The horrors turn, hearing your deep voices. Hissing, they dive towards their prey, claws outstretched. Bellowing, you and Thaddeus automatically fall into battle rage. Your axe head makes short work of the first pair, and as a third is sent flying into a nearby stone wall, you roar, lower your massive head and impel the creature with your horns.
Another demon screams and turns to flee. Without hesitation, you turn, pull out your throwing axe, and cast it into action. The blade strikes home, and the Red Devil drops to the floor, dead. You retrieve your weapon from its neck, then stride over to Thaddeus, who is being assailed by one of the monsters - which has landed on his back. You pull the fiend off your comrade with your bare arms - then swing it, head first, into a marble statue placed close by. The demon’s cry is silenced - abruptly and permanently.
Turning, you see the last two of the Red Devils flying off - disappearing down different passages of the maze. Panting, you feel the wounds that the demons inflicted upon you. Thaddeus, though also injured, proudly pats your back, as the labyrinth’s magic heals you both.
“Well fought, Miles! You make a fine guardian,” he declares, as the adrenaline ebbs from you.
Wiping the sweat from your furred face, you turn to Thaddeus, suddenly fearful. “Does...? Does that mean...I’m now a minotaur for good!?”
Thaddeus sees your alarm. “Fear not, friend! I have spoken to a sage – whilst I was searching for a way to address your situation. She told me that although the magic of the maze was beyond her ability, it could be undone with an enchanted stone hidden in a remote part of another realm, which I will track down, when I have the time to travel there! Now come – we must seal the portal – then despatch the rest of the Red Devils!”
Walking into the treasure chamber, you – somewhat despondently – follow Thaddeus to the mirror. A small black hole on the glass evaporates from sight, leaving the reflection of your impressive minotaur forms.
“There! Our presence was all that was needed to reseal the portal,” Thaddeus declares. “As long as one of us remains in the labyrinth, there is no chance of it re-opening, now.”
“Let’s clear out those demons, then,” you snort, gripping your large axe. Following your senses, you and the other minotaur track down more of the winged crimson freaks, and pitch your weapons, horns, and strength against their claws and aerial attacks over the next hour or so. Again, one of them flies off, escaping, whilst you and your kindred brother kill the rest, then recover from your wounds. You watch, spellbound, as the maze works its charm on its protectors once more – healing both you and Thaddeus, until you are unmarked. Yet, whilst you are impressed by what you are capable of as a minotaur, you realise that you are missing Sam’s company. Could it be you are actually falling in love...?
Suddenly you tense, looking across at Thaddeus. He too, is poised ready with his axe. “What is it that you sense, my brother?” he tests you.
“There are humans in the maze!” you growl, angry at the thought that your territory has been invaded again. Grabbing your axe, you let your innate connection to the labyrinth guide you back to the treasure room. Seeing two silhouettes highlighted by the burning torches in the chamber, you instinctively bellow and rush forward on your hooves, making the invaders scream. You blade is raised high – then you freeze, taking in the frightened faces before you.
“Sam!” You place your weapon on the stone floor. “Yvonne! Why are you two here!?”
“Yv-Yvonne insisted on..., on seeing this la-labyrinth... So..., rather than me being alone, I agreed to help her find it..., remembering your account,” Sam announces sheepishly. “Sorry...”
You walk over and hug her. “For what it’s worth, I’m glad to see you! But it’s not safe here...”
Thaddeus glares at the two women as he enters the chamber. “Miles is right – we still have hostiles in the maze. You should leave now!”
“How? After we entered the labyrinth, the door vanished behind us. This place is just amazing, by the way, guys!” Yvonne gushes, looking like an excited kid with a new toy.
“I’ll activate a portal to return you back to your town,” Thaddeus replies. Anticipating your interjection, he adds. “Yes, Miles. I know that I goofed in teleporting you, so I’ll use the back-up portal in the statue garden, instead. I’ll go and prepare it. You three wait here, where it’s safer. I’ll return before long.” With that, the minotaur leaves the treasure chamber.
“Oh boy – what’s in here?” Yvonne is like an enthusiastic schoolgirl as she investigates the side rooms leading off from the treasure room. You and Sam share a look of concern, then follow the black woman into Thaddeus’ private chambers. Yvonne has found the larder. Tired after your fighting with the demon-like creatures, you join the ladies in a little light refreshment for a few minutes. Then you pause halfway through a leg of cold chicken. Your senses are tingling again...
Sam notices your tension. “What is it, Miles?”
“More humans – in the treasure room!” You grab your axe...
“Wait! Put your medallion on, Miles. They could be innocent people, who just wandered into here – like you did,” Sam suggests to you.
“Okay...” Pulling your medallion out from the pocket of your loincloth, you place it around your neck. Your half-bovine form blurs and assumes the illusion of your former, human body. The axe you carry, though, is still visible. Then Sam and Yvonne follow in your wake, as you stride into the treasure room. They bump into your back, as you stop abruptly, a chill running through your veins.