Tales of Raiverin: One

Chapter 7

Leon stared into Ashton's eyes, fully expressionless as his uncle continuously approached him. He had been tied up again, but he barely cared.

"This isn't as fun when you aren't scared."
"What is there to be scared of? You've taken everything from me, death is more of a release than whatever else you could do to me."
Ashton grinned, licking his jaw. "You know what? You're right, death is the final relief of all the pain."
Leon shook his head, he didn't care, it didn't matter... or at least he thought it didn't.

Ashton bit down on Leon's shoulder, causing the Ragamuffin to shriek. He writhed and thrashed in his restraints, begging Ashton to let go.

Ashton kept biting until he felt Leon's blood start to flow into his mouth, he drank it down, suckling on his wound and quickly covering it up the moment he pulled away. He wiped his jaw, smearing the residual blood on Leon's face. "Hmmh... even your blood tastes impure. But I suppose it'll have to do. I'll keep you alive, but someone has to fulfill the thirst I have for blood." He grinned, starting to patch up Leon's shoulder with small pieces of leaves and string. "I'll make sure you're fed, you can even explore if you want, but if you want to survive without more pain, you'll submit to me when I ask."

Leon slowly lifted his head, gritting his teeth. "Please, I'd rather die than have to succumb to your control."

"See? That's why I can't kill you! That's what you want, when have you ever gotten what you want?"

"Never."

"So let's keep fate happy and make sure that never happens."

Leon sighed, he had no place to argue with him. He was powerless in this situation, he closed his eyes and gave up. There was nothing left to do for him, he wasn't able to fight, and he knew Ashton was stronger than him.

Ashton turned away, his tail swishing with excitement. "It feels good, you know? Knowing that you've finally won after years of failure, not that you would know."

Leon hissed, but ultimately stayed still. He knew that fighting would only result in more pain.

Ashton was still speaking, but he didn't pay attention to any of it. His body felt weak, full of rage and sadness for himself. He began to shake, but only out of pure fear, he knew his time was limited and Ashton could kill him at any time. He felt his body fill with emotion, but no longer was it out of anger, he was scared beyond belief. He couldn't take it anymore, his body hurt as it shook, he couldn't stop it.

He shut his eyes, he needed a break from all the anxiety that ran through his veins. As his vision disappeared, his hearing was enhanced. He heard Ashton's footsteps getting further away, then a door slammed open... it seemed to be in the room that he was locked inside. Then he heard a loud bang followed by grunts from two voices.

He suddenly opened his eyes, seeing Ashton on the ground with Paris on top of him.

"You?! How? That virus should have-"

"Who are you?! Really! I won't let you hurt anyone else!" Paris shrieked, attempting to claw at Ashton's face. The tuxedo's strong hind legs kicked Paris forward, sending him tumbling towards Leon. Paris quickly shot up, shaking his head and spitting.

"Pa- One! You're alive!"

"No more One, I know who I am. I know who he is too!" Paris yelped, running back to Ashton.

The two fought as Leon stared, he tried to fight his way out of his restraints. He grunted and strained his body as far as it could go, starting to snap the metal bands off the bolts in the wall. As he felt the bands break off the wall, his paws slammed onto the ground. He panted heavily, rushing in the help Paris.