-Break-

Later that night

Location: Campsite

With Jupio in his arms, Charles is flung to the floor by a group of people from the campsite.

Despite being hit hard, Charles's first instinct is to watch over the little Jupio in his arms.

Looking up at his attackers, he says, “Why are you doing this?”

The man in front of them all says, “You almost ruined all of our lives today, despite how much better it has gotten for us you tried to throw us into hell.”

“I simply spoke the truth of what I saw, and is that action enough of a sin to do this to me?”

The man grips his hands and looks down then says, “I would be lying if I said your words earlier didn’t ignite something in me, and many around me would attest to that.

But no matter how truthful they are it doesn’t change the fact we will never leave here, this life we currently have is the best we could ever hope for, so if we have to be pets, be property we will do so. Because you're not the only one tasked with protecting a child.”

“But is this life one we really want to raise the children in?”

He looks extremely conflicted and says, “Chasing after such a dream will doom those who live in the present, and since you don’t understand that I will make you.”

I cover Jupio and as I do I am hit repeatedly again and again. Due to all the food I have gotten I can use the flowy stuff yet again to protect my body. But despite taking no damage I still cry.

It is all my fault. It is because of meeting me, and my foolish blunders that everyone is gone. They gave me so much yet I took so much away from all of them.

I used to be hit like this time and time again with the men who did it telling me to die repeatedly over and over again, it was as if they thought my death would suddenly make everything my life caused go away.

But now more than anything else I wish that was true, I wish by giving up this worthless little life that I could make all my mistakes my despair and all the sadness I have caused disappear.

With my body over her to protect her from the ongoing strikes, my tears fall down at Jupio and stain her little face. As she starts to cry as well, I say, “I am sorry, I am sorry, I am sorry.”

-Break-

The next day

Location: Anam Castle

Due to my interruption the day prior it had seemed the party she had planned for us ended early even though I had left, so I continued the next day.

So with Jupio still in my arms, I sat down against a wall with my head down. But despite me not looking at anyone else, just like spikes, I felt their anger and contempt towards me.

I led many of them into running from the woman who had become a god to them. To them, I was their devil.

Yet despite that, someone came over to me, and said, “Here you go.”

Looking up I see the man Ogier with an eye missing holding out some food for me to grab.

“Why?”

“Because it would obviously be hard for you to get food without my help, so take it and eat.”

Grabbing the food from his hand, I say, “Thank you.”

Seeing as I accepted his gift he sat down beside me, and he said, “You don’t have to respond to me, you can just eat as I blabber away.

A few months ago Nero was sent to my campsite and he looked like he was a corpse walking, it seems they had beaten him quite intensely before they brought him to us.

But it wasn’t that beating that made him look dead, but the look in his eyes, it was the look of a man who had died in soul not flesh. So I have been taking care of him, as thanks for the time when he patched up my eye.”

“Thank you,” I say.

“It really isn’t a big deal, I just decided to do it because there isn’t anything else to do on the campsite. But boy was it hard, he never talked except when he was sleeping, and he struggled to eat most of the time and when he did he violently spit up his food. He wasn’t doing good in the slightest.

But yesterday when he saw you talking to her, it was like life went back in his eyes.”

“What?”

“He had barely said a word over all these months by he eloquently got up and started to defend you. I was completely taken aback, he really must love you.”

Looking down, I say, “That’s impossible, he wouldn’t do that for me after all I have down to him.”

“As sure I am that all of these beastkin around us, don’t like us in the slightest, I am sure that Nero cares for you an equal amount.”

Hearing this I feel something deep within me, so I ask, “Where is he?”

“I don’t know.”

“What do you mean?”

“Yesterday, it seemed he was talking to Katheleen about what you said and since then he hasn’t returned.” With a sad expression, he says, “I think he might have gotten punished for what you said.”

I instantly jump up and say, “I need to go.”

But then I remember that I have Jupio with me. If I sneak into where Katheleen is I definitely can’t take Jupio with me.

Looking down at Ogier, I say, “Would you please be able to look after her?”

“Ehh, raising a child is a big responsibility?”

“You don’t have to worry Nero will be coming to take her soon.”

Instantly, I run out of the Castle gates, which causes a group of Beastkin to start running after me.

When I see them, I start to speed up and rush into the forest, and they eagerly follow me. They won’t be able to catch me at their speed, so while they chase after me I will circle around and sneak into the castle.

-Break-

Location: Anam Castle; Viscounts bed chambers

Φ My father was a common farmer and was drafted into a war like countless other men.

My father was rather strong, but for a foot soldier on the battlefield the biggest factor which decides whether you go home or not will always be luck, skill can only get you so far in that chaos.

So he ran away like a prideless coward, and as he did he came across a member of the red branch and saved his life. With the lone accomplishment or family went from grass to nobles.

Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

Still, we were lowly nobles which led to a lot of bullying for me, especially when people learned how my family reached such a title. But in return for all this bullying, my father could just bow his head and laugh it off because the kids who mocked me to death were more powerful than him.

I was trash, I was nothing. My bloodline had no unique animal traits to pass down, and my beauty was eclipsed by others so marriage wasn’t easy to come by for me. And the men who did come around simply used love to get what they wanted from me and then tossed me aside when they were finished.

Due to the differences in rank, none would believe me. I was alone, but so were others who were around me. The humans who were kept on the lands of the nobles were like me.

And just like how animals group together due to their differences so do beastkin. I watched how the humans were treated day by day, and noticing the similarities I couldn’t help but be drawn to them.

I helped them, defended them, and talked to them as if they were my equals, and soon this caused a strange phenomenon to happen.

These people who looked completely dead would only ever smile in my presence, they would run to me whenever they saw me. When I wasn’t around they spoke of me and yearned for me.

These people had lost everything and had completely broken down, and in that empty state my kindness had completely overtaken them, they were all rebuilt around me. To them, I was their core, their god.

And the feelings these humans had for me, rebirthed me into such.

I asked to be sent to a plantation, and using the same methods I eventually brought the people there to the same state that the others were at. They dedicated their hearts and souls to me and worked harder than ever before.

Many in our ranks are only rewarded based on family powers, but there are competent men like the wolf of the east who reward people based on their competency, and just like that I soared passed my father's rank and became a viscount.

I was given more land and work, I was given more believers who would give me, their minds, their bodies, theirs souls. I was in a perfect world, but now I have come across something that has decided to ruin that.

Reaching my right hand I put it around the neck of the human boy chained to the bed, and I continue to mount him and look into his eyes.

Why, Why are there still people who rejected me so passionately on this plantation? The look in this boy's eyes is as if he still has hope in this life, and the other one with the baby was the same.

You have no hope, no future, nothing yet someone you still reject me. I refuse to allow this to happen. I am your saviour, without me, you would be a slave!

Bringing my face towards his ear, I say, “Love me,” And continue.

But after some time I hear a knock on my door. So I put on my robes, walk over towards the door, and say, “What is it?”

Speaking through the door, my subject on the other side says, “The boy Charles has escaped.”

Shocked, I say, “What do you mean he has escaped, how the hell did he get past you all?”

“I don’t know he was just so fast we couldn’t catch him.”

How could such a thing be possible? There could only be one answer; “Spirit arts.”

“What should we do?”

Opening the door, I step out and say, “Find him, I am going to go out there and keep the peace.”

With fervour, I walk out and say, “I need to settle this quick.”

Φ Unknown to both Kathleen and the beastkin Charles was already in the castle actually he was hanging on to the top of the right wall. He had plunged his fist inside and had used it to keep his body up.

An inhuman feet, that the beastkin wouldn’t ever think was possible. As the two left he jumped from wall to wall until he reached the bottom with as little volume as possible.

Then looking through those giant doors, Charles opens them and walks in and the sight before him leaves him speechless.

In front of me lying on the bed, is Nero naked with both his arms chained to the bed. “Nero,” I say running over to him.

“Oh is that you Charles?” He says with a big smile on his face.

Getting closer I see, his body is abused with the most notable thing being his swollen right eye and swollen left cheek. He was already looking weak, but now he looks even worse. Though despite all of this he has a sick and unnatural smile on his face.

Facing me he says, “I don’t know why but I feel great, everything feels really nice even the air.”

Smelling something putrid beside the bed, I see some little blouses. As I cover my mouth from the stench, Nero says, “She made me eat those, and now I feel strange.”

Mariana once told me that some poisonous things don’t kill the taker but instead render them in a state of utter uselessness.

“Nero let’s go I need to get you some help.”

Looking at me Nero says, “Charles you gotten really, really big. You used to be so tiny and cute like a baby but now you’re a man, you can have kids, but you have to find a wife. I hope that the woman you marry is an Angel.”

Hearing what he says, I freeze for a moment and say, “I don’t deserve such happiness.”

Crying, I say, “It is all my fault that Mariana, Edward, Sandra, and everyone else died. That you have been constantly tortured and beaten, and that Jupio will never see her parents again. It was all my fault!”

With a calm and serene voice, Nero looks up and says, “You’re utterly amazing. You were born without love, and were surrounded by enemies yet became so kind, that you suppressed all of your issues and became strong. Now a boy who couldn’t speak can say words that shake my soul.

While I still have nightmares about the day my people were killed. Mariana knew how amazing you were and that’s why she sacrificed herself for you, and I agree with that decision because I would do the same for you any day.”

Still crying, I say, “Nero, I am so sorry.”

“No, I should be apologizing to you and Mariana because she sure isn’t happy with her cheating husband. Look I can see her puffed up checks angry staring down at me.”

Looking at his face, I say, “What are you talking about?”

As I come in view of his face, I see that his eyes are full of blood, and his nose is bleeding uncontrollably.

“No, no, no, no, no,” I say looking at him. “Where they poisoned? If so I need an antidote, it must be around here somewhere!”

I run around the room and frantically throw things around, while saying, “Everything will be alright, everything will be alright, I promise, I promise.”

“Mom, Dad, even Claudia is here, they're all waving at me.” Then he says, “Hey Charles, I can’t see anything so could you hold my hand.”

Hearing this I run over to him and grab his hand.

“Thank you Charles I was starting to feel scared.”

“Everything will be ok, just hold on for a little longer.”

Gripping my hand tightly, Nero says, “Charles please go to Floración.”

“Mariaiana home?”

“Yes, and then to Edwards, Sandra’s, Pluso’s, Ogier’s, my home of Terrafide. Go and look around and see how beautiful they are. Promise me.”

“I promise, me, you and Jupio will go see it all.”

Nero's sick smile vanishes, and the kind one I have always known appears, then he says, “I always thought I would be a good big brother, and an even better father. But seeing you made me know that I was the best in the world. I love you, Charles.”

As Nero says this his arm goes limp. “Nero? Nero? Please stop kidding, please lift your arm, please say something.”

Suddenly a loud noise rang through the room, but it wasn’t coming from something strange, but from me. My voice echoed throughout the room, as I fall to my knees still holding Nero’s hand.

Moments later two beastkin arrive through the door, then one shouts, “There he is.”

The first one walks over to Charles and grabs him trying to pull him saying, “Let’s go.”

But Charles doesn’t budge.

So the beastkin says, “Let go of that boy and move now, or I will make you.” He then reaches at Nero.

But this action causes Charles to react, and grab the man's arm which he snaps. Then getting up in a series of fluid motions, he breaks his other arms and his two legs, and after he does that he wraps his arms around the beastkins neck and snaps it.

The other beastkin taken aback by the ease he just saw his comrade die, pulls out his sword and steps back.

Charles slowly walks up to him and says, “Step back human or I will show you through terror.”

But Charles ignores him and just keeps walking forward.

-Break-

Φ Standing we all my subjects I engage in small talk, as I wait around for my guards to report back to me.

Though in my peripheral vision, I keep an eye on Ogier and the girl Jupio. There is a chance Charles tries to come back for her, so I need to be extra careful.

A giant sound rings throughout the area. “Did someone just open the castle gates?”

From the balcony, I usually stand at Charles jumps down. As he lands I get a good look at him and see he is covered in blood has a sword in hand, and has someone on his back.

Locking eyes with me, Charles drops the body on his back on the floor; it is Nero. Then he says, “This is what she did to him.”

The eyes in the area are a mixture of confusion, shock, and terror. So I say, “ I did no such thing?”

Charles chucks something at me, and grabbing it I see it is the head of one of my guards.

In shock, I fall back to my butt and scream. Then Charles says, “Lie all you want, I already decided what I am going to do to you.”

As Charles walks forward I notice he tightens his grip around his sword. So I instantly start to run towards, Jupio and say, “She is mine.”

But before Kathleen can even reach the child, Charles cuts her head off, and says, “Don’t touch her filth.”

Φ People in the surrounding area start to scream and one says, “Do you know what you have just done to all of us!”

This is followed by a series of complaints.

And in response to all of this Charles screams, “SHUT UP!” His voice is so loud and visceral that all in the area come to a halt.

“I am going to leave and go, that is the path I have chosen, I refuse to let Jupio or myself end up like Nero and Mariana so I am going.”

Suddenly a group of armoured Beastkin walk in and seeing the head of their boss rolling they Charge the humans indiscriminately.

But before they harm a single person each of the armoured beastkin is cut down in a flash.

Looking at their bodies, I say, “And anyone who stands in my way will be cut down. If the rest of you are ok being property, slaves stay here. BUT IF YOU WISH FOR SOMETHING MORE WITH YOUR LIVES, IF YOU WISH FOR SOMETHING MORE FOR THE LIVES OF YOUR LOVED ONES AND ALL OF THEIR DESCENDANTS THEN STAND UP AND FOLLOW ME, NOT A SINGLE ONE OF YOU WILL DIE IF YOU STAY WITH ME!”

I grab Nero and Jupio and walk forward, and behind me, I hear a large amount of footsteps.

It was written in the books of the Tuatha De Danann that day that on their 618th plantation all the humans and animals, including the wonderbeasts had vanished, and all that remained were the dead bodies of beastkin.

To Charles, this story was the story of a tragedy that never ended. But to the humans of that time and all of those who came after, it was a story of hope that began their reign over most of the world.

But the time for the rest of this story to be told is not here yet, so we return to the present where the young boy with eyes that constantly look forward wakes up.