Two days had passed since Marcus was the prisoner of the minotaur Artenos. In this time, he had talked with Kyrie twice via the scrying mirror, talked with Artenos about what was going on in Una and had read a couple of books. He was enjoying his time spent.

Artenos lived in a luxurious cavern with the softest bed Marcus had experienced and excellent toilet facilities. He had invisible servants that met every need of Artenos and Marcus. Marcus did not feel like a prisoner but a guest of the minotaur.

That morning Marcus woke up thinking about what he would read next. A book on history of the Umarus had caught his eye yesterday. He had not read it yet.

Marcus got ready for the day and went to the wall where books were stacked in shelves. He found Artenos sitting in a chair near the shelves.

“I thought you would be here earlier”, said Artenos as Marcus approached him.

“How can I help you Artenos?” asked Marcus.

“I have a quest for you.”

“I am listening.”

Artenos took some time before talking, “I have been a boss level creature in this god forsaken labyrinth for many years. I can’t even remember how the world outside of this labyrinth looks. I want to get out of this gorking labyrinth. Now, before you say anything, I have already appealed to the Game Masters in the past, twice. I was however rejected both times. They consider me a beast, a monster, an obstacle for the adventurers. I don’t mind that. I just do not want to be in the labyrinth. Make me a boss level enemy in the outer wide world. Una is large. I can fit anywhere. But they somehow do not let me leave. Rauros once threatened me to change my cavern to a maze if I pushed too hard. He found it funny somehow. Anyways, I need your help getting out of this labyrinth. There is a way for me. I need to defeat the final guardian of the labyrinth. That would grant me a boon. I would use that boon to escape this labyrinth. I am sure the Game Masters would catch up to me fast. But to see the sky, even for a second, would be worth it.”

Marcus gaped at Artenos. Then he remedied his expression and said, “Are you sure your plan would work? And why would you need only me to defeat the final guardian? Can you not do it on your own? I mean, I am at a level lower than you, you know.”

Artenos started to pace, “The way this works is that any monster inside the labyrinth can challenge the final guardian of the labyrinth. There are not one, but four final guardians and you may face any one of them. However, even if the monster defeats the guardian, he may not request anything. He just gets stronger. That’s it. For me to request anything, I need an adventurer. When an adventurer defeats a guardian, the guardian grants him a request. Then you can either request for me or transfer your request to me. That way I will be able to get out.”

“You do realize that I would be giving up the chance to get something good from the guardian if I request your freedom”, said Marcus, now sitting on a chair.

Artenos said, “I am well aware of that fact. You are wondering how you will be compensated. Well, help me, and you shall get 10,000 experience points and digital copies of all the books that I have here. I have them scanned.”

Marcus jumped up and extended his hand quickly, “I accept your quest. I would require further details regarding the guardians though.”

Artenos laughed, “Shall we get started then. I know a shortcut to the final guardian’s chamber. It would still take us three days to reach them.”

“Preparation is the key, Artenos”, said Marcus, “Information regarding the guardians. And why do you think we'll need three days to reach the final chamber?”

Artenos explained, “Normally, to reach the final guardian, like your adventurer friends are doing, you need to pass a trial. This trial normally takes about a week, that is, if they are successful on their first try. I know a shortcut which bypasses the trial. But this shortcut leads through a smaller trial which takes three days to clear. It would also help you level up a bit. I realize you are level 49 now. It may take you up to 50.”

Marcus started at that revelation. When had he leveled up? He had not even realized it. He distributed his points and put them in agility.

Then Marcus said, “Alright. Now, the information about the guardians. What can you tell me about them?”

Artenos gave Marcus a book, “Read this. We shall discuss once you are finished with this. And I would also like to spar with you. If preparation is the key, then I would very much like to know how well you do.”

Marcus grinned. He was going to enjoy this.

***

Six days passed. In these six days Marcus learnt about the four guardians, who they were, their strengths, their weaknesses and their strategy to defeat them. Marcus also sparred with Artenos and found that he was a tough opponent. Artenos had to hold back while fighting Marcus and Marcus could clearly see that.

Marcus also read a couple of other interesting books and he contacted Kyrie exactly once. She said she was busy with a trial and told him not to disturb her anymore and so Marcus complied.

Marcus and Artenos also discussed a lot on how the labyrinth were before and how it has changed over the years. The labyrinth was constructed when the game system was established on Una, and it is one of the oldest and the largest dungeons on Una. From what Marcus heard, it has become simpler and less tough over the edges. Initially, it had been very hard and hardly any adventurers managed to defeat the labyrinth’s guardians.

Six days later, they were ready or as ready as they could be. Three days to the final guardian. Artenos opened a door which Marcus had not observed earlier and they both stepped in.

There was a resurrection stone in a small room.

Marcus looked at Artenos and asked, “Will this work for you?”

Artenos shook his head, “If I die, then I will respawn back in my cavern after a few days. This resurrection stone will not help me. Only you.”

Marcus activated the stone. Then human and minotaur walked forwards to face the trials that lay ahead.

They stepped into a large cavern and the door disappeared behind them. There was a small pool of water glittering in the cavern to their right. The surface was not flat but rough and with slope and boulders were scattered around the cavern. Marcus could also see both stalactites and stalagmites.

There was a short plinth in the middle of the room. It was shaped like a glass with a broad circular head, spherical middle and narrow bottom which further expanded into a circular base.

Marcus and Artenos approached the plinth. Marcus could see that it was white in color. There were no blemishes or dirt on the pillar. It was smooth without any smudges.

The circular top of the pillar was glowing with a notification.

Begin the Trinity Trial

Yes No

Artenos selected yes. The notification changed.

Begin the Trial of Strength

Yes No

Artenos asked Marcus, “Are you ready?”

“Ready.”

Artenos selected yes. The plinth disappeared into the ground and a huge monster appeared in front of them.

Bulbous Golem

Level 100, Health 60,000 / 60,000

The bulbous golem was a huge toad-like creature with greenish yellow skin, long elephant-like ears and large curved horns. Marcus could not see any tusks, but it opened its mouth to croak, and Marcus saw three serpent like tongues inside its mouth.

The bulbous golem leaped and both Marcus and Artenos dodged its attack. It landed with force, shattering the ground beneath it and causing a mini earthquake.

Artenos engaged it immediately while Marcus took some time to regain his balance. Artenos had a large warhammer with him. He attacked the bulbous golem, hitting it for 500 points of damage.

Marcus attacked too. His attacks only dealt about 100 points of damage to the bulbous golem. He was not happy. This would take some time to kill the toad golem.

The golem jumped again and Artenos dove out of the way of its attack. Marcus jumped and landed on the golem’s back. It was slimy and slippery. Marcus maintained his balance as he ran up to the head and started attacking it. Each of his hits were critical attacks and he somehow managed to reduce the golems health by about 800 points.

The golem swung his head and Marcus jumped down from the golem. Artenos cast a spell which made him larger than he was, and he attacked the golem with amazing force. The golem was thrown back a bit because of Artenos’ attacks.

Artenos' spell lasted 30 seconds. In those 30 seconds, Artenos managed to deal about 7,200 points of damage to the golem. Its health was now at 39,800. They still had a long way to go.

The golem now roared and lowered his head. Instead of jumping, it slid across the floor, knocking Artenos out of its way and dealing major damage to the minotaur. The golem turned towards Marcus and charged too. Marcus managed to dodge its attack in time. He had to use [Force Push] which helped him push away from the golem rather than just push the golem. Considering its weight, Marcus wondered how effective his [Force Push] would be against the golem.

After its sliding attack, the golem resumed its normal attack pattern. Artenos and Marcus continued to attack it, albeit a bit more slowly or carefully than before. Marcus did not know how much time had passed but he concentrated on not getting hit by the golem’s attacks. He got hit once and it made him lose 100 points of health. He quickly recovered using a health potion, but he realized that the golem could kill him in two to three hits.

When the golem’s health had fallen below 20,000 points, it let out a loud roar. Marcus saw the tongues flickering out of its mouth and its eyes zoomed in on Marcus.

Marcus guessed what was coming and he was right. All three tongues shot towards him. Marcus cast [Whirlwind Weapon]. The tongues could be poisonous, Marcus did not know, but they got shredded by the spell. It seemed that the tongues were a weak point because Marcus caused about 10,000 points of damage with his spell which surprised even him.

The bulbous golem was now down to 8,230 points of health. They were close now. That did not mean he had to let his guard down. Marcus hefted his weapon, ready for another attack when Artenos activated the spell which made him grow larger. Marcus helped Artenos with the attack.

It took 30 more seconds, the time till Artenos’ spell lasted, to defeat the bulbous golem. Artenos and Marcus lay panting after the fight. Marcus got a notification that he had received 5,000 points of experience from defeating the bulbous golem. He had leveled up. He put the two points in agility.

Marcus got up and went back to the plinth. It had appeared when the bulbous golem had been defeated.

First Trial Cleared.

Time till Second Trial 23:58:32

About 24 hours left till the second trial will be activated. Makes sense if it is a trial per day. 6 hours had already passed today. 24 remaining till zero hour tomorrow. They simply needed to wait.

Artenos came up to Marcus and examined the time. He snorted and said, “The second trial is tomorrow. Let us rest for now. We shall train a bit in the evening. Nothing too excessive. Just basic exercises. Let’s see what we face tomorrow.”

Artenos sat beside the plinth in a meditative pose, his eyes closed. Marcus was tired but he still had some leftover adrenaline running through his body from the fight. He decided to explore the cavern. He was disappointed though. There was nothing special in the cavern.

Marcus decided to close his eyes and try to sleep. It took some time, but he finally managed to sleep. Artenos woke Marcus up in the evening. Then, as Artenos had said, they did a few exercises and light sparing. They had a heavy dinner as Marcus had skipped lunch because he had fallen asleep. Artenos had stored delicious food items prepared beforehand in his inventory. The food would never get spoiled in the inventory. That gave Marcus an idea for the future. Instead of rations, he could actually carry food in his inventory.

The next morning, they woke at zero hour and got ready for the next trial. They had breakfast, did warm up exercises and then walked up to the plinth.

Begin the Trial of Endurance

Yes No

“Are we ready?” asked Artenos.

“Yes.”

Artenos selected yes. The plinth disappeared back into the ground. They looked around. Nothing appeared for some time. Then a robed figure appeared. Marcus examined the figure.

Aspect of Leyda

Level ???, Health ??? / ???

“Well”, said Marcus, “This does not look fucking good.”

Artenos agreed. The Aspect of Leyda came up to them and said, “Welcome adventurers. This is the trial of endurance. To pass this trial, you simply have to do one thing. Endure.”

“What does that mean?” asked Marcus.

The aspect had her hood up and Marcus could not see the face beneath it as she turned her head to Marcus.

“It means”, said the Aspect of Leyda, “That I would attack you with spells for an hour. You need to be alive for the next hour. This is an individual test. Decide who goes first.”

Artenos and Marcus looked at each other. Artenos gestured as if to say Marcus should go first. Makes sense. If he died, he would simply respawn.

Marcus stepped forward, “I am first.”

“Are you ready then?”

“Before we start, I have a couple of questions.”

“Ask.”

“Do I need to take your attacks head on, or can I dodge them?”

“You have to endure them. How you do that, it’s up to you.”

“Okay. Can I drink health potions?”

“If you can.”

Not great answers according to Marcus. He said in a resigned voice, “I am ready.”

The next moment Marcus had to dodge as a fireball hurled towards him. The aspect had already started to attack. Marcus brought his twinblades out. He either dodged the attacks or diverted them with his twinblades. But mostly, he ran.

The fireball was followed by a barrage of smaller fireballs. Marcus dodged that to find ground beneath him shining. He moved right on time to find an ice spike rising out of the ground. If he had been standing there, he would have been impaled by it.

He dodged fireballs, energy bolts, ice and rock spikes shot towards him by the aspect. Marcus even tried to attack the aspect, but he was thrown back by a barrier, and he had to roll away from the spot where he had landed because a rock spike rose out of it.

He could not attack. And having no shield, he could not defend. He ran and found that running helped. The aspect was not as fast in changing directions. Marcus ensured that he kept himself just out of line of sight of the aspect. That helped.

He even took shelters behind boulders and protruding rock pieces. That gave him a breather. It felt like the longest hour of his life. He got hit many times, each attack taking about 80 points of health from him. Still, he persevered.

He did not know how much time had passed and he dared not look at the time as his complete focus on the aspect’s attacks.

Finally, after what felt like eternity, the aspect declared, “Time’s up. Congratulations. You passed the trial.”

Marcus lay flat on the ground. He was not moving. He could not move. He felt beyond tired. Artenos lifted him up and put him near the aspect.

Artenos said, “You will be safe here. The aspect will not attack you now and it seems that we cannot attack the aspect here. Wait till I finish my turn.”

Marcus nodded. His world turned. He hardly heard what the aspect and Artenos were talking about. He passed out.

When Marcus came to, he found Artenos sitting in a meditative pose beside him. Marcus got up and looked around. The aspect of Leyda was nowhere to be seen.

Marcus said, “What happened?”

“I endured”, replied Artenos.

“How long was I out?”

“About five hours.”

Marcus stood up. He still felt tired. The trial of endurance had taken a lot out of him.

Marcus said, “So, we are waiting for the third trial.”

“It will begin tomorrow”, said Artenos, now standing up.

Marcus’ stomach grumbled.

“Food time”, he said.

They ate and rested. Then they did some light exercises in the evening. They did not spar today. Marcus was in no condition to do much. Marcus went to bed early that night. Hopefully, tomorrow’s trial will be less stressful.

Marcus woke up at 3 o’clock in the morning. Artenos was already up and about. It seemed that the minotaur was waiting for Marcus because he approached Marcus as soon as Marcus got up.

“Are you alright?” asked Artenos. Marcus could sense the concern in his voice.

Marcus was indeed feeling better after his sleep. He said, “I feel much better now. I think the trial simply tired me out. I never had such a stressful and constantly active trial before.”

Artenos nodded. Then he said, “Get ready. Today we tackle the last trial.”

Marcus got ready and then they both approached the plinth.

Begin the Trial of Intelligence

Yes No

Intelligence. Huh! Should not be that strenuous. Artenos selected yes.

Nothing happened for some time. Then another robed figure appeared. This one looked like the Leyda aspect, same as yesterday. Marcus examined the robe figure and groaned. It was the aspect of Leyda.

Aspect of Leyda

Level ???, Health ??? / ???

The aspect said, “Welcome adventurers to your trial of intelligence. It is a short yet difficult trial. Solve the puzzle that I give you and your trial is complete.”

The aspect waved her hands and an object appeared with a platform in front of Marcus and Artenos. Marcus looked at the cube-like object. It looked familiar.

“This is a Rubik’s cube”, said the aspect, “Solve it and you can proceed further.”

Artenos was confused. He said, “What’s a Rubik’s cube? And what do you mean, solve it? What the gork are we supposed to do with this tiny cube?”

Artenos was baffled by the cube, but the cube had triggered something in Marcus. A memory. No, a strategy. No, a solution. A solution found on something known as the internet. What was that?

Marcus stepped forwards and picked up the cube. Then he started working mechanically, moving the rows and the columns of the cube. He knew the objective. All sides should be singularly colored.

Before he knew what he was doing, he had solved it. Artenos looked at Marcus with a surprised look on his face.

“That was fast”, said Artenos.

“How fast?” asked Marcus. He had not been keeping track of time.

“About fifteen minutes I guess”, Artenos shrugged.

“That is a new record Marcus Blank”, said the aspect, “You have managed to solve the Rubik’s cube in 16 minutes and 32 seconds. Congratulations adventurers. You have passed the trial of intelligence.”

Artenos was not an adventurer, but Marcus did not want to correct the aspect. They had completed the trial. Actually, he had completed the trial while Artenos had simply watched him baffled.

The aspect now disappeared, and the plinth started to glow. A beam of light shot out of it and into the wall to the right of Marcus. The exit door appeared.

Artenos said, “That was fast. I haven't even heard of this Rubik’s cube. How did you even solve it?”

Marcus shrugged, “I don’t know. I just did it. I think I have done it before too. Don’t remember when and where though.”

Artenos opened the exit door and they both stepped into an even larger cavern. In the middle of the cavern was the guardian of the labyrinth. Marcus groaned as he saw it.

Fire Elemental

Guardian Level 150

Health 100,000 / 100,000

Even Artenos grunted seeing the fire elemental.

Artenos said, “We both knew it was going to be an elemental.”

“Yes, but I wanted to fight a rock or an air elemental. Even water elemental would have been nicer. I mean fire is just mean. It is the toughest of all four elementals. I thought we covered this when we evaluated all of them.”

“We deal with the hoof we have been dealt. Come on. It’s time to kill an elemental.”

Marcus and Artenos started walking towards the elemental cautiously. The fire elemental was tall, about twenty feet, with conical head, arms and feet. It had slits in place of eyes, nose, ears and mouth and it was burning. Hot fire enveloped it, heating up the surroundings of the elemental and the ground beneath its feet seemed to be red in color to Marcus.

“Who dares challenge me?” said the fire elemental, “Go back. Your place is not here.”

Artenos looked at Marcus and said, “Shall we?”

Marcus nodded, “We shall.”

They both charged the fire elemental. The fire elemental shot bouts of flames at Marcus and Artenos and they both dodged it. Artenos took the fire elemental head on, causing considerable damage, about 1,000 points per hit, but he was also damaged in the process. Staying in the vicinity of the fire elemental was taking off 10 points of health per second.

Marcus wondered how he would get near the fire elemental. Considering his current health, the fire elemental would kill him in just about 20 seconds and that was if he did not get hit by any of the attacks of the fire elemental.

Artenos was holding well against the elemental and Marcus looked around the cavern. He saw a faint glittering at one of the sides and he started off towards it. Marcus started off towards it. When he reached it, Marcus realized that it was a small pool of water. It did not look like normal water though. There were few vases beside the water. They were currently closed with corks on the top.

Marcus knew what he had to do. He had read about it and discussed it with Artenos. The fire elemental was tough for melee fighters because of his fiery aura which took off anyone’s health who got close. However, the aura could be subdued for some time with the magical water found in the cavern.

This had to be the magical water. Marcus filled five vases with the water and closed them with corks. Then he put them in the inventory and went towards the fire elemental.

It seemed that he had finished his task on time as he saw Artenos struggling against the fire elemental. Artenos’ health was low, about 20% of his total health. Marcus shouted and threw a vase at the fire elemental.

The vase shattered on the fire elemental’s head drenching it with the magical water. Immediately the fire surrounding its body went out. Without the fire, the elemental looked a mixture of black, orange and red.

Roaring, the fire elemental charged at Marcus. That gave Artenos a breather. Artenos took out a few health potions that he had borrowed from Marcus and healed himself.

Marcus, in the meantime was dodging the fire elementals attacks. The aura had been subdued, but the fire elemental was still able to perform fire attacks. Marcus dodged through a couple of fireballs and the flaming fist of the elemental. He also managed to hit the elemental a few times. Each of his hits took about 400 points of health off of the fire elemental. Marcus was happy about that.

The fire elemental had strong attacks but weak defense. Its major defense was its aura of fire which Marcus had negated with the magic water. Marcus and Artenos pushed the fire elemental but it was still tough. Even though it was not burning, it was still attacking fiercely.

The fire elemental’s health dropped down to 49,820. It roared. Its fire relighted. Marcus and Artenos stepped back. The aura was stronger than before. Marcus tested it. It now took off 20 points of health per second.

The fire elemental’s attacks also increased in size and Marcus presumed damage. They dodged its attacks. Marcus was waiting for an opportunity to throw another vase. He got it when Artenos lowered his horns and charged right into the elemental. He got major damage but the fire elemental was distracted. Marcus threw the jar and it shattered over the fire elemental. The fire did not go out and the fire elemental fixed its hollow eyes on Marcus.

Marcus threw another vase but it had no effect either. The fire elemental raised its arms and a huge ball of fire appeared between them. Marcus panicked. This was going to be a major spell and he was not sure he would be able to dodge it. Even Artenos' attacks seemed to not deter the fire elemental.

In a final desperate attempt, Marcus threw the last two vases together on the fire elemental. Its fire disappeared. The spell was also quenched. The fire elemental looked at its hands in confusion.

Artenos took this opportunity to drink a health potion, his final. Marcus took this opportunity to charge in and cast [Whirlwind Weapon]. His twinblades shredded the fire elemental’s arms and it screamed. It lost a lot of health points fast.

Artenos also charged in, growing in size and swinging his greathammer. They made short work of the elemental. It took five more minutes, but the fire elemental was soon ash.

They stood panting as Marcus got the notification.

Congratulations, you have defeated the Fire Elemental. You get 10,000 points of experience.

Artenos said, “We did it.”

“We sure did”, said Marcus, “What now?”

Artenos pointed at an altar at the end of the cavern. Marcus had not seen it before. They approached the altar. It was a simple altar made from a smooth and shining stone, grey in colour and adorned with pictures of creatures.

As they approached, light shone from the altar and a figure stepped out of the light.

“Congratulations adventurers on completing the labyrinth”, said the figure, “I am here to… Oh, what the gork! What the gork are you doing here again Artenos?”

The last line was almost shouted by the figure. Marcus looked at who had appeared and gasped. Leyda Lightweaver stood before them.