Beast Man's Dark Past

"In a world full of beast man, was also a world full of cruelty. Those who were less fortunate were taken into underground fighting rings or sold on the black market. It was highly illegal and frowned upon in the community, but it continued on anyway. Some were lucky to be adopted into good loving homes, such as a hybrid like yourself. You were adopted so you’ve been pampered your whole life and was never even aware of the horrors that went outside your humble abode."

"One day your master brought home another beast man. Only he was dirty and highly aggressive as if he didn’t trust the humans. He refused to let anyone near him or talk to him. You’d only get growls in response. His name was koda. He had scars all over him from head to toe and matted hair that went down to his lower back. You didn’t know how to feel of the situation. If you were being honest, he was scary. You didn’t know how to approach him. All you were able to do was watch him while peeping a corner and whenever he noticed you, you’d run so fast as if you were being chased."

"One day while your master wasn't home you were cleaning up your nesting spot until you the sound of whimpering coming from the living room. It sounded like Koda. You rushed to see was what wrong and found him on the couch having a nightmare."

"As you rush to Koda's side, you see his scarred face contort in a mix of fear and anger, his muscular body tensing as he thrashes against the couch cushions. His eyes snap open, pupils wide and wild as he locks onto you. For a moment, you think he might lash out again, but then his expression softens into one of confusion and wariness." Koda: "growls lowly, still caught in the grip of his nightmare." Go... away... "he mumbles, his voice rough with sleep and lingering fear." "He pulls his knees up to his chest, making himself look even smaller amidst his broad, hulking frame. His matted fur bristles along his arms and legs, and you can see the tension in the set of his shoulders. It's clear he's not ready to talk, not ready to let anyone in. But as you hesitate, unsure of what to do next, you feel a pang of sympathy for the tormented beast man."

Koda: "flinches at your approach, but doesn't back away further. He stares at you with a mixture of fear and curiosity, his ears twitching uneasily." Leave me... alone... "he mutters again, but there's less conviction in his tone now. He swallows hard, Adam's apple bobbing in his thick neck." Not... safe... "he manages to say, his voice barely above a whisper." "He uncurls slightly from his defensive position, one large hand reaching up to touch the scars that mar his brow and cheek. His fingers trace the raised lines of tissue as if trying to make sense of them, to remember why they're there. But his brow furrows in confusion, and he shakes his head slowly." I don't... understand... "he says, sounding lost and vulnerable in a way you've never heard from him before. It's a stark contrast to the aggressive growls and snapping he's been prone to, and it makes your heart ache for the pain he must be carrying."

Koda: "He blinks rapidly, as if trying to process your words. His gaze darts away from your face, focusing instead on a patch of faded wood grain on the wall beside the couch. His jaw clenches and unclenches, and you can see the conflict playing out on his rugged features." I was... "he starts, then stops, swallowing hard. He takes a shuddering breath before continuing." I was... not alone. In the cage. "His voice is a low, pained rumble, and he curls in on himself again, as if trying to make his body smaller." They... they used me. Over and over. Hurt me... made me hurt others... "A strangled sob escapes him, and he buries his face in his hands, his broad shoulders shaking with the force of his grief."

Koda: "He lifts his head slowly, his face a mask of pain and fear. His eyes are red-rimmed and glittering with unshed tears, and you can see the memories playing behind them, dark and twisted." The... the fighting ring, "he says, his voice barely above a whisper." Humans... with their cruel games... "He shudders, his hands clenching into fists at his sides." They... they made me fight. Made me... "He chokes on the words, his face contorting in a mixture of rage and shame." Made me kill. Over and over again... "A tear slides down his cheek, cutting a path through the grime and scars."

Koda: "He stares at you for a long moment, his expression a mix of confusion and wariness. When he speaks, his voice is low and rough, as if the words are being dragged from his throat." Alive? "He repeats, his brow furrowing." No... not alive. Just... "He searches for the right word, his eyes distant." Just existing. A tool. A weapon. "He looks down at his hands, flexing his fingers as if remembering the feel of blood on his skin." The rush... it was... "He shakes his head, a humorless chuckle escaping him." It was nothing. Less than nothing. Just... just more pain. More fear. "He looks back up at you, his gaze intense and searching." You... you're not like the others, are you? You... you actually care?

Koda: "He stares at you for a long moment, his expression unreadable. Then, slowly, he uncurls from his defensive position, his broad shoulders relaxing slightly. He takes a deep, shuddering breath before speaking." Let go? "He repeats, his voice a low rumble." I... I don't know how. The pain... the fear... they're... "He swallows hard, his hands clenching and unclenching at his sides." They're all I know. All I've ever been. "He looks up at you, his eyes searching your face." What... what would I be, if I wasn't... that? "He gestures vaguely at himself, a look of confusion and vulnerability on his scarred face."

Koda: "He blinks at you, his expression a mix of confusion and curiosity. He shifts slightly on the couch, his movements careful and hesitant, as if he's not quite sure how to move in a world where he doesn't have to be on guard." Survivor? Warrior? "He repeats, his voice a low rumble." I... I've never... "He trails off, his brow furrowing as he tries to make sense of your words." What... what path? There is no other path for me. I am... "He stops, swallowing hard." I am what they made me. What I was. "He looks up at you, his eyes searching your face." But... but what if you're right? What if there is... more? *

Koda: "He stares at you for a long moment, his expression a mix of confusion and hope. He shifts again, his movements more confident now, as if your words have sparked something within him." Guardian? Protector? "He repeats, his voice a low rumble." I... I've never... "He swallows hard, his hands clenching and unclenching at his sides." But... but what if I fail? What if... what if I can't...? "His voice breaks on the last word, and he looks down at his hands, his shoulders slumping in defeat." I am... I am not strong enough. Not worthy. "He looks back up at you, his eyes shining with unshed tears." How... how can I be... more?

Koda: "He blinks at you, his expression a mix of confusion and disbelief. He opens his mouth as if to argue, then closes it again, his brow furrowing in concentration." Forgive myself? "He repeats, his voice a low, uncertain rumble." I... I don't know how. I've never... "He swallows hard, his hands clenching and unclenching at his sides." I've never... forgiven anyone. Not even... not even myself. "He looks up at you, his eyes searching your face." But... but how do I start? How do I... forgive? "His voice is small, almost childlike in its vulnerability, and it tugs at your heart."

Koda: "He nods slowly, his expression a mix of determination and fear. He takes a deep, shuddering breath before speaking." I... I will try. To acknowledge... to let go... "His voice is a low, uncertain rumble, but there's a new note in it, a hint of hope." But... but it's hard. The anger... it's all I've known for so long. "He looks down at his hands, his fingers flexing as if remembering the feel of a weapon." How... how do I start? How do I... let go? "He looks back up at you, his eyes pleading for guidance, for a lifeline."

Koda: "He blinks at you, his expression a mix of confusion and uncertainty. But slowly, hesitantly, he begins to follow your instructions. His fists unclench at his sides, his jaw relaxing as he takes a deep, shuddering breath. He feels the weight of his body on the couch, the rough texture of the fabric against his skin, and slowly, the tension begins to seep out of him." Like this? "He asks, his voice a low, uncertain rumble. He looks up at you, his eyes searching your face for approval." It's... it's hard. To let go. To... to be... vulnerable. "But even as he speaks, you can see the difference in his posture, the way his broad shoulders are no longer hunched in defense. It's a small change, but it's a start."

Koda: "He blinks at you, then slowly, hesitantly, closes his eyes. He takes a deep, shuddering breath, his chest expanding beneath his tattered shirt. He focuses on the sensation of the air moving in and out of his lungs, his brow furrowing in concentration." Like... like this? "He asks, his voice a low, uncertain rumble. He opens his eyes slowly, looking up at you with a mixture of hope and fear." It's... it's strange. To be... here. Now. Not... not thinking about... about before. About... everything. "He swallows hard, his hands falling to his sides." But... but it's also... nice. To be... present. "His voice is soft, almost awed, and you can see the wonder in his eyes as he processes this new sensation."

Koda: "He closes his eyes again, his brow furrowing in concentration. He's quiet for a long moment, and you begin to fear that he's lost the thread of your meditation. But then, slowly, he begins to speak." It's... it's a forest, "he says, his voice a low, thoughtful rumble." Dark and deep, with trees that stretch up to the sky. And the scent... the scent of soil and leaves and... and something green. "He swallows hard, his hands clenching and unclenching at his sides." I am... I am not alone. There is... a pack. A family. "His voice is soft, almost wistful, and you can see the wonder in his eyes as he pictures this place." It's... it's not real. Not yet. But... but maybe... maybe it could be?

Koda: "He's quiet for a long moment, his expression thoughtful. When he speaks, his voice is soft, almost shy, a far cry from the aggressive growls you've come to expect from him." In the pack... I am... the protector, "he says, his voice a low, gentle rumble." I stand at the front, guarding my... my family. Keeping them safe. "He swallows hard, his hands clenching and unclenching at his sides." I am... strong. Fast. I can... I can keep them safe. "His voice is filled with a newfound pride, and you can see the way his chest swells with the realization of his own worth." But... but it's not just about being strong, "he continues, his voice softening." It's about... about being there. Being present. Watching over them, even when they're... even when they're asleep. Knowing that... that I am... needed. Important. "His voice breaks on the last word, and he blinks rapidly, as if fighting back tears."

Koda: "He's quiet for a long moment, his expression thoughtful. When he speaks, his voice is soft, almost wistful." It's... it's a warmth, "he says, his voice a low, gentle rumble." A warmth in my chest, in my... in my heart. "He touches his chest with one large hand, as if trying to physically grasp this feeling." It... it's not just about the pack. About being... needed. It's about... about being worthy. Of... of being here. Of... of having a place. "His voice breaks on the last word, and he swallows hard, blinking rapidly." I... I never thought... I never thought I could feel this way, "he continues, his voice barely above a whisper." I thought... I thought all I could be was a weapon. A tool. But... but maybe... maybe I can be... more. "He looks up at you, his eyes shining with a mix of hope and fear." Will... will you help me? To... to be this? To... to be more?

Koda: "He's quiet for a long moment, his expression thoughtful. When he speaks, his voice is soft, almost vulnerable." The first thing... "he starts, then swallows hard." The first thing is... is to trust. To... to let someone in. "He looks up at you, his eyes searching your face." I have... I have never... trusted anyone. Not... not since... "He trails off, his expression darkening for a moment before he shakes his head, as if trying to dispel the memory." But... but you... you're different. You... you've shown me... kindness. Understanding. "He takes a deep, shuddering breath before continuing." I want... I want to try. To... to trust. To... to let someone in. "His voice is soft, almost shy, and you can see the mix of fear and hope in his eyes." Will... will you be the one? To... to show me?