A MAZE OF GREED

Darius finally reached his destination after two days' travel. As he rode on his horse through the grassland, he saw a kettle of vultures flying above his head and in the sky.

The tall grass of about five to six feet covered the vast land around him. Any human would have changed his mind seeing those deadly birds flying over his head. But Darius rode ahead confidently.

However, he was now more alert than before. He had no weapon with him, he was not allowed to carry any to the kingdom of Crinudel.

Darius avoided looking up at the sky. Because he knew once he looked up, he would be the feast for this kettle of vultures. His horse was riding at a steady speed. That beast was smart enough to not get frightened by raspy, drawn-out hissing sounds made by the giant birds.

Darius was aware of the kettle following him all the way as he manoeuvred through the tall grasses. It was afternoon time, the Sun was blazing intensely in the sky. Unlike Kinsville, the outskirt of the Crinudel was a hot region.

Darius gulped down his saliva through his throat that felt like sandpaper. The beads of sweat travelled down his spine under his shirt. The sunlight was blinding. The only protection he had against it was his hat.

After covering a long distance, Darius's face broke into a grin as he saw a lush green forest standing proudly ahead and at the end of the grassland.

This place was a masterpiece of the creator. With every set of miles, the topography and the climate changed dramatically. One moment you may think that you are on the right path, yet minutes later, you will question if you really are on the right path.

That was the first layer of protection the Kingdom of Crinudel had. Now was the time to cross the second layer of their protection.

Darius's horse entered the lush green forest which was a total contrast to the yellowish-brown grassland he had just crossed. The tall trees compete with each other in a race of touching the sky above. Their thick canopy intermingled with each other, which did not let the sunlight pass through it easily.

The forest ground was plain without many bumps and hollows, an easy way for his horse. The serene silence of the place was enough to lull a person to sleep. The shadows of the trees came as a shield against the scorching sunlight, blessing his sweaty body.

He could hear a bird chirping at a distance or a squirrel running on the nearby tree, pausing to spare him a curious glance.

Of course! It was not every day that a foolishly brave person dared to reach this forest.

Although the forest looked pretty and harmless, Darius knew better than that. His senses were at the peak of alertness. His ears strained to catch every audible voice. His dark eyes kept scanning his surroundings.

He held the reins of his horse tightly in his hands. He could not afford to fall from his horse or lose it. Not in this forest, at least.

In that pleasant silence, Darius waited for the impending danger. He did not force his horse to run fast because he knew he would need that sooner or later anyway.

He had now ventured quite deep in the forest, and yet he was safe.

Darius heard the noises made in the same kettle of vultures. They were still following him. Something did not feel right to him.

Darius's horse slowed down. Darius turned his head to the right and then to the left. He was alone in that place except for the forest animals and birds, along with those vultures.

He was lost in his thoughts when he heard something. The sound began as a distant grumbling that a human ear might not have caught. Darius's dark brows furrowed together as he concentrated on that sound.

He could feel that sound becoming louder and louder with every passing moment. He looked down on the forest ground to see the small stones shaking at their place.

His horse also probably had sensed those vibrations as it began dancing around in fright. Darius pulled its rein to calm it. The sound that was similar to the drum roll or a humungous rock rolling on the cliff, turned distinctively louder.

Darius abruptly turned to look behind and what he saw made his eyes go saucer-shaped. The rows of trees were changing their position at such a fast pace that if he did not break into action in the next few minutes, then he would definitely die by sticking in between them.

It was approaching him fast, leaving no time to think for Darius. Darius kicked his horse by his heels and yelled.

"Run... Run faster..."

The animal instantly picked up its pace and began running according to his Master's instructions. The trees behind him were moving on their own, changing their positions.

This forest was actually a maze that kept changing its positions to make go the intruder astray. Darius knew that very well.

He also knew the right path, and before these trees changed their positions, he needed to cross this forest following that correct path.

Darius's horse abruptly turned right with a ringing squeal. The danger was approaching fast, and Darius made his horse run faster. The vultures kept following him and Darius avoided looking up.

Any person would have looked up at the kettle to know that he was running in the right direction. But Darius knew that it was a trap. Either those vultures would attack the person as soon as he looked up at them, or they would lead him to a wrong path and ultimately to the dead-end of his life.

Darius's horse then took a sharp left that made it skid on the ground.

"Come on!" Darius managed to not lose his balance as he sat on the back of the animal.

Darius passed another glance backwards to see that he had no time left in his hands. But he was determined. He had passed this maze once before, and he would do that again.

There was no way he would lose after coming so close to getting the Painite.

"Faster... Faster!!!" Darius screamed at the top of his lungs.

When his confidence began boosting, another problem arose in his way. He took a left turn but came to a dangerous halt when he saw a giant wall of trees rising ahead of him, leaving no space to go through it.

He instantly realised his mistake. He took the wrong turn.

"Shit!" He cursed loudly, but without wasting more time, he turned his horse and began racing it in the opposite direction.

He saw the trees changing their positions to his left, and soon the only open way would be blocked. Darius moved his horse at its optimum speed. The animal was also as determined as its Master.

Darius could see himself losing with his own eyes, but he still had hope. He cried in excitement when his horse leapt ahead, throwing itself through the narrow opening. Lady luck had always been in love with Darius!

His horse landed safely on the other side and did not pause even for a fraction of a second. It continued running on the path directed by its master until they were out of that forest maze.

As soon as he commanded his horse to stop, the poor animal came to halt while panting. Darius jumped down from the mount and collapsed on the grass on his back.

He was smart enough to close his eyes as the kettle of vultures still hovered above him in the sky.

He turned on his stomach and lay in that position till he calmed down. He was lucky enough to cross that maze or...

The next in line Vampire leader lost his life in the deadly trap of a magical forest.

Nah! That sounded too embarrassing death for a man like him. Darius preferred losing his life on the battleground rather than in this forest. He was way better than that!

Darius closed his eyes, the side of his face pressed against the grass blades.

His horse also took as much air as it could. It was not tiring, but the fear of losing life was not an exception to that animal either.

Darius did not care about the time as he lay still face-first on the ground. He was not asleep. The vampires did not need to sleep in particular.

He was laying there so his horse could use that time to breathe and calm down.

He then woke up after some time and, sat on the grass scratching his head. The shadows of the flying danger made him purse his lips.

"Fuck off bitches!" Darius muttered under his breath.

He then turned to his horse and asked it, "Are you, alright pal? Congratulations, we made it!" Darius winked with a broad grin on his handsome face.

He then turned his head again to look ahead of him. His grin turned into a broad smile.. He was so close to entering the Kingdom of Crinudel.