Shame and Humiliation

The moon hung low over the Kaizer estate as Joshua stepped quietly into his room. The lanterns on the walls flickered gently, casting a warm light on Jack and Raphael, who were already halfway into their night routines.

Jack looked up from his bed. "You have finally returned."

Raphael smirked as he fluffed his pillow. "So, I'm guessing you're sleeping here tonight?"

Joshua gave them a puzzled look while unbuckling his boots. "Yeah. Why are you guys being weird?"

Without further questions, the three of them climbed into their beds, adjusting their blankets and exchanging a few idle chuckles before letting the silence of the night embrace them. Sleep came easily.

The following morning, the clanging of swords echoed through the training grounds. Joshua, Jack, Raphael, Lancelot, and Captain Percival stood in formation, blades drawn and armor slightly dulled from daily use.

Captain Percival barked his orders, voice cutting through the morning air like a whip. "Training ends at midday. After that, Jack, you'll head to the human district to retrieve new equipment from the blacksmith."

Jack blinked in surprise. "Why me, sir?"

The captain didn't hesitate. "Because you're the weakest here. And your potential is the lowest."

The statement landed like a hammer. Jack lowered his gaze, jaw clenched in frustration. Raphael offered a gentle pat on his back in quiet support.

"But," Captain Percival continued, "I've prepared something special for you, something I want you to wear every day. With enough discipline, you might even surpass the others."

Jack's eyes lit up again. "Really?"

"But I don't know where the blacksmith is," Jack admitted.

Joshua stepped forward. "I know the place. I'll take him."

Captain Percival nodded once. "Settled. Now, let training begin."

Meanwhile, down one of the mansion's corridors, Blanchette skipped happily to Merlin's door and knocked. No answer. She frowned, knocking again, still silence. Worried, she opened the door.

Inside, Merlin hovered above the ground, her eyes glowing a haunting shade of purple.

Blanchette gasped. "Sis! Are you having a seizure?!"

She rushed over and shook Merlin by the shoulders. Merlin's eyes returned to normal and she plummeted to the floor with a dull thud.

"Sis, are you done having your seizure?" Blanchette asked, half-panicked.

Merlin groaned and sat up, rubbing her temple. "Did you just call me sis? And what person floats in the air during a seizure?"

Blanchette giggled awkwardly. "Well, one day you'll be my sister-in-law when I marry Joshua, so... and I thought you were having a magical seizure or something!"

A small smile broke across Merlin's face. "Okay, Sis. Why were you looking for me?"

"I wanted to ask if you wanted to have tea in the garden and catch up."

Merlin stretched. "Sure. Why not?"

As the sun reached its peak, the knights wrapped up their training. Raphael and Lancelot strolled back toward the mansion.

"That training session was pretty light," Lancelot noted.

Raphael nodded. "Yeah, but..."

Before he could finish, Julia appeared from nowhere, yanked him into the laundry room, and shut the door. Muffled giggles and kisses echoed behind it.

Lancelot paused, rolled his eyes. "Déjà vu," he muttered before continuing down the hall.

In the human district, Joshua and Jack walked side by side. The air around them was tense. People whispered and shot them wary glances.

Jack frowned. "Why's everyone staring at us?"

Joshua sighed. "They hate werewolves. Can't blame them, we literally raise their kind like livestock back home. Of course they hate us."

They reached the blacksmith, a burly man wiping soot from his brow.

"You must be Jack," the blacksmith said. "Percival mentioned you." He placed arm and leg weights on the counter.

Jack reached for the wrist weights but immediately collapsed under their weight.

"Why is it so heavy?!"

"It's made from dinosaur bones. Rare stuff, extremely heavy. Wear them always, and you'll grow stronger."

Jack forced the weights on and struggled to stand. "I will… thanks."

As Joshua walked out the shop with ease, Jack stumbled after him, walking stiffly.

"You look dumb," Joshua teased. "Why are you walking like that?"

"These things are really heavy, man. But I'm gonna get stronger!"

Suddenly, a shout broke the air.

"Hey! Stop there, you fiend!"

Joshua turned, only to see a group of city guards charge toward him. Jack, too slow to escape, was instantly caught.

Joshua sighed and walked back, arms raised. "Really?"

"Why didn't you run?" Joshua asked confused as Jack hissed.

"I can't, dumbass!" Jack hissed. "And why are they after you?!"

One of the guards struck his baton into the ground. "Silence! You are under arrest for attempting to devour an innocent child!"

Jack's jaw dropped. "What?!"

Joshua groaned. "I can expl..."

"Silence!" barked the guard. Shackles were clamped onto their wrists as they were dragged away.

They were taken to a grand cathedral and forced to kneel before an imposing figure in white and gold... the Pope.

"Speak your last words before judgment," he intoned.

Jack blurted, "Okay, I get why Joshua is here, kind of but why am I here?! We're knights of the Kaizer house!"

"You are his companion," the Pope said coldly. "A werewolf. Guilt by association. And the Church answers to no crown. No one will save you."

"But I never..." Joshua began.

"Your time for words is over," the Pope said, waving a hand. "Your punishment is public shame. You will be paraded through the streets naked."

Guards tore off their clothes, leaving them in only their boots. Jack's wrist and ankle weights stayed on, too heavy to remove.

Two female Holy Knights approached.

One, a teasing redhead, grinned. "Oh, you're so tiny," she said to Joshua.

Joshua flushed. "I'm a grower, not a shower..."

She giggled. "I like you."

The other, a more serious brunette, smirked at Jack. "Well, your friend isn't lacking, at least."

Jack stood with quiet pride. "Damn right."

Chains were secured. The parade began. The priest led the march while Grace held Joshua's chains and Joan held Jack's. Guards surrounded them as curious citizens lined the streets, laughter and whispers trailing behind them like a stormcloud.

The parade of shame had begun.