The Black Tiger

After doing some sets of sit-ups and push-ups he then stood up, already panting and sweating. He then looked out to sea, admiring those beautiful views with waves crashing into the sea, birds flying, the sun on the horizon and the great Spire in the distance.

That beautiful view made him gain more energy again to continue, Atla started to run across the sand, maybe 8km was enough for today, and the sand made it difficult, so maybe it counted as double the distance since his footsteps were heavier with the sand.
(Atla-Cuauhtli)
After a few minutes running in the sand he notices a new presence there, apparently a Yokai, Atla had seen this Yokai before in Ezmara, he then stopped to go talk to him.

"Oh, hello, I've seen you before in Ezmara, pleasure, my name is Atla-Cuauhtli, what's yours?"

Atla was shirtless and already sweaty, the sunlight reflected in his dark body creating a glow, on his right shoulder it was clear to realize a large rune that covered the whole shoulder.
(Atla-Cuauhtli)
Erenan shifted in his position, ever curious, paws blotted with the gloomy, ominous and sinister taint of occult permeating their underdigits. Each step taking in his majestic, regal-filled march left behind grooves upon the soil moistened by salty water, holes briefly filled with fleeting amounts of the murky essence.

"I am Erenan Qi.

Born suzerain. To be King. Sovereign."

A paw was cast upwise to the height of the creature's face, before a barbed tongue reached out to lick its side, cleansing away impurities- as would a fucking cat, really.

"And thou art yet another mortal. Gehenna bridles with them-

But thine race is so verily amusing . . I already have a servant."
(Erenan Qi)
With both hands on her waist, still catching a little breath Atla heard the words of the quadruped Yokai, one of those creatures that were far superior to humans, maybe biologically they really are, but that does not say much when there is magic involved.

"I see, I'm glad you decided to come to Gehenna..."

He looked at the Yokai from end to end, realizing his strengths and weaknesses, since he was a quadruped he might be able to run very fast, that gave Atla an idea.

"This is kind of sudden, but... I was training racing here, and you seem to be a good person in that, how about seeing who is faster?"
(Atla-Cuauhtli)
The creature lowered his pawn upon the ground once more, returning the tainted substance of his innards blot and corrupt it once again. While it awaited for Atla to speak and thought of a response- the tiger-like demon spun around himself and laid his enormous frame upon the sand, form curling up as would a spring.

His tail swished lazily to the sides, occasionally splattering upon the pavement and ripping away patches of sand, their compositions infected by the murky flame he so casually emitted.

"Mm. An interesting proposal, however-

If I win, thou shall be marked. Branded.

Thine fate will be mine until I deem it no more. A servant for a King. The greatest of sovereigns."
(Erenan Qi)
Atla put a hand on his head, with a disappointed face, this creature really only thought of being a king apparently, not even a simple run could be done normally.

'Do not do this Atla.' Renata said telepathically to him.

'I know, do not worry.' He replied.

He crouched down to pick up some sand with his hands, dropping it by his hand soon after, just testing the density of the sand.

"Sorry, no, I have no interest in becoming your servant or anything, Ezmara already has my loyalty."

Stretching his arms, he stretches out a little more.

"Come on, just a normal race."
(Atla-Cuauhtli)
Erenan sits upon his hind and pivots backwise, eyes set on the horizon, orbs of bloody crimson scrolling the end of the path that would mark the principle and closure of their race.

"Hrk . . Scaredy weasel. So be it. Prepare oneself."

Such an arrogant, presumptuous mortal . . It is preposterous that he hopes to best me. Ah . . So be it."

He stands at full height and stretches his rear limbs, forefront members bending their frame and preparing for a sprint.

"Name the beginning according to thine whim and will."
(Erenan Qi)
Finally the Yokai had accepted, Atla leaned her body forward slightly and pinned her foot to the sand.

"That's the spirit, on the count, 3... 2... 1... Go!"

He focused mana on his feet and fired like a bullet, boosting his physical abilities, he stayed most of the race on an equal footing with the Yokai.

His concentration was increasing, his vision focused only on what was ahead of him: the end of the beach, he had then finished the race, when he looked back to see where the Yokai was he realized something had happened...
(Atla-Cuauhtli)
Erenan has his relentless, fast-paced gait cross the length of the beach at a violent, stupendously-quick rhythm, until- swuisarme! Fish. It catches the creature's attention. So scrumptious, so delectable . .

Until he clashes against the side of the rocky cliffside and has his head clash upon the formation, its top side mildly wounded by the impact.

The crash is brutal. He rolls through the soil and falls to the side, squirming.

"Cur-ses."
(Erenan Qi)
Atla could only hear a noise and then see Erenan falling after hitting a rock.

"But... what the fuck?"

Was it striking that Atla was confused, as if he had beaten like that in a race? But then he soon ran to help Yokai, his body was large but Atla was a magi and possessed a lot of strength nonetheless.

"Are you alright?
(Atla-Cuauhtli)
Erenan casts a paw to the side, his immense, vainglory-filled pride wounded by the defeat. And ridiculously enough, donned with the ridiculous closure of a crash!

The fact it was induced by the sight of food only made it more preposterous- more unacceptable. Was he a king, or was he yet a beast, too indulging of the pleasures of the palatable and tangible to take matters seriously?

"Hr-nhargh . . Leave me be, mortal. I am King . .

K-king . . GRAH."

Slowly, he marches away, limping, streams of purple blood crossing his fur-patched forehead.
(Erenan Qi)
"A King alone and without help can not be called King, come here, let me help you." Atla had seen so many times this Pride in Agartha, it seems that people only needed Pride to survive, but that was not right.

The compassion of Atla was great for someone from Gehenna, but perhaps this also has to do with his Mystical powers, since he matured and found his own peace his personality began to remarkably change.
(Atla-Cuauhtli)