Chapter 5

Out of the Pan and Into the Oven

Kamon yelled in agony as he was thrown against the wall by a huge creature clad in red armor and wielding an ax. Kamon slowly rose to his feet and started to hack away at the creature.

This has to be at least the twelfth one. How many more are there? Kamon thought to himself.

The creature finally gave in to Kamon's fierce blows and collapsed on the floor.

Kamon's breathing was labored. Mia rushed to help him, but Kamon had already passed out from fatigue. Mia pulled out some herbs and tended to his wounds.

"About time you woke up," whispered Mia, "I was about to give up."

"Thanks," said Kamon stiffly, "what happened?"

"You just needed some rest, that's all," said Mia quietly.

They both continued down the labyrinth until they reached the final room.

"You finally reached me, eh?" said a booming voice from the shadows.

Kamon's heart stopped as he saw a huge man step out of the shadows, wielding a large axe-like weapon.

"I am known as Astaroth, slayer of Heroes!" he yelled, "If you wish to leave this dungeon, you will have to kill me!"

All Kamon replied with was, "Don't let your guard down."

Astaroth swung his axe at Kamon. Kamon predicted that he could only swing the axe up and down or right to left, but this was not the case. Kamon quickly dodged the axe but found himself pinned against the wall, crushed by Astaroth's weight.

"I thought you might have put up more of a fight, but I was wrong," said a disappointed Astaroth.

Suddenly Mia ran and attacked Astaroth with an electrified rod. Astaroth quickly turned to attack Mia.

"Kamon! Now is your chance, hit him with all you've got! The magic seal is gone," said Mia as she distracted Astaroth.

Kamon nodded and sheathed his sword. He started to cannel all of his energy into one spell, held up his hands and shouted, "Ultima!"

Astaroth was immediately engulfed by a dark abyss and pummeled with a barrage of magical attacks, followed by a huge explosion.

Astaroth lay on the ground, weakened considerably, "Finish me now!"

"No," said Kamon, "I don't kill unless it's absolutely necessary." Kamon and Mia were finally able to leave the cave, together they were known as true Heroes.