《Lineage Saga (Kingdom Building Fantasy)》Chapter 23: Birds of a Feather
Advertisement
The two rows of teeth had grinded down the spear shaft even further, sending hairline fractures across the surface while the youth below held on for dear life. It was unlikely that there was much time left, the pressure would cause the wood to give in. Although clearly in pain, the young man moved his right hand to the center of the shaft, opening his palm and pressing against the beast’s injured snout.
This movement had allowed him to wiggle his left hand into the gap between his right forearm guard, using two fingers to remove the dagger tucked within. Following this he dropped the dagger to the ground within easy reach before repositioning his hands to their original position.
These actions had not gone unnoticed, irritated the leopard placed more strength into its bite while at the same time retracting its left forelimb. Instead opting to position its limb for a swipe, the target was obvious, a clear shot at the youth’s head. It was unknown whether the bronze helm had any chance at diverting or protecting against the force of the beast’s clawed forelimb. A question that most already had an answer to, it was clear what would happen should that limb connect fully with the youth’s skull, helm, or no helm.
It was in that moment, the second its fore limb reared prepared for the strike that the spear shaft could no longer withstand the pressure. The leopard reared slightly, committing to its attack, and leading with the swipe of its claws. Yet, in that instant that the shaft snapped, the champion had also not been idle, moving quickly as if acting upon an already existing plan.
His right hand moved before the beast could unleash its attack, grasping the dagger lying in the sand where it had dropped. The blade came up, positioned directly in the path of the incoming swipe. Unable to stop its attack, the creature’s own strength was used against it, the tip of the dagger impaling itself within and through the sensitive pads below. That action had also slightly changed the angle of the attack, instead of striking directly, the claws merely delivered a glancing blow, leaving a gash across the right side of the champions helm as well as a slight gash upon his cheek. The leopard on the other hand was left roaring in pain, reeling from the immense pain.
Advertisement
Not missing this chance and showing signs of falling into an adrenaline-fueled rage, the champion grabbed the nearest shard of the shattered spear. Having grabbed the bottom half, he immediately flipped it over to the bronze capped butt, using it as a makeshift mace. He struck again and again, bludgeoning the beast’s left eye with the metal cap. Even when it was stunned and whimpering on the ground he did not stop, the vicious and brutal attack continued, smashing bone, destroying the orbital bone, and leaving half the creature’s face a mangled mess.
It was only when the creature’s whimpers had died down to a soft mewling did the attack stop, he stood over the dying beast, finally awake from his battlefield trance. Only then could he notice the pitiful creature in front of him.
Even before his attack the leopard was in a sorry state, its ribs were visible through the dull, mangy coat. Less a regal predator and more comparable to the many broken slaves in the cells below the arena.
“How long have you lived here? Are you like me, born in this wretched place, never knowing the love of a mother? The only thing we have ever learned was battle and the harsh ministrations of the whip… I was lucky to at least have found one to take the place of the parents I never knew. But you, they turned you into this, always forcing us to kill one another. What have we done to deserve this…? I’m sorry. You don’t deserve this but allow me to at least send you off quickly.” Tears dripped down the sides of the young champions face, obscured from view by his helm. Within this creature he had seen parts of himself, both were trapped within a cage, subjected to the whims of those above.
Advertisement
The creature dazed, confused, and blinded could only cry out in pain. It lacked both the energy and capability to stand, at this point barely even alive.
“Apologies oh majestic beast, one of us must die… and I am no saint. I hope you find happiness within your next life. Farewell.” The youth limped over and retrieved what remained of the top half of his shattered spear. Blood poured out from the massive gash on his right thigh, numerous black and blue splotches had appeared upon his uncovered flesh, signs that his condition was worse than it appeared. He was even having difficulty limping along, at times appearing to stumble as he made his way back after retrieving the remains of his weapon.
Undeterred the youth took aim, the target the dying beast’s heart. He could have simply allowed the beast to die on its own, to bleed out, yet he chose instead to end its suffering. As if in understanding, the creature simply lay there, breathing labored, resigned to its fate as the bronze head struck true. The bronze spear tip penetrated deep, sinking into the flesh, and skewering the heart. For its part the leopard chuffed lightly, the rise and fall of its chest slowing as the last embers of life slowly wilted away.
As the light faded from its eyes the young champion rested his bleeding hand upon its head, patting its mangy fur lightly as it breathed its last. Like a puppet with its strings cut the youth fell backwards, the blood from his wounds pooling underneath him. Turning his head to the side he managed to heave the combination of bile and blood that had threatened to suffocate him. It was clear as day that his body was in a bad state and that he was holding on by a thread through sheer willpower at this point.
His focus drifted in and out, eyelids barely managing to remain open. With the adrenaline rush having worn off, the pain of all the numerous wounds had also compounded. So out of it that the youth did not notice the figure limping along in his direction. All focus had shifted to the beast that had been unleashed within the ring, yet the champions original opponent still lived and now he towered over his unconscious form sword in hand.
Advertisement
Accidentally a Shrine Priestess
Sophie Birch wakes up to a strange blonde woman claiming Sophie promised to be her “priestess” and honestly the whole thing goes downhill from there. Classes? Levels? Mana? Wait – on top of all of that, this place doesn’t even have coffee?! In which our heroine wakes up in a fantasy world and wishes she had spent more time playing video games instead of reading all of that romance manga. Accidentally a Shrine Priestess is a cozy progression fantasy story with very light LitRPG elements. Updates on Saturdays ~9AM PST.
8 202Into the Wilderness- LITRPG Apocalypse
Story now has an improved version with feedback taken into account (this version will continue as normal) : Born for the Apocalypse -A system apocalypse survival LITRPG Novel- Jack Smith, your typical American college graduate with an annual salary half his student debt, was not equipped for the apocalypse. Or first contact, magical powers and Eldritch horrors. Apparantly, deciding to take a 'nature retreat' a day before the apocalypse wasn't his greatest idea- but hey, the aliens didn't send him a memo. In a world where the only law was that of the jungle, where the weak perish and the strong prosper- Jack would come to realize that he would do almost anything to survive.
8 55The 1.000 year Great Sage
History says that each 1.000 years, a Great Sage is born. One that can control amazing amounts of Magic. And in this world with so many different races, that Great Sage will defend, rule or help one of those races to advance and evolve faster than any of the other races. At least, it used to be like that for the past 5.000 years. But then, I was born.
8 159The Black Sheep
Sophia has just learned that the visions she's had since she was a child are not only true, but they may fortell the end of humankind. Joining up with a rag-tag team of warriors, mages, and their enigmatic leader, Joshua, Sophia must learn to hone her power to help defend humanity against the impending Darkness.
8 157Love by chance
Pete y Ae: Pete es un chico apuesto, alto y de piel blanca, seguido por muchas chicas, pero Pete es gay y generalmente es intimidado por "amigos". Un día, cuando Pete es intimidado, Ae aparece y lo ayuda. Entonces Ae se convierte en su "guardaespaldas". Por supuesto, Pete se enamora de Ae, pero debido a que Ae no es gay decide no contarselo.
8 136BABY. ☆ wednesday addams
a boy falls in love with a girl who he never expected coming: the opposite of him. male w. addams x fem! oc
8 136