The child walked barefoot, making his way through the blizzard. Only a piece of bear’s fur to keep him warm, only a rusty sword in its sheath to defend himself.

It has been 3 months. 3 months since Old Chuck die-

No. he didn’t die. You didn’t see him die. You can’t know this.

Three months since old chuck sent him away. When the village was attacked by monsters, the old man had no choice.

Far away in the distance, the child known as 21 heard a howl. He froze. He then heard a growl, much closer.

He pulled out the sword, ready to fight whatever was coming.

Another howl.

Wolves. He thought bitterly. Coming to find fresh meat to survive the winter. And I'm a perfect meal.

Their tails were different though. Long and scaly. Living snakes.

These were no ordinary wolves.

Old Chuck explained to him once that monsters were of different types. That some were men or demons corrupted by evil magic. Others, however – others were just wild beasts, enhanced by something no human quite understood yet. These were smaller, so 21 could guess it was the latter.

One of the “wolves” sniffed the air, then it howled. The boy took a battle stance. It wasn’t perfect yet, but he was ready.

The wolves surrounded him, their eyes glowing red. 21 tried to keep a brave face as they sniffed the air. He knew they were already tasting him, enjoying the aroma that his Feeden flesh radiated.

One of the wolves lunged, his jaw open to bite.

The boy moved swiftly. He ducked, but only for fraction of a second before straightening back up. His sword swung, hurled into the monster’s guts and slicing through it like butter. The monster fell to the ground on the other side, splashing blood that was steaming in the cold blizzard.

“Come on!” the boy shouted, his blade held high as he pushed the fear down. “I ain't got all day!”

There were about two dozen of them, All hungry. All angry. He won’t be able to kill them all. But he’ll certainly try, if it gives him the slightest chance to survive for another day.

The monsters growled, some even already were prepared to attack. One of them, however, released a loud bark. He then barked again, and turned around. The others quickly followed him. the boy didn’t move at first. He couldn’t let his guard down just yet.

Probably the alpha, if these things even got anything like that.

When they finally vanished into the storm, the boy took a long, shaky breath. Wiping the splashes of blood from his eyes, he observed the corpse of the monster. He could take it. have enough meat for a day or two. Yet, that was wrong for him.

No. Not like this. Not “eat or be eaten”.

21 sheathed the sword back, ignoring the blood that still stained the blade. It was full of rust anyway. The fact it still cut the wolf was nothing short of miraculous.

Advancing onward, the boy finally saw lights in the horizon. Buildings. Cabins and houses. A human village.

When he got closer, however, he heard a familiar howl. 21 looked for the source, before his eyes landed on a nearby hill. A pack of wolf-like creatures. Just like the monsters he just fought.

The child felt a strange feeling, not quite fear, not quite anger. It was the same feeling he felt when Old Chuck sent him away. The same feeling of knowing someone is about to die. Someone who didn’t deserve to.

I have to get to the village before them.

So he made a run for it, his legs still hurting and cold. But he couldn’t allow the pack to reach the humans first.

Screw ‘surviving another day’ - if someone has to die today, he thought to himself, it should be a Feeden nobody rather than innocent people.

21 reached the village borders first. He drew out his sword. He expected to be splashed with the remaining blood, but it didn’t happen. In fact, the sword had no bloodstains at all. The boy could’ve sworn it even had less rust than before.

Regardless, he had no time to ponder what sword the old man gave him. he resumed his stance, standing between the pack of monsters and their potential meal.

“I will not let you hurt them!” the boy growled, almost as monstrously as the beasts itself.

The wolves growled back in anger, and then they lunged at him. The boy swung his sword, again and again. but it wasn't enough. They surrounded him. they had claws and fangs. He was a 15-year-old boy with a heavy, rusty sword. The boy knew that at any minute he will collapse, and the pack will feast on his remains before moving on to the village and its residence.

One of the wolves nearby bit his arm clean-off, but the boy was able to dodge and decapitate him with a swift motion. It felt like he fought them forever. He was sure by now these wasn’t the same pack from before – they were far too many. the boy knew he wouldn't be able to defeat them all. He screamed in desperation, his body exploding with pain, his eyes burning. As he fell on the snowy ground, he could only recall his arm glowing – and an explosion. And then he saw nothing.

The boy’s eyes fluttered open, and he gasped. He was in a bed, lying down. His body was still hurting, but he could feel all his limbs. His eyes scanned the room. It was bright. Almost colorful. He wasn’t completely sure, he felt like others would describe it as “fancy”.

“Finally awake, are we?” a voice asked beside him.

21’s head jerked to the voice’s direction, and suppressed his yelp from the jolt of pain going down his neck. The speaker, a woman, took a step closer to his bed.

If “a woman” could even describe her. Clearly feminine, clearly humanoid of sorts. But clearly not a human.

Her green skin was scaly around the temples. Her hair, brown like his own was long and reached her hips. Her eyes, different color at each, stared at him in a slightly unnerving way.

“My name is Jillitoran.” She said, smiling as she took a light bow. “Most people call me just 'Jito'. How do you feel?”

He stared at her blankly, still trying to process her appearance.

“Not a talker then.” She sighed, her hand playing with a strand of her hair as she leaned on his mattress with the other. “Well, that is going to be a little tough. Are you able to stand?”

21 tried to stand up. His muscles felt stiff. His head was spinning, and he had a weird feeling pulling his gut. He barely managed to stand up, but he nodded.

“Excellent.” Jito grinned, clasping her hands. “Now… Well,”

The demon, or non-human, or whatever she Jito was, studied him carefully. Eventually, she wrinkled her nose. “I can't have you introduced to them when you look like that.”

She pointed at a door on the side as she continued:

“The shower is over there. Wait…” She paused again, her voice becoming hesitant. “You do know how to use a shower, right?”

Of course he knew. In the factory they still had to keep them clean, even if they all were meant to be nothing but monster food.

“Thank Nakua,.” She sighed in relief as the boy nodded. “for a second there I was afraid I'd have to- never mind. You have some new clothes in there, so switch to something appropriate after.”

She pointed at another door. “I'll wait for you outside, so please don't drag it too much.”

The demoness walked outside, leaving 21 to consider his options.

He didn’t have a whole lot of them. He wasn’t dead, so it was unlikely they would try to kill him now. However, if he tried to refuse, they might decide he’s better as a snack. So, his only true option was to comply.

The boy decided to take a shower. The first in at least a month, if freezing rivers count. He saw the clothes left to him. Simple white clothes, adorned with gold decorations. It was just like the ones Jito were wearing. Something in that fact eased him. He never saw guards of the factory wearing a Feeden uniform.

Jito was smiling when a stepped outside. He felt more at ease, yet that weird pull in his stomach grew stronger outside the room.

“It looks great on you.” She complimented him, patting him on the head. “Now, shall we go?”

Without another word, she turned and strode confidently down the halls. The boy blinked, and then tried his best to keep up with the tall woman.

“By the way,” She said, continuing her fast pace of walk. “I didn’t get your name.”

He avoided her gaze. He didn’t have a name. only a number. But 21 couldn’t tell her he’s a Feeden.

If she didn’t figure that already.

“Where is my sword?”

“Oh, goodness.” Jito giggled, her eyes gleaming with amusement. “Honestly, I was almost sure you couldn't talk.”

She then straightened her posture, her smile fading a bit. “If I remember correctly, your weapon should be examined by the blacksmiths. If they deem it not dangerous, you may get it back.”

21 frowned. the blade was important to him. he couldn’t give it up.

“It’s just a rusty old sword.”

“Didn’t look that rusty when I saw it.”

So I wasn’t imagining it.

He could only hope he will get it back.

The path was longer than he expected. This corridor was huge.

“Where exactly are we going?” the boy finally asked.

“Well, we don’t typically bring guests here.” Jito continued, her hand brushing against the colorful wall. “Yet it seems lord Yuundonn and Lady Yuundenn consider you a special circumstance.”

“I am to bring you before them, and they shall decide your fate. Oh, there we are.” She stopped in front of a door that was made of polished wood. Then, Jito opened the door to reveal the huge hall beyond that.

The bright light and loud music made 21 squint his eyes, visibly wincing. It seemed like a party of sorts was taking place. Following Jito, the boy observed his surroundings quietly. Everyone seemed so happy. Like the children in the village, not having to work in the fields. Or like himself and his brothers, before they realized what fate they were born into. The pull in his stomach certainly didn’t help.

Some of them were playing, some eating or dancing, others were just talking to each other. Almost no two individuals looked remotely similar. Some were more humanoid in appearance, others barely having any difference between them and a beast.

All had one thing in common though: Those white silk uniforms. The same as Jito, the same as himself.

As they passed through the crowd, one of the creatures sniffed the air went the boy went by him. 21 winced when the creature glanced at him curiously. This is how it always starts. Someone smells who he is. A monster realizes what he is.

As they reached the other side of the room, 21 noticed the throne. The two figures sitting on said throne were different. Something was wrong. One of them raised its hand, and the entire room went silent. The music stopped. The crowd ceased its chatter.

“You should kneel.” Jito whispered, before doing so herself.

The expecting glances from the surrounding people was terrifying, but the beings on the throne were worse. The pull in his stomach felt even stronger. It felt like his own energy was sucked away by these two.

No. whatever they did, it wasn't taking strength from him. It made him feel weak. And at the same time, tried to fill him up with awe.

The boy kneeled.

One of the figures, the bigger of the two, tilted his head.

“Oh, I see.” The creature said, his silhouette big and menacing. “My deepest of apologies, my boy. We forgot to contain our Magyo.”

In an instant, that pull faded to almost nothing. 21 took a moment to breath. The first figure looked like a large beast. With fur of brown and white and black, wearing a large cape. His eyes were focused on the boy. It felt terrifying. Even with their “Magyo” being “contained”, both of them radiated power.

“What is your name, child?” The other figure spoke, her voice tinged with curiosity. Unlike the other, she looked like a human. Her curly red hair was resting around her shoulders, as she studied him with her lilac eyes. Her posture was laid back, leaning on the beastly figure. Her skin was filled with golden freckles. And with so much golden jewelry -it almost seemed like she was in the middle of turning into gold.

The boy looked down.

Answering that question will certainly reveal what he is, and this will definitely get him killed. But openly defying them was too dangerous. He couldn’t answer. He couldn’t lie. He couldn’t refuse. He could only remain silent.

The lady continued, trying to encourage him to speak.

“I have heard you stood alone, fighting off a pack of wild Viprumae all by yourself.” She said softly, her voice ringing like chimes. “Despite our work to evacuate the civilians in time already was done, you ensured no lives would be lost. And for that, I thank you.”

Something, something in these words, broke something inside 21. be it the realization he risked his life in vein, or the fact he was cornered completely.

“I have no name.” The boy whispered.

Despite how quietly he spoke, everyone still heard him. Whispering started filling the hall, as everyone slowly realized what it meant. He is a Feeden. Made for food.

But the two on the throne didn't look surprised at all, and neither looked Jito. Did they know all along? Are they trying to let everyone attack him here and now?

The boy wanted to panic, but the dread was stronger. He couldn't run. He couldn't fight. His sword was taken away. This is all was a trap from the beginning. He will die here-

His thoughts were cut off by the beastly figure. He was off his throne, towering over 21 in an instant and resting his hand on the boy's shoulder. He tried to escape his touch, but it was pointless.

“You are safe here, now, child.” He spoke gently, his deep voice like a hum “In my hands, lord Yuundonn's hands – no one shall harm you here.”

The boy shook his head. None of it made any sense. That Yuundonn is a monster. Just like the ones he was-

“No.” the boy breathed heavily, his body shaking. “I'm a Feeden. For all of you I'm nothing but food!”

“HA!”

The beast barked, startling the already terrified 21.

“Look around you!” he demanded, his voice booming yet commanding. “Do you see here anyone looking at you with hunger? Anyone who views you as food?”

The boy looked at the surrounding people, most of whom were almost too far to be considered “people” by his initial instincts. No hunger was in their eyes, no anger, or cruelty. Only… pity. Pity and concern.

Yuundenn, or so the boy presumed, stepped down from the throne, approaching him.

“I cannot imagine how horrible it was for you.” She told him, stroking his hair gently. “You can be safe here. It's okay.”

“No… I can’t… I'm not safe…” 21 felt dizzy. None of it should’ve been real. His voice was hoarse, his eyes filling with tears. “I – I'm only good for as food for monsters. I'm nothing but-”

His mumbling was forced into silence, as lady Yuundenn, the mistress on the Domain, pulled the Feeden in, embracing his frail body.

Kaybol opened his eyes, slowly rising from the bed that was made for him. the soft silks engulfing him made him smile. Even after all these years, every time he went to visit the Yuuns, they insisted on giving him the fanciest bedroom available.

For what they did for him, for their sheltering and the refuge they provided a defenseless Feeden – no matter how many lifetimes will pass, Kaybol will always be forever grateful.