The Beginning.
It began such as any other creation of life. Within a dingy shack, a litter was born to two proud parents. Poor as they were, their delight could hardly be contained. The male half left his female to her hovering crones and visited the town square, where he shared his joy with those who would listen. Unfortunately, one who did listen was the wizened and malevolent Master of Whispers.
He was known only as the Crow. Whether from the highest palace chambers of royals, to the common folk of the mountains, or the sea farers, one thing was known - he knew everything that went on in their realm. He had his treacherous claws hooked into every plot, scheme, and manipulation that had ever went on in his time of living. Thus, the Crow was highly feared and regarded everywhere he went - even royals hesitated to call down any punishment - or justice, as many saw it - upon him.
The Crow took it upon himself to treat the proud father to a large and rather rich feast that evening, searching for more details. It was already known that the mother was a relatively powerful witch, though she had been cast down by her line for loving the poverty-stricken male; a story that many young females took into their hearts as the most romantic of scenarios. Nevertheless, the couple struggled to make ends meet, but were overjoyed when their litter was finally born safely. The father merely confirmed all this to the Crow, who watched his exuberant outbursts with cold eyes. Then, the real piece of information he had been looking for slipped out - one daughter had been born to the litter, a little witchling amongst all her warrior brothers. With that tidbit, the Crow tucked it away and savored the small thrill of victory that surged. He bid the father a farewell and ventured into the night.
The next morning a shriek of horror rose upon the weed-choked hill. It came from within the shack, where the mother and father awoke to their precious daughter missing without a trace. Her brothers had been quietly yipping their distress, but neither had been aware of the cause. A search rose throughout the countryside, village, and even to the ports where ships were docked - the couple was well-known and cared about by many. Their daughter was never found again.
Suspiciously, or coincidentally - however the viewer chose to consider the situation - the Crow began training his heir in the autumn of that year. Rumored to be of immense potential, the royals and militants debated quietly on what his heir of such magnitude could possibly mean. Arguments raged back and forth for years, before all those brooding with such negativity over the situation were quietly dispatched. Unanimously, she was welcomed in the courts as soon as her naming day was chosen.
The day was met with grand fanfare, and the underlying current of tension and a dark fear. The Crow, now silver and stooped in his old age, gestured a liver-spotted hand forward. Behind him, a young female shyly slunk forward. Her sleek violet hide shone in the pale winter light, quite unlike anything anyone had ever seen before. In fact, her whole appearance was at odds with her low status of birth - yet so fitting with the Crow. Her curious ruby red eyes took in the royal court, noting their anxiety at their arrival. With each step she took, graceful and viciously sharp claws clicked on the pearl tiles. Her majestic tail curved behind her wings, which had grown to such proportions that she had to keep them tightly closed to her muscled form. With her perfectly arched neck, she lowered her head in a distance that was appropriate with the status of the individuals before her.
As tensions rose in the court, another feeling rose up among the silent spectators - awe. The Crow was feeling quite the satisfaction at the entrance his heir had made. It would be without a doubt, much more easier to meld the pompous royals into what he wished. Silently, he made his way to stand beside her. As a hush fell over the court, the Crow cleared his throat before announcing in a booming voice, "On this day, my heir shall be known as ZoBiToU." He said the name oddly, stressing certain letters over others. "I know you all fear my legacy, but fret not - she is not a creation of my sinister plots, she is merely going to take over my office in detecting any threats to our precious realm."
Ominous looks were exchanged at the seemingly innocent announcement. It seemed entirely possible it was a ruse, but then again - her noble entrance was so different from the twisted old man that many wanted to believe it was true. The votes, once again were unanimous - ZoBiToU was adopted into the royal courts and immediately appointed into office.
The Middle.
Several years later, the realm had quietly relaxed as ZoBiToU took over the Master of Whispers office. True to the Crow's announcement, he had retired back into his windy tower that overlooked the valley, and she ran the office strong and fairly. She was quick to inform the royals if there was anything that seemed out of the ordinary or dangerous, and had become the realm's greatest asset to peace.
Though always mindful and loyal to the extreme to her office and the realm, as a part of the court she was required to attend many of the more frivolous functions. It was there that she found some of the choicest piece of news, but also where she met the one male that seemed immune to the intimidation of the power she held.
Within months, their joining was announced throughout the realm. Joyous celebrations were conducted everywhere, as the people had grown more than fond of their new Master of Whispers. The only place that the news was not received with delight was within the lone windy tower. The Crow threw his scroll that had given him the announcement into his fire and stared moodily at the shadows cast by the flickering flames.
ZoBiToU's partnership did not distract her from her duties though, even as she discovered the family that soon would be theirs. Instead, she worked even more diligently - much to the dismay of the royals. They constantly dismissed her from their hearing to go rest in the comfort of her home, to not bother with trifling reports that would only stress her. The realm could manage a couple months on their own, were their words. Finally she was forced to take a break. Paranoid that such a break could be the undoing of everything she had strove to work for, she begged her other half to take on some of the responsibilities. He accepted.
She trained him and repeated numerous articles of information, until she was convinced that he could manage. With one last summons to the court, she introduced the royals to her 'stand-in'. They accepted him with little fuss, and sent her back to her home. A few months afterward, late in the winter, the new members of their family joined them.
The End.
Being a mother changed ZoBiToU. Though still immersed in her job, her pups became a trifle more important than her office. Content with her male half managing the affairs of the realm in her absence, her appearances at court quickly declined. It was because of this that she failed to notice the strain her 'stand-in' had created.
Unaware of the toll of his presence, she raised her pups - all of which were male warriors - with the full extent of her love. It was not until several months later that she was notified of the strange occurrences. At her home, a briefly patterned tap was heard at her -blocked- Puzzled, she pulled aside the curtain to investigate. It revealed the eldest princess, who had been a close friend for several years. Without hesitation, ZoBiToU let her in. Trembling with fear, the princess immediately burst into sobs and embraced her into a desperate hug. The princess told ZoBiToU that her other half had been taking bribes and making alliances with foreign enemies, as well as stealing from various treasuries scattered throughout the realm. He had turned nobles against common-folk, and started battles of immense proportions. When he was finally revealed as the beginner of all these foul plots, he had turned on his female half.
He informed the officers and royals that this had been ZoBiToU's plot from the very beginning. He told them that she had lulled them with years of peace to soften their defenses and make them vulnerable to these various attacks that she has asked him to take out. Afraid for his pups - for he lied that she had been holding them hostage to force him into action - he had carried out the horrific acts. His very words instantly triggered the fear that the realm had lived under for so many years - the Crow's viper had truly carried on his work, but this time they could take actions. A warrant was immediately issued.
The princess finished her terrible message and tried to warn ZoBiToU away, but the new mother was determined to stay and protect her pups against any grudges the military held toward her. Unfortunately, her decision backfired - being found with the princess only made her situation more deadly. Accused of too many crimes to name, she was imprisoned.
Months passed in the dark cell she was contained in, with no knowledge of the outside world. Strangely, one day, a visitor appeared at the bars of her cell. It was the Crow. He gave a pitying shake of his head, though he seemed rather smug about something. ZoBiToU asked what had happened to her family, and how had the realm healed. He smirked at her and proudly stated, "The realm was invaded three weeks ago by a horde of foreign enemies that your other half brought in. They have overtaken everything, and your other half and I were both promoted to a special ranking status. Silly child, haven't I taught you never to turn your back on your lessons? You went soft. This is your punishment."
Her body trembled furiously, and her crimson eyes glinted as she phrased another question. "What happened to my pups?"
The Crow gave her an almost pitying look as he relayed, "The common-folk fell upon them after the invasion. They were being held hostage, as they kept trying to get to you - but they were destroyed. The common-folk blame all this on you, are you aware of that? Even I am seen as innocent of any wrongdoing."
Her mind fogged with a black rage as her eyes began to glow. Her wings expanded to their intimidating length and her fur seemed to thicken - in her despair, all her power rose to explode. The cell door was shattered with the unleashed fury, and the whole castle began vibrating. Bricks fell, mortar crumbled, glass melted and everyone was enveloped in a searing combination of desperate heat and searing cold.
It seemed to go on forever, but the reality was only a few seconds. The devastation was complete. The entire realm had been destroyed. There was nothing left but empty shells of buildings and crumbling ash that swirled in the winds. There was one thing that her rage had not been able to decimate though - the Crow.
Thus her wanderings began, for she was as immortal as he. Even as her mind gave into despair and fury, she never gave up treading the path that would eventually find him. Her fury became rumor, rumor became story, and even story became myth. Her eccentric name was forgotten, as was her story. The only thing left known to the world was a simple letter to call her - Z.
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