Away from Home

[Dapper-Sama]

Review topic Here. PROLOUGE Given the unusual circumstances in which this story takes place, I will have to remind you that this is all completely true. The names have been changed, for reasons that will become obvious soon enough. Now that that is over, let us begin. In the years since the Matoran had populated the enormous landmass south of Mata-Nui, they had encountered new rahi. They settled the large, expansive landscape, and these settlements, in due time, would become large cities and slightly less large towns. That time had not come yet, when these events took place. In the plains, feral rahi prowled, usually during the night. In the forests, other, more varied monsters dwelled at the fringes of perception. In the deserts, you were more likely to die from thirst or exhaustion than at the claws or fangs of the hardiest creatures in the continent. In the tundra, extreme temperatures and well-camouflaged beasts make living there difficult. Other than that. the Southern Continent was completely safe. This dangerous world is where our story takes place. To be more specific, a nameless village in the rolling hills near the center of the landmass. An non-walled, lightly guarded settlement just outside the forests I mentioned earlier. It is here, where our story begins.

Edited August 20, 2013 by Lieutenant Obvious

[Dapper-Sama]

Chapter One

 

This village was primarily a farming town, that exported wheat and similar goods. Most inhabitants were farmers or bakers. Rahi attack rarely, because usually the sneaky ones from the forest scared the plains creatures off. Many here liked to joke that the beasts were arguing over who got to raid the settlement. The place was mostly yurts with a wooden cabin here or there, and a large pine in the center. During the day, the air was filled with the sounds of children playing, and adults conversing over various things. At night, the place was quiet, but great to see from a distance, because of the torches folks put up to illuminate their homes.

 

Rilathlin was a farmer, who lived with a family of three; his wife and son. He was a matoran, of average strength and height, who spent days harvesting, and nights eating. He was satisfied with his simple life, but, unbeknownst to him, it was not to last. Ignorance is bliss, they say, and he was happy, because he did not know the terrible things going on outside his jolly little home.

 

One day, he was chopping down barley in the fields, and he heard a distant roar. It was probably one of those rahi, he thought. Surely, they won't bother us. He continued going about his harvesting- surely the crops wouldn't reap themselves. So he kept going about his business, until he heard the noise again. This time, he got a bit nervous. The second time sounded much closer.

 

By the third roar, accompanied by faint thumping, Rilathlin immediately stopped what he was doing, and looked towards the hill west of them. Other farmers were doing the same. Eventually, he could barely see the harsh glow of angular eyes from the forest above the village. One huge, two-toed claw stepped out, then the other. Then, this creature showed its head, which was red, lizard-like, and utterly horrific to look at..

[Dapper-Sama]

And the beast lunged at the first thing it sees- Rilathlin. He was able to dodge the head that was larger than his whole body, but he was pinned under it's left claw.

 

"Archers!"

 

And suddenly a massive volley of arrows flies overhead, bouncing harmlessly off of the creature's armor. Fortunately, this distracts the dragon, long enough for Rilathlin to free himself. Rilathin scampered away, but the monster reached out it's great big hand and grabs him. He used his scythe to try and pry open the creature's hand, but only ended up breaking the scythe.

 

By this time, the entirety of the village's security forces had moved to attack the dragon. Javelin's penetrated the beast's scales, but caused little apparent injury or pain. Swordsmen were hacking away at the rahi's legs, and archers were shooting at it's extremities.

 

Eventually, the creature's grip loosened, and Rilathlin was able to squeeze out out it's claws. Up it's left arm, onto it's huge head...

 

..and the shaft of his scythe into it's right eye.