The heroes, along with their companions, descended into the bowels of a castle, led by the guards navigating the treacherous stone staircase illuminated by flickering torches that cast eerie shadows on the damp walls. A musty odor enveloped them, chilling their bones as they entered what appeared to be a long-forgotten chamber of torment. Manacles hung ominously from the walls, and grim stone cells, each secured by rusted metal bars, loomed in the darkness. In one such cell, a woman sat, her presence a grotesque sight; she reeked of decay and filth, her tattered rags clinging to her emaciated form. Her hair, a tangled mess, obscured her face as she ravenously gnawed on a stale piece of bread, emitting a strangled giggle that echoed unsettlingly in the cold air. Her nails, long and jagged, bore the colors of rot, digging into the meager sustenance. Suddenly, she sprang to her feet, stretching her arms through the bars as a guard passed, her fingers clutching at his cloak, laughter bubbling forth like a sinister melody, the stench of her decaying teeth mingling with the foulness of her body.
The guard wrenched his cloak aside, brandishing a long, crackling stick that unleashed a jolt of electricity upon the imprisoned woman. She writhed in agony, her body convulsing violently before collapsing onto the cold, unforgiving floor of her cell.
The heroes found themselves ensnared by the relentless grip of their cuffs, which compelled their legs to shuffle down the dimly lit corridor between the cells, rendering their newfound magic inaccessible. They trudged onward, ultimately arriving at two ominous cages nestled in the shadows of the dungeon's depths. The cuffs guided the men into one cage and the women into another, where the guards secured the cage doors with a final, chilling clang of metal.
Once the guards ascended the stairs, leaving the dungeon shrouded in silence, the oppressive compulsion that had bound their voices began to fade. At last, they could speak once again.
"I... I can't help but wonder what's going to happen to us. Do you think we'll end up like that woman in the other cell? I really hope not." Amy's voice was shaky, as she held herself in a hug, and for once, she didn't sound like she was joking.
Jayla was frowning in irritation and about to let out a tirade until she looked at Amy and let out a heavy sigh. She was ready to unleash a whole speech, but seeing Amy's scared face made her heart soften. It was strange to see her fierce friend looking so vulnerable; it reminded her that Amy was barely an adult, still figuring herself out. Feeling a bit awkward, Jayla wrapped her arms around Amy and rested her chin on her head. She could feel Amy trembling, so she started humming and gently rubbed her back. As the shaking turned into soft sobs, Jayla kept her soothing rhythm going. "It's okay, girl. We got this. We'll make it through together, you're not alone."
"Guys could you turn around for a bit," said Inga.
"Why do you want us to turn around?" said Paul while wiggling his eyebrows.
"I'm going to see it I can get us out of here, but what I need to do is embarrassing, so turn around," said Inga.
"Whatever you can do in front of the girls, you can do in front of me," said Paul.
"Just do what she wants if she thinks she can get us out of here, stop messing around," said Brian.
"Alright, fine, don't say I never did anything for you," said Paul while the guys all turned around.
"I despise this," Inga whispered, a deep sigh escaping her. As she closed her eyes, a blinding light burst forth from her skin, and her body began to contort in a nightmarish fashion. The sound of her bones cracking reverberated through the air, mingling with a moan filled with torment, just as Brian turned back, his voice rising in panic.
Her shoulders snapped, arms stretching grotesquely, the sound akin to flesh being torn apart. She quaked and fell to her hands and knees. Her face twisted into a feline shape, dark red fur sprouting like weeds, while her teeth elongated into the fearsome fangs of a sabertooth. Her form expanded, transforming into a colossal beast, twice the size of a tiger, cloaked in dark red fur with black spots like a cheetah, yet her eyes remained hauntingly familiar. She lay on the ground, panting heavily, the remnants of the cuffs that had been around her ankles lying in crumpled strips beside her.
With each step backward, Brian felt the ground slip away beneath him, until he tumbled, crashing onto the unforgiving floor. The back of his head thudded against the wall, and in that moment of pain, his gaze locked onto a horrifying sight. His crush, once a vision of beauty, morphed into a nightmarish figure, a chilling specter that clawed at the edges of his sanity.
Their eyes intertwined across a narrow distance, now an expansive void that loomed ominously. This was the reason she had kept her true self hidden; she was no playful kitten, but a creature born from nightmares. A towering beast capable of severing a man in two with a single bite. The magical cuffs that bound her did not restrain her transformation, for this monstrous visage was as much her essence as her other form. The shift was not reliant on magic, yet it was a harrowing and exhausting trial without its aid. The transformation was slow and agonizing, but it could be achieved. As her gaze remained fixed on Brian's, her ears fell flat against her head, and a soft whimper escaped her lips. He would not desire her now.
Everyone else in the cage with her had backed up while she transformed, until Amy took a step forward. "Is that still you in there? Can you understand what I'm saying?"
Inga sprawled her belly on the ground, doing her best to appear as endearing and approachable as she could. It was no easy feat, given her size and sharp fangs, but somehow she managed to charm. Resting her head on her paws, she nodded enthusiastically and crawled toward Amy, her big eyes sparkling with innocence. A soft whine escaped her lips as her ears drooped down, revealing her vulnerability. She desperately wanted her new friends to feel at ease around her; the thought of being alone again was unbearable.
She believed that the only way to ensure their safety was to reveal her beast form. In her mind, this was the most effective way to protect them from danger. She was aware that she could free herself from the magical bindings, and once she transformed, it would be a simple task to release everyone else. Most people were unaware that beastkin could actually transform even when their magic was suppressed, as very few dared to attempt it due to the excruciating pain involved.
With a cautious approach, she crawled nearer, her paw gradually lifting toward Amy's ankle. In an instant, a sleek, dagger-like claw extended from her paw, cutting through the heavy metal cuff with the ease of spreading butter on a slice of toast. Amy's gaze was fixed in shock as the magic restraint cuffs clanged against the stone floor, each sound echoing in the air. In mere moments, the robust metal cuffs were effortlessly divided, leaving her breathless at the display of power.
Amy cleared her throat and a quiet squeak came out, "Thank you."
A low rumbling pur could be heard and then Inga rubbed her giant cat head against Amy's legs. Then she looked at Jayla and slowly started to approach her.
"Don't stress! I saw it was you. Now, can you come over here and help me out of these restraints? I'm ready to give some guards a new look!"
Inga rose to her feet, her height making her loom over the others, and strolled over with her tail wagging joyfully behind her. She felt reassured that her friends wouldn't leave her side. However, she couldn't shake off her concern about Brian, who appeared to be lost in a state of shock.
With remarkable speed, she removed the last of the restraints, and once Jayla was liberated, the atmosphere lightened for everyone except Brian. The others found comfort in her presence, reassured that she meant no harm. However, Brian remained silent, his eyes locked on her, and a heavy dread settled in her stomach. The damage between them felt profound, and she couldn't shake the fear that it might be beyond repair.
She sliced through the door of the girls' cage before making her way to the guys' side, where she opened their door as well. Paul was the first to emerge, gently scratching behind her ear, prompting a soft purr from her. After freeing him from his restraints, the other guys followed suit, except for Brian, who remained inside, gazing at her with a blank expression, as if he couldn't quite comprehend the scene unfolding before him.
With an eye roll and a dramatic sigh, Jayla said, "You better hurry up and get out here, or I'm coming in to set your backside on fire!"
Coming Next Time: Proposal
Why have we been arrested?!