Beast In The Woods

Stroll in the Woods

The Hunter dodged to the side as the reptilian creature tried to slam both of its claws down on him. He returned the attack by raking his claw on the leg of the creature. His claws skittered off the thick scales and did no damage. This didn't stop him as he leaped onto the creature's back to get at its neck. The creature responded by throwing itself back will all its strength against a tree. They both slammed into it and then through it. The Hunter took the brunt of it.

The creature righted itself and backed away quickly to lower itself into a crouched position to pounce the Hunter. The Hunter for his part rolled onto his legs and readied himself for the next round. Izuku stared at the creature and could see its intelligence as it watched him instead of attacking without restraint. This wasn't a wild animal but a worthy predator.

The predator lept from one side to another at an angle to the Hunter, gaining speed with each movement. The Hunter held in place and took the attack head-on. Long claws raked the air to tear the Hunter in half and he formed a shield made of carapace. The claws dug deep into the shield and the Hunter used his tail to strike at the predator's abdomen.

The predator roared in pain and used its tail to hit the Hunter. Leaping over the thick appendage, he landed and propelled himself to a nearby tree trunk. His none reinforced leg bones cracked but he paid it no mind. He used the tree trunk as a springboard to push himself towards the predator. With his spear leading the charge, he penetrated deep into the thick scales on the side of the predator. Once again, it roared and slammed his clawed fist down on the Hunter's back. He was slammed down and the predator pounced just as the Hunter rolled over. One clawed hand stabbed into the Hunter's shoulder and the other missed by inches. The Hunter roared in pain and used his tail to spear the forearm of the predator. Blood sprayed over the Hunter as the arm was mangled when the predator pulled the hand back causing the spear tip tail to split the hand down the middle.

The predator roared and used its whole hand to rake against the Hunter's face. Claws met claws as the Hunter blocked the attack and used his free hand to grab the predator's injured arm. He pulled and the predator went with the movement to avoid more pain causing the predator to fall and the Hunter to roll on top of it. Pinning one clawed hand with his clawed hand and the other too injured to be of any use, he used his free hand to grab one of the horns to pull the head up. It caused the neck to be exposed and the Hunter opened his jaws wide and bit down. He yanked to the side and a large chunk of flesh was torn away as blood sprayed all over the Hunter.

The thrashing of the predator slowed and then stopped under the Hunter. He held the predator's head still as it bled out and mentally gave it respect for a worthy fight. When it finally died, the Hunter roared in triumph and the thick forest shook at the sound.

Izuku hopped from tree to tree as he tried to get higher to see where he should go to find his pack. With a new trophy on his waist, the skull of the predator without its jaw, he reached the top of the tallest tree and looked around. He was surprised to see the city, the only other thing visible other than woods, far in the distance. At least ten to twenty miles away. He sprouted his wings, flapped them once, and then paused. He looked down at the thick woods and then at the skull.

His pack was strong and they had four apex predators to help them stay alive. He looked down at the woods between himself and the city. He smiled and his wings retracted into his back, the pack didn't need him too soon. With that settled, he dropped from the tree top and eagerly scanned the woods he found himself in. With his impeccable sense of direction to lead the way, he began to make his way through the woods.

Back at the village, Mina bit at her fingernail in worry. Her hand was pulled away from her teeth by Jirou. "You need to calm down and find something to do. Sitting here tearing your fingernails apart won't make him come back faster. Plus, I can hear it and it's gross." Jirou said scrunching her nose in disgust.