*[𝕌𝕟𝕤𝕙𝕒𝕔𝕜𝕝𝕖𝕕 - 𝓢𝓴𝓮𝓹𝓗𝓪𝓵𝓸]*

[ Prologue ]

// CW: Inhumane treatment. A living creature fully capable on human speech ( Our protagonist, Bad ) being held captive against their will. //

He hated his existence.

If he shifted, he would be punished. If he ran, he would be punished. If he complained, he would be punished. If he did anything to show how much he despised his situation, he would be punished. That's just how he lived. But why? He was so strong, so powerful. They all feared him. So why was he under their control?
Because he, too, was afraid.

They stared at him, they taunted him. They laughed and pointed. He was nothing more than a fancy attraction to them. Shackles irritated his ankles, wrists, and throat. If he shifted, he could run, but he'd never make it out; several lionmen guarded his.. 'display.' They'd kill him before he ever reached the edge of the forest. He'd been stuck here since he was a child. Few visitors felt for him, he was an animal to them. A hideous freak of nature, existing only for them to view and mock.

When the night fell, he'd be covered with a blanket, it wasn't big enough for him, but they didn't care; they wouldn't waste their fabric on him just because he was so large. He wasn't worth it. Night was the only time he was permitted to shift, they didn't want the people to know how he was so similar to them. They didn't want anyone to feel as though he were a living being.

The world was dark to him; whether it be day, whether it be night, he saw no light. He wished for nothing more than to be free from those horrid restraints. He always felt as though he'd be there for his entire eternity, trapped. However, one eve appeared his saviour.

A pigman cloaked in red and gold, wielding a blade fit for a king. They arrived in the shadows of the night, slaughtering his guards with little effort, it was shocking to him. Multiple almost seven foot tall lionmen, taken down in seconds by this mysterious pigman. They freed him with ease; he wanted to thank them, show them how grateful he was, but before he could, they spoke. One single word, their voice was harsh and deep.

"Run."

And so he did, he ran for his life. His tail whipping behind him, little wings fluttering aggressively. He ran till his legs ached and he was drenched in his own sweat. He ran till he could no longer, till he collapsed. He didn't know where he ended up, but he saw a village in this distance. He didn't want to go there though, he figured the people would return him to his hellish captivity.

He found a cave nearby, and took refuge there. He feasted upon birds and stray livestock that had made their way into his dark cavern. He didn't know if the cave belonged to anyone, but it was his now. It was massive, large enough for him to comfortably shift, not that he often wanted to.

He was safe in his cave, the crystals in the walls provided lighting, and it was always a pleasant temperature. He loved his cave.
But, soon two visitors arrived.

A fireborne called Nick. He was short, his horns were stubby and cracked. One of his miniature wings had a large dent in it, and the other was full of tears and holes. His whip-like tail was long and dragged on the floor behind him. Nick's voice was rough, yet cheerful and pleasant.
He made quick friends with the fireborne man. And soon Nick would begin to bring him a cooked, decent meal every week. He loved Nick like a brother.

The next of his kind visitors was a rather strange man. He was a goblin by the name of Jack, claiming to be from a house 'Manifold.' He'd never heard of the Manifold house, but he took the short man's word that it was real. Jack was very hyperactive and excitable, always looking to make him laugh. Jack did not visit too often, but when he did, it was always a delight.

With the company of his new friends, he thrived. The days he saw them he'd swear they'd be the best he'd ever see.

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