Serpents In My Mind

He walked beside the volcano idly, his piercing eyes all but glaring at the lush green plains in the distance. Abaven. Once his home, now a standing example of weakness to contrast the bold wolves of Ruina. He paced through the black stones surrounding the burning mountain, his thoughts beginning to wander as they so frequently did. Thinking of Abaven always set his teeth on edge; particularly when he thought of his adolescent year. The plans he had made with Aranea, Vali explaining that he would have no preference to Sparrow in spite of how much more qualified he was, Bass leaving Abaven altogether to search of his erstwhile sisters. Betrayal after betrayal. Some days he was content to let them all run themselves into the ground and watch as Abaven consumed itself into nonexistence, but other days he wanted revenge.

Just as his mind began to drift toward the serpent filled plains he had once called home, the Apollyon himself sent him a sign. He stepped back as the shale beneath his feet writhed under his paw and a great hooded serpent seemingly crafted from obsidian itself rose with a whispering hiss that sent a chill up his spine. His eyes widened momentarily, bottomless black pools staring back at him as the snake’s mouth parted with the promise of a venomous kiss.

“Baaack!” She menaced, the hood surrounding her head opening wide to reveal two perfectly white false eyes. “Baaack!” She repeated, closing her mouth and flicking her black tongue to taste the heat of his body.

“No!”He snarled in retaliation. “I am Tyranis Praetor! Ruina is my home! You can’t threaten me here!”

The serpent drew back as if affronted that a creature such as himself would have the audacity to challenge her. She had never seen a wolf who had not heeded her warning and took flight instantly. The male stayed rooted, ivory fangs bared as the coiled serpent weaved apprehensively.
”Home…” She whispered in the wolfen tongue, then twisted her body to glance at the green plain in the distance. “HOME GONE! MY HOME NOW!"  She roared, opening her hood once again to threaten him. Tyranis, undaunted looked at the creature evenly. “Then it seems we have something in common.” The snake faltered again, her tongue flicking uncertainly. “Tyranisss…” She whispered then rose above him to look down at him “I RAANEE!” She declared boldly “I QUEEN!”

“And I am a KING!”  He roared back proudly, the black serpent rearing back as if he had spat venom at her himself.

“Raanee!” He declared with a wild snap of his head, flashing his teeth. “Serve me as my companion and advisor and I will give you a new home here! Serve me and I will serve you in turn.” Her hood lowered cautiously, her piercing eyes never leaving his. He was offering to be her servant, which appealed to her greatly, but the idea of needing to reciprocate such service gave her pause. What could a wolf possibly offer her that she could not claim for herself?