Realm of Shadows

Nexus let out a stifled yelp as he slammed against the cobblestone ground, pebbles scraping up his already moth-eating clothes. A single movement above him made him scramble, kicking his legs against the ground to desperately push himself away from the danger. Although he was looking right at the one above him, he couldn't tell who it was. But he knew. The uniforms of the Protectors. Another barely-stifled shriek of pain forced its way up his throat as a heavy boot slammed against his shin, then kicked him further away when he curled up. Everything hurt. High on adrenaline, shaking, and still desperately trying to avoid being heard by even more Protectors, the words the woman spat to him still rang clear as glass, piercing through his head and straight into his mind.

"Don't you dare show yourself to me again, creature. If I find you in the trash again, I won't let you off. Got it?"

The tone was so familiar, yet so distant. Without a hint of hesitation or guilt, but pure disgust and superiority. He flinched, gripping tight over his head to protect it as the boot slammed next to him once again. The woman shouted, repeating 'GOT IT!?'. Tail curled tight to his stomach, searching for the smallest piece of comfort he could manage, he did his best to not reveal his sobs. 

"Y-yes, mo... ma'am."

---

Nexus glanced up from the ground, unaware of just how long he'd been staring at the dirt-stained cobble in front of him. He had to blink a few times to make his eyes focus, quickly wiping away the tears that had formed as well. There was no time for that. Not now. He looked to the sky, avoiding the watchtowers by all means- he didn't need to think about that anymore today. Or tonight. The moon was already quite high in the sky, nervously hiding between a few clouds, watching them all carefully. After a moment of silent admiration, he nodded his respects to the moon and pushed himself up from the ground, brushing off some dust. He exhaled a soft sigh, then looked back at the ground. A half-rotten carrot was carelessly thrown away. He grabbed it before moving on.

Ears perked, and the feline walked the street carefully. Each step was treaded silently, avoiding kicking any gravel, brushing against anything, or making any kind of unnecessary noise. He had learnt his lesson long ago. The city didn't enjoy the presence of the poor. However, if the poor were polite and avoided the wealthy, they didn't care much. The Protectors still had a disdain for him though. And why should he blame them? The feeling was mutual. Those bastards deserved nothing, yet received everything. 

As if listening, a group of four Protectors neared closer. You could always tell it was them. The sound of their uniforms. The clinking and clattering of conceited silver details, the rustling of their capes.

The heavy boots stomping against the ground.

He could feel his face twitch into a snarl, baring his teeth at the thought of the arrogant soldiers, but he forced his lips down again. No. That'd only cause trouble. Instead, he hid the carrot under his waistband and waited for them to walk past like they always did. But they didn't. Today, they stopped. Looking at him with that familiar hatred. He hoped they could feel how much he wanted them to suffer in return. One of the Protectors approached him, breathing out an annoyed huff as Nexus stood still. He knew them. They wanted submission and fear. He wouldn't give it to them.

A few moments of silence passed, the two glaring daggers at each other. Finally, the Protector broke the silence. "You will serve as a soldier from tomorrow. Front lines," he stared, a sly smile twitching at his lips as Nexus' heart sank. "Just hope you're not the first one dead. But then again, you have no legacy to protect, do you, creature?"

Nexus' eyes immediately snapped back to him. He would give anything to bite into that neck of his. Shut him up. Stop him from talking. He didn't need to talk if he had nothing to say. Tail lashing behind him, Nexus replied, tone monotone and strained, poorly covering his fury. "Same goes for you. Sir."

He barely got the word 'sir' out before the back of a knife slammed into his chest, knocking the air out of him for a moment as the Protector looked at him in disgust. The three behind him only watched. As if they would do anything else for someone like him. There was no silver to be made, no bribes to be had. What was the point then? The Protector grabbed his face and spat at his face before yanking it to the side, and walking away. 

He would kill them one day. The city deserved true Protectors, not them. Nexus wiped away the spit from his fur before breathing out a shaky sigh. He was being drafted. There would be war, with a city or enemy he didn't know of, and he, a sickly peasant was placed in the front lines. They wanted to get rid of him. He breathed out once more, trying to collect himself. 

Those bastards weren't getting rid of him. He wouldn't be killed to make life easier for some wealthy fucker. His tail lashed harder, sweeping pebbles from side to side. 

If he was going out in combat, it would be towards the Protectors, and nobody else.