Chapter 16

The Curse of Wrath

The words would continue to ring within his ears as he silently lay upon the stone floor of the mansion. Valknar sat down beside him and then grinned watching the slave with keen interest. It took a bit of time for Vegeta to realize what was stated to him, then quietly he would close his eyes and rest. Now he knew the reason for the harsh treatments, the question he asked himself now was how to outwit the Master that anticipated his struggling? He would have to come up with another game plan.

Vegeta would quietly remain in thought as Valknar would clip a lead upon the collar and then pulled him to his feet. Once the Saiyan was on his feet again, he was taken to the cart and there, at the heavily loaded wagon, he would be again tethered in. Month after month would be spent toiling upon that and the slave grew ever weaker. The rainy season had set in, and the downpours were torrential, making the streets heavy with mud and muck, slippery as he struck out day after day.

Bells were added to his harness and ankles to signify where he was to the other cartpullers. The slave though kept trudging through the mud as the days passed. Then in the streets, the work was just too much. The steel bit was chomped upon as he struggled against the steep hill. Valknar lashed the whip on his back several times and no matter how hard he tried, Vegeta just could not find the strength to pull forward. Kneeling down, his head lowered against the tightened rein and as he was pulled backwards, he would then lower himself to the muddy street where he would lay.

There he would lay until he felt the cold drizzle of rain and the chill of the damp air rouse his weary form with an uncontrollable shivering. He had to get moving, he had to get up as he struggled to his feet. The slave struggled with what strength he had gained, when another slave came by and smuggled him some bread. It wasn't much at all, meager at best, but it was food that he was badly lacking. Eating it hurridly, he would then turn the cart around to that of the rein and head back. When he got back, he would find himself confronted by that of Blue once more, coming up the path. Unharnessed, he was left outside in the rain as she came closer up the walk toward him.

In her arms however was that of another child and this piqued his attentive observations. She was smiling lightly as she looked at him and then neared to caress his cheek. However an involuntary flinch would be given at the touch and she tried to soothe him, though deep within, his gut told him not to trust this. "My Vegeta, I'm glad to see you still alive."

"I'm not an easy one to slay Blue. I am the Prince after all." He noted the bundle of blankets and the way they were nestled ever so carefully in her arms. "What is in the blankets?"

"It is a child. I was hoping you would adopt a kid." Blue said quietly, yet sweetly.

"Who's child?" It was all he could muster, knowing in his heart, it was not his.

"This is Bird, she is a child of Lucious" She replied, her features growing more concerned. "Please tell me you'll adopt her. She is mine."

Vegeta backed away quietly, staggering back. "You said you needed time. I did not know you would be cheating on me. So this is what you have been doing? You've been screwing with an old Master of mine while I was kept in deplorable situations, tortured? Do you know what I think of when I see that kid?"

"No I don't Vegeta, please, forgive me my wrongs." She pleaded in attempt to reconsile, trying to near him again to console him.

"Get away from me! I swear, if I see you again, I will kill you and that child. When I see him, I just know of the cruel torment that Master put me through." He growled and then without thought, he would take off toward the forests. His rage was bitter and full of wounded pride and tarnished honor. Tears stung at his eyes as he picked up the pace and fled quickly, silently. How could this have been done while he had waited faithfully for her return? It didn't make sense, and it was driving him mad.

Once in the forest, he would find himself stopped by a wall of Mist and as it approached him, there was a voice that would come to speak ot him. "Vegeta, Prince of Saiyans, Universal Warrior, your heart is full of anger and rage. You are strong, yes, much stronger than any other and this is why you are now cursed. You are now cursed with the Creature of Wrath."

The voice would fade and the Saiyan stopped dead in his tracks as he felt an overwhelming power begin to restore his power and strength. What was that voice, how did it know him? His mind was reeling, but more his heart ached with the betrayal. As quickly as the Mists parted, so to his thoughts of what was stated. All he knew was that right now, he needed time alone and it was the collar now that threatened to activate upon him for leaving the boundaries. With disdain, he would turn back toward his Master's home. At least being conscious, he would have a way to stay alive under his current Master.

Once he reached the edge of the forest, the collar again released it's threat. He must be back on his Master's property as he began to kneel down with a heavy discomfort making him dizzy and queasy. Quietly, he went to fours as ripping pain would begin to course through him. His body began to cover with golden fur, his snout elongating as canines sharpened to 6 inch daggers. The eyes went pure white like fresh fallen snow as his feet elongated like that of a gargoyal's own. The black hair would lengthen and cascade around his neck like that of a lion's mane and his height upon fours would lift him a foot higher than a Shire horse at the shoulders. When he went to speak, he found he couldn't, but instead a bit of a growling roar would be emitted instead.

Going back toward the mansion, he found it an easy lope as he came to see Valknar. His lips would curl at the sight of his Master and the hackles raised down the spine, the gold tail whipping back and forth, his thougths roaming ruthlessly as Valknar approached slowly, a look of knowing upon his features. "The Creature of Wrath, how invigorating." He said as he moved foward toward the massive beast. "It's a good thing you serve me. Yes, you will do wonders."

Valknar grinned as he slipped the bridle on the beast and then climbed up on the back to spur on the massive Creature to that of the Mists and through. It wasn't long before they had entered another world. It was not uncommon for these Mists of this pocket dimension to be mistaken for fog. When entering this land though he was to be pushed, harder, faster, and now he was able to test out this form fully. Vegeta struck forth into a fast gallop and just when he'd thought he'd hit the fastest he could go, he felt the sting of a whip upon his haunches and he bounded forward to the point even Valknar upon his back had to grip onto the thick golden mane.

The knees pressed into his side for grip as he crossed the grounds devouring the miles as they pounded across the plains. The Nightmare Stallions would signal being in Ravenloft and it was here that Valknar would pull that of the reins to stop the Creature. The beast would stop, and not knowiing this land, it was not wise to start acting up. Before him loomed a Castle as he was left outside tethered to the hitching post as Valknar went inside. What would come next, Vegeta could only watch and wait.