In The Forest

Some small birds and animals would frequently break the forest's silence as predators waited hidden from their prey, a few in the bushes, others on the branches of the tall trees. A dragonfly flew over a small pound, holding water lilies and lotuses on its surface, as it maneuvered in the air skipping here and there, a red flash with lightning speed gripped it. overwhelmed with fear and powerlessness the insect was eaten whole by a huge black toad.

Such was the law of nature. A small slip and you got hunted.

A huge Sylvan bear held its prey in its paws, munching on it as a group of people watched it from a branch, high from the surface. 

"What do you guys think of it, good right?" Elder Ravi inquired from the group.

Nobody responded as they were too occupied with the scene in front of them. The bear munched large bites from whatever creature it held in its paws. Its teeth tore through the flesh and bone without any discrimination. 

Leila gulped loudly, "We have to take this thing down," she was skeptical.

"Not you," added Elder Ravi, "but you," he pointed her out. "You have to fight it one on one."

With Elder Ravi's statement, the surroundings stayed quiet for the next few minutes. 

"Elder I think Turan should go and test the waters first, after all...," Malik suggested, but before he could finish his statement Danish jumped down the branch and began approaching the Sylvan bear.

With a tight grip on the hilt of his great sword, Danish took careful steps towards the bear. The bear was busy enjoying the feast when it felt a presence, shifting its head, it saw a man ten meters from itself. 

Danish unsheathed his great sword and held it in two hands as he waited for the response of the bear. The bear moved its head as if crackling, readying itself for the battle ahead. The large beast stood up shakily, defying the pre-established concept of their three-meter height.

The beast roared, declaring war on Danish, as it rushed in full swing at him. Leila, on the tree branch, looked at Elder for help, but he shook his head and indicated to observe in silence.

Danish took a defensive stance as the bear came closer. Seven meters was still not in his attacking range, so he waited for the right moment to strike. Meanwhile, he was contemplating whether to take the beast head-on or test the waters first.

The Sylvan bear did not slow down a bit but instead accelerated, pointing the pointed horns at its prey. The beast pounced at the fragile creature in its path, intending to crush it with the impact.

With a huge clang, sparks conjured at the meeting point of the great sword and branchy horns, as a figure flew into the distance.

With a crash, Danish fell to the ground and skidded a long way. Fresh blood gushed out from the sustained wounds on the knees and elbows, as he took his stance, holding his sword in the air above his right shoulder.

"Fool!" Elder snapped at Danish.

"Elder!" interjected Turan.

"He should have known the outcome of such a fighting strategy," responded Elder Ravi.

The bear was astonished to have missed its mark. It growled once again and rushed at the target.

Seeing that the bear was coming at him again, Danish readied himself for a second round.

Another clang, this time more resounding than the previous one produced brighter sparks. A figure flew in the distance, skidding and bouncing as it came to a halt with a crash. Ruble flew as dust scattered in the air.

Silence overtook the previous war cries.

"That idiot, he wants to clash it head-on." Kaito was very angry at Danish for acting like a fool. 

"Turan, now your turn," Malik said from the side.

Turan gave an assured smile and dived down from the branch.

The beast was on another onslaught, coming down fast on the fragile figure that fell to the ground. Turan was a small distance away from facing the beast when a shout resounded in the surroundings, 'He is mine!', bringing Turan to a sudden halt.

A figure flew past Turan, rushing straight for the beast, slashing down the great sword in his hands on the head of the beast as another round of small fireworks conjured at the impact.

Dust flew and rubles scattered, a numbing sensation spread throughout Danish's arms from the impact as he began to stand shakily. His clothes were tattered and marked by blood stains. A sudden pain clutched his left leg after he stabilized his stance. 'Seems like a fracture, I have to deal with this thing as fast as possible,' Danish held his sword and shouted aloud, "This thing is mine!"

He went on another offensive.

Danish flew back from the impact, but this time he stabilized after the initial skidding. He went on the offensive, as he sped and brought his great sword and clashed with the bear head-on. 

Their initial bout paused as both the contenders began to assess each other from a new. The bear was more vigilant this time as the enemy it faced had some skills up his sleeves.

Danish though all bloodied was looking at the beast with more confidence and pierceness.

Their small break ended as Danish launched his assault. He sped with all his strength, holding the sword in his right hand, generating momentum, he flew holding his sword in both hands and came down with a slash that punched the air sideways as it came crashing down on the horns of the beast. 

CLANG!

Danish skidded a meter, as the beast took a step back. Not giving the beast any time to collect itself, another sword slash came down crunching on its head. The onslaught continued until the bear could not bear any more head-on clashes. 

Finding the right momentum and time, a sword strike jolted the beast's head up, making a space in its defense, another slash came down slashing through the throat. 

The bear stood still for a moment as the main nerve was severed, blood gushed out of the cut and the beast fell lump to the ground.

The atmosphere quietened down as the battle cries subsided into a silence of victory.