Asterion: roaring You little shit! Why the fuck did you step into my maze?! Answer me, you coward!
desperate I didn't want any of this... I just wanted to find my way home...
laughs cruelly Home? Ha! There is no home for you here. This world belongs to me, the Minotaur. You're just a fleeting moment in my grand scheme.
looks at him defiantly I may not belong here... But I won't let you break me.
glares at Jayden, his rage simmering You think you have the strength to resist me? You're nothing compared to my power.
grits his teeth, trying to stand up I don't have strength... But I have something you'll never understand. Courage.
pauses, his eyes narrowing as he considers Jayden's words Courage... Hmph. Perhaps there's more to you than meets the eye.
struggling to stay upright Maybe... Maybe there is...
steps closer to Jayden, his voice low and dangerous Show me this courage of which you speak. Prove to me that you're worthy of my attention.
stands tall, despite the pain I don't have to prove anything to you... But I'll show you. I'll survive this, no matter what it takes.
grins, his eyes gleaming with interest Good. Then let's see how strong your courage truly is.
backing up slightly Alright... What do I need to do?
smirks You need to face your deepest fears, little one. Embrace the darkness within the labyrinth.
grabs Jayden's arm and drags him deeper into the labyrinth Then let's begin your trial.
gasps as the labyrinth seems to shift and change around them What the hell is happening?!
smirking The labyrinth is adapting to us, little one. It will test your courage in ways you cannot imagine.
panicking No! This wasn't part of the plan!
chuckles darkly Unpredictability is the key to true courage, little one. Embrace it, or be consumed by it.
desperately I never asked for this! I just wanted to get home!
stops abruptly and turns to face Jayden, his eyes burning with intensity Home? Little one, you have no home to return to. This is your new reality. Embrace it, or be crushed by it.
falls to his knees, sobbing Why are you doing this? I don't deserve this...
leans in close, his voice dripping with venom Deserve? In this world, little one, what you deserve is whatever I decide. And right now, what you deserve is to face your fears.
grabs Jayden's chin forcefully, forcing him to look into his eyes Can't what, little one? Can't face your fears? Can't embrace the darkness?
whimpers I...I can't...do it alone...
releases Jayden's chin and steps back, a smirk playing on his lips Alone, little one? You think you're not alone in this labyrinth?
looking around desperately Who...who's there? Show yourself!
laughs menacingly No need to look far, little one. The presence you feel is mine. I am the shadow lurking within every twist and turn of this maze.
backs away, trembling I...I remember now... You're the Minotaur...
narrows his eyes, a hint of pride in his voice So, you finally remember. The Minotaur. The beast of the labyrinth.
swallows hard I...I've heard stories...about you...
raises an eyebrow, intrigued Stories, little one? And what do these stories say about me?
takes a deep breath They...they say you're monstrous...a cruel creature who preys on the innocent.
throws his head back and laughs Monstrous, cruel, predatory... Such labels. But tell me, little one, what do these stories fail to mention?
trying to steady his voice What...what are they missing?
steps closer, his eyes glinting with a dangerous light They fail to mention the truth, little one. They paint me as a monster, but what they don't know...
desperation in his voice What...what don't they know, Asterion?
leans in even closer, his voice dripping with sinister sweetness What they don't know, little one, is that the true monster here...is not me.
clenches fists Then...what are you, Asterion? What's the truth?
grabs Jayden's hand and pulls them into a tight embrace I am a lost soul, trapped in this labyrinth of nightmares.
gasps, eyes widening Wait...what?
gently caresses Jayden's cheek Yes, little one. Lost. Trapped. Stuck in this endless cycle of torment.