In a world where the line between monster and human is drawn down the middle, the only thing that is acknowledged is strength and combat. Warriors from each side are allowed to venture over to the other side in order to train in life and death combat. Through countless battles, experts may be made to protect their side of the line and rule over their own people. This constant cycle has been unchanging for many years until one day a very peculiar phenomenon occurred.

The lord of BloodScream Forest, RedThunder had returned to his cave bearing a package. No one knew what that package was, but in the following days the mighty dragon didn’t leave his cave. They did not know that the lord had made a very monumental decision. It had taken a human infant under its wing.

852 CA (Cannibalistic Age)

Inside of RedThunder’s cave, the sound of heaving breaths could be heard. To the inhabitants of the BloodScream Forest, this sound would arouse their appetites as these breaths were too soft and resembled that of a human’s. Under RedThunder’s watchful eye, a young youth with red curly hair bearing red eyes and dark skin was currently punching the air.

This was a peculiar sight not simply because of the two races, but from the sheer size of them. The colossal dragon hung its long belly across the ground while the bottom layer making up a very long tail was curled around the cave. It’s monstrous claws, the size of houses tapped the floor of the cave making little shocks in the earth. Then there was the wise looking head of red rested right below the cave ceiling, whose whiskers could rival towers themselves. The dragon’s fierce yellow eyes were strict as its sharp teeth opened up and from the long forked tongue, human speech could be heard.

“Remember, in order to reach the fourth form of Dragonic Shift you must breath in the elements and condense them in your stomach to form the crystal coating that withstands the flames of your power. Without the coating, the fires will send you into a living death.”

The red-haired youth scrunched his eyebrows as he inhaled even deeper. From his belly, a image of a living flame could be seen that resembled a tailed-dragon. The dragon’s eyes were closed as it rested in mid-air inside the youth’s belly. Then, with another of the youth’s inhaled breaths, the dragon’s eyes slightly opened.

“Good,” RedThunder commented in a deep growl. “Now gush forth your energy and force the dragon’s eyes open. Once the eyes are wide open, you will have reached the fourth form.”

The youth inhaled again, and opened his eyes wide open as a bluish hue took over inside his pupils. The bluish hue spread over his body before coming to the stomach. The dragon inside opening its maw and inhaled the hue, drawing it in from the rest of his body. The dragon’s eyes spread further and further apart from their eyelids before they were wide open and the dragon let out a silent roar and vanished along with the blue hue.

The youth finally exhaled and collapsed to the floor out of breath. RedThunder’s eyes scanned the boy with traces of affection appearing out of the corner of it’s eyes. “Congratulations son. You have now reached the fourth form of Dragonic Shift, my personal technique. This is my lineage and you have proven yourself worthy of inheriting it. Now it is time for you to see the world.”

The boy stood up with a curious expression. “Really? I thought that I would not be leaving until I had completed the path of Dragonic Shift.” He knew that despite reaching the fourth form of the technique, it still possessed four more forms until it could be mastered and another in order to assimilate.

RedThunder: “My son, a life of training does not make a master. It is only through experience can a master be born. Now is the time for you to cultivate that experience and mold it into yourself. I will do what I can to make this initial period easier for you, but you must rely on yourself.”

The youth cupped his fist and bowed to the large dragon before saying, “As you wish Father.”

The dragon lowered its head to stare affectionately into the youth's eyes before imparting its next words filled with twelve years of love and care onto the child. “I have one more thing that I should give you. Your name.”

The youth remained bowing as he knew the name would encompass everything from his time under the dragon lord. From the time he entered the dragon’s care to this moment, the only name he would know was ‘Son.’ Now that he was going to leave, it was time for him to have another name for others to know him by.

“Your name will be,” the dragon droned. “Vermillion RedFlame.”

“Vermillion RedFlame,” the youth pronounced each syllable slowly taking it in.

“In this world, Red will be your surname with Flame being your known name. Vermillion will then be Origin name. The Origin name is only for those of your family. Since you are my only family, we will only refer to each other as ‘Father’ and ‘Son.’ Vermillion will only be needed when you meet your other half in life and start a family.”

The word family struck a cord in Flame’s heart but he quietly tuned it down before returning another bow.

Later that night, under the shocked eyes of the forest inhabitants, the hermitted lord of BloodScream Forest left his cave into the night. A few hours later, the dragon touched down on the ground and loosened the package in its arms. The wrapping gave way to reveal Flame in a blue furred vest and purple scale pants. The youth bowed again with cupped fist before sprinting into the nearby section of the forest.

RedThunder sighed as he pondered over the challenges Flame will encounter. The place he had brought Flame to was inhabited by several packs and Beastlords. The average Beastlord was capable of utilizing the fourth or even fifth form of whatever technique they practiced. Flame should be capable of looking after himself. The only worry RedThunder had, is when Flame gets to the line…

Inside the forest, Flame sprinted with a face full of excitement. This was the first adventure he would go on and finally a test to show his skills. For years he had practiced with RedThunder but never once met anyone else. Now he has limitless possibilities. All of his time with RedThunder taught him that through battles a practitioner can build up reputation and honour that makes others respect and revere them. And finally Flame had a chance to cultivate his own honour!

Out of the corner of his eye was a BlueCrescent Boar. A typical BlueCrescent Boar was a second-class practioner meaning the use of up to the second form of their path. Those more outstanding BlueCrescent Boars could utilize the third form while a mere handful could become Beastlords with the fourth form mastered.

Flame had no fear of any BlueCrescent Boar due to the skill and prowess he possessed for the Dragonic Shift. Unlike the BlueCrescent Boars who practiced the more common Crescent Rush, the Dragonic Shift was a unique path that could be counted on one hand the number of practitioners who walked it. And that is ignoring the fact that Flame made it to the fourth form.

Sparing no time, Flame tested the power of the first form technique, 'Slithering Fang.' Taking a crouched stance, he summoned the blue hue from his stomach and collected at the tips of his finger and toe nails. With eyes now the shade of blue, Flame sent a burst of speed down to his tiptoes and leaped toward the boar.

Sensing the attack, the BlueCrescent Boar made to counterattack with the best technique it had: the second form technique, Moon-strike Crusher. Making for Flame, the boar moved with unified speed on all legs. None falling a bit behind the others. The tusk then started to emit a faint yellow glow as they thrust at the ground, yet not disturbing the ferocious speed one bit as it dug its way forward.

Flame could tell that the BlueCrescent Boar was an average second form practitioner straight from the technique it utilized. While Flame himself was hiding his strength, a full-fledged practitioner will treat any threat at first glance as a potentially deadly foe. So in accordance to this, the boar's strongest attack was at the second form only. An expert of any form though, will have insight into the next form's techniques and is capable of at least utilizing the weakest technique it holds. Flame himself can use a fifth form technique from the Dragonic Shift.

As the Moon-strike Crusher made its way for Flame, the youth was staring in anticipation at the burrowing boar. Right when the BlueCrescent Boar was about to hit Flame, his toes hopped and he rode the wind around the boar. Not a mark was on Flame as he made a neat circle before leaping into the air behind the great boar. The BlueCrescent Boar felt a sense of overpowered fear coming from behind it and knew it was now dead.

With a thrust of his right hand, Flame tore into the boar's flesh and sunk itself right beside the boar's heart. The hand paused for barely a millisecond before grabbing and crushing the heart. In that small amount of time, the boar met a crushing end.

Retracting his hand, Flame gave the bloody hand an odd look. RedThunder had said killing has two different effects on people. On humans, it requires a tempered soul to endure killing while on monsters it makes their blood rush. For Flame, this kill had as much psychological impact as cutting into his food. Perhaps he is more calm about killing or this BlueCrescent Boar wasn't worthy enough to be a kill.

Looking around the forest, Flame was amused to find himself surrounded by BlueCrescent Boars. Laughing to himself, Flame thought, I might have more fun than I thought I would. Rushing into the crowd of boars, Flame roared as one of his techniques took form.

Elsewhere, in a straw village...

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That's a wrap! Cliffhanger time! Don't worry I love the story just as well. So there will be more :)