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Enter Jasper

By mayoung maniel mayoungPublished 5 years ago 3 min read
Unnamed

Jasper watched the entrance with caution. He was not prepared at the moment but he knew that he could rely on his reaction speed and instincts. The entrance was the one area he was certain the Challenge would have to be settled at.

Jasper nervously checked his the Pack on his back. It still felt heavy, carrying the contents he would need for survival for the coming days, weeks, perhaps longer if needed depending on the Challenge approaching. His father had taught him that patience was key in these scenarios that they had practiced for several times. The challenge would require every ounce of strength from a warrior, and upon exiting, they were still formidable warriors. As he glanced around the tree he was using as cover, in the small thicket he was concealed behind, he noticed that nothing had changed about his environment. He was surrounded by the end of a dense thick forest that several feet away was next to a cliff that had an opening at he bottom.

The entrance was where you came out had you succeeded the Challenge, which required a warrior of pure blood From the Acran Clan to defeat whatever was presented to them in the cave. His father had entered 4 days ago. he was aware that the longer the days were the less of a chance his father had of coming back. As the second in line for his family, he needed to complete the task at hand.

He was unsure as to why his father advised him that this step needs to be completed but he was ready nevertheless. He stared across to his left to another member of a clan that was also alert and watching a separate entrance. He did not notice the new warrior arrive, but was not surprised as these wooden areas were the training grounds for several other hunters and warriors.

As he peered closer he noticed there was movement, The cave entrance that the warrior was watching was suddenly expanding, growing in size as it produced and pushed out a massive creature. Jasper froze, no sudden movement was made as the creature continued exiting the cave mouth. It was black as night, with a single locket around its neck, which he was ready to dismiss, except he knew that locket. The heart shaped silver locket was one his father had before he entered. But this did not make sense, the creature was emerging from a different cave, his father had advised him how there are no chances of things going awry as the Eyes noticed everything that occurred.

As jasper held his ground, the creature had made its way fully out into the moonlight at this point, long claws scraped the ground, from an arm that was thicker than his torso, those extended to a large chest that was covered in hair, which was hard to tell with the pitch dark that seemed to be emitted from the creatures very body. The Creature looked A Runner he was used to riding, except much bigger. And much deadlier. Jasper noticed that he was frozen in his spot. The fear that came when the creature scanned the landscape that only was bathed in moonlight, sent shivers through his bones and froze him. The warrior seemed to be slowly withdrawing, avoiding detection by staying low.

The Creature suddenly moved, At first it had seemed to be gathering its strength, but the movement was that of a serpent, and it headed directly for Jasper.

With no time to think, he glanced at the Cave entrance he was supposed to be responsible for watching, Surely retreating at the moment would not be failing his father. He looked down, his hand was clutching the Sword, Tonight would be the night it was named. Tonight would be the night it would be bathed in blood that was only drawn to defend. Tonight, would be-

The creature had closed the distance and had launched itself directly at jasper, teeth bare, eyes also black as the night. The last image Jasper saw was that of the locket, and the sinewy neck that was extending towards him.

He drew in one fluid motion. Tonight, his sword would be Named.

Fantasy

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