Arise the Dragonslayer [The Flash warrior series #1]

Chapter four: Wild hunt

I almost forgot how big Quarté was, a land where I was born. If you're asking why it was named Quarté in the first place, it's because it was named by the founder of this huge region: Sir Aisle "Seven" McKenzie, the last Era's most popular adventurer up to this very day. During his life, he was ordinary, but today, he is a legend. The book has it that he traveled to the bottom of the earth just to find a fairy locked inside by an evil sorcerer named . . . uh . . . I think I forgot. The book was all dusty and chewed up.

 

For a month, he traveled and found this unknown island. As he gave himself a tour just to explore this region for many days, he figured that there were no harmful monsters but friendly enchanted creatures that didn't have a business to kill humans. And he found that every area's climate was different. Such as summer from the south, spring from the east, autumn from the west, and winter from the north (where I lived). You have no idea how big Quarté was, it was like a country, but it was only a part of Everlos' continent. It's a good thing that I slept well after all that thinking yesterday.

 

I dressed myself up in a warm olive jacket, dark brown pants that could protect my legs from the cold, furry boots to aid me through snowy paths, and camouflaged-hunting gloves, including my handkerchief- what? Can't I bring one? I opened my closet to reveal my hunting weapons: a firm wooden bow carved from smooth wood, a quiver stacked with perfectly sharp arrows along with trick arrows that I crafted. I put it around my right shoulder along with my bow. There are two more things that I need. I opened another small cabinet, revealing my sword inside my scabbard. And finally, last but not the least, my red dragon scarf. Mother made it for me when I was seven. Oh, the memories.

 

I almost forgot about it because I haven't worn it. Nine years ago during a strong storm, I was running while naked (I never told this to everyone, not even my family and friends. I'm only telling you this for information. I know it's embarrassing, but that's how dumb I was. Ahem, now, moving on). I wrapped it around my neck. The scarf still has a soft and warm texture. I had no idea about my mother's magic, but I loved it.

 

Now, I'm ready for hunting. I checked the clock near the window. It was six-fifteen. Wow, did I really wake up this early? I rushed downstairs, went to the kitchen, and grabbed a piece of bread that Henrich bought. My sisters were still asleep except for her. Where the heck is she?

 

As I opened the door, Mailman was standing lazily in front of me, again. "Oh, hi Mailman!" I greeted, forming a frightful smile, though I couldn't do it correctly because I remembered our awkward moment. "Uuuh . . . for you." He handed me a circular package. I checked who was it for and it said: For Rosie, with a fancy font. "This is for my sister then. Okay, thanks, Mailman." I nodded. Then I thought out of curiosity, Who on earth hired this guy? And he was assigned to be a mailman here? But I gave him a grin. "Uuuuh . . . okay." He waved once and left. Despite that, I had to say that he seemed friendly.

 

The cold never bothered him, so I'm sure Mailman would be okay. My neighbors walking around the sidewalks and some were mounted on their carriage, probably going somewhere. I didn't have many friends here nor got close to other neighbors. Strange as it sounds, though I gave them a warm greeting as to be polite. I went to the entrance to march on into the forest. The weather was snowier than I thought. As I ran, I lifted my feet as I took every step. When you imagine that way, it's more like I'm stomping like a giant. I drew my arrow and went to the first area of the forest. Then I realized I forgot to make a hunting list, but it was too late to make one.

 

In time, I spotted a huge turkey. Perfect! I focused on the target as I stretched my arm and pulled the string along with the bow. Although, it was so far I had to aim higher. I couldn't go further because, in my way of hunting, I had to hide in the bushes or behind the trees (I learned those things from the book my father showed me: Pana). I watched the arrow dove toward the turkey, but it moved to eat another grass so I missed it. Fortunately, my arrows were well-designed for silent killing. Meaning the prey won't know what will hit them. Pretty cool, right?

 

I released another arrow again, and I missed. The turkey kept eating cold grass one at a time. Wisely, I followed the turkey, still hiding behind the snowy bushes.

 

***

 

Well, they're three of them, but I could carry their heavy bodies back to the village. It seemed that they'll be staying on their spot just to hang out. Perfect for aiming at them. I drew another arrow, pointing at the middle. I held a deep breath and exhaled.

 

Suddenly, the three gobbled and ran away. "Great, just the right time," I muttered. Those three turkeys were my biggest goal for having big meat for several weeks. It's weird how the three went from place to place without going separately. Luckily, they stood behind the tall trees. Because of their huge bodies, their parts would be an easy target even when they're hiding. I drew three arrows, waiting patiently.

 

Abruptly, the view became darker. Shadows surrounded me that I could barely see anything. Then, a cold- no, not cold- but a warm wind blew the back of my hair. I hadn't felt this warm breeze in the middle of winter. As far as I could tell, it wasn't just wind, it was an exhalation. Then, I heard a deep growl as it breathed. I turned slowly, looked up, and my eyes widened as I couldn't believe what I'm seeing.

 

Two huge golden eyes glared at me. It had a volcanic aura that almost frightened me. To my surprise, two pairs of eyes opened from the left, and the right. As it rose, I had never, ever seen something so humongous as this. Three shadowy heads ascended, almost reaching the sky, surpassing even the Northern Quarté's highest trees. I couldn't see the whole image of it because the clouds were so dark, its silhouette couldn't be revealed.

 

I realized that the shadows that were surrounding me came from the monster. I couldn't move a muscle as if its glare were holding my entire body. I even stopped breathing. I gazed at it for a moment, and then suddenly it roared so loud the earth rumbled. Trees rattled violently, the snowy ground nearly shattered. First, the middle head roared, second the left, finally the right. It was like the three of them blew me away to the air, causing the arrows to be blown away from my hand, except for the bow that I still held onto.

 

I rolled over and crash-landed on the deep snowy ground. I was fortunate enough not getting any injuries after that. "What in the world . . . ?" My eyes widened. The monster was farther ahead. At the back opened two huge bat wings. "Oh no." My eyes widened even more if it's even possible. From that look, it was as if I'm looking at a three-headed devil. It flapped its gigantic wings and the monster flew so high, the force actually blew the trees and causing a snowstorm to the point that I really need to cover my face. Quickly, I stood up and ran.

 

As I turned back, I could see more of the three-headed dragon. Its crimson skin looked like armor with all the complex design of its scaly skin. The three head's horns were long and deadly together with their fangs and claws. Not good, not good, not good! I ran as fast as I could. However, the three-headed dragon was catching up to me. The three mouths opened, revealing huge flames lighting up to blast me into oblivion.

 

I had no idea how I kept surviving from the blasts. I kept moving toward the rocks and trees, serving as my natural shields. Every blast reminded me of the past. It's so strong as if the most powerful beam of light is blasting me several times. The last blast nearly killed me though, causing my right arm to bleed. I hid as I spotted another tree. Because of all the trees in here, the three-headed dragon couldn't find me, even though it was flying.

 

I did my best to control my breathing before checking the wound on my right arm. Gosh, it was horrible. Blood trickling from my burned skin. I couldn't use my scarf because come on, I love my scarf. Then I remembered my handkerchief and quickly I wrapped it around my arm. To my relief, it stopped. I had no choice but to fight it. But what's the point? I can't survive! A part of me said. Even if I ran away, the dragon will still hunt and kill me.

 

I even asked myself, What on earth are these three ugly faces doing here?

 

I drew my arrow, looking back at the three-headed dragon warily. Landed with the sound of a fading explosion, the three heads sniffled, tracking my scent until they found me. I backed away because you know, the right head was near the tree where I was. I held my breath, hoping it wouldn't suddenly bite me to shreds. I had to wait, striking it would be suicidal. As I expected, it did back away slowly as it made a growling sound. Then, the ground shook with every step the three-headed dragon made. The snow from above fell on top of me.

 

I peered to look at the dragon again. I could see its spiky back and its big folded wings. Even if I ran away, it could still sense me. Slow as a turtle, I began to back away. I did not look back at the monster. My heart rate was increasing and my head began to throb. Keep it together Xabe, you got this. Just walk away slowly and it won't find you. All you have to do is hide. I hate when the thing called jinx exists because, by the time I took another step, I heard a crack sound. I looked down at my foot to see a broken branch. As I looked up again, all I saw were broken branches. "Oh," I said quietly. I felt the presence of the dragon from behind and as I turned around, it glared at me one more time, followed by the two other heads beside it. Just like the book said: A dragon always aims for the kill. The three's jaws widened. Before they blasted me again several times, I used three smoke arrows to put them to sleep. I turned my bow horizontally and aimed towards their mouth with a perfect shot.

 

I was hoping for them to get weaker because of the smoke, but nothing, they kept glaring at me. I couldn't even stand their scary reptilian faces. Imagine having a staring contest with the three of them. It was like they're staring at your soul. It was killing me! "Uh . . . okay, that didn't work." The three heads roared with their might. Annoyingly, I used another smoke arrow and aimed at their mouths again, the roaring thing irritated me so much. The right head nearly choked, but it quickly recovered, which made it worse.

 

So I ran, yelling, "AAAAAAAHHHHHH!!! I SHOULDN'T HAVE DONE THAT!!" (Okay, I messed up a little bit over there. All right! I admit! A lot. Sometimes I regret what I did). Here we go again, a never-ending blasting-at-me marathon. I kept shooting at them, but still nothing as if I was throwing papers at them. What are they? What is it? What the- Aarrgghh!! Never mind, I couldn't tell, curse their three heads with one body! Oh wait, it already was. Even I used the poison arrows, it did not affect them!

 

I was running out of ideas and arrows. The strange thing was I never got exhausted from running long distances, very weird. Until I had no place to go. I'm trapped. The three-headed dragon was big enough to spot me everywhere. But I had this plan that crossed my mind. "If I can't kill, I guess I have to knock it down." I know it was a bad idea. In this plan, I'll need much more speed than what I had. This is going to be a wild hunt.

 

***

 

As far as I could remember, this place had very tall mountains piled with hard mineral crystals that grew from the surface. That should do it to make the three-headed dragon fall into vertigo so I still have time to escape, if that works.

 

I was getting cold at first, but as the time passed, the cold didn't bother me any longer as if the summer weather hit this area. Despite me breathing cold air, when I breathe in my hand, it was warm.

 

In the mountains, it was very cold. So cold that you'll freeze to death at any moment if you don't have enough clothes to keep you warm. For some reason, I could tell how cold it was, but my body wasn't shivering at all. It was hard to explain really. I hiked into the rocky area where the crystals were. As I heard the roar thundered three times, I went there quickly and almost stumbled. You know, before knocking the dragon, I planned to make it dizzy first, despite the three heads. The crystals could act as a mirror labyrinth. Impressive, right?

 

I hid behind the crystal I spotted first. The three-headed dragon arrived. Its stumpy feet caused the ground to shake violently, but I held on tight by leaning on the crystal I am at. Perhaps they tried to find me without flying instead? Or its wings got tired from carrying the three-headed. Oh wait, I think I was wrong on that part. The good thing here was I've been exploring the winter forest of Northern Quarté to know my path whenever I hunt for food.

 

 

I threw a rock that hit the other crystal ahead. The left head turned and so I ran. I could see my reflections from other crystals. I could see the dragon turning their heads as I randomly ran. It kept shooting powerful flames to the reflections from the other crystals, not the actual me. The plan was working. Good thing the crystal was not penetrable. Or was it? The funny thing was, the three heads started to bump into each other.

 

The dragon kept shooting "me" and whipping its tail to knock out the crystals, that couldn't be good. The other crystals were whipped out. As I kept running to the remaining one, I glanced at my other reflections from the further crystals, making the dragon angrier.

 

Finally, the three used its head and bumped the crystals several times. I watched from further away, enough to avoid getting killed. The three heads charged at the crystals while whirling their heads like a furious tornado. As they still bumped into each other, the clash was as if like a pendulum.

 

Unfortunately, I did trip with the crystal I was at. Despite the three-headed going vertigo a little, they saw me. They recognized my flesh and clothing. It continued to roar and performed an aggressive charge, its body swung left and right that the dragon bumped at the mountains between. I stumbled and ran, again.