Shitshitshitshitshit

Were antelopes always this fast?

Things started out pretty well. I brought Flashpaw and Aziza as well as two other of the faster cats with me. The cats with their claws coated in paralytic herbs got a few scratches on the leader’s leg. I managed to land a few stone throws as well, although it was just to ensure it chases us. Then we ran off into the grove with it chasing us. Everytime it stopped, we could get a few stone throws or cat scratches in.

Everything was going well.

Then we reached the first trap.

It was a simple pit trap. It wasn’t very deep but it was steep and covered with sticks and grass. It’s front foot stepped into it and -crack-, the branches gave under its weight and it started to fall down.

I thought we had it. Boy was that premature.

Before it could land, I felt a burst of mana coming from it. It then burst forward with it’s head down and cleared a good 20 feet. It was like a mana fueled ram. The sudden forwards charge let it clear the pit before it’s leg could fall in and take any damage. Honestly if we were any closer we’d have probably been hit. It’s aim must have been off from the fall because it rushed towards a tree slightly away from us instead. I don’t even want to think about he gouge marks it left.

Things were going to get interesting. I could feel my heart pace rising and my mind truly focusing on my prey for the first time. It felt like I could see each patch of fur and each white mark on it’s horn, worn down by use.

Good news is that it doesn’t look like it can do that repeatedly. After its charge ended, it was slow and couldn’t chase after us right away. The kitties used this time to make a few more scratches and run away with me.

Bad news is that it seems to have decided that it really, really hates us. It’s been using that stupid magical charge attack every so often. If that hits, we’re definitely dead meat. I’m lucky I chose a place with trees instead of the open plains.

Still. I can’t help but feel my mind racing and a grin coming to my face.

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And that brings us to now. We’ve been weaving through the trees. Sometimes a kitty will jump on its side and make a few scratches. That would distract it for a few seconds, enough for me to get just a little bit further. Luckily trap two is coming up.

Ah. But if it uses that charge attack I’m afraid it will just break through by force huh.

Heh. It can’t be helped. I guess I’ll just have to do something about it myself.

Despite all that running I could feel a shiver working its way through my body. This is it.

I stood in front of the second trap and turned to face it. The cats were waiting at the sides. The antelope caught up.

Each shiver ran through my body tensed my muscles. Each muscle like a spring pushed to its limits. More energy than I thought a body like mine could contain. A myriad of emotions contained within each heated breath. Fear. Pain. Nervousness. Insecurity. Pride. Greed. Hunger. Excitement.

Madness.

The poor thing seemed like it was breathing a little heavy too. Perhaps it was using all of those magical charging attacks. I giggled. Maybe it was some of that extra energy escaping.

Seemingly spurred on by the laughter, and it’s anger at having missed its mark for so long, it lowered its head once again and -

- - - - -

I felt the wave of mana wash over me and my tensed muscles reacted. My muscles reacted before I could process it. Each spring snapped, it’s tension and energy allowed to be released. I leapt and avoided it’s charge.

It couldn’t stop immediately but after passing where I stood just a moment ago, it no longer had the explosive energy of its charge. The magic behind the force had dissipated and all that was left at the end was momentum. It should at least take a while before it can do that again. It was at this time that it ran into the spider silk wires I had set up.

It started getting tangled up and was thrashing around. However I knew it wouldn’t be enough. The wires would snap sooner or later. It even reared up to try and escape.

[Eita] Kitties, now!

The cats leapt on my command. They started scratching and biting the antelope’s hind legs and rump, startling it. That was enough to make it stumble forwards in surprise and -

CRACK

He was in position. It was the last chance. He stepped on the second, much deeper pit trap. However this time he didn’t react in time and his charge couldn’t be activated again so soon. He tumbled forwards as he was caught off balance. His head and horns got caught in the snare set up at head height. Suddenly, he found that his front feet could no longer find any footholds.

There was no longer any way for it to escape. It was only a matter of a quick or slow defeat.

He reared up to try and escape but the cats kept attacking it's back and climbing on him, leaving him off balanced. I don’t know what did it. Perhaps he just needed a little push. Perhaps the numbing agents were taking effect. Perhaps his panic was his undoing. No matter what it was, he could no longer balance on his two hind feet and collapsed forwards from his reared up position. All that extra weight and momentum was enough.

CRACK

And all that was left was a few unsightly twitches.

I collapse on the ground with the kitties. Even as I felt the energy leave my body, it seemed to bubble up into full on laughter. I couldn’t help it. It was exhilarating. The tinge of pain in my ribs couldn’t stop the joy.

[Eita] It’s over.

I’ll have one of the go bring Saeri here, but for now we all deserve a break.

[Eita] Good job kitties. I’ll be sure to feed everyone plenty of meat tonight.

[Cats] Nyaaaaaa~