Tiger and the Snake

#The following wasn't part of the manuscript but written on a loose sheet stuck between pages. It may or may not belong here. #

****(POV)

This story starts with a myth.

One that I found in an old book.

A journal to be exact.

One so old that it started molding.

Some pages missing.

Some completely illegible too.

It used to belong to my mentor.

He was renowned across the entire world.

He taught me how to be an explorer before his death. What some also call seekers of mysteries. Some others simply call us fools. It doesn't matter. One doesn't become one of us for fame.

I would know because fame is something I already have. I'm recognized as the greatest after my mentor. I do not mind living in his shadow one bit. It is big enough to accommodate many like me after all.

I have enough money to retire. I have all that I need in life. All except adventure. That is why I started this new quest.

Looking for something in found in that journal.

A legendary creature.

The Abyss Basilisk.

A giant monster that is unbeatable.

With a body stronger than any other.

Also possessing the ability to reduce any opponent to stone.

A so-called petrifying gaze.

But not a normal one.

An ability so strong it can get rid of any other living being in creation.

No matter how godly the opponent is.

I may be insane but I started looking for it according to the directives of the journal.

I journeyed to the depth of the world. In underground caverns inhabited by the dark elves themselves.

It took me lots of convincing to get them to help me. I almost died negotiating many times. Still, it was all worth it.

In the end not only was I granted access to the deeper regions but was assigned some guards. They only indulged me because I had ways to start a war between them and the surface.

Of course, most of it was a bluff.

As in I did have the means but not the will.

After all my house was there.

I and my escort kept going.

It was a long and painful journey. Fighting an insane number of creatures. All creepier than the others. After all their bodies acclimated to an environment without light.

There were many times where I almost died. Still, I kept going. I didn't mind perishing, I simply wanted to fulfill that wish of mine. You can imagine my joy when we finally reached the abyss.

We slowly crept up toward the side. Carefully glancing at what was happening below. For the occasion, I had brought an alchemical potion granting me vision in the dark.

That is when I saw it. A creature of nightmares. It truly was there. Long enough to coil around the world itself. Impregnable-looking scales. A maw so wide it could devour anything. Claws and fangs the size of cattle, no bigger. Way bigger!

I was trying to take a mental picture, but then it came.

A newcomer. One that simply swaggering in. Looking casual.

Down in the abyss appeared a …Tiger?! I'm not even sure from where. Compared to me it would have been huge. Except it looks minuscule next to the basilisk.

I couldn't believe my eyes. There was something surreal about the whole situation.

Then they started talking. Their voices were loud enough for me to hear. Then I couldn't believe my ears either. That tiger was not concerned in the least. It kept talking about getting a gift for his teacher. It told the Abyss Basilisk that it would rely on him to find something good.

I realized the others were as confused as me. Of course, the basilisk started laughing. I couldn't help but wonder if the tiger had mental issues.

Still, I kept quiet because getting seen would mean my end. Being audacious and suicidal are two very different things after all.

The basilisk then… Glared intently at the tiger. Apparently hoping for a change. But the latter remained steady. Not moving in the slightest.

At first, I thought it was finally over. That he had been petrified already. I was soon proven wrong. A *KACHA* sound broke the silence. That is when I noticed the many necklaces adorned by the tiger. One had just broken.

That is when I understood. Somehow it was a defensive magical item. One that could even block a power so ridiculously strong.

I was expecting the tiger to run. To leave before it was too late. Perhaps even to beg for forgiveness. No, instead he leaped at the basilisk.

Then ensued a fight I can only describe as messy. The basilisk coiling its serpentine body around the tiger trying to extinguish his life. Making the tiger disappear completely. That time I was sure he was finally screwed. That he had taken on more than he could.

Then the basilisk's head dived right in there. Possibly to eat its prey.

*PAINFUL SCREECH*

Then came an obvious sound of extreme pain.

Calmly walked out a tiger. Carrying something in its mouth, looking like huge marbles…

At that moment my heart skipped a beat. I realized what I was looking at and instantly closed my eyes. The eyes of the basilisk!

I only checked my surroundings once I heard the faint sound of the paws go away. Then I observed the now lamenting basilisk.

Now blind.

Thrashing around in agony.

A creature of myth.

One I spent so much effort to witness.

Yet here I saw it get defeated instantly.

Barely putting a fight.

We promptly retreated. In silence. All of us pondering. Carefully going back to the alcove. That is when we all started to break down. For we had seen things that no mortal had.

But there was something even more concerning. That tiger. No, that creature. Whatever it was. It said something about having a teacher. Who can raise such a mythical being?!

I decided there and then that I wouldn't retire just yet. That I would keep going. For I would know no peace before getting to the bottom of this. Surprisingly my dark elves guards decided to accompany me.

Ones that at the beginning disdained me.

They had the same feeling as me.

The same resolution.

This would be a long journey.

One with not many clues.

But none of that would deter us in the least…