Struggling to keep himself from falling over to the ground, gasping for air from the blow, Timmon clung steadfastly to his knife, poised for the impending charge of the Gecko deer.
Like a beast, the creature hurtled towards him, head lowered and tail rigid, while his anguish was palpable to the watching onlookers.
Questions hung in the air like a thick mist. "Why isn't he running? Is it too dark for him to see?" Ben's inquiry trailed, but Mr Major's response was a silence marked by uncertainty. The possibilities were numerous—an injury, perhaps broken ribs, or a paralyzing fear. Timmon might even be standing there unconscious. The distance rendered accurate assessment impossible.
What in the world should their next move be? If they run in blindly at this new threat, it could be fatal, especially since Timmon was more of a wildcard. He almost killed Ben. Was that an accident?
As it came fully charged at Timmon, he once again swiftly evaded the beast's antlers by a hair's breadth.
Within the same motion of dodging, he darted around the tree that he was slammed into to obstruct the Gecko deer's perception for a fleeting moment.
This was the window Timmon needed. Swift as a heartbeat, he plunged his knife into the creature's neck from the other side, setting off a sequence of bizarre contortions. The creature rose onto its hind legs, a wrenched struggle culminating in an unexpected spiral up the tree, as easy as it would run on the ground, all while Timmon was holding onto the knife lodged within its neck.
As they both ascended further up the tree, the Gecko deer's movements grew sluggish, each motion a testament to its fading strength. Meanwhile, Ben and Mr Major, observing the unfolding spectacle from the ground, engaged in a rapid-fire exchange of ideas, searching for solutions.
Suddenly, a distinct detail captured their attention. Ben's finger pointed skyward as he posed a question to Mr. Major, "Yo, check it out. Do you see those branches? They look like antlers, don't they?"
Above, Timmon fought to keep his grip on the knife. His weight pulled the blade down, cutting the creature's neck as it slid to its shoulder. Yet, amazingly, the creature kept climbing, alive despite the wound.
Timmon's focus stayed on the gecko deer as if nothing else existed. As the light in its eyes began to fade, he wondered, "Is this the end for the creature? Is it finally dying, or just passing out? It's alien. There must be more to it, just like there's more to me."
As Timmon held on in deep thought, the beast's hold on the tree began to wane, signalling a turning point, and in that crucial instant, Timmon's clarity of mind returned. It was then that the Gecko deer commenced its descent, a plummet accompanied by an eerie pause in time.
During Timmon's steep fall, a volley of cord-like projectiles whizzed toward his plummeting body. In a stroke of fortune, they all narrowly missed him. Yet, more chilling than Timmon's freefall was the revelation that they were surrounded. The notion that these monstrous foes could also occupy the trees had never crossed their minds. A sobering realization dawned upon them all: the enemy's scope was far wider than they had conceived. Despite their vigilant stance, they were blindsided.
High above, in the towering arboreal realm of the trees, a gathering of nearly 15 to 20 Gecko deer perched upon the tree trunks and branches. Their collective gaze fixed upon the ground below, the would-be survivors of this skirmish.
Timmon's body eventually met the planet's embrace after an eternity that lasted mere moments. The impact was softened by the creature's body, cushioning his fall. As he lay there, wracked with pain and breathless, Mr Major, uncertain of the intentions of the Gecko deer, seized the food basket that Timmon had carried. Swiftly comprehending the situation, Ben also rushed over to Timmon's side. With a firm grip on Timmon's waist, he hauled him to his feet. Together, the trio bolted deeper into the forest, their desperate retreat propelled by instinct and urgency.
As they ran, the sounds of pursuit grew louder. The gecko deer were not just watching; they were descending. Branches snapped, and leaves rustled as the creatures leapt from tree to tree, closing in on the fleeing trio.
Timmon, despite his injuries, pushed forward with grim determination. The only sounds that came from him were the low whispers of him calling out different types of stones and rocks. "Granite... limestone... basalt..." he murmured, his voice barely audible. His eyes scanned his surroundings for his get back at nature. Ben and Mr Major exchanged worried glances but knew there was no time to stop. They had to keep moving.
"We need to reach that clearing!" Mr Major shouted, pointing ahead. "It's our best chance to fight them off!"
The trio sprinted through the dense forest, their breath ragged. The gecko deer were fast, their muscular tails and climbing abilities giving them an edge in the treetops. But on the ground, the team's speed and determination gave them a fighting chance.
Finally, they burst into a large clearing. The trio skidded to a halt, breathing heavily, Ben and Mr Major ditching their baskets as they placed their backs to one another. The sound of the gecko deer closing in from above was unmistakable; the tree's branches sang with the rustling of leaves and the snapping of twigs. As the leaves danced and fell around them, it set a vivid scene of tension and anticipation, signalling the arrival of the gecko deer. The air was thick with the scent of dirt and foliage, and the trio's eyes darted upwards, scanning the canopy for any sign of their bizarre pursuers.
"We can't outrun them forever," Mr. Major panted, eyes darting around for a solution.
Ben nodded, gripping his wooden carbon dagger tightly. "We make our stand here. It's our only chance."
Timmon, bloodied but resolute, took a step forward. "I'll draw their attention. You two get ready to back me up."
Before Ben or Mr Major could argue, Timmon dashed toward the centre of the clearing, waving his arms and shouting. The gecko deer, their eyes glowing with predatory intent, zeroed in on him.
Ben and Mr Major quickly took up positions on either side of the clearing, using the terrain to their advantage. From their spots, they could see the gecko deer swarming down the trees, their antlers sharp and their tongues flicking out menacingly.
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.
Timmon stood his ground, his knife gleaming in the sunlight. The first gecko deer lunged at him, antlers lowered. With a swift sidestep, Timmon dodged the attack and drove his knife into the creature's side. It screeched in pain and collapsed, but there was no time to celebrate. Another was already upon him.
One of the gecko deer flicked its long, muscular tongue, hitting Timmon like a cement block. The force of the impact sent him sprawling to the ground, this blow made him yellout in pain, dazed and gasping for breath. As the creature advanced, Timmon rolled to the side, narrowly avoiding another tongue strike that left a deep indentation in the soil.
Using his agility, Timmon weaved between the attacking gecko deer, his knife a blur as he struck at any exposed flesh. Each movement was a dance of survival, his senses heightened by adrenaline. He could feel the weight of his injuries, but he pushed through the pain, knowing his team depended on him.
"Speaking of my team, where are they?" Timmon muttered under his breath as he scanned the area. Looking over his shoulder, he saw Ben and Mr Major each grappling with a gecko deer that had fallen from the trees. They had managed to dodge the initial impact but not the creatures' agile tongues.
After landing, the gecko deer shot their tongues, striking Ben and Mr Major in the gut and then the legs, trying to impale them with their antlers. As the other gecko deer watched from the trees, Timmon once again started whispering different types of stones and rocks before he began muttering actual words.
"We don't need this. Three against four are good odds. Maybe I need to bash their heads in with a gneiss rock. What do you think, TG?"
"I don't know if that's a good idea, actually, GT; what if we get hit with a tail-tongue combo from the others watching us? Unlike you, I remember the training by LXIX, who kept us in that box for years."
"If you know so much, GT, then you take the wheel," Timmon whispered, his voice tinged with a strange calm.
Ben and Mr Major were fighting for their lives. The gecko deer thrashed around, trying to strike them with their tongues, but because they were so close to the creatures' mouths, the full damage wasn't felt. The gecko deer's feet, not made for stomping, proved to be a minor relief.
"What did he say?" Ben asked as the gecko deer trashed him around on the forest floor. "Focus, Dammit! Don't let go! Try to get your legs around its neck, and when you can, grab your dagger," Mr Major instructed, his voice strained.
Ben, though hesitant to kill, wasn't about to die. They just needed an opening, a chance to escape.
Suddenly, Timmon's stance changed as he removed the wrap from around his head. With a dagger firmly in his hand, he wrapped the hand holding the weapon to prevent it from slipping. He then ran towards the gecko deer he had injured in the neck. Reaching into his basket, he grabbed a fruit and hurled it at one of the creatures, pinning his team down, hoping to create a distraction. The fruit caught the attention of all the gecko deer, even those in the trees.
"That's my fucking food! How dare you choose that over me? Don't think for one second that I'll drop this basket to escape. Life like yours shouldn't exist, especially since you were born of this green hell!" Timmon yelled, his anger palpable.
A gecko deer swung towards him from the right, using its tongue to swing from a low-hanging branch. As its tail came crashing down, Timmon stabbed it in the tail, causing it to pass out instantly.
Ben, eyes wide, asked, "What just happened?" before he could get an answer, Timmon started stabbing the gecko deer in the head repeatedly. The other two gecko deer released Ben and Mr. Major, charging at Timmon.
Timmon backflipped to avoid a tongue strike. The moment his feet touched the ground, he closed in on one of the attacking gecko deer. It was two against one, but to Timmon, it was a fair fight. Dodging and weaving, he cut at the gecko deer's tongues, waiting for an opening. Just as one tried to strike with its tail, another deer fell from the tree, its tail smashing into Timmon's shoulder, sending him sprawling.
Ben and Mr Major rushed to Timmon, who had managed to stab the creature's tail despite being hit. If he hadn't been quick enough, he might have stabbed himself in the neck.
"Who is this guy?" they thought, bewildered. But there was no time for answers. The two gecko deer that had pinned them turned their attention back to the trio.
"Leave now! I can handle this myself!" Timmon shouted, popping his shoulder back into place with a sickening crunch. Even the gecko deer paused, taken aback by his sheer willpower.
The clearing was now littered with bodies. One of the deer Timmon had stabbed in the neck got up and spun, attempting to tail-whip him into the antlers of its packmates. The tail struck Timmon across the back, sending him hurtling towards one deer's lowered antlers while the other raised its head to shoot a tongue attack.
As chaos erupted around them, the trio realized they were in the fight of their lives against these alien creatures.
Timmon felt the impact as the gecko deer's tail struck him across the back, sending him reeling toward the waiting antlers of another. Time seemed to slow as he twisted his body mid-air, narrowly avoiding the deadly points. He hit the ground hard but rolled to his feet, ignoring the pain coursing through his body. His focus was absolute, his movements a blur as he dodged and parried the relentless attacks.
Ben and Mr Major, inspired by Timmon's ferocity, fought with renewed vigour. Despite Ben's reluctance to kill the adorable-looking gecko deers, he knew this was nature, and he had his role to play. Wielding his dagger with precision, aiming for the soft spots around the gecko deer's mouths and necks. Mr. Major, a seasoned fighter, used his strength to grapple and overpower, his movements calculated and powerful.
The gecko deer, though agile and fierce, began to falter under the coordinated assault. One of them, bleeding from multiple wounds, lunged at Timmon with its antlers. Timmon sidestepped and slashed at its neck, his dagger slicing through the tough hide. The creature let out a pained cry and collapsed, its legs twitching, but Timmon knew better than to leave it like that. He knew they would die eventually, but not fast enough. If the first encounter had him hanging from the neck wound of a gecko deer as it climbed a tree, and his latest encounter had one of these creatures practically come back from the dead and attempt to break his back with a tail swipe. There was no way he was going to walk away, even if it stopped moving from a stab. Back on Earth, they called that behaviour playing opossum. Looking down at the gecko deer, Timmon began to smile as he stabbed the actual shit out of it.
Above, the remaining gecko deer watched with cold, calculating eyes. They communicated with quick, jerky movements, deciding on their next course of action. Another one of them dropped from the tree, its tongue lashing out like a whip. Ben deflected the strike with his arm, wincing as the tongue wrapped around it. He pulled back with all his might, dragging the creature closer and plunging his dagger into its tongue, pulling its trashing body closer till he was close enough to stab its throat. If it had tried to charge at Ben instead of trying to run, he was sure to walk away with serious damage or maybe lose his life in the moment.
Mr Major, seeing an opportunity, charged at the last deer on the ground. He tackled it, using his weight to pin it down. The creature thrashed and snarled, but Mr Major held firm, his muscles straining. With a roar, he drew his own dagger and drove it into the gecko deer's eye, silencing it instantly.
The last two gecko deer, still in the trees, hesitated. They had seen their comrades fall and understood the danger. But hunger and desperation drove them on. One launched itself at Timmon, its antlers aimed at his chest. Timmon braced himself, ready for the impact. At the last moment, he sidestepped, grabbing the creature by its antlers and twisting its head sharply. There was a sickening snap as its neck broke, and it crumpled to the ground. Timmon suddenly started yelling! "Bring it the fuck ON FOREST!"
Mr. Major continued to provide cover, his eyes scanning for any signs of an opening. "Timmon, fall back!" he shouted, seeing the tide turning against them.
Timmon, breathing heavily and covered in blood, staggered to his feet. He and Ben retreated towards Mr Major's position. The gecko deer regrouped, preparing for another assault.
"We need a plan," Ben said, glancing around desperately. "They have the numbers and the advantage in the trees."
Another gecko deer that was on a lower branch let out a shrill screech matching Timmons energy, a mix of rage and fear. It darted from branch to branch, looking for an opening. Its tongue shot towards the basket of fruits that Mr Major threw to the side.
Ben and Mr Major ran full sprint towards the branch it was on in hopes of forcing it to abort the mission to steal their goods or forcing the gecko deer to the ground for a fight. Timmon, breathing heavily, stepped forward, his eyes locked on the creature.
"This ends now," he growled, his voice filled with determination.
The gecko deer, sensing its end, made one last desperate attempt to escape. It leapt into the air, aiming to get back into the trees. But Timmon was faster. He lunged, his dagger disappearing in the dim forest light. The blade found its mark, piercing the creature's where he thought its heart should be. The gecko deer fell, lifeless, to the ground, but again, Timmon wasn't one to take a chance and proceeded to cut a bigger hole into the creature's body so the forest could see his handy work.
For a moment, the clearing was silent except for the heavy breathing of the trio. The bodies of the gecko deer lay scattered around them, a testament to their fierce battle. Timmon, Ben, and Mr Major stood amidst the carnage, bloodied but victorious as the remaining gecko deers quickly and quietly climbed higher into the canopy where they were out of sight.
Timmon wiped his dagger on his sleeve and looked at his companions. "Let's get moving," he said, his voice steady. "We need to find a safe place to rest and tend to our wounds."
As they resumed their journey, the sun began to set, casting long shadows over the forest. The fight had taken its toll, but they had survived.