Hunting for Revenge

"I know it's been through here," Vornast snarled, shoving his face into the face of his most recent victim, claws poised over the man's throat, "Where is it!"

"I don't know what you're talking about! Just leave me alone!"

Vornast snarled, swiping his paw downwards as the man tried to cringe away, only to be yanked roughly from his feet by a massive, well fanged mouth and dangled high above the ground. His paws scrabbled at thin air, eyes narrowing in rage at being so treated.

You! By what right to do you terrorize the people of this clan?

"By the right of my Blood Hunt! The beast has been through here, I can smell it!"

Searching for beasts, are you? Very well, then – there's an entire enclave of them to the west, just waiting to devour freaks like you. You'll find what you're searching for there, not here. The speaker began stalking towards the gate, still carrying Vornast's dangling form in his mouth, And I hope they teach you the meaning of pain before you die.

Vornast snarled, glaring about in an attempt to find something, anything, that could help free him from his captor. But suddenly, with no more warning than the briefest of pauses, his captor leapt into the air, massive wings carrying them both swiftly outside the clan and to the west.

I hope you can fly, beast, or at least that the legends of cats always landing on their feet are correct.

Suddenly, he was flying. No – falling! The wind whistled through his fur, even as the dragon who'd brought him this far wheeled in the air and flew calmly back, ignoring his howled protests. He would not die like this! Dropped from hundreds of feet, his revenge left unfinished... never!

Howling his anger to the sky, he twisted about in midair, forcing his telekinesis into action. Slowly, so very slowly, his descent slowed, until it was a mere hop to the ground, his paws touching down lightly and soundlessly.

You... are a fascinating creature. Came a sinister rumble in his mind, Wingless, you survive a fall that would kill many of the winged ones. Give me your name, feline.

Vornast looked up, clenching his jaw as he noticed the shadow engulfing him, and finally the creature that cast the shadow. Twenty three writhing heads, one with a silver, jewel studded crown, a massive, wingless body terminating in two tails. He could perch upon the creature's back and it would never notice.

"I am Vornast."

And what is your purpose, Vornast, that you would fight so hard to survive.

"I called Blood Hunt on a shadow beast which killed my Prince. I will not rest until my revenge is fulfilled."

A beast of shadows... I know one who can help you in your quest, but I require one thing from you in return.

"What."

Your loyalty. Your pledge that you will do what I say.

"I give my loyalty to no one without reason. I will not be pressured into obeying your every whim just because the outcome might, eventually, benefit me. If that is all you have to say, then good day, I must continue my hunt, and you are in my way." Vornast rose from his place and turned his back on the hydra, stepping silently away, tail switching insolently through the air.

The hydra chuckled, No, stay. You have courage, Blood Hunter Vornast. I will help you. That one not an Imperial or Chaotic would stand up to me is rare. You may stay or you may go as you see fit, but stay at least a while – it will take time for me to gather my contacts and point you right.

Vornast paused, one paw hovering over the rocky ground as he considered the hydra's words. When the paw finally came back to earth, he had turned and fixed the hydra with his piercing gaze, "Tell me your name, hydra."

I am Imperial Theris'vani. This, is my territory.

Vornast nodded, as he followed the hydra out of the rocky yard and into the complex itself.

He had found himself a base, if not a home.

A home would come in time. After the beast was killed.