still standing in front of us rubbing his elbow. His dog ears are drooping as his tail began wagging.

"What are you waiting for? Go on. Inspect underground!" Emerald excitedly said.

This causes Sergio's tail to steady.

"I--uh.. in that case..." He started while Eyeing Hushy who was busy in minding his own business.

"I, I can't do that until my master commands it." He nervously stated.

We all looked at Hushy who was now staring a Sergio for no reason then he followed.

"Fine. I command you to do whatever you need to do." Then he poses like he was asking us to thank him.

"Um. It--doesn't work that way..I don't have the energy for I am thirsty, Master." Sergio explained nervously.

I looked at Chummy and Chloe who was already opening their bags, getting a a water bottle and handing it to Sergio.

Sergio was staring at the water bottle. He was looking down and he looked like he have no plans to accept the bottle.

"Aren't you thirsty?" Chummy confusedly asked.

Sergio avoided her question as he gaze back at Hushy. Hushy was extremely clueless and he looks like he also cannot comprehend the situation.

Arcane on the otherhand was getting impatient as he began to crunch his chips loudly which is oddly annoying.

Then after a few minutes passed, Hushy seems to get the idea. The idea that none of us knew and what was going on exactly.

Hushy then looked at his bag but looks like he didn't find what he was looking for. He was looking at us one by one then his gaze landed on mines.

"Ah, Hakun. Pahiram ng paintbrush mo. Yung matalim yung hawakan." He requested.

I frowned as I rummage through my satchel. I found my pointy brush as I handed it to him.

"Thanks." He then took it and held it upside down.

"What are you gonna do with it?" I asked.

He just shrugged his shoulders as he positioned the needle like point of the brush in his index finger.

Then he pricked his finger.

"Ah, that hurts." He stated but he didn't wipe the blood off.

Isa ba ito sa mga epekto ng mga malapit nang mababaliw na Animalia?

He handed me my brush and I gladly accepted it with a scorned look plastered on my face.

Hushy then turned to lookd at Sergio as he held his index finger infront of him. Sergio looks embarassed as heat was rushing up in his cheeks.

We don't really know what was going on but the scene was really entertaining.

We were all staring at Hushy and Sergio who did not utter a word.

"What are you waiting for? Nauuhaw ka o hindi?" Hushy asked. Sergio then regained his senses and nodded his head.

I looked at the Chummy and Chloe, their eyes glinted with some sort of mischief. They both look like they'll shriek any moment now. Chippy on the otherhand couldn't help but giggle.

Arcane and Leo was too focused on the two like they know what was going on but they really are watching closely to confirm.

Bluve, Alpha and Emerald didn't know what was going on, they were just confused. There was already a water bottle plastered in Emerald's hands.

I think I finally understand what was going on here.

Sergio then looked down embarassed and Hushy couldn't help but look at the other direction with a frown on his face but it didn't seems like he hated it as his face was also flushing in tomato red.

"Then, excuse me..." Sergio said as he stepped forward, his lips touching Hushy's finger.

Hushy's shoulders flinched at the slight touch of Sergio's breath on his finger.

Sergio then held his hands as he began to suck on the finger. He couldn't help but make weird noises as Sergio kept on sucking.

Of course he was thirsty, he needs Hushy's blood to clench his thist. Sergio is not actually Alive, but one of the dead who belongs underworld who feeds off of His Master's blood. Sometimes I really need to remind myself that fact cause I keep forgetting it.

As I looked at them, Hushy was actually in a mess as Sergio was honestly looking healthier.

"S-Sergio, d-don't use your tongue.." Hushy managed to squeak.

I turned my head away from the scene, this is really getting naughty. I then looked at the other's reaction. Chippy looks like he was enjoying the scene, Chloe and Chummy was probably shrieking, Arcane and Leo have an intrested expression, while the Three were looking away embarassed at the scene they have just witnessed.

Bet they are probably feeling goosebumps right now.

I stared at them for a mere second and was about to avert my gaze when I saw a sly grin formed on Bluve's face as he pushed Emerald which cause him to trip but when he was about to fall down, Alpha catched him instantly.

Nice.

I then made Eye contact with Bluve and we both snickered. I then turn to see Emerald's face blushing madly.

"S-sorry." He apoligized.

"Careful." Alpha reprimanded while helping him stand in both two feet.

Silence then came between them.

"A-ah! Stop! You're drinking too much blood!" I heard Hushy nervously shouted.

Then Sergio stopped and licked his own lips. Then he walked about 5 meters away and his body began merging under the stoned path.

Then we were left standing here.

"Hushy, you okay?"  I asked.

He then looked at all of us nervously. Like he realized something important.

"Sergio wouldn't kill me would he?" He asked.

"Why? Bakit pala?" Chippy asked.

"Itong daliri na sinipsip niya ang daliri na ginamit ko pangungulangot kanina." He answered.

What?

.....

It's been like 30 minutes since Sergio returned and he told us that it is better to head to the Dark mossy path.

It was dark and ofcourse I feel unsafe. It didm't feel right walking in here. There was this kind of chill that is bothering me.

Or was I just being too paranoid?

The only light that was guiding us was The glow on Chloe's hands, Leo's fire ability as a torch in his hands, Emerald's staff and Arcane's glow in the dark Latex jumpsuit that he was wearing.

We kept on walking, no one said a word or two and It feels like we are prisoners following rules as the only sound was our footsteps towards the long empty path we are taking.

Of course that didn't help my uneasiness. It was really strange

It feels like someone was watching every move I make.

But that's impossible. I shrugged off my thoughts cause I knew I was being too over reacting but once I stepped there infront of us was glowing yellow eyes.

The figure wasn't really visible but it was looking at us with such a grin.

"Who? Come out whatever you are!" Alpha commanded. Then the figure came out from the darkness.

It looks like a man with a skeletal structure, his horns are high up as his skinny hands reached his knees. He was emerging from the darkness and he looks like he has no good intentions.

I was of course, taken aback. I haven't seen anybody like that before.

It always reminds me of all the bedtime stories about demons that my father used to tell Me and Harles when we refused to sleep when we were little.

We stepped back as the figure came close. It wasn't saying anything but his moth-like eyes was focused on me. Or was I just imagining things?

It then came closer. We then took a step back but it drastically latched after us and ofcourse Bluve and Chummy used ice to freeze the creature in spot. Then we ran forward towards wherever the path may lead us.

We heard loud a shriek coming from him as he smashed the ice into pieces as he began running. We ran as fast as we can, away from the ugly looking creature.

I looked back and saw the creature opening his mouth, revealing his long tongue which made me shiver reminding me of a snake.

It's eyes was set over to Chummy who was running beside me.

The creature then extended his toungue to grab Chummy when Arcane blocked his chance by stabbing his imported chopsticks into his long toungue which eventually sucessfully pierced.

The Creature shrieked in pain, and Arcane was able to hold Chummy's hands and assist her to be placed infront of the running group.

The creature seemed like it wanted to eat us. Of course it would if not, what would be the point in extending his toungue to capture Chummy.

We still sped up even though we knew that the creature wasn't following us. It is better to be cautious than never.

"You guys alright?!" Emerald asked.

All of us agreed in sync as we still were keeping up on probably running a marathon.

I thought thay we were saved, but it was just my thoughts.

Cause It wasn't that long enough before the creature was keeping up with us, chasing after us and scaring us to death. I was struggling to keep my pace as I am last the one in order running in the group.

My eyes feel heavy and my senses felt like it was about to give up when I felt a heavy weight pushing me down against pure dirt.

"Hakun!" I heard Bluve shouted.

The others were meters away from me but they stopped in their tracks as they waited for me.

I struggled myself free and was about to use levitation when Leo shot fire to the creature's face and it began burning.

The creature shrieked and began putting out the fire on his face which gave me the time to stand up and run away.

I already stood up and was about to run away with full force when the creature grabbed me by my left wolf ear as I stumbled upon a rock a tripped.

The creature has still fire on his face and threw me on the side wall. I arched my back in fear of breaking them.

But I cowering, shivering. Like my body wouldn't stop by command.

I felt deafness on my left ear. Fear washed over me as I could see blood dripping from the top of my head. It felt surreal and I feel nauseous.

I touched my head As I felt a tingling sensation, it was painfully sharp and wet. I brushed my hands over and looked at my hands.

Blood.

I slowly turned my gaze over the group, some looked shocked and some couldn't even comprehend the situation.

But Bluve and Alpha ran over my direction, they ran. I knew, as fast as they can.

Alpha proceeded to help me stand up as I saw Bluve freezing the creature fully. We quickly made our way to the group which helped me, I turned my back to look at Bluve but What I saw the creature frozen, in his hands was my left ear.

And there it is again, I feel nauseous.

Bluve headed to our direction as he told us to ran, we ofcourse ran. I was able to run stable with the help of Chippy and Chloe aiding both my left and right.

But Not long when we all thought that we are safe from danger before we fell to some kind of sinkhole and there we all were face to face with animalia's minding their own business.

It's not only that, they don't look like normal Animalias as they were all uniformly wearing gowns.

What is this place? It looks like some sort of casino as there were people playing cards and arcade games.

But why would a casino be placed here? Is there any reason?

The place had a sharply red color, it was noisy and there were bunch of Animalias gathered around tables with a bunch of chips gathered right infront of them.

I was still stuck on my mind when there was this guy who's animalia is a dog who wore a server uniform passed by us.

"Excuse me." Bluve called out to seek his attention.

He then turned to look at us.

"Yes, dear guests?" He asked as he looked at his watch silently before giving us his full attention.

"What is this place?" Bluve asked.

The server looked confused for a moment but decided to answer the question.

"The dark underground gambling casino. Where you can get informations, passwords to credit accounts, rent a room for overnight staying guests, gamble, hire an assasin, buy or trade slaves and such." He explained.

"Slaves?" Alpha's face became twisted. Of course, his kingdom banned Slave buying and he would become furious for not knowing such place.

The server just nodded.

"Wait--aren't you guys too young to be in here?" The waiter asked which Bluve immediately shook his head.

"No. We are 19 and legal." Arcane answered confidently which the waiter of course did not buy as an explanation.

"Anyways, is there any clinic in here? My friend over here had just gotten injured." Chloe asked as she pointed at me.

The waiter then showed us the direction of the clinic inside the whole casino.

After that, we headed to the clinic and there I was treated. The doctor covered my head in bandages especially to the missing patch where my left ear was supposed to be which is now gone, ripped off.

"Unfortunately, Hindi na gagaling and it is impossible for you to grow another ear." The doctor explained which made me lose hope.

Haah, I can't hear anything in my left ear anymore. I looked down in my hands and saw them trembling, Hushy probably noticed me which made him hold my hands.

"It's going to be okay." He assured.

I smiled at his little comfort, even though it'll be hard and it wouldn't be okay, I still smiled.

Yes, Hushy. I hope what you said is true.

Then as I quickly got my energy back even though I'm trying to adjust to the noises in my surroundings, I couldn't help but ask the doctor.

"May I ask, where can we get informations?" I asked as all of us coroiously turned to the Doctor.

"Actually Meron sa taas, in the third floor. But just so you know, the underground casino isn't free. You have to pay prices to get the information yoh want to know--let it be if your wife cheated on you or whatever." She says.

We all looked at each other.

"Is the information really that accurate?" Leo couldn't help but ask.

"Of course, this is the underground market. Everything is accurate." The doctor answered.

"But looking at you guy's faces, I probably think that you have no money in you so you might not afford them. You might as well go get information to the crazy lady who believes in magic in the second floor. She doesn't really charge and she doesn't recieve much clients. Everyone really thinks she's crazy so no one seeks information from her." The doctor explained.

Wait, the lady believes in magic? We both looked at each other, confirming our thoughts. I stood up and thankes the doctor.

"Thanks Doctor, we'll see you next time." Emerald thanked in half our our behalf.

Then like I was thinking, after the Clinic's door closed leaving us outside.

Just as I thought, we all made our way to the second floor.