The castle doors were pushed open and Jack dragged inside. He was thrown to the rough stone floor, the men looking around nervously. It felt like something was watching them.

"Should we just leave it here?"

"Tie it up, the beast will take it."

Jack started to frantically crawl away, crying out when he was grabbed again. Rope was wrapped tightly around his wrists and he was dragging to the base of the once grand staircase. The men tied him tightly to the remaining stone newel post, seeming to grow more nervous. Something was watching them.

With the pale young man bound, the men skittered away, looking around. One picked up a small bit of rumble and threw it at Jack. It struck his cheek, causing him was cry out once more in pain as blood welled up and slowly rolling down his face. The men grew a little bolder, starting to grin a little as they started to pick up more stones.

After the third strike and scream, a roar sounded. The villagers dropped their stones and fled, shouting about the 'beast'. Jack was trembling, tears and blood mixing with the remaining clay dust on his face. He was hurt and scared. There was a growling sound behind him. He whimpered, was this it? Was he going to die?

Jack squeezed his eyes shut, not wanting to look his death in the face. He heard the rumble of an animal, a crackling sound before something…soft touched his face.

"What have we here?" A new voice said. Jack felt his face being tilted up by what felt to be a gloved hand. Slowly, he opened his eyes to peek. A man wearing gilded armor was knelt in front of him, his long black hair swept back save for a few unruly bangs. His expression was that of a man deep in thought, golden eyes focused.

"…are you going to kill me?" Jack managed to say in a quiet shaky voice. The man looked him over, his eyes were so intense. After another beat, he released Jack's chin and stood. He reached forward and untied the youth's restraints. Jack collapsed, exhausted and scared, curling into himself.

"Can you stand?" The armored man held a hand out to help him up. Jack looked at it before shakily reaching. After some effort, he stood but his knees refused to move. The man looked him over once more before picking him up. It was at this point that Jack's brain shut down. The mysterious man adjusted his hold before taking him deep into the ruin castle.