(Thors POV)
The sun filtered through the dense trees as Thor stood at the edge of the forest.
'This isn't a test of pure strength. It is a test of adaptability, survival, and cunning' Thor thought with determination as he tightened the straps to his bag and halberd.
The air was heavy with expectation as the youngest sibling of the three stood at the edge of the forest.
Even though he was only 9 years old, he carried himself with an intelligence that went beyond his age.
Thor had always been in the background when it came to the siblings; overshadowed by Rudra's ferocity and strength and Iris' skill and grace.
Rudra and Iris had already undergone and passed their test. It was now up to Thor to prove his worth! To carve his own legacy!
Unlike his siblings, Thor's strength lay in his genius intellect and his raw determination. He had studied the terrain and analyzed the likely behaviors of the forest's beasts.
The terrain was that of a forest but he had heard feline and canine-like sounds from the distance, leading him to believe that there was likely to be no distinguishable difference between beast habitats.
There were all different types of animals in any random part of the forest. Thor deduced that this was the result of Agni Igris culling all of the Ki-awakened beasts.
The beasts were likely frenzied and trying to find a piece of land that suited their primal necessities.
Following this train of thought, Thor followed crunched leaves that had bits of fur around them. It led him into a colder part of the forest as he almost wished he had brought a coat.
The forest swallowed him whole, its towering trees and twisting roots were a stark contrast to the clearing Rudra had fought in and much darker than the lake opening that Iris had found herself in.
Each step was deliberate and careful as he tried to keep his steps as silent as he could, not to alert any nearby beasts.
His ears strained as he sought the slightest hint of sound, his thoughts were calm and collected as he focused everything on his every move.
'I need to stay calm and patient' he thought, his foot brushing against a fallen leaf, 'Every beast has a pattern, a weakness. I just need to find one'
Time passed and Thor's confidence began to waver as the forest became eerily quiet. His shoulders felt heavier with each step, as he felt the pressure of failing.
*Snap*!
Thor heard a twig snapping and hurriedly threw his bag away and grabbed his halberd, his hand clenching it tightly in nervousness.
*Growll*!
It came suddenly–a deep snarl that shattered the silence. Thor froze, his heart pounding against his chest.
Standing in front of Thor was a grey wolf with glowing red eyes, its fur bristling and its massive frame poised to pounce!
Thor's grip tightened on his halberd even more as he anticipated a confrontation. He had been looking for a beast to hunt, but nothing could've prepared him for the beast's massive size.
Still, fighting his fear, he muttered, "Come on," Shifting into a defensive stance, "Shall we?"
As if understanding the challenge, the beast lunged forward, its form becoming a blur in Thor's eyes.
'Fast!' Thor thought, his eyes wide as he barely dodged the attack by sliding on his knees under the beast.
He held his halberd up under the beast, leaving a gash that traced its underbelly!
The wolf, in an acrobatic move that shocked Thor, flipped mid-air to avoid the halberd from spilling out its innards!
Pushing off its back legs, its claws raked across Thor's arm, tearing through the fabric of his shirt and the flesh that lay beneath it!
Thor swung his halberd at the wolf and the wolf jumped back to avoid the blow. Thor jumped back as well, holding his bleeding arm as they stared each other down.
Thor grunted and grit his teeth, as he felt a sharp and immediate pain in his body.
'Grggh, I'll kill this damn beast' He thought, his focus sharpening and his determination flaring.
The battle continued, Thor struck true and calculated, only ever aiming at exploiting the beast's vulnerabilities!
They were both bruised and cut as Thor finally managed to cut the beast down by side-stepping the beast's lunge and stabbing his halberd in a reverse grip into the beast's stomach!
He skewered the beast completely as it let out a deafening howl before collapsing, its lifeless body sprawled across the forest floor.
Thor staggered back, his breaths ragged. He had thought that victory over the cursed animal would've brought him joy, but he only had this nagging pit in his stomach.
As Thor dropped his guard and went to retrieve his halberd from the beast's body, the beast suddenly lashed out in a final hope for survival!
Its claws slashed across Thor's face as a blinding flash of pain erupted in him!
He fell to his knees, clutching his head in agony!
Thor eventually tried to open his eyes, but upon opening them, the world was gone. Or rather, he was no longer able to see it.
Panic surged through him, a tidal wave of fear disoriented his already stumbling figure.
"I can't see…I can't see…can't see" He broke down, crying as panic and terror overwhelmed him.
His voice cracked as he touched his face, feeling the wet and sticky blood that covered his face.
His breath quickened, each one shallower than the last.
He fumbled around for his bag, his hands trembling. He poured the stored water that he had on his eyes in an attempt to clear the blood from his face.
It worked, but he then realized his mistake! He hadn't packed any bandages, or anything else that could help him in this situation!
For all his intelligence, he had overlooked the preparation of the necessary tools to help himself should he encounter trouble.
Exactly like his situation now!
His mind raced as he berated himself for his foolishness and carelessness.
"I should have prepared better," he muttered, his voice laced with self-destain. "How could I have been so arrogant?"
Blind and vulnerable, Thor forced himself to move. He leaned on his halberd for support, dragging the dead wolf behind him.
A testament to his resolve as even in this situation he made sure to bring back his proof.
The forest that he once felt like he understood now felt like a maze designed to consume him.
Thor didn't hear it at first–just a faint rumbling in the ground, like the steps of a heavy animal against the ground.
Then came the roar, low and menacing, reverberating through his very bones!
The beast was massive. Thor was unable to tell what exactly the beast was, but he could feel it staring down at him.
Its breath was hot and acrid against his skin. This wasn't a beast that was like the wolf, it was stronger, smarter–a real predator.
Thor's grip tightened on his halberd. He knew that he couldn't run, if he turned his back then he would die.
He dropped the wolf's body and resolved himself to fight.
The beast charged, and Thor swung blindly, his blade slicing through empty air. The creature's claws found their mark, tearing into his side.
Thor cried out, the pain threatening to overwhelm him, but he managed to stay upright. He couldn't fall.
The moment he did, he was dead.
It wasn't much of a fight as it was an awkward scene of Thor just doing whatever it took to survive.
He moved and stumbled everywhere, just narrowly escaping death. He relied on his hearing to understand when and where he was about to be attacked, his other senses heightened from his lack of sight.
Each swing of his Halberd was a desperate gamble, a dire hope that he could manage to land a hit before the beast killed him.
Thor desperately struggled as his composure began to crack. The beast was relentless, its attacks growing more ferocious with each passing moment.
Thor's mind raced, searching for a strategy, a way to turn this fight around.
He remembered the terrain–the uneven ground he had walked earlier. If he could lure the beast there, he might have a chance.
"Follow me" he muttered through gritted teeth, his voice a mixture of determination and fear.
He moved cautiously, each step as calculated as it could be without seeing where he was going.
The beast followed, its growl low and menacing.
Thor had figured out by now the species of beast that he was fighting! It was the other wolf's mate!
When they finally reached the sloped ground, Thor struck!
He swung with all his strength, the blade finding its mark as the beast failed to get away as it fell on the uneven ground!
The beast roared in pain as Thor smiled slightly. He didn't have a clue what he hit, but the respite from the beast's constant barrage made him glad to get a few seconds of rest.
Thor's strength was waning, and he was now barely keeping his body upright as the beast lunged again.
Thor braced himself but the impact sent him sprawling, his halberd slipping from his grasp.
'Ah..'
The beast loomed over him, it growled a promise of death.
'This is how I die?' Thor thought in anger and terror as his body refused to get up, to get away from danger.
Even though he couldn't see, he still closed his eyes.
"I'm not done yet," he whispered, his voice grim and raw, "Not…yet"
However, his situation looked ever dire as he lay beneath the beast, as nothing but prey for slaughter.
*****
Finally got a contract for Dragons Dynasty. I know it's a new book but this is a story worth following. All of you should join the adventure!!!