Hae Ri
The ground shook with pauses in between. I struggled to keep my footing on the hill. "Ah!" I screamed as I neared the edge. This was the end.
"I got you," Areum grabbed my arm and pulled me to safety.
"Thanks," I said trying to catch my breath. So many things were happening at once.
Areum pointed in the direction of the village. "There, do you see it?"
We could see trees being torn down by something big. Another loud roar projected into the air. Whatever was over there wasn't happy. We ran down the hill and headed towards the village.
"Did the forest say anything today?" I called out. There must have been a warning.
"Yeah, it said that everything was in balance. It didn't say anything about this," she said annoyed.
Perhaps this was something that even the forest couldn't predict.
"Come on Hae Ri." She sped up.
I did my best to keep up with her. My braid unraveled as I ran. The closer we got, the more destruction we saw. Homes of the woodland creatures were destroyed. Trees were ripped from the ground and shrubs were crushed. A deer coming in from the village's direction passed by us, in a rush to escape whatever was ravaging the land.
~~
We had reached the village and could see the mysterious creature that was responsible for all of this. It was a giant animal that looked like a cross between a bear and a hog. It had the body of a bear, standing on its hind legs with thick brown fur. The animal had tusks that protruded from both sides of its hog snout. Its eyes were red with rage.
The village was in chaos. Many Jurani people scattered around trying to get to safety. Children cried as they were swept away by their mothers and fathers. Houses were crushed by fallen trees.
Chief Jang and his group of warriors were on the frontlines. "Now!" he ordered.
Men and women armed with bows rained arrows on the creature. They pierced its body, but seemed to have little affect. It swung at them with its paw. Those that weren't quick enough were thrown into the air.
"Father!" Areum called out.
He put a hand up to stop her. "Don't come any closer!" He yelled. The monster took advantage of his distraction and swiped at him. Luckily, he dodged the attack. "You, get her out of here," he said to me.
He was right. This was no place for a child. For the good of the forest and the Jurani, she needed to be protected. "We need to find somewhere safe." I said and grabbed her shoulder.
She pulled away. "What? No way."
I should have known she would do that. Areum wasn't the type to run away. "It's too dangerous. You can get hurt."
She gave me a fierce look. "I will not watch while that thing attacks my people. As Guardian, I will not back down." She turned and started for the monster.
I have to stop her.
Before I could reach for her someone shouted.
"Hae Ri, get down!" Behind me was Min Woo staring down the sight of a crossbow-like contraption.
I did as he said and ducked.
He shot out a bundle of rope that expanded into a net. It entrapped Areum.
"What are you doing?!" she exclaimed, struggling to break free.
He grabbed one of the ropes and pulled. It acted as a drawstring and further secured her in the net. "Help me pull her this way. Quickly, she's gonna get loose."
I grabbed hold of the rope and began to drag her in the opposite direction. She furiously kicked and screamed for us to release her.
The battle between the bear hog and the Jurani raged on. Jurani warriors were thrown around and houses were destroyed.
"Take positions to the left and right," Chief Jang said. "Spears, now."
A group of men threw their spears towards the bear hog's chest. They were like little needles to him. He roared again, which caused each arrow and spear to shoot out from his body.
People dove behind anything they could find. One of the spears landed right next to me. This was a war zone. If we weren't killed by the monster directly, we would surely be killed by whatever it threw.
"Let me out now." Areum demanded. She dug her nails into the ground, which made it harder for us to move her.
"Do you not see that thing?" The rope started to slip. My hands burned, but I kept my hold. For someone so little, she sure was strong.
Min Woo's face was red like a tomato.
"Hey, dummy. You're gonna get yourself killed. And then what happens huh?" He fought to keep hold of the rope.
Chief Jang threw down his bow and got his axe. He let out a battle cry and charged at the monster. With swiftness, he swung his axe into its right leg. He used his weight to drag the axe, creating a even bigger wound. The monster kicked its feet and sent him flying into a tree.
Gasps from the warriors sounded.
"Our chief has been wounded!" A warrior called out.
"Father?" Areum's strength was immeasurable now. Her hands and eyes glowed green. There was no stopping her now. She tore through the netting and headed towards the monster.
Min Woo and I ran after her. Jurani warriors were being thrown left and right. We called her several times, but she wouldn't listen. Her eyes were dead set on her target. It wasn't long before she was in front of the monster. She was so small compared to it. I feared she would be crushed.
"Hey ugly! Down here!" she said.
The bear hog brought his attention to the little girl at his feet. He roared at her, but she stood her ground.
She got into a fighting stance. Then using her magic, she slashed at it over and over again. The monster learned she was a force to be reckoned with. It staggered back and flailed it arms. Her attacks were working, or so we thought. It regained its balance and began taking steps towards her. She backed up as she sent a fury of attacks his way.
It seemed to have built up a resistance to her magic. He kept stepping towards her.
When she realized her attacks were no longer working, she began to panic. "Why won't you fall?"
If she didn't get out of there, she would be finished. "Areum, you have to run!" I yelled.
She started to run away. I sent Min Woo ahead and waited for her.
She was gaining some distance on it until she got her foot trapped between two fallen trees she tried to jump over. "I'm stuck!" she cried.
The monster was closing in on her. I rushed over to her aid. These trees were not going to budge unless I used something to pry them apart. I looked around and found a broad branch. Taking one end, I drove the branch between the opening.
Min Woo called my name as he ran towards me. He joined me in my efforts to free her.
We pushed down as hard as we could several times, but it wasn't letting loose. A shadow came over us, the bear hog had rose its paw to flatten us. Then, at the last second, the trees parted some and Areum was able to wiggle free. She was free, but not safe. The bear hog's paw was already coming down.
I then felt something inside me. Something I had never felt before. A fire surged through my veins. It was like time slowed in this moment. All sounds around me were muffled and I could only hear the sound of my own breathing.
I took full hold of the branch and gripped it tightly. It started to glow a fluorescent purple. In one quick motion, I made a diagonal strike at monster's paw. The purple crescent wave forced him back. It roared in pain and staggered back. It wasn't over. I stepped out from the fallen trees and dug my heels into the dirt.
After one deep breath, I stepped and made a vertical strike. A large purple wave went flying into the monster's chest. The ground shook as it fell backwards. It then turned into many glowing white orbs that faded into the sky.
My hands trembled. It didn't feel real.
Did I really do that?
I then remembered about Areum and Min Woo. I dropped the branch and rushed over to them.
"You're alright," I said hugging both of them.
They looked at me with wide eyes.
"H-Hae Ri? Did you? W-wha-" Min Woo struggled to make a proper sentence.
"H-hae Ri, y-you used your powers," Areum stuttered. She gave a nervous laugh. "You used your powers." She repeated with a big smile.
This was no fantasy. I had saved the Jurani like Areum said I would.
I was the Chosen One.
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