Page 39 of My Fated Minotaur Hero

Now where am I?

The musty scent of damp stone and - is that kibble? - fills my nostrils. Definitely not the archives.

"Mia?" I call out, my voice echoing in the dim space. No answer. My heart sinks as I spot her bracelet on the ground beside me. What does this mean? I scoop it up though and slip it on for safekeeping.

“Mia!” I call again, a little more insistently this time.

Where the hell is she?

Before I can follow that train of thought too far, a sound catches my attention. Soft crunching, like ... I squint in the low light, making out two feline shapes hunched over a bowl. Cats?

Oh, right.

As my mind refocuses, I remember.

It’s the tabby and Mia’s calico.

Somehow, I am sure it’s Othrix. And what was hers called again?

Mary Poppins.

I chuckle to myself in spite of the circumstances.

If I don’t laugh, Iwillcry.

This new reality of minotaurs and teleportation is downright bonkers.

Kalen...

Suddenly aware of my presence it seems, the felines finish their snack and dash through a small flap at the top of the wall.

The top of the wall?

I realize I am in a basement.

But a basement in which world?

That’s the question.

I cross the room to a set of access doors overhead. They must open to the street.

Moment of truth.

I push one open and crawl out onto a cobblestone street.

But still, I’m not sure as I look around. It’s dark but I am almost surprised at the wave of relief that washes over me as I begin to suspect where I have ended up this time. I look at the shop I just emerged from.

Murks Magical Menagerie.

My jaw drops. "This is crazy, I'm back in Fablewood!"

The quiet, lamplit streets of the magical town stretch out before me. Gas streetlights cast a warm glow over the empty cobblestones. It seems the two places are at least aligned as far as time of day.

Interesting ... same time zone at least it seems.

Still, my mind is reeling. Yet another portal? If that’s even what that was. I'm so lost in my thoughts that I almost miss the unmistakable silhouette at the end of the block - a certain muscular minotaur!

Oh my god.

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