Dawntracker laid in his mother’s arms, silently listening. She spoke of their family, a line of fighters hardened through generations. Dawntracker wished nothing more than making his mother proud.
As he came of age, the tundra left his home to test his prowess in the Plague flight. He knew he might not live to see her again, but the goal was to be the greatest warrior. And bring the title down to his next generation.

Under the putrid red skies of the wyrmwound, the Riot of Rot had begun. It was a tremendous occasion; the most lively of events for Bloodsurge's clan, bones and trinkets of the fallen decorating the castle Perdiciun's fleshy structure. Green putrid lanterns were lit all over the clan grounds. Bonfires burned high on the sky piercing pillars of decay, illuminating the banners of the clan and the Plaguebringer's domain.

During this time where the plague element was at its strongest, the dragons in her realm would determine so as well. Their warlord Bloodsurge peeled her eyes on the duels below; her generals, her most loyal, were battling for their life. There was one contestant however, she watched especially close. Dawntracker of Valor, the tundra dragon from the nature flight.

This dragon infuriated her. The only dragon of the higher ranks that was not of the plague element. The complete opposite element... and who should have every disadvantage against him. She wondered if the perk of being a tundra dragon was too advantageous in gaining status. But it would not explain how well he performed, and how he fought... especially with such disdain for his own life.

Dawntracker struggled in the dirt, the wildclaw having managed to keep him in a pinch. She screeched, not even a second passing as the spear was plunged down. His situation, and laying position, would not allow him escape. But he allowed the spear to tear his wing... A small price to pay compared to losing the chance for an open strike. The wildclaw had managed to climb the ranks at an unprecedented rate, but she was not quite that good enough.

The tundra dragon grabbed her by the throat and twisted it in his grasp. With the deadly maw away from him, he quickly pulled her down with him. He was below the two, but the sharp claws would not hurt him this way. The last part, to pull out the kusarigama and hold her on the blade's edge. He felt too slow already, she already preparing to plunge the spear in him once more. It would prove years and years of honed skill in battle would win this time; he had her in death's grip. A single movement would be death.

A victory once again, and all without use of his element. But any cheer for him was met with mumbling and silence.
Dawntracker was not alien to this reaction. It was quite normal. Even when he was giving his orders, only the title as general gave him any sort of respect at all. Though it was not the victories that brought him pride. It was... something else. Maybe it was the thought of a day where he wouldn't lose...

He felt nothing as the terrible guardian dragon stepped forward, looking at the pair of still heaving fighters. All her eyes were peeled on him, he glad she could not see his face under the helmet. Before Bloodsurge gurgled at last.
"NEXT..."
This did cause him a terrible feeling. All the way to his guts, he felt his throat choking. The disapproval of his hard efforts, ignored and dismissed once again. All those days of early ridicule, to the hate and the rejection, how was it that it never changed. At any time, he knew, he could lose it all at their choosing. Was Bloodsurge only teasing him to tear him apart later?

All the doubts brewed within him, and knew that Bloodsurge knew it too. She screamed something awful for the next duel to begin, Dawntracker more or less shoved off the dueling ring without care. He was trying to think rationally, but only felt more awful. So the best thing to do was to focus on the battles. Read their moves and pretend he was there too. And keep training, and practicing, he must always aim for facing death. Then he would be the best warrior they had seen. Someday...