Monsters. I burst out of my dosing sleep as I sensed the dark magic signature. With a growl, I picked the locks on my shackles.

As I unlocked the last one, an alarm blared into the room. I flinched, the noise hurt my sensitive ears. Ignoring the sound as best I could, I hooked my claws into the cell door's keyhole.

At the click, I forced the door open and then quickly approached Saki's cell. I picked the lock open with my claws, "Let's go."

"Are you sure?" Saki slowly stood to her feet.

I nodded, "If there are monsters around, then I'm going to fight them." I looked toward the exit and the startled guards. After a moment of hesitation, Saki jumped onto my back as I began to run. She was far less confident, but willing to destroy the monsters. 

I raced down the halls, following my memories of being led down into the prison. A few guards tried to stop me, but I simply summoned my armor and barreled past them with my wings partially raised to protect Saki.

Their weapons uselessly clinked against my protection. Though they yelled, I was too focused on charging ahead. Thankfully, the rest of the military base was not as well guarded as the prison section.

Soon, we emerged into the outside world and I immediately burst into the sky, slashing monsters as I increased my altitude.

Monsters swarmed the sky; steel blades glinted as their wielders attacked and defended themselves. Dark mist hung in the air; injured soldiers lay on the ground among their still-standing comrades.

Saki blasted a monster before it landed on a soldier's back, then leaned forward, closer to my head. "I'm going to go down there and help where I can," she yelled over the roar of the chaos.

"Stay safe," she jumped off my back as she cast a floating spell, then fired more spells at monsters. While she safely went to the ground, I slashed any creature that tried to attack her. I absorbed as much of the dark magic out of the air as possible, but a haze still lingered.

I dodged an arrow, then tackled a winged bear-like monster out of the air. It burst into a plume of dark mist, which I eagerly absorbed. An arrow clinked off of my armor, a voice screamed in pain, and an explosion ripped through the air. I blasted a monster on the ground with a bolt of magic, then took out two more with my claws. This is a minor attack, I don't see many strong monsters here.

I noticed General Helios below; his white uniform stood out like a beacon. He fought a mantis-like beast with his sword. I growled as a monster dove toward him. As much as I hate him, I will stop any deaths I can. I swooped, my claws extended. The monster died and showered the general in dark magic.

The white-uniformed man cleaved his bug-like monster opponent, then faced me with a fiery glare and a deep scowl. He furiously bellowed as he slashed another monster, but I never completely left his sight.

I flinched as an arrow scraped my shoulder, then dodged another one with an aerial roll. A bolt of black magic hit my back. I looked toward my new opponent, and my blood boiled at the sight of a floating cloaked rodent in an overly flamboyant red hat. Daroa. I glared at her sly grin.

I barrel-rolled out of the way of her magic. Though she was larger, taller, and more powerful than when we last met, I still recognized her sly grin. She dramatically flared her cape, magic swirling in spheres above her paw-like hands.

With a roar, I burst toward the cloaked monster.

Daroa chortled as she flung a spinning bolt of fire at my face. I narrowly dodged, my teeth bared. A massive grin was plastered on her fanged snout, a million insults likely running through her head. However, Master's no speaking around Stellans rule controlled her.

"Oh hey, it's the weakling rat." I laughed as I dodged another bolt of magic. I approached with a flap of my wings, "Master finally let you out? I see you're just as weak as last time, prepared to lose again?" While she shrieked in fury, I blasted a bolt of yellow magic at her.

Her shriek cut off as the orb of magic slammed into her shoulder, her eyes blazing in fury. Part of her red cloak dissolved into mist and she covered her shoulder with her paw. With a growl, she released a barrage of spells.

I roared a shockwave of energy at her. Our attacks canceled each other with small explosions as the two magics violently canceled each other. I blasted a sphere of energy while she sent another barrage. I tucked my wings to the side and rolled out of the way. I need to get close. Ranged attacks were never my strong point.

I increased my altitude as I flew in a wide circle around Daroa. Though I had to dodge a few more attacks, eventually, I was above Daroa. With a growl, I tucked my wings to my side and plunged towards the rat magician.

Several blasts hit and created holes in parts of my armor. However, my aim remained true. We collided, my vision flashed white and blurred from the impact. The echoing, ringing, cut-off shriek filled my ears, and my magic senses were overwhelmed by the mass of dark magic that surrounded me.

After a second that felt like a million years, I emerged from the fog. I quickly broke out of my dive before I crashed. After I shook my head, I surveyed the area. Daroa was gone, and many monsters were also missing. I spotted Saki alternating between healing spells for soldiers and combat spells for the remaining monsters.

I sensed a portal open near the ground and quickly swung my focus to it. To my surprise, another stream of monsters swarmed out of the swirling spell. In a bit of panic, I blasted the spell, and the swarm with an explosion of golden energy. When it faded, the portal collapsed. Immediately, many monsters dissolved into mist, especially those without a store of magic to sustain themselves.

I flew down to the ground, my landing squashing a few of the pesky small monsters. Though I attempted to kill the last one with a small bolt of energy, a silver sword cleaved the bundle of animated dark magic. Before I could blink, the sword pressed against the armor around my neck. "Remind me again why I let you live?"

I slowly reabsorbed my armor and avoided his gaze.

I sensed the dull, dormant magic inside of him spark in reaction to his anger. With a bellowing roar, he thrust the blade towards my throat.

I managed to lurch to the side in time to save my life, but the blade still sliced deep into the side of my neck. My vision blurred and took on a hot white tint. I breathed heavily and fought my anger as I managed to stagger back. My eyes glanced at the dull yellowish glow on his sword, then back to his face. Two pairs of golden eyes stared at each other.

"Just die!" He screamed and grimaced as he swung his sword towards my face with all his might.

CLANG! A continued ringing sang from the blade and the suddenly appearing magic wall. "Please stop!" Tears ran down Saki's face, a glowing hand raised towards us while the other kept her now-torn shirt on her body. "Please don't kill him." She slightly hiccuped as she sniffled.

"What makes you think this monster deserves to live?" The general's ears remained flattened, and his glare remained split between Saki and myself as I slowly rose to my paws.

"He's a good person—" Saki started in a trembling voice.

"HE'S A MONSTER!" The general's hands clenched, "And you are a sorcerer!" He raised his sword towards her neck, then froze as he noticed the yellowish glow surrounding his weapon. With a bit of panic, he dropped the blade, which noisily clattered against the asphalted ground as the magical edge vanished. His furious glare drilled into my skull as I returned to my feet. "LOOK WHAT YOU DID!" He bellowed.

Suddenly, dark laughter consumed the area.

After I broke through the initial freeze, I growled furiously and summoned my armor. My head whipped around in all directions, searching for the source of the voice. Why is he doing this? Saki slowly backed towards me as her barrier spell dissolved. I glanced around at the soldiers as they stood like statues. A dark magical aura sud flooded my senses and reacted with the weak cores of the Stellans around me. Freezing fear flooded them as the magic within them cowered.

"Now, this is an interesting development."A cloaked figure appeared a short distance away, his chuckles echoing in my ears.

My fury built to the point my rage made me deaf. With a furious roar, I lunged and slashed the figure. As my claws gouged into the asphalt, the illusion shattered as its laughter faded.

I breathed heavily until the chortling no longer rang in my ears. With a huff, I reabsorbed my armor and turned back towards Saki. She deeply frowned as I approached her, my ears flattened and my head low. "Let's go back to our cells."

She wordlessly followed me through the maze of stunned Stellans and back into the base. "Are you ok?" She eventually spoke as we descended the empty halls. "I've never seen you... that angry before."

"Master is just trying to manipulate everyone." I snorted as we descended the final stairs to the dungeon. "His illusion only appears to strike fear into the populace. That's not even what he looks like." With a snort, I entered my cell and moved to hook the door with my paw to slam it closed.

Saki slipped into my cell just as I noisily closed the door. I raised an eyebrow to her, "Shouldn't you be in your cell?"

"I want to be with you," Saki whimpered.

"Fine," I laid down, then paused as Saki hugged me and buried her face into my shoulder. My anger slowly faded, and I placed a wing over her.

"What does your master look like?" Saki eventually spoke in a soft voice muffled by my shoulder.

"Much scarier and more dragon-like. And before you ask, a real dragon, not whatever I am—" I suddenly recoiled in pain as the young Stellan with me healed the sword cut with her magic. "Did you have you do that?" One of my eyes closed as I slowly recovered from the sting of her magic.

"I wanted to." Saki curled against my shoulder and gently moved my wing to serve as a better blanket.

"You should just rest for now," I instructed, "I can sense your magic levels are low. I'll keep watch." I paused as I realized the girl was already asleep. A small smile briefly crept across my muzzle, then transformed into an indifferent stare as I focused on the front of the cell.

After what felt like hours, footsteps stomped down the hall. After a few moments, General Helios arrived, seething. "Let's get this over with," he growled and glared furiously. "If you attack, both you and the sorcerer will die." The white-cloaked Stellan seethed with anger as he met my glare with one of his own. His dominant hand remained gripped on his sword while he opened the cell door. His magic remained dormant.

I growled lowly but didn't argue.

Helios's golden eyes were almost ablaze. "Who are you? What are you?" His teeth bared as he waited for my answer.

"I am Hoshiryu, a monster." My glare transformed into a calm, indifferent expression.

"Why do some monsters like you bleed while most dissolve?"

"Master did some experiments with blood monsters but stopped making new ones a few years ago." I yawned widely.

"How does he make monsters?" The general glared.

"Blood monsters are animals transformed by Master's magic—" 

"His corrupted magic...," Helios growled.

I ignored his outburst and continued, "—most monsters are sculpted from a bit of clay or other material and magic, so not much remains. Master used to make monsters made from just materials, but the big and powerful ones are so bulky and slow they aren't efficient, despite being hard to destroy. The small ones aren't as useful to him; they can't do much damage."

"Did he make monsters from Stellans?" Helios paced slightly, his knuckles white and his unwavering glare trained on the floor.

I paused and tilted my head. Eventually, I spoke, "Not that I know of. Why would he bother? You're the enemy." I allowed another yawn to escape my lips. "Stellan magic destroys monsters. I don't think it's possible." I blinked and hid my mental pause with another massive yawn. "I was a failed experiment with it. I don't know where he got my Stellan-like magic from, but it took me years to learn to keep it from destroying me from the inside out."

The general glared as he gritted his teeth and growled. "Why does the dark mage create monsters?"

"He wants something, I don't know." I shrug, "Why don't you Stellans use magic? It's the answer to win."

"MAGIC IS ILLEGAL! WRONG!" The Stellan slammed his fist into the bars, his glare still glued to his face. "All it does is cause problems! If it wasn't for magic, monsters wouldn't exist in New Stellonia!"

I paused and tilted my head slightly, "then make it not illegal. Almost all Stellans I have encountered contain magic within them. Even you. You even managed to spark life into your dormant magic."

"SHUT UP!" The general bellowed.

I gently used my wing to comfort Saki as she briefly stirred, waking from her nap. "Why do Stellans fear magic? I'm afraid I'm a bit behind on your history."

"I have no desire to explain it to you, beast. For all I know, this is an elaborate scheme by the dark mage to place a spy into the base." Helios glared at me, "What is your goal?"

"To not die," I stated, my golden eyes meeting his, "and stop Master."

"Why are you against your creator?"

"I realized thoughtless destruction is wrong, and life is valuable. I plan to keep mine." I looked at the scarred cell wall.

"Why do you keep the girl with you?" Helios continued to glare.

"She is an orphan and wanted to be with me. I protect her and train her in the ways of magic." I huff, then look back to the general, "You Stellans have something you call family, and I am her family."

General Helios's face turned red as he fumed. "What are you, exactly? And tell the truth."

"I am a monster." I drone with a yawn.

"What were you made from?" Helios paced. "If you are a blood monster, what did the dark mage use to make you? A Stellan?!"

"How am I supposed to know that? His magic can make a snail into a serpent. It's limitless." I snorted as the man became more and more frustrated. "He's trying to manipulate us," I huff. "Stellan magic destroys monsters; it would probably mess with the entire creation process."

"Maybe that is why you also have magic similar to mine and monster magic?" Saki looked up at me. "and the reason you are in constant pain is your Stellan magic is trying to destroy your dark magic and revert you to your true form?" A frown slowly spread across her face.

"I'm not in constant pain," I lie as I look toward the door, my thoughts swirling. "How can we be the same species? Besides, how could I be even distantly related to that guy? I'm as different from him as I am to you." 

"You both have anger issues..." Saki mumbled.

I whipped my focus at her, "What do you mean by that?" My nose wrinkled as I half-heartedly glared at her.

"Your eyes are the same color," Saki nervously smiled as she pulled a paper-wrapped square from the interdimensional pocket beneath my scarf and noisily unwrapped the sandwich, "and your personalities are kinda similar." She quickly took a large bite of the simple meal.

"I don't see it," I snorted as I shifted my focus in a different direction. "I can see that he might have made me from a Stellan." I lowered my head and rested it on my paws. "If you'll keep watch, I'm going to take a nap. Wake me if Mister Fury comes back."