"REEE! REEEEE! REE! REE!" The terrified Goblins scattered in every direction, their high-pitched screeches echoing through the air. Maeve held the Goblin responsible for pushing Zero into the ocean high above her head, a demonic hand tightly gripping the struggling creature.
"Get. Him. Back," she demanded, her voice cold and unyielding.
Idris, Menelik, Oduduwa, and Taharqa stood silently behind Maeve, their faces taut with tension. None of them dared to intervene.
"Has she done this before?" Taharqa whispered to the others, his eyes wide with concern.
Idris leaned forward slightly from the wall they had taken refuge against, his voice low. "Not sure. We haven't known her for very long."
"But she is kinda scary," Menelik added, a hint of fear in his voice.
Taharqa nodded, his expression grave. "Just a bit."
Maeve briefly released her grip on the Goblin, allowing it to plummet to the ground before swiftly pulling it back up. Her eyes narrowed as she spoke, "Don’t make me repeat myself.”
The Goblin shook its head once more, terror in its eyes, before Maeve finally released her grip.
"If you can’t answer that, then tell me this: where are you getting all those books for Tacitus?”
The entrance to the library was marked by a weathered stone archway. It was worn and dilapidated, two walls stood on either side, with a third precariously perched on top, forming an uneven structure that hinted at age and neglect. The path beyond the archway extended into darkness, devoid of even the faintest illumination from the flickering flame torches at the entrance.
After a moment of silence, a towering figure emerged, dwarfing the Goblins in size and displaying a muscular and robust physique that commanded attention. Its dark green skin verged on black, and two large tusks curved menacingly from the inner part of its upper mouth. Blood-red eyes glared from a face marked by a large tattoo of a hand, while another covered its chest. The figure wore nothing more than a simple black wool skirt around its torso, and its mere footsteps caused the ground to tremble. In its left arm, it cradled an enormous pillar with an air of casual strength. It was clear to anyone who looked that this creature was not a Goblin, but an Orc.
The Orc, named Dhokhok, led the group along the dimly lit corridor with unwavering enthusiasm. A small trinket he held in his hand cast a faint glow, providing the only source of illumination as they ventured deeper. Upon reaching the library, a profound sense of familiarity washed over each member of the group, rendering them momentarily speechless.
Menelik broke the silence, his voice laden with frustration. "Son of a bitch," he declared, his gaze fixed on the immense library before them. Its sheer size was beyond comprehension, stretching endlessly without any discernible end. "This is that Mazu feller's library, ain’t it?"
Dhokhok looked at Menelik with confusion. "Ma… Zu?”
"Yes,” Maeve replied. "On Urith Prime, he has a library exactly like this.”
Dhokhok's eyes traversed the seemingly endless expanse of books before returning to Maeve and the group. "If what you say is true, then it could take months to reach the other side," he mused. "I once ventured for forty days and forty nights in search of its end, but we can try again if you'd like?"
As they walked through the library hall, Dhokhok began to grow hungry. Without any prompting, he shared that the Oni Mages of the city had concocted something to disrupt the Maze's healing properties—apparently, living forever was a burden for some.
Dhokhok pulled a tiny pouch from his skirt, and as he reached inside, the bag began to grow in size. He pulled out three large oblong-shaped black stones with white sigils carved all over their surfaces and arranged them in a wide triangle.
He sprinkled chalk from the bag within the confines of the triangle until it formed a thin layer. At the center of this space, he placed a fourth stone, this one without any sigils, and with a flourish, it ignited into a small pink flame that soon faded, leaving behind a red-hot stone.
Reaching back into the bag, Dhokhok produced a huge chunk of meat. He cut it into thick slices, then moved them to the stone, where they sizzled, filling the air with a mouthwatering aroma.
Dhokhok retrieved glass vials filled with what appeared to be spices and seasonings. With deft movements, he sprinkled them across the meat, switching between the vials held between his fingers. After a moment's pause, he knelt down, flipped the meat, and repeated the process on the other side. Returning the vials to the bag, he pulled out another handful of ingredients.
Dhokhok sliced some roots, leaves, and vegetables into diced and minced chunks with quick precision. Then, he produced a large pot that he placed beside the cooking meat. After a short moment more of cooking, he transferred the meat into the pot.
The group watched silently, seated on the ground, relaxed as Dhokhok reached into his bag again, this time pulling out a glass container filled with amber liquid. He carefully poured some of it into the pot with the meat, and within moments, the liquid began to boil itself, forcing the meat slices to the surface. Dhokhok procured five bowls and distributed them among the group, evenly dividing the remaining liquid in the glass into each bowl.
Menelik glanced at his bowl, then back at Dhokhok. "You mix hot and cold broth?"
Dhokhok nodded with a smile. "HAHA! Just you wait, it creates the perfect temperature, so you can start eating right away!" He smiled once more at the group, then returned to the pot, adding the vegetables, leaves, and roots.
Lowering himself a bit, he reheated the stone and moved the pot onto it, causing more bubbles to dance within. After waiting a bit longer, Dhokhok carefully removed the pot from the stone and began pouring its contents into the group's bowls where everyone began to dig in.
"You were right; this is delicious, and you made it so fast." Taharqa inquired.
Dhokhok pointed to the set of stones. "Magic Oni Stones," he replied with an even bigger smile. "Great for fast cooking."
Oduduwa chimed in with a smirk, "I like you, Doc Oct, I really do."
Dhokhok nodded and just as he was about to sit down, Idris spoke up, "Just because O'dumb'wa can't pronounce your name correctly doesn't mean we don't want you to sit with us. You made this meal, come enjoy it with us."
Eagerly, Dhokhok joined the group, his excitement palpable. As he settled down, he reached into his skirt and retrieved a small vial containing a blue liquid.
"We usually bathe in it and absorb it through our skin, but we also carry it on long journeys to drink, just in case. This will allow you to use magic within the maze," he explained, handing the vial to Maeve. "It will also make you hungry and tired. Just drink a small bit each, and keep the rest for your other friend. But remember, you won't be healed by the maze until the effects wear off."
"Why haven't you left the maze?" Confusion marked Maeve's face as she took a swig of the potion and passed it to Idris. "You could lead all of the Goblins out of the city and back to Arrithia, why don't you?"
"Are we not still on Arrithia?" Dhokhok exclaimed. "We are deep under the crust of her earth, but we are still within the confines of this planet; this IS Arrithia."
Maeve pulled her hood back over her horns, causing them to disappear into the Void of her cloak. "You would rather stay in the maze?"
Dhokhok smiled faintly, closing his eyes for a moment before letting out a soft sigh. "When everyone you know, including your great-great-great-great-great grandfather, has only known the maze, why bother?" he paused to take another bite of his stew, then continued, "There may only be one Goblin City… But this entire maze is our home… And it is more than enough."
"Man, something smells delicious." Zero's voice cut through the air as he sniffed around, grabbing everyone's attention. "I hope you got one last bowl." He looked around at the group. "Hey, guys." His attention then shifted to Dhokhok. "If your people were to lose you, would they still be able to continue living as they are now?"
Dhokhok shook his head slightly, confusion evident on his face. "If you are asking me to leave my people, I will not, but I can say that there is someone… I have an apprentice; she is a bit eccentric and a little chaotic, but if you are looking for my knowledge in someone who is willing to leave the maze, she is your answer. "
Zero smiled as he glanced back at the group. "Chaotic? Well then, she'll fit right in."
Dhokhok led them back into the city, winding their way through large stone buildings and archways, until they reached a narrow hallway. Even Dhokhok had to crouch to pass through it. What struck them as odd was that the stone in this passage was quite different—it had a sandy orange hue and a much smoother texture. The walls transitioned from stone to well-crafted bricks of the same orange material. As they moved forward, the city's bright light dimmed for a moment, only to be replaced by a soft, purple glow that steadily intensified.
Upon emerging from the crouched space, they passed through what felt like a dense spider web, but it left no trace—it was a subtle portal that led to a room that was not wide, but its height was awe-inspiring, resembling a silo with seemingly endless verticality. A spiral staircase stood at its core, ascending into the ceiling's darkness, its ascent impossible to follow even with the aid of the purple glow emanating from the magic torches on the walls.
Stained glass windows adorned the chamber, their thickness rendering the outside world indiscernible. However, despite their opacity, they were mysteriously illuminated, presenting blocky art pieces with an array of colors. There was a pink Orc cutting down a purple tree with yellow leaves in one panel, and a smiling sun above a massive boat resting on a hill in another.
The staircase continued upward without any apparent stopping points, leading everyone to assume that it would eventually reach another floor. Yet, Dhokhok seemed unperturbed, showing no intention of guiding them further.
Menelik sat on the couch in the far left corner of the room, the rosy beige upholstery resting atop a carpet that had seen generations pass. Every table in the room was covered in books, notes, and journals, but one, in particular, had an enormous scroll unfurled on its surface, along with a small shelf filled with more scrolls inside. The tables were arranged haphazardly, and the floor was covered in scratch marks—suggesting they were often shifted around.
Dhokhok smiled warmly at them before his expression shifted as he moved to the bottom of the stairs. "Oiwa," he called out, and almost immediately, footsteps could be heard sprinting from above.
As the footsteps grew louder, they suddenly turned into thuds, and Oiwa came tumbling down. The railing caught her for a moment, allowing her to roll down the stairs, but just before the last bend, she fell through the railing and toward the ground.
Dhokhok gestured towards her as she lifted herself off the ground. "Everyone, meet my apprentice, Oiwa.”
Oiwa was a tall, muscular Oni with scarlet skin, adorned with scales that ran over her shoulders and down her biceps, stopping just at her elbows. Her chest was wrapped in black bandages, covering her breasts, but leaving the rest of her torso exposed. Her forearms were adorned with golden gauntlets that, at first glance, appeared to have intricate carvings and designs, but upon closer inspection, revealed themselves to be tally marks that she had continuously run out of room for. Her lower half was draped in a white robe tied around her waist, cascading freely like a dress with a hidden red pattern within the wrinkles of the fabric. Her canines were slightly elongated, resembling fangs that protruded ever so slightly from her mouth, and two small horns gracefully curled up from her forehead. Her white hair was tied up in a ponytail atop her head, accentuating her bright blue eyes.
"LAAWDY, LOOK AT HER, DAYUUUM," Oduduwa exclaimed.
Oiwa looked at him, her expression graced with a beautiful smile. She tilted her head to the side and folded her hands together. "Awe, you're so sweet..." Her smile grew a bit larger. "...but if you ever sexualize me again..." Suddenly, four magic arms manifested from her back, their red aura pulling all the attention towards her as they punched into one another, sending out a small shockwave. "...I'll rip off all four of your limbs and beat your friends to death with them, M'KAY?"
Oduduwa sunk back into the couch, his voice quiet as he whispered to himself. "Why is she's so freaking hot?”
"REEE! REEEEE! REE! REE!" The terrified Goblins scattered in every direction, their high-pitched screeches echoing through the air. Maeve held the Goblin responsible for pushing Zero into the ocean high above her head, a demonic hand tightly gripping the struggling creature.
"Get. Him. Back," she demanded, her voice cold and unyielding.
Idris, Menelik, Oduduwa, and Taharqa stood silently behind Maeve, their faces taut with tension. None of them dared to intervene.
"Has she done this before?" Taharqa whispered to the others, his eyes wide with concern.
Idris leaned forward slightly from the wall they had taken refuge against, his voice low. "Not sure. We haven't known her for very long."
"But she is kinda scary," Menelik added, a hint of fear in his voice.
Taharqa nodded, his expression grave. "Just a bit."
Maeve briefly released her grip on the Goblin, allowing it to plummet to the ground before swiftly pulling it back up. Her eyes narrowed as she spoke, "Don’t make me repeat myself.”
The Goblin shook its head once more, terror in its eyes, before Maeve finally released her grip.
"If you can’t answer that, then tell me this: where are you getting all those books for Tacitus?”
The entrance to the library was marked by a weathered stone archway. It was worn and dilapidated, two walls stood on either side, with a third precariously perched on top, forming an uneven structure that hinted at age and neglect. The path beyond the archway extended into darkness, devoid of even the faintest illumination from the flickering flame torches at the entrance.
After a moment of silence, a towering figure emerged, dwarfing the Goblins in size and displaying a muscular and robust physique that commanded attention. Its dark green skin verged on black, and two large tusks curved menacingly from the inner part of its upper mouth. Blood-red eyes glared from a face marked by a large tattoo of a hand, while another covered its chest. The figure wore nothing more than a simple black wool skirt around its torso, and its mere footsteps caused the ground to tremble. In its left arm, it cradled an enormous pillar with an air of casual strength. It was clear to anyone who looked that this creature was not a Goblin, but an Orc.
The Orc, named Dhokhok, led the group along the dimly lit corridor with unwavering enthusiasm. A small trinket he held in his hand cast a faint glow, providing the only source of illumination as they ventured deeper. Upon reaching the library, a profound sense of familiarity washed over each member of the group, rendering them momentarily speechless.
Menelik broke the silence, his voice laden with frustration. "Son of a bitch," he declared, his gaze fixed on the immense library before them. Its sheer size was beyond comprehension, stretching endlessly without any discernible end. "This is that Mazu feller's library, ain’t it?"
Dhokhok looked at Menelik with confusion. "Ma… Zu?”
"Yes,” Maeve replied. "On Urith Prime, he has a library exactly like this.”
Dhokhok's eyes traversed the seemingly endless expanse of books before returning to Maeve and the group. "If what you say is true, then it could take months to reach the other side," he mused. "I once ventured for forty days and forty nights in search of its end, but we can try again if you'd like?"
As they walked through the library hall, Dhokhok began to grow hungry. Without any prompting, he shared that the Oni Mages of the city had concocted something to disrupt the Maze's healing properties—apparently, living forever was a burden for some.
Dhokhok pulled a tiny pouch from his skirt, and as he reached inside, the bag began to grow in size. He pulled out three large oblong-shaped black stones with white sigils carved all over their surfaces and arranged them in a wide triangle.
He sprinkled chalk from the bag within the confines of the triangle until it formed a thin layer. At the center of this space, he placed a fourth stone, this one without any sigils, and with a flourish, it ignited into a small pink flame that soon faded, leaving behind a red-hot stone.
Reaching back into the bag, Dhokhok produced a huge chunk of meat. He cut it into thick slices, then moved them to the stone, where they sizzled, filling the air with a mouthwatering aroma.
Dhokhok retrieved glass vials filled with what appeared to be spices and seasonings. With deft movements, he sprinkled them across the meat, switching between the vials held between his fingers. After a moment's pause, he knelt down, flipped the meat, and repeated the process on the other side. Returning the vials to the bag, he pulled out another handful of ingredients.
Dhokhok sliced some roots, leaves, and vegetables into diced and minced chunks with quick precision. Then, he produced a large pot that he placed beside the cooking meat. After a short moment more of cooking, he transferred the meat into the pot.
The group watched silently, seated on the ground, relaxed as Dhokhok reached into his bag again, this time pulling out a glass container filled with amber liquid. He carefully poured some of it into the pot with the meat, and within moments, the liquid began to boil itself, forcing the meat slices to the surface. Dhokhok procured five bowls and distributed them among the group, evenly dividing the remaining liquid in the glass into each bowl.
Menelik glanced at his bowl, then back at Dhokhok. "You mix hot and cold broth?"
Dhokhok nodded with a smile. "HAHA! Just you wait, it creates the perfect temperature, so you can start eating right away!" He smiled once more at the group, then returned to the pot, adding the vegetables, leaves, and roots.
Lowering himself a bit, he reheated the stone and moved the pot onto it, causing more bubbles to dance within. After waiting a bit longer, Dhokhok carefully removed the pot from the stone and began pouring its contents into the group's bowls where everyone began to dig in.
"You were right; this is delicious, and you made it so fast." Taharqa inquired.
Dhokhok pointed to the set of stones. "Magic Oni Stones," he replied with an even bigger smile. "Great for fast cooking."
Oduduwa chimed in with a smirk, "I like you, Doc Oct, I really do."
Dhokhok nodded and just as he was about to sit down, Idris spoke up, "Just because O'dumb'wa can't pronounce your name correctly doesn't mean we don't want you to sit with us. You made this meal, come enjoy it with us."
Eagerly, Dhokhok joined the group, his excitement palpable. As he settled down, he reached into his skirt and retrieved a small vial containing a blue liquid.
"We usually bathe in it and absorb it through our skin, but we also carry it on long journeys to drink, just in case. This will allow you to use magic within the maze," he explained, handing the vial to Maeve. "It will also make you hungry and tired. Just drink a small bit each, and keep the rest for your other friend. But remember, you won't be healed by the maze until the effects wear off."
"Why haven't you left the maze?" Confusion marked Maeve's face as she took a swig of the potion and passed it to Idris. "You could lead all of the Goblins out of the city and back to Arrithia, why don't you?"
"Are we not still on Arrithia?" Dhokhok exclaimed. "We are deep under the crust of her earth, but we are still within the confines of this planet; this IS Arrithia."
Maeve pulled her hood back over her horns, causing them to disappear into the Void of her cloak. "You would rather stay in the maze?"
Dhokhok smiled faintly, closing his eyes for a moment before letting out a soft sigh. "When everyone you know, including your great-great-great-great-great grandfather, has only known the maze, why bother?" he paused to take another bite of his stew, then continued, "There may only be one Goblin City… But this entire maze is our home… And it is more than enough."
"Man, something smells delicious." Zero's voice cut through the air as he sniffed around, grabbing everyone's attention. "I hope you got one last bowl." He looked around at the group. "Hey, guys." His attention then shifted to Dhokhok. "If your people were to lose you, would they still be able to continue living as they are now?"
Dhokhok shook his head slightly, confusion evident on his face. "If you are asking me to leave my people, I will not, but I can say that there is someone… I have an apprentice; she is a bit eccentric and a little chaotic, but if you are looking for my knowledge in someone who is willing to leave the maze, she is your answer. "
Zero smiled as he glanced back at the group. "Chaotic? Well then, she'll fit right in."
Dhokhok led them back into the city, winding their way through large stone buildings and archways, until they reached a narrow hallway. Even Dhokhok had to crouch to pass through it. What struck them as odd was that the stone in this passage was quite different—it had a sandy orange hue and a much smoother texture. The walls transitioned from stone to well-crafted bricks of the same orange material. As they moved forward, the city's bright light dimmed for a moment, only to be replaced by a soft, purple glow that steadily intensified.
Upon emerging from the crouched space, they passed through what felt like a dense spider web, but it left no trace—it was a subtle portal that led to a room that was not wide, but its height was awe-inspiring, resembling a silo with seemingly endless verticality. A spiral staircase stood at its core, ascending into the ceiling's darkness, its ascent impossible to follow even with the aid of the purple glow emanating from the magic torches on the walls.
Stained glass windows adorned the chamber, their thickness rendering the outside world indiscernible. However, despite their opacity, they were mysteriously illuminated, presenting blocky art pieces with an array of colors. There was a pink Orc cutting down a purple tree with yellow leaves in one panel, and a smiling sun above a massive boat resting on a hill in another.
The staircase continued upward without any apparent stopping points, leading everyone to assume that it would eventually reach another floor. Yet, Dhokhok seemed unperturbed, showing no intention of guiding them further.
Menelik sat on the couch in the far left corner of the room, the rosy beige upholstery resting atop a carpet that had seen generations pass. Every table in the room was covered in books, notes, and journals, but one, in particular, had an enormous scroll unfurled on its surface, along with a small shelf filled with more scrolls inside. The tables were arranged haphazardly, and the floor was covered in scratch marks—suggesting they were often shifted around.
Dhokhok smiled warmly at them before his expression shifted as he moved to the bottom of the stairs. "Oiwa," he called out, and almost immediately, footsteps could be heard sprinting from above.
As the footsteps grew louder, they suddenly turned into thuds, and Oiwa came tumbling down. The railing caught her for a moment, allowing her to roll down the stairs, but just before the last bend, she fell through the railing and toward the ground.
Dhokhok gestured towards her as she lifted herself off the ground. "Everyone, meet my apprentice, Oiwa.”
Oiwa was a tall, muscular Oni with scarlet skin, adorned with scales that ran over her shoulders and down her biceps, stopping just at her elbows. Her chest was wrapped in black bandages, covering her breasts, but leaving the rest of her torso exposed. Her forearms were adorned with golden gauntlets that, at first glance, appeared to have intricate carvings and designs, but upon closer inspection, revealed themselves to be tally marks that she had continuously run out of room for. Her lower half was draped in a white robe tied around her waist, cascading freely like a dress with a hidden red pattern within the wrinkles of the fabric. Her canines were slightly elongated, resembling fangs that protruded ever so slightly from her mouth, and two small horns gracefully curled up from her forehead. Her white hair was tied up in a ponytail atop her head, accentuating her bright blue eyes.
"LAAWDY, LOOK AT HER, DAYUUUM," Oduduwa exclaimed.
Oiwa looked at him, her expression graced with a beautiful smile. She tilted her head to the side and folded her hands together. "Awe, you're so sweet..." Her smile grew a bit larger. "...but if you ever sexualize me again..." Suddenly, four magic arms manifested from her back, their red aura pulling all the attention towards her as they punched into one another, sending out a small shockwave. "...I'll rip off all four of your limbs and beat your friends to death with them, M'KAY?"
Oduduwa sunk back into the couch, his voice quiet as he whispered to himself. "Why is she's so freaking hot?”
