The Conquerors Path

"Just what is this place?"

Marlene asked with a frown as she was just nearly saved from falling into a pit trap filled with sharp arrows.

After Catherine and Marlene fell asleep Austin kept an eye on them, making sure that nothing happened to them and due to how tired they were the two of them slept for 2 hours before waking up, and after they did Austin making sure that the two of them were okay proposed to head out to which the two of them unanimously agreed.

Hence the two of them had begun to start walking, both Marlene and Catherine taking their time, it was better for Marlene but the poison within Catherine had begun its work, it would take time for its effect to fully manifest but right now Catherine was feeling numb, though she fought through it as the trio set out.

But just after walking for 20 steps, Austin had pulled Marlene back as the floor before which she was to walk on suddenly opened up, if Austin hadn't stopped her she would have been skewed, literally.....

"This place seems to be a maze trap"

Catherine spoke as she touched the walls, her eyes looking around, 

"That seems to be the case, this is the worst situation for the two of you"

Austin said with a frown as he looked forward, his words making the atmosphere darker for the two women whom for the first time in their lives were feeling completely helpless and powerless, 

"What should we do?"

Marlene asked to which Austin started to think, a few seconds later he spoke,

"In any case, we can't stay like this, we need to keep moving, so both of you stick close to me, on both my sides, we can't take any risk now"

Austin's words were precise and on topic hence the two girls could only nod their heads to his demands, right now he was the only safety net they got, Austin's hands flashed as a greatsword appeared in his hand, 

"You use swords?"

Catherine asked to which Austin nodded his head, 

"Yeah, right now using my bows ain't gonna cut it, not if I want to keep the two of you safe"

Upon saying so the three once again began their journey forward, the eerie silence of the place along with the high walls painting a very dark picture of their future, 

"Kreee!"

Suddenly a battle cry was heard and before they could react a mist started to appear before the three from which several goblins began to appear from, their grotesque appearance snorkeling as tens of goblins soon turned to hundreds, 

"They are weak"

Austin's words weren't false as the goblins that appeared were of Origin level 3, upon seeing so the sword in his hand quickly vanished before which a bow and arrow appeared, placing the arrow Austin started to fill it before which he let go, it wasn't the end as 4 different arrows soon joined behind the one that Austin shot quickly arriving at the newly created goblins, in a circular manner before hitting the ground in circles.

The goblins weren't even given a chance to cry as all the arrows blasted apart on contact, the blast radius being covered within the circle that the four arrows has created, a huge red-like dome soon appeared within the arrow-marked area, sizzling heat coming from it,

"Did you create a burning domain with arrows?"

Marlene asked with shining eyes. to which Austin just nodded his head, his eyes focused ahead, the constant burning would continue to exist until the enemies within that whole range is extinguished, as such a minute passed before which the domain finally disappeared, leaving nothing behind, the three of them stayed in their position for some seconds waiting to see if any new enemies would appear,

"Looks like we are in the clear"

Austin spoke as he started to walk forward, by his side the other two stuck around, the trio carefully walked through the maze, all before them the looming great walls, making sure to look for taps the three trudged on,

"Wait"

Austin said and as he did he threw a small piece forward which activated a trap that led to several arrows being shot before them, just as the round of shots finished, the floor before them quickly became clean as a division formed, now there was a way to the left and right.

On the right side, a pointed arrow lay with the mark of black wings, while the one left lay another mark of wings but this time the wings being white,

"Which way?"

Austin asked to which the two of the girls gazed at the path that lay ahead with serious eyes, Catherine walked forward as she touched both the marks that lay close to each other, 

"In ancient times, the wings were used in the outer scripts to convey messages and the color of the wings that were printed outside the scripts indicated if they are good news or bad news"

Her words flowed about as she spoke, earning the attention of the two, as she continued

"Black meant the message was bad while white mean the message was good"

"Then shouldn't we go left?"

Marlene asked to which Catherine didn't immediately reply, her brows furrowed, 

"What's wrong?"

Austin asked to which Catherine spoke with an uncertain voice, 

"But there's also another saying during the ancient times, a way right always leads to goodness while the way left leads to disaster"

The words she spoke brought a silence to the three, all of them being on their own thoughts.

Catherine: 'Is this a trail? or a path to walk?'

Marlene: 'So there is no right path?'

Austin: 'What should I make for dinner?'

"Do you have any idea?"

Austin suddenly asked, to which Catherine thought for a moment before nodding her head, 

"I might have a basic idea but I am not sure"

"How much?"

Marlene asked,

"It's about 40%"

Catherine's words brought silence but it didn't last for long as both Austin and Marlene spoke at the same time, 

"Tell us the way"

As soon as the two spoke they looked at each other with surprise before turning back to Catherine and once again speaking the same words with smiles on them, 

"We trust you"

While Catherine could only blink her eyes in surprise as she looked at the same answer of the two who are now giving each other a fist bump, 

"Sigh.....you two...."

She clutched her head in annoyance but there was a thin amused smile on her face, 

"Since you trust me we shall take the left path"

She said trying to be confident, 

"What's the reason?"

Austin asked with curiosity to which Catherine spoke,

"From what I can tell both the ways will have trouble but the way towards left brightened by the wings of white will be less evil than one the path right"

"Um... that seems alright"

Marlene said so the three of them took the path of right, only one knowing the outcome of the action as he prepared for battle.