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P5: "A bond of trust formed between the unlikely companions. The monster would help in any way he could – whether by foraging, scouting or guarding his master's belongings. In return, the hero would look after him, and provide him shelter, food and warmth."
"Tomorrow, the two of them would finally set for town together. The monster feels anxiety bubble inside him, knowing they might bare their teeth at him... but he's confident the hero would not let him down. They've rehearsed manners together, which also served as a refresher course for the hero."
"Above all, cleanliness is a luxury among dwellers of the wilderness, but it's a revered quality among decent townsfolk. Thankfully, a simple mixture of nightshade extract provides an aromatic, soapy solution..."
P6: "Seeing his companion clumsily lather the mixture on his body, the hero feels a rare smile stretch across his stoic face. The monster can tell it's helping, but he's hardly done this before."
"The woods are shrouded in the doubt of night, but his eyes do not deceive. The water downstream becomes clouded as the monster sheds the dirt that had layered on him, after ages of sleeping on the cold ground. The skin concealed underneath is revealed – bare, scarred and damaged. He tries not to wince from the pain of being scrubbed clean after so long, knowing it was long overdue..."
"The monster's blank, glowing eyes – a creation of foul magic – somehow express... gratitude, and a softness unseen in his species. Their bond is strengthened..."
P7: "Bereft of clothes, the two soaked companions seek warmth and comfort by their dying campfire. Pitch darkness sets in, and the hero rushes to erect his shelter for the night. Their freashly clean garments are hung to dry, ready to be worn in town tomorrow."
"Looking back at the monster's glowing eyes, he ponders... It would be a shame to have him sleep in the dirt, after spending so long to wash it off him. Besides, if the monster can't be trusted to sleep in his tent, then bringing him in town unleashed would be out of the question..."
"Never he'd seen a beast seem so overjoyed, so fond of him... so willing and genuine."
P8: "It was a restless night for the hero. Lying with another for the first time in years, a shame it is to admit... It took some getting used to, for the solitary wolf. The incandescent feeling of warmth, of steady breathing, and of a heart's gentle rhythm bestowed by another, so close in proximity... These tender thoughts would surpass any dream."
"Conversely, his beastly companion seemed hardly inconvenienced. Cradled in his dear redeemer's arms, his simple mind quickly drifted off into anxious visions of his near future – visions of townsfolk hissing, insulting, and bruising him... But, those were not nightmares, because the valorous hero would stand for him every time."
"In their heart, they both know it is taboo – blasphemous even – for love to bloom between a monster and a champion. But, bloom, it would."
—The end
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