It was on Dominaria when Amur first met Ceos. Back then the Jackal was leading a raiding party of mercs that had been hired by some slithery cleric of some sort of cult. Amur didn't care much about the motives of their client, he got another chance to let his never ending rage lay waste on something and his mercs would get paid and fed.
So the group approched the monastery which was their target. Amur already felt the heat of wrath rise in him once again, when they saw a figure sitting nearby, with it's back towards them.
"Laying waste upon those people won't bring them back my friend." He said. Calm and quiet, yet his words cut deep into the jackal.
It was the first time since Amonkhet burned that Amur faltered in his goals, but the eagerness of the bunch of mercs was pressing him to move on, starting with the hooded figure in front of them, that didn't even bother look at them as if he knew they wouldn't attack them. The second in command, a young female human then asked if they should proceed and while he silently nodded his usual desire to express his anger with fire and steel faded.
How could this stranger bring him off balance so easily? Was it so simple to read him? That couldn't be, while he was mostly only seen as a weapon or a monster, nobody doubted his authority and power among his mercs, the Cinder Wardogs as they call themselves.
Seren, Amur's second urged the bloodthirts mercs on to slaughter everyone in the monastery, beginning with the man in front of them. The later then rose for the first time and it was then that Amur recognized him as some kind of catfolk. Similar in his features to a cougar where he represented a jackal. The stranger cat-man wore simple clothes, with a staff in his hand, all of that was humble and simple and yet he had an unspoken dignity on him.
Then the feline man faced them. One eye that of the most beautiful emerald Amur had ever seen, reflecting the light of dawn. The other covered by some kind of scar that seemed to be drawn by the nightsky itself. A soft golden light was clinging to his fur. It was beyond dignity. Something Amur only had felt in the presence of Rhonas in days past, before flame and ruin.
Then the first mercs began to drop their weapons as all their agression and desire for blood was beeing washed away by a wave of warmth and light.
Amur didn't understand what was happening, he wanted to leave and get back to what he could do best, fight and kill, but the feline had broken through the shield he had built around his heart and returned painfull memories to the jackal.
"You are so much more than a weapon or a monster my friend. The shadow of agony and loss still are upon you, but it is yet possible to tear yourself from their grasp before you fall into the darkness and destroy all the memories of them."
The hodded man paused as his words made Amur tremble as emotions broke to surface he thought buried long ago. The pain, the loss, then deeper, before that he caught a glimpse of something even further away. Happiness. Back in the days before Amonkhet burned. He saw the face of the one had loved most and the god he had pledged his loyality to.
Then the shadow fell upon them again.
The mercaneries saw their strong leader shake and tremble, none of them had ever seem him like this. They only knew his fire and rage. And when a single tear fell from his cheek the Jackal looked the leonin in the eyes and suddenly knew what he was, who he was and even his name and new memories slowly blossomed in the warrior and new hope in the distance of his mind.
"Ceos, what is happening? What are you doing to me? Why do I know your name?"
The golden furred leonin smiled gently and caring like a father to his son. "I'm showing you a way my friend. Deception and lies lay waste upon your life past and the fire of revenge burns seering hot inside you, consuming your soul. But like this, you only create hundreds and throusands of Amonkhets. Ash and ruin. Hate and steel. Your fire is consuming you and you let it out the way it has been created. The way you were formed and ignited."
"Rage has become my being, my core, hate my motivation." Amur spoke at the feline. The hate was what has given him strength and power, but a part of him wanted his life back, his life before the flames.
"Perhaps. But there is still more in you. Slaughter is yet not the salvation you are striving for and death in battle will not either. The deciever resposible is still out there and lays waste on other worlds. He has to be your goal Amur."
Then there was the flame back inside the jackal, he finally had his chance for revenge.

"Where is he?"

But Ceos only shook his head. "If I would tell you, I could also kill you myself. I wish it wasn't that way, but his power is beyond you right now. But if you will let me show you a path and learn the balance between rage and mercy, then one day, we might be strong enough to face him and free all the worlds from his corruption."
Amur was fighting with himself and for a long time he just stood there, staring at the leonin. Could he trust this Ceos? Why should he want back to his old life or why should he let his rage consume him anymore? He did not know.
"I understand your doubts and know that I do not expect your answer now. In the memories I shared with you, you can see a world under eternal stars. There you can find me if you desire. If you do, you will have a home there." The cat said and in a could of golden stars he was gone then.
The assult was cancled and the Cinder Wardogs dispersed the following days.


A gentle breeze blew through Ceos golden fur that seemed to burn under the light of the only dusk of the year. He sat in the highest room of his libary under the eternal stars of Adastra, his world of peace and shelter.
A hot light ignited the room for a moment and he could the feel a familiar presence.

"Show me balance."



Phew I finally got to finish that pic. It took me quite a while to get a handle on it and how I wanted to design Amur again. In the end I am kinda happy how it turned out, though it was pretty hard to keep the balance as I couldn't have Amur look so evil anymore, but why you will discover tomorrow. ;3

Anyway, I would love some opinions on this, I put a lot of effort in the pic and the story, so I would be super happy if I could hear your thoughts on them, thanks a lot guys and stay tuned tomorrow for another little piece