The Sword of Dragons (Battle Scene)

Ever since High school, I have was working on a book that I keep thinking of ideas for all the time. I was honestly so inspired by my dad, and my English teacher’s, praise for an assignment we had to do. Ever since I have always felt compelled to expand upon this, at the time new found, ability that I wanted to write this book. However time and time again I would try and lose steam after a period of time. So I’m hoping that by writing bits and pieces on here, that I can get the motivation I need to complete it. Here is a particular battle scene that has been playing in my head for awhile.  Enjoy
Rain poured down from the night sky, thunder could be heard coming from beyond the mountains that stood leagues away. Barkstripe counted his lucky stars as he walked through the dense forest, it’s canopy blocking most of the rain, save for what could be called a few leaks, that managed to trickle down to the forest bed. Barkstripe’s lean, humanoid fox body was still hunched over from weariness as he forced himself to keep moving, though he carried only a backpack for all his gear and a broadsword at his hip, he still felt like the weight of the world was pressing down upon him. Keeping his cloak held tightly about him to keep what warmth his body still had where it belonged, his violet eyes still held a fiery determination behind them while his mind kept playing out what he had to do. He must kill Narroth.

It wasn’t long before Barkstripe reached a dead end on his path by what looked to be a wall of stone, a set of ornate double-doors etched into it. He didn’t hesitate to open them as his heart jumped to his throat in anticipation.

As he opened the doors, Barkstripe saw what could only be described as a vast throne room. A crimson red carpet stretched to the end of the room, where Barkstripe’s target sat in his throne, with an evil smile stretched across his red, scaly face. Narroth is much larger than normal lizard-men, standing a foot taller with a much more muscular build. His yellow, raptor-like eyes always taking everything in, seemingly hyper-aware to their surroundings. Narroth wore no armor, much like Barkstripe, and only had a simple tunic with a pair of breeches on with a long katana at his hip.

“Narroth,” Barkstripe whispered to himself, his entire being now beginning to flare with rage at the sight of his mortal enemy.

“So good of you to come, Barkstripe,” Narroth said, spreading his arms out, “Welcome to my kingdom!”

Barkstripe gritted his teeth, “Where is Selene?” as he clenched his broadsword, wanting so badly to strike his enemy down right now.

Narroth chuckled, “That useless woman you so dearly care for?” he shrugged, “I have no idea where she is. After capturing her I gave her to my fellow lizard-men and let them do as they will with her. Who knows if she’s even alive?” At that Narroth laughed, clearly entertained by Barkstripe’s barely contained rage.

At this Barkstripe leapt across the throne room, broadsword flashing out of it’s sheath as he screamed with uncontrollable rage, his sword coming down in an over-heard swing. Narroth’s katana stopped the blow, their swords locked in place as Barkstripe was held in the air. Their swords continued to clash as each blow kept Barkstripe in the air, neither of their swords reaching past the center of the space that separated them. Narroth’s katana clashed with Barkstripe’s sword once more, but this time Narroth put his weight into it, sending Barkstripe flying backwards into the nearest marble pillar.

Barkstripe could feel the pillar give way to the shape of his body as he crashed into it, losing all the breath in his lungs for a moment. He quickly recovered and launched himself off of the pillar, rushing back towards Narroth, where their dance continued. Narroth continued to smile, clearly feeling like he had the upper hand. Barkstripe could see it in those disgusting eye’s of Narroth’s, which made him all the more desperate to win. This was when Barkstripe surprised Narroth by knocking his katana to the side, giving Barkstripe the opening he needed. Barkstripe clenched his fist, all the energy in his body rushing to his hand as it went sailing into Narroth’s chest, sending the scaly bastard flying through his throne and into the marble wall behind it.

Barkstripe waited for the dust to clear as he could hear Narroth getting to his feet. Breathing heavily Narroth chuckled, “Well, it seems I still can’t toy with you. This is good. Let’s see what you’re truly capable of.”

Narroth walked out of the hole in the wall, his evil smile still pasted on his face. In a flash their swords clashed again, this time Barkstripe struggled to keep up as Narroth attacked him with a burst of speed he didn’t think possible. Barkstripe could no long match Narroth blow for blow as each cut, thrust and slash he couldn’t block drew blood. He knew that he couldn’t take much more with so many open wounds. Everything seemed to come to a stop as Barkstripe knew what he had to do, though every time he had to, he prayed it would be the last.

It was time to feed a portion of his soul to his sword.

As he felt the ravenous grip of his sword on his soul, Barkstripe’s eyes locked with Narroth’s. He could see the confusion creeping its way into Narroth’s eyes as Barkstripe smiled to himself, finding a strange, twisted pleasure in the situation. As realization washed over Narroth, Barkstripe began attacking with a new fury. They were now fighting on equal terms again, but Narroth was no longer smiling, fear now showing on his face.

Barkstripe mirthlessly chuckled, “What’s wrong Narroth? Afraid of a silly animal?”

Narroth continued to look at Barkstripe in fear, seemingly at a loss for words. Barkstripe took the opportunity to fight harder, now overpowering his enemy. He sent Narroth’s katana flying, then taking a moment to relish the panic that was in his enemy’s formerly smiling face. Barkstripe tackled Narroth to the ground, immediately bashing in Narroth’s face with the pummel of  his sword while screaming, “Where is Selene?”

When Narroth didn’t reply, Barkstripe took his sword and stabbed it into Narroth’s arm, repeating his question, “Where is she?!”

Narroth still didn’t reply as he raggedly gasped for air, his face now very broken. Barkstripe then gripped his sword and whispered a few strange words. His sword turned black as Narroth began to scream in agony as his soul was being slowly consumed by Barkstripe’s sword.  Barkstripe asked again, “Where is Selene?”

This time Narroth replied, “I can take you to her, please, I would tell you but you couldn’t get there yourself. I have to lead you there.”

Barkstripe pulled his sword out of Narroth’s arm, the blackness on it fading away as Barkstripe sheathed it, “Take me there now.”

Before Narroth could say anymore, he passed out, drained of more than just blood. Barkstripe did what he could to make sure Narroth wouldn’t bleed to death and tied him up. It was then that Barkstripe felt the strain of their battle as well and couldn’t stop himself from passing out as well.

I hope you all enjoyed that! I will be sure to write more as time goes on!