Minotaur Retold
By H.R.C. Stanley
Based on and inspired by the 2006 film by Lionsgate and director Jonathan English
Prologue - Birth of a Beast
Many stories have been recorded of ancient times, from temple walls to human mouths. Behind even the greatest of myths, there's a history now long forgotten, for the better and the worst. In an age of gods and spirits, the known world was ruled by a dark empire from their island palace of Crete. They worshipped the bull, believed to be the most powerful of all gods. The tablets from ages passed recount that as the empire grew, their hedonism and greed knew no bounds. However, the people longed for more than stone deities; they demanded a living god. In response, sickened minds indulged in the forbidden arts and decreed that their queen should offer herself to the bull, to create the perfect being, a unification of god and man. As many months came and passed, the creature grew inside her, pure and precious, Every care bestowed. To ensure safe passage into our mortal world, it was cut from the queen's belly. Suckled on the blood of its own mother, the newborn was presented to the people. The palace hailed their creation and the power of the empire strengthened further. But as the beast grew, so did its hunger. In retaliation for the murder of a royal prince, a grave tax was placed upon many neighbouring villages and islands in the northern territories. Every three years, eight youths would be taken to the palace by royal soldiers, lowered into the labyrinth and sacrificed to the beast. The empire of the bull seemed more invincible than ever before as more and more sacrifices were offered ever since, until now...
