In a tidy line, several people stood, their heads hung low. It was obvious they weren’t Human, gray-black tails of various shapes and sizes sagging limply behind them. Some were horribly scarred, as though they knew nothing but battle. Others, sporting exquisitely beautiful features. Like works of art. Yet they all shared that same, hopeless look in their eyes, bound and chained, and boards with prices hanging from their necks.
Max’s blood ran cold at the sight of this. At that empty look within their sullen eyes. These people had long since given up.
...No. They were no longer people. They were things. Possessions. They had long since stopped being what one would call a ‘person.’
He felt a wave of disgust, but Max didn’t avert his gaze, even as the excited bidding began.
A young man sold off the Demons one by one, his hair a flamboyant, bright, strawberry blonde. Slicked back and well kept, yet it was obvious this color was by no means his natural one, and there was a keen, greedy vibe glinting from within his vivid, hazel eyes. They were cold and shifty, reminding Max of a snake. As for his clothes, they reeked of the upper class, your typical, high collar, rich boy. His personality was probably as shallow as his generosity. Max knew these kinds of people well. The kind where money, authority, and fame meant everything.
Finally, the last of the Demons would have been auctioned off, and Eon suddenly walked forward as the crowd began to disperse, making his way towards the man as he shuffled through his catch for the day.
“Hey you.” Eon called out to the man, who glanced up, looking surprised to see Eon approaching him before pocketing his unjustly earned money.
“...An unattended Demon? Where’s your Master??”
“Sorry, but I don’t have one.” Eon frowned, fishing out a badge from his pocket that resembled the spiraling emblem of the Society.
“...Ah.” The man’s snake-like eyes narrowed as he realized what this was about, giving Eon his full attention, and giving him a blatant once-over. “I’d heard the Society enlisted in the aid of a certain Demon, but aren’t you a curious sort...Hmm??” The man suddenly blinked, peering around Eon as he noticed Max, whom Eon had been purposely hiding behind him.
The tip of Eon’s tail twitched, reluctant to let the man even cast Max so much as a glance, but he’d already been noticed now.
“That’s…” The man’s shifty eyes widened in genuine bewilderment. “My, what a lovely Demon...Does this little lady belong to the Society as well?”
Max’s eyes narrowed, his ear twitching as he heard the muffled snort of laughter that escaped Eon. He couldn’t resist casting him a sharp look, subtly digging his heel into Eon’s foot.
“Ow-!”
“First of all, I’m a man. Second, I don’t belong to anyone.” Max hissed, fur swelling out in anger.
“A-hem. What my foxy lady friend means, is that we’d like to hurry up and start the inspection soon, y’know?” Eon interjected, roughly throwing an arm around Max’s neck and muffling his outraged protests, a bit salty about that foot stomp a moment ago. “I trust you have no objections?”
“...I suppose not.” The man replied, casting the two a curious glance. “I’d be more than happy to invite such lovely looking Demons into my abode.” He added in with a bow. “I’ll call for a carriage immediately.” The man added in, calling out towards one of his servants that attended his little auction.
“...Guess I’m not the only one he’s got an eye on. What at lovely Demon you are, Eon.” Max managed to chime in with a cheeky grin, seeking revenge.
“...Shut it, or I’ll shave you bald and use your fur to make a nice coat.”
“…!! You wouldn’t!”
...He really wouldn’t, but Eon wasn’t going to say that out loud.
Moments later, the sound of wheels rolling against the cobblestone roads sounded off in the distance as an extravagant carriage was pulled their way...But not by horses. No, they were pulled by Demons, the same as the kinds Max had become accustomed to by now. Those awful, beast like creatures, prowling on all fours...Yet, this was a pitiful sight. Bits were jammed into their gaping mouths, reins attached to them as they pulled the carriage along meekly, obediently.
The carriage door was opened, and the two were invited inside.
...Neither of them wanted to step forward, but they had no choice.
So, remorsefully, they entered the carriage, and it went on it’s way.
The entire time, the two of them had to listen to the man’s incessant chatter...And all the while, Max felt that the man’s eyes were on him. Uncomfortably so.
They couldn’t have arrived any more slowly, but even when they did, Max hardly felt relief.
Arriving at a horrendously large mansion, almost medieval in architecture, it sat along a small plot that overlooked a portion of the city.
Large, garden hedges lined the perfectly fitted, stone pathways that led to the iron gates, and inside those very gates, sat a luxurious fountain.
All before they even made their way through those giant, front doors. As for the interior, it was another story entirely. A large, exuberant, red carpet ran between the front door, and the ascending staircase at the far end of the foyer.
Demonic servants lined the entryway, all sharing the same, extravagantly, beautiful features, bowing upon their entrance into the building.
The entire abode was dominated in an unpleasant, rusty red, dimly lit...It felt more like a brothel over someone’s home, and it made Max feel queasy.
“Aren’t my lovelies amazing?” The man hummed from behind them, spreading his arms out happily. “If you would like to see the rest for your little inspection, follow me.”
Walking ahead, the two followed as the man lead them towards a door at the back of the staircase. Heavy and made entirely of iron, it gave a metallic creak as it was opened, revealing a dark, narrow staircase that lead deep below the mansion.
Looking down, it was difficult to see within...And immediately, Max felt an overwhelming sense of unease overtake him, settling within the pit of his stomach.
He didn’t want to go down there. He felt that profusely, but as the man descended, Eon followed, and Max had no choice but to do the same. He didn’t want to be up here alone, and he desperately trailed after that broad back, as they walked deeper and deeper. If he were to lose sight of Eon, Max felt as though he would disappear within this infinite darkness.
A stale scent struck his nose, tinged with a sense of familiarity as they reached the bottom, a long corridor lined with doors and barred cages.
...He knew what it was, feeling the heat drain from his body.
Each door, each tiny cage held something within. A Demon. Grotesque, beast-like ones. Ones that bore resemblance to Humans, and everything in-between. Some sat in their little cages listlessly, the light of life having long since left their eyes, even as they still breathed. Others cried despondently. A chaotic symphony of despair and madness.
They were in a deplorable state, and Max steadily felt as though he couldn’t walk forward. He felt trapped, as though the walls were closing in on him. All was narrowing, those empty gazes reflecting in the back of his mind. Their emotions reverberated within him. Max daresay he felt as though he could even feel their thoughts, as ridiculous as that sounded.
For a moment, it were as though he himself was the one trapped behind those bars.
He desperately tried not to lose sight of that back in front of him...But Eon felt so far away.
He had to hurry. He couldn’t let that back get too far from him...If it did...Surely, he would be lost in here forever.
Hurry…!
Vivid memories flashed through his mind. Dark memories. The feeling of being huddled in a silent, cramped space. The aches and pains of his body. The agony burning within him, the screams of fear and resentment around him, and the stench of death. If he listened closely, he could hear the sound of a metal door opening, terror flooding through his mind and body.
Would he ever see daylight again? Max wasn’t even sure what his reality was anymore. Was he too, trapped behind those bars? Kept within those tiny cages??? Perhaps he had never truly left them. Never left that dark place.
His footing seemed nonexistent, and he was sent spiraling into an abyss he was uncertain he’d ever escape from. Surely...He would tumble forward into that nothingness.
And yet, through his narrowing tunnel vision, he felt as if he was floating, suspended in the air, rather than falling into nothing. He was delusional, perhaps, but somehow...He felt a familiar warmth around him, uplifting him, comforting him. In his flickering consciousness, he wondered if these sensations were real. He didn’t know, but he didn’t care.
He felt safe.
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