Naga Arthur Backstory 5

Part 5 of 5 of my backstory for my Ask Naga Arthur Blog [link]
Post on tumblr: [link]

Panel 1:
Burning. Burning! BURNING!
Everything was on fire; his lungs burned from craving oxygen, his eyes burned from the tears forcing their way out, his throat burned from the pressure being exerted on it, and now his skin seemed to burn from an inner fire he could no pinpoint! His entire being seemed to be screaming at him. He couldn’t cast any spells like this and the fey couldn’t do much since they were too close and didn’t want to accidentally affect Arthur.
Fight. FIGHT!
The voice inside screamed, not wanting to give up yet. The fire roared in the background, escaping the confines of the house and lighting the forest around them.
But oh betrayal! She was screaming at him now, something about her parents, something about magic and religion, but everything was fading and his ears were beginning to ring now too. Why him, why did he have to go through this torment?
Why are you not trying??? Don’t let the human get her way!
The house began to creak as the wood burned and crumbled.
Everything was starting to fade and oh how he just wanted everything to end! He was so tired now, so worn, so hurt. He really should have seen this coming and perhaps he did and he merely chose to ignore it. Ignorance is bliss as they say.
Humans…
He should have known better. Oh now his blood boiled thinking about everything. They had only caused him grief until this woman came and took him in. He was so naive! But so lonely… How foolish he had been! He should have realized from he stares he received in town and the whispers made around every corner. And all this woman did was smile and continue on as if no one was there and denying that anything was wrong and that Arthur was so silly and just imagining everything. Was he just her little pet? Did he grow up too quickly for her?
FIGHT!

Panel 2:
He felt a sudden surge flow through him, his eyes shooting open to see the woman above him in rage and distress, still screaming but it all passed right by his mind. His flesh began to feel cooler and the pressure on his throat lessened. Now his skin prickled and continued to cool further, but he burned beneath it all and a swell of energy took hold of him. His fangs grew and he gasped sweet air as the hands were removed from his throat.

Panel 3:
The woman now had a face of fear the like of which he had never witnessed before. She tried to back away but her skirt caused her to fall back and fumble further over Arthur’s tail.
No, he would not die here yet. He should have more pride than to just lay back and give up. He had found life enjoyable even if this woman was now ruining his newfound happiness. He could live alone now and he still had the few and other magical creatures to keep him company if he so chose.
Oh she was yelling again.
Annoying annoying…
He extended a hand towards her only to see his arm covered in scales. He looked down and realized his once flesh was also covered. Interesting. He had never seen his parents like this, but then again he hadn’t been old enough to follow them on hunts or seen them fight fiercely. Perhaps this form is what made the humans so wary and scared of his kind. FIne then, he would become that fear, he would give them something to be afraid of.

Panel 4:
He looked back to the woman who now cowered on the ground. Perhaps some traumatic memory? She did mention something about her parents. Ah the cycle of revenge and tragedy, like some dramatic story or play that she use to read to him. What a shame. He felt so emotionally drained now he couldn’t find it in himself to care anymore. He survived then and he would survive now, but something in him said this woman was in his way now. He couldn’t risk letting her go anymore, or at least he didn’t feel like letting her go.
He slithered towards her as the burning house behind him creaked and broke under the pressure of weakening wood, collapsing into a giant heap of rubbage. She tried to scramble up, but Arthur grabbed her with the end of his tail, coiling around her ankle.
Then, a scream…
!!!
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Last Panel:
“Oh… I have my tail back. I wonder how long I had been out for…”
((This all happened about 60 years ago))


Part 1: [link]
Part 2: [link]
Part 3: [link]
Part 4: [link]
Part 5: Here