Daemon was pacing through the forest, his entire life Daemon hunted in the forest, and though he had hunted many predators before, it was never one of this calibre and to say he didn't feel a little bit of excitement would be a lie, they offered to give him a bow but he declined. He knew it was a stupid decision but if he didn't push himself he'd never become stronger. Being in the presence of the King these past few months made him realise just how weak he was, if he wanted to have what he wanted then he would need to get stronger, otherwise he'd be stepped on. He did sometimes find it amusing that he would stand atop the aura users of Westeros just to marry two women and live quietly in a small keep.
'A simple dream for a simple person, though of late I've wondered if perhaps I wanted three people instead of two' he thought to himself as he took long soft strides through the forest with 'Suppression' on. He stopped behind a tree for a moment, he checked the map he was given and realised that he was coming up on the cave that was mentioned.
He took a deep breath and continued onwards, he made sure to switch out any metal armour for leather, the brown would blend better in the environment and wouldn't catch the light of the sun like metal would. He didn't think steel armour would help much against aura-enhanced claws anyway so he would just have to keep on his feet and dodge.
It was around mid-afternoon when Daemon reached the cave, it was a large opening though dark enough that he couldn't tell how deep it went. The beast could be looking at him right now and he wouldn't know it. Daemon withdraws his sword slowly and continues treading carefully his aura still suppressed, while some might consider this to be unwise Daemon found the element of surprise to be more important than taking a defensive posture.
'A dozen aura users took a defensive posture and look how they ended' he thought to himself. And speaking of the dozen aura users he could see various body parts and blood strewn about the entrance to the cave, he saw that one of them was still alive though how he was he did not know, he had large gashes down his chest reaching to his waist, his arm was gone and he looked as if his shoulder had been chewed on.
Daemon silently cursed as he knew he'd lost the element of surprise, he couldn't in good conscience allow the man to die. Activating his aura he jumped out of hiding and quickly went to the man that was in front of the cave, he looked to have 'Suppression' active which explained the lack of blood loss.
"My Lord, are you okay? Is there anyone else alive?" He asks the young lad who looks to be a few years older than himself.
"I-I-I j-just w-wanted to i-impress Mina, I-I d-didn't realise h-how strong it would be" he said stuttering as he seemed to shiver.
"What's your name my lord," he asked him as he gripped the hand of the man tightly trying to bring him back to reality.
"P-Paxter R-Redwyne," he said his voice still trembling, Daemon nodded, he needed to get the man somewhere safer otherwise he could get caught in the fight between them. However before he can think of where to take him his senses start going wild, senses he had honed through a life of hunting and further enhanced with his aura 'Shit!!!' He thought to himself as he flared his aura and grabbed the man before jumping out of the way, if he had been a split second later the lion who had pounced from the mouth of the cave would've slashed his arm most likely removing it.
He lands roughly a dozen metres away, at the moment he's in a bit of a bind, he can't protect Paxter and fight at the same time, but if he leaves him then the Beast might turn its attention away. Daemon then gets an idea and jumps up with Paxter, he grabs onto the branch of a tall tree, it is big and thick and perfect to put the man on.
"My lord you must hold onto the branch, if you fall I won't be able to save you," he says trying to make himself as clear as possible, the man nods at him before Daemon jumps back down only to find that the beast is gone.
Daemon stood in the centre of what felt like a killing field, his Valyrian steel sword drawn and infused with his pulsating aura. The tension in the air was palpable as he strained his ears, every rustle of leaves and distant sound heightened by the adrenaline coursing through his veins.
The environment seemed to hold its breath, awaiting the lion's next move. Daemon's senses were on high alert, his eyes scanning the surroundings for any hint of movement, his muscles tensed and ready to react at a moment's notice. He knew that this encounter would test not only his physical prowess but also his mental acuity.
The rustling came again, like a whispering omen of impending danger. Reacting on pure instinct, Daemon propelled himself backwards, narrowly evading the lion's ferocious lunge. The creature's aura-enhanced attack was a testament to its formidable abilities, and Daemon's heart raced as he realized the true extent of the challenge before him.
Despite his agile manoeuvre, the lion's assault was not without consequence. The sensation of the lion's claws scraping against his chest sent a sharp jolt of pain through his body. His jaw clenched as he fought to suppress the discomfort, refusing to show any weakness in the face of such a fearsome opponent.
Standing his ground once more, Daemon locked eyes with the aura-enhanced lion. Its sheer size and muscular presence commanded attention, while its eyes exuded an eerie intelligence that set it apart from any ordinary predator. The ethereal aura swirling around the creature created an otherworldly spectacle, a testament to the potent forces at play.
Daemon's aura blazed around him, a shield of determination and resolve. The Valyrian steel sword felt weighty in his grip, but its presence offered a reassuring sense of purpose. As he faced the formidable lion and its overwhelming aura.
With a surge of determination, Daemon channelled his aura to its utmost capacity, honing his senses to a razor-sharp edge. He felt his aura pulse through him, infusing his eyes and ears with heightened acuity. This augmented perception granted him not only enhanced defence but also the ability to react with lightning speed.
As his senses sharpened, the world around him seemed to slow down, each rustle of leaves and every subtle shift in the air magnified to an almost supernatural degree. The aura-enhanced lion's movements were no exception – its lunging attack, once a blur, now unfolded in slow motion before Daemon's eyes.
Sidestepping with a calculated grace, Daemon anticipated the lion's trajectory and met its assault head-on with his Valyrian steel sword. The blade sliced through the air, its deadly arc intersecting with the lion's flank. The contact between blade and skin was accompanied by the distinct sound of metal against fur, a testament to Daemon's precision and mastery.
The lion let out a fierce roar, a mixture of pain and fury, as the blade's edge left a trail of crimson across its hide. The wound, though not incapacitating, marked the first tangible evidence of Daemon's defiance against the formidable predator. Though the strange thing was how Daemon was able to perceive the lion's attack in the first place, using 'Focus' on the eyes is only used to see an aura that has been purposely concealed. So Daemon's application to give him a faster reaction time was not possible, however, Daemon also applied it to his ears, and this managed to cover enough of a space to focus aura into his head. This allowed for his sped-up reaction times though doing so too often could exact a large toll on a person.
In the heart of the aura-charged battleground, Daemon and the lion engaged in a relentless clash, each manoeuvres a calculated calculation of offence and defence. Their auras flared, forming a dynamic backdrop of energy that crackled with power and anticipation.
The lion, its muscles rippling beneath its sleek fur, lunged at Daemon once again, its movements almost mesmerizing in their precision. Daemon's aura-enhanced senses allowed him to perceive the impending attack with uncanny clarity. Sidestepping with uncanny agility, he swung his Valyrian steel sword in an arc, aiming to slash across the lion's exposed flank. The blade met flesh, and a trail of blood sprayed into the air, marking the lion's retaliation.
Undeterred by the pain, the lion responded with a ferocious roar, its aura pulsing in tandem with its rage. It lunged again, this time faster and more forcefully. Daemon attempted to parry the attack, his sword meeting the lion's aura-infused claws. The impact sent a shockwave through his arms, but Daemon held his ground, his aura enhancing his strength.
As the battle raged on, both Daemon and the lion bore signs of their struggle. Daemon's once-flawless defence showed hints of weakness as the lion's claws found purchase, leaving deep gashes across his arms and torso. In return, Daemon's precision strikes continued to wound the lion, the Valyrian steel blade finding its mark with uncanny accuracy.
However, as the battle reached its fevered crescendo, an unexpected change began to overtake Daemon. The strain of maintaining his heightened aura perception took a toll on his body, causing him to bleed from his nose and ears. The very ability that had allowed him to keep up with the aura-enhanced lion was now backfiring, threatening to push him to the brink of physical collapse. Had it been the average aura user then he would've collapsed a few seconds into using such a technique but Daemon was a once-in-a-generation talent and had the Crimson Eyes, all factors that allowed him to use the perception-altering technique.
As Daemon's aura-enhanced perception faltered and his heightened senses returned to their normal state, he found himself vulnerable and disoriented. The sudden shift left him with a split-second delay in reacting, and before he could fully regain his bearings, the lion pounced.
The lion's attack was swift and brutal, its powerful form launching towards Daemon with a primal force that was difficult to comprehend. A fierce impact struck him square in the chest, knocking the breath from his lungs and sending him hurtling through the air. The world spun around him as his body collided with a sturdy tree, the force of the impact jarring his senses and igniting a fiery pain throughout his body.
Daemon's back hit the tree with a thud, and he felt a jolt of agony shoot through his spine. Gasping for air, he struggled to push himself off the rough bark, his muscles protesting every movement. His Valyrian steel sword clattered to the ground.
The battlefield transformed into a nightmarish arena of speed and danger. The lion, a creature now seemingly bound by lightning, moved with a swiftness that defied comprehension. Daemon's attempts to dodge and counter were rendered futile by the relentless onslaught of the aura-infused beast.
His Valyrian steel sword swung through the air in vain as the lion darted around him, a blur of fur and muscle. Each time Daemon thought he had anticipated its movement, the lion's trajectory shifted with inhuman agility. The man's attempts at striking back became an exercise in frustration, his sword swiping through empty air while the lion's aura-charged form remained unscathed.
The lion's attacks were unrelenting, and Daemon's every dodge was a narrow escape. The creature's claws raked across his arms and shoulders, leaving stinging trails of pain. Blood welled up from the shallow cuts, adding to the disorienting haze of the battle. Daemon's breath came in ragged gasps as he desperately tried to match the lion's impossible speed.
In a desperate gambit, Daemon lunged forward, hoping to catch the lion off-guard. His sword sliced through the air with a deadly arc, but the lion's response was instantaneous. It pivoted on a dime, avoiding the strike with an uncanny grace. The moment of vulnerability was enough for the lion to capitalize on, its claws raking across Daemon's side with a searing intensity.
A guttural cry escaped Daemon's lips as the world spun around him. The pain was blinding, a visceral reminder of his mortality. He staggered back, clutching his bleeding side, his aura flickering as his concentration wavered. The gash on his belly oozed blood, a chilling testament to the lion's power.
As the aura-charged lion bore down on him once more, Daemon's movements grew sluggish, his body weakened by pain and fatigue. He attempted to raise his sword in defence, but his reactions were too slow. The lion's claws raked across his chest, the force of the blow knocking him to the ground. His vision swam as he lay there, blood staining the earth beneath him.
Daemon's body screamed in agony, every movement a symphony of pain. Blood seeped from numerous wounds, his aura offering little reprieve against the ferocity of the lion's onslaught. Yet, in this dire moment, he clung to a last-ditch strategy, one that could mean the difference between survival and doom.
Summoning his remaining strength, Daemon pushed his aura outward, creating an expanding sphere that enveloped him in a sensory web. The world around him came alive with a cacophony of sensations – the rustle of leaves, the whisper of wind, the faintest tremor of the earth. With his eyes closed and his perception stretched to its limit, he stood on the precipice of an unknown reality.
Time seemed to slow as Daemon focused on his new perception. Every rustle of a leaf, every subtle vibration, became a thread of information that he wove into a mental image of the lion's movements. His heart raced, and his mind honed in on the rhythm of the creature's approach.
As the lion lunged, Daemon's body responded with an instinctive grace that belied his battered form. His sword sliced through the air with precision, guided not by sight, but by the echo of the lion's aura within his makeshift sensory sphere. The blade met resistance, and Daemon's heart skipped a beat – he had struck true.
The impact reverberated through his body, his hands trembling as they held the hilt of his sword. He sensed a deep groan from the lion, a testament to the injury he had inflicted. But the victory was fleeting, for the lion's aura flared with an intensity that matched its fury. It thrashed and roared, its pain fueling its rage.
Daemon's body screamed in agony, every movement a symphony of pain. Blood seeped from numerous wounds, his aura offering little reprieve against the ferocity of the lion's onslaught. Yet, in this dire moment, he clung to a last-ditch strategy, one that could mean the difference between survival and doom.
Summoning his remaining strength, Daemon pushed his aura outward, creating an expanding sphere that enveloped him in a sensory web, this was the advanced application of aura 'Scout'. The world around him came alive with a cacophony of sensations – the rustle of leaves, the whisper of wind, the faintest tremor of the earth.
Daemon focused on his new perception. Every rustle of a leaf, every subtle vibration, became a thread of information that he wove into a mental image of the lion's movements. His heart raced, and his mind honed in on the rhythm of the creature's approach.
As the lion lunged, Daemon's body responded with an instinctive grace that belied his battered form. His sword sliced through the air with precision, guided not by sight, but by the echo of the lion's aura within his makeshift sensory sphere. The blade met resistance, and Daemon's heart skipped a beat – he had struck true.
The impact reverberated through his body, his hands trembling as they held the hilt of his sword. He sensed a deep groan from the lion, a testament to the injury he had inflicted. But the victory was fleeting, for the lion's aura flared with an intensity that matched its fury. It thrashed and roared, its pain fueling its rage.
With a surge of willpower, Daemon extended his aura once more, embracing his expansive awareness of 'Scout.' His senses stretched outwards, creating a pulsating sphere of perception that enveloped him. Within this augmented reality, he felt the very fabric of the forest around him – every rustle of leaves, every shift of the wind.
As the lion lunged, Daemon's heightened perception granted him an almost preternatural sense of its movements. He moved with fluid grace, sidestepping the creature's attack as if he could anticipate its every intention. His body became an extension of the forest itself, an elusive shadow that danced effortlessly through the chaos.
The lion's claws slashed through the air where Daemon had been a heartbeat before. In response, Daemon's sword sang through the air, its edge colliding with the lion's flank. The impact resonated through the blade, a testament to the force behind his strike. The lion let out a snarl of pain, its aura flaring in fiery protest.
With every dodge, every calculated evasion, Daemon gained a measure of control over the battle. His senses tracked the lion's movements as if they were etched into his mind. He sidestepped another lunge, his sword sweeping down in a graceful arc to meet the lion's charge. The blade cut deep, drawing a spray of crimson across the air.
As the lion's frustration grew, its attacks became more frenzied, more desperate. Yet Daemon was a step ahead, a phantom weaving through the onslaught with a lethal grace. His aura-enhanced perception granted him a surreal advantage, a dance of instincts and reactions that defied the natural limitations of his body.
Daemon's counterattacks grew in precision and intensity. His sword became an extension of his aura, a shimmering barrier that deflected the lion's claws and fangs. He struck with calculated accuracy, each blow a testament to his mastery of both his aura and the weapon in his hand.
Daemon could feel his strength start to fail, he needed to end this now or his death wouldn't be far behind. With every ounce of his remaining strength and the last reserves of his aura, Daemon seized the moment. As the lion lunged, its form a blur of sinew and fur, he crouched low, his eyes locked onto the vulnerable target he had been waiting for. His Valyrian steel sword gleamed in the dappled sunlight, a weapon honed by centuries of skill and forged by a legacy of power.
As the lion soared through the air, its intent to rend and tear plain in its furious eyes, Daemon sprang upwards with a surge of aura-infused energy. His feet left the ground in a feat of agility and power, propelling him upwards with astonishing speed. His sword gripped tightly in his hand, was like an extension of his will.
Time seemed to slow as Daemon's body arced upwards, his trajectory perfectly aligned with the lion's trajectory. The clash was inevitable, and in that suspended moment, Daemon's heart beat in tandem with the lion's feral fury. His aura, a brilliant shimmer that surrounded him, pulsed in harmony with his intent.
Their collision was a burst of energy and sound. Daemon's sword drove forward with unyielding force, its edge finding its mark with uncanny precision. The blade pierced the lion's chest, its tip cleaving through fur, flesh, and bone until it found its ultimate destination: the heart.
The lion's roar of agony and rage reverberated through the clearing, and Daemon felt the impact of its weight upon him. The force of the collision sent them both crashing to the earth, the ground shuddering with the impact. Daemon's body bore the crushing weight of the dying lion, his strength waning and his aura flickering in its final moments.
Blood seeped from the lion's wound, mingling with the dirt and leaves of the forest floor. As the creature's life force ebbed away, its struggles grew weaker until finally, it lay still, its vibrant aura fading into nothingness.
Beneath the weight of the fallen lion, Daemon struggled to breathe. His body ached with the injuries he had sustained, his aura nearly depleted after the intense battle. He stared up at the canopy of leaves above, his vision growing hazy as his strength waned. He finally fell unconscious.
(AN: Big fight chapter boys. Daemon fighting the lion, anyway I don't have much to say about this tbh apart from the fact that he fought a lion. Support? Idk.)
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