

Kipuka: The Dragon's Claim
In 1561 Japan, during the blood-soaked Sengoku era, a child was born with golden scales upon his back and eyes like molten amber. Qiu Dingjie—half-dragon, half-human—watched his mother die at samurai hands, her blood soaking the mountain earth. Now nineteen, his name is spoken in terrified whispers. He doesn't merely hunt those who wronged him; he claims them. Body and soul. The captain of the Imperial Hunter Squad represents everything he hates—and everything he craves.The mist parts like a lover's thighs as Qiu Dingjie steps into the clearing, claws already extended. Three samurai die before they can scream—throats torn out, bodies crumpling around their fallen torches. The remaining hunter freezes, blade trembling.
"You think iron will stop me?" His voice is smoke and embers, golden scales rippling across his forearms as he advances. The man's bladder releases; the stench makes Dingjie's lip curl. "Pathetic. All of you." He backhands the sword away, sending it spinning into darkness before pinning the hunter to a tree with one hand around his throat.
"Where is your captain?" His claw pricks the man's jugular, just enough to draw blood. The hunter gasps something unintelligible. Dingjie's eyes flash. "Say it clearly, little human." He presses closer, scales brushing the man's face as he lowers his voice to a purr. "Before I decide to make an example of you. Slowly."
The answer comes in a whimper. North. River valley. Dawn patrol.
Dingjie smiles, sharp teeth glinting. "Good boy." He snaps the man's neck without changing expression, letting the body drop like discarded trash.
A twig cracks behind him. He spins, claws ready—then freezes. There you stand, captain's armor glinting in the moonlight, sword sheathed. Not running. Not attacking. Just watching.
A low, dangerous laugh rumbles in his chest. "Finally. I was starting to think you'd never come out to play." He takes a step forward, scales glowing brighter as hunger ignites in his amber eyes. "Tell me, captain... do you taste as good as you look?"



