EndlessChase/EndlessChase'sDreams
Endless Chase's Pre-First Age Dreams
Part of you realizes that you are dreaming, and fights off the immersion into the reality unfurling around you to no avail. Once the mists of your consciousness begin to clear, you realize that while the other dreams had felt ancient, this one feels incredibly archaic.
You see in front of you a cave mouth with an immense opening, nearly one hundred feet tall and twice as wide. You step ever closer towards the maw of the cave, your steps heavy and slow. Your body feels tired beyond recouperation, and you remember, once again, that it is because you are ancient. For the last decade you have felt the relentless crawl of your years catching up to you.
The blade strapped across your back and the one at your waist feel far heavier than they should have. You know it is not your essence failing you. Even though the weapons are lightened by the essence committed to them, they still drag at you, and you realize that this unexpected weakness is due to millennia time upon this world.
You crawl into the cave, and draw the larger of the blades you carry with your left hand, holding it with great difficulty before you. You reach for the second with your other arm, but when you raise it, the blade is still strapped to your waist. Like so many times, recently, you had forgotten that that hand was sacrificed in the Primordial War so many eons ago.
You labor through the uneven terrain, making your way towards the deepest part of the cave. The fading strength in your limbs tells you that this is your last chance, that if She isn’t here, you will never find her. You press on.
Time passes as yards then miles are covered by your weary feet. You know you are reaching the deepest part of the cave rapidly. You can hear your echoes bouncing back at you, and you note the delay between them has reduced to nearly nothing. Your strength and mind may be failing you, but your senses are as sharp as ever.
You walk on.
Time seems to cease as you make your way through the depths of the earth, until you hear the sound of air moving. A few steps bring you close enough to tell that the sound is that of a great beast breathing. When you reach the source, you ignite your anima, letting the pure white light burst from your frame.
It exposes exactly what you hoped it would. The great beast sleeping here is the one that you had sought. Black and red striped fur covers the length of the giant beast. There is no mistaking her. She is Mahako, the Mistress of the Pride, and the greatest friend and ally that you had ever had.
The behemoth has been unchanged by the years, and you feel a moment of jealousy. Even your Exalted body has succumbed to the rigors of time, though it took many, many years to for it to happen, yet she is unchanged.
Moving to her face, you stroke the soft fur and breathe in her scent, one that you had been missing for far too long. You revel for just a moment in her majesty before you take a seat leaning against her mane. Sitting there, you take the weapons she had given you so many years ago, and set them across your lap.
You smile, for the last time, and close your eyes, for the last time, and think, for the last time, that you have found home once again.
Endless Chase's Dreams of the First Age
Dreams of the First Age: Part 1
*cue dream wibble*
You soar in hawk form, far above the stepped terraces of Meru, the center of Creation. Below you, you can see the spires of the Temple of the Sun, where the Solar Exalted have assembled to await the dawn, as they do every new year.
But this year is different.
The streets outside the temple are filled with the massed ranks of the Dragon-Blooded. Many of them are in warstriders, their enormous forms blocking out your view of many of the assembled soldiers. A good percentage of the remaining Dragon-Blooded are in Aspect Armor. They stand, without moving. Staring at the temple. Waiting.
You know why they are there. The Chosen of the Sun have bcome corrupt, betraying the mandate their have been given. They have lost the Mandate of Heaven and are no longer fit to rule. It has been debated among the Lunar Society's members endlessly, and you know that they are right. You will stand aside as the Dragon Blooded do what must be done, but you will not like it, or even enjoy it. You cannot.
Ruby is there, in the temple. She doesn't know what is coming--you haven't even seen her in almost five years. Alaethis warned her about what was coming months ago, but she didn't listen. It didn't surprise you. She has been affected by the corruption as well, though not as strongly as some. Shining Star immediately comes to mind, and her...experiments, but you push the thought away.
You almost stop circling as the discordant singing begins and the doors of the temple open, but you force yourself to watch. You watch as the Solars, their clothes aflame, come streaming out of the temple. You watch as the massed host of the Dragon-Blooded moves forward and brings its weapons to bear. You will mourn Ruby's fall, even if no one else will.
As the Dragon-Blooded move forward and begin to attack the burning Solars, the cry of a hawk fills the air above Meru.
*end dream wibble*
Dreams of the First Age: Part 2
*cue dream wibble*
The jungle presses on all sides, but the ship moves down the river unimpeded by any of the vegetation. In the distance, through the haze of heat and river-mist, you can see the docks where the ship will stop, and the globe-liking flying chariots of the Dragon Kings waiting to take you to Rathess.
Rathess. Ruby's hometown. It has been too long since you last saw each other, with her duties as one of the Chosen of the Sun and your own adventure in the Wyld. Now, after you so long, you will be reunited.
The boat approaches the dock, slowing slightly as the Essence engines compensate for the flow of the river. You can see Dragon Kings tending the flying spheres, guarding the docks, and beating back the jungle with long golden scythes. Another flying chariot is in the distance, approaching over the trees and drifting down towards the docks.
As you step off the boat, one of the Dragon Kings steps forward. "Welcome to you, Chosen of the Moon. Light shine on you always."
"And may the warmth of the sun shelter you," you reply in their High Holy Speech. The Dragon King is not what interests you, however. You wait as the sphere descends fully to the ground, and then opens.
Ruby steps out of the flying chariot, resplendent in the ceremonial regalia of a Dragon King priest. She looks absolutely gorgeous.
"Welcome to Rathess, my love," she says.
*end dream wibble*
Dreams of the First Age: Part 3 (Self Authored)
*Queue Dream Wibble*
Sun Setting stares down to the cub at his feet, watching Alaethas rub the circle carved into his shoulder.
“Such audacity from a young one. Did you think I would not notice the nymph’s blood in the candle?”
The beaten Lunar looks up with hate in his eyes, “Ruby deserves better than you. I just did what I could to try and free her!”
Rage flares in Endless Chase's eyes for a moment, “Careful, little No Moon, or I’ll have to carve another circle in you.” He looks away for a moment, disappointed. “Did you really think that having me sleep with Lilith would make Ruby leave me? Our bond is much deeper than that.”
“You have wronged your packmate in a way that cannot easily be forgiven. I plan to leave that circle on you forever, so that you will always remember what you have done. You will always be indebted to me, and do not forget that.”
Sun Setting gives a slight smile at this point, and reaches into a bag, pulling out a silver sword, and hands it, hilt first, to Alaethas.
“I had crafted this for you, in the thought that it would suit your nature. It’s name is Silver Fang, and it’s poison is only matched by that in your heart.”
Alaethas looks up with some confusion on his face.
“Learn to use it, little Lunar. You’ll need it, the next time we fight.”
*Queue Dream Wibble*
Dreams of the First Age: Part 4
*cue dream wibble*
Cities. So many cities, spreading all across the landscape of Creation. You can remember the days when the cities were smaller--when the land was still recovering from the Primordial War, even millennia after its end. It was better then. Cities are like cages, trapping people inside. Forcing their dreams and hopes into narrow channels so that they cannot escape and dooming them to a life of sullen mediocrity.
You soar in the form of a roc, great wings beating a course across the sky above the Riverlands. Below you lies the great city of Lookshy, sprawling across the conjunction of the rivers like a drunken man lying in a ditch. Around it are the many many cities that depend on Lookshy for their very survival, like gnats gnawing on the fur of a mangy dog. You did well to get away from them.
The Lunar Society is right, you've found--something needs to be done. You have seen the way Ruby has changed over the years...growing steadily harsher and less forgiving. Expecting iron-willed discipline from even the least of her member of her territory--even the civilians, Allowing petty squabbles with her neighbors to grow until there was no choice but to wage all-our war, squandering the lives of the Terrestrial Exalted in useless battles. She wasn't even fighting for territory or resources! Just over useless words or perceived slights. She no longer understood what was best for the people in her care.
Even so, she was wonderful, once. It was almost painful to see what she had become now. That was the problem in the Lunar Society--they all agreed that they still loved their mates, and you are definitely in full agreement on that issue. The problem is, you can't live with Ruby the way that she is behaving. She still loves you--she makes that clear enough--but any perceived slight on your part is met with a torrent of abuse and scorn for your "weakness."
Maybe Raksi is right. Maybe it would be better if the Solars were gone completely.
*end dream wibble*
Dreams of the First Age: Part 5
*cue dream wibble*
Nine Lives stares at you in sheer astonishment.
"You're going to WHAT?"
You shake your head. "Have you seen what she did with your apartment while you were away, Nine-kun? It's hideous. Absolutely hideous. Someone has to talk to her about it."
Nine Lives frowns. "Sun-kun, you know as well as I do that Shining-chan has no taste at all when it comes to interior decoration, but one of the things we agreed on at the marriage ceremony was that she would take care of all issues related to the appearance of the household." The frown turns into a faint smile. "She told me that if I were left in charge, we would be living in a giant litterbox."
"That's why I have to talk to her," you insist. "I'm not bound by any such restrictions."
Nine Lives' ears twitch, standing up from his head like that cat that his spirit is shaped after. "I still don't like it, Sun-kun. She'll think that I put you up to it, and then all Malfeas will break loose. You know how she gets when she's angry."
You smile at him. "I wouldn't panic too much, Nine-kun. I'm a master storyteller. She'll never know what hit her before it's too late, and by then everything will already be rearranged. No more of those hideous purple drinking glasses. Just think of it, Nine-kun. It would be worth it for Hayako-chan to stop joking about the 'Violet Beer of Sorrows' every time she visits you and Shining Star."
"Fine. I'll give you the chance. But I'm going to be off visiting Maenin and Hikari while this is going on. That should be safely out of range..."
*end dream wibble*
Dreams of the First Age: Part 6
*cue dream wibble*
"You've noticed it too, then?" you ask.
Hikari nodded. "Maenin-san is much more...self assured-"
"Arrogant," Nine Lives interrupted.
With a slight frown, Hikari continues, "Much more arrogant than he used to be. I remember that he used to spend at least a few hours a week in prayer, seeking the guidance of the Unconquered Sun. Now it's unusual if he bothers seeking His guidance once every few months."
"I don't need to tell you what Shining Star has been up to," Nine Lives said with a slight growl. "You've heard of it yourself, I imagine. I can sometimes barely stand to be in the same house as her, when she starts going on about her...experiments."
"There's a problem here," you say. "It's obvious that something is very, very wrong. Even Ruby has gotten much more inflexible. Even caution in the face of danger seems almost cowardly to her now. It's ridiculous the lengths that she will go to to maintain 'courage' in the people around her. Something must be done."
"Perhaps we should ask Hayako-chan," Hikari suggests.
You shake your head. "No. The Chosen of the Maidens may be wise, but we are the mates of the Solars. We will find a solution to this ourselves. But we must tell the others."
Nine Lives smiles. "I'm meeting with Raksi, Ma-Ha-Suchi, Wingshadow, and Red Dream in a week's time. I can speak to them about their own experiences. Alaethis is on the way, though I don't know how useful his knowledge will be."
Bah. Whelp. "Speak to him if you must," you say. "I will talk to Lilith. There is much we have to do."
Hikari nods only a moment before her body explodes outward into a cloud of ravens, which quickly wheels off towards the east. Nine Lives looks after her for a moment, then turns back to you. "Can they be stopped, Sun-kun?"
You shake you head. "I do not know, Nine-kun. I do not know..."
*end dream wibble*
Dreams of the First Age: Part 7 (Self Authored)
*Dream Wibble*
Sun Setting...No, Fading Sun looked down at his hands, twisted and scaled as that of the Tyrant Lizards.
"My hands...not my hands...", He said, looking up at Alaethis, struggling with the old realm words. He shook his head and cleared his mind a bit.
"My hands...They...changed, yesterday. Now, they're always...scaled. In all my forms. Once they were normal, but no more."
Alaethis looked at the hands, and shook his head slightly.
"Luna never told us of these changes. Others have started them too, though I have not seen any so...abrupt."
The larger man's eyes welled with tears, "Not just the hands...My name, it feels differend. Not Sun Setting, now Fading Sun. My mind...it is not my own."
He clenched his fists, and brought one to his mouth, where he began to chew the flesh around the wrist until the blood flowed freely.
"Cub...no...friend...please..." He said through tears and bites, "Please help..." With the end of the words he finished gnawing through the bone, and the gnarled hand fell to the ground.
Alaethis looked up at him with a mix of analysis and sympathy, "I will do what I can, Sun. I just hope we have time."
*Dream Wibble*
Dreams of the First Age: Part 8 (Self Authored)
*Dream Wibble*
Writhing Chaos, nothing and everything passed both before and within your mind. Movement, you feel it happen, but the landscape doesn't let you see how far you go.
Nothing in your head makes sense, but you do not care. This is not how it is supposed to be, you know, but you don't mind.
Freedom. Freedom is the feeling that you experience the strongest. There is nothing you cannot do here. There is no one to protect. Everyone is an enemy, so discretion in choosing victems doesn't exist.
You run free, you think, but ever in the farthest corner of your mind is the things. One of your dozen hands holds on to them, always closed into a fist, always pressed against your chest. You cannot remember whet they are, nor can you open your hand to look.
It only bothers you a little that you can't drop what you hold.
The helm over your eyes feel like silk, a light wrap that fits sung agains your face. You can just see the shine from the rim of the eye holes.
You fly, or run, or swim, whatever the space needs you to do, and pass deeper and deeper, ever further from where you once called home.
As you ran, a flash of something, pain, you remember, scores across your back. It fades in an instant, but it makes you turn to see what caused it.
Behind you are five things. They look like men, though green skinned and blue haired.
The dreaming you recognises the one in the center. It is Arashi, though he wears a smile of amusement, not anger on his face.
The other Fae have spears made of giant blades of grass, and arashi's arm is out stretched, his hand barren of a like spear.
"It does not die easy, brother-selves, perhaps this one shall be fun." Arashi says to the others. All five laugh the laugh of small children.
You turn and charge them, as the four with spears left charge you. Each you hit once, and each dances away, laughing at the pain from their own cuts.
After the pass, you feel pain explode everywhere. You look down to see all four remaining spears piercing through your chest. One, you know, lies within your heart, it's last attempts at beating failing.
You look at the beasts, and pull the helm from your head. As the silver clears your brow, a flash hits you, and you remember who you were, your life, and your fall.
"By the gods...Ruby! My betrayal did not just end you!! It sealed my doom as well!"
Your hand, the one you could not open before, pulls away from your chest, and you twist your hand open, staring at the little acorn, and the perfect cube of uniform grey iron.
"Let this sacrafice be enough, please..." You say, as you close your eyes and open all essense you still hold.
With your final breath, you release that power, and drop the two things you carry. The acorn hits the ground, and your blood spills onto it, infusing it with essense.
From your body radiates out an aura of reality, a solid realness that sets through the area, catching the four Fae that stood near you. As the wave touched the Cube of Order, the effect is magnified, spreading outwards like an explosion.
The ground beneath your body turns brown, the odd shapes crumbling into soal. The sky above you turns blue, a small cloud floating above. The plants here become just that, sitting in place rather than walking around.
The four Fae that you hit shake, and fall to the ground, clutching limbs that will no longer change form, feeling the pain of hearts that beat, and lungs that breathe.
The blood stained acorn cracks, and a green shoot begins to form from its center. As Sun Settings body decays, the tree grows, forming through his corpse, sending shards of armor and bone cascading around its base. The new branches pick up the helm and carry it to the top, where the eyes stare to the east, ever further into the wyld.
As the tree grew, it incorporated the Cube into it's trunk, and shortly after the hearthstone was totally submerged into the core of the tree.
After not more than a few minutes, a patch of reality, created by your love of that which you lost, and fueled by the power of the Cube, was fixed within the wyld, a giant Red Oak standing as an eternal monument and tribute, a beacon of reality that shall not be consumed by the chaos of the wyld.
High in the branches, on a limb growing through the hearth stone setting in the helm, an emerald acorn rested, faintly glowing, begging to be plucked.
Arashi looked at his frozen, dying siblings. "My family-self, he will pay again for this. No one kills me four times and does not pay the same price."
*End dream wibble*
Dreams of the First Age: Part 9 (Self Authored)
*Dream wibble*
"I've never seen one that was to become a No-moon pass the test of battle without getting badly hurt before, Have you, Sun-kun?"
You shake your head, looking with approval at the young Lunar, his caste newly fixed after he finished his tests. Alaethis was now Nain-Ya, one of the Kin. He had done well in all of his trials, and you are especially pleased with his progress.
"True, he has done well. Better than I did, many years ago, with the trials of the mind, at least. No one still has managed to beat my record with the trial of battles though. No scratches and three fallen in two strikes. Who would think that a Waning Moon would do so much better than the Full Moons. Bragging Rights are something to be happy for."
Nine-Lives laughed, "Well he took less than three minutes to solve the eight queens. Your attempt took what? Half an hour?"
You sit there, the barest hint of anger building behind your eyes. It has always infuriated you that you took the longer than all but three others to somve that puzzle.
"Anyway..., The boy and I both found the answer to the spirit riddle in less than half a moon spent meditating. Thaqt's something to be proud of."
"Like father, like...what is it? Twenty generations removed?"
"I hate the father routine. He is the Grandson of my once human brother, Setinus, well, Redfern, before he left for the east, twenty three generations moved down. We do share a little blood. I didn't think many had noticed."
Nine-Lives ran his fingers through his hair, "Not many could. You know my nose is exceptional, Sun-kun. Beyond me, I'm not sure how many could tell. 23 generations is a long time for blood to thin."
Sun's Setting looked up at Nine, then to his almost descendant. "Don't tell him, will you? I don't want him to think he's following in my footsteps because he's my heir or anything. I enjoy it that he emulates me because he respects me."
"That's a good way to think of it, Sun-kun."
Sun's Setting changes form, taking the shape of a Raiton, and begins to fly away. As you leave, you feel the thought from Nine. You know he will not tell the cub.
As the scene behind you fades, you think to yourself on how you can reward the cub for his excellence. Perhaps a sword, something that compliments his fangs...
*Dream wibble*
Dreams of the First Age: Part 10 (Self Authored)
*Dream wibble*
You are still shocked. None in your small city thought that you, little Greenleaf, would be re-born as a Prince of the Earth. The Silver lady had shown herself to you, and you knew what she wanted of you.
Your eldest brother, called Redfern, was not pleased. He looked at you with scorn and frustration. "Why you, little brother? Why not I? I was the greatest warrior of our home. I was the one that could climb the fastest, could run the swiftest. Why were you chosen to become more?" He said to me, spitting on the ground.
You look down at your arms, thee skin had already grown from the outside of your hands, down to your waste. "I am not sure, brother. Perhaps she heard one of my stories, and enjoyed..."
He stopped as his older brother cut him off, "Damn you, little brother! I am the one that deserves that power, not you! You're just a joker, a story teller. You barely even hunt!"
With these words, a new rage built within you, and before you truly knew what you were doing, you had Redfern in a hold, pinning him, feet dangling, to a tree.
"Think of who you talk to, 'big' brother. I am not little any longer. I am a Prince of the Earth, and you will treat me as such." With the final words, you set him down, gently.
He takes a few quick steps, and readys himself for a fight a few yards away. Seeing that you have no further intention to fight, he spits in your face, and punches you in the jaw. There is no pain from the hit in yout mouth, just a dull ache coming from your heart.
After a moment, you respond by saying, "I can see that we have grown distant these past few days, Brother. You may be older, but still, you should be in awe, not infuriated. You have until the Sun's Setting to leave our home. If ever you speak ill of my goddess, you will die."
His brother looked at him with a gaping jaw, and without replying, he picks up hit spear, and a leather bag, and walks off towards the west. You cannot guess how far he will travel, but suddenly you no longer care. Go all the way to the Isles, you piece of Auroch Shit.
A few moments later, an owl lands near your feet, and changes into the shape of a beautiful woman, with silver hair. "You handled that well, young cub. My name is Lilith, and you will be coming with me. You have much to learn about what you are, and time should never be wasted."
*Dream wibble*
Dreams of the First Age: Part 11 (Self Authored)
*Queue dream wibble*
Your jealousy over Hikari’s strange talents in shifting is finally over. Her talents have made many envious, with her ability to keep her voice in other forms. Now, however, things aren’t going to be so bad. You’ve found a talent as well, though it took you a good hundred years longer than her.
“Watch, Hikari. Perhaps you can pick this up as well.” You say to her, a little smugly.
You change shape into that of a horse. A simple enough task for all Lunars to accomplish, though you still have a trick up your sleeve, and you think it’s going to impress the malfeans out of her.
You focus on your forehead, and also on another shape that your essence remembers. After a moment of concentration, it’s done. You tilt your head up to try to see the startled expression that you expect, though all you find is a frown and a critical eye.
“I don’t know about this Setting. This doesn’t seem right.” She says, with concern in her voice.
You shift back to your human shape, and ask her, “What are you talking about? I’ve found a way to break the restrictions of out forms!”
She reaches up and grabs the horn that is still protruding from your forehead. “That’s what I mean, Sun-kun. You’ve broken a boundary that most of us never want to cross. Look at yourself, the horn didn’t go away when you changed into a man again. Nothing we change is permanent like that, Sun. It’s like you’ve given yourself another tell.”
You concentrate for a moment and feel the horn recede into your body. “Nonsense. See, it goes away. And you should be excited. With this new power I can do things like keep my voice when I change too. Or I can grow human arms from the side of a cat and carry things while still pad footing. Or hell, maybe if I try hard enough I could grow the wings of a Roc while I’m still in man form. Think of the speed I could get then.”
She shakes her head, “I still don’t know, Sun-kun. This seems like a fast way to lose what you are. Be careful with it.”
*A great sensing of time passing and you find yourself standing over the body of a fallen Dragon-blooded*
Your hands are in the shape of a Tyrant Lizard’s. The bastard managed to make you lose your Moonsilver Kunai, and your Moonsilver Lash-lines are a lot harder to use than your fists in extremely close combat. You are surprised with how easily the claws came this time, however.
“Before I forget…” You say as you pick up the body of your fallen enemy and rip his throat with your claws. “Dinner is ready.” You say, digging your teeth into its neck, feeling the new form set into your cache.
After you are done feasting, you look down at your hands, wondering if you should change them back, or leave them as they are. After a moment you realize that it’s going to be a lot harder to put away your Lash-lines and kunai with hands that don’t have a thumb.
You concentrate essence into you hands, and refer to the form in your mind that is your normal human body. After a moment you feel a bit of essence get used, and the tingling feeling of shape change. Looking down you see your hands, though they are not as they should be. Green-grey scales cover your knuckles, and your nails are ivory colored and pointed terribly.
“Something is…wrong…” You say aloud, and not for the first time since you’ve been experimenting with the amalgamated forms, with fear.
Your concentration wavers a bit, and you feel as though something inside of you has changed as well. This is a problem, and you know the one person that can help you is the one whose bridges you burned. Perhaps it was time for an apology to Alaethis. At least if that’s what it would take.
Inside your head you hear the laughter of a female, and you can’t quite tell if it sounds more like Hikari or the Silver Lady.
*End dream wibble*
Endless Chase's Dreams of the Second Age
Dreams of the Second Age: Part 1
*wibble*
This dream is a little different from you last one, in that you feel your body, and it does not feel like that of a god. You are in a city, dingy buildings, refuse lining alleyways, running from the Dragon Bloods that are for some reason chasing you.
You find a building where you can easily climb the side. Learning how to do such things is necessary for a cutpurse, you think. You flip over the top, and as you get to your feet, you see one of them standing across the roof, his blue armor looking, well, immaculate.
He takes a few slow steps towards you, reveling in the terror you show him. You can tell he is using his powers, because as he gets closer you can feel the wind start to rub your skin raw, and the temperature drops rapidly.
Before thinking further, you stand, and hold your little knife towards him. He laughs at you, “Try with that little ‘toy’ and you’ll pay dearly.” You know he’s lying. For some reason, you know you’re already going to pay dearly.
You reach for your purse, open it with one hand, and toss it to the ground. The Obol that you stole earlier that day slides out and lands at his feet.
The Air Aspect takes another step, “If you think we would get involved over a trivial piece of Jade, you are a fool, boy.” He smiles at you, “It is time for the Wild Hunt to end this. For the Empress!” He cries as he steps closer still.
Without thinking, you throw your dagger at his face. He catches it in a mailed hand and swings his arm, throwing it back at you, but he is too late. You have already dove over the edge of the roof and are awaiting the impact from a twenty foot fall.
After several seconds, you realize that that impact never happened, and as the feeling returns to your body, you look at your hand, grasping a sill halfway down the wall, to see the fingers darkened, and covered with silver hair.
The rest of your body feels different too, like your center of gravity is much lower. You arm feels no pain from the strain of holding your body, and you realize that you are in fact much stronger than before. You pull yourself up and pirch on a sill with perfect balance.
Before you move again, a flash ov silver light happens, and you remember words that were said to you. “Climb and seek retribution, little Lunar of mine.” You do not know where the voice came from, but you know it is your duty to heed it.
You do as the voice commanded, climbing up the wall with ease, and as you reach the top, the Dragon looks over the edge, to see the face of a Gorilla looking into his own. Before he can react, you grab his face and pull him over the edge, flipping so your feet are on his chest.
You feel within you even more power, and release it, becoming larger, stronger, faster. As you and the Dragon-blood hit the ground, you accentuate the blow with a punch, lined in blue light, to his face. When your hand pulls back, you see it is covered in blood, but this was expected. The surprise is to see the silver talons jutting from the back of your hand and the tips of your fingers.
Two more of the armored men come around the corner of the alley, and before they get over the shock of seeing your horrid visage, you kill them. One’s head sits in you hand, the other’s heart was already sliding down your gullet.
After a moment to recuperate, A woman walks around the corner of the alley. Her ebony skin and copper hair seem out of place in the realm. Perhaps she was from the south, near the threshold, you think. She walks up to you slowly, with intent, and you seem to recognize her, “Hayaku?” The name comes from your mouth in a voice far too deep for a thirteen winters boy, and you know the name is right.
“Young one, it seems I must kill you yet again. You are crafty, surviving to your Exaltation yet again. Why, for some reason, do you always awaken just before I arrive? No matter, this is done. Enjoy your next rebirth, Sun’s Setting.” Faster than you can see, she strikes you, a knife jutting from where your heart should lay. You feel the pain, but you realize she missed. This form, it must be different. The proportions are not true.
You hit the ground, on your back, and as she reached to reclaim her blade, you grasp her arm, feeling your talons dig into her flesh. She looks at you with awe, and before you can react, she touched your forehead, and a dull light you never realized was there faded out of sight. Before you can react, pain erupts through your whole body, and blackness comes. Just as your last thoughts fade, you hear a light giggling, it is the same voice as the one that commanded you to climb, and you ask “Why?” aloud just before you reach the end.
*Wibble*
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