[The Jungle Wilds] You Can Do It!

by **Xen** on March 5th, 2014, 10:50 pm

Spring 5, 514 A.V.

Xen ventures quietly through the jungle. In pursuit of food, his hunger brought him here, promising him prey. Xen was prepared for the hunt; he dons his tree bark armor in preparation for any physical battle he may have to face. Xen did not enjoy being out in the jungle, why? The jungle was dangerous and he could die, duh. Xen distrusted the jungle, he didn’t hate the jungle or fear it—he knew the dangers and was very cautious, very watchful of them. Xen knew he would need a meal that would last him for weeks; it would require him to take down an animal of medium size and stature.

Xen crouches and picks up a rock from the ground, its edges were jagged and sharp like a spears tip. He takes this stone and marks a tree to his left with an '' X ''. Xen proceeded to mark the other nearby trees, as he walks through the jungle. He avoids the dense brush and sticks to areas where he can maintain clear visibility of his surroundings, allowing safe navigation through this area of the jungle he was familiar with. Xen picks up a fallen branch and pierces the ground with it. He drags the branch along the ground, creating a line as he walks pass the trees he’s marked. This would allow Xen to maintain a kind of perimeter during his hunt and provide himself some comfort.

“I’ll take care of the rest later. ”

Xen imbeds the large branch into the earth again and drags it along the ground. While doing this, he creates a path by quietly sweeping the sticks; tree leafs and rocks to the side, creating a makeshift path back to his landmark in the process. Xen leaves the branch standing in the clearest part of the jungle he could find—luckily he hadn’t disturbed any animals. That’s when Xen notices that it was eerily quiet in the jungle. The birds that were chirping and singing in the canopy had stopped. Xen unsheathes his machete-sword and raises his shield with his right hand.

Xen observes his surroundings, as he slowly backs himself towards a tree. There was something in the forest but Xen couldn’t sense what it was. He speculates that it’s something fierce: a create capable of moving through the jungle without making a sound. Xen grips the handle of his weapon, preparing himself for the worst. The silence was disrupted by sudden movements from behind Xen. Xen made sure his breathing was shallow, as a herd of wild boar rushes pass him—squealing and grunting. Xen caught a glimpse of a few of these boars; he could see the fear in their eyes.

A series of loud squeals echoes through the forest, struggling movements could be heard—followed by more squealing and then silence. Xen could tell at least three or two boars had been killed by something…something big. Xen felt his heart rate increase, as something made a slow approach towards him. He prepares himself for battle and was not going to leave this jungle defeated and starving.

by **Xen** on March 13th, 2014, 6:25 pm

Xen despite the adrenaline fueled courage coursing through his veins—felt like his heart was beating inside his throat. He listens to the beast as it closes the distance between him and it. Xen swings his body around and faces the tree; he could feel the beast’s presence on the other side of the tree and he was sure that it could feel him. Xen backs away from the tree, its large frame thins as the distance between it and Xen grew greater. Xen readies his shield, raising it in front of him. He prepares his machete-sword, holding it close to his side.

Xen walks sideways to the left of the tree: in attempts to flank whatever was on the other side. He steps as softly as possible along the jungle floor but the wild brush thwarts Xen’s attempt to gain the element of stealth which was probably meaningless anyway. A loud crack followed by the sound of something falling onto the ground grabs a hold of Xen’s attention and shakes it violently. Xen spins around to see a large branch had fallen just a few meters away from him.

The branch seemed too had fallen from the canopy with the impact sealing its fate. The branch had broken in two but one couldn’t help but notice the claw marks on its base. Xen gave the branch a long and distrusting stare before turning back to face what beast was behind the tree he sought cover under. Xen continues his crab-walk until he was at a distance and angle that allowed him to see what was behind the tree. There, behind the tree was a dead male boar lying face down on the jungle floor. Xen walks over to the boar; he could tell by the fresh wounds that the wild boar had fought bravely against some beast that was lurking in the jungle.

He places a hand onto the boar’s back and pats the resting warrior, complementing its honorable death with his touch. Xen stands and turns away from the corpse, only to have a small branch smack the top of his helmet. Xen keeps walking through the jungle but another branch falls on him—followed by another and then another. He was growing more and more suspicious of the branches, why were they falling down so much?

A shadow looms over Xen; he could see the figure of a large feline animal cascading over him.He turns to see a large panther hurtling towards him! The Black Panther lands on top of Xen’s shield, slashing and biting at his face and neck. Xen’s took two claw swipes to the helmet before he clinches his left fist and slams his gauntlet into the panthers jaw.

The steel gauntlet smashes a few of the panther’s fangs, inflicting pain and forcing the wild panther’s retreat. Xen grabs onto his machete-sword and wobbles onto his feet, barely managing to shake off the daze that fogged his eyes. Xen stands with his shield raised in front of him, knowing he needed some time to regain his composure. The Black Panther’s blows were so heavy and strong that it only took two to send his composure into disarray; its aim was to kill him that much Xen knew.

by **Xen** on March 27th, 2014, 4:34 am

The Black Panther releases a deep growl from its enclosed maw. Xen had broken a few of its fangs, which left his foe with a swollen jaw. The Black Panther approaches Xen with its body lowered to the ground, blood trickles from the left corner of its mouth, its yellow eyes revealing Xen’s reflection within them. Xen steps back with his shield in front and his machete-sword lying close to his side. He digs his feet into the ground and prepares for the upcoming charge. Xen could sense it in the air, he felt it, and he knew there was no escape from this battle—he had to fight.

The panther charges forward, its elongated claws dug into the earth and flung chunks of dirt into the air. Xen bent his knees to brace for the upcoming impact; he watches the panthers approach and keeps track of the distance between it and himself. Once in range, the panther lunges for Xen’s throat. Xen’s shield slams into the panthers face, shattering another set of fangs within its mouth. Xen was propelled backwards and his back slams into a tree. He grunts in pain but had no time worry about his discomfort, as the panther charged him again with more ferocity than before. Xen bashes the panther with the front of his shield to push the beast off of him and violently swings his machete-sword to create some breathing space.

The panther backs off: in order to gain its composure. Those solid consecutive blows from Xen were starting to take their toll, causing the panther to feel dizzy and off-balanced. Xen was exhausted—the panther’s strength and speed was overwhelming. Despite the armor and shield protecting him, he could still feel the blows through his shield and armor. Xen could then feel a burning pain throughout his body: mainly, around his arms, legs and shoulders. Xen knew his body would not hold, against an adult panther, for any longer. The fatigue he felt, was great. The armor he donned—the machete-sword he held and the shield he gripped—all were like heavy stones to him, weighing him down.

Xen falls to one knee with sweat falling down his face. He breathes heavily, as his heart hammers the inside of his chest. But Xen forces himself to stand, knowing that his life was at stake. He charges the panther and with all his strength, kicks the feline in the throat. Xen feels a pop against the shin guard of his armor and as the panther’s garble cries are drowned out by blood, he stabs the beast with his machete and pushes it all the way through. The panther thrashes along the ground as Xen drives his weapon through its body.

A pool of blood was rapidly forming beneath Xen, as he pulls his machete from the panther’s body and stabs it again. Xen pulls his machete from the panther’s body once more and axes away at the creatures hide. He slices and stabs away at the panther until it stops moving—it was done. Xen backs away from the panther and places his back up against a tree. He raises his palms and looks at his blood soaked hands, trembling. Xen’s hands were trembling but he was happy to be alive, nonetheless. He tries to stand and manages to do so, as he takes a step, his vision fades and he passes out…exhausted on the jungle floor.

by **Xen** on March 30th, 2014, 10:31 pm

Xen’s eyes burst open after two bells had passed. There, on the ground, he lies on his stomach still somewhat exhausted from his ordeal. The sky above him was darkening: a sign that night encroached upon the jungle. Xen knew that, if he tried to follow the path that leads him home during the night—the idea of becoming lost would become a reality. There were many dangers that lingered in the darkness of the night, he personally knew of them. Xen feels around to find some stones along the jungle floor; he needed to make a fire and fast. A chime or so passed before Xen finally finds the two stones he was looking for and then gathers some dry branches, leaves and shrubs.

Xen then proceeds to clear the area of other flammable plant life and creates a ten meter wide area, consisting of dirt and his pile or soon to be campfire. Xen smashes the two stones together to create a spark; it took several tries before Xen made an actual spark. The spark lands on Xen’s branch, leaf and shrubs pile, becoming a flame within a matter of minutes. The tall fire warms Xen’s body and spirit as he drags the lifeless corpse of the panther towards his campsite and slices off a chunk of flesh from its hide. Xen impales the panther meat onto a stick and watches as the flame cooks and scorches his meal.

In complete silence, Xen watches the blaze in-front of him—tired and homesick. He places his meal on the fire and strips off the heavy armor on his body. He then takes the panther meat from the fire and takes a bite of his well deserved meal. Xen carefully chews his meal to conserve energy and rests up against a tree to alleviate his stress. The sky had turned completely black, by this time, revealing the stars and the moon: which shined brightly on the surrounding darkness around Xen—The Intrepid Serpent. He swallows the last piece of his meal and cuts off another chunk of meat from the panther’s hide. The meat was impaled on a branch and placed on the fire to cook.

“I survived. I can’t believe that I’am alive.”

Xen looks at his hands and clenches them, forming them into fists! He had survived against one of the jungles top predators and was now consuming its flesh. However, Xen was too tired to release a battle cry and was more than satisfied by the fact that he was alive. Once his meat was done cooking, Xen bites into his dinner—the piping hot meat burns his lips but it was delicious nonetheless. A long bell passes before Xen was completely full. He was lying down on the softest bush he could find in the jungle and watches the stars. The night was beautiful, enchanting at most.

Xen grins at the wondrous grace of the stars, as he slowly dozes into sleep. In a place, where many would feel discomfort and fear, Xen found peace. The Falyndar region was an exotic and dangerous place, unforgiving to the weak but its lovingkindness was known to the hardworking and strong. Xen loved his home with all his being and as he completely losses himself in the embrace of sleep, he reminiscences about the fondest memories of his lifetime.

by **Xen** on March 31st, 2014, 6:26 am

Spring 6, 514 A.V.

The morning sun wakes Xen from his slumber. The fire, he’d created last night, was nothing more than a pile of smoldering ash—when he brought his attention to it. Xen sits up from his shrubbery bed and immediately places his armor onto his body. The jungle floor combined with the prickly green brush had Xen groggy. He stretches his body and picks up his machete sword, placing it inside it’s sheathe on his side. Xen knew he would need to get home before nightfall reaches him again but not before extinguishing the remnants of his campfire.

Xen concentrates on his inner djed, letting it flow to the center of his left hand. He inhales and exhales, calming himself during this process. Xen relaxes his body, knowing that overexertion would have him needing to rest for some chimes or bells. He could not have that happen or wait any longer, he needed to get back home and lay down in comfort of his bed…where he belonged. A chime passes before Xen feels a sensation reminiscent to static in the middle of his palm. He knew that this was a sign, telling him that his djed was ready and he commands the djed to rise from his skin in the form of res.

Xen watches as res seeps from his palm, all the while, he maintains his concentration on its form. He clinches his left hand into a fist and points it towards the faintly burning husk that used to be his campfire. The res hovers above Xen’s fist before he transmutes it into water and launches it towards the campfire. A long sizzle could be heard, as the water extinguishes the remnants of the campfires flame. Xen was now satisfied, knowing that he had successfully put out the campfire and avoided causing a forest fire. He walks away from the campsite with the memory of the panther still fresh within his mind.

Xen approaches the lifeless corpse of his foe, unsheathing his machete-sword as he did so. Xen raises his weapon into the air and hacks away at the panther’s neck. The first slice created a large opening, revealing thick red muscle. The second slice exposed the panther’s neck bone—Xen knew it wouldn’t be long. The third slice severs the bone, allowing Xen to saw through the remaining ligaments with ease. He takes the panther’s head, as it would make a fine skull trophy and serve as a reminder of his victory. The decapitated head required two hands: due to its size.

Xen steps away from the panthers headless body, he knew his action was worth frowning upon but this was the kind of things he witnessed in the jungle—the losing side being devoured and having their limbs taken from them. He was following the law of the jungle and could not show guilt. A bell passes before Xen found parts of the jungle he was familiar with. The shrubbery he cut down and markings he left behind were still around, he now knew he was going in the right direction. The joy he felt was banished by the feeling of danger. Xen looks around, his instincts flaring, there was something nearby.

by **Xen** on March 31st, 2014, 10:20 pm

Xen was silent in the jungle, letting his other senses detect what his eyes could not. He closes his eyes to concentrate on the physical world around him and detaches himself from the world. Xen could feel the wind brushing against his skin and could hear the various sounds present within the jungle. The very essence of the world seemed to flow around him, as he searches for the hidden danger that occupied the jungle around him. Xen could still feel that the danger was near, well hidden, but not close enough to physically touch him.

The jungle grew silent, as Xen opens his eyes to the world. The danger he was sensing was approaching but from what direction, Xen did not know. A twig snaps and disturbs the silence within the jungle. Xen immediately turns around to see what the cause was and comes face-to-face with the danger he sensed he before. A Myrian warrior stood with his bow ready to fire. Xen had little time to react and raises the severed panther head in-front of him for defense. The Myrian releases his hold on the arrow, letting it fly through the air. The arrow hurtles through the air and pierces the right eye of the decapitated panther’s head.

The tip of the arrow bursts through the other side, stopping just inches away from Xen’s chest. Xen turns from the myrian and dashes, at full speed, down the path that lead him home. He knew that the dense brush some meters ahead would provide him with some cover and hide him from the myrian’s line of sight. The myrian was surprised by Xen’s speed! Before, he could take out another arrow; Xen had cleared a considerable amount of distance. In haste, the myrian loads another arrow, pulls back on the string and releases it. Xen kicks up dirt during his hurry for cover. In his mad dash, Xen hears a swish in his left ear just as an arrow flies past his skull and embeds itself the tree next to him.

Xen jumps over a log in his path and hides in the deep undergrowth. He lays flat on the ground, as arrow after arrow flew overhead. He was certain that one of them would hit him but considering how awfully random their trajectories were, Xen was safe…for now. The myrian warrior cursed under his breath, his prey had gotten away. He takes the hatchet dangling from his side and wields it in his right hand. There was no need for a bow in this situation; he would just kill the fast dhani before it escaped into its territory.

Xen listens to the myrian’s footsteps, he was sure that it would be a few minutes before the myrian was on him and all that was needed was a few minutes. Xen causes the undergrowth he hid beneath to rustle, as he strips off his armor and clothing. In those minutes, the myrian reaches Xen’s location and walks towards the rustling with his hatchet raised: to chop Xen into a few pieces. A loud and powerful hiss erupts from the undergrowth before a large viper dhani charges the myrian head-on. The myrian warrior swings his, aiming for Xen’s skull. Xen ducks downwards to avoid the weapon and grabs the myrian by his face with his right hand.

Xen uses the momentum of his jump to push the myrian backwards: where he slams the back of the myrian’s skull into the ground, knocking him unconscious. He looks at the myrian warrior and decides to capture him, knowing that the constrictors would be pleased. A series of chimes pass before Xen was in his human form, donning his armor and machete-sword. He drags the tied-up and unconscious myrian warrior by his ankles: with his severed panther head in the arms of the unconscious man. The tired Xen reaches the part of the jungle he was familiar with and as he reaches the home stretch of jungle he missed so much, he sighs in relief.

by **Catastrophe** on April 3rd, 2014, 11:04 pm

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Xen :

Notes :

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Completed [The Jungle Wilds] You Can Do It!