A MIX OF TWO WORLDS

The air grew thick as they descended further into the labyrinth, the passage narrowing the deeper they went. The walls closed in around them like the jaws of a predator, and Alex could feel the air growing heavier with each step.

The light from the sun above seemed to fade, leaving only the faintest glimmer from their torches to illuminate the path ahead. The tunnels twisted and turned, each new bend taking them deeper underground until Alex couldn't even see two steps ahead of him.

I hope this doesn't have a Minotaur, Alex thought, his nerves tingling with unease. His voice barely broke the silence as he muttered aloud, "Do they exist, by the way?"

Maya, walking just ahead of him, shot him a sideways glance. Her face held a sly grin as she replied, "Well, we'll find out, won't we?"

Alex couldn't tell if she was joking, but her words did little to ease the knot tightening in his stomach. They pushed forward, the older members of the pack guiding them with sharper senses and instincts honed by years of training.

Alex, still not having reached the age of thirteen, couldn't yet access his wolf side at will like the others. Instead, he relied on the pack's guidance, following closely behind the likes of Tanaka, Rina, and Marcus.

Marcus was leading them now, the light of his torch casting strange shadows on the walls as he deciphered the symbols along the tunnel. His eyes scanned the walls constantly, catching each clue, every trap.

Despite the darkening atmosphere and the weight of uncertainty pressing down on them, he seemed unfazed, his movements steady and sure.

"I know William and Sean said nobody dies in the trials," Alex murmured, more to himself than anyone else. "But I was starting to doubt that, given the number of close calls we've had. These would've definitely killed somebody."

The thought made his stomach twist, but he didn't voice his worries aloud. The group had placed their trust in Marcus to lead them through. Marcus was the brains of this operation, and Alex couldn't deny how reassuring it was to have someone like him at the helm.

The pack had come together in a way that made Alex understand, even more, what William had meant the day they met: Tanaka's leadership was special. He didn't just lead, they all followed him because he treated everyone with respect, no matter their rank or status.

Alex could see it now, in the way everyone acted, how each one trusted the other implicitly.

Hours passed in the winding maze, and finally, they came upon a large chamber. The air shifted here, feeling fresher, as though they had stumbled upon a hidden haven. Alex's heart lifted slightly as he took in the sight before him. Water, food, fresh clothes, and a supply of equipment scattered throughout the space.

It was as if someone had anticipated their needs and left these provisions behind, waiting for them to find.

"Must be a checkpoint," Rina said, her voice calm but thoughtful. "They must be scattered across the island, if we even are on an island."

"Everyone, take what you can," Tanaka ordered, his voice firm.

Without hesitation, the pack spread out, collecting what they needed. Alex took a bottle of water and a small ration of food, trying to drink slowly, savoring the taste of something that didn't taste like dust or sweat. His body, though fatigued, was grateful for the reprieve, and he allowed himself a moment to breathe.

Marcus had begun unrolling a map he had found in one of the packs. He studied it, brow furrowed. "I'm not sure exactly what we're meant to be seeking here," he said, his voice low, almost to himself. "I've seen a couple of markings. They say 'Seek me out and free me.'"

"Great," Maya quipped dryly, "another riddle."

"I'm not sure we have much of a choice," Marcus replied, still tracing the symbols on the map. "We'll have to keep going, but something's off. I'm not sure what it is."

The conversation was tense but practical. It was the kind of discussion that Alex had come to expect in moments like these. But there was still a strange, gnawing feeling at the back of his mind like they weren't alone.

As the others continued to talk, Alex listened carefully. It started as a faint noise, barely a whisper against the low murmurs of the group. He thought it was his imagination at first, the shadows in his mind playing tricks on him. But as he focused harder, the sound became clearer.

The distinct crunch of heavy footsteps, slow but deliberate, moving closer.

His breath caught in his throat. What was that?

Rina, noticing his tense posture, glanced at him. "What's going on?" she asked, her voice low and alert.

"I hear something," Alex said, his words shaky.

The others paused, looking at him. "What do you hear?" Maya asked, clearly unconvinced.

"I'm not sure. Something... moving," Alex muttered, straining to listen. But it was subtle, a low sound that seemed to echo through the very stone. His heart raced, pounding harder as the noise came closer.

Just then, the deep, guttural roar echoed through the chamber. The sound was so terrifying it seemed to shake the ground beneath them, a growl that rumbled in their bones, a predator's warning.

The group went silent, the breath caught in their throats. For a moment, nothing moved. The only thing that could be heard was the pounding of their own hearts.

The air grew thick with the foul smell of decay, of something rotten and putrid. The stench hit them like a wave, suffocating and sickening. The group tensed, their eyes darting to the entrance of the chamber, where a figure began to emerge from the darkness.

A silhouette took shape, massive, hulking and unmistakably monstrous. Standing at least three meters tall, the creature was a terrifying blend of man and beast. Its body rippled with muscle, its skin pale and hair matted, cloven feet thudding against the stone floor.

Upon its shoulders rested the head of a bull, its eyes gleaming with malice.

"Minotaur..." Alex gasped, his voice barely a whisper. "Fuck me."

The creature's presence was overwhelming. It carried an axe, its handle as long as Tanaka was tall, and the blade as wide as Alex was from head to toe. And it stank like death itself.

The monster stood still at the doorway, surveying the group with cold, predatory eyes. It didn't charge, didn't rush. No, it enjoyed the fear, the moment of uncertainty, knowing the group was frozen in place.

Tanaka's voice cut through the shock, sharp and commanding. "RUN!"

Without another word, the group sprang into action, with Marcus taking the lead. He darted through the maze, navigating the twists and turns, avoiding traps with an ease that spoke of his expertise.

But the creature didn't rush. It pursued at a slow, deliberate pace, savoring the hunt. It knew they had nowhere to go. It had all the time in the world.

Alex's heart pounded in his chest, his body on autopilot as adrenaline surged through him. He couldn't think, couldn't process. His breath came in ragged gasps.

"I need to get out," he whispered to himself, his legs trembling. "I can't... I can't go on. Did you see that? No way we're being pursued by that in an enclosed space…"

Rina tried to calm him down, but her voice barely reached him through the fog of fear clouding his mind. Marcus, seeing the panic, grabbed a bottle of water from his pack and dumped it on Alex's head.

The shock of it sent a jolt through Alex's system, his breath catching in his throat as he blinked, trying to clear his head.

"Nothing is going to happen to you," Marcus said, his voice steady but firm. "We're a pack. We protect each other. It's not about the individual, it's about all of us together."

Alex's breathing slowed as he processed the words, his heart calming with a newfound determination. The fear didn't go away completely, but it became manageable. "Lead the way," he said, his voice stronger now.

The faint footsteps of the creature echoed behind them, and with a final glance over his shoulder, Alex braced himself for what was to come.

The hunt had begun.