The Iron Devil

The Carvings, ch.3

Mask was sitting on the chair, holding his "true face", giving it a small rub once in a while, he was told to wait, so he did, for some reason.
Sun was quietly disappearing behind the horizon, which filled Mask with a weird feeling, calming, but in it's unexplained origin was uneasy for him.
-"I need to light candles soon"- he walked to the doors, slowly, his whole body was in pain-"Where's that Bat anyway?"
As he grabbed the doorknob, Eris opened the doors on his own, holding one of the Mask's book.
-S-sorry, I had to dig deep to find it- he looked a bit scared, as much as he could, he couldn't repress the fear from showing.
Mask grabbed the book and examined it.
-"Wicked" Almanac?- he asked and opened it.
-I prefer the name, transformed- Eris said quietly- but yes, this is Almanac off all the "Wicked" that have been documented by... you...
-Yes, I know, I wrote it, but I don't understand why have you bought it here.
Eris grabbed the book and flipped the pages.
-If we manage to find what are you changing into, we might help southing the pain!- Eric said enthusiastically, as he stopped at certain page- I might have found it, but, it's weirdly signed.
The page showed a drawing of howling Wolf-man, signed as "Kill on sight", as well as:
"Wolf-man(lupus)
Night creatures, attracted by the smells of flesh and blood, commonly found in groups with other Wicked, it's speculated that in social hierarchy of Wicked they are considered guards since mutation allows them to move moderately quick, with increased body mass and height(note: Height is measured from the heel, to the tips of the ears that Wicked posses), their teeth are enlarged, probably to adapt to the meat based diet, as well as the modified fingers, ending with sharp claws, their faces seem to be slightly stretched forward, to more resemble wolf's face, which ends with a sensitive noses, being able to detect other wicked or humans in large distances. Wolf-man are mostly active during sunsets and during nights, often they don't carry any external light sources, like lamps of candles.
High probability of becoming enraged and killing even closest companions, according to collected information.
Possibility of Taming: Slim to none.
Additional notes: Keep your distance when interacting with Wolf-man, their sharp claws can easily tear off any type of clothing you might wear, certain reports suggest that strength of a Wolf-man can even destroy light plates of armor."
As Eris read, he felt slight mumblings of his instincts, telling him to run away, but he only looked up to meet with Mask's gaze.
-Now... tell me what did you read- he said and groped his throat- What important information I wrote about Wolf-man.
-T-they are night creatures, require meat and...- Eris stopped, feeling grip tightening, as Mask smirked.
-Correct, see, I didn't wanted to save you, for sake of help, but to stop my wicked needs- he licked his fangs- since you didn't listen, you will see why I was hunting Wicked.
Mask slowly opened his jaws and began to approach Bat's face, fangs shining with saliva, dripping onto the floor, Eris could barely breath, but he managed to muster a loud yell.
-Then do it! Prove your lack of power and weakness of your human side, join and become monster you were trying to kill!- with that Mask suddenly looked at Eris with confusion.
-Why am I strangling you again?- he asked and loosed the grip- Why am I salivating so much?
He let go off the Bat and cleaned his face, and took a deep breath.
-S-sir, you must be starving, maybe eating will help you control yourself- Eris said and stepped back.
-Perhaps...- Mask said and walked out of the room- I will be waiting in the cage.
-Sir-but Mask stopped him.
-Eris, you heard me, after you will bring me something take care of your wounds on your neck- he walked out, as Eris felt bit of blood seeping out of his neck.
Cage was barely 1,5 meters of width and length, which barely fit inside Mask alone, but he was fine with it, he locked the doors and sat down, looking into the mask, seeing all the cracks and scratches, remembering all the fights with "Wicked" he caught on the street.
-"They had it coming, right?"-he asked himself-"I won't reverse time anyway"
He run his hand on the mask, feeling all the imperfections and sharp edges.
-"Maybe I could..."
He stopped as he saw Eris opening the doors and bringing in the food, after which Bat sat down in front of the Wolf smiling softly.
-You should get out- Wolf said and grabbed the piece of bread.
-I would rather not- Eris said and wrapped himself with his honeycombed wings.
-You are throwing yourself in danger, but I don't see the reason why- Wolf sighted as the bread felt dry and bland.
-Maybe, but only this way I can learn more- he smiled and pointed to the ham on the plate- you shouldn't eat that much bread.
-I can live of bread, thank you- Wolf said and started salivating slightly while looking at it.
-Repressing your hunger won't help, it will only cause more problems- Bat responded and handed a handkerchief to the Wolf- you are acting weird while hungry, I'm sure.
Mask just cleaned his face and bitten into the ham with slight smile.
-Wonder how you taste- Mask chuckled loudly.
-Chewy, I previously tried to bite my hand off, believe me.
Mask laughed a bit and leaned back, trying to distance himself from the Bat and closed his eyes, trying to calm himself.
-"You can fight it, you aren't a monster, I don't need blood to survive"
But as he was thinking he felt Bat grabbing his hand, he lightly struggled to break free, but the grip was tight.
-Eris, what are you doing?- Mask asked and looked as Bat rubbed his hand on his neck, soaking it lightly in blood.
-Lick your hand now, please- Eris said with curious look.
-I can't, you have covered it in blood.
-Yes, let's see if this will make you go crazy again-Eris answered, his neck bleeding badly.
Mask held his hand in front of him, as it slowly tempted it, covered in fresh, warm blood, a thing he is constantly trying to gain, was given to him, but it felt wrong that way, that someone was willingly putting himself in pain, in danger, like he just forgot what the Mask did to him.
-Everything a-alright?-Eris asked and smiled.
-I won't do it- Mask said and backed away, before he hit a wall-I need to keep you safe.
But Eris pushed Mask's hand closer to his face, sweet stench of blood was so tempting, he wanted to quench his thirst.
-"Do it, you know you want it"- voice said, it sounded soothing and calming, not like before, blood soaked fingers slowly entered his mouth, slowly biting his own hand- "doesn't it taste great?"
Mask couldn't speak, he only chewed his hand, as Bat looked at him with growing concern, seeing Mask's eyes grow look blankly in front of himself.
-Sir?- Bat asked and waved his hand in front of the Wolf.
Mask however couldn't answer, his face biting harder onto his hand, slowly bruising it, before the sharp teeth managed to bite through his hide, slowly gnawing onto the flesh, causing great amounts of pain, but he could feel it, the warm, red substance of life, slowly seeping out.
-"Good, keep going, bite your hand off, then the other"- he heard voice, but this time it came back to its original sound, it also seemed to be coming from somewhere close- "like a monster, Wicked monster you have become. "
As he gnawed more blood began escaping the corners of his mouth, dripping like black tears down his neck, staining his shirt, but as soon as it happened Eris pulled hand out, causing Mask to spit out blood, , his hand riddled with deep bite wounds, caused his own teeth.
-Sir! Are you ok sir?- Bat asked and grabbed nearby piece of cloth to wrap the wounded hand, as Mask just blankly looked at it.
-"Idiot, you almost had it!"- voice sounded angry.
But Wolf only coughed up and slowly lost his consciousness.
-No- he mustered and closed his eyes.