Blood Trail in The Sand (Open)

Servius Eirene Koinonia licked the remnants of his victuals from the corners of his maw. Whereas Dragons and other Lessers struggled to find food, The Manticore kept his belly full. It was thanks entirely to his food of choice--humans. And of course, to Shardas, for creating the bipeds for him. Whereas others struggled in this new world dominated by gruesome beasts from another realm, The Manticore continued to flourish. Servius was stronger and smarter than the simple brutes. Some posed a challenge, but Servius had what they did not: a lifetime of experience in this world. As mighty as Servius Eirene Koinonia was, however, he was not invincible. He had suffered injuries from time to time. The latest was one which left him with a limp in his left hind leg.

The Manticore grabbed another human with his tail. He liked to have a snack for long flights. The winged lion took to the air, leaving the humans of Ammos to clean up the carnage once again. Perhaps this time they would come up with a way to repel the Eater of Man; Servius attacked Ammos more than any other human settlement. The human held hostage groaned as The Manticore's paralyzing toxin coursed through its tiny body. The groans and pleas for mercy fell on literal deaf ears. As Servius circled and began to make his way to the Oasis he called home, he spotted something. Across the sands was a trail of blood being left by a Dragon. It seemed to be headed in the same direction. The winged feline growled and flew down to the overgrown lizard. He landed just ahead of it. "Your blood will attract unwanted attention. If you are going to the Oasis, you will not make it. That is my home and no lizard will be permitted."

The dragon simply looked at the Manticore. She sighed. Yet another place that doesn't welcome freaks like her. Even though she is used to not being welcome essentially anywhere, it still hurts. The dragon simply began to walk in the other direction. "So what if attract unwanted attention? I'm still not going to have anywhere to go. I sometimes wonder why nobody can just live together in peace, though the answer is obvious at all times.

Though Azorius is usually gentle and kind, getting shot with an arrow at random while one is minding their own business gets old very quick. She simply just continued walking, like she has done for so long or rather feels so long. At least it's better to be a moving target than an idle one.

The overgrown lizard's words went unheard and unknown because it chose to turn away before it began talking. Servius growled. The blood trail may now be leading away from the Oasis, but it had come far enough that any monsters would go the rest of the way. The Manticore spread his wings and took to the air. He grasped the lizard in his claws and flew off toward the Oasis.

Once The Manticore reached the Oasis, he made his way to the watering hole. Servius dropped the dragon into the water and flew off to enjoy his snack. He landed on his favorite perch, a fallen tree that rested diagonally against its neighbor. He brought his tail up to his maw, eyeing the tasty morsel that still tried to groan for mercy. Servius growled and dropped the human into his maw, eating it. And then he laid down on the tree, cleaning his paws.

After a time, The Manticore left his perch and flew toward the watering hole. He found the lizard sitting in the bottom of it... The water itself was nearly as red as the blood it continued to spew. Servius growled and landed at the edge of the water. He would have dove down and retrieved the dragon if not for the desire to keep his pelt free of blood. Instead he spoke. "Come up from there lizard! You taint my water with your blood!"

The Manticore watched as the winged lizard emerged from the water finally. But then she started in the direction of the human settlement. Servius growled and shot three of his quills at the lizard. They landed just ahead of her, blocking the path. "You would lead them to this oasis with your blood. I have kept this place free of the bipeds for a while. I won't have a lizard undo my work."

A large dragon of copper red and black has been flying in the winds of the desert, following of what seemed to be a blood trail. He could sense that some living figure was in trouble.
Ruin has been traveling the desert by flight all day, but that doesn't stop him. He could take in the heat just as fine as any fire or desert dragon. Though his scales were close to over heating, so he needed a drink.
Just a mile away could he see a oasis. A small lush area with plenty of water and fruits. It just was where the blood trail has been heading towards as well.
Ruin flew towards the oasis, landing on his talons just a few tail lengths to the water. Smoke engulfed from his nostrils, his eyes looked of what towards to a manticorn and another lizard.