The Oplentian nobility have been deposed, and the Titan Syndicate are in control. From your hovel in the slums, you ponder this turn of events. This should be a good thing, shouldn't it? But something doesn't feel right.

You started noticing it shortly after that huge titan wolf took the throne: The one Volpes had backed as the new ruler. Your friends and neighbors would go to him, petitioning the new government for aid in the reconstruction efforts. Inevitably, the support would come, but when those same people returned, they were different.

All you would ever hear from them is how they were tired of being weak. Within days, they would sign up to join the army, bloating in both muscle and ego as all soldiers were ordered to undergo the titan transformation. You remembered watching one of the induction ceremonies. It always stood out to you how not a single recruit even hesitated as they were handed the potion.

And your district wasn't alone. It spread among the rest of citizenry like a virus, even in more affluent parts of town. So many of the people had become soldiers that this so-called Emperor began ordering them to split their monthly schedules between civilian work and training. It was smooth. In your opinion, it was *too* smooth, as if it was orchestrated.

Those same friends, the ones you remembered drinking and working alongside, were now titan soldiers. Worse, they were negging you to join them, saying that you didn't need to be so small anymore. There personalities were so different that you began to drift apart, and uncomfortable rift forming between you.

Whatever this city was becoming, you wanted nothing to do with it. You began to form a plan. A storm was coming, and when it did even the titans would be off the streets, patrols light. As risky as it sounded, it was an opening, one you were eager to take advantage of. You had to get out of here. There was no other option.

The initial joy of a well-executed plan coming together faded quickly once you were outside the city walls. It was still pouring, and without a carriage or means of transportation your exodus from Oplentian territory was going to be long and perilous. Your whole body shook from the cold, damp air but still you pressed on, gritting your fangs the whole way. You could feel your fur puffing out, and you briefly wondering if this was similar to the "goosebumps" you remember your human friends talking about in the old days.

It's difficult to tell how far you've been walking, but the rain has refused to let up even an inch for what feels like hours. In hindsight, you feel woefully unprepared, but it would have difficult to prepare without raising suspicion. Your limbs are starting to feel numb to anything but the chill, and your waterlogged clothing clings tightly to your slim form. Exhaustion takes you, and you kneel down on the damp road.

As you try to breath steady, recover your stamina, you hear something approach. Unfortunately, you're powerless to do anything about it. All you can do is look up at it, and what you see shocks your system fully alert.

He's here. You figured that he might send a soldier, possibly even one of your old friends, to pursue you. You never figured that he might hunt you down personally. In stark contrast to your failing body, his massive sword sits comfortably in one hand. The rain glides off his form as much as does yours, fur and muscle exposed, but he appears unphased by it. His bright glowing eyes, beacons in this dark, misty rain, pierce you with a scornful glare.

"I give you people everything. Power. Health. Prosperity. And still you run, hide, cower. Weaklings, the lot of you." And weak is exactly how you feel as he lifts you up onto his shoulder with a single hand, carrying you like a sack of potatoes. "You can't become a titan until you've strengthened your pathetic mind. Consider yourself lucky, because we have ways to fix you."

His warmth keeps you lucid for a time as he hauls you back, but eventually you pass out. You wake up in a hospital bed, as you're nursed back to health.

Soon, the next recruitment call is sounded across the city. Even since that day, the Emperor is all you've been able to think about. All you want to do is let him free you from this weak body you've been cursed with. You smile as you join the line. Sure, this city's changes seem scary, but you'll do anything for that wolf. You're sure of it.

---

Thanks to  refegi for this amazing art. This was done as a YCH you could order for your characters as well.

You can find it here: https://www.furaffinity.net/view/59138657/

Art by  refegi
Emperor Enigma belongs to me.