Calculating eyes clashes against the biddy black orbs of the monster, killing it will not be difficult the young man thought to himself. However, finding his way out of the trap was the real problem. If he climbs out, he will be an easy meal for the creature. It will just pick him off like a piece of meat, served on a silver platter. Yet again, he can't stay inside the trap, because he will eventually die from hunger and dehydration.
"Smart…" he mumbled between his gritted teeth.
With lightning speed, the frog's tongue darted out. The thick slimy pink flesh was filled with small lumps along its length, and oddly enough there was another mouth at the end of the tongue.
A smaller one with similar ragged sharp teeth.
Darius smiled, his victory was assured. Once the sword cuts the tongue, the monster will die from the poison. "You're mine now" he smirked.
With a slash, the monster hit his face, before he could end swing his sword. It was fast, too fast.
A victory celebrated too early.
The sticky flesh darted once more, slapping him right across the face. With its inhuman force, Darius tumbled back a little, in his smooth skin the monster left a trail of slime as it attacked.
He gritted his teeth, using the back of his hand, Darius wiped the slime off of his face.
His glare intensified, the monster croaked as if mocking the young man.
Before he could even blink, Darius was hit again- this time in his side. Pain shot through his torso and stomach, because of the strong impact.
Having too little patience, Darius slashed the sword. Terribly missing his target, the difference between their speed was far too great. His eyes could barely keep up.
Once again he was hit by the monster, but he was able to block it at the last second. Using his forearm, Darius blocked the attack. Reaching forward his tried to grab the tongue, only to fail. Leaving him with a red mark on his forearm due to the impact of the attack, and a trail of yellowish slime.
"Bloody hell!" he shouted out of frustration, the frog croaking in response.
For the nth time, the frog attacked. The mouth at the tip of the tongue was wide open as it darted forward, his face as the target. Darius raised the sword to block the attack, the blade facing the direction of the tongue. Hoping that the monster was not smart enough to realize.
Alas, his lady luck was not on his side. Because the trajectory of the attack change, completely avoiding the sword, while barely missing his face. The teeth grazing his skin, leaving a small cut and a few drops of blood. Which fell on the ground, right next to his booted foot.
A sound of rumbling echoed inside the trap, the soil vibrated, the signs of impending danger. Preparing for the worse, Darius held the sword tighter.
The ground he was standing on cracked open, another frog-like monster appeared. It jaws wide open, ready to swallow him whole.
Ragged teeth, bit down his torso- half of his body already inside the mouth of the monster.
"Ugh!" he screamed out of pure pain, as the monster bit down, drawing blood from his soft skin. Thinking quickly, Darius stabbed the monster's right eye using his sword. Both hands wrapped around the hilt, the tip of his finger turning white due to his tight grip. The pain forced the creature to open its mouth, relieving the young man from the pain of its bite.
The poison from the subterranean blade worked as rapidly as ever because the monster was already disintegrating.
His breathing was heavy, but the battle was far from over. The other frog from above took the golden opportunity. This tongue wrapped itself around Darius's neck, lifting the young man.
With his free hand, Darius tried to fry the tongue from his neck but the effort was futile.
Darius intended to cut the tongue using the sword, but just his luck. His only weapon slipped off from his grip, 'Damn slime' he cursed inside his head.
He could only glance up and watch as the distance between his head and the monster's powerful jaws diminish.
The saliva dripping from the frog's lips.
Its sharp teeth anticipating the upcoming meal.
As death looms in, Darius then remembered his family, his home, his brother.
His travels, his battles.
His thoughts leaving a bitter taste in his mouth.
He couldn't even save his brother.
'You're useless', Ravana would always tell him. Chuckling sadly, he finally accepted that she was right.
Maybe he is useless.
His adventure ending right before his eyes, before it could even start.
'Fool' he heard her voice once more. 'Have you forgotten my gift to you?' Ravana asked him. In his slipping consciousness and fading vision, he saw her once again.
Standing before him, Ravana was wearing her usual purple long dress. Thick brown hair framing her pale face, lips painted in blood red. As she stared at him disapprovingly, Darius could see hurricanes form in those stormy gray orbs.
'And you had the courage to kill your mistress.' Ravana stated mockingly, distastefully even.
'I gave you a piece of myself Darius, therefore, we are one and the same. Now that my earthly body is dead, my power is now yours to use. So, be useful and don't let the both of us die.'
Long delicate fingers touched Darius's chest, an unfamiliar warmth growing inside. A faint purple glow growing brighter with each passing moment.
'I will not die a second time' she whispered next to his ear, as the bright light forced Darius to close his eyes. Ravana disappeared into the unknown.
When Darius's eyes burst open, his eyes gleam with sheer power. While his body was surging with energy, making his body heat up.
It was hot, too hot. The searing pain was felt in his entire body.
"Fuck!" he shouted as he clench his teeth, thunder rumbled, the sky darkened, and out of a sudden, lightning struck. The wave of electricity hit the frog, the monster died instantly. The scent of burnt meat and wood lingered in the air. A few branches the lightning had touched were caught on fire.
As the monster disintegrated, Darius fell back into the trap. The young man slide down the path dug by the other monster, as he fell Darius manage to snatch the sword. Holding it tightly this time around.
SPLASH!
Darius fell into a shallow pool of water, the weak current dragging him away. As he stood up, Darius realized that he was on the river.
"Those frogs" he sighed while putting the sword inside the scabbard. Once again thunder rumbled, followed by the falling rain.
"Rain? In the middle of summer?" he knitted his brows. "Did I… do that?" he asked himself, staring at his left hand.
"Well if it isn't my torturer" he heard a familiar voice behind him.
Surprised, Darius turned to look at his new companion.
Surely enough, there he was with his graying thin hair and bulk body. He looked strong for an old man, but both he and Darius know that despite those muscles. The power time had been taking its toll.
"What bad luck did take you here?" Darius greeted dully.
"Ahahaha! As cold as ever I suppose" he replied.
"Captain, I have secured the perimeter. They're both dead, the monsters are gone" another familiar voice rang in Darius's head.
Running through the swallow water is a particularly lean young man, with thick black hair and brown orbs.
"Brennan?" Darius uttered.
"Brennan I told you not to call me captain, it sounds stupid knowing theirs only two of us" the old man scolded.
"Hey! Darius! It had been so long" Brennan greeted before turning to his mentor. "But I don't know what else to call you Sir… what about master?" he asked.
"Say that again and I will cut off your tongue" the old man flicks the young man on his forehead.
"AH!" Brennan held his forehead.
"What brought you here?" Darius asked coldly.
"Mission!" Brennan chirped his child-like energy not matching the work they are about to do.
"Monster and dead people" the older man grimly replied. Raising his hand he lightly hit Brennan on the head, "Not too loud."
"There had been rumors of missing people in the nearby town. All statements said the people that were missing, went to the river before they vanished. So naturally, we went here to investigate. Sure enough, monsters are dwelling here." The old man explained.
"The frogs?" Darius asked.
"Yes… have you seen them? The old man eyed Darius, he already has a hunch. He has seen him fight, even without proper training. He was undeniably strong.
"Their dead" Darius said as if it was nothing.
The old man chuckled, "I wasn't expecting any less from you" he turned to leave. "Brennan, the job is done. Darius killed the monsters, now we must search further to make sure all monsters on the area are dead." He ordered.
"Understood Sir" Brennan nodded with determination. "Thank you, Darius, I'll see you around" Brennan turned to scan the area.
As the two were about to leave, Darius finally decided to speak up.
"Wait!" he called out.
"Do you remember your offer to me? You said you'll teach me how to become a hunter" he swallowed thickly.
"Oh, I never thought you will ever be interested" the old man faced him once again.
"You said you wanted to quit right?" Brennan asked, clearly confused.
"Yes… I did. I never wanted to become a hunter. But something changed, listen… I need to become stronger."
He paused for a moment, contemplating.
"Will you help me?" he bit his tongue, for a man like him. Asking for help was surprisingly difficult because he only know how to depend on his own.
This was different than with Alexander, what happened then was an alliance. They made a deal, both parties were gaining something. But this time he has nothing to offer.
The old man turned his back and started walking away, dread and shame biting down on Darius' heart.
"Are you coming or what?" the old man asked him, teal-colored eyes looking straight at his purple ones.
Darius was stunted, "I… I'm" he said before running after them.