FSE

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Chapter I

Prologue

Atlas stood outside the king's palace, the sun beating down on his bright red fur that was matted with dirt and sand. His tired paws seared against the hot limestone beneath him, his only solace from the foreboding heat being the large wooden door towering before him. Not wanting to keep the king waiting any longer, he grabbed onto the handle, fighting against the weight of the door as he tugged with his entire body. Shards of the unkept handles splintered into his paws causing him to falter and stumble backwards. Following him was the wooden door, driven by its own weight. After taking a second to recover, he was faced with the long narrow hall of the palace. He chewed at the splinters in his hand while he walked past statues of former rulers and depictions of the gods. His path was uninterrupted until he bumped into one of the king's guards.

“Didn't expect to see you back here, especially looking like that" the guard sneered.

"You know exactly why I'm here, now please get out of my way. Wouldn't want to keep the king waiting"

“I don't know what the king sees in scum like you. The queen and I will have our eyes on you, you know."

“Sure you will." Atlas whispered under his breath as he continued walking.

“You wanna say that again?" A bullet of spit shot onto Atlas' muzzle. “Imagine scum like you criticizing the palace, unbelievable" The guard scoffed.

Begrudgingly, he made his way past the guard and towards the king's chamber, still desperately trying to wipe the spit off his muzzle.

That guard needs to get what's coming to him. He's no more deserving of good living than I am and yet the gods deem him so. He gets the comforts of living in the palace while I live like a roach on the floor with the added obligation of pleasuring the king. What I wouldn't give to put him in his place.

He walked into the room where the king was sprawled along the bed, his silky black and gray fur shimmering in the sun's glow.

"Took you long enough, and not even the decency to wash up" He said, his tone harsh.

"You called for me right away, I was working to feed my family. If only you'd prov-"

"You know I can't do that, people are already suspicious because of your visits. If the people knew you had my favor, I'd be ruined."

"You're right, my King, I want to apologize. Why don't you let me make it up to you" Atlas said sonorously.

Steadily Atlas crept onto the king's mattress. Drunk with lust, any leftover shame he felt was washed away as he crawled on top of the king. A steady hum filled the king's chest, his own longing painfully evident. Without hesitation, Atlas' lips met the king's. None of the king's flawless features were left untouched. His silver teeth, the coarse skin of his nose, his rough tongue that dances along Atlas', and his silky, intricate fur and the patterns it held; All were scrutiny to ravenous inspection. Atlas's fingers glided down his soft fabrics to the silver buckle that impeded their march. Taking a moment to breathe, Atlas lifted his mouth away from the kings. His lust was momentarily paused by the sight of a large tome resting on a nearby nightstand and the sudden realization that it was faintly whispering his name.

Surely I'm just delirious, books can't speak.

The tome laid unmoving but a distant sound pulsated out. It felt as if time stopped as he studied its intricate design; The spine encrusted and cover extravagant. It was threaded onto a coarse leather harness with two large gilded straps securing it. Ornate and unfamiliar letters intertwined with symbols that were carved all around the palace. “What's with the book?" Atlas asked, raising his head.

“Nothing of importance to a lowly peasant worker such as yourself." The king said, belittling Atlas as he often does. Returning his attention back to the king, Atlas began to unbuckle his belt revealing the king's unsheathed scepter. Wrapping his muzzle around the king's length, he felt it glide across his tongue and invade his throat. Throughout the monotonous bobbing Atlas found his resentment growing thicker.

To think he still sees me like all the rest when I please him and keep his secret safe. He's no better than the guard…

A slap to the head snaps him out away from his thoughts

“You'd think you'd be better than this given it's our third time. Watch those canines." Hissed the king.

Atlas was taken aback, removing the king's member from his mouth.

“Y-Yes my dear king. Why don't we switch the position anyways? That way I can more properly please you."

I should bite his balls off now while I'm down here; Consequences be damned

Lifting himself away from the king's crotch, Atlas sat up on his knees. Now stiff himself, they both looked each other in the eyes; the king begging for more. At that moment, their embrace was interrupted when a figure bursted through the door. Frightened, the king jumped up, throwing Atlas off him and onto the limestone floor below as he let out a high-pitched yelp.

"Cyrus, what the hell do you think you're doing with that filthy peasant!" the queen exclaimed with disgust. "You should be ashamed of yourself! Have you no care for your kingdom? Do you not understand the consequences? Do you not understand that your head may escape your neck?"

"Amitis, thank the lords! Please send for the guards, this heathen forced himself on me!" Cyrus cried, losing the confidence he had moments earlier.

The queen ran for the guards, and Atlas, not knowing what to do, stood frozen on his feet. Still shocked by what the King had said, he stood, knowing his fate was sealed. The guard from earlier rushed into the room with two others following behind. Thrusting Atlas back onto the limestone with their clubs, the guards then grabbed each one of his shoulders and dragged him out of the room. Atlas fumbled over his words, trying to defend himself and squirm out from the guards' grasps.

“I told you I'd find out." Whispered the guard from before as he dragged Atlas out of the room and down the hall. The same statues now glared at Atlas as he was carried down to the basement. Cells lined the walls with mocking laughter and cries of desperation leaking out. At the very end hung a set of shackles. Thrown at the wall, Atlas met the cold stone of the dungeon. Sitting him on the floor, the guards grabbed Atlas' wrists and locked them in the shackles. They walked away leaving him there with the hollering of the other inmates. Still in shock Atlas faded into sleep.

A stream of hot liquid hit his face waking him up, instinctively he opened his mouth looking for relief from his dehydration. It had been days without the slightest bit of food or water. His stomach had been in constant protest and face was dyed a sickly red with the large gash the guards left him with. Instead of relief from his troubles he was met with the foul taste of salt and ammonia. Immediately he spat the fluid out of his mouth. The gash started to burn as the piss started to seep into his fur.

“Wake up scum. It's judgement day." Laughed the guard as he finished relieving himself on Atlas. The guards that had retrieved Atlas from his cell pushed him to the ground, making him kneel at the feet of the King's and Queen's thrones. His arms were held behind his back by the guards who stood on each side. Mocked by the Queen's sinister smile, Atlas looked up, his eyes cold, knowing full well that she would not allow any mercy to be taken on him.

Queen Amitis broke her glare from Atlas and whispered to the king. A moment of silence passed before he gave his decree. "After careful consideration we have come to a conclusion. For crimes against your King and kingdom. You, Atlas, will be strung on the waters and left to the insects." declared the King in a booming voice that echoed through the grandiose wall of the throne room.

The guards' grasps tightened around his arms, yanking him up without caring about how his limbs were meant to bend. They paraded him out of the palace and through the streets of his village; Ensuring he was used as an example to his peers. They stopped only to allow citizens to see the brutality. Once at the waters of the marsh, the guards stripped him of his clothes and shoved him towards the boats. Stumbling over his feet he fell to his knees in the mud. While there he was met with a swift kick to his jaw, knocking loose a couple of teeth and bringing him even lower to the ground; His nose now touching it. The guard brought his leg back and rested it on the back of Atlas' head, forcing his nose to sink into the mud. The brown sludge clogged his nostrils and he struggled to take his next breath. Another guard launched a second kick into his ribs, removing whatever air was left in his lungs. He gasped for air but his mouth was only met with water and mud as he began to suffocate. Darkness began to engulf his mind and he accepted the fact that he wouldn't even make it to the boats. That was until he was grabbed by his scruff and pulled up from the mud. Atlas spat up mud and gasped for air while he could. During this he was met with another blow to the head with something blunt and heavy. Crimson drowned his senses. He could hear, see, nor smell naught but maroon death. He soon fell from the waking world.

Atlas woke with a strangled gasp, his body sandwiched between two oak boats. His chest was covered in a mixture of blood, milk, and honey. He could barely breathe, and the large gash in his side made every moment all the more agonizing. All he could do was sit in the boat as it swayed in the waters of the marsh, swaying and waiting for the release of death that he longed for. The sun was setting, and he heard the wet footfall of something nearby.

"Quite the situation you've got yourself in, isn't it." said a honeyed voice as the steps drew closer.

Though Atlas couldn't see the figure, he felt them watching him from the edge of the marsh. Then with a jolt, the boat that would be his tomb was pulled to land.

"Such reckless behavior does deserve punishment. But this? It doesn't warrant this. Plus I've got other plans for you"

"You must be mad to assume I'm in any condition to do anything" choked Atlas

"Oh, but you can. This does not have to be the end; I can make you whole again. If only I could take a single part…" They pondered.

"Ah, I should have known. Aeradis; Goddess of Death and Punishment. To what do I owe the honor?

"The one and only. I have an offer for you, Atlas. In exchange for your tainted soul, I will grant you immortal life."

"That's all? I was dreading the underworld, and you're willing to just give me eternal life? I'd be a fool to say no."

"Ah, but there's one more thing, I'll need you to work for me on earth. Won't be too much – just a task here or there every few years. The deal of a lifetime for you, no?"

"Work for you? I don't see why not."

"Well, then let's get you out of these boats," Aeradis said while lifting the top boat off of Atlas; wafting the decaying smell of intestines as well as revealing said organs leaking out onto the oak bottom of the boat, turning the yellowish bottom into a deep red. Reaching down towards the pitiful wolf and placing her hand along his neck, she restored his wounds, while also leaving a black stain on his red coat in the shape of their hand. "It won't stay that dark forever. It'll fade into a darker red color so that it's distinguishable from your fur, but not incredibly apparent."

"So uh, what is it you want me to do? Has to be something important if you're willing to pick me up off your doorstep."

"That book you noticed on the King's dresser, do you remember what it looked like?"

Atlas nodded

"Grab it for me and bring it back by any means necessary. I need it before sundown. Understood?"

"Are you toying with me? Even if I do manage to get into the castle, how might I get out? There are guards around the entire town. "

"Use this." Aeradis spoke while handing Atlas a ceramic ball with a wick pointing out of the top of it. "Light it, then toss it as you see fit"

"Huh, okay then, I'll be back with the book before you know it."

He ventured up the hill where he was dragged down by the guards and through the gate. He smiled while plotting his revenge as he passed through the town, bathing in the horrified faces of his neighbors. Once again at the door of the King's palace, his bright red fur now fresh and clean from the honey glistened in the sunlight. His paws were scorched raw from the hot limestone, but he was undeterred. He huffed, expecting to fight with the door once again but was met with little resistance. It was time, and the first to fall victim to Atlas was the same guard that had pissed on him in the dungeon.

Atlas grabbed him by the neck, lifting him off the ground and slamming him into one of the torch mounts on the wall. Blood dripped from his armor as it sizzled and put out the torch.

“H-how are you ali-alive" gargled the guard as he choked on his own blood.

"Hush, I shouldn't keep the King waiting any longer~" Atlas teased before spitting into the dying guard's mouth. The other guards that had rushed towards the noise now backed up, not wanting to end up like their impaled ally. Atlas' thoughts ran wild with revenge, conjuring images of the king's gruesome end. He would only get to have one chance at this, and he didn't want to waste it. Standing in the door frame of the King's room, Atlas stood six feet from the man that had sentenced him to death, lying there helplessly unaware of the fate that will turn his sleep into an unwaking slumber. Creeping into the room, Atlas started towards the King, careful not to wake him. He maneuvered to the side of the bed where the tome rested on the nightstand. He rose and looked down upon the slumbering royalty, readying himself. Then suddenly, Atlas grabbed the King's muzzle and pried it open, he shoved the ceramic ball Aeradis gave him into the King's maw then lit it with a candle by the King's bedside. With that, Atlas darted for the window and grabbed the book, but before he jumped he noticed the king's crown also on the nightstand. He ran back for it, placing it on his scalp, and climbed back on the window. After a moment of hesitation, he dove out of it, falling and smacking the loose earth below. Not so much as a scratch, he examined his new body in disbelief. He then stood and bolted down the hill back to the swampland on the edge of the estate where Aeradis stood waiting on the edge of the waters. Approaching the goddess, Atlas went to the coast of the marsh. Out of breath, he sat down beside her.

"Here you are, one book, just as requested." Atlas said while handing her the book and putting his feet into the water of the marsh

"Quite the commotion you made up there. I couldn't help but notice you took care of some unfinished business too. Even took a little souvenir." Aeradis said, looking down at the crown on his head.

"Heh, yeah, it caught my eye while I made my daring escape out of the King's window. Which reminds me, am I like extra durable or something? I fell three stories and wasn't even scratched."

"In a sense, yes. You are stronger, faster, and more durable than most others. You'll heal faster, but you can still be damaged. Furthermore, you'll still feel pain from a stab wound, for example, but you'll still survive and recover almost immediately. Just try not to get chopped up in pieces because you'll still survive that, but you won't regrow any lost limbs." Aeradis advised, her gaze unwavering. She then lowered herself next to the wolf "So what's your plan now?"

"I have no clue. My family thinks I'm dead, I'm pretty sure showing back up would cause some issues."

"You should distance yourself from those types anyway. They, unlike you, will expire. Anyway, whatever you choose to do, make sure you're ready for my next call. Until then, enjoy yourself" Aeradis said as she propped herself up from the ground and onto her feet. Without another word she walked off into the distance.

"I'm sure I'll find something to do, I've got plenty of time to kill" Atlas muttered as he lay down on his back and looked up at the sky.