Qnta Rising, Prologue: Q'llaeri Cyclle Book 1
The prologue to Qnta Rising
'The Q?lai lies dying. The spotted one and the Shadow Mark in one q?laito take the place of one downed. The Elders betrayal causes the prophecy to become True. As the Elder Tree shatters, it's secret revealed, its life given to bless the Child of Darkness. The North carries the Spear of Doom. The Darkness brings the Fellowship of The Pale Ones into the Green Lands. Evil follows, Darkness' tribes join as one to combat the Elders...'
Prophecy of Q? a** dae?asai?lai, the Light-Dark One**
Prologue - A'dae
Xe?radis had lived a hundred cycles when his power first surged. "My child, ka'te no more, you time has come." The voice of Elder Ta'kora carried cautious pride and concern. "Now, you must rise for your first challenge. Who dares call the First?" The Elder's voice now took on a menacing and dramatic timbre. It pleased Xe'radis greatly to see the hesitation on the faces of the botan. He was, after all, the personal student of the Karan, Qo'a, who was the tribe's war-leader and training Master. He was also one of the Karan's strongest students...
Xe'radis felt his Power tingle from the tip of his tail to the furred points of his ears, which were already twitching in anticipation. Q'lai Tamora stood and taunted him "I'll take this q'sai's First." He was not at all surprised at her call. Tamora was the clan's best warrior and his best friend. She also happened to be his sister. "Q'sai...?_This game again Honored Q'lai? Very well, I accept your challenge. Unless you wish to reconsider, dear sister?" Xe'radis said, as his fur stood on end. "No, _dear brother, I do not withdraw my Challenge. Quit wasting time!" she responded.
After a moment, the contest was on. The tofar began their tattoo, the corae soon adding its cacophonous plea. The clangor made their marrow burn. Da'nae summoned his Song, his growls and melodies filling the village. The warriors bristled as botan and qnta alike felt the Ancestors stir for the ancient rite.
"Qnta Xe'radis," Elder Ta'kora spoke, "Q'lai Ta'mora. Honored warriors. Are you both prepared?" We nodded in agreement. We were charged, ready for our first real battle. "Terms are: First blood, down, surrender or retreat." I noticed Ta'mora's fur was already Shifting to purple, her eyes blackening. Xe'radis began slipping into his battle-trance, and looked down at his arm to see if he would even Shift. He was not really worried; he could put T'ma down with some effort even if he didn't. He would pass the Proving with or without a Shift, and would likely gain some prestige if he passed without.
_Spots?!_He thought as they began to appear on his arm. Not in a Great Cycle had any warrior manifested this Sign, not even among the great Q'lai masters... Mesmerized by them, it was but a passing thought. He could not see his eyes turn a deep Amethyst. The powerful Marks he bore shocked his gathered audience. When his fur darkened to a deep indigo, Elder Ta'kora and many of those gathered audibly gasped and began to whisper among themselves to call the contest.
Before Ta'kora could call a halt, Ta'mora, in her battle trance, sprung for Xe'radis. Distracted by the spots, he was ill prepared for the blow and only registered the impact of the tree that received him. "HALT!" the Elder bellowed. It was too late however; the Change was complete.
Xe'radis rolled onto his pads. Overtaken by the battle-rage, he sprung into a feral run on all fours towards his enemy. His sudden bestial snarls silenced Da'nae's singing and filled the gathering with horror. Ta'mora only felt the Elder Tree shatter beneath, raining daggers of wood and showers of leaves on the village. Xe'radis bounded off the Tree as it fell, recovering to land atop Ta'mora's unmoving form. He extended his claws fully and felt them infuse, shining with ra'tae, as he sang a primal howl to the Ancients. He was electric as he prepared to eviscerate the q'lai and claim his victory.
From his periphery, Xe'radis saw Ta'kora raise his ma'e and prepare to blow a dart. Instinct took over and he dug his claws in to the dirt as he readied a charge. Enraged at the betrayal, Xe'radis barely felt the twenty poisoned needles that suddenly pierced his back. He howled in desperation as his ra'tae withdrew. As he began to gather his senses anew, a realization dawned as he saw his sister's unmoving body. Blackness began to overtake him, leaving his horror unresolved. His last vision was of Karan Qo'a's hor'a staff coming down on his head. The Karan spoke a single word as oblivion overtook Xe'radis: "A'dae..."
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