SWNOVELS Chapter 1
It was a dark night in Darkest Nights, as it always was. The land was silent, save for the sound of the earth being dug by Drill Pythons and Shadow Wolves running across the wasteland. In the blood red sky, Hook-Beak Vultures soared through the air, with a few letting out some caws.
A lone soul was seen walking across the land. The figure was covered in a long, brown cloak, made from the skin and fur of a Feroline. The figure continued walking on silently, ignoring the sound of the monsters nearby. Of course, just because this person was ignoring them didn’t mean they did the same. One Hook-Beak Vulture dove right down at the figure, foot open and prepared to catch them in its clutches.
The figure was prepared themselves, as they gripped their sword hidden in their cloak and slowly unsheathed it. Once the bird was close enough, the figure suddenly disappeared, much to its shock, as the vulture went back to the skies again. As it flew, it felt something on its back and turned its head 180 to see the figure there, grabbing onto its feathers in a tight grip. Before it could let out another sound, the figure unsheathed their blade in a slashing motion, unleashing a powerful energy blade that cut the monster in half.
Some of the other Hook-Beak Vultures saw this and dove down to avenge their comrade. What they didn’t realize, however, was that they were diving to their deaths.
Using the top half of the dead Hook-Beak Vulture as a stepping stone, the figure jumped to the nearest bird, their sword glowing red and lit up in flames. As the vulture opened its beak, the figure swung down in a somersault, cutting its head in half and killing it. As the figure was about to pass it, they used that corpse as a stepping stone to reach the next vulture and, as that monster of a bird opened its beak, cut off the top half of its head.
The third vulture realized how dangerous this figure was and quickly made a u-turn to retreat. Sadly for it, the figure had other plans, as they swung their still glowing sword its way and unleashed a flaming slash attack, one powerful enough to, not only cut the bird in half, but also burned it to ashes.
After killing off the last of the flying monsters, the figure looked down, watching as they were falling and nearing the ground below. As they fell, the figure’s sword was glowing green and was being coated in wind. With a heavy thrust down, a large gust of wind was released from the blade, cushioning the figure’s fall, as well as slamming the corpses down to the ground.
Once they safely landed on the ground, the figure then continued on her merry way. At least… that was the plan, when a Drill Python appeared from the ground, hissing monstrously at her mere presence.
The figure turned to it, prepared to take it down like they did with the birds, when their shadow shot out of the ground and pierced through the monster’s open mouth. The Drill Python let out a cry as it flailed about. Seconds later, however, it fell to the ground, dead.
The figure’s shadow returned to the ground below them, and they let out a sigh.
“How many times do I have to tell you to leave me be?” they- she asked.
Something emerged from the shadow, revealing it to be a Shadow Wolf, a wolf whose fur is black as night and have the ability to fuse into a person or monster’s shadow.
“Just because I saved you weeks ago from being eaten doesn’t mean you have to follow me. I only did it because it was human enough to help those who needs it. Even if they are monsters.” Without another word, or even a glance, she walked.
The Shadow Wolf stood there, watching, before catching up to the girl once more. The figure sensed she was being followed by the wolf and stopped, prompting it to do the same. She turned and looked at the beast.
“You truly have no intention of leaving me be, don’t you?” she asked.
The wolf let out a bark and bowed, confirming her thoughts.
She sighed once more at the response. “I suppose I’ve no choice then. Then again, after everything I went though, for these past two years, I suppose even demonic canines are more trustful than humans and halves.” She bent down to the Shadow Wolf’s eye level. “If we’re still going to be traveling together, I can’t leave you nameless.”
The girl looked into the Shadow Wolf’s eyes, thinking of a good name for her new companion.
“… How does Kagero sound?” she asked.
The Shadow Wolf wagged its tail and let out a happy bark, completely satisfied with the name.
A small smile was formed on her face. “Nice to formerly meet you, Kagero. My name is Caro.”
That’s right. This cloaked figure is none other than Caro.
Ever since the tragic day two years ago, Caro was sent to the land of Darkest Nights, doing nothing but fight for her own survival. Everyday was fight, after fight, after fight, killing off any and all monsters that came at her before they do her in. Some times, she would see monsters, small and weak ones, getting chased, killed or even eaten by the bigger and stronger monsters and saved them. Most ran off in fear that she’d kill them the same way she did to the predators, but not Kagero, her new Shadow Wolf companion.
Unlike them, it followed her after she saved its life. Of what she could see, it was extremely grateful after she saved it and became extremely loyal to her. As such, these past few weeks, it saved her from any surprise attacks from other monsters.
A small hill was seen up ahead of them. Both Caro and Kagero ran to the top of the hill and saw a city at a distance.
“What do you know? There is civilization in Darkest Nights,” Caro said. “Then again, it should be expected… as this isn’t just home of the most dangerous monsters in the world, but also… home to demons.”