The Stonehearted Knight

"The last day of this year and I am still poor as fuck."

Hex climbed out of the narrow aperture and snorted. 

"Six years. I toiled six years in these dark strips of hell. But it wasn't enough. I failed."

When he discovered this crevice he thought the heavens were helping him.

If Hex was less frustrated he would realize the crevice did provide more edibles and herbs than he ever got anywhere else. 

But it lacked beasts to hunt. He had hoped to stumble upon a slumbering nest of beasts to slaughter.

Winter in the barren mountain lands was the best time to sell meat and fur. It was the best way to earn a lot of coins. 

The lack of funds to participate in the ritual frustrated Hex greatly. A few youngsters his age would perhaps acquire their first Blessing. 

He didn't wish to remain behind. A blessing, even a common one, would enable him to seek tutelage under a Class.

"Money. Everything comes down to money." Hex hoisted the patched-up leather bag on his back. His curses echoed in the hollow mountain. 

"Calm down. Breathe in and out. You got this. Maybe next year." Years of solitude resulted in him often muttering to himself.

He wasn't a recluse but such was the life of a hunter. He spent most of his time in the dark, gloomy crevices and chasms. 

He shook his head, accepting his fate. It was time to return. Although most predators slept in the winter, some could still be found roaming during the night.

He turned to leave, but as he was about to do so, he noticed something scurrying in his direction. At once he pulled a moonstone out of his pouch but left the gauze cloth wrapped around it. This way it provided a soft glow rather than a glaring beacon drawing attention towards Hex.

It was a rat. Mountain rats fetched decent prices in the poorer areas. As soon as the rodent got near, Hex moved. 

Crack.

In one fluid motion, he twisted its neck, killing it. He grinned, weighing the rat's body in his palm. 'A fat one.'

Just as he was about to continue, he stopped in his tracks. More and more rats seemed to be running towards him, squeaking loudly.

Years of experience inside these dark crevices made alarms go off in his head. A feeling of impending danger. It was then he heard it.

Growl!

A deep guttural growl sounded. And it was not far!

Hex turned and ran. It didn't matter what it was. His gut screamed. To that thing, a rat and Hex, both would be the same thing…food.

Bang!

Barely a few breaths passed since Hex ran when a rock flew above him, missing him barely. It crashed into the walls.

"Fuck!"

Hex looked back and noticed something running towards him. It was not big. But the rocky floor trembled under its weight.

Hex's heart nearly leaped out of his throat. As a hunter and scavenger he had tittered on the edge of life and death, but it didn't mean he was fearless.

'Think idiot. Think. It's too early to die.' Hex knew that he couldn't outrun the monster. 

He weighed his options quickly. 'The crevices are narrow but I will remain stuck. And the heavens know what horrors live deep in those things.'

'Paths upwards are a no-go. Paths downwards? Maybe, but they are filled with boulders and rocky terrain. It would be hard to run.

He could feel the breath of the beast. It was almost upon him. 

Thump!

The beast pounced, but Hex dodged. He turned sharply into a side path. Luckily, he was familiar with the mountain like the back of his hand. 

He managed to catch a glimpse of it. Its protruding fangs shone like daggers in the dark. 'A fucking bear. And a demonized one too.'

Hex felt despair. A bear would be difficult to deal with as it was, but this was a demonized one. 

Demonized beasts had vitality and strength far above he could deal with. 'If only I had a Blessing.'

Blessings enhanced humans above normal capabilities. But alas. He didn't have any.

The bear was already hot on his heels. It seemed to have woken from his winter sleep prematurely. And Hex seemed like a good way to replenish its energy.

Hex racked his brains. He would have to fight it. But how. He was quite good with his short sword. But no amount of skill would help to penetrate its hardened fur. 

'This thing will not die by slashing it. I need to go through its body.'

Suddenly he thought of something. He was near a fork in the road.

Left would lead down towards a plateau. Right to a narrow upward path, edging on a chasm.

He glanced behind him. The beast seemed berserk. He had to risk it. He ran right. The beast followed.

Soon the path narrowed. Hex knew he had to be careful. One misstep and he would fall into the chasm himself.

But the same applied to the beast. And it didn't seem to realize it. 

Hex stopped and watched the bear run towards him. It was close. He pulled his sword out and braced his back against the wall.

The path had narrowed to the width where the bear barely would fit in. It didn't seem to notice. It pounced.

As soon as the bear swung its paws, Hex moved. Not away. But towards it. He dodged the swinging paw.

Puchi!

With one thrust he pierced the sword inside its eye. It was the only place it would hurt. And hurt it did. 

The beast roared and stepped back, staggering to find its footing. It seemed off-balance.

'Now!'

Hex ran and rammed into it. He put his entire weight behind the push. 

Crack.

An almost inaudible crack sounded from beneath its legs. The rocky terrain under its feet crumbled, causing the bear to roar in panic as it swung its paws wildly in the air.

Hex didn't wait. He increased the distance for the run-up and rammed straight into the bear's abdomen area.

Roar!

The bear roared out in despair. The loud noise nearly burst Hex's eardrums. But Hex ignored the pain. With a grin, he lay on his stomach at the ridge, watching the beast fall into the dark chasm.

Bang!

Soon, Hex heard the sound of the bear crashing. It roared, but…didn't it sound too weak?

Hex lay on the edge listening to its soft growls. 'I am mistaken or has it remained in one spot? And are its growls becoming weaker?'

Hex stood up but hesitated to leave. Leaving would be the safest option. There would be no risk to his life, giving him a chance to hunt one more day.

But he still hesitated. 

'I can't believe I am considering this. But…what if the beast is at its last breath? Its fur, flesh…the coins I would earn. And what if…it has that?'

Demonic beasts didn't just get stronger. There was something else inside them, enhancing their abilities. They had a crystal, which served as a source of energy.

The very thought of a beast crystal made his heart beat faster. He stared into the darkness. Slowly he steeled his heart. It was his chance.

He placed the bag on the ground and fastened his sword on the back. 

'Here goes nothing.'

He picked a rope out of his bag and fastened it onto the wall, nailing it with long spikes.

After ensuring that the rope wouldn't give out, Hex approached the edge. After taking a deep breath, he jumped, carefully keeping each jump short.

Hex slowly unraveled the rope, scaling the wall downward cautiously. The moonstone on his belt wrapped in its gauze holder, dispelled the darkness as he went lower.

The light of the moonstone could attract unwanted attention but Hex preferred to see the danger coming his way before he landed on it without being able to save himself.

As he lowered himself, he started to see more and more. Small rodents fleeting away. A few snakes hissed but disappeared into the holes inside the walls. 

It took a while, but he finally made it down. 

He heard the slow, uneven breath up ahead. Just a few steps further. 

'O fuck. Thank the Heavens.'

Under the light of the moonstone, he saw the bear. It lay on its back, growling in pain. Somehow it had landed on its back, on top of a sharp protruding earthen spike. 

Hex stepped up, wanting to go near its heart. But the bear swung its paw. It seemed unwilling to let Hex close.

"Fine. I will put you out of your misery first."

The beast was already on its final breath. Hex jumped towards its head and pierced the sword inside its eyes. He went deeper this time. 

The beast trembled but soon turned still. It died. Hex didn't waste any more time. Every breath down in the chasm was asking for problems. 

He pulled his sword and widened the wound it already suffered. Luckily for Hex, it was near its heart. Or else he would lose a lot of time opening the fur.

The moment Hex managed to open the wound wide enough, he pushed his hand inside. The inner layers of the beast were difficult to move through but Hex continued with gritted teeth.

Growl.

Hiss.

Soft but clear sounds of beasts could be heard suddenly. And not just a few. 

Hex gritted his teeth and pushed harder. He grabbed around. He had to hurry. 

The sounds came closer. 

"Here!"

Suddenly he felt something hard. He yanked it out. Under the light of the moonstone, he saw a small red crystal with something swirling inside. 

But Hex didn't have time to examine it. The beasts were dangerously closed. He picked up his sword and ran towards the rope. 

He lamented leaving the meat and fur behind but sometimes priorities were needed. And as far as Hex was concerned, nothing mattered more than staying alive.

He hurried up the rope. Climbing up was harder than descending. But the sounds coming from the depth sent shivers through his spine.

He pulled through, ignoring pain and fatigue. Even when he reached the top he didn't rest. He picked up his bag and ran. 

Growls and roars echoed through the chasm. But Hex ran. Soft tremors went through the ground. Most likely they were fighting over the bear's carcass.

But Hex didn't bother with it. It was his chance to leave the mountain. He ran. The city lights twinkled in the darkness.