This Hand, For You

Um. Master. Hello.

？！

I am glad. Mash, Master, awake.

Oh Master, are you all right?

？！

I'm not sure, but it seems we are lost inside this labyrinth.

Communication with the Doctor has been cut off as well.

Fou.

Fortunately, Asterios and Fou are with us.

Fou...this...cookie...want...to...eat?

Munch, munch.

Good boy. Good boy.

It appears unless we get out of this labyrinth, we won't be able to contact anyone.

I will...go...ahead. Everyone...get out...of here.

Yes, let's go!

It certainly is dark...

Master...

？！

Sorry. It was...nothing.

...Wait. I smell...something...strange.

...I can faintly smell...

The smell...of blood.

...Master, stand back. I...Asterios...will defeat them!

Whew. Is everyone...all right?

Both Fou and Master are just fine. How are you, Asterios?

No problem. Continue.

It sure is far. It seems like this place goes on forever...

Fou...

Master, are you ok?

？！

Are you sure? Don't...push yourself.

He's right. Please don't force yourself. For now, let's just walk a bit longer.

...Hmm. I knew it...

What's the matter?

Here...turn left.

Do you know the way?

Yes. Used to it. This...labyrinth... I...grew up...here.

In the Labyrinth? I-I thought this place looked familiar...

So...I know...the exit. But...

But what?

...We cannot avoid...being attacked.

There are more enemies. Master, orders please.

Lead us...Master. I will...fight!

Master...tired?

？！

Master...if all right... I know...it's not.

But...hold my hand?

？！

You don't mind...I don't mind. Yes. This...is good.

Is everything all right, Asterios?

Why?

Well, it's just that, instead of going up we are going deeper and deeper.

Yes. That is...correct.

I see...

...Excuse me...Master. Master...afraid...of me?

？！

...If not afraid...then it's fine. I am...glad.

That...voice...

Asterios?

Stop, I am scared... Please stop!

Help...me...

...Heeheeheeheehee! Tasty, tasty, tasty.

...Ugh!

Are...you... Are you... Me?

Yes, I am. Do I look like anything, else?

...Stop that.

But this is what you did.

...I did...this. That's why...I am...ending this.

Hee, hee, hee. What are you talking about.

You know, this is what you wished! You wanted to eat, so you ate!

I am a Minotaur! I am nothing else than that!

I am...Asterios!

As long as...there are people...calling my name. I will...continue to...reject you!

Y. O. U... You think you can reject "yourself?"

You know, it's worse than death.

I must... I must...reject myself. I reject everything about me... I throw away everything about me.

That is...my...punishment. That is...my...atonement.

Master... Let's go... The exit...is not far.

？！

...Yes. Let us go.