Arash rushed along beside Zara as they ran up the stairs. his breathing was heavy and his bones felt as if they would break under the weight of a feather. At that moment, just like it had when he took his leap of faith into the abyss, his world went black.
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Arash was in the desert again, his mouth dry and the sun's unbearable heat beating down onto him. This time there was no river to quench his unending thirst. So he tried to scream out.
"HELP!!" he shouted into the dunes around him, but nothing came back. not even the wind moved for his cries for help.
But there WAS something, far off into the distance, over the dunes. the sand seemed to be moving.
It was a sandstorm and a very large one at that. Fast too.
The storm was blowing straight to Arash from all directions, closing in on him like wolves on the hunt. Soon, he was within the eye of the storm.
The wind howled in his ears and stray sand bit at his skin like teeth. Then he saw a figure begin to emerge from within the storm.
It was no taller than three feet an walked on all fours but was still an intimidatingly large beast.
It's about was the first to break the sands wall. Its nose was black and its coat was dark grey and as it's head further emerged, Arash could see a white streak running down the center it.
It was a wolf. A very large, bear-like wolf. Its teeth were sharper than any blade he had ever seen and it's paws as large as Arash's fist, but its eyes showed intelligence and cunning. It wasn't just some wild beast.
It moved in even closer and Arash could feel beads of cold, nervous sweat beginning to form on his forehead. Or was it just the heat?
Either way, Arash stood prepared to fight this monstrous beast with every fiber of his being, but before it reached within 5 feet of him it stopped.
"You are the chosen one?" The beast began to speak, though it did not open its mouth Arash heard it, "quite disappointing, I can smell your fear already. Why would my master choose you of all people?"
Arash didn't move as the beasts imposing figure stood firm, "what do you mean?"
"My master, the god of the hunt, has sided with your master in this wager." It said as it stared, unmoving, "but why should I serve a coward?"
The beast's words stung, but Arash couldn't deny them. All he had done since his banishment was run. How could he deny it?
"I cannot deny your words, but I can prove myself to you. I will do battle, here and now, to do so." Arash stated, standing his ground and making his intentions clear.
The wolf snickered, "very well human. I will give you 1 weapon and you must land at least 1 strike on me before I can rip you to shreds. If you can, I will follow. If you cannot, you will die a painful death. Fair?"
Arash felt his blood pump faster as the fear set in, but he nodded and did not falter. Then his bichuwa appeared, embedded in the sand before him.
He leaned over and picked it up, ignoring his basest instincts to run into the sandstorm and away from the immediate danger. Grasping onto the hilt of the blade as hard as he could, he rushed forward.
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Zara sat next to Arash as he lay sweating in the tavern bed. Sweat beaded his forehead and Fell down to the cheap pillow covers supporting his head.
She had wanted to go a few levels higher and plan out the attack, but Arash just... Collapsed!
Zara was worried about him though. His child-like wonderment at everything was refreshing at times. He was an outsider who didn't see as much of the horror that she did in this city.
She wet a rag in cold water and set it on his forehead as she thought about how lucky he was that the tavern owner owed her a favor.
Tap tap
Zara was pulled out of her thoughts. Someone was knocking on the door.
She stood up and opened the door. It creaked as it opened to reveal a homunculus behind it. A smile spread across her face, looks like the plan had come to her...
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Arash could barely see the monstrous beast as it dodged his attacks. Every time he attempted to strike the wolf appeared to be a step ahead. Despite its fast movement it didn't seem even slightly winded or out of breath, while Arash felt like his lungs were filled with hellfire.
Even so, he held fast and steady. Striking at the wolf over and over again with reckless abandon. Then the wolf outstretched it's back paw into Arash's stomach, sending him flying.
He hit the sand as his breath left him. His ears were ringing and his head throbbed.
"Stand now human," The beast said as it stepped forward, "or are you too weak? If you can't protect yourself, you have no right to call yourself a champion! NOW STAND!"
The wolf's words cut deep into Arash's core. They gave him the strength to push harder. He lifted himself, shaking and shuddering. No longer at the pain, but at the memory of his wife.
He couldn't protect her... The wolf was right. He couldn't protect her and he couldn't protect himself... But he would be damned if he let it happen again. He promised himself, he promised Zara, that he would become stronger!
He stood, just barely holding onto his bichuwa, and stared at the wolf. He didn't move as he gasped for breath
The beast of a wolf moved closer yet. Then Arash saw it, he saw what he needed to survive. With every step the wolf took, there was a little gust of wind.