Freedom To Own A Name

It was with a lot of difficulty he placed the luggage down, he put his hands on his knees breathing deeply as the golden fur on his hands receded back into his body, along with his tail and the fierce fangs that had poked out of his mouth, leaving his jaws and gums bleeding due to how tight he had clenched them together to get through the journey here. Normally Beast-Men looked no different from ordinary people, except of course their ears weren't normal and their eyes reflected the animal or monster they embodied.

During times of duress or the full moon, or just to get an extra boost to their strength they could change into a half shifted form. Normally such an ability should be impossible. Beast people were also known by another name, and that's Weres or Therianthropes. People capable of shifting or changing their bodies into that of an animal. A thousand years of slavery with slave collars that cut them off from the ability to shift fully, they learnt and mastered the ability to do it partially. Giving them just a small portion of the strength and speed they're well known for.

"Harris?...umm I guess you would be using another name now won't you slave? Well I have to hurry this along so you can get down the mountain while me and my sister go join the other students for the entrance exam into Monroe Mage academy. So without further ado, I now set free Harris the slave of House Ramses, Viscount of New Direchester. Be free to pick your name and live your life as the gods and nature allows you!" and then Timothy threw a leather bag at Harris, hoping to at least smash it in his face.

At that moment the young beast man felt as if something deep within him was broken, his heart that had held a heaviness and pressure for as long as he could remember was suddenly free. He could breathe for the first time in his life, he could see, he could hear, feel, and taste the world the way he was always supposed to. His hand moved in a blur to snatch the leather bag out of the air, shocking Timothy with his fast reflexes, and then he raised his head to the sky, feeling the earth underneath his feet, and the wind on his face.

These two seemed to be the constant that all the more proved that he was alive, that he was free, and this freedom was real. The earth and sky beared witness to a birth, because for all of this time he was never really alive. Now that he really was, it was without a shred of a doubt that he would announce himself to the world, let them know that a king was born, and he was coming for blood.

"Rooooooaaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrrr!"

Timothy and Rhea took a few steps back in shock and fear. And not just them, every other person gathered at the gates of the academy, people who up until this point were just bystanders minding their business. The earth beneath their feet shook as if in rage, the wind picked up speed, howling with a fury and the sun seemed to get even hotter as it threatened to burn all that was beneath it.

He had a presence that not a single person present had ever come in contact with, he was wild and savage and there was just so much blood lust in the air, knees were knocking and bladders were losing control. They were afraid of him, and with good reason, because for the first time in a thousand years, a beastman of the royal lion bloodline, a werelion, a Leo! Has been set free. And it was only so unfortunate that he was the last of his kind.

Just as suddenly as it had begun the phenomenon came to an end. He raised his shoulders and finally opened his eyes. His dark brown skin seemed to flow under the glare of the sunlight, almost as if it was being nourished. Before his freedom he was completely bald, but right in front the eyes of the onlookers, a rustic golden yellow mane; as that was all they could call it grew out from his scalp and stretched out to the middle of his back. Wild and unruly, and swaying with the wind like the dance of a thousand reeds. He took a step forward, and another and another, until he was standing in front of her, the object of his affection ever since he was five years old. He bowed down and took her hand giving it a kiss as he opened his mouth to speak.

"Lady Rhea, allow me to Introduce myself. My name is Asd Elmalk Leo. And I thank you so much for all the years of care you've given me, and how hard you fought for my freedom when the option presented itself. I am forever in your debt and I wish I could change your fate, but as I am now I'm not strong enough. Please hold out for me as long as you can, I will go and get strength." There were tears in his eyes, but Asd was not one to cry, not once in the seventeen years that he has been a slave has he shed a tear. Rhea on the other hand was happy to do so as she said to him.

"You don't have to fight any Harr-Asd, you've gotten your freedom and all I can ever wish for you is to be happy and to live a good life. Please don't worry about me, just be happy." He didn't say anything to her, all he did was nod his head as he walked forwards in the direction of the school gates shocking everybody, Timothy couldn't help but ask.

"Where the hell do you think you're going Harris that's the wrong way! This way leads off the mountain, has gaining your freedom made you lose your mind?" Asd paused his steps as he turned to look at Timothy then shifted his gaze to Rhea. He gave her a soft smile as he said.

"I am going to get strength!"