**Download full size at 3838x2160 over at Deviantart Szin Thrae had heard the legend of the Monothralasis since she was a child. A being of untold viciousness and power, it would rise every 10 years in the warm southern lands of Mecadia. Once risen, if not appeased with a virgin sacrifice at the top of the capital's temple on the solstice sunset, it would lay waste to all it surveyed. Passing through Mecadia on her way north, Szin couldn't believe her luck when the temple's high priest himself told her the time of the beast was nigh, and that she could get a look at the famed beast. A sacrifice had already been found, and the beast would be sated. She could go up herself and see if she liked. Though vicious and cruel when hungry, the best was known to grant powerful favours once sated to those who were brave enough to approach. Szin couldn't pass up this chance, and ran up the widing temple stairs as quickly as her legs could take her. Reaching the top, weezing and barely able to stand due to aching muscles, Szin, looked around, then froze. Szin saw no sacrifice at the temple's top, and no bloody stains to mark the sacrifice's remains. There was only a long low growl, the growl of a predator fixated on new prey. It's source the fanged mouth of a beast of unspeakable horror, it's penetrating slit-iris eyes now fixated on Szin like daggers. The High-Priest had lied to her, the Monothralasis was still hungry, and in fact had yet to eat... ******How this story ends? Actually, the story ends with Szin riding the beast north after it lays waste to much of the city. You'll note the legend demands a "virgin" sacrifice, and Szin is anythng but a virgin. So, beast runs amok, eats a few people, and once it finally gets around to eating a virgin, gets a little more mello and is in the mood for granting favours. So, Szin asks for a ride north. The End.