Ariadne's string

Chapter 4 Part 2

TW: Blood

I came here with one goal, and I was going to achieve it or die trying. I wasn't going to die because of a bull, because a king wants to play games with me. No. I'm going to end this.

Adrenaline took over, controlling my movements, my brain. I ran forward, aiming for his ankles. It should be his weakest point, since they're not covered in fur. The Minotaur seemed to have understood what I was doing, and he tried to punch me. I dived out the way, my feet skidding over the stone. I felt the rush of air as his fist landed beside me. He had missed me. I fell hard, scraping my bare arms, but I quickly scrambled up to my feet. He was looking at me, scraping his hoof across the ground. How could I kill this beast? He was immensely strong, a brick wall in comparison to me. I just stood there, catching my breath as I tried to soothe my heart. My body was telling me to take short gasping breaths, but I knew that that was a bad idea. I took a long, shaky breath, breathe in, breathe out.

I gripped my sword firmly, standing my ground. I kept on calming my heartbeat, breathing in and out while the bull took his time to pace around me, choosing where to strike. He was probably wondering why there was only one of me, and why I had a sword. I kept an eye on my opponent while I checked my arms. I'd scraped both my elbows when I fell to the ground, but nothing serious. I saw the Minotaur try lunge towards me, and I ran the other way. I turned in a circle, ending up behind him, and stabbed his left ankle. I heard the roar of the bull, an anguished cry for help, as I kept running. I decided to turn back on him again, while he was hurt, and I managed to cut his other ankle too.

I didn't want to stay in this small room, but it was my only chance. The Minotaur probably knows the maze better than me, and this is the only place where there's light. I glanced at my torch, now a small stub of wood with a charred end. There was no chance I would survive in the labyrinth without light. I felt something tighten against my waist as I started walking again, and my heart went crazy. I whipped my head around, but the bull was still getting up. I had less than a minute. I looked down and found the red thread tangled around me. As fast as I could, I cut the string around me, grabbed the red wool and dropped it by my side. Then I ran to the opposite side of the room, up until the wall, hoping the Minotaur didn't see it.

Unfortunately, I didn't go quickly enough. He had recovered easily from my blow, and ran at me with full speed. I was cornered, I didn't know where to go. I was up against the wall, and it was too late to run sideways. He aimed his horns at me, and the only thing I could do was use my sword as a shield. I saw his flashing red eyes one last time before I squeezed my eyes shut, crouched to the ground, and firmly held my sword in front of me. I heard the screeching sound of metal, and I rolled aside, scratching my cheek. But that was the least of my problems, because when I opened my eyes, I saw what remained of my sword. A bent piece of metal with a long scratch over the blade.

I was glad I was alive, but the fact remained that I didn't have a weapon. I dropped it on the ground. The sword had prevented me from being stabbed, but my side ached from the impact. I clutched my hip, limping to a safer place as the bull shook his head and turned to me again. I was defenceless, and all I did was lightly cut his ankles. As I looked around the room, keeping an eye on the Minotaur, I started to get an idea. I smiled slightly, but then the pain in my hip returned, I winced.

I saw him charge towards me again, and I decided to treat him just like a bull. I jumped away at the last second, making him almost crash into the wall. Then I tried to run as far away from him as possible, while still keeping an escape route behind me. I was hurt, but I had a plan. He was about to charge again; I could see it. But now, I was ready.

I dodged again, running to the side. Yet again, my opponent charged. He was getting faster, now he realised I was hurt. I jolted aside, but each time I was a little later. It was getting harder to predict the right moment to move. I ran further away from the Minotaur again. I had to distract him. I finally reached my broken sword again, and while he charged again, I thrust it in his skin. He wailed again. This was my chance.

My mind was racing, and I wondered if my plan was going to work. I lunged for my torch, holding it with one hand as I held the wall with my other. I forced myself to run, but every step sent shocks of pain throughout my body. Still, I managed to get under one of the magic torches that lit up the Minotaur's room. I reached as high as I could with my old torch, and the tip just about touched the fire. The torch lit up, and I felt the heat of the fire on my face. I turned around, just to be greeted by two sharp horns, about to impale me.

***

I don't know what God helped me live, but an invisible force pushed me aside, making me tumble on the floor, and making the Minotaur skid and crash into the wall. I stood up, trembling from shock. The flaming torch was still in my hand, and it was a miracle I wasn't on fire right about now. I looked around, trying to find a sign. Just above the Minotaur, there was a small, silver, shimmery image of an owl. I smiled and sighed in relief. Thank you, Athena. I promised to burn her endless offerings if I didn't die.

The bull turned to me again, clearly angry. He charged at me again, but for the first time, I wasn't scared. Time slowed down. I could hear my heart beat in my ears. My hands knew what to do, and as the Minotaur came closer and closer, I stood my ground. It was dangerous, but I had faith. I waited until his horns were almost touching me before I ran to the side, throwing my torch on the piece of cloth he had around his waist. He wailed as ran around, trying to extinguish the fire.

I fell to the ground, his horns had left deep cuts on my stomach. My chiton was stained red. Blood started oozing out  and I sat up slowly, spots dancing in front of my eyes. I dragged myself to the pile of clothes, grabbing the cleanest thing I could find, and wrapped it around my stomach. It pressed on my hip, but I made it tighter. The pain was blinding, and I passed out for a bit. When I came to, the pain hurt a bit less. My cheeks were soaked with tears. I made myself stand, and it felt like the world was falling. I immediately sat down again. So this was it. This was how I would die. I can't even get up, and I have to make it all the way back. I had to, though. I thought of all the people who believed in me, the things Theseus and Phaedra sacrificed. They were willing to give up their home and family, believing I could do it.

I stood up, ignoring the dizziness. I made tiny steps until I reached my sword, using it for support. The bull was still rolling around, burning. I ignored him, because I'd done it. I was alive.