The Labyrinth

Description

Inspired by Ancient Greek mythology, Korea creates a labyrinth of their own, sending in heroes to kill an unknown beast lurking within. No one has ever been successful, and now it is Do Kyungsoo's turn. But the labyrinth is twisted in more ways than one...

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                

 

This is set in a mythical, old-age Korea and of course derives its inspiration from the Greek myth of Theseus (the one who went into the labyrinth and killed the beast). There may be references to "north" and "south", but this is not referring to North and South Korea (as the two countries); it is instead inspired by Mann's Death in Venice (which I recommend reading if you haven't; it is a classic but it is also a strongly gay romance novella, which is pretty hardcore considering traditional Western homophobia), and the idea of the north as being Apollonian (logical, rational, calculated, etc; Apollo the god of light) and the south as Dionysian (spontaneous, creative, etc; Dionysis as the god of wine and excess).

Foreword

This is either going to be another one of my three-shots, or a short chaptered fic (like 5-10 chapters, the way MDMXI has ended up being). I'm not writing for it any time soon, because I have a month left of school, multiple essays and exams to study for, and then other fics to catch up on when I get back to writing. I will do my best when I return. (Why am I posting this now then? To torture you all~ >:3 Actually, I'm gauging interest in this to see whether it will be read or not. Also, I just feel like it.)

What can I say about this? It was vaguely mentioned in my class earlier today about the myth of Theseus and labyrinths, and I suddenly remembered how great Greek mythology is and I really wanted to write a fic inspired by it. And then this idea popped into my head of a labyrinth and mystery and evil and romance and (hemhem, Kaisoo) yeah, here we are. I've written down a couple lines of planning and haven't even got an ending for this yet.

I can forewarn that it will, true to my traditional writing style, be angst-filled and tragic and full of mature content. That's a big warning without (much) spoilers.

Update: (already) I've been - reluctantly - talked into writing alternate endings for this, since the ending I have planned is too tragic apparently (let me live out my angst in peace, I need the pain to fuel my soul). So I'm thinking there will be at least two (or 3-4) endings. The ending I have planned (the saddest of sad), and a happy ending; and possibly two others that will also be painful and will bring me the greatest joy. (I swear I'm not Satan.)

I would also like to clarify the difference between a labyrinth and a maze. A maze has several paths from the outside to the centre, which is why mazes are confusing and horrible. Meanwhile, a labyrinth is one path that leads down to the centre; kind of like the Overdose symbol - it has the entrance and winds into the middle. (The symbol is a labyrinth.) On that note, the fact that Overdose takes place in a labyrinth/maze was a coincidence, and I was not inspired by that (nor is the beast a reference to Let Out the Beast; this is just really amusingly coincidental). My inspiration was the myth of Theseus only.

That is all. Come back in the summer for more, when this is actually posted. :)

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Comments

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vlackerine #1
I think I will have to read some Classics if I want to fully understand this.
That aside, I'm hoping for a really really happy ending despite the angst, violence and whatever things that might break my heart while reading this.
KimSeRin #2
OMG ANOTHER FIC
you might recognize me from my URL, or maybe not, so hi, I'm the girl who wrote a long- comment on Confounded.

(Sorry, another long- comment coming up, feel free to run now while you can.)

This looks amazing.
I've read all of the versions of the original, from the one where Theseus saves Ariadne and they all live happily ever after, to the one where the sails on Theseus' ship were still black and his dad kills himself, to the one where Theseus loses Ariadne to Dionysus, and I loved all versions so KaiSoo + The Minotaur could not ever, in any way, equate to something bad.
Jesus Christ.
Well, I will wait (maybe patiently, maybe not) for the games to begin, and mother of god summer never seemed so far away.
Until then, I will attempt to stabilise my feels and equip my bomb shelter with food, drinks, warm blankets and bountiful amounts of tissues before reading your other fics and then promptly proceeding to cry my eyes out at your plot changes.
Lol if Kyungsoo wasn't definitely satan, I would be very much convinced you are, O evil author-nim whom I both fear and admire.
Well, I'm sorry you had to read this (or maybe you didn't) and I have no doubts that this will be fantastic (Wow, Fantastic Baby) so as I hoard numerous boxes of tissues, please continue to be awesome and amazing (and your wife also) and I look forward to reading this fic! Hwaiting!
p_ppearl #3
This concept seems promissing, even though i'm not the biggest fan of death i'll patient wait for it with a box of tissues.
Even if there's just one ending, it's fine!
haneira #4
ohhhh...... did you also know that Hunger games are inspired by this myth? Athens had to offer 6 girls and 6 boys as sacrifices to be fed to the Minotaur and that's how susan collins was inspired! There are so many tragic elements to the story of theseus too , like how he lost Ariadne to Dionysous (or left her as some myths say) and how he forgot to change the ship's sails from black to white and his father thought he was dead and killed himself etc... Mythology can offer so many things to work with!!!

I am so excited about this story! :D
easeguidelight #5
i actually don't understand the description. but since this looks like fun, i'll just subscribe for now.
chensubs #6
this reminds me of the maze runner aHAHHAHAHAHAH i am still anticipating for MDMXI :^((((
ozwalkr #7
As a lover of mythology and folklore from all over the world...I'M IN!! For those who don't have a clew (yes correct spelling, I'm SURE our author gets the pun), you are just gonna have to wade in and trust yourself.
sheakaluvsjungjihoon #8
It had to be angst *sighs and still subscribes to it*
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