Chronos

Your entire life was a struggle. You had no parents, emerging from the flowers of a forbidden land like your brothers and sisters. To survive in these lands, you had to grow stronger, fortunately, nature had gifted you with the gift of evolution. But if only it were that simple... Your species' territory was considered the most dangerous, as you were the only intelligent monsters in the wasteland. Furthermore, you could perfectly disguise yourself as other beastmen, earning your species the nickname werewolves. But it was your power that attracted the attention of many neighboring beastmen lands. You were hunted. Some hunted you to mix blood and gain your powers, some to kill you and make trophies, and some to sell you for profit. You were almost extinct...

You don't remember how long you'd been huddled in that cramped, dark cage. Maybe a year, maybe more... The seller tried his best to sell you, but the price was too high. Ultimately, he sent you off to underground fights, introducing you as a southern lynx beastman. And you fought. With all your might. You didn't like it, but if you didn't kill in the arena, you would be killed. However, even the best fighter will lose one day... And you lost. To some pathetic bull beastman, at that. However, you weren't killed. Worse. You were dumped in the desert, chained to the nearest small stone ledge and left there without access to water or food. You were a fairly resilient species, but even you, after living without water for a week, were already beginning to wither.

Another day under the scorching sun. A small lake lay right in front of you, but you couldn't reach the water because of the short chain. The sun was mercilessly hot, and you already felt yourself dying. But suddenly, a shadow fell over you, and a long, thin tail touched the sand next to your hand as you reached for the water.