"Shit. Shit, shit, SHIT!"
Breathing heavily I continued to run. Twigs and leave's snapping and crackling under my bare feet as I ran for my life.
"Why does it have to be in the dang morning! Why can't I just have one singular peaceful day and not have to deal with all this insanity!"
At this point running for my life was pretty much an everyday thing for me. Hardly ever having a moment to stop and rest - just constantly trying to survive and not get skewered by some monsters claws as if I were some tasty morsel on a shish kabab.
"Ugh, my sides are cramping! *cough* Why does my side's always cramp when I run!?"
Ever do track at school in Physical Education for school? Being made to run just for some measly grade points? Not being given the moment to stretch and relax your body?
Yeah well, I'm not one of those few who remember to stretch before they workout or start their day. So having some bodily cramps was indeed my fault. Which makes me realize I have many things to correct about myself...
Wincing in pain I held my right side, trying to ignore the gut wrenching feeling that was wreaking havoc on my poor aching side.
My breathing was hectic, my body was covered in a sheen of sweat. If someone saw me barreling towards them at the speed I was going - they'd surely be frightened. Possibly seeing me as some feral looking demon that seeks to eat their flesh and devour their very soul!
*cough* "Ugh, I can still hear them behind me!"
The head start to run away from the creature's was only ever going to last me so long. These were creatures that lived to kill and hunt - seeking to spill blood to satisfy their wild needs. So yeah, they were damn fast when it came to catching up to their prey.
Paling at the thought of being torn apart I decided to pick up the pace, somehow surprisingly not feinting from how hard I was breathing.
If you saw my face, you'd think I was some sort of goldfish with how I was constantly gulping down fresh air to fuel my lungs. Of course, that fresh air was doing nothing, knowing that my lungs were on fire and screaming for mercy.
"Mercy? *huff* You can get a break when I'm not *huff* dead!"
Now I was talking to myself, how wonderful! Guess I've gone into the stages of delirium with the lack of oxygen!
So, gritting my teeth I tried to better my breathing. Taking in shallow breaths through the gaps of my teeth. It was harder to breath this way, but it was also helping calm me down just a tad bit.
Yet that moment of calmness was ruined with the loud crashes that were closing in from behind. Just too close for comfort. I had to gaze back, and what I saw made me pale even more!
"HOW!? How are they that close!?"
From the distance I heard their howls when I was first alerted - they were easily dozens of miles away! So, it should have given me at least a few hours at best!
Which lead to a harrowing feeling of dread which crept its way into my soul as I began to push my body to its limits. Going faster and faster, just hoping I could find somewhere to use as a hiding place.
Sadly, lady luck was still not on my side. For there was nowhere to hide, but only a ravine that I was slowly closing in on.
"I'm running out of time..."
Looking back over my shoulder I narrowed my eyes, watching as tree's were ceaselessly toppled behind me. Then I glanced forward, my eye's narrowing even more as I began to think of possible solutions.
I was running out of time, that was obvious. The choices were as follows - fight, admit defeat, or jump the damn ravine! Was I bold enough to fight my hunters? Maybe. Was I tired enough to succumb and admit defeat? Definitely. Was I crazy enough to jump the ravine? Oh, most certainly!
So, knowing my choice I grit my teeth even more. My sweaty hand's clenching as I began to pick up the pace even more. My vision becoming hazy as I began to tire from overexertion.
"Ravine it is, might as well see if I can make the jump, or just fall to my death."
I scoffed at both options.
"Maybe the fall will be less painless then being torn apart."
Highly doubt it, but at least it did give me some sense of relief - although that sense of relief is quite morbid.
The edge of the ravine was getting closer and closer. Not much time left before I had to make the fateful leap of faith. Either coming out with a mark of success, or one giant rex X as a mean's of showing my failure. Not like score's would even matter, especially the red mark.
Knowing I couldn't stop, I decided to really pull out all the stops. Pushing my leg's to their limit as I neared closer and closer to the edge. Just a few more steps...and...!
"Jump!"
With every fiber in my being, I willed my legs to do the strongest leap I've ever done by far. Pushing off the ground as dust kicked up from where I leapt from. Flying high as I soared over the deep dark abyss of the ravine.
"HOOOOOOLY CRAAAAAAAAAP!"
Yelling in panic I stretched out my arms, the jump just not being far enough. But, like hell I was going to let that stop me!
Reaching out my hand's I latched onto the nearest rocks I could grasp, stifling my curses as skin peeled away, slowly being dragged down the rocks that were stopping me from falling to an untimely demise.
After a few seconds I stopped falling, yet I was far from safe. So, I began to climb with a scared yet resolute look to my face. Knowing that the monster's hunting me were already so close. It was only a matter of time before I finally caught sight of what's chasing me.
*huff* - *huff* - *huff* "Finally!"
Gasping for air I flopped onto solid ground, bringing my hands to my face as I viewed the damage and boy did it look ugly.
Almost all of the skin on the bottom of my hand was peeled away. Bleeding profusely as it leaked from the fresh wound. I even lost a good few nails, not a wound that most could handle. But I was tough, so I could hold back the tears of pain.
With a little effort I stood up, wincing as the new wounds on my hand's flared.
"Damn it, this is going to be a problem."
Being exhausted is one thing, but having a wound like this was entirely different. It could heavily affect my way of living. Making hunting harder, making grasping things a pain - both figuratively and literally.
Sighing I looked to the side of the ravine I jumped from, and man was it good, yet also horrible timing for me to look over to the other side.
Paling I stepped back a few steps, staring at what I hoped to not see. Seeing what I feared would be the death of me during this chase. Monsters, more than I could count. All snarling and growling, moving back and forth. Not even trying to jump the ravine!
With a twisted grin I leered at them, sticking out my tongue and turning around and spanking my behind, taunting them!
"Hahaha! What's the matter? Don't have the balls to jump over and continue the chase? All of you seemed so adamant on killing me, so where's that desire to do so, huh!?!"
Was it smart to taunt giant wolf demon looking dog's the size of trucks? Probably not. But did it feel amazing to actually win for once, even it was just escaping death? Yeah, yeah it felt fricking amazing!
"So, ha! Go die by choking on a rock!"
I continued to taunt them for a bit. Letting out a lot of my stress and frustration on them. God did I need an outlet to just detox, and man was it working!
Of course, my taunting seemed to rile them up. Which made me pale as I immediately shut my mouth. Eye's widening as I saw some of them slowly backing up. The muscles under their fur drawing taught.
"Please don't do what I think you're going to do."
Me and my big mouth!
Biting my lip I began to turn around, going into a slow jog. Not even glancing backwards, but of course not looking back was making it worse.
Heavy footfalls were all I heard, then a howl of anger from multiple hungry maws. And what did I start doing in this certain moment? Cursing my stupidity for taunting them and not running away. Of course they could easily make the jump! Their bodies are practically muscle incarnate!
Knowing I had too much curiosity I glanced back, and sharply inhaled. Seeing something that filled me with an unending source of dread.
They were already across the ravine and sprinting towards me! Seeing that I was royally screwed I began to run, continuing the mad dash to survive. Not even caring about the protesting aches and pains all over my body. I can relax when I'm not dead!
I really had to ignore the urge to look back again for a second time, but I felt as if I did that - then I would surely die.
Cursing under my breath I continued to run. Lung's crying again for a second time, believing that they had been given a moment to rest, only for that sense of hope to be cruelly ripped away.
The other organs and limbs seemed to also cry out in agreement, distressed with their agonizing torment...
~~~
Within the far distance, but also not too far, laid a vast sanctuary. Giant sturdy walls standing resolutely in place. Heavy armaments lining the walls, just too frightening to gaze at, but at the same time being completely awe inspiring. The walls were marked with all sorts of damage. Ranging from scratch marks, scorch marks. giant holes, and much more.
Yet it still stood in place, not even close to crumbling and falling apart. Many resided on the other side of such vast walls, millions of souls calling the place within the walls their home.
These are all the thought's that ran through a single sentries' head as he gazed into the forest ahead of him. Calmly sipping a cup of bitter black coffee to keep himself awake. Making faces from time to time just from the taste alone.
"Gods, what I wouldn't do for a pack of sugar and some cream."
Sighing he looked down to the grim monstrosity within his grasp. Steam wafting off it as if being freshly born from the deepest parts of the Dream Realm.
"I don't understand how I like drinking this stuff, even when it tastes so bad."
He mumbled, sighing as he took another sip, gagging in disgust.
While he was mumbling to himself, another sentry walked up to him, slapping him on the back while smiling with a broad grin.
"Stop your moping you mopy mopester! Cheer up a little and try enjoying this peaceful weather!"
The slap on the back made the other man flinch, thus causing him to glare at the man he calls a 'friend'.
Tsking, he looked away, frowning.
"Easy for you to say! You always wake up on the right side of the damn bed!"
Gods did he wish to wake up without feeling like utter shit. Maybe if he didn't feel so terrible in the morning, he wouldn't have to drink such horrible elixirs to help him wake up in the morning!
Such a quip made the soldier to the side just sigh, shaking his head in dismay.
"That's why everyone calls you Sir 'Down'serlot'! You really need to lighten up a bit man, it might be good for your health!"
The bright man's cheery mood did bring a soft smile to the man he was confronting, albeit the smile being forced.
"Me? Sir 'Down'serlot?' if I'm to be called that, then I'll call you Sir 'Laugh'serlot' from now on."
Now caught on the spot, the cheerful man looked away. Coughing into his fist with a blush.
"E-heh, maybe not call me that?"
He asked, looking to him with a pleading grin. Oh, he knew that name would haunt him till his end of days, for he knew that he smiled a bit too much, sometimes being downright creepy.
Moody, which he shall be called, just sighed, nodding his head.
"Then please don't call me...that. I'd prefer dying before ever being called th-"
*Rrrrrrrrrrrooooooooowwwwwwwwww*
Both men's gazes snapped towards the sirens blaring their loud annoying rhythm. The noise was greatly annoying, but more so...worrying.
Whatever they were going to continue talking about ended in silence, their faces becoming grim. They looked to each other, an understanding in their eye's as they both nodded in understanding.
"Seem's like today's not going to be as calm as you hoped it to be."
Said the cheerful man, now more serious as a sword appeared into his hand with white sparks bringing forth the weapon.
Moody looked to him, sighing in defeat. Then...he grinned a malicious grin, one filled with a crazed bloodlust.
"Who ever said I wanted it to be calm? It's exactly the type of wake-up call that I need!"
So, with that, they prepared themselves. For they knew that Nightmare Creatures were making their way towards their home, and they'll be damned if they let it fall...