01-20-2020, 03:07 AM
Alithís Evgenis
[i]dum spiro spero-- while I breathe, i hope
[i]dum spiro spero-- while I breathe, i hope
There had been a time when Bai Shi had only known revenge and rage, where they were a violent beast who listened to their own blood-lust and drive to bring justice to those who had been their loved ones and family members. There had been a time when they had believed that only their own death would break the cycle of losing the ones that they had sworn to protect. They had watched groups fall and rise, leaders die and be chosen only to be executed not long after. They had grown tired of the blood threatening to wash over their head and drown them deep in the gory rivers of history. They had been ready to give in, to give up, to erase any sense of hope within themselves, to just let it end. But the universe had never worked with them, always against, it had felt. But they had met a man, a man that pulled them from the shadows of their loss, who tamed their anger and turned it into a weapon, who gave them back their life with a weapon that they could control. He gave them the hope that they needed, and the life that they had yearned for, for years. They were free of that aggressive cycle, they thought that they could rest and relax. He was gone, taken by the enemy. How cruel the world was, to rip everything away from them. They would not stay, by the hells, there was no keeping them anywhere any longer. When The Pitt fell from it's bloody glory, the murderer they hunted dead, and Kydobi's mangled body lay on the ground, the beast knew that there was no home for them, no happiness to be scavenged from this ruin of a life. They might not ever have their own taste of happiness, but by the gods, they would give to others that very same happiness. A home, a shelter, a family, a life, a reason. Whatever it be, they would give it. Find the lost and give them a place to belong.
Leaving The Pitt, the dragon traveled, gathering to their call the lost and the lonely, promising a place of safety to live out the remainder of their days, a place in which they would belong. Calling family, friend and foe, they explained that there would be a home for those like them, for those like any other. They cared not if they would leave the lands alone or with others following behind them. They left, with those that wished to follow, keeping step. Leading them all to the land that they had surveyed for so long, the beast settled the population into the cliff territory, letting them do as they pleased, burying the dead, setting up homes for those that wished to stay, and setting up rules to help them all live in safety and peace. What the lonely, tired, angry beast never expected, was to find their own beginning sense of happiness in this motley crew of stragglers and lost souls. The settlers were antagonized by ghosts and spirits, chased from certain areas, and eventually, there was great unrest. The dragon, believing everything to be well, had retreated to the base of the cliffs, making their home in a great hollow tree at the base of the great cliffs and waterfall.
It would be a matter of time before they were woken by many hushed and panicked voices, the crush of bodies against their hide and the scent of fear filling their nose. The noise within their den grew to a great cacophony as something drifted past their snout in an icy chill, their blind eyes opening with a start and opening their jaws in a deafening roar that silenced the beings around them. Blindly climbing to their feet and brushing aside those who had stepped into their nest, Bai Shi uttered a low growl at the cold presence, greeted by a voice that they had not thought to hear ever again. Had they been able to see, they would have seen the very soul of their deceased parent, standing before them, tail swishing in amusement at the sight of the dragon's den filled with scared beings. "Apologies, to all of you. I came on behalf of all the spirits lingering in this territory, to welcome you to this land that we call home. You might not enjoy sharing this land with us, but it is the only place that we can safely call home after all that we have been through, just as much as you all call this place home. My name is Jerisidie, and you all are living upon the lands of a group long deceased and forgotten. We ask that you respect the spirits here, and know that we will respect you in turn. You have been chased down here, for an important reason, one that you must figure out for yourselves. Speak among yourselves, and choose a leader.", came the voice of the old soul, his figure disappearing out into the mists surrounding the den.
Bai Shi was still for a great long time before turning their head back as they felt eyes bore into them, their tongue thick in their mouth as the rest broke into quiet conversation, all making eye contact before they looked back at the dragon, "Pick a leader? How in the worlds? Are we truly that large? We are living on another group's land, perhaps we are a group." all were questions that berated the dragons ears before it went quiet again, a tension in the air as they became aware of everyone staring once more. "A leader. Bai Shi!"
"Yes? Befor-"
"You heard the ghost, didn't you? He said that we needed to choose a leader, and you've been in this land the longest. You easily traverse the ground without sight. You must know of this land's history. We have all decided, and we choose you as our leader."
"Me? I'm no good at leading. I can't even protect my loved ones. Everyone, you must be more blind than me to believe that I am the best choice for leadership. Yes, I have been here for quite a long time, and yes I know it's history. I met the last generation of this group, years ago. I-I. Me as a leader? Why? Nevermind, it'll take too long. If I know anything about that man, he's impatient if you don't answer his summons, and that was a summons if I've ever heard any." they rumbled, giving in for the time being. Leading the way from their den, they let the rest climb back up the hill to the top of the cliffs, to safety and away from open waters.
Meeting the grouping of bodies at the top, the dragon led them inland, following their senses, listening to the voices of the spirits all around them, guiding them to what they could only assume was a great pair of towers. Curling around one of the towers, the dragon growled deep in their throat, silencing those gathered, feeling the eyes of the living and dead upon their form. "My name is Bai Shi, firstborn child of Jerisidie Lingre, the ghost that approached us earlier. This land belonged to the group known as Alithís Evgenis many years ago. They traveled far and wide, a nomadic group before the survivors of a horrible war discovered this land, settled it, and eventually died out. Now their spirits roam these lands, and I expect all of us to get along. It has come to my attention, that I am the appointed leader of this ragtag crew, of all of you, as so chosen by all. From my memory, the ranks that this group held were rather unique. In the leading department, there is the Kingpin, my current rank, and two Subalterns, two deputies if you will. Following are the ranks of Recorder, Practitioner, Defender, and Grappler. These four ranks hold dominion over their respective groupings, focusing on the physical training of the mind, the physical arts of healing and craft, defense and offense. After these comes the Elders, the living and the dead, and the Alithians, again, the living and the dead. The Elders are to be listened to and respected, as they have survived this long by wit and will."
Taking a deep breath, they exhaled and moved their head to better hear the crowd, feeling a strange sense of pride building in their chest, "From now on, all of us are of the group Alithís Evgenis, and we are all Alithians, until death or until we give up our titles and place here. Today is the official founding of Alithís Evgenis, and this is our home. Defend it to your last breath, and may it defend you in turn. Dum spiro spero! While I breathe, I hope! If you have any questions, feel free to approach me, and I will answer them. Speak to me regarding a rank you may wish to find out more about, or try out for. Enjoy yourselves, Alithians, tonight we will hold a feast in honor of our founding! Feel free to invite your family and friends, this is a celebration to be enjoyed by all!" they proclaimed, listening to the raucous roar of those giving their agreement. Descending the tower they had climbed, the dragon allowed their body to change to a smaller, more approachable form, taking their jaguar form and sitting at the base of the tower, their tail laid over their paws, wishing that those they had lost could be here with them to celebrate this.