Early Morning.
As the first rays of sunlight filtered through the canopy and danced on the forest floor, Rengar stirred from unconsciousness. Waking in a strange place, he sprang to his feet, alert and wary, surveying his surroundings.
Inside the spacious tent lay plush blankets adorned with adorable cat paw prints. A throw with a feline face was draped across him. He discarded it angrily and flexed his claws, attempting to tear down the tent and anything in sight, only to discover he couldn't move.
His body flinched against his will. Confusion angered him, until he realized: his arms were wrapped in soft blue fabric, barely restricting but unbreakable. The rough armor was gone, replaced by a fluffy blue onesie. Even his tail had been bound in strips of cloth.
"What is this?!" he roared, trying again to shed the humiliating garment. But with every attempt, an invisible force seemed to suppress his actions, as though another presence within him refused to let him change.
Stumbling outside, Rengar found himself at the edge of the human camp, his previous tent behind him, the stream just next to it.
By the water, he caught his reflection: covered head to toe in the silly onesie. Yellow fabric framed his chest and abdomen. A hood sat on his head, frivolous and mocking. His braids were neatly done; his fangs replaced with fish-bone charms. Colorful hoops adorned his fur. His eyepatch was changed to a yellow star pattern.
"ROAR! This is an insult, my insult!" Rengar roared again, attempting to rip off the ridiculous outfit, to reclaim his savage dignity. But each movement was halted by that inexplicable restraint, like battling an internal voice, a second personality.
"No!" he howled in sorrow and fury, then charged into Duke's camp, ignoring shocked gazes as he plowed toward Duke's tent.
Inside, Duke was discussing tactics with his scouts. At Rengar's roar, he halted, dismissed the team, and turned.
"Nice outfit, Rengar the Roaring Kitty."
"I. Am. Rengar. The Pridestalker!" Rengar barked. His nearly two-meter stature towered above the cigar-lit Duke. Duke calmly inhaled, released indigo smoke, and watched the lionine fury across from him.
"This is punishment," Duke said softly.
"Punishment?" Rengar sneered, fury in his eye, but the ridiculous clothing made the sight almost comical.
"Yes. You've tried to kill me four times, and failed. As the would-be victim, I think I deserve interest on my revenge."
"No hunter is ever punished by his prey, never."
Rengar glared. Duke shrugged. "Alright. I'll swap your clothes, if you're willing." He nodded toward the tent entrance.
Rengar turned and saw Katarina standing there in a maid's uniform, carrying Duke's lunch expressionlessly.
"It's... for switching?" Rengar stared, horrified. A Vastaya hunter in stockings? His mind reeled.
"Not a chance!" he growled and charged at Duke again, but turned toward Katarina with venom. He would never wear that dress!
"Kitty, might be better to just give up."
"I'll never submit," Rengar growled at her, then stormed out. Katarina, lunch delivered, spoke to Duke.
"Well?" she asked.
"Not sleeping well with the new uniform?" Duke teased.
"If you have the courage, kill me. But to torture me like this..."
Katarina placed the tray firmly down. Duke shrugged. "You fight me with my own rules, now you're my personal servant: serving tea, washing socks."
"Sheesh," he waved. "Let's get lunch, I'm not that bad of a boss."
Katarina left. Outside, Rengar stood by the mess hall entrance, rigid and desperate.
"No! I'm a hunter, meat only. I'll never touch that food."
But under Duke's subtle magical control, he could not resist. He marched inside and was handed a tray.
"Well dressed," a cook joked. Rengar bared his teeth. "One more word, I rip your throat out."
"Cheeky big guy," the cook laughed. He loaded food on the tray. Rengar picked at it mechanically, repulsed but powerless.
Faced with a bowl of mushroom soup, Rengar hissed, "Coward's fare! Hunters eat meat!"
But his hand raised, and before he knew it, spoonful in mouth.
The rich flavor bloomed, he squinted, whiskers twitching. His instincts betrayed him: it was delicious.
He devoured the meal, eyes widening with greed. Even as his heart growled, pride held him back.
Nearby, a female auditor laughed at his conflicted expression.
"What's so funny, woman?" Rengar thundered, pounding the table. He snatched a spoon, threaten glint in his eye.
One mocking hand ruffled his mane. "So cute, just like my sister's braid."
"ROAR!!"
Rengar roared, baring fangs, but the woman boarded her nose disdainfully. "Big guy, you might want to brush your teeth."
Overwhelmed by defiance, Rengar almost... ate another serving?
A voice snapped into his thoughts. He obediently nodded and returned for seconds.
But when he sat, he realized he hadn't stabbed the mocking woman. Just... eaten again.
"Dammit!" Rengar pounded the table again and resumed eating, helpless, humiliated.
The campers watched with kind smiles. Rengar's savage expression looked absurd in that outfit.
Unknown to him, Duke had woven compulsion magic into his pajamas. Duke told the camp: "Don't fear him, he'll come around."
He will join... will protect them, inevitably.
Courting Rengar drew Nidalee to Duke's tent.
"You controlling him?"
"You mean the kitty?" Duke smiled and pulled out a smoke. Nidalee nodded.
"He's a powerful hunter. You shouldn't humiliate him."
"That's exactly why I am," Duke replied. "In this jungle, I need allies. He's useful... and so are you."
"I won't help you. Once I know you're no threat, I'm gone."
Duke shrugged. "Fine."
"But you won't leave."
He nodded toward Katarina. Nidalee took the hint and sat quietly.
Duke's communication tablet flickered. He called Orianna in Piltover to relay strength, and asked her to ping Janna for aid.
Their search for Ixtal's help had just begun.
(End of chapter)
We're still in the early chapters fam! and to everyone who's joined the Patreon, thank you so much! 🙏Your support truly means the world. You're the reason this story keeps growing, chapter by chapter, world by world. I promise to give it my all! more content, more depth, more epic moments, to make sure your support is always worth it. You're part of the foundation that keeps this universe alive.
🔹 Hexcore Initiate – 15 chapters ahead
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