The desert sun, a merciless tyrant, blazed down upon Orano Tatsumi, legend of the creature hunters. Every scorching ray seemed to whisper tales of his prowess: whispers carried on the wind that earned him the moniker "Soul of The Wind," and the scorching heat echoing the terror he instilled in monstrous hearts, "Terror of The Desert." His latest conquest brought him to the unforgiving expanse of Torox, a desert vast enough to swallow entire kingdoms.
Orano, a figure both imposing and graceful, navigated the treacherous terrain. His six-foot frame, sculpted by years of relentless pursuit, moved with a practiced ease. His short, tousled brown hair, the color of sun-baked earth, framed eyes that mirrored polished chestnuts - eyes that held the glint of a predator honed by countless hunts.
He wore a garb meticulously chosen for both function and flair. A long ebony coat, adorned with intricate patterns that shimmered like desert mirages in the heat, flowed around him. Obsidian trousers and boots, embellished with motifs that echoed the coat, completed the ensemble. A white cloak, worn and weathered like a trusted battle flag, billowed behind him, offering a meager shield from the sun's relentless assault. A worn leather satchel rested against his hip, containing the tools of his trade - silent testaments to battles past.
As Orano ventured deeper into the desolate landscape, a glint of something unexpected caught his keen eye. He halted his deliberate stride, a flicker of predatory instinct igniting within him. With a practiced grace, he crouched, approaching the anomaly with the silent stealth of a desert viper.
Spread before him lay a sight both magnificent and disturbing - the colossal moulted skin of a serpent, its scales shimmering with an otherworldly iridescence in the harsh sunlight. Its sheer size spoke of a predator of unimaginable power, and Orano knew instinctively that the creature it belonged to still lurked nearby, concealed within the endless dunes.
He rose, his movements deliberate as he resumed his trek. Yet, his senses were no longer focused solely on navigating the unforgiving terrain. Now, they were attuned to the subtlest tremors of the sand, the whispers carried on the wind, all in an effort to discern the presence of his quarry.
Then, a tremor unlike any other coursed through the ground, a low rumble that resonated through his very bones. It wasn't the settling of sand dunes, nor the desert wind playing tricks. This was the unmistakable tremor of a leviathan on the move. Orano's lips curved into a grim smile - the "Terror of The Desert" had found his prey.
He stood poised, a predator himself, waiting for the inevitable confrontation. Every muscle tensed, every nerve sang with anticipation. Time seemed to stretch, each passing moment an eternity as he awaited the reveal.
This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.
The earth shuddered once more, and then, with a thunderous roar that shook the very heavens, a colossal red serpent erupted from the sands. It towered over Orano, a monstrous crimson nightmare made flesh. Its body, thick as a collapsed tower, writhed with unimaginable power. The creature's gaze, intelligent and cold, locked onto Orano. It was a moment of perfect tension, a predator meeting another predator in a silent challenge, a standoff that hung heavy in the burning air.
The hunter's fingers grazed the serpent's scaly surface as he remarked, "Your hide is tougher than most." The snake, however, took offense to his touch, rising in indignation, venomous hisses filling the arid air.
"Even for its size, it hid well," Orano mused with a resigned sigh. He braced himself as the serpent lunged, but he danced away, narrowly evading the onslaught. In that fateful moment, he drew his white-hilted blade and with a swift, masterful stroke, cleaved the serpent in twain.
The behemoth fell, defeated, to the desert floor.
Orano continued on his way, relying on his trusted compass, "Inhav," to navigate the labyrinthine dunes and make his triumphant return to the kingdom of Ravaryn. The kingdom, though often overlooked, held its own charm, offering solace to some and unease to others.
In the local tavern, he regaled the barkeep with his victory. The man, visibly relieved, expressed his gratitude, presenting a pouch laden with gleaming gold coins. Orano accepted it with a nod, a ritual well-practiced.
As he turned to leave, a snippet of conversation piqued his interest. Two men spoke of a "rift." Intrigued, he approached them, seeking answers.
Following their lead, Orano found himself in the tranquil embrace of Vichicar, the forest adjacent to Ravaryn. There, amidst the foliage, he encountered the enigmatic blue rift. He murmured, "At last, I've found you," only to be met with a startling revelation.
The rift revealed glimpses of the second Kingdom, a revelation that left Orano baffled. Before he could grasp it, the rift vanished, slipping from his grasp like a fleeting dream.
Frustration gnawed at him. "Don't go!" he implored, but the rift remained elusive.
Returning to his abode, nestled near the castle, Orano sought solace in the familiarity of his small yet comfortable dwelling. His private chamber harbored a trove of arcane knowledge, potions, and creature remains.
Inside, he encountered Yuma, a companion in his quest. Yuma, with fiery red locks and vibrant yellow eyes, stood tall beside him. He was attired in a black shirt adorned with golden patterns, paired with ivory trousers.
Pums, diminutive creatures, flitted about, held gently in Yuma's grasp. They were small wonders, captivating yet elusive. Amidst the gentle chaos, Orano and Yuma discussed the rift and the puzzling revelation.
Days passed, filled with research and preparations. Orano, armed with tickets provided by Yuma, set forth on his journey from Ravaryn to Aetas. The gravity of his mission weighed on him, but he was resolute.
As he left, Yuma's words lingered, a promise of their reunion amidst the enigma of the rifts. Orano sailed toward the unknown, resolved to uncover the secrets that had eluded him for so long.