Beyond The Realms

Chapter 12

Though the sword doesn't go flying from my hand this time when the Prince strikes the impact jars my entire arm making sharp pain shoots throughout the entire length.

" No use gripping the sword , you should block my attack " He instructs.

Turns out Sword fight is harder than I had thought and extremely physically challenging.

It takes me a while to pick his instructions but once I do I'm quick to apply them.

Each move requires different kind of implementation and technique behind it.

The Prince decides it is best I learn to use sword first than learn using elements.

Soon enough sword fight becomes a part of my daily routine .
The practice is nothing less than gruelling but I feel like my sweat and hard work is paying off as with each passing day I sense myself improve.

My days go learning sword fighting from the Prince and nights are spent sleeping off the exhaustion though I have often insisted the Prince to let me go on hunt for food .
I have seen a lot of strange animals big and small lurking in the forest that can provide us meat.

But the Prince never agrees.

He is always the one who brings animals of different sizes for us to eat . Sometimes it is an animal as small as a rabbit sometimes it is something equivalent to a horse . but I notice that he never comes dripping in blood from his hunts somehow he always manages to kill his hunts in one blow and his clothes are always in impeccable condition.

One particular night he agrees to let me go on the hunt....

" What should I hunt ?"

" Anything you desire " The Prince replies
" Smaller animals are extremely alert they require patience and keen senses but the bigger the animal the more vicious it will be"

With an excited nod to him I move into the dark forest .

I'm past the days when blood and dead animals used to make me feel queasy .The long hard days in the forest have seen to it.

Now I'm just eager to prove my skills with sword even if they are against a wild beast .

True to the Prince's words the smaller animals dart away at astonishing speed sensing the danger my presence brings but I'm not aiming for them anyway.

I hide behind the the thick growth of bushes and trees waiting for an opportunity .

The opportunity comes in form of a Landga , Carnivorous beast that resembles a wolf in facial appearance though its size could dwarf any wolf in mortal realm.

Tightening my grip on the sword I quickly scan the Landga's surrounding .

Landgas usually move in packs and eager I might be to prove myself but I'm not stupid enough to try and kill one if it is part of a pack .

Minutes pass and the Landga remains alone .It is possible this one had been abandoned by its pack.
Taking in a deep breath I decide that I'm done waiting as letting out a scream I leap towards the beast.

Baring its jaws the Landga fixes its furious eyes on me as agitated snarls start erupting from its throat.

Not intimidated by the size of its deadly fangs I slash my sword towards the beast and it lets out a growl moving away surprisingly fast.

I don't stop as I keep trying to strike and at the same time try to protect myself from the deadly swipe of the landga's claws as its enraged growls threaten to burst my eardrums.

I throw myself on the forest floor rolling away quickly as its powerful jaw closes on the air with an audible snap where my head had just been , not waisting a second I get on my feet and jab my sword into the beast's hide though it isn't anywhere near a death blow it is enough to make the Landga bleed.

The beast lashes out in agonized fury and this time a searing pain threatens to make my arm functionless as warm blood start gushing down its length.

Ignoring the pain I attack the Langa again and manage to slash its muzzle.

I'm not quick enough on my feet when the Langa retaliates and one of its claws tears away the flesh below my thigh.

Crying out in agony I swing my sword just as additional growls fill the night sky and two other Landgas leap out of the bushes nostrils flaring , hackles raised and lips peeled back revealing their fangs in all its deadly glory.

Oh uh I'm horribly outnumbered !

Like any sensible person I know I should back off . My eyes fixed on the three beats ahead I slowly start moving backwards but one of enraged Landga's lunges at me .

Without any hesitation I eye the beast's vulnerable underbelly as it is mid leap and plunge my sword into it. The agonized growl the beast releases almost deafens me as with a shuddering twitch of its massive body the beats falls inches away from my feet .

I don't get any time to celebrate my victory as the other two Landgas are suddenly upon me .

All the breath goes out my body with a whoosh as I land hard on my back under the crushing weight of the snarling Landgas.

One of them clamps itss jaws on my sword arm and I scream out in pain trying to move away but succeed only in managing a pitiful wiggle as spittle of the other snarling Landga lands on my face .

I'm sure its bared mouth and murderous red eyes is the last thing I will see before my head gets chewed off when suddenly the Landga lets out a yelp and falls down with a thud.The second one instantly follows.

" I didn't think getting yourself killed was on the menu tonight "
Standing before me his sword dripping with blood of the Landgas is Prince Ruslan.

" I did kill one " still lying haphazardly on the forest floor breathless and rattled from my close brush with death I manage to point out the prone form of the Landga that died by my hands .

" A victory that had cost you greatly " The Prince says his violet eyes taking in the several bleeding wounds on my body " But a victory nonetheless "

" Get up, Princess " He extends his hand and I take it wincing when the simple movement makes fire blaze along the entire length of my arm and getting on my feet only makes my bleeding leg throb .

Amidst the blinding pain it is almost easy to ignore the sparks his touch cause , Almost.

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Hi,

I know this is not the best chapter in the world but I hope you liked reading it .

Please comment and vote : )