The Legend of Pardus

Prologue

A thousand years ago...
The trees flashed by, the wind blew against my back, my paws flew like feathers over the damp grasses and cold forest floor. The darkness of the woods seemed to grow lighter the further we ran, yet it was still there, waiting to strike with deadly fangs. It had been too long, we had been running for months. The humans were to blame, they brought their flying space machines and the beast, the thing that chases the weak, kills for fun. This couldn't be the end, the future of this world depended on the tribe's survival.

Even with the massive scaled monster hunting us every waking moment of everyday and night, we had to pull through and save our world. But how? A roar blasted from the depths of the darkness, scattering my thoughts. I glanced back at the woods behind us. They were pitch black, a dense fog blew from them. Something was there, watching, waiting. The scent of ash and smoke filled the wind, mixed with the faintest scent of blood. I felt my heart drop, he had found us.
I picked up my pace, everyone did. We were gaining distance, I could hear his thundering talons growing ever so fainter. My lungs hurt from all the running, it felt like my feet were going to fall off at any second. I couldn't keep this up forever, none of us could. I realized after all this time, and all the losses, this wasn't going to change. It was time to do what I was meant to do, what the protector had promised to me. I needed to face the danger head-on and finish what the humans started. I began to slow down, other panthers around me glancing back. One followed, I immediately recognized Emerald. He urged me through heavy breaths,
"We cannot lose you Nature, your our leader, keep going!"

I called back,
"You keep running, if I don't return, you must lead this tribe to a new land. This...is what I was meant to do."
"Are you sure, Nature?"
Emerald questioned. I looked longingly at him, my entire body feeling like it was sinking. I slowed down even more, Emerald watched me go, then ran to the front of the group. He had to lead them now, he knew how to. I peeled off and a few panthers slowed to look at me. I shook off my dreadful feeling and urged them,
"Keep going, follow Emerald, don't look back!"

they ran after Emerald, leaving me to give them more time. They would be free, I hoped they would be free. Too many others were dead, lost in the darkness. I slammed my paws into the ground, beginning to skid sideways. I stopped and looked into the depths of the darkened woods. Cold air, frozen ground, the dreadful feeling I was going to die. I could no longer hear the monster running, I only heard his deep breath hidden in the fog. While my eyes adjusted to the darkness, I spotted the beast's silhouette slowly emerge, outlined in the mist. The massive being was tall, as tall as two pine trees on-top of each other, maybe more, his massive talons the size of boulders. His horny head was down, his wings drooping, as if he was sad, moaning. The beast opened his glowing red eyes slowly, growling,
"your pathetic little life is over...panther!"

my hair stood on end as he stood up, his eyes glowed brighter, as if hungry. He lunged at me, his talons reaching, his wings stretching to cover the sky, his throat beginning to glow with a deadly fire. Instinct took over, as I found myself leading the dragon away from the deepest part of the woods and into grass fields. I reminded myself what I was doing, stopping and turned around. I needed to save the tribe, save Pardus. I stood strong amongst my doubt, waiting for the beast to show himself. Slowly, I took a deep breath in, feeling the life and energy around me, the peace. The wind blowing softly, the touch of grasses around me, the damp skin beneath my feet. Closing my eyes, I took a breath out, I was one of millions, one destined to stand. Slowly I felt the warmth of The sun emerged from behind a large thundercloud. The protectors were watching. The grasses around me were almost to my neck, the clouds overhead blocked the sun for a few minutes, then the sun returned. The beast was there in the trees, watching. I heard him roar from the forest,
"What a great way to die, panther, presenting yourself as a free meal!"
"Not free, and I'm no meal. I am Nature, the first legend of Pardus! You and your little minions will never prosper!"

He walked out of the forest and pushed over a very tall pine, roaring in fury.
"I AM BLOOD THE DRAGON! THE DEMONS WILL DESTROY YOU!"
He then opened his massive, bat-like wings, knocking over a couple more trees. Splinters and leaves sprayed everywhere as the beast started running at me. The world slowed down, every footstep, every heartbeat, seemed to slow down. Every bit of magic and power in my body was telling me to run, but I held fast. I wasn't going to run, I was a protector, a legend. I prepared to pounce at the large dragon thundering at me, preparing for the worst fight in my life...

Note from author; this beginning is still a work in progress, I may not change much on Wattpad.
(Please leave comments or suggestions, they would help greatly!)