Chapter 21: Survive!
Gora
I woke to the two jackals licking my face. I pushed them off me as I set up. I was shocked to see that instead of my comfortable bed. I was sleeping on the hard ground. I shot to my feet quickly and studied my surrounding. I wasn't in my room anymore. I was in a forest of some kind. Large trees and grass were all I could see. (Where the hell is this now?) I thought. I sat back down. I guess it was a good thing I was still in my training clothes. I preferred not to be stuck in the forest in my nightgown.
"What's this?" I asked myself since it was only me and the pups present. I had noticed a letter folded and pinned to my plain brown tunic. I quickly ripped the note off my chest and began to read. (The letter may be a clue to why I'm here.) I thought as I read the letter multiple times.
"I'll kill you, you bastard!" I screamed only for a second. I had remembered the contains of the letter. I didn't want to alert any creatures in the area. My father had spirited me away to some beast-infested forest. I tried to find the demon king now and strangle him. I also didn't believe that Mog approved such action. If she did, I wouldn't have been knocked out and dragged here.
I was actually glad to be away from the demon nation. I always felt like all eyes were on me at all times. (I also don't have to wear pretty dresses out here.) I thought, trying to look on the bright side. I was already planning on leaving anyway. This way was just a bit faster. The question was, what do I go from here?
"What are we going to do now guys?" I asked Canis and Canem. The two dogs had been running around me, trying to get used to their surroundings. I was happy to have them for company. I'd probably go insane if I had to be out here by myself. (I guess first things first, let's get a feel for the forest.) I thought as I looked around. The letter mentions mountains to the south. I wasn't able to see anything with all the trees around. I decided to climb one to get a better look.
Arf Arf!
The dogs barked at me as I made my way to the top of a massive tree. I was happy for the training with Duae, or I would have never done the 20-minute climb. My arms ached by the time I reached the top. The view from the top was worth all the pain. I saw A vast sea of trees as far as the eye could see. ( I guess that way is south.) I thought, looking at the tall mountains mentioned in the letter. I was told that the journey to reach them was dangerous, but I knew I'd make my way there. Curiosity would force me to go.
I wonder which way the human territory." I said as I looked around. All I could see were trees and grassland. I didn't see any tell-tell signs of civilization. There was no smoke in the distance and no buildings for me to see. (I guess I'll have to guess which way it is.) I thought as I looked out at the horizon. I didn't really know if I wanted to see humans again. I was curious, however, about the Darvan. In my old world, the Elvan and Darvan races were extinct. So, I never got to see any of them. My father said that the Darvan have the best wine. I made a mental note to try it before I die.
Screech!
The sound of a beast shook me from my thoughts. I looked behind me to see a small bird coming my way. The creature was far away but was getting close quickly. As It got closer, I noticed my mistake. The bird wasn't little at all. It was twice my size with long blue wings. ( This isn't good!) I thought as I started down the tree. I was too late. The beast had already spotted me and was headed my way.
Whoosh!
I narrowly dodged the bird's black talons as I jumped to the next tree. Branches and twigs cracked as I tried to stop my fall. I finally managed to catch myself on a limb. I was halfway up the new tree now, holding on for dear life. I had been scrapped up big time by the tree limbs. Blood trickled from my small wounds; I didn't care, though. The minor scratches were nothing compared to what that giant bird would have done.
"Whew," I breath a sigh of relief as I looked for a way down. I could hear Canis and Canem barking bellow. I figured they must have been worried about me. I started to make my way down when I heard a hiss. The sound made my blood run cold and my heart race. I turned to see a brown snake resting on the branch I was currently holding.
Ouch!
Before I could react, the snake bit my hand, causing me to let go of the branch. I tumbled down the tree hitting branch after branch. I hit the grown with a thud knocking the wind right out of my lungs. I rolled to my stomach and gasped, trying to find my breath. Canem, the female Jackal, came to my aid. She was trying to see if I was okay. I noticed that Canis wasn't close, but I could still hear him bark. After catching my breath, I looked for the other pup. Only to be stunned by what I found.
Three boars with long tusks stood in front of Canis. Even with the three pigs starring him down, Canis didn't once shink in fear. He was about half the size of one of the boars, and he was outnumbered. Yet the Jackal stood his ground. ( I can't fight all of them, and the puppies can't either.) I thought, trying to get out of my current predicament. I'm my old body. The three animals wouldn't stand a chance, but as I am now. I didn't think I could win. I grabbed a pebble off the ground and prepared to throw it at the boars. They had begun to get aggressive.
The largest of the three boars start to scratch his foot on the ground, preparing to charge at Canis. I readied my rock when a thought crossed my mind. ( I wonder if I could use my element.) I thought as I summoned my Ki. First, I covered the pebble in my element so that I could make it a little lighter. After confirming that I could use my element on the object, it was on to test two. I threw the pebble covered in the dark aura directly at the lead boar. Before the small rock left my hand, I made it as heavy as I could.
Bang!
The pebble smashed into the layer three boar like a battering ram. I heard a nasty crunch after the attack hit its target. I quickly ran to grab Canis while Canem followed close behind. After grabbing Canis, I started to go deeper into the forests. As I ran, I heard the grass behind me rustle and branches snap. ( Damn, they're chasing me!) I thought as I made a quick turn. I caught a glimpse of the two boars hot on my trail. I had no hope of outrunning the beast, so I needed a way out and fast.
I rounded another tree bypassing the charging beast. They had been moving so fast that they had a hard time turning. Still, they caught back up in no time. (Think damn it! Think!) I tried desperately to come up with a way out. I saw an immense boulder up ahead and ran towards it. I threw both the pups out of my arms. Making sure they landed in a safe place. I was relieved to see the beast ignore them and continue pursuing me.
I ran a little faster without the extra weight, but I could hear the creature gaining. I breathed a sigh of relief when I got closer to the boulder. I ran up the huge rock flipping behind my pursuer. One of the boars smashed the rock hard, cracking one of its tusks. The second boar was lucky and ran into his friend instead of the boulder.
The first was struggling to stand while the second pig turned to face me. ( One on one. I like these odds.) I thought as I readied myself for a fight. That's when I noticed the ring on my finger. I hadn't been wearing one the day I was kidnapped. So the ring struck me as odd. Then I remembered the letter from my father. He said the ring held all the gifts I got for my tenth birthday. With that thought in mind, I waited for the boar to charge. The beast didn't disappoint as it gave a roar of anger and headed my way. I didn't move, standing perfectly still. The moment the boar reached me, I moved to the side, summoning my sword. The spacial ring was easy to use. Mog told me that all you had to do was think about the item you wanted, and it'd appear in your hand.
Squish!
The creature squealed in pain as my blade bit into the still moving animal. The beast's momentum caused my sword to rip from my hand. The pig and I fell to the ground. I quickly got up, cursing my weak body for letting go of my sword. Lucky for me the animal didn't get up. It rolled on the ground kicking its legs and squealing. ( Still alive, huh?) I thought as I got closer to the struggling boar. The layer three boar had tougher hid than that of a regular pig. So, I channeled Ki on my sword to penetrate the beast's side. Even still, I wasn't able to stab too deeply.
I slowly made my way to the down animal as I kept an eye on the other boar. The pig that hit the boulder was almost on his feet but very slowly. It turned to look at me when I made it to his dying friend. I grabbed the hilt of my blade and added my black element to my hands. With the added weight, I was able to drive the sword through the beast. It stopped its struggling almost immediately. I then stared at the last remaining pig. Seeing his dead friend, the bear ran off.
I was now alone, laying up against my kill. I started to feel dizzy and light-headed. My breath was ragged, and I struggled to stand up. (What the hell is wrong with me?) I thought to myself. I then remember the snake bite I received a little earlier. I looked to my left hand, which was now a tiny bit swollen. (Poison!) I thought as I quickly started to summon my Ki. I was using it to purge my body of the toxins. Although a lot of the poison was already in my blood, I could still push some of it out. The process took me a few minutes. When I was done, I felt utterly exhausted. My whole body ached in pain, and I felt my eyes grow heavy. I couldn't help but close them.
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I woke up sometime later, finding the sun had gotten lower in the sky. It was almost nighttime. I looked around, seeing that I was still in the same spot. The dead boar I was laying against had begun to stink. I saw Canis and Canem curled up around me. They must have come to find me after I left them. I gave the two pups a scratch on the head. They both jumped around and licked me, apparently happy to see me awake.
Grr!
My stomach growled, reminding me that I hadn't eaten all day. If Mog were here, I'd be swimming in food right now. ( I could sure use one of Mog's famous head massages right now.) I thought as I started to stand. My body was sore as hell, but I ignored the pain. I looked to the dead boar than to the little Jackal that walked around it.
"How about some bacon for dinner guys?" I asked the dogs. They both gave me a soft bark as an answer. I giggled at the pups. Happy to have them around. However, it would be nicer when they got bigger. As they are now, they are just a burden. I'd still protected them. However, I felt attached to the puppies. (Now, how do you skin one of these things?) I thought as I examined the dead pig. I had never prepared my food before, so this would be the first. I wasn't too confident in my ability, though.
Ahwooooooo!
Howling started far off, breaking my chain of thought. (Oh, what now!) I thought as the howling continued. I could tell that it was getting closer. It looked like my dinner was going to have to wait.
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
HumanError
HumanError I want to give a BIG thank you for all the support I've received this week. I really needed it! It gets me motivated to keep going. Keep it coming, and I'll keep writing!
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