ariq let out a sigh of relief as he finished looking around the hall. “I was expecting more of the walking dead.” Tariq suddenly jerked his body around as they heard a sharp clanging sound within the large dining room.

“Sorry.” Markus gently lifted one of the gilded plates that had fallen onto the floor and placed it back on the table.

“Are you fucking serious?” Tariq fumed. “I almost shit myself. Do you always have to make so much noise?

“Hey, it was a mistake.” Markus shrugged.

“Haydon, Oskar. Keep look out, let us know if anything is approaching.” Alphonse said. His back turned towards them as he walked deeper into the hall.

Oskar hesitated for a second. His eyes casted a glance at Gabriel’s nonchalant expression before heading out of the door with Haydon.

“Alphonse, if there is a boss in this place… do you think we can beat it?” Felecia said, as her hands fidgeted with her staff.

“There ain’t no way,” Tariq said as a matter of fact. “We barely got past that creature–even then–it was mostly luck.”

“I don’t know,” Alphonse turned his head back. The others could see the uncertainty in his eyes. “There’s not much we can do to prepare ourselves. We just need to depend on each other. Hopefully, we come out on top.”

“Not very high odds, eh?” Markus smiled wryly. Everyone knew they stood little chance if things just continued to get stronger.

“What if we continue to feed Al?” Tariq said.

“With what? We’ve gone through every monster in that damned maze.” Gabriel shook his head.

“I don’t know but, we’ve got to think of something.” Tariq stepped forwards. “We can’t just go forward with the attitude of if we survive, we survive. That’s insane.”

“Didn’t think I’d ever say this, but I agree with Tariq. We need a better plan, Alphonse.” Gabriel said.

“Honestly, I don’t know. I’m not a leader and I don’t claim to be one. If any of you have any ideas, let me know.” Alphonse said. I’m not a leader. I’ve just been listening to a stupid voice in my head this entire time. It feels like my life is being led by a carrot and a stick. Alphonse shook his head at his thoughts.

Alphonse stood at the large seat. His mind was telling him to have a seat. He jumped up and onto the seat as the sheer size of it appeared to swallow him whole. He had to sit up straight just to look over the table as his eyes gazed down at the long table.

A twinging pain imprinted itself onto Alphonse’s mind as his eyes lethargically shut. He could hear the laughter coming from all around him. The laughter was filled with happiness as it accompanied the sound of rattling and metallic clanging. The smell of moist and tender meat wafted towards his senses. Listening to the jovial atmosphere, Alphonse couldn’t help but break out into a smile. Is this what a family dinner feels like? The thought entered his mind. Alphonse’s eyes opened as the sight brought a paralyzing feeling to his mind. It was shocking.

Humanoids of all kinds sat at the table as they feasted on the food in front of them. A short woman that had long fuzzy hair cascading down her face grabbed hold of a golden-brown leg. The golden skin of what Alphonse thought to be a bird glistened underneath the bright candlelight from the magnificent chandelier from above. The juices trickled down her short, stubby fingers as she yanked the leg of the bird. With a twist and a pull, she brought the leg to her mouth. The fatty liquid blended in with her long ginger bear as she sucked her fingers clean.

A tall, slender man that had lengthy pointed ears slowly sipped on his golden cup, now and then he would gracefully and carefully pick out one of the many foods on the table with his shining cutlery.

People with horns growing from their heads, others with fur growing on their bodies and what appeared to be regular humans all feasted at the table.

Alphonse’s eyes wandered in amazement. He felt at home. His memories tried to recall the past, but… nothing was there. It was as if he was trying to recall something that no longer existed.

Everyone on the table looked at him–their heads bowed down–he could feel the reverence within the hundreds of eyes that gazed towards him.

A high-pitched giggle left Alphonse's throat. The sights all around him shattered. Glass fell to the floor as shards splintered off as darkness took its place. Alphonse opened his eyes, as his group had been silently watching him. John and Oskar looked uncomfortable, their hands trembling. Gabriel had a thoughtful expression on his face as he regarded Alphonse.

They had all seen him with a huge smile on his face. It was the first time they had truly seen a smile filled with happiness from him. It was a smile one would only show to their best friends and family. Then, the laugh. It sent shivers down their spines. They weren’t even aware Alphonse’s voice could go so high.

“Alphonse, are you okay?” Felecia said. Her hands clenched around her staff, the whites of her knuckles on display.

Alphonse nodded his head. “I’m fine.”

What the hell was that? Was it a dream? Why is everyone looking at me like that? Countless thoughts were roaming around his head.

“See what I mean?” Gabriel's static voice wriggled its way into John and Oskar’s head.

“You need a rest, Alphonse?” Haydon said.

“No, I’m good, have we found out what we’re going to do yet?” Alphonse said, as he tried to put all the stray thoughts to the back of his mind.

“I’ve got nothing.” Gabriel shook his head.

“Then let’s head out.” Alphonse nodded.

They left the castle's dining room and continued down the hall, only to stop at a staircase that led downwards.

“Down or forwards?” Tariq attempted to look down the staircase, but he couldn’t see anything because of the darkness.

“Down.” Alphonse said, as he had already begun walking down the dark stairwell.

John, Oskar, and Gabriel looked at each other before following him.

Alphonse’s darkvision squinted into the dark room. Many fireplaces lined the walls as large metal pots lay on top. How much food could be cooked here? The hairs on the back of his nape shocked him awake from his thoughts.

Haydon’s dagger flashed forwards as it parried a bunch of razors sharp claws. Sparks tickled Alphonse’s muck covered face.

Haydon was quick to react as a flash of bright light filled the room. There were no monsters in sight, not even a sound.

“Felecia, stay close.” Markus took a step back, brushing his body up against hers.

“Where did they go?” Tariq had his bow at the ready.

“Everyone get in the center of the room.” Alphonse walked in front as his eyes wandered around the kitchen in caution.

They waited for a while, but it was as if a ghost had attacked them.

“What the fuck is going on?” Tariq moved his head from side to side. “Surely they can’t just vanish, right?”

“Seems so.” Markus said. Despite the casual words, sweat appeared on his forehead.

“They live within the shadows,” Haydon said. His eyes roamed around the dark shadows that remained within Gabriel's light spell. “I think I can fight them.”

“If they can’t attack us in the light, then I don’t think it’s worth the risk.” Gabriel said as more lights sprouted out from his staff. They covered every inch of the room, as not a single shadow remained.

“There’s the walking lighthouse.” Tariq squinted as the bright light assaulted his eyes.

Gabriel’s face soured. “At least I’m useful.”

Alphonse relaxed as the feeling of danger seeped away. His eyes lay on a large metallic door. He wasn’t sure what kind of metal it was, but it looked heavy. Something within his mind told him to open it.

Alphonse grabbed hold of the door. The frigid coldness of the handles shocked him, as he quickly forced out his strength. Veins popped out from the side of his forehead, muscles twirled around his arm like steel cables as he gritted his teeth. A dull groan was heard as the door slowly opened. A surge of cold air wafted towards the group as it sent a shiver down their spines. Goosebumps formed all over their bodies as their torn clothes provided no shelter from the harsh, cold air.

Then, the door smashed open as Alphonse was sent hurtling through the air. His body collided with the brick walls. He could hear his ribs snap under the pressure as he looked up at the gigantic… fat looking man. Horns sprouted from its head as its sharp, putrid yellow and black teeth flashed on display.

Alphonse coughed. Blood shot out from his mouth as he wiped it with what was left of his sleeve. Perfect, I needed something to eat. Craziness flashed within his eyes as his body suddenly vanished with a puff of smoke.