Blood soaked the field as the death rattle of countless men hollowed the survivors. Bodies covered bodies as their bowels mixed into a putrid concoction, an offering to Hades. The victors scoured the landscape, searching for their fallen comrades. The odd tear falling in despair for those who will never be seen again. All bodies accounted for except one, raising doubts of cowardice and desertion.

Dienekes gradually awoke in the darkness, his limbs aching from the scrapes and bruises that had set. The slash to his side, landing just under his chest plate had sealed and was much shallower than initially assumed. He had survived the battle, that had claimed so many of his comrades, but a new challenge had presented itself.

His eyes adjusted to the darkness as the traces of light allowed for only the briefest of sight. Fumbling around, he came across a wall, cool to the touch and slightly damp. Resting his weight on it, Dienekes rose. Across from him, he could faintly make out another, identical wall. Each stretching long into the darkness.

One thought filled his mind. ‘Where am I?’

Continue reading “Beast of the Labyrinth” →