 The portal from the Shadow Realm home spits you out almost indignantly at the foot of a delapidated castle. Only one tower stands solidly with one wall attached to it, the entrance you infer. The clouds above are dark and warn you of a strong storm's arrival. You take a few steps and gaze down at the murky waters of the moat. The water seems clear but mist and some other darkness obscures your view. You see something break the surface of the water then disappear just as quickly. You shiver and, at the sound of creaking, take a few steps back. The draw bridge falls down heavily granting you passage into the crumbling building. With a hastened pace, you make it over the bridge and into the center of what might have been the coutyard. The two towers infront of you are barely standing and the wall has crumbled to near-nothingness. Half an arch remains as an entrance to the castle and you slowly tiptoe to its side. A wooden sign gleams at you in the dimlight of a clouded sky. Its varnish shines and the oak seems freshly carved. You read the words burned into the wood: Death awaits A three-tuned growling hiss turns your attention to the inside of the roofless castle. A gigantic shadow is cast on the far wall lining a fanged cat and two Dragons! With a scream, you run madly back across the draw bridge and stumble forward into the grass. You pant like a fox that has outrun formidable hunters and try to regain your composure quickly so you may leave the area altogether. Something taps you on the shoulder and you whip around to be laying on your back with a smal yelp. An enchanting giggle catches your ears before you see Lady Reaper staring down at you. You're taken aback to see her here but then reality hits you in the back of the head: She's the Realm Keeper, she's supposed to be here. "What gave you such a fright, Fair One?" Her question is all too innocent, you know that she knows. You glare at her with a smirk as she helps you to your feet. "I can't imagine that Thade would attack you fiercely," she slips into a zone of deep thought trying to discover the root to your flight. You come out of shock and begin to tell your tale of horror and bravery. As you explain about the beast of terror, Lady Reaper falls into a fit of laughter. You stop recounting your story and just stare at her through narrow eyes. "Forgive me, Fair One," she snickers, "but the 'monster' you describe is none other than Thade, he's quite harmless." You blush vividly and follow Lady Reaper. You sigh in relief as she doesn't rub it in that you ran from the shadow of one of her bonds. Your pace begins to slow slightly as you approach the sign and half-arch. The cat-morph turns and takes your hand, leading you to the sign. She points to the word "Death". "It's an anagram of his name, Thade is Death, do you see?" She then moves her fingers below the terrifying phrase to smaller letters you didn't even notice before. "Here lives the prince of Bloodshadow," she reads, "Bloodshadow was the true name of a cat-mage that used to inhabit the castle when it was still standing. Thade took a fancy to these Ruins and its ancient Magick so I let him stay here. The creatures in the surrounding area have been calling him the Prince of Bloodshadow, he's got the same red coat, doesn't surprise me." With a smile, Lady Reaper disappears into the shadows through the entrance. Swallowing back your unease, you step passed the arch as well. You stagger about in the darkness until a flash of lightning illuminates the area and you see the shadow again. A bellowing roar of thunder seems to cue you to run like the wind and you bolt. You stop short though, leaning against the arch's remaining wall. A rumbling purr eases your panic and you listen as two chirrups join in the harmonious orchestra. The unique sound relaxes you and you regain your confidence. With a deep breath, you wait until your next cue from the lightning to return on the other side of the arch.  You blink in amazement at the creature before you. He's as a big as a draft horse! A fusion of parts from different creatures. Torches begin to light with blue flames on the standing walls and even two or three float in midair. His tail sways like a wave, up and down, showcasing its formidable weaponry. His cloven hooves sing on the pavement that remains among the grasses. The two Dragon heads seem to move by their own will. He scrapes the ground with one of his bird-like talons, lowering his head shyly. "This is Thade," Lady Reaper scratches the him under his chin. "Greetings visitor, I..." Thade is interrupted by the mad chirruping of the two Dragons. One claps its jaws together making a clicking noise while the other still chirrups insanely. It seems their rage is directd toward Thade but quickly they begin to snap at each other. You see Thade roll his green eyes. "Chii and Nah may not be sentient but they're great amusement." Thade breaks out into chuckles as the two Dragons glare at him. Lady Reaper is sitting peacefully on what the time's passed may have been Bloodshadow's throne. Her legs draped over one armrest, her back against the other, tail swaying, she watches the two of you. Thade bounds up, with a beat of his clawed, feathered wings, to sit next to her. "Thade is a Whorling from Lanse'Shri. Such an adorable one at that!" She hugs him at the shoulder, the two Dragons wrap their necks around her. The sight reminds you of Norse knotwork with all that entanglement. "I don't quite remember how these two attached to my neck but very few from The Whorl remember much. All I can tell you is they are part of me." Thade grins toothily at your confusion, Chii and Nah follow suite with fanged smiles of their own. Lady Reaper giggles under her breath. "Best you find your way to Lanse'shri to learn of Whorlings. Anything with feline blood will never tell all." She leaves it at that before showering attention on the strange trio. You bid them farewell before walking off, your fear fleeting save for the fact you have to outrun the storm.
Shadow Realm Entrance Lady Reaper Background courtesy of Myrror of Lanse'shri. |
