Kronos

Are you proud of what you've done?

He was so alone- a prince of sand, ruling a kingdom of ash. He lost everything while too young to truly understand what happened.
He could just hold his own. So he traveled, desiring companionship from anyone who would give it. But his lineage preceded him- he was turned away, a bad omen of things that can come.
It began small. A mith, who was bothering a hatchling. It's life crumbled easily under his claws- but he received no hero's thanks. He was chased away, "a danger to my daughter!"
It only became worse. Days went by- the only comfort the feeling of battle. There he can forget- the bloodshed and adrenaline filled him with addicting distractions. It got worse. He didn't mean to at first- a slash that missed it's target, and found a new one- a young mirror that was hiding nearby. There was nothing to be done.
He ran, but the feeling stayed. The temptation of a higher challenge coursed through his veins- he knows, he knows its wrong- but in the heated moments it felt right. He gained a reputation- one who will do anything for the price of some kind words. He bathed his claws in blood.
He lost himself, a creature running only on the desire to escape his pains. Until one day.

"How many have you hurt? How many sank their blood into the soil for your escape?"
He was bleeding to much. He didn't stop to think about who he was sent to fight- he never did anymore.
"Lower than the trenches you lie."
Claws sank into his back.
"There is no mercy for you,"
Magic swirled around- it hurts- it hurts-
"Maybe one day you will learn."
This life left for the next.

Here we go again, he thought bitterly, then pushed.
The egg broke with practiced ease, though the harsh sunlight stung his eyes. He squealed, the high shriek of a hatchling. A dusty snout nuzzled him, her scent soothing him instantly. What had he been doing again? Why was there anger- no, something he couldn't remember the word for- fading from his mind? No matter. Mom was here and he was safe in this bright new world. She cooed happily, "Iapetus, my dear little hatchling, welcome to the world."
Iapetus grew up as part of a nomadic clan that travelled across barren lands for no apparent reason other than it had always been so. He learned not to question, always met with the infuriating and discouraging answer: we'll know our destination when we get there. 
Due to the lifestyle, they didn't possess much. Every dragon hoards of course, but often their hoards from the brief stay were buried or consisted of tiny things that could be strung to the body. Some even hoarded living things that could follow the clan. None of these options suited Iapetus particularly. His heart, or something deeper within him, yearned for a possession he could not name. Much like his wandering clan, he sought something that could not be known until it was felt, possessed.
The first to spark his interest were mystical relics said to contain potent charms. He hoarded cat feather loops, stringing them to a light chain around his neck. They gave him a warm, comforting feeling. Some of the others joked that he must have been slain by a feline in a past life. The very idea made him laugh, but also brought forth a deep rooted rage he could not understand. 
He was clever and shrewd. He began to learn of the others dragons' interests and offer them desirable baubles in exchange for their own cherished trinkets. Though many caught his eye, nothing sated his hungry heart. No one in the clan had anything to offer him anymore, so he left.

Striking out on his own, he did surprisingly well. It was as if he had ventured along all these paths before. His success stoked his spirit, helping him persevere even when he had not seen another dragon for many cycles. 
Once he reached more populated areas, he sought the eccentric, the traders, and those who could gain things no matter the methods required. He learned of them too, and traded with them for whatever struck his fancy. He cared little for his belongings, merely seeing them as tokens to use when the time was right to see if this next thing would be the one to make him whole. Not that he let on to this, for to show they had no value to him would make the prices climb considerably.
He pursued all manner of dragon, searching for the object to fulfill the nameless craving inside him. It was many years before he began to hear rumour of a relic, one much more powerful than his juvenile catfeather loops. He followed each whispered trace of it, intensity growing with every step closer to the goal. It felt right.

At last he came to the lair of the one said to hold his sacred treasure. It had become a beacon of hope to his starved soul. As he entered the lair, not bothering to call to see if anyone was home, an eerie scent filled his nose. It was familiar, and yet like no dragon he had met in his long wandering life. 
"I've been expecting you," a low voice purred from the back of the lair. Its owner stalked forward smoothly, a proud old dragon standing before him. His eyes were bright though, and they trailed along Iapetus, making him feel like prey. 
Before he could speak, the elder did, "I know that which you seek."
Finding his voice, Iapetus grinned, "I'm sure you'll find I have a delightful assortment of rare and valuable items. At least one of which is certain to tickle your fancy and be a worthy trade for my desire."
The old dragon shook, a wheezy, coughing sound puffing from him. He was laughing! "I don't want your baubles or trinkets. Even your most valued item is worthless compared to what you ask of me. I alone hold the key to your contentment, and you think you can offer me mere things?"
Iapetus grit his teeth, forcing his words to flow smoothly nonetheless, "I offer a great deal of services as well. All find me to be quite effective at most anything."
"Spare me," the gnarled dragon sneered. "I see you're not yet ready for what I have. Be gone from my sight! I'm beginning to think you'll never be ready Kronos."
"My name is Iapetus, I don't know this Kronos fellow," even as he spoke the words, he felt a pang in the back of his mind. The name struck an odd chord, one that resonated in the space his heart longed to fill with that special something. Regardless, he persisted, "You must be confused old fool. Now, I'm sure we can come to an arrangement. If not, well, then," he trailed off, claws scraping along the floor with a jarring noise, "I'll have to make you more pliable."
The other dragon snorted and turned away, "I said go."
Rage swelled up in Iapetus and he lunged forward, jaws snapping. With stunning agility, the old dragon dodged and spun around to deal a powerful blow to his jaw. It throbbed as the younger dragon's lips curled into a snarl and he darted forward. This time, the strike came from above, knocking his head into the floor. Claws kept a tight grip on his head, pressing it down painfully. 
"There is still no mercy for you. Until you can learn, all those who you have hurt will not be avenged," he growled. With a sigh he continued softly, "And I had such high hopes for you. Now you will never gain what you crave, at least, not in this life."
Magic swept forward from the elderly dragon. The arcane currents swirled around Iapetus, making every inch of him pulse with agony. So overwhelming was it that he did not feel the death blow. This body was finished, and a new egg, new body, and new life awaited him one last time.

You have been exploring the plaza and stalls for some time now but as you reach stall 13 you notice that it is an empty stage with a sign propped on the orange and purple stringed lights. In slanted fancy script it reads…

𝒲𝑒 𝒶𝓇𝑒 𝓃𝑜𝓉 𝓇𝑒𝒶𝒹𝓎...

𝒫𝓁𝑒𝒶𝓈𝑒 𝒸𝑜𝓂𝑒 𝒷𝒶𝒸𝓀 𝓈𝑜𝑜𝓃!

𝓢𝓽𝓪𝔂 𝓞𝓯𝓯 𝓽𝓱𝓪𝓽 𝓟𝓪𝓽𝓱!!!

With a sense of mischief you set off down this forbidden path unaware of the two skydancers watching you. “Think this one will make it back?” the darker male smirks at his light counterpart “Crow, you know we could go ask Siadina?” a small chuckle rumbles in Crow’s chest “You are right, Let’s go hassle our fellow partitioner Morgan.” and the two left to procrastinate longer. 

The path you walk turns dark and an uneasy chill ransacks your very core. You are being watched, and you know it. Soon though the feeling disappears as something marvelous takes it’s place. Fireflies, everywhere locked in a sacred dance bounding to and fro; unbeknownst to you, you begin to mirror this dance, well that is until you fall off the edge of a small cliff barely halting your descent into this vibrant wonderland. 

Sitting in the large colorful meadow before a clear vibrant lake stands an ornate gazebo, whose strong pillars and wooden columns have darkened with age. Curiously you inspect this hidden wonder, you swear you hear the words float to your ears.

ₜᵣₑₐd cₐᵣₑfᵤₗₗy… 

You breathe deeply knowing you must be hearing things. You are the only one here right? You sense no other presences, you release a breath you didn't know you were holding; you walk to the strange structure. Leaning down you trace your claw across the deep gouges in the ancient marble base, long lost magic from a forgotten age no doubt. 

ᵂʰᵃᵗ ˢᵉᶜʳᵉᵗˢ ᵈᵒ ʸᵒᵘ ʰᵃᵛᵉ? ᵂʰᵃᵗ ʷᵒⁿᵈᵉʳˢ ʰᵃᵛᵉ ʸᵒᵘ ʷⁱᵗⁿᵉˢˢᵉᵈ?

You softly ponder aloud. 

Cᵤᵣᵢₒₛᵢₜy ₖᵢₗₗₑd ₜₕₑ cₐₜ…

You flinch but try not to show fear. You still sense nothing, not even a single beast. This realization sets an uneasy feeling on your entirety. That's impossible isn't it? Is nothing alive here..

ᵂʰᵃᵗ'ˢ ʷʳᵒⁿᵍ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᵐᵉ.

ₕₘₘₘ, wₑₗₗ yₒᵤ ₛₑₑₘ ᵣₐₜₕₑᵣ ₙₒᵣₘₐₗ ₜₒ ₘₑ...

That response was different, it was louder and definitely female… you tense now, realizing that whatever was speaking to you is getting closer. You ready yourself to attack the unseen foe, if necessary.

ᴬʳᵉ ʸᵒᵘ ᶠʳᵉⁱⁿᵈ ᵒʳ ᶠᵒᵉ?

Silence greets you for a few moments before a small sigh is heard followed by a humming sound.

ₕₘₘₘₘ....

Wₕₒ ₖₙₒwₛ?

You can now sense another presence in the meadow but can't pinpoint it. You take a deep breath, you can make this work and if it comes to it.. Your grip tightens on your weapon. 

ᵂʰᵒ ᵃʳᵉ ʸᵒᵘ ᵃⁿᵈ ʷʰᵃᵗ ⁱˢ ᵗʰⁱˢ ᵖˡᵃᶜᵉ?

ᵢₜ'ₛ ₐ ₛₑcᵣₑₜ…

You have made one very solid conclusion so far, this creature is getting on your nerves.

ᴬʳᵉ ʸᵒᵘ ʷⁱˡˡⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ ˢʰᵃʳᵉ ⁱᵗ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᵐᵉ?

More humming then in a singing nature

Cₐₙ yₒᵤ ₖₑₑₚ ᵢₜ?

ₛwₑₐᵣ ₜₕᵢₛ ₒₙₑ yₒᵤ'ₗₗ ₛₐᵥₑ.

Mentally swearing you respond without thinking

ᴼᶠ ᶜᵒᵘʳˢᵉ.

Without warning a dark spiral wearing a pelt wraps around you and whispers in your ear.

Bₑₜₜₑᵣ ₗₒcₖ ᵢₜ ᵢₙ yₒᵤᵣ ₚₒcₖₑₜ,

ₜₐₖᵢₙ' ₜₕᵢₛ ₒₙₑ ₜₒ ₜₕₑ gᵣₐᵥₑ.

You struggle but quickly realizes you can't break free as she is guarded by some sort of magic. 

ᵢ ₐₘ ᵢₙₒₗₐ

ᵢ ₐₘ ₙₒₜ fᵣₒₘ yₒᵤᵣ wₒᵣₗd

ₜₕᵢₛ ₚₗₐcₑ ᵢₛ ₜₕₑ ₑₙₜᵣy ₜₒ ₐ fₒᵣₛₐₖₑₙ ₜₑₘₚₗₑ.

You give her a funny look, if she is talking about the new god's home then that means this dragoness must have been driven-

ᵢ ₐₘ ₘₐₙy ₜₕᵢₙgₛ bᵤₜ ₘₐd ᵢₛ ₙₒₜ ₒₙₑ ₒf ₜₕₑₘ ₕₒₙₒᵤᵣₑd gᵤₑₛₜ.

She invades your head. Her piercing eyes make your heart stutter at the thought that she could possibly hear your thoughts. 

ᵂʰᵃᵗ ᵈᵒ ʸᵒᵘ ʷᵃⁿᵗ ᶠʳᵒᵐ ᵐᵉ?

Yₒᵤ wₑᵣₑ cₕₒₛₑₙ ₜₒ ₘₑₑₜ ₕᵢₘ ₐₙd ₜₕₑ ₒₜₕₑᵣₛ. ᵢ wₐₙₜ yₒᵤ ₜₒ gₒ ₜₒ ₜₕₑₘ bᵤₜ yₒᵤ ₘᵤₛₜ ₗₑₐᵥₑ yₒᵤᵣ wₑₐₚₒₙ ₕₑᵣₑ.

You take a deep breath and nod to her. She releases her hold and moves away. Holding her gaze you remove your weapon/s and drop them outside the gazebo. Inola gently pushes you to the center as a cyan light starts to bubble around you. She smiles and mumbles

Bₑₛₜ ₗᵤcₖ ₕₒₙₒᵣₑd gᵤₑₛₜ, ₘₐy ₜₕₑ Fₐₜₑₛ fₐᵥₒᵣ yₒᵤ.

Soon the magic circle surges and you whisper your parting words

ᵀʰᵃⁿᵏ ʸᵒᵘ ᴵⁿᵒˡᵃ, ᵐᵃʸ ʷᵉ ᵐᵉᵉᵗ ᵃᵍᵃⁱⁿ.

You wake in a strange land thick vines cover everything, no concept of just how you got here other then that weird spiral…. Wait what was her name… you can’t seem to remember it. You start to explore the wooded paths until you come to  a large and ornate temple you are greeted by a strange fox you soon realize is one of the rare kitsune named Hati. You follow him, fear being you guide now, until he leads you to a large open chamber. In the center lays an enormous dragon grand silks and gilded wings shimmer in the rooms natural light. His tired voice startles you “I have no interest in you mortal.” 

You steel your nerves a question him “Who are you?”

He lets out an annoyed voice “No one to you Autsajder.”

You nearly shout in  frustration “At least tell me how to leave!”

He stands, showing his full size, and make a slow circle around you “Tell me, why is it that you have come here?” 

You stutter taking in this unusual imperial. He smells strangle like roses, lavender, and what you think to be fresh blood. He pauses and lowers his eyes to meet yours, only then did you realize you had started to submit to his presence. In a voice that would put a sirens to shame he taunts “Why should I even let you leave?”