The Maze of Justice

Chapter 1: The Red Door

"Stacey, Eloraaa," I desperately called. Fear vanquished my limbs. A few moments ago, the room flourished with jazz and rap music. There were people everywhere. But now, it was as silent as the vacuum in space. It was so soundless that I could hear the slightest swing of the dangling bulbs.

My extreme distress reminded me of the unease I felt when they informed me about this party. Never wanting to go, I had to eventually give in under their pressure. After all, what could happen from a few moments of fun?

Snapping to reality, I continued yelling their names like a lunatic. I got more terrified when I discovered that every door and exit was shut. I was trapped, and alone with the echo of their names.

Suddenly, I heard a howling voice. It wasn't my calling. It wasn't the wind. It was their voices. I knew I wasn't the only desperate one.

The next second, I encountered a red door. It was like any normal wooden door, where four blocks formed its symmetry. As I approached it, the voices got louder. They were there. Locked in there.

Just as I held the doorknob, a message floated from below. With big, bold blue letters, it said:

"Save your friends or let them die? Warning! You might not come back alive."

I felt my pulse as it bulged through my veins. It was either I die or let them die. Gathering every bit of courage left, I decided to enter and face my fate.

As I entered, the door smashed behind me. I could hear the creaking of an unidentifiable object beneath my pale feet. There was a cold breeze, like that formed from the sea. A smell of fresh lavender and roses filled the air. If it wasn't for the darkness, I would have confirmed the presence of a magnificent garden.

I walked slowly, having the pleasant scent of flowers as the only assurance. The more I walked, the more I felt the place was getting darker. I still had no sight or clue of Stacey and Elora. I continued calling them, except this time there wasn't any echo. My heart raced faster as each second passed.

All of a sudden, an eccentric ghost appeared. My eyes widened, and I let out a silent squeal. She was so bright that she murdered the dimness with her light. I realized now that it wasn't a garden. It was only a labyrinthine of a dead forest.

"Who are you! What did you do to my friends!" I exclaimed.

"Friends?" she laughed.

Immediately, I began feeling dizzy. Everything was gradually fading and turning into blackness. I collapsed, convinced that this was death. However, not so long after, I woke up in the same labyrinthine of dead forest. But I wasn't in a human form. Looking into my hands, I realized that I was as bright as that ghost.

"Welcome to The Maze of Justice, Gracia," she grinned.

"Who are you! And why...am I like this?" I cried.

"So many questions already!" she sighed.

"Anyway, I am Ember, and this is your soul. You collapsed on that ground, remember?"

"Am I dead?" I asked silently.

"No, but you will be if you stayed more than an hour here.  I mean fifty-five minutes, thanks to your questions. As time passes, you will gradually become a human again. Eventually, you will return to your previous form," she explained.

"And when that happens, you'll be stuck here forever."

"Then get me out of here! I just wanted to save my friends!"

"And that's why we're here. There are many things you don't know my child. But I'll help you, don't worry. Let's start with the first path."

"Wha-"