Chapter 13: **The Arena of Fates**
Vito stood at the center of the vast chamber, his heart hammering in his chest. The massive creature loomed in front of him, its red eyes burning with an intensity that sent chills down his spine. The air was thick with tension, the oppressive hum of the labyrinth now mingling with the growls and the low rumble of the creature's presence.
"Great, another fight. Just what I needed," Vito muttered under his breath, scanning the room.
The arena was a circular space, the floor uneven and cracked, with jagged stones sticking out like broken teeth. The walls, covered in ancient carvings, seemed to pulse and shift with a life of their own, watching him, judging him. The creature—a massive beast, covered in shimmering scales—shifted forward, its claws scraping against the stone floor with a noise that sent a shiver through Vito's spine.
It was large, nearly twice his size, and its growl was low, vibrating through the ground beneath his feet. The air smelled of blood and fear. The beast's eyes gleamed like molten lava, but it didn't charge immediately. It just stood there, observing him, as if testing his resolve.
"You think you can defeat me?" the creature's voice rumbled, a deep growl mixed with a strange amusement. It echoed through the chamber, bouncing off the walls.
Vito raised an eyebrow, taking a step back, his fingers twitching toward his pouch of odd relics. "I've survived worse things than you, believe me."
The creature chuckled—a low, gravelly sound that felt more like a threat than humor. "You are clever, but cleverness alone won't save you here, thief."
Vito's hand hovered near the shard, the strange artifact pulsing faintly with light. It had saved him more than once, but this time, he wasn't so sure. This beast was unlike anything he'd encountered so far. He had no idea how to fight it. But running wasn't an option.
"So," Vito said, trying to mask the unease creeping up his spine with his usual sarcasm, "we're doing this the hard way, huh? Fine by me."
Before he could make another move, the creature lunged with terrifying speed, its claws swiping toward him in a blur of motion. Vito barely had time to react. He dodged to the side, feeling the air stir as the claws missed by inches. His pulse raced.
"*Nice try,*" Vito taunted, springing back to his feet.
But the creature was already shifting, its body contorting as it lashed out again. The air around it seemed to distort, like the very fabric of reality was bending in response to its presence. Vito could feel the pressure building, suffocating the space around him.
"*What the hell is this thing?*" Vito muttered. He had no time to ponder the question. He had to move.
As the creature advanced, Vito scrambled backward, his mind racing. This was no ordinary beast—it was part of the labyrinth, a manifestation of its twisted will. The rules were different here. In this place, he didn't just need to outsmart his enemy; he had to outwit the labyrinth itself. The arena was shifting beneath his feet, the stone floor warping and cracking, making it even harder to gain footing.
"*Clever little thief, you've survived this far, but the game has changed,*" the creature's voice boomed, the ground shaking with each word. "*You won't make it through this trial. No one ever has.*"
Vito gritted his teeth. "*No one ever has,* huh? Sounds like a challenge. And I love challenges.*"
He darted to the side, barely dodging another swipe of the creature's claws, his heart racing. The room seemed to close in on him, the walls shifting, the ground beneath his feet trembling with every step he took. It was as though the labyrinth itself was aware of his every move, responding to his every action. The pressure was building, suffocating him.
He needed a plan. He needed an advantage. And right now, all he had were his wits and the relics on his belt. He reached into his pouch and pulled out a small, glowing orb—a relic he hadn't used in ages. The orb pulsed with a faint light, humming softly in his hand.
It wasn't much, but in the labyrinth, even the smallest advantage could make all the difference.
Vito held the orb high, focusing on the creature. "*If you think I'm going to make this easy for you, you're sorely mistaken.*"
He hurled the orb toward the beast, and as it sailed through the air, it exploded in a burst of light. The creature roared, its eyes squinting against the sudden brightness. For a split second, the creature staggered back, disoriented.
Vito seized the opportunity. He rushed forward, his movements quick and precise, weaving through the shifting arena. The labyrinth seemed to respond to his every step, the floor cracking open and closing in a chaotic dance, but Vito didn't hesitate.
With a quick motion, he drew a blade from his belt—a thin, curved weapon with a glowing edge. The shard in his other hand flared, its light illuminating the dark corners of the arena.
The creature turned just in time to see Vito's attack coming. It lunged to intercept, its massive jaws snapping shut with a deafening crack. But Vito was already a step ahead, his blade slicing through the air as he slid under the creature's attack, his movements like water flowing around the beast's assault.
For a moment, the labyrinth itself seemed to pause, as if holding its breath.
And then the beast screamed.
It wasn't a roar of anger or fury. It was a cry of pain, a noise so raw and full of anguish that it seemed to reverberate through the very bones of the labyrinth. The creature stumbled back, its massive form faltering as the blade struck deep into its side. Black, oily blood oozed from the wound, the glow of the creature's eyes flickering.
But the creature wasn't defeated. Far from it. Its body shimmered, and the scales began to reassemble, healing faster than Vito could comprehend. It howled, and the walls around them trembled.
"You think you can wound me, thief?" the creature bellowed, its voice seething with rage. "*You're nothing in this place. You're nothing to the labyrinth!*"
Vito backed away, his breath coming in short gasps. He wasn't sure how much longer he could keep this up. The creature was regenerating too quickly. He needed a new plan. And fast.
But before he could act, the arena began to shift again, the walls closing in as if the labyrinth was tightening its grip on them both. The creature's growl rumbled in his chest, a threat too heavy to ignore.
"*You'll never escape,*" the creature spat, "*Not this time, thief. Not when the labyrinth has claimed you.*"
Vito glanced around, eyes darting for an escape, but the arena was shrinking—no way out, no clear path. His options were running out faster than his breath.
And just as the creature lunged toward him again, a deep, familiar voice echoed through the chamber.
"*Vito, you're not alone in this.*"
Vito froze.
And for the first time since entering the labyrinth, he wasn't sure if the voice was coming from inside his mind—or from someone else entirely.
The answer would have to wait.
The creature's jaws were closing in.