I awaken fully, my mind still firmly gripped by disgust and discomfort at what just happened.
I lay there among my fellow newborn brothers, regret my only companion.
Even as I try to pull away from my thoughts, a new one surfaces: Where am I?
I open my eyes, only to be met by blurry shapes and shifting colors.
A sharp sting stabs into my eyes, and I quickly shut them again.
I try to stand, but the weakness in my limbs makes itself known as I collapse back down.
My strength fades, my eyelids grow heavy, and once more, I drift into unconsciousness.
---
Some time later, my sleep is disturbed by voices.
"Yes-yes! That one! That one there!" screeches a high-pitched voice, shrill with excitement.
A moment later, I'm picked up roughly, with no concern for my well-being.
"STOP! Hold-handle it carefully, fool-wretch!" barks a deep voice—sharp and commanding. "Break-kill this one and I flay-skin you myself, yes-yes! You think Master will forgive-favor failure?"
"I-I sorry-sorry, Great Lord-Chief! Forgive me, yes-yes!"
The grip on me shifts—less rough now, more cautious—as my captor scurries to obey.
I feel the creature's fur against my skin. Its claws still press into me, but with less cruelty.
The Lord-Chief speaks again—his tone steady, but his words betray a deeper worry.
"The Master must be pleased—must! This one, largest-strongest of its brood, yes. No better to give-offer."
He paces, claws clicking anxiously on the stone beneath him.
"If he is displeased again—no, no, cannot-happen. He sees all, knows all. I promised him this one would be strong-useful... I swore-squeaked it!"
His voice cracks for a moment before he regains his composure, snapping at the others.
"Move-move! Bring it quickly! No delays! No stumbles, no lies! The Master waits-watches!"
The others chitter and scatter, scrambling to obey, fearful in their own right.
And yet, even as I listen, dread coils in my chest.
Where am I? Who are these creatures? And who—what—is this "Master" they fear so much?