K so I'm still in a writing mood right after publishing my first chapter so here we be going again!

The only think that greeted me when my eyes opened was a bright light. A pitiful yelp escaped my mouth as I was temporarily blinded by said light, and my eyes shut once more and opened back up more slowly in order to help them adapt to the brightness. I soon notice that I'm trapped within a yellow cage, it surrounded me on all sides, and when I touched it, it caused a sharp pain. I stupidly decided to test this to know for sure. I touched my large paw to the barrier and was met with agony, I cry out and pull away quickly, growling in annoyance. I try to stand up but grunt in pain and lay back down, looking at my back leg, it was all bandaged up. So was my wing, bright white strips of cloth wrapped around the limb, it was a bit stained red from the blood but fine either way. I tucked it against my side gently.

I look around and also noticed that I seem to have been moved into a shed, old dark wood walls all around me and a dark cieling overtop. Your typical tools and the like covered the ground at my paws. The front door was also wide open, which explains the light coming in. Based on where the sun was, it looked like it was morning. How long was I out?

Damn, I need to get out of here, but-

I hear footsteps coming towards me from outside and my fur bristles with anxiety. I unsheathe my claws, ready should I have to fight. I only relax when I notice it was the human girl from before. Luz was her name right? She saw I was awake and her expression turned delighted, eyes shining, she walked over to me and only stopped when she reached the barrier.

"You're awake!" She said, as if it wasn't obvious. I continue to stare at her warily, analyzing her in case she had any weapons on her, or anything that could suggest she wasn't here just to see me. After a moment, I decided she seemed genuine but took note of the bandages on her left arm, they went all the way from her wrist to her elbow. Luz noticed I was staring at it and she laughed dismissively, "Oh, this? Don't worry about it, I'm okay!"

Did I... hurt her? Was that my doing?

She must've noticed my downtrodden expression and continued talking, getting down to her knees in front of me, "Hey, don't feel bad, you obviously weren't in control, I don't blame you." She said in a reassuring tone.

I- what? How in all the Boiling Isles would she know anything about that?! Is she cursed too? What is her deal?

I stare at her in shock an I gently shift myself over so I could face her properly, laying my head down so we could be somewhat at eye level with her. She gave me a kind smile and I could swear I didn't feel trapped anymore.

Luz's POV

He seemed calm now so I scoot myself closer to him, though without touching the shield Eda put around him. I hated that she had to basically imprison him but it's probably the best option, considering his behavior yesterday.

He was actually really nice, he didn't try to attack me or anything even after I chased him. It was strange, he was just standing over us and watching us fight that monster in the snow. He had to have been doing it for a reason and I felt compelled to find out what that reason was. He wasn't purely instinctual which was odd, I could tell based on yesterday's events that he wasn't like a mindless beast. He had a human consciousness and was able to know the difference between right and wrong.

That's why he pushed me away then, he didn't want to hurt me. Then he went ballistic when Eda attacked him because she thought he was attacking me. His sudden behavioral change must've come from him feeling cornered. The look on his face when he saw my arm only confirmed my theory, he felt guilt. His pale blue eyes shined with dismay and disappointment and I wanted to just give him a hug right there.

"Hey, kid, what did I tell you about approaching that thing?" Eda's voice came from behind me and I squeak in surprise at how sudden it came. I turn and stand, seeing my mentor standing in the shed doorway. I hear a growl behind me, no doubt coming from..uh, does he even have a name? Anyway, he must remember her from before so he's probably not too happy to see her. I look back and give him one of my most reassuring smiles before facing Eda again.

"I was..just seeing if he woke up yet. Besides, he can't attack me when he's in there and also, he's not a 'thing'." Part of me was disturbed by that. Eda sighed and rubbed her face, getting closer.

"Neither one of us know what he is or where he came from. For all we know, he could be a tool to help those morons in the Emperor's Coven get to me." I take in her words and can't help but realize that she's right. He just showed up out of nowhere and maybe him not attacking us in the first place was to keep him from accidentally killing us. But that doesn't explain why he lunged at us after that if that was the case.

I glance over at him and notice he seemed to have been listening, and he looked like he didn't know what we were talking about. I hope he's not some sort of spy, he seemed so kind before and looked sad for causing me harm. I rub the bandages on my arm and look up at Eda.

"Let him out."

"Excuse me..what?" The old witch seemed startled at my request but I pressed on.

"Let him out, he can't really get away far on that leg and he can't fly either. Maybe I can show you he's not bad." I give Eda one of my most award-winning smiles and I win her over easy. She groans and gives me her 'This is stupid but I'm gonna do it anyway because I'm not one to talk' look. She glanced over at the beast and slowly lowered her shield.

He cowered away from her as she did this and I decided to get a little closer. Eda backs away but doesn't leave entirely, obviously she wouldn't leave me alone with him if she thinks he's dangerous. I kneel down in front of his face but I notice his eyes never leave Eda. I turn to face my mentor and subtly gesture for her to leave the shed. She opens her mouth to protest but is utterly defeated once again and leaves, but leaves the door open.

"Well, she was a peach, wasn't she?" A masculine voice interrupted the silence that followed Eda's departure. I begin to reply before realizing that didn't come from me, as the only human in the shed, and I myself having a more feminine voice. I look back at the beast in front of me and he's looking at me as if expecting an answer. His white and grey spotted fur was lying calm and flat, he no longer feels threatened so that's good. But who-?

"You okay?" There it was again. Except I watched his mouth move, corresponding to the words that were spoken. Wait, he can talk?! Last I heard, all the sounds he could make were the typical big cat sounds, but he's actually capable of speaking to me to?

He blinks and his round ears flick back, "Did I..scare you?" He murmured. I quickly compose myself and shake my head, taking in just how cool this was!

"No, you just stared me, you can talk?! So cool!" I'm getting carried away again, oops, but seriously, I press on, "How come you didn't speak before?"

He seemed taken aback by the sudden question but didn't seem to mind answering, "I don't know, really, haven't really spoken to anyone in years. Of all the things about me, you're surprised I can speak?" His tone had a playful edge which was kind of odd given how timid he was before but I didn't pay mind to it. Now for something really important.

"Do..you have a name?" I asked eagerly yet quietly. Eda had only been referring to him as "the beast" and I never really liked that so maybe we can call him something proper. Like Neptune! gasp Or maybe Leo!He blinked and his ears flattened against his head, he looked worried and kinda nervous, why?

"Apollo..my name's Apollo..." He answered softly, he sounded sad. Why was he sad? And in typical 'Luz fashion', I was worried but I decided I didn't want to push for an answer to that one. But what I do want an answer for is..

"How can you talk? Usually anything we found in those woods were like, 'roooooaaar'!" I over eggagerated the sound effect by deepening my voice to make it sound accurate and it earned a chuckle out of Apollo, but his face then turned upset once again.

"It's..complicated. See, I wasn't always like this.."