Sciger Winning Entry

Heroes come in all shapes and sizes, appearances and abilities. When one thinks of a hero, they usually think of a kind-hearted soul who only wants to improve the world and protect the innocent. However, not all heroes are flashy like the Rainbow Scouts, who so often drop those annoying ensembles on your head. Not all heroes are as well-known as Officer Coppa, who works day and night to keep us safe as well as inform us when another pet has fallen to the apocalyptic plague. I believe we can agree that all heroes share one thing in common: the desire to keep the innocent from harm. Perhaps we can also say that these heroes can come from the most unlikely of places and unlikely of creatures. Tell me, have you ever heard of Jalitek the Furious? I thought not, no one outside of the locals knows very much about him except that he’s very mean.

Our story begins one summer in Banshee Swamp where evil things commonly lurk and are dismissed just as quickly. The heat of the day was near unbearable for even the pools of muddy water are too hot to cool down in. Despite the humid heat, business went as usual. Bud the Bum was cackling maniacally as he tossed more worn-out junk into piles outside his shallow hole in the ground. The fisherman on the dock had his line cast in the water and despite being sat up, loud snores emanated from his location. Lissa was showing some rather rude and loud individuals out of her shop while her more calm customers glared at the source of the racket. I was escaping the heat in the library as it was much too hot for anyone to move except maybe Bud. I had decided to enjoy a nice book about a furious frodrinn, holding it with my feet as I used my wings to cool myself. It was hard to believe my own kind could be so angry, I like to think we frodrinn are quite laid-back when we aren’t making mischief.

An abnormal rumble started from atop the hill that was normally quiet for eleven months of the year. The fisherman was startled awake, falling into the hot water below him with a loud splash. The never-ending chatter of Bud arguing with customers over the value of his “treasures” died away. The unruly customers of Lissa became still and quiet, resulting in much relief as several book readers could finally read in peace. While they were glad to have quiet, I was a bit worried. I knew that there was only activity at the Chamber of Evil during October when Lanturnacht was in full force. Otherwise, it would remain quiet as a graveyard, untouched by anyone save for Albrecht. The low growl was far from the nocturnal koko’s usual rambling, far more ominous and low. The very air began to fill with a tension as it sounded again.

Suddenly, the Chamber’s doors swung open with a loud crash. The beast of the Chamber of Evil emerged with an angry roar, stumbling down into town! I watched as the fisherman, who finally reached the shore of his small fishing pond, scrambled to his feet and frightfully fled for his very life, taking refuge in the Creepy Critters shop. Lissa grabbed her outdoor customers and dragged them inside her library and slammed the doors shut. I could hear Bud’s shrieking as he dove into his hole in an attempt to hide. From the safety of the library, I could hear the monster’s thundering roars as it stomped around the buildings. Gigantic, clawed hands scraped at the walls in an effort to reach the tasty morsels that hid inside. I caught a glimpse of the beast’s dead-looking eyes as it glared through the library’s window at us. Thankfully, the buildings could withstand the abuse and the monster’s efforts resulted in frustration as it stomped back up to its home and disappeared into the darkness. I knew for sure that it would be back for when I looked into its eyes, I saw the unmistakable gleam of hunger.

I knew something had to be wrong. The Chamber of Evil always stays quiet during these months, what could have roused the beast into leaving and terrorizing us innocent folk? Lissa told me that I shouldn’t go out for the terrifying creature might come back out but I simply had to go see what was going on. Perhaps Albrecht forgot to do something for the beast like feed it? Carefully pushing the door of the library open, I tiptoed out and then closed it behind me, wincing as it loudly squeaked shut. I heard the roar of the beast once more and the fur on the back of my neck stood on end. The beast had somehow heard me leave! Flapping my wings with desperation, I took to the skies to try and escape my fate. I dared to take a peek back to see the monster thundering back into town. Knowing I was its target, I tried to lure it away from town but it lost interest in me. It was eyeing a woodland ricket that had emerged from the Creepy Critters shop with a new pal. I screeched my throat hoarse trying to get the creature’s attention but it was intent on its panic-stricken prey.

Suddenly, another rumbling started, this time from the woods. The monster distractedly turned its ugly head towards the source while the ricket dove back into the shop. A frightful bellow echoed as a terror eledon burst forth from the mud and trees, thundering towards the creature. The Chamber’s monster was large and vicious but this eledon rivaled its size and temper. Jalitek the Furious, that’s what we locals call him. No one knows a lot about him except that he doesn’t like visitors. Many have tried to go and say hello since he moved to the swamp but are promptly frightened away by his aggression. I don’t know what has caused him to come to town as he never leaves his territory from deep within the swamp. My best guess is that he heard the roars and came to investigate.

All I know is what I’m seeing right before me as I land on a nearby tree, watching Jalitek take on the Chamber of Evil’s hungry creature. The monster continually tried to grab him but the terror eledon, despite his size, is surprisingly quick on his feet. Jalitek knew exactly how to handle the fight, timing his head-butts at exactly the right moments. The finishing blow was when Jalitek grabbed onto the beast with his trunk and in an impressive display of strength, lifted the monstrous creature into the air on his tusks! Then, Jalitek tossed his large head and threw his opponent into a hefty old tree with a crash. The beast shakily crawled to all fours but could not stand. Glaring with rolling red eyes, Jalitek bellowed loudly in a sound that shook the entirety of the town. The beast, yelping like a baby ahbruis, took off towards the Chamber of Evil without regard to its injuries. The darkness of the Chamber swallowed it and the heavy doors scraped shut with a rumble.

I can hardly believe what I just saw. Jalitek saved us all! I flew down to the ground to speak to him but by the time I landed, he was already thundering back into the swamp. I called out to him and he stopped for a moment, turning his head so one angry red eye glared back at me. My voice caught in my throat for a moment but at last, I found my courage and I called out,

“Thank you, Jalitek!”

His eye narrowed for a moment. He gave what I think was a snort in response before continuing back into the muddy swamp. I stood there for a long time until I couldn’t see him anymore, trying to understand. I don’t quite know what he was saying or even why he came but I suppose it doesn’t matter. He didn’t have to come when he heard the monster’s roar but he did. That means he’s a hero.

Jalitek the Furious may not be what everyone thinks about when heroes are mentioned. To me, he’s the hero that I will always think of, even if everyone else is afraid of him. It takes a unique kind of hero to go out of their way to defend someone they don’t like.