Information
Lorelai the Raef
Dyrre
Legacy Name: Dyrre
The
Nightmare NoktoaOwner: Alkuna
Age: 8 years, 4 months, 4 weeks
Born: October 18th, 2017
Adopted: 8 years, 4 months, 4 weeks ago
Adopted: October 19th, 2017
Statistics
- Level: 12
- Strength: 30
- Defense: 31
- Speed: 30
- Health: 31
- HP: 31/31
- Intelligence: 34
- Books Read: 34
- Food Eaten: 0
- Job: Unemployed
“Fairy tales are more than true: not because they tell us that dragons exist, but because they tell us that dragons can be beaten.” --Unknown
“Never feel sorry for raising dragon-slayers in a time when there are actual dragons.” --Unknown
I.
The Vale of Hungry Shadows is a valley that borders the town of Mornesse; the vale is a dangerous place where the sun never penetrates the canopy and townsfolk rarely stray beyond the very edge of the trees. It is a place where the trees twist into macabre silhouettes and the wind murmurs and whispers like a chorus of restless spirits.
The old forest's trees loomed like skeletal fingers grasping for the moon, and the leaves like ink blots against the starry sky. It was a place where darkness bred terror, and where the unknown lurks in every shadow.
II.
Elena was well aware of the dangers lurking in the forest, yet she felt completely at ease strolling through the streets of town. The town had a civilized vibe, with streetlights casting a warm, welcoming glow upon the darkening streets. Indeed, the only wild elements within Mornesse's limits were the occasional stray pet or a colony of Lasirus drawn to feed upon the Illumis swarming the lampposts.
The population was generally safe, and encountering dangerous individuals was quite rare, all thanks to the constant reminders about sins and vices plastered everywhere. As for dangerous animals, they did exist, but as long as you wore your talisman, you were usually safe. It was common to see everyone wearing one - adults, teenagers, children, and even newborns received their first talisman as soon as they were brought home from the hospital.
The adults would always caution, "Always wear your talisman, and head for home when the sun sets. You'll be fine as long as you don't dawdle," before launching into some boogeyman tale meant to scare children into obedience.
Terrifying tales were told of monsters that lurked in perilous places - deep in the woods, in old, deserted buildings, down in the town's catacombs, or in that spooky, decaying mansion - ready to devour any who dared enter. While teenagers often made some questionable choices and got the scare of a lifetime, it had been over a century since anyone was actually killed for just minding their own business on the way home.
That was what she had thought, but as dusk settled and the crickets began their evening serenade, she spotted a winged shadow gliding across the moonlit sky. It was too large to be a Lasirus and way too late in the evening for a common Lain.
The adults always warned, "If you hear the black Noktoa screech and it sounds like your name, you are going to die. If you see the black Noktoa, your life is in peril."
It was a tale that had been passed around forever, a campfire tale that had turned legendary. Fairytales. Boogeymen. As a kid, it sent chills down her spine, but by her teenage years, she dismissed it as childish nonsense. She thought she had outgrown those childish fears. Until now. Those stories were no longer playful spooks of childhood lore, but raw, unfiltered warnings.
Quickening her pace, Elena felt the hairs on the back of her neck stand on end. She had heard the stories more times than she could count, but this time they felt more real than ever. The appearance of the black Noktoa was more than just an omen of danger - it was a harbinger of something much darker lurking in the shadows; one that had a taste for human flesh.
As she neared her house, the fear began to subside. She reassured herself that the darkness had merely been playing tricks on her. At night, everything seemed bigger and scarier. But perhaps everything would be alright, since the Noktoa had been keeping its distance. Maybe the monster was just as far away as well.
But then, a large, inky form swooped low overhead and perched atop the final street sign before her house as she rounded the corner onto her street.
It was a Nightmare Noktoa, and her eyes gleamed like polished onyx as the light began to fade. Unlike the typical Noktoa, which often sported regal looks and beautifully spotted feathers, this one was as black as pitch. Her spots were barely visible against her dark plumage, like stars struggling to shine through clouds. The bird's massive body hunched low, and her wings spread wide like a cloak of darkness. She twisted her head this way and that, her gaze fixed on the young girl. At one point, the Noktoa twisted her head completely upside down as she flared her wings. It seemed ridiculous, but the way her beak curved suggested a sinister smile. Elena had seen comic book clown villains with less threatening expressions.
Elena's heart pounded as she took in the silhouette of the creature. As she stared, the creature suddenly shifted; her head twisted upright, and her neck stretched to stare at something behind Elena. That's when she heard the distinct sound of hooves hitting the ground. Abruptly, the talisman around her neck grew warm.
Elena spun around, muttering "Well crap" as the ominous sound grew louder. With horror, she realized that a Nightmare Yaherra was headed her way, his beaked mouth resembling a menacing smile filled with razor-sharp teeth. His peacock tail had solid black eyes with tiny white dots for the 'pupils.' As she watched, the feathers coiled around like snakes, aiming in all directions as if they really were eyes! That's no ordinary pet - it's a man-eater from the Vale. They can and do come into town, she realized with dread. It was deeply unsettling to see such a monstrous creature in this urban setting, where its presence seemed completely unnatural.
Elena realized she needed to act quickly. Outrunning the Yaherra was impossible, especially with her legs shaking like leaves in the wind. She had to get home, to the safety of her walls and her mother’s embrace would shield her from danger.
But as she stepped back, the Noktoa's piercing gaze followed her every move, head swiveling to maintain eye contact - a challenge, a silent question: Are you afraid? Are you just prey to hunt at leisure?
The old tales of the town whispered in her mind. The Yaherra was quick, clever, and as lethal as the darkness from which it emerged. But she had one advantage: she had seen the Noktoa, but she had not yet called Elena's name. This gave her a window of opportunity; precious time to prepare. If she couldn't get away, then she had to fight.
Her mind raced as she scanned the surrounding area, desperately searching for anything that could help. If it came down to it, she wouldn't hesitate to grab a stick and jab the Yaherra right in the eye! Anything could serve as a weapon in a pinch. Relief washed over her as she spotted a baseball bat, forgotten in the tall grass of her friend Sam's yard. It was a little dusty and had definitely seen better days, but it was sturdy, and it was the only option she had.
Elena's heart pounded as she gripped the bat, the familiar weight a comforting reminder of carefree afternoons playing catch with her dad. It was a reminder of a more innocent time, of afternoons spent playing catch with her dad. But now, this simple wooden bat was her only defense against the menacing creature that was stalking her, its predatory gaze impossible to ignore.
With trembling hands, she took a few experimental swings through the air. The movements were clumsy at first, but each swing grew more confident. The Noktoa above Elena cocked her head. The Yaherra's hooves fell silent on the road, as if he preferred to stalk his prey when they were vulnerable. However, she was no longer in that position. That brief moment of stillness was exactly what she needed.
Gripping the baseball bat tightly in both hands, Elena strode towards the Yaherra. The usual sounds of the night seemed to vanish, as if the entire town was holding its breath, waiting for what was to come. The air was thick with the earthy scent of wet soil, mixed with a subtle metallic hint of blood that lingered beneath the floral sweetness of blooming flowers. With each step, the talisman grew hotter, the uncomfortable heat causing her skin to sting. Elena remained focused on the Yaherra, refusing to look away, even for a moment. A blend of fear and defiance surged within her with every stride she took.
"Go away!" she demanded, her voice cracking with the effort of trying to sound strong. "Leave me alone!"
Taken aback by her audacity, the creature flinched. His eyes darted down to the bat and then back up to meet hers, as if gauging the danger she posed. The Yaherra's pupils dilated, and in the harsh glow of the nearby streetlights, she caught a glimpse of the creature's jagged teeth, darkened with blood. This creature had already sated its hunger once that evening.
He emitted a deep, throaty noise that resembled a cross between a hiss and a snarl.
With a deep breath, Elena swung the bat in a wide arc, the whooshing sound slicing through the quiet night. "I said go away!"
The Yaherra jumped back, his feathers fluffing up in surprise. He had not anticipated such defiance. The creature was used to the terrified whimpers of its prey, not the fierce resolve burning in the young girl's eyes.
Then the hissing snarl came again, and the Yaherra took another step closer. For a brief moment, she wondered if she had misjudged the situation and provoked a force that would not easily be deterred.
The talisman was now hot enough to cause pain, and she felt a strong urge to tear it off. However, years of warnings echoed in her mind, and prevented her from giving in to that temptation.
The creature's eyes narrowed as it gauged the distance and weighed the consequences of confronting this unexpectedly bold human.
Elena pushed through her fear, raising the bat higher. "I told you to leave me alone!" If the creature lunged, she would aim for a home run with his head. If she were to die, she would die fighting! She could see the creature's muscles tense, and she wasn't sure whether he would pounce or flee.
The Yaherra flinched again at her yell, and she stared him down, holding her breath. A moment later, he turned away and trotted off into the shadows, clearly uninterested in the fight required to bring her down. The sound of his hooves grew softer and softer until they were swallowed by the night, leaving her standing in the middle of the street, trembling but alive.
The talisman suddenly cooled, bringing a refreshing relief to her skin that had been burning just moments before. Elena instinctively rubbed her chest, grimacing as she could already feel a blister beginning to develop.
Her legs trembled unsteadily, but she forced them to move. The bat slipped from her numb, tingling fingers, and the sudden loss of its familiar weight made her realize just how tightly she had been clutching it. She had done it! Staggering the final few houses to her own, her eyes frantically scanned the area for any sign of movement, but the street remained still and silent.
Reaching her porch, the warm glow from her windows spilled across the cobblestone path. The screen door let out a familiar creak as she pushed it open and stepped inside, instantly feeling the tension in her shoulders melt away. Just before shutting the door behind her, she glanced back at the spot where the Noktoa had perched. It was empty now, - the bird's ominous presence gone, and the danger she had foretold had passed.