I scrambled sideways as the Minotaur slammed its huge fists down where I had stood, causing a spider web of cracks to spread as the floor visibly moved underfoot, knocking me down onto my face. Rolling over, I saw those fists coming down once more, forcing me to roll over what remained of the pedestal, the breastplate I risked my life for, now positioned behind the beast. I pulled my sword from my side, the black blade making the room seem darker around it. Time to stop flailing around, this isn't a war game!

Breath in... Breath out...

The panic trickled out of my mind, if only slightly. I took a stance, blade over my shoulder, both hands on the handle, feet planted shoulder length apart, and torso turned slightly twoards the sword. I had thought myself taking this seriously, but of course it took another monster throwing me around like a child to finally hammer it home.

This is life or death.

The minotaur raised it's fists once more, looming over me like the giant it was, teeth sneering like a bully beating a smaller child. I could see the corded muscles drawing taut all the way up from the knees to the wrists. It cried out with another war cry, it's face half burned as the wind from this stike finally puts out the flames.

And I choose life!

Twisting, I slashed across both of the monsters arms, the blade slicing through near the elbows with zero resistance. The beast reared back, the cry changing to one of surprise and pain, but I didn't let up, if I did, It will only come at me again. Rushing forward, I draw the blade across it's ribs this time, the point catching on one and ripping it out, blood splattering out. It fell as the blood which powered the massive frame it was so proud of trickled out onto the floor in small streams.

The floor shook as it's head hit the stones, rage and fear in the gaze it shot at me... I felt hollow... this wasn't like killing an animal, or any mere beast... I could see that in it's eyes now... This thing is a brute, and a murderous bully, but it is also sentient... I didn't regret striking it down... But I also don't feel triumph for this...

I slashed the black blade once more, seperating head from neck, ending it's suffering. I flicked the blade, removing the blood from the blade, before sheathing it once more. I stared at the minotaur, burning it's final resting place in my mind... Was it nature, nurture... or life which made this creature so wicked?...

I turned, and walked to the breast plate, picking it up before heading back to where Fae was waiting. I plopped down onto the floor below them, my entire body seeming to grow sore instantly as I relaxed, causing me to groan. Fae seemed concerned as they checked me over. I'm willing to bet that anybody that gets tossed around like a rag doll dosen't look too well off afterwards.

"I'm well enough Fae, don't worry... I just need to rest... for maybe a week", I chuckled, trying to calm them down, but it was hard to tell if it worked.

I examined the breastplate I had risked my life for. Looks like it will cover from my neck to my hips, with a crimson gem set in the middle of the main plate, right in the torso of an intricate raven design, wings spread wide to either shoulder. I know the gold patterns will change to blue, but I must admit to prefering how it looked in gold. The neck protection consisted of articulated plates over chain mail, with leather below that, and the collar bone area raising slightly before flaring up behind the neck to cover up to about half way. The area below the ribs was also articulated with the plate and chainmail coupling, allowing for almost full movement. A fine piece indeed, possibly the best of the entire set so far.

Groaning once more, I slid it on over my head, the magic allowing the form fitting armor to expand so I could do so. Thank the father for magic. I felt something cold spreading over my upper arms, and thighs, looking down to see it was a black, sinewy substance spreading to the other parts of the set with many over lapping fibers. As I watched, the substance flattened, and stilled, remaining as black as the blade. I shifted my arm to get a better look at it, the substance seeming to shift with my movements.

"Ooooookay... If this is a cursed set, I am definetly at a point of no return... most likely even past it...", I said to fae, looking over at them, fidning a rather nervous tiny insectoid.

Not exactly encouraging.

Walking along the passage once more, I felt lighter on my feet, even as a dull pain seeped into my every movement thanks to the injuries I've gathered while in here. Hopefully I can find something to help this little problem... it isn't exactly easy to fight while in good health, let alone with a gaggle of bruises and a few broken bones. Looking down at my hand, thankfully not swollen anymore, I slipped on the gauntlet, earning another cold sensation as the black substance covered that arm as well.

Maybe an Amulet of Troll Flesh if im lucky... yeah right. Because my luck has been so great down here... Either way, I may have about six more pieces of armor to find... if they are going to include my tail anyway... Fae was fluttering nearby, likely not wanting to touch the black substance which now coated my upper arms, and thighs, not that I could blame them.

Listening intently, I began to hear the sound of running water, likely another fountain, but no garantee this one would be safe to drink. I began to follow the sound, with it steadily growing louder, until I came into another domed room, a fountain, this one with three tiers, bubbling away with crystal clear water. Draining the last of the water in my water skin, I approached the fountain, and tested it the same as last time, once more finding nothing.

I collapsed beside the fountain, back against the knee high boarder wall. Fae slapped the water with their antennae, before dunking their head into it excitedly, I wasn't far behind as I started gulping water. The cool sensation of water racing down my throat helped clear my mind, the clean taste helping to calm my tension. I gasped when I lifted my head out, and fell back to the floor in relief.

I smacked the fountain with my tail as it waved around with my improved mood, laying on my back, staring up at the ceiling. Unfortunately this rooms walls were totally clear of greenery, meaning I won't be able to rest in a safe location... Maybe I can have Fae take watch as I sleep?... No, I don't think they would be able to wake me... What if I use Earth Wall, and tried to keep it from closing at the ceiling?... Maybe this room is tall enough, the wall only goes up about two, maybe three men, so the dome might be higher...

I walked away from the fountain a small ways, and tried it, finding that my hunch was right, with the part closer to the center of the room leaving an opening between the wall and ceiling. At least I can get some shut eye... Calling Fae over, I tried to indicate for them to watch from the gap, but that went about as well as trying to get a drake to eat vegitables. Finally, I drifted into the darkness of sleep...

Black...

All I could see was darkness, as I am in a realm absent of sensation. But I know I am fine, as I can sense my limbs, but the sesation of my head is absent, and that of certain parts of my arms and legs are dulled... Thankfully I managed to keep myself sane in this realm, and have been rewarded by the slow return of sensations... at least internally. While I still hope for this hell to end, I don't mind it as much anymore, even as I continue to loath it with a burning hatred.

I continue to hear nothing, and see nothing, but on occasion I can now feel things which gently brush against me. It is as if I am blind, and deaf, but there is little I can do for it...

I awoke, yawning. It is true what the veterans say, sleeping in armor is uncomfortable and taxing. My already sore body is now stiff, and as I stretched, pain arked through my entire frame. Looking up, Fae was louging at the gap over head. I called them, letting them flutter down before dropping the wall. I went to the fountain again, refilling my water skin before stuffing my belly full of water once again.

But before I could start off once again, I heard the twang of a bow, before something bounced off my back. I spun to face the attacker, finding a small lizard on two legs, roughly about waist height, and was holding a very crude bow, reaching back for another arrow. I rushed forward before they could shoot once again, but they ran down the passage. I stopped.

Peering down it, I could see thirty crouched figures as the small archer ran past. An ambush...

Oddly, one of them was wearing a raven shaped mask... Wait a second......

I checked what I had, as the ambushers were left waiting for me, but I no longer had the oil, which would have come in handy... I don't know if the mask will survive an acid spray, so I can't use that either...

I used Mold Earth to build up a pile of dirt, grabbed a handful, and dunked it into the fountain. Mud. I have basically limitless ammo now, but it took time to make more... Lets make as much mud as possible until they come in after me. I began using mold earth nearly continuously, and dunking the soil into the water, before I heard the sound of claws clacking against the stones, getting closer.

I didn't get to make much, but I can make it work.

I turned to face the passage, and called out my spell as they came into view. Offa Luto.

Mud Shot.

Coin sized blobs of mud launched from the clods of mud I had made, splattering all over the dimunitive lizard people, causing them to drop their weapons in an attempt to shield their faces. I leapt forward like a panther, blade flickering out of it's shealth like a vipers fang.

I managed to send six heads rolling before they could realise what was happening, and three more before they could grab their weapons. But I had to retreat in the face of their spears, their small frames allowing them to utilize the weight of numbers despite the tight space of the passage. I grabbed a spear behind its head, and yanked the one holding it twoards me, seperating ribs from stomach.

I retreated slowly back into the room, trying to think of a plan... Fae was back there, and there was no wayh I was going to let them get caught up in this...

The one wearing the mask pushed past it's fellows, charging me with a poisoned dagger, the steel hissing from the contact. Grabbing it's wrist, I flipped it onto the floor, and stomped on it's neck, letting loose a sickening crack as the bone was exposed from the split skin. This seemed to shake the creatures morale, as they froze, eyeing me cautiously. But before I could move once more, arrows began to fly in from behind the ambushers, too many to dodge.

I raised my arms up to block my face, the arrows being repelled with ease, their stone and bone heads unable to punch through the metal. But the arrows were continuous, so I couldn't move in opposition, otherwise I would get an arrow in my head.

"Cavea Principalis Terrae!", an earthen wall rose up infront and behind me, allowing me some respite. I grabbed the mask, and put it on, thinking it would protect me at least a little, but suddenly pain spiked through my brain, as if the mask were fusing with my skull. I screamed in pain, as everything seemed to fade, and pulse, the earthen wall growing transparent, the creatures behind it seen rushing twoards me, as all sensation left my body.