Facing the Fear

I've never been afraid of monsters since that giant spider. The monsters we defeated, despite being high-leveled ones, were nothing compared to that spider; the horror it brought to my life, the trauma I had to endure at a young age, the nightmares that kept me awake. Nothing compared to it. Until now. The scorpion was huge, its legs very long. They crushed the trees they stepped on. Its eyes big and dark, like black crystal balls. The scorpion's tails, two at that, looked dangerous especially those tips. If it is a giant version of a normal scorpion then those tails meant trouble. If stung, one might die instantly. The giant spider was bigger, but the scorpion has the same dark aura. For the first time in fourteen years, I was terrified. I felt Dan's light pat on my back, and I regained some confidence. It was different. I was a helpless little girl when the spider attacked. That time, we never had the weapons nor enough knowledge on monsters. It's different. I am no longer the cowardly girl who couldn't protect herself. I'm stronger and wiser. We underwent rigorous training as Black Thorns soldiers. It's different. We're more than prepared. We're ready.

We rushed to the scene and joined our ranks. The defense unit took their position and barricaded the forest. There were no civilians so it was easier to completely close the area. The defense unit was to await further orders in case the attack team would need support. The medical unit was behind the barricade. They're on standby in case somebody gets hurt. We, the intelligence unit, provided the necessary information the attack team needed. It was the first giant scorpion to appear but we could tell its strengths and weaknesses from its form and structure. Like the defense unit, we were to wait for orders in case the attack team needed assistance. The attack team devised the strategies to exterminate it based on the information we provided. We were lucky the creature didn't go on a rampage yet. It was sleeping. It was our chance. The vanguards moved closer to the scorpion, really slowly. They moved quietly to ambush the sleeping beast. Then lightning struck, and the scorpion woke up. The scorpion slowly lifted its body. It must've realized the situation. It made a loud beastly shriek. The attack team charged towards it. The scorpion swung its tails and hit a couple of soldiers. The soldiers were knocked away in an instant. The defense unit started moving to rescue the injured and bring them safely to the medical unit. The attack team fired their guns loaded with bullets made from monster fangs. The bullets bounced off of the scorpion's skin. Its armor was hard. It was going to be more difficult than we thought. The scorpion attacked with its pincers and screams filled the air. The defense unit loaded their cannons and aimed them at those pincers. It let its victims go. They fell to the ground and never moved again. The cannons were fired again and were aimed at its eyes. The scorpion shrieked and took a step back.

The commander fired the signal and the intelligence unit joined the attack force. The cannons hit the monster's eyes again. It was a diversion. It was to distract the beast for us to cut off its limbs. I moved towards one of its legs then released three arrows, with bombs attached to each one, at a single shot. I aimed them at the root of its leg. They exploded and the scorpion lost one limb. Two other legs were cut and destroyed by other soldiers. The monster angrily swung both tails and we ran for cover. I was a second too late and a fallen tree fell on my leg from the knee down. I couldn't move it. I squirmed and tried pulling my leg out. It was no use, I only felt excruciating pain. Then, I felt the monster's breath right behind me.