Awan

The Winged Lions

• The few legends telling about them suggest that the pair is as old as the world it self or even older. The duality of evil and good forces that are represented by them is known to most cultures throughout the time. However, there is more than black and white to these lions and also to their existence.
  
  For one thing, their task to bring balance and order to the world can only be accomplished with third person's help - this role is currently filled by Awan. This third person is the 'shadow', the middle ground between Meira's light and Achar's darkness. Influenced by both, he still controls them. As the winged lions do not need to eat physical food, the Balance keeper is their energy source and both of them feed off him much like energy vampires (they can eat regular food, but to give them actual energy boost it needs to be very sweet or spicy).
  
  If there is not the mortal to stand between them, the lions will most likely quickly begin a fight. It will not be so visible as affecting everyone, in physical way - volcanic eruptions, earthquakes and other natural catastrophies - and mental, making people fall at the end of scales, both good and bad. It is possible both World Wars were caused by such a fight, since there were displays of extreme kindness, cruelty, self-sacrifice and monstrosity.
  
  The lions are unable to kill each other, only tire out and eventually, between the duels, Meira will begin looking for the new Balance keeper (whatever may have happened to the old one), until one is found. Achar tends to have problems with accepting him or her, but eventually succumbs to their power and everything slowly returns to the normal.
  
  Both creatures have various forms and sizes, starting from large dog to a beast far taller than human, depending on situation they are in. But physical traits described below remain always.

• Meira - the white lion

  Her name meaning - "giving light" - is perfect way to describe this majestic being. Although her mane is not as long or thick as Achan's, it encircles her head, giving a regal feel. The lion's fur is practically white, although in certain light it might seem light cream. Her wide spanned bird-like wings have feathers of same color. She seems to nearly glow with this pure color, the apparent power and beauty even take breath away. Only her eyes are bright amber colored, endless gentleness and compassion withheld in her gaze.
  
  And indeed, she is a very sweet, caring and gentle. To cause someone pain seems horrible to her... Unless it is for some higher goal or defending someone she cares for in more personal way. As all things in their purest form, even 'goodness' is not completely nondestructive. Being someone with too many thousands of years behind her, she tends to look at things in very global way, and so, if a war is needed for the greatest good, she can and will support and even start it. Meira will mourn the horror of war, of course, but still feel no remorse for what she has done. It is simply the sacrifice that must be made.
  
  She is immensely wise and although act friendly and sweet to nearly anyone, there are not many who have really earned her caring. Ilta is one of the few 'mortal-likes' beside the Balance keepers to be graced with such a gift, although Meira thinks the Night Daughter too strictly holds to her laws sometimes. Awan is one of the white lion's favorite Balance keepers and she will fiercely defend him, if needed, quite determined to 'keep' him for long, long time.
  
  The relationship Meira has with Achan is strange. Although at first it could seem not much more than sarcastic remarks thrown back and forth, if anyone would impose an actual threat to the black lion or persist on harming his pride, she would get extremely defensive, even if it could be delivered in sneaky manner in last case. If Achar is actually suffering in some way, not just whining, she tends to him with the greatest care, hinting at a love-hate bond.

• Achan - the black lion

  Even in his laziest, slowest movements the lion seems to be dripping power, surrounded by an aura of dangerous beauty. Smooth, coal black fur covers the sleek, but powerful and muscled body of this male lion. Gorgeously thick mane frames his head, seeming soft, silky. He bears pair of large wings, each feather black, yet nearly seeming to shine in light, like raven's. Achan's eyes are bright golden, and although often they have a bored expression, there is endless malice underneath.
  
  Because even if he often comes across as grumpy and even whiny person who is never pleased, but also not able to do more than grumble, it's just a sugarcoating over what is pure darkness. He rarely starts an open fight, but he finds pleasure in twisting and manipulating others, seeing them squirm in pain, be it mental or physical. Prideful, he finds the business of mortals and mortal-likes far beyond him in most cases, unless he sees that something useful for him could come out of it.
  
  Achan is not just evil for the sake of it, in a way he believes that wars, pain and suffering only bring the best, such as war is reason for so many scientific developments and torture only polishes a genius. Besides, the evil is in mortals, it is just somewhat interesting to play with this seed and make it grow. Still, his motives are somewhat hard to understand and never really revealed. Still, the name meaning - "one who troubles" - is fitting, since thus lion stirs things wherever he goes.
  
  Wise and cunning, he is never particularly kind to anyone, however will rarely do more disagreeing than grumbling to Awan's or Meira's plans. It also seems that, despite acutely disliking the 'babysitters' that in his opinion are Balance Keepers, he has grown somewhat attached to Awan in general. It could be that this man has found a way to keep peace and calm between the two lions not just symbolically with his powers. Achan blames it on "age", however.
  
  He appears to have a certain attachment to Meira as well, standing up for her if needed, even if sometimes it is done in sarcastic way, but if it would be physical abuse, he would be brutal to the offender. Rest of the time, they exchange small 'biting' remarks as if they were indeed enemies.