Rise of The Fallen

-Kora-

A few minutes earlier…

Running through the trees, I tried my best to stay silent as possible before stopping and crouching down to catch my breath. I could barely travel without becoming completely exhausted in just a few paces. Maybe the fatigue was finally getting to me. I needed food, proper food, not just the fruit and lizard meat I’d been surviving off of for the past few weeks. It wasn’t enough to sustain me.

I inspected my makeshift bow, hoping like hell it would work when I used it. This was the only chance I had to get proper food that would keep me alive for at least another week.

If I failed at hunting down an animal, I wasn’t sure what I’d do. I haven’t had any kind of food in two days, and can feel myself getting weaker. If I don’t get my strength back then…then…

Shaking my head, I took another deep breath. No, I wouldn’t let it come to that. I’d been through too much to give up. It had taken many attempts, but I finally finished my bow. Now, I could hunt bigger prey and sustain myself. I just needed to push myself harder.

After mentally preparing myself, I got back up and continued my run through the forest. I’d been tracking a creature for days, noting their specific behaviors and movements, and was confident now that I could lure one into an ambush point.

Earlier, I’d laid the bait out in a dense field, setting up plants that could cover my smell, stones I’d use to step on that would hide my tracks, and a spot for me to creep close enough to the open space to take the killing shot. If I was correct, and if it was where I was venturing to now, then there was no way I’d fail.

Please don’t fail, I thought a bit desperately.

As I approached where I’d set the bait, I slowed my pace, becoming much more careful with my movements as I jumped onto the first stone. Carefully tiptoeing on each stone, I moved closer to the target area until I reached the thick foliage. Once I was close enough, I got down and crawled under the low hanging shrubbery, careful not to agitate the bushes.

Soon enough, I got to the blind spot I had set up and sure enough through the foliage I could see it. A six legged deer like creature grazing on the sweet grass I had planted as bait. My heart was racing as I carefully got my bow ready and notched my single arrow.

As I took aim, I noticed there was some foliage that could thwart my arrow with the angle I was at. Carefully, I moved to the side just slightly. I had barely even moved, taking a single step in the process, but I flinched at the sound of a small twig snapping under my foot, immediately freezing as the deer looked in my direction.

I didn’t move a muscle as it blankly stared at my hiding spot, watching for any kind of movement. Very slowly, I pulled back the bow string and prayed to whatever gods were out there that it wouldn’t snap after all the tests I’d run after repairing it.

The deer didn’t move, didn’t dart away, and relief coursed through me. Taking a shaky breath, I pulled the string back a little further and let the arrow fly.

The sudden screech from the creature and thud as it fell to the ground surprised me, and my lips parted in shock. I hit it. I actually hit it!

It kicked a few times in an attempt to stand up, and I almost stopped breathing when it nearly did, only to relax once it collapsed back on the ground and the poison did its thing.

I killed it… I can’t believe I actually killed it!

Forgetting any rules for stealth and safety I had made for myself prior, I rushed out of my hiding spot and over to the dead creature. My entire body was buzzing with excitement.

I had successfully hunted a larger creature. It would be enough food to last me a week, maybe more! I wouldn’t have to go to sleep hungry. I could make myself a new fur blanket and tools. I actually managed to hunt something! I had half expected I would need to chase it down after I shot it because I thought the poison would take longer to go into effect, but the deer went down so quickly.

My mind was racing with so many thoughts, and I almost squealed in with happiness at my success as I kneeled next to the creature. I did feel a little sorry for the animal, but I did what I had to in order to survive.

It’s the circle of life, all the same rules apply, even on an alien planet. Sighing in relief, I reached for my arrow. I can’t believe I–

My blood ran cold, realizing I hadn’t reached for my own arrow at all.

Two? There’s two arrows?

Pulling my hand away, I stared at the second arrow like it was some kind of omen of death. Fresh blood oozed from the wound of the other shot, showing that this wasn’t some old injury I had missed.

Someone was out here with me, hunting the same animal.

The snapping of a branch behind me startled me. I quickly jumped to my feet, spinning around as my heart threatened to explode from my chest.

There, standing not five feet from me was a Xanadian! I stared in horror at the seven-feet tall native. His piercing silver eyes stared me down, and I couldn’t breathe, couldn’t move, feeling like a deer in headlights at that exact moment.

The glint of moonlight reflecting off the blade of his tail was enough to get my blood pumping as he tilted his head, studying me cautiously.

His skin was so dark, I was sure that if he wasn’t standing in the open right now I would never have even noticed him. I had used charcoal dust to cover my own skin so that I wouldn’t stick out much, and was wearing clothing that would act as camouflage in the dark, but right now there was no chance of me hiding.

We were at a standstill as he eyed me up and down, his posture still cautious as if he were ready to pounce and rip out my throat at the slightest movement.

Fuck, Kora, fuck! I’m so screwed. Think, how do I get out of this?! He’s already seen me. I can’t hide; if I run he’ll easily catch me!

What were the chances he wouldn’t immediately attack me if I moved? Probably very slim. He was out there to hunt, and I had just walked up on his prey, ready to take it like it was my own. I’d planned this out for days and my own arrow was embedded in its body, but that probably didn’t matter to him, and now I was between him and his food.

He continued to watch me silently, almost as if he were debating on whether to kill me or not. Maybe if I just back away, he’ll let me go?

I slowly took a few steps back and he jerked forward, taking two steps closer, closing whatever distance I’d managed to put between us. Shit.

Ok, nope he’s not letting me go that easily. God he’s probably thinking of ways to kill me! Wait, what if there’s more of them?!

I swiftly glanced around the dark treeline, petrified by the idea of there being more Xanadians that I couldn’t see.

“Heilu,” a deep voice spoke up, drawing my attention back to the native once more. His posture seemed to relax a little as he stood up straighter, dropping his bow to the ground. “Heilu,” he repeated, looking down at me before glancing at the body.

His tail whipped around behind him, reminding me of an angry cat’s tail as they prepped for a fight.

Shit, does he want to fight me for the deer?!

I remembered reading a few entries in the notebook that natives often challenged and fought each other for stuff, usually without weapons…did this count? Was he going to try and fight me, and the winner got the food? There was no way I could fight this monster. I’d be completely screwed!

Taking note of his relaxed posture, I recognized that this was my chance. I would have to run and try to escape him. It would probably take him at least a second or two to realize I was booking it out of there before he gave chase.

And if I’m lucky, he won’t chase me at all.

Crouching down to the ground, I grabbed a handful of dirt as discreetly as possible while he watched me, his head tilted in curiosity. He took another step closer, raising his arm. “Heilu–”

I chucked the dirt into his face and eyes without another thought. He snarled and stumbled back, covering his face and I leapt up and ran in the opposite direction.

I heard shouting behind me, but didn’t dare look back as adrenaline pumped through my veins. I used this burst of energy to dodge and weave through the forest, running as fast as I could.

I heard him shouting behind me, sounding much closer than before. He was chasing me. Fuck! Think, Kora, think!

Turning slightly to the right, I sprinted towards the river, ignoring the tree limbs that slammed into my arms and torso, and the way the forest quieted as I ripped through it noisily. If I can get to that tunnel under the tree roots across the river, then maybe I can lose him!

I pushed myself to run harder, and my body screamed in protest, my adrenaline tapering off. I stumbled, nearly tripping over a fallen branch. Steadying myself, I ran through the dark of the forest until finally coming across the river. I found a shallow spot to cross, and jumped on the rocks, trying not to slip and crack my head open as I went.

As soon as my feet touched the gravel on the other side, I looked back, eyes widening as the monster came out of the treeline across the river. His eyes locked onto me, and he angrily shouted at me before rushing to cross the stream.

The tunnel was just ahead, and I beelined for it, not glancing back again as I heard some splashing. Reaching the tunnel, I began quickly crawling inside. I was under cover when a large hand grabbed my ankle, keeping me in place. I peered over my shoulder, mouth drying in fear.

The native had his arm, head and most of his shoulder through the tunnel’s entrance, eyes locking on mine as his grip tightened around my ankle. “Amisa kol heilu!”

He tugged, pulling me back toward the entrance. Panicked, I flipped onto my back, angling my other leg and kicking him in the head. Unfortunately, I only managed to hit him on the horn and not in his face like I had planned. But that was enough to make him let go. He reeled back several inches and snarled, grasping his head as his face twisted in pain.

Using that distraction, I made my way through the tunnel and out the other side. I was a panting mess as I pushed to my feet, staring back at the thick tree roots and hoping he wouldn’t try to follow me any further.

I wanted nothing to do with the natives or anyone for that matter, I just wanted to be left alone!

Being mindful of my steps, I made my way back to my cave to hide for the rest of the night.

I hope that’s the last I see of him…