KING OF STIGMA

Awakening 1.

Blaze was lying down inside a large tent, the hunting party had arrived at a safe point where they always used for shelter during the hunting trip. 

Blaze raised his left hand to look at the Nine-headed dragon mark. 

"The Dragon mark hasn't glowed since that time. What could possibly be the trigger?" 

Blaze remembered the buff he got when the mark glowed, how strong he got and how good it felt. "Is that how an awakened feels?" 

Blaze was from a world different to this one, it lacked supernatural aspects and as such, he had never experienced anything like this even in both worlds. 

"If I want to have any hopes at surviving in this world, I must find a way to harness the power of the mark. But how?" 

He thought about what had happened when the mark glowed before. 

"I was exhausted, barely able to breath but most especially, I was desperate and determine to catch up with the hunting party." 

Could it be that the mark is tied directly to Blaze' will? 

The night felt long for Blaze. He couldn't stop thinking about unlocking the power of the Nine-headed Dragon mark. 

He couldn't sleep, tossing and turning, trying to figure out how to wake it up. He whispered to himself, "I have to Awaken during this trip."

As the sun started to rise, the hunting party got ready to keep going. 

Blaze had a newfound determination to unlock the full secrets of the Mark. Standing with his friends, he felt a strong sense of purpose.

"Alright let's do this thing!" His voice rang out, filled with a strong feeling that echoed deep inside him, his arms raised skyward in a gesture of defiance against the unknown.

However, his passionate call was ignored by the other hunters who were busy with their own tasks. Only Adrian, briefly looked at Blaze before hitting his temple with an arrow.

"Ouch," Blaze winced, rubbing the sore spot on his head.

"Save that enthusiasm for when it's needed," Adrian admonished. 

"Yes, sir," Blaze replied, his earlier excitement was replaced with a pout. 

Suddenly, a thunderous roar shattered the serene tranquility of the morning, sending a shiver down Blaze's spine. 

Instinctively, he turned to Adrian, his eyes wide with fear as he sought answers.

"What was that?" he inquired, his voice barely above a whisper, betraying his apprehension.

Adrian's expression darkened, a somber gravity settling over his features as he uttered the ominous words, "The worst possible scenario."

Before Blaze could process the implications of Adrian's words, Prowler interjected, his voice tinged with urgency.

"It's the Garuda," he declared with a frightened tone. 

The Garuda was a powerful creature that held dominion over the forest. It's might was nothing to laugh about, it's feared even by Stigma warriors. 

"That can't be right," Adrian interjected, his brow furrowed in disbelief. "The Garuda should be in hibernation at this time of year. What could have possibly awakened it?"

"Does it matter?" Prowler's voice cut through the air with a sense of urgency, his eyes scanning the surrounding terrain for any signs of movement. "We need to act swiftly."

Yet, despite their attempts to regroup and press onward, the beast's primal roars reverberated through the forest once more, each deafening cry serving as a grim reminder of the impending danger.

"It's drawing nearer!" Prowler's words carried a note of alarm as he braced himself for the imminent confrontation.

Adrian's hand instinctively tightened around the grip of his bow, his gaze fixed on the canopy above as he prepared for the inevitable clash. 

"No," he murmured, his voice barely audible above the cacophony of the forest. "It's already upon us. Brace yourselves."

As if on cue, a shadow descended upon the hunting party, casting them into a state of apprehensive silence. 

With bated breath, they lifted their eyes skyward, only to behold a monstrous sight—a colossal lion adorned with the majestic wings and fierce visage of an eagle.

Blaze felt a chill run down his spine as he clutched his dagger tightly, his hands trembling in anticipation of the looming confrontation with the legendary Garuda.

"Men! Ready yourselves!" Prowler rallied the hunting party as the beast swooped down. It used its talon to claw away through the hunting party. 

Blaze widened his eyes. "It took... Out half of the party with a single attack." 

Blaze watched in horror as the Garuda soared through the sky swooping down for another attack. This time only Blaze, Adrian and Prowler were left standing. 

They looked up to see the beast readying it's final attack. 

" Am I going to die? Like this?" Blaze plopped to his knees losing his will. 

Adrian with his great dexterity took a fraction of a second to load an arrow. Taking aim, he chanted, "Blazing Shot." 

The Arrow became engulfed in flames as he took a shot at the winged beast making it stumble back a bit. 

"Get back useless lad!" Prowler yelled at Blaze before unsheathing his sword, "Dawn Slash." He yelled sending a powerful slash wave at the stunned beast. 

The two Stigma warriors launched a flurry of their ranged attacks repeatedly. After a while, they stopped attacking. As the dust settles, the Garuda was shown standing tall completely unfazed. 

"Cawwww!" 

It let out another massive roar before flapping it's wings sending slash waves of it's own. The wind scythes cut through the two warriors knocking them out. 

"Adrian!" 

Adrian had more cuts on his body as he had shielded Blaze from the attacks. He watched his benefactor nearly lifeless covered with dozens of large cuts. 

Blaze balled his fist as he raises his head to face the beast. 

"You'll pay for that." He declared with his voice dropping with rage. The Mark on his left arm began to glow as this time, a purplish Stigma Energy engulfed him. 

The Garuda flew up once again ready to make its final swoop. Blaze was no longer afraid, he could feel the energy coursing through him. He took a deep breath and waited for the beast. 

"Come at me!" 

The beast swoops down with it's talons aimed at Blaze. Blaze timed the attack perfectly as he landed a powerful punch that sent shockwaves strong enough to blow the leaves away from the trees. 

"Huff, huff." 

Adrian and Prowler who were still conscious couldn't believe their eyes. 

"One hit..." Prowler muttered wi

th disbelief. "He knocked out the Legendary Garuda with a single hit."