Komodo Salvia Doryu

Komodo Salvia Doryu is the only child of Lord Varan and Lady Salvia Doryu. He is the current king of the Taka kingdom in Mejakepai. Komodo is also a scholar, explorer, and architect, known for his academic works and founding of the University of Mejakepai.

Appearance
Standing at 5'10 (178 cm), Komodo is a Javkalaka (A variant of Javepakata) with grey scales, golden eyes, and little horns on the back of his head. He is the only Javepakatan who has horns. His body is rather broad and muscular. However, unlike his fellow Javepakatans, Komodo does not expose his areas, such as the chest and the abdomen. Instead, he sports a dark grey overcoat on top of an ebony tunic, accompanied by black trousers.

Personality
Ever since he was but a hatchling, Komodo had always been introverted by nature. He often spends his days locked in his study or exploring alone. He may prefer solitude, but on occasion, he attends social gatherings. First impressions are vital to Komodo as he sees the negative in people before the positive. He also doesn't like letting go of grudges - nor does he forget easily.

As a Doryu, Komodo is an ambitious visionary - doing whatever it takes to achieve that vision. He thirsts for knowledge and hunger for power, aiming to use it for the greater good. Because of his ambitions, some see him as a machiavellian. But for Komodo, he sees himself as a selfishly selfless hero - taking for himself so that he can give to others.

Komodo is also an unpredictable lizard shrouded in mystery. Some know him for his calm and stoic demeanour; others know him for his outlandish antics. He crosses the line between still water and untamed fire. No one knows what he's doing or what he'll do next. He takes pride in this, though - seeing it as his edge.

Early Life
In 24 BKS, the noble Takan general, Varan Doryu, had an only child with his second wife, Salvia Ndari Doryu. Shortly after he hatched, they named him Komodo Salvia Doryu. The name Komodo derives from the name of the city he was born. His second name, Salvia, came from his mother - meaning 'sage'. Doryu, the name of his house, means 'the way of the dragon'. Although born a Javepakatan, he was not like the others. Due to a defect, he had horns on the back of his head and didn't have any tattoos. He is the only Javepakata with horns. Because of this, his father looked down upon him, thinking he was his father's punishment for all the sins he committed. Komodo also hatched under the life of intelligence on the Tulukatva wheel.

Komodo grew up in nobility. His father was a well-respected lord and general, while his mother was a wealthy merchant and a renowned scholar and healer. Along with his parents, he also lived with his older half-brother, Aghu, Varan's son with his first wife. Growing up, Komodo was never close to his father or his brother. His father was often on the battlefield, while his brother was busy fighting in the pits, if not training with the royal guard. Instead, it was his mother to whom he was tight. She'd ignite Komodo's passion for knowledge. She taught him various subjects such as astrology, astronomy, economy, medicine, philosophy, and politics. Unlike her husband and stepson, she doesn't like violence. Lady Doryu hoped that Komodo would follow the same ideals. And so, she exposed Komodo to the world of her profession. Whenever Salvia would receive patients, she'd encourage Komodo to help. If his mother is too busy healing others, Komodo runs her business for her. On some days, Lady Salvia would get Komodo to assist in her studies. On the other hand, Komodo's father, Lord Varan, was much different from his wife. He'd rarely be home, but when he was, he'd treat his sons as another soldier under his command rather than his offspring. More so with his despised son, Komodo. As a result, his sons resented him. Aghu took his anger out on the fighting pits and joined the royal guard out of spite. Komodo, however, decided never to talk to his father - remaining dead silent whenever around him. He'd also rebel by disobeying his father's commands and stealing a small amount of his father's money. One thing that he learned from his father, though, was how to fight.

As The Mighty Fall
The year is 5 BKS. Ratuisuri Sujatasa III had gotten assassinated 15 years ago, and her daughter, Sujatasa IV, inherited the throne. She would siege the kingdom of Taka with the Nevurusari forces. Komodo's father, General Varan Doryu, led his men into battle. Steel clashed with steel. Teeth and claw, they fought with their all for what seemed to be hours. Flames spread throughout the kingdom. Blood flooded the ground. Meanwhile, the royal guard Aghu Doryu was in the Sajanangeva castle, helping the royal family escape. As the battle raged, Lady Doryu fled the kingdom with Komodo. Upon arriving at the port, she bumped into her stepson, who had just killed the Nevurusari forces guarding the docks. Behind Aghu was the royal family of Taka, looking to escape. No vessels were available but one - a fishing boat. But due to its small size, one person had to stay behind, or else they'll sink. At first, Aghu offered to stay, but Lady Doryu insisted that she'd be the one to remain.

"You're royal guard, Aghu. Your duty is to them." Salvia said as she pointed at the royal family.

"But Komodo needs protection. He needs you." Aghu replied.

"I can't fight. If danger comes, what am I supposed to do then? How am I going to protect the royal family? You're getting on that boat, my son."

"I-"

Before he could even finish his sentence, the Takan king cut Aghu off.

"Enough! I will stay. As the king of Taka, I will be the one to remain. Aghu, your duty might be to my family, but my duty is to my kingdom. I will stay and die alongside Taka. It is only right." The king announced with a commanding tone.

"Lady Doryu, you have earned my admiration. May Keblatam bless your house. Now, go. " He continued.

Along with his brother and the royal family, Komodo hopped on the boat. But as Lady Doryu was about to get on it, a group of Neruvusari warriors arrived at the port. They drew their bows and released arrows - killing Lady Salvia and the king of Taka. Komodo and Aghu watched as arrows pierced their mother's back. Holding back tears, Aghu pushed the boat off the docks, sailing to safety. The archers fired another round at the vessel, but Aghu blocked them with his shield. One arrow, however, had gone through it and pierced his hand.

Meanwhile, on the battlefield, Six Nevurusari men surrounded the wounded Varan. He stared at each one of them with flames in his gaze.

"You'll all die before I fall! You'll never kill me! I AM GENERAL VARAN DORYU! I AM THE DRAGON!" He roared as he whirled his blade. The first soldier charged at him with a spear. The general hooked it with his khopesh and slashed through the soldier's neck, decapitating him.

"COME AT ME!" Varan taunted as the other five stepped closer to him, although cowardly. Two spearmen challenged him - he caught the spear of the first one, breaking it in half. The general then shot his blade through the spearman's chest. The second one lunged his spear at the general's back. Due to Varan's thick scales, the second spearman failed to pull the spear out. Enraged, Varan dropped his khopesh and got on all fours. You'd see the flaming glow in his eyes as his back bled from the spear stuck on it. The dragon is out. Three archers shot at him but to no avail. Like a feral beast, he pounced on the spearman that punctured him. He bit his head and moved onto the archers. Like a whip, he swiped the three of them with his tail, and they fell to the ground. He punched through the chest of one archer and grabbed her heart. He then devoured it like a fruit - heightening his bloodlust. He charged at the two archers fleeing the scene. They shot at him, piercing Varan's shoulders and blinding his left eye - he leapt at them, slashing the head of one with his razor-sharp claws while he sliced the neck of the other. Only one soldier was left - the spearman. The spearman grabbed Varan's khopesh. He was afraid. He gripped the blade's handle intensely as he watched General Doryu approach him slowly. The spear and arrows stuck in his body made him look like a nightmare. His fiery gaze made him look like a demon. Covered in his blood, the general stood up and challenged the spearman to a duel. Knowing that Varan would only chase after him if he ran, the spearman agreed. They stood there, staring at each other like predator and prey. They waited for one of them to make a move. General Doryu came at the soldier with his claws ready to slice. His mouth opens wide as if he's going to devour a meal. As Varan charged, the spearman pirouetted with his khopesh. In mere seconds, the duel ended. Varan sliced the soldier's abdomen open, exposing his insides, while the soldier decapitated the general.

The Last Doryu
Escaping to the desert in the south, the Doryus and the royal family found a cave to hide. As Aghu was accompanying them, he trembled. His legs were jelly. His cold eyes shifted into a warm gaze as his irises became a blood moon eclipse. And his spine sizzled, although the night was freezing. Something was wrong. Despite this, he persisted and reached the cave with his party safely. Minutes upon entering, Aghu approached his younger half-brother.

"Komodo, my b-brother, look at m-me," Aghu stuttered as he stared at his brother. "I want you t-to have th-this." He hissed as he knelt on the ground, offering his khopesh.

"Wha-" Komodo was in shock. He knew something was wrong.

"I-I'm not g-going to make it. I kn-know. Which is why I w-want you to in-in-herit our ancestral sword. It's the Blade of Doryu. It h-has been p-passed down for generations. Now, it's your turn. You are the last Doryu. I h-honour you as the new he-head of our h-house. Make me proud."

Komodo closed his watering eyes as he carried the blade from his brother's hands. As soon as the khopesh was free of his grasp, Aghu fell to the ground and took his final rest. He stared at his brother for a few seconds before he shut his sights, and his mouth foamed. It happens that the arrow that pierced his hand had a poisoned tip. And so, the house of Doryu was left to Komodo. He knelt next to Aghu's body, grieving. The Takan queen soon approached the body to mourn with Komodo. Komodo thought she was only weeping Aghu because he was a fierce and faithful guard. It turns out that isn't the case. It was more than duty.

"Goodbye, my son. May your next life be more fruitful than this one." She whispered to the corpse.

"Your... YOUR SON!?" Komodo exclaimed gently at the queen.

The queen felt Komodo's back. "Your father never told you? Ah, of course. Why would he? He's Varan Doryu! Full of pride and secrets. I see he never changed. But I am not like him. I will tell you. You deserve to know." She stared at Komodo intimately. Her eyes were like a flower in spring - kind, gentle, nurturing.

"Before I became queen - before the king married me, I was Varan Doryu's wife. We were young back then," She chuckled as she reminisced the old days. "Eventually, we had a child - your brother Aghu. We lived a good and comfortable life until the king came into it. Ever since they were boys, your father and the king always had a rivalry. Whether it be over the fish they catch, the horse they ride, or the wine they drink. They were friends that always contended with each other. But their ultimate rivalry? It was over a woman - me. For a long time, lasting years, they fought over me. They'd bring me gifts, take me to places, and my favourite - they'd wrestle. In time, your father won my heart. The king, however, wasn't the accepting type. He hated Varan because of it. Jealousy consumed him, and he turned his friend into a foe. One day, the king came to Doryu Manor with his men. He threatened that he would kill your father and the young Aghu if I didn't go with them. Your father was ready to kill the king right then and there, but I convinced him not to. I didn't want further bloodshed or their friendship ruined. And so, I came with them, and the king forced me into marriage. We had a daughter, and I never saw Varan or Aghu again until one of my spies told me your father had married a scholar. He also informed me that Aghu had been a famous fighter in the pits. And so, I commanded my royal guards to invite Aghu in. He happily joined, and the rest is history."

Komodo and his stepmother then buried Aghu. Night fell shortly after. They returned to the cave, and the queen and her daughter slept, cradling each other for warmth. Komodo, however, couldn't sleep as he was busy contemplating what had occurred that day. So much happened, and he can't fathom the death of his family - more so, the revelation that the queen revealed to him. He turned his head to the princess and the queen. He thought of what may lie ahead. Instead of sleeping, he decided to guard them against predators.

Queenslayer
1 KS. The Takan queen had died of natural causes a year ago. Komodo had buried her next to Aghu's grave. During their years in the desert, her daughter Mentari and Komodo fell in love. In the darkest times, Komodo found the light in his woman, as she found warmth in him. Although the desert was harsh, their love kept them going. They enjoyed each other's company - devoting their hearts and soul to one another. Eventually, the two lovers made love for the first time. Months after, the princess laid an egg. Komodo was finally a father. Their love bloomed, but it would soon change one fateful day. Komodo and his partner needed food. They hadn't eaten for weeks. They needed to stock up to feed themselves and their young. After all, their egg will hatch soon. But the desert offered none. In desperation, Mentari stared at Komodo with a predatory look. She stood firmly, towering over Komodo. She opened her fists, ready to slash her husband with her claws.

"I'm sorry, beloved." She murmured under her breath as she saw Komodo look at her with fear.

She swiped her right arm, injuring Komodo's chest with her claws. She gave another slash with her left, but Komodo dodged. His wife was no longer rational. He knew he had to fight for survival. He drew his khopesh from his right hip and assumed a defensive stance.

"If it has to be this way, Tari, then so be it. Know that I loved you." Komodo expressed sorrow as he prepared for his wife's next attack.

Tari lunged toward Komodo while he spun out of the way.

"ENOUGH!" She roared as she got on all fours and channelled her primal self. She flew forward to Komodo, but due to his defensive stance, he had been able to hook her right arm. He then guided the edge of his blade to her chest. As he did this, his hook broke Tari's arm. Finally, his khopesh had made its way to Tari's chest, breaking her ribs and puncturing her heart. She knelt on the ground as she felt her wounds boil. She hugged and kissed Komodo as she took her final breath and whispered, "I'm sorry." She looked at Komodo like a pup and collapsed, finally dying. Komodo cradled her dead body and shut her eyes. Still hungry and without food, Komodo was going to die. He had no choice. Komodo feasted on his wife out of desperation. In remembrance of her, he took her coat and wore it so that she'd always be with him, even after death. He returned to the cave, picking up his egg. He took the egg to the jungles east of the desert and abandoned it there, leaving it to the wolves. He couldn't afford to let his young know that he ate its mother. Out of shame, Komodo ran away, sailing north.

A Storm of Fate
The night is cold and dark. He had only been eating fish and bread. While sailing towards the tundras of the north, Komodo encountered a violent storm. The waves were so high that Komodo couldn't see the sky. The hurricane lasted several hours, and the tides pushed his boat towards the nearest island. Morning came, and he woke up on the shore. His face shoved in the sand, and his back greeted the sun. As he slowly opened his eyes, he turned his head towards the water. The tides had destroyed his boat - only the broken planks remain. He stood up and went to the nearby port. Upon arriving there, he met a certain Taladah. Komodo asked him where he was, and the man told him he was in Peiklaten, the capital of Mejakepai. For some reason, Komodo had accidentally come back home. Was it fate? A complete coincidence? Or something else? Whatever it was, Komodo knew he had a mission here - he wouldn't be here otherwise. And so, Komodo introduced himself to the man. Taladah told Komodo that he couldn't return to Taka for a while as they were still restoring the destroyed kingdom. In turn, he provided Komodo with a temporary home in the port of Peiklaten.

King in the South
In 2 KS, For some reason, the Takan regent Taladah asked Komodo to be the new king. Komodo happily accepted. And so, he inherited the kingdom along with the Sajānangeva castle. Komodo rode his horse towards Taka and saw the remnants of the fire. The whole city was gone, and only the castle barracks remained. He then went where the Doryu Manor once stood. There, he found his parents' graves. He knelt on the ground, saying, "Mother, father, I have returned. I am home." And with this, he swore to restore Taka's glory.

Trivia

 * Komodo is ambidextrous. He was born left-handed, but his father forced him to use his right. And so, he became skilled with both hands.
 * His favourite colour is black.
 * His greatest fear is failing.
 * He doesn't like to be married, afraid he'd kill his spouse as he did with Tari.
 * He covers his body not only to hide that he doesn't have tattoos but also for practicality as he explores areas with harsh climates and predators.