The Bondees cordially nod as you pass through. When finished with their work they prepare to move South. They leave a packet of dried rations behind in case you need it, setting it carefully in a little bowl on the floor.
"Hayyy," the slobbering child-snake says as each of you pass him by. "Wadoo?"
"Umventurers?" he asks quietly as he gnaws on his wooden sword. "Momma don' want umventurers in hur hoss. Nuhuh!" He coughs on his spit and throws his sword down. "Play with Gibba? Or Gibba come too?" He begins to slither after you slowly, the large rook-shaped knot in his stomach making it difficult.
When you reach the Northeast room (Room 10), you see a stark white room, bare on all sides. The only thing in this room is a quivering black line 6 inches thick. It quivers as you approach.
Sharis:
As the first to step on, you see the line shift beneath your feet. It takes the shape of a vivid picture, a scorching desert with no shelter, littered with the bones of warriors. The line is winding but unbroken, and the image is fairly simple, but you almost feel the dreadful heat of this scene. You know in the pit of your heart that the desert and the Maze are similar. Here, so far from the salty embrace of the sea, your people will never find your bones. Walking this line at a slow and steady pace will take only three minutes, thankfully.
Lai Shan:
When you approach the line, it forms the intricate image of a face well known and well feared--the stern face of Shura, the Syndicate trainer, in all his cold fury. This time the line traces every inch of his cruel and creaseless face, his usual glare of disappointment and resentment watching your every step, waiting to call you on a missed move or failed tactic. You fight the urge to rage against his teachings, or crumple into a heap and sob. Even here in the Maze, you know you are not beyond the Syndicate's reach. To traverse the line will take about twenty-five minutes.
Seth:
You are presented with a homey scene--yourself, a loving spouse at your side, dear friends sitting down to a shared meal. Your crew members appear to visit, taking a place at your hearth, warmly sharing joyous stories of that time you all broke into this crazy Maze and royally fucked shit up. And you did it together. You know that this scene can never be--must never be! You can never know that warmth, that connection, because then you will have something to lose. You can't--WON'T lose anything else, never again. You shed a small tear as this dream dies in your heart, and you walk the line for thirteen minutes. You make the walk alone. This is the way it must always be, you remind yourself.
You all see Ashen cross, and her line takes the form of a chain. She can cross in five minutes.
Spilt Milk
King vs. Morrigan
@ 10:14 PM May 12th