A Guardian 's Vow (Open Novella Contest 2021)

Chapter 10

I didn't move from my position on the ground, but I was more alert, my ears perked and eyes danced around, looking for the presence in the dense woods.

"I sense it too," I said. Something lurked in the bushes, watching us with a hungry gaze. Kaliden's nostrils flared as he smelled the air, trying to figure out who our stalker was. His nose crinkled at the foul stench that I too was smelling.

My eyes followed the sound of the brush rustling and branches snapping as the creature circled around us. From my guess, the creature wasn't overly large, but by the speed that it travelled at, it could prove to be an issue later.

I let out a snarl, warning the creature, Kaliden's own blending in with mine. A howl-like sound met our ears; the creature wasn't taking our threats seriously. I rose to my feet, claws extended and tail twitching. Kaliden's muscles bunched as he made himself look intimidating. His own claws curled in the ground and his lips rose, revealing his canines.

"Takiaya, what's going on?" A sleepy Adien asked. I glanced down at him. The young boy rubbed his eyes as he tried to wake up.

"No matter what happens, stay close," I commanded.

I could sense Aiden's fear, but was grateful for his compliance as I felt him shift to my side. I couldn't be worrying about him. Whatever was circling us would need my full undivided attention if I was to protect the both of us.

"It's going to attack," Kaliden warned. I moved closer to the drake, relying on my hearing more than my sight. Even with both of our excellent night vision, our attacker was too fast for our eyes to track.

"Whatever happens, you stay close to one of us. If we tell you to go and hide, then you go and hide," I said sternly to Aiden, using my tail to push him closer towards Kaliden, keeping him behind me.

I heard the creature let out a snarl. I spun around, facing its position. A vague shadowy figure lunged out of the bushes. My muscles constricted momentarily before I launched at it; claws extended and teeth bared. A roar left my lips.

My claws narrowly missed the creature as it darted underneath me. I landed and spun, but it was already gone.

As I spun around again, Kaliden's jaw finished snapping shut where the creature had just been mere seconds ago.

"It grabbed Aiden!" he yelled, turning to me.

I didn't need anything else to be said before I shot off, tail streaming behind me.

"Wait up!" Kailden lunged after me, but I was already gone.

My eyes finally found the creature as I ran, and I instantly recognized it. The wendigo ran, holding Aiden tightly. The young boy looked terrified, and within all rights; wendigos were nasty creatures, feasting on human flesh and resorting to cannibalism. Even to Guardians they were a huge threat, with their incredible speed and uncanny hunting abilities.

I pushed myself to run faster, lowering myself closer to the ground as I weaved around obstacles.

Heavy wing beats filled the air as Kaliden flew overhead, going to cut the wendigo off. The wendigo let out a roar, frustrated that this hunt was not an easy one. It moved upward, seeking shelter in the low branches of the trees.

I growled, running below it now. My eyes watched the dark creature as it jumped from branch to branch, using the trunks to bounce around the path it was taking. Aiden remained tight in his grasp, the boy now struggling. Even with his flailing arms and kicking feet, the wendigo didn't let go, nor would he, Aiden's attacks were just like a bug's to the night creature.

A burst of fire erupted from above, going through the trees and blocking the wendigo's path. It let loose an inhuman screech, stumbling back at the heat and bright light.