Careful step after careful step, even stopping at every intersection, did Catherine walk through the dungeon. She was fully aware she was ill-equipped for this expedition, not to mention to do it alone, but she saw no other choice. At the entrance she found an inscription reading “Ruins of Anima” giving her hope that this place might help with her condition. If she ever made it out alive she swore to join the combat training some of her fellow maids went through.
After several narrow corridors did she stumble into a huge domed hall. Statues of humans as well as many different monsters in various poses, were randomly spread around. Catherine approached the statue of a human female. Most of the human statues were naked like this one, only some having scraps hanging off them and even fewer wearing some armor pieces. The statue featured way too many details for the maid’s liking, fingernails, toes, nipples, even a well-formed vagina. But what concerned her the most was the face. Instead of the expected expression of fear she wore a face of excited expectation. Was it her intention to be turned into a statue or did the curse that hit her make her want it? Catherine shook her head. These were just well-made sculptures by a very, very talented sculptor. Obviously. She kept telling herself that as she made her way through the hall.
That mantra was stopped as the maid heard a sound of shuffling behind her. Immediately did she turn around and held out the knife with shaking hands. “Sh-Show yours-self!” The shuffling turned into a slithering, but aside from knowing it came closer she couldn't pinpoint where it came from. Before she could react she found herself wrapped up by something big, the knife falling to the ground with a clatter.
It took her a couple moments to get her bearings back and to realize what kind of peril she found herself in. Most of her body was caught in the embrace of a giant snake, only her head was left free. Looking upward she saw instead of a snake’s head the torso of a female. She had been caught by lamia. Her lower half featured a beautiful pattern of various green shades, while the upper body wore chest armor made of rock, though the stone nipples on the chest implied they might have once been part of one of the statues. Instead of hair she had snakes on her head, which she somehow managed to wear in a braid. Currently she held her eyes closed.
“Oh my, what do we have here?” the lamia’s voice sounded deep and mature. “I always appreciate visitors, even if they have become somewhat rare lately. And a cute little maid at that. I have just the perfect spot.” She continued talking as they slithered across the floor. “But where are my manners? Let me introduce myself first.
“I am Melissssa the gorgon, the third s is silent, and this here is my humble little atelier. In case you somehow didn't know, these are the Ruins of Anima. Ages ago this has been a place for mages to research spells centered around petrification and reanimation. After they left this place the lingering magic attracted monsters with similar abilities, as dungeons do. In fact, in this dungeon it got to the point that each floor is solely focused on a different type of petrification. This first floor is mine and I’d call myself a connoisseur of stone statues. All these statues here were once living, breathing creatures before I turned them to stone. Some more willing than others, but they all came to love it. Oh god, here I slither again, talking your ear off. I’m sorry, as I mentioned, you're the first visitor in a while. Anyways, what about you, my little maid? Tell me a bit about yourself, I like to get to know my co-artists.”
Luckily the lamia’s wrapping was loose enough for Catherine to still be able to breath and talk. She worried if the lamia would’ve even noticed it over her talking if not. “P-Please, spare me. I d-didn't come here to harm anyone. I’m only searching for a cure for the M-Midas Curse.”
“Don’t you worry, little one. Once we're done you'll never have to worry about any–” The lamia sputtered and turned to the maid. “Did you say Midas Curse?”
Catherine nodded before realizing the lamia’s eyes were still closed and quickly added, “Y-Yes, a burglar hit me with the curse before trying to flee and dying. I heard someone being cured of it in a dungeon and came here in hopes of finding one.”
Suddenly their faces were only inches apart. Even with closed eyes it felt like the lamia was staring right into her soul, which might be exactly what she was doing. “You’re not lying. I can see the curse’s grasp on your body. But it’s different than usual. Must've been sloppily cast… hmm… or maybe something else… say, who are your parents?”
“J-Just two normal farmers.”
“Then the first one, probably just imagined things. Now you leave me with quite the dilemma. If I use my magic to turn you into a statue, your curse might interfere and cause complications. The best course might actually be to bring you to the dungeon master on the lowest floor, the only one who could help with this. But we might have to deal with the other floor bosses and I really don't want to deal with them. I prefer centuries of solitude over those weirdos.” After some moments of contemplation she addressed Catherine again. “Today is your lucky day, little maid.”