The beastkin beckons Ridion, and then walks to the back of the home, where there lies a shack coated with the same paint that the main house was, but not even containing a door, instead an opening where a door should be, and inside about 3 dozen beds, followed by a small dining table barely large enough to sit a dozen, piles of dirty tattered shirts and pants lay, next to that loafers of different shapes. All brown in color, some seem more suited to that of a monster. Walking in there isnt a single person in sight. That changes when the man before Ridion Blows a whistle. And from the vast fields come around 34 people, all different in race, shape, and size, but they all the shared the same empty expression. The servants all come about 30ft before them, and stop in their tracks, unmoving. In that moment the man bashes Ridion on the head. Sending him to the ground in a thud, then he finally breaks his silence. "This here is the newest addition to our family. He is a worthless human who makes light of his new 'job's so please teach him accordingly. As per request he doesnt wish to eat for his work. He just wants to learn more of this world. As such he will only be allowed food when he cant do without it. Someone get him started."
The man walks away, a crooked smile on his face. It was then clear that he had been saving his anger at Ridion's attitude for the moment of introduction to other slaves. Ridion stares up at him as he walks away through squinted eyes, blood rushing to his head, and a swinging sensation flowing through him. He tries to process the feelings he currently possesses, but to no avail, he pulls himself together and simply stares around at the slaves before him. Breathing a little hard from the shock of what just happened to him. He tries to study each face before him. He doesn't know what hes looking for, but he hopes to find something amount the slaves, maybe a shred of pity, or someone to help him up. Most of the slave simply return to the vast field to work. Others head into the shed, for a brief moment before walking back out to also work. Two remain. To his left, a small beastkin with two large antlers curling on either side of their face, shaggy, thin blonde hair falls down to their waist, their face short and stout, with dirt marks covering them from head to toe, they have short stubby legs, and a small deer tail sticking from their back, their eyes a very deep light blue. They look to me to speak, before saying nothing as the person next to them walks forward and offers me a hand. Also covered in dirt. A beast girl with pale skin with a pinkish glow, adorning her hair are two small red boar ears, her hair is thick and a deep red that flows down to her chest, her eyes flush with the same deep red color. her height slightly taller than Ridion, her body flush with muscle from head to toe.
With Ridion Grabbing her hand, she pulls him up with ease, and begins to walk into the shack. The deer beast follows, and she notions for Ridion to come as well. Inside she hands him a set of clothes from the pile, and says
"I'm sorry I cant do more for you than this. You can call me Sophia. They're called Jeskat. We were brought here on the same day. Heran is a powerful lion beast, and he sucks magic from each and every one of us. I'd rid yourself of the idea of escaping and just do your job. Most others wont bother talking to you. So just try not to get onto anyone's nerves."
After quickly and briefly explaining the situation, she walks towards the entrance, deer in tow.
"Thank you Sophia, your words bring me reassurance. And nice to meet you Jeskat. Would you both mind telling me everything you know of this world? Heran's words have truth, i need to learn of this world no matter the cost."
"Go to the furthest beds at the end of the day, for now just shadow my movements, we'll be punished if we loiter too long." Sophia continues to walk after saying this, not looking back once. Ridion looks around for a closet or bathroom of sorts, before finding a bathroom, and changing into the clothes given to him by Sophia, upon walking out, he finds two Jackal faced men with spears, wearing chainmail, who take his clothes from him, and walk away. Assuming this was just routine, he walks out into the opening, and walks out into the field, searching for a Sophia and Jeskat, after nearing the back of the property, surrounded by fencing glowing with a purple miasma of sorts. He spots them both working alongside an incredibly large creature, with a sigil on his back, he has massive horns, coiling up for an entire foot atop his head, deep black in color. His skin the color of slate. He works diligently, and grins as Ridion approaches.
"Hey, human!" He calls out loudly, as if noticing an old friend.
"We didnt get to catch your name earlier, come over here and chat will ya!" He says in a completely relaxed tone. Ridion approaches and before responding, notices that the three of them are planting and watering some giant seed, the only tool they have available is a water can, everything else done by hand. He watches for a moment more before beginning to imitate their movements, and finally offering a response to the large creature. Ridion ponders his name for a moment, before recalling what he was once called.
"I'm Ridion. Nice to meet you, and what is your name?"
"Call me Lucas, cousin, I hope my being a demon doesnt frighten ya too much, I'd guess not given that we are all bound by chains here together. Regardless I assure you have nothing to fear, I'm as nice as they come!" He chuckles heartily, holding his stomach as his laughter echoes throughout the open field, his deep coarse voice ringing in Ridion's head.
"I can see you bear no ill will, however I must ask, what's a demon?"
"Oh?" Lucas pauses, and then closes his eyes as if remembering something. He begins to explain the hole Ridion had seen, and how it and the people that come from it spell a bad omen for the people above ground. A group is now dedicated to eradicating all who dare try but when Lucas escaped 14 years ago, security was much more lax and hundreds of demons managed to make it into the above world, concealing themselves among the races or escaping to the mountains north in search of power. Ridion sits and listens, soaking in his first proper piece of information since arriving. Making sure to keep his hands moving all the while. After a while of Lucas talking, Ridion remembers something he was told earlier.
"Thank you for all of this information, it's been very helpful for me, I am however worried that we've been talking for so long, won't Heran get angry?"
"My magic keeps him from being able to hear us, but I'm afraid one person is all I could manage, or I'd let the others talk all they'd like, I'm creating a personal transmission mimicking conversation into our minds." He pauses for a brief moment. Then lifts his pantleg "The demons of Spite have immense power, for some reason just being above ground grants us a few magical abilities that the people of this world have to visit a diety to obtain. Heran's got me all sealed up out of fear, but a guy as big as me doesnt have anywhere else to go anyways."
Gruesome doesnt even begin to describe the amount of magic seals placed on Lucas' leg. Ridion could see the sheer force of magic fighting every second against the seals. The fact that he's still able to use any magic is a testament to the power of demons. Lucas laughs and returns to working, it seems as if whatever magic he used to allow them to talk disappears afterwards. The rest of the day moves quickly. Save for the sound of different people entering and leaving the main house in the distance. Soon, night falls, and Ridion heads to where he was directed earlier in the day. There sits Sophia, Jeskat, and Lucas. Sitting on the floor in the corner farthest away from everyone else. Ridion sits next to them after quietly announcing himself, and for a while, nobody says a word. Until Jeskat suddenly widens their eyes, ears twitching. "He's asleep."
With that, Sophia doesn't miss a beat, and begins explaining to me in a rushed manor everything she knows of this world. Once in a while stopping on Jeskat's signal, likely guards or something else of uncertainty, but eventually Ridion is caught up to speed on how exactly this world operates. Sophia doesnt know much of the past, but she seemed very well accustomed to the geographical aspects of this world, and basic information of the capitals the people of the main cities and road one would come across. Speaking nostalgically, she mentioned Feliere in the warmest of senses, she likely grew up there. Apparently the current King of Feliere is a woman so strong and power that Sophia envisioned her whole life in her visage, wanting to be just like her in every way. To obtain the title of King in Feliere. One must obtain immortality from the Deities. Which was a task said to cripple even the strongest of warriors. And the King is the youngest King ever to win the Deities favor, winning it over the previous king. She was only 30, and will now remain 30 throughout her reign as ruler. She has already been King for 54 years. Her explanations of Gardes and Spite were brief, but the general information was deeply appreciated by Ridion.