Beast Within

Dora had more-or-less forgotten about her fellow captive from the time of her arrival. Truth be told, she was primarily focusing on her own survival (and Fancy's) to think about anyone else. So it came as a colossal shock when her covert excursion had brought her to him, though the circumstances of their reunion could definitely be far better.

The sight of the wolf-man Thalias stunned her to her core. He looked like he was hanging by the final inch of his life, barely able to maintain his consciousness to string words together in a meaningful way.

"W-What happened to you?" Dora asked, her voice trembling as she slowly approached the bloodied figure. His wild and luscious hair at their first meet was now covered in dried gunk of blood and mud.

"She's trying to break me," he answered in a low whisper, his words sending shivers down her spine. "She won't succeed, of course... But trying hurts no one... except me..."