First Roar

Stiff joints cracked. Breath surged into my chest. I looked across the dark ridge and saw the spined reptile frozen before me, jaws open, red crest stiff in the light. A challenge. I clenched my right fist, testing the tension in my arm, and slammed it against the hard black rim beneath my foot. Solid. Hollow echo. I pulled back my shoulders and let loose a low rumble, daring the silent beast to flinch. It remained still. I held the edge, grounded and ready.