The Labyrinth

Chapter 1

The screams of the damsel in distress.

The roars of the savage monster.

In a bolt of lightning and a burst of wind, I would appear and swiftly dispel the evil beast.

Looking up at me with tears in her eyes, her love towards me would awaken.

My friends and I went on many adventures, travelling the world and rapidly gained popularity.

When I hung out with one girl, others would become jealous.

Children would push each other over to catch a glimpse of me as I walked down the street.

You may not have realized this, but this story was a work of fiction.

They were the thoughts of an overly-optimistic boy who completely underestimated life.

"AAHHH!"

The scream of a helpless human adolescent rang throughout the second floor of the mysterious dungeon known only as the Labyrinth.

But it didn't belong to a youthful damsel in distress no- the scream came from a thirteen year old boy- me.

"SCREEEE!!!"

I heard the scrapes of razor sharp claws scratching against the cold stone walls and footsteps that came closer to me at a terrifying pace.

"No, no, no...." I gasped as I pushed myself to continue running.

But thirteen years of neglecting to eat the right food and to exercise daily did not treat my body kindly, and I began to slow down.

"Ha... Ha.." I panted helplessly, trying to get more oxygen pumping through my body.

My entire body was in pain. I felt like I was drowning in a pool of my own sweat, my limbs felt like they were made out of lead. I turned a corner sharply, my black sneakers barely keeping me from falling down.

And there it was, the words of the gods saying to die.

A dead end.

"No... No... No!"

I slowed down, tripped and then fell onto the ground.

Chack Chack...

The monsters drew closer to me. I turned around and quickly scooted backwards until my back hit the cold wall.

So this is where I die?

All alone here, deep underground all alone...

This what I get for believing such a shallow and perverted delusion.

A dream.

Not a noble dream like world peace or the end of world hunger.

My dream was to become a hero. A popular hero surrounded in fame and fortune. I wanted to meet people, to at least have a nice girlfriend...

But that would never happen.

I will die alone.

They came closer. Satisfied that they had finally captured their prey. I shook intensely, my teeth chattering and tears flowed out of my eyes.

I... Don't want to-

SSHHINGG!!!

I froze.

There was a burst of wind and the sound of metal sliding against leather echoed down the stone halls. The giant mob of imps, goblins, and slimes turned around. That was the last thing they ever did.

A flurry of silver arcs materialized, each one cleanly slicing through a monster instantly killing them.

Sploosh!

Oily black blood spurted out from the corpses and splattered everywhere- including my face.

Ssshhh

The monster flesh and blood turned black and seemed to shiver before disintegrating into black dust, which slowly retreated into the walls. The only part of the monsters that didn't disintegrate were floating orbs of light- their aura.

I slowly looked up- to catch a glimpse my saviour.

It was her.

Long golden-blonde hair and crystal-blue eyes. Slender limbs and pale skin. A perfect face that anyone could fall for.

Badump Badump Badump

My heart bounced around inside of my chest, and I felt like it could shatter into a million pieces at any moment.

In an instant, the roles of my fairy tale were reversed- I was the one saved. But I didn't care. In a single instant, this girl had captured my heart.