A sizzling pain scorched Subaru's forehead, an inferno that burned deep within his skull. His body convulsed against the cold stone floor, but it had nowhere to go, his shackles kept him in a tight embrace. A metal rod, glowing a furious red, was pressed deeper against his skin. His pitiful muffled screams barely left his twisted lips. His head was drenched in a mix of sweat and tears.
"Shhh, Pride," Felix whispered with a sweet tone as he applied more pressure. "Ferris doesn't want you moving too much. It'll mess up the mark."
The iron hizzed as it devoured skin and tissue, carving patterns into his skin like a sculptor, heat reaching nerves until pain was the only thing Subaru knew. His body shook and squirmed violently to no avail. Deep in his mind, he begged for unconsciousness, but Felix had long learned to deny such requests.
With a tug the pressure eased, but Subaru still felt its presence. It was an intolerable heat that pulsated against his forehead, throbbing deep within his skull. He broke down to ragged rasps, smoke entering his airways. The scent of burned flesh stuck to him, an almost sweet, leathery aroma.
Felix sighed in satisfaction. "There we go! Now everyone will know who you belong to."
Subaru barely had the strength to lift his head, but through his hazing pain, he caught sight of Felix admiring his handiwork. A twisted grin spread through the Healer's face, his gloved finger tracing over the brand, sending a fresh wave of agony through Subaru's nerves.
A new symbol adorned Subaru's head, a shield with the head of a lion facing towards the left. It was none other than the Karsten Coat of Arms.
Felix's touch was almost gentle as he leaned in, his whisper sounded like bells to Subaru's ear. "Pride. This is who you are now. No matter how many times you deny it, your body will always carry the truth."
Subaru wanted to scream, to protest, but all that left his lips was a pathetic broken whimper
Felix suddenly pulled away, brushing dust off his knees before clapping his hands together. "Now then! You must be starving, right? Don't worry, Ferris wouldn't forget to take care of his little pet."
He turned away for just a moment before returning with a metal tray. On it sat some dry pieces of meat resting on top of a thin slice of stale moldy bread, accompanied by a cup of brown water. Subaru's stomach twisted at the sight, not knowing if the cause was disgust or hunger. But the emptiness in his gut reminded him he was starving.
"Go on," Felix urged, placing the plate in front of him. "Eat up. You need your strength for what's coming next."
Subaru hesitated, the mere sight of the dish repulsed him. But hunger gnawed at his restraint. With trembling fingers, he picked up a piece of the meat and shoved it into his mouth. His tastebuds recoiled at the contact. The nauseating flavors gave his mouth a loving embrace, tainting every corner with a salty delight.
Subaru's hand rose towards his nose before pinching it shut. His jaw clenched as he started to chew. The texture was wrong, too soft in some places, too tough in others. A thick fatty layer covered his tongue with a sickly greasy film. Regret filled his mind as bile overflowed his cheeks, mixing with the meat to create a slob. His face scrunched together and tears dripped down with every chew.
"Do you like it?" Felix asked, tilting his head.
Subaru swallowed hard, his throat raw, the slob leaving cuts as it passed. He didn't answer. He just ate, because refusing to do so would just lead to a repeat of his misery.
Felix chuckled. "Oh, Pride." He crouched beside him, venom in his voice. "You really should be more careful about what you put in your mouth you disgusting pig."
Dread slithered down Subaru's spine, cold shock stopping his actions.
Felix leaned, closing the distance before stopping near Subaru's ear.
"Most of the meals you've had here?" His voice as soft as a feather
"They were all you."
Subaru froze.
Felix giggled. "Oh, don't look at me like that. Ferris worked really hard to make sure you weren't wasteful. Little bits of muscle from when Julius cut into you? A few organs here and there? Ah, but don't worry this is what you would have wanted right? " a sinister smile appeared on his face "After all, your pride makes you so full of yourself self right? There is no food more worthy to someone like that, than their perfect flawless self."
The taste in Subaru's mouth turned more rancid. His stomach twisted violently, pushing everything up. He leaned down, disgusting noises escaping his mouth before he discharged his greenish contents.
The putrid slush splattered against Felix's pristine uniform.
For a moment there was silence
Felix's expression darkened the calmness drained from his face, replaced with a cold rage "...You little shit."
Felix stood up, a menacing shadow towering over Subaru. The next thing Subaru felt was the sharp crack of Felix's boot slamming into his gut. Stinging pain shot through his insides, air wrenched from his lungs. He barely had time to gasp before another blow struck his side. Then another.
Subaru's body folded into a fetal position. Blood pooled in his mouth, spilling and forming bubbles with each gasp.
Felix crouched down, grabbing a fistful of Subaru's greasy hair. He yanked Subaru's head back, leaving their faces mere inches apart.
"You ungrateful dog," Felix sharply hizzed with a venomous tone. "Ferris goes through so much trouble to keep you alive, and this is how you repay me?"
Only short breaths left Subaru's mouth.
Felix's grip tightened. "You're going to eat every last bite, Pride."
Subaru's heart raced when his foggy brain understood the situation. Felix grabbed the tray, one hand scooped the putrid mess of bile and meat. His other hand raised Subaru's jaw, prying it open with magic.
"Swallow," Felix demanded
Subaru shook his head, fear overwhelming his mind.
His pleas went unanswered, Felix shoved the food into his mouth, pressing down against his tongue. Subaru quivered, moving his body from side to side, trying to escape Felix's grasp. His throat spasmed, trying to reject the rancid vomit-soaked mass.
"Pride, I said swallow"
Subaru gagged. Tears blurred his vision, but the iron grip on his jaw remained firm. He was disgusted with his traitorous body as his throat worked against him, forcing the horror back down.
Felix smiled, watching every agonizing second.
"There's a good boy," he purred, wiping his bloodied glove against Subaru's cheek.
Subaru trembled, tears dripping onto the stone floor.
Felix hummed, satisfied. "Now, wasn't that delicious? Do you understand the delight the rats had when they consumed your flesh?"
Subaru curled into himself, silent sobs wracking his broken body.
Felix gave a soft laugh as he stood up. "Get some rest, Pride. We have so much more to do tomorrow."
A metallic clank marked Felix's departure. Leaving Subaru shaking, the aftertaste of his flesh rotting in his mouth.
The distant clatter of boots against stone echoed through the dark corridor, a rhythm that installed fear in Subaru's broken psyche. Instinctively his hand shot up in an attempt to cover his face from the incoming light. His breath quickened as the unmistakable sound of rattling chains invaded his ears. His entire body tensed when he heard guttural growls. He knew what was coming.
Julius walked at a steady pace, his expression unreadable as ever, a firm grip on the heavy iron leashes. The creatures snarled and writhed against their restraints, their monstrous bodies jerking forward in blind fury.
Three sets of red glowing eyes honed on his slumped body
The scent of condensed miasma worked as pheromones, driving them mad with each whiff. Closing the distance, the beasts jerked vigorously, their claws vibrating against the stone floors leaving deep gouges in the path behind them.
Julius gave a small, almost amused sigh before giving a sharp tug to the chains. The creatures momentarily halted, their snarls reduced to deep growls rumbling from their throats.
"You're rather popular aren't you?" Julius mused, stopping just in front of the bars. He observed Subaru's battered state with cold detachment. He acted like a scientist appraising a failed experiment. His violet eyes held no sympathy, only a distant greedy curiosity.
With a clank, the door swung open. Subaru could only flinch as Julius took a step inside, but his eyes only honed on the beasts. Their panting was heavy and erratic, exhibiting their jagged teeth with each breath. Saliva pooled at their feet in anticipation.
"They'll be staying with you for a while," Julius spoke while guiding the beasts forward. He spent his time embedding each chain into the wall, carefully calculating the perfect length. The Mabeasts took every opportunity to lunge at Subaru, but the short length of their bindings kept them just out of reach. Their claws scraped against the ground mere inches from Subaru's feet, teeth snapping wildly, desperate to leave more marks on his pale skin.
"If you want to rest," Julius said with indifference, "you know what the price would be."
Julius turned to leave, the sound of his boots fading as he walked back toward the door. Before stepping out, he cast Subaru one final glance.
"A spirit will be watching you, so no funny ideas." Julius' words were drowned in the echos of growls. The light violating Subaru's eyes was enough to convey their meaning.
Low growls rumbled through the small cell, vibrating against the damp stone walls. The sound was a constant ever-present hum. The beasts never stopped moving. Claws scraped against the stone, their restless pacing turning into a maddening rhythm.
He had lost count of the hours. Sleep was always just a single step too far. His limbs were stiff, his wounds were screaming, and his mind was a disastrous mess. His thoughts had become sluggish, thoughts melting into one another, reality warping into white fog. Dark eye bags dripping off of his face.
All he could do was think about his position as the beasts snapped their jaws inches away from his flesh. If he moved too much or if he even breathed wrong they would lunge forward, their teeth clashing against the air, hot saliva splattering against his skin.
"..Shut up" Subaru muttered, the sound drowned in a sea of chains
"SHUT UP!" His vocal cords snapped from the sudden use, blood drenching the mabeast's fur.
Nobody listened.
The noises interrupted his thoughts time and time again. Weather it was a good thing or not was debatable. His thoughts kept getting darker for a while now. Every now and then one especially intrusive thought kept creeping inside his consciousness.
'Just take a little rest'
Subaru's body slumped forward. Straight towards open jaws.
'Crunch'
The first beast struck like lighting, its massive jaws closing on Subaru's face. A sideway tug ripped flesh from bone.
The other two clamped down on each arm. The bones snapped instantly, sickening crunches filling the air as Subaru's body was yanked forward. His shoulder was severed off of its socket, each chomp cutting tendons like strings.
Another bite aimed at his exposed back, the fangs punctured deep, ripping chunks of bone and flesh. The pain was excruciating, pressure from each dive collapsed organs into mush. The wet squelch of his insides sang along with the growls. Hot blood splurted with each heartbeat, painting the beast's muszzles in a grotesque red.
SNAP
His arm was torn away.
He couldn't scream, his mouth was just a tongue hanging on bloody bone. Fome accumulated on his exposed skull. But the beasts weren't done. One Twisted its head violently, pulling a chunk of viscera upwards. His intestines now rested on his back.
Another Tug separated the spine from the body.
The sound of growls and chains faded into the background. Subaru was finally at peace, his saving grace, a split second of clarity before… Growls violeted his ears.
He was back, he had returned by death.