Branches flew in all directions as if carried by the wind itself, and a corridor expanded forward into the dark greenery of the forest.
The forest, which was full of life, seemed to be watching Zephyr, who felt a myriad of eyes on his body. This feeling never escaped his memory, reminding him just how stressful it was to be in here.
His boots were covered in dirty leaves, armour already bearing scratches.
Weirdly shaped terrain that seemed to flip with every step wasn't anything to scoff at; after all, it was a grave for armies of soldiers who were far stronger than him.
It didn't help that he had to look at his feet most of the time, in fear that he would fall into a hole or be caught by a wild plant.
Where did he go...
His mind, however, was completely focused on finding the mountain lion that destroyed his trap; he remembered how its long tail shook once the sword struck it.
There was no doubt about it, he injured its body. Though he didn't know to what extent, since no blood could be found around the area.
His only clue was the rare paw prints that he followed deeper into the forest. They were quite big, larger than his palm when he tried to measure them. The depth at which they were imprinted was also larger than his own boot.
This mountain lion is the first large beast that has the honour of dying by my hands, how fitting. Zephyr thought to himself while squeezing through the tight bushes.
Should there be a need to cut them, then he would have done it. But seeing how his sword was nearing the end of its life, he didn't have a heart to waste it on mere wood-cutting... At least not yet.
Rustling of bushes could be heard from all his sides, obvious that the lion wasn't the only thing living in the forest. He paused, observing the moving leaves and gripping one of the bottles on his belt, he threw it like a rock at a nearby tree.
Like an arrow, it cut through the air with a whistling sound and-Boom!
It exploded with purple powder, to which he covered his nose with a wet cloth.
One... Two... Three... Now!
His sword flew from his scabbard as if it were a part of his own body, its chipped surface made its curved blade look like a scimithar made of solid shadow that devoured light itself.
Through the bush where dust settled, an outline of a body could be seen; its golden fur was like a living sun inside this dark place.
Obsidian blade came down at it, slashing through the big hedge as if it were a piece of paper. Excitement rose in his chest.
He felt it; something under it had tasted the blade of his own making.
Blood flew in all directions, and a big, monstrous roar escaped from the bush.
Shiver ran down his spine as he noticed a long tail come at him like a whip, snapping in the air and hitting his body like a doll. Flying away, his back hit the tree almost instantly.
"Hk-!"
A groan escaped his lips, making him lose his breath with a sharp exhale, vision blurring through the teary eyes.
That... Hurt.!
He gritted his teeth, trying to lift up his body, lion's daunting body rose from the bush. It's golden eyes watch him with sick amusement as if it was just a game for it.
But a smile never left his lips, the cut he made with his sword wasn't deep, it wasn't enough to make someone bleed to death. His sword, which he proudly held before, lay on the ground shattered like pieces of glass, only it's handle was left in his palm thanks to the tight grip.
Amidst the commotion, he could feel that they weren't alone here.
Other animals, noticing that something was wrong, started to make their way here in hopes of getting leftovers.
It was obvious that this fight was one of predators that they hid from, so catching two of them off guard and injuring them at that was like a dream come true.
And just as he expected, when the lion's sharp fangs were ready to pounce on him at any moment, a boar rammed straight at the lion's side, making him hit a tree. Then a fox jumped from one of the bushes, biting into the lion's eyes with its small teeth.
Zephyr could already see a deer in the distance, prepared to ram his antlers at the lion.
Almost, just a minute longer.
Though it seemed effective, it was far from the truth. With a single move of his head, the fox, which struggled to gauge his eyes out, was twisted like a chicken's neck.
Looking at the boar that drove his sharp fangs at his side, the lion didn't care to jump away. In a swift snap of his neck, it ripped its head off and popped it in his mouth like a cherry.
Deer's charge faltered after noticing his friends dying so quickly. He tried to turn around and leap away from the rampage, but his body was cut in half with a swing of the lion's paws.
It all happened so quickly as if just a few seconds had passed. Even Zephyr couldn't do something as impressive as this, but a mountain lion that lived its entire life looking for prey?
He barely managed to lift his body, and now he had met a pair of golden eyes that peered deep into his soul. Blood dripped from its mouth in a little stream, and the lifeless eyes of animals turned in his direction.
Zephyr was on his last breath, a few ribs already shattered upon the impact, making each breath feel his lungs tighten in agony.
His leather armour now bore a gaping hole in the middle of his chest, reminding him just how close he was to death moments ago.
The lion's tale swung from side to side, its tip having a sturdy spike which worked as a mace. He didn't expect it to have it, but here they were.
So this is the famous mountain king? I'm... Flattered.
Snickering at himself, he took a deep, sharp breath which put the lion on guard, his claws sharpening instantly, eyes turning into two wary dots.
Heh...
Suddenly, a laugh escaped his lips, which he tried to cover with his trembling hand.
But he couldn't stop thinking about it.It felt too funny to imagine that he now stood in front of a legendary being and somehow managed to injure its body.
He laughed his heart out like a maniac, and weirdly enough, the lion didn't move to attack him.Its body held many scars after he focused on it.
Now, a pair of new ones was etched onto its body. Two gaping holes were letting blood flow from its stomach, and its eyes could barely be held open after the fox's assault.
And lastly, the cut of his sword, which stood out from the rest, proudly sitting on its back.
- Plum
He wiped his nose after a drop fell down his cheek. Soon, another one started to crash from the sky. Then, rain started to wash over them, clearing out the disgusting smell of blood.
They both stood facing each other in the muffled space, which Zephyr's steps broke first.
Lion's eyes shook, but he didn't pounce at him, waiting for an appropriate moment.
Step after step, his body limped to the lion and raising his head, he muttered with a childish smile.
"I won."
The lion fell on the ground.