The Venom

Epilogue: Fate

          Tiger secluded himself in the forest, with no civilization around him. "This'll keep everyone else safe in the meantime, until I can stop that Dark God." Tiger said, before resting against a tree. Tiger took a breath before continuing to a clearing in the middle of the forest. Tiger used his powers to create a dome of ice, and sat within it. Tiger morphed into the white tiger and lowered himself to the ground. Tiger rested his head on his paws, before closing his eyes. Tiger thought about the events that happened throughout his life. All the faces he's seen, the blood he's spilled. All those who have died by his side. 

          Tiger returned to his dreamscape, where he wandered around the field looking around. Tiger noticed the dreamscape collapsing into nothingness. Everything went dark around him, and Tiger dreamed about Deacon and his clan of swordsmen. Tiger was transported back to his childhood home, where he recounted the fight with Deacon again. Tiger watched himself fighting against Deacon, the destruction, and the burning of the horse stable. Madison's efforts against the swordsmen were going on at the same time. "I put my family in danger." Tiger said to himself. "I will not return until I know for sure that no harm will come to them. I don't know how long that's going to be, and I don't know how I'll manage it. I do know for a fact that I'll make it happen." Tiger said to himself. 

         Suddenly the dreamscape turned to darkness, and Tiger suddenly woke up. Tiger stood up, and morphed to his human form, and turned the ice dome to water. The water seeped into the ground, and Tiger turned around to see a man standing there. The man wore tattered clothing, and a hood over his head. The man had a sword sheathed on his hip, and a small machete sheathed on his shoulder. "Who are you?" Tiger asked the man, but the man moved the shemagh from around his neck, revealing scars on his neck. The man pointed to the scars, and shrugged. "You can't speak?" Tiger asked. The man nodded. Tiger thought for a moment. "Are you part of the Dark God's swordsmen?" Tiger asked. The man shook his head. "Then why are you here?" Tiger asked. The man reached into one of his pouches, and pulled out a letter. The man handed Tiger the letter, and Tiger began to read. "I am Ethan. I've traveled to see you, as means of exacting revenge on the people that have taken away my speaking ability, and left me with these horrible scars. I left the Swords of Shemagh in order to pursue my quest. My only goal is to let the swordsmen of the Dark Gods suffer and die." The letter read. 

        Tiger nodded his head, before returning the letter. "Swords of Shemagh. Thought they were eradicated several hundred years ago?" Tiger said in a confused tone. Ethan showed Tiger the Swords of Shemagh medallion, then put it back in his pouch. "Well then. You've found me. What's your next step?" Tiger asked. Ethan unsheathed his sword, and a visor slid down from his hood, covering his face. The visor had a painted 'x' over his mouth, and a bloody handprint in the center with 'kill' scratched into the metal in the center of the handprint. "Interesting. Since you volunteered to join me, hope you can handle yourself in a fight. I'll be your mentor from now on, and I'm placing some trust into you." Tiger said. Ethan bowed to Tiger, and Tiger smirked. "Glad you understand. We've got some time to kill before the swordsmen bother us, I'll teach you the swordsmanship skills that I've learned." Tiger said. Ethan nodded his head. "Then let's get started..." Tiger said.

        In Sorenza Madison and Tiger's mother sat in the living room of Mary and Hasuto's home. "How long do you think Tiger will be gone for?" Mary asked, while holding Madison's child. "I haven't got a clue." Madison said. "Tiger has yet to disappoint us. I'm certain he'll be back before you know it." Mary said. "I'm sure Tiger's already taking care of those swordsmen and Dark Gods as we speak." Hasuto said. "It's just that I wished we could leave our life of combat behind with the end of the Insurrection, and Dante and Devon." Madison said. "I thought we could settle down, and be happy. To become a wholesome family." Madison said. "Tiger's awakened the forces of darkness. An army that have bothered us since George was still an active combatant. An army thought to have been finished off by Dante with the end of the Overlord of Chaos." Hasuto said. "Those Dark Gods were in charge of all of Earthrealm's enemies at one point. Lahrach, Ulgore, Argo, the Overlord." Hasuto said. "Hell, not to mention the Director and the Overseer. People from our own realm." Mary added. "He's going to be taking them head-on." Hasuto said. Madison sighed. "I'm sure Tiger will find a way. Like we've said, Tiger hasn't disappointed us, and he never will." Mary said. 

           Tiger and Ethan were training with each other, when Tiger heard footsteps in the distance. Tiger morphed into the giant eagle and flew into the air. Tiger saw a giant dust cloud in the distance getting closer and closer. From further examination, Tiger noticed it was the Dark God's army of swordsmen approaching the forest. Tiger flew back down to the ground. "Get ready. An assault is going to be here in a few minutes. Ready for this?" Tiger said. Ethan nodded, and his visor slid down over his face. Tiger and Ethan moved through the forest with their weapons ready. Tiger and Ethan exited the forest, and faced the onslaught of the rapidly approaching swordsmen. Tiger and Ethan stood beside each other, and took their stances. Tiger took a deep breath and the Dragon Tomahawks began to glow with a yellow hue. At the front of the swordsmen, Deacon led them. Tiger looked at Ethan, and Ethan looked at Tiger. "This is it. A few more moments and we'll be putting our skills to the test." Tiger said. Ethan patted his chest, over his heart, with a balled fist. "Let's show them that we don't go down without a fight." Tiger said. Tiger and Ethan faced the approaching army, readying their swords, as the stampede got louder and louder.