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Characters

[Samuel 'Saurus' Pierce]

"Lets play a game. Saurus says mind your own business."

[Mia Blackwood]

"Here, have some sugar. Your bitterness is making me gag."

Incerpt:

"You're so childish." He groused, nose flaring in ire.

Mia laughed again. Did he honestly think she would leave him so casually after being relegated to a whole week of not being able to bother him? "Bye reptile, try not to miss me."

"Tch. I won't have to try." He gripped her arms securely as he geared her right out the door of his room.

Mia frowned, her eyes growing wide and doe-like. "Why do you always reject me Samuel?" She asked him sadly, shoulders slumping. "It makes me really sad."

His hand was poised on the door edge, ready to close it in her face. For a moment, he paused, his muscles tensing as he looked at her. Really looked at her with his lips parted in uncertainty. Unfortunately, the corner of Mia's mouth twitched, giving her away completely. Instantly, his eyes became steel. He glared and slammed the door to her face.

Mia doubled over, clutching her stomach as a round of giggles overtook her. She had been so close! She wished she had held her composure a little longer to see what he would do.

* Skip this part and go to chapter 1 if you don't care to read the back history or want to jump straight to the story.

The Legend of the Beastmen

MANY HUNDREDS OF YEARS ago the beasts were dying. Each year their numbers dwindled. Like an upside down hourglass, it was only a matter of time before the last grain dropped and they vanished altogether. The technology of humanity was advancing and with that came the sport of hunting; namely, The Beast Games. Hundreds of thousands were killed each year with five in particular being their favorite—wolves, foxes, tigers, eagles, and sharks. These strong, ferocious beasts were relegated to a swift death, as humans did not need to be close for a killing shot.

As so with much trepidation these beasts ran, seeking peace and finding none in the face of ruthless humans. Everywhere they escaped it was the same—humans glorified the destruction of their lives for entertainment. Their numbers became so diminished that leaders of each species joined at a center point to see what they could do.

How could they stop these humans? Killing them was out of the question. Their sheer numbers and technology maintained the odds against their favor. And so for days and days the leaders discussed ideas, only to have them fall in the face of these two factors.

One day, an old tortoise was passing by and overheard their conversation. The tortoise was wise, having gained knowledge from hundreds of years living. He approached the formidable group and presented a solution: if you cannot beat them, join them.

The idea was preposterous. These beasts could not become human, nor humans become beasts. The tortoise laughed. Silly beasts. They may not be able to become human nor humans become beasts, but they may give humans a piece of their power in exchange for protection. They must find an honorable people who are willing to protect animals, a people who see beasts worth living. Only those should they relegate this privilege.

The beasts were awed. This sounded perfect, but while the tortoise's plan was excellent, it held one flaw—how could these beasts give a portion of their power to these humans? The tortoise tucked his body within his shell. For a moment, they all fell silent. Slowly, the tortoise popped back out. In each leg he held a violet pearl. The last one, the fifth, was on his tongue. Each species took one and received direction.

Between two mountains laid a struggling village where humans here did not get reached by these games. They were a weak bunch, frail and prone to attacks by neighboring villages. As an area that lived off the soil they were rampaged year-round. Outsiders often stole months worth of produce, leaving them struggling to maintain their livelihood. They were the perfect humans to use, as they desperately needed strength.

By eating this magical pearl, they would not only be granted the ability to speak their language, but also transfer a portion of their strength into a human. The pearl had two critical elements: transfers must be finished within twenty-four hours, and lastly, in the end they would die.

Unless a seed falls to the ground and dies, it remains alone. But if it dies, it brings a harvest of new lives. Without their deaths, their species would cease to exist. It needed to be done. And so with great courage the beasts did just that, uncaring their lives would be forfeit.

The weak village humans accepted them with weariness. They were divided into five groups and the process began. Some humans were ineffective, their bodies rejecting the fullness of the power by only maturing in health but no greater strength, these were deferred to as matura. For the rest it was an explosive transformation. One by one the beasts bit into the humans. With each bite, the beasts progressively became weaker and weaker. When they reached the last one, the final portion of their essence leaked in excellent brilliance, transferring not only power, but authority. These humans would be figureheads of the new change.

Thus, from mankind and beast, the beastmen were formed: humans with supernatural strength and ability according to their affinity beast—wolfmen, foxmen, tigermen, sharkmen, and eaglemen. With newfound strength the village prospered and grew. They withstood against their enemies as they not only had technology, but physical prowess. In honor of the beasts who sacrificed for their safety, both beastmen and beasts pledged to protect each other. Each beastman would have a beast partner in reminder of the sacrifice done for their safety.

All time passed the beastmen spread. Laws against animal brutality came in place all across the world. The beastmen grew so much they were forced to go separate ways and expand. The wolfmen stayed near forests, while the sharkmen found an affinity for being near bodies of water. Eaglemen enjoyed mountainous areas, and foxes and tigers could adjust to varying biomes.

In the grand scheme of things humans remained most numerous, but with beastmen equality was reached with the endangered animals, and soon, their numbers went up again.

With such success other animals of the kingdom sought to do the same, but no one ever found that tortoise. Some say he died. Others says he's alive, and is only ever found when he wishes to be seen. All we know is that he was a vital piece to this history.

For this love story, we will focus on the wolfmen. Otherwise also known, as weremen.