Chapter 5: Unknown Experiences
"Hey, wake up. It's our shift," Guard #1 said, roughly kicking the chair of his partner.
Startled awake, Guard #2 grumbled and stood up. Every day was a hassle.
Putting his helmet on, Guard #2 asked, "Isn't the Branch Head returning today?"
Guard #1 nodded, "Yeah, he sure is, so no goofing around."
"Okay fine, but only because it's in my best interest."
--Sometime Later--
In front of the Fael Branch Estate.
Clouds started swirling in the sky. The wind started drifting in circles as if a tornado was to be born. Leaves flew up and around, seemingly entranced by the sky and clouds.
A tornado did not spawn, nor did anything dangerous come from the disturbance if you could call it that. All one could see was a ball of light surrounding something.
It was like a gentle disclaimer to all around, not wanting to cause distress.
The gentle light caressed a young boy's body while slowly falling to the ground. The light was keeping his body together and alive for the time being.
And for the ones who saw this?
That consisted of only two guards standing at the front gates.
"Is that a child?" Guard #1 asked with disbelief.
What was happening? No one told them a boy would be showing up here.
Guard #2 approached the glowing boy cautiously. He'd never seen something like this and so he didn't know what to do.
It didn't appear dangerous, and the child had severe wounds on him, but still, was it his place to help?
Guard #1 arrived shortly after and spoke bluntly, "I think we get rid of him."
Guard #2 looked at his partner. His morality said to save him, but wouldn't he get in trouble? That's the last thing he needed.
The first guard continued, "Look, I wish we could do something, but the Branch Head is coming back sometime today. We can't have any mishaps."
Guard #2 silently agreed. If the Branch Head were to be in a bad mood today and this happens, they may very well die.
"I'll take him, so you don't have to." Guard #1 said softly. His partner had no objections. Besides, someone had to stay at the front gate.
Guard #1 picked the boy up and started jogging toward the inner city.
***
The Fael Branch Estate was located within the Wairau Kingdom's Capital, Pitar.
The Estate was in the inner city, but even that was massive enough to be its own tiny kingdom.
The Wairau Kingdom dominated this continent, with smaller kingdoms scattered along its northern, eastern, and southern edges. Among all the outer continents, this one stood out for its peacefulness and trade.
***
Guard #1 approached his destination. It was an old and unassuming house. One that looked like it had been abandoned ages ago. The houses connected to this one were also in that miserable state.
Even so, the guard carried on to the back of the house. There he found a basement door where he knocked rhythmically, to which it opened.
Walking inside he yelled out, "I have someone for you. Be nice though, it's a kid."
His voice echoed down the hallway, for what had to of been miles. Not caring in the slightest, he set down Kaiser against the wall and started walking back.
He didn't feel good leaving kids in there, but what choice was there? It was his life or a random kid's one?
It was an obvious answer.
--The Branch Heads Carriage--
"I'm glad we were able to make a successful deal. Isn't that right my boy?" An elderly man with a short grey beard laughed heartily without a care in the world. He was patting his Guard Captains shoulders repeatedly because of his excitement.
What can he say? It went much better than he expected.
"Branch Head, should you be acting like this?" The burly, red-haired Captain responded with his own question. Pushing the old man's hand off him.
"Oh c'mon, loosen up a bit. It's not often we can be like this you know."
The Captain just looked away, wanting to do be a part of his charade of happiness.
Seeing his mission's success, the Branch Head looked outside with his spiritual sense.
After all, he was almost home now. It was time to check on things.
He scanned the path forward, to the gates. To his surprise, there was only one guard standing by. Unless they wanted to die, they didn't disobey the laws of the family.
Immediately, he started a mental conversation with the lone guard.
"Where is your partner soldier?"
The guard freaked out for a moment before calming down. Having thought this might happen, he answered promptly, "Sir, a strange boy appeared from the sky, landing in front of the gates. Guard #1 is feeding him to It."
The guard didn't know if he could physically be seen, but just in case, he bowed deeply in respect.
Ending the chat, the elder thought it weird for a boy to appear in such a way. It was as if it was meant to be nice or a gift.
"Should I check it out anyway?" He mumbled to himself.
Instantly, his spiritual sense expanded hundreds of meters going to It.
Soon enough he found what he was looking for. The boy.
The elder's eyes opened wide.
"How can this be? Sarah…"
The elder's son now looked worriedly at him. He didn't know this Sarah person, but his dad never looked like this.
He'd never seen something to make his dad act this way.
As he was about to say something, he was interrupted.
"I'll be back. Have someone arrange a room for an important guest."
With that, he disappeared from the carriage.
"I wonder what that was all about." The last person in the carriage thought to himself.
The Branch Head's speed was incredibly fast, it would only take a couple of minutes to get there.
Hopefully, that would be enough.
--The Dark Hallway--
A minute passed.
A low growl reverberated through the dark concrete hallway. It walked leisurely down the path, enjoying this moment was his entire life.
The creature had thick brownish-grey fur and stood slightly hunched over.
Its claws were long and deathly sharp. Scraping against the side wall, causing a loud screeching sound. Its fangs dripped saliva, just waiting for its next meal.
"Mm, this one is young."
Instantly his whole façade came down. He sighed.
"It doesn't taste good when they're this young. Stupid humans."
He was agitated because he hadn't had a delicious meal recently.
"What a shame, but better to eat fresh. Learned that one the hard way."
He picked the kid up and started walking back, whistling a tune. He needed a table after all. He wasn't a savage.
While walking the darkness rearranged itself, allowing instantaneous travel.
"I like how they kept this boy alive with magic." He laughed having even entertained the idea that they did this for him.
He set the boy on the cold iron table and walked to the counter, grabbing a knife the size of a machete.
'Time to dig in.' He thought to himself.
However, as he tried cutting into the arm, the warm light deflected it.
And so he tried again, this time with more strength.
Failed.
This time he tried full strength. He lifted the machete and slammed down, going for a clean cut.
The creature was determined to eat. No matter who, what, or how.
The hit landed… and failed.
"Ah fu*k."
"Why even give such prey if I can't eat it?"
"I was trying to be civil. Sorry tiny human."
He put the machete back and sat back down, taking a deep breath.
A moment passed and lifted the arm again, bringing it straight to his mouth.
As he was about to apply pressure with his fangs, he sensed a presence at the entrance.
It arrived in an instant and without any warning. They were already in his dungeon.
"A lot of visitors today. I guess I'll see who it is this time."
He walked out, hoping to get better food this time.
He walked to the entrance where an elderly man waited patiently.
More so out of confidence than anything.
The creature was terrified. This cruel man was the one that put him here.
The old man started speaking, "Where's the kid?"
Without even responding the creature instantly retrieved the annoying food and placed him in front of the man.
"Very good, I'll have someone give you a proper meal later."
Even though he was afraid, he knew what that meant. Demon meat.
Without further conversation, the elderly man simply waved his hand and Kaiser started floating next to him.
"Off we go now."
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone