Isstar lounged on his bed, a bored expression upon his face. He stared absently at the ceiling, arms placed behind his head as his fingers tapped against his head. The young dragon had been training and sparring that day, as he often did, but once again made little progress. At the returned thought of that, Isstar’s jaw clenched as his teeth grinded. It frustrated him. He had practically been programmed to have combat knowledge innately known, so why couldn’t he beat anyone? He sat up, now too irritated to just lay back and relax. He had made a conscious decision to stay in his room when he first arrived home. Isstar may be a copy, a fake, but his sense of smell was just as sharp as his original. It wouldn’t have been difficult for him to smell said original, and Isstar couldn’t find it in himself to talk to Liun.
Liun confused Isstar. The copy felt that his original had every right to hate him, and in fact should. But every time Isstar met the older dragon, he would always be friendly and try to talk to Isstar while the teenager would flinch away. But Isstar couldn’t understand why Liun never cussed him out, or tried to fight him. After all, the fact this copy existed meant that something had to be stolen from the original. To even reach that point, the original must have resisted against those who captured and hurt him. All to show for that experience, of pain and torment, was Isstar. A shadow of someone else, and a constant reminder. These thoughts came to mind to the younger dragon, and he couldn’t help but stand up from his bed with a frustrated huff. Why didn’t Liun hate him? In a way… even though Isstar knew he had no right, Isstar hated his original. He hated that all he would be is a counterfeit or shadow, that even his appearance wouldn’t be different. Just some worst version.
A variety of frustrations came to surface at that moment, and it didn’t help the very person who occupied Isstar’s thoughts wouldn’t even be far from where the teenager stood. “I’ll fight him.” He spoke out loud, not to anyone in particular. It had been a thought that crossed his mind constantly, but at that moment his eyes burned with determination. “I fight him, and win. I’m better and I’ll damn prove it.” He growled as he stalked towards the door, he yanked the door open then slammed it behind him.
Liun had decided to come by Thiul’s when he realised he was nearby. It barely crossed his mind it could be an issue, since he was pretty close with his younger cousin and her son. Liun would chat, hang about, then usually leave if time got a bit late. Ever since Isstar had moved into the apartment, Liun came by less. It made the dragon feel uneasy, to be able to smell something so similar to himself but not actually him be so near. Even then, Liun knew Isstar avoided him. Just as Liun avoided the copy.
Although Liun never truly admitted this to anyone, he had accepted it long ago. He hated the clone of himself, perhaps not with all his heart but certainly close. Liun knew it was irrational, knew it was unfair. But everytime he looked at Isstar, he saw a face that Liun knew from his youth. His own face. But Liun saw more than that. Isstar had gotten an idea right. Liun hated Isstar because he would be a constant reminder for what happened to Liun. All of that just to create him. But Liun hated the fact he hated basically a hatchling, for something that would be completely beyond anyone’s control. He was sympathetic, since Liun knew many of the thought processes and worries that would be in the younger dragon’s mind. In fact, after Liun discovered the existence of the copy in the islets, he had told Fweiu that she should allow him to join the clan. But the hatred always lingered, one that Liun didn’t want to have but couldn’t get rid of.
With a sigh, Liun had intended to leave. He’d already spoken to Thiul, and had no reason to stay any longer. Certainly, he had no intention to speak to the younger dragon. But what stopped Liun was the sound of a door being slammed shut. It made him flinch slightly, to hear a loud noise so suddenly. Then into the room, came Isstar. Liun felt himself tense up, an instinct that screamed at him to escape… or destroy. But he did neither, instead he forced himself to look casual and offered a smile to the younger, blue haired version of himself. “Hey Isstar, would’ve thought you’re a ghost. Knew you lived here, but never seemed to see you!” Liun tried his casual joking, as he had done with nearly every person he had ever met. But this was forced.
The younger dragon’s eyes narrowed, and it was then Liun saw how poised Isstar would be. A different instinct called out now. Not one of survival, but one that came from Liun’s core as a predator, as a dragon. Liun didn’t move, and found himself become visibly tensed. His eyes, usually relaxed with a hint of humour in them, now mirrored the eyes that faced him. Piercing red, narrowed with venomous aggression.
Isstar stepped forward, a clear intent that he would not attack, but the hostility remained. He grabbed the collar of Liun’s jacket and pulled so their faces would directly in front of each other. The older dragon wouldn’t pull away, and knew that he wouldn’t be attacked… yet, anyway. “What the fuck is your deal?!” Isstar shouted right at Liun’s face. “You walk into here, like you own the place, then just strike up a friendly conversation?” He growled with fury.
“How the hell do you not have a problem with me, huh?! WHY DON’T YOU HATE ME?” Isstar’s voice picked up in volume as he held the older dragon, who remained silent. Although his eyes were narrowed, they almost looked right through the copy. With that, Isstar shoved Liun away from him with a snarl. “I don’t care. I don’t fucking care about you. I’m better than you and I’ll prove it. I want you to fight me, you damned coward.” Although the rage remained, Isstar’s voice had dropped significantly in volume. Each word dripped with malice. Instead of the loud fury he just screamed at the older dragon, it had no appeared as a harsh and silent anger.
Liun remained silent during all of this, and didn’t seem phased by the shouting, the shove, or the malevolent challenge. Instead, he returned Isstar’s hateful glare with one of his own. “Alright, fine. Call me a coward, challenge me to a fight, fine. I’m in. Don’t think it would be hard for me to put down an arrogant hatchling such as yourself. The arena should be just fine for that, I think.” Never in all of the times Liun had been angry or emotional did he speak with such hatred towards someone. No one would have ever heard that from him. It almost surprised Liun himself, but he was too consumed by pent up anger.
Isstar glared at him, his hands clenched as he thought about punching the older dragon right then and there. But eventually, his mouth twisted into a grin. “Alright, I hope tomorrow will be free enough for you then.” Isstar snickered, but it had no amusement. Only sarcasm and spite.
At that response, Liun would open the door then leave. Often he would call out goodbye to make his departure, but that day he did not. He left silently, the door almost slammed behind him as he left. Isstar watched after him, his eyebrows still pulled together tightly as he shook. Deep down, Isstar knew he would lose, but it felt right. This would be a fight that had to be done.
Liun confused Isstar. The copy felt that his original had every right to hate him, and in fact should. But every time Isstar met the older dragon, he would always be friendly and try to talk to Isstar while the teenager would flinch away. But Isstar couldn’t understand why Liun never cussed him out, or tried to fight him. After all, the fact this copy existed meant that something had to be stolen from the original. To even reach that point, the original must have resisted against those who captured and hurt him. All to show for that experience, of pain and torment, was Isstar. A shadow of someone else, and a constant reminder. These thoughts came to mind to the younger dragon, and he couldn’t help but stand up from his bed with a frustrated huff. Why didn’t Liun hate him? In a way… even though Isstar knew he had no right, Isstar hated his original. He hated that all he would be is a counterfeit or shadow, that even his appearance wouldn’t be different. Just some worst version.
A variety of frustrations came to surface at that moment, and it didn’t help the very person who occupied Isstar’s thoughts wouldn’t even be far from where the teenager stood. “I’ll fight him.” He spoke out loud, not to anyone in particular. It had been a thought that crossed his mind constantly, but at that moment his eyes burned with determination. “I fight him, and win. I’m better and I’ll damn prove it.” He growled as he stalked towards the door, he yanked the door open then slammed it behind him.
Liun had decided to come by Thiul’s when he realised he was nearby. It barely crossed his mind it could be an issue, since he was pretty close with his younger cousin and her son. Liun would chat, hang about, then usually leave if time got a bit late. Ever since Isstar had moved into the apartment, Liun came by less. It made the dragon feel uneasy, to be able to smell something so similar to himself but not actually him be so near. Even then, Liun knew Isstar avoided him. Just as Liun avoided the copy.
Although Liun never truly admitted this to anyone, he had accepted it long ago. He hated the clone of himself, perhaps not with all his heart but certainly close. Liun knew it was irrational, knew it was unfair. But everytime he looked at Isstar, he saw a face that Liun knew from his youth. His own face. But Liun saw more than that. Isstar had gotten an idea right. Liun hated Isstar because he would be a constant reminder for what happened to Liun. All of that just to create him. But Liun hated the fact he hated basically a hatchling, for something that would be completely beyond anyone’s control. He was sympathetic, since Liun knew many of the thought processes and worries that would be in the younger dragon’s mind. In fact, after Liun discovered the existence of the copy in the islets, he had told Fweiu that she should allow him to join the clan. But the hatred always lingered, one that Liun didn’t want to have but couldn’t get rid of.
With a sigh, Liun had intended to leave. He’d already spoken to Thiul, and had no reason to stay any longer. Certainly, he had no intention to speak to the younger dragon. But what stopped Liun was the sound of a door being slammed shut. It made him flinch slightly, to hear a loud noise so suddenly. Then into the room, came Isstar. Liun felt himself tense up, an instinct that screamed at him to escape… or destroy. But he did neither, instead he forced himself to look casual and offered a smile to the younger, blue haired version of himself. “Hey Isstar, would’ve thought you’re a ghost. Knew you lived here, but never seemed to see you!” Liun tried his casual joking, as he had done with nearly every person he had ever met. But this was forced.
The younger dragon’s eyes narrowed, and it was then Liun saw how poised Isstar would be. A different instinct called out now. Not one of survival, but one that came from Liun’s core as a predator, as a dragon. Liun didn’t move, and found himself become visibly tensed. His eyes, usually relaxed with a hint of humour in them, now mirrored the eyes that faced him. Piercing red, narrowed with venomous aggression.
Isstar stepped forward, a clear intent that he would not attack, but the hostility remained. He grabbed the collar of Liun’s jacket and pulled so their faces would directly in front of each other. The older dragon wouldn’t pull away, and knew that he wouldn’t be attacked… yet, anyway. “What the fuck is your deal?!” Isstar shouted right at Liun’s face. “You walk into here, like you own the place, then just strike up a friendly conversation?” He growled with fury.
“How the hell do you not have a problem with me, huh?! WHY DON’T YOU HATE ME?” Isstar’s voice picked up in volume as he held the older dragon, who remained silent. Although his eyes were narrowed, they almost looked right through the copy. With that, Isstar shoved Liun away from him with a snarl. “I don’t care. I don’t fucking care about you. I’m better than you and I’ll prove it. I want you to fight me, you damned coward.” Although the rage remained, Isstar’s voice had dropped significantly in volume. Each word dripped with malice. Instead of the loud fury he just screamed at the older dragon, it had no appeared as a harsh and silent anger.
Liun remained silent during all of this, and didn’t seem phased by the shouting, the shove, or the malevolent challenge. Instead, he returned Isstar’s hateful glare with one of his own. “Alright, fine. Call me a coward, challenge me to a fight, fine. I’m in. Don’t think it would be hard for me to put down an arrogant hatchling such as yourself. The arena should be just fine for that, I think.” Never in all of the times Liun had been angry or emotional did he speak with such hatred towards someone. No one would have ever heard that from him. It almost surprised Liun himself, but he was too consumed by pent up anger.
Isstar glared at him, his hands clenched as he thought about punching the older dragon right then and there. But eventually, his mouth twisted into a grin. “Alright, I hope tomorrow will be free enough for you then.” Isstar snickered, but it had no amusement. Only sarcasm and spite.
At that response, Liun would open the door then leave. Often he would call out goodbye to make his departure, but that day he did not. He left silently, the door almost slammed behind him as he left. Isstar watched after him, his eyebrows still pulled together tightly as he shook. Deep down, Isstar knew he would lose, but it felt right. This would be a fight that had to be done.