Riptic

Riptic was born into what one might call a 'high-class' family. His lineage is vast and cruel, as many Wildclaw are, and he stood out from his brothers and sisters more than any other. Though mischievous and quick to temper, Riptic has always had a soft spot for 'inferior' breeds. He would often leave a hunting ground in search of another if the area was contested with another clan --usually ending in a fight with another member of his clan-- or stick his neck out to defend the word of a stray dragon who wandered too close to the lair.

Because of his strange behavior his brood often looked down on him, taunting and teasing which eventually led to many fights --and many deaths-- with Riptic the victor. It wasn't long before the clan's power shifted; with no dragon willful enough to face the undefeated Riptic he inevitably stood above the rest. To say he was kind would be to err, for though he treated the other breeds as equals, he thought of them as lessers. With the might of the clan behind him, he sought to rule his breed with an iron fist. Attacks on other Wildclaw clans were abundant, and victory was decided before a claw could be sharpened. As it is with all violent rulers, however, there was always a plan being made to dethrone him. Even after several failed attempts --the results of which were too violent and disheartening to be recorded-- the might of the his own clan turned inward on itself, and with no other choice he spared not a single soul under his command. Left wandering alone through the Tangled Wood, covered in shredded skin and the blood of his allies and his own, he collapsed on the border of Ohdaviing's hunting grounds.

It was days before he woke again, the green glow of Kayta's magic still mending the last of his open wounds. A small Nocturne, truly smaller than any he had seen before, sat smiling on his folded wing, just a faint hint of magic emanating from the golden pattern on her chest. On closer inspection, he noted that the pattern was not on her chest, but a part of it. A wild fascination gripped him, for he had never seen a Nocturne quite as curious as this one. The little beast began chirping incessantly --he wished nothing more than for the sound to stop-- at a nearby coatl, one that Riptic recognized immediately from one of his many trips to the Ashfall Waste. 'Ssussunsssiks' he thought to himself, not in the least bit joyfully. It had been a long time since the two last met, and they had not parted on pleasant terms.

"Well, you're looking better." Sun remarked in broken, elongated common (as many would expect from a snake). It was a miracle anyone could understand him. "Mind the limbsss, boy. They needed much work." He added mockingly. Riptic wasn't sure if Sun remembered him or not, but it was clear that they would like each other no more than the last time they met.

"Mind the limbsss!" Elwon mimicked enthusiastically, running the tip of her wing up his leg. It took a moment for Riptic to notice the pulsing blue lines covering his body like intricately laid circuitry.

"We added sssome improvementsss." Sun hissed, an unmissable grin plastered across his face. "That'sss the power of the Ssstormcatcher coursssing through you. Revel in it." The last part was added with a sadistic smile, a look that Riptic remembered well enough. The last time he saw that look was as Sun escaped the Flamecaller's lair in the dead of night, so long ago.

Elwon sat silently as the two stared at each other for what seemed like an eternity. Eventually Riptic stood, shakily, and flexed his muscles. To his surprise his body felt as light as air and as strong as a guardian. He stretched each limb, each finger, each toe, one by one. He felt power, both physical in nature and magical. For a moment he contemplated what to do next, but only a moment passed before he knew. He turned to the little Nocturne.

"Hunt with me."