Chapter 14: **The Unknown Ally**
The creature's jaws snapped shut with a deafening crack, its massive teeth mere inches from Vito's neck. The air around him seemed to freeze in that moment, time slowing to a crawl as he realized just how close he was to becoming another casualty of the labyrinth.
But then, out of nowhere, a sharp, crackling sound echoed through the chamber, followed by a sudden flash of bright light.
The beast recoiled, howling in pain as a blast of energy surged from behind Vito. The light was blinding, searing the air, and for a split second, the creature faltered, its glowing red eyes dimming. The walls of the arena seemed to shudder in response, the labyrinth itself reacting to this sudden surge of power.
Vito didn't waste a second. He dove forward, rolling out of the creature's reach, and scrambled to his feet. His pulse raced as the beast turned, clearly disoriented by the unexpected attack. It was still healing, but it was momentarily vulnerable.
"Who the hell...?" Vito gasped, glancing around, searching for the source of the blast.
From the shadows at the edge of the chamber, a figure stepped forward. A tall, cloaked individual, their face hidden beneath a hood, stood silently watching as the creature growled and backed away, clearly unnerved by the presence. The air around the figure seemed to shimmer with a faint, ethereal glow.
"*You're welcome,*" the figure said, their voice low and steady, though tinged with an unfamiliar accent. The words carried an authority that seemed out of place in this nightmare.
Vito's mind raced, but his instincts kicked in. He wasn't about to blindly trust someone who had just appeared out of nowhere. For all he knew, this could be some new trick the labyrinth was playing on him.
"You just saved my life," Vito said, eyes narrowing as he sized up the stranger. "Who the hell are you? And why should I trust you?"
The figure didn't immediately respond. Instead, they took a step toward the creature, who was now snarling, its rage mounting once again. The stranger raised a hand, and the air seemed to ripple with energy. The creature recoiled, its growls turning into more of a hiss, clearly unwilling to approach the figure.
"*I'm not your enemy,*" the figure finally said, lowering their hand. The energy dissipated, and the beast hesitated. "*But if you want to survive, you'll have to start learning who to trust in this place.*"
Vito blinked, confused. "Wait, are you saying you know about this labyrinth? You've been here before?"
The figure's hood shifted slightly, and though their face was still hidden, Vito swore he saw a faint smile beneath the shadow. "*Oh, far more than you could imagine. But the question is not what I know. It's what *you* know—and what you're willing to do with it.*"
Vito narrowed his eyes. This wasn't helping. He needed answers—he needed to know why this labyrinth was so relentless.
"*What's that supposed to mean?*" Vito asked, keeping his distance from both the stranger and the creature, who was still snarling in frustration.
The figure took a step forward, eyes scanning the labyrinth's walls. "*It means this labyrinth is not just a test of your survival. It's a test of your choices.*"
Vito's head snapped up. "*Choices?* What do you mean? Everything here's a trap—nothing's a choice. Everything just pushes you to the edge of survival, and then it tries to eat you alive. I'm not exactly seeing the 'choice' in any of this.*"
The figure smiled faintly. "*You're wrong.*"
Before Vito could respond, the creature lunged again, its massive form hurtling through the air with terrifying speed. Vito's eyes widened as it soared directly toward him, its claws outstretched and hungry for flesh.
In the blink of an eye, the stranger stepped forward, and with a flick of their wrist, a powerful blast of energy shot toward the creature. The impact sent the beast flying back with a violent crash, its body skidding across the stone floor and slamming into the far wall. The creature's form flickered like a dying ember, its regeneration slowing for a moment.
Vito was left speechless. The force of the attack was enough to send shivers down his spine. This was no ordinary person.
"*Stay back,*" the stranger ordered, their voice commanding as they turned to face Vito. "*I'll handle this. You just need to focus on what's coming next.*"
The beast howled, its body writhing as it started to heal once more, but the stranger's presence seemed to keep it at bay—just long enough for Vito to think, to breathe.
Vito took a step back, still wary. "And what's coming next? Another monster? Or is it you who's the real danger here?"
The stranger didn't answer immediately. Instead, their gaze seemed to travel through the chamber, as if sensing something just beyond the walls. They spoke again, this time more to themselves than to Vito.
"*Something is coming. The labyrinth has its own way of testing those who linger too long.*"
Vito's head spun. "What the hell is that supposed to mean? Are we about to face something even worse than this thing?"
The figure turned to face him fully, their eyes now gleaming with an eerie light. "*Something far worse. The deeper you go, the more the labyrinth reveals itself.*"
Before Vito could ask more, the growl of the beast behind him echoed once more, much closer this time. He spun around just in time to see the creature charging at full speed, its massive jaws open wide, aiming to crush him with one swift bite.
In an instant, the stranger moved, drawing a curved blade from beneath their cloak. The weapon glowed with a strange energy, and with one smooth motion, they swung it in a wide arc, slicing through the air. The blade connected with the creature's side, and it staggered back with a ferocious roar, but the damage seemed minimal.
Vito couldn't believe it. This beast was relentless. He had to get out. There had to be a way out.
And then he saw it.
Above the creature, a crack had appeared in the ceiling, jagged and sharp. Through the gap, he could see a narrow passage—an escape route. The only question was whether he could get to it in time.
"Can you hold it off long enough for me to get to that hole?" Vito asked urgently, pointing toward the crack.
The stranger didn't answer, but the energy around them flared up once again, sending another burst of power toward the beast. The creature staggered back, temporarily disoriented.
Vito didn't hesitate. He turned on his heel and sprinted toward the hole in the ceiling, his heart pounding in his chest. The creature roared in fury behind him, but for the first time, Vito felt a glimmer of hope.
He was about to escape. But there was no telling what lay ahead—what new horror the labyrinth had in store for him once he crossed that threshold.
And whether or not the stranger would follow.
---
But as he reached for the edge of the hole, the ground beneath him suddenly began to shift again.
The labyrinth had not finished with him yet.