"Get in."

Upon the order, I leaped into the covered bed of the truck, then laid down as men tied me up. Like I would try to escape anyway, not if it means Saki is safe.

The flap was released and dropped, which left me in a mostly dark room. I heard the general continue to yell orders and load into a separate vehicle.

Eventually, one of the troops brought Saki, then tied her into the seat closest to the entrance. Once she was secure, he sat on the opposite bench with a hand on the hilt of his sword. The green-uniformed man glanced at my muzzled form as the vehicle roared to life, then lurched foreword.

After she recovered from the sudden lurch and sat back up, she raised her trembling voice above the rumble of the road. "W—what is going to happen to us?" Saki looked to the man across from her, but he silently avoided her pleading gaze. "Where are you taking us?"

"SHUT IT!" The driver roared through the cloth barrier between the two sections and over the engine's purr. "I don't want to hear anything from you!"

Saki squeaked in fear, then looked down at her cuffed hands. She fidgeted but remained silent.

I gently touched Saki with the tip of my tail, then moved it back away before our guard noticed. Saki sniffled softly in response, and we waited for the end of our journey in silence.

The guard panicked and drew his sword as I shifted my weight. I eyed him out of the corner of my eye, then calmly exhaled.

After several moments, he sheathed his weapon; the ride continued in silence. Eventually, the truck slowly came to a stop; the sunlight streamed in from the now-raised flap. Many troops armed with spears, swords, and a few guns waited behind the vehicle.

They untied Saki and forced her off first. Then, several men bound chains to my limbs and around my muzzle. Once they thought I was secured, they untied me and allowed me to stand. "Come out." General Helios's angry voice reached me. After I managed to turn around in the tight space, I leaped off of the truck. However, the chains that linked my paws did not allow my front feet to catch me. I tumbled and collapsed onto the gravel.

I slowly rose back to my feet with an annoyed snort. Several men and women had their weapons pointed at me with various expressions of trembling fear and hot anger as they stared at me. I stumbled forward as the chain around my muzzle suddenly became taut. "Let's go!"

I obeyed and followed the general's star-studded cloak. I briefly eyed the guards that surrounded me, then looked away as one of them glared and growled darkly beneath his breath. Am I sure I'm not one of them?

My entourage continued to escort me into the grey stone military base and down the white-walled hallways. Soon, we arrived at a hallway lined with cages built into the walls. A few of the cells were already inhabited by Stellans in grey outfits that were old and not much more than rags.

General Helios unlocked the door of an empty cage and forcefully pulled on the chain. "Get in!"

I stumbled but quickly adjusted to the small steps the chains on my legs forced me to take. Once I was inside, a soldier attached the chains on my paws and head to the walls with locks. Thankfully, there was enough slack in the metal ropes for me to lay down to sleep.

After the soldier exited, the general slammed the door. "Double the guards for this room, I'll be back to interrogate this beast when I'm finished with the mage." With a swirl of his cape, he stormed back down the hallway.

I huffed as I settled onto the cold concrete floor as the soldiers dispersed to their posts. While they left, I looked around at the three concrete walls. Someone had scarred the bland blocks with hatched lines.

This doesn't look much smaller than the cage Master kept me in. However, beds take up some of the space. I eyed the raised slabs of metal with a pillow, but they were far too small for me.

I glanced back at the front wall of bars, then internally grinned when I couldn't see any guards. I flexed one of my front paws and reached towards the lock. I felt for the keyhole, then stuck one of my sharp claws into the lock on the chain that kept my muzzle closed. The chains on my wrists made it a bit difficult, but I just had to watch how I moved my head.

After a bit of finessing and magical assistance, I heard a click. I violently shook myself as the chains fell from my face and clattered against the floor. Thankfully, the noise was disguised by the rattling of the other chains as I shook. Once I cut through the leather belt, I happily stretched my lower jaw. Much better.

I reached under my scarf and pulled out a paper-wrapped bundle of jerky. With a small puff of air, the paper silently unfolded and revealed the delectable meat. I ate the dried meat, then slipped the wrapper back beneath my scarf.

My hunger sated, I looked to the locks on my remaining chains. I paused; perhaps, I shouldn't pick those. As long as I stay here, they won't matter. Instead, I looked to the net, ropes, and chains that uncomfortably pinned my wings.

I tried to reach the lock on the chains with my front paw. However, because of the chain, it was just out of reach. No matter how much I twisted or turned, I could not grab it. I guess I have to try something else.

I eyed the netting and rope, then bit objects and pulled with a slight growl. Though my restraints dug into my stomach, eventually, the fibers in my mouth broke with a chorus of twangs. I winced in pain as the net cut me, but otherwise, I was happy with the results.

I tongued the small cut in my mouth, then continued my efforts to free myself. After a few more bloody wounds in my mouth, I could now shift my wings slightly.

Maybe... I shuffled my wings and felt the chain slip off of my back. Excellent. I grinned as I managed to stand. Eventually, I removed my wings from metal bindings, which now rested on top of my hips.

After I thoroughly stretched my stiff muscles, I eyed the lock. Maybe now I can reach it. I laid back on the ground, then curled up as tight of a ball as I could manage. This time, the metal square was just within reach and soon joined the other opened lock on the floor.

I slowly exhaled as I slid the chains to the side, then laid on the concrete floor with my back to the bars. I moved where none of the chains were beneath me. At least now I'm decently comfortable.

I looked towards the bars as footsteps approached. General Helios arrived with Saki in the same grey clothing as the rest of the prisoners. However, the ill-fitting outfit swamped Saki in cloth.

After the general locked Saki in the neighboring cell, he walked over to my cage, then froze. His brief bling of surprise shifted into a furious scowl. "How did you remove your chains?"

I decided it would be smarter for me to remain calm in the face of his snarl. "I didn't take all of them off, just the ones on my face and back. I'm still chained to the wall by all four of my feet, don't worry."

He fumed angrily and kicked the bars with his steel-tipped boots. I flicked an ear at the ringing sound but otherwise remained calm. "Why do you kill people!?" The general growled and glared at me.

"I don't purposely kill Stellans anymore. I defend myself if I need to." I flexed my paws, then retracted my claws as much as possible.

"Have you killed Stellans?"

I hesitated, "yes..."

"How many?"

After a slow exhale, I replied, "I do not know the exact number."

"Murderer." General Helios muttered in an unimpressed tone as he began to pace in front of my cage but watched me from the corner of his eyes. I never left his sight. Eventually, he spoke again. "Why do monsters kill?"

"Because Master orders us to."

"Master? You mean the necromancer?"

I nodded.

"Why hasn't he ordered you to kill?"

"He has before, but I stopped listening to his orders years ago. He stopped trying eventually, and often tries to kill me."

"Where is his base?" The general grabbed the bars of my enclosure with white knuckles.

"It's hidden underground on an island as far as I know."

"WHERE!"

I briefly raised my shoulders. "I only traveled to and from there by a portal. All I know is that it's an island."

"Why does the witch stay with you?"

"Who?"

"The witch!" When I still didn't respond, he growled. "Saki!" He screamed and kicked the bars again.

"She wants to end the war. She's the hero; I'm the steed."

"You're my frien—" Saki silenced when General Helios whipped his head in her direction. "Eep!"

I silently scowled but returned to a calm expression before the white-uniformed Stellan faced me again. "What weaknesses do you have?" His eyes blazed with increasing fury.

"Light magic. All monsters have a weakness to it." The Stellan froze, I yawned. "I find it hard to believe you've never figured it out, Saki uses it in front of civilians to save them all the time."

The pacing strengthened; muttering followed. Soon, the general left without another word.