Canis:
The snow crunching as my group and I walked was all I could hear. I stared up at the valley, examining the grey stone. I could see why Gora was cautious about going through the narrow pass. (This mountain is far too quiet.) I thought. The group and I approached the end.
This whole mountain was strangely empty. We had been climbing for a week now, and there hadn't been a sign of any living creature. Well, except for the dead bear and the beast that killed it. That, too, was strange. Usual bears don't leave their babies behind. (Master may be right about a momma bear coming.) I thought as we reached the end of the valley
Grrrr
A horrible gurgling sound resounded throughout the valley, causing me to halt. My group also stopped as we scanned the area. The hairs on my neck stood up as I turned to see Gorro and her group. They had gotten halfway through the path before the noise caused them to stop. (Where is this sound coming from.) I thought as I looked at the top of the ridge.
Arf-arf!
One of the wolves in my group warned me that something was coming. I saw row after row of grey creatures emerging from the forest in front of me. The things look like tiny children with pointy ears and razor-sharp teeth. They wore nothing but strips of clothes covering their private areas. Some strange creatures were naked with their parts dangling out in the opening. (Are they not cold.) I thought as I drew my sword.
Most of the beings carried little daggers, and others had small clubs. All their weapons seemed to be made out of ice. In front of strange creatures stood a tall bald man. Its skin was the same shade of grey as his tiny followers. I figured he was the leader considering his size and the armor he wore. The man looked out of place with his metal chest plate.
"looc wheayt weu havvie herr!" The man spoke a strange language. I figured he was addressing me the way he stared me down. I decided to talk to him telepathically. This way, I wouldn't need to know his language.
"Who are you?" I asked. The man's eyebrow shot up before a sinister grin graced his lips.
"A bunch of beast playing warrior! What a find! This will be more interesting than some bears. Haha," the man cackled in my head. I felt like running my sword through the man's heart. But I held back. My enemy was at least a layer six, and his followers outnumbered us significantly. Still, I couldn't hold in my growl. Not only did it serve as a warning to the newcomer. It was also a warning to my men. However, before I could say anything else, the man issued his command.
"Kilvae theoms!" The man shouted. After the word left his mouth, the little grey men attacked. (Damn it!) I thought as I issued my own command.
"Prepare for battle!" I barked to my troops. The group I led consisted mainly of wolves, but I had a few-layer four tigers. Lucky for us, none of the grey men had broke layer three.
Swish!
I swung my sword, decapitating three of my attacks at once. They were replaced by more enemies in no time. Two grey creatures had their eyes set on me. One carried a crude ice dagger while the other held a club.
The club wielder attacked me head-on while his companion circled behind me. I caught the ice club with my blade. The grey man wasn't that strong, so I quickly pushed his weapon off before piecing the creature in the neck. Black blood sprayed on the snowy ground as I pulled my blade out. I didn't have time to admire my handy work as I turned to my left, blocking the dagger aimed at my side.
(Pathetic!) I thought as I knocked the weapon out of its hands. I made short work of him. The creatures were way too weak. I wouldn't have been so worried if they didn't have the number advantage. I turned to see Gora covered in a black dome while spears rained down on the group. (Master will be fine.) I thought as I turned back to my own battle. I was confident that Gora would make it out all right. My master couldn't be killed so easily.
I needed to worry about my own group. I scanned the field before me, killing any creature that dared get close. I noticed that my troops were fighting hard, but many were being surrounded. A layer four tiger caught my eyes as it was facing three attackers. Although it managed to subdue two creatures, one was dangerously close to stabbing the beast in the back.
(Flaming Cross) I thought as I launched flames in the shape of an x directly at the would-be backstabbed.
"Ahhhh!" The tiny man screeched as my attack assaulted its exposed back. The smell of burnt flesh hit my nose, but I ignored it. The tiger took this chance to finish off the remaining two creatures.
After seeing that the beast was safe, I looked for more of my men to help. That's when my instincts screamed at me. I managed to turn around to catch the enemy's commander's blade.
"That was quite the swordsmanship you got there. Show me some more!" The grey skin captain exclaimed. I pushed the man away, trying to get some distance. I slid through the snow finding it hard to get my footing. The second I regained my balance, the man was on me again.
Clang! Clang!
We clashed swords over and over again. I had to hand it to the man. Even though we were on the same layer, I was disadvantaged. I had only picked up the sword a few months ago, so I was still a novice. I found myself dodging more than I attacked. If it hadn't been for my training with my master, I would have died multiple times.
"Your form is sloppy, but your instincts make up for it. I'm impressed, but it won't be enough." The man announced as he slashed the air creating a blade of horizontal ice. The attacks were fast and aimed to cut me in half. With no time to evade, I had to take the move head-on.
Bang!
The ice blade collided with my sword and pushed me back. While I struggled to stop the commander's attack, I noticed him charging toward me. (Flaming great sword!) I thought as a ten-foot flame rose up from my blade. The fire melted the ice blade. But I wasn't done. I drove my flaming sword down in a vertical slash aimed at the charging man.
Boom
My flaming sword exploded into a puff of steam as it hit the ground. The mist obstructed my view from the rest of the battlefield. I quickly activated Ki senses just in time to see two ice blades blade headed my way. (Flaming Cross.) I thought about launching my flame blades to block my opponent's attack.
Boom!
The two attacks collided with one another, creating another explosion. Unfortunately, I didn't completely block the grey captain's attack. A piece of the ice blade cut my left arm, sending pain and a chill down my limb.
"Grrr," I growled in pain. I didn't even have time to check my wounds as the man attacked again. We clashed swords once again, but I quickly pushed the man away. Instead of waiting for my attacker to charge at me, I went on the offensive. (Burst step!) I thought as a tiny explosion erupted under my feet, sending me towards the grey captain with tremendous speed.
"Ahh!" The man screamed in pain as my blade pierced his left shoulder. Lucky for him, I had missed his heart. The burst step was a move my master had taught me a few months ago, and I had yet to master it. I cursed myself for missing such an excellent opportunity to end this fight as I attempted to free my blade.
"Not so fast, pup. I still want to play!" The man announced as he grabbed my sword with his bare hand. Black blood dripped from his hand as he grasped my weapon, preventing me from retreating. Moments later, I heard the ground begin to shake. (Whatever he's planning won't be good.) I thought as I conjured fire on my sword. The flames lick the man's hands, causing him to release my sword and allowing me to retreat. The second my hand was free, I activated the burst step again to push me backward.
Crack Crack crack
Large ice spikes rose from the ground just as I got away. If I was a second late, I wound, have been empaled by the sharp spikes. However, I couldn't get out clean as I felt a sharp pain in my legs. I examined my wound, noticing a deep cut on my right calf. The pain brought me to my knees, and I struggled to stand. (I have to move!) I thought as I tried ignoring the pain.
"Hahaha, ahahaha! I'll admit it's been fun, pup, but all fun must come to an end." The man laughed, holding his palm out to me. The grey captain showed no signs of distress even as blood poured out of his wound. (What the hell is this guy?) I thought as I rolled to my side, dodging another ice attack. This attack was like the blades he'd used before. Instead, he was now launching tiny shards of sharp ice at me. I quickly rose to my and began running to avoid more of the ice shards.
"Ahahhah! Let's see how long you can keep this up!" The grey commander howled with laughter while sending countless shards at me. I managed to avoid most of them. The attacks that did hit only left shallow cuts, but nothing serious. Still, if I didn't stop him, I would have plenty of holes in my body by the end of this fight.
I used a series of burst steps to close the distance between my opponent and me. I almost got close enough to strike. When another set of Ice spikes rose before me. (Damn You! Foul creature!) I thought as I was forced to retreat once again. While I backtracked, the grey captain launched more ice shards. This time I wasn't able to evade it.
"AHHH!" I screamed as a shard pierced my abdomen, and another hit my thigh. I landed on my back and slid through the snow. (GET UP!) I told myself. If I didn't move, I would be killed. I struggled to my knees, unable to move. Luckily my opponent hadn't moved from his spot.
"That it struggle. Ahahha, it makes the meat taste much better. Hahaha!" The man cackled. I tried to get to my feet but was unable to.
"Eaalto meno! The commander shouted to his men. More than a dozen tiny grey creatures set their sights on me. The critters slowly made their way to me, licking their lips, before they all began to race towards me. I could most likely kill the first wave even in my weakened state, But I would no doubt be overrun in a short time. I glanced around the battlefield seeing the men I had with me were all preoccupied at the moment. So, I could count on their help. (I'm sorry, master, I wasn't strong enough.) I thought as I prepared to give my last stand. I labored to my feet and raised my bladed. If I was going to die, I would be sure to take as many as possible.
I readied myself to meet the first batch of tiny grey beings when they stopped in their tracks. Moments later, I felt blood lust like no other from behind me. I didn't even have to look to know who it was coming from.
"Master?" I asked softly as I turned around. Behind me was Gora and her group. They had made it out of the valley, and I couldn't see rows of dead enemies behind them. Gora stood staring at the enemy commander as black energy radiated from her. Her long black hair blew wildly behind her, and her eyes shone with a golden hue. I was happy to see her. But I was also disappointed in myself for not being able to finish my own opponent. Now that our Queen was here, the battle was as good as won.
"Duck!" Gora shouted to my group and me. Without hesitation, we all did as instructed. Our Queen gave us no room for questions. I hit the ground as she waved her hand casually through the air. A long black blade as wide as four grown men and thinner than a sword shot through the air.
The black blade sailed over our heads and collided with the enemy. Gora's attack cut the tiny creatures in half as it crashed through their lines. Some of the small grey men tried to block the attack but were unsuccessful.
Boom!
The black blade crashed into the earth directly in front of the leader of the ambushers. The man stood there in awe of what had happened. Half of his force was wiped out in seconds. The remaining attacks decided to stay put instead of retaliating. This was the first time I saw the look of fear in the grey-skinned men. Their leader shouted at them in a language I couldn't understand, but his men refused to do anything.
"Finish him, Canis!" My master said, laying her hands on me. Something in me sturred to action as I rose to my feet. I ignored the pain in my body and readied my sword. ( I am the queen sword, I can't fall here!) I thought, determined to see this through. Even if I die, I couldn't let Gora down.
"AHHH!" I screamed as I charged after the leader. The man turned around and smiled at me.
"Sending the wounded pup to stop me. How laughable!" The man announced in my head as he launched shard after shard at me. I dodged them with ease. My sole focus now was whipping the smile off the ugly man's face.
Crack Crack Crack
Spike after spike shot out the earth as I advanced. I evaded many but received multiple cuts. I still pressed on. (Burst step!) I thought as I got close enough to close the distance.
"I won't fall for that again, mutt! The man roared as our swords collided. When my sword made contact, I activated the only other skill I was taught. (Explosive Blade!) I thought to myself with a smile.
BOOM!
My sword erupted into a ball of flames, and I was sent flying back. I didn't have enough strength left to catch myself, so I just fell. Before I hit the ground, however, someone caught me. I looked up to see Frons smiling down at me.
"You did good, hound, you did good!" The woman spoke softly. I didn't know if I had won, but I could hear the sounds of some screaming in pure agony. I figured the screams were coming from my opponent. A grin crawled on my face as sleep claimed me.