The moon hung over the open skies of the central plains of the continent of Kiya. Along the central trade route the ran from the north to south, dubbed the Sky Dragon Road by many, was a caravan. The caravan had at least twenty wagons which carried various goods and wares since this caravan was currently traveling north along the Sky Dragon Road in the hopes that they can sell their merchandise in the capital of the northern country of Lance, Klyde.
Klyde is considered one of the wealthiest cities in all of the Kiya continent due to the fact it is situated in the middle of the northern half of the continent as well as being the capital and cultural center for the entire empire of Lance, which rules over two thirds of the northern half of Kiya.
However the trip to Klyde via the Sky Dragon Road from the south is often traversed in caravans because the central plains of the continent are a fairly vast and lawless area. Which is why this caravan currently had its wagons situated in a circular formation off to the side of the main road. Mercenaries in heavy iron plate armor patrolled the outer area of the formation keeping a tight grip on their pikes as they stared into the dark rolling hills of the plains barely lit by the milky light of the moon.
Within the caravan's formation were various groups of people huddling around roaring fires covered in thick wool blankets. During summer nights on the central plains the days have a comfortable warm but at night it's not uncommon for unprepared travelers at this time of year to freeze to death in the middle of the night. For this reason the majority of people stayed within the center of the circular formation because they know that they may not always stay this warm in the future.
With the majority of people sleeping near the great bonfires the scene was rather warming seeing many merchants, travelers, and mercenaries so close together amidst the dimming lights of the fires.
Outside of the formation amidst the shadows of the rolling hills were various indistinguishable figures moving about quickly surrounding the caravan moving swiftly on all fours attracted by the light of the fires. When they moved all you would see is a swaying shadowy blur but no matter how fast they moved they didn't even make a sound. The grass swayed as they approached but it did not even rustle as they lowered their sleek shadowy bodies and creeped forward.
One of the guarding mercenaries was half asleep standing attention with his back to a wagon when a shadowy figured seemed to half float half pounce towards him without making a sound. The beast finally crashed into the partially dozing guard disturbing the peace of the night as it sank its razor sharp teeth into his throat flinging the man backward with enough force to tip over the wagon.
The sound of the wagon crashing onto its side awoke everyone in the area. However, it was too late for these beasts were incredibly intelligent for after that first figure pounced all of the other concealed figures in the grass followed suit targeting the rest of the mercenaries guarding the outer area of the formation. By this point all of the people within the circle of wagons was awake as some screamed and some jumped towards their weapons as the cat like figures flooded into the camp.
Blood splattered the ground and screams formed a grand symphony of pain and agony as the beasts slashed with their brick sized paws and sword like claws. Many of the men within this now cage like formation held swords as they hacked at the monsters slaughtering and devouring their friends and relatives. Some knew in their hearts they were going to die so let loose blood boiling screams of rage and hate towards the very heavens as they smashed into the beasts trying their best to pierce their thick hides.
One man who was over six feet tall went berserk as he swung an enormous dual-headed axe like a whirlwind as he let out pained screams of pain for his wife was among one of those killed, and he couldn't protect her. In his rage he let go of his own life as the hundreds of beasts swarmed in. Only this man couldn't use his full strength because in his left arm held close to his chest was his only son, just born a week prior while he and his wife were still traveling.
Three of the tiger like creatures jumped at the man, one from the front and two from behind. The man cried out as he swung out at the beast in front of him disregarding all else and not bothering to defend because to him at that moment he was enraged and in agony. His only thoughts were that he needed to kill them, kill them all to protect his son's life.
Adrenaline and the pressure of all of his feelings were let out of every swing of his axe. As the two beasts pounced tried digging their claws into the man's back he suddenly twisted his hips using the tremendous weight of the axe to follow through a horizontal slash after he smashed the head of the one in front him with his bare feet causing its brain matter to fling into the air. The two creatures didn't even have time to regret as they were decapitated.
Slowly but surely the beast whittled down the group until just that man and his child were left. The blood had long since started to run into the dirt making it the consistency of mud. The man at this point had various gashes all over his body except for the front his chest where he held his son, the only thing left in this world he had to protect. Currently these black tiger like monsters were staying clear of the man and only blocking his way as they encircled him.
The man's breathing was heavy, he was bleeding profusely, and fatigue seemed be washing over him as he stood there limply holding his bloody axe which now had multiple chips along its blade making almost look like the bloody maw of a great dragon.
All of a sudden an inhuman sounding coarse voice roared out with an amused tone, "Humans never disappoint me, how amusing... yes, very amusing."
Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel.
Soon after a large black tiger with purple stripes almost as tall as the man stepped slowly through the crowd of smaller beasts with a wide stride as is displaying its own pride and arrogance but most catching were its two bright purple eyes that almost seemed to pierce the dark and held a slight flicker of intelligence.
The man sluggishly turned to look at the creature, when there eyes met the man could not help be feel an incomprehensible pressure from its gaze. Under that gaze his body shook as he released his axe letting it sink into the bloody earth before sinking to his knees, tears streaming down his face as he clutched his son close with both arms. His chest shook from his cries because he knew now he couldn't escape because the grand creature before him was at least a Dragon Class magical beast from its aura not to mention its human speech.
Magical beasts throughout this world are ranked based on their power and the fact that they draw power from the essence of nature to gain power gave rise to the title 'magical beast'. Magical beasts are ranked from one to seven each rank the higher the rank the harder to kill. Then there are rare occurrences where a magical beast surpasses the first seven rank those are from lowest to highest Dragon Class, Phoenix Class, and then Immortal Class magical beasts making a total of ten ranks.
Once a magical beast surpasses the first seven ranks and steps into the Dragon Class ranking it gains ability to take human form and learn human speech as well as being endowed with superior intelligence. Once a magical beast steps into the Phoenix Class it is virtually unkillable because if one speck of dust is remaining they can easily reform their bodies much like a Phoenix rising from the ashes, the only way to kill them is by smashing their solidified core after disintegrating the rest of the body once they reach Phoenix Class. Finally, the practically mythical Immortal Class magical beasts which are very mysterious and only known in legends to be invincible and having enough power to sink quarter of a continent into the vast oceans.
It is for the very reason the man began to despair because only Dragon Class magical beasts can speak in the human tongue. Suddenly the man felt a wiggling warmth and heard childish cries. The man with tears covering his face could only look down at his crying son causing a deep pain from his heart as loosened his grip slightly on his son before whispering gently, "It's ok... It's ok... I'm here, no need to cry..."
The purple striped tiger simply looked down at the man with a tinge of interest in his eyes. He felt deeply moved by the prospect of this father's love for his child that even in the face of death he didn't want his son to feel discomfort. The tiger had always had an interest in humans so he couldn't help but think of a proposal for he really wanted to face this fearless man, "Human... you will fight me to the death... if you manage to mark me with your weapon even if you die I will protect your son for you"
The man hearing this didn't think he could ever believe this beast but as he looked down at his delicate son couldn't help but consider. Looking at his own body and seeing marks all over his body and noticing his blood spilling from the wounds, feeling the aching pain from every inch of his body he knew he was going to die. He laugh bitterly wiping off the streams of tears from his face before speaking in a firm yet sad tone, "Either way I will leave this world... It is best I don't drag my son down with me... I'll put my last bit of faith in your word... beast."
The man slowly lowered his son on to the bloodstained muddy earth before dragging his heavy axe from the mud. As he stood his legs shook from simply standing. Seeing this the purple striped tiger couldn't help but inwardly sigh and think, This human can hardly stand yet he thinks he can still wound me?
The man was swaying trying catch his balance as he was standing firmly gripping his axe with his right hand so hard his knuckles turned white. Determination shined in his eyes, he knew what he had to do. Suddenly the man stopped swaying standing firm in the uneven muddy ground exactly the opposite of his stance but a moment ago. Suddenly a vortex seemed to form around the man as his muscles seemed to expand as he emitted a green aura. This rotating aura suddenly magnified out covering a circumference of about fifteen feet. This is the ultimate result of a life or death technique, the man was forcibly igniting all of the inner energy in his body to boost his strength and aura if only for an instant.
If the purple striped tiger was in human for at this moment you would likely see his face pale. This tremendous power was the worth of this man's life, it is no small amount. The man in this moment where his aura and physical strength was at its peak lashed out with his axe. When he lashed out all of his surrounding aura seemed to converge at blade of his axe before slashing out at the large beast in the form of an enormous emerald blade. The purple striped tiger suddenly stood up on its hind legs before quickly swatting down with his front paw to meet the aura blade.
When large black paw met with the aura it seemed to almost explode. When the aura suddenly exploded upon the descending paw it tore through flesh and slowly disintegrated half of the tiger's arm leaving nothing but a burnt stump.
The man seeing this let out a smile before crashing to his knees. He the then said his last words in this world in a hoarse voice, "His name... his name is... Fay... Fay Caige..."
After speaking out his son's name his body seemed to almost wither in front of your eyes before he finally slumped down face first in the mud and next to him was was his only son, Fay, letting out whimpering cries next to his father's withered corpse.