He is but a child, shrouded in a fog of forgotten origins, with no recollection of how he came to exist in this harsh world. The embrace of a Mother, once warm and nurturing, now bitterly cold, tainted by the violent storms of another's fury. Left to fend for himself, the gnawing ache of starvation grips him, an instinctual drive that stirs deep within his being, and he is discovered, hunched over and consuming the corpse of his ill-fated Mother, a desperate picture of survival, that is judged as demonic, unnatural—an affront to the Gods.

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The only home he knows is a desolate structure of frigid concrete and rusted metal, a stark fortress haunted by the taunting glances of those who roam its shadowy corners. Cast into The Pit, he feels the weight of their scorn pressing down on him, a relentless barrage of contempt and torture. They brand him as a demon, a beast, unleashing their torment like a cruel performance for The Chosen, for their pleasure. With each passing day, they chip away at his sanity, beating and provoking, fracturing his spirit until he resembles something far more primal than a mere child. He transforms into a wild, feral creature, driven by instinct and rage, painfully chained and mercilessly tormented in the cage that was both home and dungeon.

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He is barely eight months old, yet he towers over most of his tormentors when he is first unceremoniously thrust from the suffocating darkness of The Pit and into its unforgiving center. But he is not alone; his solitude is cruelly punctuated by the presence of another—an anguished soul awaiting judgment beneath the watchful gaze of their God. Fear grips him; the chaotic uproar of those above, a cacophony of jeers and shouts, fills the air, and he does not understand. Yet, he learns quickly that disobedience and failure carry a heavy price, inviting the brutal sting of steel against his tender flesh—an agony that reverberates through his skull, transforming him piece by piece into a creature of nightmare—the Beast of Blackwater, a fearsome embodiment of death and despair.

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Weeks and months whirl past in a relentless cascade of crimson, his den—his Pit—scarred by the remnants of those he has battled and brutally slain in the name of The Chosen, under the unyielding scrutiny of their Gods' judgment. Yet, within him, a tempest brews; he is adrift, lost to their ways, his mind a chaotic whirlwind of primal ferocity and instinct. They chain him in unbreakable binds, mercilessly beating him when he shows any sign of hesitation, forcing him to engage in brutal combat for their twisted delight, parading him like a caged animal on a leash. He is their champion, their demon—a creature whose heart and spirit have been irreparably shattered and shackled by their might.

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It is not until a small spark of innocence—Merrdith, a little girl filled with unrestrained curiosity—stumbles upon him, that the chains of his existence begin to rattle and shift. In her presence, he discovers a flicker of kindness amidst the overwhelming darkness, where once there had only been the relentless torment of his past, a gentle caress where his flesh had known solely the merciless bite of cold steel.

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Merrdith introduces him to the hidden wonders and stories of the world beyond, concealed deep within the shadowy tunnels of The Pit, shielded from those who take pleasure in his suffering. She becomes his guide, teaching him how to speak, to convey emotions beyond the guttural growls and fearsome roars that had long defined his being. Softly, she bestows a name upon the beast—Cerberus—breathing new life into his desolate soul and making him feel whole for the first time in his existence. No longer is he a nameless demon lost in the void; he emerges as a champion with a name—a fierce protector forged in the fires of despair, and that name is a gift from Merrdith herself.

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​Though he struggles to fully grasp the intricacies of her words and the vivid visions she shares, he is captivated by the tales of destiny she spins, especially the one about a star—a radiant celestial beacon that has guided her steps toward him. Yet, this lyrical orb of light remains ever elusive, a distant shimmer in the vastness of her dreams, promising hope and new beginnings even as it dances tantalizingly out of her reach.

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Yet, within the depths of his being, Cerberus understands one simple truth: if a star is what she longs for, he would traverse the vastness of the cosmos to gather it in the palm of his hand, determined to illuminate her world with the brilliance of infinity that she has so generously brought into his own dim existence.

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However, peace is a fleeting illusion, and once more he finds himself plunged into the heart of The Pit. The raw savagery of his being morphs into horror as he realizes the air is thick with a hauntingly familiar scent—bittersweet, laced with reminiscences of understanding. A voice echoes in his mind, reverberating like a melancholic melody that stirs something deep within him. Above, the coarse, jeering laughter and taunts of a bloodthirsty crowd fade into a distant murmur as Cerberus’ fierce gaze locks onto his next target—Merrdith. In her eyes, glimmering with unshakeable trust and unwavering confidence, he sees her steadfast belief: that he will protect rather than harm her.

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A cataclysmic storm brews within him, and he hesitates; the momentary pause met with the cruel sting of steel piercing his flesh, but the sharp pain fails to propel him into action. Instead, an explosive surge of rage erupts within him—a wild, primal force that takes hold of Cerberus. The feral beast within him is unleashed—a chaotic whirlwind of snapping jaws, flailing claws, and the scent of iron as blood spills across The Pit like a visceral, crimson river. It isn’t until Merrdith’s voice cuts through the cacophony of fury—a beacon of clarity and calm—that Cerberus finds his way back to himself. Her soft, soothing touch comforts the whirlwind raging within him. He lowers his massive head into her gentle paws, and as he meets her desperate yet reassuring gaze, the savage beast inside him submits to her presence.

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In an instant, they are fleeing—running with urgent determination through the winding tunnels and dark recesses of The Pit, a frantic flight toward freedom. Merrdith, his guiding light, moves with resolute purpose toward her star, while Cerberus—her ferocious protector—swiftly dispatches anyone foolish enough to obstruct their escape. They navigate the cold, unyielding maze of crumbling concrete walls and rusted metal pillars with unwavering resolve, bursting forth into a vast, uncharted world that stretches infinitely beyond the edges of his imagination.

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For the first time in what feels like a boundless eternity, a gripping fear seizes Cerberus at the sight of this sprawling, unfamiliar landscape. Towering shadows loom ominously, and uncharted territories beckon with an eerie allure, washing over him like a cold wave of unease. Yet, Merrdith’s unwavering presence serves to soothe the tempest raging within. She shares with him her vision, whispering of an extraordinary journey toward salvation—a destination marked by the name Ganymede, a sanctuary; a home.

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And within the maelstrom of fear and bewilderment, Cerberus feels a flicker of purpose reignite within him. He finds himself drawn to her resolute spirit, following her closely as she seeks out her star, embarking on an odyssey toward a brighter tomorrow and the safety of a haven they can truly claim as their own.