The Labyrinth Keys

"We should go after the yellow key first, it's closer!" I hear Rin's grating voice over my shoulder as I open the map on Finn's kitchen table. I sigh, "I told you already that key is in gang territory. What do you want to do, just walk right into their turf?"

Rin snorts, "They're just a bloody gang of kids; they mostly scavenge shit. Don't tell me you're scared."

I wave my hand dismissively, "No, dumbass, I'm worried about them having guns and shooting us. I don't care if they're just little scavenger orphans, I'm not a fan of getting shot."

Rin retorts, "We have demonic powers now, and you're worried about some pea shooters?"

I sigh, "Yeah, demonic powers we have no idea how to use or what they even do. Hey, please don't shoot us, I can make you like me if you spend time with me, and Rin here—if you ask nicely she can probably turn herself into an imaginary giraffe."

Rin groans in frustration, slamming her hands on the table. "Fine! If you're too scared to go after the yellow key right now, let's figure out what these so-called 'gifts' actually do before we head out. Maybe then you'll stop whining."

I narrow my eyes at her. "I'm not scared. I just don't want us to waltz into a death trap unprepared."

Before the argument can go any further, a voice echoes in my mind, cold and smooth like oil sliding down glass. "Jack, stop this pointless bickering. You know my powers already. You just have to feel it."

I mutter out loud, "Falastor?"

A moment later, I hear Rin mutter, "Nyr?"

Falastor's velvet voice fills my mind. "Your gift is perfection in all that you do. You underestimate the gift you've been granted, Jack. Perfection is not merely about competence—it is about surpassing all limits. It is the ability to master any craft, conquer any challenge, and achieve what others deem impossible. You will not simply learn faster; you will excel beyond comprehension. Should you try to charm someone, you will charm them beyond all reproach; should you sing, your voice will be that of a god; should you paint, your art will transcend all understanding. The power you've been given may seem normal. We aren't creating giant fireballs or anything flashy, but your power transcends all others. Every action you take, every skill you attempt, will be honed to its peak with time and effort. Complex tasks will feel intuitive, natural. Observe and replicate, and soon you will surpass even those who have devoted lifetimes to their craft."

I mentally respond, "So, you're telling me I can learn anything? Like... fighting, mechanics, or... playing the piano?"

"Correct," Falastor says. "But do not misunderstand. This is not magic in the sense that skills will appear in your mind without effort. You must still practice, but what would take others years will take you weeks—days, even. And what you achieve will be flawless. Your efforts will always produce perfect results, pinnacles of whatever you set your mind to."

I sigh, "What's the catch?"

Falastor chuckles, "There is no catch, you silly mortal. You always think there's some danger to be had. The only danger is that of your own hubris. Success breeds obsession, and obsession breeds arrogance. Beware the allure of always being the best—it can blind you to the bonds that tether you to others. Take it from me, I am not called the hated one for no reason."

"Great," I mutter under my breath. "So, I'll be a god among mortals, but only if my own arrogance doesn't kill me first."

"Do not mistake my warning for discouragement," Falastor replies, his voice steady and unwavering. "You have the potential to reshape your fate, to rise above the limitations of those around you. I would not have granted you my power if I thought you would turn arrogant. I trust you to control your ego, mortal. Trust I have not even granted myself. Now enough idle chit-chat—I do wish to see you test your new power. I will be watching, mortal."

Rin seems to be in conversation with Nyr, and once she's done, we both glare at each other. Rin crosses her arms, irritation sparking in her eyes. "Alright, Jack, let's hear it. What did your demon sugar daddy tell you? You gonna become the world's best chef or something?"

I roll my eyes. "He says my gift is perfection. Anything I put my mind to, I'll master faster and better than anyone else. But, of course, it's not instant—it takes effort, and apparently, hubris could be my downfall. Typical ominous warning nonsense."

Rin smirks. "Leave it to you to pick a power that's just about studying. Such a nerd. On the other hand, I have the power to disappear at will and make illusions. She mentioned other powers, but for now, I'm on the beginner course. She told me how to do basic illusions and invisibility."

I snort. "Guess I hit the nail on the head—you really can make people think you're a giraffe."

Rin bursts into laughter, breaking the tension for a moment. "Oh, I'm absolutely doing that one day. But don't worry, Jacky, you're already ridiculous enough without my help." I smile a little—it's nice to see her laugh so carefree after such a shitty day. I add, "Care to demonstrate?"

She shakes her head. "Ah, hell no, mister. I may have been kidding about the chef thing, but I'm getting hungry. You demonstrate first. I think Finn owes us lunch after almost killing us. I'll pull up a recipe and you make it from scratch."

I sigh. "Good excuse for lunch. Guess I'll give you points for that. What do you want?"

She looks into Finn's fridge, tapping her fingers on the side of the panel for a moment, then grins. "Quesadillas with stuffed bell peppers on the side. Finn seems like he was planning to make something like that already. I'll pull up a bare-bones recipe on my phone. I want you to make me a dish so amazing that a five-star chef would faint."

I chuckle. "You're ridiculous, you know that? Fine, you practice your illusions, get something ready to show me, and I'll make lunch."

The next hour is filled with a blend of tension and experimentation. Rin sits cross-legged on the floor, her face scrunched in concentration as she practices creating small illusions—a flickering flame here, a floating orb there. Meanwhile, I stand in Finn's cramped kitchen, ingredients spread across the counter, channeling every ounce of focus into this absurd cooking challenge.

Falastor's voice echoes in my mind as I begin. "Feel it, Jack. Cooking is not just about following instructions. It's about intuition, balance, and understanding the harmony of flavors. You will find that your hands know what to do if you trust them."

"Trust my hands," I mutter sarcastically under my breath. But as I chop, sauté, and mix, I can feel something strange—an almost instinctive sense of what needs to happen next. The bell peppers are halved and hollowed with perfect precision, the quesadilla filling seasoned to perfection, the tortilla crisped just enough to be golden and flaky without burning. It's like I've done this a hundred times before, even though I've barely cooked anything more complicated than scrambled eggs in my life.

Falastor wasn't lying.

When I'm done, I step back, eyeing the plates. The quesadillas are neatly cut into triangles, the cheese inside oozing just enough to tempt without making a mess. The stuffed bell peppers are vibrant and evenly baked, their savory filling topped with a sprinkle of melted cheese and finely chopped herbs. I made enough for both of us, and I can't help but feel my throat tighten as drool practically leaks out. I only had the eggs that Finn made for breakfast early this morning. This is something else—a delicacy only fit to be served by royalty. The recipe that Rin gave me didn't have even half of the same steps I used with such ease. Once I had the concept my body knew exactly what to do to reach the pinnacle of the dish. I was only limited by the ingredients. I sheepishly extend my hand for one and feel a slap on it.

Rin waggles her pointer finger. "Uh-uh-uh. I get dibs on the first bite. Can't have you ruining the surprise."

I pull my hand back with a mock scowl. "You're really milking this whole 'test your powers' thing, aren't you?"

Rin grins, grabbing a fork and knife. "Damn right I am. You should be flattered I'm putting my life on the line for your little experiment." She cuts into one of the stuffed bell peppers, steam rising as the cheesy filling stretches with each movement. She pauses for dramatic effect before finally popping a bite into her mouth.

Her expression changes instantly—eyes widening, her chewing slowing as if to savor every flavor. "Holy hell..." she mutters, quickly diving back for another bite. "Jack. What is this? Did you secretly go to culinary school or something? You used to make us low-tier sloppy joes for dinner back when we were kids. I always dreaded having you cook, but this? The only way I can describe them is perfect."

I defend myself half-jokingly. "Hey, those sloppy joes had love mixed in, dammit. Don't mock them."

Rin takes her plate with a mock gasp. "Love sure tastes like shit then."

I can't help but laugh as I take a bite myself. The flavor is an explosion. I've never tasted anything so amazing. Finn is an amazing chef, but even his amazing dinners, which he spends hours on, can't come close to this. Something about this food feels almost alien in nature. It's somehow scary, like it shouldn't really exist. I could get used to being a chef.

I eat quickly, but don't forget to add, "Well, it's nice to know my demonic powers can at least keep us fed. What about your practice? Got any giraffes yet?"

Rin has already cleared her plate in just a few minutes. She leans back with a hand on her stomach. Once she gulps down the last of her sweet tea, Rin offers, "Better than that. Every good restaurant provides guests with entertainment. Let me give you my own little magic show as you enjoy your dining experience."

This is the Rin I'm more accustomed to—the one who jokes with such carefree ease that it always puts a smile on my face. Even when we were kids at our lowest, she always had such a playful sense of humor. I feel like the last day has revived her old, childlike side, and I couldn't be happier as she pulls out a deck of cards.

Rin fans the deck out in one hand, a mischievous glint in her eye. "Pick a card, any card," she says, wiggling her eyebrows dramatically.

I smirk, playing along. "Really? This is your grand magical display? A card trick?"

She snaps the fan shut, holding the cards close to her chest. "Oh, ye of little faith. Watch and learn, oh master chef." She flourishes the cards with a surprising grace, her movements fluid and practiced.

I pluck a card from the fan, a random choice—the King of Hearts. Rin nods with a knowing smirk as I hold the card against my chest, her eyes never leaving mine. "Okay, got it. Now, put it back in the deck." I slide the card back into the stack, and she shuffles with a flair I didn't know she had. The cards flick through her fingers like liquid.

"Nice shuffle, but what's the demonic twist here?" I ask, leaning back in my chair.

"Oh, you'll see." Rin's voice is coy, her smile practically dripping with mischief. She closes her eyes for a brief moment, and then it happens. The deck begins to glow faintly in her hands, a subtle blue hue emanating from the cards. As the light grows brighter, the deck rises into the air, floating effortlessly. She spreads the cards into a spiral that rotates slowly, each card glowing as it spins in a mesmerizing display.

"Whoa." I lean forward, stunned. "Okay, that's... actually kind of impressive."

"Kind of?" Rin scoffs, clearly enjoying my amazement. "I'm just getting started." With a flick of her wrist, the spiral collapses back into a single deck, and then she fans it out again, revealing only one card—the King of Hearts. My card. It floats toward me, stopping just short of my face.

I grab it and turn it over, laughing despite myself. "Alright, you win. That was pretty damn cool."

Rin smirks, her hand resting on her hip. "Told you. I'm basically a magical prodigy now. Nyr says this is just the tip of the iceberg. Apparently, I can eventually make my illusions interactive—like holograms you can touch. I mean, imagine the possibilities."

I clap my hands. "Well, Grand Wizard Rin, what now? Do you want to scare some kids into giving us a key?"

Rin bursts into a deep, genuine laugh, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Oh, Grand Chef Jack," she says, still chuckling, "it would be my absolute pleasure to intimidate a bunch of kids into handing over a key. Let's show them a show for the ages."