A stormy night, where the rainfall felt like bullets, and the lightning crackled with a ravenous appetite for the lands. A hooded figure ran across the streets to deliver a basket, a small chapel around the sea of stone cubes in Salvandi. A knock was left behind as the figure ran off, a nun opening the door to see who it was.
A child left behind, sleeping soundly with the night.
The Nun lets the boy in, and for the next few days, would attempt to raise the child. During such a time, the small baby would notice something inch close by as the Nun made her errands. A snake with green scales and tilted fangs, ready to bite into the child. Right as it tried to kill him, however, the baby would grab his mouth, playing with it, making goofy faces off of its expressions, giggling at every step of the way. The snake tried again and again to kill him, yet the child always caught it. At its fourth attempt, the boy grew tired, hugging the snake close to his body. At such a moment, the serpent was confused, bewildered even. As an animal, it tried to bite him, yet it didn't wish to. It was being conflicted against its own instinct. For now, it rested alongside the boy, letting it slither around his head like a personal crown.
When morning came, the Nun would become terrified, trying to swat away the Snake from Adel's body, the child crying in the process. The Nun made sure to keep the boy away from the animal, yet the boy cried still. Throughout the day, she tried every single answer one can do to raise a baby, all to make sure he was contained and protected. When dusk rose and the Nun ran out of options, she would see the Snake near the baby once more. Once more, she tried to push them away, but as soon as she reached, she saw Adel play with the snake. Poking its nose, petting its head, nuzzling its body, even giggling giddily as it wrapped around the child and circled him as if it was a ring. The nun couldn't believe what she saw. The child was being friends with such a dangerous animal. She decided, against her better judgement, to let the boy be with the snake, petting the two, being cautious in case the serpent tried to attack. Over the next few years, she attended her usual duties, but also made sure the snake was fed, cleaned, and tended to, as the boy would help her around the chapel for any chores needed to be done.
Eventually, he'd finally reach his school, located deep within Salvandi's sands. Mockery ensued when he went inside. "LOOK OUT! IT'S MEDUSA! DON'T LOOK INTO HIS EYES!!" One screamed.
"Ewwww... Who let the Albino meet with the Devil? Gross!" Another replied.
"50 pieces of gold says the snake killed his parents. Doesn't look all that fed to me." A third sneered. Everywhere he went, everywhere he walked, he was met with pure ridicule. Whether it was his hair, his eyes, or the serpent he brings with, no shortage of such venom were spent on anything but him.
Yet somehow, he still smiled.
The snake was confused once more. It glared back at the bullies, yet the owner never bothered to even give a glance at them. He never paid them any mind, merely paying attention in his own studies and his usual rebellious nature, watching him pull small pranks on staff members and switching assignments around so others would have a free day. Even though such bullies held their tongue when they recognized his shifty tricks, the Snake wanted nothing less than to bite them and die to its venom. Its animalistic instinct desperately wishing to be let loose and attack them when possible. Adel noticed its glare and lets him rest on a table, looking eye to eye with it. "You seem mad. Is it the stuff they're saying?" He'd ask. The snake nodded as it rubbed its head against his hand. "Don't mind them. They just wanna poke fun at people." The snake grew agitated at such aloofness, biting at his finger gently enough, being careful not to poison him. "H-hey! C'mon! Don't be like that!" A chuckle escaped from Adel's mouth as he'd be just as careful to remove it from his finger.
"To tell you the truth... I don't really think it matters anyway. Least, not as long as you exist."
The serpent grew confused, its eyes widening as it tried to understand him. "See... my mom told me what happened. How I was dropped off at the church. How I was adopted. I felt sad about that, at first. I'd thought I won't be able to see them again. That's when I met you, though! You may not be either of my parents... but considering when we first met? You feel like a brother to me! To me, that's the closest thing to a real family member." With his small confession, he would be a bit shocked to see the snake shedding some tears, a small sob for the child, seeing its kindness.
KA-BOOOOM!!!
A massive explosion outside of the Kingdom. Such an impact was enough to shake the foundation of the school, threatening a cave-in if one wasn't ready. Screams were made across the area, desperate to find a way out. Adel, wasting no time, ran like mad to find the people in danger. Some were able to escape, while others were lost or forced inside, making Adel break windows, doors, and even small parts of the walls to ensure they can escape, all adding a risk of making the cave-in come faster. A few of his bullies would be seen off the corner of his eye, as a massive slab of stone broke apart and fell on them, pinning them down. Adel rushed to their aid, trying to scrape out whatever rubble was there to let them leave, yet nothing worked. "JUST GET OUT OF HERE, 'DUSA BOY! DON'T KILL YOURSELF FOR US!!" One yelled, trying to shove him away in an effort to save his life at the cost of his own. Adel didn't listen, however, and kept pushing on. The Serpent was wrapped around the man's arm, looking out, flicking its tongue to sense the situation, horrified at what it was witnessing. There needs to be a solution. There MUST be a solution.
It took a risk, as it timed Adel's efforts, his energy and adrenaline spiking, as the snake bit into his neck.
Time felt still within that moment. The boy looked to his side and see his one true friend do such a thing. It felt betrayed at first, thinking the snake truly wanted him dead. That was until his body began to shift, his strength increasing, his fingernails into claws as he'd lift the very rubble and allowed them to escape, running off on all fours to the entrance. His magic was granted to him in desperation, his energy molding with the Serpent's bite, his power tenfold. As everyone got a proper breather, the boy can't help but hug his best friend for saving everyone's life. He never thought he'd have his love reciprocated, yet here he was, still alive and basking in the sun. He'd look over to see the students in the vacant sands, waving at them.
The ones that harassed them were now embarrassed, yet gave their thanks. Despite being more beast than man, they can't help but appreciate Adel for that save, letting them give him a Title as proof of his heroism.
The Serpent of Salvandi.