Anzu

Perhaps it was odd or even downright criminal that such a dragon as Anzu had an affinity with fire. He was not born in the Ashfall Waste, in fact, he was born far away from the torrents of lava and the molten earth that seeped through the cracked rocks. Yet he was damn good at working in the blazing heat of fire and the rivers of lava. His skills could match those that were born with the element. Of course, he could not control the fire or bend it to his will but he understood how it worked. He could read the way the fire acted and responded to his manipulation of it. He could feel the heat from the lava and knew how to control its flow with devices of his own making. From a young age, Anzu was like the unholy mixture of a Light dragon's desperate need for knowledge and truth, a Lightning dragon's skill with creating devices that did as they wanted, and a Fire dragon's skill in the smithy. His parents were surprised but never tried to stifle the creativity their son showed. Yet life had different plans for a young aspiring blacksmith. Life exercised great cruelty. Anzu had to flee his old home and seek shelter or lose his life. A simple mistake that he had made that had turned into a battle between him and his old home. Framed for a crime of fire he did not commit but had accidentally prodded along. No one would listen so the only reasonable choice was to run.

He met three other dragons in his journey, one of whom was Ten. Through her leadership and strict rules, a clan was soon formed. Anzu didn't quite agree with her harshness. But he knew she felt for hatchlings and knew she would give them a place to stay for a while. They only needed more time to become strong survivors and under the clan they would become strong. Without any fear, he talked back to her on multiple occasions, questioning her decisions. He lived every instance, knowing full well he was a strong warrior that had defeated those that chased him for years. He was a defender that faced an army without flinching or thinking “perhaps not”. He worked in lava and fire and steel and coal, his hands scarred and burned from failure but he always returned to the heat. Ten knew all this. They respected each other, but more than that, Anzu knew that young and new dragons to the clan needed guidance. Someone that would teach them to protect themselves and survive in the harsh clan. He was a mentor to nearly all dragons that arrived, protecting them when they needed it but delivering tough love to make them stronger. A kind and compassionate fellow, seen as the father to everyone. Someone that can offer advice and guidance as well as harsh words to build one's resolve to survive.

On a particular day, his heart was torn to shreds at the sight of a small hatchling, abandoned and left to die. Anzu, knowing full well the child could not survive on their own, took the small child and returned to the clan, presenting the dragon he now called Fyllo to Ten. The clan leader agreed for Anzu to care for the boy and raise him as his own. An apprentice to help him in the shop, to become a scout. Anzu was proud of the child he had rescued and raised. Knowing he was seen as both a mentor and a father to the young dragon. The same as with many others in the clans. Perhaps it wasn't such a bad thing, Anzu wondered for many weeks while he worked in the forge, to be seen as a father figure. It would give the young dragons of the clan someone to look up to, someone that they knew they could talk to and get advice from. Everyone needed someone to talk to, after all. It was one of the ways to truly become strong.

--Bio by: Dew

Thanks to EtherealPrince for this pic!