Novels2Search

Chapter 2 - A-MAZE-ing Discovery

Bob walked up to the door barring his entrance to the Tower of Trials and knocked. He may not have been considered a smart man, but no one could say he wasn't polite. The door swung open with ease after Bob had finished his polite knock announcing his arrival. The room beyond the door was bathed in a warm inviting soft blue glow. It put Bob at ease, so he casually strolled inside the room. He immediately regretted that decision.

As he fully entered the room, the door slammed shut behind him with a boom. Bob jumped in fright, letting out a not-so-quiet yelp. Right after the door slammed shut the warm blue light vanished, replaced by the flickering orange light of torches. The room now bathed in fire looked way different than it had before. The walls were stone and covered in strange hieroglyphs. In front of Bob was a single entrance to a corridor that stretched into the distance. To the side of the door he noticed a sign, Bob walked closer to see it more clearly in the dim lighting.

~Tower of Trials~

~First Floor~

~First Trial Part One~

~The Labyrinth~

That was one heck of an illusion. It's only the first floor and already the Tower is out to get me. Oh boy, I might be in trouble. This is one of them Maze things, I sure hope they don't have one of them Minotaurs here.

Bob slowly made his way through the labyrinth, each step echoing through the stone halls. He was worried because he didn't know what else the first floor had in store for him, and that absolutely terrified him. Bob mustered what courage he had and kept walking, just hoping that he survived this ordeal. The flickering torches didn't exactly light up the room, and Bob couldn't help but imagine what horrors lie in wait for him, in the darkness.

His footsteps continued to echo through the labyrinth corridor, disturbing the silence. Bob's body tightened with each step, as his ears strained to hear anything but his own loud walking. He was a little concerned over the fact that he hadn't stumbled into any monsters yet, but he also felt relieved because that meant he could avoid turning into a monster again, at least for a little while.

Bob stepped carefully through the labyrinth as the passages twisted and looped around, to confuse those who walked them, his heart pounding with a mix of excitement and apprehension. As he made his way deeper into the maze, he couldn't shake the feeling that something wasn't quite right. Suddenly, he heard a loud click, and before he knew what was happening, arrows began shooting out of the walls at breakneck speed.

Bob's survival instincts kicked in, and he dodged and weaved as the deadly projectiles whizzed past him. He could feel the wind of the arrows as they narrowly missed his body, and he knew that one wrong move could be his last. Sweat poured down his face as he tried to make his way through the trap, searching desperately for a way out.

He dodged, ducked, dipped, dived, and dodged. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the barrage of arrows ceased, and Bob collapsed to the ground, panting heavily. He couldn't believe he had made it out alive. As he caught his breath and regained his composure, he knew that he had to be more careful if he wanted to survive the rest of the labyrinth. The danger was real, and he couldn't afford to let his guard down for even a moment.

Dusting himself off he got back to his feet and started traversing the labyrinth again. The walls of the labyrinth were adorned with ornate carvings and paintings, depicting ancient battles and mythical creatures. Bob couldn't help but marvel at the intricate detail and the skill of the artists who had created them. However, he had to stay focused, for any misstep could lead to his demise. As that arrow mishap had aptly demonstrated, this wasn't the place for a sightseeing stroll.

Bob walked for quite some time, being as careful as one could be in a labyrinth. Unfortunately, sometimes traps happen, as he made his way down a dimly lit corridor that looked the same as the last hundred dimly lit corridors, Bob suddenly heard a faint clicking sound. He immediately froze, recognizing the telltale sign of a trap.

He looked around, trying to find the source of the noise. It was then that he noticed a pressure plate on the ground, obscured by a thin layer of dust, with his footprint right in the middle of it.

Bob heard the clicking of some mechanism throughout the passage.

He knew he had messed up, and triggered another trap. Before the labyrinth could try to kill him again, Bob booked it through the corridor, screaming like a madman, arms flailing in the air. This proved to be his savior, as huge spikes shot up through the ground, hot on his heels, as he ran for his life. Bob continued running and screaming, not yet understanding that he had long left the trap room and thus the danger behind.

Soon enough, as he rounded a corner, Bob found himself facing a locked door. The lock was a complex combination of gears and levers, and it seemed impossible to pick. He was about to give up when he noticed a small inscription above the door.

If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.

~Only those who can see beyond the surface may pass~

Bob studied the door carefully, trying to discern its meaning. He noticed that the gears and levers were not as they seemed - there was a hidden mechanism that controlled the lock. With a bit of tinkering, Bob managed to find the right combination, and the door started to unlock slowly.

Bob had been navigating the labyrinth for what felt like an eternity, and he was bone-tired and famished. The door swung open, and Bob's eyes widened as he took in the luxurious space before him. The room was large and spacious, with soft lighting that created a warm and inviting atmosphere.

The amenities were impressive, from the plush bed that beckoned him to lay down and rest, to the pristine bathroom that featured a large, jetted tub filled with steaming hot water and scented bubble bath. He saw the bathroom stall and quickly ran to relieve himself.

He wasted no time in stripping off his sweat-drenched clothes and immersing himself in the relaxing waters of the tub. The heat penetrated his tired muscles, and the bubbles tickled his skin, making him feel weightless and free. As he soaked, he reveled in the fact that he could stay in the tub for as long as he liked, enjoying the peaceful solitude of the rest area.

After his bath, Bob got dressed in a comfortable set of pajamas that miraculously fit him perfectly. He explored the space further, discovering a food shop that was stocked with all sorts of delicious treats. There were fresh fruits and vegetables, sandwiches and wraps, and even decadent desserts that tempted him with their sweetness. He picked out a few items to enjoy, savoring each bite and feeling his energy levels start to rise.

As he ate and relaxed, Bob couldn't help but feel grateful for this respite from the labyrinth's endless challenges. He knew that he needed to gather his strength for the trials that lay ahead, but for now, he was content to bask in the comfort and luxury of the rest area.

After he was finished eating he couldn't fight off his exhaustion anymore and decided to turn in and rest for a bit. As soon as he settled in and his head hit that luxurious and soft pillow, he was out like a light, snoring restfully.

As Bob opened his eyes, he stretched out his limbs and felt the familiar sensation of restfulness coursing through his body. He had slept well in the cozy bed, and now he felt fully rejuvenated and energized. He knew that he had a long day of exploring ahead of him, and he needed to fuel up before embarking on his journey.

Bob quickly made his way to the dining area, where he ordered a delicious breakfast of McTowerCakes and hash browns. He indulged himself by smothering the hash browns in syrup, relishing the sweet and savory flavors that filled his mouth. As he ate, he couldn't help but feel grateful for the small pleasures that life had to offer, even in the midst of the labyrinth.

After finishing his meal, Bob decided to take another bath to freshen up. The hot water and steam enveloped him, soothing his muscles and clearing his mind. He emerged from the bath feeling invigorated and ready for the challenges that lay ahead. He went to the closet and selected what seemed to be the most comfortable exploring clothes he could find.

Dressed in his exploring clothes, Bob took a deep breath and stepped out of the rest area. He knew that he had to continue navigating the labyrinth, despite the treacherous obstacles and unknown dangers that lurked around every corner. With a look of determination, he set out on his journey, ready to face whatever lay ahead. Although he couldn't help but feel a twinge of regret at leaving the comfort of the rest area behind, he knew that the thrill of exploration and discovery was worth it.

Bob left the rest area and began his journey back into the labyrinth. As he walked, he heard angry growls echoing through the maze, growing louder with every passing moment. His unease turned to terror as he saw a monstrous shadow flickering in the torchlight, looming closer and closer to him.

Bob knew that he had to run, but his legs felt heavy as if they were made of stone. The creature's growls became more frenzied, and its shadow grew larger as it approached. Fear gripped Bob as he realized that he may be facing a formidable opponent.

With a burst of adrenaline, he finally managed to turn and run, his heart pounding in his chest. The sound of the creature's snarls and the pounding of its feet echoed behind him, growing louder and more threatening with every step he took.

Bob knew that he couldn't stop running until he found a way to lose the creature. He pushed himself harder and harder, his lungs burning with the effort. He could feel the creature's gaze on the back of his neck, and he knew that he was getting closer to danger with every passing second, even if he still couldn't see the monster itself.

Despite his terror, Bob refused to give up. He knew that he had to keep moving if he wanted to survive. Bob ran as fast as he could, his heart pounding in his chest as he tried to put as much distance as possible between himself and the shadowy mystery monster that had been chasing him.

His feet pounded against the pavement as he made a mad dash down the dimly lit corridor, desperately trying to escape his pursuer.

But no matter how fast he ran, the monster seemed to be getting closer. He could hear its heavy footsteps behind him, and the sound of its ragged breaths sent shivers down his spine. Bob knew that he couldn't outrun it forever and that he needed to find a way to fight back.

As he turned a corner, Bob suddenly found himself backed into a corner. He had nowhere left to run, and he could feel the monster's hot breath on his neck. Slowly, he turned around, ready to face his fears head-on. Back pressed to the wall he readied his Rolodex, preparing to launch Slimes at this beast, until whatever it was perished in a sea of acid and slides. He began the summoning process, just to get ahead of the situation. A preemptive strike.

Then he saw the creature.