Aspen woke with a yawn and stretched his body, he was used to sleeping on hard ground. Years of training and work under his grandfather's watch had hardened him more than most students could ever imagine. If anything, the cold rock under his back felt more familiar than the soft bedding at home.
When he stood, his movements were fluid as always. The stiffness others would have felt today wasn't there. His grandfather had spoiled him with food and care, but in return, he had made Aspen work. He had trained until sweat burned his eyes, his grandfather was obsessed with his revenge, as a result Aspen overworked.
This morning, his focus was singular "The leopard".
He moved through the forest quickly with long steps, boots crunching lightly on the leaves, pausing often to scan the ground for prints, but he didn't find any. But today the lady luck had mercy on him as he crossed paths with one of his classmates which happen to be his underling.
The boy's eyes lit up the moment he saw Aspen. To him, Aspen wasn't just a classmate, to him he was a leader, "Aspen" the boy shouted as he ran towards him to hug him but aspen pushed him and he fell down .
"What are you doing here Aspen" he said
"Ohh I forgot the way to our training ground " Aspen said
"Really?" the boy said looking confused
"No you Idiot" and Aspen continued "I'm looking for the leopard"
"I saw it," the boy whispered quickly, I saw the leopard, near the big clearing east from here."
Aspen pulled him by his collar and said" tell me everything" as he got all the information he smiled, and tapped the boy on his shoulder "Good Leave the rest to me".
Without another word, he turned and began heading toward the clearing.
But he wasn't alone.
Mei had been following from start. She hadn't made any sound, she had followed Aspen like a shadow. She had woken before dawn, eyes red with lack of sleep but that meant nothing to her, determined not to lose sight of Aspen. While others slept, she had trailed him quietly, studying his every move.
Now, as Aspen pushed toward the clearing, Mei stalked a few paces behind, hiding her presence with precision. She wasn't after the leopard, her focus was Aspen. As the sound of water increased she sped up reaching the clearing before Aspen.
By the time they reached the clearing, it had turned into a bizarre scene of layered hunters.
Aspen crouched low on a tree branch near the river, his eyes searching as he was not certain from where the leopard would appear. His whole body was coiled and well hidden.
Mei was pressed against the bark of a nearby tree, watching him. She knew Aspen well enough to predict his plan. So she plotted an ambush of her own "Let Aspen fight the leopard, I will finish him as well as get all the spoils" she thought, and then she'd make her move when he would be vulnerable.
And then, perched higher up in the mountain above them both, was Ryan. Yes it was the same clearing where Ryan was hiding.
As Ryan had been waiting patiently for his targets to approach his string already stretched. When Mei slid into the clearing, Ryan almost shot the arrow immediately, but he waited until she reached the river and knelt down to drink water but instead she quickly ran to the other side of the clearing which made Ryan curious and he let the scene unfold before his eyes as he was thinking what would happen next, Aspen emerged into the clearing two minutes later, crouched and sharp eyed checking the surroundings carefully finding nothing odd, he ran towards a tree and quickly climbed it.
Now, it was a chain of absurdity.
Aspen waited for the leopard.
Mei waited for Aspen.
Ryan waited for Mei.
If a squirrel had dropped a nut just then, someone probably would've jumped.
Ryan put down his arrow, muttering under his breath, "So, Mei's waiting to ambush Aspen, and Aspen's waiting to ambush something… and now I'm waiting to ambush them all." He almost chuckled, shaking his head. "This is stupid has the lady luck finally fallen in love with me, I'm really handsome" he scoffed.
Mei, meanwhile, watching Aspen from behind "Aspen thinks he's clever, I'll show him who's clever, I'm gonna win this competition for sure".
And Aspen, crouched on the branch, was waiting for the leopard "The leopard won't even know what hit him".
The clearing was silent, too silent. Three hunters, each convinced they held the upper hand, each binded by the situation it seemed comical.
Suddenly a moment, something came through the brush "baaaa" it was a goat, the animal ran nervously it had crossed two to three meters behind it came the leopard, running.
It moved like a shadow, low to the ground, golden eyes gleaming. In one clean motion it pounced, its weight slamming the goat down. Teeth sank into the goat's neck, suffocating the goat.
Aspen watching his chance, could not wait anymore and leapt from the branch the moment his feet touched the ground he rolled. One of his axes was already in his hand, he launched the axe with all his weight behind it.
Thunk!
The blade buried itself deep in the leopard's shoulder. The beast snarled in shock, releasing the goat instantly. Its head snapped up, blood dripping from its fangs, eyes blazing straight at Aspen, it crouched down ready to pounce at Aspen.
The axe buried in the leopard's shoulder should have slowed it but the beast ignored the pain and bolted forward at full speed.
Aspen grabbed for his second axe and threw it with all his strength.
The leopard crouched low mid sprint and the axe whistled past, missing completely.
Now Aspen stood weaponless.
The leopard's eyes locked on him. It sped up again, watching it coming Aspen crouched, bracing himself but the beast slipped past him in a blur, whirled and in an instant, it was on his back.
Sinking its teeth in Aspen's throat.
Aspen's arms shot up. He caught the predator from middle, veins bulging as he tore it free. With a roar of his own, he threw the leopard several feet across the clearing.
It hit the ground hard, rolling, the impact removing the axe from its shoulder. The weapon clattered free as the leopard staggered back up, wobbling its body, blood soaking its fur.
Aspen sprinted for the axe near him and the leopard sprinted for him.
They clashed in the middle. Aspen dove, sliding low across the dirt, his hand closing around the fallen axe's handle.
The leopard pounced. Claws raked down Aspen's back, teeth catching his thigh, pain flared, but his leather armor dulled the most damage. Snarling, Aspen twisted and slammed the axe into its ribs with full force.
The beast screeched, staggering back. Its eyes filled with pain and anger flicked between Aspen's face and the axe in his hands.
Survival instinct kicked in.
The leopard hissed, backed away, turned it's tail, vanishing into the bushes quickly.
Aspen stood, chest heaving, blood dripping down his leg but his grin intact. He scooped up his other axe and jogged after it, refusing to let the beast escape so easily.
Leaves rustled behind him as Mei darted out of her hiding place, rushing behind him.
Ryan's bowstring creaked. He'd waited long enough. As Mei sprinted after Aspen, Ryan lost his cool. He thought he would removed two bigshots and even get the leopard but now everything was slipping from his hands
The arrow whistled in the air and with a thunk it buried itself in Mei's shoulder from behind.
She hissed in pain, spinning back, eyes blazing. Her dagger flashed in her hand but suddenly came another arrow but she dodged it and hide behind the trees again hidden from Ryan's eyesight.
Ryan was very angry with the result he lost every target he could have removed easily.
The clearing was silent once more but this time he was alone.