Twice Claimed By the Monster I Abandoned. Chapter 6: Haunting Melody

Athiel grins.

Once Athiel was alone, and the monster obediently allowed himself to be chained to the wall, Athiel imdiately prepared himself for what was to co.

"I’m not sure if I’ve already told you." Athiel hovers his hand just over the monster’s body, fascinated. "But my na is Athiel." He introduces himself.

He notices the monster watching him with curious eyes and looks up to et its gaze.

"You can refer to as Master, though," Athiel says, slowly reaching his hands closer to the monster’s torso.

He moved slowly, careful with every motion.

Athiel wanted to see if the monster would react negatively, even though he already knew it was, more or less, docile.

But Athiel wasn’t a self-deed genius if he didn’t think ahead multiple tis.

Athiel has learned that so monsters are smart enough to seem docile as a natural way to catch their prey.

’I learned that the hard way.’ Athiel glances at one of the cages containing his monsters, but one monster specifically.

His Riftane Stag.

A majestic stag, mane appearing to tear through reality, antlers distorting light.

One of his specins was actually a threat, dangerous even behind bars.

But of course, he had it handled one way or another.

’But that silly old thing isn’t what’s important right now.’

"Okay, big boy," Athiel says with a smile. "Let’s see how much potential you have."

Athiel paused just before beginning.

’Right. Before I forget.’

He glanced at the monster, still exactly where he left it: chained, quiet, and watching.

"Don’t move," Athiel said absently, even though he already knew the creature wouldn’t.

Still, giving orders felt natural. Athiel had always liked telling things what to do.

Instead of reaching for his tools, Athiel turned and walked over to the tall cabinet that lined the laboratory wall. He opened it and began scanning the neatly arranged sleeves inside.

Round discs.

’Vinyls... or whatever they’re called.’

He had received the vinyls as a gift two years earlier. At first, he dismissed them as ridiculous, but now he recognized their usefulness in the laboratory.

Athiel humd softly as he flipped through them.

One.

Two.

Three.

Then he stopped.

"Ah. There you are."

He selected a black record, examined the sleeve, and then carefully placed it onto the phonograph. With a gentle touch, he lowered the needle, which landed with a soft crackle.

A lody filled the room.

The music was sweet and haunting, lingering in the air.

The kind that curled through the air like perfu.

Athiel smiled.

"You know, I love this song."

The music grew as the first lyrics drifted through the lab.

"Hold my hand and walk with ,

Through the dark where no one sees.

If I bleed, then bleed with ,

1

Love was never ant to be free."

The mont the lyrics began, the monsters in their cages fell silent.

Athiel noticed imdiately.

Of course they did. He had trained them well enough to understand what this song ant.

It ant he was about to really begin.

Athiel slipped on his gloves.

The leather of his gloves creaked as he pulled them tight over his fingers. Athiel flexed his hands once to test the fit, then pushed the tray of instrunts closer to his workspace.

tal glinted beneath the dim lights.

"Stay with inside the cage,

I’ll write your na on every page.

If you run, I’ll break your wings,

3

Love is crueler than it seems."

’Charming.’

Athiel reached down and picked up a scalpel, turning it slowly between his fingers as the music continued.

He always liked starting small.

Small cuts revealed the most interesting reactions.

"Let’s begin with sothing simple," Athiel murmured.

He stepped closer.

The monster’s glowing chest faintly illuminated the room, soft green light slipping through the cracks in its strange, fused body.

Stepping forward, Athiel extended his hand toward the creature’s chest.

His gloved hand rested gently on the creature’s chest, testing its texture and warmth through the faint glow.

It was warm, almost alive under his palm.

’Interesting.’

So this creature was warm-blooded.

That alone already made it unusual.

The light beneath the surface pulsed slowly against his palm.

’Fascinating.’

The monster didn’t move.

It simply watched him.

"If you tremble, I will stay,

If you cry, I’ll look away.

Tie your heart and give it to ,

Love is just captivity."

Athiel lifted the scalpel.

He traced the blade lightly across the glowing surface of the monster’s chest.

Slow.

He observed every twitch.

He watched carefully.

The creature’s red eyes followed the movent of his hand. There was no fear. No aggression.

Only quiet attention.

’Still nothing?’ Athiel wondered, growing more curious. Even now, there was no sign of tension. What was hiding behind that calm? He searched for the smallest sign. Did the creature hide pain, or had it simply given up?

He pressed the scalpel’s edge a little deeper into the glowing chest, waiting for a reaction.

’It’s almost like you’re used to this.’

The music humd softly behind them.

"Say my na like it’s a prayer,

Even if I’m not playing fair.

Break your bones against my door,

You’ll be mine forevermore."

"Perhaps this isn’t painful enough for you," Athiel mused aloud, tilting his head to study the creature. He observed its face closely, curiosity brightening his eyes. "You really are extraordinary."

With cautious intent, Athiel applied more pressure to the scalpel against the glowing surface.

The scalpel pierced through the glowing surface with a soft, wet sound.

Warm light flickered beneath the blade.

Athiel exhaled slowly.

"There we go."

His eyes shone with fascination as he watched for the reaction.

But the monster did not cry out.

Instead, its mouth opened.

"Ma... Ma..."

Athiel paused.

The song continued behind him.

"If you bleed, then bleed for ,

Chains are just another key.

Love is cruel, but love is true,

Once you’re mine, I’ll keep you too."

"Is that the sound you make?" Athiel murmured.

He leaned closer, studying the creature’s face.

"It almost sounds like you’re saying, Mama."

He continued working with the scalpel.

Blood began to flow slowly from the incision.

And still the monster didn’t resist.

If anything, it simply looked curious.

"Mas... Ma..."

Athiel finally looked up.

"Wait..."

The creature’s lips moved again.

"As... ter..."

Athiel’s eyes widened.

"You’re not making random sounds," he whispered.

His pulse quickened.

"You... are you trying to speak?"