"Dangerous Honour" by Samantha L. Papworth

My forehead was beaded with sweat and the air surrounding me was stale and moist. The cave's dark, black walls were making me feel small and unwanted. I crawled along towards an unknown passage and as I did my hands became sticky from the many plants growing along the walls and floor. Suddenly the air became warmer and more inviting. I turned to my right and a blinding white light shone onto my tired face, outlining my many old wrinkles. My left hand shot up to my face to cover some of the light.



A large figure walked slowly up to me, its body blocking the light out and casting an eerie shadow onto the cave floor. Realising that this was the beast that I had been searching for, I drew my slender sword out of its casing with a strong tug. I pulled myself up onto my feet, as the beast, Lor, let out a screaming roar. I shook my head to cut out the defining noise and steadied myself, ready for attack.



The beast stepped back as I charged towards it. As it did I could slowly make out its profile. Its large head was greasy and hairless, and its long body was close to the ground, to enable it to move through the maze of tunnels it called its home. Its body was a pale brown colouring, hairless and packed with muscles. Its small beady eyes were white like pearls. The large gaping hole on its head was lined with razor sharp teeth and was dripping with saliva. As I continued without hesitation to run towards it, its jaws snapped open, ready to strike. Holding my sword above my head, I reached Lor and sank my sword deep into the beast's hard skull. With much force it sank in, the beast screaming out in agony.



Shaking its heavy head, it snapped its jaws in every direction. I drew my sword out of its head as bright blue blood dripped all over my hands and the floor. Leaving the beast to its fate, I sank back into the darkness. Then I whispered to Lor, "I, Tiarra, the most feared women in the world has finally taken your life, you primitive beast."