Chapter VI: Def Leppard

Standing inside the vast throne room of Castle Aseed, and in the presence of two of the most infamous and dangerous people in the realm was terrifying for the heroes to say the least. There was, at first, an unnerving silence with all them looking at each other as if to say "What happens now?" Still relatively shaken after losing Airthul and one of their faithful rides moments ago, Harold took a deep breath to compose himself and address Queen Mematade and Norat the Conqueror  "Your majesties  of the darkest order in all the realm, I Harold Lurker speaking on behalf of both, Limbo and my fellow travellers, feel that we could resolve matters if you simply allow us to take Dusk back with us without any need of violence, risk of bloodshed or any fatality!"   "What!" snapped Queen Mematade "What impertinence!"  Norat's head flicked round at her "Hush, mother! I have an idea, let's just humour him" he whispered. Rising from his chair Norat approached Harold with open hands of trust "OK, minstrel, I'm happy to Bargain with you on one condition. If you and your friends are able to your way through my gauntlet of ghastly monstrosities, a Labyrinth if you will. Vanquishing all of my creatures of darkness on route to Dusk's dungeon" Harold thought for a moment and weighed up the odds and considered their chances of success especially now without the powerful support of Airthul the magical  tutor and friend of Limbo. Harold considered the offer and  enquired further "Yes a hard challenge, not impossible although difficult but what's the catch?" Norat twisting his fingers against each other like writhing snakes he assured Harold "No catch, if you are successful I'll be so impressed I'll restore Limbo's speech plus I'll allow him to be able to hear for the first time in his life" Harold went quiet and started to smile as he looked at his friends in his party raised an eyebrow. They in turn nodded. "We accept your challenge!!" announced Harold. Sitting back on his throne beside his mother Norat pulled a long lever and the floor in front of the heroes shuddered and opened up to reveal a deep dark stone spiral staircase dimly lit by flame torches. Norat finally revealed "You'll discovered the start of your challenge is the entrance to the Labyrinth when you eventually get to the bottom of these stairs!" Ruthael taking a firm grip of one of his battle axes looked at his brother Collip who was already armed with his crossbow "Let's go!" he then looked at the others; Harold, Limbo, Tobias, Rico, Chuba and Joshua. Joshua incidentally was looking after little Dyer and Confused the monkey.  One by one they each slowly made their way down the staircase, once they had all got onto the stairs the cruel and deceiving Norat pulled on the lever again closing the gap in the floor. "Nooooooooo!" They all cried as it closed with a deathly thud. The visibility was now even worse all they had was the flaming torches attached to the walls of the staircase. The air was very musty and humid. What terrors awaited them as they slowly got further down the staircase? It took them close to an hour before they finally reached the bottom. Dyer was whimpering and sobbing with fear, "Joshua I'm frightened, is this going to be dangerous?" Joshua picked Dyer up along with the tiny monkey, Confused "Yes I think it will be but don't worry just hold on to me tight, I'll give you a piggyback and keep you safe!" Dyer's crying lessened as his confidence in Joshua grew.  Tobias who behind Joshua looked at Dyer and joked "Don't you think we are man enough?" flexing his huge tightly formed biceps. Dyer wiped his tears from his cheek against Joshua's' shoulder then had a little giggle "We don't belong here, we belong at home in Roxtopia and Plenty Town"  They finally got off the last step and found a narrow corridor equally flame lit leading up to an arch way of immense proportions beside it was a large stone plinth with old Muzeek glyphs, Limbo turned to a page in his spell book to reveal the meaning to all. He then rotated his left hand in front of the symbols they illuminated with a bright green aura, changing the symbols  "Who so ever enters and reaches the exit will forever be Invincible" Harold rubbed his hands together and said "See nothing to fear, this gives us a vote of confidence, it's all about believing"