Black Rose

Part One - Arrival

Darkness.

That was the last thing she remembered, as the agony spread through her body, rendering her unconscious.

It was also the first thing she remembered, as she opened her eyes. Sitting up, she put her hands out, feeling bars on either side. She put her head in her hands as a figure leaned in close to the cage, banging loudly on the top of it, as it echoed through her head.

"Glad to see you're finally awake." The voice said, bringing a lantern close to the bars, almost blinding her. "Well well, from a princess to a slave... who would have guessed?"

She tried to think, a nagging feeling telling her she heard this voice before. Her eyes snapped open as a faint memory of her uncle's manor flashed through her mind, the same voice laughing and discussing slave trades, drinking with her father and uncle.

"No..." She whispered, her voice rough after staying silent for so long. "This can't be happening..."

"Oh but it is..." The voice sneered, belonging to no other than Takeo, a business partner of her father's, in the loosest meaning possible. He leaned in even closer, his eyes watching her hungrily, examining her. She took a deep breath, locking away her vulnerability, meeting his stare with a challenge in her eyes.

"So now that you are awake... It's time to begin trying to find you a master. But given how powerful you are, things will be done a little differently." He smirked, unlocking the cage and extending his hand. She ignored it, standing up and walking out of it, dusting off her clothes. "You're a special slave. Normally Masters would just buy someone, but you... you need someone worthy, and someone who can tame you, which is why you will fight the potential buyers." He grabbed her arm, teleporting them to a room in his mansion.

"Rest up. You begin tomorrow. And then we will see what you are worth." He smirked at her again before leaving the room.

Joy... She thought to herself, looking around the simple room, far from tired after being unconscious for however long. She checked her clothes, grinning that her weapons weren't taken away. Stretching, she looked for something to eat, mentally preparing herself for the first of many fights.

I will win. And I will not be tamed.