Hunting the Golden Horned Bear

Lukkja tightened his bracers as Ailen made sure her arrows were in good condition. Nykir made sure his glaive was not attached too tightly to his back. The boys nodded to each other and Lukkja made sure Ailen was ready. Ailen nodded her head and they ventured off, stepping off the trail as they began to sort through the undergrowth. 

The three of them were on a hunt for the large golden bear that had been spotted by a few scouts in the last couple of weeks in this forest. It was intriguing to the three of them as this forest boarded along a steep mountainside on one side while another was bordered by a river. 

Using his bracer to lift a stubborn branch out of their face level, Lukkja waited for Ailen and Nykir to pass as they moved forward through the forest. Ailen bent down and examined some disturbed soil and undergrowth near a creek they stumbled across. Nykir kept a lookout, a guard of sorts to make sure they were not ambushed themselves by anything. 

Ailen searched around this area that appeared to be frequented by wildlife, Lukkja joining her in examining the area. It was not long before Ailen was calling for the boys to join her, having found bear tracks. The boys looked over her shoulder as Ailen placed her hand next to the best-defined track of the bear. The print was easily twice as big as her hand, indicating this was a large bear. 

A bit nervous, Nykir adjusted his grip on his glaive. The bear was much larger than he thought it was going to be and it made him wonder if they could do it with just the three of them. Lukkja and Ailen were not as nervous as he was. Ailen did have a look on her face that was close to concern but it was in regards to how the bear got so big. Lukkja was eager and ready for a good fight. The bigger the better both Lukkja and Ailen thought. 

Ailen kept a good grip on her bow as she took the lead in following this enormous bear tracks. Lukkja looked ahead of them, searching for any place that might be a den for this large bear. Nykir watched their side and behind them. He could faintly still hear birds and smaller animals moving about. It meant they were not close to their target but it also meant there were no other predators around to ambush or stalk them in turn. 

Traveling a few more hours like this, the three of them ended up climbing up onto the foothills of the mountain that bordered this forest. Lukkja suddenly grabbed Ailen’s shoulder and shifted his end sideways to catch Nykir’s attention so they stopped moving. 

Ahead of them, just barely visible through the trees, was a giant golden-furred creature. An enormous bear with shinning deer horns sprouting from its head was foraging through some roots, digging under some of the boulders with its front claws. 

Ailen moved to sneak around to have a higher vantage point for her to use her bow while Lukkja and Nykir crept forward. The boys held their weapons close to them as they bent over, sneaking forward, just barely staying in the treeline out of sight of this mythical-looking bear. 

The wind was in their favor thankfully, and they were able to get fairly close to the bear before it seemed to sense something and lifted its large head to look around. That gave the perfect moment for Ailen. Lifting her bow, she looked down the arrow and touched it to her cheek. Aiming, Ailen released her arrow and watched it fly through the air. 

Hearing the strum of the bow, the horned bear turned its head just in time to receive the arrow to the face. The arrow slashed through the side, just barely missing the chance to blind it. Roaring in pain, the bear raised up on its hind legs to look even bigger. 

Nykir and Lukkja jumped into action, using the moment of the bear’s anger to rush forward and attack it. Lukkja used his large bladed spear to slash into the bear’s side as Nykir went for its legs. 

The golden horned bear slashed its large paws at the both of them, trying to land hard, heavy hits on them as the two boys circled the bear, darting into land attacks on it. Ailen kept to the tree line, taking shots at the bear when she saw them. Arrows and wounds soon littered the mighty golden horned bear but it was not going to just accept its fate as prey. 

With an echoing roar, the bear charged Nykir. Using its horns, it slammed into his side and tossed him away. Lukkja jumped onto the back of the bear as it rushed at the grey cervine. Digging his claws in, Lukkja held on while awkwardly stabbing at the bear he now rod. 

Ailen rushed forward to help up Nykir who was pulling himself to his feet. The breath had been knocked from his lungs but now he waved Ailen off, sending her back up the hill so she was out of the way and could still help with her heavy-tipped arrows. 

Nykir rejoined the fight as Lukkja was finally thrown from the bear’s back. A swing of his glaive brought the horned bear’s attention back to Nykir so Lukkja could get up without getting mauled by this bear. 

Roaring in anger and pain, the bear slammed its front paws into the ground, making the earth shake under its power. The trees swayed and Ailen had to jump out of the way as one of the older ones came crashing down where she had been just moments ago. 

Swiping its horned head back and forth, the bear charged at Lukkja. The canine centaur had regained his footing quickly and was able to jump out of the way. It left an opening for Ailen to take another shot, this time, able to nail one of the bear’s eyes. The pained and enraged roar that followed shook the ground and seemed to call in a storm. 

Thunder and lightning crashed above them as the skies rumbled in tune with the golden bear that swiped at Nykir. He lifted his glaive just in time to deflect, skittering away before the bear could take a second swing at him. 

Lukkja and Nykir danced around the enraged horned, golden bear as the skies raged above them. Ailen took carefully aimed shots once openings arrived, assisting the boys in this once in a lifetime hunt. 

This dance went on for what felt like hours. The three of them trading turns in attempting to land hits on the giant bear, each time hoping that this blow would be the final one, and yet the bear kept going. Rage and the pure will to live pushing it forward in this battle. 

Above them, the skies finally cracked open. Rain began to fall and dampen the sounds of their battle. The bear finally stumbled and the boys instantly jumped at the provided chance. Lukkja aimed his spear for the spine and Nykir slashed at the jugular. 

The three struggled in a big heap before it all went still. Ailen held her breath, staring at the heap as rain fell heavily. She released her breath slowly as there was movement. Lukkja popped his head up just barely on the other side of the downed bear, panting. 

Nykir was slower to get up but he looked just as pleased. With the bear finally taken down, Ailen stepped out of the treeline and joined them beside their successful hunt. Tucking away her arrows and securing away her bow, Ailen examined the bear as Nykir and Lukkja caught their breath from the intense battle. 

Once the boys had recovered, the three of them examined the bear. It was much larger than any of them had expected and would be difficult to bring back. None of them wanted to waste anything though, especially not a majestic beast like this. So, they devised a make-shift sled of sorts that the three of them could grab onto. 

It took them another hour to build and push the bear atop the sled. Grabbing onto the sled, the three of them nodded and began to drag their hunt back to the village. As if as another reward and as a sign of respect in some ways, the forest was silent as they trekked back the way they came. 

The rain had yet to let up when they had to break for camp. A quick shelter was erected so they could get a few hours of sleep. Aileen took the first watch and they rotated as they all got some much needed rest. The rain was heavy but as they took up the sled once more and finally broke through the tree line, it began to lighten to such a faint drizzle, that none of them noticed it was raining anymore. 

A few villagers who lived along the outskirts were the first to spot them returning. Cheers and hollers went up all around Ailen, Lukkja, and Nykir. A few centaurs rushed forward to help them bring in the horned golden bear while others rushed to inform the village elders and the rest of those who were in the village of their successful return. 

Setting down the sled with their hunt, Lukkja and Nykir faced each other. Smiling, they clasped each other’s arms in a warrior handshake. Ailen rolled her eyes at the two and brought both of them in for a quick, thankful hug. They made a good team and the tale of their hunt for the golden bear would live on for many generations.