With soundless steps, a great beast bounded through the golden boughs and waves of grass. Birds scattered and insects flew, then returned to their resting places. As it leaped across a small hill, it passed by a herd of deer grazing in the plains. Not a single doe or buck lifted their head at the beast's presence, as they all knew it would never prey on them. With a form and countenance as fierce as a tiger's, black spots and stripes formed patterns in its silver fur. Its eyes were a warm gold, just like the forests of Jasumin. Rabbits, squirrels, and even the mischievous fox merely gave a passing glance when he went by. It was an act of acknowledgement, but one founded in trust instead of fear. The only creatures who were in danger were those with evil and impurity in their hearts. He did not oppose the natural order of the world nor did he forbid taking what was needed. But when blood was spilled and lives were taken unnecessarily, one should hope that they met the qilin instead of him. The qilin's horns were quick, and in the blink of an eye it would be done.
This was his land, the domain which he so steadfastly guarded. He was not its lord, like what the humans and other mortal beings would think. He is purpose was to protect that which could not protect itself, to give a voice and a will to the land. He was Zouyu–a name given to him by the people who dwelled in the mountains and plains. The great beast came to a halt as the wind shifted and carried the scent of blood. With swift strides, the beast charged forward. Pushing himself to run faster, he followed the trail until he came across a grisly sight. Dark red stained the golden grass as the remains of a poor soul marred the idyllic field, the victim of a violent death. With his supernatural sight, he saw the lingering wisps about the corpse, as well as the spirit trail of those who had committed the terrible deed. The malevolent energy left behind in their wake was still thick. They were still nearby. A new scent trail guided him deeper into the woodlands, towards the foothills before the great Baltil Mountains. The malevolence was growing stronger by the minute the closer the beast came towards the perpetrators. Whoever they were, they would face retribution for defiling these grounds with such cruelty.
A group of wolves were on their way back to their den after a successful hunt. It had been easy pickings, a single traveler on the road with no others riding along. The shifters were now searching for more fulfilling prey to track down. The sound of a rushing wind filled the trees as the branches and treetops began to sway. Like a sudden tempest, a great silver creature as large as a dragon emerged and towered over them. Sharp feline eyes glowered from above as it snarled, revealing its great fangs. And before the pack could do anything, the great beast let out a deafening roar that shook them to their very soul.
"Your very souls reek with malevolence. Even now the blood of your victims cry out from the earth for revenge!
You have committed sacrilege upon these sacred grounds, and now your retribution is at hand!"
Baring his fangs, the sinews of his body tensed as if preparing to strike. Then–suddenly from behind the wolves burst another creature resembling a chimera of deer and dragon! With shining horns and breathing flame, the kirin took them by surprise. In the blink of an eye, its hooves plunged into a wolf's chest. Fresh blood splattered the trees as sharp antlers gored the body of another, then it turned to charge one who was trying to flee. In the span of a few minutes, the scaled mythical beast had torn the blackguards apart. With smoke pouring form its nostrils, it torched the corpses with an enchanted fire that reduced everything into ash.
Zouyu had merely watched in passive silence as the kirin punished the evildoers. Once its work was done, the beasts exchanged glances of acknowledgement before the chimeric creature turned on its hoof and dashed away. With peace returned to the region once more, he turned back to where the wolves' victim had lain. He would give the poor soul a proper burial and return them to the earth. Standing before the corpse, the great feline beast shrunk until it took the form of a man with hair and eyes of the same colors. Whispered words in an ancient tongue were spoken over the body, then with a shovel, he proceeded to dig a grave. Smoothing out the surface of the dirt mound, Zouyu caused fresh blades of grass to sprout on the soil. Mixed in were the seedlings of wild sunflowers to guide the deceased towards the heavens in its passing. The heads of those golden flowers would always look towards the sun, showing them the dawn of a new day.
With the dead buried, Zouyu slowly walked through the forest as he returned to his true form. Searching with his eyes, he carefully looked to see if there were others who had met the same unfortunate fate. It was then that something flickering caught his eye–the light of a still-burning flame. Bounding over, he found an abandoned lantern sitting in the grass. "How careless. First blood is spilled, then they discard their odds and ends too? At least ensure the flame is snuffed out before throwing it aside…" With a paw, he pushed the lantern upright and took it in his mouth.
