User blog:GlintLock/Hellhounder Part 4

Part 4

The air hung still, and it was so tense you could cut it with a knife. Garrett held up an open hand.

It was dead silent. I felt as if I could hear my heart jumping out of my chest with suspense.

Garrett swiftly closed his hand into a fist and the bandits sprung into action, while Garrett hung back. The first two bandits charged Tala, one on either side of her, both grinning maliciously.

The bandit to the left of wielded a short sword, and he lunged forward with and Tala dodged it with ease, tripping the bandit and sending him sprawling on the ground. The other bandit had also reached her and brought his club down. Had she been human, she would have been struck dead where she stood.

But she was not human. She was a Mamono, a Hellhound, and had been gifted with lightning fast reflexes.

She rolled out of the way as the club smashed into the ground. Tara lunged forward, grabbing the head of bandit who had just attacked her, and throwing him to the ground.

The bandit face-planted into the ground and was knocked out cold instantly. Tala turned to face the other bandit who had regained his senses and was mounting another charge.

But Tala was too fast for him. She ran up to him and slammed her knee into his stomach and he doubled over on the ground.

Four more bandits joined the battle. Tara was so quick, she was able to fight all four on her own. She blocked punches and attacks with blazing speed.

The first bandit received a kick to head that took him out for the count. The second got a club redirected back into his face, leaving him bloodied and clutching at his face, while the other two bandits were finished off when Tala slammed their heads into each other.

That just left Garret and two more bandits. Garrett looked uneasy. He had never fought anyone like this. They were usually just weaker people who had money or info he wanted. He wasn't used to facing someone stronger than he was.

"Wh-what are you waiting for you fools? Don't just stand there, get her!" He shouted at his two remaining underlings. They hesitated before nervously taking a step forward. I could see their legs shaking.

Tala must have seen this too, because she put on a very intimidating face and took a big stomp toward them. The two thrives yelped and fell back on their butts. They scrambled to get back up and were already running as fast as they could go, right past Garrett.

"Hey! Get back here you fools! I am your leader and you will do as I say!" He shouted, his voice shaking. He was breathing heavily now. He slowly turned back around toward us.

"You..." He said, pointing his sword in our direction. "You...will pay...for what...you have done to me."

Tala raised an eyebrow at him. "Well, you must know there's no possible chance of you winning, right?"

"You have destroyed my men, and ruined my reputation and on top of it all, I still need that info from your master or whatever he is to you." He said, nodding in my direction.

"I serve no man, no master. I am the only master of my life." She growled fiercely. I could see the rage in her eyes building and it would explode soon. I didn't know what to do.

"Whatever. It doesn't matter. But you will pay for this." He readied his sword. He seemed calm and ready, unlike his bandits, who had clearly been nervous and gotten distracted easily.

Tala took a defensive stance in front of me again. I wanted to help, but u didn't know how. What could I do? I had sat idly by for too long. I felt use less. I began to take a step forward next to Tala, when her arm shot out, blocking my path.

"What are you doing? I'm going to help you." I argued. She shook her head. "No, I can't let you get hurt." She replied. I tried to talk again but she shoved me backwards behind her.

I stood up. "Okay fine. But, just don't go getting yourself killed." I said smiling at her. She looked at me. She shook her head, smiling. "You dummy." She remarked.

She turned back to Garrett. "Alright alright, enough with the flirting you two." He readied his sword again. "Let's finish this." He said, glowering at us. "Yes, let's." Tala said.

Garrett and Tala charged each other, Garrett holding his sword level with his chest and Tala had her claws outstretched.

Garrett thrust his sword at her, but she deflected the blade, hitting the flat of it with the back of her hand. She lunged with a clawed hand, striking Garrett in his left shoulder.

He cried out in pain, clutching his shoulder with his free hand. He staggered backwards, and then jumped forward, bringing his sword down in a wide arc over his head.

Tala rolled out of the way. Garrett's scimitar stuck into the soft earth. Dirt and rocks flew upward, blinding them both momentarily. When Tala rubbed the dirt from her eyes, she saw Garrett had already freed his sword and was charging her again.

Tala dodged the attack, ducked low and brought her arm up, grabbing Garrett by the neck.

His sword fell from his hand as he was lifted off the ground, his feet dangling about. Garret gasped for air as Tala squeezed tighter around his throat.

"Got anything else to say, huh?" She growled. Garret's eyes had gone wide, and his face was turning red like a tomato. Tala squeezed tighter.

"Tala stop!" I yelled. I wasn't going to let her become a murderer. I knew she was better than that.

"Why should I!?" She shouted back. "He tried to hurt you, and take you away. I won't let that happen." She said. I could see the anger I her eyes.

"But you can't kill him. That makes you no better than he is. I know we haven't known each other long, but I know this isn't you." I said.

Her expression softened a bit. She looked at me, and I could see the love in her eyes. I could see that she really wanted to, with all her heart, body and soul, protect me. She felt like to fulfill that she needed to kill Garret, but she didn't want to.

"Just please Tala. He's had enough. I don't think he'll bother us any more. Right?" I questioned, glaring at Garrett. His face was now turning blue. He managed a feeble nod.

Tala hesitated, but she let him go. He fell to the ground, gasping for air and coughing relentlessly. His face began to return to normal color.

He slowly stood, using his sword to help balance himself. Tala grabbed him by his coat and stared menacingly into his eyes. "I swear that if I ever see or hear any bit of you in this forest so help me god I will make you regret the day you were born. Do we understand each other?" She asked.

Garrett nodded quickly, his eyes wild with fear.

"Good!" Tala said in and all too cheery voice. "Now then, off you go!" She chirped. She grabbed the scruff of his coat and tossed him forward as he landed in his face.

He scrambled to his feet and ran off into the forest, stumbling and tripping as he fled.

I walked over to Tala. She gave me a look that at first I wasn't sure I understood. "What?" I asked. She just smiled, grabbed me by my shirt and pulled me in for a kiss.

It was a deep kiss, long and romantic. As we pulled away, I could only stare at her. "Look at you, grinning like a handsome idiot." She remarked. "I-uh..um. Wow." My brain was totally scrambled.

"I love you, Kane." She said. This should have fazed me, but I felt like j might have already known this and I reacted without hesitation. "I love you too, Tala." I responded.

This time I pulled her in for a kiss, and it was even better than the first time. As our kiss ended. I whispered in her ear "This was the best forest I could have ever fallen into." She looked at me for a moment and then burst out laughing.

"You dummy." She said, poking my chest. "What?" I asked. She only shook her head, smiling. "You really know how to make a girl feel special." She said.

"So what now?" I asked. She leaned up and whispered into my ear. I grinned. "Sounds like a plan." I smirked.

And so walked back to her cave, our arms wrapped around each other for what looked to be like an eventful night.

The End

So I hope you guys enjoyed it. I really look forward to future stories and all your feedback. And if you want to suggest a Mamono or whatever for the next story just leave it in the comments and I'll make sure to check it out. Thanks for everything guys. Really means a lot to me.

Additionally, I wanted to know if you guys wanted me to do an epilogue for this story, a little aftermath. So let me know and I'll see what I can do.

Until next time, Vax, out.