SECRETS OF EXOCLYUS

4: A WARNING

Silence filled the bar for a second time, but unlike the first which was full of anticipation during Usgard's entrance, this one was full of dread and confusion.

At the mention of the monster's name Usgard choked on his ale and seemed like he was going to spit it out, but considered the mess he would make and swallowed the liquid, leading to a small coughing fit.

"I'm sorry." He said when his throat was cleared. "I'm not certain I heard you properly. Did you say, the Fanged Shadow?"

"Yes." Stella confirmed. "You might know it as Nyxlian. An ominous name for an ominous creature. Have you ever seen it, Usgard?"

A man laughed at her. "Are you crazy? Nyxlian doesn't exist, it's nothing but a fucking-"

His words hitched once he noticed the battle axe inches away from his throat and the death glare Usgard sent his way. Harold kept working as if not bothered but everyone else was frozen until Usgard spoke.

"It is not a fucking myth."

He lowered his weapon and pulled his shirt up to reveal a row scars across his abdomen. They were claw scars, much bigger than Stella had expected. She even winced because although they were healed she could tell it was an excruciating experience.

"The Fanged Shadow gave me this." He stated. "I escaped it, barely fucking escaped it. It's not a myth. It walks Nevcram forest, hunts all those who crosses its path, an apex predator born of darkness and death. If you're asking, lady, then I'm certain you've heard of its horrors."

"I have." Stella said. "Rumours say that it's unkillable, because it wields the mark of godhood. The-"

"Eyes of golden dawn." Usgard completed. "Only the gods have golden eyes, that's an occurring fact across all cultures in Exoclyus. It's a sign that they are what they are, superior beings, yet this monster has it, one golden eye that shimmers as it stalks you from the shadows. I only survived because the monster lost interest in me, but not before giving me this to remember it."

"You couldn't kill it?" Someone asked.

"It wouldn't die." Usgard snapped. "I shoved my axe into its neck, punched, kicked, but nothing. It was unrelenting, and hungry, but it suddenly stopped trying to eat me and ran off. Now I'm here to spread a cautionary tale to all who believe they're capable of hunting it."

That last part was directed at her, and it was a valid warning. The Fanged Shadow was a mystery, a very dangerous one. King Don stated that it's not to be hunted, because it actually never strays from Nevcram forest, but people tend to be reckless.

Stella was planning to be reckless.

The bar went back to its business, people started singing, drinks started refilling, and the good vibe that existed earlier returned, however Stella and Usgard stared at themselves, it was clear she wanted to talk, so when she walked out of the building it didn't take long for Usgard to follow behind.

They walked to the back of Narki's inn and once there Usgard sat on a stool while Stella leaned on the wall beside him, there was a short silence between the two until Usgard spoke his mind.

"Why were you staring at me?"

"Because I wanted to speak to you."

"If it's about the Nyxlian then I'm afraid to say you're crazy." He stated.

"I thought you said you're a great hunter." Stella pointed out.

"A good hunter knows it's prey." He said. "They also know when something is to be left the fuck alone. Nobody hunts the Nyxlian, even King Don warned all Derationians to stay away."