They've caught me. The stone guardians. Indestructible statues that appear once someone exceeds levels of power acceptable in the entirety of creation. Godhood was always reserved for those already in the rule.

I have no idea why they didn't kill me. Instead, they placed me in a maze. I woke up in a pile of rubbish, there were very old computers, the ones in size of the wardrobe, some broken TVs, cracked ceramics and unwinded tapes.

The walls were high, but I could still see the purple sun far above my head. In the skies, there is this weird flux of plasma, energy, or whatever it could be. It hinders my power, drains it back to the source, I feel like a mere mortal right now.

[ ... ]

I climbed one of the walls, the place seemed to have no end, but I could spot a few larger rooms. I've felt like a cheat, from the top, it was possible to jump between most of the corridors. Architects, tell me, what's the purpose of this construction If you can bypass its intended function?

Who knows, maybe it's one of the abandoned places, used as a dump.

Then, I've looked into the sky, one more time and I've seen it. It was them. The winged beasts of Horegon.

No... I can't end up like this! I won't become... whatever they could do with me, I don't want this!

Yes, I had to hide inside the labyrinth. It turns out, the top of the construction wasn't safe at all. At least, it was harder for those creatures to find me inside.

I searched the place for anything I could find to defend myself, but all there was, was an umbrella. It had a sharp tip, but it would be useless against what awaited me in the skies. What else can there be?

A phone? Its battery died... not like it would reach anyone... or could it?

One phone, and it all could be over.

What kind of power does it use, though? Oh, screw it. It's a probability engine. I ain't risking anything. I will rather grind my chances, like back in the neon city. It can take years in this place... but I used to be in worse situations.

[ ... ]

I was wandering for hours, searching for a place for the night. I'm quite hungry, but I've managed to collect some mushrooms that were growing on the walls. There was also a moss that produced enough water to quench my thirst.

Here I stopped. It was the first trial.

An unknown entity.

It appeared like a cloud of pink dust with an orbular pink core.

Am I supposed to attack it? It's the labyrinth, after all. I guess the same rules apply, that apply everywhere. I don't have any of my old powers either way, so I can only take the default action.

Prepare!

Critical strike! Like a good ol' batting.

Yes, I've used the blunt end of an umbrella. I'm not a novice.

The core is cracked, but still seems valuable. Who knows, it might be some kind of currency. I better keep it.

[ ... ]

Fourteen more cores, in all types of color. Gaseous, slimy, ice cubes, gelatine, pure sparkles... you name it, I've encountered them all and the principle is the same, strike the core! Of course, when there was a layer of protective ice, it got a bit harder, but it's nothing that a person, as great as me, would consider as an obstacle.

There I've found it. A machine. It's made of brass, it's a cube placed on a small pillar. It has four arms, with bell-shaped ends. There's a slot where you can insert orbs.

Hah, like good ol' games. If it goes like this, I might not be stuck here at all!

...wait, what is it? Why did you give me this in exchange? It doesn't look like any currency that I know. Those are just some generic white coins... and one got a bit blackish when I've touched it? What is it all about?

Eh, who cares. I'll figure it out, as always. Nothing can stop me.

[ ... ]

There, I've found it, an upside-down house on the shore of a small pond. The first place where I can rest, but... it has some clockwork tech on the side, there are gears and levers.

Let me see, there're some steel panels with labels. Numbers. They start from a bit over eight thousand and there are about sixteen hundred of them. Under the numbers, there are diodes, some are lighted green, other red.

I will pull the closest lever and see what it's about...

Hmm...

...another lever?

...and another ...and another ...and another. I think I've got it. It's some weird algorithm that lets me pick a number. It landed on 8482, which is green. I hope it means it's a free room.

There it is... a box. It opened and extended an arm with a cup. How much do I pay, though?

One coin... ah, it lowers under a weight. Two... three... five. It clicked!

Okay, I'm inside. There is a bed... and windows, windows everywhere. On the floor, on the ceiling, on the walls... and that's it.

Let me see, what's outside?

Below, there are chains with anchors attached to the house. It seems my room hovers high above the labyrinth. The clouds obstruct the sight, but If I had some paper, I could certainly draw a map. A good point to remember in the future.

Okay, above me is the purple sun. Nothing new.

On the left and front, there is the sky.

The right window leads to a corridor outside, I can see doors to other rooms outside.

Behind me, windows have blinds. What secrets do you hide?

There is a pink doll... and some birds. Weird. I will knock on the window, perhaps she will react.

"Hello? HELLO!"

She doesn't hear me. I won't be waiting forever for something to change.

Eh, time to sleep.

[ ... ]

I woke up... and the doll is here, staring at me through the window.

"Good morning, beauty."

I've tried to use my charms, but she doesn't even flinch. What a shame. It turns out she tried to speak to me too, but I can't hear her. I can read lips though. The doll doesn't speak in my language anyway, so tough luck...

I will show her the coins.

She showed me a teacup.

I will show her the umbrella.

She showed me half a loaf of bread.

I will show her my charming smile again.

She left... wait... she is carrying something. Oh, it's a dove.

Room 8482... I will probably forget it, and you will forget me, but for now, you're my only companion.

It is what is it, heh.