[Sakyo] (Ugh, that report took way too long. I didn't think I'd have to do homework in this world too. I wanted to check if that werewolf woke up yet. I hope he likes this food.)
Sakyo opens the bedroom door to find the werewolf sitting up in the bed. He looks over, seeming to be on high alert, yet almost scared of what might happen.
[Sakyo] Hey, you're up. I brought some food.
[Werewolf] Um, thank you.
The werewolf begins eating, albeit hesitantly, as if he's not sure if he's really being allowed to eat. Once he takes his first bite, tears begin streaming down his face.
[Sakyo] Are you ok?
[Werewolf] I am sorry, I just cannot remember the last time I was able to eat like this. Please, do not mind me.
[Sakyo] You don't have to worry. No one's going to take that food away from you.
The werewolf wipes his tears away as he continues to eat. Once he's finished, he slides the plate away.
[Werewolf] Thank you for this meal, Master.
[Sakyo] (Master?) You're welcome. Now then, I have a few questions I want to ask you.
[Werewolf] Anything you wish to know, I will answer to the best of my abilities.
[Sakyo] First, do you have a name?
[Werewolf] ...No, I was never given a name.
[Sakyo] Really?
[Werewolf] Yes, the members of my pack only receive names once they reach ten years old, but I was taken away by my father before then.
[Sakyo] What do you mean "taken away"?
[Werewolf] It is a long story.
[Sakyo] We have time. Please, tell it.
[Werewolf] As you wish, Master.
~Flashback~
My pack lives hidden in the mountains far to the north. Despite the harsh temperatures, our fur is especially good at retaining heat.
My father was the alpha of our pack. He was known for being a strong and wise alpha who could always protect us. I wish those times could stay that way, but no one knew what my father was truly thinking.
Deep down, he was tired of staying hidden. He wanted more. More strength, more power. Eventually, he became obsessed with his desire for power. My father would look for ways to increase his own strength further. When he realized that he could not claim enough power for himself, he looked towards his children.
He started selecting females based on their own strength in hopes of making a child who could lead the pack as a new alpha in his own image. He fathered many children, but none of them reached his standards. All seemed lost until he met my mother.
A lost white wolf from the deepest depths of the snowy mountains with more natural power than he had ever seen before. She had been abandoned by her own pack and left for dead until my father found her. He took her in and made her a part of our pack and eventually, she gave birth to me.
For the first time, one of his children was not deemed a failure. He raised me to fight for my life every day. I had to hunt my own food, or I would not be allowed to eat. My mother tried to protect me, but it was never enough. She was still considered an outsider and was powerless against my father, but she never gave up.
There were others within our pack that disagreed with how my father would rule them, and a rebellion was born. Our pack was divided in two. There were those who followed my father because of tradition and loyalty, and those who followed my mother for the hope of a better future.
After a long fight for territory, my mother's side was able to drive my father away from the wolf den. Everything seemed like it would be ok, but we were fools to believe that. The last memory I have of the den was when I was ripped from my mother's arms.
My father did not give up his ambitions and created a new home for those who followed him. Since they could no longer return to the mountains, they settled deep in the forests. My father created a new pack, one that had more sting than a wolf pack, the Snake Pit.
In the Snake Pit, my father was free to follow his desires for more power. He fathered more children to inherit his will and threw himself into training and research. He forced me and my siblings to hunt monsters that were far beyond our own capabilities and would banish those who he deemed too weak. I had to watch as my little sibling fought for their lives, died in vain and betrayal, and were banished from the Snake Pit.
Once I turned 12, my father began to push me further than ever before. He forced me to fight a wyvern, a winged beast said to be a descendant of dragons. I brought my siblings with me, and we fought as hard as we could. I was barely able to scar its eye before it threw me to the ground. It was not long before we were overpowered, and I was powerless as I could only watch my younger siblings be ripped apart and burned by its breath.
Eventually, there were only three of us left. I told my brothers that we should run, that we could not win. I thought we could run away together, escape our father's grasp, but I was wrong.
I was able to hold my own and nearly escaped until the wyvern's last attack, when we were supposed to escape. My brothers betrayed me and pushed me under its claws. I could not react in time, and my leg was crushed under the wyvern's mighty claws. I could barely escape as it feasted on my bloody leg. I do not even remember how long I crawled before passing out, but when I woke up, I was already in a cage, branded with a slave crest.
~End Flashback~
[Werewolf] For the next two years, I was trapped in that cage. I ate less than ever before. I thought that would be the end, that I would just rot in a cage until my death. That was, until you bought me.
Before the werewolf can say another word, Sakyo brings him into a hug. The werewolf seems confused, as if he'd forgotten this kind of warmth.
[Sakyo] I'm sorry you had to go through that.
Tears well up in the werewolf's eyes again, but he returns the hug. For a few moments, all is silent as he can't bring himself to leave this warmth. After a bit, Sakyo finally pulls away.
[Sakyo] You know, it's a bit inconvenient if you don't have a name. Is there anything you want to be called?
[Werewolf] Um... If I may be so bold, would you grant me a name?
[Sakyo] A name, hmm... (Let's see... Fen, like Fenrir. No, that seems too on the nose... What about that one, the one who would break its chains and kill the one who chained it.) Garm.
[Werewolf] Garm?
[Sakyo] It's from the name Garmr, a hound in myths said to break its chains and kill its oppressor. One admired and respected for its strength and bravery by friend and foe alike.
As the werewolf ponders the name and its meaning, a new light returns to his eyes, gleaming with a new sense of belonging.
[Garm] Garm, I shall happily accept the name. From now on, I will be known as Garm.
[Sakyo] I'm glad you like it, but there's something else I want to talk to you about. I was wondering if you knew anything about the slave trader who captured you. Did you ever hear anything about how he acquired those slaves and beasts he has?
[Garm] Well, there was always someone who would come there to talk about moving merchandise. Although I never heard anything specific, I think that could be how he always acquires slaves at such a consistent rate.
[Sakyo] I see, so he's getting them from a bigger source.
[Garm] Some of the others I was with told me that they were normal villagers from towns in the outskirts of the kingdom, but their villages were attacked, and they were captured as slaves.
[Sakyo] That's it! If we can find who this guy's is dealing with, we might be able to shut down this operation.
[Garm] Would that really be possible?
[Sakyo] I'm hoping so. If I can get the royal knights to act, then it's definitely possible.
[Garm] I swear, I will assist you in any way I can. I do not want those people to go through anything like I did. Though I am not sure how helpful I will be with only one leg.
[Sakyo] I'm sure we can find someone to make you a prosthetic appendage to wear.
[Garm] ...A what?
[Sakyo] A fake leg you can wear.
[Garm] Really, but why would you go so far for me?
[Sakyo] Let's just say I know what it's like to feel powerless, and I can't let people like you and those other slaves in that guy's shop keep suffering like this. So, let's make sure we get all of those people freed.
Sakyo reaches out a hand towards Garm, and he reciprocates.
[Garm] Yes, let us save them.
[Sakyo] You should get some more rest. I'm gonna check on how the investigation is going, and I'll look into someone who might be able to make a prosthetic for you.