The Black Panther

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The Black Panther did not always have feline characteristics. He was born a Grey Elf...

Panther grew up in the elfin village of Cumba. His name in those days was Eranijo. He quickly became skilled in the arts of fighting, lock-picking, and some magic from the village elder. Most of the male elfs chose a single skill and built it, while Eranijo chose many.

One summer when he was around 28 years old the village was going through a terrible drought. Even the stream that ran by the settlement was slowly drying up. It was not much more than a trickle. It had not rained in three months, and there was little left in the forest for the animals to eat so they all moved on to another feeding ground.

With no food and no water, the elves of the village came to Eranijo to ask for help. He had grown fast as elves tend to do. However, he was unusually muscular. He had also become the best tracker/hunter in the village.

The elves requested that he go in search of a new spot to re-locate the village, one with ample food, water and natural shelter.

He began his journey expecting to lead his tribe to a nice quiet spot in the forest where there was plenty of water and game in the forest. He traveled for about a week, following the trail of a deer herd. He soon caught scent of water up ahead and found that there was a creek flowing through the forest. On the other side of the creek there was a small elvin village, much like his own. He walked up to a door and knocked.

A beautiful young maiden answered. He was stunned for a moment but managed to ask where he was. She pointed him toward the elders hut at the end of the small town. He quickly made his way to the house-like stucture and explained the situation. He learned that this village was called Aznio. The elfin leader told Eranijo that his village would be welcome to join theirs.

It took a few days for him to return to his village with the good news. He found it quiet when he returned. Since it was the middle of the night, he thought nothing of it. He walked to his hut and went to sleep. He awoke early the next morning and went to his fathers home. He found a letter laying on the small table. It read:

Dearest Eranijo,

I am sure that you have done your absolute best to find us a new home. Unfortunately the sun beats down hotter each day that passes. Our food stores ran out a few days after you left. As you can see the stream is non-existent. Everyone in the village is growing weaker. I do not know how much longer any of us will last.

Be strong son, be wise, be ...

The note stopped abruptly...

Eranijo opens the door to the hut and peers inside. Everything looks about normal. His parents are nowhere to be found. His mother must have passed on just before she got to finish the note. He sat down for a moment, reading and re-reading the note, tears rolled down his long face.

He began to search the town for any sign of life. He only saw one other elf. It was the medicine man. He was found in his hut on his bed. He had been dead for a day or so already. Eranijo buried him for dignity's sake.

After that he had no place to go other than the new village. After listening to the story of the youthful elf, the elder suggested that he stay for a while until he finds what he wants to do in his life. He built a hut just out of the village limits. He felt like he was intruding as it was. Trying to help around the small community, he did things that were needed. Doing garden work, hunting, and other such chores in order to thank the elves for the kindness they had shown to him.

He was attracted to the maiden which me met uppon first entering the villiage. Her name was Jubilee The two fell in love and were to be married. However, one day, she was drawn from the home by some magical force. Eranijo had never heard of such a thing and did his best to track her down. Within a few hours he found a castle. The door to it read "Home of Marla the Enchantress". He knocked.

There was no answer so he opened the door and stepped in. He saw Jubilee she appeared to be asleep, encased in a force field. There was a woman standing next to her. When she noticed the elf in the doorway she screamed and muttered something. He fell to the ground, His body writhing in pain. He looked down at his hands but saw only black paws. He felt his face and noticed it to be fuzzy. Soon he stood and looked at the Enchantress

"Why have you done this to me and my beloved?" He asked her.

The evil witch explained that she needed the girl for an experiment. His form was just to stop him from interfering with the process.

He still could not coordinate his legs to work for him in the correct way. He tried to leap at the woman but failed and landed on his face. She then cast a holding spell on him. He froze. No matter how hard he tried he could not move. He had to sit and watch in horror at the love of his life. She was soon taken out of the force field and placed on a table. The Panther could not close his eyes. He could not look away. He was forced to watch her sacrificed for no apparent reason.

The witch knew that he would not be happy when she set him free. She touched his head and again muttered something under her breath. He was instantly standing next to the village. He could move again, but he was still a panther. He went to the village elder, who was scared out of his wits. As the panther began talking however the elder listened. He then understood but knew that the rest of the town would not. He taught him how to change himself from an elf to the panther and back again. He also taught him how to set free part of his body so that it might be obtained again later. Panther was warned that the elvin form should only be used for short periods of time. He told him that the name Eranijo was not proper anymore. Eranijo was renamed to Black Panther.

Panther was forced to run from the village and not return. He ran for a long time. It was about 80 years that the Panther spent on his own in the wilderness fighting to survive. He just happened to be wandering around one day and came upon a lake. On the other side of the lake he noticed a building. He walked to the door and stepped inside...