ELYUSIAN

The cool biting freshness of morning made Elyusian’s fingertips tingle. She rubbed her hands together, then blew on them to warm them up. Peering out from her hiding place, she could see much further in the dim light of day. Looking toward the sun and its placement in the sky to gauge what time it was, she decided that it must be just after dawn. Feeling slightly nauseous with hunger, she looked around her to see if she could find something to eat and drink.

Standing up, she dusted the leaves and foliage from her clothes. The tree leaves overhead formed a large canopy above her and gentle bird sounds filled the air as they chirped and sang in the early morning sky. The light streamed and streaked through the gaps in the leaves and branches, dotting the ground around her in light and shadows.

Elyusian remembered the village elder, Portralis, telling a story of a forest to the south called the Encanterra and of the dangerous animals that inhabited it. But this was to the north, she wondered, so what was this? Maybe the tunnel had brought her out further from the village than she thought.

‘Could this be a forest in another kingdom?’ She whispered to herself as she looked around her, trying to use her senses to establish more information to figure out her whereabouts.

Although it offered refuge and cover from the creatures in the air, the large tree canopy above her gave no clue as to which direction she should venture on it. She couldn't see which way the sun was rising, but the direction of the streaks of light seemed to suggest that the sun was in the west. She stopped. That can't be right. If she was in the north then the sun would be rising in the east. Oh no.

Before she could form any more thoughts, a large cat jumped out into her path. It sank low to the ground and eyed her, licking its lips as it did so. She was going in the wrong direction. This was the Encanterra forest!

The cat in front of her was a lazuli panther, the deadliest of its kind and named such because of its large blue eyes that could hypnotize any prey that caught its eye. It was gargantuan, its massive frame was enough to knock over any horse and rider that may get in the way.

It started to pad around her cicling her like prey. Elyusian stood still and slowly put her hand under her tunic, carefully wrapped her fingers around the handle of her knife that she had hidden in amongst her underclothes.

The panther almost seemed to be smiling at her, enjoying her fear and discomfort. She kept her eyes on the front of its body, being careful not to look it directly in the eyes so that she didn’t fall under its spell. She saw its muscles tense, then it leapt at her, knocking her to the ground, its powerful jaws snapping and snarling at her as she swung her knife in defence.

The amulet flew out from underneath her tunic but remained around her neck as she fought. It caught her eye as it began to glow, its colour changing to a bright vibrant pink.

The animal seemed to recoil as the light from the amulet hit its eyes. Confused, Elysian took the opportunity to push herself backwards away from the beast. The amulet pulsated and glowed even brighter, she picked it up in her hand and projected it towards the creature. It yelped and cowered as she got to her feet. Holding it out in front of her, she pushed forward causing the panther to panic. It started pacing and whimpering, looking for an escape.

As Elyusiain held the amulet in front of her, dust started swirling above the creature’s head forming letters and numbers in sparkling script. Elyusian gasped as details about her assailant made themselves clear.

Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

NAME: Zulei

AGE: Unknown

SPECIES: Lazuli Panther

CURRENT LOCATION: Encanterra Forest, South Kamiliea, Kingdom Of Zarau

ORIGIN: Duskian Mountains, Kingdom Of Haaden

HEALTH: 90/100

MAGIC: LOCKED

STRENGTH: LOCKED

AGILITY: LOCKED

SPEED: LOCKED

INTELLIGENCE: LOCKED

SPECIAL SKILLS: LOCKED

WEAPONS: Eyes, claws and jaw

Eyes Attack Type: Spiritual Enchantment

Eyes Attack Power: LOCKED

Eyes Attack Rate: LOCKED

Eyes Defence Power: LOCKED

Claw Attack Type: Physical

Claw Attack Power: LOCKED

Claw Attack Rate: LOCKED

Claw Defence Power: LOCKED

Jaw Attack Type: Physical

Jaw Attack Power: LOCKED

Jaw Attack Rate: LOCKED

Jaw Defence Power: LOCKED

The wind blew around her, sweeping up leaves and making her hair fly up into the air around her. The tree branches moved and rustled and a deep raspy voice seemed to fill the air from within them.

'Unlock more as you advance, a group of individuals will make themselves known, together you will conquer a land overthrown.’ It breathed, filling her senses and her mind.

Elyusian’s heart raced as she turned trying to find the origin of the voice but she could see no one. The wind blew around her once more, lifting her up into the air, twirling her around. A calmness grew from within her and the breeze returned her to the earth and disappeared. The script above the panther’s head returned to dust and blew away, whirling through the leaves and debris.

The panther regarded her, then calmly padded over to her, its large paws crunching the leaves underfoot. Elyusian braced herself for an attack, but none came. The panther started to purr and it rubbed its large head against her stomach. Surprised, she tentatively scratched the top of its head and it fell to its tummy, rolling over as if awaiting her to pat it further.

She looked around, trying to gauge what type of magic was happening to her. The panther yowled gently like a small kitten, so she tickled its stomach being careful to avoid its paws as it playfully swung at the air around it.

After a few moments, it returned to its feet and nuzzled Elyusian, encouraging her to get onto its back. Hesitantly, she climbed up, the beast as large as a small horse. She straddled it and wrapped her fingers into its long fur around its neck.

“Zulei, I need to go north. Can you take me north?” She leant down and whispered into its ear. It gave a nod and began to run, with Elyusian gripping on as tight as she could, it bounded through the forest easily avoiding all in its path.