Adrian moved cautiously, following the echoing growls of the Minotaur deeper into the labyrinth. The air grew colder and heavier, as if the very atmosphere was trying to suffocate him.

The walls, slick with moisture, seemed to close in, amplifying the sense of dread that gnawed at his insides. He gripped his sword tightly, his senses on high alert, knowing that the creature could strike again at any moment.

The labyrinth was a maze of twisting corridors, each turn leading to what seemed like an identical stretch of stone walls and shadowed corners.

But the Minotaur's growls were getting louder and closer, guiding Adrian through the maze's treacherous paths. The creature was leading him somewhere, and Adrian had no choice but to follow.

After what felt like hours, the passages widened, and the air grew thick with the stench of decay. Adrian knew he was nearing the Minotaur's lair, and his every instinct screamed at him to turn back.

But even if he wanted to, there was no way back at this point.

As he rounded a final corner, the labyrinth opened into a vast, cavernous chamber. The walls were lined with jagged stone, and the floor was littered with bones—broken skulls, shattered ribs, and splintered femurs.

The remains of the Minotaur's past victims were left to rot in the darkness. The stench of decayed blood hung heavily in the air, turning Adrian's stomach as he stepped forward.

The chamber was dimly lit by a few flickering torches mounted on the walls, their flames casting long, dancing shadows across the uneven ground.

At the centre of the lair, a crude throne had been fashioned from the bones of the fallen, piled high in a grotesque display of the Minotaur's power.

The throne was stained dark with old blood, and around it lay the remains of more victims, their flesh long since decayed.

Adrian's eyes swept the room, taking in every detail, his senses on edge. This was Adrieus' domain, the labyrinth's heart, where the beast had made his home.

The ground beneath him began to tremble, the vibrations growing stronger with each passing second. Adrian's breath caught in his throat as the sound of heavy hooves echoed through the chamber, growing louder and closer.

He knew what was coming and steeled himself, preparing for the inevitable confrontation.

The Minotaur emerged from the darkness at the far end of the chamber, its massive form blotting out the light as it lumbered forward. The ground shook with each step, the walls seeming to tremble in response to the creature's approach.

Its angry red eyes burned brightly, and its mouth twisted into a snarl, showing its sharp, yellow teeth again.

Adrian quickly moved into position, taking a defensive stance as he summoned four fiery chains from his back. The chains, glowing with an intense heat, coiled around him like serpents, ready to strike at his command.

He focused on the Minotaur, his mind sharp, his muscles ready for action.

The Minotaur's hooves pounded the ground, sending tremors through the chamber as it charged toward Adrian. Its sharp and deadly horns were aimed directly at him, ready to impale. Adrian waited, timing the creature's charge with precision, his body tense with anticipation.

As the Minotaur bore down on him at the last possible moment, Adrian sprinted forward, meeting the creature's charge head-on. But instead of striking, he slid at the last second, ducking beneath the Minotaur's legs.

As Adrian passed under it, his sword flashed as he slashed at its underbelly. The blade cut through its thick skin, drawing blood, but the Minotaur barely noticed. It skidded to a halt, its hooves kicking up dust as it turned to face Adrian, its eyes blazing with fury.

The Minotaur lunged again, its horns aimed at Adrian's chest. Adrian leapt back, his feet barely touching the ground as he dodged the attack. He swung his sword in a wide arc, aiming for the creature's legs, but the Minotaur was faster. It twisted its body, avoiding the strike.

Adrian, acting quickly, spun around, his chains lashing out toward the beast's hind legs.

The fiery chains wrapped around the Minotaur's legs, tightening with a searing heat that burnt through fur and flesh. The beast roared in pain, stumbling as it tried to regain its footing.

Adrian used the opportunity to get to his feet, yanking on the chains with all his strength, trying to bring the creature down.

But the Minotaur was stronger than he anticipated.

With a furious growl, it reared up on its hind legs, pulling against the chains with enough force to lift Adrian off the ground. He barely managed to keep his grip, his arms straining as he fought to control the beast.

The Minotaur thrashed wildly, its powerful limbs kicking and flailing, its rage only intensifying with each passing second.

Adrian knew he couldn't hold on for long. The Minotaur was too strong, too wild, and it was only a matter of time before it broke free. He had to act fast to find a way to bring the creature down for good.

Using the last of his strength, Adrian pulled the chains taut, forcing the Minotaur's legs together.

The beast roared in frustration as it lost its balance, crashing to the ground with a thunderous impact that shook the entire chamber.

Adrian didn't waste any time.

He charged forward, his sword raised high, aiming for the creature's exposed throat. The Minotaur, still dazed from the fall, struggled to rise, its massive form thrashing against the stone floor.

But Adrian was faster. He brought his sword down in a powerful arc, the blade slicing through the thick fur and muscle, cutting deep into the Minotaur's flesh.

The creature let out a final, agonized bellow as blood sprayed from the wound, drenching the ground in a crimson pool. Adrian twisted the blade, driving it deeper, ensuring the fatal blow. The Minotaur's struggles grew weaker, its massive body convulsing as the life drained from it.

With a final, shuddering breath, the Minotaur collapsed, its body going limp as its eyes dimmed, the light within them fading to darkness.

Adrian stepped back, his chest heaving, his muscles trembling with exhaustion. He stood over the fallen creature, his sword still embedded in its neck, the fiery chains slowly dissipating as the heat left them.

The chamber was silent now, the oppressive weight of the Minotaur's presence lifting as the beast lay dead at his feet. The labyrinth seemed to breathe a sigh of relief, the tension in the air easing as Adrieus' curse was finally broken.

Adrian wiped the sweat from his brow, his breath coming in ragged gasps. His body ached, every muscle screaming in protest, but he forced himself to stand tall, to focus on what came next.

The Minotaur was defeated, but his journey was far from over.

With a final glance at the Minotaur's lifeless body, Adrian pulled his sword free, the blade slick with blood. He sheathed it, his mind already turning to the task ahead. The labyrinth's guardian had been defeated.

What next?

No sooner had he said this than the ground began to tremble, the stone walls shifting, revealing a straight path for him to follow.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.