Chapter Text
Well that was interesting! I thought these humans were pretty weak before but I guess they just weren't giving it their all? That magical barrage at the end was incredible! I don't think I could even do anything close to that...
Anyways I'm still stuck. Hurrah! We've been carrying on much faster then before and I've been jostled around quite a bit. I've seen the other cage out of the corner of my eye a few times now but I haven't been able to spot what's in it either...
I really am quite bored y'knooooow? There's absolutely nothing for me to do and I've got no idea where we're going! I'm just about to sleep myself another time instead of waiting some more... in fact I do think i'l do just that.
Gniiii!-*WHUMP*-GAH! What the hell was that!?
My eyes flick around for the source of the noise when out of the corner of my vision I spot some kind of tower? Shortly after pounding footsteps ring out all around me as the knights get moving, dislodging crates of various kinds from the vicinity. My initial shock dies down but what exactly is going on? Eventually one of them grabs my cage and lifts me up carrying the cage with both arms holding it steady. They turn me around and... oh! That's a city, I see! Not a uh... very advanced one? But that's definitely a city!
So this is where they were taking me? The... squadron? Division? Of knights has been taking me, personally through the city. I've really got no clue what these people could want with me... I know they know that i'm awake as they've y'know, been looking at me for some time now carrying me around and all. But on the other hand it's been remarkably quiet for what seems to be a giant city at evening. It's not even really that dark out either? Maybe it has something to do with the group of knights dragging me around town. Probably.
Uhhh. Is that a castle i see? And we're uh... going towards it? Surely that's not where they're taking me right? There's no royal court for killing a few people right? So. it's definitely where we're going considering we're now at the FRONT GATES. The knight carrying me passes me off towards another knight and then the other cage get's handed to him as well. I can finally get a good glimpse at who's inside though! Squinting with the short opportunity I have iiiiiitttttts-a basilisk? Is that Bajiri? They're the one that's been here the whole time?! Jeeze I thought they were dead! Don't get me wrong i'm glad they're still kicking! But i am a little confused as to why they're dragging two monsters to the royal capital for some reason. Well either way il probably figure that out soon...
The rest of the knights have broken off from the one carrying me and Bajiri now. And so far we've just been walking forward... and forward... and forward some more... my goodness whats the point of a corridor this long it feels like it's been hours! Well that's just me exaggerating but this is a REALLY LONG corridor... eventually they take a right. Walk up some stairs, some more stairs and... oh that's the top of the stairs alright. They open the door and... there's another bigger door. I really don't get the point of architecture like this. They open the bigger door and we're in the throne room! Alright finally!
I figured that this is where we were gonna go but I wasn't exactly expecting it? Either way we're here now. And as expected on the throne is the king. Or at least who i think is the kin given that they're wearing a crown. Yet there's also a blue haired child? Even though they're a child they seem very... fierce? I'm not sure that's how I want to put it but that's how it seems to me.
The knight says something intelligible and then the king steps off the throne towards I and Bajiris cages. Coming to a stop in front of mine they hold up a odd looking stone and-bleh... what the hell is this? Stop it!
It feels like they're running their hands through my feathers, I do not like this feeling stop it now!
I writhe a little bit squirming with as much vigor as this cage allows me but i can barely move even while giving it my all. Eughh... eventually they stopped, marveling to them self, clearly a little shocked by whatever happened. Well y'know what i'm pretty shocked as well you perv! How about you get my consent before doing whatever... THAT, was again!
They step to the left holding that stone up to Bajiri as well. I cringe for them as I watch them squirm a little bit clearly trying as hard as they can to move. Eventually they pocket whatever that stone is before standing up to talk with the knight. As the door closes behind them with an audible slam the king walks back up to my cage again.
Oh don't you dare do it! I'l bust out of this cage and smash that sto-owowowowowow! Stop it OW!
they plucked a feather straight off of me, with much difficulty. Really? So we just have no boundaries here, huh? They hold the stone up to the feather they just pulled off before grimacing. They lay the feather down next to my cage before beckoning for the child to come closer. As they walked towards me I felt a bit of a shiver, not like the apprasial stone but... i don't know how to put it. Who is this kid?
They glance at me for a moment before taking a look over at Bajiri as well. Shortly after they say something to the king and then picks up both of our cages. Well this isn't what i was expecting...? The, what seems to be around 7 year old child is the one walking out of the throne room with a phoenix of all things. Seriously, who is this kid?
After some MORE walking down narrow corridors (i'm going to have a talk with whoever designed this place) We come to a stop at another door. The kid sets me and Bajiri down side by side for a bit and we've at last got a good look at each other. I try opening a telepathy link but after a few moments it breaks down before i can even say anything. They look... very nervous, their eyes are rapidly darting about scanning the entire place. I was swallowing it for a bit but seeing their own panicked expression is kind of putting me on edge now. Just how long have i been in this cage for...? I haven't even eaten anything for days...! I mean regardless of that i don't feel very hungry but still!
The door creaks open and they pick up both of our cages once more, bringing us inside the room. It's a uh... bedroom? A very lavish one, royalty tier i would say which-oooh is this the prince? Not sure how that didn't occur earlier but still why is this kid the one carrying us? The kid sets us both down on a desk right next to each other. "Cari Urasata em?' Absolute gibberish to me. Great!
The kid pauses for a moment but then tries to open a telepathy link? It's weak and can't reach me due to this cage though... I could respond and create an actual link though...? Ah screw it we ball.
"Lehho"
"..."
"hello?"
Pfff-how did I understand that?! Hold on-"Hi?"
they tilt their head at me confused, "can you understand me?"
wait a minute... they're not... using a language? It's more an intent then a word? Let me ahm... try that again...?
"Ah, hello?"
His face lights up for a moment and the link fizzles for a bit but they refocus quickly.
"So you can understand me!"
Uhm woah there was not expecting this turn of events today
"I... suppose?"
"Ok well, I'm sorry I've never talked with a monster before I'm not quite sure what to do!"
"?..."
Skill proficency reached:telepathy level 3 has become telepathy level 4.
"oh, uhm, I'm sorry! My names Julius Zagan Analiet! Do you have a name?"
"Of course! It's-it's... I... dont remember..."
"Oh well uhm, I could tell you what it is? If you're alright with me apprasing you?"
"Appraise me?"
"Yeah! what my father did to you earlier, I know its not exactly a pleasant feeling so i wanted to ask first..."
"erm...alright just, make it quick please?"
they lift their hand in my direction and-eughhhhhhh I do not like this! It stops quickly though, much faster then the last time it happened. Still wont get used to that.
"Im sorry, but you don't have a name."
"That can't be right though! I'm-I'm... I... I guess I don't..."
"Well... is there something I can call you then?"
I think for a moment. What do I want to be called? I can't remember my name at all no matter how hard I try but... there is A name I remember. A username I had for a jrpg. It's the first and only thing that comes to mind... so... even if it's a bit of an odd name.
"Er, you can call me... Azure, for now anyways."
"Alright... Azure. Well would you like something to eat? Father told me in advance that they were going to secure a strong familiar for me so I've already prepared some food!"
"Oh, uhm yes I would appreciate that! But is there also food for Bajiri?"
"Bajiri?"
"The basilisk in the cage next to mine."
"I... should have plenty yes?"
"I can't exactly eat in this cage though, if you're going to feed me you'll have to let me out."
"Well... father said to not let you out but, you seem like a nice monster?"
they reach for the latch of the cage. I stare at the lock as it's slowly slid open before all at once a gratifying sense of freedom courses through me. The magical energy preventing my movement is gone!
I stand up tapping the cage with my talons before quickly hopping out. I can't stand to be inside of that cage anymore! I stretch my wings out getting that good stretch feeling that really just relieves your arms after a long rest you know?
Anyways I could try to run now but really what's the point? This is the first time I've interacted with humans without being attacked and there aren't even any windows in here... plus what am I going to do. Escape from the center of the castle when there's clearly a full military presence in the area? No I both should and want to play along for now.
"Thank you. It's been awhile since I've been able to move freely, At least a few days."
"Well I'm glad to help!"
the chilling presence this child had initially given off was all but gone now, replaced by the radiant face of a happy kid.
"do you mind if I release Bajiri?"
"Oh... uhm i suppose not! Its not very nice to keep your friend in a cage afterall."
"Appreciated."
I raise a talon dextrously opening the cage releasing the magical hold of it over Bajiri.
They immediately dart out of the cage onto the ground! Shaking violently they glare at Julius. Ohnononono-don't do that!
Go calming aura!
I quickly place myself between Bajiris gaze and Julius. They hadnt begun using any petrification but it definitely wasn't out of the realm of possibility!
Eventually their shivering began to calm down. After the initial storm passed I disabled the calming aura and added Bajiri to the telepathy link, creating the T E L E P A T H Y T R I A N G L E.
"Can you both hear me?"
"Yes I can hear you?"
And Bajiri while still shaken, gave me a small nod.
"I think food would do my friends nerves some good. Could you please grab the food you mentioned...?"
"Ah sure, wait a moment il be right back!"
They disappear around a corner for a moment before bringing some biscuit like objects back. Just for ah, good measure let me appraise that.
Dried Biscuit
A common food used for carnivorous monsters and pets.
...pet food? That's a little demeaning but something is better then nothing... I guess.
I beckon Bajiri forward but as they're about to bite into it-swoosh
The door to the room opens, and standing there. Is the king. Staring dumbfounded at both me, and Bajiri. Sitting down right in front of his son.
...oh dear.
I slowly turn to face them... and though it doesn't show my face scrunches upwards nervously.
"Hwats gnoig noar hree!"
Uh oh.