Entering Adulthood (Solo/Flashback)

[Massacre]

Entering Adulthood Timestamp: Summer 58, 492 AV Location: The Northern Reaches - Near the Taldera/Sylira border It was a warm night full of stars providing enough light for the restless bear to see where it was going as it wandered through the forest. It wasn't wandering aimlessly as it often did, but was following a scent. Water was nearby and it wanted to quench it's thirst, perhaps it would catch some fish if it felt inclined to do so. The bear was an apex predator, top of the food chain. It had nothing to fear as it made it's way to the riverbank for a drink. But there was another predator in the area, one who was ready to prove he held a higher place on the chain than the bear. Massacre had just turned ten years old. Physically he was an adult, but he still had to prove himself. All the Zith in his tribe were required to bring back a kill of equal or greater strength to themselves after their first solo hunt before they were considered full adults. Most of the young Zith brought back wolves and occasionally human guards or things of that nature, stuff that was challenging but ultimately something they could still easily defeat. It was enough for the tribe, but it wasn't enough for this Zith. His name was Massacre, and unlike his fellows he was ambitious. Massacre had always shown promise on the hunts when he was a child, but never had he been allowed to hunt something that posed any real danger. He wanted with everything he had to become a warrior. Every Zith in his tribe could fight, but only a few could truly be considered warriors. They were the tribe's elite, the enforcers and protectors. They answered only to the elders, and one day Massacre knew he would be one of them. For the time being, however, he still had to prove he was worthy of being an adult. He wanted to find something that would impress the rest of the tribe, something large and dangerous. And that was when he spotted the bear drinking from the stream. It was huge, it was deadly, it was perfect. Massacre circled around, studying his prey. It didn't seem to notice him, or if it did it didn't consider him a threat. How wrong it would be.

[Massacre]

The warm air made flying easy as Massacre circle overhead. He didn't wait long before he made his move, diving out of the night sky like a hawk diving for it's prey. Massacre hit the bear's back with the full force of his dive, sharp claws sinking in to it's flesh. The bear roared in pain and surprised and bucked like a bull, trying to throw the Zith loose. Massacre held on, the claws on his hands digging deeper and strengthening his hold while he raked at the bear with his feet. The beast stood on it's hind legs and Massacre's wings flailed about as the beast tried to shake him off. Finally his grip slipped and he was thrown from the bear's back, crashing to the ground several yards away. The bear regarded Massacre for a moment, thinking him dead. Returning to all fours it cautiously approached, sniffing at the crumpled mass of limbs and wings. Massacre waited until the bear was right above him then pushed off the ground with one arm, rolling himself away from the beast. His other hand raked at the bear's muzzle as it came up and drew thin lines of blood across it's furry face. The bear roared and lunged for the Zith, but he was back on his feet and beat his wings, pushing him back and away from the angry bear. The two regarded one another cautiously, the bear weighing it's options. It was in pain, it didn't want to fight. It had only wanted some water, and maybe a fish if it was lucky. But what choices did the bear have? It could try to kill the winged creature, or it could run. But to run it would have to turn it's back to the Zith and experience had taught it never to turn away from something that was trying to kill you. It had caught many a meal by it's prey doing exactly that. Massacre stared back at the beast, waiting for it to make it's move. If it charged he could go where the bear could not, the sky. If it ran, he could attack from behind.

[Massacre]

While the scratches had hurt the bear, they weren't so severe that it thought it was going to die. It was more enraged than frightened, and the irritating little creature did not seem willing to back down. It was time to end this. The bear let out an angry roar before charging it's opponent head on. It was something Massacre had expected, and he was already prepared for it. Massacre beat his wings hard and lifted into the air above the bear, the claws in his feet slicing into it's back. The bear let out another roar and stopped it's charge, turning with such speed and ferocity that it surprised the vulnerable Zith. He managed to turn in the air just in time for the bear's massive paw to smack him in the chest. It's claws drew blood, but what truly hurt was the force of the blow as he was thrown from the air and into the stream. The bear followed and Massacre scrambled to his feet, only to drop back down as he just barely ducked under another swipe from the angry creature. The Zith slashed at the bear's arm with his claws but his wound hardly affected the beast in it's enraged state. The bear tried to crush him under it's weight, coming down on top of him, but the stream was just deep enough that he was able to sink and kick out from under the animal. Massacre splashed his way back to shore and the bear was in hot pursuit. Once he hit land he continued running, headed for a large tree. The bear chased after him and at the last second Massacre jumped, flapping his wings to send him high. The bear was going too fast to stop and crashed into the tree, shaking it to it's roots and creating a downpour of leaves and twigs. Massacre dropped down on the bear's back and slashed at it again. The beast roared but it was also stunned. Massacre cut it's ear right off with a clawed hand and finally the bear regained it's senses, standing and trying to reach for the Zith on it's back. This time Massacre didn't stay, and kicked off the bear, landing firmly on the ground behind it. The bear was slow to turn around. It was growing weary, Massacre could tell, and it was loosing blood. The upper hand was his now, though his chest ached from the scratches and heavy blow. Still, he had the advantage,and when the bear moved next he would go for the kill.

[Massacre]

The bear never gave him the chance. Instead of charging it just stared. Once again it was trying to decide what to do, it's small brain computing the chances of it's survival. And even if it did live, even if it killed the little winged monster, would it be worth it? Would the injuries it sustained kill it later anyway? It was a lot to think about for a bear, but it only knew one thing for sure. It didn't want to die. Maybe it could escape. The bear turned away from the Zith and fled, tearing through the brush and foliage not stopping for anything. Massacre watched it go, but only for a moment. This was unacceptable, he could not let it get away. In a heartbeat he took to the sky in hot pursuit, easily following the sound of the bear tearing through the underbrush. It wasn't hard to overtake it, he didn't have to dodge around trees, and as soon as he spotted a break in the canopy he dropped down, landing right in front of the bear. The bear scrambled to stop and the Zith slashed four a horizontal lines with his claws across the bear's face. The creature roared and Massacre slashed again at it's face. The bear shook it's head about in anger, it almost looked like a dog playing with a chew toy, and swiped at the Zith with one of it's massive paws. Massacre jumped back and slashed, cutting the paw across the top. The bear knew now it had no choice, it would have to kill the little monster. It roared and swiped with it's claws, snapped with it's teeth, and tried to barrel the Zith over. Massacre did his best to avoid the beast's fury, but he didn't come out without a scratch. The bear got him in the arm, dislocating it and drawing a deep red gash. Massacre growled in pain, but he wasn't going to give up.

[Massacre]

Massacre spread his wings wide to make himself look bigger in hopes of startling the bear. It was a common animal defense mechanism, and it worked, distracting the bear for just an instant. It was all the time he needed, and Massacre darted forward and clawed the bear in the eye, leaving it half blind. The animal roared in pain and reared up onto it's hind legs, towering over the Zith who was quite small in comparison. But Massacre was not one to be intimidated, not when he was winning. Using his one good hand he jumped and raked the bear across the throat. Suddenly it's roar became a gurgle, and it started to come back down to all fours. Massacre dodged away as it touched it's front paws to the ground and eyed him furiously. But then the bear's expression changed to one of fear. It seemed to realize it had lost the confrontation, that it could not beat the Zith. It was a feeling the bear had never experienced before. It was an apex predator, a mighty bear. It was king of the forest. Nothing dared attack it, not even a wolf pack. But this creature, this dark winged thing, had come out of nowhere to take it's life. There was no sense running, it was beat. It knew it, and it was afraid for the first time in a very long time. Massacre saw the look in the bear's eyes. He knew he had beaten it, that the blood lost from it's neck wound would quickly drain it's strength. But he wouldn't approach it. Not until it was dead. The bear might decide to try one final thing, and the Zith wasn't about to risk his victory because he was impatient. He could see the bear sway as a pool of blood began to form at it's feet. It was interesting to look into it's eyes, to see the pain and the fear. They were base instincts, things that everybody shared. Massacre listened, his keen Zith hearing just barely picking up the beating of the bear's heart. It was slowing, the bear was going to die soon. And then the heartbeat sped up, warning the Zith of the last attack..

[Massacre]

The bear lunged in a last desperate attempt to slay it's attacker, knowing it was going to die anyway. The assault was clumsy, poorly executed. Massacre had no fear of injury, the bear had no chance of success. The Zith easily stepped to the side and stretched out his arm, raking his claws across the bear's other eye and down it's throat ending at it's shoulder. Blood spilled out onto his hand and Massacre watched as the bear crashed into the ground. It was still bleeding, but the fight was over. Not completely over, however, not for Massacre. The Zith walked up next to the downed bear and shoved at it with a clawed foot. The bear groaned and the Zith pushed harder until finally the bear rolled onto it's side. It was close enough, and Massacre stepped over the bear straddling it. Licking his lips he bent down and ripped out it's throat with his teeth, swallowing the bloody flesh and taking the last of the bear's life. He had won. The bear was dead. His arm was dislocated, possibly broken. His chest hurt like a Zith love making session, and he had no idea how he was going to get the massive beast back to his tribe. But he was victorious, and the sweet taste of victory was fresh on his lips. It was just one of many victories to come. Bears were only the beginning, Massacre knew he would take down many more foes on his path to becoming a great warrior. With aching body he dragged the bear through the woods until finally one of his tribe spotted him and came down to help. His fellow Zith were impressed, and a few were unbelieving, but regardless of what they thought he had proven himself an adult. The feast of bear flesh that night was in his honor. END

[Secret]

THREAD AWARDS Massacre   Skills Skill Gain Notes Observation 2 Hunting 2 Unarmed Combat 2 Acting 1 Swimming 1 Detection 1 Intimidation 1   Lores Playing Dead Spotting Fear in Your Enemy's Eyes Hunting: Vulnerable Points (Bear)   Injury Report Description Heal Time After Effect Minor Chest Slashes 25 Days Very Light Scarring Moderate Chest Bruising 12 Days None Minor Bodily Bruising 7 Days None Dislocated Shoulder 7 Days* See Below Moderate Arm Gash 40 Days Large Scar Fractured Upper Arm 25 Days None *If a healer tends to dislocated shoulder, it will heal perfectly fine in 7 days. If not, shoulder will heal improperly and be weaker and more prone to further dislocation.   Notes Nicely done, quite enjoyable. Well done.