Gemini's Journal- Entry 5
You know, I've never had to worry about laundry before I had you… If I had dirty clothes, I'd chuck em' into the hamper, and the maids would have them washed, dried and folded within the hour. I had so much wealth that if I wanted to change clothes I'd just buy a new outfit.. this is all while I was living with the Old man.. after I became independent… I'm ashamed to say I used to skip a shower every now and then… Oh! But you can't do the same! …Be responsible Orion..
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…
…It's the start of the 2nd day. Even though an entire 24 hours have passed, the sun has not risen from its slumber, the moon seems to reign as the only celestial body in the floor, illuminating an eternal night.
But even if it's still dark, my eternal clock tells me it's daytime.. After about a 4 hour power nap, we immediately set out.
Tap– tap– tap–
We rush through the maze at a brisk pace– roughly half the speed of a cheetah at full force, with Klive leading.
I ran after him, "Don't wind yourself! You don't have to run full speed!" I warn!
"Of course I won't… it's just.. Something's off.. And I need to check.." he continues dashing ahead.
I pull ahead slightly, "Ugh.. What do you mean something's off! Speak man!" I yell!
Klive looks unsure, but continues, "When I use this tool.. I see a sort of path.. I can walk along where it goes.. it's not like I'm pinpointing on where I'm pathfinding.. but.. if something obstructs that current path.. It will remake itself.. And ever since today.. It's been shifting constantly…" he says with skepticism painted on his face, "I just don't like this.."
Still rushing along, I tilt my head and ask, "So what does that mean?"
As we round a corner he says, "It means.. Either something keeps blocking the current path.. Or our goalpost is moving.."
Then, as we take another left, we happen upon a troll– Its warted seaweed skin would tempt the weakhearted to hurl.
Sc-Crack!
But that is not me– I smash its skull with my bare hands as I trample over it in a charging stampede.
I shake the blood off as I ask Klive more questions, "Do you think one of the monsters in the maze got ahold of it.."
He nods- or shakes his head? He seems split. "Yes.. and no.. I think a monster has gotten a hold of it… but I'm afraid it's not just any monster we've encountered– but a beast placed to guard it.."
His eyes dart over to me, the same dubious look he's hurled at me hundreds of times; plastered atop them.
"I want to remind you! This is a recon mission.. We are going to see what we're up against.. Then return and make a plan–"
Without prelude– my head feels as if it's sunken underwater..
"O–I–on" Klive yells at me to get my attention but his voice is washed away in the sea..
Every hair on my body turns erect, simultaneously, I hear my heart beating in my ear– this feeling..
That acidic drip drills into you, melting through your flesh, muscles, tendons, bones.. And even one's marrow.. That vile ooze that sends all your bodily senses to full alert.
….Since I entered this floor nothing sparked this innate instinct in me..
–Fear
Swish~
From the bowels of the fog, a saw-blade parts the white sea.
!!!
I Lunge, and grasp Klive, avoiding death by a hair's breadth.
"AGh-!" We wail, tumbling to the ground as the weapon sinks into the marble wall above us..
We both quickly scramble to our feet and see..
Boom– Boom-
Within the fog, a Monster hid— not to shield his presence, but to protect our eyes from the monstrosity lurking within.
Booom- Boom– As the steps grew closer, I could feel tremors shoot though my feet and up my spine, almost as if shaking the floor.
Boom— Boom—
But as he drew in front of us, the fog couldn't protect us any longer.. and we're met face to face with…
"A.. man?" Klive whispered, though intimidated, his words held no fear, aiming to access our opponent.
Before us stood a towering monument, standing 8 feet tall, and probably 2 meters wide, brandishing the beastly head of a bull!
"A Minotaur!!" I yell!
The minotaur's leathery skin shone like bronze, as if it was a statue made of divine Brass!! Its white mane flowed down his back like a waterfall, and his crimson blood shot eyes bored into his prey!
I don't move.. Not out of fear.. But caution..
"*Huff* RAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH—" the beast Bellowed, as if a fire lit under him, and took action!
!!!
The beast lunges. In a matter of seconds, its giant arms entrap me like a steel cage!
In a desperate attempt to defend myself I raise my hands, and press my palms into his, attempting to somehow repel the goliath
"Ghhh.." My arms scream!! attempting to hold back the bull advance..
Skkrrrr….
My feet skid against the marble, as I slowly slide back!! I.. I can't gain any.. resistance!!
The monster's arms are longer than my entire body, it goes without saying the leverage he has completely trounces mine…
The beast shifts its hooved feet, and aims to pin me to the ground.. I can't begin to describe what it will do if that happens… so.. I'll push with everything I have… untill.. I.. Think of something…
"Ghhh…AGHHHH!!-" I shriek, attempting to hurl some sort of hidden power out my arms.."
"Bhh-" But slowly but surely.. My body crumples under the giant's grasp… It's just no good.. FUCK! He's just too- damn- BIG!!
My back starts to Bow as I'm slowly but surely pressed!!! It's no good.. I can't think.. I can barely breathe I-
"Orion!"
Piercing the dense haze, a voice shoots through me, clearing not just the fog in the maze, but the mist clouding my mind!
"Roll!!" Klive shouts, gifting; me the answer.
The Beast Bellows— this is it.. He intends to finish me with this last push, all of his strength will be put into it, and when he has me pinned, he'll maul me on the ground.
…
Perfect.
Instantly, my back curves outward and my legs slide into him!
"?!?" The Monster Hurl's forward, the force opposing him giving out unexpectedly!
As he topples down onto me, my feet fly up and stamp against his chest! Then using his own momentum, I roll backwards, and fling the savage off of me!
"Thanks Klive!" I cheer, as the Bull soars through the air and crashes into the marble.
Wasting no time, I rolled to my feet and crouched low to the ground.
The Bull groans as he lays on his back, seemingly reeling from being tossed.
And from behind me, "Orion! Now's our chance! Let's flee, we can discuss this more in the safe zone!" Klive's voice demands, I will admit it makes sense.
…
But I don't move..
…
Fight or flight, An intrinsically animal instinct woven into all living beings, the attribute that instantly distincts one from predator— or prey.
…I've noticed something about it. This attribute seems much more powerful in animals.
Whenever they are faced against odds they can't possibly overcome, the body will tell them to run, survival is an animal's most important desire after all—
But here's the thing.
When beasts of equal threat face each other, they can immediately identify it.
…When faced with this bull, my instinct doesn't tell me to flee: they tell me to be careful, but not run.
…these words could be misinterpreted as overconfidence, but no, this is a legitimate physical feature I have possessed since I was born.
The feeling of knowing when I'm outclassed is one I would never ignore– so in turn the feeling that I could defeat my opponent forces me to ask one question…
WHY WOULD I HESITATE!
Wiissssshhh~
The air hisses as I tear though it, As the Monster sits up, I slam my fist straight into his snout!!
!!!
Klive Roars in sync with the monster, as the bulls crimson blood sprays though the air, "Orion! ORION WHAT ARE YO-"
I Scream, "GO GET THE EGG! I'll BEAT THE BULL! JUST TRUST ME, WE'LL GET OUT THIS FLOOR EFFICIENTLY– LIKE YOU WANT!" I shriek.
My blow knocked the monster to its feet, retaining the strength to stand; yet it reels from the blow, blood flowing from its nose.
Though it nearly pinned me to the ground, that was just because of his leverage and size! In reality we probably have about the same strength– no I have a decent bit more!
That means despite being eight times my size: I can beat it!
Klive starts rushing forward, from the way his feet stomp against the ground you can tell he's Livid but I yell to stop him, "Stay back! You know this thing will rip you to shreds if he gets his hands on you! Just go get the egg and rush back! That's how we'll win the test!
Klive's stampede crawls to a screeching halt and he says, "... Ugh! Damn brat!" Then I hear his footsteps slowly hush, as he turns the corner, my eyes locked on the bull.
!!! "RAAAAAAAHAHHH—" The beast grows aware that the treasure he guards is in jeopardy, The past confusion on his face disappears, as he suddenly charges forward looking past me.
"OI!" As he attempts to brush past me I pivot on my left foot and spin with full force with my right.
Crack–!
My heel crashes into the Bulls rib cage, the satisfying snap of bone following right after.
The Bull squeals, as he slams into the Maze's wall, grasping his side.
"Word of advice! Never take your eyes off the prize!" I warn.
The Giant's breath slows… processing the pain.. Then-
"GRAAH!" like flicking a switch an immense rage flies from the bull's throat and not too far behind is his gigantic hand!
"CRA-" I raise my hands just in time and I swear what feels like a tree trunk slams against my arms!
"GH!" I fly through the air like a rag doll, and bash into the wall with the same grace..
"OOF! Damn I-" as I open my eyes, I see The bull over me, cloaked in the moonlight, his arms swinging down, aiming to crush me!
!!! My arms surge to life despite being a bit numb from the blow, and push me forward, sending me into a chaotic roll between the beast's legs.
But as I pass through its legs, out of the corner of my eye I see It immediately spins on its hoof, and tries to kick me!
While rolling, I force my body into a hand stand, and push off the ground, bounding into the air like some sort of acrobat.
As I rise, I hook onto the Bull's horns stopping my ascent, and swing onto its head.
Atop him, I marvel at His view, "Woaaah! The view from here is insane! This must be what it's like to be 5'11!" I yelled cheerfully.
But the Bull is not amused, It steams with rage! and both its hands soar upwards, aiming to squash me!
So… I drop!
I let go of his horns and slid down the beast's back, stopping in the middle, hanging onto the Bull's Luscious mane.
"Whew-" I nearly breathed a sigh of relief having barely slipped out its grasp, but it's short lived.
"RAAAAHHHH–" The bear roars with rage as its hands once again snake out to grab me clinging to its back! Crap! The only place to go is blocked by the maze wall behind us!! I'm screwed! this was a bad idea–
But just before it can reach, its hands stop dead short.
"Huh?" I look closer, and realize the bull's waay to bulky to reach the middle of his back, its massive forearms getting stuck on its own biceps. Making it impossible for him to reach..
I'm so stunned I can't even speak, for like half a minute he relentlessly flails, trying to reach me.
"...Wow.. huh.. All the lights aren't on upstairs huh big guy.." I say, shocked he hasn't given up on grabbing me.
Then as my back brushes against the maze wall, an idea pops up in my head.
"Hold on lemme help you with that.."
I Then squeeze his hair with a death grip then–
TUG!!
I Jump down and Pull with all the might I can muster–
BONK~!
The result is the Bulls head swinging back and BATTERING! Into the wall behind! A large cracking sound is apparent, whether it was the wall.. Or his skull… I can't say for sure..
… A silence lingers though the maze, as.. We both just stay still.. Neither of us moving for a solid minute… then–
As if coming undone, The Bull's body goes limp, falling on top off–
"Mmmph!" nearly crushing me!
"Move you… damn..!" I toss him aside, leaving him lying supine along the smooth marble floor.
"Whew…" I feel the constant adrenaline pumping in me slowing down… Damn.. that was fun~ but all good things must come to an end.
And with suspiciously perfect timing, I hear footsteps, and rounding the corner is that same miserable face, the fight left me in such a good mood, I can only greet it with a smile!
"Well Well Well~ if it isn't my conditional friend Klive!" I celebrate as I see Klive come into view- but my smile turns into shock as soon as I see what he holds.
In his hands he holds a ginormous gleaming golden egg: Its iridescent beauty even takes my breath away, it's the same size as Klive's torso, and looks like I'd be an invaluable item to someone..
"Woah…." my hands slowly creep toward the egg but–
Klive's hand slaps mine in a flash~ "Don't even think about it.. You have a bad habit of accidentally breaking things– case in point: Nova."
But I'm so cheery I can't help but chuckle. "Ahha! You gotta point.."
Klive seems almost repulsed by the smile, "Uhhh…" Then his eyes linger over toward the bull, then slide back, "Lets just.. get out of here.. No point in wasting time.."
I nod. "Alright, but one thing," I skip over to the axe embedded in the wall a few meters behind Klive, and with a sharp tug I rip it out!"
"Job's not finished if the enemies are still breathing! Mother's rules!" I drag the 6 foot axe along the ground, still skipping to the Bull.
With a Whistle, I raise my axe toward the sky, and say my farewells, "Well.. I'll admit it was a close shave… I've never had that much fun fighting– Hell ANYONE! So I'll wish you luck on your way down south!" I exclaimed.
My muscles tense, as I wind back, and with all my strength I swing and—
-Part 1/2 end.