"Being crazy is denying reality. Sometimes it's easier. Sometimes, reality is so harsh that you'd rather go crazy, or pretend that you are. It's strategy."

- The Returned (2013)

A mother rested upon her knees. Tears streamed down her face. Holding close to her chest the cloth of her daughters gown. Her supposed wedding gown. Placing the cloth down by her left hip she slowly stood up, muscules seen pusling against her throat and around her shoulders. Whimpers passed quivering lips.

Standing outside of the wooden hut soaked in blood, gore wounds pressed against a flat stomach. One even went clean through her left breast. Stood the weeping mothers daughter. Stepping forward, arms out stretched, the daughter looked towards her mother. Terror. Anguish. All mixed together in once beautiful golden eyes.

Knees bucked together. The mother was torn between running to the one treasure she helped bring into the world, while her mind screamed at her to baragaid the door. And thats what she did.

Gripping hold of the thick wood, splinters causing fingers to weep, she swung the door harshly causing the whole hut to tremble. Pinning herself against it, (using her daughters wedding gown to cover the cracks) Bracing herself against the door, the mother listened to the sound of the bloody fists pounding against the wood. All to soon the flood gates opened. Her body wracked with sobs. Rising her hands, causing the gown to fall to the floor, the mother in return banged against the door, screaming until her voice became hoarse.

"Leave me alone!"

Forehead pressed tightly against the door. Tears rolled down her cheeks, landing upon the cloth, causing it to turn a deeper violate. Hands continued to slap, (though not with so much force) knuckles already burst causing trickles of blood to travel slowly down trembling hands. As black spots danced across the mothers vision, due to lack of oxygen, she slowly allowed herself to slide down the door, wrapping her arms around her legs, sobbing uncontrollably into her knees.

Standing around the corner the father witnessed as his wife lay panting resting against the door. Stepping forward his hand resting upon her shoulder, he gave it a gentle squeeze trying to reasure her. The mother almost jumped a foot into the air, but gave into her emotional cravings and clung onto the father allowing him to rock her. Outside of the hut, the daughter watched. Bowing her head, as if admitting defeat she turned following a familiar dog. Hecate's companion.

Five years earlier...

Upon the island of Crete many years ago it was a prosperous place yet many had grow to hate the ruler even fear him. During a terrible incident involving an unsolved murder during the olympic months Athens and Crete became enemies; yet niether dared to conqure the other. After the terrible war that rained down on them during the rising of the gods and the destrcution of Thantos they didn't want to consum to even more grief. However there was one who knew of a way that would bring peace. Not to Athens but to his own city.

"I degree that every five years seven male and female virgins be sent down to Crete as a sacrifice to the beast of the Labyrinth."

The degree was agreed upon with heavy hearts. Athens wept for those they would lose yet they feared if they turned to the gods something terrible would happen. Bidding their young loved ones fair well they prayed that when their passing came they would be sent to the fields deep within the underworld. For fifteen years Athens lost forty two young virgins. No one had the strength to go against what had been made a new law; the beast who dwells within the Labyrinth is a creature that is part man and part bull it shows no love nor compassion, only hunger and rage as it devours on the innocent beings that come within its home.

No one knows to stop it or even kill it. The labyrinth is a dark and dangerous tunnels constructed into mazes that lead from one dead end to another. No light is giving to those chosen to meet their doom they must rely on their other senses. The smell of death plagues the area; blood splatters cover the wall, jewerly that can not be consumed by the beasts powerful jaws remain staggered on the floor. King Minos himself is sometimes seen standing upon the trap door listening to the sound of the cries from below followed swiftly by a belowing roar. Some claim that when they look upon their king they see nothing but sadness in his eyes almost like he pities those who are being eaten alive; but if anyone was to know the truth it would ruin him.

No one knows where the beast came from. Some claim that it was found in the forest running a muck with the hunting game. Others say that it was a punished soul who had managed to escape Tarturas. It's unclear how old the beast is some assume that its as old as time while others disgree claiming that it has no age as it can't age. The only thing that people do know is the sound that it makes everytime it feeds. Such noises haunt those who sleep in their beds. Some say that Minos lets it run free in the city to keep his people in line. The whole situation becomes confussing after a while, generaly leads to a betting game discussed over drinks.

During a cold winter month the worst that Crete had ever seen since the new rise of gods a couple of drinking buddies opened up the trap door; they brought a torch with them and desencded down the chipped stairs. Their eyes blood shot, pupils dialated, they grabbed with trembling hands upon the many pieces of silver, gold and other jewerly stuffing them in their pockets. Leaving one torch near the enterance so they would be able to find it again, dwelling deeper into the many corridors, the sound of snoring stopped them in their tracks. Laughing and nudging each other in the ribs they turned into what looked like a room; bones covered the floor a perfectly formed rib cage leant against the wall like the person had been sitting down before they became devoured.

Upon a stone made bed was a bundle of blankets which rose up and down slowly with every in take of breath. A random male was pushed forward, the torch given to him so that way he would be able to see what he was doing. The promise of three golden coins fueling his stupidty. Stretching his hand forward he grabbed the blanket and yanked it. At first no one moved. The sight before them, caused the drunken men to act like fish. Gaining control of their limbs, the men made a dash for the door. Pushing. Shoving. Each fought for their own safety. As one fell to the ground, dust covering his hands and flushed cheeks, he turned slowly at the sound of an angry growl.

Standing upon two large hairy legs a beast glared.

"Run!"

The screams erupting from the Labyrinth was enough to awaken the guard who was meant to be on duty. He charged from his post running towards the trap door. Opening it in shock to find a torch staring back at him. Pulling out his dagger he was about to descend the stairs only to jump back when a bloody hand stretched forward.

"Help me!"

The terror in the mans voice rooted the guard to the spot it was only when a bloody pale hand with over grown nails that grabbed on the poor mans shoulder caused him to lurch forward. The guard grabbed the bloody hand extended towards him and began to pull with all of his might. 'Rip!' It was like listening to stitching being over stretched. Glancing down, the guards mouth opened and closed, watching as the males arm was literally tearing in half.

"Don't let go!"

Such a terrified scream made the guard sick to his stomach. As he reached forward, intending to haul the male up by the shoulder, he found himself screaming in terror instead.

Watching in horror as a head poked from the shadowed darkness. Maroon eyes glaring at him as the mouth opened erupting a roar before it crashed down on the trapped mans throat tearing out the adams apple. Screaming like a banshee the guard yanked backwards, falling over as the wounded man was dragged down the steps crying for mercy. Scrambling on his hands and knees the guard slammed the door shut quickly locking it his stomach flipped at the disgusting sound of bones cracking, as the beast feasted.

The next morning as the guards came to switch shifts they were greeted with a terrible sight. The night guard lay dead upon the ground his mouth hung upon eyes unblinking his fingers wound around the lock of the trap door. He had died not by his own hand but out of pure fear. News spread quickly to King Minos. Humiliation clouded his vision. He always bragged about having the best guards in all of Greece. But it wasn't just that. He'd lost Crete men. It was almost as if Athens had slapped him in the face. A new law descended upon all guards ordered to watch the Labyrinth. Any who allowed another being inside, who wasn't an Athenian virgin would be decapitated.

Five guards stood around the entrance, each waiting to hear something. Only silence reached their ears. It'd been almost five years since the incident which meant, soon enough they would be forced to drag innocent men and women down to their deaths. Though their hearts were cold, doing such an act seemed sinful. Disgusting. Yet none of them dared go up against their King. Instead they shifted, each taking turns to sit down and rest their aching ankles. There would be no end to the madness unless someone stopped it.

Athens knew all to well that the fourth year of sacrifices was coming closer. The people start to mutter who can slay the beast and stop the horror that consumes them. While deep in the Underworld the fates whisper another tune:

'Who could ever learn to love, a beast?'

Welcome to :

Beauty & the Tragedy

Welcome to the third instalment. Do hope you enjoyed this small intro. Next chapter will be based in the Underworld. Please leave a review. Always like to know what you think.

- Signed The Broken Ghost