Chapter 1
Thump! Thump!. My heart hammered against my chest.
I couldn’t stop myself from breathing hard. I stumbled backwards as the ground beneath me rumbled, cracks breaking the surface.
I shuddered as the ferocious monster emerged. It had huge arms, hands big enough to crush my skull. Its forearms were two times bigger than its hindlegs. It had two toes on its paws, but from the size alone, I was deeply terrified.
“ Mama!” I screamed as it clawed at me.
I parried its attack, gasping as I felt my body brimming with energy. A weird sensation rocked my head making me fall on all fours, groaning in agony.
***
“ Negasi!”
I struggled to open my eye lids, peering at Mama with my weary eyes.
" Another bad dream.”
I nodded weakly.
My hut was in Janin, a quarter reserved for messengers of gods like me. My destiny set me apart from my siblings. I miss them dearly.
I was still young then, unaware of what powers I possessed. My parents noticed the changes too quickly. My speed, strength, foresight suddenly turned abnormal. I was becoming totally inhuman.
Lökö, the village diviner revealed I was the new Herald. The Hawk had chosen me. I was to begin my journey alone.
As Mama will have it, she insisted to visit every full moon. The Priest of the Holy Temple could not refuse her offer, so, here she was, taking care of her only son.
I smiled reassuringly but she could see past my smile, she could see how frail I was.
“ Who was it this time? The Hawk?”
“ A Noguashi, Mama.”
“ Those things were killed before you were born.”
She looked worried. The Hawk never lies and this was no mere premonition.
“ Be careful out there son.”
“ I will Mama, I will.”
And I meant it.
“ I prepared your favorite soup, take it before it gets cold.”
I sat upright, slurping it like I hadn’t eaten in days.
