Tales of the Storm

Chapter 14 : First Blood

In the year 767, on the first of march of the Taruan calendar, Orion finally departed Drenla after collecting his belongings and somberly burning his mother's books.

His first destination was a detour to the stone altar, a gesture of gratitude for the transformative night that changed him. Though he couldn't fully grasp the events of that night, he was well aware of the profound changes it brought to his body and mind, enabling him to grow significantly in a remarkably short time.

Once again, he attempted to recreate that nameless sensation by fixating on the force pulling him towards the stone spiritual altar. He delved deeper into this pursuit, immersing himself in the feeling and shutting out all other sensations to focus solely on that elusive connection.

The link was established anew, and a peculiar energy surged through him, filling him to the brim. Yet, this time, the sensation felt different from the previous occasion, leaving him puzzled and unable to comprehend the reason for the disparity. After attempting to make sense of it for a while, he eventually gave up, accepting that some mysteries were beyond immediate understanding.

Orion muttered to himself, "I don’t understand. I feel so full of this energy, and yet I yearn for more, as if what I have is insufficient. But I know I cannot take more..."

After clearing his thoughts about the stone altar for another time, Orion continued his journey, as he continued his journey, a longing to see the wounded wolf tugged at his heart. He decided to make a detour to the wolf's cave, hoping to reunite with his loyal companion and offer aid on their journey together.

Approaching the cave's entrance, Orion noticed a trail of footprints mixed with bloodstains, a grim sign of struggle and conflict. With growing concern, he hastened through the cavern, following the distressing trail until he reached the wolf's room.

But what he discovered inside left him utterly devastated. The once serene campsite where he had shared moments of camaraderie with the wolf now lay ravaged and in ruins. Blood splattered across the walls and floor, and remnants of what used to be living beings scattered about.

Orion's heart sank as he realized that the wolf was nowhere to be found. Panic and fury welled up inside him as he grappled with the possibility that harm had come to his magnificent friend. How could anyone harbor ill intentions towards such a noble and majestic creature?

Orion remembered his initial plan to invite the wolf to join him on his journey, even in its wounded state. He had hoped he could take care of the creature while traveling, tending to its injuries along the way. Now, that hope seemed shattered, and he felt an overwhelming sense of guilt for not reaching the wolf in time.

Tears of frustration and sorrow welled up in his eyes as he clenched his fists, vowing to find the culprits responsible for this heinous act. Determination burned within him, igniting a new purpose in his quest. He would not rest until he uncovered the truth and made those who had inflicted this pain pay dearly for their actions.

Without wasting a moment, Orion rushed outside the cave, determined to find the trail's origin. The tracks he discovered led further north, in the direction of the Frostfang mountains. Was it merely a coincidence that they aligned with his planned route, or was it fate guiding him towards his destiny in Kurua?

Carrying nothing more than his small hunter knife and the short sword he had acquired from the hunter's corpse, Orion didn't hesitate to follow the tracks etched in the snow, leading him towards the towering peaks of the Frostfang mountains. The chilling wind stung his cheeks, but his determination to uncover the truth and avenge his wolf companion fueled his resolve.

The journey ahead was fraught with uncertainties and dangers, but Orion embraced them, knowing that the answers he sought lay at the end of this treacherous path. He was determined to make those responsible for harming his loyal friend pay dearly for their actions.

After walking for several hours, diligently tracking the faint traces of blood in the pristine snow, Orion arrived at a secluded and mesmerizing place. Before him lay a frozen river, its icy surface glistening under the pale winter sun. The air was so still that even his breath seemed to freeze in the air, creating delicate frost crystals around his lips.

Opposite the frozen river, a majestic cliff rose dramatically, its towering height reaching approximately 15 meters. The cliffside seemed to stretch endlessly, as if nature itself had carved this masterpiece over millennia. At its peak, a frozen waterfall cascaded down in suspended animation, its crystalline structure reflecting the sunlight in a dazzling display of frozen diamonds.

As Orion stood at the edge of the frozen river, he couldn't help but feel a mix of awe and trepidation. The breathtaking beauty of the scene contrasted with the haunting silence that enveloped the place.

The solitude of the surroundings echoed the weight of his quest and the magnitude of the challenges ahead. With resolute determination, Orion took a moment to catch his breath and gather his thoughts.

Knowing the importance of maintaining his strength, Orion understood the need to rest and replenish his energy. Determined to create a small fire, he set about gathering materials to start one. With a keen eye and steady hands, he collected dry twigs, fallen branches, and dried leaves, creating a makeshift fire pit.

With the fire pit ready, Orion set out to find a prey he could hunt and cook for sustenance. Patiently, he ventured through the snowy terrain, his senses attuned to the slightest movement or sound.

After what seemed like half an hour of diligent searching, a faint rustling caught his attention. It was the distinct sound of a twig snapping, as if someone or something had inadvertently stepped on it. The sound originated from behind him, stirring his curiosity and raising his guard.

As he turned around, Orion was startled by the sound of something rapidly approaching from behind, accompanied by a shout declaring, "Fresh meat!!" In that instant, he found himself face-to-face with a creature he had never encountered before, a monster.

The being stood at the height of a dwarf, its green skin making it distinct from anything he had seen in Drenla. It had long, hairy ears and was clad in a small leather armor, wielding a butcher knife in one hand and a small, rounded wooden shield in the other.

He didn't have time to think as the small greeny monster rushed at him, immediately starting to slice at Orion while shouting, "Human meat for tribe!" Orion managed to dodge the initial strike, but in doing so, he received a forceful blow to the head from the monster's shield.

Pushed back by the hit, Orion refused to run or hesitate. Gripping his short sword firmly, he engaged in a fierce exchange of blows with the agile monster, their weapons clashing repeatedly. The monster's speed and size gave it the advantage, allowing it to land quick, successive strikes on Orion. Eventually, it managed to deliver a deep gash to Orion's chest, causing him to bleed profusely.

Despite the pain and dizziness, Orion's determination remained unwavering. He continued clashing his short sword against the monster's weapons, but with each passing moment, the blood loss made him dizzier. At a critical moment, the monster attempted to strike a fatal blow to Orion's head.

In that unexpected moment, a rush of energy surged through Orion, the same feeling he had experienced at the stone spiritual altar. However, this time, it wasn't filling him up; it was emanating from his own body. Acting on instinct, his body moved on its own, swiftly severing the monster's arm that held the butcher knife aimed at Orion's head.

As Orion lost his balance during the move, he managed to gather the last of his strength and delivered a weak punch to the monster's head as he fell upon it. The weight of his falling body added force to the punch, pushing the monster back to the ground.

The monster cried out in pain from its severed arm, its high-pitched voice echoing throughout the surroundings. Despite its agony, the creature continued to shout and struggle.

Orion could barely move, weakened and in pain from the blood he had lost due to his wounded chest. He knew he had to end the monster's life, or else he would be the one to die.

Thoughts of various possibilities raced through his head: "What if another one appears because of its dying shouts? What if it gets up again and kills me while I am still defenseless on the floor and bleeding to death?" The scenarios overwhelmed him.

Desperately, he reached for his fallen short sword, but the monster, realizing his intent, attempted to pick it up too with its remaining hand. Unfortunately, the monster was faster, grabbing the weapon before Orion could. As the creature aimed the short sword at him, Orion noticed his small hunter knife still attached to his belt. In a quick and decisive move, he managed to grab the knife and deeply cut the monster's feet.

The monster fell back, now right beside Orion's face. Without hesitation, Orion took its life with his small hunter knife, piercing the creature's throat.

The gravity of his actions weighed heavily on Orion's mind as he lost consciousness. Whether it was from the loss of blood or his struggle to accept taking the life of another intelligent species, darkness overcame him, marking the end of this intense encounter.