《(Currently Unavailable) Cat-Dragon》 A Dragon, a Wyvern, a Cat, and a Quest The dragon roared, claws clashing with the wyvern. Green and grey scales collided, and a cascade of broken scale bits fell down onto the battlefield. Arrows arced through the air, many of them downing the smaller dragons and wyverns that fought near the two bigger ones. A few hit the giant dragon and wyvern, but they did not react. Instead, they broke apart to circle each other warily. The wyvern schreached angirly, and the dragon bellowed in answer. Claws locked onto each other as they came together, resembling two proud eagles fighting each other for supremacy. They plummeted down towards the earth, forgetting to flap their wings as they dove towards the others throat, both trying to end the other. Smaller wyverns and dragons fought around the pair, and more than a few were felled by a stray blow. A lucky strike slashed through the right wing of the wyvern, sending blood spraying through the air. in retaliation, the wyvern landed a blow against the dragon''s exposed neck, leaving a deep gash. They broke apart again, circling each other carefully. The wyvern struggled to stay aloft, and the dragon swayed slightly from blood lose. They rushed each other again, slamming together with enough force to nock over a mountain. The wyvern yowled in pain as the dragon''s tail slashed its already bleeding wing and lashed out on instinct, causing the dragon to cry out as the wyvern''s leg crashed into its neck. Again they crashed together, again they traded blows. They came apart, and this time flew at each other with no pause. Both were determined to end the battle. Claws curled around throats, and teath locked around necks. They beat against each other, reaching a stalemate. Neither could kill the other without killing oneself. They hung their for a second, considering their options. Finally, the wyvern decided. Claws tightens around a pale green throat, and teath pierced a dark green neck. In response, black-green talons closed around a dark grey throat, and ivory white teeth pierced a pale grey neck. In an instant, the greatest wyvern and dragon to ever grace the planet Talloniac ended each others lives and plummeted, lifless, to the battlefield below them. "The finest pies in Zandor! Made with delicious, fresh berries!" A vendor shouted, drawing the attention of a few passerbyers, who stopped to look at the man''s delicious smelling pies. Wait... Where am I? I thought, sniffing the air. Wasn''t the last thing I remember doing is fighting the wyvern? I wondered, looking around. Why is everyone so tall? Did I shrink? I had only been this short when I was a dragonet. Memories flashed to the forefront of my mind, and I remembered the battle. Rising to fight for my people, my country... tossing small wyverns from the air... meeting the giant wyvern... fighting them... the feeling of claws and teeth slicing through bone and muscle as the wyvern''s teeth punctured my throat... I gasped, realization flashing through me. I had died! How was that possible? I, Gwenaldia the First, Gaurdian of the Silver Isles, Slayer of Wyverns, Sister to the Silver Queen, Bearer of the Forest Heart, had died. It was impossible. It had to be impossible. After all the thousands (hundreds) of years I had lived, I had somehow died?! No! This could not stand! I will tear down the mountains and boil the seas of that is what it takes to go back to my land! I opened my mouth and let loose a roar loud enough to shake a mountain... Only to hear a pitiful squeak. Embarrassment coursed through me. If I was human, I would have blushed. Fortunately, I was not. So. I was missing the size and power of my great, powerful, and awesome former body. That would not stop me. I would grow powerful and regain my former strength. It would only take a hundred or so years... I firmed my resolve and attempted to open my wings to take flight, so I could survey the area. Strangely, my feet stayed firmly planted on the ground, and not a leaf stirred at the flap of my wings. Confused, I glanced over my shoulder and saw... That I had no wings. Instead, a furry, calico-colored back that ended in a weird tail that resembled that of a cat... Relisation crashed through me. Of all the forms the gods could have chosen, of all the shapes they could have given me, they had to have chosen this form?! What had I done to deserve this?! I do not deserve to be a cat! Cats are weak! And did I mention that I''ve always been mortally afraid of cats?! Ever since I was a dragonet, cats have terrified me... and now I was one! This could not stand! Growling in distaste, I spun around to get a look at this new, weak body. As far as I could tell, I was a average (at least to my very limited knowledge) calico cat. I was not average! How dare the gods slight me like this! I would tear the heavens down! But first... I needed food. My stomach growled in agreement. I examined my surroundings. I was in a fairly large alley full of trash and discarded belongings. Nearby, a bustling street full of people and horses wound past, and my mouth began to water at the sight of some of the food the vendors were selling.Stolen story; please report. Even though I was repulsed by the idea of stealing food, it was my "only" option. I could, technically, eat the discarded food in the alley, but I would not stoop that far. Anyway, who knows what diseases I would get from eating that trash. ¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­ While the dragon-turned-cat plotted the villainous ways it would steal food, a group of people who looked to be around fifteen, give or take, approached a fairly large one-story log building. Outside, a line of people and groups stretched out from the door of the building. Grizzled travelers, young, inexperience children, and those who were neither one or the other impatiently (or patiently in some cases) to reach the front of the line. Growling, one of the fifteen year olds bashed the head of his giant axe into the, luckily, reinforced road. "How long is this line?" He muttered, annoyed. "As long as it is." A slender woman clad in dark clothing answered, twirling a dagger above her fingers. The axe-boy glared at the dagger-girl. "Katerina, Orian, calm down. We''ll get there soon enough, and then, after a few quests, maybe we can get out of here and move to one of those cities without outrageous quest lines." A scholarly young boy said, pushing his glasses up his face from where they had slipped to while his was reading the book that he clutched. Katerina rolled her eyes, and Orian grumbled something and turned away from the group. "Richard, just leave them alone. They''re going to argue no matter what." The final member of the group, a sorceress, spoke up. Katrina glanced at the sorceress, annoyed. "Emily, we don''t always argue! Just sometimes!" Emily sighed but didn''t comment. Richard cleared his throat. "Ahem. We''re almost at the front." The party snapped to attention, gazes focused on the door in front of them. Soon, it was their turn. The door was proped open, so they could see the inside. It looked very much like a large tavern. Chairs and tables were set up, with a fireplace in the corner. Groups of adventures that had returned or was preparing for a quest sat around, chatting. A long counter ran across the far wall, and behind it stood apprentices of the Adventures Guild, watched over by their masters. "Next!" A young girl who couldn''t have been older than twelve shouted. The party approached her, apprehensive. The girl smiled encouragingly and asked for their names. "Katerina." "Emily." "Orian." "Richard." They answered. "I''ll be your assistant today. My name is Helene. Is this your first quest, or have you done this before?" The girl asked, smiling pleasantly. "No. This is our first time." Emily replied. The girl continued, still smiling. "Alright. I''ll get you a quest stone and register you." After a second of fishing around, she produced a small, foggy stone. Once she had cleaned its surface off, she offered it to them. "All of you should touch it. Then, you shall be assigned quests and rolls by the system." Nervously, they reached out, and, as one, touched the stone. A box flickered on the corner of each of their visions. For Katerina, it said:
Quest Name: Righting the Balance
Description: A divine being is in need of your assistance. As no divine creature can turely die, this being has been transported to this world. They need your help to regain their lost form and strength.
Reward: Unknown
Role: Assasin/Theif
For Richard it was:
Quest Name: Righting the Balnce
Description: A divine being has been reborn. They have no knowledge of the area and need your scholarly knowledge to guide them through this unfamiliar area.
Reward: Unknown
Role: Scholar/Teacher
For Emily it displayed:
Quest Name: Righting the Balance
Description: A divine being has been born again in your world and needs your magical assistance to help guide them to their former power and glory.
Reward: Unknown
Role: Sorceress/Magician
For Orian it read:
Quest Name: Righting the Balance
Description: A divine being has been reincarnated into your world and needs your protection to regain their former power.
Reward: Unknown
Role: Portector/Warrior
They all stared at their new quest, and confusedly exclaimed, "What?!" Sisters and Guides I watched the butcher shop across the street from me. The sight of the meats made me almost drool. My stomach growled, stirring me to action. I darted across the street to arrive at the butcher shop at the same time as a custumer. The custumer opened the door, allowing me to slip in. A shout of surprise came from the custumer, but I ignored it. Nothing would stop me from having my meal! Seeing that the butcher had taken out some meats to show his customer, I leaped up onto the counter he had set them on. Unfortunately, my back legs didn''t quiet make it. Scrambling, I managed to set my hind legs onto the counter fairly quickly. Then, seeing as the butcher wasn''t about to let his meat be eaten, I sank my teath into a heafty piece of beef and tried to make of with it. Due to my clumsy new body and the swiftness of the butcher, I was caught. Dangling form th scruff of my neck, which is a very undignified pose, I stared pitifully at the butcher, hoping he would take pity on me. Unfortunately for me, he didn''t. "Sir, I apologize. The stray will be dealt with, and this won''t happen again." The butcher said, bowing low to the man who I had assumed to be a simple custumer. Now, I wasn''t so sure. "Make sure it doesn''t happen again. Their Majesties will be very unhappy if their meals look like they were chewed on by ravenous dogs." The man replied, casting a disdainful look at me. I hissed around the piece of meat in my mouth, shooting him a glare that could''ve melted steel. "Of course, sir. It will not happen again, sir." The butcher groveled. Disgusting man. I thought. If I were the butcher, I would slice this disdainful man''s head off. He may be the servant of the Queen or King of this place, but how dare he talk to me in such a manner?! The butcher carefully straightened, shaking from fear. Swallowing nervously, he carefully pries my mouth open and removed the tastey beef. I hissed, glaring. How dare you! I will burn you to a crisp once I have my strength back! I internally raged. "I shall deal with this stray, sir. A sufficient amount of money shall be taken from the price." The butcher said in a shakey voice. He retreated out a back door. Outside, a back area greated us. Trash bags were scattered about, and in the middle was a very secure cage-thing that looked like it was made for animals. Casting me a disgusted glance, the butcher opened the cage-things top and tossed me in. I landed on my feet, but in the process of doing so, I hurt my ankle, possibly broke it. The cage-thing''s tightly woven wire mesh blocked out most of the sunlight, leaving me chilled. A sense of forbidding came over me.
Skill Gained: Divine Intuition: Level One
Description: This skill allows you to sense danger. Higher levels allow you to sense more danger. Unlocking more levels may unlock skills like telepathy and empathy.
So... I now knew I was in a game basses world. And, this world recognized me as the divine being I was. But... Now I knew I was actually in danger, if this skill was to be trusted. Growl. Something growled from the other side of the cage. "Sis. What are you doing here?" My eyes widened. "Yara? You got reincarnated here too?" I replied, my green eyes meeting the silver ones of my sister, Yara, the Black Wyvern. "That I did. Truce? Dying once was enough for me." Yara told me. Wearily, I nodded. We had fought far to long. "I except your truce... If you tell me why you killed Telamara''s kits." I asked. Telamara, our sister and the kitsune queen of the Silver Isle''s kits had been murdered. Our intel had told us it had been Yara who had killed them. "Her kits were killed?! How come I never heard of this?" Yara exclaimed. I could sense she was telling the truth. "Wait... So you didn''t kill them? Then who did?" I asked. Yara looked at me, confused. "I have an idea... but first I must ask if you killed Janna." Janna was our elven sister, who had allied with Yara in the beginning of our war. I hadn''t heard of her sense, but I assumed she had simply gone into hiding.The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident. "Janna... She''s dead? I can''t believe she died..." I whispered, sorrow filling my voice. Yara snarled. "The gods! They turned us against each other and killed Janna and Telamara''s kits! I will kill them! But first... We need our power back and we need to find Janna and the Kits." I smiled. "How about you find Janna and the kits and I gather power so that we can tear down the heavens?" Yara glared at me, but didn''t disagree. "You were always the best and fighting and gathering power. I suppose it''s fair." I turned away from Yara and concentrated on the mesh. "You can''t go out. I already tried." Yara told me. I still tried to escape, but failed as she had predicted. Sighing, I curled up and watched the mesh. I couldn''t believe that we had put aside our differences so easily... why hadn''t we made peace before? Prehapes dying and getting reborn as a powerless cat gave one a certain perspective on things. Maybe we were tired of fighting. Either way, I was happy I had made peace with Yara. After we had killed each other, I didn''t really want to fight with her again. Dying once was enough. ¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­ The group stared in shock at the quest they had been given. "What''s wrong?" Helene, the receptionist, asked. Richard, who looked as if he was about to faint, whispered, "A divine quest. We''re all going to die." Emily shakily replied, "We''ll be fine, Richard. The quest is probably a mistake, right?" They all turned to Helene, who looked confuse. "Uh... Did I hear you right and you got a divine quest?" Helene asked, frowning. Katerina answered, "Yes. Yes, we did." "Okay... I''ll go get my master." Helene replied, eyes wide. She darted away into the depths of the building, leaving the group to look at each other in confusion. Emily said, "Why would we get a divine quest? We''re nobodies on our first quest." "Well..." Richard said, "It may just be that there was nobody better in the area, which is probable, or it was because our personalities and abilities were the best suited to this quest, which is highly unlikely." Katerina snorted. "Like any of you fools would be destined for greatness. I say that this quest was a mistake." Emily nodded, ignoring the fact that she had been called a fool. Orian grunted, which could be taken either way. Helene arrived with her master, a slender man with dark brown hair and blue eyes. "Hello. My name is Isaac. You must be the ones who got the divine quest." The man introduced himself. "Yes." Emily answered. "Well than. I would like you to display your quest on this tablet. The way you do so is you place your fingers on this crystal tablet and say, ''Show me my quests.''" Isaac told them. Both Emily and Katerina reached for the tablet. For a second, they looked at each other before Katerina with drew her hand, muttering something about Emily never letting any one else do anything. Emily blushed, her green eyes flashing with embarrassment. Taking a deal breath, Emily placed her fingers on the tablet and said, "Show me my quests." Immediately, words filled the surface of the crystal tablet:
Quest Name: Righting the Balance
Description: A divine being has been born again in your world and needs your magical assistance to help guide them to their former power and glory.
Reward: Unknown
Role: Sorceress/Magacian
Isaac frowned. "So. It seems you weren''t lying. You must understand that this quest is an incredible burden. We will help and assist you, but you may, and most probably will, be either killed or seriously maimed. You can still back out of this and allow some more experienced people to take over." The group loooked at each other. A silent understanding was reached. "No. We''re not backing out." Katerina said. "We''ll do the quest." Isaac looked at the others, who nodded in agreement. "I will go get you a guide, than. You have until you leave this building to back out." Isaac disappeared to where Helene had gone, and soon came back with a man with greying brown hair, and dark blue eyes and a girl with blond hair and dark brown eyes. "Hello! My name is Gloria!" The girl told them enthusiastically. Katerina flicked her black hair over one shoulder and shot the girl a distasteful glance with her sharp, jewel like blue eyes. The girl visually wilted under that glance. Emily stepped in. "Don''t worry about Katerina. She''s always like that to everyone when she first meats them. She''s way to distrustful." Gloria brightened. "Thankyou! Oh! I love your red hair! And your curls! I wish I had hair like that!" Emily smiled and told the girl, "You''re pretty too-" A knife wizzed past Emily''s head. Not flinching, Emily turned a glare at Katerina. "I. AM. NOT. DIS. TRUST. FUL." Katerina ground out, glaring. Richard, upon seeing the flying knife, practically hyperventilated. "AHH! You guys are going to give me a heart attack if you keep doing that! Fireballs and knives are not toys!" Katerina gave him an odd look. "We''ll never throw them at you!" "Yeah!" Emily agreed. "Why?" Richard asked. "Because we''re afraid we''ll hit you." Emily said. Katerina added, "It''s hard not to, with you flailing about like a fish." Richard stared at the two. "Wha- I''m not-" Katerina and Emily burst into laughing. Emily wheezed out, "See! Like a fish!" Gloria watched the whole exchange, confused. When Katerina''s knife came flying from whatever it had hit, she let loose a short yelp. Orian grunted. Richard muttered to himself, "It''s moments like these that make me wonder why I stay with them." Orian grunted again, and told Richard, "One of these days, they''re going to burn the world down."