POV Dawkin:

It’s been three months since we’ve departed from our home village. It only took me one month to reach my village, I have my training to thank for that, but the journey to back towards the mountain was much more arduous. My people aren’t as strong or nimble as me and travelling in a large group is always slower. Still, we had made significant progress.

Back then, when I first arrived back at my village, I received a warm welcome. I was away for over a year and they had assumed I died a cruel death. My arrival was a pleasant surprise for many. Most had already given up. As I looked around the dark cloud that hung over everyone’s head, only seemed gloomier. My arrival and the subsequent news that I brought, was like a beacon shining through this darkness, that was their cruel reality.

I told them tales of the lonely mountain. A mountain that everyone assumed was just a legend, meant as children stories. I told them of the safety that this mountain could bring. That a guardian would watch over them and keep them safe. They seemed cynical about such a wonderful place, calling it a fool’s paradise. I didn’t blame them for not believing me then.

To convince them, I displayed some of my enhanced abilities. I told them, the guardian that could protect them is innumerable times stronger than myself. This convinced most. They had no other options or alternatives left. The impending danger that threatened them, was only growing stronger, as each day passed. The slight possibility of safety wasn’t one that they could easily pass up.

With the decision made, it took three days for everyone to prepare. After these three days, everything was packed up and everyone was ready to depart. The journey towards the mountain was harsh. Travelling every day without rest. Cold nights and vicious beasts. Back then, we were lucky that nothing too dangerous attacked us. I handled any wild beast that tried to threaten our group.

Now, I can’t help but stare with my mouth agape. We are so close, but it seems my efforts are in vain. The lonely mountain stretching out into the sky seems so close. We only needed one more day. Just one more day. The gods must be cruel. Circling above our heads, a giant wyvern is eyeing my people like prey. My village only has one thousand people left. We can’t afford to lose any more.

Some people try to shoot arrows at the wyvern, they bounce off harmlessly. What can I do!? If the wyvern was on land, then I could at least try to fight it, but not in the air. Could I try jumping? That idea is a little extreme. I’m not that powerful… yet. Is this how my people will die? As mere food for a powerful beast. I can’t accept that. I must do something. We are too far away from the mountain. I can’t rely on Zohn. If only we were closer.

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I turn my head towards the wyvern. The wyvern’s ferocious growls pierce the sky. Even though I’m not strong enough, I should still do something. I’d rather die fighting than watch my people die, one for one as food. I turn my head back towards my people. Fear is festering in their eyes. Some people’s eyes seem empty, maybe they’ve already accepted their death. It doesn’t matter, I won’t let any of them die. Not while I’m still alive.

I crouch down and concentrate. Absorbing the energy of the world around me. I start forcing it into my legs, empowering them. I feel pressure building up, like an arrow ready to be fired. I lock my eyes onto the wyvern. I have only got this one-shot if I fail… I can’t think about that right now. I keep forcing power into my legs. The power within is reaching an almost unbearable level.

My eyes focus and the world around me seems to slow down. Each second feels like hours. I can only see the wyvern, everything else is blocked out. I ignore the childrens’ crying faces and their cries of despair. I have only got this one shot. Slowly, the wyvern starts it’s decent. I’ve been waiting for this. This is my only opportunity to strike. If I fail, then no one else stands a chance at facing this beast.

The wyvern approaches closer and closer. I prepare to jump. Then, I hear something. It starts as a low whistle, like a person humming a peaceful tune. Then, suddenly, the sound changes. The peaceful whistle becomes a loud roar of a monstrous beast charging through the air. I break my stare on the wyvern, just for a second. My eyes widen in shock.

Flying through the air, like a harbinger of death, an object approaches. Its speed is far surpassing my wildest dreams. It’s flying too fast for me to identify it. What is that? Why is it coming towards us? If it is another calamity, like the wyvern, then my people are truly done for. Before I can react, it strikes the wyvern. Knocking the mighty beast out of the air.

A cloud of dust envelopes the beast as it impacts the ground. It lands a hundred meters away from my people. Just what was that? I carefully approach, my new sword in hand. Slowly the dust settles. I can’t believe the sight before my eyes. A giant wyvern. A king of the sky is lying on the ground dead. A large metal pole is impaled through its heart.

There is only one person who could possibly wield such a large weapon. My eyes drift towards the lonely mountain on the horizon. A warm smile surfaces on my face. I’m sorry I ever doubted you, Zohn. A small apology surfaces in my heart. You really came through for me, in the end. Even if I didn’t believe it was even physically possible.