༻ M I Z U ༺ Protective | Encouraging | Strong O C C U P A T I O N - Earthshaker's Trustworthy Guard M A T E - Chronicler E N E M Y - N/a F A M I L I A R - Crumbling Goblin T H E M E - Insert O U T F I T S - Main Outfit x

" I fear for the lives I protect more so than my own." - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Mizu had always dreamed of being a part of the Sornieth Protectorate, the Earthshaker’s elemental army, then finally one day her dream came true. She was still fairly young, only a few years older than a hatchling when she first arrived at the Pillar for her tests. Other dragons around her were hugged and wished good luck by their families, many of which were also Earth dragons, but she had no one. Mizu had grown up alone in the barren landscape of Carrion Canyon abandoned by her parents at a young age. Or maybe they were killed in the wasteland… she would never know. The wildclaw was only able to survive due to her wits, determination and small size. She was determined to be just as deadly as anything else in the desert and trained herself to be so. Despite being a deadly killer, she was kind hearted and cared about others. This was a trait that the leaders of the Protectorate looked for; as those in the Protectorate believed it was their solemn duty to protect Sornieth and those within. However, there was one particular trait that could ruin any chances she had at joining the force; Mizu was a Lyren. The Lyren are a disgrace to dragonkind. They are two-faced, lying monsters. They can’t be trusted and they certainly aren’t allowed in the elemental forces. Mizu had been told all of this all her life, though never quite sure what it truly meant to be a Lyren. She had always known that they were shapeshifters and she had always felt the power in her blood. However, with no one to train her she had no idea how to access these powers and after years of never using them, she was not sure if she even could anymore. Despite her Lightning eyes and Lyren blood, Mizu had no doubt she would be allowed to apply and be tested. It was actually getting accepted that she worried about. If she was not accepted, she would have no choice to go back and live in the unforgiving canyon. There wasn’t a much of a life there, or any chance for a life there, so if she didn’t get in there wasn’t much point. She had to get accepted.

Mizu stepped up on the raised ground around the pillar and scrawled her name on the parchment that lay up there. It was done. It was official. She would be taking the test.

“Mizu of the Carrion Canyon. Lightning born. Please step towards the pillar for your test.” A loud voice spoke, a Coatl, and she stepped forward. She heard a soft humming sound and the voice spoke again, but the Coatl did not move his mouth, “Mizu, welcome, are you prepared to test yourself in the trial of Earth?” As Mizu looked closer she saw a small Fae sitting on the Coatl’s shoulder who was the one truly speaking, he seemed to be very adept in throwing his voice. Mizu nodded, unable to speak. “Then step forward and touch the pillar and begin your first trial.” She reached out a clawed hand and touched the pillar and instantly her vision went black.

She awoke in a dark, cavernous place where the ceiling and floor around her were all made of rock. She could see no walls in any direction and was wondering where the soft light was coming from. The Protectorate closely guarded the secret to their challenges, and even if they didn’t they changed it every time they accepted new members. When she took a step forward she heard a soft click and the ground underneath her shifted down just enough to give her a fraction to react. She quickly fell low to the ground and narrowly avoided a storm of arrows as they whizzed above her head.

Screeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

She heard something cry out in the dark and fear clawed at her heart. Oh no oh no no no no. Seeing no other choice, she continued her walk forward, being more careful as to where she was stepping.

Scrrreeeeeeeeaa

It was closer this time. Was it getting closer to her or was she getting closer to it? Step. Step. Careful not to hit anymore traps. Were there even more traps? Step. Step. Hop over a strange elevation. Step. Step. Where was she? Where was she going? Was she passing the test?

Scre- screa? Hissssssss

Mizu cried out as the creature in front of her hissed at her. It was a harpy. A small one, a baby, but it was still a harpy. The harpies in Carrion Canyon were vicious, unforgiving figures that she had quickly learned to fear or die at their claws. The younger they are, the more dangerous they are. Their magic is more potent, venom more deadly and claws much sharper. Without their masks, they look almost friendly and peaceful, but they would without hesitation attempt to kill you to earn their mask. There was another flurry of arrows, although Mizu is not sure what triggered it this time, and the harpy cried out as arrows flew around it. A few as they blew by cut the wings of the creature and Mizu felt a pang of pity for the small thing. Mizu cringed and picked it up, closing her eyes tight and looking away as she picked up the small beast. It let out a small coo in her arms and she hesitantly opened her eyes to look at it. Already, it was snuggled up against her warm body.

Mizu froze up. Never before had she been this close to a harpy before, not even in battle. It was strange, she was holding a small helpless thing her her talons that she had grown up knowing that it could easily kill her. Yet now, with it in her hands, she could easily crush it and kill it before it grew up to kill anybody else. It was helpless and at her mercy, but the thought of malice and killing it disgusted her. Another flurry of arrows from nowhere with no reason caused the harpy to cry out in fear and press its body against her. Mizu crouched down to avoid the arrow storm and a few bounced harmlessly against her scales. One or two embedded themselves into Mizu's wings.