A sinister wagon creaked and lurched through the unpaved streets of the great city. Two men were driving it: a rider with a black cloak and a wide-brimmed hat that hid his face, and a mercenary armed with a sword and crossbow. Inside the wagon, cages covered with cloth concealed macabre merchandise.
Rain poured down on the sodden roofs of houses and buildings. Huge puddles formed on the ground, reflecting the gray sky. Amidst the deafening sound of the rain, a mysterious, eerie howl could be heard that seemed to come from the depths of the sewers.
Passersby shuddered as they watched the wagon pass by. They knew it was owned by the Golden Eyes, who trafficked corpses and performed dark rituals to tame monsters. People hid in the shadows of the alleys, fearing to be seen or worse, captured.
The wagon stopped in front of a large solid oak building. The rider and the mercenary got off the vehicle and banged loudly on the door, causing an echo to spread throughout the alley. Soon after, the door slowly opened to allow the wagon to pass through.
Once inside the compound, the rider handed the horses to a burly man with a bushy beard and dark tunic, who took them to the nearby stable.
The mercenary stealthily approached the back of the wagon, intent on making sure that the valuable cargo they were carrying remained intact.
With a swift movement he removed the cloth covering the cages, revealing the macabre merchandise they had worked so hard to transport.
The Half-Humans, known as Beastfolk, were creatures with animal characteristics mixed with those of humans. Among them were half wolf, spider, rabbit, raccoon and other even stranger beasts.
They had been imprisoned for months in twelve cages, each for a different race. They all ranged in age from ten to twenty years old and wore monster skins and other materials of unknown origin. Their bodies were usually covered with scars, scratch marks and various tattoos created with ink made from herbs and blood.
Most of them looked emaciated, their skins had turned dark with dirt and a foul smell was emanating from them. The older ones had lost muscle mass and their look reflected a grim resignation.
They barely received small portions of food, as small as the palm of their hand, which barely allowed them to subsist. Their weakness had left them without the strength to resist, but they had not lost their pride and fighting spirit.
They knew that their fate was uncertain, that they could be sold as slaves or worse, as objects of experimentation for the darkest wizards of the realm.
"Hmm... Looks like one of them didn't make it through the journey," the mercenary said disdainfully, frowning at the sight of the motionless corpse on the floor of the cage.
The mercenary and the rider gave each other a knowing look before unloading the cages quickly. They knew their business was illegal and disgusting.
As the last cage was lowered, the horseman felt a shudder as he looked at the captives, filled with remorse for what he was doing. He knew he lived in a cruel age, fraught with treachery and danger, but that did not take the weight off his conscience.
"Hurry up, there's still a cage left to unload it," the mercenary hurried.
With a lump in his throat, the rider approached the remaining cage.
The young beastfolk inside was resisting with all her might, showing a determination that amazed both men.
"Looks like the brat still has energy to spare, she sure is tough," the mercenary commented as he crouched down to get a better look at her.
The young girl's cage was the most deteriorated of all, with scratches and bites that evidenced her desperate attempts to escape.
Despite the mistreatment she suffered, the little girl did not look away from the men, showing fierce crimson eyes that exuded hatred.
Clinging tightly to the bars of her cage, the white-haired young beastfolk stood proudly in her leather and animal skin garments, baring her dangerous teeth, snarling and growling at the men fiercely.
Her appearance and character were those of an indomitable wild beast, iron-willed despite her young age.
The horseman recognized that this young woman was a valuable prey, but could not help but feel a pang of compassion at seeing her caged like this.
The mercenary smiled mischievously as he turned to the little beastfolk his boss had captured. "How are you, you rabid bitch? We'll soon get rid of you and make a tidy sum with the great lord, don't you think that's fantastic?"
The little beastfolk wasn't giving up and when the mercenary got close enough, she spat contemptuously in his face. "Damn you, you nasty creature!" she snarled, angrily wiping the spittle from her face. "Soon you will be in the hands of someone who will crush you under his boot and teach you to obey!"
Despite the mercenary's threats, the girl showed no weakness before her captor.
Chin up and eyes alight with determination, she knew her future was uncertain, but she refused to allow her spirit to be broken.
"Ah, we'd better finish this soon, I don't want to keep the Great Lord waiting any longer," the mercenary sighed, suppressing his anger as much as he could.
The rider nodded his head and approached the mercenary to help him carry the cage.
Between the two of them, they laboriously lifted the heavy metal structure. But a moment's distraction was enough for the beast to seize its opportunity. It sank its fangs into the finger of the rider protruding through the bars.
The rider let out a shriek of pain and let go of the cage, which crashed to the ground.
The cage, already deteriorated by the mistreatment, broke into pieces, freeing the beastfolk.
The beastfolk sat up quickly, revealing its sharp claws and bloodshot eyes. The men recoiled from its menacing presence as the girl watched the scene with a smirk.
"You bloody beast! How dare you bite me!" roared the rider, waving his bloody hand. There was no time to waste. The mercenary unsheathed his sword and prepared for combat.
The beastfolk let out a defiant roar, its eyes glowing with a hellish light. Its fluffy tail swayed dangerously as a warning signal, inviting the mercenary to begin the exchange of blows.
The beast opened its mouth and bared its sharp fangs. And so the combat began.
The mercenary's sword met the beast's claws, causing sparks and the sound of metal against metal. The beastfolk seemed immune to pain, and its fury seemed to increase with each blow.
Blood stained the floor of the wagon as the mercenary fought for his life, but the beast was too strong. He felt the pressure of the girl's small, slender arms on his neck, a potent and deadly fear gripped him.
The mercenary realized that he was caught in an unequal struggle.
The beastfolk moved with the agility of a feline and the strength of an ogre. His eyes turned red as fiery lava, and his fury raged unchecked.
"Hell, I could use some help!" the mercenary shouted desperately at the rider who had become paralyzed with terror. Finally, the rider regained his composure and grabbed his whip to strike the beastfolk.
"¡...!"
The beast recoiled at the sight of the man's unsheathed whip. It knew that if it was touched by him, it would fall to the ground due to the rune implanted in its chest the day it was captured.
(I have to run away from here, quickly)
Thought the beastfolk, slipping away from the wagon. There were no guards nearby, only the two men and the other beastfolk. But she knew it wouldn't be long before they would pursue her, and if they caught her again, her fate would be even more terrible.
"That way," she said to herself, lunging toward the door with a lunge that sent her through it with a loud creak.
The dark corridors echoed with the sound of shattering wood.
"Damn it, it got away! It's my fault..." said the rider, seeing the massive hole in the door.
"Shit, don't just stand there! If we don't hurry, some guard might get to kill her! I can't let our boss's good name be sullied before the Great Lord. And I don't want to die yet," the mercenary shouted, slapping the rider on the back.
He nodded his head and the two took off at a run after the Beastfolk. Their boots echoed on the cold stone floor.
----------------------------༻.o.༺-----------------------------
Meanwhile, the little creature continued its desperate run.
"A way out, a way out, a way out," it was muttering as it turned its head from side to side looking for the exit of the large mansion it was in.
Her pointed ears were alert for any sound that might give away her presence, fearful of being caught and subjected to a fate worse than death.
The walls of the mansion were high and oppressive, and the Beastfolk felt trapped as if in a giant spider's web.
Bronze chandeliers lit the path leading to the exit, flickering in the stale, oppressive air.
The screams of pain and agony coming from the dungeons could be heard in the distance, but she was determined to escape this place at any cost.
The smell of smoke and blood filled the little beastfolk's senses, but her animal instinct never left her. Thanks to it, she managed to spot a window ajar in one of the mansion's large doors.
She ran towards it with all her might, leaping over cages and obstacles in her path. Finally, he reached the exit and rushed toward the great door.
(I'll knock it down, I'll hit it with everything I've got).
She said to herself, gathering strength in her legs to manage to break the thick door with a single blow.
"Ahhh!!!!"
She screamed, throwing herself against the door with all her might, but before she could hit it, the heavy door burst open, revealing a huge figure resembling a great wall.
"¡...!"
By the time she realized the danger posed by the person in front of her, it was too late. She could not stop his onslaught.
"Mmm, you must be one of the Great Lord's new acquisitions, you're... interesting," the man said nonchalantly, removing the black mask that hid his face.
All around him absorbed all the rays of light, as if his presence radiated a terrifying evil.
The man easily grasped the beastfolk's leg as if it were a dry twig, opening his mouth with a twisted smile.
"So, you were trying to escape? How fortunate that I find myself here then. You're quite strong despite your current physical condition. That kick would have killed any normal person," the man added, tightening his grip on the beastfolk's leg without relenting one bit.
The little beastfolk tried to resist by scratching, biting and kicking, but the man didn't seem to mind at all.
His grip became tighter and she felt a stabbing pain coursing through her entire body.
"Ah! Forgive my rashness, I broke your leg without realizing it. Let me see it," the man let go of her little leg, causing the beastfolk to fall to the ground with a thud.
The beastfolk crawled backwards to put distance between her and her captor. Aware that her situation was desperate and that the chance of escape was almost nil. But she was determined to fight to the end, even if it meant dying in the attempt.
"You have a really strong will, indomitable, like a true wild beast."
The man let out a small chuckle as he approached her and bent down to examine her leg with a wicked grin on his face.
"Ah, what a beautiful broken bone. I would love to play with you some more, but the Great Lord is very leery of those who touch his belongings. Perhaps, he will find some use for you after the ceremony."
The little beastfolk felt a shiver run through her body as she heard the man's words.
Although she did not fully understand what he meant, the intent in his voice was clear and his oppressive aura left her breathless.
Although I would have liked to have had a little more fun with you..." then, he rummaged through his leather briefcase and pulled out a tiny vial containing a purple, viscous substance.
The little girl's first thought was (Poison? Is he trying to poison me?),
The man seemed to realize her thoughts, speaking again.
"Don't worry, just stand still and watch, it's not going to hurt," the man assured her as he popped the cork that kept the contents of the vial sealed.
The man popped the cork on the bottle, and an herbal scent began to fill the air. "Ah, smells good, don't you think?" the man asked the young girl, but she didn't answer him, she could only watch cautiously what he would do to her next.
He shrugged and without further ado: he poured the liquid onto the bone protruding from the little girl's skin.
The beastfolk closed her eyes waiting for the burning and pain of the wound.
But, to her surprise, she felt nothing of the sort.
When she opened her eyes, she noticed that her leg was as good as new.
She touched her leg with her hands to confirm this, feeling smooth skin with no signs of mistreatment or injury.
The young beastfolk watched in disbelief as her body miraculously recovered from the terrible wounds inflicted by that man.
With her eyes on the man who was carelessly guarding her, she saw her only chance to escape.
(That man is dangerous, but I can't let him trap me again. If I can evade him, and get to the door, I can run away!)
With a fierce roar: the beastfolk leapt toward the man, its sharp claws ready to tear at his flesh. But before it could strike, the man suddenly vanished into thin air, as if he had never been there.
"Interesting," whispered a dark voice behind her.
The young beastfolk girl turned around disoriented only to see the man reappear behind her back.
"I can't wait for our next meeting," the man said, his sinister smile making her shiver unconsciously. "You've barely recovered, but you're ready to fight. You have my respect, little one."
The beastfolk struggled to stay awake, but her body was failing fast.
She could feel her consciousness fading, dragging her into darkness.
(No, I can't give up...not now. I must fight....)
But it was too late. The beastfolk fell to the ground, unconscious, as the man laughed in satisfaction.
"There she is, The sneaky little brat!",
The mercenary exclaimed, followed closely by the rider, as he spotted the young girl on the ground.
"Are you the ones who were supposed to take care of her?", asked the man as he watched them suspiciously.
"Yes, we are, why do you ask, and who are you? You don't look like a mansion guard," the mercenary replied as he prepared to draw his sword.
"Pshh, shut up you idiot. We're going to get killed!" said the Rider, grabbing the mercenary's head and forcing him to bow down.
"Who am I? Ah... right, excuse my lack of courtesy," the man apologized, dusting off his shoulders and adjusting his jacket. "My name is Tarion *The Second Tower*. A pleasure," he finished with a small bow.
"T-The Second Tower, I understand. I apologize for my companion's rashness. We did not mean to offend you in any way, sir," the rider replied in a nervous voice as his companion broke into a cold sweat upon hearing the man's name.
"Don't worry, it's normal that you don't recognize me. I don't usually show myself to people. That aside, what do you plan to do with the little girl?" , Tarion asked, pointing to the young beastfolk girl sound asleep on the floor.
The mercenary was quick to reply. "We'll take her with us, of course. We have a job to do and she's our collateral."
Tarion's sinister smile became even more accentuated. "I understand... Then, it won't be a problem if I accompany you for a while, right?" he asked as he lifted the young woman in his arms.
The rider and the mercenary exchanged a knowing look before nodding.
Tarion was known to be a difficult man to deal with, and now they could not delay any longer in accomplishing their task.
"I'd be honored, let's continue this way then," the mercenary replied as he set off, followed by the rider and Tarion with the young woman in his arms.
...
..
.
He opened his eyes and was in a dark and gloomy room.
The room looked as if it had been abandoned for years, with cobwebs covering every corner and a thin layer of dust covering everything.
The only light came from a small high window, through which moonlight was streaming in.
The young woman tried to get up, but noticed that heavy, thick chains bound her feet.
She was also wearing other garments, now she had a huge collar around her small neck, a leather outfit that only covered her chest and part of her legs and heavy gloves that forbade the use of her claws.
Her heart pounded as she realized that she was a prisoner, and she tried to free herself from her bonds.
However, the chains were too strong and she could not break them.
"What's going on?" she asked herself losing her cool, as she surveyed the room for some clue as to her whereabouts.
The room was empty, apart from a small table with a bowl of water and a piece of stale bread.
The young beastfolk approached the table cautiously, took the bread and water, feeling her stomach growl with hunger.
She nibbled on the piece of bread greedily, as her mind wandered through the fuzzy memories of her capture.
(How did they catch me? I don't understand... Ah! It was that human, and despite everything I did...)
The young woman tried to reconstruct the scene of her combat with that man, but a metallic noise brought her out of her reverie.
The door creaked open, and a tall, shadowy figure entered the cell, glaring maliciously at her. It was him, the same one who had broken her leg with terrifying ease.
"So you're awake now, how nice, how nice, you surprise me more and more every time, little girl," the man said in an icy voice as he clapped his hands together sarcastically. "I know this cell is not worthy of you," he said running his finger across the dusty table, "but don't worry, when you've passed the Great Lord's ceremony, everything will change. I will see to it," he added, approaching her and kneeling down.
The young beast backed up as far as it could, but the chains prevented it from escaping.
(I'll kill him, I swear I'll kill him)
She thought angrily as she glared back at him fiercely.
"Mmm... I see you still don't trust me. Well, I haven't given you reason to either... yet," he said smiling mischievously. "Ah, I forgot, take this as a gift from me," he told her pulling something out of his briefcase.
The young beast watched the man's every move closely, ready to react if he tried anything. But to her surprise, the man made no hostile gesture.
"Look how tasty! Don't you feel like it? If you promise to be good to me, you can eat this and much more. What do you say?" the man showed her a huge piece of fried pork, which he swung in front of her nose.
At the sight of it, she let out a grunt and slapped the piece of meat in front of her, throwing it against the wall.
"I don't care who you are or what you want, I will not give you the pleasure of seeing me submit to you," she barked angrily.
As hungry as she was, she would accept nothing from him. She didn't need anyone to get what she wanted. If she wanted something, she just had to take it. She would not bow her head to anyone or become just another slave. She just needed time to regain her strength and find a way to escape her cell.
"Ah... what a waste."
The man seemed disappointed to see her reaction, but made no attempt to force her to eat. Instead, he wiped some of the dust off the piece of meat with his hand and set it down on the wooden table. Suddenly, a loud clatter shook the cell, causing the beastfolk to lose his balance.
He smiled sinisterly as he looked down at her. "Wonderful, just wonderful. I can't wait to see you at the ceremony. Stay alive until then," he said with a twisted smile before closing the cell and disappearing into the darkness of the hallway.
"Phew..."
The young woman sighed in relief as she felt the pressure in her chest lessen and proceeded to finish her meal before looking for an exit.
As she approached the bars of the cell, she scanned her surroundings warily. "Is anyone here?" he called out, though it was unlikely that anyone would understand the language of the Beast God.
"Where am I, and where are the others who came along with me in the cages?" he wondered as he sat down on the floor of the cell.
Suddenly, a jovial voice startled her.
"H-Hello?"
The beastfolk turned toward the source of the sound. A thick wall separated them, but there was someone locked in there beside her.
"Are you all right, Mr. Tarion didn't hurt you? I saw him with a very creepy face just before he entered your cell," the boy said with a slight stutter.
"Tarion? Who is that?" he asked curiously.
"You don't know? That man controls most of the dungeons that extend beneath the Great Lord's mansion. He is incredibly cruel. He has thwarted numerous escape attempts and I've never even seen him break a sweat. He's in charge of taking the slaves to the ceremonial hall..." the boy related in a despondent tone.
The young woman nodded silently. She didn't know whether to trust the stranger or not, but at least he was offering her some company. She soon realized that her escape would be much more difficult than she had imagined.
Tarion's shadow and his sinister plans for that "Ceremony" he had mentioned were a constant threat to her.
"The ceremony, what's that? You mentioned earlier that you heard part of our meeting, are you even capable of understanding the human tongue?"
The boy nodded sadly. "Yes, I can understand it well enough. Why do you ask, all this time you didn't understand anything Lord Tarion was telling you?",
The young woman frowned uneasily as she listened to the boy's question.
"No. I didn't understand a word. Can you tell me what the ceremony is? Or not. I don't want to waste my time."
"Ah... I don't know exactly. The only thing I can tell you is that those who are taken don't come back; few are selected to go there. For example: I've been down here for a few months now and I've seen many slaves come and go in that time," the boy replied sadly.
"I see," he said with firm determination. "I'll find a way to escape from here without having to undergo the ceremony."
But before she could depart, the boy called out to her again.
"Wait!" she exclaimed sadly. "This is the first time in a long time that I can talk to someone again. Please, can you stay a little longer? I'll tell you more things and give you more information about this place."
The young woman considered his request and decided to sit back against the wall. "Very well, but if the information you give me is not useful, I will leave."
"Thank you!" the young slave cried out enthusiastically. "I'm Cal, a pleasure, and you, what's your name?",
"I'm Eirys," she replied, without much emotion in her voice.
"Eirys! That's a lovely name," he said enthusiastically.
Eirys simply nodded and waited for Cal to begin speaking.
Remembering every word precisely, Cal told her everything Tarion had said and proposed.
"And that's it. Tarion had never shown so much interest in a slave before. When you turned down his offer, I thought he would kill you on the spot. That's the sort of thing he usually does."
Eirys frowned, worried. "Is that so? He didn't really appear to be homicidal, but he did give me the impression that he would be someone difficult to defeat," she replied as she recalled their short confrontation moments before.
"He just seemed like someone strong to you? You've already seen him in person? And you still think you can defeat him?" asked Cal in amazement. "You have a lot of confidence in yourself to be able to say things like that. I couldn't stand up to that man. I get chills just thinking about it."
Eirys could not deny that the slave was right. Tarion was too strong a man and she would be mad to try to challenge him.
However, at the same time there was something inside her that told her she could fight him if necessary.
"Maybe I have a chance to beat him if I can think of some strategy," she said aloud.
Cal nodded enthusiastically. "You're right. Despite everything, he's still a human and he has weaknesses. If you can look for something that will give you an edge, then you might have a chance."
"Good, then that's what I'll do," Eirys said, full of determination. "Now that I have all this information, all that's left is to wait for a chance, do you know when the next ceremony is?",
"They don't have something like a specific date. Actually the ceremony is held every time they get ten candidates. Right now I couldn't tell you how many participants are left for the next ceremony, but from the excitement in Mr. Tarion's voice, it must be really close."
"That means I have very little time left to find some way to escape," Eirys said, worried. "Cal, do you have any ideas on how to escape from this place?",
Cal swallowed saliva and bit his lip. "I can't tell you for sure, Eirys. I've been here for a long time, but I don't know all the secrets of this place. I'm sure there are some ways out of here, but you'll have to find out for yourself."
Eirys clenched her fists tightly. "Then I'll look for a way. Thanks for your help, Cal. If you discover anything that might be of use, let me know."
"Of course, I'll be with you on this," Cal promised.
"Anyway, I didn't ask you why you turned down Mr. Tarion's offer, what made you not accept it?",
Eirys frowned in disgust. "I will not allow anyone to dominate me or impose their will on me, even if it means fighting to the death. I'd rather die free than live under their control."
Cal nodded in admiration. "Then we must find a way to escape together. With our ingenuity and your fighting skills, maybe we can pull it off."
Eirys smiled slightly. "So be it, but I need to rest. Tomorrow will be a hard day."
"Ah... Of course it is. Rest up Eirys."
With that, Eirys curled up in a corner, her tail wrapping around her body like a coat. Though the cold of the ground bothered her, her body and mind were too tired to care.
...
..
.
At dawn, Eirys awoke with a bad feeling in her chest.
Her stomach growled with hunger, but the pork made her feel repulsed.
"No, thank you," she said in a weak voice, pushing away the table where the cockroaches feasted on the meat.
"Eirys, are you awake yet, are you feeling all right?" inquired Cal uneasily.
Eirys shook her head. "No, I have a feeling something bad is going to happen."
Suddenly, footsteps echoed and a shiver ran down her skin as she recognized them.
"Tarion," she whispered under her breath as her heart raced.
As she feared, Tarion appeared, a sinister smile on his face. "Good morning, little one. Today is your big day, the ceremony is about to begin and I trust you have thought twice about my offer."
Eirys kept determination on her face, showing no fear in the man's presence. "I will not accept your offer, Tarion. I would rather die than be your slave."
Tarion let out a mocking laugh. "Oh, don't worry, little one. The ceremony will change your mind. Now, come with me."
She gritted her teeth angrily and challenged Tarion with her eyes, determined to escape that place no matter the cost.
"Come on, don't be like that. I don't want to hurt you any more than I have to. I can't present you in front of the Great Lord if you're all hurt," he said with a wicked grin.
Eirys felt she had to act quickly. She couldn't let Tarion take her to the ceremony, where her fate would be sealed forever.
Eirys' bloodlust was growing by the second, focusing her anger on Tarion. She readied her claws and adopted a feline stance ready to attack his neck.
Tarion remained unperturbed, a serious expression on his face, despite the tension in the air. He studied Eirys closely, making no move.
A few seconds passed and Eirys grew impatient when she saw that he did nothing. He leaped to attack, tensing his body and readying himself for combat.
But before she could attack, she heard Tarion let out a faint laugh.
"Fine. I'll grant you this one time," he said raising his hand to signal him to stop. "I'll grant you one more day to get properly ready for the ceremony. I expect you to be ready by then. I will not be so lenient with you next time. It is my duty to deliver you to the Great Lord properly," she finished by turning her back on him and walking out of the cell, closing it behind her and walking away in silence.
Eirys gritted her teeth in anger as she watched Tarion walk away from the cell, leaving her alone and confused in the darkness. She knew her time was running out and she would soon face the ceremony.
"Damn it!" cried Eirys, whipping the cold stone floor of the cell. "Cal! Did you hear what he said! Why did he go without a fight!" she shouted, pummeling the wall separating her cell from Cal's.
"Y-Yeah, I heard him. Calm down a little, Eirys, please. All Tarion said was that he'd give you an extra day to prepare for the ceremony, that you won this time and he wouldn't be so nice next time," he explained, somewhat nervously.
"What did I win this time, that cretin knows how to provoke me!" exclaimed Eirys angrily, as she stepped back, bracing herself for the confrontation to come.
A deafening roar echoed throughout the dungeon, echoing off the stone walls. The man clad in silver armor burst into Eirys and Cal's cells, uttering a savage cry. "Silence, you beasts, shut your damned mouths at once!",
Without giving them time to react, the man hurled a large wooden bucket full of icy water over Eirys and Cal, drenching them to the bone and causing the air to fill with an icy mist.
Eirys roared in fury, his claws ready to tear into the man. But the figure in armor remained unmoved by her threat.
"You want more?" the man spat, defiantly, as he threw another bucket of icy water over Eirys, drenching her once more and letting the mist rise into the dark air of the cell.
Cal, who had remained silent until that moment, slowly approached the man in armor. "What do you want from us?" he asked in a hoarse voice.
The man in the armor did not answer immediately, but his posture became more tense. "You are prisoners, and I am your jailer. Expect nothing but suffering while you are here," he replied in a cold, hard voice.
Eirys roared louder, wet and confused, but Cal remained composed. "What reason is there for us to be prisoners - what have we done to deserve this?"
The man in armor clicked his tongue and finally spoke. "It is not my job to ask. I merely carry out orders. Now, be quiet or you will face the consequences."
With that said, the man turned and walked out of the cell, leaving Eirys and Cal soaking wet.
Eirys shook himself like a dog to get rid of the excess water, splashing his cell with drops of water everywhere before sitting up against the wall.
"Are you all right Eirys? You're a bit cranky today, were you that bothered by Mr. Tarion's attitude?" asked Cal, also soaking wet and leaning against the wall.
"Ah... Yes, I am. The ceremony is close and I haven't made any headway in trying to escape from here. And even if I did get out of here, I haven't figured out what to do next," Eirys replied, dejected, sitting on the cold, damp floor of her cell, hugging her legs.
"Don't blame yourself for not escaping yet," Cal said trying to cheer her up. "Many others have tried and ended badly. Besides, they seem to be doing everything they can to make sure you don't escape. That new guard is a good example."
Eirys nodded gratefully at Cal's reassurance. "But that doesn't change the fact that I don't know what to do next," she replied sincerely.
Cal frowned at hearing that, remembering the stories about the cruelty of humans to magical beings. "I'm sorry, Eirys. I can't imagine what you've been through."
She rested her head more on her legs. "My clan... my family... I used to have one before a certain human came to our village," she said quietly, with some sadness in her voice.
"Mmm... you don't seem to want to talk about it now. Don't worry, you don't have to force yourself. I can tell you what I was doing before I came here, if you want, of course."
Sighing, Eirys lifted her head and felt a bit curious. Despite everything that was going on, Cal's offer was tempting.
"Really? Well, if you insist, tell me. I want to know more about you," Eirys replied, slightly intrigued.
Cal smiled, glad to have the chance to talk about himself. "Well, before all this, I used to be a traveling merchant. I would go around different places, selling my wares and meeting new people along the way," he said wistfully.
Eirys listened intently, dreaming of a world where anything was possible and she wasn't locked in a cold, damp cell.
"I have to admit, that sounds exciting" replied Eirys, with a slight smile on her face. "But wasn't it dangerous to travel alone? There are dangers out there."
"Of course there were," he replied with a sly smile. "But there were rewards, too. I met a lot of interesting people during my time as a trader, including some very unique characters."
She let out a light laugh, enjoying Cal's story. But soon, the laughter faded, and she felt the sadness and oppression of her situation again.
"I wish I could have lived a life like that," Eirys whispered, a vacant look in her eyes.
Cal turned to the wall and rested his hand on it. "Don't worry, friend. You still have a long way to go. And who knows, maybe you can find something more exciting than being a traveling merchant," he said, trying to comfort her.
Eirys nodded, grateful for Cal's presence in that dark moment. For the first time in a long time, she felt a bit of hope in her heart.
"Oh, that's right... Forgive me for causing cold water to be dumped on you, and for leaving you soaked and freezing," Eirys apologized, feeling a surge of guilt for dragging someone else into her troubles.
"This? It's nothing. It takes a lot more than a little water to hurt me," Cal replied, smiling as he flexed his small, almost nil muscles.
"Achu...!"
At that moment, a loud sneeze echoed from the other side of the wall.
Eirys startled at the sound of the sneeze and looked at the wall with concern.
That sound couldn't mean anything good, especially considering the unsanitary conditions of her cell.
"Are you okay?" asked Eirys, moving closer to the wall to try to hear something else.
"Ah, Y-Yeah don't worry, I'll be fine in a few hours. It's not the first time it's happened to me. But... I think you'd better not get too close to the wall," Cal warned in a worried tone.
She let out a sigh stepping away from the wall and hoping that it really wasn't anything serious.
"Ah... Well, I guess to make it up to you I'll tell you a little about my life before I ended up here," she said, leaning back on the floor and looking up at the ceiling wistfully.
"I grew up in the Black Wyvern Forest, where my father was the leader of our clan. My mother..."
Suddenly, a loud shout from the guard interrupted his story. "Your food! Eat and don't die today!",
The sound of the guard's sword striking the cell bars announced the arrival of the food.
Eirys and Cal pounced on the silver tray, eager to satiate their hunger with the small pieces of meat, the fresh bread and the glass of boiled milk that had been left there.
As they devoured the food in silence, Cal commented on the quality of the food. "Don't you think it's strange, this food isn't too good compared to the previous days? They even gave us some meat."
Eirys nodded, knowing that something was changing in the way they were treated. "I guess... Tarion will have something to do with this change?",
"Maybe," he replied, savoring each bite of meat. "At least it's a good start for things to start getting better. I'd already forgotten the delicious taste of meat."
Hope shone in Eirys' eyes again, but caution kept her on her toes. Despite the change in the quality of the food, she knew her situation was still dangerous and she had to remain vigilant.
When they finished their meal they let out a sigh of contentment, feeling full and relaxed.
At least that was until Eirys felt her fur bristle.
"¿...?"
Turning to look down the dark hallway she made out the figure of Tarion walking down the hallway towards his cell. "Tarion, what are you doing here, I'm not ready to go with you yet!" exclaimed Eirys, quickly approaching the bars of her cell.
But Tarion ignored her and continued walking to the next cell.
She watched until Tarion disappeared from her sight entering Cal's cell.
Tarion entered and grabbed a dark-haired young woman by the waist. He spun her around in the air before hugging her.
"Calis, my little one at last you have been blessed with the opportunity to participate in the ceremony! Take your things, we must leave as soon as possible, the Great Lord awaits," Tarion said speaking the language of the Beast God with complete fluency.
Eirys was surprised to hear Tarion speak the same language as her, which meant he had been hiding his communication skills with the Beastfolk. Furthermore, she wondered who Calis was and why Tarion had entered Cal's cell.
"Who is Calis, a cellmate of Cal's?" wondered Eirys quietly as she tried to discover more information.
"A-Ah, Mr. Tarion, please stop!" exclaimed the voice of Cal, who seemed uncomfortable with the situation.
Eirys became even more concerned, wondering what Tarion was doing with Cal.
"Oh, my apologies, I seem to have gotten too excited. It's just... Whenever I was passing by I always saw you so lonely, so I brought the little one from there hoping you two would become good friends.", Tarion said with a smile as he put Calis down from his arms.
Eirys frowned, still wary of Tarion's intentions. Why was he trying to get close to Cal like that?
"You mean Eirys? Oh, well... Thank you. She's actually a nice girl," Cal said, now more comfortable on the ground.
She was a little relieved to hear Cal speak well of her, but she still wondered why Tarion had come into her cell and why he was being so nice to Cal.
"Eirys? So that's what that girl's name is? Well done, Calis! This is why you're one of my favorites," Tarion said with a smirk as he patted her head as he entered Cal's cell.
Eirys was surprised to hear Tarion call Cal by her full name and doubted for a moment if she had understood correctly. Cal was a woman? That explained his soft, delicate voice, but why hadn't he said it before?
"Okay, Calis, it's time to go. The ceremony must begin," Tarion ordered, extending his hand to her.
"T-The ceremony? B-But I don't have anything special to show at the ceremony. Why me? Why now? Why-", Calis stammered nervously, backing up a bit before Tarion interrupted her.
"Calis! Don't put yourself down. You'll become a great woman, I'm sure, and once you get over the ceremony, you won't have to live this way anymore. Let's go," Tarion concluded gravely, with no trace of his smile.
Calis was full of doubts and did not want to leave just when she had met a new friend, but the fear Tarion inspired in her was too much for her.
She had no choice but to accept the big, cold hand he offered her.
"Good choice, Calis," Tarion smiled broadly as he saw the girl take his hand. "You don't know how happy it will make me to see you at the ceremony! We'll start the preparations right now!", Tarion exclaimed, walking out of the cell with Calis.
Eirys shuddered as she heard Tarion mention the ceremony. She knew what it meant and wanted nothing more than to escape from that place. But she couldn't let that man take Calis away either.
"Where do you think you're going, Tarion!!!" exclaimed Eirys as she saw them pass in front of her.
Hearing her scream, Tarion's smile twisted and he approached the cell without letting go of Calis.
Tarion looked at her through the bars. "My dear sweet Eirys, you seem to be excited to participate in the ceremony. See, I told you, the ceremony was something irresistible to you. But unfortunately, your turn will have to wait, as you showed no interest in participating. I decided to give you more time, you will spend the next few weeks here. I did it thinking about your situation, I'm sure you need to prepare well, isn't that what you wanted, time?" she teased with a mischievous laugh.
Eirys gritted her teeth hard, her heart was pounding wildly and she felt her whole body trembling. She had no choice but to accept the situation and wait for her chance to escape. However, his heart broke when he learned what was in store for Calis.
"Yes, it will definitely be the best thing for you. Wait patiently for your turn, little one. It's time to go, Calis," Tarion said as he turned and dragged Calis with him.
Eirys could only watch them walk away down the long dark hallway. Her mind was a whirlwind and she couldn't help but feel helpless.
The beastfolk felt what little heart she had left in her break.
(And you said Tarion terrified you? That you couldn't stand up to him? That you thought I was strong?), "Dammit, I should be there!"
The beastfolk was flooded with a rage she had never felt before. The pain and helplessness she had experienced watching her friend being dragged away by Tarion turned into a fierce, uncontrollable rage.
"¡¡¡TARION!!!" she screamed again with even more force and determination.
A deafening roar erupted from her throat rattling the chains that held her and echoed throughout the hallway.
The candles extinguished in her wake and the chains hanging from the walls began to vibrate and twist, as if shaken by an earthquake.
Eirys' anger was so powerful that it altered her surroundings, awakening something dark and dangerous within her.
She gripped the chains that bound her with all her strength, concentrating all her energy on breaking them. And suddenly, something *clicked* inside her and the chains broke into a thousand pieces, freeing her from her prison.
Eirys had released the beast sleeping inside her and there was no turning back now. With a roar that shook the stone walls, she lunged at Tarion like a poisoned arrow, ready to make him pay for all the suffering he had caused her.
"¡...!"
Tarion turned with a shocked expression on his face, but his grin did not fade, but grew wider and wider. Eirys felt a surge of disgust towards him, mixed with deep hatred.
Eirys aimed her sharp claws at Tarion's neck, the most vulnerable spot on his body. Tarion, seeing her intentions, pushed Calis behind him and used his hand as a shield to protect himself from the beastfolk's attack.
With a nimble movement, he broke free of Eirys' grip and punched her straight in the face, knocking her back. Eirys staggered for a moment, trying to regain her balance, as Tarion prepared for the next attack.
"Eirys, you're amazing, your body and metabolism have changed, you never cease to amaze me!" exclaimed Tarion excitedly, as he strengthened his defense.
"¡¡¡SHUT UP!!!", Eirys roared furiously as he slid down the stone walls, his heart pumping hot blood in his veins, yearning to find a crack in Tarion's defense.
Eirys didn't hesitate for a second and lunged at him with a piercing scream. She extended her left claw towards one of Tarion's legs, but he dodged it with a nimble leap. Eirys did not stop and attacked with her right claw, but Tarion blocked it with his forearm.
Eirys felt a surge of frustration as her attacks had no effect. But she did not give in to despair. Her senses were sharpened by adrenaline and hatred. He sensed a slight hesitation in Tarion's defense and without a second thought, he seized the opportunity. She lunged at him with all her strength, ready to end his life. Tarion's smirk faded from his face as he realized his mistake, but it was too late. Eirys dug her claws into his shoulder, making him let out a weak groan of pain.
Eirys gloated at the sight of blood gushing from Tarion's shoulder. She had dug her claws into his flesh with brutal force, enjoying his scream of agony. She pulled away from him, panting from the exertion and the thrill. He watched as Tarion clutched his wounded shoulder with his hand, trying to stem the bleeding.
He uttered no words. No words were needed. Their eyes met in silent defiance, charged with hatred and rancor.
Eirys lunged at him again, relying on his speed and ferocity. But Tarion was prepared and dodged her onslaught with a nimble somersault.
"¡...!"
Tarion countered with an accurate punch towards Eirys' neck, too fast to be avoided. Eirys tried to block the blow with her tail, but it was useless. She felt excruciating pain as her tail was torn in two by the force of the impact.
Despite the pain, Eirys did not give up. She recovered and stood on guard for her next attack.
"Where did you go!" she shouted, as Tarion seized the moment to slip away.
"Look out, Eirys!" warned Calis from afar.
Eirys turned instinctively, but it was too late. Tarion had emerged from the darkness like a snake and delivered the final blow.
Eirys felt a sharp pain in her back, as if a thousand needles were stabbing her. The air escaped from her lungs and blood spurted from her mouth.
Tarion paused for a moment, watching Eirys in admiration. "You have been a formidable opponent, Eirys. You made me bleed and sweat like no other. The Great Lord will definitely be pleased with you Eirys," Tarion whispered in her ear.
Eirys lay motionless on the ground, without the strength to move or speak. Her vision was blurring and her mind was clouding. Tarion leaned over her with a smile and stroked her hair.
Eirys wanted to push him away, but he held her gently. "Easy, Eirys. You're hurt, I don't want to kill you here. It would be a pitiful loss."
Calis gazed at the scene in horror, paralyzed with terror. Panic and anguish swept over her as she watched Tarion humiliate her friend. She couldn't believe it had all ended like this.
"Tarion! Leave Eirys alone!" she screamed as she ran towards him. Her heart was pounding in her chest.
Tarion stood up and prepared to face Calis, ready to cut her down as well. But before he could do so, Eirys held him tightly by the ankle with the last of her strength.
"No... Tarion! S-Stop! L-Let her... go...," Eirys stammered in a weak voice as he fell to the ground and coughed blood from his mouth.
"E-Eirys! Don't die!" cried Calis as he ran to her and hugged her. Her heart broke at the sight of her friend in that state.
"Wow... It looks like she's still breathing. She's a tenacious girl with a great spirit. It puzzled me for a moment, I confess. But it's all over now," Tarion said approaching her and trying to comfort her.
Calis rejected Tarion's hand angrily and glared at him. "I don't want your pity. This is all your fault!" she blurted out in tears, her words full of resentment and pain.
Tarion sighed wearily, his face serious and troubled. "I didn't want this to go this far, but things got complicated too fast," he muttered as he separated Eirys from Calis, who was resisting strongly.
He remained silent for a few seconds before acting. With a swift movement, he gently struck Calis on the back of the neck and knocked her unconscious on the floor. He carried them both in his arms and vanished into the darkness of the hallway.
"I'm sorry, Eirys, but I couldn't fulfill your wish, it was impossible," he told her quietly.
"The ceremony is about to begin... You'll both be late, what will I do with you?" he asked himself with a last sigh, carrying them both in his arms before disappearing into the fog and darkness of the hallway.