The Guardian in Need of Compassion[18+](Mikha-kun & YellowPerch)

[YellowPerch]

 

(These are the clothes he wears and hasn't changed out of them since he first started wearing them. By now they have grown old and ragged. They are torn in some places and where the pants were once white, they now show gray and brown from dirt and damp wet.)

 

Name: Rae

Age: Unknown

Height: Human form-5'11", Guardian form- stands on all fours from feet to shoulders about the same height of a horse.

Weight: Human form- 150lbs

Eye color: Amber

Hair color: Orange

Personality: Stubborn, slightly skittish, sometimes defiant, caring, jealous, quick to blame, honest, struggles to trust - The rest of his personality will come out through the RP)

Position:Uke

Magic: Fire elemental magic.

 

 

In the years of the medieval ages, Rae was once a well respected and very humble guardian. He made lands prosper and kept enemies away. During the first war, Rae had fought many of his kind and fended them off from hurting the humans. But the once gentle giant became a feared creature soon after. Humans hunted his own kind down, those that weren't killed were captured and put under contracts. The evils of wizards was one thing Rae never wanted to deal with again.

 

He was contracted with a man of great wits and strength. And although he treated Rae harshly when close other humans, he gave compassion when needed in secret. Rae had grown close to his master a man he chose to trust his contract with. But he never once showed the man his human form. Rae and his master fought those who stood against the ruling powers of man and fought along side those who ruled. In the end, after seeing many wars, Rae became the last living guardian. He still remained by his master's side after.

 

 

However, the time he lived with the man soon came to an end. After a good life of years with him, humans had found out that he was caring for Rae in a way they didn't except. To them Rae was a monster, a creature whose kind would do nothing but kill. Rae's master was killed before him and he was forced into the coldness of a dungeon. What humans hadnt expected was that the contract had been kept in place. The master not having ended it before he died. But this meant no other could tame him, but it also meant he had no power in which to use. Where it all came from the agreement and urge of his master.

 

Years had passed, humans had come and gone. Although he was fed and given water, half the time it was poisoned or rotten. He suffered many years alone in the dark. But what he hadn't realized was the change in time. The realm of the guardians fell into non-existence, and the realm of men developed. New things were being invented, new ideas being brought forth. But in all the years that had passed, Rae remained hidden in the rotting dungeon of an abandoned castle. And at this point in time had no qualm to move, he had no reason to do so.

 

Rae remained in his dreadful dungeon, letting time take its toll on his body. He only prayed and hoped that the spirits of the other guardians would come back for him and take him away. With matted fur, dull eyes, black teeth, Rae's only hope for leaving this hard and lonely life was to die and leave his body behind.

[wongsae]

 

LYEN RONDO

SEME

 

HEIGHT | WEIGHT

6'2" | 165lbs

 

AGE

early twenties

 

PERSONALITY

Cynical

Devoted

Reserved

Obsessive

Possessive

Affectionate

Perfectionist

 

Lyne[line] Rondo was a legend to few and a random bad guy to most. For the Rondos, however, he was an utter disgrace. His ‘heroic’ action has plagued the family name beyond generations, making it hard for his descendants to regain their social status. That was why among the little number of supporters he had, his grandson stood out like a sore thumb.

 

How fortunate it was that Lyne Rondo’s grandson happened to be Lyen[lion]’s father. The man was the one who derived Lyen’s name from his great-grandfather. What was supposed to be an honour turned out to make Lyen’s early life miserable instead. Constant social pressure lead to anxiety throughout his childhood, which got better after an old health adviser was taken in to watch over him. Her granddaughter Angela(around Lyen’s age) would later become Lyen’s devoted caretaker. She would later prove her loyalty by remaining on his side at his darkest time when the plague took nearly all of his remaining families.

 

Despite everything, Lyen managed to climb up the social ladder, assuring him a settled life even after his father's death. He started to gain respect for his great-grandpa and himself. It was mostly his pro-grandpa-caretakers’ contribution, but one thing that finally got him to move was a two and a half centuries old journal given by his father days before he passed away. On its leather cover engraved four big letters ‘RaeL’. Inside was detailed events undergone by the legendary Lyne Rondo and his 'mighty beast', as how he referred to his guardian.

 

—————

 

Two days and two towns were all it took to found the castle, but the observation took two years, and the contemplation four. Even then, Lyen didn't find himself ready as he stood in front of a mossy staircase leading down to what seemed like nothingness, in the depth of an abandoned castle, in the middle of nowhere. Although it wasn't like he would stop now after getting this far.

 

Down the endless stair he found himself in a corridor that lead to a single, corroded door. As it swung open with a deafening shriek, putrid smell washed over him. The scent was so strong he could taste it and it made his eyes water. Lyen, having to deal with nauseous feeling throughout his life, found holding his cravat over his nose was a sufficient cope up mechanism. Even with a torch one could barely see, so Lyen moved forward with caution. His boots crunched god-knows-what with every step he took until he stopped in front of a row of metal bars. Swinging the torch around, he concluded the bars were set up after the prisoner was put inside, as there was no door.

 

Then the world melted. Everything seemed to vanish as two beads glinted from inside the cage. He locked gaze with the shining, feline eyes. A sudden overwhelming emotion made his chest tighten. The blond leaned on the bars. "I'm back." he subconsciously muttered, hand reaching out to the darkness. He didn't know what he was expecting, yet he felt a familiar longing as his hand searched around. Whatever it was, he was somehow sure he'd recognize it when he touched it.

[YellowPerch]

Rae was ready to die. To leave his body and join his friends and family. He was tired of being alone, of being hungry and thirsty. He was tired in general. Rae could barely move his head, nevermind rise from where he lay on his side. To an onlooker, he probably looked like a bag of bones with a pelt over it. He was thin, that he could tell himself. The only thing that made him look half his size, was how his matted fur rolled and bunched making him look slightly bigger. His paws, which were once massive, had no power within them. He used to be able to leap at his prey from several feet away, his legs giving him the extra push he needed. Ives with his friends in the forest, happily running about, prospering the land. Then the war broke, humans and his own kind drove him out of his home, burned it down. He was forced into a chain with a human he never knew, but soon grew to respect.

 

His master treated him well, unlike how the others treated him. But soon enough he was the last. He was the only guardian still living and humans grew fearful of him and his master. They killed his master, and locked Rae in castle, building a cage around him. They brought him food and water at first, hoping they could kill him too. Rae never ate what they gave him, he'd die a stubborn feline, then do their hands. And so he lay dying now, nothing but the corpse of what he used to be. His senses weren't as good as they used to be, but he could have sworn he heard a door opening. He had heard footsteps coming towards him. Unfortunately he had no strength in him to burn with excitement or fear of what would show itself.

 

Rae wasn't expecting to see the light of the firey wood again. The light normally brought with it a human, guiding them through the the dark that he wondered why they couldn't see like he could. Rae had asked his master a numerous amount of times why that was, but the man merely uttered their senses were not as strong as his. Rae was brought into the world, unknowledgable of what humans were. But luckily his master was willing to teach him. He had learned many things, like how the firey wood was called a 'torch'. He remembered how his master would light it by scraping to rocks together causing a spark to bounce and light the dried wood. He brought himself back to the present, where he lay face to face with the fire. It blazed at him from the other side of his cage. And somehow he had thought it called out to him.

 

Yes, it did. Whatever called to him was now reaching toward him. He didn't even have the strength to growl. But somehow, somehow, he wanted what was reaching for him to help him. The longing for his master suddenly came into his mind, but he quickly washed it away. His master was dead, never to come back for him. But, this....hand, the one he was just barely in reach of, reminded him of the hand of his master. As the man pat him during stormy nights, or scratched behind his ears when he did something good. Mustering literally what strength he had left, Rae grunted and lifted his head slowly, painfully. In moments he had felt the sudden warmth of the hand that touched him now, through the metal cage that held him from the workd he didn't know changed. Rae let his head fall back on the cold ground and let out a long sigh as if to say he had no more in him to move. And soon, possibly not much before he wouldn't live either.

[wongsae]

In that brief moment they came into contact, Lyen felt a rush of electric shock piercing him. Before it could get past his palm, though, the current was forced to leave his hand and onto the ground. The feeling could only be described as dying a little inside. Little did he know a tiny bit of life-force had left his body. That had always been how the contract actually worked. Rather than a mere connection it was a fusion, a union. Overly-simplifying, they became a single soul living in separate bodies. Although lack of life-force in a body could not affect the other—in the sense that the other’s life-force would automatically lessen—the bond enabled them to transfer their energy to keep balanced amount of it between the vessels. ‘Balance’, meaning it was impossible to suck the other body dry. That’s why, the bond itself was innocent. Wrapping it in misleading words such as contract and master and beast, words so related to power and superiority, humans justified their evil action of staining its purity.

 

But even the strongest living thing could only go as far as staining it. It had been centuries, and yet the bond was never broken, or ever rotten despite everything around it decaying away under the hands of time. In a second the blond snapped back to his senses, goal and purpose coming back to him. It’s alive, he wasn’t late, still, if only he had come sooner… Putting regrets aside, Lyen dropped to his knees, squeezing his way between the bars in vain. At last he lifted the creature’s limp head gently, closer to the railing. There, he could feel the current as his palm grew gradually warmer. He seriously didn’t know what to do, or if this was any help. It does feel like it he could only wish his instinct wouldn’t betray him this time. Suddenly it glowed vibrant scarlet. The glow was reflected in Lyen’s eyes along with the dancing fire of the torch, which was then carefully put down so his other hand could support the other side of the guardian’s head.

 

Putting two and two together, Lyen started to understand what was happening. Drained—he was drained. Could the other feel it, too? Would the flow ever stop? How much was ‘enough’? The lids grow heavier over his icy blue orbs and the young Rondo closed his eyes at last. It was such a little action, yet his body felt as if he had his two days journey by feet. Ah, the fatigue…he could really use a little rest. Lyen leaned forward and used the huge head he was cupping as a support for his own. Forehead to forehead, sweaty skin to damp mane, all engulfed in mystical, brilliant red light. The string that tied their fate was being reconstructed and repaired, but to properly finish the work it needed balance. To get there would be a timey process due to the hugeness of the gap. Lyen had been in and out of it at this point—he hoped to wake up to another breath of fresh air every time. At least that was what about happen anytime soon. Lyen would lost consciousness and woke up to at least find out it was not a dream. He wouldn’t regret anything besides spending a night in a dungeon. For now, the guy would dive into a deeper state of 'sleep'.

 

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[YellowPerch]

He had felt it. That simpl rush of electric pulsing. It felt alive inside of him, a body that he considered already dead. But as soon as it had come, had it left, leaving his body cold once again. Ha he just hallucinated the feeling? Did he think perhaps in his last stages of life, that he could witness the warmth of another? Or was this the spirit of the man who contracted with him, come to take him away? He had fallen quiet to the sounds overpowering him. The damp dripped from the walls, moss and mold and his own feces caused his nose to bleed. But he felt it again, that feeling in which he felt alive. Like he had years before. But it wasn't enough to help him move. It was however, enough to keep his senses from fading on him.

 

He heard footsteps, and upon opening his eyes once more to the shadow figure, he caught it squeezing through the bars to reach him. His scent reminded him once more of his master, but it held its own distinct scent that was its own, and not the one he remembered. His head was lifted, a feeling that felt like flying. Or perhaps it was just from being dizzy with exhaustion. But he felt it again, that pulsing electricity. It sparked his insides, made the,m feel like they were burning. He managed to keep his eyes opened, and found a red beam of light reflecting into the eyes of the figure. The flame yes, but more. A current of red water, rushing through them. It made him feel warm. It made him feel...like he was being reborn. Born once again from the womb of his mother.

 

His head was held in place, and it made him want to lift it higher. He wanted to see the sky again, the clouds and sun, the stars and moon, all of it. The high of feeling alive left him, rushed out and back in, a coursing river leaving and entering him. It grew more powerful as the shadow touched their foreheads together and the blaze of red intensified. Soon he found himself becoming tired, but not exhaustingly tired. A strong tired like he'd been running all day, free from the clutches of his chains. Sleep, he wanted sleep, and he could tell the shadow did as well. They fell silent together, still touching the other, and soon they both fell into a sleep protected by the red blaze of the river and fire.

[wongsae]

Lyen was standing in the middle of…nothingness. He glanced around only to see empty white void, but when he looked back to the front there was someone standing in front of him, looking equally confused—it was his own reflection. Before his mind could process what was going on, a figure came out of nowhere, heading toward Lyen’s direction. He looked back, and soon it was clear that the figure was a man, a charismatic looking one. As the man came closer Lyen realized he resembled him a lot, albeit way older, he swore they shared nearly the exact same facial features. The younger blond eyed the man as he stopped beside him. He followed the man’s gaze at his own reflection...but in place of the man’s reflection was a fiery-red beast. Lyen’s head snapped back to the man, he was gone, he looked back at the mirror, the horse-sized lion was now replacing his reflection.

 

”What…?” the lion’s mouth moved as he spoke. Lyen raised his right hand, the lion raised his left giant paw. Curious, he moved closer, tilting his head to the side and as he did, the lion did so. The blond reached out to touch the mirror. Once his finger came to contact with his reflection everything went black, so was the beast, which was now horrendous looking with matted fur and boney body, looking back at him with surprised sunken eyes. Suddenly he felt suffocated…

 

…and he woke up, gasping for damp air so foul smelling he sat right up, choking his lungs off. There was a huge hole where the metal bars had been, partially burned in their bonding along with the ground around them, creating a patch of scorched area in the filthy floor. But Lyen was too busy emptying his tummy to notice his surroundings.

[YellowPerch]

White, that was all he saw. Rae was no longer the broken matted Lion he had been for so many years. His fur was clean and red like it used to be, his markings striking out more then they ever had. His eyes were alight with a golden glow of a newly born child. His black teeth no longer, instead they were white with purity, strong. His mane was ruffled up and swaying in the breeze that seemed to naturally come without trees or sky. The red lion looked around him, at the white that went on endlessly. Then to his right a man. A black shadow, but clearly a man. Rae tilted his head at the figure and it beckoned him closer. Rae took a step closer and as soon as he did found himself looking straight into the eyes of his master. His gentle and kind master. Master, master! I've missed you so. Rae bounded over to the man. But soon his bright eyes and kind smile disappeared and a new man stood before him.

 

Rae was confused. He didn't know this man, and yet, yet he did. He had the same colored eyes as his master, the same facial features as the an he knew as well. Rae tilted his head at the man and the other smiled. The smile was exactly the same as his master's. Rae swished his tail behind him, a happily confused swish. The feelings he felt from this man were the same as those he felt with his master. This made Rae confused, but unable to turn away. The man rose a hand, reaching out to scratch behind his ears. But just before he felt the scratch, his world went black.

 

Rae woke with a start and slowly looked about his surroundings. He was back in the fowl smelling dungeon he had been left in. But upon further inspection, the bars that held him back were now forced open, as if a great beast pushed itself right through it. The man who had entered the cage earlier was retching up a smell that made Rae's nose ache. It was strong and nasty, but Rae had remembered smelling it from the past. Rae took notice of how light he felt. His tail swished behind him, his head was light on his neck and looking around. Although he was still a mangled mess, his body was moving more freely. Rae wanted to stand, how good he would feel if he were finally able to leave this dark place.

[wongsae]

After a short moment the guy's stomach finally calmed down. It dawned on him that he had lost his only source of light. He would've had cursed had his throat didn't feel on fire. At this point getting out without fracturing any bones--since the stairs weren't the most step-friendly ones--would made him the most thankful man alive. His hand cautiously swept the floor for his bag and the journal and he cringed every time it landed on the damp, mossy floor. Until at last it landed on something that felt like a leather, but touching it further they separated into clumpy strands. He moved up the big cat's paw to its chest in wonder, feeling from outside a thin layer between the guy's palm and the beating of the guardian's heart. He could felt his own beating faster in...excitement?

 

Lyen looked towards the direction where, he assumed, the creature's head was supposed to be. His mouths opened and closed without a sound like a fish. After those years of cursing his great-grandfather for his miserable childhood, he could never imagine being this close to the old man's most precious treasure...and liking the idea of it. "Are you okay?" He said finally once his other hand had found what he was actually looking for. "Can you understand me?" Although he knew in his great-grandpa's time they spoke the same language, he asked just in case.

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[YellowPerch]

Rae had tried to move about, but found his legs still fairly weak against his body weight. He had stopped for a brief moment in trying to stand when he heard the rummaging of the man in the cell with him. When he looked over, the man was searching about in the dark, clearly unable to see anything in front of him. That reminded Rae, that the man had entered the dark place with the fire in his hand. He glanced about and found the wood completely burnt down from the fire. He wondered just how long they had been out if the barely used wood was now completely finished, unable to be lit again. Rae's head instantly snapped back from the firewood as he felt so ring touch his paw. When he looked back, he found the man on hands and knees, touching his paw. It rested against him, unable to move. Rae could feel the warmth of it.

 

But Rae didn't move either. Instead he looked back into the eyes of the man before him, even though the man could not see his own. A spark of pride and joy swept over Rae as he looked into the eyes. This man...this man was his master. It had to have been. He had to have come back for him. Rae's ears perked towards the man when his voice rang through the moss filled cell. Though he wouldn't have been seen, Rae nodded his large head before answering through the tongue of the contract. It was the only way he was able to communicate with those outside his kind. I am okay. And yes I can understand you. Are you okay?To Rae, it had felt like he spoke out like the humans did. But to the humans, rae was actually speaking in their mind. And that was what he considered the tongue of the contract.

[wongsae]

Lyen blinked several times, he had pulled back almost automatically when he heard the voice inside his head. Alright, that was weird. It felt like imagining except you weren't really controlling your brain, perhaps like 'hallucinating', still not the best word to describe it though. "Good to know. I do think I am, yes." He shrugged at the wrong direction--well, what do you expect--slinging his bag over his shoulder as he tried to stand carefully. Okay, now what do we do? he thought to himself, realizing there was no other way than crawling out in the dark. Wait- does that mean he can read my mind? The blond had unconsciously decided to address his guardian as how the voice sounded like--a he.

 

"I'm not good enough to see, to be honest." Lyen was glancing around, starting to feel claustrophobic as sickness re-grew on the pit of his stomach. He tried to look for anything that could help his disorientation right now, so far his foot had found the wall behind him, good enough to lead him outside. "Are you good enough to walk?" he asked, remembering the condition of the other when he first came here.

[YellowPerch]

Rae nodded once more, hearing that the other in front of him was just as okay as he was. Well, for the most part anyway. Rae had caught the recoil of the other as he spoke to him. He couldn't blame the other really. He'd be surprised too if some random voice had broken into his head and began speaking to him. However, though he wasn't expecting it. He too had a voice speak to him, the conscious thoughts of the other. i cannot read your mind. But it is your mind allowing me to enter it. You can will me not to read your mind, however. He wa stinking about the times his master had scolded him for listening to his inner thoughts, but he had soon discovered that it was he himself who allowed his thoughts to open and be read so clearly from Rae. Even if he didn't mean to actually listen. Sometimes in your sleep I can hear it though. And I do apologize in advance for that. Rae nodded at the other, though once again, there was no reaction.

 

Rae watched as the man reached for his bag, the only thing he could find in this dark place. He had watched how he even stubbed his toe, but did nothing to warn him. He'd have to work on that soon. Do not worry about seeing. I can see well enough for you. He looked around and found the bars open wide enough so that he would be able to fit through. But at the mention of being able to walk he fell silent for a moment. Ah, give me a moment. I will try again. Rae steadied his feet beneath him once more and with a one, two, three pushes to stand up again, he found himself gaining more strength in his legs. Soon Rae was standing in the cell, his head nearly touching the ceiling above. But his eyes grew stronger as his strength slowly returned. I suppose we should get out of here now. Any longer and a humans senses will be affected.

 

Rae stepped beside the other and slowly wrapped his tail around the others waist. It will be easier for you to follow. Then he began walking away, slowly moving so that the other could follow with out tripping or being pulled along to quickly. Rae followed the scent of the other as he had taken to come down here. But as soon as he reached the set of stairs that would be dangerous to climb with no light he stopped and looked behind him. Did you climb down these? He waited for the other to take notice that they were at the stairs before saying anything more.

[wongsae]

Had he been a feline like his fellow, the blond’s ears would’ve perked up right then. The strange means of communication alarmed him like an invader to his privacy. This parallel-mind thing… it’s like a bothersome leak on his stiff-upper-lip persona. Such mentality was prevalent among men his age, and truth be told, Lyen was a feeler rather than a brainer, but he was prideful, thus he put his heart on his cheek. Still, the other didn’t need to apologize for something he couldn’t help, really. Lyen chose not to make any explicit responds besides shutting the way to his mind, which he believed was a stronger statement than words. The path that was once flooded by train of anxious thoughts was now deserted.

 

The guy held back a flinch from the contact with the hawser-like tail. Boy, this is a huge one. He wondered as he traced the unpleasant texture of the matted fur over his waist.

 

Lyen tried his best to match his guide’s very-slow-already pace, carefully feeling each step on the mouldy stones that nearly made him slip every now and then. He was working around the thought-transmitter-whatsoever, for the sake of keeping the last bit of privacy he had in his head, when the force pulling him was suddenly gone. ”If your ‘these‘ is the same as mine then yes, he answered, switching to his mind halfway as the air tasted worse than he remembered a minute ago. I hope you have a safer plan than what I’m thinking. which was to keep on going like this—he was sure those slippery stones would get him sooner or later. He wanted to get out so bad, though, he’d trade a few bruises with open air. The thought made him feel bad for Rae—for those few centuries of suffering. And now he’d have to spend a little more time living among the very species that imprisoned him in this hell-hole. For once Lyen questioned whether he had done the right thing. Yet the thought of Rae ‘being better off with mother nature’ didn’t sound any less cruel to him.

 

Or else, I hope tails don’t hurt when tugged. he said finally, patting the tail on his waist apologetically.

 

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[YellowPerch]

As expected of one weary of Rae's ability of speech, when Lyen turned quiet, Rae noticed that his thoughts were no longer coming across to his own. The other had clearly concentrated his whole on keeping his thoughts from getting read. In a way, it made Rae feel unwanted, not even his prior master had just out his thoughts when he found out about his ability. But this wasn't the same master, perhaps he just didn't want his minds being read. Perhaps he would open up his thoughts to Rae in the future. Rae could only hope he would be accepted by this man now.

 

He felt the other flinch in his grasp as Rae wrapped his tail around him. He couldn't blame him, he didn't warn the other of his actions and suddenly there was a large tail slithering around his waist. He'd have to make sure the other new of his actions in advance when they were in dark places. Well, if they ever stayed together. This man allowed him to walk again, to speak again and once they got out of this dark, moldy dungeon, what then? Would Rae be forced into another hunt and be killed? Would the two go their separate ways once they got out? Rae tried to think of other things, he hated to think after so many years of being in this place, he would be left alone once more. Though, perhaps it wasn't all that bad. He was alone when he was first born anyway.

 

When they reached the stairs and asked out his question he was glad the other hadn't completely stopped talking to him. Rae let a small smile form on his lips, exposing his saber teeth more. He looked back up at the stairs and tilted his head. He could just make out the smells of nature outside. It excited him, he wanted to just jump and get out of this awful place. But he had to consider Lyen, jumping so suddenly with him wrapped up in his tail could cause damage to the other's body. And he couldn't just start dashing up the stairs. Well, I have a plan. But I suppose it comes down to your decision. He looked back at the other again, even though the man couldn't quite make his figure out. If you climb on my back, it might be easier for me to just climb out. But if you feel uncomfortable doing that I can only hold to you as I am.

 

Rae felt the warm hand on his tail as the other had mentioned his tail being tugged had the other slipped in his steps. I will not lie, it will hurt. But I will help you out anyway you want for thanks in helping me out. Rae was perfectly fine in his tail being tugged if it meant he wouldn't drop his own savior.

[wongsae]

Easier—the only word Lyen needed to make his decision. Easier equals quicker, he thought. At the last second he once again recalled the poor state Rae was in—according to what he remember when he still had his torch. Even after the other claimed that a big deal was no big deal for gratitude, it didn’t reduce his concern. Well, first thing first, they desperately need to get out of there. In that case, excuse me. he said almost merrily, finding his way up the lion’s ducked body. The blonde swore he pulled some hair out, and he continuously worried about digging his nails too hard or stepping on places he shouldn’t—all of which was merely the product of his over-thinking nature. It was painfully awkward for a guy such as Lyen not to know how to properly act upon new discoveries, especially when it comes to what’s-okay-and-what’s-not. He didn’t need to openly share his thought for the other to know, unfortunately, as it was obvious in the way he moved.

 

Tell me if it’s unpleasant, and you can move now. he signaled after positioning himself low so his head wouldn’t scrap the ceiling. As they ascended, Lyen wrapped his hands around—what he supposed was—Rae’s neck. Tight enough to keep them intact, but not too tight to choke him. Although he doubt he withheld the power to choke a creature about three times bigger than him. The feeling of joints poking him as Rae walked somehow reminded him of the first time he rode with his father. What a good horse Beenie was, it’s a shame she was already old when Lyen was still young.

 

After a while his nose caught a faint hint of freedom. He could smell it. Damp soil and grass. Had it been raining outside? It must’ve been earlier, there was no sound of downpour, only echo of trickling water. Was it day or night? A distant light answered his wonder. Just now it all became unbelievable—he came back alive AND not alone. They did it. ”You did it.” he exclaimed breathily in relieve, head held up and hand shielding his squinting and watering eyes. Jumping down Rae’s back, he cried out, ”It’s so bright!” although an ear-to-ear smile was plastered on his face.

[YellowPerch]

Lyen's soft words confirmed the standing question. Rae slowly lowered his large body to the floor of the stone, allowing Lyen to climb upon his back with ease. When the other was positioned in a way he wouldn't fall off, Rae had begun to move. I believe I can handle the lightness of your weight. He didn't mean his words as an insult and only hoped the other didn't take it that way either. But for a lion his size, just like a horse, he was able to carry a human's weight easily. And just like any horse, too much would weigh himself down. Rae kept his body low as he began to climb up the stairs. He felt arms wrap around his neck as Lyen leaned against him and held on tightly. He could feel his own fur pulling out in some places. Being so matted for such a long time, the fur had just pulled itself right out of his skin. The jostling of the other just made it fall off completely.

 

The stairs had already crumbled before he began climbing, but under both their weights the stairs crumbled further. A few times he slipped as stairs gave out underneath him. Other times he'd have to stretch or hop to reach the next step. A human with no light would face his death instantly, but even with a torch, they were lucky to escape falling. The anticipation to climb out of the dark tore at him and his heart beat rose faster and faster. The smell of musty rain swarmed around him the closer he got to the opening and his pace quickened. Which resulted in a sloppier climb. The light of day grew closer and brighter and soon enough he was breaking the surface and climbing out onto grass. The light was brighter then he could bare and he instantly recoiled and closed his eyes. He lowered himself to the ground as he felt Lyen's weight leave him.

 

He could hear the laughter and excitement in the other's voice, but it took Rae a moment before he was able to gain the ability to see in the bright. But as he waited for his sense of sight to come to him, his other senses overwhelmed him. The sense of touch was miraculous under his giant paws and he could feel his nails unseating themselves and digging into the grass and soil beneath him. His send of hearing came at the same time as his smelling, and the joys of the world around him made his body shiver. He heard the drops of water as leaves dried themselves off, the smell of rivers and birds, of small rodents burrowing underground. Everything he'd missed for so long started to come back to him. When he chanced to opene his eyes again, this time slower, he was able to take in the world more clearly. The light of day was still bright to him, but where darkness empowered his body, shadows started to dance and soon slight blurs, and eventually the clearness of day.

[wongsae]

The morning was serene and smelt of dew, a peaceful moment one could only experience when far from civilisation, but the other's miserable state ripped Lyen's attention away from everything. At first he wanted to just hop onto his carriage and gallop home already, then he decided Rae would need time to adjust. After all, it wasn't possible for them to leave anytime soon. His carriage was horseless as Beenie Jr. was nowhere to be seen. That golden maned girl would come back, he was sure, like she usually did. She was probably sodding somewhere else or looking for a stream, hopefully the latter. In the mean time, he'd better get them something to eat--made him wonder, when was the last time Rae was fed a decent food or even fed at all? Not a really nice memory to recall or figure out. Care for a meal? he invited, making his way towards the carriage parked at a distance from the dungeon's entrance. The carriage was a pretty sophisticated one typically used by commoners, since he thought it would attract less attention. The cover was dripping wet but thankfully his belongings in the wooden boxes were safe, albeit the spare clothes which was in a sack didn't survive. It must've had been a downpour.

 

It isn't much.. He was sure he had totally miscalculated the amount of food a starving giant would need, still it was better than nothing. A box landed on the ground with a thud, and as he pried it open with a crowbar, he added ..but if we can manage it well, it'll be enough until we reach the nearest town. Town. That's a problem Lyen knew was inevitable but didn't want to think of yet. It wasn't like he'd took Rae in without his consent, it was that he was almost certain the guardian lacked of a place to turn to and he didn't like the idea of Rae roaming around in a world he barely knew. I'd leave it to you, to go with me or be free, but I can't be that generous after all the troubles. He laid out a piece of cloth, and latter a dry cured meat from the box on top--coated in salt and other mouth-watering spices--then another. I'm also too selfish not to make sure once you fully recovered it's due to my not at all humble effort. Do we need to cook this? he turned to the other after taking half a piece for himself.

[YellowPerch]

Rae was taking in every seen of the outside world as he could. How long had he been locked away down in that small damp cell? Years...decades. Sounds, scents, sceneries, had all become unknowing towards him. Where trees he once knew stood was no longer. Where berry bushes grew were now entangled grasses. Birds nests that he had once known existed where blown off and trampled from natures storms. The world he had dreamed to see again had changed without his knowing. Even this man who stood before him had been a change with the world. The only thing that remained the same was he himself. An ancient creature that would most likely not be wanted just as strongly as when he was tossed into the cell. His thoughts had been interrupted at the other's voice. At the sound of possibly eating after so long, Rae's stomach growled ferociously in answer. Rae rose weakly to his feet to walk the distance towards Lyen. If you wouldn't mind sharing your own food.

 

Rae sat down heavily just before the beutiful wagon. It had seemed even transportation had changed in his absence. Wagons were once just planks of wood held together by means and pulled along by horses, nothing more. Now they had giant round rings that held the wagons up. And it seemed to house a human within its belly then rather on top of it. Rae sat and waited for the food to be placed out in front of him. He watched as Lyen allowed a large box to dropped before him upon the ground and pried it Pom with a steel tool Rae was unfamiliar with. The waft of smells that immediately escaped found its way through his nostrils and imstantly he began to drool. In his defense it felt good to be able to drool again. The dryness of his mouth being terribly wrong over so many years. The next town.. Rae had to admit, traveling from place to place hadn't crossed his mind when he first arrived above ground. But somehow, the sounds of doing so made him giddy.

 

Soon a large fabric was being spread out before him. It covered the ground and its dampness and allowed Lyen to place upon it the food. if you'd have me, I think it might be best I stick with you. Already I can sense the world is different then the one I lived in. Rae instantly set his eyes on the meat that was set on the cloth. If he thought he was drooling before, he was wrong. His mouth was like a river. He would have devoured the whole thing in one had he not the decency to remember his master's disciplining on the matter. He was taught to "savor food, for you never knew when it would be your last." He stopped himself from taking the meat between his teeth as the other spoke up about cooking. Rae tilted his head to the side. My food doesn't necessarily need to be cooked. I'm a beast able to eat raw meat. You however, may cook Your food. Rae continued to wait for the go ahead to eat his food. He might be a ravenous beast, but he still held his manners well. Else he feared the wrath of his former master.