P.O.V: Master

I can't sleep... I feel so bad for myself... I can't believe I could do something like that.... I didn't mean it... He was the only one who looked at me like a normal person. The only one I considered a real... friend. And I break his trust like it doesn't matter. I am a monster. The festival... I'll never go back there again. Even I, I was shocked...

//Flash Back\\

Blood. Down along the bone I just hit. Skinned. Cut. My body was getting out of control. The reddish fluid mixed with the transparent salty drops along his cheeks seemed to intertwine like a forbidden cocktail. He tries to back off by begging me to stop but I couldn't. My tears were running too. It hurt but I couldn't stop. I raised the sharp whip and struck. The floor was gradually tinted with this bewitching liquid.

The spectators were hungry and soon security had to intervene. Bloodthirsty vampires ready to jump on anything that moves... Is that really who I am, too ? Of course... I'm no better than them... I'm a vampire. I drink blood and I'm hitting my one and only friend with blood. What being with a life could be named other than a monster in such circumstances ?

I was stopping. Exhausted, carmine red eyes returning to normal. I came back to reality and discovered my friend lying on the ground. Folded over himself and protecting the back of his head. He trembled, sobbed, bathed in his own blood. Blood that I myself sank. I dropped the whip and fell on my knees. I looked at my dirty hands with my eyes wide open.

- No... I... I didn't... No...

I took my head in my hands as the audience applauded and cheered me. I kept hooking up and saying the same thing over and over. "No." I don't want that to happen. I want to go back, put my honor aside and never have entered this festival. I don't... want to see what's in front of me.

- No... Encre... Encre... Encre... No... No... No... No...

A hand came to rest on my shoulder and raising my head, I saw with stupor the bloody face of Encre looking at me smiling. He was smiling... How could he smile. Smile at ME. I had just martyred him, so why...? Why are you so...

I could not control myself and burst into tears. With the curtain closed, no one could see me. I was crying... Crying shame, disgust and rage towards myself. Encre rose up with some difficulty and took me in his arms. It was the one who had suffered the most who comforted his aggressor. Encre...

- I'm so sorryyy... !! I... I hate myself !! I should've told you !!... I... I'm just a monster... !! Encre !! I'm so sorry !!

- It's nothing... I can see you were reluctant to do it... Come on... It's all all right now, Isn't it ?

- No ! Nothing is all right ! You need to be treated as soon as possible, so no, it's not okay !! We don't treat "doggies" here ! I don't want to... Encre i... I...

- I take care of it.

The skeleton in waiter's clothes approached us and looked at us with conviction.

- I'm a handyman, so I can cure him. I know it's breaking the rules but I can make an exception... Come over here !

I nodded and moved away from Encre, which almost collapsed before the servant caught him in time. He lifted him up and took him to a sort of dressing room to delicately place him on a bed. He bandaged, disinfected and healed his injuries.

- That should be enough...

- Thank you very much...

- That's strange. If I may, it's the first time I've seen a master worry and feel so guilty for his sub fife.

- Encre isn't my sub fife ! He... He's my only friend...

- I understand. Thank you very much. There should be more people like you.

- Surely...

We could hear the screams of the other participants. Those screams of pain were hurting me so much... I subjected this troma to Encre... I would never forgive myself.

The second round finished, it was now the results for the final that was going to be announced. I left Encre with the servant who was actually named Suave. I don't have any more information on him. Placed in line in front of the stage with the other dominants, the presenter arrived, paper in hand.

<< SO MANY WONDERS ! IT WAS A PHENOMENAL ORDEAL ! I HOPE YOU ALL ENJOYED IT BECAUSE I DID !! THE LAST TWO PARTICIPANTS TO STAY IN THE RING AND WHO WILL BE KIND ENOUGH TO DECIDE BETWEEN THEM DURING THE FINAL ROUND ARE... TEAM 15 AGAINST TEAM 7 !!!! CONGRATULATIONS TO BOTH OF YOU !! SORRY ABOUT THE OTHERS BUT YOU'LL BE ABLE TO MEET THE SPECTATORS IN THE CROWD !! WE WILL TAKE A SHORT BREAK UNTIL OUR LITTLE SUBMISSIVES RECOVER FROM THEIR EMOTIONS AND THEN BEGIN THE FINAL WHICH WILL NOT FAIL TO SURPRISE MORE THAN ONE ! COME BACK SOON !!! >>

I'm still in the race. I hope that Encre is better... I have no clue about this last step so I don't know what he's waiting for us. This is a blind fight that we have just begun. I went back to see how he was doing and saw that he was sitting at the edge of the bed with Suave talking to him.

- Oh you're back ! He's still very weak, but his condition seems stable.

Encre tells me a reassuring smile.

- I'm fine, don't worry.

- Encre... I-

- Did we pass the test?

- Yes... With team 15, we're both in the final... But since I have no information about what's next, I prefer to forfeit.

- Don't do this.

- Why ? I've hurt you enough already ! I don't even know what he's waiting for!

- But you're not gonna give up after all this ! So those first two trials were futile ?

- N-no... But...

He put his hand on my head and said nicely.

- Look, I'm fine. Everything's gonna be fine. You need to succeed to find your home back, right ? Then let's not make it. This is the last step, so be brave !

He is right. I didn't hurt him for nothing. We will continue and win this contest.

- Yes !

<< YOUR ATTENTION !! THE FINAL WILL START SOON SO I CALL THE LAST TWO FINALISTS TO COME JOIN ME !! >>

- Ready ?

- Ready.

//Flash Back continued on the side of P.O.V. Encre\\

Team 15. I wonder who that could be... And I also hope the boy is okey... I'm sure his master didn't go there dead hand. I'll try to see him after the contest. Maybe Master can do something. On the way he had told me that he just had to win this contest and everything will be over. He can help me get home and everything is fine and ends well as they say ! Well... Almost fine... I wonder how Pap's doing...

Already on the stage, Master and I were waiting for the other team who soon arrived. No... That's him ! The little skeleton with purple rings... So we're an adversary.

As he was next to me, I took advantage that the presenter had everyone's attention to talk to him discreetly.

- Hey... Are you okey ?

- I've known better... And you ? You were almost completely covered in blood... I was really scared...

- I'm fine, don't worry. I was more worried about you than anything else...

- It's okay... My Master was nicer this time...

- I see... You know what our next test will be ?

- No... They change every year and it's never the same so no one can predict what lies ahead...

- Well... Anyway, I wish you luck! And be brave...

- Thanks to you too...!

Master pulled me out of my conversation with a little discreet elbow.

- Prepare yourself Encre he will announce the sequel.

<< GOOD GOOD GOOD !! IT'S NOT ALL THAT, BUT WE HAVE TO START THIS FINAL ONE DAY OR THE OTHER, RIGHT ? THEN WATCH OUT !! BEFORE YOUR AMAZED EYES I WILL TELL YOU THE TRIAL !! GREG GO ON !! >>

The guard apparently called Greg who remained to watch the cage moved towards it and pulled on the sheet. Everyone present had a backward movement when seeing what was inside. An animal. A strange creature. I didn't even know how to name it. What was under that sheet was actually a beast that didn't look at all convenient ! I never would have even imagined that such a thing could really exist !!

(I let your imagination do its work ! It's up to you to imagine a creature that would do the trick X) )

<< SURPRISED, ISN'T IT ? AND WELL YES !! THIS YEAR IS A SPECIAL YEAR !! IT'S, AS I SAID AT THE BEGINNING, THE 85TH ANNIVERSARY OF THIS WONDERFUL ORGANIZATION THAT IS THIS MARKET ! IT DESERVES A HOTTER FINISH, DOESN'T IT ? AND THIS TIME THE STAKES ARE HIGH BECAUSE, AS YOU ALL KNOW, A MASTER IS NOTHING WITHOUT HIS DOGGIE ! HE HAS NO HOUSE, NO FAMILY IF HE ALREADY HAS ONE, HE LOSES EVERYTHING !! THAT'S WHY YOU HAD TO HARDEN YOUR SUBMISSIVES SO THEY COULD BE THERE AS LONG AS POSSIBLE !! THIS TEST WILL PUT YOUR PRESENT AND YOUR FUTURE AT STAKE ! BECAUSE ONE OF YOU WILL LOSE ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING !! >>

Master had a hiccup of surprise while I did not understand everything.

<< WE WILL PUT OUR DEAR LITTLE PUPPIES IN THE CAGE OF THIS WONDERFUL CREATURE AND THE WINNER WILL BE THE ONE WHO MANAGES TO SURVIVE LAST ! YOU HAVE UNDERSTOOD ME VERY WELL MY FRIENDS, IT IS A GAME OF LIFE !! SO PLEASE GET IN THE CAGE !! >>

- This is insane ! I would never let him in there !!

- RULES ARE RULES UNFORTUNATELY !!

- Come on ! Move a little we don't have that to do so hurry up !! Says another rather hoarse voice behind.

- I-I can't... I don't want to die... I-I'm afraid... !!

While Master was fighting with the presenter, I saw the boy's master forcing him into the cage. He saw me looking at them and I looked away quickly. Suddenly I felt a firm grip on my arm and I almost rocked, pulled back.

- Woaaa !! What the- ?!

It was the other master. He would lift the cub under his arm and grab my arm as he walked towards the cage.

- No !!! Let go of me !! M-Master !!

Master suddenly turned to us and began to want to throw himself at the other one who unfortunately had time to throw us both in the cage before closing it again.

- No !!! Open that cage !!

Master was pulled back by the guard, Greg, to keep him out during the final. The spectators cheered, shouted, bet on us. The little skeleton trembled like a leaf and almost had tears of fear in his eye.

I held him tightly against me as the beast watched us. She stood up and turned around us as if to analyze what had just been brought to her. His deep and terrifying look challenged mine filled with fear and anguish as I tried to keep calm.

- Don't move. I'll try to keep her occupied and as soon as all her attention is turned to me, you'll gently go to the door to undo the lock with this paper clip.

- Huh ?! B-But you're gonna get killed !

- Trust me, okay ? Come on.

I moved away from him and started moving at the same speed as the beast. Like copying her steps. Intrigued, she watched me at length before losing all attention with the boy. Bingo. As I had asked him, he discreetly went to the door to traffic the padlock. When suddenly, a sound as if so long struck an iron bar was heard.

//Flash Back on the side of P.O.V de Master\\

While Encre's plan worked perfectly, the guard had to hit the boy to prevent him from opening the cage, but as he avoided it, the blow landed on the bar. The smiling noise must have made like a click in the beast which threw itself on Encre which barely dodged.

- WATCH OUT !!!

The little one shouted to warn his friend but it was a mistake because the beast remembered his presence and got ready to jump on him but Encre reacted faster and clung on the back of the jumping creature, trying to remove a whole ferocious grunt. She hit her side against the cage and a scream of pain came out of the Encre that ended up on the floor. The beast began to scratch him, to want to bite him while the poor victim defended herself as she could. The beast threw him against the opposite side which made him spit blood with the impact. He saw cloudy and his body was bloody. The crying of the helpless little one could break anyone's heart having one. The creature approached the poor weak body in front of her and looked into his eyes. As if to announce his end. Encre closed his eyes having one last thought for a great vampire with beautiful eyes. He smiled one last time and the sound of a body falling to the ground was heard. A lifeless body. His blood spilled as all the eyes that were pointed at them remained unseen.

- What... just happened... ?

I said speechless. We all thought it was over. We could already see who would win. But... The beast has fallen. Nobody understood what had just happened. She was about to take Encre's life, but she's the one who just lost hers. She had stopped moving for a second and it was collapsed to the ground. His deep black blood was spilling and a dagger could be seen planted in his flesh. The audience all turned their heads to one person in particular. Her arm was outstretched and she was wearing a hood. He had just saved Encre.

- Good. Says the unknown man.

- Can we find out what he took from you ?! Replied the presenter without his microphone and enough on his nerves.

- I come to end this abomination.

- Ho ? And who are we dealing with ?

- The Guard.

He took off his hood and a good number of people came to position themselves in an arc behind him. All in royal guard robes. The presenter and other people start running whose guard Greg fled except Suave who stayed beside me but was quickly caught by the guards who also stopped the participants. What I think it's the chief of advanced towards the cage where the beast was, Encre which it was fainted and the small one which had taken advantage of it to have thrown itself in the arms of the unconscious without letting go of it. The chief pushed the body inanimate with an area of disgust.

- Ignoble. This creature is disgusting. I'm glad she's not alive anymore. All right.

He turned to both victims. The little one, still holding Encre tight and tears in his eyes, tried to speak.

- Y-you... Have you come to save us ? Like... Like knights ?

- Moooh how cute~ But tell me kid, who are you holding so firmly in your arms ? Your daddy's body ? Your big brother ?

- N-No... He's my friend...

- I see. He must have been a very good friend for you to hold on so tight his corpse.

- No ! He's not dead !! He... He protected me but he's still alive !!

- Mm ?

He squatted at their height and placed these skeletal fingers in front of Encre's nose.

- Oh well... That's true ! He's still breathing. He must have passed out before I killed the beast.

He observed a little better Encre and had an idea. His face smiled and he got up and turned towards me.

- Are you the master?

- Yes... Why ?

- All right. I'll give you 50,000G for this doggie !

- Huh ?! But it's not for sale!

- Come on, come on. 60,000G it is.

- No ! Never.

- Never mind ! Looks like the graduating method doesn't work every time~ Go ahead.

At that moment, guards grabbed me and gagged me by tying my hands behind my back. What the hell is wrong with them ?! I thought they were helping us !!

- Why are you doing this ?! Replied the frightened boy, always against Encre.

- Did you really think we were here to help you ? Poor thing, you must be disappointed. I'm Flin, head of the guard. Now that the introductions are made, get away from him.

- No ! I won't let him go !!

He lifted the boy by his neck and threw him to the ground behind him. He took Encre on his shoulder.

- You're lucky you're not related to him or you'd be already dead ! Then I advise you to be quiet.

The youngest clung to the guard's leg and shouted to release his friend. The chief sighed annoyed, rested Encre and kicked the child.

- I told you to be quiet ! So you're gonna stop forcing like an unbearable Encre, you understand me ?!

He was kicking him. He struck with all his forces in the frail little body that was on the ground. Some that he did not move any more, he took Encre under his arm and left as if nothing had happened.

- We who were there simply to kill the king's escaped beast and the participants of this tournament and now we are going back with another gift ! You guys coming ? Looks like we killed with one stone ! Here's the bonus !

The ranks then left with their booty, four of them had gone to take the monster's body. They got into carriages and left in a direction unknown to me as I was in the dark. Encre wasn't with me and I was really worried about him... This is all my fault... If I hadn't let him be locked in that cage, maybe just.... That he wouldn't be....

A few hours later, the carriages stopped and we were taken into a dark corridor lit up by a simple oil lamp hanging from the ceiling. We heard screams of despair with grids. I was thrown into one of the rooms that were actually the prison. Everyone had become prisoners and if my feeling is right, I'm not leaving that soon... So I was going to lie down on what was supposed to be my bed.

//End Flash Back\\

- I'm so sorry... Mary... What have I done ?

~•°•~

Well ? Me write faster ? XD It's the holidays and I have some free time so yup I take the time to write ! I hope you like the story ^^

See ya~