Chapter 4: Beast and the Hardcore Boy

In the dark night, there was dark castle fortress, Beastlandia, surrounded by a dense, enchanted forest. The castle's towers reached for the moon, their sharp edges piercing the velvet sky. The forest was alive with whispers and shadows, hinting at secrets and hidden paths. It was said that the castle was home to a terrifying creature, a short and stout dark green creature named Blust Beast was talking to his minions.

Blust Beast was a creature of fairytale, with fur a short and stout dark green creature with a striped furry tail and mean eyes. He wears his armor. His gruff voice boomed through the grand hall, echoing off the stone walls adorned with tapestries of battles long forgotten. His minions, a collection of odd and peculiar creatures, nodded in unison, their eyes reflecting the flickering candlelight. They were a mix of animal and plant life, twisted into beings that could only exist in the wildest imaginations.

"Well hello my minions, who would adored to me." Blust Beast announced with a grin that revealed sharp teeth.

"Yeah, yeah. Well, Blust Beast, I like you that you are the lord." One of his minions named Braddy, it's the same species of Blust Beast.

"Ah, Braddy, always eager for a pat on the head." Blust Beast chuckled, his fur ruffling with amusement. "But today, we have more important matters to discuss. Some girl was from the another world, I think." He tapped his chin thoughtfully, his sharp claws clicking against his armor. "But, I have one too in the prison cell."

In the prison cell, a cockroach starts eating a drip, but the cockroach crushed by the rock, it was revealed was Jason Matsu, who was stuck in the prison cell.

"Get your own food, bug." Jason Matsu muttered to the squished cockroach, brushing off his pants. He was not amused by the illusion or the cold stone floor of the prison cell. He's one of Arina Danshi's friends that he was transported to another world, then Braddy comes to meet him.

Braddy opened the cell door with a heavy creak, his eyes lighting up with curiosity. "Human, you're not like the usual fare we get around here."

Jason looked up, his eyes squinting in the sudden influx of light. "What do you want?" he asked gruffly, his voice still thick with the dust of his fall.

"The lord, Blust Beast, wishes to speak with you," Braddy said, his tone a mix of excitement and nerves. "You're special, aren't you?"

Jason pushed himself up from the floor, his movements slow and deliberate. He eyed Braddy suspiciously, taking in the creature's peculiar form. "What's so special about me?"

Braddy's tail swished back and forth, a sign of his excitement. "You're from another world! It's been so long since we've had a real human in Beastlandia!" He paused, then added in a whisper, "But don't tell anyone, okay? Humans aren't exactly welcome here."

Jason raised an eyebrow, intrigued despite his dire situation. "What do you mean by that?"

"Well, since you wanted to be a warrior of Beastland." Braddy said with a smile, "You've got to prove yourself to the lord. Maybe, just maybe, he'll let you go if you impress him enough."

Jason followed Braddy through the castle's winding corridors, the sound of his footsteps echoing through the emptiness. The castle was a labyrinth of ancient stone, with vines and moss growing in the cracks, hinting at its long-forgotten past. They arrived at the throne room, where Blust Beast sat upon a throne made of bones, his fur looking greener and more menacing in the dim light.

"Ah, our guest from the another world," Blust Beast said, his voice a deep rumble that seemed to shake the very air. "What brings you to my domain?"

"Well, you shit beast." Jason replied, crossing his arms. "It's not like I had a choice, was it?"

Blust Beast's eyes narrowed, and for a moment, the room seemed to darken. Then, a bellowing laugh filled the space. "Spunky, I like that. But tell me, human, what is your name?"

"Call me, Jason Matsu, I am 17 years old, since I was stuck in fucking fairy tale, Wonderland. But your fucking guards locked me in this castle jail." Jason Matsu's voice remained steady, despite the beast's intimidating presence.

Blust Beast leaned forward, his fur bristling with interest. "Jason Matsu, a warrior from another world, eh? Tell me, what brings you to Wonderland?"

"Guess, it's good for me. I wanted to be a warrior that I could see friends here, in this fairy tale world, I will be a best warrior in this Beastland." Jason said, trying to keep his cool.

"Okay then, you will be....my own lieutenant in Beastland, well, the land of full of baddies beasts." Blust Beast's grin grew wider, showing more of his sharp teeth. "But first, you must pass the one trial. Only the strongest can serve by my side."

Jason nodded, his mind racing with what these trials could entail. He had no intention of serving the beast, but he knew that playing along might be to joining the lord for a day.

"Good," Blust Beast said, clapping his paws together. "Your first trial will be to fight the ferocius Dragon Wingers in the Badwilds. Prove your worth and bring back its fiery breath stone. Only then will I consider you worthy of serving as my lieutenant."

Jason's heart raced. Dragon Wingers? He'd read about them in his favorite fantasy books, but facing one in reality was a different matter altogether. "Fine," he said, trying to sound braver than he felt. "When do we leave?"

"First light," Braddy answered, his excitement palpable. "We'll need to prepare you for the journey."

Jason was escorted to a chamber where weapons and armor were laid out. He chose a sturdy sword and a set of leather armor that fit surprisingly well, given his human form. The armor was adorned with the emblem of Beastlandia, a snarling beast with wings.

As dawn approached, Jason and Braddy made their way to the castle's gates. The enchanted forest looked eerily beautiful in the early light, the trees whispering secrets as they passed. Jason couldn't help but feel a mix of fear and excitement.

"Remember, Jason," Braddy whispered as they reached the edge of the forest. "The Dragon Wingers are fierce, but they can be outsmarted. Use your human strength!"

Jason nodded, gripping the sword's hilt tightly. The forest was a riot of colors, with flowers that glowed in the shadows and trees that stretched tall, whispering secrets to the sky. As they ventured deeper, the whispers grew louder, the shadows more menacing. They encountered curious creatures that watched them with wary eyes, some scurrying away, others following at a safe distance.

The air grew warm and the scent of burning filled their nostrils as they approached the lair of the Dragon Wingers. The trees grew sparse, revealing a clearing where the ground was scorched and the air was thick with the smell of sulfur. Above them, the sun had turned a deep, bloody red, casting an ominous glow over the landscape.

Braddy's eyes grew wide with fear. "We're here," he murmured. "The dragons are restless today. Be careful, Jason."

Jason took a deep breath, steeling himself for the battle ahead. He had never faced a creature so fearsome, but he had read enough stories to know that bravery was not always about the size of the sword, but the heart that wielded it. He stepped into the clearing, sword at the ready.

The Dragon Wingers were not what he expected. They were not the majestic beasts of legend but twisted, malformed creatures with leathery wings and serpentine tails. Their eyes gleamed with malice as they spotted the intruders. One let out a screech that seemed to shake the very earth, and the others took to the sky, their wings beating a fiery rhythm.

Jason and Braddy spread out, each targeting a different dragon. The creatures were fast, their movements erratic and unpredictable. Jason's heart pounded in his chest as he dodged a fiery blast, the heat singeing his hair. He knew he had to act quickly. With a battle cry that echoed through the forest, he lunged at the nearest dragon, aiming for the soft underbelly.

The dragon roared, a sound that could freeze the blood in anyone's veins. But Jason was not just anyone. He was a cool bully friend from the human world, he smiled grinningly, his eyes alight with the challenge. He dodged another fiery blast, the heat of it scorching the side of his face. He could feel the power of the dragon, the sheer force of its presence, but he was not deterred.

With a swift motion, Jason sliced through the dragon's wing, causing it to shriek in pain and plummet to the ground. The creature thrashed, its fiery breath coming dangerously close to him, but Jason was nimble, dancing around the flames with a grace that surprised even Braddy. The dragon's scales were tough, but the sword he had been given was enchanted, biting into the flesh with every strike.

The battle was intense, a symphony of roars, clangs, and the crackling of fire. Jason's muscles burned with exertion, and his heart raced faster than it ever had before. The dragon's movements grew sluggish, and Jason knew he had the upper hand. With a final, powerful swing, he embedded the sword into the creature's neck, and it went still. The other dragons, realizing the danger they were in, took to the sky, retreating from the battle.

Breathing heavily, Jason turned to Braddy, who stared at him in awe. "Guess I'm pretty good at this warrior thing," he said, a hint of pride in his voice.

Braddy nodded, his eyes wide. "Lord Blust Beast will be impressed," he murmured.

They approached the fallen dragon, and Jason plucked the fiery breath stone from its mouth with trembling hands. It was hot, almost too hot to hold, but he managed to keep his grip on it.

The journey back to the castle was a blur of adrenaline and disbelief. The forest seemed to close in around them, whispering congratulations and warnings alike. Jason could feel the weight of the stone in his pocket, a constant reminder of the task he had just completed.

As they entered the castle, the whispers grew to a roar, and soon, the entire place was buzzing with the news of the human warrior who had slain a Dragon Winger. The creatures of Beastlandia looked at him with a mix of fear and respect, and Jason felt a strange thrill at the recognition.

When they reached the throne room, Blust Beast was waiting for them, his expression unreadable. "Well?" he boomed.

Jason stepped forward, holding out the fiery breath stone. "I've done it," he said, his voice steady despite his racing heart.

The beast took the stone, inspecting it closely. His eyes narrowed, and then he threw back his head and roared with laughter. "Indeed, you have," he said, his tone filled with genuine admiration. "You shall be my right hand, Jason Matsu!"

Jason felt a surge of relief and a twinge of excitement. He had passed the trial. But he knew this was just the beginning of his adventure in Wonderland. He had a feeling that he was serving to his own bad timing.

The castle erupted in cheer, and Jason couldn't help but smile despite his circumstances. Braddy looked at him with newfound respect, and the other minions whispered among themselves, casting curious glances his way. Blust Beast rose from his throne, his fur ruffling with the force of his breath.

"Bring forth the scroll of oaths!" he bellowed. A minion scurried over, presenting a dusty scroll on a golden tray. "Jason Matsu, you will swear your loyalty to me and to Beastlandia. Only then will you truly be one of us!"

Jason took the scroll, his eyes scanning the ancient text. It was written in a language he didn't recognize, but he could feel the power emanating from it. He knew that once he swore this oath, there would be no turning back. He glanced at Braddy, who nodded encouragingly.

Taking a deep breath, Jason recited the oath, the words feeling strange and powerful on his tongue. As he finished, the scroll burst into flames, leaving only a trail of ash that swirled around them before dissipating. The room fell silent, the only sound the crackling of the fireplace.

Blust Beast's expression grew serious. "Your oath is accepted," he said gravely. "You are now my lieutenant in the Beastland, the home for full of baddie beasts!"

The other beasts cheered, Jason looked to the tiny picture of his friends, Arina Danshi and Tyrone Wuzu. He chuckles and said. "Hold on for a little longer, guys. I'm coming for you. And when I find you, we're gonna get home. But first, I think we're gonna have some fun with this place."