The Amethyst Flame

Chapter 10 - The Cursed Maze

“This is no ordinary maze,” I said with a shudder.

“What do you mean?” Arthur asked anxiously.

“Something is lurking in it. You remember those paintings of minotaurs and beholders we saw? I think they guard the maze.”

“How do you know they weren’t just there for decoration?” he asked apprehensively.

“Because nobody would put something so hideous on their walls. If we go in, we go together. I can’t lose you too...” I replied in a shaky voice. I missed my mother so much that it hurt.

“I won’t leave your side; I promise,” Arthur said gently, squeezing my hand for comfort.

We went through the center entrance, and instantly, our torch changed into a deep purple color like an amethyst. We weren’t sure why the color of the flame changed, but it couldn’t have meant anything good.

“Did you see it change?” I asked anxiously.

“I did, yes; what was that all about?” Arthur asked, perplexed.

“I don’t know, but I don’t want to find out,” I replied through gritted teeth.

A voice began speaking through the flames, causing us to jolt. It was the specter from before.

“Remember all that I have taught you. If you apply it, I guarantee your survival. If you choose to ignore it, you won’t make it halfway through the maze. Before I go, I have another spell to teach you. This one is called Invisilabra and will turn you invisible for up to ten seconds. To cast it, whisper aenum invisibilum aekum. I must warn you that it requires an immense amount of energy to cast; for this reason, you will only be able to use it once. I can’t help you more; the rest is up to you.”

The flames went silent, and we were left alone. There was enough dread to suffocate us both in seconds.

“I-I guess I’ll go first,” I hesitantly said, going deeper into the maze. Arthur followed me not two feet away and kept watch for monsters. Our hearts pounded from anxiety, and paranoia swallowed us whole.

After wandering the maze for a couple of minutes, we came across a wall with ancient runes. They were in a language I had never before seen and looked like they had been there for thousands of years.

ᛒᛖᚹᚨᚱᛖ ᚦᛖ ᛒᚢᛚᛚ×ᛊ ᚹᚱᚨᚦ

“What do the symbols mean?” Arthur asked, looking over my shoulder.

“I’m not sure. I have never seen writing like this before,” I replied, shaking my head in disappointment.

“It could be a warning,” he suggested.

“Maybe so, but we can’t give up now,” I hurriedly said, grabbing Arthur’s hand and dragging him along.

We began walking in the polar opposite direction of the wall when we heard the unmistakable sound of hooves hitting the ground. The echoing was growing louder and louder by the second. We knew that only one beast could make that sound.

It was the minotaur.