The Brotherhood- Prolog
In the Bone Room They assembled. Robed in crimson silk lined with onyx lace, They gathered for their newest member. He was their master's most promising child, of venom laced fangs and dagger-like claws, His gaze could stun the unawares; for this, their master chose to accept him so early in his training.
The room lay deathly still, silence throbbed all around Them. Slowly, an ivory laced door opened without a sound. Two members, a water dragon and Iguana, assisted a binded cobra. It's eyes were covered with thick cloth, hands bound together behind his back in the same fashion, even his tail was tied skillfully in a knot around his powerfully built legs. Yet, the cobra showed no signs of fear, his face stern with no muscle giving an unneeded movement.
Standing from his sacred chair of crafted gold, was their master. Even under his crimson hood, the scars of his past life remained permantly painted on his bold face. The Komodo dragon towered over his followers, his immense arms summoning the blind to be removed. The water dragon removed it with a single swipe, revealing the savagely calm eyes of Protease Thatcher.
A few of Them were taken aback by his glazed stare, his eyes had no light, but burned with a raw power; and of deadly origins. Shifting his aching shoulders, the Cobra's eyes scanned the room, though his neck never gave the slightest twitch. His gaze finally came to the assembly placed before him, now taking in the dragon. A smile was under the crimson hood, his teeth glinting venom lace under the burning candles. As they watched the other, Protease's tail fidgeted against the makeshift knot. He could feel the suspence, even though his fellow Scales spoke no words.
"My Brothers," The dragon bellowed from his deep throat. The assembly looked towards Protease with lustfilled eyes as their master continued without pause, "We have come here tonight, within the Bone Room, to watch as a new member is born." Laying his brawny scaled hands upon his throne, the dragon managed a smile. "I have faith in Brother Protease, for he has shown promise in our ways."
Protease's chest swelled out as he pulled himself high over his escorts, this was his night.
"Passing many trials over many seasons, it has all lead to this final trial. The Physical trial is the hardest, for not only will it show what you may indure to protect your fellow Brother's, it is but merely a sliver of the pain you shall indure if you even think of betraying our sacred Brotherhood." Pausing now, his ever watchful eyes surveyed the room. His Brothers were still with desire, and fear. "Protease, you know the cost if you cannot finnish this trial, and punishment if you dare betray us. Knowing this; will you still join us in the ranks of the Scale and Cross Bones?"
His answer was resevered and swift, "Yes, Master Anton."
A glint of mischief was in the dragon's green eyes, his teeth gleaming again as his name echoed in the thundering silence. Raising his large, ring clad hand, he gave a solmn nod. The Brother that sat beside Anton rose. With a gray hand, he removed the crimson hood. Protease felt his scales flex cooly over his flesh as wolf materialized from the robe. Pure loathing seemed to leek into the air from fellow Scales as the wolf stepped onto the grated floor, the cool metal licked at his padded feet.
This was Dai'vor, the only Scaled Furry within the Brotherhood, and the most hated. Standing tall, his build was far more muscular that that of Protease's lean frame. The wolf gritted through grinning fangs, "I am Brother Dai'vor, the Scaled Furry. I shall lead the Physical Trial."
With burning indignation, Protease knelt on the grated floor as the Brother Dai'vor walked to him. The wolf's paw grasped sharply at Protease's throat. Here he drove a vinegar soaked cloth into his mouth, now bringing his eyes close to his deep grey ones, "Welcome to Hell;" Louder, Dai'vor's voice rose through the Bone Room, "Welcome to the Brotherhood!"
The crash of metal struck the cobra's unprotected back, his arm's surging as he bent forward in a grunt of pain, vinegar running down his throat and upon his chest. More brutal lashes came upon him from the back, the chest, and the head, tearing at his scales and his beloved hood. A worse mental pain enveloped him as his long tail pulled vainly on it's knot, longing to snare and strangle life from his Brother's body. A lash from Dai'vor cuffed him harshly upon a temple. His eyes bloodshot and choked with the salty tang of vinegar slushing heavily about his senses. Staggering, Protease's eyes rolled lazily as a cloud of black glazed over his eyes. He felt the thud pulse in his aching limbs as he hit the floor, the grates happily consuming his blood in the crimson pit below. Bloodied and sensless, his body pulsed harsh curses to his throbbing head. Dai'vor grabbed soundly upon Protease's muzzle, removing the gag.
Protease didn't have the last laugh, but relished sweet revenge for a few seconds. The vinegar took hold and he lurched on his aching side, a heafty gag coming in his throat. Stomach bile and Vinegar mingled into vomit as he gagged onto Dai'vor's bare feet. The wolf pulled away, his nose snarling in disgust as Protease stared up at him, a wheezy grin on his soiled lips. Dai'vor moved to land the snake a brutal kick, but Anton grunted harshly, showing his displeasure for the action. Finally Protease faded into unconsiousness, his deadly tail giving a final defiant twitch before falling tangled upon his legs.
Master Anton stood from his golden chair, walking from the platform and to the beaten, bloodied heap that was Protease. Smiling under his hood, he looked over at Dai'vor, whom was busy releiving himself of Protease's disgraceful revenge. The Brothers that partook in the trial watched eagerly as Anton stroked Protease's throat, his claw laying gingerly on a vein. A smile crossed his lips once more, for Protease had not failed him. Stepping back, the large dragon stood tall and true, his powerful arms reaching out at his sides, "My Brothers, let us welcome another member into our humble Brotherhood. He has passed the Physical Trial, yes, with a pulse that runs strong and true. Please, take him to our Sister's dwellings where he may rest and find peace of mind for the time being: There is still loyalty to be proven."
Lifting the deadweight, and weary of his tail, the group of Scales carried Protease's away. However, his binds remained, for the fury of confusion would greatly overtake a bewildered and injured creature.
Now the scars over his eye trickled a burning pain through his temple, making the large dragon inhale sharply. Dai'vor noticed the wince in his friends features and frowned, "The boy troubles you, Master?"
"My name is Anton, and he is a Brother. Though yes..." Anton's finger tips stroked over his right eye, the three deep gashes responded with harsh signals of pain, "Something burns in his eyes, a rebellion I have not seen since I was a Hatchling..."
The thought of being such a low-level creature was enough to fray his nerves, but that life died for the Brotherhood. "He is a strange one, Brother Protease, but he can be either a blessing to my cause-- Or a damn plauge in my ranks." Staring down below the grates, Anton saw the glimmering red tide of a crimson pool. Many enemies were slew in this room, a few were some rather unfortunate Brother's with loose tounges. The pool lapped lazily at the walls, still hungry for another offering. This thought made a smile of demention cracked on his scaled lips. As he walked toward the ivory studded door, he looked over his shoulder at the muted Dai'vor, "Oh, Dai'vor, ready the Bone Room for her next offering... Brother June seems to have gotten rather 'wired' lately."