How long ... how long do I have to walk through this bleak abyss. Several hours had passed since I entered the gorge and although I could already see the light on the other side, I didn't seem to get any closer to it.
This terrible place is a narrow path between pitch-black rock walls. I was getting paranoid. Recognized beasts where weren't any and imagined that I had already reached the exit. The walls were too high to overfly. When I looked up I couldn't even see the edge. The gorge was so deep that it swallowed even the light of the blood-red sun. It took forever, but finally I got closer to the end.
I was about to thank the gods for it when I was torn from my anticipation by strange noises. It were the sounds of a fight.
I was only a few meters from the exit when I heard monsters scream and I could smell the intense scent of blood. My heart told me to go towards it. Due to the dazzling light at the exit, I couldn't see what was waiting for me there.
When I took my first step out, I saw the silhouettes of two Hellhounds and one I couldn't identify clearly. I kept walking towards it and slowly got used to the brightness. Now I could see the third shadow as well. It fought with a blue crystall shaped like some kind of a blade. It was one of these...
"... Humans." I whispered in surprise. It was a person in a black robe, with a hood which hid his or her face.
It was clear to me that demons and humans weren't exactly best friends, in fact the opposite is true. I searched for an answer whether I should run while he is still busy or whether I should fight.
Just as I finished thinking that thought, it finished off the last of them too. Great, so much for 'fleeing while it's still busy'. To be honest, I didn't really feel like fighting. Although he appears to be just a simple human, the corpses of all sorts of monsters piled up around him. How could one person cause so much harm.
It turned to me and held out the blade. I think it was called a sword. Even if I had seen swords before, this one was different. The blade was a single sharp crystal. Wait, why am I even thinking about it? He's about to attack me.
A scorching wind swept across the battlefield, whirling up the red dust at our feet and tearing the hood off his head. Behind it was a man probably barely older than I was. I couldn't see much though, because he hid his mouth and nose behind a black mask. The sand seemed to obstruct his view.
The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.
This was my chance, I stormed forward with a quick leap and struck him with my claws.
Gotcha. What? He blocked it. How the hell? I tried again and again with the same result. It was useless and still I have to ...
Now it was he who attacked me. He was to fast to avoid his blade, but I managed to intercept his blows with my wings.
I tried again, but this time he dodged and threw me to the ground with a kick in the side. I writhed in pain and couldn't get up. Not because of the pain, but because of the blade he held to my neck and the foot he had placed on my stomach.
He just stood there and held the weapon out at me. Did he want to make me suffer? Panic ran through me, maybe even a little fear. Should I find my end here? Is that how I want to die?
"What are you waiting for? Just do it already! At least spare me the shame."
Why did I say this. He'll definetly kill me, but I could see how surprised he was at my words. He took his foot off me and took off the mask. I was finally able to get a proper look at him. On his short black hair that looked like many backward spikes. On his deep blue eyes. My skin seemed really pale compared to his. When did I get that way. No, I've always been so pale.
I was still didn't know what he was up to now. He made his blade disappear in violet light, turned around and said "Go."
Did he really want me to go? I got up but couldn't take my eyes off him.
"Why would a hunter spare its prey?"
When he turned to look into my eyes, I saw no anger, no hatred, just a strange sword that he was holding in his hand. It was plain and didn't seem like it could cut either. He walked up to me with it and rammed it into the rock in front of my feet.
"Take it. It will serve you well and ensure that you survive long enough to cross blades with me."
I hesitated. I felt it was soaked in magic. What if that was just a trap and its curse kills me when I touch it.
"What will happen if I touch it."
"As you seem to have noticed, it is a spell-blade and so it adapts its appearance and capabilities to the bearer."
Still hesitant, I reached for the sword, which shortly afterwards was shrouded in black mist. I tried to let go of it, but part of me stopped refused to let go. A brilliant light penetrated the mist, revealing a blood-red blade, a handle adorned with creepie symbols and an incredible power.
Why was he smiling at me like that. It was almost scarier to me than this sword. He spares me and then pushes such a weapon into my hand.
He came towards me "A Bloodsword huh... guess our next duel will be interesting. You have to know that such a weapon draws its power from the emotions of its bearer, and it consumes the life of its victimsto gain strength. "Train hard, next time I will no longer have to be so indulgent. Farewell and don't die. "
He walked past me into the ravine from which I had come. I couldn't understand what had just happened and shouted after him "Wait!"
One last time he turned to me and I asked him "Will you tell me your name?"
He turned his back on me "You can call me Nemesis."