My World Now

Once I've cleaned up in the cold well water I head down the nearest trapdoor. I walk down the miles of twisting and turning stone tunnels. The maze is only lit by my soft green glow. I pass cave after cave with other Florensin glows coming from inside. The sound of laughter and screams of children can be heard from time to time. When I finally get back to my room I look around inside and see it's empty. I chuckle, and head out the door again. I turn to the left a head down towards the activity caves.

Iota is now 19 seasons old and he spends most his time down at the races. His little Rayback is now fully grown so it must be kept in the stables. I finally get to the activity caves not much has changed in the five years I've been here. A few of the cave shops have been changed, the railing has been replaced.

Old man Quinkle died and his son took over the shop selling some very popular treats involving Iota worms on a stick. I've had no interest in trying them. I walk over to the railing and see the riders in the maze. The race is half over. Just like always five racers are running around the track.

I look down and they are coming my way. In the lead is number 4. He is battling with number 2 for first place. As I watch they are coming to a split in the maze. They start shoving up against each other as number 4 tries to shove number 2 off the track onto the other lane.

I can see number 2's eyes getting large with fear as the steed tries to follow what his jockey is telling him to do and get back on track. Number 4 gives one more large body slam and they get to the fork in the maze. Number 2 is forced to take the wrong fork and number 4 stumbles as he had to much pressure getting rid of his opponent.

Number 5 takes the advantage and holds tight to the outside of the maze just passing by number 4. Followed by number 3. Number 4 recovers himself just in time to block number 1 from passing him. Number 2 has finally got himself turned around and is going full tilt trying to get back in the race. He takes the sharp corner almost slamming into the outside stone wall as he straightens up to get back on the track.

I hear the announcer say, "and Fupac number 5 has taken the lead, followed by number 3 FuFu, number 4 Fusan is in 3rd place, followed by number 1 Fula, and in last place is number 2 Fumak in 5th place." I give a loud whistle and Fupac's(5)'s rider leans close to the side of his Rayback half off the saddle. I laugh and shake my head and I ignore the announcer and continue watching the show off.

Fufu(3) is gaining on Fupac(5) and Fusan(4) isn't far behind. Fula(1) keeps turning to pass Fusan(4) but, Fusan(4) keeps weaving from side to side blocking Fula(1). Fumak(2) has finally caught back up to the pack as Fupac(5) digs in staying in the lead. Another fork in the maze is coming as Fupac's(5) rider leans hard to the left. He forces his steed Fupac(5) to b.a.r.e right.

As his steed hugs the wall Fufu(3) tries to get between the wall and Fupac(5) missing his only chance on the outside to pass. Fufu(3) stumbles and Fusan(4) takes the chance to pull ahead. Followed by Fula(1) who is now neck in neck with Fufu(3). Fumak(2) is still dead last.

They are coming around the corner in the last stretch. Just two more forks to take the lead. They are thundering down the maze dust in their wake. Fusan(4) is closing the gap on Fupac(5). Fula(1) and Fufu(3) are still battling for 3rd place. Followed closely behind by Fumak(2).

Fula(1) trips and falls as Fufu(3) takes 3rd place. The crowd growns, as Fumak(2) jumps over Fula(1) almost hitting Fula(2)'s head. Fusan(4) is gaining on Fupac(5) as they are nearing the next turn off. Fupak(5) fakes to the left and Fusan(4) slides on past right down the wrong lane.

Fupac(5) straightens up and takes the right turn followed by Fufu(3) and Fumac(2). Fula(1) has finally gotten up and he is limping. He is out of the Maze race. Fusan(4) is turning himself around and he looks angry as he back tracks to get back in the race. They are coming to the in pass. (It's an area in the maze to only let one rider through at a time.)

Fupac(5) is still in the lead followed by Fufu(3) and Fumak(2). Fupac(5) blasts through the in pass. Fufu(3) and Fumak(2) are side by side. If one doesn't give then they will both slam into the in pass harming their steeds. They are fighting for second place. Fufu(3) slams his steed into Fumak(2). Fumak(2) slams back neither of them are giving up second place. They are getting close and Fufu(3) is backing off.

Fumak(2) passes into second place followed closely behind by Fufu(3). Fula(1) is being led out of the maze as Fusan(4) gets back on track and tries to catch back up to the pack. Fupac(5) is still in the lead. Fumak(2) follows closely behind Fufu(3) is closing in. Fusan(4) is still dead last. They are coming up on the last fork in the maze as Fupac(5) still has the lead.

Fupac(5) passes the last fork followed by Fumak(2). Closely followed by Fufu(3) and Fusan(4) is still trying to get back into the race. Fupac(5)'s rider is bent low to his steed as Fumak(2) slowly starts pulling closer. Fufu(3)is followed by Fusan(4) who is still in last place. Fupac(5) and Fumak(2) are now neck and neck. Fufu(3) is closely behind, and Fusan(4) is still in last place.

Fumak(2) is starting to pull ahead of Fupac(5) as the finish line comes into site. Fufu(3) is still fighting to over take the two steeds in the front but they are not letting him pass. Fusan(4) is starting to catch up but he is still in last place. Fumak(2) is in first place by a head followed by Fupac(5). Fufu(3) is hot on their trail. Fusan(4) has finally caught up and trying to pass Fufu(3) for 3rd place. Fupac(5) has not given up as he fights to retake first place followed by Fufu(3) and last is Fusan(4).

Fupac(5) is starting to pull ahead once more but Fumak(2) is still holding onto first place. The finish line is fast approaching. As Fusan(4) butts Fufu(3) trying to take over third place. Fupac(5) puts on a burst of speed and retakes first place. He is followed by Fumak(2), and Fusan(4) is now side by side fighting Fufu(3) for 3rd place. Fupac(5) is still in the lead this is it they are almost to the finish line.

The announcer starts getting louder as the race ends, "Fumak(2) is once again starting to pull ahead can he make it in time. He is followed by Fusan(4) who has over taken Fufu(3) and taken the 3rd spot. Fupac(5) is.... yes he has crossed the finish line Fupac(5) wins followed by a close second Fumak(2). Fusan(4)is in third place and last goes to Fufu(3)"

I clap my hands as the announcer say, "Yes the winner of the 5th and last Florensin Maze race of the evening is last years rookie and our newest rising star Fupac and his rider is Iota from Tarva village." Iota removes his hat and wipes sweat from his brow. He is no longer the small little boy I first met. He now stands 5.4. That is actually tall for a Florensin.

He has a thin muscular frame of a jockey. He waves to the crowd and I leave the railing and head to the nearby stairs. They will take me down 6 layers to the stables down below. The stables are built into the bedrock wall. They are made of a orange/red wood. When I get to the Maze floor Iota is leading Fupac out of the maze. He smiles at me and says, "Master did you see me?" A proud smile covers his face. I laugh and say, "Yes I saw you showing off in that turn where you took the lead."

As I watch Iota's face turns red. I laugh and tell him, "Relax you did great." He smiles and I hear a voice behind me say, "Iota!" His face falls as we both look towards the stairs. A young female Florensin comes down the last few steps from the layer above. She has lite yellow hair and dark blue skin. Her dress is a a dark blue with gold flacks in it.

Her dress is low cut showing a little cleavage. It follows her shape ending just short of showing her crotch. She glows brightly in the dim light. I place my hand on Iota's arm as I say, "Looks like you got company." His shoulders slump as he tries ignoring the young girl and heads into the stables. I lean against the maze wall and watch her as she chases him into the stables saying, "Iotaaaaa! Stop ignoring meeeee. Come back."

I can't help but laugh as I think back on how this all happened. Someone is allowed to join the races at age 14. Iota's Rayback Fupac wasn't old enough till Iota was late 17. So late in Iota's 17th season he won his first race. As a reward I brought him out drinking. He had never got drunk before and that was when he met Licca.

She is a cute young Florensin who is very good at flirting and wears very skimpy clothes. I watched as after hours of drinking she walked away pulling Iota after her. The next morning he woke with a slamming headache and a young yellow haired and dark blue skinned n.a.k.e.d beauty next to him.

He didn't even remember losing his v.i.r.g.i.n.i.t.y to her or know where he was. Ever since then she has followed him around like a dog in heat. Saying they are girlfriend and boyfriend and hanging off him. No matter what he does he can't get rid of his new stalker.

I hear Iota's voice say, "Look I don't have time for this. Will you just...." I hear a muffled voice as she steals a kiss from his unguarded lips. She comes running out of the stables giggling then says, "Bye Iota, I'll see you later." She blows him a kiss and heads up the stairs taking them two at a time.

Iota comes out of the stables with a rag in his hands looking like he just swallowed something unpleasant. He wipes his hands off then puts the rag in his pocket so he can pick up the bucket that waits outside the stable doors. He walks over to the watering trough and dunks the bucket in before going back into the stables.

After a few minutes he comes back out rag in hand and stops a few feet in front of me saying, "So, Is this it Master?" I nod and he sighs saying, "I'm gonna miss this place." I laugh and tell him, "Now you got to make a choice. Adventure with me or stay in the caves." He looks around and says, "I'm not sure. I've spent almost my whole life in caves."

Looking up at the ceiling eleven layers above us I say, "Well this don't mean you can't race again." He looks sadly down at the ground then sighs saying, "Well at least I can get rid of Licca." By the end of his sentence he looks excited.

I laugh and say, "Time to go." I follow him into stables and into Fupac's small stall. I watch as Iota pulls out his rag again and blindfolds Fupac. After that I send Fupac into the bag. I turn to Iota and say, "Put the bag in my room for me." Iota nods and says, "Yes, Master." I loosely take his arm and put his hand into the bag. As I watch as it slips out of my hand and he vanishes.