[Chr24] Challenge Prompt - A Royal Mission
The sound of their boots crunching the frozen snow was the only sound as the group moved along the winding path to the spirit tree. An oppressive silence hung in the air, pressing down like a physical weight. Mina glanced around nervously, her breath curling in the icy air. Where was everyone? At this time of year, pilgrims usually filled these paths, their laughter and songs harmonizing with the occasional prayer to the spirits. But now, not a single soul stirred in the woods.
The Sweei plant cradled in her arms seemed heavier than it should have been, though she knew that was just her nerves. The plant's golden leaves shimmered faintly, as though drinking in the pale winter sunlight filtering through the trees. Mina shifted it carefully, her gloved hands trembling.
Behind her, Torrent, clad in dark furs and steel, strode with grim determination, his hand never straying far from the hilt of his sword. Beside him, Seren’s staff tapped softly against the frozen earth, her eyes flickering with unease beneath her hood. Llyr, always the quiet one, brought up the rear, his bow slung over his shoulder and his silver eyes scanning every shadow.
They had been tasked by the royal family to transport the sacred Sweei plant to the spirit water that flowed beneath the ancient tree. The timing was critical; the plant bloomed only during the winter solstice, and without the spirit water to sustain it, the Sweei would wither. It was meant to be an honor, a ceremonial task passed down each year, more tradition than trial.
Finally, the path straightened and widened, leading directly to the spirit tree. The sight was both beautiful and unnerving. The massive tree stood at the center of the clearing, its silvery bark glistening like moonlight. Its branches stretched upward, gnarled and ancient, adorned with icicles that caught the light in a thousand colors. At its base, the spirit pool shimmered, an ethereal blue that seemed to glow from within.
Seren opened her mouth, a sigh of relief ready to escape her lips, but a sound froze her breath in her throat.
RRRAAAAWWLL.
A low, guttural bellow rippled through the clearing, an unnatural sound that vibrated in their bones. Llyr felt as though his blood had turned to ice, and the others stiffened, their instincts screaming at them to run.
From the treeline to the left, a shape moved, dark and monstrous. Slowly, it emerged—a hulking beast with a twisted, bone-like skull for a head. Its maw was lined with jagged fangs, the kind meant for crushing and tearing. Two long, curving tusks protruded from either side of its maw, and its antlers looked like they had been carved from shards of jagged ice. Bones jutted through its fur, an unnatural armor running down its spine, and its vacant eye sockets locked onto the group.
The creature growled again, deeper this time, its warning echoing through the clearing like a death call. Mina tightened her grip on the Sweei plant, her heart hammering in her chest. “What… what is that?” she whispered, her voice trembling.
Torrent’s hand closed around the hilt of his sword, but he did not draw it. “A Raakon,” he muttered, his voice low and taut. “Guardians of the spirit trees.”
Seren swallowed hard, gripping her staff. “We have to get to the water,” she whispered, her gaze darting between the creature and the tree.
Llyr nocked an arrow to his bow, the string creaking softly as he drew it back. “We don’t have much of a choice,” he said, his voice steady despite the fear in his eyes. “If it attacks, I’ll try to distract it. The rest of you—run.”
The Krampus tilted its massive skull like it was looking at them without eyes. Then it lunged forward, the sound of the bony jaw snapping rang out through the trees like a gunshot. The group scattered, instincts taking over. Mina darted toward the tree, carrying the Sweei plant as though it were her very life. Torrent placed himself between her and the beast, his blade flashing as he unsheathed it. Seren raised her staff and muttered an incantation under her breath as glowing runes began to spiral along its length. Llyr loosed an arrow, only for it to shatter against the creature’s bony armor.
The Krampus roared, its rage shaking the very ground beneath them.
“Keep it distracted!” Mina cried, her voice breaking as she sprinted toward the spirit tree. The pool shimmered tantalizingly close, but the ground felt like it stretched endlessly.
Seren’s staff erupted in a burst of light, the runes flaring like miniature stars. The Krampus recoiled, snarling, but only for a moment. It charged toward her, claws digging furrows into the frozen ground. Torrent lunged, his blade slashing across its side. The strike drew a spray of dark ichor, but the creature barely flinched, its attention snapping back to him.
Llyr loosed another arrow, this time aimed for the empty eye sockets, hoping the bone might be thinner there as in other creatures. The Krampus roared again, swiping at him with a massive hooved forefoot, but Llyr ducked and rolled, narrowly avoiding the blow.
Mina reached the pool, her knees hitting the ground as she plunged the Sweei plant into the spirit water. The liquid glowed brighter, enveloping the plant in a soft, golden light. The light seemed to pulse in rhythm with her own pounding heartbeat.
“I got it!” she screamed, her voice cracking with urgency. Turning back, she saw her companions locked in a desperate dance with the Krampus. Torrent’s blade gleamed with frost as he parried another swipe from the beast, and Seren’s staff glimmered faintly, a barrier of light shimmering around her as she chanted. Llyr darted between trees, loosing arrows whenever the opportunity arose, though none seemed to slow the creature for long.
Mina scrambled to her feet, the Sweei plant dripping spirit water over her gloves and boots. “Let’s get out of here!” she shouted, clutching the now-glowing plant tightly.
Torrent sidestepped a heavy swing of the creature’s claw and shouted, “Fall back! Go!” He darted toward Mina, his blade still raised defensively. Seren broke her spell with a gasp, the protective glow around her fading as she stumbled back. Llyr loosed one final arrow, aiming for the creature’s exposed underbelly, before turning and sprinting toward the others.
The Raakon roared, a sound of pure, unbridled rage that shook the air. It lunged toward them but stopped short at the edge of the clearing, its massive clawed feet skidding to a halt in the frozen earth. The group didn’t stop to question why—it was enough that the beast refused to leave the tree.
They ran, their breaths ragged and visible in the icy air. The trees blurred past them as they retraced their path, the tension in their chests slowly ebbing as the creature’s growls grew more distant. When they finally paused to catch their breath, Mina leaned against a tree, clutching the Sweei plant like a lifeline. Its golden leaves shimmered with renewed vitality, the spirit water still glistening on its surface.
“Is everyone… okay?” she panted, her breath clouding in front of her.
“Define ‘okay,’” Llyr muttered, bending over with his hands on his knees. “I’m alive, so there’s that.”
“Barely,” Torrent added, sheathing his sword with a grimace. “That thing didn’t just want to scare us—it meant to kill us.”
“It was protecting the tree,” Seren said, her voice trembling but steady.
Mina nodded, her arms still cradling the Sweei plant. We did what we came to do. Let’s get back to the royal court and make sure this thing gets planted.”
The group exchanged weary glances and began the journey back along the snow-laden path. The oppressive silence still lingered, but now it felt less like a threat and more like a reprieve. Behind them, far in the distance, the spirit tree stood tall and silent once more, its ancient guardian watching over it like a sentinel carved from nightmares.
Submitted By LKOlive
for Christmas Event 2024
Submitted: 2 days ago ・
Last Updated: 2 days ago