-Break-

One month later

Location: Campsite

Looking at the newly extended wall of the campsite as the moon shines down on us, I say, “We're basically done now.”

We have completely taken down the old one and have built in a brand new wall, which was a complete pain in the ass. Especially since a lot of the beastkin suck at speaking, and then they used their poor instructions as a way to punish us.

Fucking assholes! But at the very least I don’t have to deal with this tedious work anymore, but now that I think about it isn’t it getting close to the second season of the year again?

Will I have to go and deal with those awful flowers again!? Let’s hope that some miracle happens and I get to do some work involving axes again!

As I walk back to my hut, I look around and say, “The campsite is at the very least twice as big as it was before.”

Not only that but it seems the bigger groups have been split up into smaller ones.

It is quite obvious that all of this is for new slaves who will be coming, and along with that thought, I also thought this just must have been a commonplace procedure for new slaves coming to the camp, but according to Charles they have never done this before.

This is rather crazy to me, because there was a ridiculous amount of people brought in with me and yet that didn’t cause any change, and not only that but the fact that many of them have died should have also freed up more space.

So it is utterly crazy that we will be getting people to fill all this space with, and back during the 2nd month when I could talk to Ogier and some of the other kids, I have found out this is happening on all of their campsites as well.

Gritting my teeth I try to hold back in my rage. The beastkin our out there during more clans like mine. Killing their parents, siblings, and friends, then forcing the survivors to work on these plantations till they die.

As these thoughts of rage flow through my mind, I see two beastkin walk past me, and I feel like all the limits I have placed on myself for survival are about to reach a bursting point, but I say, “Whatever,” and calm down.

There is nothing we can do about it so at this point why complain. They are stronger than us and there is simply nothing we can do about it, the same way my family hunted animals they hunted us. “it is just the natural order.”

Yeah, Nero, you need to keep telling yourself this, or else you might snap one of these days. No point in fighting against it, just accept it.

Looking up at the moon, I say, “But boy, wouldn’t life be more fun if I could delude myself from this life, and hope that one day a hero would come and save us all from here.”

Suddenly the image of the man who was praying on the cart bringing us here pops into my mind. Walking forward, I say, “I guess both of us are just as crazy, I will apologize to him the next time we meet.”

After a little bit of walking, I eventually come to see my hut, and to my unsurprize I see the assholes beating on Charles, but it definitely seems more viscous than usual.

Almost as if my body is possessed, I rush over there and attack the man hitting Charles bringing him to his knees instantly, then I shout, “If you pieces of shit have a problem bring it up with me.”

The man looks at me and says, “As annoying as ever, but what’s more annoying is that big mouth is being inherited by that scum over there.”

Charles then says, “My name isn’t scum, it is Charles Animus.”

“DO YOU REALLY THINK WE GIVE A FUCK!?”

Hearing this I turn around in utter shock; Did Charles just talk back to them!!!?

From deep within my soul a feeling wells up, and an uncontrollable smile appears on my face.

So I get into a fighting position, and hop up and down, which causes one of the men to say, “What are you so happy about.”

“Oh, nothing, disappointment like you to your deceased families could ever understand.”

Me saying this intensifies their already seething rage, so like a pack of wild dogs, they attack me, and Charles.

-Break-

The next day

Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

Location: Far east of the River Lúide, inside a nearby forest

Grabbing Charles by the shoulder, Dónal says, “There are marks on your face.” Then looking at me with a glare that might be frightening if it wasn’t coming from a coward, he says, “WHAT HAPPENED!”

“Those same assholes, attack us but were more viscous so they actually managed to leave a scar on Charles this time, right under his left eye.”

“WHAT DID YOU DO TO PISS THEM OFF.”

“They kept calling me scum, instead of my real name Charles Animus.”

Hearing that name, Dónal recoils, and says, “Well Charles is a goo-.”

“Charles Animus, not Charles.”

“Charles is a really wonderful name-.”

“Charles Animus is my name.”

“I really love the name Charles.”

“So, you're just like them. I see.” Charles says as he turns around.

With a desperate expression, Dónal says, “Give me a moment.”

Turning around to wait for his response, Charles looks at Dónal dead in the eyes, and begrudgingly he says, “Charles An-i-mu-s.”

With a thumbs up Charles smiles, and says, “Good job.”

Seeing this I start to laugh, which causes Dónal to say, “Shut up human!”

Turning to Charles he asks, “Hey why don’t you go by Charles Fuinseog, it is a much better name in my opinion.”

“No, I like Animus.”

Staring at him, I say, “If he did that we would just get caught straight away if I used.”

Dramatically, Dónal says “Why does fate have to be like this? If it wasn’t for that same cursed reason, I would have already killed those humans who dare hurt you.”

Dónal then starts to ramble on in his unrecognizable language, so I say, “If you're going to say something use the song of the saviour, and not whatever demonic tongue that is.”

Annoyed he says, “It is no demonic tongue, it is the language of the beastkin.”

“Nonsense. The grand sage Cordum passed down that all languages originated from the song of the saviour, so the fact that I haven’t been able to recognize a single word you people have said in the language proves, it isn’t of this world, so it must be the language of demons.”

Now let’s see if Dónal falls for my trap.

Erratically Dónal says, “That isn’t true, we made this language decades ago so that you flitty humans wouldn’t understand us, it was intentionally made different in all aspects.”

Just as planned, and now as I have instructed Charles to do whenever Dónal brings things up, he is to inquire more about it.

Charles says, “So you speak two different languages.”

Excited, Dónal says, “Yes, I do. Most beastkin our only know our native one, but beastkin from more noble and educated backgrounds are thought the song of the saviour. So I am one of the more educated ones.”

“How interesting,” Charles says, causing Dónal to start rambling uncontrollably.

This is major, by that logic, the vast majority of beastkin would be completely unable to understand us. This might make finding information from certain beastkin hard, still, it explains one thing; why some beastkin can’t speak for shit.

Suddenly Dónal screams and says, “WHAT AM I GOING TO DO ABOUT THOSE BASTARDS.”

“Nothing, me and Charles are just going to have to put up with it like always.”

Charles says, “I would like something to be done.”

Surprised I say, “Really Charles, I thought you were all but used to it.”

“I am. But I am worried about you. Your body is a lot weaker than when it started so if they continue as viscously as it was today you might be hurt really bad, or die.”

Looking at his almost sad face, I pat him on the head and say, “Don’t worry about me, I am fine here.”

Dónal says, “Yeah you shouldn’t worry about him, he is trash anyways.”

Charles looks Dónal in the eyes, and says, “He is my family, stop it.”

Sadden, Dónal says, “But what about me?”

Patting Dónal on the head, he says, “You're also family.”

“Really.”

“Yes.”

Dónal full of energy says, “You’re the most precious thing to ever exist, that’s it you human.”

“What is it.”

“I am going to teach you how to defend myself.”

“Don’t waste your energy, without a weapon there is no way I can deal with a bunch of adults.”

He snickers at me while making a smug face, “It seems no matter how much you try and hide it the stupid human keeps coming out.”

“There is nothing stupid about it, it is impossible.”

“Then I will show you it is not soon you will never be touched by those guys again.”

“Ok then go ahead.”

Location: A few meters away from all three of them.

Φ Behind a cluster of trees, listening in to the conversation of the three is the same man that was there when Nero was branded; the goat beastkin Cormac.

And hearing their conversation, I whisper, “I knew something was going on with that coward. He was simply smiling too much, now I wonder what I should do with this information.”

-Break-

Location: Campsite

2 months later

Φ As we all stand in front of the gate preparing to be let go, a beastkin stands on top of the gate, and says, “Each and every one of you, are to return back to your huts for the rest of the day, no movement for any reason will be permitted. Break this rule, and your punishment will be given fifty lashes.”

With that, he walks away, and following his example the rest of us go back to our huts, and whilst we do I say to Charles, “It seems that the new slaves have finally arrived, guess that is the reason they are cancelling work for today.”

“They have never cancelled work before though.”

“Well it is probably because of how large scale this new group is, just looking at all the construction we did, shows us that we have a large amount of incoming people.”

“I see.”

-Break-

Sitting in my hut beside Charles, I say, “It has gotten dark, we heard them start hours ago but it seems they are still not done sorting everything out. Well considering all the noise I wouldn’t have expected anything else.”

Charles sitting beside, me asks, “Why are you starting at the entrance?”

“Because I am waiting for our new roommate.”

“But I never get anyone to join me.”

“But I joined last year, and we had to expand our hut like everyone else so we are definitely getting someone new.”

“I see,” Charles says oddly.

“Do you not want a new roommate, did you not like me?”

“I do like you.”

Ruffing up his hair, I say, “Then now you have a chance to get another me.”

As I say this, I see what appears to be a mini smile appear on Charles face, and an aura of happiness appears around him. “I would like that.”

“Then let’s get ready for our new friend.”

Eventually, someone walks over to our tent, and as they walk through the door, a shocked expression enters my face.

Charles beside, me says, “That boy has long hair and brown skin, I also think he might have a small bump around his chest. Is he sick?”

I might not be sure about this, but I think that must be. “No Charles, that person in front of us is a girl!”