Julius calendar 898

Month Of The Weakest Solaris

29th

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Jaspers entire body froze rigid as he heard the minute noise above him that signified motion. A moment passed and Jasper remained frozen, keeping stock still crouched over the tracks. He dispensed a thin thread of energy from his ninth Gate to his ears bolstering their listening capabilities, straining his hearing to detect any further noises that would confirm whether or not there was a beast lurking in the green canopy above him. The reverberating sound of his pounding heart was all his attentive listening could detect for the moment.

Moving with the utmost slowness and care Jasper began to crane his head upwards to visually confirm his horrified assumption. The thick oaken tree directly in from of him that he was intently staring at was cast in a beautiful light by the high noon sun, the bark glowed an iridescent yellow. As Jasper’s gaze slowly traced the tree trunks length upwards his heart somewhat settled as he thought maybe he was being overly paranoid and jittery. The tracks were fresh, true, but not overly so.

However his settled heart once again started beating extremely erratically as his gaze finally finished sweeping the entire truck of the tree. Eight yards up the trees body, fully illuminated by the noon light sat a midnight black furred beast. The creatures large sinister yellow eyes glistened with a cold callous intelligence as they bored into him. It's entire body sat parallel to the tree trunk, the great grim head facing directly towards him whilst a strong long luxuriously coated tail wrapped about the trunk above it, rooting its body in place. The paws that were guilty of leaving the chilling prints were even more sinister in the flesh. Six long scythe like talons extended from large contorted paws, paws that were scaled like a birds feet. Only the lower portion below the knee of each leg was scaled, the rest of its lean body was hidden in a flowing coat that was a glossy black.

The head that was intently glaring directly at him terrified Jasper the most. Its head was canine like in nature but apart from the two twitching furred ears and the general skull shape the rest of its features were entirely different from a dogs. In comparison to a canine counterpart its eyes were set in the same place however beside that there were no further similarities. The beasts eyes appeared more like an owls. They were an intelligent bright yellow and sparkled with a cunning that sent a shiver down Jaspers spine. The most prominent facial feature however wasn't the plotting yellow eyes but instead the horrifying curved beak that protruded from where a maw would be present on a canine. The curved beak ended in a dangerously vicious hook that left no room for questions upon the creatures dietary preferences.

That same sinister beak was currently slightly agape as the creature that was pressed flat against the trunk facing towards the earth let loose an irritated growl upon being discovered by its prey. Acting instinctively Jasper flooded his energy out of the dispensary ninth Gate, blasting the energy through his bodies vast network of pathways and into his legs. In almost the same moment he acted the creature suspended from the tree trunk above launched itself forward, hurtling through the air towards Jasper.

Bursting forth Jasper utilised the energies reinforcing effect upon his legs and dived off to the side. The surrounding world was a tumbling blur for a few moments as the great force of his propulsion sent him skidding nearly twenty yards along the leafy forest floor. The creature heavily landed where Jasper had been just moments before, it's sickle like front claws accurately rendered the air where his throat would've been had he not detected its presence.

Jaspers inelegant and impromptu escape from death was ended as he roughly tumbled into a tree. Scurrying to his feet he quickly turned and faced his deadly adversary. The creature stood on all fours at a majestically impressive height of just over four foot, it's body running a length of near seven foot whilst it's tail playfully swished in the air at another four foot. The top of the beasts head and back were parallel to one another, giving the creature a sulking slinky look as it slowly stalked towards Jasper. Despite its great height the creature was rather slender and more obviously built for explosive speed rather than excessive power.

Watching the beast slowly prowl towards him Jasper felt his heart contract weakly with a deep fear. Staring into the beasts callous cold eyes that were so strikingly yellow and indifferent he knew he was being viewed as nothing more than a slab of meat to be fed upon. And that scared him.

Taking a deep shaky breath without removing his gaze from the incoming creature Jasper instinctively reached for his bow that he had placed across his shoulder earlier whilst examining the prints. He paused mid action. He could feel that the familiar weight and rough texture of the bow wasn't across his shoulders anymore as it should've been. It must've fallen as he initially scrambled away. The raving fear that he had been keeping at bay took ahold of his mind as he realised he was without his most trusted asset.

As if sensing the flood of panic that assaulted him the beast that had been slowly slinking towards Jasper opened its stride up into a great bound that rapidly devoured the twenty yards that divided them. Fear latched its icy cold fangs around Jaspers heart as he saw the beast begin accelerating towards him. Without thinking he turned tail and pelted off through the forest in the other way as fast as he could.

The physical prowess he was endowed with from unlocking the sixth Gate was significant to say the least. Jasper had often taken great relish in chasing after wild deer on bare foot for the thrill of it when he was younger during the period after he had unlocked his eighth Gate. Although he was a good margin less nimble than the deer he was still able to keep them in his sight for a few minutes before they eventually evaded him. Now he had unlocked the sixth Gate it was needless to say that Jasper flew across the forested floor rapidly, trees were little more than brown and green blurs caught momentarily within his peripherals. In fact he was so quick that after a mere ten seconds he had began to widen the distance between him and the chasing predator.

After just less than half a minute of instinctively dashing forward the burning fear that had latched hold of his heart was doused by a freezing bucket of water from a heavy realisation. The realisation he was running towards Little Willow. He had originally set out after the beast because of his desire to protect his hamlet of birth. Because of the great love his father had held for Little Willow. Now here he was leading the beast to the doorstep of the naïve and unaware people of Little Willow, the very people he had set out to protect.

Fury at his own meek pathetic actions finally flushed away the last hold that fear had held over him. A cutting steeliness washed over his previously panic stricken face as his pounding footsteps slowed their tempo, his heart beat wildly as he came to a halt. Reaching behind his back he swiftly and deftly drew two arrows from his full wicker quiver. He wasn't entirely unarmed. Turning he resolutely faced the beast that was barrelling towards him, resolutely faced the threat to Little Willow. His mother and fathers hamlet. His own hamlet.

With an arrow grasped in each strong bronze hand he eyed the frenzied furred creature that rapidly bounding toward him. Nervousness bubbled and clawed at the firm resolve he had just rapidly constructed. He blindly suppressed it, paying it no heed. Gritting his teeth he blasted energy from all four of his Gate’s throughout his body's entire network of channels. As the energy reached his eyes his vision momentarily blurred then suddenly enhanced in a crystal clear focus. In an instant he took the beast in its entirety. He watched its foaming spittle fly out from within the wickedly hooked beak. Observed the little red worm like veins that extended throughout the creatures diluted frenzied eyes. Noticed the patches of dried blood that decorated the creatures scaled legs and talons.

Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

This creature was ferocity incarnate, born to kill those weaker than itself. A primeval instinct screamed at his now shaken resolve, telling him to turn and flee once again. But he didn't. Instead he screamed back at that frightened instinct inside of him silencing it. Then he burst into a run directly towards the bounding beast.

His heart was pulsing faster and harder than it ever had done before as the ground that separated the two of them was voraciously eaten up. Prompted by his hearts rapid rhythm the energy inside of him flooded into every single channel throughout his body's network, hurriedly circulating and fuelling his body with a burning strength. The energy was pulsing rapidly, always matching the tempo of his fluctuating frantic heart. Gritting his teeth and clenching the arrows in his grasp he watched the black beast that was no more than ten yards away leap high into the air. Beak agape and talons outstretched it soared towards him seeking to sink its lethal weaponry into his vitals.

Jasper just continued running, he poured every last ounce of energy he could channel into his legs. As the two collided toward one another on a impact course and were just about to crash Jasper viciously let loose a bestial roar and thrust both of the arrows in his hands forward. Seeking to puncture the base of the beasts throat.

With a wet crunch the two hit. The overpowering momentum of one party completely swept the airborne figure away. Turning into a black blur it was catapulted through the sky backward from whence it came.

As they hit Jasper felt his arrows plunge into something soft and wet, knowing he had pierced into the creature he then burst hid bubbling energy into his arms and exploded forth with all his might as he ran forward. The airborne beast only managed to lacerate him with a single outstretched talon upon his left cheek before it was viciously flung backwards by Jaspers assualt. Following the collision Jasper tumbled to the leafy forest ground. Rolling a few times he rapidly came up into a lowered crouched position ready to continue the fight. Quickly checking his Gates he realised he had just wantonly emptied the entire ninth Gate into that one explosive motion.

He deftly drew another arrow from his disorderly wicker quiver and alertly scanned the area for the creature whom he still considered a threat. He remained ready to channel energy to his legs should the situation require a deft dodge from any sudden unexpected attack. The wariness present on his features increased in thickness as he failed to find traces of the beast in the immediate vicinity. Shortly the wariness was replaced by a stunned bewilderment as he scanned his gaze further afield from the point of collision. Among the forested floor nearly twenty yards from where they had clashed was the weakly struggling black beast. Two arrows were imbedded deeply in the front of its chest, they still quivered somewhat from the remnant great force that drove them into the creatures body. The midnight black fur surrounding its injuries had been dyed a bright crimson and a small puddle of the creatures viscous blood was rapidly forming on the forest floor.

The outcome left Jasper rather bewildered and shocked, he remained half crouched staring somewhat dumbly at the fatally wounded animal. He had never expected it to be felled so easily, every scenario he envisioned involved a drawn out battle that ended with him sustaining multiple grievous injuries. After all he waged battle with but just a few arrows to hand.

Gently Jasper started laughing. The laughter quickly increased in volume until it reverberated throughout the Axe, causing numerous colourful birds of different shapes and sizes to take flight and leave the disturbed area. Both pleased and proud of himself Jasper got up and quickly trotted over to the black beast that had somehow weakly struggled to its feet. The animal pathetically tried to peck at the arrows sunken into its slim chest, struggling to try and tend to the lethal injury.

Solemness replaced the joyful giddiness upon his face as he neared the black creature. The beast was still a threat and Jasper recognised that, as a hunter he was well aware off the great amounts of strength a dying animal could drag from the depths of its body. A will to live was an undeniably powerful thing. He'd once seen a deer take an arrow through the neck and still manage to frantically flee for more than half a mile. Until an animal was dead it wasn't to be underestimated. That was but merely a single reason for the now solemn expression Jasper wore. During his twelve years hunting in the Axe he had come to form a deep appreciation for the animals of the forest. He respected them greatly. Jasper didn't enjoy seeing any animal suffer, he would kill, but he would kill quickly. It was for this reason he adopted a serious manner as he neared the suffering black furred animal.

Somewhat cautious in his approach Jasper observed the beast that retained little of its previous vigour and ferocity, now it instead appeared pathetic and pitiful. It stood upright however it was woozy and wobbly on its feet. The head that until only recently had been carried high with pride and grandeur was now limp and drooped, its eyes unfocused while staring blankly at the two arrows protruding from its chest. Yellow eyes that had once been cunning, filled with an incise sharpness and focus were now disorientated, confused and scared. Hunter and hunted had flipped.

Without a shred of mercy or remorse present upon his face Jaspers hand flashed out and snatched ahold of the base of its long black tail. Feeling the contact the animal livened somewhat. A small portion of clarity and vigour resurfaced within its eyes and it turned its head to Jasper innate ferocity reawakened, viciously snarling. The guttural snarling was silenced by an arrow that fatally bore through its raging yellow eye. He'd never hesitate to kill.

A small smile resurfaced on Jaspers face as he crouched over the body of his adversary. In the end the creature wasn't anywhere near physically a match for Jasper. The strength that coursed through his body after the he had unlocked the sixth Gate was immense. However due to his weak inexperienced mentality in the face of a creature that sought to take his life his fortitude had crumbled. He had turned and fled despite his far superior strength. It was only due to the danger the creature imposed upon Little Willow as well as the final promise he had made to his father that Jasper had reasserted his resolve and once again found his bravery, throwing aside his weakness. The end result being he had easily slain this feared creature from the depths of the Axe. Triumphantly besting his own weakness alongside the formidable beast as he had done left Jasper feeling proudly exhilarated, eutrophic even. Hence why he was grinning now and had burst into jubilant laughter earlier.

Had it been a regular hunter who had faced the beasts vicious assault even if his mentality was fortified and bravely determined he almost assuredly would've fallen victim to the beasts scythe like talons and insidiously hooked beak. This wasn't a beast a mere normal man could easily slay. It was fortunate Jasper was a far cry from being just a mere normal man.

Exuberantly Jasper slung the creatures large corpse across his broad shoulders and set off back to his home. The glade, not forgetting to recollect his trusty birch bow on the way of course. In his joyful mood he had completely forgotten about the semi deep gash upon his left cheek. In fact even when he got back to the glade apart from cleaning it he left it be. He could've easily requested Gilda to stitch it up for him but instead he chose to let it naturally heal To scar well. He yearned for something to remember the lesson he had learnt today by. The lesson being, you'll never know if you can prevail over a trial if you don't even try. Who knows, maybe its easier than you thought it to be.

It was only a week after Jasper had slain the beast that he had come to know of its name. He had decided to skin the creature and don its pelt upon his back as a cloak. Of course the next time he paid a visit to Little Willow children and adults alike had been terrified by the ferocious looking raiment. When old Gareth saw Jasper he could only stare slaw jacked and point stupidly at the pelt of the beast, loudly buzzing in his head was an old nursery rhyme he had long forgotten that his mother would tell him after he'd misbehaved. Gareth didn't hang around for long he rapidly turned on his wrinkled heels and wobbled back to his hut as fast as his frail old legs would carry him. The entire way back he stupidly mumbled about how wrong he had been to assume that his old hag mother only had a mouth full of manure, apparently there was some crystal truths mixed within the muck as well. Before he had raced away however he managed to shakily stammer out a single word to Jaspers face.

“Aroncole!”

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Julius Calendar 898

Month Of The Weakest Solaris 29th

Jasper Valour Slays a Aroncole that strayed out of the Axe’s depths

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~Watch for the nasty beast my sweet~

~His fur is midnight black~

~Watch for the nasty beak my dear~

~He uses it to attack~

~Play not in the Axe my sweet~

~For that is where he settles~

~Do be wary of the bush my dear~

~He's lurking in the nettles~

~No you won't run free my sweet~

~My goodness oh he is so fast~

~Stay in at night my dear~

~If not it may be your last~

~Yes your safe with me my sweet~

~Just follow all my rules~

~His name you ask my dear?~

~His known as Aroncole~

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