//------------------------------// // Oasis // Story: Shackles // by An hero //------------------------------// Shackles Chapter five Warmth, warmth was the first thing the man woke to. His eyes shot open and he promptly sat up. Noticing a distinct lack of fabric on his face and torso, he felt them with his hands. The man began panicking. His face, he couldn’t feel his mask. In his panic he knocked over a spear that had been set up next to him. The clattering it made as it fell to the floor reverberated through the cave. “Ah, you’re awake,” said the fenrir. “You saved my life, now I’ve saved yours. It’s not everyday someone frees you from captivity.” “Where is my mask?” The man hissed. “You want those rags I took off your face?” “Yes.” “I placed them next to the campfire along with your other belongings.” The man stood and retrieved his mask, placing it upon its mantle, sighing in relief before finally turning to face the fenrir to resume his questioning. “Why are you here?” “You freed me from captivity.” The man raised an eyebrow, prompting the diamond dog to continue. The wolfman paused for a moment. “Well, there is a diamond dog law, it’s part of our code of honor—” The man snorted in disgust. “You enslave others and force them into lifetimes of labor. You beat, whip, and torture them should they not comply. You humiliate, starve, and rape them for amusement. Yet you have the audacity to suggest that you have a code of honor?” “I denounced my actions! I tried to leave! We weren’t always like this. We weren’t always slavers you know.” “Save your stories for someone who gives a shit, dog. Now get out of my way.” “I can’t, I now belong to you. I am now your property.” “As I said before, you freed me from captivity. By diamond dog law, I am forever bound to you until you release me. I am now and forevermore your slave, master,” the diamond dog said with a bow. “I’m leaving, don’t follow.” The creature walked back to the fireplace to retrieve his belongings. The fenrir blinked in surprise. “What?” “I’m not taking slaves, you’re free.” “I-I can’t just leave!” The diamond dog stuttered in response. “You said you’re a slave until I release you. I’m releasing you.” “It doesn’t work like that! You don’t just release a slave right off the bat! Do you even know how serious this is?” The dog stomped in frustration. “Don’t care,” the creature said as he began exiting the cave. “No! That’s not how this kind of thing happens!” The diamond dog ran up to the creature. He reached out and placed a hand on his shoulder to stop him.  “You don’t understand. I need to do this. What’s left of my honor is forfeit otherwise. If I was a familiaris I’d just go with it. But I’m a fenrir, I’ve got a reputation to keep.” “There were no witnesses to your escape, nothing to bind you to me. Get away from me.” “It’s not a matter of whether people saw or not! It’s a matter of honor! If you want to leave me behind, I’ll have no choice but to kill myself. I won’t let you leave unless you take me as your slave. If you want to go, you’ll have to kill me first.” Do it a voice in the creature’s head hissed. “No,” the creature whispered.  He was a slaver, like the rest of them. He’s no better. He’s probably a spy. This is all just part of a trap “He repented.” Or so he says. What proof do you have? Were the slavers above lying? Were they above giving you false hope? “He was in chains!” What will keep him from stabbing you in the back? What will stop him from turning on you? “He saved me, brought me here.” You are WEAK! He’s saving you to turn you in! He’s doing it for a reward! “I’m not going to kill him.” I’m trying to save you, you damn fool! “I’ve saved myself before, I’ll save myself again should I have to.” “Well?” The fenrir interrupted. “What’s it going to be?” He took a tentative step back when the creature slowly began advancing towards him, and closed his eyes, prepared for death, as the creature finally stood directly in front of him. “Out of my way” He growled. “No,” the diamond dog responded, resolutely standing before the creature. The fenrir’s eyes wavered under his master’s resolve. Do it. The creature drew his hand to his forehead and closed his eyes. “No” he whispered. He opened his eyes and appraised the fenrir. “Fine, just stay out of my way.” He grabbed the fenrir by his tunic and lifted him off the ground. “But know that if you do anything to compromise my mission, I will not hesitate to kill you.” He dropped the fenrir and proceeded out of the cave. The fenrir took a few hesitant steps forward, noting no objection from his new master, soon proceeded into a brisk stride. “So, where are we going?” He asked. The creature stopped, paused and turned to the diamond dog, “Which way to the nearest diamond dog camp?” “It’s East from here.” The human’s vassal paused and ran back into the shelter. “Sorry master! I forgot the supplies in the cave!” He cried over his shoulder. “My master wants to kill me.” The fenrir whispered to himself as he entered the cave. “Oh, what do I do? I knew I should have just left while I had the chance. Honor, I’m serving a sociopathic murderer who won’t hesitate to kill bitches. That isn’t very honorable.” He neared the campfire and gazed upon the stockpile of survivalist supplies, a map of the surrounding area, canteens, blankets, as well as roots, various plants, and preserved food. Enough for short term sustainment, but not so much that it would be a burden. He walked to the campfire and extinguished the flame, kicking sand into it. “No, no, it is, I’ve got to do this. Oh Hel...Gods have mercy, he can kill me at any moment. The voices started talking to him too.” The diamond dog finally retrieved the supplies and trekked out of the cave. The now slaveowner paused and looked into the sky, noting the direction the sun was moving in, and began trudging towards his destination. The fenrir exited his temporary home. Expecting to see the creature upon exit of the cave, he let out a shout of frustration when he saw little more than barren wasteland and mountains. Rocky, arid land as far as the eye could see, vision of the distance distorted by the ever present heat and sunlight. His master’s words played through his head ‘Which way to the nearest diamond dog camp?’ “East...” The fenrir whispered to himself. He set down his materials and crouched, sticking his nose near the ground, he began sniffing for his master’s scent. Upon finding the scent, he resumed carrying the materials and picked up a trail. He caught up to his owner after little more than a few minutes of walking, “Master, I’ve returned with the supplies!” He called. The creature continued walking, indifferent to his charge, he paused as the ground began rumbling. The diamond dog stopped, eyes shifting in every direction. “Master!” He cried out, “Stop! We’re in grave danger!” The creature continued walking, indifferent to the warnings of the diamond dog. “Master!” the slave called, “Please! Stop! Both of our lives are at risk!” He stuck his hand out, beckoning to his lord, hoping that his counsel would be followed. The creature stopped and turned. “Don’t try to stop me. If you’re not going to help, stay out of the way.” “Master! Please! Listen! There are creatures under us right now! They’re going to attack us!” The creature prepared for combat, and pointed towards the diamond dog. “Continue,” he commanded. “We’re in grave danger. Do you notice the rumbling? That’s a tell-tale sign that we’re above a galatoph pack. They sense vibrations in the ground and come up to attack their prey. If they drag us underground we’ll be torn to pieces.” The creature paused and took a moment to consider his options. Seeing no better option, he brandished his spear and began frantically looking around for a target or threat. “Master, that’s a bad idea. At present, all we can do is remain absolutely still, and pray they don’t attack. I’ve never seen one, but I’ve heard stories of them invading and eating entire colonies.” Both parties stood still until the rumbling slowly subsided. A loud silence hung in the air, and the creature took a tentative step forward. Noting an absence of attackers, he turned around and continued towards his original destination. Master and slave continued their trek through the arid landscape well into the day. Evening came, and they discovered an oasis. A small jungle paradise in the midst of a harsh and unforgiving, dry wasteland. A fertile, lush, haven nestled within a sterile, desolate, desert. “Diamond dog,” the creature began. “Are you seeing this as well?” “The oasis, master?” The creature strolled to the oasis and supped his rough and calloused hands. Dipping them into the oasis, he raised them to his lips. The diamond dog stood at attention behind his alien savior, carefully watching over him, and dutifully carrying their supplies. The creature shifted uncomfortably, the positioning of the diamond dog sending warnings and alerts to his brain. The creature held his concealed knife in his sleeve and turned to face his lackey. “What are you doing?” he asked. “Awaiting orders,” came the response. The diamond dog was visibly shaking under the burden of the collective weight of the supplies, his forehead parched in sweat from the heat of the sun. “Drink,” the creature commanded. The diamond dog gently set down the supplies and took a seat next to the creature. He lowered his muzzle to the pool and began lapping up the water, his tongue dipping and slurping up the water at punctuated intervals. The creature’s face contorted to show disgust, and he scooched away from the dog. The diamond dog, taking notice of his master’s shifting, raised his head and asked, “Is something wrong, master?” “The way you drink is disgusting,” the creature stated. “I-I apologize master, but this is simply how we diamond dogs drink.” The creature raised an eyebrow, but proceeded to the opposite end of the oasis to drink. “We will spend the night here.” “But master, we cannot sleep in the open,” the dog responded. “We are at risk of running into predators.” “We’ll take turns on watch. You sleep first.” “But master, I—” “Obey or die.” The diamond dog swallowed and pulled a blanket out of the supply pile. The creature stood, stoically watching him until the sound of loud snores could be heard. He stood in silence for a few moments before lifting the dog’s blanket, and began patting him down. The diamond dog snored louder and rolled to the side. Discovering no sharp objects, the creature moved to the pile of supplies and began searching through it for anything that could constitute a threat. Finding nothing that matched his criteria, he began climbing up a nearby tree. Good, now that he’s asleep, we can talk. “I’m not killing him.” The creature said, continuing his climb. He’s a liability, the voice responded. “He hasn’t given me a reason to distrust him.” He wanted to take first watch, he would’ve killed you in your sleep. “I’m aware of that danger, that’s why I searched him and the supplies. He’s unarmed.” You’ve killed with your bare hands before. “He was a healer, he’d have no reason to be proficient in any form of combat.” Neither were you, but now...  “Why are you doing this?” I’m your paranoia, I’m supposed to do this. The creature’s grip on the tree slipped as a piece of bark gave out under his hold. “You’re paranoia; why should I listen to you?” I’ve saved your life more times than you can count. That little niggling feeling in your head? Those dark musings? The conspiracies, the plots? They were all me. Without me, you wouldn’t exist, you need me to survive, and I am an extension of your will. I’d have no reason to steer you wrong. “I’m not killing him.” The creature said as he reached the top of the tree and perched himself atop it. He inhaled sharply as he took in the surrounding area. The moonlight gave the region an almost ethereal look. The sand itself glowed white under the dark sky. The lack of clouds nearby allotted the region a supple amount of light, blocking none of the moon’s beams. The man crouched atop his perch and, for a brief moment, felt at peace. His crouch soon devolved into a sit, and the man decided to close his eyes, his weariness overtaking him. The desert sun cast its rays down upon the man, yet the man felt no warmth. Everything felt ethereal and surreal. Rather than the burning of the sand through the worn rags of his shoes, the feeling under his feet could be described as soft and plush-like, not unlike shag carpeting. The sand itself gave off a radiant glow. He was walking through the desert, trudging along slowly, and was interrupted by a voice calling him. “Master, I’ve returned with the supplies!” his charge called. The man continued walking, indifferent. He paused as the ground began rumbling yet again. The diamond dog stopped, eyes shifting in every direction, “Master!” he cried out, “Stop! We’re in grave danger!” The man continued walking, indifferent to the warnings of the diamond dog. “Master!” The slave called, “Please! Stop! Both of our lives are at risk!” The diamond dog took a panicked step forward, only for a, charcoal colored lizard, the size of  his abdomen, to burst out of the ground and pounce on him, its long, needle-like claws raking at his face. He cried out as it pierced his left arm with its serrated, knife-like teeth. Three more erupted from behind him, noticing their comrade’s catch, and pounced on the lackey’s back. He stuck his paw out to his savior, beckoning for help, only to have it torn off by a lizard. He cried out as blood spurted out of his forearm and fell to his knees, writhing and crying out as the reptiles dragged him underground. The man frantically looked around for an escape, noticing nothing behind him, he took a panicked step back, and ran. The rumbling followed him. The black reptiles burst out of the desert floor around him, then dived into the sand and began pursuing him. A long, elongated, fin-like protrusion on their backs giving them the appearance of sharks. Black fins coasted around him, disturbing the sand and dunes in their wake. The man’s adrenaline began failing him; and he felt as though his lungs were on fire. A bitter, metallic like taste pooled in the back of his throat and the man swallowed. A black fin burst out of the ground, and a lizard jumped on him. The man panicked and desperately began trying to pry it off. It wrapped its pointed tail around his neck and pulled him along. The man was able to glance briefly upon his hunter. There was no face, only, sharp, serrated, white teeth on a scaly, black head. What looked like small fibers protruded from the scales and moved down and along the tail that was currently strangling it’s prey. The lizard began burrowing underground. The man stuck his hand out, futilely trying to save himself. He was underground in seconds, and the light of the tunnel that led to the surface slowly, and teasingly disappeared.