Nighttime

On an island just off from the Skylanders Academy, there's a small forest.

That's where you'd find Sirin whenever she wasn't checking on Eteru. Nobody knew she was camping on the island except Fin-Point and that Quilin creature now called Saitama, which was saying something since not even Eteru knew where Sirin was.

She was sitting next to her fire, staring into it as she was thinking deeply. The Quilin, who had been following her around to even here, was concerned and he nudged his snout against her face, breaking her out of her concentration.

Sirin: Leave me be you. Shouldn't you be looking for a way back home?
Saitama: *animal noises*
Sirin: 😡Why must you insist on following me? I'm no hero, no noble, no royalty. No matter what that challenge of yours said.
Saitama: ... (nudges Sirin again)
Sirin: *sigh* I allow you to stay with me only because you insist, but believe me I'll only disappoint you in the end.
Saitama: *low moan*
Sirin: What? You hate me putting myself down? Well excuse me. I'm not all sunshine and rainbows like Eteru or Sun Dragon or any of them. Even Fin-Point has more sense of joy then I. You're clearly not meant for someone as dark as I... You don't deserve such a waste as I...
Saitama: *low groan*
Sirin: I couldn't protect Eteru when he needed me most. I spent my energy on some lowly kitsune and because of that I didn't follow Eteru, therefore I couldn't protect him from that monster Develon. Now he is laying in that "infirmary" they call it, aching and sorely depending on medicine and such when he should be preparing for whatever that prophecy of his has in store. *foreign language* I'm such a fool!
Saitama: ...*animal noise*(lifts Sirin's arm, letting it rest on his neck)
Sirin: 😕 You don't know when to give up, do you? If this is your way of saying I'm not a lost cause then it's not helping.
Saitama: ...
Sirin: ...But... I... I guess I wouldn't mind a "hug" as everyone calls it...

Sirin reluctantly wrapped her other arm around the Quilin, letting him lay down on her lap. She rested her head on the top of the creature's head as she ran her fingers through his hair, admittingly finding it smooth and soft.

Sirin: *sigh* I know you won't know what I speak of, but would you mind if I speak of things to you?
Saitama: (nudges Sirin's shoulder)
Sirin: ... If I have to be honest, I... I kinda miss Mitera, and yet I hate her still. She raised me as if I were hers, took care of me, fed me, healed me... but again she trained me, was brutally honest of my kind and of my home, and made me into this vessel of Darkness... Why do I feel so torn between missing her and hating her?...

The Quilin could only comfort Sirin as she held him close. She may have had a cold exterior, but maybe that was because of how she was raised and taught...

The next day

Sun Dragon: Ajey! Please listen! I want to invite you to one of my friend gatherings!
Ajey: 😐Um, why?
Sun Dragon: I want to get to know you better Ajey! We are both classmates in the Light Elemental Class after all! Besides, I want you to get to know Shield better.
Ajey: No offense, but she doesn't like me. She doesn't want to see me after that "little stunt" I pulled on her during the training thing.
Sun Dragon: But-
Ajey: No way. Besides, I don't do social gatherings unless it's of something of my interest. And this doesn't interest me in the slightest. See ya.

Ajey walked away as Sunny felt defeated. He didn't try again at that moment since he knew Ajey would only refuse him again. He could only wonder if her and Fin-Point had met yet.😓

Ajey was relieved she had finally lost the oriental. What was his deal about making friends with every single person or creature he met? She rolled her eyes at the thought as she found a small but quiet and empty place to relax. Octo-probe crawled up onto her shoulder and beeped a few times, as if he was worried.

Ajey: What? Oh come on you actually wanted me to go to his silly gahering? This is me we're talking about you know.
Octo-probe: *beep beep beep boop*
Ajey: Ha! Like that could happen. Look, remember what we're here for. We need to see about those rumors about Furori and Samuel being in Skylands of all places in the universe. Then we can think about "makung friends".
Octo-probe: *beep boo...*😟

Ajey petted Octo-probe a few times to comfort him. Her parents may have been crazy but at least they made her an adorable companion like Octo.

Suddenly she heard something shuffling in a rather tall stump nearby. She looked around the stump but couldn't find anything. Octo-probe crawled up the stump to see if anyone or anything was up there, but when he did something suddenly knocked him off. Ajey managed to catch Octo-probe before he could hit the ground. She looked up to see the "something" was in fact up there. It layed on top as if it was sleeping, but that couldn't be possible since it looked entirely robotic. It looked mostly vermillion colored, but had red, black, brown, green, yellow, and blue patches in its metal body. Parts of the robot looked torn, especially the cape, left side of waist, and the area under its left eye.

???: (shuffles) Mind your own business will ya? I'm trying to keep a lookout here.
Ajey: That's one half a**ed excuse for sleeping on private property.😡 Who or what are you? Some lazy cadet?
???: H*ll no. I'm not from around here kitty cat. And technically I have a right to be wherever I please. I mean, you call a stump "private property" and you're really a eco-rights-activist.
Ajey: 😡 Who are you?
???: (stretches out) Well, a rare few know me as Raychel. Many others call me the Vermillion Destroyer. But I call myself Ray. You?
Ajey: ...Well, a rare few call me Ajis Tomerarenai. Many others have called me the Killer of Uprisings. I call myself Ajey.
Ray: Ho ho ho, you're copying me b***h? Then again I copy powers from every other robot I beat up so what am I complaining about? So what's your beef with Furori and this Samuel guy?
Ajey: I'm sorry, were you ease-dropping on my conversation?
Ray: Some conversation if you're talking to a little squid bot.
Ajey: 😡 He's an octopus you maroon moron!
Ray: You say that like I give a f**k about it.😒
Ajey: B***h you didn't- (deep breath) What do you know about Furori?
Ray: Oh, taking anger management? Tell me where you've been taking classes because I got a friend who could use some anger management.
Ajey: You're avoiding my question robot. Start talking!
Ray: I'M avoiding your question!? What about MY question!? You still haven't answered my question pussycat!😡 So you betta start talking, what's your deal with Furori and that Sammy guy?
Ajey: Um, you don't care if my droid is an octopus but you care about two random people I happen to mention? B***h get your priorities straight.
Ray: Um, you care if I heard you talk about some random jerks but you're not considering what the H*ll I'm even doing here? It's you who needs to get your priorities straight a**wipe!
Ajey: What did you just call me!?
Ray: You heard me!
Ajey: Oh, you wanna go!? You wanna throw down with me!? Ray: Yeah, sure, bring it wuss!
Octo-probe: *Eep!*😨

Octo-probe really, REALLY, didn't want to be in the middle of the lion's den when these two started fighting!

Ajey and Ray growled and stared right into each others' eyes, waiting for one of them to move.

But then they suddenly heard someone yelling in the distance and it sounded like it was getting closer, and it was enough to to make both Ajey and Ray turn their heads to the direction of the yelling.

Ray: The H*ll?
Ajey: Wait... Sirin?
Sirin: GIVE ME BACK MY LUXGLADIUS SAITAMA!

Ajey and Ray stepped back quickly as the Quilin Saitama,  with Sirin's Luxgladius in his mouth, ran between the two of them as Sirin gave chase behind him.

Sirin: I THOUGHT WE HAD AN UNDERSTANDING! (Runs off)
Ajey: 😐 What the H*ll was that about?
Ray: How should I know? I've never met the chick!
Ajey: 😡I wasn't asking you dumba**!
Ray: Then why did you say anything about it wuss!?
Ajey: I AM NO WUSS! You maroon moron!😠
Ray: Call me that again and I swear I will wreck you.
Ajey: Yeah? Then why don't you go ahead and do it!?
Ray: Make me, b***h!😠

Um... Meanwhile, Sirin was still chasing Saitama around since he stole her luxgladius. She couldn't understand why he'd do that, especially after last night.

Eventually Saitama stopped near the docks, and Sirin was able to take back her luxgladius from him.

Sirin: What is wrong with you!?
Saitama: *animal noises*
Sirin: I don't want to hear it!😡
Bike-Trike: Oh hey miss Sirin! What's up?
Sirin: Nothing of your concern. Leave me be.
Vilay: *ethereal noises*
Shorebreaker: Vilay seems upset Sirin. She wishes to know what you were running about for.
Sirin: *groans* This creature stole something of mine and I was trying to get it back. I have it in my possession again now, so no need to inquire of me.
Bike-Trike: Oh so that's the Quilin thing Finny told me about! He looks awesome!😀
Shorebreaker: He is indeed impressive Sirin.
Sirin: Stop stalling and let me be!
Vilay: *ethereal noises*

Vilay noticed that the Quilin was doing something strange and turned everyone's attention to Saitama to see if they knew what he was doing.

The Quilin was pawing at something on a newsboard. He seemed like he wanted them to see what it was. Sirin took the paper Saitama was pawing at specifically and looked at it.

NEWS BULLITEN: Local Minotaurean prepares to attempt the infamous Maze of Minos. First Minotaurean to attempt the cryptic maze in over two hundred years.

Sirin: What of it Saitama? Is this what made you steal my luxgladius?
Vilay: *ethereal noises*😮
Shorebreaker: I don't see how it could.
Bike-Trike: Maybe he knkws how screwed that Minotaurean is.
Sirin: What do you mean?
Bike-Trike: You don't know? The Maze of Minos is said to have some fantastic armor and weapons somewhere inside. But whenever anyone goes inside... tch tch tch, they never come back out. And I'm not kidding it's the truth!
Sirin: If no one has ever been outside after being inside, then why put the treasure inside if no one could find it, let alone get out with it? It sounds like some kind of test of endurance to me.
Bike-Trike: Erm, you're not far off. They say that it was meant as a test of some sort, but the fear of whatever is causing everyone who goes inside to never come out has everyone on the island so scared that no one will attempt it.
Shorebreaker: Well, unless you're the stubborn fool that's going inside it now.
Bike-Trike: Those Minotaureans have a legend about the maze saying that a powerful warrior of their blood was dying, so the Ancients themselves built that maze in his honor. He went inside and placed his armor and hammer so that his reincarnated soul could retrieve them later, then he died in that very maze as he laid down his things. Ever since then, Minotaureans who thought they could be the reincarnation of the legendary warrior have been attempting to find the treasure and make it out alive, but as you can see that hasn't gone so well.

That reminded Sirin of something that Eteru, Sunny, Lassea, and Phobia explained to her about this oh so important Zodiac Warriors. The next one in the Zodiac was one called Taurus the Bull, and it represented a stubborn, down-to-earth yet sensual personality. The Zodiac Warrior Taurus the Minotaur Centurion was basically the muscle of the warriors, and that-

Wait a moment.

Minotaur, a half human half bull monster? Taurus the bull sign of the Zodiac? 

MinoTAUR. TAURus.

A legendary warrior who left his armor and weapon for his REINCARNATION?

Sirin: *foreign language* That's it! Saitama this is what you meant isn't it?!
Saitama: (leaps around towards Flynn's ship)
Bike-Trike: What are you talking about?
Sirin: Sorry, can't stay. Gotta go! If anyone asks for me, tell them to go to the Maze of Minos!
Shorebreaker: Where are you going!?
Sirin: To make up for not being able to help Eteru! (Runs off after Saitama)

Later

It took some talking- and maybe some threatening on Sirin's part- but Sirin eventually convinced a rather frightened Flynn to take her to the island where the Maze of Minos was located. She was determined to find the Minotaurean the article she read mentioned. She was confident that she had found the next of the Zodiac Warriors, Taurus the Minotaur Centurion. This would hopefully make up for not being there when Eteru needed her.

Though to be quite honest, Sirin wasn't familiar with the term "centurion". Must be some kind of warrior term considering it was the Zodiac Warriors that this Taurus was associated with.

It took longer then Sirin wanted, but they did eventually reach the Minotaurean Isle where the Maze of Minos was. Sirin and her Quilin Saitama excused themselves as they headed towards the entrance of the maze. And shefound a good reason why everyone feared it.

It was all in a cave system underground! The whole maze was under a mountain with only one entrance to it. No wonder everyone kept getting lost in there! If Sirin was being honest, that was somewhat clever and impressive on the builders part. Must've took them long enough to make the entire maze under a mountain.

So where was the Minotaurean that was supposed to be here?

Saitama started towards the cave entrance and pawed at something. Sirin saw that he was pawing at a white string tied around a large rock near the entrance. Sirin realized that the Minotaurean must've already gone inside and was using the string to keep himself- or herself, whichever they were- from getting hopelessly lost.

The string would also be Sirin's way of finding that Minotaurean since he should be on the other end. And from the looks of it, Saitama already came up with that idea.

Saitama ran right into the cave with Sirin sprinting not far behind him. Then cave was dark from a lack of light obviously, but with Sirin's capabilities in Darkness and the Quilin's glowing horn and mane that wasn't much of a problem for them. Sometimes Saitama would stop and look around silently, then he'd run in the direction the string went. Sirin thought the Quilin was being overprotective since he seemed to be making sure she was close behind him. Especially since there were Minotaurean skeletons here and there, many of them looking ancient and even decaying. But then after some time Sirin heard what she assumed Saitama was hearing as well. It sounded like... a grown man crying? More like sobbing actually. They must've been getting close to the Minotaurean!

Saitama suddenly stopped as Sirin was catching up to him, and she saw why. Ahead was what looked like the light of a torch, and the sobbing was louder then ever. After all this time in the dark, seeing a light was somewhat blinding for Sirin. She looked around the bend, and sure enough it was a Minotaur, on his kness, crying.

Strange... he didn't look physically hurt. His torch was just fine, and he didn't look to be out of string. What was going on here?

Sirin took a few steps towards the Minotaur before loudly clearing her throat, letting him know of her presence. Naturally the Minotaur was shocked and almost jumped at the sound, startled to see Sirin there before him. As Sirin spoke, Saitama ran a little ways beyond the Minotaur and stared at a strange symbol on the wall.

???: 😲W-what the!? Who the heck are you!?
Sirin: It's alright. I came to help you. I heard about this place and it's treasure and you, and I feel that you and this treasure could help me and my allies. Iam Sirin, that creature with me is called a Quilin I call Saitama. Your name?
???: 😨Uh... I-it's Arus(pronounced R-us for those who may have trouble reading that), and good luck finding that treasure, if there's even one here.
Sirin: What? Have you already given up? I don't understand.
Arus: Of course you don't. I don't understand it either. I've been in here since this morning, searching and searching for that treasure, but no aveil! I thought it'd be in the center of the maze like in those paper maze puzzles! But when I didn't find it there I thought maybe it was in the far corners. But still no sign of them! I've been all over his maze and all I have to show for it is noticing these weird symbols up on the walls! This one over here is way different from the others though, but nothing other then that! No treasure or nothing here I'm telling ya!
Sirin: 😐... W-well, if there's nothing here, then why not go back out and say-
Arus: But everyone will be expecting me to have some big hammer and shiny armor and everything! The treasure of the Maze of Minos is the pride of this island like the Core of Light for the Citadel or the Daystar Temple's Sheep Statues! If everyone knew we didn't have this supposed treasure, we'd have no legend of our own to hold up to other legends! No, I won't tell a soul of the false treasure! And I'll do so by staying here until I starve!
Sirin: 😲What!? Are you out of your mind!? Just because some legend isn't true doesn't mean-
Arus: This maze and it's treasure is our pride Sirin! We may fear it, but it's OUR legend! Without it, we're just some island in this vastness of sky! No wonder no one came out of the maze... no one wanted to tell everyone the truth of this place.😔 If I have to die to keep our legend, so be it...

Sirin couldn't believe what she was hearing. She stood there, her mouth agape, trying to understand how someone could possibly bring themselves to what Arus was doing.

Sirin: 😦... Are you a imbecile or what?! I heard Taurus were famous for their stubbornness and bull-headed behavior but this is just insanity!
Arus: What's that old Zodiac sign got to do with any of this? Is that supposed to be a joke about us Minotaurs being half bull?😡
Sirin: *sigh* Look, I came here in hopes of finding Taurus okay?! There's a centuries old legend out there about some group of Zodiac themed fighters that need to be incarnated and awoken every hundred years or something like that. After hearing about this place I was hoping YOU'D be that reincarnation like the legend of this place oh so conveniently states. But all I'm getting is some false hope and overwhelming pride from you. You don't learn to swallow your pride you're not only killing yourself and wasting a life, but others who may one day attempt this place will die and waste their lives just like you! Are you really this senile!? Did it not occur to you that maybe someone spend way too long building this place just to NOT give itsome purpose!? Who would build sucha massive maze under a mountain just to NOT hide some fantastic secret here!? It'd be a waste of their time to do such a thing, especially if I'm right about this place and the legend behind it are connected to the Zodiac Warriors of legend! So suck up your lazy-self's fantasy of no treasure and suck up your pride! We have to see if the treasure of this place is at least exists for certain before concluding there's nothing! Understand!?😠
Arus: 😨...
Sirin: Please... My allies- No, my... 😦My fr-friends need the help of Taurus the Minotaur Centurion along with the rest of the Zodiac Warriors... Please, prove to me whether or not YOU'RE the reincarnation... For Eteru's sake...😔
Arus: 😦... Sirin... You have people to hold a torch to as well huh?
Sirin: ...Try a whole prophecy Arus... A whole reason to exist even. That of which I myself are unsure of... Please, if you believe me for one second that you may be the reincarnation waiting to be awakened, please... help me in my journey, and I help you in yours...
Arus: ...You came all this way just to prove yourself to others too huh? I... I didn't come here for fortune or power. I came to prove something to others as well... Yes! I can't go out there without something to show for myself! You're right Sirin! There has to be something here if someone went out of their way to build a whole mountainous maze! My people depend on me to prove that! And YOU need me to prove something to your friends too! I can't just give up on them and you like this! We have to keep on keeping on! Thank you for reminding me of my purpose Sirin! (Hugs Sirin)
Sirin: (chokes and gags) Oh God! D-don't do that! *choke* Let go of me you muscle brained pep talker! *gag* LET GO ALREADY YOU'RE CRUSHING ME!😠

After Arus got all of his enthusiasm  outon Sirin he finally let go of her, making her fall to the rocky ground and leaving her panting for air.

This wasn't exactly what she was going for in revealing to this bull about her personal mission, but at least he's not going to kill himself.

Guess it's worth getting a few cracked ribs in the end... No, it is worth it...

Eteru's worth it... He always was...

Arus: So, um... got any idea what to do now?
Sirin: *cough* No you dim witted angus I don't! *cough* *groan* Mind helping me up here!? Seriously I can't feel my chest at all...*groan*
Arus: Oh, sorry! Guess you aren't familiar with the Minotaureans' "Thank you hug"😅. I got you now okay?

Arus bent down and placed Sirin over his back with her head resting on top of his between his horns. This wasn't exactly what Sirin had in mind either but whatever works around here will do, I guess.

But then Sirin noticed something. Saitama was repeatedly charging at the strange symbol on the wall near her and Arus. Was he doing that the whole time she was talking? He was specifically aiming his horn into the carved lines of the symbol. Sirin knew this Quilin long enough to know that if he was doung something he must've knew what was happening and what was to happen next. This creature seemed to be "two steps ahead" of everyone, if Sirin was using the term correctly.

Arus: Yeah it's weird. Every symbol in here looks the same except that one, but I can't figure out why or for what. I figured it was all a red herring.
Sirin: I know that Quilin too well. He wouldn't just charge at something just for the thrill of it. There has to be something about that symbol that we aren't being told about here.

The Quilin Saitama continued to ram his horn into the carved lines of the symbol as Arus and Sirin approached him. After a few more times driving his horn into the lines, Saitama suddenly couldn't move his head away from the wall. His horn was jammed into the wall and he was scrambling to free himself! That wouldn't just happen unless the space he was ramming himself into was just that deep... or that there was a space of air on the other side!

Sirin: Perhaps there's something on the other side of this symbol? That may explain the others. They weren't just decorations, but perhaps a distraction from the real entrance to the treasure?
Arus: That's a rotten thing to do!😠... But, I guess just putting the treasure in the center or otherwise in plain sight would be too easy😖.
Sirin: Can you break through the wall? If there is an "other side" then you should be able to break through with your strength. Believe me you have that kind of muscle.
Arus: I'll try it sure. It's better then nothing.

Arus took a hold on Saitama and helped him get his horn unstuck from the wall. He then cracked his knuckles and began punching the wall repeatedly with all his might! The sound of him hitting the wall echoed across the bends and turns of the Maze of Minos as he struck the symbol.

After a number of times Arus finally stopped and held his bare white knuckles. The symbol was only somewhat cracked in appearance but not enough to show any true weakness in strength.

Arus: *groan* That's a hard wall to break!
Sirin: 😐 Well no duh it's a rock wall. Maybe I should've brought that idiot Aries with me.
Arus: Aries? You mean you already found one of these Zodiac Warriors?
Sirin: Well, he technically found us, but yes he is awakened. *sigh* Never thought I'd say this but that ramming imbecile could really come in handy now.
Arus: "Ramming"? Hmmm... (😰🌟) I have brilliant idea!😀
Sirin: Oh do you? Please tell.😒

Arus just smiled as he walked to the other side of the tunnel and got into position to start sprinting. Sirin immediately got the idea and stepped back as Arus snorted loudly and charged head first into the wall.

And down the wall went! Success!

Sirin: 😨 *foreign language* That actually worked!
Arus: M-me... kinda hurt... (shakes head) I'm okay!
Sirin: 😨 Look inside already you moron. See it!?
Arus: 😲 Oh WOW!!!

Even without a torch the three of them could see the shining bronze armor and jade mineral inside. Arus took his torch and lit the ancient torches within the chamber, revealing the full glory of the armor and weapon of who must've been Taurus the Minotaur Centurion. And that hammer wasn't just some hammer; it was a sledgehammer made almost entirely of jade! And the armor was hung on an old armor stand, waiting to be worn again.

Arus had his eyes all on the armor like a child staring through a glass at the sugary candy on the other side. Eventually he gained the instinct to take the helmet and place it on his head. It was a little tight around the rim, but otherwise a perfect fit. Arus then decided to try on the chestplate, which had to be put on similar to how one would wear an apron. It was somewhat loose around the shoulders and large for the torso, but otherwise a good fit for any soldier. Arus then managed to unhook the lower torso armor from the stand and placed it around his waist as it was meant to. And it surprisingly fit just right. Man he wished there was a mirror in here so he could see how luxurious the armor looked on him!

Sirin rolled her eyes at Arus' excitement. Wearing the armor of a fallen warrior of valor was considered a mocking of said warrior where Sirin originally came from, but she knew the same couldn't be said of Skylands, so she kept her mouth silent of such disturbance she felt. She was honestly expecting to see a Minotaur's skeleton where Taurus supposedly took his final breath like the maze's legend says, but then again if what Sirin heard about the Zodiac Warriors were true then after centuries of waiting, the skeleton would just be dust by now. Saitama nudged his snout against the sledgehammer in the center of the chamber, looking up at Sirin. Sirin went over and took a hold of the handle and attempted to lift the weapon, but it was surprisingly and unrealistically heavy! Sirin couldn't even dig her fingers under the handle as it layed on the ground. Saitama tried to jack it up with his horn to give Sirin some leverage, but to no avail either.

Sirin: *groan* How is this possible!? Jade isn't nearly this heavy! Ah! (Falls backwards) Grr...
Arus: Maybe it's like Thor's Hammer. Only the one meant to wield it can lift it and use its power and stuff, you know?
Sirin: *groan* No, I don't. Please enlighten me on how that works oh mighty Minotaur.😒
Arus: Ok! Let me try to pick it up so I can show ya! It's like this! *groan*
Sirin: *sigh* I didn't mean literally sh-

Suddenly, before Sirin could finished her sentence, the sledgehammer was suddenly all the way over and behind Arus! Sirin and Saitama both jumoed back in shock as Arus was surprised and was moving backwards due to not expecting the jade weapon to be in the air this far. He managed to stop himself from running back into the wall of the chamber but his grip on the hammer was weakening. But he held on with every fiber of his being. If hewas able to lift it, he had to be able to swing it too right!? Not just anyone can lift the sledgehammer, only he could use it right!? He wasn't going to drop this hammer if it meant showing Sirin or anyone else if he was really Taurus.

No... He WAS Taurus! He had to be! He had to prove he was!

He was not going to let this hammer say otherwise! His mind was made up! He WAS Taurus!

With a sudden rush of adrenaline, Arus screamed as he managed to send the head of the sledgehammer right into the ground, causing the floor to crack open where the hammer smashed into it!

With a sudden light in the room coming from the cracks in the floor, Sirin was stunned and blinded. And quite honestly... scared for her life. She almost felt pain from so much light at once, but fortunately it died down. Sirin blinked several times before she finally saw it.

Arus wasn't quite the same. He seemed bulkier and more muscled and taller and leaner. The armor on him looked as if they were a perfit fit for him and was pretty snug looking. His eyes color had changed from the red color they were to the same green color his jade hammer was, and he had a nose ring of bronze just like his armor hanging from his snout like a cartoon bull would, plus his hooves and tail fur was now a bright orange color. The most surprising thing was that he was swinging the sledgehammer around easily as if it was a mere baton!

He... He was Taurus...

Taurus: Whoo! If this is what it feels like to sleep for centuries at a time instead of one century, then we should do this more often!😄 Thank you eternally Sirin! You have helped my incarnation realize his potential and awaken his true self! Now who said that this maze had no real treasure?
Sirin: 😲 Uh...
Taurus: No seriously, who said that? It definitely wasn't me because I'd remember saying that like I remember this entire maze! (Walks right into a wall) Ow! Not that way!

Later

It was all over the news. The Maze of Minos finally granted a Minotaurean access to the treasure at last! When word reached the Skylanders Academy, Aries was stoked like a fire and was rearing to go to the Minotaurean Isle to see Taurus again. Everyone was so thrilled that another Zodiac Warrior had awoke! When Flynn, who had explained that Sirin may have been part of the equation of Taurus' awakening, arrived at the Isle with Aries, the ram did hesitate to jump right out of the ship and ran right for Taurus and Sirin, barely managing to stop from so much excitement.

Aries: Ohmigosh ohmigosh ohmigosh TAURUS! It's felt like forever since I saw my old faithful ramming partner!
Taurus: (chuckles loudly) Good to see you too Aries!
Aries: This is wonderful! Now we can move on to awakening Gemini!
Taurus: Aww, do we have to? He's so annoying. Not to mention Virgo always worried about whether or notshe should refer Gemini as a male or female.
Aries: But he's one of us eternal, like you and I and Libra and all of us! Besides, we need him if we are to find the other Zodiac Warriors!
Taurus: *sigh* You are right I suppose. Guess I should prepare for an insane amount of new jokes and tricks from him when he awakens since we're so far into the history of Skylands.
Aries: I know, but at least I'm not alone in making new history now that you're here! It's so good to see you again at last!😀
Taurus: Well, I must admit, we have Sirin here to thank for that.
Sirin: What? I-I don't think-
Aries: Thank you thank you thank you thank you Sirin! This means alot to me!😁
Sirin: Y-you misunderstand, I... I'm no "hero" no matter what I do. And besides, all I did was show that there was more to the maze then tunnels and rock, I guess.
Taurus: Don't be so modest Sirin! You awoke me, and only a Taurus would know how to awake me!
Sirin: What? But your-
Aries: He means someone with the Taurus Zodiac sign could find him, like an Aries sign found me! Didn't you know you were a Taurus?
Taurus: Of course she did! After all, it takes one to know one! Ha!

Taurus gave Sirin a mighty "pat" on the back, nearly sending her face first into the ground. She grumbled in frustration as Taurus walked off to show Aries how much his hometown had changed over the ages. Saitama let Sirin use him to help her up as she still felt the pain of that "thank you hug" from earlier. She sighed and petted the Quilin for his help. If anyone deserved the thanks for finding Taurus,  it was Saitama. He was the one who made Sirin realize all the similarities of the maze's legend and the legend of the Zodiac Warriors. Not to mention he found the chamber to begin with. He deserved something... anything but a Minotaurean "thank you hug" at least.

Sirin felt a tap on her shoulder, and when she looked she was shocked to see Eteru of all people standing there!

Sirin: 😲E-Eteru!? What are you doing here!? Shouldn't you be resting!?
Eteru: Sirin calm down! I'm still pretty shaky, but nothing serious. Sunny and them told me not to follow Aries, but after hearing Shorebreaker telling me you ran off here I had to come.
Sirin: O-oh... that creature actually told you what I....? *sigh* Well you shouldn't have come Eteru. You're still inquired,  and didn't Bazookanine and Xilas get punished for leaving the Academy without permission?
Eteru: Actually I hear it was a written warning, but that may have been because of Rae's influence. Sirin, Shorebreaker said you wanted to make up to me for not being there to fight Develon with us. Is that right?
Sirin: 😳... S-so what? Aren't you mad at me for that? Even after finding Taurus it's not enough for you to forgive me... God how stubborn to think that-

Eteru suddenly hugged Sirin before she could finish. She was naturally quite shocked at this action. Eteru held onto Sirin as he spoke.

Eteru: Why would I be mad Sirin? You probably didn't know I was on a mission to begin with, and even if you did you probably wouldn't be able to come since Flynn was out thatday and Sharpfin was sending us to the Dragon Temple. Sirin I would never be mad at you for wanting to protect me even if you couldn't!
Sirin: 😨... But... Why do you treat me with such kindness Eteru? You're a Worldender! And I treated you like scum when we first met! And-
Eteru: That's in the past Sirin! And if there's anything I've learned, it's that wehave to move on from the past. Besides, i don't blame you for that stuff! I was from another place- this place- and your world was on the edge of collapse after Mitera... did what she did. And I may be a Worldender, but you should know by now that I'm nothing like the other Worldenders out there! At least in terms of personality. We both are a rare breed Sirin, and we have to live out our lives without fear of what others may try to do or say to us! Okay?
Sirin: 😕... I...
Eteru: Besides... you're my friend Sirin. I wouldn't be mad at a friend, especially one as sensitive as you.😊

Eteru hugged somewhat tighter and yet affectionately as he finished his sentence. Sirin was in a state of shock. Just... why!? Why would Eteru think all of that of her?! She's an incarnation of Darkness itself! She treated him like scum when they met, and fought! Her original people were savage conquerors who "created" Sirin just so she could be used as yet another living breathing weapon like the rest of her people were! She hated to be aroundthe light and lived away from everyone because of it! And yet despite all that Eteru savedher from Darkness, saved her from the destruction of Mitera's planet, and accepted the last will of Mitera to take care of Sirin?! What was he thinking?!

...

What was Sirin thinking?

Eteru was a kind and sweet soul, Sirin knew that too well. Yet he was strong and determined. Of course he'd want to protect her like he wanted to protect every living life he met.
Maybe... Sirin was over-thinking all of this.

Sirin's face heated up with intense blush with how close Eteru was and how long he had held his embrace on her. And Sirin didn't understand why she was so... so emotional about his being this way...

Why was she... feeling this way?

Sirin: 😳 I... Eteru... Y-you are a good f-friend to have...

Sirin finally gave in, and hugged Eteru back. He was a little surprised by the movement, but he was glad and didn't question it.

Looks like he finally got through to her...

---

Awww! This is too much to take in! 😂

And now Taurus is here! All the better! I'll put up a drawing of Taurus the Minotaur Centurion soon for ya'll okay? Cheers!😆🐉

Wait... screw it...

See ya again soon!🐺