The Beastman

Content Warning: This text adventure contains themes of horror, psychological distress, and mature content. Each article may include vivid descriptions and elements that could evoke strong emotional responses. Reader discretion is advised.

This article is part of an interconnected series created for the 2024 Spooktober challenge, designed as a text-based adventure through the twisted paths of the Twilight Macabre. To fully immerse yourself in the horrors that await and make the most of this spooky experience, it is strongly recommended that you begin your journey with the "LAIR" article. From there, you will navigate the carnival's dark secrets, encounter its eerie performers, and face decisions that will shape your fate. Proceed carefully, as each path holds its own unique terrors...

The Beast

You made your choice.

You step forward, your gaze fixed on the figure standing to the right of the strange trio. As you walk towards it, the other two performers- the Armored and the Horned- dissolve into shadows, vanishing without a trace. A faint sense of loss tugs at you briefly before the world around you begins to shift. The dusty pit of the arena seems to shrink, the atmosphere pressing in. All sounds fade, leaving only the low hum of distant carnival music, echoing faintly from beyond the mist.

As the echo of your decision fades, the arena around you begins to shift. The once dusty pit transforms, and you find yourself seated among the terraces. Below, through the haze of the mists, a figure emerges- tall, shadowy, and extravagantly dressed. The figure steps into the center of the arena, bowing deeply, an unsettling smile playing across his spectral face.

“Welcome, one and all!” his voice rasps, sharp as a shriek, cutting through the silence. “I am the Tamer, and you are about to witness a show like none other; a spectacle I have designed and mastered all alone!” His laughter is hollow, and his dark eyes gleam as a huge cage begins to rise from the depths of the pit.

As the dust settles, you are left in awe at the sight behind the rusty bars. The creature is enormous; a grotesque beast made of mismatched animal parts stitched together. Its deformed body is covered in patches of fur, intertwined with serpent scales and sickly feathers. It has the head of a wolf attached to a white bear's torso. Its eyes, set on the sides of its head, resemble those of a vulture. Two majestic elk antlers jut from its skull. Its front paws are those of a lion, while its hind legs resemble the hairy limbs of a giant spider. Finally, its tail- thin and almost reptilianin shape- is covered in vibrant orange fur, much like a fox's.

The beast roars, its muscles tense, ready to lunge at anything that dares come close.

And then, with a loud clang, the cage door opens.

The beast charges, its claws scraping against the ground in fury, aiming for the Tamer. But before it can reach him, the sharp, confident crack of the Tamer's whip pierces the air. The beast stops short, recoiling as if struck by an invisible force. Its head lowers, and it reluctanty submits to its Master's command.

"Magnificent, isn't it?" the Tamer gloats, turning to the crowd. "A beast so wild, forged by some of the most aggressive predators that exist, so dangerous, now under my absolute control. Watch as it performs!"

With each crack of the whip, the beast moves through a series of tricks; jumping through hoops, standing on hind legs, and spinning in tight, uncomfortable circles. You can see the creature’s struggle. Its body twitches, muscles spasming almost uncontrolably with each motion, as if it's barely able to coordinate itself. The sight stirs something within you. Some kind of a deep, unsettling empathy, as though you share the creature’s pain.

The whip cracks again. And again. And...

Tame or be tamed

Each snap is like a lash against your own spirit, dredging up the moments of isolation and struggle. You remember the times you tried to face your own demons, alone, as the beast before you struggles to obey commands it was never meant to follow.

The Tamer's gaze shifts back to his audience, and it feels as though he is staring directly at each one of you, all at once. "And now, for the real challenge," he announces. "Only those who can tame the beast may leave this arena. It takes strength, as you’ve seen. It takes a will as strong as mine. Do you think you can do what I have done? Face the beast alone and conquer it?"

When your turn comes, and you descend into the center of the arena, with every eye fixed on you, a primal fear engulfs your heart. The beast's gaze follows your every step, a predator waiting for the right moment to strike. Standing beside the slender figure of the Tamer, a deep unease washes over you. This man- or whatever he is- feels vile, and you can sense it to your core. He hands you his whip, then steps back with a disturbingly wide grin, leaving you alone in the arena, just meters away from the bloodthirsty beast.

As the creature loses sight of the Tamer, its movements become erratic and wild. Its teeth are bared and threatening and his roar is deep, making the hair on the back of your neck rise.

What do you do?

Assert Dominance

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You step forward, meeting the beast’s wild gaze head-on, and strike it with all your strength. You aim to survive, and to do that you are sure you need to keep fighting this carnival's foul challenges. The beast recoils, growling deeply, but it does not submit.

Instead, it gets angrier.

Approach with Caution

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Looking at the whip in your hand, you hesitate. Your first instinct is to use it against the beast that seems intent on devouring you. But then, a thought crosses your mind. You remember someting. You remember the creature's struggle as it was forced to perform acts it never asked for. How many times have you done the same; put on a façade, trying to appear strong while feeling broken inside, being forced to carry your pain alone- afraid? With this in mind, you make your decision. You keep your distance, maintaining eye contact but refusing to strike. Instead, you lower your hands, showing the beast you’re not a threat. It pauses its erratic movements for a moment, as if confused by your unexpected response.

---

"You need to try harder!" the Tamer yells at you disappointed, "Look around! You are all alone. No one is coming to your rescue! Now... Crack. That. Whip!"

What do you do?

Use the whip

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As the Tamer talks, the beast seems distracted. It is then you see the opportunity and you hurry to take it. Tou strike the beast again, this time straigh to the face- as hard as you can. Your goal is to weaken it, to force it into submission. But the beast lets out a ferocious roar, its talons digging into the ground as it prepares to strike back.

Toss the whip

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You briefly glance at the whip you are holding and then back to the beast. You can see the exhaustion in its form, the result of years of being broken. And in the Tamer’s cold figure, you catch a glimpse of your own bitterness; a reflection of all the times you tried to fight the battle alone, and the isolation that followed. This is the moment you decide to take the risk. You toss the whip aside and lower yourself to the ground. It seems crazy, but it also feels strangely right. Slowly, you extend your hand, offering the creature a gesture of trust. The beast hesitates and for a second, it seems torn. Its instinct is to lash out, but something in your calm manner holds it back.

---

"Useless... weak as all the others..." the Tamer murmurs, "You don't have what it takes... Give up now and let the circus claim you. It will be less painful..." A sinister smile dawns on his dark, shadowy face as he concludes, "...I promise."

What do you do?

A Final Blow

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You summon all your remaining strength and deliver a final blow to the beast, aiming to bring it down for good. The creature stumbles, its fragmented body shaking violently, but it refuses to yield. Instead, it unleashes a deafening roar and lunges at you, its claws slashing toward your chest.

As its sharp claws pierce your heart, the truth becomes clear. The beast is a part of you—no, many parts. Fragments you discarded instead of confronting, pieces of yourself you hid away, hoping they’d be forgotten. As blood fills your mouth, your gaze drifts to the Tamer. He watches with a satisfied grin, content with your downfall. You’ve paid the price of isolation, and now you’ve found your place among

A Gesture of Trust

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In a final act of empathy, you drop any defenses and hold your ground, speaking softly to the beast. You tell it that you understand its loneliness, its rage, its fear of being hurt. You wait, knowing that this moment could go either way. The beast pauses, its mismatched eyes looking into yours. For the first time, you sense its hesitation, as though it’s considering your offer. Finally, the beast steps forward slowly, resting its lion paw on your outstretched hand.

The Tamer, watching from the shadows, lets out a scream of disbelief. “No... no!” he hisses, cracking his whip in a desperate attempt to regain control. But this time, it doesn’t work. The beast’s eyes flick toward the Tamer, and you sense a shared understanding between you and the creature.

It’s time to act.

You and the beast charge toward the Tamer, united. His whip cracks again, but it’s weak, a mere echo of its former power. He stumbles backward, his twisted form losing its menace as fear overtakes him. Together, you and the beast unleash a final, decisive blow. The Tamer falls and his spectral form dissolving into the mists.

As the Tamer fades away, the beast begins to change. Its once grotesque form shifts, warping as patches of fur, scales, and feathers fall away. In its place, silver spirits of whole animals emerge, each scattering into the fog. They seem happy and grateful. To you.

Thus the massive figure of the Beastman disintegrates, and in the end, only one small creature remains; a tiny female gnome with bright blue hair and sparkling orange eyes. She steps forward, her smile kind but weary.

“I am Serena,” she says. “Once, I was the proud leader of the original carnival and the tamer of its beasts. I trusted the Ringmaster. It was I who brought him here, and in return, he wiped out my carnival, twisting it into this nightmare. When it happened I... I chose to hide instead of face the consequences, and in my cowardice, I was left alone, while he thrived.”

She takes a deep breath, her eyes glistening with emotion. “The carnival twisted me, made me one of its unwilling performers. But by showing me trust, you’ve freed me from my own isolation.”

Serena steps closer, placing a hand over her heart before speaking again. “You have my deepest gratitude. And my promise. When your darkest hour comes in this carnival, me and my beasts will come to your aid.”

With that, Serena bows, a faint shimmer of magic surrounding her as she steps back into the mists, leaving you with the feeling you’ve made a powerful ally in her. With that, your journey through this circus of horrors continues at the