Once upon a time, in a verdant valley nestled between towering mountains, lived two dragon brothers, Azur and Vermil.
They were the last of their kind, born into a world where dragons were revered as guardians of nature.
Azur, the elder, was gentle and wise, believing in coexistence with humans. Vermil, the younger, was fierce and proud, sceptical of humans and their ways.
Their peaceful existence was shattered one fateful day when a group of human warriors, seeking glory and riches, invaded the valley.
Azur, in an act of selfless bravery, defended the humans living in the valley, seeing their innocence and fear.
.
.
.
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However...
In the ensuing chaos, he sacrificed his life to protect a young human girl.
Soon after...Vermil who had heard of his brother's passing was enraged and heartbroken.
He saw humans as treacherous creatures, undeserving of his brother's sacrifice.
He unleashed his fury upon the lands, his fiery breath scorching the earth and his mighty wings stirring fierce storms.
In his quest for vengeance, Vermil observed the girl his brother had saved. She was frail and unassuming, yet she possessed a spirit that reminded him of Azur.
Despite her weakness against him, she showed compassion, helping those in need against his fury, standing up against injustices, and healing wounds, both physical and emotional.
Vermil's heart, hardened by grief and anger, began to thaw as he witnessed her acts of kindness.
He saw her stumble and fall, yet always rise again, her determination unwavering. She reminded him of the goodness Azur had always believed existed in humans.
The young dragon realized that his brother had seen something he had been blind to - that humans, despite their flaws, were capable of great love, bravery, and kindness.
They, like dragons, were complex beings, capable of both destruction and creation.
In a moment of epiphany, under the silver glow of the moon, Vermil let go of his hatred.
He decided to honour his brother's memory not through vengeance, but through guardianship.
He swore to protect those who could not protect themselves, to be a shield for the weak and a beacon of hope for the downtrodden.
From that day forward, Vermil became a guardian of the valley and the lands beyond.
He watched over the humans, guiding them through harsh winters and defending them from dangers and the evil of man.
He was feared, respected, and, eventually, loved.
The small dragon, who once burned with hatred, now soared with purpose.
.....
[Location: Hell: The First Ring - Pride - Wonderland - 991 years later.]
In the belly of a forest notorious for its nightmarish creatures, stood a lonely oak cabin.
This place, known to the few who dared whisper its name as Wonderland, was wrapped in the kind of shadows that seemed to watch and follow your every move.
Here, the trees were more than just wood and leaf; they had eyes that never blinked, and the creatures that roamed were the kind that fueled the darkest of tales.
From this wooden shack that seemed too stubborn to succumb to the madness around it, a figure stepped out.
He was tall, a good 6'3", and carried on his shoulder a simple bokken, a wooden sword that was tied with a cloth bundle.
The bundle was packed with necessities — fruits for sustenance, clothes for warmth, and various other items a traveller might need.
He moved with ease, the demeanour of someone who'd seen it all, yet he wore the basics: a robe that had seen many sunsets and a red scarf that looked like it had been around his neck through countless adventures.
This hellfox, an anthro creature with fur in shades of orange-brown and black-tipped ears and tails, paused to take in the sight of the sky above. [Pic]
It was an endless expanse of a reddish hue, a constant in this infernal land.
He took a deep breath, letting the scent of brimstone and bloom fill his nostrils. It was time, he decided.
Time to step out of the shadows of isolation, to see the world anew, and maybe, just maybe, to leave a mark of his own in the annals of this damned place.
With a deft flick, his nine bushy tails merged into one, a sight that would have mesmerized any onlooker.
He closed the door of his cabin, the hellfox paused at his doorstep, taking a deep breath as he surveyed the blood-red sky.
"Well, old friend," he murmured to the cabin, "it seems our time together has come to an end." There was a hint of sadness in his voice, but the excitement of a new beginning twinkled in his closed eyes.
A hand seal later, a protective barrier blinked into existence, then disappeared, hiding his home from less friendly eyes.
He turned his back to the cabin and let out a huff, "North it is, then. Let's see what this world has in store."
As he set off, the ground suddenly shook. From the heavens descended a demonic Hell Eagle, its wingspan casting a shadow over acres of forest.
The hellfox stopped and sighed, his patience waning. "I suppose a quiet departure was too much to ask for," he said.
The eagle's screech tore through the silence of Wonderland as it spotted the hellfox, its eyes alight with the frenzy of the hunt.
The fox's ears twitched in annoyance. "You don't want to do this," he warned the creature, his voice steady.
The eagle, driven by instinct and rage, swooped down.
The hellfox stood his ground, unfazed by the impending collision. "Last chance," he whispered, more to the wind than the bird.
As the eagle drew near, he opened one eye, a deep crimson that seemed to glow with an inner fire.
The eagle, suddenly caught in the gaze of the hellfox, halted mid-flight. There was a moment where only their breaths could be heard, the rest of Wonderland holding its breath.
The hellfox spoke again, his voice a low growl, "Fly away, creature. This is not your day to die."
The eagle, overcome with an instinctual terror, beat a hasty retreat, leaving behind a trail of feathers in its panicked escape.
The hellfox closed his eye once more, allowing himself a small smirk. "That's what I thought."
With the interruption handled, he continued on his path, his steps silent.
He ventured into the unknown, ready to face whatever challenges that lay ahead.