The Forsaken Hero

Time passed slowly, with each day proceeding as the first. After a few attempts at communication, I soon gave up trying to learn anything from the other slaves. Even if Kaitlyn weren't there, most would hush me the instant I opened my mouth, casting fearful glances at the door.

But it was the ones who didn't that quickly taught me to keep to myself. They were clearly insane, driven to the edge by the dark, and almost always promised me some horrible end. Occasionally, if they were feeling bored enough, they'd spend the next few minutes explaining in excruciating detail how exactly they predicted I might meet my end.

But it was Kaitlyn herself that finally convinced me that talking was a mistake. She was rather attentive and appeared frequently to reprimand and beat those who were too loud. After watching a few slaves end up at death's door, I decided it would be safer to remain quiet.

Trapped in that horrible solitude, the days blended into weeks. Occasionally, the drudgery was broken by the creak of the warehouse door, and Kaitlyn appeared to escort new slaves into the cages. It had seemed packed when I arrived, but after several weeks, perhaps even months, not a single cage was empty. Even when a slave died and their corpse was dragged out, the cage was quickly filled the next trip.

More than once, I was envious of those who slipped away like that, half wishing the next time I fell asleep, I wouldn't wake up. But the small hope kindled by my rebirth kept the despair away. Perhaps, one day, this would end, and I could find that the life Fate promised was waiting for me.

On one fateful day, the door to Kaityln's chambers opened. I didn't react at first; I rarely did to anything anymore. That changed when I noticed the absence of the food cart. Instead, she was moving from cage to cage, taking notes in a leather-bound notebook. When she stood outside my cage, I shrank back, tail curling anxiously around my feet, not daring to meet her eyes. Fortunately, all I got was a muttered curse and a barely a sentence.

Nothing seemed to change after her inspection, and I soon forgot about it. The daily pain and loneliness grew tiring, and sometimes, I lacked the motivation to even open my eyes after waking up, spending entire days just lying on the floor. Other times, I let my mind wander, dreaming of the adventures the other heroes must be having. Just what were they finding in this strange, new world? Did they have kings and dragons? Could magic do more than just light up little crystals?

The council of the gods felt like a distant dream, but I knew that if I had come to a new world, they must have as well. Perhaps they were even looking for me, trying to assemble the full team of heroes the gods sent to save the world.

Sometime, perhaps a week after the inspection, the warehouse doors opened, and Kaitlyn walked in accompanied by a blonde-haired woman. The guest was dressed in fine clothing, with a long skirt and embroidered blouse. She wore a silver rose pinned onto her lapel and carried herself like the high-class women of my previous world. Could the long months of waiting be over? Might this finally be a buyer?

Kaitlyn acted as the guide, showing her around the cramped aisles and, referring to her notebook, sharing tidbits about any of the slaves she took an interest in. They spoke more like they were discussing cattle at the market than human, er, humanoid beings. Neither of the women had the faintest spark of pity when they gazed at us in our squalor.

Soon, they made their way down the alley toward me. I shifted anxiously, my tail finding the strength to twitch back and forth as I watched them approach. After months of this hell, I finally had a chance. Who knew when another opportunity would present itself.