Chapter 8 Lover of Animals

"Have you been waiting for long?"

"Naw, I just got here about five minutes." Joseph answered.

"Oh" Looking down the street the young man checked his watch. "Man" shaking his head he took a deep breath. "I'm gonna be late."

"Where are you going? If you don't mind me asking."

"To school, I'm studying to be vet." The boy said sitting on the cement bench.

"Really that's live have you operated on any animals yet."

"Naw, not yet I only been going for two months."

"I don't know if I could do that." Shivering a bit Joseph shook his head at the thought. "I couldn't do it."

Laughing the boy popped out his seat at the sight of the bus. "I'm Steve by the way."

~Ace~

Stretching in order to get use to his body suit Ace leaped up and down warming up. "Take fifty-two and action!" The director yelled out.

Kicking into gear Ace ran down the hotel hallway. Kicking through a door that led to the stairwell he leaned over the rail spotting a man in a red shirt and blue jeans. "Halt" a voice shouted in the background. Sliding down the rail he flipped backwards halfway down. Catching the rail on the floor below he dropped down another floor. Pulling himself over the rail he burst through another door.

Dashing through the hotel the runner snatched a fire extinguisher off the wall. Ducking into the cubby of one of the room doors. Breaking into the hallway Ace head tossed from one side to the next in search of the assailant. Taking off down the hallway a glimpse of movement caught his eye about four rooms down. Slightly turning his head to see who it was kawiiiiish a fire extinguisher was unleashed upon his face.

Bing, hitting Ace with the fire extinguisher the perpetrator took off once again. Shaking the white powder off his arm and wiping his face the sound of people shouting down the hall revealed which way the assailant ran. Bolting down the hallway Ace cut right continuing to run until he came into a fork in the hall. Catching sight of disgruntled hotel guests to the right Ace assumed those were the people he heard confronting his target.

Entering the parking garage, the assailant head tossed from left to right in wonder of his next move. Running to the end of the garage the man gazed over the cement wall trying to see how far he was from the first floor. Shaking his head, he continued to scan the area below, spotting a row of inflatable animals. Badooom! Yanking his head around the man caught Ace's eye.

"Stop" A voice yelled in the background as the man sprinted off.

Ripping off a side mirror the man hurled at his aggressor. Sliding in between a beam and car Ace continued his pursuit. Skrrrrt, boom! Turning while on the phone a bystander swerved in order to avoid the assailant.

Turning into the line of the swerving car Ace kicked off a truck landing on the hood of the vehicle. "I'm so sorry" the driver yelled hopping out of her vehicle as Ace rolled off her hood.

"Got damn it!" The director shouted. "Cut."

~Want~

"I don't understand. why would you want to leave Thronng?"

"I've been in the mountains all of my life Krieg. It is time that I expand and see what the Universe has to offer. How else will I ever be able to give back all that we have created together." Walking into an underground chamber Steve stumbled, gaining control of his body for the first time.

"Are you okay?"

"Yea." He replied moving his limbs in the subtlest of ways so not to appear to be a newborn in a strange furry green body. Standing erect once at ease Steve eyes travelled through the room observing Trolls of all colors under both the flickering light of flames dancing on their torches or the crystal chandeliers that emitted a whitish-blue light. Noticing slight movements of his right arm he turned around to face the person tugging on his arm.

Admiring the soft features of the petite purple troll he smiled at the redness that spread across her face and how her bush tail wrapped around her body revealing the timidness of its owner. Allowing her to guide him to an elderly Troll that stood hunched over with a cloak completely covering its body.

Watching the woman walk away with a swinging of her tail Steve laid his eyes on the Troll in front of him who for some reason chose to remain hidden. Hummm! A vibration filled the air causing the elderly Troll body to glow yellow. Straightening up the elder grew in height and her once wrinkled features that he noticed for only mere seconds became that of a young vibrant female Troll with long green dreaded locks. Trying not to focus on the nakedness of the Troll, slightly took in peeps in glances through at turned head. "It may not be human but.." Gulping Steve took a peep. "It definitely has a body of one." He thought. Shaking her head at his innocence the elder smiled. then with a wave of her hand lavender clothes draped over her turquoise body.

Once clothed Steve was able to take note of the Tribal marks along her skin. They were the same ones the woman and he wore. To think about his friend Krieg who he had entered the cavern with also wore them. Circling Steve inspecting his every essence the elder Troll raised her right hand manifesting a staff with antler horn branches. Stepping in front of Steve she gazed into his eyes before spinning around to face the audience. "It has been almost five centuries since a troll has ventured out of the heart of Throng." Tapping him on the shoulder with her staff she smiled. "We commend you for the courage of taking upon self to seek wisdom and love beyond these borders. Legends are made outside of these mountains, and it seems that one is calling you." Twirling the staff In the air a slight breeze settled in the underground lair shifting the leaves on the rock floor causing them to dance and swirl throughout the cavern. "Here in Throng, we are all in one and one in all. So, like the leaves that have been blown off their branches and set upon a journey, you will forever be part of the main tree you come from. It will never leave you but guide you whenever you call upon it." Placing a pendant over the young Troll neck the chief knocked on the ground three times with her staff.

Watching the earth rise creating a stand with a goblet on top Steve observed the elder Troll as she ripped off the flowers amongst her neck crushing and grinding them into the cup before pouring in a hot red liquid. Lifting her arms chanting in their ancient language the woman eyes popped open. Reaching for the goblet she handed it over to him. "Drink." She commanded.

Gulping down the cup Steve coughed towards the end trying to clear out his throat from. In a few blinks the world spun making him woozy. After a few more seconds the world faded away into nothingness.

Kiiiiissssh, startling awake Steve peeped at the world through staticky vision. Taking in the scent of dew in the morning the soft whispers of a waterfall made him raise his head in curiosity. Shaking his head until he was fully awake with clear vision the wind nudged him. Taking in the environment clouds sat in the air like benches waiting to be sat on with rocky pillars piercing through them while he stood on a mountain island that resembled an ancient ruin overtaking by nature. Closing his eyes and taking in a deep breath the whisper of the waterfall caught his attention. Searching for the cascade he came across an opening in the mountain wall. Entering the cave, he walked through a tunnel for about fifteen feet before stepping in the mountain chamber.

"Woah" checking out the trees with their galore of fruit his eyes met up with that of a white gorilla-built creature with the head and wings of a bat. Rumbling awake, the beast screeched revealing long canine teeth. Crawling to its feet the Rankar strolled over to Steve sniffing him.

"Are you the one who summoned me?" it huffed.

Eyes shifting from one place to the next Steve drew in the courage to answer. "Yes" he said with a gulp.

"Then show me that you deserve my assistance."

Unsure exactly how the creature could assist him Steve it was obvious to him that fighting the creature was inevitable. Devouring the entire area with his eyes best as he could he replied, "No problem." Juking left than running right he bolted towards a spear which was the closest weapon.

Pounding its fist on the pavement the Rankar bounded into the air gliding over to the spear dropping right in front of the weapon blocking the way. Slamming its fist into the ground one more time the beast pounced slashing its opponent in the chest with a left and punching Steve in the face with a right.

HP 12/25. Scuttling backwards as the beast charged him Steve rolled over to his knees then scrambled to his feet. Bing, picking up his pace claws scraped against the ground a few inches away from him.

Swiping at its prey feet the Rankar somersaulted forward when it missed then galloped into the air stretching out its arms and allowing the wind to hold it up. Eyahh! Eyahhh! It screeched unleashing sound waves.

Dodging the first wave the second slammed into Steve's side shoving him into a tree. Attempting to rise his face twisted up in pain. HP 9/25. Eyahh! The beast screeched once again standing up fully erect and raising up its arms as if surrendering. Throwing its arms down blades of wind projected out of its claws shredding through the ground homing in on their target.

Staggering to his feet Steve leap frogged out of the way. Kawich! Losing a foot, he rolled and howled in pain. HP 2/25. Rolling onto his back the Rankar stood over him. Boom! Jolting awake he took a deep breath. "Guess I'll have to try again."

Reawakening in the game Steve laid there with his eyes close. Taking in a couple deep breaths he commenced to picture the entire mountain along with the inside of the cave repeatedly while running through different scenarios. After half an hour a light shined in his mind revealing to him a branch that extended beyond the edge. Twitching his face, he opened his eyes to see if this tree existed. Spotting the tree another though pushed its way to the forefront of his mind. Getting up he scoured the mountain platform in search of any and everything he could use on this mission.

Plopping on a stone once he finished picking up all the useful items, he could find Steve stared down at a bucket, vines, jagged stones, a few branches and a rusted metallic ring that resembled a brake rotor. Twisting the vines together Steve decided to place the ring on one side and stone on another. Twirling it around in the air he thought. "I could use this for weapon." Before an image of the wind blade chopping off his foot entered his mind. "That's not going to work." Walking over to the tree a new thought punctured his mind, but it required a whole lot more work. Nodding his head, he sat off to put his plan in action.

Working into the color purple stretched across the sky Steve decided to get some rest, he would begin his operation in the morning. Standing a few feet away from the edge a new thought set off a curiosity that he was anxious to know. Glancing over at one of the pillars relaxing he backed up a couple yards. Rocking back and forth he took off full speed sprinting towards the edge. Hurdling in the air he spanned about ten feet before smacking his head on one of the pillars, falling to his doom.

"Good thang I didn't till I was up against the Rankar." He mumbled drifting back to sleep.

Morning

Standing a few feet away from the Rankar Chambers inhaled deeply preparing himself for his mission. Pulling a slingshot of his waist he took a step into the cavern. "Are you the one who summoned me?" The creature spoke rising to its feet.

"Yes" Steve answered drawing the sling back he fired a stone into its eye then retreated running out of the cave.

Eyahhh! Roaring in agitation the Rankar rose onto its hind legs before pummeling the earth. Following Steve outside the beast sniffed the air tossing its head from one side to the next.

Hiding behind a tree Steve crawled on his stomach like a soldier until he was in a safe distance. Lifting his head over the bush that he now hid behind he unleashed another stone that bounced off the ground a few feet away from the Rankar attracting its attention. Spotting only the stone the beast rose to its hind legs. Stretching its arms, it took to the sky emitting sound waves.

"Dang it" Steve thought not taking into the factor that the beast could use echolocation to find him. Scurrying to the edge as the Rankar pinpointed his location he shut his eyes for only a few seconds praying that his plan succeeds.

Swooping down upon its target the Rankar slashed through his air missing only because its prey tripped over a root poking out of the ground. "Thank you" Steve exhaled. Hopping to his feet he broke into a sprint once again. Spanning about six yards the sound of branches beings shredded caused him to move in zig zags.

Landing in front of its prey the Rankar rose on its hind legs releasing a bellowing roar. Diving to the ground Steve evade a wind blade. Pulling out his slingshot he took aim at stick poking out of the ground. Shooting at it the first stone grazed the stick. Rapidly reloading he released a second shot this time knocking the stick out of place.

Wheeisp! Hurtling through the air three spears rushed towards the beast. Slashing through one of the spears the Rankar bounced off a tree evading the second while the final spear plunged into the tree.

Gunning for the edge Steve could hear the beast calls behind him. Nearing his goal, the rustling of the trees and his mind simultaneously told him to stop, drop and roll. Boom, landing in front of him the Rankar howled menacingly. Shaking his head from the foul breath that scraped the inside of his nose Steve gritted his teeth. "Almost there" he though looking beyond the beast at the finish line. Pulling a stone out of his pocket he placed it in the sling and fired.

Knocking the stone out of the air the Rankar charged stepping into a trap which pulled its back leg from under it. Taking advantage of this moment Steve bolted pass the beast. Slashing through the vine that tripped it the animal gazed over at its prey.

Sliding his finger into the metallic ring Steve swung off the edge of the mountain platform. Chasing after its prey the Rankar bounded over the edge in search for its quarry. "You fell for it." Yanking a stick out of the ground a bucket was slung through the air hitting the beast in the back of its head.

Spinning around the Rankar was greeted by a spear tearing through its wing. Screeching the beast fell to its doom. Climbing back over the edge Steve flopped onto the ground in relief. "Thank you!"

Rankar defeated 75 exp gained.

Beast Sword acqired