Pain . . . It's always the first thing you feel when you change. It's a searing pain that starts in the chest and then spreads like a slow burn. By the time you drop to your knees in pain, choking for air, your muscles aching, it's already too late. Everyone has a darker side, a more . . . animal side, and the curse of the beast brings out the animal side. You start to see in red, and you crave the taste of flesh and blood. You don't have time to warn anyone near you to run for their lives, not as if you could speak anyway, all beasts can do is growl and snarl. Your bones dislocate and rearrange into a beastly construction, claws sprout from your fingertips, fangs replace your teeth, and fur covers your body. Whoever you were before is lost for the night, only the animal remains. The animal is always a predator, driven by need, hunger, and rage. It's your fault really, all the destruction and suffering the animal causes. It's true. You live a life trying to hide the animal from the world, trying to bury it away because you were told that it was wrong. But sometimes when you cage the beast, the beast gets angry. Eventually you'll realize the true curse. The curse isn't about the pain, or the destruction, it's about knowing that every single person has buried a part of themselves . . . and in doing so they find righteousness in condemning you<br/><br/>Rathus was on the hunt, his massive, lupine form crushing the undergrowth beneath his feet as he followed the scent. It was sweet, feminine, and invigorating. Whoever she was, this would be her last night. When Rathus came to the clearing, he saw a woman heading to a barn. There was a bonfire going on, a celebration of some kind. He lunged forward and mauled the first person he could reach. Screams broke out into the night as Rathus murdered and devoured everyone in his path. Some of the men pulled out their weapons, but Rathus' whole body was a weapon and with ease he ripped them all apart. Flesh and bones were strewn all over area, and the fire was doused by blood. Soon, he stalked his way over to the barn, blood dripping from his muzzle and claws. Her hushed cries and rapid heart beat were like music to his ears. He rent the doors asunder and entered the barn