"That's the beautiful thing about innocence; even monsters have a pocketful of childhood memories with which to seek comfort with."
-Dave Matthes, "Sleepeth Not, the Bastard"
Two creatures prowled their grasslands territory. The horns on their foreheads were sharp and their hooves were just as deadly. Unlike others in Uithcoth, they were small in stature but just as ferocious.
One head, face framed by a mane of brown, turned to see a cub pouncing their way. It crouched and played while the other, without a mane, laid in the sun to relax.
The male, Dranteag growled as something scented the air. Warama looked at him, curious, but undeterred. Dranteag wouldn't have it. He nudged the cub to the cave and went to Warama, looming over her, blocking the sun.
Warama was furious until they both saw a creature fly past them. It let out a sound, like an alarm, like a warning. Dranteag was intrigued. Warama was not.
Warama pleaded with Dranteag to stay home, to have peace.
Dranteag did not listen, for he too sensed the danger in the air.
Something was coming.
Something horrible.
If Dranteag and Warama did not face it, their peaceful lives could end forever. Dranteag urged Warama to help him protect what is theirs. Urged her to be one with him.
Dranteag and Warama were strongest together. They fight together, Played together. Slept together. They would survive together or not at all.
Warama sighed and followed Dranteag. They followed the creature sounding the alarm, the warning. They pledged themselves to save Uithcoth.
~~~
Too Jou Shen (Warama and Dranteag)
Definition: Coming in pairs, Too Jou Shen or Rui Shi are from Chinese Mythology and are described as lions with short horns on their heads and cloven hooves.