• INDENTIONMysque couldn’t believe it. Even with his bias against these people, this came as a shock… the sheer disrespect was astounding. His fists clenched, teeth gritted, the young dragon tried to restrain himself from assaulting all those present…

    INDENTIONTo understand Mysque’s fury, one must know at least a small amount about tiger culture. The tiger tribe (or empire, or whatever title you prefer) put a large focus on warfare. As such, tiger legends tended to arise from battles long past, as would several of their holidays…

    INDENTIONThese customs show us how Mysque came to be staring in astonishment at the festival around him, celebrating the tigers’ victory over the dragon empire.

    INDENTIONThe tale had been embellished a tad. Apparently, the dragons had been beastly plights on the world, comparable to the villain of a child’s story.

    INDENTIONApparently, the ‘great lizards’ had a reserve of several million or so warriors, vastly outnumbering the tigers.

    INDENTIONApparently, the tigers had pulled off a miracle, ending the empire’s reign with minimal casualties.

    INDENTIONAnd apparently, Mysque had one of the best costumes that one nameless tiger had ever seen. “However did you get your wings to look so lifelike, lad?” he’d said. Ujarak had expected the young dragon to completely let loose and kill the ignorant feline. To his surprise, Mysque had managed to, as Amrit had put it, ‘grin and bear it.’

    INDENTIONNonetheless, the tortoise had taken the boy away from the situation before it became more than Mysque could bear. As the young dragon was led through the crowd, his disgust toward these people who would celebrate genocide grew ever greater.

    INDENTIONUjarak spoke… he didn’t seem to realize just how great the noise from the crowd was. Even right next to him, Mysque couldn’t understand the tortoise. The two found a (relatively) silent alleyway…

    INDENTION“You’re surprised, Mysque-kun?” before the dragon even opened his mouth, Ujarak asked, “Why?”

    INDENTIONMysque started to speak, but Ujarak interrupted, “Surely you didn’t expect them to regret it?” He chuckled, “Civilization has not yet learned to regret its wrongs… only to celebrate them by making them seem right.

    INDENTION“And don’t think it is just the tiger race that celebrates this day. Though some do not remember the reason, all people across the continent celebrate the massacre of your people.”

    INDENTIONMysque glared up at Ujarak, “… and after telling me this, that everyone is against me… you expect me to fight alongside anyone? It’s all I can do to not go on a rampage right now.”

    INDENTION“Not everyone, boy. There is, of course, myself. I’d like to believe that the rest of EMPIRE considers you an ally as well…” the tortoise smiled gently, “They simply do not know what will heal their ally’s wounds. Come.”

    INDENTIONAnd so, with another semi-cryptic dialogue, Ujarak again led Mysque through the city, until they reached an empty warehouse of sorts. The dragon looked quizzically about, wondering… well, why they were here.

    INDENTIONIt was when he entered, and saw the young tiger boy chained up and gagged. He seemed to Mysque’s age… or at least maturity level. He also seemed relatively terrified. For a moment, Mysque pitied the boy… “So. What’s he here for?”

    INDENTIONUjarak smirked, “The boy? He’s quite a rarity, as far as species go… he’s all that you hate.”

    INDENTIONThe dragon looked questioningly at his partner/teacher, “All that I hate…” he looked to the boy, and noticed his ears… they were far more canine than feline.

    INDENTION“… he’s part wolf?” Mysque guessed, his master nodding, “… but that doesn’t answer my question. Why’s he here?”

    INDENTION“Amrit took an interest in him. He said that he may have the strength of the tiger and the cunning of a wolf,” Ujarak smiled brightly, but with a hint of malevolence, “As such, we were sent to recruit him to EMPIRE. Sadly, the boy resisted, and caught me off guard… you, ever loyal to our fine organization, did what was necessary…”

    INDENTIONIt was here that the young dragon finally caught sight of the blade placed just out of the tiger/wolf, the symbol of his malice. He smirked, and looked once more to Ujarak, “And what was necessary, Ujarak-sensei?”

    INDENTIONThe tortoise kept his bright smile as he turned and exited the room, saying only, “Whatever sates you.”

    INDENTIONMysque smirked, and picked up the blade. He then forced the gag from the other boy’s mouth, proceeding to knee him in the face. “Speak your name, kitten… or mutt, or whatever you prefer.”

    INDENTIONThe tiger-wolf looked up, his nose broken, “M-Malix…”

    INDENTION“Malix…” the dragon repeated, “… sounds like ‘malice,’ doesn’t it?”

    INDENTIONMalix snarled, “It means ‘unity.’”

    INDENTIONTo which Mysque only laughed, “Then it fits. Both the inferiors who you spawn from will be united, as the dragon tribe rises once again, from their blood and ashes…”

    INDENTION“Y-you’re a…”

    INDENTION“Stop stuttering, it’s obnoxious. Yes, I’m a dragon. Yes, we’re real. Yes, your people slaughtered mine…” he let out a laugh that was almost a giggle, and approached the other boy, “Fair’s fair, right?”

    INDENTION“No… please, you don’t have to…” Malix stopped as Mysque ran the blade along his cheek, just enough to make him bleed.

    INDENTIONFor his first time drawing blood, the dragon seemed rather indifferent, “How cliché... neither of your monstrous heritages will miss such a weakling.” With that, he drove the blade through Malix’s throat… the boy fell to die bleeding on the floor.

    INDENTIONAs Mysque wiped the blade and left the room, he glanced to a waiting Ujarak, “And how do you feel?”

    INDENTIONFor the first time since the attack on his home, the dragon smiled, “Somewhat hungry. What’s worth eating here?”

    INDENTIONThe tortoise smiled… it was a start, if nothing else…