The Betrayal
The Wizard and the Minotaur
Once upon a time there lived a very powerful wizard named, Lo. People from all over the world knew of his wisdom and power. They also knew of his trustworthy Minotaur named Eracimus. The best way to describe Eracimus would be a Minotaur with black fur, about 8 feet tall, muscular, and a pair of large white horns. Eracimus who was once a powerful Minotaur had grown a 'weak human side' while he had stayed with Lo. This was because Lo taught the Minotaur that life was valuable. The only way Eracimus was allowed to fight was by the use of magic and nothing else. Lo had taught the Minotaur several simple spells to use in battle. These were basic spells that would put an enemy to sleep.
The Garden and the Castle
Eracimus lived with Lo on the island of the Lost. This island was named the island of the Lost because, a lost civilization was thought to have lived there. This island was like paradise, plants, animals and almost everything you could imagine was on this island. The ancient ruins on the island made it clear that there had once been a civilization that had lived on the island. The ruins looked very Greek, possibly from the Cretan era of architecture. The castle of the wizard was a completely different story, though. The castle boasted 3 stories each with a different theme. The castle had about over 200 rooms, but most of these rooms were reserved for Lo' magical workings and few experiments he often performed. On the outside of the castle, the columns were designed to look like Roman columns. The windows were stain glass and when the sun hit them the inside of the castle was completely bright from the sun. About 10 of the rooms were reserved for living purposes. Eracimus, Lo and Lo's 8 human servants had rooms, and these were decorated to meet their needs. However, there was one room that only Lo went into, it was off limit to anyone else. This was like a temple; statues of the Grim Reaper were located everywhere in this room.
Deception
According Lo's side of the story he had asked Eracimus to help and protect him from any harm. Eracimus agreed with his request. Indeed at one time the wizard fell down with a sickness and Eracimus healed him. Five years had passed since this incident, and Lo had grown angry with the Minotaur. Eracimus had refused to do something for the wizard. Something that Eracimus knew it would have killed him. Lo called the Minotaur stupid, foolish, unwise and a lot of other hurtful words. Eracimus wanted to kill Lo but he didn't. He didn't have the courage to hurt anyone. Instead he ran into the forest, hoping to get off of the island. He ran as far away from the wizard as he possibly could. As the sun started to set Eracimus found a cave and decided to sleep in it for the night. Lo regretted what he had said to Eracimus but, he couldn't undo what he had said. All of a sudden he thought about the task he had wanted Eracimus to do. "How could I have been so foolish?" He questioned his flower. "A simple miscalculation", the plant responded. "Well what can I do, I didn't mean to say that stuff to him?" He queried the plant once again. "I don't know", the plant replied. "Look, I don't want to lose him! Eracimus has been a very good assistant to me; he has helped me with a bunch of stuff that humans could not help me with. Also I have a rather good textbook example of a Minotaur. I mean look, he has the features a regular Minotaur. It figures this would happen, first Maxim and now Eracimus. What should I do? I mean, I don't want to lose him. It takes a long time to break a Minotaur's spirit and brainwash them." Lo replied to the plant.
Hail from the Past
"I wonder why Lo had asked me to help him with something like that. I wonder if he knew that it would have killed me. Well it's too late to apologize. That is his problem, I've told him about stuff like that." Eracimus thought. The Minotaur took a nap as he dreamed about the first time he met Lo.
It was a hot summer day in the forest, and Eracimus had decided to take a short nap beside a tree. Lo was in search of a Minotaur that would help him. He walked upon Eracimus five minutes after he had decided to take a nap. "That is a nice minotaur. Just like the last one. He will make a good assistant," Lo thought as he looked over the Minotaur. Lo placed a small ball right next to the Minotaur, as he slumbered. Lo uttered a few words, as the ball began to move around. Eracimus heard the noises of the ball and slowly awakened from his short nap, only to discover that he was trapped in a small cage. Eracimus looked around and saw Lo. "I want you to help me. I will take good care of you," Lo pleaded with Eracimus. Eracimus didn't struggle but, stared into the wizard's eyes. He didn't understand what the wizard wanted and really didn't care. As he stared into the wizard's eyes something came over him. He felt his rage slowly grow inside of him, he knew had to get out and run away or kill the wizard. He also remembered about his brother that had got missing a few years earlier. "Well this must be the person that got my brother." He thought to himself. He stared until he couldn't take his rage anymore; he had to get away from the wizard. Eracimus slowly walked toward the cage wall and struggled with the bars. Lo instantly cast a web-like spell on the Minotaur forcing him against the wall of the cage. Eracimus snarled as he struggled with the confines of the thick web-like substance, until he gave up in despair. Lo watched for a few minutes as Eracimus struggled, and decide that he had to go talk with the Minotaur. He walked in the cage and noticed that Eracimus had anger in his eyes, "I shall call you Eracimus", Lo proclaimed. The Minotaur still stared at him and uttered the word "Chaos". "Oh so you know English, huh? Please speak some more," Lo replied as he heard the words. Eracimus opened his mouth and outstretched it from the rest of his body, as he did he showed his fangs to the wizard. The fangs were not a very nice sight to Lo. They were very sharp and long and they looked like ivory. He stared at Lo, and Lo stared back at him. Not knowing what to do, Lo slowly brought his hand close to the Minotaur's mouth. Eracimus thinking he had Lo right where he wanted him closed his mouth on the wizard's hand. "Don't play that game with me!" Lo proclaimed as he retrieved his hand from Eracimus's mouth. The Minotaur's salvia was pasted on the hand of the wizard, Lo hurried to wipe it off. The Minotaur's stomach growled as Lo stared at him, "Minotaurus est esuriens," Eracimus commented as he looked at Lo. "You're hungry?" Lo questioned as he looked at Eracimus's abs. Eracimus slowly closed his eyes and slowly opened them back up. He roared as he broke free from the web-like spell, and slowly walked toward Lo and stared at the wizard. Eracimus's rage had subsided as he walked over to the wizard. "The name you have given me is not my real name, but I will use it. I will help you." Eracimus informed Lo. "I must go get something to eat. I am very hungry", the Minotaur informed Lo. Later on that afternoon, Eracimus traveled to the castle with Lo and was told how he could help the wizard. About 3 years about the capture Lo had asked Eracimus, "How old are you?" "I am 24. Why", Eracimus replied. It had been 2 years since that incident. Eracimus dreamed long and hard on this and his future.
A New Day
As the sun rose from it horizon Eracimus slowly awoke from his sleep. Eracimus heard the chimes of the nearby continent's Clock Tower because the nearby continent was very close. Indeed, close enough for him to see the continent from his current position. "I must go there", he thought. He went back into to the forest and fashioned a boat out of a trunk. "I will be free now. I will not face any more hurtful words", he proclaimed. Meanwhile back at the castle, Lo was thinking of a way to get back Eracimus. "I might just have it, oh yes!" Lo proclaimed. "Yes! I will recapture him like I did before. "I don't think it will be that easy! He may end up hurting you or maybe even killing you! You have to also remember about Maxim. He may try to find Maxim." The plant told in an informer voice. "What! He will not kill me! He didn't kill me when I got mad with him. He had a golden opportunity! As for him finding Maxim it is rather impossible." Lo exclaimed in a confident voice as he looked at the plant.
Eracimus had finally reached the continent and got out of the boat that he had made. The town was very small. The buildings were grouped in a sort of semicircle pattern. In all there were about 5 buildings. These were the very basic buildings that sold everyday stuff that you would need. Weapons, food, clothing, books, and writing supplies were all sold at these stores. Lucky, Lo had taught both Minotaurs how to read. "I need to know where I am. I must finally some information," he thought. He read the sign as he walked up to it. "Welcome! If you need information, please proceed to this building", the sign said as he read it. Eracimus looked at the building in the center of the semicircle. "There it is! They might have some information." He thought.
Question for the Clerk and question for the Minotaur
He walked into the building to a room full of paper all on one desk. "Welcome!" A voice said as it showed its true form. A beautiful human woman rose from the pile of papers. She wore a blue shirt with some black pants. "How my I help you!" She replied energetically in a very happy tone. "Where am I, I mean what is the name of this city?" Eracimus questioned. "Well, you are in the city of Hepatus. In which it is part of the nation of Espatus. You are so beautiful" The clerk replied. "What is your name?" The Minotaur questioned. "My name is Cindy. What is your name?" She remarked. "My name is Eracimus." The Minotaur stated. "Well! You must know Maxim, huh." She queried. "No, why?" He replied. "Well that makes two in the past six years." Cindy informed the Minotaur. "Well he must have known Lo. He had to." Eracimus commented. "He lives in the forest. Go see if you can talk to him. He is really friendly, just don't make him mad. He is a very smart Minotaur. He may have lots of muscles but he has a brain too. Very smart!" Cindy told as the Minotaur walked out the door. "Thank You", Eracimus answered back to Cindy. Eracimus had a new mission, to find Maxim.
The New Mission
He walked out the city to a large area of forest. It was about five minutes away from the city. The forest was dense with animal life and the trees provided shade to a weary traveler. The trees would provide many things for anyone and Eracimus knew this. There was a small stream right beside the tree and it steadily flowed on its path. It was the smell of flowers that really got his attention. They smelled very sweet and potent at the same time. "Hmm... The same flowers from the island." He thought. Eracimus took a few minutes and observed the flowers. Vines crawled up and down the tree giving off more scents from their flowers. Brambles provided addition smells from their flowers as well, but they also produced fruits. Eracimus picked a berry from the vine and ate it. "Very good!" He exclaimed to the bramble. He looked at his hand and noticed that he had the berry's juice on it. He licked his hands cleaned as he continued his quest. He traveled into the forest about five minutes, and he noticed some smoke. He traveled deeper into the forest until he came upon the source of the smoke. There before him laid a normal sized camp fire. To the north of this fire, he noticed a Minotaur seated next to the fire. The sun slowly started to set as he finally found the Minotaur.
The quest comes to an end
The forest slowly became alive with the sounds of the night creatures. Eracimus observed the Minotaur. This Minotaur was a lot muscular then Eracimus. Maxim had brown fur, longer and thicker horns, and bigger hooves than Eracimus. He was tall than Eracimus. Eracimus was about 8 feet tall, while Maxim was about 9 ½ feet tall. His muscles were twice the size of Eracimus's muscles. "He must be able to pick up more than me. He looks so strong. He might be too muscular for his own good. He would probably make an excellent body builder." Eracimus thought. As Eracimus looked over the Minotaur he noticed several cuts across the Minotaur's body, two that really stood out were the cuts across the eye and the arm. This cut looked like it had been there for a long time. The collection of books on the left side of Maxim told Eracimus that Maxim was indeed smart, just like him. "Hey! Do you know Lo?" Eracimus questioned the Minotaur. "Yes, but it is none of your con..." The Minotaur had stopped talking once he had looked at Eracimus. They both looked at each. "Wait! I remember you! We are brothers, are we not?" Maxim questioned in his usual harsh voice. "I guess. I mean I had my brother to get missing. Besides you do look familiar." Eracimus replied as he looked close at Maxim's face. "What? Did he capture you too?" Maxim inquired Eracimus. "Yes, did you hear of my capture? Why did you disobey and run away?" Eracimus questioned him. "Yes I heard. I also did the same thing you did, Eracimus. That is why I ran away." Maxim replied. They looked at each and embraced in a warm hug. "What are we going to do?" Eracimus question the other Minotaur. "We will ask him to leave us alone. If he doesn't do what we ask him, we will kill him! Besides we need to get some rest, tomorrow will be a busy day." Maxim expressed.
Back at the Castle
Meanwhile back at the castle, Lo watched the two Minotaurs through his crystal ball. "Hmm... that other minotaur seems very familiar. That must be Maxim. That is great! Now I can capture both of them! Those fools will not know what hit them, when I'm finished with them!" Lo exclaimed as he chuckled softly. The castle's Clock Tower chimed twelve times, it was now midnight. "I will travel tomorrow and capture both them once again." He thought as he started his travel to the dream world. The sun rose as the Clock Tower chimed seven times. "Yes! Now I will go!" The wizard expressed. Lo summoned one of his human servants to get the sail ship out of its mooring. Lo got on the ship and sailed to the nearby continent. He knew right where to travel after he got off of the ship. He travel pass the town to the forest, he traveled deep into the forest to find their camp. "I will surprise them!" He thought as he sat down on a log. The Minotaurs had gone out for a walk in the forest, they were both hungry and in search of food. They both came back after filling themselves with food, only to find Lo setting on a log. Lo smelled the strong musk of the two Minotaurs and looked at each of them with a 'you stink' look.
Confrontation
"What do you want from me? I left you because of a foolish request, that you knew it would have killed me. What more do you want?" Eracimus questioned Lo. "I am so sorry. This goes not only to you but to you also, Maxim." Lo expressed. Maxim looked at Lo with hatred in his face. Maxim's face turned to that of a face of pure hatred. The lips kind of in a frown, but at the same time showing his teeth. His fangs were clearing showing from the lips. "Yes! Maxim you remember me don't you? I am very sorry. That is why I like you! Look at that face! Your eyes show the torment you can inflict on a person. I bet you would torment someone just with that look. You would also get pleasure out of making someone die, a very slow death. Ah! You also overcome my brainwashing and restored your values! I am very surprised. I mean look at him, Eracimus. Do you want to live the rest of your life with him?" Lo taunted as he continued to look at Maxim. Maxim's anger grew more and more inside. Eracimus noticed Maxim's anger, he knew that it was like a time bomb only waiting to go off. "Okay Lo! Its time for you to decide what your fate is going to be! Which is it? You run away or fight!" Maxim expressed in a deeper and harsher voice. Eracimus noticed the change in Maxim's voice. "What is wrong with you?" Eracimus questioned the Minotaur. Maxim threw an evil glare at Eracimus. He looked in Maxim's eyes and conformed what Lo had talked about. He saw it in the Minotaur's eyes, the extreme torture, the conquering spirit, and the ultimate strength of this Minotaur. He thought on these things and knew that he was the textbook example Lo had been talking about. Eracimus slowly backed away from Maxim as he thought different about the Minotaur after seeing what he had saw. Maxim stared deep into Eracimus's eyes only to find the soft side of the Minotaur showing. He saw that Eracimus didn't want to fight.
Maxim's Answer
"I am just sick of him. Are you going to fight, or give up? I mean you got me in this fight." Maxim replied. "I will fight. It's just that..." Eracimus tried to finish but he couldn't. He didn't know how to tell the Minotaur. "It's just what? Tell me! If you don't I will fight you instead of Lo!" Maxim stated as his anger grew more. "Look at you! I am not worthy of fighting by your side. I am a weak and pathetic minotaur compared to you." Eracimus replied as he rudely stared into Maxim eyes. "Hmm... I see. Well you must grow strong, Eracimus I think he has brainwashed you and destroyed your spirit. Your values have been destroyed. Now is the time to fight. These values that are in my eyes are here because, I have seen various things. I have had people that tried to kill me. Now is the time for you to put aside your weak side and join me!" Maxim exclaimed. Lo thought this was a perfect time to taunt the Minotaurs. "Well! It seems like Eracimus doesn't want to fight Maxim." Lo retorted.
Maxim's Anger
"You fool! How dare you! I will take pleasure in making you die a slow death. Death come forth, you will receive this wizard today!" Maxim replied as he crouched down to the ground. Death appeared before the Minotaur about five seconds after he called him. The wizard was astonished at the Grim Reaper. Death was dressed in a black robe and had his scythe with him. The Grim Reaper body's showed that in fact he was undead because it was just a skeleton, no flesh or anything else. "Yes! Oh yes, I will greatly appreciate this wizard. He will make a perfect collection to the rest of my wizards." Death stated as he looked over the wizard. Maxim crouched as low as he could to the ground. All of sudden, he sprung back to his hooves with all of his might. The three of them watched as the Minotaur threw back his head and rolled his eyes back in his head. Maxim slowly showed his face to the three. He looked as if he had been possessed by a demon or something.
"You will feel my wraith!" He exclaimed in a harsher voice as he threw a demonic smile toward the other three. "I will be waiting Maxim!" Death replied. "Excellent! I will call you!" Maxim replied. Death faded away as Maxim said his words. Maxim crouched down to the ground once again and his eyes changed back to normal. "Okay, end of the line." Maxim stated with his demonic smile still on his face. Eracimus slowly approached the Minotaur.
Eracimus' Death
"You pathetic fool! You try to side with me now! I will not have it, you are not in this fight. Go sit down or... NO! I will make you sit down!" Maxim exclaimed. Maxim wrapped his left arm around Eracimus's neck. "What is your problem? What are you doing? I thought we were brothers?" Eracimus questioned. Lo watched in amazement, he closely watched both of the Minotaurs. "We are. I don't have a problem!" Maxim exclaimed. The Minotaur struck Eracimus with his claws in the chest right in the center of the heart. Maxim slowly dug in the chest. Eracimus watched as Maxim skillful worked. As the Minotaur dug into Eracimus's wound he would slowly licked the blood away. Eracimus gave out a very long hideous roar as Maxim dug in the wound. The roar of someone dying, it could be heard about five miles away. Eracimus's mouth hug open as salvia and blood rapidly tricked out of his mouth. "Why *cough* did you *cough* do that *cough*?" Eracimus queried. "Go to sleep brother! I will bring you back!" Maxim exclaimed as he slowly placed Eracimus's body down on the ground. Eracimus slowly closed his eyes, as Maxim slowly ate the heart savoring the favor. After he finished he licked his lips and hands clean from the blood. Lo could not help but watch in amazement as the Minotaur finished his meal. His eyes slowly crept to Eracimus's motionless body, lying in a large puddle of blood.
Lo is next
"Why did you do that?" Lo question Maxim. "You're next!" Maxim stated. The citizens of Hepatus heard the roar and traveled out to the forest to see what it was. In the woods they saw the fight and the motionless body of another Minotaur. Cindy looked at the Minotaur and then back at Maxim. "Kill him!" She exclaimed. The same force that took over Maxim was there once again. "You will perish!" Maxim retorted as he looked at Lo. Maxim rapidly charged for the wizard only to find him not there. Maxim was confused at this. "Ha! Ha! Ha! I have magic and you have muscle! I will easy destroy you!" Lo taunted. "No you won't!" Cindy exclaimed. Maxim and Lo looked at the woman. "He will defeat you!" She continued. "Throw away your 'weak' side and fight now! Have at you now!" Maxim replied as his demonic smile show on his face again. Maxim charged the wizard once again. Lo tried to dodged but the Minotaur was a lot faster. His horns went right through the wizard's stomach.
Lo's Defeat
"No! This can not be! How could I have been defeated by a brute like you? I will never accept it." Lo responded. Lo drew a knife from his waist belt, and stabbed the Minotaur in the back on the right side. The Minotaur roared in pain as the wizard drew it from the wound. Blood gushed from the wound that the knife had created. The Minotaur slowly kneeled down, tearing more at the wizard's all ready large wound. "NO!" Lo replied as he moaned in pain. He slowly rubbed on the Minotaur's muscled back to see if he would offer a quick death. Maxim slowly removed the wizard from his horns. The Minotaur's horns were drenched with blood. The blood slowly tricked onto the Minotaur's face as it stood up. "Okay, you will die slowly!" Maxim exclaimed as Cindy and the other citizens watched the Minotaur.
Lo pleads for his life
"No! I will do anything for you. Please don't kill me", the wizard managed to state within the coughs of blood. "Why are you begging for your life now? Have you discovered that you can not beat me? You should have left us alone and this would have never happened." Maxim replied to the wizard as he slowly picked up the knife that he was stabbed with. "I am begging you! I can make all of your wildest dreams come true." Lo replied. Maxim kneeled down on the ground next to the wizard's left side. The blood slowly tricked from the Minotaur's horns onto its face. Lo looked at the Minotaur as a drop of blood fell on his forehead. "Okay! I understand. Just go ahead and kill me." The wizard retorted as he looked in Maxim's eyes. "Lo I am sorry this has to happen but you must understand the nature of a Minotaur. You have study them. Have you forgotten their nature? You do know that they will kill anyone that challenges them. Do you not?" Maxim questioned Lo. Every citizen of Hepatus was listening and watching the Minotaur and the wizard carefully. "I *cough* just wanted you two back*cough*. I honestly *cough* didn't know that the spell *cough* would have killed *cough* you." Lo replied.
Lo's Death
"Okay but why did you attack us?" Maxim questioned. "I honestly *cough* don't know." The wizard replied. "I'm losing you, Lo. It's much too late. Just go to sleep, Lo" Maxim stated. "Okay, go ahead and kill me. Make it quick!" Lo retorted. Maxim drew the knife and stabbed the wizard in the center of his body. He stood up and roared a very long and hideous roar. This was his war cry. The citizen could not stand the roaring from the Minotaur. It was much too sad. They tried their best to cover their ears until the roaring stopped. Maxim stopped his war cry and kneeled down beside the body once again. He slowly cut the wizard from the chest to the end of his stomach and slowly devoured his organs, as the blood dripped from his lips onto the ground. "Death I need you to come here!" Maxim called out. Death reappeared before the Minotaur. "Ah! Yes I have him now. Shall I take the other minotaur?" Death questioned. "No! I have plans! I will bring him back!" Maxim expressed. "Then let me help you!" Death insisted. They walked over to Eracimus's body. "Place your hands on his wound." Death continued.
Death's Kind Heart (Eracimus' Revival)
They did as they were told. Eracimus's wound slowly closed and he started breathing. He slowly opened his eyes, and looked at Maxim. "I love you!" Eracimus stated in emotion as he embraced the Minotaur with a hug. The citizens of Hepatus cheered for the two Minotaurs. "Well you must come and live with me!" Cindy insisted in a calm voice. "Well that is all nice but what will happen to the castle?" Eracimus questioned Cindy. Maxim and Death smiled at each other. "Thank you, Death!" Maxim replied. "You're welcome, I am so happy I could help you, but don't let anyone know of this. Only these people know. I don't want anyone else to know." Death requested. "I shall not tell a soul." The Minotaur replied. "Alright then, Maxim you will call me if you want anything else, Right?" Death stated. "I will!" Maxim exclaimed.
Cindy's love for Maxim
"We will live in that castle." Cindy told Eracimus. "Well that was a good battle." Maxim exclaimed. "Look at your back. What am I going to do with you?" Cindy questioned with emotion. Tears started to slowly trickle down her face as she rubbed the wound on the Minotaur's back. Maxim wrapped his right arm around her and gently lifted her off the ground. "I will be fine! You must remember I am a Minotaur. This is only a small wound compared to what others have suffered. I love you, Cindy! You should know this." Maxim exclaimed in emotion. "Okay!" She replied as she wiped the tears from her eyes. Maxim placed her back down on the ground and kneeled down and looked deep into her eyes. "Are you ready?" He queried her. "Yes." She stated. "Let's go!" Eracimus exclaimed. They traveled to the castle and lived in it and were never disturbed.