I can hear it again... that foreboding rattle.
It's barely been 10 minutes since I was revived! To be hunted again so soon!
Well, maybe it has something to do with my boisterous, yet angelic whistling, it is kinda hard not to hear, especially without trees or foliage to block the sound. Not that I mind being attacked, the very opposite!
I quickly search for the highest nearby stone and scramble my booty to higher ground. My 'Bellows' has longer reach than Cinders, so a clear view of my target is a must to take full advantage of the range!
The distant hissing and occasional rattling rose in volume with each passing moment. For the life of me I can't tell which direction the sound is coming from, it's omnipresent, everywhere and nowhere. My constant scanning for the threat gets noticeably more and more frantic as the unseen threat draws closer. Why does it have to camouflage so well with these stupid brown and yellow rocks! What environment does my captivating red blend with!?!?
The dreadful noise reaches the point when I'm convinced the Rattling Worm is screaming into my ears, yet there's still no sign of it.
A flicker of movement catches the corner of my eye near a patch of grey stones.
In the next instant, before even confirming the sight, I fire off a bellows at the grey stones. Followed soon after by two more in rapid succession. If possible, I don't want to be bitten again, I'd rather kill it before it gets close.
9 Fire Damage
4 Fire Damage
Of the three roaring firebolts that I fired off, two were able to inflict some sort of glancing damage. The first landed just a hand's breadth away, the second barely nicked as the target had slithered further away, the third hit nothing but rocks. With my eagle eyes firmly locked on to the very angry and rapidly approaching worm, I could really appreciate it's superb camouflage. Even at a distance of just a few meters I would lose track of it for the briefest of seconds as it swiftly navigated the stones. I still can't even understand how it even moves in the first place! Is it magic? IT HAS NO LEGS FOR GOD'S SAKE!!
I can find out later, gotta stay focused right now... I might try sliding on my belly afterwards.
I allow the Rattling worm to get a tad closer before I jump off my vantage point to greet it with open talons! Or at least that's what I make it think, after the 6 hours I spent reflecting after my previous encounter, I intimately know how these creatures fight.
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I hop a few steps closer to my adversary with flared wings and a piercing caw, which sounds more intimidating than it really is. True to my expectations, the worm coiled it's long tail-body into an S-shape and prepared to lunge at me. The moment it started sliding back I disengaged backwards and launched another Bellows right in it's face!
Streaking through the air at an almost point-blank range, the deadly firebolt slammed into the conveniently curled up victim. The impact alone sent the poor thing sprawling backwards in a smoking mess, the fire then burning at it's scales afterwards.
28 Fire Damage
Mountain Rattler is Burned
To think that was a single hit, that was amazing!! Although, if it wasn't so slender it would of taken more damage as a small portion of the firebolt managed to slip past and hit the ground 10 meters away.
Flapping my wings with excitement and allowing a well deserved 'yippee' to exit my beak, I jumped over the rocky terrain to finish the writhing opponent.
Painfully aware of how outclass it was by ME, the pitiful worm fled weakly. It's now black scales doing little to hide the attempt at escape.
Sucking in a deep breathe and aiming my beak I shot off what would've been the final Bellows to end the fight, if not for the appearance of a line of squiggles I haven't seen in a while.
Insufficient Mana
I must have made Bellows angry for using it too much! I hope that it forgives me later.
While offering a silent prayer of forgiveness I gave chase to the fleeing black worm. It was faster than you would think! much better than me at climbing over the varying stones, but not fast enough to escape my hungry talons!
Chasing it around for a good minute, I finally got close enough to strike and latch on with a foot, preventing further running, or maybe its better to say 'preventing further sliding'? Either way, with one foot holding it down, victory and dinner was mine!!
Mountain Rattler Slain, 45 exp gained
Beakful after beakful I shoveled in the yummy meal, the feeling of having a full stomach for the first time in a long time bringing a tear to my eye.
The single tear rolling down my cheek and falling down in the crevice of a rock where a small healthy green stem sprouted soon after. Right, I forgot about that. My tears make things grow or something? Not like it matters at the moment or anything, I have a big silly wall to walk around! Unless I could cry so much that a giant beanstalk grows and acts as a ladder! Yet, Somehow I doubt my tear ducts could accomplish this.
Putting the beanstalk idea to rest I resumed the not-so-scenic detour to the boat. Not before laying down on my belly and trying to copy the Rattling Worm's slithering technique for a minute or two. Needless to say, I didn't get very far.
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Hiding peacefully behind the massive mountains the sun dyed the skies a magical red, matching my own brilliant colors. Night was approaching and my eyes were starting to droop a little, but the task at hand was important.
Two hours passed as I walked the length of the wall, not once regretting my decision not to swim the minuscule span of water back at the lake. Sure, I wouldn't have had to fight and die to an eyesore of a worm, but, water feels.. yucky. In total I've probably been walking for 7 hours, and been dead for 6, so 13 hours!!! And I'm still not across!!
"No sleep until I'm in that boat!" I cheerfully encourage to myself, preceded by a few hefty slaps to my face.
Also, since the last Rattling Worm fight and much to my reluctance, I painfully suppressed any form of whistling, singing, chirping or crying. As fantastic as free exp drawn by my voice is, my contempt for the long wall has only grown over the course of this day. Any further distractions won't be tolerated!
Hold it!!!
Is that what I think it is?
I clamber my way up a rock and squint at the far away wall.
"Oh my god" I exclaim uncontrollably, putting all previous efforts to remain silent out the window.
"The end, the end, the end, YESSSSS I SEE IT!"