Chapter 11: Shadows and Trials
Damon moved cautiously down the newly revealed path, his senses heightened and alert. The oppressive atmosphere of the labyrinth pressed in around him, and he couldn't shake the feeling that he was being watched. His earlier encounter with the fog had left him unnerved, but he steeled himself and pressed on.
The labyrinth twisted and turned, each corridor looking more like the last. Damon began to lose track of time, the minutes blending into hours. His mind drifted to his fellow demigods. Were they facing similar trials? Would he encounter them along the way, and if so, would they be allies or enemies?
A low growl interrupted his thoughts. Damon froze, straining to hear. The growl echoed through the stone walls, reverberating from all directions. He drew his sword, the blade glowing faintly with dark energy. The growl grew louder, and Damon realized it was coming from behind him. He turned just in time to see a massive beast charging toward him.
"Of course, it's a Minotaur," Damon muttered, gripping his sword tightly.
The creature was immense, easily towering over Damon. Its muscular frame was covered in scars, and it wielded a massive axe in each hand. The Minotaur's eyes burned with a fierce, malevolent intelligence.
Damon felt himself almost frozen in fear at the sight of the monster, the only thing forcing him to move was the pounding of his heartbeat that rang in his ears.
The Minotaur roared and swung one of its axes with tremendous force. Damon barely managed to dodge, feeling the wind from the swing brush past his face. He countered with a quick slash to the beast's side, but his sword barely left a mark, feeling as it bounced off the monster's tough hide.
The Minotaur retaliated swiftly, bringing its other axe down in a crushing blow. Damon tried to block, but the force of the impact sent him flying back, slamming into the stone wall. Pain shot through his body, and he groaned, struggling to get back on his feet.
"Okay, think, Damon, think," he muttered to himself, glancing at his soul count. He had 15 souls – not enough for a major upgrade, but he needed an edge.
He selected "Minor Speed Enhancement," feeling the surge of power as his reflexes sharpened. The Minotaur charged again, and this time Damon was ready. He moved with newfound agility, dodging the beast's attacks and landing quick, precise strikes, moving faster than he had ever done before.
However, despite his speed, the Minotaur's strength was overwhelming. One powerful swing caught Damon off guard, slicing across his chest and sending him sprawling across the cold and unforgiving ground. Blood poured from the wound, and he gasped in pain, still clutching at his magic sword.
"Fuck... Is this it... Is this how I'm going to die?" Damon muttered, spitting out fresh blood onto the ground.
"I need... more power," he gasped, focusing on the soul system as his vision grew hazy.
Slowly a new option faded onto the display screen, something that Damon had not seen before. – "Shadow Healing..." It required 20 souls, but he had no choice. He tapped into his reserve, feeling the dark energy course through him.
As he activated the ability, the shadows around him writhed and wrapped around his body, seeping into his wounds. The pain lessened, and he felt his strength returning. The gash on his chest closed, leaving only a faint scar as his flesh stitched itself back together.
"Amazing..." Damon said, a fierce grin spreading across his face as he stood back up, feeling fresh and full of life once again.
The Minotaur roared in frustration and charged in for the kill. This time, Damon met its attack head-on, his sword infused with dark energy. He dodged the first swing and parried the second, using the shadows to enhance his movements and strength.
With a swift step, Damon kicked off the beasts front leg, using the force to propell him into the air and flipping over the monsters horns.
"Take this!" Damon yelled as he used his blade to cut deep into the Minotaur's back before he landed with the agility of a cat.
The Minotaur roared in pain, trying to reach a hand to the wound on its back as it growled in frustration.
Damon could feel an overwhelming power coming from his body. One that he had never experienced before. His strength, speed, reflexes and lust for battle all amplified, as if he was acting on pure instinct to drive him forward.
The Minotaur turned around to face Damon once more, scraping its hove along the cobbled floor before it charged toward Damon, this time determined to finish him off for good.
Damon took a ready stance, not even thinking about what he would do, instead he simply allowed his body to move, and reacted accordingly to the situation.
Damon dashed to the side and dodged the first axe, slicing the beast's bicep with his blade, causing the monster to lose the use of its right arm.
The Minotaur howled in pain before swinging its other axe towards Damon's head, however, Damon ducked under the attack and drove his sword deep into the Minotaur's chest. The beast roared in agony, its axes dropping to the ground. Damon twisted the blade, channelling all his dark energy into the strike. The Minotaur's roar turned into a gurgle, and it collapsed to the ground, dead and choking on its own blood.
+25 Souls
Panting, Damon stepped back, watching as the Minotaur's body disintegrated into dust. Taking a moment to reflect in his victory.
"If not for these newfound powers I would be dead..." He said, taking another look at his system's display screen.
I wonder if the other demigods also have something like this? He thought, seeing if he had unlocked anything else within the system after his victory.
He checked the display – 40 souls now. Enough for a significant upgrade if he so wished.
"Shadow Manipulation," he said, selecting the ability. He felt a rush of power, darker and more potent than before. The shadows around him seemed to come alive, writhing and twisting at his command.
Experimenting with his new power, Damon found that he could shape the shadows into tendrils, using them to grab objects or strike at enemies. He smiled, feeling a surge of confidence. This was a game-changer, and would surely come in handy, along with his newfound shadow healing ability.
Still, he would have to keep on top of his soul collection, taking another look at his blade that hummed with dark energy around it.
A few moments passed and Damon prepared to continue his journey, however, a sudden chill ran down his spine. The chamber darkened, and Damon found himself standing in a familiar place – his childhood home. The air was thick with tension, and he could hear voices arguing in the next room. His heart clenched as he recognized the voices of his parents.
"What is this," he whispered, feeling a surge of dread. This was his greatest fear – the memory of childhood and how his mother had died.
The scene played out before him, and Damon felt helpless, unable to intervene. He watched as his mother stormed out, leaving a young Damon standing in the doorway, tears streaming down his face.
"You couldn't save her," a voice whispered, cold and accusatory. "You were too weak."
"No..." Damon said, his anger and guilt surging to the surface. "I was just a kid!"
The scene shifted, and Damon found himself standing before a mirror. His reflection stared back at him, but it was twisted and malevolent, a dark version of himself. The reflection sneered, its eyes glowing with the same dark energy that pulsed within him.
"You'll never be strong enough," the dark Damon taunted. "You're destined to fail, just like before." It said, showing Damon the body of his mother as she was still in the hospital bed.
Damon clenched his fists, feeling the shadows writhe around him. "No, there was nothing I could do about it... I can't blame her." Damon said, knowing that his mother had died of natural causes.
"You still blame yourself. And you blame her for leaving you alone." The dark voice said, showing Damon the memories of his childhood, growing up in foster homes and being subjected to abuse and torture.
Damon couldn't move. He felt his body frozen in fear as the memories played over and over in his mind.
"No... That's enough!" Damon roared focusing on the shadows, shaping them into tendrils that reached out and enveloped the dark reflection. The mirror shattered, and Damon felt a surge of power as he confronted his fear head-on.
The chamber brightened, and Damon found himself back before a pedestal. An orb glowing brighter, and as he reached out to touch it, he felt a rush of energy coursing through him. The display appeared again, showing a new option.
**Fear Conquered: Unlock Special Ability – Shadow Mould**
Damon smiled, feeling a sense of triumph. "Looks like facing my fears has its rewards," he said, selecting the new ability. He felt a new power awaken within him, allowing him to mould with the shadows and move freely, passing through objects and returning to solid form.
"This will certainly come in handy..." Damon said feeling a renewed sense of purpose. He had faced his fears and emerged stronger. Whatever challenges lay ahead, he knew he could overcome them.
"Alright, labyrinth," he said, stepping forward with determination. "Let's see what else you've got."