Nobody was supposed to know.

Not the other Beasts, not the ancient Heroes, certainly not the only person he could tolerate.

Secondary genders were something the other Beasts lacked. It was something that had only spawned after their fall.. all except for Shadow Milk. Originally being the Fount of Knowledge meant he had been cursed with this shameful fate, forced to rot under a power he couldn’t control.

Currently, he was hidden away, locked inside a deep cavern in the middle of the woods. It was the only thing that would keep him safe from judgment. He would not let his persona fall. Not even his minions were privy to his blight.

“Dammit,” the Beast of Deceit swore, his bodysuit constricting his body like a vice. He tore it off as he backed into the cave, his entire body feeling like a furnace.

He was used to waiting these out, even if his body howled for help.

Shadow Milk suddenly froze when he heard soft footsteps patter into the cave. No, he thought frantically. Anyone but them. Not now, not during a heat.