Clump! Crack-Crack! Bang! SMASH!

Within half-a-second of Zaron falling from the cliff's edge, he struck the trees at intense velocity. He collided and tumbled against the various sized branches to halt his descent, various sounds of ripping and cracking echoing upon impact. And yet, Zaron had no opportunity to brace or concentrate whatsoever, the sheer force of his descent along with the constant whiplash of the thick branches sent him into a state of blackout. At his current rate, he had no hope in escaping his predicament.

Snapsnapsnap-crack...!

Zaron opened his eyes cautiously, using his instincts to determine the direction of the ground amongst his uncontrollable tumbles. Albeit difficult to focus from never-ending spinning, he was able to catch a brief visual of the incoming ground. From what he gathered; he was seconds away from the inevitable impact.

Snap! Crack! Snap-snap-snap...!

“Oh crap!”

With no other option, Zaron wrapped his entire body with the coating of his two wings instinctively, bracing himself for the inevitable pain.

Snap-snap-snap…!

WHAM!

Within three second, Zaron struck the ground.

“NGH!”

Upon immediate impact, the young draiken felt the wind disappear from his lungs. He unravelled his wings frantically and gasped out in pain, desperate for oxygen to return to his body.

“*GASP-!*”

Thankfully, he felt a rush of air return to his lungs after an initial panic. With relief cast upon him, Zaron laid sprawled across the ground, waiting for the nauseous spinning and dizziness to subside. Although it was rare fir him to succumb to motion-sickness, the rate of the world spinning around him was unbearable.

“Urrgh...! Make it end already.” Zaron then murmured to himself woozily, holding back the desire to vomit.

Eventually, the constant spinning died down to a tolerable state, allowing Zaron to regain his bearings. He sat up gradually, wincing at the aching muscles and stiff joints that restricted his movement. Afterwards, Zaron took no time in finding his footing, shaking his head to dispel the inconvenient dizziness. Upon brief inspection, he noticed his body and wings unscathed – outside of a few minor scratches and scrapes. Overall, he was still in one piece.

Brushing aside the thought of death, Zaron proceeded to examine his new surroundings. Although he was forcibly thrown into the untampered forest against his will, there was a side to him that was curious of its uncharted secrets. Like many passing visitors before him, Zaron had only observed from Grand Falcon’s Peak, unaware of its potential depths and flourishing undergrowth. As astounding as it was to oversee the vast reaches of the forest from high up, there was a sense of euphoria at the thought of the numerous secrets awaiting the young draiken within the thick forest. Dazzled by the luscious green beauty, Zaron felt as though he had entered a woodland haven: no patch of grass was trampled on mercilessly; no stick or branch was snapped heartlessly – aside from the damage Zaron caused during his fall; and towering, prideful trees thrived continuously as it created a natural canopy below the bright afternoon sun. It was as though Zaron had transported to a pre-historic era of Dragora, free from influence of the governed, industrial world he had known all his life.

He watched silently as numerous petals fell from the towering trees with grace, dancing in mid-air amongst the flap of his wing. He then noticed small, rodent-like animals scurrying across his feet at staggering speeds, disappearing into the nearby thickets in a flash. Zaron grinned, entranced by the untampered world around him. He took a step forward wistfully, bound by his desire to explore the natural utopia.

“Oi! Zaron! Are you still alive down there…?!”

In that moment, Zaron’s blissful dreamlike state was shattered by Denzo’s insufferable echo. He peered up, squinting through the gaps of the canopy upon hearing his brother’s voice.

“I’ll be waiting for you back here – if you’re back in time, of course!” Denzo called out in an oblivious yet cheerful tone. “You best get going! You’re on the clock!”

“Thanks for the notice!” Zaron called back in a sarcastic manner.

Afterwards, he proceeded to let out a silent yet appropriate murmur.

“…Prick.”

Zaron imagined countless names he could associate with his brother, the majority of which were catastrophically insulting if uttered from his breath. And yet, even though he was alone, he decided against the tactful name-calling and returned to the required task. He then let out an anxious sigh.

“No time like the present, I guess…”

Set on his current priorities, Zaron checked the clock on his smart phone:

16:42.

The countdown had commenced. With no time to waste, Zaron slipped the phone back into his pocket and proceeded to journey towards Selon Anora.

***

As he ventured further through the isolated woodland, Zaron continued to idolize the stunning surroundings of his environment. He spotted numerous species of animals and flora along the way – some he recognised whilst others were completely alien to him. The sight was soothing, causing the young draiken to watch on with heightened invigoration. However, as he progressed, Zaron’s gaze widened.

He noticed several trees with scarred-up bark and splintered trunks, some even toppled from their roots or on the verge of death due to the extensive damage. Whilst he assumed the scars were ancient, the mere discovery was contradicting to the common theory that the forest was ‘untouched’. From the environment before him, Zaron guessed the damage was a consequence from the battles of old, dating centuries ago – if not, over a millennium. He could imagine the bloodlust, vitriol, and obsession that consumed the combatants through their power-struggle. As he stepped on, he continued to find further proof of the battle, noticing the variety of old metal – yet somehow void of rust – and other man-made materials that were rooted deep into the ground. Additionally, he also found numerous pits and indents at various points of the woodland ground, showing results of explosions and devastation from the many deadly conflicts of the battlefield. And yet, despite the horrifying scars that marked the forest, nature simply accepted and continued to thrive. Nature grew and consumed the scars of war freely without a care in the world, embracing the change as a new addition to the woodland’s history.

However, as he pressed forward through the consuming forest, the echoes around Zaron grew eerily silent. The animal calls, the rustling of trees, and even the wind itself: all were soundless. Zaron decided to stop in his tracks, wondering why the change in atmosphere had occurred. To him, the new feeling in the back of his mind was haunting and unsettling. Increasingly aware of his surroundings, Zaron tensed up on the spot. He felt a cold shiver crawl up his spine abruptly, eyes switching back-and-forth as caution consumed his thoughts. It was difficult to determine their location, yet he knew their lingering glare was tracking his every movement. Reminding himself to keep calm, Zaron glanced to his left swiftly.

“...”

There was no movement. So far, no sign of his stalker.

He then switched to the right immediately.

“...”

Nothing.

Finally, he turned behind.

“...”

No sign of life whatsoever.

In that moment, Zaron’s walked forward, his stride increasing with every step. With his heartbeat racing and anxiety consuming his mind, it was only a matter of time until he would need to confront his stalker. No matter the attempts he made to restrain his engulfing fear, he had no success in calming his beating heart. His sights continued to switch back and forth constantly in the process, awaiting the presence of his persistent stalker. With every step, the atmosphere surrounding him intensified. He felt suffocated by the looming hostility closing in on him, his breaths heavy and stuttering as he suppressed his anxiety. He glanced up to the trees above reactively, refusing to blink as he anticipated potential signs of abnormal movement. As expected, the tree canopy was still and silent, emitting a melancholic impression as though it was oblivious to the looming threat below. Shaking his head at the absurdity, Zaron resorted to scrambling through his scattered thoughts, wondering what monstrosity would stalk him so intently. He thought of any specific wildlife who were known to reside in the forest, predators who were notorious to stalk their prey before flanking them with a single blow. He reflected on all the information and rumours he heard over the years regarding the forest.

(Are there any animals in this place that would attack me?)

He observed his surroundings as he questioned silently.

(All I can think of is the Vell and Secra ... but they’re both out of the question.)

From what Zaron could recall, the Vell were shy herbivores that only retaliated when threatened or cornered. In fact, they would often bound off and escape rather than fight back whenever possible. On the other hand, the Secra were nocturnal creatures, found sleeping within dark, damp, cramped areas – such as holes in the numerous trees and hidden burrows underground. As expected, the only time the Secra would retaliate was when they become startled during their slumber.

(But, aside from them, what else could there be...?)

Whilst he considered himself knowledgeable of the local wildlife, Zaron could not think of an animal that would attack him as a form of prey. In fact, any predatory animal with common sense would avoid Draiken at all costs, considering habitants of the animal kingdom were well acquainted to the ruthlessness of the Draiken species.

(Then what’s following me…?)

Regardless of the looming presence creeping closer to him eerily, Zaron continued to focus on his current objective. His pace grew erratic, yet he was adamant to press on in sheer ignorance of the risk closing in on him. To shift away from his anxiety, he took another glance skyward.

(There it is...)

Through a small, distinctive gap within the tree canopy, Zaron recognised Selon Anora’s observatory tower. Although it was a considerable distance away, the young Draiken was relieved to find himself on the correct path. All he needed was to keep moving forward.

Rumble…!

As though he had jinxed himself, Zaron froze abruptly. The young Draiken felt the ground beneath his feet rise and shake like a small quake. The sudden jolt rattled his mind, realising he had neglected a species that was considered a viable threat to Draiken. From what he recalled, the species in question would potentially attack anything it deemed as prey or an equal threat – regardless of the opposition’s level on the food chain. Due to the unique way they hunt and scavenge, the species was known to be impossible to track down. It was even believed to be an omen for those who stumble upon a specimen out in the open active or dormant. Despite what was expected from predatory beasts of its kind, the species were known to hunt from deep underground. Master of the underworld, an unstoppable force of nature, and a prime terror of the animal kingdom: the Venxe had chosen Zaron as its next prey.

Zaron continued to stand frozen in place, refusing to breathe – let alone utter any noise whatsoever. The formed mound beneath his feat had halted, awaiting confirmation of life upon the surface. The Venxe was set to strike.

From what Zaron recalled, the Venxe could track down its prey from far below the surface with absolute ease and precision. Due to its unique sense of sound and touch, the creature would lock onto Zaron’s risen heartbeat from miles away. All that was required for it to commence its hunt was the slightest abnormality in vibrations. With that in mind, Zaron refused to take any further risks, ensuring his heartbeat returned to an ideal, gradual pace.

However, his decision was a fatal mistake.

Fwoosh!

Zaron launched himself to the side immediately, realising his crucial mistake amongst the sheer burst of panic.

Boom!

The floor below him exploded without warning, sections of earth flying skyward as though a bomb had activated. Zaron rolled across the ground before leaping back to his feet in haste, utilising his momentum to escape sudden death.

Slide...!

Having regained a bracing stance after skidding back, the alerted Zaron reflected upon his dire mistake immediately. He realised that reducing the pace of his heart had notified the Venxe into believing he had fallen oblivious to its presence, allowing it the opportunity to execute its trap. With his heart racing, it was apparent the Venxe had taken precaution in approaching its prey, ensuring the likelihood of its target to flee the area was minimal.

Bang!

Zaron leapt to the side hastily as the Venxe struck again from underneath, almost losing his balance in the process from the close impact. The second explosion scraped him narrowly, inflicting minor scratches amongst other dust-covered markings to his left side. In that moment, Zaron ignored his heart rate, finding it pointless now that the Venxe was on the assault. Instead, he prioritized his continuous momentum adamantly and controlling his balance, scanning for a means to escape his predicament. However, deep down he knew any attempt to escape was close to impossible.

As stated previously, the Venxe was a master of the underworld, an unstoppable force of nature that would outrace its chosen prey with ease. There were reports that the Venxe could even glide underground faster than an average adult Draiken in flight. And yet, Zaron's mind turned like clockwork, wondering if the Venxe had its own set of weaknesses and limitations.

(What if … the Venxe’s strength was also its weakness?)

The idea was absurd, yet there was logic behind Zaron’s thought process. He had the Venxe’s strong senses of hearing and feeling fresh in his mind, considering the possibility that its two strongest senses were also prone to acute sensitivity.

Bang! Bang! BOOM…!

With his mind racing, Zaron continued to evade the next series of concurrent explosions in haste. He dodged, leapt, and weaved as the explosions almost clipped him from every unexpected angle, praying not to be caught in the centre of its destruction. As he leaped, he flapped his wings accordingly to gain a slight boost in momentum, knowing he would at least gain some additional milliseconds in airtime regardless of his lack in flight ability. All he required was perfect timing and avoiding any potential slipups in the process.

Boom!

The underground Venxe struck again.

Boom!

And again.

Boom!

And again.

The Venxe’s onslaught was constant and increasingly aggressive, explosions growing in devastation with each reaction. In retaliation, Zaron evaded the strikes consistently, falling into a routine as he predicted the incoming blasts.

Boom-boom-boom! BOOM!!!

With each explosion, Zaron was growing more confident with his evasive manoeuvres, using every opportunity he could to analyse the burrowing beast’s attack patterns. The risks were astronomically critical and likelihood of death was high, adrenaline burned through his veins as he was outpacing the beastly Venxe. However, the Venxe then halted its assault abruptly.

Zaron felt his feet sink into the ground, causing him to stumble upon landing before recovering his footing in confusion. He was cautious at first, wondering what the beast was planning. However, upon realising the Venxe’s change in tactics, his eyes widened. To Zaron, this unexpected shift meant either one of two possibilities: the Venxe had lost interest in him finally; or, it had decided borrowed deeper underground in preparation for its next move. As much as he hoped for the former, there was no doubt in his mind that the latter was the guaranteed option.

Zaron took no time to figure out a plan of action, searching for an escape in heightened desperation. In his mind, the young Draiken believed the entirety of the forest – from the undergrowth beneath his feet, to the trees that surrounded him, to even the skies that loomed above – was to his advantage. All that mattered to him was how he utilised the environment to the best of his abilities, and how it would affect his ferocious opponent as a result. The young Draiken then rushed to the nearest safe point, kicking his feet into gear as he aimed for the strongest tree in his eyeline. On approach, Zaron latched onto the stem of the tree without delay, his wing talons clawing at the thick bark like piercing hooks.

“Hngh!”

With a firm grasp of the tree bark, Zaron climbed up towards the far reaches of the treetop in swift execution, his talons anchoring and supporting his balance as he leapt up the tree bark rapidly. He climbed and climbed, forcing every ounce of muscle in his body to comply in hope to avoid the beast’s incoming attack. It was a strenuous and daunting effort, yet adrenaline and the desire to survive pushed him forward. After reaching the branching section of the tree, Zaron took a moment to breathe, replenishing his stamina whilst he observed his current situation. With his breath heavy and beads of sweat appearing from his forehead, the young Draiken grew conscious of his overall wellbeing. Although he was far from exhausted, he knew that hints of fatigue would soon rear its ugly head. For him to survive, Zaron had to play it smart.

Placing the thought aside temporarily, Zaron caught hold of a large branch that felt strong and sturdy enough to hold his weight. He then hoisted himself up with ease, using his legs to swing his body onto the branch above. With himself perched overseeing a large area of the forest floor, Zaron scanned vigorously for any signs of the Venxe. He focused on finding any abnormal shifts in the ground, vibrations from the many foliage surrounding him such as the trees and bushes, and signs of animals fleeing the area. And yet, there was no evidence to be found.

The forest was silent once again, feeling as though time itself had frozen over. To the oblivious, it was easy to assume that the Venxe had lost interest and left the scene entirely. However, Zaron knew he was far from safe. The young Draiken continued to observe the surrounding area, his sight narrowing to a piercing glare as he traced for any miniscule sign of unnatural movement. He was conscious of the time, knowing he was still on the clock to retrieve the pendant. And yet, part of him was wondering if his current tactic was a pointless attempt, feeling as though he was playing a waiting game against the beast. Regardless, he held onto his patience, fearing the consequences if he were to turn a blind eye for even a second.

During his search for the beast, he noticed the numerous small, fresh craters scattered across various areas of the forest. The young Draiken felt a stab to the heart in immediate guilt, realising the collateral damage he had caused upon trespassing into the once-untouched forest. Even though he did not cause the devastation directly, he still believed he was a culprit in association. Shaking his head, Zaron buried the dreaded thoughts, returning focus on his search for the Venxe.

“Your move, Venxe...” Zaron murmured in a low-key taunt, eyes darting right and left in anticipation of the beast’s eventual appearance. “Come on, what’re you waiting for?”

He was on the verge of fidgeting, his body tense as his breaths deepened in frustration. The more he waited, the less time he had to reclaim the pendant.

(What could be worse…? To be mauled by a two-tonne beast or be chewed out by Mum when I return home without the pendant...)

Truth be told, Zaron preferred to avoid the answer.

Ka-BOOM!!!

“WHAT THE-?!”

Suddenly, the ground directly below the young Draiken exploded in a thick cloud of dust. The abrupt shock caused him to lose his balance, yelping in fright as he slipped back on the branch. Without a moment of hesitation, Zaron snatched the branch with a firm yet hasty grasp, preventing his fatal descent just in time. However, with a widened gaze, the young Draiken let out a horrified gasp. Fear eclipsed himas he witnessed the extent of the blast below his feet. It was no ordinary explosion from the Venxe, for within the dust cloud – the beast itself emerged.

Vroosh!

“URRROOOOUGH!!!”

The Venxe leapt from the deep tunnels far below with all its might, soaring towards Zaron at immense velocity. It’s large, dagger-like eyes locked onto Zaron as it closed in, anticipating the luscious taste of its new catch. Unable to find any other option, Zaron threw himself off the branch just as the Venxe collided.

Fwoop-! SMASH!!!

The entire section of the tree was obliterated on immediate impact, leaving just a splintered hollow in its wake. As he fell, Zaron grasped the details of the beast in its entirety.

Three times the size of the young Draiken, the Venxe was seen with the features of an immensely muscular feline-like beast. With fangs sharper than daggers; claws able to slice through the strongest of material; and a bulked-up tail twice the size of its body that could decimate the sturdiest buildings with one swoop: the Venxe was the living embodiment of aggression and destruction. Through the break of daylight, Zaron was able to locate the source of its acute senses: its pointed, black nose was covered in elongated whiskers – used assumingly to sense several types of tremors and smells from underground. Additionally, the self-explanatory pair of long, pointed tuft ears allowed for perfect hearing at long distance, it’s total range presumably reaching up to five miles in diameter. Finally, the beast was covered in golden-wired fur, surrounding a series of razor-sharp talons running along its spine from the crown of its head to the point of its tail. It was a remarkable sight.

Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.

However, its relentless attempts to kill the young Draiken spoiled the appreciation.

Thump!

Using his wings to control his fall, Zaron landed on his feet firmly. Whilst he would love to express his relief on the safe landing, the thought of death by the furiously enraged – and peckish – beast held him in the heartless reality. He shifted his gaze immediately to the direction of the Venxe, both mind and body set to high alert as he was prepared to run.

“Grrrr...!!! HHRRROOAAGH!!!”

With its talons latched against the remains of the splintered tree, the Venxe released a horrific, echoing howl that shook the surrounding forest to its core. The entire forest cowered at its unyielding fury, any remaining animals in the area scurrying for their lives in an instant. At the same time, Zaron felt the hairs on his body stand up on end, his eyes widened, and jaw claimed shut as he realised his life could soon be cut short.

Leap! FWOOM!!! Snap!

Displaying no signs of hesitation in its pursuit, the Venxe launched itself from the tree like a rocket, the immense pressure from its abrupt leap causing the tree to snap from its roots entirely. With no time to react, Zaron threw himself from the Venxe’s targeted landing point, evading the crushing sensation of a two-tonne animal pinning him down by a slim margin.

CRASH!!!

The Venxe struck the ground as though it was a colossal boulder, adding another crater to the forest’s reluctant collection. Recovering almost immediately, the beast caught sight of Zaron amidst his desperate attempt to escaping its deathly fury. His uncontrollable momentum had sent him soaring, stumbling over his own feet as he scrambled out of sight. With its target locked, the Venxe burrowed back into the maze of underground tunnels instantly as it proceeded to follow in hot pursuit.

Boom! Boom! Bang! BOOM!!!

What soon followed were a series of explosions erupting across the forest relentlessly, tracking Zaron’s pace at horrifying velocity. The young Draiken’s breaths quickened as the muscles in his legs strained, ignoring his body’s plea to rest and recover. He turned, swerved, and weaved his way through the forest, using the trees and other foliage to divert the Venxe’s attention purposely. However, Zaron could feel his body’s fatigue setting in, cursing the fact that he was unable to keep his pace up for much longer. Glancing behind his shoulder briefly, he noticed the explosions were close upon him.

(Oh crap! Oh crap! Oh crap! OH CRAP!!!)

Zaron’s thoughts raced as he continued to sprint manically, struggling to find a viable escape from his predicament as his demise edged closer to him. For a moment, he felt any hope he once had diminished, believing he was at a loss no matter what he tried to do.

However, his eyes then widened.

Grab!

Zaron latched onto the bark of a passing tree swiftly, using his continuing momentum to swing his body around and avoid the Venxe's destructive pursuit. He then clambered up the towering tree as fast as his muscles could withstand, spending no time to observe the beast as it passed him obliviously. At first, the sharp change in Zaron’s escape route had flown over the Venxe’s head, continuing its assault without second thought. However, it soon realised it had lost pursuit of the young Draiken, halting its trajectory in an instant. The forest fell into eerie silence once again, allowing its inhabitants to breathe after enduring the ongoing catastrophe of their beloved tranquil habitat. All the animals could do was hide and watch in terror as the events continued to unfold, praying the Venxe would not change course and target them instead.

With the forest quiet once more, Zaron took the opportunity to figure out his next move, observing the forest floor carefully in the process. He expected the Venxe to burrow deeper into the earth, taking a tactical retreat assumingly after the initial chase ended in failure. However, he knew the moment of relief would not last, for it was only a matter of time before the beast resumed its rampage throughout the forest. And so, it was his one chance to turn the tide of the conflict, reminding himself that both his survival and the pendant’s safe return on the line.

(The Venxe relies on sound, smell, and feeling to track its prey...)

Zaron proceeded to analyse the Venxe’s habits and core attributes. At the same time, he observed the forest floor cautiously as the talons of his wings were locked into the tree bark. Between the three senses demonstrated, Zaron predicted that its sense of hearing was the beast’s primary asset – based upon it recognising his shift in heartrate. If his speculation rang true, then it was only a matter of how he could distract the Venxe.

(So ... what can I use?)

Zaron scanned the area as he asked himself the question, pinpointing for any suitable objects that would create a noise-based diversion. At first, he considered objects such as fallen branches or small rocks – even hefty objects such as logs or mid-sized boulders. And yet, he came to the assumption that the Venxe would just ignore them as common occurrences in the vast woodland. He required an object that could emit an abnormal noise; an item that would cause a long enough disturbance to allow him the opportunity of escape, or at least turn the conflict in the young Draiken’s favour.

(But ... all I have is…!)

Just then, Zaron tensed up as he realised his solution, cursing at the thought as he patted his trouser pocket consciously.

(...Dammit.)

There was no other choice. He was desperate to end the deathly encounter, knowing his chances of recovering the pendant in time was slipping away by the second. As regret loomed over him, Zaron slipped his hand into his trouser pocket carefully and grasped his smartphone. As the large screen blinked, Zaron noticed the time flicker.

(17:08.)

“...”

The young Draiken let out a silent groan in protest, resenting himself for his absurd plan.

He then unplugging his headphone jack from the device bitterly, turning up the volume to full blast in the process. Browsing the playlist, he soon highlighted the song he considered would build up to the highest level of disturbance. After slight hesitation, Zaron switched off the phone screen before shifting his attention towards the far-off distance.

His mind was set.

Rustle...! Leap!

Shuffling his body alongside the curving ark of the tree, Zaron left his position with a quick yet silent hop.

Grab!

He latched onto a separate tree close to where he was positioned originally – not even touching the ground during his transition. The moment he landed, Zaron froze instantly. For the first few seconds, he refused to move, keeping his ears open and eyes darting as he checked for signs of the Venxe. His breaths light yet shaking, muscles tense and jaw grounded, the young Draiken prayed to the high heavens that the beast had not heard his movement. Thankfully, there was no visible movement to be found nor heard.

With a silent sigh of relief, Zaron pressed on hastily. He leapt from one tree to another in swift succession, mindful of the force and noise created in his jumps and checking the ground after every leap. Each time he confirmed an all-clear, the young Draiken’s confidence was returning to him gradually.

Zaron had a specific checkpoint in mind: a line of bushes that separated the trees and an open section of the forest perfectly. It was an ideal area for the trap he planned to spring on the unsuspecting beast. Upon reaching the tree close enough to execute the assault, Zaron climbed up higher to examine the area. Satisfied by his choice, he fulfilled any last-minute checks briefly whilst delaying the inevitable.

With a silent yet hesitant nod, he switched on the phone screen and juggled it in his hand lightly, testing the weight so the likelihood of misjudging his throw was at a minimal. Finally, he was ready.

Zaron pressed the ‘play’ icon before aiming it towards the open space.

Whoosh…!

With one firm swing, he launched the phone towards the targeted area, praying for a smooth execution. He watched as the phone soared gracefully before flinching as it bounced and cracked across the hard ground. In that moment, the song commenced with its first verse, gradually building up for the inevitable explosive chorus. During this time, Zaron waited patiently and listened out for the Venxe, anticipating its resurgence from the depths of the underworld. Knowing the song off-by-heart, he proceeded to mouth the lyrics silently as he counted down to the chorus. At this point, it was impossible for Zaron to turn back. His only option was to commit to the plan.

(Where will you surface, Venxe…?)

The question formed in his mind as though taunting the beast, his body as tense as ever. The music grew louder as the main chorus of the song closed in. Zaron felt his entire body shake uncontrollably, a mix of anticipation and dread overwhelming his mind.

(Come on ... take the bait.)

His thoughts continued to taunt impatiently, agitated by lack of movement from his colossal opponent.

Rumble...!

Just then, Zaron caught a glimpse of the ground below the phone sink, a reaction only seconds from the chorus. At first, he was wary, wondering if the Venxe was targeting the phone or if it was attempting to outwit the young Draiken at his own game.

Ka-BOOM!

Thankfully, it was the former. Zaron watched as the eruption engulfed the open area of the forest. What followed immediately was an enormous silhouette bursting out from the ground, tearing into the boisterous phone: that was Zaron’s cue to escape.

And yet, he had another plan in mind. Without a second thought, the young Draiken leapt into action.

(Wait...! What am I doing?!)

His inner voice was screaming out in protest as he descended from the tree canopy, his body acting entirely independent. His thoughts were conflicted: one side wondering if he had lost his mind completely, whilst the other refused to budge in its decision. He had the perfect opportunity to escape, and yet he was adamant to go toe-to-toe against a beast three-times the size of him and equipped with features that would rip him apart in an instant. Whilst he refused to admit it, deep down he knew it was sheer pride and stubbornness that refused him from leaving the scene without any attempt to fight back.

Wham! Stab-Stab! SLICE!

To his benefit, the Venxe was fixated solely on the device, smashing and stabbing the phone like an abused toy. With the addition of echoing music drowning out any sound that could reveal his position, the young Draiken was able to approach the beast from behind without difficulty.

Leap! Grab!

Without a second thought, Zaron threw himself onto the unsuspecting beast, avoiding the deathly spikes in the process.

“RRRRROOOOOOOUUUUUUGH?!?!”

The Venxe bellowed with an earth-shattering roar, flailing manically as it felt the young Draiken latch onto its wire-furred back firmly. With pure adrenaline set on his mind, Zaron held on against the Venxe for dear life, his entire body swinging violently in numerous directions. His jaw clenched and arm muscles screaming painfully, he was soon regretting his reckless decision.

Fwoom-fwoom…! SLAM! BANG-BANG!

The Venxe was in a complete frenzy, leaping and throwing its entire bulk of a body in a whiplash motion. It was overwhelmed with malice, desperate to escape the young Draiken’s grasp. At first, it seemed as though the beast would overthrow the Draiken, using its colossal body weight to its advantage. However, the young Draiken was refusing break his grasp, withstanding the constant thrashing. Even when felt his arms on the verge of separating from his body, he continued to hold firm. Admittedly, Zaron had no idea how long he would be able to keep up the resistance, already aware of his growing fatigue and exhaustion. However, he refused to show it to the Venxe, hiding any hints of weakness in fear that the beast would overturn the struggle.

WHAM! BOOM-BOOM-BANG! SLAM!!!

As the struggle for dominance grew catastrophically violent, the surrounding devastated forest rattled and crumbled from the constant quakes, struggling to retain its remains. Furthermore, there were no more local animals in the vicinity, all scampered from the battlefield completely as they feared for their lives.

“RrrrrrooouuuUUUGH!”

Boom-boom-boom-BOOM-BOOM-BOOM-BOOM!!!

In that moment, the Venxe switched tactics abruptly and proceeded to charge towards the robust trees nearby, bulking up its muscles exponentially as it planned to crush the insufferable Draiken boy. With every step, its pace increased drastically, acting as though it had no intention of stopping.

“Wha-?! OH SHIT!” Zaron blurted out, his eyes widened in abrupt horror as he realised the emerging situation. Just as the beast was seconds away from colliding into the immovable tree, Zaron released his right hand from the Venxe’s back and kicked away hastily.

BANG! CRACK…!

Zaron’s body rattled on immediate impact, feeling the immense force as he slammed against the side of the Venxe’s hulking mass of a body. With only his left hand still attached to the beast, he used every ounce of strength he could muster to hold on for dear life. Somehow, he endured.

“Nrgh...!”

Without delay, He threw himself back onto the Venxe, committed to hold control of the situation no matter the inconvenience. However, just as he grabbed the beast with his other hand, a jolt of pain erupted from his right side.

“Hnng-…?!”

He then realised lactic acid had formed in his abdomen, consuming fatigue take hold of him.

(A stitch...! Why now?!)

As he winced out, Zaron attempted to control his stuttering breath, avoiding thoughts of the lactic acid building up.

He cursed out irritably, finding his situation even more of an inconvenience than before. With sweat streaming down his face and exhausted eyes daze, his remaining time escaped him.

THRASH! WHAM! BOOM-BOOM! BANG!

The Venxe continued to thrash around and charge into numerous trees, showing no signs of exhaustion or injury as it attempted to throw off its parasite. In response, Zaron shifted his body reactively to avoid the deadly collisions, wincing at every movement as the lactic acid in his body became increasingly potent.

Boom-boom-boom-BOOM-BOOM-BOOM-BOOM-BOOM!!!

The Venxe’s current unpredictability grew exhausting on the young Draiken, struggling to keep up with its frantic shifts in movement. It was thrashing, swerving, and charging without consistency in its actions, its fury growing to unfathomable heights the longer Zaron endured. However, unless the young Draiken could change the tide of the struggle, he would yield to his overwhelming fatigue.

Thrash! Slash-slash-slash...!

And then the inevitable finally occurred: the Venxe commenced in burrowing into the ground underneath.

“No-!”

With fangs clenched hard, Zaron was left with no choice but to retaliate as hasty as possible. Without intervention, his efforts to exhaust and overwhelm the beast would be all for naught. Forcing a last surge of adrenaline, Zaron scanned the Venxe’s back frantically for a potential weak point.

(There it is!)

Zaron’s mind had yelled out in eureka, catching a glance of the thin, unprotected gap in the Venxe’s muscular neck. Acting on impulse, Zaron stabbed into the weak point swiftly with the only weapon he had in his arsenal – his dagger-like wing talons.

Swoosh…! Jab!

“RRRRROOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAHHHH-!!!”

The sharp talons punctured deep into the neck of the Venxe, causing it to release a high-pitched, blood-curdling roar in abrupt response. Interrupting it’s burrowing, it leapt up on its hind legs and flailed in unbearable agony.

Stab...! Stab...! Stab...! Stab!!!

Refusing to hesitate, Zaron struck into the muscular flesh of the beast fiercely, executing a continuous motion of stabs. Due to this, he became covered in the Venxe’s thick dark-red blood, quantities spluttering endlessly from the open wound with every jab. Much to the young Draiken’s relief, his desperate strategy was effective against to Venxe, allowing him to regain control of the situation. With renewed confidence coursing through him, Zaron continued to lunge his talons into the weak point of the beast’s neck.

“UURRRROOOAAAAAAGH!!!”

The Venxe released another treacherous bellow, crying out as it was unable to endure the unfathomable pain any longer. At this point, there was nothing it could do to shake of the Draiken boy.

At least, that was what Zaron assumed.

Swoosh!

In that moment, the Venxe decided to throw its entire hulking body into a body slam – with Zaron directly underneath him.

“NO!!!”

Upon realising his sudden predicament, Zaron roared out in sudden terror. He released his grasp on the beast instinctively, leaping out of harm’s way in a matter of milliseconds.

THWOMP!

Unfortunately, he was a fraction too late.

Crack-crack-CRACK!!! SNAP!

What followed were the sickeningly loud echoes of bone cracking and snaping in several areas, the sounds spreading throughout the far reaches of the forest. However, that was not the only sound that could be heard.

“…AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRGGHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!”

Even though he was swift enough to react, Zaron had his arm trapped underneath the two-tonne mass of Venxe. Whist the rest of his body was unharmed by the drastic manoeuvre, his arm was submerged between the Venxe and the forest ground. As anyone would expect, the young Draiken screamed out on immeasurable pain.

Up until the current point in his life, Zaron had never experienced such unbearable agony. He felt sick and pale immediately, able to barely hold his consciousness as shock engulfed him.

Roll...! Crack-crack-crack...!

“Nngh-! HNNGH!!!”

The Venxe rolled back onto its feet gradually, sending a surge of immense pain through Zaron’s arm purposefully as more cracks and snaps were heard echoing from the bones. Every second of movement was torture to the Draiken boy, tears streaming and body jolting violently as he had no choice but to endure to unbearable torment. Finally, the Venxe struggled to its feet, its head drooped and woozy due to the inflicted wound in its neck. It then circled the Draiken boy in a slight staggering motion, its piercing gaze locked on him permanently. In that moment, Zaron turned to witness the extent of his horrific injury reluctantly. Unsurprisingly, his arm was embedded into the ground completely, consumed by the earth entirely as though trapped in its jaws. Due to his current lack in strength and overall fatigue, there was no way he could move his arm in his current state. To add insult to injury, he had no feeling in his arm whatsoever, just an abundance of overwhelming pain.

With no hope of escaping, Zaron was left at the hands of fate.

And then, a horrified shiver shot up his spine as he heard a distinctive growl.

“...Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrr…!”

Zaron watched helplessly as the furious Venxe continued to circle him, the beast’s deathly gaze set to execute its troublesome prey. Its nozzle sniffed whilst its bone-crushing fangs snarled in anticipation, imagining the taste of a Draiken’s flesh and blood. The Venxe knew the Draiken boy was stuck in a helpless state, consumed with a victorious aura after enduring such a gruelling battle.

Zaron could not close his eyes. He could not look away. There was no way for him to call for help. With no hope of escape, the young Draiken could on watch on and accept his fate.

Finally, the Venxe positioned itself in front of the young Draiken directly, its deathly gaze glaring down upon its troublesome foe. Not only was Zaron food to the beast; he was also a trophy.

...Boom ... boom ... boom...!

The Venxe stepped closer, ready to claim its prize. Zaron was silent, his heart racing and breath rapid. However, the moment the Venxe was close enough to claim its prize, the most unusual event occurred.

“Agh-!”

Without warning, Zaron’s eyes reacted with an abrupt burning sensation, feeling as though he was stabbed in both eyes with several needles. He squinted in sudden agony, yet continued to stare at the beast before him. In that very moment, The Venxe stumbled back in unexpected shock, eyes still locked onto the Draiken boy whilst its menacing aura dissipated instantaneously: it acted as though it was frightened of him.

“Wha...?”

Zaron stared on with a bewildered expression, taken aback by the Venxe’s sudden uncharacteristic attitude.

Jolt!

“Nngh-!”

Just then, Zaron felt another stab of pain erupt deep in his eyes.

(Why is this happening…?!)

He flinched again, overwhelmed with the pain from both his eyes and crushed arm surging simultaneously. However, even though the pain was unbearable, his sights were still locked on the ferocious beast positioned before him.

Ba-doom! Slash-slash-slash! Rumble...!

As though threatened by the Draiken boy’s reactions, the oddly terrified Venxe turned in a hastened stumble and proceeded to burrow underground in a flash. Before Zaron had the chance to blink, the Venxe had disappeared.

Coincidentally, the burning agony in Zaron’s eyes died down, causing him to slump back in exhaustion. Blinking several times in faint succession, he held his gaze on the area where the beast stood previously, taking caution on whether it would reappear. However, with the forest silent once again, the Venxe was nowhere to be seen: it was gone.

Zaron was left speechless, unable to process the recent change of events.

(Is the Venxe toying with me?)

Zaron bushed the thought aside, finding it ludicrous that the beast would play around after struggling to defeat its prey.

(I don’t get it, though … why didn’t it go for the killing strike?)

Based upon the beast's actions, Zaron could only assume that the Venxe was startled by an unknown object or animal within the area. And yet, as his dazed eyes veered and observed the surrounding forest, he found nothing out of the ordinary. He was completely alone.

Just then, Zaron instinctively rubbed his eyes with his working arm, only to stop himself mid-action as another possibility came to mind.

(Were my eyes the reason the Venxe ran away…?)

Considering the timing of his burning eyes burning and the beast’s abrupt change in attitude, it seemed ignorant to brush off the abnormal event as a coincidence. On the other hand, Zaron found the entire notion that his eyes scared off the Venxe to be ludicrous.

(So, what was the cause?)

The question that pondered in Zaron’s mind lingered on, sending him into a daze as he attempted to rationalise the event. However, he soon snapped back to reality as he realised the Venxe could return to ambush him.

“Ugh…!”

He warily sat up, turning his attention to the arm embedded in the ground, his expression contorted into dismay at the extent of the devastation. Although it was entirely consumed by the ground, specs of blood and bruised flesh could be seen emerging through the miniscule gap. Additionally, the pain was still fresh, prolonging aches and pain expanding throughout his crushed arm with every minimal movement. With an exhausted sigh, he had no choice but to claw through the earth with his remaining hand, praying it was still in one piece. Wincing and growling agonizingly as he dug through the dirt, he was able to safely remove the crushed arm without causing further harm to himself. He gasped out unbearably, struggling to lift his arm due to the unbearable pain. And yet, through sheer force of will, Zaron regained his footing weakly and examine the extent of the damage.

Then, the wide-eyed Zaron turned pale as the image of his crushed arm set in. The young Draiken noticed numerous deep and open lacerations covering the entirety of his forearm, causing the limb to be soaked in blood and dirt. Furthermore, it was swollen exponentially, indicating the likelihood of torn muscles, ligaments, and snapped bones. Witnessing such a sight, he could only imagine the extent of internal damage within the arm. Such a thought left him nauseous.

However, knowing that leaving the injury exposed and unstable would only cause further issues, Zaron decided to remove his jacket and wrap it around the damaged arm tightly. It was an inconvenient task, yet he was able to slip out his good arm and secure the damaged arm with as much layered fabric as possible. Thanks to his swift action, he was able to prevent additional blood loss and cushion his breakages within the limb. This was then followed by him raising the arm slightly and hugging it with his good arm, allowing the blood to circulate effectively and avoid any undetectable hazards.

“What a drag…”

Zaron groaned underneath his breath, struggling to express the motivation he required to continue hid journey towards Selon Anora. He was set with a choice: press on to find the pendant; or turn back and receive medical attention.

His eyes bore upon his covered arm with a blank expression, cradling it delicately with his good arm as though it was a new-born. Whilst the arm had numbed after the initial shock, the excruciating pain was still as fresh as ever. The setback would turn even the most hardened adventures back, deeming themselves unfit to proceed and a failure as a warrior.

And yet, Zaron believed the mere thought of surrender would be a disgrace to his name and legacy. He knew it was dumb; he knew it was reckless; he knew he would be in trouble regardless of his decision: however, the thought of returning home empty-handed was just too unbearable for him. Whilst the main bulk of the fault lies on his brother’s shoulders, Zaron knew deep down that he was equally to blame for ‘borrowing’ the pendant in the first place. He held himself accountable for his mistake, and so it was his task to rectify the problem – even if it meant losing a limb or two in the process.

(Right … which direction was Selon Anora again?)

Zaron’s eyes wondered the woodland as he proposed the question, expecting to spot the ruin’s observation tower from above the tree canopy like before. He searched, and searched, and searched again.

“…Oh, great.”

It was in that moment when the young Draiken realized he had lost his bearings completely. Cursing at himself anxiously as his heartrate spike, Zaron decided to backtrack. He followed the rough damage of the woodland where he and the Venxe struggled previously, using it as a makeshift pathway as he assumed it would lead him to the open area where he sprung his trap on the beast initially. His pace was swift, and his gaze was once again focused: young Draiken was adamant that he would relocate the old ruin regardless of his current rate. For a brief period, Zaron considered increasing his pace to a jog or even a run, knowing he was short on time. However, any further pressure on his injury would only inconvenience him further, believing he was already dealing with enough pain at his current pace. As much as he hated the idea, Zaron knew he could only take so many risks in one day.

Step, step, step, step...

As he pressed on gradually, Zaron observed the extent of the damages from the Venxe’s barbaric rampage through the forest: several trees were found either splintered or toppled over completely; large, devastating footprints were embedded into the soil; and – most of all – sections of woodland were found to be obliterated, only craters and debris remained. All due to the petty squabble for dominance between a ravaging beast of the underworld and an arrogant Draiken boy.

(Oops…)

There was no amount of apology Zaron could conjure up that would forgive the mess he helped create. In his own mind, he would forever be guilty of destroying a once-thriving habitable area of the forest. The thought of the many innocent animals now left homeless after the devastation lingered on to haunt him, reminding him constantly of his disgraceful actions as he spiralled into self-loathing.

Tap.

Just as he entered the open space of the forest, Zaron felt his foot tread on a rough, metallic object. He stepped back instinctively, turning his attention to the ground below. His heart sank immediately.

The object laying before him was his smartphone – or more accurately, what was left of it. The device was almost unrecognisable, smashed to pieces with the screen hanging barely onto its internals by a few wires. He lowered to a squat carefully, minding the wellbeing of his crushed arm, and picked up the remains of the device awkwardly. Zaron then paused, disheartened as he examined the device. He felt as though part of his soul was ripped out from him as he examined the damage, believing the memories and effort he placed in the device would never be recovered. There was no doubt in his mind, it was long gone.

With a frustrated sigh, Zaron slipped the device remains into his trouser pocket, praying he would at least be able to recover the data upon returning home. He then switched to cradling his damaged arm, transitioning his focus back to locating the whereabouts of Selon Anora. As he proceeded to walk further through the forest, he found himself increasingly tired. With stamina and adrenaline leaving his body at an uncomfortable rate, he grew conscious of the fact that the time to retrieve the pendant was waning fast. Regardless, he forced himself to press on, using whatever means necessary to prevent the attractive any desire to slumber. However, he faced an uphill battle, for his eyes struggled to hold focus and body swayed with every step. He was desperate to progress as soon as possible, both for the sake of returning the pendant and for his own wellbeing.

And then, as though his prayers were answered, Zaron spotted the notable glistening platinum walls of Selon Anora in the distance, only concealed partially behind a thick layer of trees and other similar foliage.

“Yes! Finally...!”

A whisper of relief escaped his faint breath, unable to hide the excitement that exploded within him. However, it only led to instant regret.

Through the mere spark of oblivious glee, he tightened his already-firm grip over his damaged arm accidentally.

“Nn-! Ow…!”

He reacted with a small, pained whimper, frozen in place as he waited for the unbearable agony to simmer down. After the pain passed, the young Draiken trekked his way to the vacant ruin hastily, checking his surroundings occasionally just in case the Venxe decided to re-emerge.

Thankfully, there were no signs of the Venxe’s presence whatsoever. The forest was at peace, much to the relief of Zaron and the forest’s inhabitants. With that, he pressed forward with his head held high, expressing accomplishment in reaching the ruin.

However, oblivious to the young Draiken, a set of curious eyes from high above followed his approach, anticipating how he would tackle his next challenge.