My body was a blur as I sprang forward with all the might my 50lb physique could muster. My tail sliced through the air behind me, leaving behind a whishing sound.
Whooosh
the air shattered in its wake.
The strange creature, intelligent in nature, warped its form, still grinning grotesquely, stepping back on cracked earth beneath its feet.
Yes, scorched earth, the thing fueled by the nutrients of the weak.
My adrenaline pumped, but my mind was glass-edge sharp, and all Aschiol warriors knew blades were best polished in the blood of enemies who considered themselves worthy foes. I would never make a stupid mistake, nor did it expect me to.
Many have been digested in the past, so why does this creature believe itself different? Time will tell.
This would be accomplished off technique alone.
Mid-sprint, my claws sank into the soft wet earth as my neck strained to keep straight due to wind resistance. My tail now coiled like the weapon it was, readying itself to inflict as much damage as necessary.
Slash slash
My claws that only reached a few inches in length ripped clean through the air, branches, and trees in their path.
Of course, the creature, skilled as it was, had no trouble avoiding with tactical precision.
Left
right
Right
Die
right
tail
Left
Die
Left
Right
Right
Tail
Tail
tail
The creature kept dodging… was it getting used to my speed?
This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.
Stupid.
Dooot
the world reverberated black and white for a split second.
Panic
Something in my mind realized that this creature possibly might have more battle experience than me. Yes, I was a predator, but I knew I wasn't big yet. I’ve never had to run but I always knew that was an option. No, I wasn't doubting myself. Retreating was also part of battle. I knew how this thing looked and I would never forget it.
Battle raging on, I started to incorporate more of my tail in my assault. Today would end like always, I reassured myself.
The creature twisted its body in an impossibly fluid motion, warping, weaving and dodging my tail whip while launching its own assortment of attacks.
Using my claws, I tried to shift my body to escape a collision but I was hit in my left leg.
The pain made its way through the network of neurons in my blood. A searing sensation was undeniable, forcing me to pay attention to its presence.
My scaled feet dug into the ground as I rolled, my muscles propelling me upward, but something in my blood told me this wasn’t a battle to be won by speed or power alone. This was different. I had to use my brain or my life would be forfeit. That I recognized when it decided to end its charade of woundedness.
I was injured and it knew that, but even if there was a physical laceration, if I showed no weakness it would know instinctively that the injury was not enough.
HAAh!
With a growl, I jumped backward, aiming to put distance between myself and the creature. I needed to create a plan.
But the ground beneath me betrayed me in a fashion unbecoming of someone of the forest.
Tsk!
A protruding root, slick with edges, caught my foot, and before I could act, mid-fall I turned, looking at the creature gaining distance and desperately flailing my arms in defense of what came next.
