A Family of Four

*sorry short chapter today, will post another if I'm able to*

I look at what's left of the prince's army. Out of the 200 that came, 9 beastkin and only 116 humans were left. I talk to the crowd in hopes that they leave this time.

"Please, leave. Do not return to the Beast Kingdom. Like I told the beastkin, every single one of you need to disappear for a while. Do not return to the Beast Kingdom until you hear about the First Prince's death."

They all look at each other. Most likely thinking about family that will be left behind. I've already figure out what will most likely happen to their family.

"I know that you guys are thinking about your family but forget about that. If you return, failing your mission, both you and your family will either be killed or sold off. If you don't return, it will most likely be only your family being sold off."

"I know that isn't something you want to hear but it's better for only your family to be sold off than you along with them. It's better if you're free that way you guys can work together to save all of your families."

As I finish, I head inside the facility. Praying for the soldier's success.

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Grandpa POV

My son and his wife died in an accident while working to pay off their debt. When we couldn't afford to pay off the debt, the debt collector sold us off to a strange doctor. My grandsons, my wife and I were sold.

We arrived at some facility deep in the forest from the Beast Kingdom. The four of us were told to touch a black rock and then we were all separated into our own rooms. I could hear the kids crying. They were only 10 and 5, so it wasn't too surprising to see them crying. Sadly, I couldn't say anything to reassure them. I don't know what happened to them but I hope they are okay.

After a few days, I could hear and feel a battle going on right outside the building I was in.

Through my window, a little way down the road. I could see a boy facing an army. He must have been in his late teens to early 20s. At first, I was worried but then I saw some amazing things. He faced 10 beastkin and came out alive. Not only that, he killed one of them in the process. He even took out multiple humans in the army out at once.

I don't know who this boy is but I sincerely hope that he's a good person.

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Atlas POV

The closes person I sensed was an older man, most likely in his early 50s. I walk to his door first and open it up.

When I opened the door, the man seemed frightened of me. Was he watching the fight?

"Sorry to scare you sir. I'm not here to harm you, I'm just here to let you know that you're free to leave. No one will harm you."

The man nods. He then says to me.

"Excuse me but could you help my family escape as well? My grandsons and my wife are still around here."

Oh, so the only four left here are family.

"I'll help you. I was going to help the others escape as well. If they are your family then it will be easier to convince them that I'm not here to hurt you guys."

I locate the rooms that all of them are in and I guide the man to them.

He askes me to take him to his grandsons first. It seemed like they were emotionally unstable when separated from their grandparents. So, I rush to find the two kids. Luckily, it seemed like they were roomed next to one another.

The younger grandson, Casper was five years old. He was asleep when we opened the door. His eyes were red and he looked exhausted. Seems like the poor kid has been crying the entire time.

The older grandson, Pollux, was ten years old. When we entered, it seemed like he was trying to train. He was just running around and doing exercises. His grandpa was surprised but also worried, scared that the facility members had done something to him.

"Pollux! Are you okay? Did anyone give you anything weird and made you eat it?"

"No grandpa! I realized how weak we are. So, I wanted to train and get stronger. Since mom and dad aren't around anymore, I have to protect everyone now. I won't let anyone hurt us."

He seems a bit traumatized. But he will recover. He obviously grew up loved. His grandpa seemed distraught telling me about how they were crying.

As long as he is surround by love, I'm sure he will eventually grow up to be strong.

I interrupt their little reunion.

"Sorry to interrupt but we need to find your grandma as well."

The duo looks at me and nods. The grandpa picks up Casper as well and together we all head to where their grandma is.

Once the family reunites, we all head towards the exit.

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Pollux POV

When we all left the facility, my grandpa reintroduced us to Atlas.

"Thanks again Atlas. Let me reintroduce my family to you again. My name is Mars. My wife's name is Kiah. Our grandchildren are-."

As they talk, I think about all that happened.

I was too weak to stop the debt collector. I was too weak to stop the doctor who brought us here. I was too weak to stop them from separating us.

With mom and dad gone now, I need to step up. It doesn't matter how old I am. Life won't wait for me to get older or stronger. I need to get stronger now, I will protect grandpa, grandma and Casper.

I grab onto Atlas' sleeves and ask him.

"Atlas sir, can you train me to get stronger? I want to protect everyone."

When I saw Atlas, he looked like a strong person. I think he can help me.

Atlas looks at me and then looks back at my grandparents. My grandparents just nod. Atlas looks back at me and kneels down. Patting my shoulders, he says.

"I can train you if you want but I need to return home. Your grandpa asked me to escort you guys to the Draco Kingdom, so I will be with you guys until then."

"Of course! That's okay with me. Thank you for taking me as your student, teacher Atlas!"

"Alright, let me show you one more thing. Follow me."

I follow behind Atlas as he takes me a bit further away. The further away we get from the building, the stronger a nasty smell gets. What is that smell?

"Atlas! What's that smell? It smells nasty."

Atlas stops and points.

"Come here Pollux, if you can look at this and still be okay then I'll be your teacher."

I look at what Atlas is pointing at.

"What…"

I fell down and starting throwing up. Who could do something like this? There are tons of dead people here. It smells so bad; I can't stand here anymore.

"Why are you showing me this? What kind of monster did this?"

I look up at Atlas, hoping to understand why he wanted me to see this. When he looked back at me, I noticed a shimmer in his eye. It disappeared after he blinked a few times.

"I killed them, I killed all of them. I asked them to leave but they wouldn't. So, I was forced to take action. Out of the 200 that came here, I took out 76 of them."

"This is the path you want to walk down some day. Are you ready to be like me? Are you ready to become a monster to protect everyone around you?"

I will be like this if Atlas becomes my teacher?

No, there's no point in thinking about it. We were helpless because we weren't strong. If Atlas can do this by himself then I can do this one day too.

"I'm ready. I will gladly become a monster if that means I can protect everyone."

Atlas smiles at me,

"I see, go back to your grandparents. I will go grab some books that will help you."