Page 33 of X'nath

A figure. No, not a figure. Something more... ominous. Something I couldn't explain.

I instinctively grabbed Ahnak by the arm, pulling him behind me, my pulse quickening. What loomed before us was something straight from a nightmare.

It was a twisted abomination, a grotesque blend of beast and shadow, with matted fur and elongated limbs that ended in claws that glinted like knives. Its mouth was a gaping maw, filled with jagged teeth that dripped with a viscous, black drool. The child screamed again, but it was cut short as the creature’s claws shot out and tightened around his waist, lifting him effortlessly off the ground.

Time seemed to stretch on as I stood there, frozen, paralyzed by the sheer horror of it all. Every instinct in me screamed to run, to hide, to escape, but I couldn’t leave him. He was just a child—helpless, unable to protect himself. My heart raced as I scanned the area, desperate to find something, anything, I could use to defend him. My eyes landed on a jagged branch, its end broken off, rough but sharp enough to pierce flesh. Without thinking, I grabbed it, my hands tightening around it as my grip steadied. It wasn’t much, but it was all I had.

I took a shaky breath, forcing myself to step forward. “Get away from him!” I shouted, my voice cracking as I raised my makeshift weapon. The creature turned its head toward me, its eyes glowing like embers in the dim light, and a low growl rumbled from its throat.

What was it about this land that gave rise to such creatures?

With a surge of courage fueled by rage, I lunged forward, aiming the branch at the creature’s flank. It snarled and whipped around, swatting me aside with a brutal swipe of its paw. I crashed into the dirt, pain exploding in my side, but I pushed through it, scrambling back to my feet.

“Let him go!” I screamed, my heart pounding in my chest like a war drum. I couldn’t let fear dictate my actions any longer.With every ounce of strength I had left, I charged again, aiming for the creature’s legs.

But it was faster. It dropped the boy as I approached, turning on me with a speed that made my breath catch. I ducked just in time as its claws grazed my shoulder, ripping through fabric and flesh. Blood surged down my arm, hot and sticky, but I didn’t stop.

“Stay back!” I yelled, as I kicked out, catching the creature off-guard. It stumbled back, momentarily distracted, and I took that brief moment to grab the child and pull him away from the chaos. “Get up! We need to move!”

He was trembling, his face pale, but he nodded and scrambled to his feet. As we backed away, the creature roared, a sound so primal it sent chills down my spine. I didn’t have time to think. I pivoted and slashed the branch at its face, aiming for the soft flesh just beneath its jaw.

This time, it barely nicked its skin, and the creature let out a horrific howl that echoed through the trees. It turned its full attention back to me, and my heart raced as I prepared to dodge another attack.

Out of the corner of my eye, a blur of red shot out. X’nath’s weasel, charged into the fray. He was the size of a medium dog but fierce, darting between the creature's legs with surprising agility. He nipped at the beast's ankles, drawing its ire. The creature twisted, momentarily distracted by the tiny whirlwind of fur and teeth.

“Yargol!” My heart raced with fear for him, but there was something undeniably brave about his sudden assault.

With the creature momentarily off-balance, I seized the opportunity. “Stay here,” I urged the child. We charged again, Yargol darting and weaving around the creature’s limbs, drawing its attention away from the child.

For the time being, we managed to keep the creature at bay. Yargol leapt up, trying to climb the creature’s leg, sinking his tiny teeth into its flesh. The beast howled in pain, and I could see blood splash onto the ground, coating Yargol’s fur.

The creature swiped a massive claw at Yargol, sending him tumbling aside. A rush of fear gripped my heart. To my relief, Yargol quickly scrambled back to his feet, undeterred. The creature was distracted again, and this time, it was furious.

The battle had dragged on far longer than I anticipated, and I could feel my strength beginning to falter. The creature—massive, grotesque, its claws sharper than any knife—fought with brutal, primal force. Every swipe of its claws narrowly missed, and every time I struck, I felt as if I was barely making a dent. My body ached, the weight of my weapon pulling me down with every swing, but I couldn’t stop.

I had to defeat this thing. There was no other choice.

But it wasn’t going as planned. My strike barely nicked the creature’s thick hide. My mind raced, searching for a way to end this.

The creature, furious and desperate, swung its enormous claws with a terrifying speed I wasn’t ready for. The force of the blow sent me crashing to the ground, the wind knocked out of me. My weapon clattered away, useless in my hand. I gasped for air, trying to regain my bearings, but before I could move, the beast’s jaws were snapping toward me.

I froze, the terror flooding my veins. The child. I had to protect the child. I couldn’t let it end like this.

Just as the creature lunged, a deafening roar echoed through the forest.

Out of nowhere, X’nath appeared, his massive form charging forward, battle axe raised high. The creature barely had time to react before X’nath’s axe cleaved through the air, striking it square in the side with a sickening thud, spraying bloodeverywhere. The creature howled in pain, staggering back, and X’nath swung again, his axe finding its mark in the monster’s thick hide.

His movements were precise, deadly, and there was a brutal elegance in the way he fought. My heart skipped a beat as I watched him in action. The cocky, flirtatious orc from before was gone. In his place stood a warrior—relentless, focused, and determined to protect.

Yargol had been darting around the creature’s feet, attacking with a viciousness that almost matched X’nath’s, biting and nipping at the creature’s legs. Together, they were a deadly force, overwhelming the creature at every turn. It was morbidly mesmerizing.

The beast swung its claws desperately, but X’nath was too quick. He dodged, moving with an ease I hadn’t expected, his axe striking the creature’s exposed throat with a violent crack.

But just as I thought the fight was nearing its end, the creature’s tail whipped out, catching Yargol midair. The weasel let out a screech of pain as he was sent flying, crashing against the rocks nearby.

“No!” I shouted, panic rising in my chest. I couldn’t lose Yargol. My connection to the weasel had deepened over the course of this battle.He was more than just a companion; his tenacity gave me the strength to keep fighting when the odds were stacked against us.

The creature focused its attention on X’nath, and I saw my opportunity. I dove forward, grabbing my weapon and charging with everything I had. I didn’t think. I just acted.

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