Kurogiri was sat in the drivers seat of the wagon, reins in hand, keeping an eye on the map and any directional signs. It had been a smooth journey thus far as it was always for he had taken this journey several times in the past. They rode past fields and were now in the forest bird song all around them. Kurogiri was in good spirits and had been whistling happy tunes to himself sure he worried for his son but mindless worry did no one any good.

He decided when the fair was over to make a decision of what to do with Tenko. Perhaps it was time for the boy to leave the village he was so unhappy. Maybe he could secure him an apprenticeship somewhere but where that was the question.

They soon came along the fork in the road where they would take a left and continue on and they would reach the village by nightfall. Unfortunately, for Kurogiri a large fallen tree was blocking the left hand fork. Kurogiri consulted the map he could take the right hand side and it would take longer but he would eventually reach the village by morning. Kurogiri was determined. Nomu was hesitant to take the right hand but with a crack of the reins he got moving.

As they rode along Kurogiri took note it seemed to be getting darker for the time of day and a heavy chill was in the air for the time of year. Granted it was getting to be autumn but it was too cool for this. Frost coated the ground like powered sugar on a baked good. Birdsong had ceased and any signs of woodland creatures had disappeared. Kurogiri was beginning to grow concerned after awhile as he consulted the map again and he realized he had made a wrong turn at some point.

"Damn. Come on Nomu let's go back well try a different path I don't like the looks of this."

No sooner had Kurogiri spoken then the mournful cries of wolves was heard nearby.

"Oh, that cannot be good."

"Hiya!, Nomu Hiya!" Kurogiri cried while cracking the reins of his horse to urge Nomu into a gallop.

Nomu being spooked by the wolves howls took off at a panicked run as the pack of wolves raced to pick up on them. Kurogiri's hat flew off his head in his haste lost and forgotten. They clambered through the woods tree branches whipping at Kurogiri who lifted his arm to fend them off from scratching his face.

Unfortunately, they ran into a snow drift soon causing the wagon to capsize and tip sideways spilling Kurogiri and the barrels of whiskey to the ground. Nomu's harness was trapped attached to the capsized wagon. Kurogiri loosened him free and leaped onto his back urging his horse into a gallop.

The wolves pursuit continued until Kurogiri rode through the threshold of an old fence the wolves ran off as they smelled something sinister near and ran off in search of new prey.

"That's a good boy, Nomu. They'll have to seek their dinner elsewhere tonight." Kurogiri chuckled patting his horses neck.

Riding further along Kurogiri looked about seeing an opulent garden covered in snow. Looking up he took note of a castle and decided to go seek shelter for the night. He would return home to Tenko in the morning as his wares for the fair were lost. Approaching the castle it looked uninhabited and just as dark and intimidating from a afar until he saw candlelight in a window or two and a few torches lit it's dark exterior. 

Good someone did inhabit the castle hopefully they could offer him a place to stay for the night and possibly a warm meal. Laws of hospitality were observed in the land that lost travelers were to be offered sanctuary after all. Riding closer he saw a stable close towards the entrance which had hay and water so he left Nomu their already chewing on hay and made his way towards the entrance. "You'll be fine boy. Now I'm going to pay our hosts a visit."

He approached the castles front door taking note of the lit lanterns and started knocking upon the door waiting for someone to open the door. The door opened on it's own.

"Hello terribly sorry to trouble you at this hour but my horse-" Kurogiri stopped speaking when he realized no one was there. He passed his head through the threshold "Hello is it alright if I come in? It is awful cold out there." Kurogiri got no answer.

He decided it was easier to ask for forgiveness in this case and stepped inside shutting the door behind him rubbing his hands against his arms to warm himself. Looking about for any signs of a servant or a host he saw a coat rack on his left and on his right a massive fireplace emitting a warm, orange glow.

"I hope you don't mind my intrusion but there was nowhere else to go at this late hour." Kurogiri said as he removed his coat shaking out the leaves and snow and hung it upon the coatrack and then walked across the floor in the direction of the fire.

Kurogiri swore he heard whispers. "Hello? Is someone there I do not mean to intrude you see my wagon crashed and I was chased by wolves." he approached where he saw the glow of a fire but saw no one there.

The more Kurogiri looked around the stranger it was that he didn't see a single servant or inhabitant of the castle. It appeared to be somewhat well cared for so it couldn't have been abandoned. Could it?

"Once again please forgive my intrusion it is just so very cold and this fire looks so inviting especially with no one using it." Kurogiri rubbed his hands and arms before the fire and glanced at a large comfortable chair and throw blanket on his left.

Kurogiri took note of an elaborate candelabra and mantle clock on a side table and stepped forward to admire the details "Extraordinary." he said looking the candelabra over before setting it down.

As he stepped away he swore he heard a man's voice say "A gentleman of taste." 

"Is someone there?" Kurogiri asked once more looking about.

As he stepped about looking around himself inspecting the castle trying to see if anyone was about. He thought he heard the sounds of a piano playing and went in search of the musician. He opened a room and saw a lone piano but the music was no longer heard. Strange he thought perhaps just his imagination and he moved on in his exploration. 

He soon stumbled across a formal dining room with a large dining table with one place setting and a delicious dinner which had been prepared.

"Would you be terribly upset if I just helped myself to a cup of tea and a few small things from your table? You won't even notice anything is missing." Kurogiri said suddenly feeling famished.

"You are most welcome a gentleman of your standing shouldn't be forced to go hungry. Please help yourself to some mulled wine to take the chill off." spoke a voice all of a sudden.

"Uh, thank  you." Kurogiri replied and looked about for the voice but saw no one as he sat at the table. Placing the linen napkin upon his lap before he poured a glass of wine and felt the cold melt from his bones as he drank. Then he admired the food debating on what to try first. He started to tear off a piece of bread which felt warm to the touch. 

It was then a knife on the table began to move all on it's own pushing a dish of butter towards Kurogiri.

"Here you might want some of this." spoke the knife in a young ladies voice. "Oh, sorry I probably shouldn't have done that."

After that Kurogiri decided he had had more than enough of this strange castle and would take his chances with the wolves. He then leaped from his seat moving towards the castles entrance once more.

 "I thank you for your hospitality but I think it's time I bid adieu." and on his escape through the front door he grabbed his coat on the way out slamming the door.

"Toga that was most unprofessional of you. You gave the poor man a terrible fright." reprimanded the man's voice which belonged to the candelabra.

"Sorry Mr. I only wanted to help." said the knife without a hint of apology to her voice.

Once outside Kurogiri ran towards the stables fetching Nomu before he found himself turned around and about and in a garden rushing through it to find the castle grounds exit. Until he stumbled upon a rose bush of all things which eerily enough was still in bloom despite it being the dead of winter wherever this castle was. Never mind it was October. Kurogiri was enraptured by these roses for some odd reason and soon dismounted his horse and approach the bush.

"They look so much like my son's eyes." he said aloud, commenting on the deep burgundy of the flowers. All while cupping one of the blooms within his hand. Without really thinking he decided to cut one of them off the bush and would bring it home to Tenko as a gift. True, not exactly what his son had wanted but at least he would have proof of this strange tale.

He cut his finger on a thorn pressing it into his mouth to lick the blood away. Then he took his blade from its leather scabbard and settled on a particularly full crimson one and sliced through the stem. No sooner had he done so then the air was filled with a godawful, monstrous roar. He looked up in fear seeing a large frightening dark silhouette and blue flames filled his vision. 

Nomu ran off in a blind panic at seeing whatever had approached Kurogiri. Charging through the entrance of the castles gates. He ran all the way back home to Tenko.

Tenko had been dashing through the woods on the horses back his cloaks hood up protecting him from the chill. He felt a little guilty as surely Nomu was tired but he had to find Kurogiri, his father. He took note it was growing darker and colder the deeper he rode, birdsong ceasing. Nomu kept directing the way.

When they came upon the wagon wreck. Tenko halted the horse looking about for any signs of his father but saw none except some footprints in the snow. Tenko looked in the direction of the footprints and saw the castle off in the distance as well. Nomu continued onwards.

Tenko came riding up on Nomu sometime later to the castle gates he felt the cold down to the marrow of his bones and tugged his cloak tighter about himself. He gazed up at the castle an ominous feeling tugging at his chest but he continued on to the castle without giving the opulent garden a second glance.

When he at last reached the castle he dismounted and looked up at the darkened castle, pulling his cloak about himself against the cold, taking note of the gargoyles glaring down at him from above. Tenko wondered what to do with Nomu until he took note of the horse wondering off to the nearby stable all on it's own. For now that would have to do as Tenko had to find his father, so leaving Nomu to fend for himself, Tenko approached the door..

He approached the castle door lifting the lion shaped iron door knocker and giving it a few whacks first. The door opened all on it's own once again. Looking around outside to see if anyone was about Tenko entered and shut the door behind him.

It was dark within the castle save for a fireplace on his right and a few candles here and there giving off light which did a poor job to illuminate the interior. Tenko saw no one about no servants, no footmen, no one out and about to greet weary travelers. Surely a castle of this size would be full of people regardless of the time of day? Taking a few hesitant steps in. Tenko called out in a quiet voice:

"Papa?"

When he got no response a little louder he called out.

"Kurogiri!"

Once again he heard nothing. Deciding he would take his chances with whoever inhabited the castle.

"Hello is anyone there?" called out Tenko receiving no answer.

When he got none Tenko decided to investigate the castle further and see if he could locate his father so they could get out of there already. He took a few hesitant steps forwards unsure where to go until it was if the castle was listening to him and directing him as candles appeared to light his path. All the while Tenko continued calling out for his guardian until he heard a loud coughing sound in the distance.

"Do you see that? It's a boy" said a gentleman's voice from eariler excitedly.

"Of course it's a boy. What do you think I'm stupid old man? Oh sorry I didn't mean that." the other argued changing tones.

"Of course not my dear fellow this is brilliant news for us. I have a feeling he is the one to break the spell." replied the first.

"Uh, are you sure about that? He doesn't look like much?" replied a third voice skeptically.

"Ah, you see that's where you are wrong. How long have we waited for someone to approach the castle? He is the first most likely candidate we have seen thus far." Relayed the first voice.

"I don't know about this. He's ugly! I mean he's lovely I guess." replied the second voice once more changing tones.

"You know how the saying goes beggars cannot be choosers? Well we are the beggars in this case. Besides I think he has a certain charm to him don't you think?" replied the first.

"Alright, well take your word for it but what about the master?" spoke the third voice once more.

"Leave the master to me. I'll handle everything for now we need a meeting gather the other servants our mission is to break the curse." The first voice said excitedly.

Tenko followed the candles till he was led down a hallway to a large wooden door which led down several winding stone steps. He had the sinking feeling he was being led into a dungeon and potentially a trap at this point. But shrugged it off he wasn't leaving until he found Kurorgiri. Trap or no trap. With a borrowed candelabra and determination he reached the bottom of the steps and took a few steps forward.

"Kurogiri? Papa?"

"Tenko? Is that you, son? You need to get out of here!"

"Kurogiri thank god. I have been looking everywhere for you." Tenko said. Relief melting the tension from his shoulders and crossing the stone floor until he found his guardian locked up behind bars. Tenko knelt down till he was eye level with Kurogiri who was sitting on the stone floor.

Kurogiri took his hand which were cold to the touch a worried look settled on his expression "Tenko I need you to listen to me. You have to get out of here it's not safe this castle is cursed. Leave me if you have to."

"Papa your hands are like ice you'll get sick if you stay here. Don't be ridiculous. I'm getting you out of here." Tenko argued back standing back up and examining the lock then looking for a key or a mechanism to open the lock.

"Tenko please your a young man with your whole life ahead of you. Escape from here now! Maybe I was wrong keeping you in that village all these years but you can start over again. Live your life. I'm an old man I've made my choices." Kurogiri argued.

When Tenko saw no key he decided to settle for brute force eyes settled on a stone brick near by and before he could reach to lift it up . That's when a deep voice rumbled.

"Great another one." the voice sounded deep and terribly annoyed.

Tenko went into a defensive stance "Who's there? Are you the one who did this to him?" he accused gesturing towards his father.

He received an angry animalistic growl in reply.

"Tenko it's him! Get out of here listen to me for once." Kurogiri said his voice raised in a panic in fear for his son.

"So what if I have? It is only befitting of an intruder and thief to be imprisoned for his crimes." spoke the deep, raspy voice his tone becoming enraged.

"I'm sure he wasn't trespassing only looking for shelter from the cold. I saw where his wagon crashed not far from the castle gates and my father is no thief." Tenko argued back at the figure in the shadows.

"Please! I caught him red handed stealing from my rose bush." snarled the voice.

Tenko looked down at Kurogiri who shrugged "It was going to be a gift for you. Not one of my better moments of judgement Tenko I'm afraid but it was only a flower." he argued in his defense.

"Your going to imprison an innocent man over a flower?" Tenko asked scoffing.

"Innocent, hah. I was innocent once and look where that got me." the voice replied bitterly. "He is guilty of trespassing and theft and he will remain here for the rest of his days." the voice replied that much colder.

"He was going to give me the flower so it's my fault punish me instead" Tenko said imploringly.

"Tenko, No" Kurogiri said horrified. "You don't know what that means it means forever. The rest of your life."

"Hmpf! He's a thief and prisoner and will remain as such." grumbled the angry voice.

"You can't be serious imprisoning a man for life over such a petty offence. There must be something we can do or offer you in exchange for his life." Tenko spoke crimson eyes blown wide at such an unjust judgement and sentence.

",,,You have nothing that interests me." grumbled the voice with a note of hesitance in his voice.

"Then at least let me say good bye." Tenko said.

The voice let out a scoffing sound at this further annoyed as though he was being kept from his dinner and not sentencing a man to a life sentence.

"A few moments to say goodbye in exchange for a man's life shouldn't that be an equal exchange. " Tenko argued back not backing down.

"Very well make it quick." snarled the voice finally relenting at least a little.

The figure emerged from the shadows and that's when Tenko saw whom he had been arguing and bargaining for Kurogiri's life with. At first he thought it was some sort of demon but that couldn't have been possible for it seemed to be of the earth than to be of hell spawn. The figure was massive towering a few feet just above Tenko. They had two black horns which protruded from their head and twisted backwards in addition to a set of ears as that of a wolf. Black spiky fur akin to a lions mane stood up upon their head and continued down their back. Purple scales covered the bottom portion of their eyes, face, neck and that of their forearms, and potentially other places covered by the tattered clothing the beast wore. The nose of a bull complete with metal nose ring protruded from the face. That not covered in scales was covered in sable colored fur.  Two massive paws with razor sharp black talons. In addition to a pair of powerful hind legs which also boasted a set of sharp black claws on the flagstones. A long wolf's tail swished behind themselves. 

They were altogether beastly apart from a pair of glowing blue eyes which were all too eerily human in appearance. Not to mention the torn and tattered clothing they wore consisting of a long tattered black coat, a stained and torn white shirt, and trousers which had seen equal abuse.

Tenko had to prevent himself from wanting to recoil from the creature in disgust and fear or cry out in alarm not wanting to further anger them. As they produced a key from a pocket long black talons spreading from the creatures hands as it unlocked the cell door. Tenko thought of those sharp claws and what they'd do to him sent a shiver down his back. 

"When this door closes it will be for the last time." the beast snarled blue eyes flashing in the dim light.

Once the cell door was opened, they stood back leaning against the wall of the dungeon. Crossing their arms against their chest and leaning a leg up against the wall waiting for the brief reunion to end till they could lock their prisoner once more away.

Tenko entered the cell instantly and wrapped his arms about Kurogiri who did in kind placing a gentle hand on the boys head and stroking his hair.

"Tenko I am so sorry about all of this. This is all my fault please live your life the way you want from now on. That will make me happy and know I have and will always love you son. Please forget all about me." Kurogiri said looking him in the eyes.

"Kurogiri you are a great father and I love you too so I hope you can forgive me for what I'm about to do?" Tenko said a sad smile on his face.

Kurogiri looked confused at his son at his statement. Until he was shoved out of the cell in surprise and the door was slammed shut behind him. He spun around a look of horror on his face when he realized what had happened.

"No, Tenko, my son. No. No. Not this way. I've lived my life-" Kurogiri cried out reaching through the bars for his son but was cut off when the creature grabbed him by the back of the coat and tugged him away.

"Alright, the decisions been made time to go." he snarled and was about to drag Kurogiri away when he paused and looked back at Tenko "You just threw your whole life away. What are you an idiot?"

"I did it for someone I cared about. My father, so no I wouldn't say so." Tenko replied back coolly.

"Father's hah. Well see about that." The beast said. Then he whipped around causing his coat to flutter in the motion and began dragging a protesting Kurogiri away as if he weighed nothing.

"NO! TENKO MY BOY! STOP!" Kurogiri cried out in protest as his fingers ungripped the bars.

Tenko stood hands clutching the bars of his cell watching on as the beast dragged his father away. As this would quite possibly be the last time he would ever see Kurogiri again. His heart ached hearing the impassioned cries and shouts of his father. He did his best not to let his fear show until they had left the prison and then Tenko sunk to his knees gasping for air.

Kurogiri screamed, protested and fought the whole way he was dragged away scuffling the heels of his shoes. "NO MY SON. LET HIM GO YOU MONSTER. TENKO! I'LL COME BACK FOR YOU!" He shouted as he was dragged further away.

Kurogiri was dragged kicking and screaming up the stairs and out the door of the castle over to a carriage parked outside the stables. The beast opened the carriage door and threw a protesting Kurogiri inside.

"Let me go you brute and give me back my son." Kurogiri protested within the carriage before the beast lunged into his face.

"He is no longer your concern anymore. Leave this place and never return." snarled the beast and slammed the door shut in his face.

"Take him back to the village, Machia." snarled the beast and then watched as the carriage went off on it's own sans horse or driver.