Tales of Concordia: Volume One

Chapter One: Celestial Dragons

*SMASH*

*CRASH*

"Ngh-! You've got to be kidding me...! What the hell, This was supposed to be a Routine hunt; why the hell is this thing here?!"

The man was face to face with a large, quadrupedal beast. Its appearance was similar to a rabid wolf of some sort. It was larger than a truck with black fur. Rotting flesh and exposed Bones appeared across its body, complemented by Long, Razor-Sharp Teeth, and Claws. It looked at the man with nothing but uncontrolled malice.

"If you want a fight I'll give you one! I don't plan on dyin' out in a forest against some overgrown MUTT!"

The man yelled. He readied his weapon and let out a battle cry as he began to charge towards the beast. The beast launched itself into the air, ready to pounce on the man.

*Snap*

*CRACK*

"!?- Something's coming, and fast-!" The man thought to himself, hearing the snap and crack of trees behind him. Instead of attacking, he moved back from his spot, dodging the beast's pounce. It landed and turned towards him, ready to attack again.

*BOOM*

The beast was launched into the air after being slammed by a large blast of wind. It landed with a crash, knocking over several large trees. As the beast struggled to raise itself from the unforeseen blow, the man felt his shoulder grabbed by someone. He turned to face the stranger.

"I'll take it from here. Thank you for standing your ground." The stranger told the man. He was rather tall, standing at 5'11 with short jet black hair, two longer wavy locks framing either side of his face. His golden-yellow eyes directed their cold and tired, yet determined gaze towards the beast.

-

-

"Turns out that report was right." I said, a frown forming on my face. The beast was large, but not particularly strong- a blast of magic that weak left it staggered.

"Guildmaster Riario, Thank you but I could have taken-" I quickly cut him off, making a slight scowl.

"How many times have I told you all It isn't necessary to refer to me as Guildmaster? Just Riario is fine-!" I redirected my attention back towards the beast. It had raised itself back up, attempting to pounce on us mid-conversation

With a flick of my wrist, I erected a clear barrier. The beast hit it head-on.

*THUD*

It sprawled out on the ground as if it hit a brick wall at full speed. I looked back at the man, continuing my conversation.

"Head back to the hall, your job is done. I'll take over from here." I told the man. He looked at the beast sprawled in the dirt and replied.

"Alright Boss, I'll let you handle it from here." He responded before sheathing his Axe and retreating.

"I just said-!" Before I could even finish my sentence, he had already vanished from the area. I sighed.

"None of them listen, I don't know why I bother anymore." I said to myself, clutching the back of my head. What a pain.

"Anyways..." I turned back to the beast, which had just regained its balance.

"I'll be putting you down now."

The beast jumped towards me once again, slashing out with its massive claws. I dodged its attack, letting it slam into another tree.