Outcast

After two days of walking The Crimson Flame Tribe finally arrives at Blood Plateau. This is where for generations various tribes of magical beasts have fought to gain power and of wealth for their tribes.

There are tiered to separate the various competitors into similar strength categories. The tiers in ascending order are as follows Recruit, Soldier, General, Lord, King, and finally Emperor.

As a magical beast near one year of age Valoris will be in the Recruit tier which all first-year magical beasts start at. After that, your tier is decided by your personal strength. This is his chance to compare himself to other magical beasts of his generation.

"Crimson Flame Tribe Participants! follow me to register, All spectators can go explore but make sure to stay together," announced Mezal before crawling over to the matches arena with the participants following him.

Standing at the entrance to the Blood Matches arena was a large muscular snow-white hart with huge antlers with sharpened points.

"Crimson Flame Tribe here to register our participants."

"Mezal, congratulations on defeating Tremon. I expect to see some great matches from you this year." said the stag

" Emperor Cernunnos, when someone of your strength praises me I can't help but want to show you my all" answered Mezal in the most respectful voice Valoris had ever heard him use.

Suddenly Emperor Cernunnos's eyes met Valoris's and Valoris is filled with a feeling of reverence and fear as if he is locking eyes with a God. An ancient king of the forest inspecting him to see if he is lacking.

"This is a good seedling. What is your name young dragon?" asked Emperor Cernunnos

".. my name is Valoris, Emperor Cernunnos. Please forgive me but I am confused but I am no dragon. I am but a lowly kobold" said Valoris confused.

"I was referring to your heart. To get to the level of your strength from being a Thinblood requires a heart of a dragon that refuses to submit. You impress me young Valoris, I will watching your matches in anticipation.

I will offer one piece of advice after the matches go on a journey. Go explore the world and fight, love, and live. Live unrestrained and fight those who stand in your path.

Do that and you may achieve your dream" explained Emperor Cernunnos before informing them that they were all registered for the matches.

" Master who is he?" asked Valoris curious about Emporer Cernunnos's identity.

" Honestly I can only tell you a little as I myself only know so much. It's said he is descended from the same Horned God as his name. He started as a young hart that lorded over a small forest, after decades of defeating challengers and remaining undefeated he left to explore the world leaving his first son in charge.

He traveled the world doing as he told you to do. Loving, fighting, living, creating friends and enemies. Afraid of nothing, He spent the next 30 years fighting all the strongest combatants in our continent.

When the humans attacked trying to subdue us they made the mistake of razing his small forest killing his entire family. In a rage, Emperor Cernunnos spent the remaining ten years of the war deep in enemy lines razing cities and becoming "Lord of the Hunt".

He is used to scare human children into behaving. After the war, he created the Blood Matches wanting to help strengthen our people. He is a step away from reaching the God realm but it's said he wants to stay where his family lived and stops himself from evolving." Explained Mezal a deep reverence in his eyes.

Deeply moved Valoris was filled with nothing but admiration for Emperor Cernunnos. Beasts aren't known for any kind of religious worship. They tend to only look up to the strong no matter their personalities. But Emperor Cernunnos had a way of making you want to be better, to be strong but also kind, to live to the fullest!

"After the matches, we will discuss the advice he gave you. For now, focus one step at a time. For the first match, there's nothing physical you can do as it's just measuring the limits of your potential.

The measuring pillar analyzes your lineage, body, bloodline, mental strength, age, even hidden injuries to determine your potential. It will give you a rating out of 100, and will even tell you what currently your final evolution will be. Keep in mind though things can change at any time." instructed Mezal

"Understood Master, Thank you for helping me reach this point. I promise to not disappoint you," said Valoris

" Valoris do you have a second? I want to talk to you about what your name" suddenly Varrick appearing next to him.

"Sure Varrick lets go over there since you said we needed to be alone"

" Okay so first I have to ask, were you able to tell how the original Valoris died?" asked Varrick

" There was a rusty swords sticking through his ribs so I'm guessing humans"

" ... oh boy that's not good. It turns out the Stormfury family are the direct descendants of the original storm dragon. I'm not sure if you know this but the original storm dragon was one of the sons of Bahamut and Tiamat. The Stormfury clan is are fairly influential power among the Dragonkin.

Valoris was the second son of the heir to a branch head of the clan. He disappeared 5 years after the war with the humans. If they found out that humans murdered a son of their clan they would push for war.

It's up to you but I would think carefully before heading there. Anyways I just wanted to give you a heads up" said Varrick before crawling away.

Dazed by the news Valoris goes and finds the camp for the Crimson Flame Tribe and laid down keeping to himself and reflecting on the implications of this news until finally falling asleep.

: Next morning :

Waking up Valoris remembered Mezal's instruction " One step at a time, gotta focus on the matches," He thought.

" Time to go crush some geniuses"