A New Home Part 2

  "OH CRAP!” Francis yelled as he watched in horror. What was supposed to be a throw fight quickly became a death sentence. True! He did not personally care about this creature’s well-being, but Gerwulf did. Gerwulf was his friend. The only being in this world that took care of him, and valued his companionship. He did not want to think what would happen if this divine beast died in his care. Francis saw the creature eyeing the Death Squirrel like so many other creatures before it before falling victim to its true self.

  Francis pulled out his comm crystal. “Grisre! Grisre! Grisre! Are you there?” He desperately voiced. There was a long silence. It felt like an eternity. “Gerwulf knew the risks right? He had to.” Francis thought. Anger crept into his mind, and tried the Crystal again. This time he was practically yelling into it, but Grisre still did not answer. He looked back over the observation deck with knowing fear. Now the squirrel had begun its transformation. Francis bolted down into the beast pit only to find the other beasts frozen in fear with the door to the panic room locked. He wasted no time in giving the all clear. Three staffers cautiously peeked out of the door “I-Is it-t go-gone?” one of them nervously stuttered. Francis didn't answer. Someone would pay for this, but first he needed to find Grisre. She was in charge of that monstrosity. So, she would know how to safely calm it down and retrieve it. Francis Bolted out of the room. This left the 3 workers scared and confused. He rounded into the secondary beast pit, and found her cleaning its cage out. “Grisre You foolish woman what have you done?” Francis said screaming. “My job. So what? It made it into the arena, didn't it?” She replied defiantly, then with wide eyes, covered her mouth. He backhanded her just hard enough to knock her to the floor. Slaves did not talk to their betters this way. He would punish her again later. For now, he needed that squirrel retrieved and caged. “That squirrel is about to kill a valuable asset that belongs to the second.” He said quickly and harshly. Grisre's eyes fell to the floor. “We can't.” She said weakly. “WHY NOT?” Francis asked shouting angrily. “Because you had ordered me to starve it for the next fight. So, I did. It won't stop until it has fed.” Grisre finished shaking like a leaf. Her words hit Francis like a mountain. He was about to smack her into the wall, but instead grabbed her by the collar and dragged her to the entrance to the arena's fighting pit. Francis was not going to kill her, but he would be cruel about it. Slaves were not cheap after all. That and the fact that she was a gift from Gerwulf, made her a prized possession, which was why he was far more lenient with her then with the others. That would not stop him from reminding her of her place. He slid the slider open and looked inside only to find to his astonishment that Gerwulf's new acquisition was alive. He let out an audible sigh. The beast survived. It was in bad shape, but alive. Somehow, against all odds, it had killed the death squirrel.

  Francis gave his slave a cruel smile. In a ruff but nonlethal sort of way he shoved Grisre to the door and reached for it. “NO! NO! NO! NO! YOU CAN'T! I AM SORRY. Plehehehease don't.” She pleaded terrified and sobbing. Bring it to its cage alive and I'll forgive you. He cackled maniacally slapping a mana collar into her hands, then shoved the terrified and sobbing woman through the open door.

  Grisre heard the door slam behind her with her master cackling. What she saw eased her fear, surprised her, and broke her heart all at the same time. She was a kind soul. Before her clan sold her into slavery, she was practicing to be a beast tamer. This was how she was able to take good care and bond with the creatures here at the arena. Grisre even got along with them, except one, but Chimagriffs were difficult anyway. She rushed over checking on the beautiful black cat. It was panting on the ground rolled over on its side. She quickly examined the poor thing, and noticed to her horror that the creature had a couple of ribs floating around inside it with a nasty gash were the death squirrel done its damage. Grisre's obsessive care for these beasts often times got her in trouble with her master, and she knew this was only part of her punishment. However, now knowing that this cat was a priority acquisition explained why Francis brought her here instead of a continued beating. That would come later.

  Grisre glanced at the dead Death Squirrel. Her heart broke even more and she cried. She had thought the boss wanted to evolve the Squirrel, but he meant the cat. Her mistake got one of her cherished wards killed. She turned blurry eyed back to the cat. “You really are a lucky one” She thought. “In for a pennium. In for a Dennarum” She murmured. Grisre was already going to be beaten. So at least she'd make sure this poor creature survived. “I NEED A RECOVERY CAGE NOW. IT'S DYING.” she yelled with urgency. She also winced as she said it. The pain still present, reminded her of her master’s slap, but the response she got wasn't what Grisre was expecting. Instead, she heard her master screaming orders with a faint sound of footsteps. Grisre heard the poor thing coughing and weezing. She looked down to see it cough up blood. Its breathing was becoming shallow. She was about to lose this creature to the veil of death. Grisre was reminded of something her old master did to a Lightning Fox that had suffered a similar fate, but forbade her from trying until she had more experience.

  Despite not having the tools for the Job, Grisre gathered what she could find. With that, her grizzly work began. With the Death Squirrel tentacle, she harvested a little of its acid on the tip of a stone chip that she then proceeded to use to cut the cat open. She needed to quick and precise, and was careful not to damage anything more than necessary. Some damage was expected, but what she found brought the expectation of some to a new threshold. One rib had punctured its lung. The other was pressed against it. Normally a beast would resist a surgery like this without being knocked out, but this poor thing was that far gone. With care Grisre removed the first rib, then dipped what was left of the stone chip into the tentacle acid. With the stone chip at the ready, she gently removed the other rib from the lung. Blood oozed out of the creature's lung. The cat's breathing steadily became normal with every bit of liquid that spilled from its lungs. With a finger Grisre then plugged the hole.

  Soon Francis arrived with the cage. “WHAT HAVE YOU DONE!” he screeched with his free hand raised. “I'M saving its life you idiot. Quick! Open the cage.” she chastised. Oh, whatever! Let him get pissy. As long as this wonderful creature lives. “In for a pennium. In for a Dennarum” she reminded herself. Francis begrudgingly obeyed, but the surgery was not over yet. Grisre still had to make sure everything healed and sealed correctly. Briefly, she released the hole, so she could place the cat into the cage. After doing so the cage's healing and regenerative properties took over. The hole closed, ribs and tissue regrew, and while this happened Grisre guided the process physically to ensure the wound sealed properly. Francis soon calmed down. As soon as he had come to his senses she felt his hand collide with her face.

  Ross and Karber arrived at Dauntless Village. The journey there started very rocky all things considered. The dragon felt bad, and offered to escort Ross to Coran. The dragon regaled stories of his heroic adventures. Ross thought it was odd that the dragon was a noble knight. He even asked how that was possible, but the flying calamity just shrugged saying “I ate somebodies’ livestock, and boom I'M a knight.” He just let it drop. If it wanted to be a knight, what did it matter? The pair stopped at an inn called the Rusty Nail. Karber Made an audible caough. “I would like to book a room.” The innkeeper smiled at the dragon, then frowned when he saw Ross. “Your cat is going to have to sleep outside.” The balding innkeeper stated. “Do you have mice?” the dragon asked politely. The innkeeper looked as though he was about to deny it when a mouse scurried across the counter. “Yeah so? What of it?” the innkeeper asked defensively. “Well how about this? I loan the cat to you during my stay as a mouser free of charge.” Ross caught a glimpse of something being pulled out of Karber's pocket. The Innkeeper gave a grunt and a nod still not happy that a cat was taking up residence at his pet free inn. Ross couldn't help but feel like he was being pimped out like a common whore. Although he was hungry, and a part of him really wanted that mouse. Well, if Karber painted Ross a mouser, then a mouser he would be. It beat sleeping outside. The mouse tried to escape, but Karber picked it up by the tail and flung it toward Ross. The pour rodent was sent careening into the door behind him. Ross cursed. Karber just would not let him catch a break. Ross bolted after the mouse. It bounced off of the dragon's human form bounding off into the kitchen. “WOW that's fast.” he thought. It was time to put up or shut up, and he wasn't going to sleep outside hungry. So, it was an easy choice. He'd take care of the mouse. Ross bolted after it claws extended. His animal mind took over in mid-chase dulling his objective reasoning. He was able to keep up with the abnormally fast rodent, but it made every attempt to evade the cat by going under and around feet and under tables until it found its escape. Ross ran comically into the wall like a scene from the old Tom and Jerry cartoons. His human mind resurfaced, and with it a splitting headache. To add insult to injury, the mouse even insulted him. No big deal. He would try again. As long as there was progress, he would be fine.

  Ross spent the day scoping the place out. He made sure to get a good whiff of the troublesome rodent, so he could find its path of travel, and if he was lucky maybe snag himself some scraps from the kitchen. “Gross! Why does that seem so appetizing?” Ross just chalked it up to animal mind stuff. Come to think of it, he really wanted to eat that mouse. “Whatever! Food is food.” The cat purred softly. Ross followed the scent up some stairs when he heard something. It was a slight scratching sound. He got low and stalked quietly up the stairs to see a mouse struggling up the stairs. It looked hurt. “That innkeeper will pay, and soon this town will belong to master.” The mouse didn't get a chance to finish its deprecating speech of domination and revenge on a town it barely knew and an inn keeper who probably hurt it, because Ross pounced on the mouse. “Your mine” came its last and ominous squeak. He heard more mice at the top of the stairs cheering Ross on before rushing away. He felt a sudden urge to kill and eat the helpless mouse. He was going to do this anyway, but hunger began to eat at his stomach far worse than before, and this mouse smelled so good. “NO NO NO not like...” the mouse tried to squeak Crack Ross snapped its neck with his jaws. His hunger was soon washed away with the exquisite taste of mouse. He could get used to this. This was better than steak. Sadly, there was no core. Ross carried its head to the mouse hole where the first mouse had escaped. He carefully placed it in front of the hole, then with his paw gave it a good wack. Before darkness consumed the head, Ross could have sworn he saw little black legs sprout from the neck. “Probably a trick of the light” The cat turned, letting it go. It was never his policy to start shit, but he was being compensated for this service, plus it wasn't like these filthy yet tasty morsels were invited either. OK, well they were invited to be dinner at le café Ross. He drooled a little. Then a thought occurred to him. These mice seemed organized. Yes, they were very deluded, but what if they could help him find a lead that would help with locating Danny.

  Ross had met many lunatics and extremists in his time. Then again who knew animals could be this way. Well, whatever, he met a real dragon. Who was he to question this. Part of himself still nagged at him for killing that mouse, but the bestial part of him told him that this was the circle of life. A law of the monster world. For now, he would have to play by the rules given his circumstances. With past experiences in his human life, he knew several things that applied here, and that was that you can't reason with crazy. Those mice intended to hurt people, and the other was that by chasing that mouse he had excepted the payment for services rendered. To not get rid of these mice would also be wrong, or maybe he was just overthinking it. “I'll just ask Karber. Maybe he'll have some insight on this. Dragons are supposed to be wise.” Ross mused.

  Ross followed Karber's scent to their room. He poked his head through the door only to find Karber sitting in the lotus position in the middle of the floor. A mouse ran in front of the dragon. On instinct Ross pounced. Karber opened his eyes surprised to see him with a caught mouse. “How many does this make?” He asked nonchalantly. “Two” The cat said with a mouth full, but Karber yanked the mouse out of his mouth. Ross was about to complain, but stopped. “Have you eaten any yet?” The Dragon asked in a serious tone. His expression becoming serious. The human part of Ross wanted to lie. I mean who wants to piss off a creature that could wipe entire cities. At least that's how he reasoned it, but decided on the truth instead, because what if the thing with the head was not a trick of the light. Wincing he replied. “Yes.” “He's ours now, and soon you will be to. Do it brother.” The mouse squeaked fanatically. The dragon let some of his aura leak in annoyance. The mouse peed itself. Then noticed that the cat made no move then began whimpering. “It can't be helped. You're a cat... Buuuut you seem alright.” Karber said after passing his hand over the cat. Ross was just confused now. “OK? What are those things, and why do they want domination!?” The dragon just sat there staring at Ross like he was just supposed to know. Finally, Karber conceded “It is a mouse,” He paused searching for the right words “but it is not a mouse. It's possessed, and eating even apart of them allows them the chance to place a piece of their soul into the creature consuming it for possession. You got lucky. The more of them you eat the higher the chance of success.” The dragon turned his piercing gaze onto the possessed mouse that was now shaking like a leaf. “Where is your demon master?” Ross jumped onto the bed, watching his denied meal intently. He had a feeling he'd get information. Even if it wasn't Danny's location, any knowledge gained from this could be helpful

  Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.

  Danny awoke in his cage a little disoriented. It was almost like waking from a dream. Except this was no dream. “What happened? Better yet, what's going on?” He pondered in confusion. The last thing he remembered was escaping a deranged wizard with a cat in his arms. Danny, still looking at the ground, had yet to look up focusing on his paw. “So that's what Morten did to me.” He was rational most of the time. Oddly enough, this was one of those times. Really! He should be distraught. Danny did not know where he was, or how he got there, but try as he might to remember, all he got was vague images and feelings. Like something bad had happened since then, and someone or something important was gone. “ROSS!” Danny yowled. His head shot up swiveling side to side looking for the cat that was once Ross. What he found instead was a beaten woman with bruises from head to toe. Much like himself, she too wore a collar. She was a slave. If she was a slave, then he must be to. Danny felt for a collar, and as he expected there it was. His cellmate as it were seemed to be sleeping, so Danny knew that at the moment she was no threat. Ultimately, his decision was thus. He would be wary of her, but cross that bridge when he got to it.

  If Danny learned anything from his friend and sworn brother in all but blood and name, it was that you needed to take inventory of all your asserts when dealing with a situation. In his case it included a beaten woman whose name he did not know, and his abilities. “My abilities” His thoughts filled with hope.

  Danny pulled up his stat sheet:

  Name: Danny Anderson Race: Divine Beast Level: 2

  Mana: 100/100 Regen from Stamina

  Stamina: 90/90 Re gen +1.5

  Skills--

  Abilities--

  Spells--

  Steel claw and Bestial Defense was new, and so was Felines grace and Dark vision. Now that Danny took inventory of his abilities, he decided to take inventory of his surroundings. He was in a cage. OK! That much was obvious. What Danny saw were cages full of creature's all of which were asleep except for one. Suddenly the knowledge filled his mind, or more precisely brought it from the depths of his mind? It was a Chimagriff. It... Was glaring at him? But why? Danny decided to ask. He was not sure if he would be able to, but there was only one way to find out. Who knows, maybe it could shed more light on the situation. Although he had a feeling he would get more from the women in the corner of his prison. Their prison, and he was still not sure on the whole trust thing. “Where are we?” Danny asked hopefully. The Chimagriff went from glaring to a look of uncertainty. It sniffed the air as if checking something then spoke in its beastly tongue. “You... How dare you! You bow before speaking to me.” It finished with more confidence. It glared with the intent to challenge. Danny's animal mind tried to surface. To tell him with instinct that he should cower, but instead he pushed with all his will to shove that wild part of himself down. He would let logic win the day. It seemed that this creature was the alpha given its demeanor and challenge. Somehow, he felt that distinction had a hint of déjà vu. The creature spoke in a language which meant it was intelligent. Now that he could work with. He'd stroke its ego.

  Danny bowed to the Chimagriff. It snorted in approval. What came next however was not reassuring. “You acknowledge your place too late. You will die, and I will feast.” If Danny had a human face, he would have an expression akin to that of shock. Anger slowly took root, but an idea hit him. “No! You will die, and I will feast.” Danny said standing up with a challenging glare of his own. By now the other caged animals had woken up. They watched as the challenge was issued. The response was swift. The Chimagriff lunged into its cage, bashing itself repeatedly into its own cage. It was incensed. All of this was calculated of course. Opportunities were just that. They were meant to be taken. Otherwise, how would you know your limits let alone take hold of an opportunity. Each time the creature slammed into the cage, a faint ripple would spread from the impact point. “So, the cages had a manna barrier. Well crap.” Danny muttered in the beast language. A yawn was stifled followed by a yelp. His cellmate was awake. “Great!” He thought to himself. Well, here was the bridge. Now time to cross it.

  Danny arched his back on instinct. The beaten women just watched. Neither made a move, or said a word. A pain began to stab at his heart. Not a physical pain, but an emotional pain that was overshadowed by joy and hope. They stared at each other’s for a good minute, so of course he would notice. Danny just had to look past the heavy bruising. Who he saw was Cathrin. He leapt into her lap, having just in that moment, forgetting that his Cathrin had died. She in return picked him up and pressed her forehead against his.

  Grisre was confused by the creature. At first, it acted like it was about to attack, then it began acting like it new her. She did care for this beast, but she could never connect with it. Every time Grisre tried, she was met with a void? No! It was more like a wall holding back a greater mind. This had baffled her, and she did try 2 more times only to fail. Grisre's master had told her that this could happen, but was never able to teach her on account of her being sold into slavery. “One day I will escape, and on that day my life can truly be lived.” She thought. Grisre would complete her training someday. She reached down, picking the adorable beast up, and placed her forehead against it. The action was painful. Her master had beat her mercilessly. Normal slave owners would use whips, but not hers. Francis was abnormally strong and used his hands. “I'll give him his one day.” She vowed scornfully. Her forehead soon made contact with the beasts soft and furry head. Instead of the usual void like wall, she instead got was a mind that was human and full of love and hope. This was disturbing. Not to mention forbidden on so many levels. She saw images that she could not explain followed by tragedy that harbored sorrow so powerful her heart wept, and a brotherhood so strong that it kept this poor thing going. Soon she understood why it had emanated such feelings towards her. It came in the form of an image that was prominent in the creature’s mind. It was an older version of herself. “This creature was once a human” She gasped. She had to try now. Maybe! Just maybe he could help her.

  Danny's head was pressed against hers. He felt a presence. It was filled with determination and kindness. Even a little embarrassed? Despite all that, there was a connection. If he could describe it, it would be like this. It was like his spirit was surrounded by a gentle breeze of feelings. They were pleasant, but he knew they were invasive, because they were not his. “Will you join with me?” The presence asked. At that moment Danny was brought to what he could only describe as his inner self. Honestly, he didn't know any other way to describe it. His presence as Danny saw it was human. “Well, this is just down right confusing.” He sighed. “Fiddlesticks! That wasn't supposed to happen?” The presence seemed to say in exasperation. At first upon recognition of the women's face, he jumped into her lap, Danny thought without thinking and thought that perhaps a miracle had happened, that he was with his Cathrin again, but reality kicked in. Dead was dead, and now he was in this predicament. “I guess this is crossing that proverbial bridge. Well? Here goes nothing.” He thought. “Who are you, and what have you done to me?” Suddenly the presence became more frustrated. Not at Danny, but at itself. “Feelings and presence! Who am I? Luke Skywalker?” his chuckle reverberated around him and throughout his inner self, then his thoughts shifted back to the women who was likely behind this. Suddenly! The beaten women from the cage appeared before him. Only this time she was without a single mark, and very beautiful.

  Danny's heart ached. At that moment, all of his pain resurfaced in a torrent. Those feelings reverberated around him like the crashing waves of an ocean. All he could do was stand there like a wounded animal. Tears began to fall from his eyes. Like Danny, tears welled up in her eyes as well. “I am sorry. I am not her.” Was all she could say. He felt her sympathy. She had a good heart. She hugged the weeping man. “I know you’re not Cathrin.” Danny said emotionally. If it was not for this accident he may have never come to trust the caged women. After a good cry, the two of them sat down. “I am Grisre.” She said. “To answer your earlier questions, I tried to bond with you.” She said apologetically “Like you, I am trapped, and I just want to escape.” He could relate given his circumstance. That's also what he wanted as well. So! Sure, he would help her. That didn't mean he had to let her off easy. Sure, it was not her fault that Grisre looks the way she does, but she did try to bond him. Whatever that meant. “Why should I help you? You tried to bond me to you.” Danny let some anger seep into his statement. Grisre threw up her hands defensively. “I didn't know. Ok? I never got that far with my training as a beast tamer.” She looked nervous. “Fine!” Danny said. “So, how do we turn this thing off?” he asked. “I never learned. It usually just ends once the bond is made, but I guess maybe once one of us falls asleep?” Grisre speculated more as a question then an answer. Afterwords, they talked for hours, and just as she speculated, it ended.