More Humans
But all your dreams of food and rest were crushed by a human scream.
“The hydra killed the captain!” A soldier by the entrance of the temple screamed, evidently lower class than their captain, wearing simple leather armor and carrying a spear and shield. “Kill the monster!”
Rest and food would have to wait, you grunt angry as the soldiers poured inside the room. They all wore matching sets of leather armor engraved with a draconic skull and two crossed spears, the famous symbol of the monster hunting guild.
You were so fucked.
They carried long spears with barbed blades forged specially to deal with monsters capable of regenerating, made in such a way that their tips would break inside the creature’s flesh so it couldn’t heal itself properly. A couple of them also carried big, weighted nets.
These were trained specialists, not looking for glory, but a big payout. They kept their distance and moved as a single coordinated unit, their shields held high to protect each other, and their spears keeping you at bay with probing attacks. They used their nets against your legs and necks, trying to tangle them.
Their strikes were quick and economical, keeping you back and on the defense. Their barbed spears reached under your scales, plunged deep into any weak point they could find. Their nets were sewn with wicked hooks in them to constrict and bleed you.
You shuddered back, incapable of finding any opening in their formation, backing against the wall to avoid the net from tangling your paws. One of the spears plunged deep against your left neck and that predatorial side of you hissed with the pain, striking forward with a powerful bite, but they were ready for that. Quickly raising their shields and tangling your viper’s mouth with a net.
You pull out the net with your claws, but the barbed hooks dug deep into your scales, cut one of your eyes. Both of you roar in defiance. This time it doesn’t stop them, it gives them the impetus to keep moving and striking. You try to bite and claw at them, but their spears outrange you, they keep your back to the wall and continue prodding for weaknesses.
Written by Ashley Natter on 15 April 2021
