Chapter six #2
When I reached for my arrows again, I realised that only I had two left. I had to make them count. After I nocked the next arrow, I took aim and was about to let it fly when the ground began to tremble in a way I had never experienced before.
Before my eyes could focus, the largest beast I had ever seen made its way towards Raiden. The speed of it, the armour of scales, the three large sharp claws as it stood on two legs. It was our worst nightmare. A noc beast had found us!
The night howlers made their escape as the noc beast stalked closer to Raiden.
Fear shot through me. Was this a fight he could win?
He braced himself, his sword shining bright as the beast circled him.
Everytime the monster tried to lunge for him, he shot a beam of light, blinding the beast for a few short moments.
I was helpless in the tree as I gripped my bow and aimed at the creature, looking for its weak point.
The underbelly or under arm was its only weakness.
Even if I did manage to shoot it, my arrows would only injure it.
A sword was the only way to kill this monster.
The noc beast lashed out at Raiden’s arm, ripping it open.
“RAIDEN!” I yelled as he cried out in pain.
It lunged again, but Raiden shot more light power towards it with his uninjured arm.
The beast jumped this time, striking Raiden’s chest, making him fall to the ground.
“NO!!” I screamed. I panicked, shooting my arrow only to have it bounce off the beast’s armour.
One arrow was all I had left. Raiden was still fighting for his life on the ground as the creature lashed at him over and over again. Bolts of light were still hitting the beast. I had time. If I could injure it, that might give Raiden enough time to make the kill. If he was strong enough.
This was going to be the shot of my life.
If I didn’t hit the under arm, we were both dead.
Lining up the shot, I took a deep breath and waited until its weak spot was exposed.
Raiden’s light was fading, the bolts of power becoming less frequent.
The creature was landing way too many blows.
Was Raiden even moving? I couldn’t tell.
Waiting for the perfect shot felt like forever.
My heart was pounding so hard in my chest that I was counting each beat.
Raiden didn’t even appear to be fighting back anymore.
His power had completely faded. Was I too late?
Finally, I got a clear shot. Pulling my bow back, I let my last arrow fly.
Please! Let this arrow save him, I prayed to Holy Ether.
Raiden was a pure soul. It couldn’t end this way for him!
A single tear trickled down my face at the fear that I was already too late.
The monster roared in pain as my arrow landed the perfect blow in its under arm. It spun around faster than I could blink, it’s evil, dark eyes gazing into the distance for a few short seconds before looking up at the tree directly at me. Raiden wasn’t moving.
This was how I was going to die. The only comfort I took was knowing that I would be joining my mother soon.
The ground began to tremble as the noc beast charged towards the tree I was hiding in.
Its claws scratched at the trunk, shaking the tree and making me almost lose my grip.
Screaming, I clung on as tightly as I could.
Soon, the creature would bring the tree down and feast on my flesh. I prayed it would be quick.
Holding on, I closed my eyes and pictured my friends.
Noor would have to move on without me. Nell and Luz would help her heal.
My father would cope. Perhaps he’d marry Elin and be blessed with another child.
Holy Ether had her reasons. If I was meant to die today, I trusted her process.
Whatever she had laid ahead for me, I would follow her guidance.
“Hey!” Something called from the darkness, distracting the beast. “That’s right, fucker.
You remember me, don’t you?” the voice taunted.
The creature moved away from the trunk of the tree, stalking whatever was out there.
All I could see was darkness. I couldn’t even make out a figure in the distance.
“I’m the one that gave you that scar on your face.
I’ve been tracking you for weeks!” I noticed a large wound on the side of the monster’s face that had started to heal.
The noc beast moved further into the darkness and began to hunt the phantom in the shadows.
“That’s it. Let’s finish this.” The beast roared, disappearing from view as it charged at the voice.
With the creature distracted, I took the chance to climb down the tree. Racing towards Raiden, I prayed he was still breathing.
“Raiden!” I sobbed, touching his blood covered chest when I reached him. He was still alive, but I could tell he didn’t have long left in this life. “No! Raiden. Please. Please, don’t leave me!”
“A...Al...Alora. You...need to...run!”
“No! I won’t leave you for that beast to feast on!”
“Th...there...is...something...m...more...dangerous.”
“Save your energy. I’ll get you out of this.” It was a lie. We both knew it was hopeless. All that was left for Raiden was to pass on from this life, knowing that I was thankful for everything he had done for me.
Fighting in the distance caught my eye. Was that a glimmer of a sword?
Shadows moved swiftly around the creature, injuring it as it lunged at the darkness.
Something was clearly fighting it. Could I drag Raiden away and hide us while the battle raged on?
Why was I fooling myself? I’d never be able to drag him with my slight frame.
“I’m...fading...A...Alora. R...r...run...now!” He began to spit up blood, and I knew there was no hope. I clutched his chest, my hand becoming drenched in his blood.
“Raiden,” I sobbed. “Bask in the light of Holy Ether. You served my father and me well.”
“F...fear...Nox...No...Noxlin,” was all Raiden could force out as he tried to point his hand into the darkness before he took his last breath.
“Raiden! Raiden!” I cried, grabbing his chest. I willed him to come back to me, but it was too late. He was gone.
Stretching, I reached for my bag and took out one of the blessed flowers that were meant to be an offering to Nantu. Placing it on Raiden’s still chest, I closed my eyes and prayed to Holy Ether.
“Take his soul, Holy Ether. Bless Raiden in the eternal grace of your arms. Let him feel no fear, and know that the Dylin royal bloodline commend him for all that he has done for our kind. Allow his body to be given back to the earth.” Picking up a handful of dirt, I scattered it across his body.
“Be at peace, brave, loyal, Dylin warrior.” The blessed flower glowed brightly, pulling Raiden’s soul from his body.
Holy Ether had him now. Tears trickled down my face.
Goodbye, friend. Go to Holy Ether. May you live peacefully in her loving embrace.
The beast distracted me, its roaring was closer than before.
I had taken my eyes off the creature and the figure in the shadows for too long while helping to send Raiden’s soul to Holy Ether, which was a mistake.
The noc beast appeared to be making a beeline for me again.
Taking Raiden’s light sword, I lifted it as high as I could.
If this was how I died, I would go down fighting.
I held my ground, watching the beast as it closed the distance between us.
The voice in the darkness must have been killed, too.
It appeared that this monster would take three lives tonight.
I willed my power into the light sword. Holy Ether, grant me my powers just once. Allow me to defend myself. To my surprise, my arm began to glow and channel power into the sword. Was this to be the first and last time I would witness my power?
The creature was almost on me now. Swallowing, I lifted the sword a little higher, which wasn’t much off the ground.
Closing my eyes, I channelled my power and gave it everything I had.
Bolts of light charged from my hands through the sword, dazzling the beast as it leaped for me.
The light made it stumble and fall backwards.
Did I dare try to make a kill? I knew how fast these beasts were.
Before I could move, the monster was back on its feet, lunging at me. This was it! Bracing myself, I waited for the final attack. Suddenly, a figure of pure darkness slid underneath the beast and gutted it from belly to chest with a silver blade edged with shadows.
The creature fell at my feet, almost sliced in two. Dead.