Summary: a different take on the Minotaur in his Labyrinth, perhaps with a less tragic ending
Your heart beat loudly as a war drum, a ringing in your ears that drowned out the lamentations that greeted your ship.
Poor little noble, they cried as you were selected for the beast. Poor little noble, the king thought when you noticed the pitied looks from his face. You almost wished you were close enough to scoff in their faces at it all.
You, the heir of a noble family now chosen as a sacrifice to the horrific child of Pasipahe, a monster created by the gods for their entertainment. Yet if only they knew that others never felt the same.
As you and the cowering others were escorted into the cursed structure, you swallowed your fear as the dank smell of the ones who came before overwhelmed you.
Breaking away, you made yourself scarce in the crevices as the cries and shouts of others progressively faded away with each passing second. You didn’t let your mind wander to assume the worst.
Then, the lumbering steps clambered closer to you. The gruff snorts, low growls and hooves dragging along the floor
He paused as he saw you, an unreadable expression across his face that gave away nothing but also conveyed everything. Fear. Awe. Surprise. Shock. He who was your childhood friend now love who you wanted to free from this living torture before that arrogant hero got to him first.
“You’re here….they chose you?” With shaky breaths, you looked up at him with as much determination as you could muster.
“They did. But this was also my choice.” You held out your hand to him, taking the first step in a new life without any kingdoms, or gods, or heroes interfering.
A shaky gnarled hand reached out to grab yours as well.