Page 17 of One Last Promise
“I was going to get some rest anyway,” I sulked, pulling my cloak over my body.
We had a long walk ahead of us in the morning.We would be making our way across the scorched, cracked land that lay behind the Mountain of Life.After that, it was a week’s walk over rocky terrain until we reached the base of the sacred mountain.Half of our pilgrimage was almost complete.
The closer we got to the sacred mountain, the darker the night sky became.The first glimpse of the moon made me feel closer to Nantu.Her moonlight would lead the way and keep me safe.
The eerie night wasn’t something I enjoyed, though.Raiden and I had already witnessed several mimic souls.Their screams were the sounds straight from a nightmare.I had never been so happy to have my gold enchanted bracelet around my wrist.Packs of night howlers were becoming more regular, too.They had prowled around our camp on more than one occasion.
Seeing Noor one day was the most surreal thing I had witnessed, until I realised she was a dread shifter.With one swing of Raiden’s light sword, she scurried away into the darkness.
“Keep close to me tonight, Alora,” Raiden muttered from beside me, gazing out into the darkness.“If anything happens, you must climb to the top of that tree.Do you understand?”Looking over his shoulder, I saw a large tall tree in the distance.Wrapping the hood of my cloak tighter around my head and body, I nodded.Even with the fire, it was cold tonight.“I’m not sure if that pack of night howlers is thinking of attacking, but I saw them circling us earlier.I counted at least twenty.”
“Can you take that many on?”
“I should be able to.If they attack, you head for the tree.Use your arrows once you are safe.Do you understand?I can heal from their bites.You haven’t manifested your light powers yet, so it will take you longer to heal.”
“You don’t need to remind me of how useless I am,” I sighed, closing my eyes.Raiden wrapped his arm around me.It was a platonic gesture to keep us both warm.In all my weeks with him, as strong and handsome as he was, I felt no desire at all.I knew it was the same for him.
“Try to sleep, Alora.”
****
THE GROWLS WERE THEfirst thing that startled me awake, followed by a nipping at my shoes and my cloak being pulled.Night howlershad invaded our camp.
Kicking one away with my foot, I grabbed my bow, smacking another one in the face as I swung my weapon.
“Alora, the tree!Now!Use the fire to keep them away from you!”Raiden was already on his feet, his light sword in his hand.“I can fight better knowing you’re safe!RUN!”There were already a few dead beasts at his feet.Grabbing a branch from the fire in front of me, I used it to keep the few beasts away that surrounded me as I collected my arrows.Raiden was further away from the fire, which meant most of the creatures were targeting him.
I had to get to the tree so I could take out the howlers that were behind him.Charging for the trunk as fast as my feet could carry me, I leaped up onto the first branch and then climbed swiftly.
Raiden was fighting well as I got in position on one of the top branches.With no hesitation, I took a few shots, killing three beasts that were moving to attack him from behind.Raiden gave me a quick glance of awe and appreciation.There had to be much more than twenty.The beasts had him completely surrounded.
One jumped onto his back and dug its teeth into his shoulder.Raiden yelled out, grabbing it with his bare hand and strangling it.His pure strength was incredible.A few of the beasts stepped back as his light sword glowed in a pure, white light.That’s it!Take them all down, Raiden!I continued to take out as many as I could with the arrows I had left.With the hood of my cloak over my head, it helped me focus on the targets.
When I reached for my arrows again, I realised that only I had two left.I had to make them count.After I nocked the next arrow, I took aim and was about to let it fly when the ground began to tremble in a way I had never experienced before.
Before my eyes could focus, the largest beast I had ever seen made its way towards Raiden.The speed of it, the armour of scales, the three large sharp claws as it stood ontwolegs.It was our worst nightmare.Anoc beasthad found us!
The night howlers made their escape as the noc beast stalked closer to Raiden.Fear shot through me.Was this a fight he could win?He braced himself, his sword shining bright as the beast circled him.Everytime the monster tried to lunge for him, he shot a beam of light, blinding the beast for a few short moments.I was helpless in the tree as I gripped my bow and aimed at the creature, looking for its weak point.The underbelly or under arm was its only weakness.Even if I did manage to shoot it, my arrows would only injure it.A sword was the only way to kill this monster.
The noc beast lashed out at Raiden’s arm, ripping it open.“RAIDEN!”I yelled as he cried out in pain.It lunged again, but Raiden shot more light power towards it with his uninjured arm.The beast jumped this time, striking Raiden’s chest, making him fall to the ground.“NO!!”I screamed.I panicked, shooting my arrow only to have it bounce off the beast’s armour.
One arrow was all I had left.Raiden was still fighting for his life on the ground as the creature lashed at him over and over again.Bolts of light were still hitting the beast.I had time.If I could injure it, that might give Raiden enough time to make the kill.If he was strong enough.
This was going to be the shot of my life.If I didn’t hit the under arm, we were both dead.Lining up the shot, I took a deep breath and waited until its weak spot was exposed.Raiden’s light was fading, the bolts of power becoming less frequent.The creature was landing way too many blows.Was Raiden even moving?I couldn’t tell.Waiting for the perfect shot felt like forever.My heart was pounding so hard in my chest that I was counting each beat.
Raiden didn’t even appear to be fighting back anymore.His power had completely faded.Was I too late?Finally, I got a clear shot.Pulling my bow back, I let my last arrow fly.Please!Let this arrow save him,I prayed to Holy Ether.Raiden was a pure soul.It couldn’t end this way for him!A single tear trickled down my face at the fear that I was already too late.
The monster roared in pain as my arrow landed the perfect blow in its under arm.It spun around faster than I could blink, it’s evil, dark eyes gazing into the distance for a few short seconds before looking up at the tree directly at me.Raiden wasn’t moving.
This was how I was going to die.The only comfort I took was knowing that I would be joining my mother soon.
The ground began to tremble as the noc beast charged towards the tree I was hiding in.Its claws scratched at the trunk, shaking the tree and making me almost lose my grip.Screaming, I clung on as tightly as I could.Soon, the creature would bring the tree down and feast on my flesh.I prayed it would be quick.
Holding on, I closed my eyes and pictured my friends.Noor would have to move on without me.Nell and Luz would help her heal.My father would cope.Perhaps he’d marry Elin and be blessed with another child.Holy Ether had her reasons.If I was meant to die today, I trusted her process.Whatever she had laid ahead for me, I would follow her guidance.
“Hey!”Something called from the darkness, distracting the beast.“That’s right, fucker.You remember me, don’t you?”the voice taunted.The creature moved away from the trunk of the tree, stalking whatever was out there.All I could see was darkness.I couldn’t even make out a figure in the distance.“I’m the one that gave you that scar on your face.I’ve been tracking you forweeks!”I noticed a large wound on the side of the monster’s face that had started to heal.The noc beast moved further into the darkness and began to hunt the phantom in the shadows.“That’s it.Let’s finish this.”The beast roared, disappearing from view as it charged at the voice.
With the creature distracted, I took the chance to climb down the tree.Racing towards Raiden, I prayed he was still breathing.
