Escape Pt.3
(Word Count: 1936)
POV: Melwyn
Date: April 369 Ac (1 years ago)
Location: An underground fighting pit, in the slums of the City of Kus'Qari
I had no idea what happened after i passed out. I had woken up on the floor inside the cage again and when a guard posted nearby saw me, he said that i had slept for an entire week. I wasn't sure if that was true, but i did notice that my body had healed for the most part, meaning that i had slept for an entire week. My chest was still hurting, especially when i tried taking deeper breathes, but most of the superficial wounds had healed and left scars behind, while the rest where on the way there as well. I could feel them on my skin when i ran my hand on my shoulders and upper back. They had taken a long time to heal because of these. I let out a sigh as i looked down at the pair of cuffs on both of my wrists. Before, i had one on a wrist, and one on an ankle, but apparently, i broke it when i shifted into a wolf trying to escape, so Master had it put back on my other wrist instead. That's what he said when he came to see me the day before. He then gave me a piece of bread, which was a bit moldy, but i ate it all anyways. I was way too hungry to be picky anyways. He also talked with the guardsmen sat on the nearby chair, telling them to keep watch on me at all times. I was annoyed by that, and when i tried talking to him, asking a few questions, but he actively ignored me. I was bored out of my mind and completely lost. I had no idea what was in store for me in the future. I attacked Master, and he still looked very mad. He was limping and walking with the help of a cane, meaning i had done real damage. I also told him i wouldn't fight for him anymore. But he still fed me... why? Did he feel bad...? No, he was trying to coax me into listening to him again, right? I clenched my teeth. If it hadn't been for these damned cuffs, i would have killed him and all his fucking guards. Surely he knows that right? So why is he keeping me alive? I balled my fists in anger as i looked at the silvery bracelet. Does he think i'm too weak to do so because of these?! I shifted with them before, even if i don't know how i did it! I'll learn how and do it again, and then he'll see. I'll make the fucking asshole pay, i'll- A loud bang resonated from somewhere above me. Bits of dust fell from the celling as both me and the guardsmen looked up in confusion. What the hell was that? BANG! Another one, this time louder and closer than the first one. What the fuck is going on? Pebbles fell along the with the dust this time as the walls around me shook lightly. The guard got up from his chair, briefly and barely glanced at me before hurrying down the hallway, passing my cage, looking worried and confused. I was left alone once more. Only a few seconds later however, i began hearing faint shouts and screams that came from beyond the hallway. Curious, i got up and walked towards the doors, almost falling a few times as i still felt weak and woozy. I grabbed the metal bars of the door to steady myself and pressed my head against them, trying to see beyond my limited field of view. Suddenly, i heard the guardsmen's voice shout at someone to stay back. A second voice laughed at him. Another shout for help was cut off mid-sentence as something wet fell to the ground. Usure as to what had happened, i took a step back from the bars, and retreated further into my cage as footsteps approached my door. "You must have been the one that guard was looking at." He said, leaning closer to have a better look at me. "What's your name kid?" I frowned as he looked back at him. I had never that guy before. Who is he? Is it ok to tell him my name? can i even trust him? i'm not sure... is he working with Master. Is this another test. Is Master going to beat me again? The man let out a small sigh. "i'm sorry", he said. "You're probably scared right now. You don't have to tell me anything you don't want too, ok?" I didn't answer him, and after a moment, the man tilted his head to the side. "Do you...understand what i'm saying?" He asked. I hesitated to respond, but eventually i nodded back at him, and he smiled. "Ok, great! So, my name is Makhlem." He said, patting his chest. "I'm a mercenary working for the guild of Fethir. Me and my colleague have been tasked by the emperor to rid the capital of illegal slave trade and illegal arena." He paused for a moment, probably hoping for some kind of reaction on my part, but i was just confused. Mercenary? Guild? Who's Fethir? Does he really know the emperor? Is that good? He sighed again. "Basically, what i'm trying, and failing, to explain, is that i'm here to get you out" I looked at him, unsure what to believe. Get me... out? "Is this another trap" I asked, my voice low and raspy. Now it was the man's turn to be confused as he looked at me. "Huh? No, no!" He said, shaking his head. "This isn't any sort of trap! Look! He pulled out a set of keys and tried the door. Eventually, it opened with a metallic groan, startling me. I retreated further into the cage, finding myself against the wall. Seeing my reaction, the man took a step back, which i was grateful for. He hung his bow on his back and put his hands up. "Ok, listen. i'm not going to hurt you, ok?" "H-how do i know that... you're not working with Master." The man shook his head again. "I'm not working with your master." He said. "I would rather kill that asshole myself, but he slipped away when we attacked. "He seemed genuine, but i was still scared. "Do you know him?" "No, but i know what he, and other people like him od to our people." "Our people?" i repeated. He nodded and took a another step back, Blue light suddenly enveloped him, illuminating the hallway and the cage as he transformed before me. Once the light dissipated, the man was gone and a brown bear stood in his place. I let out a soft gasp. He's a shapeshifter... like me. "We're the same people" I heard his voice in my head said. "Do you understand?" I nodded back at him. "Alright then, if you're ready." He stepped off to the side of the door. "The door is open, the guards are all dead. You're free to leave." My eyes went from him, to the open door, to him again, and back to the door. While i was still thorn, i decided to trust him. I slowly made my way out of the cage and into the hallway. I held myself up by holding onto the metal bars of my cage to keep myself from falling. I did not feel good at all. The bear watched me, patiently waiting for me. When i finally reached him in the hallway, i realised just how big he was. His shoulders reached mine, even if he was on all fours. He turned towards me. "He's hurt you pretty badly, right?" "I'm fine." i said, gripping the metal bar harder in my hand. "Get on my back" He said, lowering himself onto his belly. "Its a long way up to the surface. You don't have to walk all that." I looked at him, hesitating again. I did feel rather weak, and i wasn't sure i would be able to walk all the way to the exit, or even just to the arena. He looked at me as i reached out and carefully touched his dark brown fur. It was soft and warm under my hand. "O-ok, i will" I said. I climbed onto his back, slowly as my body began to hurt again. Once seated, i found it surprisingly confortable. I was a bit worried however, that i would be too heavy for him, but he did not seem bothered at allas he stood up again and began walking down the hallway. We soon turned onto a tunnel with a bright light shining at the very end. Seeing that brought back the memories of last week and i felt my chest tighten as i kept expecting the same shadows to move and block it, like last time. But they never appeared. We stopped about halfway to the exit. "Alright. Well, there's only one thing left for you to do." "What is it?" I said as he turned his head towards me. "I'll need you to get off for a minute so i can shift back and show you, alright?" I nodded and slid off as he sat down on his haunches. Once i was off, he shifted back into a human. He then pulled a key from his pocket. He then turned to me and pointed at my hands. "I can remove those." He said. I looked at the cuffs around my wrists, and then at the set of keys he was holding. "Is that ok" He asked. i didn't have to think about it. I nodded back and presented my wrist to him. He put the key into a small hole on the side of the cuffs and turned it. The cuff clicked and fell off my wrist. He caught it and put it in his pocket. He then did the same to the other one. When the second one fell away, i felt a rush of energy as the second one was removed, like a dam had been broken and the water all rushed out. It didn't last long however, and soon i was back to feeling just as weak as a few seconds earlier. I did feel a bit... lighter, however. "Now, are you ready to see the sun again?" Makhlem asked. I felt my heart beginning to beat faster at the question. I nodded, a smile forming on my face. He shifted back into his bear form, and i climbed onto his back again and we walked towards the exit. The light grew brighter and closer until finally, we were outside. It took a few seconds for my eyes to ajust to the brightness. When they did, i was overwhelmed by what i saw. A big wall of stone in the far distance, beyond hills that were covered in green grass. Makhlem told me that it was where i was going to live for a while with him, in the guildhall. I still wasn't sure what that was exactly, but i was very exited for the warm bed and the food. Especially the food. I looked up at the sun and the bright blue sky that stretched on and on in every direction and i smiled. A tear rolled down my cheek. I couldn't believe i was free. I was really free. Caleon, I hope you're able to see me right now, my friend. I haven't forgotten the promise i made you. I'll find a way to fulfill it. I'm out now. I'm free.
Part 1:
Part 2:
Date: April 369 Ac (1 years ago)
Location: An underground fighting pit, in the slums of the City of Kus'Qari
I had no idea what happened after i passed out. I had woken up on the floor inside the cage again and when a guard posted nearby saw me, he said that i had slept for an entire week. I wasn't sure if that was true, but i did notice that my body had healed for the most part, meaning that i had slept for an entire week. My chest was still hurting, especially when i tried taking deeper breathes, but most of the superficial wounds had healed and left scars behind, while the rest where on the way there as well. I could feel them on my skin when i ran my hand on my shoulders and upper back. They had taken a long time to heal because of these. I let out a sigh as i looked down at the pair of cuffs on both of my wrists. Before, i had one on a wrist, and one on an ankle, but apparently, i broke it when i shifted into a wolf trying to escape, so Master had it put back on my other wrist instead. That's what he said when he came to see me the day before. He then gave me a piece of bread, which was a bit moldy, but i ate it all anyways. I was way too hungry to be picky anyways. He also talked with the guardsmen sat on the nearby chair, telling them to keep watch on me at all times. I was annoyed by that, and when i tried talking to him, asking a few questions, but he actively ignored me. I was bored out of my mind and completely lost. I had no idea what was in store for me in the future. I attacked Master, and he still looked very mad. He was limping and walking with the help of a cane, meaning i had done real damage. I also told him i wouldn't fight for him anymore. But he still fed me... why? Did he feel bad...? No, he was trying to coax me into listening to him again, right? I clenched my teeth. If it hadn't been for these damned cuffs, i would have killed him and all his fucking guards. Surely he knows that right? So why is he keeping me alive? I balled my fists in anger as i looked at the silvery bracelet. Does he think i'm too weak to do so because of these?! I shifted with them before, even if i don't know how i did it! I'll learn how and do it again, and then he'll see. I'll make the fucking asshole pay, i'll- A loud bang resonated from somewhere above me. Bits of dust fell from the celling as both me and the guardsmen looked up in confusion. What the hell was that? BANG! Another one, this time louder and closer than the first one. What the fuck is going on? Pebbles fell along the with the dust this time as the walls around me shook lightly. The guard got up from his chair, briefly and barely glanced at me before hurrying down the hallway, passing my cage, looking worried and confused. I was left alone once more. Only a few seconds later however, i began hearing faint shouts and screams that came from beyond the hallway. Curious, i got up and walked towards the doors, almost falling a few times as i still felt weak and woozy. I grabbed the metal bars of the door to steady myself and pressed my head against them, trying to see beyond my limited field of view. Suddenly, i heard the guardsmen's voice shout at someone to stay back. A second voice laughed at him. Another shout for help was cut off mid-sentence as something wet fell to the ground. Usure as to what had happened, i took a step back from the bars, and retreated further into my cage as footsteps approached my door. "You must have been the one that guard was looking at." He said, leaning closer to have a better look at me. "What's your name kid?" I frowned as he looked back at him. I had never that guy before. Who is he? Is it ok to tell him my name? can i even trust him? i'm not sure... is he working with Master. Is this another test. Is Master going to beat me again? The man let out a small sigh. "i'm sorry", he said. "You're probably scared right now. You don't have to tell me anything you don't want too, ok?" I didn't answer him, and after a moment, the man tilted his head to the side. "Do you...understand what i'm saying?" He asked. I hesitated to respond, but eventually i nodded back at him, and he smiled. "Ok, great! So, my name is Makhlem." He said, patting his chest. "I'm a mercenary working for the guild of Fethir. Me and my colleague have been tasked by the emperor to rid the capital of illegal slave trade and illegal arena." He paused for a moment, probably hoping for some kind of reaction on my part, but i was just confused. Mercenary? Guild? Who's Fethir? Does he really know the emperor? Is that good? He sighed again. "Basically, what i'm trying, and failing, to explain, is that i'm here to get you out" I looked at him, unsure what to believe. Get me... out? "Is this another trap" I asked, my voice low and raspy. Now it was the man's turn to be confused as he looked at me. "Huh? No, no!" He said, shaking his head. "This isn't any sort of trap! Look! He pulled out a set of keys and tried the door. Eventually, it opened with a metallic groan, startling me. I retreated further into the cage, finding myself against the wall. Seeing my reaction, the man took a step back, which i was grateful for. He hung his bow on his back and put his hands up. "Ok, listen. i'm not going to hurt you, ok?" "H-how do i know that... you're not working with Master." The man shook his head again. "I'm not working with your master." He said. "I would rather kill that asshole myself, but he slipped away when we attacked. "He seemed genuine, but i was still scared. "Do you know him?" "No, but i know what he, and other people like him od to our people." "Our people?" i repeated. He nodded and took a another step back, Blue light suddenly enveloped him, illuminating the hallway and the cage as he transformed before me. Once the light dissipated, the man was gone and a brown bear stood in his place. I let out a soft gasp. He's a shapeshifter... like me. "We're the same people" I heard his voice in my head said. "Do you understand?" I nodded back at him. "Alright then, if you're ready." He stepped off to the side of the door. "The door is open, the guards are all dead. You're free to leave." My eyes went from him, to the open door, to him again, and back to the door. While i was still thorn, i decided to trust him. I slowly made my way out of the cage and into the hallway. I held myself up by holding onto the metal bars of my cage to keep myself from falling. I did not feel good at all. The bear watched me, patiently waiting for me. When i finally reached him in the hallway, i realised just how big he was. His shoulders reached mine, even if he was on all fours. He turned towards me. "He's hurt you pretty badly, right?" "I'm fine." i said, gripping the metal bar harder in my hand. "Get on my back" He said, lowering himself onto his belly. "Its a long way up to the surface. You don't have to walk all that." I looked at him, hesitating again. I did feel rather weak, and i wasn't sure i would be able to walk all the way to the exit, or even just to the arena. He looked at me as i reached out and carefully touched his dark brown fur. It was soft and warm under my hand. "O-ok, i will" I said. I climbed onto his back, slowly as my body began to hurt again. Once seated, i found it surprisingly confortable. I was a bit worried however, that i would be too heavy for him, but he did not seem bothered at allas he stood up again and began walking down the hallway. We soon turned onto a tunnel with a bright light shining at the very end. Seeing that brought back the memories of last week and i felt my chest tighten as i kept expecting the same shadows to move and block it, like last time. But they never appeared. We stopped about halfway to the exit. "Alright. Well, there's only one thing left for you to do." "What is it?" I said as he turned his head towards me. "I'll need you to get off for a minute so i can shift back and show you, alright?" I nodded and slid off as he sat down on his haunches. Once i was off, he shifted back into a human. He then pulled a key from his pocket. He then turned to me and pointed at my hands. "I can remove those." He said. I looked at the cuffs around my wrists, and then at the set of keys he was holding. "Is that ok" He asked. i didn't have to think about it. I nodded back and presented my wrist to him. He put the key into a small hole on the side of the cuffs and turned it. The cuff clicked and fell off my wrist. He caught it and put it in his pocket. He then did the same to the other one. When the second one fell away, i felt a rush of energy as the second one was removed, like a dam had been broken and the water all rushed out. It didn't last long however, and soon i was back to feeling just as weak as a few seconds earlier. I did feel a bit... lighter, however. "Now, are you ready to see the sun again?" Makhlem asked. I felt my heart beginning to beat faster at the question. I nodded, a smile forming on my face. He shifted back into his bear form, and i climbed onto his back again and we walked towards the exit. The light grew brighter and closer until finally, we were outside. It took a few seconds for my eyes to ajust to the brightness. When they did, i was overwhelmed by what i saw. A big wall of stone in the far distance, beyond hills that were covered in green grass. Makhlem told me that it was where i was going to live for a while with him, in the guildhall. I still wasn't sure what that was exactly, but i was very exited for the warm bed and the food. Especially the food. I looked up at the sun and the bright blue sky that stretched on and on in every direction and i smiled. A tear rolled down my cheek. I couldn't believe i was free. I was really free. Caleon, I hope you're able to see me right now, my friend. I haven't forgotten the promise i made you. I'll find a way to fulfill it. I'm out now. I'm free.
Part 1:
Part 2:
This was a good read through all three parts. Thanks for sharing it!
Thank you very much! I had fun writing it, despite it not depicting the best situation lol