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The morning of December 22 arrived cloaked in a thin veil of frost. Even the sunlight seemed brittle as it spilled across the manor grounds, glinting on icicles that hung like glass daggers from roof eaves. Inside the breakfast hall, the warmth of a hundred dancing candles softened the winter's breath, but it did little to calm the wild beating of Grace's heart.
She sat at the long dining table with her parents and Emily. Her silver hair was pulled back in a neat ribbon, though several strands had already slipped free to frame her pale face. A plate of buttered toast and berry preserves lay mostly untouched before her. Every now and then, she'd pick up a fork, poke at it, then set it down again.
Across from her, Emily devoured her breakfast with the bright, carefree energy that always seemed to cling to her. "Gracie, if you're going to just stare at that poor toast, mind if I help it find a loving home in my stomach?"
Grace blinked. "Hm? Oh, of course, have it all if you wish."
Emily tilted her head. Her playful grin softened into concern. "Still thinking of Haze, aren't you?"
Grace managed a small nod. Her hands trembled slightly, betraying how tightly she was clutching her napkin beneath the table. Her mind churned over and over with thoughts of what awaited them today. Of the cages in Warehouse Nine. Of the trials her precious companion would soon face.
And yet, this is the only path. Snake's counsel was clear. I must give Haze every chance, no matter how it tears at me.
She forced herself to take a deep breath and looked toward her parents. Her mother, Lady Seraphiel, watched her with calm, understanding eyes the same deep lake green as Grace's own. Her father merely offered a faint nod, as if assuring her.
That small gesture was enough. Grace's heart steadied. She rose abruptly, pushing her chair back with a soft scrape.
"I'm finished," she said, though her plate was nearly full. "I… I need to see to something important."
Fork halfway to her mouth, Emily let out a strangled squeak. "Wait Gracie! Let me at least finish swallowing before you race off to do something reckless again!"
Grace's lips twitched despite her nerves. "Hurry, then. Or I'll have Haze eat all your almond cakes for you."
"You wouldn't dare!" Emily shoved the rest of the pastry into her mouth in a most unladylike gulp, jumped to her feet, and dashed after her friend. Her golden hair flew behind her like a comet's tail.
Behind them, Lady Seraphiel simply smiled faintly and returned to her tea. "Ah, to be young again, my love," she murmured to her husband.
Warehouse Nine stood at the far western edge of the estate grounds, its old stones draped in frost. It had always seemed to Grace a rather dull place, a storage house for trade goods, spare furniture, barrels of lamp oil. Today, it was transformed into something entirely different.
Two guards bowed low as she and Emily approached. Grace gave a nod and they pulled the heavy double doors open.
A cold, musty air met them inside. The vast hall was dim, lanterns set along pillars to push back the gloom. Metal cages filled much of the space, their iron bars thick and dark, clinking softly whenever one of the beasts within shifted.
Grace's breath caught painfully in her throat. There were some small ans large cages stacked nearby, holding each beast before its turn. In the center lay an open area of hard-packed dirt, enclosed by additional iron fencing, clearly meant as the battleground.
Her eyes swept over the creatures one by one.
A giant lizard lay stretched across its cage, tail twitching lazily, eyes slitted in dull yellow watchfulness.
Nearby, a bright red salamander the size of a small dog pressed against the bars, its skin glistening moistly.
A crab nearly half a meter across clacked its heavy claws in nervous rhythm.
An armored pangolin huddled in its corner, scales glinting like burnished bronze.
A chameleon sprawled on a low branch inside its enclosure, its skin slowly rippling through a swirl of colors.
The three-eyed tuatara sat unnervingly still, blinking all three lids at different intervals.
A sleek panther paced in its cage, muscles rippling beneath its dark fur, its every step a silent threat.
And lastly, a huge eagle ruffled its feathers, sharp eyes tracking every movement below.
She looked down at her wrist where Haze was coiled. His small body was calm, white scales almost glowing under the lantern light. Pale eyes met hers.
She raised her wrist, holding him close. Her voice was barely more than a whisper, raw with hope and fear.
"Haze… I know this will be hard. Maybe even terrifying. But if you want to survive… if you want to stay with me in all the days to come, this is the only way. So please… be strong. Come back to me, no matter what."
To her amazement, Haze stretched up, gently touched his snout to her chin. A flick of his tongue tasted her skin, a tiny gesture that nearly undid her.
Then, without further hesitation, he slid from her hand to the ground. His body moved with smooth, fluid confidence.
Emily let out a strangled gasp. "Oh mother nature, he really understands you."
Grace pressed a trembling hand to her lips. "Yes. I think he does."
Aurelian's cold, calculating mind hummed as he slithered across the warehouse floor. His tongue flicked out, tasting the mingled scents of iron, straw, stale air, and a dozen beasts.
His gaze still appearing innocent, even docile fixed on the cage that held the giant lizard. Its dull yellow eyes tracked him lazily, not yet understanding that this tiny snake was its executioner.
Perfect, Aurelian thought. Its regenerative tail will be my first step.
He stopped right at the barred gate, then turned slightly to look back at Grace. It was a subtle thing not truly necessary, for he needed no permission. But he understood the importance of appearances. Let them believe he still sought her approval. Let them cherish the illusion of control.
Grace's breath hitched. Her hand trembled as she grasped the cage's heavy lock. She hesitated only a heartbeat, then grit her teeth and swung the door wide.
Aurelian wasted no time. He surged forward in a blur of white.
The giant lizard let out a surprised hiss, its heavy body heaving upright. Its thick tail slammed into the ground, sending up a puff of straw and dust. It lunged, jaws snapping open wide enough to crush a man's thigh.
But Aurelian was already twisting aside. His body curved in a graceful arc, muscles rippling with a power far beyond his size. He coiled tight, then launched himself upward, striking at the lizard's thick neck just below the armored ridge of its skull.
His fangs sank in. A torrent of dark venom flowed.
The lizard thrashed wildly, smashing its massive tail into the walls of the cage. Iron bars rattled and groaned. Aurelian let himself be flung away, hit the dirt, rolled then immediately sprang back, darting in for another bite at the joint of one front leg.
Within moments, the beast's movements slowed. Its eyes rolled, froth bubbling at its jaws. With a final shuddering convulsion, it collapsed.
Aurelian paused, tongue flickering. Weak. Barely worthy of the term opponent.
He slid forward and sank his fangs into the lizard's flesh once more, this time to feed.
After Devouring a strange shiver ran through his body. Deep inside, something shifted in him.
[Skill Gained: Tail Regeneration]
• Allows regeneration of up to one third of lower body over time.
His cold heart throbbed with a fierce satisfaction. As expected. This alone doubles my survivability in the days ahead.
He turned back toward Grace. She stood frozen, hand over her mouth, eyes wide and glassy. Emily simply stared with her mouth hanging open.
Aurelian slithered back, slow and unhurried. He curled once more around Grace's wrist, closed his eyes, and rested his head there as if all was perfectly normal.
Emily finally managed to croak out, "I… think I need to sit down. That tiny little noodle of yours just turned that giant lizard into lunch."
Grace managed a shaky laugh, though tears glittered in her eyes. "He's extraordinary, isn't he?"
They waited several hours, letting Aurelian rest but he was not resting just acting because he didn't want to attract attention by Devouring every prey without any rest, such uniqueness might bring him trouble but Grace refused to leave the warehouse. Emily found an old crate to sit on and leaned her head back with a groan. "Tell me again why I agreed to this lunacy?"
When Aurelian finally stirred, he tasted the air, then glided toward the next cage the bright red salamander. Its skin shone wetly, steam rising faintly from its body.
Emily muttered, "Oh gracie! it looks like a boiled sausage with teeth."
Grace only watched, tense and silent.
The salamander struck first. A burst of steaming liquid shot from its mouth, splattering the dirt where Aurelian had just been. Smoke curled up from the ground.
But Aurelian was already in motion. His body twisted, surged left, then right a dance of pure flowing instinct. He slipped around to the creature's flank and struck.
His fangs punched through the salamander's thin hide with ease. Hot blood rushed over his tongue, but he did not recoil. The venom did its work swiftly, the salamander's limbs twitching before it collapsed.
This time he didn't gain any skill like complete regeneration he had hoped for but he did gain some EXP.
So be it. Not every prey yields a treasure. He turned, body rippling like poured milk, and returned to Grace.
After more hours passed, Grace's worry had deepened into a hollow look. Emily had stopped complaining aloud, instead simply staring at Aurelian with wary fascination.
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