Active Fangs of Honor, A Knights Journey

[Moonberry]

Fangs of Honor, A Knights Journey ​

The Underbelly sprawled beneath the rise of Ryke’s towering capital like an oil stain, a murky web of alleys and sun-starved streets stitched together by shadows. Here, where the morning light was thin and tarnished, seeping through layers of grime that clung to crooked rooftops, deals were struck with whispers and coins glinted in quick hands, eager to vanish. The heart of the city thrummed with the hum of secrets and the subtle stink of desperation, and yet, on the outskirts—just where light dared to nudge the edges of the darkened maze—was where the refuse often found itself spat out.

It was here, on the rough border where the cobblestone gave way to wild earth, that a large black wolf lay slumped against the wall of an old, crumbling tavern, its weathered sign barely legible. Hideki was no ordinary beast, yet to the hasty gaze of those who passed by, he was just that—a starving creature, ribs pressing against matted fur, eyes sharp yet haunted, and altogether too proud to beg. His coat, a dark shadow clinging to him like a tattered cloak, held the luster of a night stripped of stars, catching the light only when he moved.

“Get out of here, mongrel!” A boot jabbed his side, sending him stumbling onto his paws. Hideki let out a low, guttural growl, though he kept it muffled—his protests were as useless as they were inaudible. A dozen times he had tried to speak, to let his words cut through the stale air and claim his name, his purpose. But his voice had been stolen by the curse that had trapped him in this forsaken form, his words as mute as a ghost’s.

He huffed, a long-suffering sigh rattling from his chest as he lowered his head and slunk away, retreating along the narrow, dirt-rutted path. People here feared him, recoiling from his size, the way his eyes burned with unnatural intelligence. But it wasn’t just fear that kept them distant; it was the indifference bred in places like this. He was nothing to them, a stray, a specter of the underworld, hardly worth a glance.

Each step took him further from the tavern, and soon the cracked cobblestones gave way to the sparse, wild grass that clung to the town’s edge, where the twisted buildings were fewer and the sound of city life softened to a murmur. Here, at least, he could pause and breathe, his golden eyes narrowing as he watched the city’s silhouette stand against the sky.

Here, where the cobblestones surrendered to thin, untamed grass, Hideki paused. He stared into the distance, toward the capital beyond, his gaze softened by something close to longing. For somewhere in this strange land, there must be a place, a purpose. He had been cursed due to his ego. And this world had worked to temper his Ego down. But it had yet to reach the quiet ember of his will. In this cursed body, he was learning patience, endurance, qualities he had once taken for granted. There was still a path ahead, one that stretched far beyond the borders of The Underbelly, whispering of something worthy, something noble.

For all the grit and hostility of this place, he felt the familiar tug of resolve. Somewhere in this world, answers awaited him. And until he found them, he would endure, like stone beneath a river, unmoved by the current of disdain that surrounded him. He would find his way back to Ayumi. But it sure would help to have someone to speak for him. The wolf snorted, as he considered the option of playing "The good Boy". Gnawing hungrily on the scrap the butcher had thrown to him. He sat quietly just outside of town, trying not to bother anyone in particular. Though it might be hard to miss the very large shaggy black wolf that looked as if he were starving.

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Elias Wren

 

[Elias Wren]

As he made his way through the damp dark alleyways of the Underbelly Cassian let out a remorseful sigh. A whirlpool of emotions whirled inside of him as he carried a wooden box containing his mother's ashes, one of the many victims to the harsh environment of the Underbelly. He felt relief that she no longer suffered and excitement to finally leave this place, but sadness also swelled within him knowing he would never see her again.

He rounded a corner and bumped into another resident, offering nothing except a light grunt as he continued on his way. The stranger turned and threw his hands in the air while yelling at Cassian to mind where he was going, but Cassian did not acknowledge the insults being flung his way. After a moment he stopped at a small stall and threw a few coins on the cracked and rotting wood. “A bag of dried jerky, for the road.” The owner of the stall nodded and slid a wrapped bundle of jerky toward Cassian, who then stuffed it into the pouch on his waist.

He trudged on toward the outskirts of the sprawling hell that was the Underbelly, looking ever forward as he marched on. His mother's final words echoed in his mind as he made it to the edge of the city. “Leave this place, find happiness my son.” He clenched the box tightly in his arms as he took another step, leaving the Underbelly behind. Determination set in as he took step after step forward, eventually finding himself further and further away.

Cassian squinted at something in the distance that resembled a pile of black fur, an animal of some kind it seemed. Curiosity got the better of him and he cautiously approached the beast, finally seeing it for what it was. A large black dog seemingly on the brink of starvation. Fear set in as he stopped in his tracks, too close to run away now and unsure of the dog's demeanor. He stood there less than a stones throw away and gulped audibly, hoping that he would not be mauled to death on the spot as he reached into his pouch and brandished a piece of the jerky he had just bought. He held it out toward the animal and tempted fate by inching ever closer, stopping just outside the dogs reach.

Moonberry