Chapter Text
A cold night in October, when the dew had rested on the grass and the entire kingdom had settled into a deep slumber; a creature slinked through the night and crept into the crevasses and cracks of a tall castle.
It was a miracle anything could possibly sneak into this particular castle however. Many called it an impenetrable fortress, for it was built onto the side of a sheer cliff; too steep for even a mountain goat to tread and unmistakably deadly for a human. Yet this castle sat, reaching towards the clouds in between two roaring waterfalls. Towers and walls reaching up the cliff and connecting together like an intricately crafted mountain, housing the rulers of the state.
The only way inside the architecture was through two methods: a complex pulley system that was hidden and guarded by the court’s highest ranked guards, and a hidden staircase that only the emperors of the kingdom could find and travel. It was a lock that wound in jagged patterns impossible to open, however the kingdom never could’ve accounted for a locksmith of this nature.
Though the temple was located high and difficult for a ground dweller to reach, the winged beast of the weald had no difficulty finding its way in and capturing the perfect hostage of his scheme. Their claws delicately cut through the welding of the stained windows and his body crept in, penetrating the impenetrable shell of the castle.
There he found the sleeping body of an innocent woman fair in beauty with short dark hair that fell onto the velvet pillow like shadows under a full night. He had to reason with her, she was the key to his freedom. He breathed sharply and changed the format of his appearance, appearing as a humanoid figure to the girl and gently woke her.
“Nene of seelvilla, I request an audience with you”
But at his best attempts to appear polite he was met with terror. Her body shot up from her sleep and she screamed, face etched in unpleasant surprise. It was as if the poor girl was looking into the figure of the grim reaper himself. She ran for her servant’s help, ringing the bell that called to them wildly. He tried again for her attention but Nene only responded with screams and sorrowful pleas for mercy.
The screaming was starting to get to him so in an act of frustration, he transformed back into his true form and filled the room earning more terror from poor nene. Within a few seconds she was quickly silenced, snatched away and taken far over the land and far away from home. She was going to negotiate with the beast, she had no choice.