Chapter 16: Legend of The Crimson Tiger

"Long ago when the ten tribes were mere groups of people, there was much war in Takanda. The people battled over land, resources, and mosan.

Then a girl was born.

Each tribe claims she was born from their ancestors, but none know for sure. The girl had no father and her mother died in childbirth, thus the babe was born without parents to care for her. Of course, the people who oversaw her birth vowed to raise her as their own, but then she was taken outside for her first glimpse of moonlight.

And the tigers came.

Her temporary guardians tried to fight the animals off but the tigers would not be deterred. They were immune to the people's weapons and single-minded in their purpose. Eleven tigers in all, claimed the girl and it was then that the people saw her for what she was:

The mother goddess reincarnated.

And thus, she earned her name:

D'Vati.

Years passed and D'Vati grew. The tigers surrounded her as she rode on the eleventh tiger's back and traveled the forest. She went around helping the people of Takanda. Until one day, she grew tired of their squabbling. She challenged the greatest warriors of the jungle. She fought them in the Āviri and defeated them all. Then D'Vati spoke to her people and created the ten tribes of Takanda. She said,

'You are my hunters and gathers, Saanp Tribe.

I give you this gift.

You are my farmers and ranchers, Sudarshan Chakra Tribe.

I give you this gift.

You are my priestesses and holy men, Shankh Tribe.

I give you this gift.

You are my artists and artisans, Parashu Tribe.

I give you this gift.

You are my warriors and guardians, Vajra Tribe.

I give you this gift.

You are my administrators and advisors, Khadga Tribe.

I give you this gift.

You are my historians and philosophers, Trishula Tribe.

I give you this gift.

You are my traders and travelers, Bharji Tribe.

I give you this gift.

You are my miners and builders, Dhanushaurtir Tribe.

I give you this gift.

You are my healers and alchemists, Kamal Tribe.

I give you this gift.'

As she spoke these words, to each new tribe D'Vati sent a tiger and transformed him into a sacred gift. With a new purpose, the tribes set about building the city of Erussim and establishing the great country of Takanda with D'Vati as its High Priestess and leader.

All was well until the girl came of age. D'Vati was beautiful, more beautiful than all the flowers in the jungle, and all the mosan in the mountains, and all the stars in the sky. Many men wished to wed her, but D'Vati refused all their offers.

The tribesmen began to fight again, thus D'Vati decided something must be done. She went to a lotus pond deep in the jungle and prayed for clarity. It took 108 days and 108 nights, but after her long prayer, she had her answer.

She gathered together every man who wished to marry her and said,

'I will only marry a man of strength who can best all others in his tribe.'

Many men left for they were not strong enough.

Then she said,

'I will only marry a man of courage who is willing to die in service to me and Takanda.'

Still more left for their loyalty was fleeting.

D'Vati nodded to those who remained and she said,

'I will only marry a man of loyalty who will follow me wherever I may go.'

Thus, the men followed her through the jungle and to the sacred pond.

At last, she said,

'I am divine.

Thus, my partner must follow me into divinity itself.

Sit with the last of my tigers.

Partake in the flesh of the erupuvvu root.

And meditate here in the waters of this pond.

If you are worthy, then you will follow me to a place beyond death and become my partner in all things.'

And thus, the men sat in the waters of her sacred pond facing the last and most beloved of her tigers. Under the great animal's gaze, each of them shared in the flesh of the erupuvvu root.

By night's end, only one had survived the ordeal. He was both man and tiger. Their souls had merged together to form this new being. When morning came and he opened his eyes, they shone red with his new power and everlasting devotion.

Thus, it came to pass that D'Vati's true partner was reborn as:

The first Crimson Tiger:

D'Shar.

As D'Vati has D'Shar, I, Priyansi, High Priestess of Takanda, also desire a partner of strength, courage, and loyalty, who is able to transcend their mortality and share in my divine existence until death and thereafter.

Tonight, we shall know if you, Q'Wasim, Champion of the Kamal Tribe, will become my Crimson Tiger."


A/N:

Today is 5.18.2022 and my 5-year anniversary of being on this site is coming up this month, so please allow me to get sentimental for a bit. Crimson Tiger is technically my 5th fic, but I consider it to be my 6th since the trailer I published on March 30th has been lost to the internet.

As some of you may know, this fic was a gift or rather it was part of a gift for a friend who doesn't really read fanfics. Detective Parkson is my muse for this one. My friend is good and kind and I love them, but I have no idea if they will ever read this fic and that's okay. Honestly, besides march4fun (who is the literal best!), I was unsure anyone would read this fic. That alone makes Crimson Tiger very special because it's made things very low pressure. I've kept my perfectionism under control and have been able to enjoy this offbeat piece. I've really liked how different the tone of this fic has been compared to my other works. Every month I come back to this fic, it feels like sinking into a warm and comfy bath. I always forget how much I love this story.

And apparently, I'm not the only one enjoying this. Because this fic has finally gained some visitors this year and even an additional follow and favorite. This was a very welcomed surprise! I'm still in shock.

So, thank you for reading!

Also, thank you for listening to this self-indulgent prattle. If for some reason you're curious about my other thoughts on my other fics or what I'm building up to this month, keep an eye out for uploads from me this May as I celebrate my 5-year anniversary of being on this site.

Otherwise:

Until we meet again!