Rise Of The Dragon

Prologue

                           Quickly, I run behind Nadea, panting heavily. Beads of sweat trail down my face. My pounds in my chest and it feels like it's going to explode. Adrenaline courses through my veins, along with a strong sense of panic and fear. The large cat's sharp claws thrash at the shield, making an unbearable screeching sound.

                           "How are we going to beat it?!?" I yell, glancing at the two. "It has no weakness!" Beside me, Zen sighs defeatedly. It feels like we have no chance at winning. I look up at the person who is causing this commotion. A cloaked figure, standing on the top of the hillside, calling silent commands out to the large feline. "Not to mention that freak," Nadea says, pointing at the figure. Zen glances at the them before dodging the large cat's tail.

                           "I don't know; I need to think," He says, his eyes darting around and scanning their surroundings. He spots a large, smooth boulder off to the right of the field. "There's a boulder over there. We should be able to hide behind that." I nod, spotting the boulder. The cat's large tail whips around, smashing into a small group of rocks. Shards of the rocks and gravel explode out from the impact. "Well...temporarily," Zen mutters under his breath. I look back over at Nadea.

                           "Ya hear that?" I call over to her, and she nods. She then directs her focus back on the shield. The cat isn't letting up in its attack. It continues to claw at the shield tirelessly, and small cracks are starting to form on it. Nadea closes her eyes, trying to move away from the shield. She quickly turns back to us.

                           "I need someone to defend me while I cast the spell. I still can't do both at the same time yet," Nadea yells. I glance at Zen and then the cat, trying to think of some way to damage the beast.

                           "'Kay!" I yell back to her, preparing myself to run out from the shield's protection.

                           "No prob," Zen says, wiping a bead of sweat from his face. He doesn't sound very confident in his words.

                           "Alright then," Nadea readies herself, taking a deep breath. She starts to count down from three. "Dropping the barrier in three..."

                           "Two..."

                           Preparing to run out, I clench my fists, sparks of fire forming around them. Butterflies flutter in my stomach and I bite my lip.

                           "One..."

                            I glance over at Zen, who had just created a circle underneath him. Green light starts to envelop the surrounding area.

                            "GO!" Nadea screams, and we both bolt out from behind her. The cat hisses ferociously, its paw slamming into the ground. Dust clouds around us and I cough, waving my hand in front of my face. Zen momentarily stops moving and closes his eyes. The circle glows brighter, and the same green glow covers his hand. A giant plant slowly starts to rise out of the ground, with thorns and vines of various sizes. He opens one eye and quickly points to my hand, which is completely covered in bright red embers, and the cat. I immediately catch on. I smirk and give a quick nod before bolting over to the cat.

                            The cat whirls around to face me, and I freeze, staring at its face. The cat itself is a dark black, its fur sleek and shiny. It's bright yellow eyes stare down at me, visibly bloodshot. Out of it's mouth protrudes large fangs, with a thick saliva coating. It's breath is warm and hot, and it stinks of blood and mucus. Fear courses through my veins as I stare at the creature, mesmerized by its demeanor. It hisses ferociously and slashes at me with one of its giant claws and I leap into the air, barely dodging it.