Completed Thine Wings of Dour

[Xen]

Thine Wings of Dour

Fall 3, 514 A.V.
at Nightfall

When darkness fell upon Falyndar and rends the sky of its luminance. The vibrant beauty of the region changed; its colors that signified life and nature darkened, becoming inky black shadows that played with the mind. And the mind games of the jungle were exceptionally cruel—if an individual wanders through the brush, inattentive to his surroundings, a simple set of trees can appear to be a figure. A figure possessing a ghastly form—which would leer with hollow sockets, glowing with the same elegance as the crescent moon above. A stray night breeze can animate this nightmarish form, having it appear to be moving.

An imperceptive mind may think that this motionless form was actually moving towards them—intent to harm. Surely, they would think that this was merely an optical illusion. Yet, how would one be so sure—amongst the darkness and still shadows—that this moving thing wasn’t a sentient being? Doubt, paranoia, and fear will be one’s undoing in a moment such as this one. And unless you possessed enhanced senses; darkness, shadows, and simple-illusions will always be a constant hindrance within the jungle, during the night.

Xen slithers through the jungle; wielding his katana, daggers, and shield, he was searching for prey exhausted from the jungle heat. He assumed that herbivores would be sleeping at this hour, and chose to make use of his natural camouflage and stealth abilities. Xen slithers with his upper body lowered to the ground; his scales rustled the surrounding undergrowth as he went. He did not worry about the sounds he produced—for a playful breeze shook the jungle vegetation, also. Xen was glad the wind blew at his favor; if it hadn’t, his waltz through the jungle would have alerted other predators in the surrounding area. And he was certain that they were around—quietly lurking.

Xen stops, then raises his body off the ground. He flicks his tongue and tastes the air of his surroundings, letting it glide through the wind and be exposed to the cool nights touch. Xen did not catch the scent of prey, but there was a damp and awful texture to the air. Xen grimaced; what he detected was probably a severely rotted corpse—he pauses, and unsheathes his katana—why did he not smell this before? This was strange; he had been traveling for quite sometime, and with the wind blowing in his direction.

In dhani form, his senses were incredibly sharp, it should not have taken him this long to detect something this foul. Xen held onto the upper part of his katana with his right hand, and gripped the lower part with his left. He sniffs the air and shudders after the smell strikes his nose for a second time. Xen slithers backwards, and places his back up against a tree. There wasn’t enough time to conceal himself; if he could smell the foul creature, it could smell him as well. Xen was observing the brush—everything appeared black, dark-purple and blue in his infrared-vision—but as he continues to silently observe the brush a large dog-like figure appears.

“ What is that? ” Xen thought

The creature steps slowly from the blackness, allowing its large and muscular form to be seen. The canine possessed milky white eyes and greyish black fur. The Akila Hound stood firmly before its prey, growling deeply and as darkly as the nightmares it had manifested from. Xen could smell that this creature was the source of the odor—he could see that it would not let him flee—he could feel that this creature was not alone. In the darkness behind this creature, branches snapped and small trees rustle. Xen was going to have a long night, but a plentiful harvest afterwards, if he survived.

[Xen]

Thine Wings of Dour

Fall 3, 514 A.V.

at Nightfall

Xen sat-up and stood tall before the Akila Hound. He would show it that he was not prey, but a contender. Xen flares the skin around his neck outwards, revealing a bright-white hood, and bares his long fangs in a display of intimidation. He hisses loudly, and lunges at the Akila Hound with severe aggression. The hound flinches and growls; backing away from its target. The Akila hounds instincts told it to avoid attacking Xen alone. However, even as the hound submerges itself in the jungle brush, Xen could still see the single Akila Hound, as it stood beside a severely deteriorated tree stump. Xen could only partially understand the creatures tactics. The way it presented itself was as though it wanted to charge—it was probably testing him, trying to instill fear and force him to run.

Xen wouldn't doubt the creatures intelligence; he could feel and see that it wasn't alone. This canine beast must've been accustomed to pack oriented combat—that much Xen assumed. He notices how the two other Akila hounds were also standing in wait. But what exactly were they waiting for? Xen did not care and did not want to find out—then decides to back away from the hounds while they were merely spectating him. He wasn't going to be sitting around, waiting for a death sentence. Those Akila Hounds were formidable in appearance and were definitely dangerous. Xen's infrared vision did not allow him to see their bodies in full detail, but he was sure that these creatures were covered in some kind of substance.

It was probably blood from a dead corpse, or a recently killed animal. “ These beasts were probably in the middle of their meal, and I just stumbled upon them by coincidence. It would be best to avoid these creatures now and for as long as I can, ” He thought. Xen was unfamiliar with pack animals and guesses that these hounds had a mess-with-one-you-mess-with-us-all mind-set. And he hoped that they would lose interest in him and return to their meal.

These were some big canines;their jaws were larger than Xen's skull. The bite force they possessed was definitely tremendous; enough to crush or literally obliterate bone. Xen knew he was not going to let these guys get a hold of him, and as he slithers away from them, he laces the thought with uttermost certainty.

The Akila Hounds made no attempt to pursue Xen; they simply watched him as they had been doing for the few chimes he'd been in their presence. Xen did not like the observant eyes of these beasts—it was like they were studying him—reading his movements. An intelligent jungle predator was worse than a unthinking one; especially so, if it had the cooperation of the members of its own kind. Xen manages to add a decent amount of distance between him the three Akila hounds, and dashes through the jungle as fast as he could.

An ominous howl echoes from the jungles dark depths, then in the distant undergrowth dozens of barely visible silhouettes could be seen moving towards the three Akila hounds. The rest of the pack clearly heard their pack mates call and were quick to engage in the hunt. However, first they needed to find their prey. The three Akila hounds watch Xen as he flees; they had captured his distinct dhani scent, and would pursue him once the other members of their pack caught up to them. The three Akila hounds, anxious and excited to be able to hunt fresh meat, proceed forward in a slow sprint.Their movements were quiet, carrying as much grace as a nocturnal predator should. The small group of Akila hounds opted to a stealth and ambush tactic, choosing to lead Xen to their approaching pack members, and then close in on him.

Xen heard the howl, but nothing was behind him. However, was still expecting to see those hellish jungle spawn heading towards him, nonetheless. Their grayish black hides soundlessly running through the darkness—intent on consuming his flesh—truly, something of nightmares. The silence in the brush persisted for chimes as Xen slithers further, and further from the dreaded Akila Hound group. Now he could no longer see them, but he continued to feel eyes upon him. This should not have bothered Xen, living in the jungles of Falyndar, wary eyes were always upon him. Yet, at this moment, the eyes focusing on him were not wary, but predatory.

[Xen]

Thine Wings of Dour

Fall 3, 514 A.V.

at Nightfall

There was a deep, surging feeling of dread that strikes Xen. The feeling was so sudden that anxiety from it causes him to flinch. It was as though he was struck by some invisible, unseen force! Xen did not feel safe, and sensed that his current position placed him at a disadvantage. He had nowhere to hide on the jungle floor, but as he looks up to the canopy, he was struck by an idea.

He sheathes his katana, and tightens the strap of his shield on his forearm. Xen then positions his body beneath a branch and twists his form into a coil. He tightens every muscle he could throughout his body and leans backwards in preparation of a lunge. Xen wasn't entirely sure about this idea, but doubt would surely lead to his untimely death. He then lunges forward while loosening all the muscles in his at once. The act propels him several feet through the air, and he collides with a thick branch. A dull scraping sound could be heard as Xen scrabbles to obtain a solid grip upon the branches surface.

Small branches snap and fall as he battles against gravity and his own weight during this struggle. Falling back onto the meant death, and this idea causes Xen's heart to race and as if to make things worse... something ungodly growls. Xen was sure it had come from below—if it had come from above—he could have assumed that it was a black panther, or some other tree dwelling predator. However, by some wretched twist of fate, it appears the creature or creatures had decided to sneak from behind—where he could not see. Xen grapples the branch with his left arm and swings his other arm around the branch, hugging it.

The steel shield hook of his mancatcher shield penetrates to thick branch, giving Xen a small amount of leverage to work with.

He quickly swings his tail upwards to avoid the displeasure of some beast grabbing it and pulling him down. His tail slams against the tree's thick bark and stays there—stiff as log. A sigh of relief escapes his jaws; he had escaped the danger for the time being...or so he thought. Xen looks down and a cold chill runs down his spine as he notices six Akila hounds looking up at him with drool hanging from their mouths.The teeth jutting from their mouths gave them a sinister kind of grin—one that only Rhysol could love. The Akila hounds narrowed their milky-white eyes at him, watching him as he hugged the tree.

“ Not today, ” Xen said to death and the Akila hounds. Xen brings his tail towards him and wraps it around the thickest part of the branch. He then tightens his scaly embrace as he raises his torso off the branch and carefully leans towards the trunk of the tree. One of the Akila hounds was impatient and decides to tackle the tree in hopes to knock the large viper dhani from the tree. Although, he tried hard, failure was the result of his action and the alpha Akila hound snarls at the young hounds impudence, as though saying not to do it again. Xen glares at the beasts and names the alpha of the Akila hounds ¨Dour¨ because of his dark demeanor and utter dominance he had over the other Akila hounds.

Xen had no time to be bothered with these creatures; he was hungry and did not want to waste his strength on them. He grips onto the trunk of the tree and starts shimmying upwards. At this point some of the Akila hounds were encircling the tree, while others waited for Xen to have a sudden mishap. But that wasn't going to happen, not soon that is. Xen wraps the rest of his body around the tree trunk, placing it in a full body embrace as he inches his way up the tree.

[Xen]

Thine Wings of Dour

Fall 3, 514 A.V.
at Nightfall

Xen was constantly losing his hold, which in turn causes him to repeatedly reestablish his grip onto the tree trunk. The tree was his life line at the moment; holding onto it was better than being eaten. But the object that made his task difficult, was his shield. The thing designed to save his life was now a fatal flaw, threatening to cause his demise—the irony. It was hindering his ability to grapple, and thus, was lowering his chances of escape and survival. Xen was not one to discard his possessions easily, but what was more important to him at this moment? The irreplaceable life he possessed or a shield he could replace?

Xen bites onto the first strap of his shield, and pulls on it to loosen it. The Akila hounds continued to observe him, with their seemingly dead, empty eyes. The more impatient members of the pack continued to encircle the tree, while the older and much more intelligent members sat patiently in wait. Xen manages to loosen the second strap of his shield, but the thing was a bit stubborn. So, he had to shake his arm a bit and muscle his way from the steel shields embrace. Success! He was able to relieve himself of this hindering object. Yet, at the same time, he had just tossed aside his only
defensive weapon.

Although, he would be able to climb higher and add distance between him and harm now. He knew that he'd need to retrieve his shield later on. A set of mix emotions was before Xen—he didn't know what to feel. The mancatcher shield tumbles over a few branches before it lands on top of an unsuspecting hounds head. “ Yurp!” The Akila hound yelped in pain and jumps away from its position during its panic. Other Akila hounds were quick to surround and bite the object they assumed was prey, and they began to pull Xen's shield from both ends. Xen was watching the Akila hounds as their fangs grind against his shield.

He couldn't understand why he was observing them. Xen would say that a strange 'urge' compelled him to do so. Then, as he displays a sinister grin, a myrians arm was seen in the place of his shield—replacing it. The arm could not withstand the Akila hounds gruesome game of tug-of-war, and was torn in two. “ Ahahahahahahahahahahahahahaaa! ” Xen bursts into a fit of laughter; it was like he was losing his mind and enjoying it. This madness, and its approach was unexpected, but it departs with the same swiftness. Xen snaps back to reality; he notices his shield still being harassed by the Akila hounds, and that was he still grasping onto the tree trunk, like normal.

“ The petch... ” Xen thought; his mind slightly ajar. He had little time to contemplate his sanity at the moment, since the hounds were now jumping and attempting to climb the tree he occupied. Xen grabs onto the branch above him, and pulls his body upwards. Gravity was his greatest nemesis at this time, it seems. The force pulls him downwards towards the Akila hounds, towards the beasts that would ensure his demise. But Xen, however, fights and triumphs against this oppressive force called gravity and pulls his body over yet another branch.

[Xen]

Thine Wings of Dour

Fall 3, 514 A.V.
at Nightfall

There was a strange feeling of safety amongst the treetops. To be far away from the ground, hidden within the canopy, it was a surreal experience. Yet, Xen couldn't help but feel a bit insecure about his surroundings—now he couldn't see the Akila hounds—which was the cause of his insecurity. But there was the possibly that the Akila hounds could no longer see where he was, giving him the element of surprise. “ I can't be careless here, ” Xen thought; his arms burning from the climb “ I have to obtain some food for the night and the morning, or risk hunger pains, ” Xen grimaced at his potential fate.

He couldn't bare an entire night of hunger, it would drive him into madness and send his poor stomach into a torrent of pain. The option he wanted to choose was to run for his life and hope he succeeds in evading the Akila hounds. However, that seemed rather unlikely; they clearly outnumbered him and were very organized, even for a pack of beasts. Xen sat with his back against the tree trunk, silence surrounds him as he formulates a series of tactics. “ I'll need to separate them or take out at least one of them, ” Xen thought while contemplating his rate of potential success.

The chances he had of survival were slim, if he was to try something as stupid as attacking a pack of Akila hounds alone. What if he attack and then fled? The hit and run tactic sounded a bit cowardly, but it would help him in some ways. “ I have to do this now. I don't want to starve, nor do I want to be eaten by monstrous hounds, ” Xen thought while looking forward. In front of him was one of many passages that led adventuring souls into Falyndar's expanse of branches, vines and trees—a branch. The canopy was still some many climbs away from him, but should he fall, it wouldn't be something he could shrug off.

Before him the lengthy branch waited; it wasn't wide enough for him to slither across, nor did it look strong enough to support his full weight. The branch would probably snap the moment Xen was midway across its body, and send him into a mad descent towards the Akila hounds maws. Fate was indeed unkind to him this night. The current situation now required him to take on his serpent form; it was the only way he would be able to cross the branch and reach the other tree. “ I can't leave my weapons in the treetops. I'll have to toss them across and hope for the best, ”.

Xen did not want to wager his weapons on chance, but he needed to eat and evade the Akila hounds. Sacrifices would be made this night, for he needed to survive. Xen unstraps his sheathed katana from his side and tosses it forward, hoping that it would get entangled in a branch or vine. But the sword glides through the branches a tumbles into the murky jungle depths.“ Damn it all, ” Xen said as three Akila hounds rush to the location his sword had fallen. He couldn't see what they were doing, due to many branches and vines being in his line of sight, but he could hear them shuffling through the undergrowth.

“ They were waiting for me to reappear? So, their cleverness wasn't something to be overlooked after all. I assume they are desperate for a meal, also, since they seem intent on wasting their time on me, ”

Good, now Xen was able to see that the Akila hounds were just as hungry as he was. If he could isolate one of them and kill it without getting killed himself, he could have a hearty meal. However, those dreaded beasts were rather close to one another; he'd have to draw the attention of a more careless and impatient hound. If the chance to run appears Xen would take it and opt to eating a few jungle rats instead.

[Xen]

Thine Wings of Dour

Fall 3, 514 A.V.

at Nightfall

The plans was actually very hectic; it was all over the place! There were too many options he could choose from, but also risks and consequences in store for him, as well. But, escape was his biggest priority as of now. “ Please make it, ” Xen tosses his daggers this time, and they too shared the same fate as his katana. Though, the daggers were fortunate enough to hit an Akila hound in the eye, poor thing. The Akila hound lets out another “ Yurp!” before it growls and searches for the object of its frustration. Xen was hoping that the bad luck hound would continue to fall prey to misfortune, and that it fails in finding his daggers.

Xen did not hear fangs grinding against metal, and that was a relief. He could now send his plan into motion, which would mean survival, or at least he hoped so. Xen shifts into his serpent form, and in mere thirty-seconds he was donning a slim and sleek body, with sinuous, blackened scales. The world around him was much, much larger now that his form has changed. A branch that appeared small and fragile in his dhani form was now large, and seemingly indestructible. Xen made haste as he slithers forward and across the branch. He was glad that it had not broken and that it did not buckle beneath his weight.

However, as he slithers further and further across the branch, Xen realizes something large on a branch some feet above him. The thing was huge, and from what he could tell, it had large wings—very large. Xen immediately took cover and continued with his plan. The creature was occupied with something else, it seems, and he would ensure that it change kept its attention elsewhere and away from him. Xen pauses and raises his head off the branch. He started listening to his surroundings and kept his presence small and unnoticeable.

Below him, the undergrowth was disturbed by multiple moving bodies—it could have been the Akila hounds searching for him—Xen guesses. He lowers his head onto the branch and instinctively stretches his body, so that his form would match the straightness of the branch and that he wouldn't be seen from below. The surrounding vegetation helps him remain hidden, but Xen avoids them as best as he could. He knew how particularly noisy plants were, when you brush against them, and chose to be very cautious around them. Xen found this a slightly amusing, before he didn't care if he made noise through the jungle during his hunts, but now that he was the hunted—silence was worth more than diamonds.

Lucky for Xen, the branch he had situated himself upon had few other branches and leaves around it. This did mean he could avoid making noise, but it also meant that he was vulnerable to aerial attacks from above and from the sides. “ Almost there, ” Xen thought as he crept across the tree branch with spider-like grace. Home base was just ahead of him; if he could reach the tree before the Akila hounds arrived there, he would be able to slither down and retrieve his katana and daggers. However, how he would be able to retrieve his mancatcher shield was a different story.

Dour—the alpha Akila hound Xen had named—was no longer searching for Xen, but was waiting for him. He sat in silence as the other less patient members of his pack searched for their elusive prey. Dour watches his pack members, with uttermost scrutiny; he was still in charge despite his inactivity. One could tell the direction of Dour's gaze; his pupilless, hoary eyes carried the likeness of an eerie porcelain doll sitting in a wooden chair. It as though he was simply peering forward, but his eyes were continuously scanning the environment for movement and prey.

Xen reaches the tree; however, there was a problem and a very unhappy one. A Threshal had made its nest in the tree Xen was crossing and it did not like the fact that he was near its nest. The Threshal flaps its wings and began to screech loudly. “ Petch! Be quiet, there is a pack of jungle wolves below us, ” The undergrowth was quickly filled with activity; probably, the Akila hounds searching for what was making the noise. This damn was going to get him killed, and Xen was not going to have that. He raises his head off the branch and spits venom directly into the Threshal's eyes! The bird flaps and thrashes wildly in the branches, creating untold amounts of ruckus with its cries of panic and agony.

The Threshal then flies over Xen, continuing its rant and crashes into a series of vines before being entangled by them. Xen heard an Akila hound howl five meters away from him, and then the sweet sound of his pursuers chasing after the Threshal into the distance. He was alone, for now, and would surely be back. But now Xen was thankful for the Threshal's loud presence, it captured the Akila hounds attention and he was appreciative of its brief moment in his life.

The Threshal; blind and in pain, struggles while entangled in vines. But, its futile efforts rewards it with death. The Threshal falls to the ground, still struggling for freedom, and just as it frees its left wing...an Akila hounds bites onto it. The Akila hound shook the Threshal violently, before another hound clamps onto its other wing. A morbid game of tug-of-war began, as the Akila hounds pull the bird from both sides. The Threshal lets out one last cry of agony before the Akila hounds tore it in two—other Akila hounds quickly join this blood fray, and began to violently split and devour the now dead Threshal.

[Xen]

Thine Wings of Dour

Fall 3, 514 A.V.

at Nightfall

Dour snarls at the younger Akila hounds as they scramble around the Threshal's rendered corpse. He was quite familiar with this bird, having encountered and tasted it before in his younger days, he avoided preying upon the it, again. The bird was fowl smelling and left one with a grueling stomachache afterwards; it even had the potential to kill at times, which is why he and the much older Akila hounds were reluctant to devour it. Dour in a way did care for the younger members of his pack, but there was an a balance that needed to be maintained, and he was growing rather impatience with a certain young Akila hound.

This Akila hound was the same impudent pup that jumped after Xen as he was climbing the tree. Dour had fought for his position in the pack; it was a bloody brawl that rewarded him with many scars, and also the strength and authority of a pack leader. Xen finally reaches the tree he sought after; though, regrettably, he had to push the Threshal's eggs from the nest he had situated himself in. He hopes the Threshal would not bare a grudge for his actions, as he too knows the horror and pain of losing his offspring. However, he had little time to pray for forgiveness, he could now see the enemy he was facing and rethought his tactics.

Xen opts out of his original plan, and chose to out wait the Akila hounds; they'd eventually lose interest in him and pursue some other unfortunate animal, or soul wandering the jungle at night. Xen then curls up his body in the Threshal's smelly nest, thinking he could rest for a moment, but a quick movement in the peripheral view of his left eye catches his attention. “ Oh, petch, ” Xen thought as he slowly positions his body for evasive action. What he saw was another Threshal standing just meters away from him. The bird was clearly enraged by his presence, and lunges towards him the moment it notices that he was aware of it! Xen spits his venom, and the liquid strikes the Threshal in the eyes, blinding the creature.

To his displeasure, the Threshal continues its assault and forces him from its nest. Xen slithers away from the crazed bird, and retreats to avoid an injury, but he was still struck by the back end of the Threshal's large wing. He felt his body slide off the edge of the nest and desperately tries to grasp the fleeting leverage he had. The thrashing Threshal pushes him out the nest during his struggle, causing him to fall down the side of the tree. Xen flops in mid-air, like a fish outside of water; he believed he was going to meet his end by the efforts of a blinded Threshal.

He fell for a short period of ticks before a solid branch stops his fall, with the grace that a rock solid surface should possess.“ Uuuuh, ” Xen groans as he sits up to survey his surroundings. He discovers that he was accompanied by numerous Threshal's! This tree had to be a Threshal nesting area, and he had to be the lucky soul able to find it...great. All the Threshal's glare at Xen together “ Calm dow—, ” and before he could finish his thought, they all start squawking and flapping their wings at him. Xen was chased down the tree, over a few branches, and finally he falls into a thicket of vines.

The jungle was quickly filled with a foul stench, emitting from the Threshal flock Xen had agitated. Xen was near the edge of vomiting, but an Akila hound does this for him. It was probably sickened by the Threshal meat it had consumed, and by the stench of the Threshal flock. Thanks to fortune, Xen was able to descend into the dense bush and hide once more. The sick Akila hound was approached by an Akila hound; its comrades worry was plainly seen, as it sniffs and roams around it. Dour and the rest of the Akila hound pack also came to check out their comrade.

Xen stayed to the shadows, he kept his head and body low to the ground as he slithers into a burrow. The hole was large enough to fit him and nothing else—he would wait here, rest and leave once the Akila hounds left. “ Not the greatest tactic, but it will keep me alive, ” Xen thought as he lays his head onto the dry soil of the burrow. He would indeed out wait the Akila hounds, and let their hunger get the best of them.

[Xen]

Thine Wings of Dour

Fall 3, 514 A.V.

at Nightfall

Dour could no longer smell Xen amongst the foul odor of the Threshal flock. It was a shame that the big viper escaped, but the jungle was a massive place and prey was always abundant. Dour howls once and the rest of the pack howls with him. However, one unfortunate Akila hound had consumed too much of the Threshal's meat and was greatly sickened by it. The young Akila hound was panting and drooling excessively; his eyes showing a great deal of fatigue and pain within them. Dour and the rest of the pack were reluctant to leave their pack-mate; however, staying in a location for too long would reveal their presence to other more formidable predators. The reluctance of the pack was powerful and binding, but gradually Dour and the pack left, leaving the sickened Akila hound behind.

Xen awakes from his underground slumber after he hears the rumbling steps of the Akila hound pack above him. He would wait until the rumbling stops before leaving. He listens the entire time, even as the Akila hounds movements fade into the distance. Xen was awaiting for utter and complete silence on the surface before he moves from his hiding spot. A few ticks pass, then a series of chimes before he peeks his head from his earthy, abysmal shelter. Xen saw nothing, yet he still quietly eases his way from his shelter. He flicks his tongue and grimaces—the enemies scent had been masked by the Threshal's—which in turn could mean his scent had masked as well.

“ Those birds hid the scent of those hounds. I'll have to mask my own scent, and remain in the shadows for stealth more often. ” Now he had to retrieve his katana, daggers and shield. The area was too dangerous; exceedingly so, if those Akila hounds had claimed this territory as their own. Xen slithers towards his katana and daggers—he was able to notice the weapons with his keen observation skill, but who couldn't help but notice them, since the Akila hounds had flattened most, if not, all of the undergrowth within the vicinity during their search for him.

“ Oh, gross, ” Then there was the badly mangled corpse of the first Threshal he met—it was in a bad state. The Threshal's head was missing and both of its wings were torn completely off. It was gruesome to see a creatures body mauled to such a degree, with only its legs still attached to its body.

Xen notices how the Akila hounds hadn't eaten it entirely—the creature was a bit homely looking—no wonder they quickly grew tired of it. Xen reaches his faithful weapons and shifts into his human form, so that he could carry them with him. Thirty ticks flew pass with the quickness of a sparrow in flight and Xen was now donning his human form.

“ Old faithful, I'll have to learn how to wield you properly, one of these days, ” Xen grasps onto his katana and daggers, then goes to retrieve his shield. This night had been quite eventful; he was chased and hunted by strange jungle hounds, then was pushed out of a tree by a folk of crazed birds. However, Xen had learned the usefulness of stealth and the importance of using one's mind. Xen finds his shield and also gets to see the strength of his foe on the tree's bark. He notices deep claws marks and punctures; probably, from the Akila hounds fangs, on the barks surface. “ This could have been me, ” Xen thought at the moment—he was then quick to realize that it was stealth, speed, and his instincts that saved him. To be undetectable, quick, perceptive, and resourceful was key to survival in this savage world—Xen's new philosophy.

He picks up his shield and straps it to his right arm. Xen straps his daggers to his right shoulder, and fastens the sheath of his katana onto his waist. Xen turns from the tree to leave, but then notices a quick movement in the peripheral view of his left eye. He quickly drew his katana and turns to see nothing, but a few brown feathers flustering in the wind. “ It was probably a bird of some sort, ” Xen thought plainly as he steps away from the tree. The nervousness from before hadn't slipped away just yet, leaving Xen awfully alert to some sounds and movements within his surroundings.

He picks up the corpse of his Threshal ¨companion¨, if he still had the talent of poison, then he would make use of the creatures hide later. Xen runs away and turns to his left into a light thicket of bushes. He presses his whole foot firmly against the ground and kicks forward with all his strength. The action propels him forward through the air, like a short jump, which then he does over and over again.

Xen felt his toes dig into the earth, with each of his springing steps and kicked again with all the strength of his legs. While he was running, Xen discovers that it was rather difficult to run with his katana. “ I'd better watch my surroundings, more of those jungle hounds could be around, ” Xen was aware of the risks he was taking; falling onto his katana during a run was one, and causing noise. However, the idea of falling onto his own katana was rather...painful, more so than being eaten, probably. Xen thought about this “ The force behind my run would probably send my katana into my gut and through my back, ” as he ran through the jungle.

Xen changes his running pattern, and runs on his toes. He dung their tips into the earth as far as he could and tries to run ahead as quietly as possible. He ran in the opposite direction of the Akila hound pack, hoping that he would not meet them again, until he was more skilled in combat.

[Traverse]

Xen

Experience:

• Acrobatics 1 XP
• Climbing 2 XP
• Endurance 1 XP
• Hunting 3 XP
• Observation 4 XP
• Planning 2 XP
• Running 1 XP
• Stealth 3 XP
• Tactics 1 XP
• Wilderness Survival 4 XP

Lore:

• Easier to Hunt witht he Wind at Your Back
• Studying Akila Hounds
• The Safety and Dangers of Trees in the Wilds
• Using a Threshal as a Distraction
• Utilizing snake form for Stealthy Purposes

Inventory:

+ 1 Threshal Corpse

Additional Notes :

An interesting thread. I enjoyed how Xen was mostly fleeing/ on the defensive, but sort of used his circumstances to the best of his advantage and got away completely unscathed. A fun thread and a lot of XP gained out of it, if there were any other XP lores you were looking for let me know.

Oh also this is one of the boxcodes that exceeds the rules!

If you have any questions, concerns, accolades, complaints, etc about your grade, drop me a PM and we can most certainly talk it out.

As always, Safe Travels!