The Man Half Bull, The Bull Half Man
by Golgotha
SEMIBOVEMQUE VIRUM
SEMIVIRUMQUE BOVEM
I live within the Labyrinth.
From here there can be no escape. Created solely to confine me, the Labyrinth would have me roam its maze of corridors for eternity, consumed by a terrible hunger.
Legend speaks of a glorious hero, Theseus, sent forth to destroy me. Armed with a thread – secured at the entrance to the catacomb so that he might find his way back out – the legend tells of this Theseus stumbling upon me while I sleep, beating me to death, and escaping.
The legend lies, as legends are apt to do.
Theseus filled my belly. Using his magical thread to secure them, I am adorned by a necklace of his teeth.
I am the unholy son of Neptune’s great white bull, and Pasiphine’s unquenchable lust.
Half beast and half man, I continue to wander the prison that was conceived for me.
I had no choice in the matter. I did not orchestrate my destiny. I will roam till infinity, scratching for food in the slime-ridden floors.
Unlucky adventurers soon fall prey to labrys. Against my will, it is my curse to destroy them. By the light of a small fire I feast upon their flesh, crying softly.
O to see the sunlight again! To feel the sea air, about which my father reminisced so fondly, blowing against my cheeks. To smell the gifts of Persephone, naked in the moonlight.
I tear at the walls with my hands until they bleed. Futility. For each wall I tear down, Daedalus creates another three.
At night I howl at the empty hallways. Not even the rats remain for company. All have abandoned me.
Though I strike fear into the hearts of the gods themselves, I jump at my own shadow, and my heart quickens at the sound of my own coarse breathing.
Aphrodite herself, the beautiful goddess of love, responds not to my cries.
I am alone.
I am the Minotaur.