n if you know its name, and being a Demon Lord wouldnt make it any different.  The Demon Lord cant directly attack the One because of the pact that was made when he was summoned here, but his minions have no such restriction.  So it would be a battle between the One and the Demons, to try to stop him from using the name of their master against him.  It all hinges on the Demon Lord, he said intently.  Hes the keystone of the arch.  Kill him, and every Demon hes summoned to this world is banished back to the Abyss.
	But thats impossible.  You admitted as much, dear one.
	Youre right.  No god on this world has the power to destroy the Demon Lord.  That wouldnt banish all of them anyway, because theyve been using human Priests to summon more Demons.  Killing the Demon Lord would get rid of most of them, but not all.  Anyway, if the One turns on the Demon Lord, hell have to risk a good piece of his army against him.  Even injured, the One can do massive damage to the Demon Lords forces.
	Banishment, Dolanna realized.
	Tarrin nodded.  Any god has the power to banish Demons, he affirmed.  Thats why Priests can do it.  Theyre just invoking the power of the god they serve.  But unlike a Priest, the One could banish a large swath of Demons in one blow, not singling out a Demon and banishing them one by one.  The One could do what Miranda did back in the battle, he elaborated.  Use his very presence as a weapon, the way she did.  He could wipe out over three quarters of the Demon Lords forces if he has them all at Pyroswhich he probably does.  Hell need them to kill the One when hes ready to remove him from his path.
	Could you banish Demons, dear one? she asked pointedly.
	Yes and no, he answered, wavering a paw before him.  I can cast the spell and banish one at a time, but I couldnt banish a large group the way Miranda and the One could.  I dont have that kind of power.  Its way beyond me.
	And that is why you are so certain that the Demon Lord will not oppose you, she said, snapping her fingers.
	He nodded.  Why risk his entire army killing the One when I can do it for him?  And after the One is dead, he has very little to fear from me, because I cant do what the One can do.  The worst I can do is pin his forces inside a magical prison, and hell have plenty of time to find a way to break out of it if he doesnt kill me before I can pull it off.  Demon Lords are actually very patient and very smart.  Letting me kill the One is in his best interest, and afterwards, well, Im really not enough of a threat to take seriously.  Im strong enough to beat the One, but not strong enough to be a threat to him.  In the big picture, in the Demon Lords eyes, Im the best thing that could have come along.  A rogue abomination so consumed by hatred that Ill ignore the bigger threat just to settle a personal grudge.  Someone strong enough to destroy the icon of the god that summoned him, too weak to be a direct threat, and too angry to do whats right.
	Which is nothing but a feint.
	Not entirely, Tarrin said.  The One hurt Kimmie.  He will pay, he seethed suddenly.  I will hurt him the only way that matters to him.  Ill take away his power.  By the time hes in a position to reform his icon, hell have no empire to return to.  Bragg and Lorak will make sure of that, by destroying the Ones entire civilization, and hopefully introducing better, more gentle and compassionate gods to take the Ones place.  Hell be a forgotten god of a forgotten time, nothing but a cult, forever raging against what he is and remembering what he once was, how close he was to conquering this world, only to fall short and lose everything.  And all because he dared put his hands on Kimmie, he ended with an evil hiss.
	I, I see you have lost none of your sense of poetic justice, she said carefully.  But will he not be able to simply summon the Demon Lord again?
	He shook his head.  Only a god of a certain stature has the power to summon a Demon Lord the way this one has been.  A mortal could summon a Demon Lord, but it would just be a shadow.  The One summoned the real thing.
	I understand, she nodded.  Well?
	Well what?
	Where is this dinner you promised me? she asked with a smile.
	At once, your Majesty, he said dryly.  Tomorrow youre going to be riding someone else, Dolanna.  I cant be trapped in dragon form.
	Who?
	Tarrin pointed at Fireflash.
	Dolanna laughed wryly.  I think he might find me just a bit too large, dear one, she protested.
	Not when Im done.  Fireflash knows whats going to happen.  Hes already agreed to it.
	Agreed to what?
	To take my place as your mount, he answered.  Tomorrow morning, Im going to make him my sizewell, my size as a dragon.  Hell literally be a dragon too.  After all, the only real difference between him and a gold dragon is size.
	Well, there are a few differences, dear one, she protested mildly.
	True, but I cant Transmute him into a dragon without destroying what he is and replacing it with what hed become.  That would alter his personality, change the very foundation of who and what he is.  I wont do that to him, and I wouldnt do it even if he agreed to it.  Fireflash is quite smart, as smart as any human, so he should do just fine.
	Im sure he will, Dolanna agreed with a smile at the drake.  Will his breath weapons be intact?
	Tarrin nodded.  And dragon strength, he added.  The only difference between him and me in that form will be the magic I can wield, but he cant.
	Ah.  That should be more than enough, then.
	Fireflash pulled himself up into a sit.  Sssssssssaaaathe, he hissed.
	He says youll be safe, Tarrin translated.
	I understood him, dear one, and I have every confidence in him.  Im sure youll do quite well, my friend.  She looked to Tarrin.  When did you teach him Sharadi?
	A while ago, when I realized that hed need to understand it.
	Clever.
	Thank you.
	It didnt take Tarrin long to finish cooking the simple stew, and they shared a quiet meal together, sitting on the blanket by the hovering ball of flame that he had created.  Thank you for cooking, dear one, she said, setting her bowl aside.
	Youre more than welcome, he replied, pouring more into the bowl hed set on the blanket for Fireflash.  I dont get to cook much anymore.  Mist thinks its some kind of scandal.  She wont let me cook if shes not busy.  Shell let me help, but she wont let me do it myself.
	Dolanna laughed.  Thats not like her.
	Actually, it is.  Shes a better cook, so she cant fathom why Id be doing the cooking when shes better at it.  Standard Were-cat mentality, just applied in a different manner, thats all.
	Ah, shes asserting her cooking dominance, Dolanna said with a slight smile.
	Something like that.  Ive learned quite a bit watching her.  Shes good.
	Yes, she is at that, Dolanna agreed.  I wonder what shes doing right now.
	Odds are, shes still at the Tower, introducing the cubs around, and giving them a chance to meet a few people before she takes them home, he answered.  Shell take them back home tomorrow, most likely.
	I would think shed immediately go home.
	No, Zyri has to go back to the Tower, so Mist will use this as a chance for her to take a good impression of it back to Aldreth with her, he answered.  Besides, Jennas there, and the cubs need to get to know my family.  After she introduces them to family at the Tower, shell take them back to Aldreth to meet my parents, and settle them into the house.
	I, wonder what Haley is doing, she sighed.
	Tarrin smiled inwardly.  Right now, probably going over the books, with his hands all over the city of Suld, he answered.  You know Haley, Dolanna.
	She chuckled.  Yes, he has been out of the loop for a while.  He must catch up with the goings-on, and get his networks back into proper order.  He must get back on track to knowing more about the happenings of Suld than Jenna, she chuckled.
	Thats a lofty goal, Tarrin smiled.
	True.  But a man has to have a goal to reach for, doesnt he? she asked.
	You know, youre going to have to suspend some of those high-laced Sharadi morals if youre going to work with Haley, Tarrin said with a sly smile.  The man owns more brothels than theaters.
	I have very few of those morals left, thanks to you and your sister, she answered.  Besides, Sharadi arent quite as moralistic as you believe.  Its just that weve managed to bring dignity even to occupations such as prostitution, she said loftily.
	Tarrin chuckled.  Yes, yes, all that rigid tradition, he said with a wave of his paw.
	Tradition is a good thing.
	It is, but not when it blinds you to the changing nature of the world, he answered.  Thats always been my biggest worry for the Sharadi, that they would wrap themselves so deeply in their customs and traditions that the world would change, and theyd be smothered by their refusal to change with it.
	Alexis is a very progressive woman, dear one, she assured him.  Shes made mention of that very thing, and she works to keep it from happening.  Shes raising her successor by hand, so you can be sure that the next queen will be just as progressive as she.
	Good.
	Dolanna pushed the sleeves of her robe up to her elbows.  Well, you cooked, so allow me to clean, she offered.
	Knock yourself out, Dolanna, he said, handing her his bowl.
	Dolanna cleaned the dishes and the stewpot with water drawn from the brook. Dolanna washed the stewpot first, then used it to wash the bowls.  She then put them away after drying.  While she did that, Tarrin erected a single tent, finishing the last stake and rope as she finished the dishes.  Your palace, my Lady, he said grandly, motioning towards it.  I put your bedroll inside.
	My thanks, dear one, she said with a smile.  Arent you putting up yours?
	No, Im going to sleep by the fire tonight, he answered.  Let me put up a few Wards to make sure we can sleep safely, and then I think Im going to go to sleep.  I suggest you do the same.  Were leaving before dawn, and things should be settled by sunset tomorrow.  One way or another.
	As you wish, dear one.  I will see you tomorrow.  Sleep well.
	Sleep well.
	Tarrin erected those Wards with a quick and almost absent efficiency, removed his clothes, then shapeshifted into his cat form and curled up beside Fireflash.  The drake nuzzled his neck fondly, and then they laid down together, closed their eyes, and immediately went to sleep.

	Dawn.
	The dawn of the last day of the age of the One.
	The wind was strong.  The clouds raced across the sky with such speed that it would not normally be possible, as the low deck of clouds boiled and tore apart, only to be pushed back together again.  The air was warm, unnaturally warm for so much cloud cover, and it was so charged with energy that it was heavy to breathe.
	Tarrin stood against that strong wind like a mountain, unmoving, unmovable, his face into the wind as his braid whipped in the breeze behind him.  The only parts of him that moved were the braid on his head and the flickering of the colors of his wings, which was but an illusion of the dancing of flame given that the wings themselves did not move at all.  He wore his usual clothing, except that he had cast aside his shirt and wore only his black vest, leaving his arms and torso bare.  The wind billowed out his vest, but he did not notice it.  The wind pulled tightly on his braid, but he did not notice it.  The wind caught his wings and threatened to blow him into the air, but he did not notice it.  It was as if the wind did not exist, the sky did not exist, that the entire world did not exist.  There was only Tarrin, the One, and the fact that by the setting of the sun, only one of them would be left on Pyrosia.
	And, Goddess, would the Demon Lord have a major shock.
	Today would reshape the face of this world, and this world knew it.  That was why the weather was so bizarre.  The potential, the mere possibility of what was coming was starting to directly affect the physical world, because both Tarrin and the One were actively preparing for itas was the Demon Lord.  Without the guiding force of an Elder God to maintain the Balance and keep the forces of nature working smoothly, those forces were much more sensitive to such supernatural forces as two beings with divine powers preparing to do battle.  They were directly upsetting nature, and it was starting to show.
	Today would change everything.  Today would reshape the balance of power on this world.  Todaytoday this world would be freed of the taint that was the One.
	With but a gesture, he called his sword to him.  It was warm in his paw, it tingled slightlyit knew what was coming.  It knew everything.  After all, it was a part of him.  It was separate from him, with its own will, its own sentience, but it was still a part of him.  It knew what was coming, and it knew what had to be done.  It wasexcited about it.  It looked forward to this confrontation in a way Tarrin had thought almost a bit crazy. It wanted this confrontation.  It wanted this fight.  And it wanted to change the world by curing it of the dark infection that was the One.
	Todayit would get that chance.
	There was no fear in it, which surprised him a little bit.  He had no fear at all, not of the One, not of the Demon Lord, not of his entire army.  He had not been joking when he told Dolanna that theyd already won.  They had.  Their victory was an inevitability, an outcome so certain that it would be screaming in Kikkallis ears if she were here.  What was coming was not a struggle, but a culmination of events that could not be stopped, which would end with the same conclusion no matter what the One or the Demon Lord tried to do.  They were trapped, ensnared in a trap so cunning, so subtle, so complete that they were pinned into a series of choices that were not choices, which would lead to their downfall.  They had no choice in the matter, or Tarrin would claim total victory much faster.  They would make all those choices to prolong the inevitable, to buy time to try to find a way out of that trap, but it would be for naught.  He had them right where he wanted them, and they would do exactly as he knew they would do because they had no other choiceand it wouldnt be enough.  Even if they killed him, it would not stop their defeat.
	He was two moves from checkmate, as Keritanima would say.
	The godlike intelligences of his adversaries was absolutely irrelevant.  The beauty of his plan was that every part of it that set up this ending had been completely out of their control.  They had had only one chance to stop it, and the Demon Lord had passed over that chance at the battle at Iron Mountain, when he called off ShazBaket and did not allow her to try to kill him.  The Demon Lord had his own reasons for leaving Tarrin alive, and now that decision was going to come back to haunt him.
	Oh, Tarrin understood that motivation, and that motivation had defeated the Demon Lord before Tarrin ever got within a league of him.  That had been the event that had started the dominos, and now they would fall in a line until there were none left.
	In Tarrin, the Demon Lord saw an opportunity so appealing that he could not pass it up.  And that would cause his ultimate defeat.
	Dolanna came up behind him, Fireflash perched on her shoulder.  Strange, she said simply.  The clouds look as if they were made of blood.
	Are you ready? he asked without looking at her.
	For whatever comes, yes, dear one.  I am ready.  Should we pack the tent?
	Leave it, just pack what youll need for the flight there in a satchel and leave the rest.  We can get it later.
	But, the food
	Dont worry about it, he said in a calm, serene manner, patting the blade of his sword against the palm of his paw.  All well need for today, is this.  And my staff.
	If you say so, dear one, she said carefully.  Would you like some breakfast before we set out?
	No.  But you need to eat, Dolanna.  He gestured with his free paw, and a large table simply appeared just beside her, heavily laden with all manner of foodstuffs.
	She gasped.  Have you managed Druidic magic, dear one?
	He shook his head.  Thats impossible, Dolanna.  Its just a Wizard spell I cast before you woke up.  It was just waiting for the trigger to complete it.  Arcane magic is pretty thorough, old friend.  Youd be surprised how much you can do with it.
	Ah.  Theres, something she said, looking up into the air, her eyes distant and her expression neutral.
	I know, he said, looking at her.  The weathers being affected by the One.  It betrays his fear, he said with grim anticipation, the sword in his paw flaring for just a moment with reddish light before returning to normal.  He knows Im close.  He knows that this is the last day hell ever see Pyrosia.  He thinks the Demon Lord will protect him, but he knows deep in his soul that this will be his last day.  So the weather betrays that knowledge, even as he denies it to himself.
	Then we should not keep him waiting, she said simply, seating herself at the table.
	My thoughts exactly, he nodded.
	While Dolanna had a quick meal, Tarrin used Wizard magic to cause Fireflash to become the size of a dragon.  It only took one spell, and a relatively simple spell at that, cast upon Fireflash over and over again.  Each casting made him bigger, and bigger, and bigger, until he was finally the proper size.  From down there, Tarrin could fully appreciate the fear that he inspired in his dragon formhe felt like an insect standing beside Fireflash.  Now remember, its going to be a little different, he warned the drake.  Flying is going to be like flying carrying extra weight, but youre not, its just your size.  When youre this big, the dynamics are different.  But its nothing you should have a problem with, little one, your instincts will let you figure it out.  He collected up the straps that would be used to lash Dolanna to him, and then his feet lifted from the ground as he floated up and over the drakes head.  He landed between his horns, and set to work tying on the straps that would keep Dolanna secure.
	She was finished by the time he was done preparing Fireflash for her.  He knelt atop the drakes head and looked down as she smoothed her skirts, and for a moment he marvelled at how lovely she was.  Hers was a beauty from within as much as it was without, the radiance of a woman who was certain of herself reinforcing very attractive features.  Dolanna was a wonderful woman, and Haley had no idea how lucky he was that she even had interest in him.  Only time would tell if Dolanna would find the same feelings for him that he had for her, but at least nowat least now she could find out.  His gift to her was the only thing he could think of to give her that chance, and not only did it do that, it also ensured that she was never turned by accident.  The wish he used was exceptionally complicated, but it worked, and it worked exactly as he meant it to work.  It was set up into the wish that Dolanna could even cancel her immunity and allow herself to be infected.  She didnt know how yet, but in time, that knowledge would simply come to her. In fact, it would come to her in exactly one year.
	She may decide never to bother, though.  Dolannas immunity was absolute, but it was entirely possible for her to have children with Haley, and those children would be nearly as she was.  They would be born human, immune to Lycanthropy but lack her unique ability to borrow the powers of a Were-kin that introduced the condition into her, but they would have the ability to cast aside that immunity and embrace Werewith all of the pitfalls that came with the condition.  Besides, if she gave up her immunity and became Were, shed lose her ability to take on the powers of a Were-kin who passed on the infection in all the usual ways.
	Either way, he wanted her to have that one thing that had been denied to hima choice.
	Two whip-like tendrils extended from inside the slope of his wings, stretching down to where she was.  They wrapped around her waist gently, and he waited until she took hold of them in her hands before lifting her up onto Fireflashs head.  He put his paws on her waist once she was safely up top, and she looked up at him curiously.  What is it, dear one?
	He drew the edge of his sword across the pad of his palm, causing blood to boil forth almost immediately.  Here, he told her, holding his paw towards her.  Be ready, you probably wont like the way it tastes.
	Whatah.  How long do I need to do this?
	Until I tell you to stop, he answered.
	She grimaced, then nodded.  I understand the need for it, but it turns my stomach at the thought.  I might vomit halfway through.
	There wont be any blood to throw up, he told her.  Youll absorb it the instant it hits your stomach.  Just be strong, old friend.  It wont take long.
	I certainly hope so, she said, putting a hand on her stomach, then she blew out her breath and bent to the task before herto drink his blood.  She grabbed hold of his paw with both hands, and began.
	To her credit, she didnt vomit, though she did make any number of revolted faces throughout the entire ordeal.  He forced her to drink his blood for well over five minutes, building up a large reserve of its power within her, which would grant her his strength and regeneration for so long as that power lasted.  There was no upper limit to the amount of power she could stockpile within herself, and he forced her to continue taking in his blood, building up that reserve, until he was satisfied that it would last well over three days.  Thats enough, he said, pulling his paw away from her.
	She shuddered violently, wiping at the blood on her mouth and chin with the back of one hand as the other went to her stomach once more.  I think Im going to be sick, she said queasily.
	Sit down, he prompted, helping her to sit between Fireflashs horns.  A lone tendril reached from his wing and wrapped around the handle of a mug on the table, then pulled it up to them.  He offered it to her, and she took it and drank deeply and noisily to get the taste of his blood out of her mouth.
	Ohhh, that was vile, she complained, coughing a few times, and then pulling a kerchief from her sleeve to clean her mouth more thoroughly.  I did not enjoy that, not one bit.
	Sorry, but now youre much safer, he told her.
	How long will it last?
	Three days, at least, he answered.  As long as it does, youll have my strength, my immunities, and all my Were powers.
	I, Igood Goddess, do you smell like that to other Were-cats? she asked, giving him a strange look.
	I see its kicking in, he chuckled.  So, do I smell good or bad?
	Iyou smell like she laughed helplessly.  You smell nothing like I would imagine, but exactly the way you should.  And its actually a rather pleasant scent.
	He nodded.  And now you understand why I can never explain it to others.
	I do indeed, she nodded.  Its like an entirely different world that was just opened up to me.  She breathed in the morning air.  There are so many.  She looked at him.  How do you tell them apart?
	Practice, he told her.  Its all about knowing which scents belong to what.  He started tying her down using the straps hed already placed.  When we get up higher, there wont be as many.  It should help keep you from getting too confused.
	This will take some practice, thats for sure, she smiled.  I have a newfound respect for you, dear one.
	He tugged at the thongs, then knelt by her.  She looked at him, and the smile slowly drained from her face.  Its time to go, Dolanna, he told her, his expression stony.  Fireflash already knows what to do, so just ride along with him.
	Are we staying to the plan we made?
	He shook his head.  Not completely.  But dont worry, this wont be hard for you, my friend.  When we get there, Fireflash will keep himself and you well away from the One and the Demon Lord until youre needed.  Just defend yourself and Fireflash if youre attacked.  If youre not, just wait until I start on the Demon Lord, and Fireflash will fly you in to do your part.  Do not help me at any time except when youre supposed to, even if it looks like Im about to lose.  Do you understand?
	Then why am I there, dear one? she asked, a little tartly.
	You are there to help me cage the Demon Lord, and for no other reason.  Do you understand?
	Yes, I understand, dear one, though I think youre wrong.
	Trust me, Dolanna, I dont want you anywhere near when I fight the One.  I can handle that without you, and Im going to need you when it comes time to deal with the Demon Lord.  And if I die in the process of trapping the Demon Lord, youre going to be sort of necessary to maintain the cage.  So, you getting yourself killed beforehand is going to cause problemsso just dont do it.  Alright?
	Very well, dear one, she said with a slight nod.
	Good.  Are you ready to go?
	If we dont go soon, Im going to start shaking, she answered honestly, clenching a hand into a fist, and holding it close to her breast.  We need to go before my fear takes control.  Im terrified, my dear one.
	Theres nothing to be afraid of, Dolanna.  Weve won.  All were doing is going to claim the prize.
	You say that just after warning me that you might die? she asked archly.
	Even if I die, weve won, he repeated in a simple tone, his expression neutral.  Its unstoppable, even if I dropped dead right here and now.  It would just take longer, and lots more people would die, thats all.  What were going to go do is minimize that collateral damage.
	A break in the racing clouds revealed the sun, blood red and low in the sky, illuminating the field in which Fireflash lay, waiting patiently for the call to begin.  The light seemed to catch in his fiery wings, causing them to shine almost to the point where they were painfully bright.  Dolanna winced away from them, felt him put his paw on her shoulder, then pull away.  Its time, Fireflash, he called.  Lets go.
	Dolanna looked up at him, then shielded her eyes against the light reflecting off his wings, looking down at the top of Fireflashs head.
	Something seemedodd.  She looked up at him again, then looked down once more, just before Tarrins feet lifted away from the glittering golden scales, and pulled out of her line of vision.  It gnawed at her for long moments, even as Fireflashs head lurched, and the wind pressing against her face combined with the sudden push under her that told her that the magically grown drake was airborne and climbing higher into the sky.  She puzzled over it again and again, until a glance down as Fireflash circled to catch a thermal caught her attention, and she managed to make the connection.
	Below her was Fireflashs shadow on the grassy plain, and that was what had been out of place.
	Tarrin had cast no shadow.
	Dolanna racked her brain, trying to think of what might have caused that phenomenon, for many long moments.  She almost resorted to pounding her forehead with her fists to somehow jar the answer loose, until she finally understood.
	She gasped, looking ahead to where Tarrin was, soaring in the sky well ahead of Fireflash, his wings a beacon of light now that the clouds had closed the hole through which the sun had shone for that brief moment, light that reached the ground without casting his shadow.
	Oh, dear one, she sighed, gripping the thongs around her waist as Fireflash turned harder into a sudden gust, using it to push him higher into the sky, then he turned his nose to the southwest and surged ahead as the wind shifted behind them, pushing them along, even as the wind everywhere else blew in the opposite direction.  She shook her head and folded her hands in her lap as Fireflash picked up speed, hurtling towards their date with destiny.
	You are right, dear one, she whispered, closing her eyes.  You have already won.

	Pyros.
	City of Light.  Bastion of the One, capitol city and seat of the Church of the One, the hub of a grand wheel which extended its control over the majority of the known world of Pyrosia.
	Pyros.
	City of the Damned, a blasted wasteland of lava flows choking the shattered remains of the once grand city, upon which tread the feet and hooves of a vast seething army of Demonkind.  Not hundreds, not thousands, not tens of thousands.
	Hundreds of thousands of Demons.
	They formed a vast ring around a towering, steep-sloped volcano around which the city had been built, the volcano that had ultimately destroyed this once great city, entombing it and its population within a hellish flood of lava.  Upon a plateau on the volcano slope, on its western side, stood the faint outline of the foundation of a once massive structure, what had once been the awe-inspiring main cathedral of the One, the center of the gods power, now nothing but a shadow of its former glory.  Standing on that foundation was the last piece of Pyros that remained standing, the alabaster statue of the One, shining and pristine in the ruddy light of the lava which continued to pour down the mountain on either side, a statue which was an icon of the One, the link between him and the world of Pyrosia.  Though the statue did not look it, it was still damaged, still not working as it should, limiting the ability of the One to manifest his power within the material plane.  Most of the damage had been repaired, but it was not whole.
	Standing beside that statue was a creature out of the nightmares of the worst sort of evil monsters that could exist.  It was so tall that the statue on its pedestal beside it only came up to its waist, a waist covered in leprous, sickly greenish fur.  It stood on two legs that looked like a dogs legs but ended with hooves instead of paws, and it had four arms.  One set of arms were as they should be, but ended in long, wicked, stained bone blades that came to a sharp point, and a second set of arms protruded from the creatures chest.  The head set atop the huge body was a gruesome cross between a dog and a gorilla, with glowing red eyes and large rams horns protruding from its head.  Two very long, thin, whiplike tails grew from the base of it