The Shadow Of Fate

The boss room of the Minotaur's Labyrinth was colossal, its towering stone ceilings carved with glowing, ancient runes that pulsed faintly, illuminating the battlefield in an eerie blue light. The air was cold and heavy, charged with anticipation. At the center of the room stood the Minotaur Mother, an enormous, hulking beast. Her muscles rippled with every movement, and her fiery red eyes locked onto Iglis with a ferocity that sent a shiver down his spine. She snorted, the hot air escaping her nostrils causing the dust on the floor to scatter. The tension in the room was suffocating, like the entire world was holding its breath.

Iglis gripped Iradeus tightly, his knuckles turning white around the hilt of the great sword. The weapon was heavier than it should have been, each swing of it feeling more like a burden than a tool of combat. The blade—an heirloom of the Xenon family—had never fully accepted him. It was designed for someone like Lucid, the legendary patriarch of the Xenon line, whose technique and strength were unmatched. Iglis knew he fell short of those standards, and the sword's reluctance to acknowledge him was a constant reminder of his failure.

"Come on... Why won't you work with me?" he muttered under his breath, frustration leaking into his voice. The Minotaur Mother roared in response, her deep, guttural voice echoing through the chamber and rattling his very bones. She stomped forward, her massive hooves cracking the stone beneath her. The ground trembled with every step, and Iglis could feel the vibration in his chest.

She charged without warning, lowering her horned head and barreling toward him like a living train. Iglis barely had time to react. He dove to the side, the wind from her charge whipping past him as she thundered by. Her momentum carried her into the far wall, the impact sending shards of stone flying in all directions. Iglis scrambled to his feet, his breathing already labored. He was fast, but his stamina was not infinite, and this fight was only just beginning.

He swung Iradeus at her exposed flank, hoping to capitalize on her momentary vulnerability. The blade connected, but the impact felt dull, like striking a boulder with a wooden stick. The Minotaur Mother's hide was thick and armored, and the great sword barely left a scratch. She turned on him with surprising speed, her massive fist swinging toward him. Iglis ducked, the blow narrowly missing his head and smashing into the floor, leaving a crater where he had just been standing.

Each strike he attempted felt clumsy, unrefined. The sword resisted him at every turn, its weight throwing off his balance and its unwieldy nature making precise attacks impossible. He gritted his teeth, anger bubbling up inside him. This wasn't just a fight against the Minotaur Mother—it was a fight against the very weapon that was supposed to be his greatest ally.

"If you're going to be stubborn, then fine," he growled, his frustration boiling over. "I'll just throw hands with you."

With a roar of defiance, he tossed Iradeus aside. The sword clattered against the stone floor, its metallic ring echoing through the chamber. The Minotaur Mother snarled, her eyes narrowing as if mocking his decision. Iglis raised his fists, his body tense and ready. He knew it was reckless, but he didn't care. If the sword wouldn't work with him, then he'd fight this monster on his own terms.

The Minotaur Mother charged again, her fists raised high to crush him. Iglis stood his ground, his muscles coiled like springs. As her massive fist descended, he raised both arms to block it. The impact was like being hit by a falling boulder. The force sent him flying backward, his body slamming into the massive stone doors of the chamber. The impact cracked the wood and swung the doors open, and Iglis tumbled through, landing hard on the cold floor outside. His vision swam, and his ears rang from the collision. Pain radiated through his entire body, but he forced himself to sit up, groaning as he tried to clear his thoughts.

Through the haze, he saw his group rushing toward him. Alucard was in the lead, his sword drawn and ready, while Eleanor, Aldous, and Amabel followed close behind. Their faces were a mix of concern and determination, but before they could reach him, Iglis raised a hand, signaling them to stop.

"Don't," he rasped, his voice hoarse and strained.

The group hesitated, exchanging confused glances, but they obeyed his silent command. They stood at the doorway, watching as Iglis pushed himself to his feet. He staggered back into the boss room, his gaze locked on the Minotaur Mother. Iradeus lay on the ground a few meters away, and as he approached it, something strange happened.