Prologue - the shade
A storm is brewing in the night sky as the first drops of rain hit the mossy forest floor. The dark sky lights up with the flashes of lightning in the distance. I move slowly through the thick foliage, looking around and scanning the area for my prey. Looking up to scan the branches as the lightning illuminates the canopy for a brief second. The cold of the rain creeps into my bones but the coat on my back prevents the rain from completely soaking me.
For days I had stalked these woods waiting and watching for my prey to show itself, yet it proved elusive. Moving in the shadows and across the tree branches they roam the forest, hunting leaf bunnies and tunnel boars for food. Usually traveling in packs they are fearsome creatures to hunt, especially when you hunt alone. This one is different. Word came to the guild of a panther like creature traveling through the woods close to Edession. Already it took a few sheep from the local farmers and fearing it targeting the herbalists and farmers next made the adventurers guild put up an emergency request to slay the stray shadow-panther.
A rustling sound to the left startles me from my thoughts as my eyes quickly dart to the direction of the sound. Peering in the darkness I slowly draw my dark blue bladed sword as my body tenses in anticipation. Straining my senses searching for the origin of the sound I begin to collect my magic feeling a surge of power flow through me. Hearing another sound above me, I instinctively dive forward, tumbling through thorny bushes as a streak of silver slashes in the air where my head just was. Turning around just in time to see the creature slamming onto the ground, landing with such a force that the ground shakes. Moving rapidly I launch a rock bullet towards it, only for it to bounce off its hide like a pebble. It turns towards me as a lightning strike illuminates the area, giving me a clear look of the creature.
With its yellow slit eyes, muscular scar covered body and three snakelike tails the shadow panther seems to drip a shadow like gas around making it nearly invisible as the darkness takes over the forest again. I barely lift up my sword in time to deflect a swipe of its tails before it lunges again. This time, ready for another jump, I shoot a stronger rock bullet right towards it. Putting a lot of magical power into it, piercing its leg but it wasn't nearly enough as the panther crashes into me with its dagger like claws digging into my chest, ripping through my leather armor as if it was paper, leaving a deep wound as it flings me through the air, crashing against the trees. Dazed and extremely hurt I look over at the panther, snarling and growling as its back leg hangs limb.
Another flash in the sky shows a stream of blood coming from the hurt panther. "Heh, at least we're both hurt" I say with a grimace as I stand up gripping my sword with both hands. No longer able to pounce the panther moves slowly moves forward, eyes wide and its mouth open showing its large teeth. Focussing all my magic power into my sword while I swing it diagonally, connecting with one of its tails and shooting sparks around where it hit. Using the momentum of the swing I step forward and swing sideways, expecting it to strike with its paws and trying to counter it. Sparks fly as the sword connects with the claws, sliding into the paw and cutting a deep bloody wound. A high pitched yelp escapes from the creature retracting its paw in obvious pain. As it backs off I focus the last of my magic powers to shoot one last rock bullet, putting all my strength and power into it and launching it towards its chest.
