chapter 10

The air grew thick, heavy with the scent of decay and something else… something ancient and malevolent. The obsidian orb pulsed rhythmically in Alex's hand, its light barely piercing the oppressive darkness. The passage narrowed, forcing them into a single-file line. Silence descended, broken only by the rhythmic drip of unseen water and the frantic thump of Alex's own heart. He could feel the tension radiating from his companions, a palpable sense of dread that mirrored his own.

Then, the ground trembled.

A low growl, deep and resonant, echoed through the labyrinth, shaking the very foundations beneath their feet. The air vibrated with an almost physical force, and a chilling wave of magical energy washed over them, stinging their skin and leaving a lingering taste of ozone on their tongues.

From the depths of the darkness, a monstrous form began to coalesce. Two colossal, obsidian eyes, burning with malevolent crimson light, materialized first, followed by a serpentine neck, thick as a siege tower, rising slowly from the shadowed depths. Scales, the size of shields, shimmered with an oily iridescence, catching the faint light of the orb and reflecting it back in jagged, menacing flashes.

This wasn't just some monstrous beast; this was a creature of nightmare, a being sculpted from darkness and fueled by raw, untamed power. It was a guardian, a gatekeeper, and it stood between them and whatever lay deeper within the labyrinth. A palpable sense of despair threatened to engulf Alex, a cold dread that sunk into his bones. This was different from the creatures they had encountered before; this was a being that radiated power on a completely different scale.

The creature unleashed a deafening roar, a sound that resonated deep within Alex's soul, shaking him to his core. The ground buckled further under its immense weight, sending loose stones cascading down around them. Its serpentine head swayed, the obsidian eyes fixing on Alex with chilling intensity. The beast, clearly larger than any creature he'd encountered previously, coiled its massive body, preparing for an attack. Its muscles rippled, displaying terrifying strength and agility. It was a horrifying display of raw power, and a clear sign that this was no ordinary beast.

"A Minotaur of immense power," Elara whispered, her voice barely audible above the creature's guttural breathing. Her usually confident demeanor was replaced with a palpable fear. "This is… beyond anything we've encountered so far."

Alex activated his Falna, the familiar surge of power coursing through his veins. The obsidian orb in his hand flared, its light momentarily overpowering the darkness. He scanned his status, his heart pounding a frantic rhythm against his ribs. He needed a strategy, and he needed it fast. This was not a battle he could win through brute force alone. He'd have to utilize every bit of his skill, every ounce of his Falna-enhanced abilities, and every drop of his strategic acumen if he were to survive this encounter.

This Minotaur was far beyond anything he encountered previously. The sheer scale of it was daunting. Its immense size and power were terrifying, the creature clearly a boss-level enemy, a pinnacle of strength. Unlike ordinary creatures, this beast's movements were fluid, its attacks quick and precise, reflecting incredible mastery of combat. This was a worthy opponent, one requiring a delicate balance of calculated attacks and strategic maneuvering, a perfect test of his skills honed in the Falna system.

Alex knew he couldn't afford to act rashly. The slightest mistake could prove fatal. The monster's attacks were a flurry of terrifying strikes— powerful slams of its massive horns capable of reducing stone to dust, sweeping swipes of its clawed forelegs that could rend steel, and bursts of dark magic that crackled with destructive power. The air itself crackled with anticipation.

He signaled to his companions. "Elara, create a diversion! Kael, prepare your traps!" he yelled over the creature's roar. "I'll try to exploit its blind spot!"

Elara, ever the agile warrior, responded immediately. She unleashed a barrage of blinding spells, using her proficiency in light magic to momentarily disorient the creature. Sparks of brilliant white light erupted, momentarily obscuring the beast's vision as it recoiled from the intense brightness. The light illuminated the creature's massive horns, highlighting their sharp edges, hinting at their immense destructive capability. Simultaneously, Kael, ever the strategist, triggered a series of carefully placed traps, slowing the beast and distracting it long enough for Alex to move into position.

Alex, taking advantage of the distraction, used his speed and agility, enhanced by his Falna, to dart towards the Minotaur's hind legs. He knew that attacking the creature head-on was suicidal. He needed to find a weak spot, a vulnerability. He circled the creature, analyzing its movements. The creature swiped at him with its enormous foreleg, the ground trembling under the force of the blow. He narrowly avoided the devastating attack, a thin veil of sweat now plastering his forehead. The Falna enhanced his reflexes, allowing him to evade the beast's furious strikes.

This was a battle of strategy, a game of inches, and each move had to be precise. Alex used every trick he knew. He dodged powerful headbutts, evaded devastating claw strikes, and weaved his way through a torrent of dark magic blasts. Each time, the creature came close to striking him, the wind of its attacks whistling past his ears, but his enhanced reflexes and speed allowed him to avoid the worst.

He found an opening. A brief moment where the Minotaur shifted its weight, its massive hindquarters momentarily exposed. It was his chance. Drawing upon the Falna's power, he unleashed a concentrated burst of energy, aiming directly at the creature's exposed leg. The impact sent tremors through the labyrinth, echoing around him. He felt a satisfying crunch of bone and the bellow of pain from the monstrous creature.

The Minotaur roared in fury, its attacks becoming even more ferocious and frenzied. It turned, its colossal form almost filling the entire space around them, its eyes locked onto Alex. This was not just a battle for survival; it was a battle to prove that he could withstand the challenges of the labyrinth. This was a trial of his strength, a test of his skills, and his will to survive.

With renewed vigor, he launched another attack, focusing on wearing down the creature. He utilized every aspect of his combat training, every skill he learned in his previous life. He combined his agility with the raw power provided by his Falna, his every move calculated to inflict maximum damage while minimizing his own risk.

The battle continued, a brutal dance of death under the dim glow of the obsidian orb. Alex, fuelled by adrenaline and determination, pressed his advantage, slowly but surely chipping away at the Minotaur's immense strength. His companions continued to support him, their coordinated attacks keeping the creature off balance, allowing Alex to inflict critical blows.

Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, the Minotaur's movements slowed. Its roars turned into pained whimpers, its attacks becoming weaker and less precise. It was exhausted, its immense power depleted by Alex's relentless assault and the cunning tactics of his allies. With a final, desperate lunge, Alex plunged his sword into its heart.

The Minotaur crashed to the ground with a deafening thud, shaking the very foundations of the labyrinth. Silence descended once more, thick and heavy with the scent of death. The obsidian orb pulsed softly in Alex's hand, its light illuminating the fallen beast, and the path ahead. The first major trial of the labyrinth's depths had been overcome. But Alex knew that this was only the beginning. The labyrinth was vast, and far more dangerous challenges lay ahead. The deeper they went, the more treacherous the challenges would become. Yet, he pressed on, fueled by the triumph of victory and the certainty that the road ahead, though fraught with peril, held the answers he sought.