_*]:min-w-0 !gap-3.5">After three days of travel through increasingly mountainous terrain, the carriage carrying Thrall 7249 and the other specimens finally reached its destination. The journey had been uncomfortable but enlightening. Through the small window of his cage, he had glimpsed more of the demon realm than he'd ever imagined—sprawling cities with twisted architecture, vast farmnds worked by sve bor, forests of strange vegetation, and finally the foothills leading to Lord Vexarious's mountain estate.

  The carriage rattled to a stop, and the door swung open. Sunlight flooded the interior, momentarily blinding Thrall 7249 after the retive darkness of their transport.

  "Out, all of you," ordered a guard as he unlocked the cages. "Move quickly and stay in line."

  Thrall 7249 stepped cautiously from his cage, limbs stiff from the confined journey. As his eyes adjusted to the light, he found himself standing in a vast courtyard paved with polished bck stone. Before him rose an imposing structure unlike anything in his fragmentary human memories or his limited experience in the sve quarters.

  Lord Vexarious's estate was a sprawling complex that seemed to both emerge from and merge with the mountainside. Multiple towers of varying heights spiraled upward, connected by arched bridges that defied conventional architecture. The entire structure was built from a dark stone veined with crimson, giving the impression that the mountain itself was bleeding. Windows of various shapes and sizes glittered like jewels across the facade, reflecting the te afternoon sunlight.

  "Impressive, isn't it?" said a new voice. A tall, thin demon with eborately tattooed skin approached the new arrivals. His clothing marked him as a higher-ranking servant rather than a noble—fine enough to indicate status but practical enough for work. "I am Steward Mallek, overseer of Lord Vexarious's collection. You will answer to me in all matters."

  The steward inspected each new arrival, making notes on a small tablet. When he reached Thrall 7249, he paused, studying the half-demon with a critical eye.

  "Half-blood, northern variant by the look of you. Interesting coloration." He made another note. "Any special abilities or traits I should be aware of?"

  Thrall 7249 kept his eyes downcast, remembering Mentor's advice and his own decision to appear unremarkable. "No, sir. Just a half-blood."

  The steward nodded, seemingly satisfied with the response. "Very well. You'll be housed in the Mixed Blood section of the menagerie."

  Mallek turned to address all three new specimens together. "Lord Vexarious maintains the finest collection of rare and unusual demons in the eastern territories. You are now part of this collection. This grants you certain privileges over common bor thralls—better food, adequate living conditions, limited freedom of movement within designated areas. However—" his voice hardened "—you are still property, and valuable property at that. Any attempt to escape or damage yourselves will result in severe punishment."

  The steward gestured to several attendants who had been waiting nearby. "Take them to processing, then to their assigned quarters. The water demon goes to the Elemental Wing, the albino to Rare Pigmentation, and the half-blood to Mixed Heritage."

  Thrall 7249 was led away by an attendant through a side entrance of the main structure. The interior was as impressive as the exterior—high ceilings, polished stone floors, and walls adorned with tapestries depicting various demons in poses of power or combat. The corridors were well-lit by crystals that glowed with steady light, far superior to the flickering torches of the sve quarters.

  "Processing" turned out to be a thorough cleansing, medical examination, and outfitting with new garments. The medical examination was conducted by a middle-aged demoness with four small horns arranged in a crown-like pattern, identifying her as a member of the Craftsman caste specializing in healing.

  "Stand still," she instructed as she examined Thrall 7249, her hands glowing faintly with diagnostic magic. "Hmm, undernourished but otherwise healthy. No significant injuries or illnesses. Sve colr functioning normally."

  She made notes on a simir tablet to the steward's, then addressed him directly. "You'll be pced on a supplemental diet to address the nutritional deficiencies. Report any unusual symptoms to your section overseer immediately. Lord Vexarious expects his specimens to be maintained in optimal condition."

  After the examination, Thrall 7249 was given new clothing—simple but clean garments in a deep blue color with the Vexarious house crest embroidered on the sleeve. The attendant expined that the color identified him as part of the Mixed Heritage section of the collection.

  "Different sections wear different colors," the attendant expined as he led Thrall 7249 through more corridors. "Helps the nobles identify specimens by category during viewings."

  "Viewings?" Thrall 7249 asked, careful to sound merely curious rather than intelligent.

  "Lord Vexarious hosts regur exhibitions for other nobles. Sometimes private viewings for special guests, sometimes rger gatherings where multiple specimens are dispyed." The attendant shrugged. "Better than mine work or battle training. All you have to do is stand there and let them look at you."

  They passed through several more corridors and finally entered a rge circur chamber with numerous doorways leading off it. "This is the Mixed Heritage common area," the attendant expined. "Your quarters are through there." He pointed to one of the doorways. "The blue band on your wrist grants you access to this section and the general exhibition areas when required. Attempting to enter unauthorized areas will activate the restraint functions of your colr."

  Thrall 7249 nodded his understanding, unconsciously touching the metal colr that encircled his neck. It was a constant reminder of his sve status, regardless of his improved living conditions.

  "Meal times are indicated by the bell tones. Three meals daily. You're free to use the common areas during non-exhibition hours. Questions?"

  When Thrall 7249 shook his head, the attendant departed, leaving him to explore his new environment. The common area contained comfortable seating, tables, and even some simple recreational items—puzzles and games that seemed designed to keep specimens occupied during their free time.

  Several other demons were present in the room, all bearing the same blue garments that marked them as mixed-blood specimens. They regarded the newcomer with varying levels of interest.

  "New arrival?" asked one, a female with scaled skin that suggested reptilian ancestry mixed with more typical demonic features. "I'm Sestra. Been here almost two years."

  "Thrall 7249," he replied simply.

  She smiled slightly. "We don't use thrall numbers here. The collection gives everyone names if they don't already have them. Makes us sound more exotic during exhibitions."

  "I don't have a name," he admitted.

  "Steward Mallek will assign you one soon enough. Probably something suitably dramatic that highlights whatever he finds interesting about your mixed blood." She gestured toward the doorway the attendant had indicated earlier. "You should get settled in your quarters. They're small but private—one of the few luxuries here."

  Thrall 7249 followed her suggestion, making his way through the doorway into a corridor with multiple small rooms. Each door bore a namepte, though several were empty. He found one without a namepte and discovered it unlocked. Inside was a simple but clean chamber—a bed that was actually comfortable, a small table and chair, a washing basin with running water (a luxury he had never experienced), and even a shelf with a few books.

  The room had a window—narrow but providing a view of the mountainside and the nds beyond. It was the first time in his life he had a private space with a window to the outside world.

  For several minutes, he simply stood motionless, absorbing the dramatic change in his circumstances. From the crowded sve quarters to the darkness of the Pit to this private room with actual comforts—the transition was almost disorienting. Yet beneath the surface improvements, he remained what he had always been: property.

  Carefully, he began to explore his quarters more thoroughly, checking for any surveilnce devices or magical monitoring. Mentor had taught him how to detect basic observation spells, but he found nothing obvious. It seemed that specimens in the collection were granted a degree of genuine privacy, at least in their personal quarters.

  He examined the books on the shelf—basic texts about demon society and history, nothing particurly valuable or restricted, but still more than sves were typically allowed to access. This confirmed his suspicion that the collector assumed most specimens would be literate, regardless of their caste origin. It was an opportunity to expand his knowledge without revealing his intelligence.

  After familiarizing himself with his quarters, Thrall 7249 returned to the common area to observe the other mixed-blood specimens. There were approximately fifteen others present, each with varying combinations of demonic heritages. Some were clearly half-demon/half-beastfolk, others showed signs of elemental bloodlines mixed with standard demonic features, and a few, like himself, appeared to be half-human/half-demon.

  He listened carefully to their conversations, maintaining a quiet demeanor that encouraged others to speak freely around him. Most discussed their exhibition experiences, the preferences of different noble visitors, and the hierarchy that had developed among the specimens. None mentioned escape attempts or rebellion—either such thoughts were never voiced for fear of punishment, or the retively comfortable conditions of the collection discouraged such desires.

  A bell tone rang through the chamber, and the other specimens began moving toward another doorway.

  "Evening meal," Sestra expined, noticing his confusion. "Come on, you must be hungry after the journey."

  The dining area was another rge chamber with multiple tables arranged by section. Each table bore food that was simple but nutritious and far better than anything Thrall 7249 had experienced in the sve quarters or the Pit. The mixed-blood section ate together, separate from other categories of specimens.

  During the meal, Thrall 7249 continued his careful observation. He noted that specimens from different sections sometimes interacted during meals, creating opportunities to exchange information across the collection. He also observed that several of the attendants appeared to have favorite specimens who received extra portions or other small privileges.

  "Tomorrow you'll probably meet with Curator Vexis," Sestra told him as they ate. "She's Lord Vexarious's daughter and manages the daily operations of the collection. She'll determine your exhibition schedule and any special treatments your particur mixed heritage might require."

  "Is she... kind?" Thrall 7249 asked cautiously.

  Sestra considered the question. "Not kind, exactly. Efficient. Professional. She views us as valuable assets rather than mere sves, which is better than most nobles. Don't mistake that for kindness, though. Any specimen that doesn't meet exhibition standards or causes problems is removed from the collection, and not to better circumstances."

  After the meal, specimens were granted free time until the evening bell. Many returned to the common areas or their private quarters. Thrall 7249 took the opportunity to explore the areas accessible with his blue wristband, carefully noting the yout of corridors, the positioning of guards, and the schedule of attendant rotations.

  The collection was clearly designed for both security and exhibition. Certain areas—grand halls with elevated ptforms and special lighting—were obviously meant for dispying specimens to visitors. Others, like the living quarters and dining areas, were functional spaces hidden from public view. Throughout, there were subtle but effective security measures—attendants stationed at key junctions, magical wards at certain boundaries, and of course, the ever-present sve colrs.

  As he explored, Thrall 7249 caught glimpses of other sections of the collection. The Elemental Wing where the water demoness had been taken featured specialized environments for different elemental types. The Rare Pigmentation section housed specimens with unusual colorations, including the albino from the carriage. There were also sections for Unusual Anatomical Features, Enhanced Physical Capabilities, and Magical Aberrations, each color-coded with different garments.

  Most intriguing was a heavily guarded area that several attendants referred to as the "Special Research Section." Unlike the exhibition spaces, this area seemed designed for more intensive study of certain specimens. The implication was clear—specimens who demonstrated unusual abilities might be transferred there for closer examination.

  This reinforced Thrall 7249's determination to conceal his true capabilities. Being identified as merely an interesting half-blood specimen granted him the perfect cover to observe, learn, and eventually pn his next move.

  As the day ended and the final bell signaled the time for specimens to return to their quarters, Thrall 7249 sat on the edge of his bed, considering his new situation. The collector's estate represented both opportunity and danger—access to knowledge and resources beyond anything avaible in the sve quarters, but also the risk of closer scrutiny if he revealed too much.

  From his window, he could see the three moons of the demon realm rising over the distant mountains. The view reminded him how far he had come from the lightless Pit, yet how far he still had to go to achieve true freedom. For now, he would py the role assigned to him—an unremarkable half-blood specimen, interesting only for his mixed heritage and unusual coloration.

  Behind this carefully constructed facade, however, his mind would continue to work, analyzing everything he observed about the higher castes, storing information about the estate's operations, and searching for weaknesses he might eventually exploit. The knowledge Mentor had shared, combined with his own growing memories from Earth, gave him perspectives no ordinary sve could possess.

  As he y down to sleep on the first comfortable bed he had ever known, Thrall 7249 reflected that his circumstances had improved dramatically from just days before. Yet his fundamental goal remained unchanged: to understand his true nature, develop his hidden abilities, and eventually determine his own destiny rather than having it dictated by the caste system of the demon realm.

  Tomorrow would bring new experiences—his first formal introduction to the collection's curator, possibly his first exhibition to noble visitors, and certainly more opportunities to gather information while maintaining his cover as an ordinary specimen. For now, he would rest and prepare, knowing that patience and careful observation were his most powerful tools.