Chapter 6
I furiously dug my claws into the back of the lizard. It had been an aggressive start, lunging out from the high brush, I had launched myself at the lizard. The downside had been it ready and slithered out of my reach. I had been rewarded with a smack to my muzzle with its tail. We had circled each other until I faked a lunge at its head only to grab at its tail and barely tore skin. From there the fight had devolved into a rolling, tussling contest of strength. Coming back to the present i had finally gotten on top of the beast.
My claws found purchase in its back and I sunk them in deep. My only chance of victory was to avoid its weapons and attack either high or to its rear. I found myself clever for gaining such a foothold and bit down into the shoulder of the lizard. Abruptly i found my world covered my stars and my body convulsing. Some of my perfect toenails ripped off into the monster as I flew off its back. What was it with this world and its freaks for animals my mind wondered, meanwhile my body was hitting the ground tumbling until I lost momentum.
What in the fuck was that, it felt like every muscle and fiber of my body had been lit on fire. I could smell meat roasting and the sound of fur sizzling was crisp in my ears. Struggling to stand and my balance wobbling I assumed a what I hope is a proud posture. Eyeing my opponent I saw that during my little seizure that I had ripped open its back much further than I thought possible. Fair enough, I wasn’t trying to rip my own paws apart to hurt it. Blood oozed down its flanks as i thought about this being, and with that I’m going to call this an electric salamander, due to some rather shocking developments.
How I was going to win with each toe screaming in agony and my body racked with minor convulsions and pain, I have no idea. We eyed each other, both weighing the risks of victory and the merits of retreat. I’m glad it’s giving me a chance to find a fatal flaw. I scanned its body once more, looking at its delicate neck, to the extreme gouges on its side. I started circling the salamander as if I was a shark in water. It warily kept its eyes on me, and I switched from circling right to left. That’s when i noticed the limp and an insane plan crept into my mind.
I had been willing to sacrifice my body for victory before. But this time I would live, even if i had to go home limping and sleep for a week. Mentally preparing myself for the upcoming pain and knowing this victory would prove my own self worth i closed my eyes and concentrated. I heard the wind whispering through the trees, leaking through the tall grass lovingly caressing my fur. I smelled my opponents blood, its rusty yet delicious taste promising me rewards for victory. My eyes slowly opening I visualed my path, knowing I had one singular chance at victory that i would have to seize with my own hands… well paws.
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Finishing this little ritual the salamanders eyes seemed to ask me, if you do this you will die, so why? My only answer was to bare my teeth in a grin and grind what was left of my once flawless paws into the ground. The pain of it only filled me with rage i would use to kill this unworthy churl. Launching myself with a howl I embraced the wolf instincts, I let myself move without my minds commands. Time slowed as it answered my challenged with a hiss of its own.
As we closed in i could see every speck of dirt fly from its charging feet, the flecks of spittle from its mouth. Right before we collided I saw sparks that brought my misery earlier start to sparkle on its body. My muscles bunched as I lowered myself coming up low on its throat, both of our forces pushing my fangs deep. Steeling myself for the anguish to come I felt a prick in my throat. I felt my jaw spasm, the lizard sealing its own fate by pushing the pressure of my bite beyond what my body would allow. I did not go flying this time, my body locking onto the neck of my foe in a death grip. I tasted sweet victory flow into my mouth.
[Trial of The Thunder Lizard] [PASSED]
[GROWTH ACHIEVED]
The voice came again but I didn’t care, the agony was over. My limbs still twitched and every molecule of my being ached with feverish exhaustion. But as I painstakingly released my jaws the corpse fell in a light puff of dirt. I had achieved victory, not by my own doing but, by the lizard killing itself. My limbs quivered, threatening to betray me and throw me to the dirt. All of my being was dedicated to breathing and standing, and slowly they obeyed me once again. Looking down at my trophy I felt that it was all worth it. The pain, The days of recovery ahead for my poor pelt, it was worth it for this feeling.
Releasing a breath I didn’t know I had been holding I took my spoils. And the spoils, they were the most delicious thing i had ever devoured. I tore apart its limbs, enjoying the feeling of flesh parting as I took out the remnants of my anger. I relished in eating every morsel of this being that had given me such pain. Finally getting to the heart again, I found yet another stone. Thinking, It only made sense that I would also contain one if every creature i had killed had one as well. And eating their flesh and muscle only made mine grow, so would not eating this also make me grow?
Having thought it out I greedily swallowed it down. I felt the weakness that had been beating against my bones lessen, and the pain retreat some. Assuming my hypothesis was correct, I would have to hunt more to keep growing. Finished with my meal and still tired if not exhausted I made my way back home. I tried to wash off as much of the blood as I could at a stream on the way back. Yet the sense of burning still lingered. Giving up I continued my lonely path.
It was much earlier this time I came back. No one was here, not even the pups. They must of went off to play or explore. Thinking such i found my craney and layed down. A contented sigh escaped my muzzle, and I expected I would be here for a few days before I was strong enough to leave again. With my thoughts becoming fragmented and faint I starting drifting into sleep. My last thought was of how delicious meat you hunted for yourself was.