1 Introduction

I've always been so envious of butterflies; they're graceful, beautiful, and are elegant without even being aware.

I find they're company soothing. I would even feel a little lost without them. I don't really favor being alone, thier quiet company brings me comfort. Atlas they always leave by nightfall, but the butterflies always come back in the morning. I silently thank them every day for coming back. The butterflies aren't aware that I look forward to seeing them and nor do they do a thing for me other than bringing their company. That's all I want from the butterflies though, to not feel alone.

I live alone in this forest, my own kind is tangled throughout here though. Unfortunately we are a very territorial species. I personally find no point or reason to start a feud between my kind. I wish we got along truthfully, we are a dying breed and it's a shame most dragons live alone in solitude for all their years.

It's a pity..

Crimson found himself at a loss for words and his thoughts seemed to turn absent. He found himself sinking his tall framed body to the ground. Disappearing in the grass and foliage covering the entire forest floor. Gushing water from the nearby waterfall and birds chirping filled the quiet void.

Crimson often find himself at an unattainable loathing for oneself. His company alone is not enough to keep himself from falling into a dark abyss in his own mind. He was his own worst enemy after-all.

I want to experience the world, I want to see everything. The beauty and the pain that comes with it. I'm too cowardly to even leave this forest though, how can I expect myself to venture to unknown lands when I can't even muster the first step out of territory that I don't recognize? Am I that desperate to avoid the world? I'm a feared species and I know that, but it's not an excuse to isolate myself. I've done that to myself. When it comes down to it though? I can't push myself to leave. Not when I know about how many killings has happened by the hand of other dragons; my kind. It's not impossible to blend in, but once I was realized the other supernatural creatures would look at me with nothing but disgust. I wouldn't even blame them either.

Tch! I'm too submissive to be called a dragon even. We're a noble breed according to other dragons. I don't find us worthy of such a title though. The only thing that's significant about us is how little of us there are. We are a dying breed. It can't be helped though. Any hunter will have a dragon at the top of their thropy kill list.

When you kill a winged beast that's known for thier strength, intelligence, significant size, multiple abilities and sheer power? You'd become an idol. The dragon is known as the epitome of all creatures. We are the perfected version of an apex predator in short.

When you kill a apex predator? You will gain in power with pride, greed, lust and wrath. People will look up to you becuase you took down such a beast. Why would you not want that? Mortals have an undying love of those things. I mean those are four of the seven deadly sins. Could you expect any more from mortals? I don't hate mortals, I won't deny they're selfish beings though.

We are all selfish creatures in are own way, so I mustn't be so biased.

Perhaps it's because there are so many mortals in this world that it's easy to cast all the blame on them.

Just perhaps...

"Thump thump THUMP!"

Footsteps? Someone's walking in an area as desolate as this? No, that person is running, wildly. Viscously in fact. Disregarding the limbs and all of the earthly barriers. Animals of all kind fled from that direction. Not even finding any regard that they are running straight in the direction of a predator such as I.

Who'd even come up here? It's known as dangerous territory, I mean it was at one time at least.

"Thump thump thump thump!"

He's getting closer. It's odd, I can't distinguish his sent. He's a supernatural being, that I do know.

Crimson steadied his breathing and shifted his weight to be as big as possible. He had no desire to fight and much rather intimidate the opposing being coming towards him. Crimson was an intimidating sight to behold with his blood red eyes, talon like nails, and a set of fangs that could outwit any beast. He wished to use his intimidating  appearance to his advantage. Crimson found himself anxious, but also excited. It's been so long since he's had even a basic conversation with another being. He just hoped the being running towards him wasn't hostile. Fighting in any manner never brought Crimson even a hint of joy. He detests the idea of hurting another for no good reason.

"Thump thump thump thump thump thump thump!"

I see, he isn't running towards me to attack, he's being chased. More light foot steps became more predominant quickly. A lot of other beings at that. Six? No, seven I'm sure of it. Not including the one being chased at least. Why is he being chased I wonder? What intentions do the seven have for him?

Is he a threat?

I'm not sure..

Confused above anything Crimson couldn't help but grimace at the thought of these strangers capturing the lone one. In a way he found himself worried for this lone guy. Almost hoping he'd get away, actually no; in fact he encouraged the lone man to escape. The lone man continued to close in, Crimson couldn't help but wonder if this lone man knew he was running directly to a beast like himself. He shook off those feelings quickly though, how would anyone know he was there?

"Thump thump..."

There he is. Down in the thick wooded valley, still running as if his life was on the line. The second I laid eyes on him is the same second blood washed over all of my senses. The thick and rich metallic smell radiated throughout the entire woods. Blood was cascaded all over him. Cuts and gashes covered his entire body. He's still running directly at me? I don't even think he's aware? His kept whipping his head around checking if he was still being chased, to his disappointment I could see the seven figures begin to emerge at the very base of this wooded valley. They were gaining more speed than he was. It wouldn't be long before he was caught.

Crimson pondered, he was pained to see the bloodied man. He felt hesitant, but knew he couldn't just stand and watch it happen. Quickly he glided down the trees as if they were created for his demise, quickly he found himself sliding down into the deep valley in attempt to cut off the seven from reaching the weary and bloodied man. Trees fought at him, he maneuvered around his much familiar land as if it was his second nature. He was dipping and diving through the forest as if it was an easy one sided game. One final leap he landed in the very center of the valley. Catching the attention of both the bodied man and the seven strangers.

Holy hell, what am I doing? This isn't a good idea to get involved, I don't need nor want anyone even knowing of my existence. I didn't see this as a choice not the help though. Helping the bloodied man seemed like the only option. The seven men faltered at my sight but quickly continued to run straight for me. I've lost my gaze of the bloodied man though. Is he alright?

"Creatures of all kind don't dare to step into this land as they're rumors that death will soon follow to anyone who dares to enter this forest. So just who might you be?"

The tallest of the seven spat those words like venom, staring Crimson dead in the eye. He was clearly the leader of the seven men. The crowd of men still have yet to close the lengthy distance between themselves and Crimson.

The rumors still remain I see. The seven were weary and careful about approaching me. With precision the seven surrounded me like a pack of wolves ready to go for my throat as if I were a helpless prey. Tch, this is just demeaning.

The tallest, which I presume is the leader  exchanged gazes with the others. After he seen all of his man power his demeanor relaxed as if I wasn't worth the threat. He slicked back his brown hair with one hand and spat out a forced laugh.

"Ha! Don't ya talk? Or are you a mute? You're a big guy, I'll give you that, but I can tell it's all show" he said with a sneer in his words.

Crimson who was barely paying any heed to the man's words found himself still studying the forest looking for the bloodied man. The brown haired and tanned man noticed his attention was else where and couldn't help but grit his teeth at the thought of someone ignoring him completely.

Enraged, he grabbed Crimson by the throat and squeezed with all his might.

"Am I not worth your precious time to where your gaze won't even meet mine?" He spat with rage.

To the groups surprise, Crimson didn't waver or show any sign that the death grip around his throat had any effect. Most shocked in an idle gaze at the sight before them. Crimson then finally met his gaze with the leader. That same moment a murderous aura filled the air, all the men faltered in fear at the feeling of such malice in the air. The leader exasperated at the the blood red snake like eyes staring at him dead in the eyes. His grip faltered but still his hand lay on the base of his neck. Unable to move anymore from the fear.

"R-Red eyes..."

"He's one of the r-red eyed devils the reside h-here!"

The man's once prowess behavior sank into submission. Trembles of fear quaked throughout the men.

Crimson then grabbed the leader by the hem of his shirt raising him high in the air to where his feet dangled from the ground. He did this with one hand only. He was easily three foot from the ground with Crimson's astonishing height and strength it was an easy task. The man was gripping onto Crimson's arm as if his arm was the only thing that attached him to this earth.

"I-I didn't know what y-you were, I'm s-sorry!" He said while gasping.

"Do you believe the rumours? That those who enter this forest soon encounter death?" Crimson said this simply.

His facial expressions hadn't changed even a single time since encountering the seven men. At this point in time, the men showed nothing but fear. One ran away, Crimson hadn't bothered to stop him. His ideal goal was to intimidate them and avoid a fight after-all.

He tossed the leader across the field with his one hand effortlessly, as if he was throwing a simple ragdoll. Gasping for air the leader laid over 10 meters away on the ground. The other men stood frozen with the look of fear spreading across thier faces. Unable to think, let alone run away. Crimson's gaze shook fear in them all to their core.

"It would've been wise of you all to take into account of the rumors before stepping foot into this forest, don't you think? Most rumors don't arise with no reason at all."

Crimson said this with a pitiful gaze.

I can't bring myself to kill them, even if they injured that bloodied man. I hate death.

"Please leave now and don't come back or I promise I won't be this kind next time."

"I-I can't leave without t-that man." The leader spoke quietly and dared not to look up to the red eyed devil.

"T-There is a h-heavy b-bounty for him s-sir." One of the other men said this, shaking while doing so. He instantly regretted his words when he came eye to eye with this 'red eyed devil'.

"The bloodied man belongs to me the second he ran into my domain. You dare try and take what belongs to me? You all are very brave, especially when I've once given you a command to leave. What fools you are indeed."

Crimson trailed his long talon's over his face from his forehead to his chin with a slight devilish smirk and a chuckle escaped his lips.

"N-No. We'll leave, I-I swear of it! Y-You won't see us a-again! You can keep the b-blood sucker, he's yours!"

Blood sucker? Is thier leader saying that man is a vampire? That would explain why I couldn't imminently identify his scent. Vampires give off little to no scent and thier cold blooded skin makes it near impossible to be aware of them. As a fellow cold blooded beast it's hard to identify other cold blooded beings. I can usually only identify beings that possess a heat signature. I'm still confused about one thing though. A vampire against seven mortals is no match. Unless that said vampire is poisoned or withheld from blood for a long period of time. That's odd...

"L-Let's go.."

Obediently the men scurried to thier leader's side. Two quickly scraping the leader off the forest floor. He attempted to walk on his own and push them aside, but only to stumble back to the ground. He grabbed ones arm once more and bowed his head to the ground as if he was humiliated by his own actions, but he knew he couldn't walk away without aid. They scurried off, quickly trying to get themselves out of the 'red eyed demon's' gaze. Praying to themselves that he didn't change his mind to let them leave.

I'm glad that's over. Things could've turned out much more violent.

The first conversation I've had with a person in years and it was nothing but threats and intimidation. I didn't even know the situation and I budded in. For all I know that bloodied stranger could've had a reason to have a bounty over his head. It can't be helped now. I don't even know where he went, but I'll leave him be. Surely he witnessed what happened. I feel that I would do nothing but scare him at this point. That was enough excitement for me for a long time.

Crimson strode back to his huge cave that he called home. He couldn't shake that there was an off feeling in the air.

"It's you?" Crimson spoke softly, almost as if it were a whisper.

"You live an actual cave? Holy hell, that's actually kinda badass." The bloodied man stood there leaning against the cave wall and spoke with a playful tone and a conniving grin. Smirking ear to ear the entire time, an occasional wince whilst holding his injured arm. His dark eyes met Crimson's with a slight pained smile as if he was waiting for him to arrive.

Is he serious?

He isn't even gonna act like he was just fighting for his life just moments ago? I couldn't help but study him aside from his obviously bloodied body and injuries everywhere.

He had a very fair complexion. His hair was as red as hell fire, messy and unruly as well. Spikes danced along his hair. His hair reminded me of the ferocity of a wild fire. It looked untamable. Very different from my long and neat silver hair. He was dressed head to toe in a type of animal leather, aside from a once white shirt. That shirt was nothing but blood red now. He was tall, not as tall as I of course, but he was at least 180 cm. Perhaps 182cm? His built did however exceed my own. I'm very tall and rather slender with broad shoulders. He was tall with muscles trailing his entire body. I even feel a little envious. There was no denying he was a very attractive guy. His eyes however did give me a whole new context to him. His eyes, pitch black. You couldn't dare decipher the pupil itself from his eye shade. It's as if his whole pupil occupied his eyes. It's strange though, he has such sad eyes..

"I uh-, I can't thank you enough for what you did back there. S-Sorry I didn't show back up. I felt as if I'd just get in your way. I'm a tad useless with this limp at the moment. Hah.."

He bowed his head to the ground and wouldn't dare look up, he felt too embarrassed to look up to his protector. He attempted at laughing off his words, but failed miserably.

  I feel bad that he feels the need to apologize. He isn't wrong, things could've been more complicated if he showed back up. I'm not sure if those men would've retaliated more if they seen the person they were trying to capture.

"By the way, it's a really fucked up situation on how that whole thing went down, I can explain it all-"

He spoke quietly, eyes still locked on staring at his own feet. He persisted on his submissive behavior.

"You don't need to explain anything."

Crimson spoke softly and offered a kind smile and then began rummaging through a large trunk on the opposing wall.

"Are you serious? You were in the middle of a literal manhunt for me and you don't have any questions nor do you want any explanation?"

The shocked expression showed through thoroughly, he couldn't even attempt to hide it. What man would not have questions over this? How could he not confront him about a single thing? He felt somewhat relieved that the tall stranger didn't demand answers, but couldn't help but feel confused. Just who was the tall stranger he thought?

"I have no intention of meddling in business that is not my own. I only have one concern."

Crimson looked him in the eye truthfully, his hands were filled with scraps of clothing.

"What concern is that?"

He asked this cautiously, it almost felt like a trap he was setting up for himself.

"Does it hurt? The wounds?"

Crimson said this carefully, his eyes grew with concern while looking at the strangers wounds.

The bloodied stranger found himself completely bewildered by five simple words. While Crimson had only a single question to ask, the stranger now had thousands for him...