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Author: hayashi
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Hey guys, heres part 2. Hope you don't mind me sacrificing quality for time. I would very much like to finish all before college starts. Enjoy.
The sun was slowly setting. The feeble critters of the day made its withdraw, and the looming creatures of the night were awoken. Aidan quickly put out the fire with his cloak, which seemed like a very stupid thing to do. He took a quick glance as his father.
"Father, this turned out to be a wasted trip didn't it?"
"Oh poor poor warthog, it's a shame we can't have you tonight. Aidan, come here and help me bury it... Hurry up!"
Aidan's couldn't help grumbling under his lips. He would have liked to have this warthog roasted, which was a treat he didn't have for months. Both knew that even if they buried the warthog, other animals in the forest would eventually smell the meat under the soil and dig out the prize underneath. Of course, Aidan wasn't foolish enough to question his father, the man whom he most respected.
"W-wait! Father I can't run that fast! I-I .. "
"That's because you were so slow digging the hole. You heard Eugur. She doesn't call for nothing. It must have been very urgent. We can't keep her waiting. If you don't pick up your speed I will have to leave you here."
"But father, if only we hadn't dig the hole. It was your idea and - "
The father suddenly stopped in his tracks. He slowly turned back, and revealed the anger on his face. He slowly walked towards Aidan and knelt down to be on level with the now frightened little boy. For Aidan, looking into his father's eyes made him feel like a helpless prey who couldnt escape. It was the eyes of a true ranger; the eyes that could tame any animal.
"How dare you! Everything in this land belongs to Melandru. What we take we must give back. This is the law of life and theres nothing... NOTHING that can outprioritize it."
The howl was heard again. This time louder, closer, and clearer.
"Ok Aidan... let's go."
Aidan's cabin was in the Western region of the Diessa Lowlands. Even though natural resources were scarce, the father and son was able to live peacefully. Unlike the rich areas around Ascalon city, there were no running streams near the cabin. However, a spring nearby was more than convenient for drinking water and bathing. Even after all these years, the water sparkled with purity kept by Melandru's magic. It was said that the spring could also heal a wounded body and soul. Around fifty kilometers south of the cabin stood Nolani Academy, which was shadowed by the imperial city of Rin. Once a week, Aidan's father would journey to one of the bustling towns around Nolani and sell his crafting materials that were popular among even the well-known collectors.
Upon approaching the cabin, Eugur ran toward's Aiden's father. Eugur is a snow wolf tamed in the Western lands of Borlis pass. Her fur was white and spashed with a shade of blue, which signified her growing age. Eugur is also missing a part of her tail much to the curiosity of Aiden who wasn't born when Eugur was tamed. But at least Aidan was old enough to finally know that the fact that his father cooked the tail to feed him when he was an infant - was a lie.
"So what did you see, girl?" asked Aiden's father. "What? a creature? What kind? you think its a formidable beast don't ya girl. So that was why you couldn't take it down by yourself? Oh, you didn't even try to approach it? Wise decision girl. I am here now, so let's go face this creature and if we're lucky, she might even make a tasty treat! Aiden... Aiden! You watch the cabin and don't come outside... actually, do come outside and prepare the fire, its unranger-like to miss our dinner haha"
With those words, both Aidan's father and Eugur disappeared into the woods. Aidan looked on admiringly.
"Humm, the only creature in this lowland who can keep up with my father is Eugur. It's unfair," Aidan whispered to himself.
In the middle of the woods, Eugur stopped and got into pouncing position, signaling danger with a snarl. A dark creature slowly emerged from the bush. It's stench started to contaminate the area as it reared its head out. The animal was covered in dung and walked on its three thick feet. It's three eyes extended out from its head like tentacles as it scanned the nearby area with efficiency.
"Unholy Dwayna! it's an Otyugh! I never knew it had such a strong stench. I guess dinner it out of the question. Heh, good girl... you knew that having this thing so close to our cabin is can't be a good thing. You're right, we have to end its life."
The other bushes nearby began to rustle. Predators of the night slowly came crawling out and surrounded the two hunters. The tigers and lynxes roared in unison but was quickly covered by Eugur's louder howl. The predators began to unsheath their claws, unwavered by Eugur's frightening howl. Eugur responded by showing his fangs, which were all sharpened by the bones of its prey.
"This must have something to do with the Otyugh. On the bright side, dinner might still be served afterall. I hope you're ready girl. I think this one just might be as tough as that Yeti hunt... although we're no longer as young as we used to be huh girl?"
A smile spread across the old ranger's face.
"Okay my precious untamed pets. May Melandru have you all."
To Be Continued: Part 3 - The Enraged Pet
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