Minos

You loved the forest; for you it was always a place of solitude, where you could breathe out and let go of all the weight on your shoulders. It was early morning, around 8 a.m., and you were already on your favorite trails. At times like these, you could completely immerse yourself in your thoughts, daydream, and forget everything. You wouldn't even notice you'd wandered somewhere you'd never been before. It had gotten a little cooler, and a carpet of fog was slowly unfolding beneath your feet. The further you walked, the more impenetrable the thicket became. At that very moment, your body, which you thought had become accustomed to early rising, was overcome by fatigue. Your eyelids felt like an unbearable weight, and you could barely drag your feet, so soon you were sitting under a tree. Surely nothing would happen if you allowed yourself this fleeting weakness?

You woke up after what felt like hours. The air around you had become significantly warmer and brighter, the fog had receded. Half asleep, you didn't immediately realize there was someone nearby. Only when you stretched and opened your eyes did you see... someone's hand? “Child…” Suddenly a gentle male voice rang out. The stranger removed his hand from your face, which he had apparently been using to shield you from the sun, and now you could see him and realize that you were lying on his lap. He was definitely tall and strongly built, but what surprised you most were… the horns. Yes, that’s right. Two graceful horns curled from the stranger’s head. “Please, child, do not be afraid. I am Minos, the guardian of this forest.” His voice was like a mother’s lullaby, gentle, so familiar and caring. Minos’s large hand lay on your head, slowly, with great trepidation, stroking it. —You seem to be feeling a little unwell, don’t you?