I've been going down for near eternity. I feel my legs start to give out when I finally see the end. A sudden determination fills me and I hop down the last steps, landing on the smooth stone once more. I turn my attention to the giant door before me. The carving of a hand sits in the middle of the door. I poke it with my staff first, making sure it won't explode. Once I confirm I probably won't die, I place my right hand on the carving, and feel a light tension reverberate on my hand. A voice begins speaking in my head.

Welcome, adventurer, to The Abyss. The oldest labyrinth in the kingdom of Yarmen. I, the Keeper of the Abyss, shall ask that you complete the challenge I've set up for you. Though, if you've made it this far, you must realize this is your only option. So, I shall lay it out for you. This labyrinth has 50 floors. You are currently on the 2nd floor. Make it to the end, and I'll reward you with freedom, and maybe even something else. That's all. Don't die now!

Once the message finishes playing in my head, the door slowly opens. I hold out my torch, observing the area. Two long, stone walls form a straight path before splitting off into two different directions. I take a step forward, when a piece of paper hits me in the head. I grab the paper off the ground, unrolling it.

The puzzle on this floor is simple. There are two keys in this maze that will unlock the door marked on your map. On the backside of this paper is the map leading to both keys. Seems simple, right? Well, it should be! As long as you don't get eaten, of course…Have Fun!

I groan. "It can't be easy, can it?" I turn the paper over, revealing to me the layout of the maze. Take a left, a right, open a door, and I'll find the first key. After a deep breath, I begin my trek. The trip is peaceful, but something keeps nagging at the back of my mind. 'Is this guy just teasing me?' I doubt it, but nothing has happened yet. Before I know it, I've arrived at the door. I touch the door knob when I hear something deep inside the maze. A cage breaking open.

"RAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!"

I open the door, grabbing the key off the hook. I unroll the map again, trying to find where I need to go next. Forward, right, left, right, down, next key, take a left, and then the door. I take a moment to memorize it when loud slamming makes its way to my location. I take out the teeth I'd collected from the monster above this floor and make a line of them before booking it down the path, place another line of teeth at the turn, and continue the process. I can tell it isn't holding this thing back for long, but it's long enough. I rip open the door, grabbing the last key. I start sprinting, hearing the slamming from close behind.

I take another turn when something slams into me, pushing me to the ground. It turns me around and we finally face each other eye to eye. A beast with long, red ears. It's the same size as a gorilla. It's eyes are sealed shut, it's mouth long and hanging open. I reach out for my staff, as it leans down to bite into me. My instincts kick in and I slam my knee into it's stomach. The thing shakes it off, grabbing a piece of my arm. It rips off a chunk of meat. I hold my agonized screams in my throat as I finally grab my staff and slam it into it's throat. It chokes, backing off for a moment. I take that moment to run. Run run run run run, blood pouring from the wound I've been haphazardly covering. 'The door!' The door finally appears. A giant stone beast, with two keyholes surrounded by gemstones. With it stamping along behind me, I take out both keys and slam them into the holes, turning. The door groans in confirmation, swiftly opening. I fall through, watching the doors close on the beast. I sit there for a moment, in shock, waiting for the doors to tumble down and for me to meet my end. Nothing happens. After a few minutes I realize that I've once again reached temporary safety.

I turn my attention to the wound. Thankfully, there wasn't enough gone to be worried about bleeding out quickly, but to say it wasn't serious would be a flat out lie. I rip off a sleeve of my shirt and wrap it around the wound, tying it tight. My shoulders quiver, and I breath out a hearty, "FUCK." I sit there for who knows how long, collecting my bearings. Eventually I pick myself up, turning to the staircase. "I have to do this 48 more times?" I hold my head, shaking it. "Well, won't accomplish anything here." I take a step down.