Chapter 22: Meeting Rogue Minotaurs

Something was standing there, just beyond the edge of her vision. A tall, dark figure, its silhouette barely visible against the blackness of the forest.

It didn't move, didn't make a sound, but she could feel its gaze boring into her. Her breath caught in her throat as fear rooted her to the spot.

Whatever it was, it was watching her. As it stepped closer, the creature came into view-a Minotaur.

No, multiple Minotaurs. Their broad, muscled frames loomed in the faint moonlight, horns curling wickedly from their heads.

Their eyes glinted, reflecting a hunger that made Rose's stomach twist. They approached her slowly, their heavy footsteps crunching against the forest floor.

"Stay away from me!" she shouted, but her voice shook, betraying her fear. Her chest heaved as panic clawed at her insides.

She took a step back, almost tripping on the gnarled roots beneath her feet. They didn't listen.

"Oh, please," she begged, her voice cracking as the Minotaurs' massive forms closed in. She realized her luck had run out -they weren't just any Minotaurs.

Their wild, unkempt appearance, the bloodstains on their fur and skin, marked them as rogues.

One stepped forward, its booming voice filling the air. "What do you guys think?" It smirked, baring sharp teeth. "This one's pretty, isn't she?"

The others erupted into laughter, a guttural, mocking sound that sent shivers crawling up Rose's spine.

"She'll taste so good" another one added obviously mocking Rose's state, it gave him a joy he couldn't quite comprehend.

"She looks like a goddess, it's a pity she won't be getting fuçked by god" One of the Minotaurs added with delight, as the rest laughed at his silly Joke.

Rose truly felt sick in the stomach, she would rather die than let these things, touch her.

Her eyes darted around, counting seven of them in total. Each one towered over her, easily more than six feet tall, their sheer size and power making her feel like prey.

"I-I'm telling you, to stay away!" Rose managed to say, her voice thick with fear, her body trembling.

Sweat beaded on her skin as she tried to think, to come up with some way to escape. But nothing came to her.

Nothing except the terrifying realization that she was utterly alone, surrounded by creatures who saw her as nothing but prey.

"You won't want to know who my husband is," she blurted out, and immediately cursed herself. Why did she say that? She didn't even know who Lucifer was herself.

"Oh?" One of the Minotaurs said, its voice mocking, dripping with amusement. "And who might your husband be?"

Her throat felt like sandpaper, but she forced the words out. "He's very powerful... you should be scared."

The group burst into raucous laughter, their derision echoing through the forest like a taunt.

"Look here, love," another said, stepping closer as the rest circled her like wolves. "It doesn't matter who your husband is. He isn't here, is he? You're alone... so—"

The Minotaur didn't finish. A sharp, stinging sound rang in Rose's ears, drowning out their voices.

She staggered slightly, pressing her hands to her head. And then she heard it. That voice from the cave.

"Don't hold back, child," it whispered, its tone both commanding and reassuring. "This is your chance to prove your potential."

A strange warmth spread through her chest, radiating outward like a flame being stoked to life.

It wasn't fear, but something else entirely. Power.

"You are your mother's daughter," the voice declared, louder now, filled with a chilling certainty that made Rose's knees tremble.

The Minotaurs paused, sensing something had shifted. "Kill them," the voice said coldly, its finality like a blade slicing through the air. "Kill them all."

Rose's vision blurred, and for a moment, it felt like the forest around her was pulsing.

The warmth in her chest surged, hotter, stronger, until it became almost unbearable. Something inside her was waking up-something primal, something terrifying.

Rose's feet lifted off the ground, her body rising effortlessly into the air as golden light burst from her eyes.

The air around her became electric, the wind roaring like a living thing, swirling furiously as if feeding off her fury.

Her silver hair whipped around her face, a blinding contrast to the fiery glow of her eyes.

"I am my mother's daughter," her voice boomed, no longer singular.

It was layered, deep and resonant, as though a thousand voices were speaking through her, each one commanding and absolute.

The Minotaurs froze mid-step, their towering forms now trembling. Fear etched itself onto their faces.

They looked at each other, panic setting in. Was she a witch? A sorceress? It didn't matter anymore—their instincts screamed at them to run.

"Whoever dares to cross my path," her voice thundered, the ground beneath her shaking violently, "faces my wrath."

Her hands erupted in flame, the fire dancing along her arms, crackling with an intense heat that singed the surrounding trees.

The flames illuminated the woods, casting long, flickering shadows that made the Minotaurs look even smaller, more insignificant.

Rose rose higher into the air, her presence looming over them like a vengeful goddess.

The wind howled louder, and the once-dominant Minotaurs stumbled back, their bravado crumbling into sheer terror.

But when they turned to run, it was too late.

Rose's gaze snapped down to them, her golden eyes narrowing with cold precision. She raised her hand, and with a sharp flick of her wrist, an invisible barrier materialize.

The Minotaurs slammed into it mid-sprint, their massive bodies thrown backward like ragdolls. A sickening thud echoed through the forest as they hit the ground hard, groaning in pain and confusion.

"What... what is this?" one of them stammered, his voice shaking as he clawed at the empty air, trying to push through the unseen wall.

Since you've made it this far, I just want to let you know that the next chapter will contain, violent and gory stuff. So be sure to proceed with caution.