Blood in Moonlight

[sirrush]

Aamil stoof gazing at the moon high above as he slowly drank from his water pouch, wiping the days sweat from his brow as he relaxed from the dig. Behind him, slowly being uncovered from the sand stood the remains of a long lost temple, its walls carved with Babylonian script and depictions of men and beasts, he was proud to be discovering part of his countrys past and thanked his luck to have been paid well for the privilage.

Not too far away was the town of his birth, an oasis in the desert, proof of the incredible survivablity of humanity. His people had survived through years chaos and for as long as anyone could remember the town had been safe.

He emptied the rest of the water on his face to cool in the chill of the desert night as he returned to his tent, picking up a tablet that was lying on the table inside. Sitting down he began to read the translation that was next to it.

Followers of the Great (Dragon?) tend this place, at the rise of the moon, pray for the (banished), pray to the (lady?) of the moon. Remember that when all other (brothers?) forsake the Great (Dragon?) Sirrush, she alone (understood)

Puzzled Aamil stared back at the moon...

[Ateris]

A piercing roar filled the air as a dark shape appeared in front of the moon, and slowly revealed itself to be a long dragon, with light blue and slate gray scales. Her light blue eyes flared, filled with a great anger. Many of the humans seemed to be awed by her presence and she only looked on with scorn. They had taken her home from her, polluting it with their filthy existence, and she was not going to let this travesty go on any longer. Humanity must die....and the order of dragons must pay. Baring her teeth, she watched with a sick glee as humans seems to fall back from her. She decided to play with them a bit, before killing them all. Glancing over, she saw a perfect little town. Lights shimmering in the night and people getting ready for bed. Gliding through the air, she wrapped her entire length around the town, her eyes watching the people at the ruins. She came to a stop, her head in the center of the town. People came out and were staring at her, afraid and awed at the same time.

Moments passed and some became brave, setting forward to touch her. At the moment one of them touched her, she roared and a huge field of purple appeared, fogging up the town so it couldn't be seen. Cracks appeared in the ground around the field and the sounds of crumbling buildings and earth could be heard. This continued for several minutes until Tsuki was satisfied and she let up the field. As it slowly vanished, they would see a giant crater in the ground, the buildings crushed to the ground like tin foil, red splats here and there signifying crushed humans. The dragon looked up at the campsite and rushed towards it. Many cringed, thinking this was the end. A large flash blinded them all and many felt this was it....

Until, nothing happened. Looking up, they would see a beautiful woman with silver hair and golden eyes, cat-like in appearance, standing there, wearing a silver kimono. Her gaze was harsh and her eyes were unforgiving. An aura of hate and murder hung about her. She walked forward and the men parted before her, awed and frightened. One, having just been hit by the fact his family was gone, ran forward and raised a shovel to hit her, screaming something in Arabic. Kagura's eyes narrowed and she spun away with inhuman speed, the shovel barely missing her as she gathered energy into one finger, forming into a crescent. As the man's shovel hit the ground and he realized he had missed, he would feel a slice of pain go across his throat and would find it hard to breathe. Dropping the shovel, he clutched his throat, slowly drowning in his own blood.

Moving forward, she passed Aamil and read the inscription. She read it aloud in pure Babylonian and her eyes narrowed, hands clenching. Her anger seemed to triple and she turned around, enraged to the point her eyes lost their pupils, just an endless sea of gold.

"You.....you BASTARDS! You dare defile one of MY temples?!" Her anger was shown as energy gathered in her hands and on her fingers, energy crescents forming.

"You will die for your transgressions, you pathetic excuses of life!" Screams echoed as she started her slow rampage, slowly killing off all the workers there, their screams echoing into the night. Once she was finished, blood coated the temple floor as bodies were strewn about, some blown to pieces; their guts littering the floor. Kaguya/Tsuki herself was covered in blood and was panting, her hands clenched.

Her honor had been avenged a little this night....but she would need the death of all humanity to ease the pain of her slight....

[sirrush]

"So... a shapeshifter, a prized gift amongst our kind who would sell their souls to the humans, but you, you use it to sow discord and death amongst them. Intresting..." came a voice from behind Tsuki, a large horned shadow covering her human form. It circled round her to stand infront of the ruins of the temple.

"There was a time when the people of this land once knew their place, once knew they were merely ants in the presence of gods. They were content with being beneath us, content to serve us." The dragon pick up a handful of sand and let the grains trickle beneath its claws. "Now nothing but dust and dreams remain of that glorious empire. We were truely the masters of this world, now we are forced to live in a world ruled by vermin."

He turned to Tsuki, purple eyes bright in the darkness of the night faced her, burning with a fierce pride. The dragon stood on its hind legs, wings spread in the moonlight as it roared. The bodies around the ruins twitched and soon the hazy sight of their spirits swirled in the air around the dragon, being drawn into its great fang filled maw.

Landing once again on all four the dragon bowed its head slightly

"I am Sirrush, last of the ancient dragonflight, last of those who would rebuild the empire of the dragon"

[Ateris]

Tsuki stood there, slowly getting the better of her temper and calming down; though her blood was still raging and her urge to kill humans was still present. Her hands, nails extended a little like claws, clenched and unclenched, as the stench of spoiling blood filled her nostrils. She felt a presence and began to turn when she paused, hearing the presence speak.

"So... a shapeshifter, a prized gift amongst our kind who would sell their souls to the humans, but you, you use it to sow discord and death amongst them. Interesting..."

Tsuki watched as the form moved over to the entrance to the ruins, her golden eyes keeping an eye on the presence. It seemed very familiar, very dragon-like, but was off somehow. She was caught off-guard that this being seemed to agree with her, but then, it was a shadow, beings who tended to attack rather than aid humanity. "Well, I am glad you think so. Mind telling me who you are?"

She watched as the light shifted and its form became real and her eyes widened in shock. It was another dragon and he seemed to be rather powerful, as his aura seemed to be one of great power, if not dark....Tsuki pushed away those notions the council of dragons had drilled into her head; she no longer cared for their trappings anymore. Crossing her arms, she gazed at the dragon as it spoke again.

There was a time when the people of this land once knew their place, once knew they were merely ants in the presence of gods. They were content with being beneath us, content to serve us." The dragon pick up a handful of sand and let the grains trickle beneath its claws. "Now nothing but dust and dreams remain of that glorious empire. We were truely the masters of this world, now we are forced to live in a world ruled by vermin."

She smiled. This being had the exact same idea as she did, that humanity was nothing but vermin, while the world had been theirs; now it was a playpen for these pathetic little pests. Her eyes shimmered with refreshed anger as her hands tightened again, a low growl coming from her throat.

"Yes....I remember the time when we were strong....before we had become laid low and this......beasts moved in...."

She watched, almost in awe, entranced, as Sirrush turned and caught her gaze with his purple eyes and stretched his body out fully, wings extended. She barely noticed the souls of the humans being absorbed; even if she had, she wouldn't have cared. She was touched when he went on all fours and bowed. She returned the favor by transforming again, glowing a soft blue and became the long form of Tsuki once more.

"I am Sirrush, last of the ancient dragonflight, last of those who would rebuild the empire of the dragon"

She bowed, her head lowering to the ground before rising again. "And I am Tsuki, former member of the Council of Dragons and Queen of the Moon." Her eyes narrowed. "Well...until recently...." The name Sirrush sounded in her head; the name sounded familiar but she couldn't quite place it.

"What brings you here, Sirrush?"

[sirrush]

Sirrush smiled as only a dragon could at the sight of Tsuki's transformation

"There isnt that more comfortable then the cumbersome human form"

Sirrush's attention turned away from her and towards the town that now ran red with the splattered remains of people, it was an impressive sight even to one so steeped in bloodshed.

"You are the reason I'm here, well your slaughter of the humans to be more accurate. When they die in such numbers so close to the ruins of my empire I can sense it, almost taste their suffering and fear, a sweet morsel I cannot resist"

He moved away from Tsuki and walked towards the temple beckoning her to follow.

"Tsuki, your name is familiar to me, yes very familiar. Though I slumbered through the ages I still maintained some followers, their whispers and the wind carried your name to me. A dragon who believed as I do, who believed in the traditions of dragonic rulership over the mortals of this world. Yet you were banished they say, banished because what you believed in went against a corrupted and weakened dragonflight, bah, they were not worthy of the name Council of Dragons!"

He lost himself in a snarl against now faded enemies before returning his gaze to Tsuki.

"I am afraid we dragonkin no longer are the only contenter for rulership of this world. The humans in their ignorance have created monster, the Kaiju of this and other worlds, drawn by their bloodshed and pillaging of the natural order. Some of these Kaiju are, like I, focused on the elimination and enslavement of the humans. But as always their are fools who would defend them."

He streched his wings once more and began to blow away the sand from the ruins, they now stood glistening in the moonlight as thought they were new, glittering monuments in the dark desert.

"There is a war coming and I may aswell tell you that it will be long and bloodystruggle, but with you, a rare breed of dragon who sees our rightfull place in the order of the universe. I want you to aid me in this task. That is why I am here Tsuki, I wish to change the world and with another dragon by my side"

[Ateris]

"There isn't that more comfortable then the cumbersome human form"

Tsuki smiled at Sirrush. "Well, a bit. The human form is good for just walking around and causing havoc in human society from time to time...as well as the occasional slaughter." Seeing him turn his head, she moved her gaze towards the town. When she saw what he was looking at, she laughed. "Ah, like my handiwork? I do try to destroy all signs of humanity when I decide to crush the insects...."

"You are the reason I'm here, well your slaughter of the humans to be more accurate. When they die in such numbers so close to the ruins of my empire I can sense it, almost taste their suffering and fear, a sweet morsel I cannot resist"

Tsuki paused and looked at him, eyes neutral, not showing what she was thinking. That was a rather dark thing for him to say, what kind of dragon was Sirrush? "I see....well, good to see you enjoyed the show." Upon seeing Sirrush readying to talk again, she cocked her head to one side, listening.

"Tsuki, your name is familiar to me, yes very familiar. Though I slumbered through the ages I still maintained some followers, their whispers and the wind carried your name to me. A dragon who believed as I do, who believed in the traditions of dragonic rulership over the mortals of this world. Yet you were banished they say, banished because what you believed in went against a corrupted and weakened dragonflight, bah, they were not worthy of the name Council of Dragons!"

Her eyes widened for a second at the mention her name. "Indeed, I faintly remember your name, for reasons I can't fathom at the moment." As he spoke of what had happened to her, her eyes narrowed as flash of old pain as well as new sense of betrayal shot through them. "Yes....I remember that....I thought I was the only one who thought that......" Her eyes closed and she sighed, the memory appeared to be tiring for her.

"I am afraid we dragonkin no longer are the only contender for rulership of this world. The humans in their ignorance have created monster, the Kaiju of this and other worlds, drawn by their bloodshed and pillaging of the natural order. Some of these Kaiju are, like I, focused on the elimination and enslavement of the humans. But as always their are fools who would defend them."

Tsuki opened her eyes. "I know; I scouted out this planet to see if I could find anyone who could help me as well as checking out the humans defenses. It is good to hear some are on our side, at least in intent but there are many, some old powers, that will resist you and me."

She watched as he blew away the sand and then spoke again.

"There is a war coming and I may as well tell you that it will be long and bloody struggle, but with you, a rare breed of dragon who sees our rightful place in the order of the universe. I want you to aid me in this task. That is why I am here Tsuki, I wish to change the world and with another dragon by my side"

Tsuki had a feeling he was going to ask for her help. Turning, she looked up at the moon, a sense of longing and homesickness pervading her very being. She bowed her head and closed her eyes, thinking intensely. After a silent minute, she spoke.

"I will join you....but as an equal, Sirrush, not a servant. I do hope that was already understood." She turned, one eye opening to bathe Sirrush in it's baleful gaze, promising much woe if he crossed her.

[sirrush]

Sirrush laughed not menacingly as he usually did but amused.

"No, of course not, fear not you shall stand alongside me as equal. There is only one dragon who will serve me and he is Bahamut" He almost spat the name out with disgust

"No we dragons were born equal, but there are those who have degraded themselves by the choices they have made. They are our enemies and will either come to serve us or be cast down amongst the bones of our foes"

He pointed north with his clawed hand

"In the mountains I am building a citadel from which I shall rebuild my empire, you will find all you need there, all the comfort befitting your bloodline and place by my side, servants aswell to tend to you. However their are two...subjects of mine out in the world who will weild greater power. They were once humans from the time of my empire but have become something more, neither alive nor dead. You will have to share power with them."

He turned to follow her gaze to the moon.

"Once we have reclaimed this world we shall spread out amongst the stars, Luna will be cleansed of whatever humans walk its suface and it shall be your haven you have my word on that."

[Ateris]

She heard him laugh and turned sharply at him, only to hear.

"No, of course not, fear not you shall stand alongside me as equal. There is only one dragon who will serve me and he is Bahamut"

She watched him, her eyes deadly calm. "Ah yes....him. He was the one who promised me dominion of the Moon uncontested...." Her teeth bared themselves. "I will take sweet revenge on him...."

"No we dragons were born equal, but there are those who have degraded themselves by the choices they have made. They are our enemies and will either come to serve us or be cast down amongst the bones of our foes"

She nodded at his words and watched as he pointed out to the north.

"In the mountains I am building a citadel from which I shall rebuild my empire, you will find all you need there, all the comfort befitting your bloodline and place by my side, servants aswell to tend to you. However their are two...subjects of mine out in the world who will weild greater power. They were once humans from the time of my empire but have become something more, neither alive nor dead. You will have to share power with them."

Tsuki merely replied. "As long as I am not turned into a servant, then it is fine. If your servants have this much power, they must have earned it and already paid the sacrifice needed to gain it." She turned to look up at the moon, seeing out the corner of her eye that he was looking up as well.

"Once we have reclaimed this world we shall spread out amongst the stars, Luna will be cleansed of whatever humans walk its surface and it shall be your haven you have my word on that."

She smiled, a genuine smile. "Thank you. Very well, I will join your cause, Sirrush."

[sirrush]

Sirrush bowed "You will find me a staunch ally as long as you remain loyal to the cause"

"Tell me Tsuki where should we strike first? A proclamation that we dragons have returned to reclaim our world"

[Ateris]

Tsuki nodded at Sirrush's promise and turned, gazing up at the moon. Upon hearing his question, she glanced at him before replying. "I am afraid I have no particular place I want to hit just yet. I have been here for only a little while, and though I know the basic situation, I do not know much about these humans and where they are located. You would know more than I do. If you have any places you need support at or just a quick strike, I can help you. Even a stealth mission, I can do that, as you have seen." She smirked, referencing her human form.

[sirrush]

Sirrush's twisted mind began to form a plan...

"Yes..stealth, your shape shifting abilities will proved most useful."

The dragon plucked up the corpse of one of the slaughtered men

"I and my followers can reanimate the dead, though a vast horde they tend to be..simple creatures. In this modern age,the humans have harnessed the power of nature itself into create life from the tiniest seed, I believe the term is 'genetic engineering'. If we could capture this technology, this science, we could start from scratch, build the perfect warrior, a creature neither living nor dead yet thinking, cunning and strong. Yes we could build the perfect warrior, the perfect servant, the first of a new race to harness to our will!"

[Ateris]

Tsuki gazed at him as he lifted the body and spoke.

"I and my followers can reanimate the dead, though a vast horde they tend to be..simple creatures. In this modern age,the humans have harnessed the power of nature itself into create life from the tiniest seed, I believe the term is 'genetic engineering'. If we could capture this technology, this science, we could start from scratch, build the perfect warrior, a creature neither living nor dead yet thinking, cunning and strong. Yes we could build the perfect warrior, the perfect servant, the first of a new race to harness to our will!"

She smiled, as well as a dragon could. "Indeed, that sounds like a fine plan. I will have to be careful. I am not as strong as the soldiers these humans have. But I will see what I can do."

[sirrush]

"Fear not you will not be alone in this task, my servants and allies will be at your side" He casually tossed the body aside

"But that is for another day, I believe it is time we made an impact to show this newly forged alliance. Across the great sea to the West are lands known as 'America' and to the East the once mysterious lands of Cathay and Nippon are ripe for attack. Both have set to witness the power of my return, I leave it to you to decide the victim of our deadly alliance."

[Ateris]

Tsuki laughed. "Very well, that is good to hear. As long as I am not attacked in large numbers or prevented from doing my work, then I am fine."

"But that is for another day, I believe it is time we made an impact to show this newly forged alliance. Across the great sea to the West are lands known as 'America' and to the East the once mysterious lands of Cathay and Nippon are ripe for attack. Both have set to witness the power of my return, I leave it to you to decide the victim of our deadly alliance."

The Queen of the Moon paused as she thought about the two targets and what she knew of them. Then she replied. "Well, this Cathay and Nippon areas in the East, and the East in general, appears to be quite peaceful compared to this "America". I suggest we prove to the world that no matter where they go, they shall feel our wrath. Cathay and Nippon it is, Lord Sirrush."

[sirrush]

Sirrush smiled, it had been many years since he had ventured into the East, in ages past it had proven a difficult realm to challange, there civilisation was years more advanced then the west and always protected by the mighty eastern dragons. Now with one by his side, he looked foward to bringing his terror back and in a more perminant basis.

With a beat of his wings Sirrush tooked to the air. "Let us waste no time then"