By Ashley Ghoul
A long labyrinth extends beyond scope all leading to one open space
Long after Theseus the king of Athens slayed the mythical creature known as The Minotaur the labyrinth itself has become a long forgotten relic of its own past.
In view stands a lonely minotaur all by themselves
Or so it seemed..
Minotaur: How dull..
The Minotaur has what seems to be a gameboy in their hands
Minotaur: What the hell am I meant to do with junk like this?? at least gold is shiny to look at.
The Minotaur is now looking down at a fresh headless corpse slain by her own axe
Minotaur: You know if you’re going to go through all the effort to disturb my peace you better have some cool shit on you worth sparing your life for !!
The Minotaur throws the gameboy across the maze like garbage
Despite the infrequent visits from those lost far enough to find her, the minotaur has found herself rather antisocial.
The Minotaur runs back to grab the gameboy from the ground
She then finds her way back to the entrance of her cluttered underground room and walks inside
Minotaur: Hey BunBun !! get this, some sad excuse for a human thought they could get me to surrender with nothing but an axe and a tiny box.
A plush Bunny stares back at her with no emotion while the minotaur leans on the bottom of her axe by her chin like a delinquent
Minotaur: Of course they’re dead. what am I going to do, knock them out and drag them through the endless labyrinth?
Taura (minotaur) changes her expression and picks up Bun Bun
Minotaur: You’re not mad at me are you?
..I'll do better I promise.
Time passes as it changes to night and Taura is seen sleeping with BunBun under a blanket when she is woken up by sounds and arrives back on top with BunBun in her arms barely able to make out a figure in the darkness.
Minotaur: Who's there?!
The figure creates a ball of light using magic and becomes visible.
Curator: Well then, It seems all of my effort has become quite fruitful
Minotaur: Excuse me?
Curator: Now, where are my manners? I sense you have been crying dear.
Taura tries to run off but is frozen by magic at the snap of a finger.
Curator: It seems my politeness has its limitations.
Minotaur: HEY-WHAT !
Curator: You see.. Recently there have been rumours about the sudden reappearance of a minotaur, but.. i’ve got to say i’m vastly disappointed. A few adventurers missing over such a cutesy..bull?
Minotaur: What did you just call me asshole?!
Curator: Now now, there’s no need to get more upset, frankly it's too much.
Minotaur: Listen. I don't know what you want from me but let me go and we can sort it out!
Curator: Well no, you see I'm a collector of sorts. In fact, artefacts of your original descendants are in my display.
The Curator holds Taura face observing her closely
Curator: You however are not as impressive, not worthy of my personal curation. How many generations of humans copulated with your kind to even make such a ..result?
Minotaur: Excuse me ??!
Curator: Oh well, I'm sure I can get some worth out of you yet. Rest well dear.
The Curator claps her hands and Taura collapses to the ground unconscious
Lying there alone in a claustrophobic looking apartment full of books and junk is a messy looking goblin girl bored out of her mind at a desk staring at the roof.
Hana: Motivation… Light headed..
..Snacks??
Hana uses a little stool to reach into a cupboard looking for food
Hana: uuuahhh..
but can’t find anything.
Hana: it’s barren O.O
Hana leaves her apartment and makes it on her way to the closest convenience store.
Hana: ..so quiet?
..and hottt
Hana walks around what seems to be a ghost town and finds a nearby store however there is a sign out front of the door
SIGN: CLOSED DUE TO TOWN FAIR SAT-SUN
Hana: I suppose fair food isn’t too bad..
Hana makes it towards the town centre and holds her hand above her eyes looking for food stalls or anything to eat and spots a large crowd
Hana: Crowds mean good food.. I think..?
Hana makes her way through a large crowd trying to get to the centre of commotion.
Town Entertainer (Madeline): Here ye ! One of the rarest sights of the century can be yours! (for a price..)
As we all know the highly praised Curator of this fair country's most wondrous attractions is well known to be in possession of some of the most fantastical of findings,
and this mystery bounty claim could be of high value..
Hana finally notices
Voice emitting from beyond the fabric onstage: AS SOON AS IM OUT OF HERE I'M KICKING YOU INTO PASTE ASSHOLE !!
Hana: Eh?
The Curator steps onstage
Curator: Let’s get the big reveal over with, and depart. I’ve seen enough. I was certain some idiot would have paid big for a mystery bounty with my name stamped right on it.
The Curator very dramatically holds her hand to her face like an edgy chuunibyou anime character
Curator I pray for the chance that at least one half-wit knows something of the importance of Greek history.
Madeline: ..you’re doing the thing again
Hana’s eyes become sharp
Hana: -Hey i know that edge..
Madeline throws away the fabric cover
Madeline: Whatever- Behold the great Minotaur!
Taura is revealed in smoke and Madeline realises she’s just a girl.
Hana’s eyes grow even wider sparkling in innocent wonder
The crowd is full of mumbles like ‘Who? What? Is pawning off bounty’s even legal? Is this a joke? She doesn’t even look that hardcore!’ and etcetera
Madeline (death glare): Are you telling me this girl is the murderous beast you had me hyping up for an entire week?
The Curator (Abigail) pretends to look clueless
Hana is already on stage in the next panel almost as if she teleported star struck at taura’s existence
Hana: UAAAHHHHH!!
Madeline: Umm..
Hana: NO WAYY!! A real Minotaur!! *hana glares*
..And absolutely nothing like what i’ve heard about !!
Taura: If you come closer I can offer you the limited time experience of my hands around your throat, freakishly tall goblin! :)
Hana: Ohh, Is it possible that I learn something interesting from you by doing that by any chance?!
Taura: WHAT IT'S LIKE TO SUFFOCATE IDIOT !
Hana (sincerely flattered): Oh I see ! i’ll pass thank you :o
Curator: Madam, Please excuse their verbiage. I admire your knowledge however if you aren’t here to offer me anything of equivalence, then i’m going to ask you to leave
Hana once again realises where she is and grabs her hands in excitement
Hana: Oh right it’s you, I can't believe it !!
Hana turns over to the Madeline
Hana: Do you know who they are, they look so familiar right!! ??
Madeline: She’s popular for stealing trinkets and boasting about them. Textbook archeologist.
Hana: Nope doesn’t ring a bell, that could be anyone.
Hana holds her hands together in excitement as something clicks in her head looking once more at the Curator. A badly drawn image of the Curator in ms paint next to a vampire anime boy in a cursed art style from an online post she once saw years ago.
Hana: NO WAAAYY! CRIMSONTERROR FROM THE ‘VAMPIRE-LOVE KISS’ FAN FORUM.
Your self-insert fanfiction is really something, you know?
Are you open to constructive criticism?
The Curator has become flustered
Curator: I-I don’t know what you’re talking about -PEOPLE! NO ONE LOOK THAT UP!!
Please get off the stage already! you clearly have nothing of value to offer !!
The Curator waggles her finger picking up Hana with her magic as Hana has a cheque in her hands
Hana: Sorry, I totally lost track!
Is a blank cheque good enough to trade for your ‘bounty’?
Feel free to write an absurd amount of money on it, preferably an amount that a completely metaphorical king wouldn’t think twice about.
Curator: huh?
Taura: CAN I JUST GO HOME PLEASE?!!
Madeline: me too..
Hana hands over the cheque (it's in her fathers name) and is bashful with her index finger in front of her mouth
Hana: ignore the details and we got ourselves a deal okay !
Hana drops all emotion and stares with judgement and disgust
Hana: I promise to not talk about your writings anymore either !
The Curator inspects the details, still completely stumped and confused as Madeline looks over her shoulder.
Curator: ..deal???
The Curator snaps her fingers and her vision from Taura’s perspective grows hazy and fades to black.
A dragon girl is seen watching from a highpoint smiling cat-like at what is happening
Madeline: again with the finger clicking Abby, someone’s going to get hurt-
Taura wakes up on Hana’s couch covered in a blanket of hearts and jolts upwards with BunBun in her arms.
Taura: ..Bun Bun!
To her right she spots what seems to be a bounty ripped in half on the living room table and a post-it note that says ‘don’t kill me in my sleep please lol :)’ with a pink fuzzy pen next to it and more of her belongings. Taura takes the pen.
She peeks through Hana’s bedroom door, opens it quietly and makes her way into her room spotting Hana asleep in her bed.
Taura sits at the bottom of her door blocking it and waits patiently for her to wake up with BunBun in her arms. (i will do everything in my power to not reference Gon’s sitting pose)
The panel fades into a dream of a little Hana at a young age seemingly happy with an obscured person reading her a book
Unknown Person: I’m sorry dear Hana, I believe this is all the time we have for tonight. It’s time for bed.
Little Hana: When will you be back again?! Please don’t leave just yet!
They gently put their hand on Little Hana’s head
Unknown Person: That’s up to your father, sweetheart. I can only be here with his permission and you know how busy he can be...
The dream fades away.
Hana eventually awakens and notices Taura and with one tear in her eye stars to rub her face
Hana: ..Ohhh, you’re still here?
Taura glares threateningly (at least she think she is)
Taura: What business do you have buying someone off as a bounty only to tear it to shreds?! What kind of game do you think you’re playing at?!
Hana: You found the bunny that came with you! You make such a cute pair !
Taura shows off the pen she stole like its some threatening weapon (its shines)
Taura: My question.
Hana stops for a moment to think sort of drained..
Hana: ..I don’t know.
..it’s just greedy money going into other filthy hands. I just thought about maybe making some good of it.
It wasn't my money technically either anyways !
Taura: Do you think you have something over me by doing this?
Hana becomes visibly anxious and babbly
Hana: No ! I-I mean i was also excited at the opportunity to learn more about you being a minotaur and all, but!! ..I was just stoked to help, that’s about it really I promise !!
Taura stands up
Taura: Then we both agree that I don’t owe you anything.
Taura throws the pen at Hana’s head and then opens the door closing it behind her leaving Hana on her own.
Hana: R-Right..!?
…
A couple moments pass and Hana goes to lay back down.
Suddenly very loud banging can be heard and Hana races towards it, noticing her front door is being knocked on violently. She then proceeds to open it, seeing Taura outside.
Taura: .. I don’t know where I am or my way back home
..everything is really open out there ….and you’re partly at fault.
Hana (razzled): Ah, I might be able to help !!
Both Taura and Hana are in the main room both sitting on the couch with bundles of books in front of them. Hana is holding one called ‘Greece: Fact or Fable?’.
Hana: Okay, all of the books I have right now related to your history are extremely old or incredibly hokey. It’s a marvel that you even exist, you’re a walking fable! What would’ve become of your home, is a mystery..
Hana distracts herself reading more of the book for a second
-wait, do you actually need to eat human sacrifices because that might complicate things?!
Taura: Excuse me?!?
Hana: Right, I’m sorry! How about we actually start off with things that we actually do know!
How about names? My name is Hana and I'm an ice goblin which explains my height.. -Ah, I’m also very far away from home as well!
-Completely by choice though hahaaa..
Taura: My time at home is kind of a massive blur all over. If I was given a name I don’t seem to remember. People usually shout ‘Minotaur’ at me.
Hana gets lost in thought again and her eyes start to sparkle (minotaur > taur > taura)
Hana: Well then how about I call you Taura !!
Taura looks mad but is slightly blushing.
Taura: What am I some kind of pet!??
Hana: No, of course not sorry!! I just thought it would be cute !!
They are both struck by silence and Taura looks even more overwhelmed and eventually huffs looking at BunBun
Taura: well.. cute isn’t exactly the worst… maybe..
Hana is beaming with sparkles in obvious excitement.
Taura is wearing a long black edgy looking jumper with skulls and stuff while sulking
Taura: I want to wear my normal clothes..
Hana: They needed some serious washing, what you’re wearing now will have to do.
Hana’s expression becomes extra smug
Hana: Plus ! It's extra cute on you !
Taura confused but kinda looks desperate
Taura: It’s cute?! I don’t mind anymore if it’s cute!
Hana: Of course it is ! >:)
(Subtitle: Hana has found Taura’s keyword for productive motivation)
Hana and Taura are walking around town in a seemingly improvised direction.
Hana: Okay we have a couple of options on finding you, your way home !
We can either ask around a bunch of places looking for advice.
Or, we can track that Crimson lady down and ask her how she found you.
Taura is looking around extremely fidgety sort of crammed up hiding herself
Hana notices her demeanour
Hana: Taura, you look extremely on edge.
Taura: I’m not exactly used to this sort of open environment.
Hana: Oh right, baby steps sorry! How about we get some food somewhere closed off and we can start from there instead !
Hana pulls out her hand
Hana: Here!
Taura: …
Hana grabs Taura’s hand and they both make their way inside a sort of tavern and are at a table.
Hana: This here is a place where all different kinds of people go to eat yummy food and talk shop!
Taura: ..it smells amazing
Hana: Hmmm, what is it that you were able to eat back at home exactly?
Taura: I used to spare people's lives for rations and stuff? If I was desperate, whatever thing found its way in front of my axe? Should I really get into it?
Hana: Maybe not !! How about I pick us out something safe !
Hana and Taura have a bowl of dino nuggets and Hana dips one in sauce offering it to Taura
Hana: Here, here, try it!
Taura eats the nugget out of Hana’s hand
Taura: hannaa..
..dinosaursh… ..are delishoush
Taura’s eyes glow as Hana clasps her palms lost in whimsy
An intimidating girl interrupts the two from behind with horns and a massive tail
Dragon Girl: Well, if it isn’t the two girls that were on stage the other day. Your performance made me absolutely bust my gut!
Hana: Hi?? Thank you? ..I think?!
The girl takes her focus onto Taura
Dragon Girl: Say, Minotaur girl. If you want I can take that little goblin of yours out back, and rustle her up enough that she forgets she ever strung you along.
Taura: Uhh, well you see.. Hana is my.. friend so..
Hana (lost in thought): ..rustle?
Hana finally realizes what she heard
Hana: FRIEND ?!!!! 😮
The dragon girls rustles Hana’s hair
Dragon Girl: Oh well, anyone who annoys the living shit out of Abigail is highly regarded in my books, so I'll let you off easy this time.
Hana: Abigail?
Dragon Girl: That shut in human that very likely kidnapped you? She's tried it a bunch with me before, but I always beat her to a pulp. I think that creep just likes the smell of my dragon breath at this point. shivers
Taura: You wouldn’t happen to know where she is would you?!
The dragon girl is crouched on the top of the lounge chair above them
Dragon Girl: Eww -I mean yeah, but why would you want to know?
Hana: We think she might be the only one who can take Taura home.
The dragon girl finally sits down properly between Taura and Hana
Dragon Girl: ..Taura? Hahahaha! Well ain’t that cute! Name’s Iris.
Taura: ..cute?
Taura is once again overwhelmed with the cute word
Hana: Pleased to meet you Iris.
Taura: I normally wouldn’t want to be anywhere near that girl again with all of her scary magic and stuff, but we might be limited with our options, so..
Iris: ..I'll tell you two what. It’s not every day that I get to see another ancient relic walking around little Minotaur, so this old girl has your back you hear?!
Taura: Thank you..?
Iris: Now with all of that said and done, how about we give our friend Abigail a little surprise visit?
Hana: Really?!
Iris is eating one of the nuggets
Iris: After the goblin buys me a couple pints, I heard she writes a mean cheque.
Hana: auhhh -w-
Panel of Iris sleeping on Hana’s couch like a slob
Panel of Taura sharing a bed with Taura staring at the roof as she’s the only one awake.
This outline has major spoilers, there is going to be a bridge between this point and this may be reworked but the idea is really ingrained in my head and I want this to sort of be how Taura’s first arc finds its conclusion
Hana, Taura and Iris eventually make their way to Abigail's big museum of her curations in a city far from where they all came from. (i want a little fantasy trip between all that)
The three girls make their way inside and catch Madeline touring people around
Madeline: The tsuchinoko is known to swallow its tail and roll around like a wheel, which is.. Uhh..
Madeline notices the three
Iris: Maddyyy, Mads, Madeline. It’s been a whileeeee !
Madeline is unnaturally nervous and blushing
Madeline: Ahh Iris, you wouldn’t happen to be here for me would you?
Iris: No sorry shortcake, us three have a little appointment with Abigail today.
Madeline: An appointment?! I don’t remember seeing your name in the schedule. Would Abby really hide an appointment with you from me like that? Oh god, did I mess something up..
Madeline looks frantic and confused
Hana: We don’t have an appointment, we’re going to barge in unannounced and interrogate her ! (hana says this like she is proud)
Madeline: Oh, that’s a relief, thank god.
Taura: wh- what are your priorities?!
Madeline: I’m extremely overworked, and would feel awful if I inconvenienced Iris in any way.
Iris: Daawww !!
Iris gives Madeline a big ol’ hug as steam comes out of her head.
Iris: Looks like this old girl is going to have to chew your boss out big time !
Madeline: Iris, you’re in your late 20s
The three girls make their way into Abigail's office.
Abigail is sitting behind a desk unamused.
Abigail: Oh, it’s you two.. and.. ughhhh
Abigail slams the door behind them with a snap of the finger
Hana doesn’t know if she should clap since she just saw a magic trick
Taura: Listen, I'm not here for more any more weird magic stuff I just want to talk
Abigail: Oh of course, you’ve come here to complain
Taura: I came here to ask you how I can get back home
Abigail: You want to go back there after all that trouble I went through for you?
Abigail leans her head on both of her hands looking smug
Abigail: Darling you should be thanking me !
Taura: Excuse me?!
Abigail: That mean old labyrinth of yours had a curse bound on you and I simply lifted it right underneath your feet.
Iris: Abigail, quit it.
Taura: What are you talking about?!
Abigail: Tell me Minotaur, do you remember much about your past? Are your memories distorted from years of seclusion?
Tell me, did you ever actually try leaving that labyrinth on your own?
Taura: Yes, I mean I've tried before. I used a map from someone who marked their way in and I followed it backwards. all I found was nothing. I tried so many times.
Abigail: That’s exactly the thing I'm talking about. Do you really want to go back to living like that again forever? bound to continue some ancient punishment for people and a god who have already been long dead?
Taura: I..
Abigail: You're finally free from the corpse of a fairytale that once shackled you. shouldn't you be happy dear Minotaur?
Taura is confused
Iris: Taura, she’s bullshitting. She’s just saying all of this to make herself look good. She's lied through her teeth like this with me before, arguing that we should be grateful for her presence. Next she’ll excuse bidding you off as if she was finding a responsible and wealthy home for an abandoned puppy.
Abigail: The wording is unkind but she’s not far off on the last part
Taura is furious and slams her hands on her table
Taura: What gives you the right to take control of my life like that regardless of what you think?!
I didn’t ask you!
I was comfortable alone!
And now you tell me my life, my home, the world I was born into, was something incorrect worth pulling me out of because of some curse or your own self-absorbed idea of pity?!
It wasn’t your choice to make!
Abigail Stands
Abigail: I agree, it was an arrogant solution, that is my mistake. Think about it more as me actually giving you the choice you never had. Now that the curse is lifted you are free to make that choice for yourself with your eyes wide open.
Taura looks defeated
Taura: You genuinely make me feel sick. I.. I don’t know what to think. Why are you making this so complicated?
Hana goes over to Taura and grabs her hand
Hana: Taura, I think Iris is right. She’s only lying for her own benefit and she's getting into your head on purpose. I don’t want to see you upset like this, so let’s leave for now okay?
Taura looks downwards defeated
Taura: You’re right...
Hana and Taura exit out the door leaving Iris behind.
You only get to see Iris staring at Abigail for a panel, with a furious disgusted look.
Hana is holding Taura’s hand leading the way as Taura’s grip lets go.
Taura: Hana.
Taura’s face is obscured
Hana: ..Yes?
Taura: Everything around me has been overwhelming and I've been disoriented from the start.. And people... I realize if I had the choice before, I wouldn’t have left even if everything was right in front of my eyes. The other side is terrifying.
Hana: ..I'm sorry
Taura: The curse she was talking about wasn't meant to be literal.
There wasn’t actually one to begin with, was there?
Hana: What do you mean?
Taura face is revealed to extremely hurt covered in tears
Taura: She was just talking about me the whole time, wasn’t she? The curse? I was the only thing holding myself back?
Hana and Taura embrace in a hug.
Taura: If it's okay with you.. can we continue to experience this whole thing together for a while..? Until I figure out if it’s okay to go back?
Hana: Of course!
Taura doesn’t know if she wants to go back to the labyrinth
Taura asks Hana about her past, and why she chose to leave her home for herself.
Hana explains her past secluded family life as the ignored daughter to a king that wanted nothing to do with her, and a mother she knew nothing about.
At some point there is a Chapter 0 showing Taura in a previous life meeting her resurrector maybe