Contrary to Raoul’s belief, Perrath has no idea what he’s doing. If he had his way, he’d simply fly over this maze, but instead they have to traverse it on foot. Curiously, he prods the end of his sword into the wall to test it, and a bit of magic sparks off the otherwise flimsy material. After his experience with the lightning ward, he decides not to challenge it further, so he continues on.

Their path diverges ahead of them, split into three options. Perrath holds a hand out and checks each of the three options. One of them is a dead end, but the others lead farther in. “We are at a nexus, Ardelean,” he says. “We can go left or straight. Both lead farther in, but I cannot tell which is the best path. I expect them both to be wrought with traps or other dangerous creatures.” He struggles to call a rabid rat dangerous, but at this size, many otherwise negligible things are.

Perrath’s eyes cut up through the glass to the projection watching them. Hm, well that could be useful, couldn’t it? “We shouldn’t dawdle in decision making. If I’m guessing correctly, some people of high society have put this event on. Some entertainment for the rich and a way to make money off of the poor. Only someone with plenty of coin and connections could create something so elaborate like this and get away with it, don’t you think? I wonder, do you know of any suspicious noblemen who might be responsible?”

The dhampir fellow cautiously follows behind Perrath trusting the man’s judgment as he walks through leading the group into a path forked into three directions. He takes a good look at the curious about what these damned swindling bastards were planning looking up at their glass casing and noticing that they indeed were being watched by the cheering crowd from above. This was truly an odd experience to be going through some sort of game for an audience who did not realize just how serious and deadly this truly was.



He stands back looking over the paths as Perrath decides to take a look at them before stating that their options were either left or right. He listens and takes the information in thinking of every possibility before responding, the other man was right both paths were to be filled with danger. This was most likely an event that was held by the rich and powerful upper class, there wasn’t any specific noblemen or woman that came to the dhampir’s mind exactly. What type of noble would throw innocent people into a perilous situation like this? Some sort of sick and twisted individual with no care for human life that’s who it’d be. A couple of names came to mind, Owrin Cerul notorious for his brutale cruelty and control of the lumber industry, Hijens Fienie leader of the strange gentleman’s club that Raoul heard threw parties of the murder variety, Ruffie Ihor, well known for managing the most popular nightclub that was known for its illicit activities.



He mentions these names and their activities to Perrath before standing in front of the nexus, “Where should we go? I want to take half of the group and I’ll take the other half and see where we end up. Or would you rather we both just follow the same path to not get separated?".

Watching the consideration cross Raoul’s mind, Perrath smirks deviously. “Ah, you seem to recall someone who might very well be responsible for this. I knew your sharp mind–” said somewhat sardonically with a touch of grandeur “–would come up with something sensical. Please, if you will, share with me and your rescuees who might be the cause of their imminent peril so that all of Frost Gale may know who they are! Perhaps we will seek them out as recompense for what they have done or perhaps the good people of The Pale City will assist us in reprimanding these criminals!”

If Perrath can turn the crowd against the showrunners, they might have a better chance of getting out of here. As far as which direction to go… “I don’t know which direction, but best we press on and double back should we have to. I will take the left path and scout farther ahead. Stay light on your feet in the event of traps. Onward to victory!!” he declares, raising his sword and spreading his wings. Then he takes off down the left path and keeps a careful eye out for traps, checking paths one by one – something he would have to do regardless but at least this way, he can fall back and rely on support from Raoul should things go awry.

“Thank you, friend, although those are the only possible names I can think of off the top of my head currently that are known to fall under the Pale City area. I’ve only done some very basic looking into them and honestly, I could see any one of them behind this. They’re the three most powerful figures right now within the dark underground. Any one of them is a complete undertaking in itself of themselves backed by a whole lot of muscle and power. It’s no surprise that we were all trapped and taken so easily considering the type of people we’re up against”.



He then calmly responds to Perrath, “No we can’t just rile the people up it won’t do anything just make the showrunners mad and put the people in danger. We also don’t want them to panic and live in fear of being targeted once we’re back to normal. I’d be more than ready to take them down one of these days. They can’t be allowed to run amok in this city any longer. It’s wrong and unjust”, he clenches his fists anger boiling his cold blood, “As soon as I grow back I promise you that bringing them to justice will be my priority”.



“Sounds good, I’ll keep an eye out and lead our fellow shrunken following you at a distance”, the dhampir says, giving the other man a tip of his hat as he flies off. He turns back and motions forward, deciding to take a moment to let everyone get a second of rest before walking forth into the left path behind Perrath.

Perrath’s expression falls when Raoul does not declare the names of the men who might be responsible for the travesty that has occurred. He lowers his voice as an indication that he won’t try to stir things up with the crowd as much as he wants an opportunity to cause a distraction and find a way to help get them out. “At least give the names to me so that I may assist in the investigation once all of this is through, friend,” he insists. Perrath will not beg, but if he wants to stay on Raoul’s good side, then it’s better to focus on someone who might actually be responsible than slandering the name of some hapless nobleman.

As he continues flying ahead, Perrath spots a line of tiny magical runes floating just above the glass. Most people caught in this trap would be walking, his companion and the people they’re saving included. “Be mindful of this, Justicar!” he calls. “I’m not sure the type of magic, but I can assure you that stepping here will not be wise. I will help ferry people across if you will continue forward toward an exit.”

Raoul leans forward and whispers to Perrath, "Alright you have my trust, Owrin Cerul, lumber industry mogul, Hijens Fiene, suspicious gentlemen's club leader, and Ruggie Ihor owner of the Club Ice Maiden. I'm trusting you with this information and well happily accept your help in taking these fellows down. These are major players and are not to be taken lightly we will have to plan our moves carefully when the time comes", he then pulls back and looks over the the crowd with a gentle smile as if to say everything is going to be okay.


Raoul motions forward and leads the rest of the prisoners carefully examining the floor. He wanted to make sure they weren’t going to step on some sort of landmine or some other rat considering Perrath wasn’t there to back up him. He glanced at the walls as he proceeded forward, stopping to examine them. They were still the same white color but the materials felt different, almost softer. It was still durable, but in certain areas, it was weaker and less strong. He considered that for a minute wondering what other games these fellows have in mind.



He then heard Perrath’s voice from up ahead, and nodded his head calling out, “Alright thanks for the heads Perrath I don’t have any flight capabilities so it’s wise to just do this as slowly and carefully as we can”.


He then motions for the group to follow with care as he slowly and steadily approaches the exit. He then motions for the people to stop and wait for Perrath considering he can’t do much at this moment.



He then calls out to Perrath, “Hey we'll be here waiting, take your time scoping out the place before helping us across”.

Perrath leans in to listen to the names given by Raoul, and a smile spreads across his face. “Ah, you have my thanks in trusting me with this,” he says, clapping the man on the shoulder. “It seems to me the most likely of them to be involved in this kind of trouble is Hijens. Secretive men like him take great joy in the suffering of those they consider lesser. I have once heard of one of these clubs hunting peasants for sport!” With some information gathered, he starts ahead.

Once they reach the area with the runes along the floor, Perrath spends a great amount of time carefully taking other prisoners across in order for them to follow Raoul. Once they’re all across safely (much to the crowd and ringleader’s dismay), Perrath takes up the rear, ready to strike anything that might sneak up behind them. Meanwhile, he hopes that Raoul worked ahead to find some direction towards the exit, so once the group is gathered, he calls ahead, “Which way do you recommend we go, Justicar? Lead on, and I will hold the rear! If you reach another challenge, then I will make sure to join you at the helm!”

At the rear, he looks around and cautiously follows the group.

A smile sprouted on Raoul’s face as he saw himself and the rest of the prisoners get safely crossed thanks to Perrath. He couldn’t help himself but chuckle as the ringleader angrily remarked, “Why that’s absurd it looks like these pesky little rats have gotten smart, why that’s no fun”. The crowd boos and jeers at them craving for bloodshed and chaos wanting the prisoners in front of them to squirm and struggle. These bastards were sick and twisted. He was determined not to let them get the enjoyment out of this. After they all make it across the treacherous area he takes a moment to look behind them, if it wasn’t for Perrath he wasn’t sure what’d he do here. He was grateful that he got stuck in the situation with a cool-headed and virtuous guy like him.



He turns to face his compatriot and replies, “I recommend that we go straight ahead. I saw what seemed like some sort of door. It’s not exactly the clearest exit but compared to the walls beside us it's something to go off of. I appreciate your help ever so much my friend after all without your dependable strength I don’t think we’d get this far”.





He then walks ahead and takes up the front leading the group ahead carefully walking and examining anything suspicious on his way. Eventually, after a few moments of travel the group stumbles on the mysterious door Raoul mentioned seeing. A bright blue wooden-looking door with the message, “DO NOT ENTER” messily written over it.



Raoul turns to call out for Perrath, “Hey fellow I think we found what we’re looking for, I guess these bastards for as much as they are tricky are a lazy bunch. What do you think? Should we follow those rotten ringworm's directions?”, he says sarcastically, walking forward awaiting the man’s response eagerly.

Perrath would surely be pleased to know that Raoul thinks so highly of him in this situation. In reality, if Perrath were not in this situation, he would be a part of the crowd enjoying the show. When the tables turn, they certainly spin.

The mention of a door ahead catches Perrath’s attention, and he nods quickly. “That seems like our exit!” he calls. “Be cautious in your approach! It is very likely protected by traps and wards if not creatures looking to maim and devour.” If given the opportunity, Perrath would probably just leave this group behind as a distraction while making his escape, but if Raoul were to survive that encounter, that could become a problem later. He sighs to himself. This is the path to glory that he must walk: one behind a group of hapless individuals led by an idealist do-gooder.

When Raoul reaches the door and calls back, Perrath walks through the crowd of victims to meet the detective at the front and examines the door. His finger curls around his chin while he considers exactly what their play is here. The fact that their walk down the corridor to this spot was relatively easy makes him suspect it even more. “This is… Incredibly obvious,” he says. “A conundrum, if you would. An obvious door with a blatant sign to test those who are impatient or desperate. Or something that is so obvious that it couldn’t possibly be the correct path out of here. I have no way to tell if this door is magical in nature without trying it for myself. I suspect regardless of the intention, it will lead somewhere with a final challenge that this ringleader would consider unbeatable. Whether or not we proceed, prepare yourself.”

“Hm, I do say that you’re correct in your suspicion Perrath, it seems incredibly naive to think our captors simply would have an exit so plainly and placed. What to do”, he then takes a moment to think of all the possibilities as he stares at the door.

On the one hand, this was surely some sort of trap, almost as if they were being led into the next stage of the show. On the other, this could be a good thing whatever was through it must at least be better than running around like some rats in a pointless maze. It truly was a puzzling decision to make one which he took a couple of minutes to think over.



After a few minutes of thinking he makes his decision and looks at Perrath, “Alright I think we have to go through, if these people want a show then let’s give them one they’ll never forget”.



He then decides to be the first thinking if this all goes wrong that he’d be the one to take the brunt of it. He opens the door wide and walks forward as suddenly his head starts spinning and his body feels like it’s being pushed and crunched together. Suddenly he opens his eyes and sees a faint bright light above him, “Where am I?”, he manages to mutter as he tries to stand.

At times, Perrath hates contemplating specific moves. He wants out of this situation just as badly as anyone else in this group of unfortunate captives, but he isn’t willing to fully risk his life to do so. Still, there is no glory without risk, but glory can be achieved without throwing caution to the wind.

When Raoul determines that they need to go through, Perrath begrudgingly nods in agreement. They can’t see any other way out. This is the final test.

That doesn’t mean Perrath won’t let the eager beaver go first.

He watches Raoul go into the darkness behind the door. Seeing that the man didn’t immediately fall into a pit of nothingness, that bodes well, so Perrath creeps forward. The darkness is oppressive and threatens to overcome him, but Perrath is a dragon of the dark. Shadowy domains are his bread and butter, so he breathes in the comfort of the void before looking up at the speck of light above them.

With a triumphant smile, Perrath claps Raoul on the back. “That seems to be our way out, Judicator. Come!” Flaring his wings out, Perrath offers a ride to Raoul. Whether or not he takes it, the dragon leaps into the air and flies toward the faint light above them with his sword raised above him. If that light leads to the normal world, then he will tear their means of escape asunder!

A scream fills the air, “GODDAMMIT, WHAT IN HELL'S NAME ARE THEY DOING???”, the voice of the announcer who’s been tormenting the group continues, “Chuckles why in Ginma’s furry horse ass do you put in an escape door out of the incredible shrinking trap?”.



Chuckles the clown argues, “Why I don’t know boss, we’ve accidentally gotten stuck a few times. So I thought hey why not have something here in case we get stuck again? Not my fault these rubbish contestants can’t follow directions I specifically said do not enter, not my fault sir”.



The ringleader starts smashing the maze, enraged, trying to kill some of the remaining shrunken people but it’s too late. Everyone has passed the door at that point and is in the void. Raoul finds himself within the void he reaches towards that faint light although burning his fingers slightly he desperately reaches.

A smile appears on his face as Perrath claps his back, “Just a little more friend”, he takes the paladin’s hand and flies through the air following that light above.



As they fly further Raoul’s eyes settle that the light that appears begins to get clearer what lies in front of them is the outside world once more.



“Cut it open Perrath we must be in some sort of bag, free the rest of the innocents”, Raoul shouts with urgency.

When glass shatters above them, the panicked citizens rush helplessly through the door after Raoul and Perrath. Their screams of surprise echo in the void, but better to be afraid than smashed to pieces.

Perrath grins a victorious grin upon hearing the ringleader's panicked shouting. He pulls Raoul to his back and takes his gnarly black greatsword in both hands. Hungry magic shimmers around the blade as the paladin prepares it for a mighty cleave. "Let it be known, peasants, that on this day you were saved by the mighty Paladin Perrath and Raoul the Judicator!!"

With his declaration, Perrath plunges his blade through the fabric of the bag, tearing through it with great force. The bag rips along with the magical effects weaved into it. The void around them shears in two, basking the group in bright light as they tumble to the ground, landing in a heap. However, something is different, or perhaps normal: they are all full-sized.

The crowd, upon seeing that this wasn't just a show or illusion, fall silent. And above them all, Perrath and Raoul hover like angels or demons sent to eradicate an unacceptable force.

"NOOO!!" the angry ringleader screams in a panic. His rouse is undone.

Perrath points his sword at him. "For your trespasses, you will meet death by my blade. Unless any oppose me with good reason, then pick a god and pray, ringleader! We have revealed your secret to the masses. Speak now before your blood washes across your stage!"

Light envelops Raoul as he finally leaves the grasp of the magical bag of shrinking, he feels his entire body stretch and contort before suddenly as his eyes settle he sees the result of Perrath and his hard work. Everyone was safe on top of each other and the floor but safe nonetheless.

He breathes out a large sigh of relief as he holds onto Perrath’s back before yelling, “We are alive and this nightmare has finally come to an end everyone. I’m so proud of every one of you guys who were so brave and can finally head to your families”.

He then grew silent, a smile growing on his face as he heard his dragon friend’s noble and threatening words towards the culprit as he stormed outside to face them.

“It’s exactly as my friend here said, explain yourself and pay for your crimes against the innocent. You better quick too I can’t promise my friend won’t kill you where you stand”, Raoul added.

The ringleader himself had a crazy and desperate look in his eyes as he faced the two, “No, no, no this is all wrong. Just hold on there fellas can we just talk about this? How much money to make this all go away and let me and my boys just slip away?”.

The dhampir considers this for a moment, his love of money is great but his love for justice is even greater so he rebukes the offer, “No amount shall ever satiate the families you’ve killed and the people you’ve hurt, give it up and accept your punishment”.

Seeing his options greatly lower the ringleader begins to sound more desperate, “Hey hold on this isn't even my fault. I was just a regular circus ringleader performing with my friends. The whole plan and magic item wasn’t even mine, it was all that man’s fault. He came to one of our shows and offered us a chance at fame and power. We were just another source of money for him, we’re all just his pawns”.

“Who, who are you talking about”, Raoul yells urgently

“It was, it was O..”, but before the ringleader could say another word a crossbow bolt would zoom through the air and pierce his heart, striking him dead on the spot.

Just as expected, the ringleader is a coward! He can’t even own up to his own scheming! As the exchange between him and Raoul continues, Perrath finds himself getting more and more annoyed. What a disgrace to the criminal world, to so easily turn to bribery. All the magic in the world couldn’t make this man less of a worm than he is already. While Raoul makes demands, Perrath lurks closer to the ringleader, urging his blade in his direction.

And just when he’s to spill the true mastermind, a bolt pierces his heart.

This makes Perrath just as mad as being captured. Who denied him the victory of the kill?! When the dragon roars in annoyance and whips around, he looks for the culprit but cannot spot them amongst the panicked and fleeing audience members. “BLAST IT!” he snarls, shoving the end of his sword into the dirt and gnashing his teeth menacingly.

But this is no time to throw a tantrum. Crossing his arms in an effort to contain his annoyance, Perrath lets out a huff of smoke from his nostrils and looks to Raoul. “Whoever is responsible knew the fool ringleader would croak. They must have been watching him like a hawk. Trying to pursue them amongst this chaos would be fruitless.” Another huff relaxes his shoulders.

“No matter. We escaped.” More blood would have been nice though.