[Training] First Lust

On new yet steady paws, Edmund prowled along the stone, tasting the air eagerly. The bloodlust singing through his veins wasn't something he could ignore, nor did he want to. This was what he had asked for. Power. And the power that was naturally held in a molten tiger was already more than he'd ever had. It was as he turned a corner of the Cathedral that Edmund froze. On the breeze was a new scent. It was unfamiliar yet clearly a person. Perfect. The molten tiger slunk into the shadows, moving silently as he searched for his prey. Edmund could practically see the blood on his claws, and he wanted it now. Edmund Tiger, Tiger, Burning Bright Let's Kill Tonight

The sun's coming up

Moving about the Climb now and away from his interaction with Dantalion, Noah moved deeper into the realm with curiosity furrowing his brow. Sweat beaded and rolled down his forehead as he traveled, careful to stay clear of any burning, bubbling lava or magma. He felt uneasy in the pit of his stomach when thinking about the goddess that the man had mentioned, and Noah needed to see more for himself.

Descending into the cathedral, Noah stopped to look around. The air was not as thick and sticky as the rest of the Climb, but the hunter was still not comfortable. He shifted his weight and tilted his head, examining the obsidian that formed the structures of the "pews". He ran his hand over a part of one that was smooth. It was warm to the touch -- obviously -- but still caught Noah by surprise. He was too used to stone being as cold as ice.

But the steel around your heart is starting to rust

table code from sky

Edmund spotted the man. Some deep part of him felt recognition but he couldn't place from were. He hadn't seen the Sentinel since he was a baby. As such, even beneath the cloud of bloodlust the recognition was faint. It didn't matter. Nothing mattered except getting this man's blood on his paws. Spilling the red liquid in the Cathedral of his Mother. That was what mattered. Satisfying the deep need that surged in his veins alongside fire and flame. Dropping into a crouch, Edmund silently stalked the man from the shadows. When Noah focused on the pew, the Ancient took the advantage. Leaping out, the tiger tried to force Noah to the ground and bite. The aim was the neck but for the unpracticed teen, his aim fell more towards the demigod's shoulder. Edmund Tiger, Tiger, Burning Bright Let's Kill Tonight

when the sky turns gray and everything is screaming

The predatorial senses of his bear shift came in handy -- although as preoccupied as he was with the sprawling Cathedral, the urge to turn and attack came too late. The tiger came from behind him. Noah was mid-twist when the car’s massive body came down on him. A surprised scream ripped through his teeth and echoed across the obsidian.

The scream turned to a thundering roar, however, as Noah was brought down. He started as a man, but it was a bear shoulder that the tiger’s teeth sunk into. Noah swiped with his other arm, massive paw aiming to knock the molten tiger from him and leave evidence of his long and sharp claws. Noah thick neck arched and he twisted, jaws snapping towards the beast

i will reach inside just to find my heart is beating

Edmund let out a pleased rumble when the man's blood flooded his mouth. The first bite was addicting, and distracting. And although the tiger tried to readjust for the sudden bear beneath him, it was no use.  Noah's massive paw slammed into the Ancient's side and sent him sprawling across the stone floor. Stumbling to his feet, Edmund snarled, still overcome with his bloodlust. Along his flank, deep gashes stood out starkly against his fur, dripping blood and fire. Baring his teeth, tail lashing angrily, Edmund pounced once more. This time, using the tiger's superiority in jumping, he attempted to leap over Noah's head and land on the bear's back. If he succeeded, he'd dig his claws in deep and try to tear into the demigod. Edmund Tiger, Tiger, Burning Bright Let's Kill Tonight

when the sky turns gray and everything is screaming

As the tiger was swiped away, Noah released another thunderous roar into the Cathedral. The tiger sprung again, up and over. Noah teared up on tree-like legs, aiming to meet the tiger mid-spring with teeth and claws. The hunter hoped to slash and tear into the tiger’s sensitive underbelly.

Blood ran from the bites on his shoulder, though the Sentinel pushed down the pain. Thrashing with huge, clawed paws in an attempt to swipe the tiger away again, Noah would move to the side should be fine success.

The polar bear was not made for this climate, and he could feel the heat clinging beneath his blood marred white coat. Trying to gain some distance between himself and the tiger, Noah shifted back to his human form, pain wincing through his shoulder as he did so.

i will reach inside just to find my heart is beating

Edmund let out a feline scream as Noah successfully sends him flying once more. This time with even more force. The Ancient crashed into a pillar and his world spun for a moment. In that time, Noah shifted back. It was clear that Edmund wouldn't be able to kill this man, not without losing his own life. Stumbling onto shaky paws, the molten tiger let out an infuriated growl. Everything hurt and the ground was still doing an odd swaying thing. Regaining the most of his balance, Edmund raced over to Noah as fast as he could and attempted to swipe him with his claws. Given that the demigod was once more in human form, he should be an easier target. At least, that's what the bloodlust in Edmund's ears sang to him. Edmund Tiger, Tiger, Burning Bright Let's Kill Tonight

The sun's coming up

The hunter gritted his teeth and bared his fangless teeth as the tiger growled and snarled. The pain in his shoulder throbbed and Noah brought his arm against his side to keep it as stable as possible. It was rare that Noah was without his bow or his spear, but this venture to the climb found him without both.

Noah had to act quickly. The tiger jumped again and Noah jumped too. Noah aimed to move behind a broken obsidian pillar for cover, and as he did so a celestial dome erupted over himself and the tiger, covering them in brilliant golden that that — were it not damaging to the tiger — the cat may have found distracting if not beautiful.

But the steel around your heart is starting to rust

table code from sky

Noah's dome of light agitated Edmund's injuries and made his dizzy head ring slightly, but otherwise did little harm. It was somewhat satisfying to see the man in pain, at least it should be. Yet the bloodlust in the young Ancient burned brighter than ever. So close to its goal, yet it was unreachable at the moment. There was blood on the ground, but not enough. Not yet. This was his last chance. One last attempt. Otherwise, he'd be too tired, too hurt, to find anything to kill. As soon as the dome vanished, the molten tiger made one last, pained leap to take the man down. Edmund aimed for the chest. If he couldn't knock the man down, maybe he could knock the wind out of him and use that time to get away. The bloodlust in him raged at defeat, but even it understood that if he died, it'd never be satisfied. Edmund Tiger, Tiger, Burning Bright Let's Kill Tonight

When ashes fall

It was a last ditch effort, but it seemed that without his weaponry and the ability to stay in his polar bear shift for too long, it was the only answer. With his magic not sending the creature scurrying as it normally did, Noah made a decision.

The pendant burned against his chest, and As the tiger came for him again, the basilisk took over. The enormous snake writhed and raged, a ear-piercing screech releasing from knife lined jaws. Noah coiled his now massive body up, lifting his head high out of the danger of the tiger’s claws and teeth. He felt claws sink into his tough scaled hide, and let out a hiss of rage.

Powerful muscles tended and hardened and Noah reached down with powerful jaws, snapping them closed in an attempt to grab the tiger and toss it away.

The legends rise

Edmund felt a surge of fear over his raging bloodlust as the man turned into the most massive snake he'd ever seen. The molten tiger didn't even have a second to celebrate his final successful blow before he was sent into the air yet again. Now, the Ancient might be more durable in this form then his natural one, but he'd long since reached his limit. It was only bloodlust and adrenaline that had gotten him this far. And as he crashed to the ground, they reached their limit. Letting out a pained cry, Edmund's legs gave out as he tried to get up. Falling onto his side, the molten tiger heaved, his entire body throbbing. Black spots danced in his vision and soon the tiger's form was slowly peeling back. Soon all that remained was Edmund. The injured Ancient let out a whimper and curled up into the fetal position, hands coming up to cover his head and horns should another blow rain down upon him. His tail too, curled up around his body, tucking under so as not to be stepped on. The bloodlust in Edmund raged but he was in too much pain for its call to be louder than a whisper. He didn't even have a chance to say a word before he was unconscious. Edmund would later be found by an older, wiser, Ancient with powerful bloodboon magic who would heal him. But for now, he was at Noah's mercy. And with the man being twice his age with an entire war of experience, the odds were certainly not in his favor. Edmund the prince of torchline

The sun's coming up

The man within the basilisk had half a mind to end the rampage of the tiger then and there -- but as the creature of the Climb shifted and a young man lay crumpled on the floor of the cathedral, the basilisk stopped his slithering approach.

Limbs grew outward and the demigod condensed in size, but his forward momentum returned. He trotted over to the body and crouched down, inspecting carefully. The youngling was out cold -- or, rather, hot. The Sentinel was tentative to touch him, but he wanted to make sure that he was still alive. Noah's fingers reached for his throat to look for a pulse, and his mind reached out simultaneously across the attuned bond. Hey, came a mental voice much softer and more gentle than the encounter deserved, wake up.

It was only as Noah reached out to check for the pulse that he noticed the spaded tail curled around the man's leg, and the horns curving up from his head -- and the startling familiarity in the way his nose curved that brought flashes of the Nightshade to his mind.

But the steel around your heart is starting to rust

table code from sky

The Ancient couldn't hear Noah's projected words. All Edmund felt was a sudden touch on his neck that successfully ripped him into consciousness. Eyes flashing open, the teen barely managed to scramble a few feet away, looking up at Noah with poorly concealed terror. Every bone, every muscle, ached. And the pain kept the worst of his bloodlust away for now. It'd return soon, and with a vengeance. A vengeance that would result in Edmund's first kill, and his first murder of another man. Snarling, Edmund bared his fangs at Noah, the fire around them bubbling upwards in response to his emotions. "Stay back!" A hand raised to curl protectively around his own neck, checking to see if the demigod had done anything while he was unconscious. Finding nothing, the Ancient dropped his hand held it out, palm facing the demigod in warning. He couldn't conjure fire yet, but the stranger in front of him didn't know that. Edmund the prince of torchline

The sun's coming up

Noah didn't move as the young man -- no, boy -- awoke and shuffled away. The brightness and threat of the flames and magma were not lost on him, but the demigod stayed put. His eyebrows came together as Edmund reached for his throat, and stuttered a warning with his palm turning outwards. Snorting, the Sentinel rose. "You attacked me." The softness and gentleness of Noah's words were gone. His jaw feathered and he stood, tall and mighty and hard as stone.

And, although the youngling didn't deserve it, Noah's celestial dome covered the two of them and offered his assailant healing invigoration from Vi himself.

He couldn't shake the familiarity that he looked down on. Even with the horns that curled out from tangled, dark hair and a spade tail that whipped around behind him, Noah felt as though he knew the face looking up at him. There was Maeve in his dark hair, the curve of his nose, even the shape of his lips -- but his jaw...and his eyes...the voice even. No it couldn't be. Noah shoved the thought down and away, but the faint memory of the man wrapping his arms around a rampaging doll lingered still.

But the steel around your heart is starting to rust

table code from sky