The Darkest Dawn

Prologue

In all ten years of service as a slave, Lucien has never once thought about what it would be like to be free. He only envied the free people of the olden days in the fairy tales his mother told him, stories passed down for generations. But that's all they were, stories. Lucien did not fantasize about his own freedom like a child, only believed what he saw. What he saw was the enslavement of mankind for a very long time. It's been nearly two thousand years, that holiday being tomorrow. 

Lucien was not sure what he believed, but now was not the time. Lucien was focused on not dropping the precious silver platter as he carried delicacies to the study, where the master tended to spend most of his time. Upon opening the ebony door, Lucien bowed his head, as all well behaved slaves ought to. He glimpsed his master before he stared at the ground. Seivohn lived underground up until they surfaced, so sunlight was an obstacle unaccounted for. Seivohn became creatures of the night, hating the sun with a burning intensity. They looked something equivalent to a nightmare, black razors glinting upon their bodies. Seivohn had no bones, enabling them to twist and mold anyway they like. Most used humanoid forms, as they were needed to enjoy many of mankind's creations. Lucien's master preferred to stay as close as possible to his original form (a grotesque mass of black slimy tentacles) but had to make a few exceptions (a mass of tentacles cannot write, nor is it as useful as the human form. His upper body is relatively humanoid). Master Rhaelra wore his razors in a menacing crown. Spider eyes were set into what appeared to be an oval balancing on a long neck. He moved using his tendrils which came from his original form, making up his bottom half. One thing he did copy from humans were the narrow spindly arms, but the fingers ended in dagger-like talons instead. 

Lucien set the platter of bug delicacies on the table and backed away in a deep bow. "Thank you, Lucien." Rhaelra muttered as he picked at the bugs, fusing them into the black abyss of his skin. Such was the way Seivohn ate, as Rhaelra did not have a mouth despite being able to communicate quite fluently. Although his appearance was terrifying, Rhaelra was generous and kind to his slaves. Lucien knew he was Rhaelra's favorite, and preferred to remain so.

A loud bell rang through the estate.

Rhaelra looked up from his paperwork. "Must be Lord Kebiel. Lucien, show our guest to the parlor. I'll be there in a moment." Lucien was quite familiar with the Seivohnic Lord Kebiel. He had served under Kebiel as his former master for three years before being sold off to Rhaelra. Kebiel was not as patient or kind as Master Rhaelra, rather abusive and snobby. Lucien habitually touched a scar on his neck as he hurried briskly down the corridor.

Opening the door, Lucien suddenly remembered how different Kebiel was. Disgustingly fat and more slimy than normal. He resembled what Lucien imagined a demon of gluttony to be. Kebiel heaved himself through the doorway on his mock humanoid stubby legs. "Welcome to Lord Rhaelra's estate. This way to the parlor, please." Lucien mumbled shyly, careful not to openly gawk at Kebiel's slovenly and gnarled face. 

"Humph! I know where it is, slave!" Kebiel slurred, putting emphasis on "slave." He shoved past Lucien who was petite compared to the Seivohn's massive size. Lucien felt his heart seize upon seeing what Kebiel dragged behind him. A tall human man, who looked roughly the same age as Lucien, growled and viciously tugged against his chain leash nearly choking himself. His long wavy locks of hair cascaded against his face, golden blonde and tangled. Set upon his fair ivory skin were the darkest blue eyes Lucien has ever seen, blazing in heated fury as the leashed collar around his neck bruised his china-like skin. He looked like a vampire, beautiful and mysterious. Lucien thought Rhaelra would most certainly like him and be tempted to buy, as Seivohn treasure pretty slaves. Lucien frowned at the thought. Surely Rhaelra prized loyalty over beauty?

Lucien began to nervously fiddle with his short askew hair, the color of richly churned chocolate. He wasn't a pretty slave as he ought to be, with boring brown eyes with latte skin. Not to mention the jagged scars marring his body. He wasn't sure why Rhaelra even bought him, most slaves like Lucien ended up with cruel lower class Seivohn who are nasty to their slaves because they haven't the currency to buy a lovelier one. Humans did not desire beauty to attract the opposite sex, they desired beauty so that they might work and live in a rich Seivohnic manor and want for nothing. Lucien wished to be lovelier to look upon. He felt his heart would be set at ease if he were, not having to worry if he was to be replaced by a much prettier slave and sold to a cruel Seivohn. Surely Master was too kind to toss Lucien out?