My muscles prepared for dash as my head turns to let my ear move towards the voice. My body stilled as if it had a better judge of the situation.
In an effort to buy time I ducked low into a sweeping leg kick causing a wide arc of the very fine powder like sand to puff into the air making a dust cloud of ashen hue.
Then I bolted not knowing where to, I picked a direction with the most cover and ran. I ran faster than I ever have. 'Whatever that thing is was calculating, scheming.'
Otherwise why disguise itself with voices of loved ones? 'it's a hunting technique.'
It was my hope that because this was how it hunted its physical aspects weren't as high…I saw a silent apparition, shadow in texture move on my right.
I was wrong.
It swept across the sand at speeds that felt unfair. 'it's trying to cut me off.'
Looking ahead there was a pillar of obsidian, I pumped my legs harder, so hard I couldn't feel the ground beneath me. Reaching the pillar there was a whooshing sound.
I lunged to the left rolling away from the of the sound.
*CRaCK!* splinters of obsidian shot in every direction, a shard slicing my cheek and shoulder drawing blood. 'Damit it! already.'
The depraved beast closed the distance again and took a strike at my head, barely missing hitting the pillar instead. 'Thank goodness father never went easy on me.'
Not caring to get a look at the thing Anecus let his momentum carry himself forward and continued to run.
'This is not going to work, it's faster than me, stronger.'
My option…what were my options, running wasn't going to work for much longer. SouldRend? No it didn't have a soul, not one I could feel.
Empathetic mirror?
'What? Am I going to talk about its feelings with it?' I cringed at the notion.
'Prismatic soul?' [ Allows the soul to fracture into reflective fragments, each resonating with different aspects of the world.] Before he could think on the matter anymore he felt malice gaining fast.
It was only a few feet behind him…ten, five. Anecus gripped his weapon preparing for a wide strike the moment it closes in. 'Three feet', time seemed to slow, adrenaline pumping through his heart Anecus was no longer scared, 'One foot.'
flexing my legs, my hips, my arms. '3 inches.' I closed my eyes, letting instincts guide me. They told me to not look at this thing.
Then with all the strength he could muster Anecus performed a sweeping strike aimed at whatever was behind him.
*SWOOSH!* Air…all that was met was air, I felt the smallest resistance for a second but then nothing.
the presence had backed off at the last second possible, 'its reflexes are faster too!'
'Shit!' with this opportunity Anecus waited for it to have backed off for a few seconds, then resumed running. looking at the edge of his weapon…'there was blood? What I think was blood.' It was silver in color and smelled like iron.
From behind the depraved beast dripped with the physical ichor of malice, forms of man and beast appeared as it looked to the ashen sky declaring with petty revenge.
*SSHEEKEKE!* a loud shrieking sound assaulted Anecus's ears as he fled. it sounded like a mix of different voices all combined until it each individual voice became static.
'Why do I feel like this has become personal.' Anecus ground already wishing he was home.
The hunt begins.
I had stopped caring how long I've been running from this thing. My legs just needed a break.
Using outcrops and Pillars of obsidian and well timed strikes I have managed to fend this thing off for…'How long has it been? ...I came up with a name for the beast though.'
Malice.
'It fits pretty well I think.'
Anecus managed to gauge its rank after a couple of exchanges 'it's definitely half a star higher than me possibly even a full star...'It could have caught me if it wanted to.'
'But why hasn't it, Is it waiting? is it simply having fun?' *Swoosh!*
Anecus dogged another razor sharp appendage aimd for his head, getting nicked in the ear, slicing the top clean off.
'Dam! that hurts!' Anecus tumbles into to a roll thrown off balance from the pain. scurrying Anecus makes it to a hollow of obsidian the entrance barely big enough for himself.
crawling on all fours doto the low ceiling Anecus noticies...silence. 'where did it go?' Looking through the porous holes he couldn't find Malice.
a few seconds pass then a few more, Anecus was just about to regain his breathe when a shadow flies across the obsidian formation.
*tap* Tapping sounds could be heard increasing in rapid succession across the rock. 'What is it doing?!'
"Son come on out I'd like to discuss your training..."
Anecus didn't reply he was busy forming his escape plan.
"Son?" Malice said in Red's voice
Hearing his father's voice he realized why Malice hadn't just finished him off yet.
If I had to guess it is conducting the most malicious way to chase and catch its prey. 'Sociological attacks such as mimicking voices and being chased would be a good method.'
Anecus sighed in annoyance "seems like something Malice would do."
waiting for an opening Anecus thought for a moment not knowing when he'd get to again. 'how does it know the voices of father and mom anyway? advanced memory reading maybe, mother has mentions certain spirits are capable of that.'
The shadow of Malice drifted to the far side of the rock, 'now!' bolting form under the obsidian Anecus was starting to feel tired.
"Son! Stop running from me. We need to talk!" Malice had said.
My body had almost complied…My will almost faltered, listening to that command felt natural, it was my father after all. 'Ahhg! Snap out of it!'
Again in my mother's voice "Anecus, come. Let your mother hug you."
A hug did sound nice right now Mothers hugs were always so warm. Anecus's body took the edge of his weapon and sliced my palm. 'Stop! It's not them.'
"you know what this is, its fake!" Malice was creeping into Anecus's mind coerceing him.
unknown amount of time later.
Anecus's limit was closing in. It was laughable really he thought. "Hahah I alsows wondered what would give in first but turns out it's my mind that's surrendering."
'How did it know who I was thinking of? How did it know their voice? It's my memories it has to be.
*SWOOSH* another strike hitting air, or what felt like air. The only proof he hit anything was more of that silver liquid.
this exchanged has happened so many times Anecus though it to be mundane. licking his crusted lips 'I'm getting thirsty.'
"Honey, we have water. You just have to stop and come home."
'Home… that sounds nice' Anecus's body slowed then his walking came eventually came to a stop his eyes staring a thousand yards. "Home."
Malice couldn't help but let its gleeful hatred leakout. "Yesss homme. Just turn around and come home."
"Yes..why should I keep going?" Anecus said
'Let me rest.'