Dragon Realm Cypress

Inle Ebonpath relaxed on top of the elevated clock tower in the center of Lost Dawns. The air breezed through his violet hair as he gripped his steel clown mask close to his chest, watching a pair of red-clad elves training in the distance. Elucard and his new student, Kyzo.

Inle had spent a considerable amount of time spying on Elucard; getting close to his life- the life he was no longer a part of. Seeing Elucard so quickly pick up a new student flustered Inle. The fact that this new 'brother' of his had Elucard's attention while Inle remained exiled was more than his heavy heart could bear.

Inle looked over his shoulder. “It seems you always know where to find me, Collector.” he sighed as a figure stepped out of a shadowy portal behind him.

The black-furred yikahti, his cat ears jingling with jewelry and trinkets and missing a whisker or two, narrowed his eyes as he sneered, exposing his crooked fangs. He unbuckled his heavy belt bearing four different swords and placed them onto the ground before sitting next to Inle. “You are never hard to find, my student.”

Inle rubbed his mask, his mind still trapped in solace. His memories wandered from his childhood, to his life as a Black Rabbit, to losing everything he worked towards.

“Our plans for Lost Dawns have failed, but here I still find you spying on Elucard” the yikahti said. “Why do your waste our time dealing with him?”

“Our time?” Inle sat up with a violent jerk. “I am my own elf! Ordained to be the new Silent Master. What I do with my time is none of your business, cat!”

A twisted laugh wheezed out of the panther. “Forgive me my Silent Master, I have overstepped my boundaries.” His tone writhe with mockery.

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Inle stepped out towards the edge of the clocktower, sliding on his mask. “Like or not, we’ve been assigned as partners, cat,” spat Inle, “Master Wraslyn and the rest of the council chose me to pick up where Ryjin failed. It would do you some good to show me a little respect.”

“The council may have voted for you, but I did not.” The yikahti slowly moved to behind Inle, as a lion would inch towards its prey, “Until you’ve sworn your loyalties with my master, I

shall not-” With a stiff arm the Collector grabbed Inle’s collar and shoved the elf off the ledge of the tower.

Inle made a sharp yelp as he flailed for his life, only to find himself dangling by the collar of his cloak. The dark linen material tightened and rubbed deep into his throat as he gagged trying to call for help.

“-allow you to think of yourself as my equal!” finished the yikahti with a long hiss, “Where do your loyalties lie!? Yourself or my guild?”

Inle desperately clawed the cloak as the cape dug deeper into his skin, rubbing it raw.

“Well?” the cat loosened his grip, “My arm tires, elf!”

“The guild!” gasped Inle, the very act of speaking while in utter terror of being dropped overrode the need to use the time to suck in air.

“I don’t believe you! You are a sociopathic insect; only out to further your own obsessions!” the Collector roared

“G-Guild!” Inle gasped out once more, his eyes now bulged and shifted pink.

The yikahti’s murderous face morphed into a playful smile. He pulled up the shivering, young elf, who collapsed at the cat’s feet. “I still don’t believe you.”

“G-guild. Guild. Please, please,” sniveled Inle forcing a series of dry coughs.

“No.” The yikahti fastened his swords back to his waist. “But there is time to win my vote just yet, dear Inle. You and I have much work to do. Come, we must find another way to burn this city to the ground. Any ideas?”

Inle rubbed the sore marks on his neck. Unsure whether the Collector was back in good spirits, he decided to keep his ego in check. “There are other veterans,” he croaked. His labored voice ached, but he was still determined not to be further humiliated. “Let us find more and see if we can’t send them into a frenzy.”

The Collector rubbed a claw over his upper lip, “Yes…if there are still roses, there will still be bees. Let us shake a hive and see who comes out.”