AN: Thank you all for reading thus far. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, please do not hesitate to voice them.

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Far from the chaos of the battle between the servants of a lone god, stood a great wall of stone and magick. Behind such a wall was the bustling city of Leonis Superbia, or Lion's Pride. This city was called as such due to the monarchy's favoured race of Lion. It was considered the last bastion of the wilderness, as they were situated within the second continent of O'laan where much of the land is left untamed by the hands of the industrialists.

It was here that many relied on the items and consumables brought in from the port city of Freeport, but with it gone, many resulted in venturing out into the forests to scrounge for foods and products necessary to keep the city alive and thriving. However, the death toll has climbed since its destruction, as many simply refused to step out of the city after the remnants of the mercenary companies and adventurers returned with news of great monsters erupting from the forests to attack them whilst many of their number approached the ruined port city.

The official report omitted many important information, but it soon cycled through the city regardless. Such as the leader of these monsters rode in on a dragon of silver, and that its race was draconic in nature. This seemed to spur many of the monarch's guards to seek out and quell the slaves, of whom were Dragonock and Draconian. Of which cause many to rile up in a minour revolt against their "masters", but were quashed almost as soon as it began.

"Veni Deus Venenum is coming for you," many of them cackled as they were hanged until death took them. This seemed to cause many to panic, and send out their seers' eyes in order to find this being who claimed such a title. Unfortunately, none could detect even a trace of it, which seemed to placate many of the populace's worries. Save for those few who had witnessed the blind fanaticism of those who were sentenced to death. They truly believed in such a being, of which caused the monarchy in general to cast out their own seers' eyes into the darkness in order to divine the whereabouts of it.

However, they would not receive an answer until a sennight had past, but it was not one they desired to hear.

"A monster is fast approaching," whispered a group of five hooded individuals within a dark room near the throne room of the reigning monarch. Of whom was called Ramses, "You must bar the gates and do not allow such a creature within the walls."

"What do you mean?" Asked a deep, robust voice which echoed throughout the room of the seers.

"This creature, no, this Demon has destroyed innumerable lives, and has set its sights upon your city." As one, the hooded individuals turned towards the voice and screamed as their bodies erupted into emerald and sapphire flames. All the while, a slow and thunderous laughter echoed throughout the room. This caused the monarch, Nero, to flee from such a room as though his life depended upon it, whilst shouting for the guards to ring the bell and close the gates.

*

The day-star began to set upon the horizon of the seventh turn after the destruction caused against the mercenaries and adventurers, when the bells of brass within the city were stuck with high and low notes. This signified that danger was approaching the city, and to either hide within or find someplace safe. These bells continued to ring, even when the day-star was no longer visible, as many who could wield a bow were ushered to the walls.

"Something is coming in fast from the north," cried out a seer atop the walls, pointing in the direction it spoke of. All eyes near it squinted within the darkness and held their breath with anticipation, as soft echoes of a great and terrible howl reached their ears.

Many hairs stood on end, as others brought out contraptions simply known as "Telescopes" for those of whom had a much greater rank than the rest of the populace atop the walls. These items would allow them to perceive everything within a great distance, and many gasped as they spoke of a silver beast charging straight towards their wall without any inclinations of stopping. Few had taken the liberty of explaining what they see, whilst the rest simply shook for the sight of such a creature.

From what those atop the walls could piece together, this creature was long and bulky. It had four green, glowing eyes on either side of its head, and seemed to move freely whilst lighting the area in front of it. They did not see its maw, and could only surmise it contained many jagged rows of teeth. However, there was, in fact, streams of smoke coming from such a maw, and howled an ungodly howl which all within the city could hear as it continued its approach.

These small descriptions, coupled with the fact that it will arrive shortly, caused many an imagination to soar towards new heights, as the howls continued to grow ever louder. However, there were many who remained calm, even when their own bodies quaked in fear. These individuals held up there bows and spears, or began their incantations to fire upon the creature when it approached. This seemed to calm many around them, as they also took up their weapons and prepared themselves for a great battle ahead.

Unfortunately for them, this would never come to pass. For as soon as the beast was within visual range, it slowed and arched away from the wall they stood upon. All who witnessed such a sight were perplexed, but soon shook it off as the arching of its body caused it to circle around and away from their city as though searching for something.

"What's it doing?" Whispered many, as they stared at the creature's strange behaviour.

"Don't know," was the reply to such a question, as many have never before seen such a thing in the whole of their lifetime.

"Seems ta be searching fer sumfing," whispered a male in rags with a bow and few arrows in its grasp. Indeed it was, as the creature before them twisted and turned its body whilst traversing the outskirts of the wall for a time. That is, until it found the north gate and coiled in on itself near it. This action seemed to alarm many of whom were considered to be the monarchy's best strategists, and ordered everyone to kill the creature quickly.

However, a voice flew upon the air around their ears, "Ah, ah, ah," it chuckled lightly, "You should not try such a thing, as we've come for trade and you would be denying the sustenances and items your city desperately needs. Especially when your port city has been claimed by the monsters of this land."

"What?!" Cried out many from the castle situated in the centre of the city, as they pushed others out of the way in order to view a peculiar sight. For far below was an unknown beastman surrounded by the emerald lightings many had whispered about in fear. Of whom waved once at those above him, then began to bark several orders towards those of whom had yet to be seen. These unknowns grunted and grumbled, as the coiled beast's flesh opened up to reveal crates and boxes of various sizes.

"I'm sure you have something which will allow you to view our goods," called out the male far below them. of whom held up a torch of orange flame over several boxes and crates as their lids were removed. This action caused those with telescopes to stare in shock at the amount of items within such containers. many of which seemed to be new to nearly all.

However, there seemed to be a rush for the gate when they removed the lids and coverings of the containers holding produce and meats. Along with such consumables were spices of unknown qualities, of which flowed towards their noses as though by magick. This action caused many to sneeze, as it tickled their noses in such a way.

"You must not allow it inside the city," shouted a new voice. This individual was shrouded in a stained, white hooded robe and was being led forward by a pair of thin Draconians with flaking scales. These two seemed malnourished, and drooled as the spices and scents of the consumables from below wafted into their nostrils. Their eyes even watered a bit, as they stared about with faces of longing hunger and desired such things. However, they were each chained with a choker around their necks, of which were tightened by the now angered robed creature.

"It will only bring destruction to us all."

"Says the fat oaf who would rather starve out the city whilst you and yours eat what is left within it," growled another which seemed familiar to the whole of the crowd. Indeed, as it was the odd beastman who voiced such an opinion, as he stood glaring down upon the robed creature with bored anger. "I have it on good authority that you and your kind," a strange, white staff seemed to have grown out of his right clawed hand, and pointed it at the other just as a skull emerged from the tip, "have been eating your way through the emergency rations this city will be imposing upon its citizens soon enough."

The one being accused sputtered with rage at such an accusation, whilst the odd being before them shrugged and produced a couple of strips of meat. These were then presented to the Draconians, of whom devoured such treats quickly before their owner could contradict their actions. "I have more," he said, stroking their heads slowly, "but if you eat too much too quickly, you will both fall dangerously ill."

These words seemed to calm their anxiety, but not their hunger as they continued to stare at his clawed hands as though there was more food within them.

"What are you?" Whispered a female within the crowd of beastfolk and Kin, as they slowly enclosed around his body. Of whom seemed to vanish and reappear far below the wall.

"What am I?" Whispered his voice above the now shocked crowd, "I am, but a simple merchant come to sell my wares."