Rebirth: Beasts Bound

I popped another piece of chocolate into Azrael’s mouth, watching the way his eyes softened as he chewed. My heart did that silly flip it always did around them. Minutes ago, we were all tangled on the bed, bodies rubbing against each other, and now here I was feeding them chocolate like nothing ever happened. Life with my beastmen never went the way I planned, but I wasn’t complaining.

"Open," I told Veyra, holding the next piece close. He leaned in slowly, his lips brushing my fingers on purpose. That spark shot straight through me again. These guys knew exactly how to make me weak.

Thyrian took his gently with such a gentle smile that made my cheeks burn. Ryker just smirked, letting me feed him while his hand rested on my thighs, like he needed the contact. I loved it all, the attention, the drama, everything they’ve brought into my life. I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world.

We finished the box faster than I thought. The room felt warmer now, bags packed and waiting by the door. My mind kept going back to the tribe chief and her map. Fixing a dam for water? Sounded fishy, but those cubs and innocent people... I couldn’t just walk away. I couldn’t let them suffer at her hands.

"Ready?" Azrael asked, standing tall like he owned the whole world.

I grabbed the map and nodded. "Yeah. Let’s go."

We stepped outside into the late afternoon light. Eyes followed us through the tribe grounds. Some curious, some still wary even after everything. I stuck close to my beastmen, their bodies making a wall around me, tall and sturdy. Thyrian slipped his hand into mine, squeezing it, pulling me out of my thoughts.

"Don’t worry, Master. We’re right here."

The walk out of the territory felt longer than usual. My legs still tingled from earlier, but I pushed on. No way I was letting them baby me, not in front of all these people. Ryker kept glancing back, his face tight. I knew he hated the thought of helping the tribe after all they did, but he was coming anyway. For me. That meant more to me than I could put into words.

"Are you okay?" I asked him softly as we stopped by a stream.

He shrugged but looked at me. "As long as you’re safe."

Veyra handed me water.

"Drink. You should stay hydrated."

I rolled my eyes but drank it anyway.

"You guys are making me soft."

"Soft looks cute on you," Thyrian said, pinching my cheek.

I swatted his hand away but smiled.

The path got rougher, the trees thicker, the air damper. The dam was a few hours away near some old ruins according to the map. There wasn’t a system mission yet, which felt weird. It usually loved popping up at times like this, giving me impossible tasks.

It was quiet for a bit, just small talk here and there. The task at hand demanded our full attention.

Azrael pointed out tracks.

"Fresh. Could be trouble."

"Stay close," Veyra added, moving closer to my other side.

I felt safe. Actually loved. Thinking back to how messed up things started between us made my chest tight. I hurt them before. Now I couldn’t picture my days without them.

"Thinking too hard again?" Ryker asked, stepping beside me.

"Just grateful, that’s all," I said.

My feet started killing me after a while, but I kept quiet. We found a nice shaded spot under some big trees and rested for a bit. I sat against a trunk, legs stretched out. Veyra dropped down right next to me, close enough that our shoulders touched.

"Do you really believe we should help them?" he asked quietly while the others scouted a little ahead.

I nodded, playing with a leaf.

"The cubs don’t deserve to suffer. Even if the chief is shady... I can’t ignore it. It feels like the right thing to do."

Veyra stayed silent for a moment, then brushed some hair from my face.

"You’ve changed. In a good way. Makes me want to protect you even more."

His voice got softer.

"Just don’t push yourself too hard, okay? We’re here."

His words warmed me up inside. I leaned into him, resting my head on his shoulder for the short rest. It felt nice. The others came back soon, and we continued.

Azrael noticed my tired steps later and scooped me up without asking, carrying me like I weighed nothing.

"I can walk!" I protested, but my arms went around his neck anyway. It felt too good to fight.

"Rest," he rumbled.

His voice vibrated against me, deep and steady.

Veyra took my bag. Thyrian fanned me with a big leaf. Ryker scouted ahead. Being carried like this made me feel small and precious. I hid my face in Azrael’s chest, breathing him in.

The sun was lower when we reached the place. The dam looked huge, old stone and wood, but water barely trickled through. A weird shimmer hung near the base—the barrier the chief mentioned.

"Down," I whispered.

Azrael set me carefully on my feet.

We moved closer. The barrier buzzed when I touched it, warm and stubborn.

"Can’t push through," Veyra growled.

Thyrian tried pushing hard against it. Nothing.

Ryker’s eyes went cold.

"This isn’t normal."

I checked the map again.

"We need to pass through here. Maybe she couldn’t break through it either."

We circled slowly. My thoughts ran wild. What if this was a trap? What if I was putting them in danger again, for people who might not even deserve it?

"Master, here," Thyrian called.

Old carvings on a fallen pillar shimmered with a faint light when I touched them.

Azrael stayed close.

"I don’t like this place."

"Me neither, Azrael," I admitted. But those kids... I kept seeing their faces.

Ryker found a weak spot near the carvings.

"Here," he said.

We pushed together, hands on the barrier, our energy straining against it. Sweat ran down my face. Veyra’s hand stayed on my back.

"You got this."

It finally cracked. We slipped inside one by one.

The inside felt colder, denser. Our voices travelled in echoes, showing how vast the ruins really were. There were stagnant pools and vines scattered everywhere. Shadows moved.

"Behind us," Azrael ordered.

Twisted creatures came out, waterlogged beings with glowing eyes. They weren’t normal. Corrupted creatures.

My pulse hammered.

"We clear them to fix the water!"

The fight broke out fast. Azrael charged like a storm. Veyra flanked with his claws. Thyrian danced around strikes. Ryker stayed by me, freezing anything that got close.

I helped where I could, dodging and throwing what little bursts I had. One lunged at me, and Ryker yanked me back, his body shielding mine.

"Not happening."

We won, breathing hard, our bodies sore.

"Now the dam," I said.

We worked for hours, pushing levers, clearing junk, lifting stones. Thyrian found a hidden switch. Veyra hauled the heavy parts. Azrael and Ryker got the main flow going.

Water started moving better. The barrier outside flickered weaker.

I wiped my face, grinning tiredly.

"We actually did it."

They surrounded me right away. Hugs and hands checking if I was okay. Azrael kissed my forehead. Veyra nuzzled my neck. Thyrian held my hand tightly. Ryker pulled me into his chest without a word.

Night fell while we set up a small camp outside. The fire crackled, more chocolate was passed around. I leaned on Azrael, exhausted but happy.

"Thank you for doing this with me," I said quietly. "For trusting me."

"Always," Veyra answered.

Thyrian curled closer.

"Master’s heart got bigger. We like it."

Ryker fed me another piece.

"Don’t go too soft. But... this felt right."

My eyes stung. The system pinged success somewhere in my head, but I ignored it.

We talked late into the night. Little fears, future plans, dumb jokes. Laughter mixed with soft words. I felt closer than ever. Eventually everyone drifted off to sleep around the low fire, their breathing steady and calm.

Something woke me up later. A faint sound in the darkness, like whispering or scratching. My heart jumped, I sat up slowly, careful not to wake my beastmen. The sounds came again, pulling me in, I grabbed a small light crystal and followed quietly, stepping away from camp toward the ruins.

The noise got clearer, strange and low. I moved closer, squinting into the dark.

"Hello?" I whispered.

My foot suddenly slipped. The ground gave way beneath me. There was a hidden sinkhole. I gasped, arms flailing, but it was too late. I fell fast into the dark pit, dirt and rocks tumbling with me.

A scream escaped from my throat as everything went black

******

I could hear something... soft, distant... almost like magic humming through the darkness.

Voices echoed around me, strange and ancient, blending with the sound of flowing water and tiny chimes that rang through the air. It was beautiful... hauntingly beautiful.

My body felt weightless, yet so heavy at the same time.

I tried to open my eyes.

My eyelids refused to move.

The magical sounds grew louder, wrapping around me like they were calling my name. A strange warmth spread through my body, and the air around me shimmered with an unfamiliar energy.

Where... was I?

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