As the day beckoned with a vibrant sun, they made their way down the hill, their steps filled with anticipation and a hot breakfast nicely digested. "The coast is clear it seems," Katie said, smiling confidently, knowing she had traps and snares to take out any intruders. Explosions and screams would've woken them up if anyone dared to approach.
Though the journey downhill was unexciting, clear skies granted them a beautiful view. Suddenly, Ed stopped at the edge of the hill, causing a puzzled frown from Leon. "Why'd you-" he stopped, his gaze shifted to an amazing sight. A griffon, with the dignified combination of a bald eagle's head fused with a lion's body, was squatting over the stream, drinking the water. Its head turned and it launched into the air. Everyone reached for their weapons. They then realized it wasn't aiming for them.
image [https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/AP1GczNDWz53De7nGXgUNCHtq0Hk4Y9HgNsWB58jUosEIwyto2X77sPPlRYTbLFqpCSe367hWbQDZ7aX6IGpGm0dETrq1ssh1-kizzD8JOvJ2bN43niiZA2knx0nKX0cCXolUl3bRfbZ5HK211ohlX8sJjYHdyYb17uVHm5wlLuPxXr5BznhbVDwICAYngc3cTzmvP03Bu5trZl6UHoKvxx3QxPQmTJCQrRLC6kkUbUxGyinX5FoXgdfUGqjezxP6NVsqIOIWjgzWoU1zdhH91W0Cg0K1tzGQ-aa5SScZdPseolYeo8oATqwEHcY0ZMEMpXd4ctSftGDqTcC1Uh9BCt4A0XuP1yAezzD4tH0TXfROCO3-zL_K--0uc8PhzvM_1gAxG6oukCaLBIl0Yd4LUX-DcFrVjUtwO06Q3Y_ye-AwnHCbxlOOQrSNLQOThK6qQ2FpiYl6V5OUiQC6HaVROKBORD4go_GH_3lkpuEjhqnQ0oDBXe_v4NfNQCmnps8-cja-OM6B_v221DJS-Pfx0p27PYsI_V5ER414TxP2JdtsCM76kEi0g3N48MZ4YgkwW_THUM7bYR3Pz9-1c0CWmIE8by3XdRy4qK8xtfjQvi8XhmwrIOHxKVEmPwwCnvdLmkUEerXOBi_n7Nt6945Sh6PJoEWRyd-MMKyepnaBhfoNQAc9CqJ5zt9T9Lpii2Y5P1AKMppKmvzM7vDuDHpRfZBQgtRK01JzfkSbfyZy3eD809Wa8QYmSzFng3lVC_eSVJnvnCLYhzEUoZYpnzr01umwqzf2b1JAc8W_zvwLx1Ro6QExtaHPVOGtvCfvUHlWTfzrOM7d6FkT4D3ZKK4ke7JFOKCWJAWWqw7hNnnR6WGZuOIFeid5JU8aR_BdmDIr9iMyXijIh1G3AhJnhb1oS_FikMKVlDMk8uMg-SEYuRDpgZICVbqM1R6DdsWNQvJc4o=w896-h896-s-no-gm?authuser=1]
The griffon splashed against the stream, dunking its head into the water. In its beak wriggled a fish desperately thrashing for its life. With a deadly precision, the griffon snapped the fish in half, its giant wings spreading as it let out a prideful cry.
"Din-dins?" King whispered, his jaw widening.
Katie smacked his snout. "No!"
Once it flew away, they continued their journey through the forest. The atmosphere was filled with colorful chirping of birds, their vibrant colors painting the skies above. More mythical creatures crossed their paths the further in they went. They hid amongst the bushes and trees, evading harpies, dire wolves, and from a distance, even a mighty chimera. Its mere presence scared most of the other critters away, every footstep thundering along the dirt path.
They watched it from the outskirts of the grass clearing. Every attempt to move had its multiple eyes fix its gaze on them. It was like a sick work of art with a lion's face, a goat's head on its back, and a snake for a tail. It was enormous, nearly the size of a bus.
image [https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/AP1GczP5HmYMFe4fhzUTDvnznX_0ae6hNKi7pcNxHFTftY-o2iMi7WXyG4kvQ5lUX2cJ6vV1Pt2sO_2eSpuOOEDjOYjPyQybQFQZW3vnOT5EjpNM1vD094A4b2DhFs2rYwcS67JmayRO6hxcxWROtYCVGgZ9PxNIAA2DYOBsunmJ8IaMI6qGU2T2vJTNQuJSzzK_KSogDTOAb-e15Rl6RXbvljNdlq1nIGoUVXZyHTUWsJu4-BCWTQx5C9q3wvDCIHZ8fgyZmZ8VDbZgpg4G2hCMG6qEJvb_cbUMeqc1v0Cq8SgJB2e4cK_-UrNqzUoucbtYLLB8ULeyEVjvm-RMilR3lAfS9jEnkZf_nYKFbtTFG_QGeEaFcPvZuEwNgAhVJy3Je_8x436FQ4IE4Y-AkZGVUL6kCJeUgpPP-Cv9KCWtOXWfNSXje-G2pziqe7iv5v2N9YnyDTYzsyzG-lli-IfbAwn5Uwnz-l8fKx1iSA3jBvvfLxJghk9sW1CaEIOwK39WF78_Qz8IIqEzVGHLrJWbhIHeNJj1xQT5KxQOR6rrnZjJIDfRVVbTq-XY32DdfEaRYi0ZcIBiKvav4ypHBWLKjs1mGS-Xi2ybpzl6aEgA8ssqYtkir59u4mlEdRzMX-HbTRWdTMa10eHp55qFs_zTjYu3ffgaujW3wKVu-Q2MUg5Cf2Oht-ZruwS7n2vB-i0NTzTLQ5OMDxa7vJdPqwPqwvbG1vWiUR5dHBlmU5LmxoqYBA9bGAcOnD9-JRK8s1PS8VFV_oKCkRLCwwdMBGbBdUZIg8puToxg_fdO5GX2FUI3aY3kerjOD-BAPk7FMKm2AZWYf9tAtd28FaAdecI7S5sCtmEkDvA6Ka9P6pSaaviUTi7MywtRWrkaIdxRqkVvLZQAHg5QNtEZnz4zewIIbLmWzc7R2XMqGsxKplB0o-pYBzBEr_tX8kLa0D6_gEgB=w896-h896-s-no-gm?authuser=1]
"One of the few creatures that can use magic to fight... we should wait for it to move on," Katie whispered, peering at it through the leaves.
"That right there is a tussle I care to avoid," King said, watching it closely. "Got me good last I saw such a beast. Me rump has never felt quite the same."
Leon exchanged glances with Ed and Richard. "What happened last time?" he asked, shifting his gaze to Katie. He knelt against the tree beside her as she bent closer to get a better look. She brushed her hair out of her eyes, leaning closer to observe.
"King got stuck in a tree trunk trying to escape. It took a nasty chunk off his tail," Katie explained, pulling her hair off of a stubborn twig. "He had to grow a new one after- oh my God..." Her body trembled, tears overflowing in her eyes as she looked up.
His eyes widening, Leon froze as a clear-cut clicking of pincers echoed above her head. Eight eyes stared down at her, a colossal spider, half the size of a coffee table, hung from its web. "Whatever you do, don't scream," Leon warned, his voice hushed.
"Eww, no, get it away!" Katie hissed, trying to kick at the spider as it landed on her leg.
Reacting quickly, Leon covered her mouth to silence any potential scream. Her wings sprouted, sparks beginning to fly. Meanwhile, King, with a swift bite, stopped the spider before it could crawl farther onto Katie and tossed it away. The arachnid landed on its legs, ready to charge back in their direction.
With a sudden chomp, everyone flinched as the chimera launched onto the spider. It let out tiny shrieks of terror as the chimera's claws and teeth tore it limb from limb.
Katie clung tightly to Leon's hand, her body trembling as they watched the grizzly slaughter. Their friends froze, doing their best not to draw it closer. The slightest movement would make it see them. The lion's jaws ripped at the head as the snake tail devoured the other half. One of the spider's legs flew in Katie's hair, almost making her cry out in disgust.
He grabbed her arms, pinning them to the floor as the chimera walked the opposite direction. Slowly, they all crawled and eventually sprinted away from the beast. It was only when they were out of sight when Leon gave a sigh of relief. Katie quickly dug out the detached spider leg and started rubbing her hair in rapid strokes.
"That was close," Richard said, who had been gripping his pistol. "The mighty angel is scared of spiders. I must say, you seem less threatening by the second."
She shot him a look that made him whistle in another direction. "It's a work in progress," she muttered, wiping dirt off of her jeans. "No matter how strong I become, insects will never cease to send shivers down my spine."
"Hah, it's probably as close to being normal as you'll ever get," Leon said, observing their surroundings. The air was silent now that the beast had moved on, but he didn't drop his guard. Ed was on the same page, quietly looking out. "You're not hurt, are you?"
Katie shook her head. "I- *sniffs* I'll be fine. I've just always hated spiders!" she exclaimed, holding her sides and shivering.
This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.
"Agreed. Damn bugs," Ed cringed, turning to her. "That thing was massive! King, why did you wait so long to bite it? You were right next to her."
"Pal, are ye' the type to eat insects?" King asked, blinking.
"No, I'm not an animal. I don't eat bugs," Ed looked in disgust at the thought. "I crush bugs!"
"What kinda' racist convoluted tripe is that?" King protested before jumping onto a branch above them. "Besides, mum is a riot when it comes to the wee critters. I recall she ran into Auntie Iz's room, crying, 'Help me! It's gonna' get me. Oh no-'" His voice grew high pitched to imitate when he froze at Katie's eyes glowing in his direction. Her pistol clicked and he added, "Mum's actually quite a specimen. Strongest woman in all the land. I do love her with all my heart."
Leon's eyes darted between the two of them, choking back a chuckle. "Auntie Iz? Who the hell is that?" he asked.
"It's just my sister Isabella...As much as it pains me, you'll meet again soon enough," she said, walking toward the dirt path. She moved out of earshot before he could ask what she meant. Her cheeks were burning as she cursed under her breath. "How embarrassing. Stop telling stories about me, King!"
Not many animals were encountered through the rest of their journey. The closer to town they were, the more silent the forest became. "This is strange," Katie muttered, pulling out her pistol.
"What is it?" Ed asked, looking around them.
The stone path and areas amongst the trees were vast, but empty. No people or animals could be seen anywhere. "Not a single patrol or caravan passing through? This is more than peculiar," Katie said, stopping to look at King. "Smell anything? Anyone in town?"
The raptor sniffed the air before lowering his snout into the dirt. His usual grin curled into a snarl. "Tartarus. They beat us here," he said, creeping to a set of footprints in the dirt. "That's not all. Wee ol' Lioness Kingdom is amongst them. No blood."
They stopped in an alley on the outskirts of town. The streets were isolated, with no signs of anyone passing through. No sounds of carts or cars, not even birds could be heard chirping. "Are no signs of blood supposed to be a bad thing?" Richard asked, checking the ammo in his pistol.
Katie rubbed her chin. "Peculiar is what it is. Tartarus is known for leaving nothing but destruction in its path. For there to be nothing... It confirms that Lioness and Tartarus are working together. No deaths are the real surprise. What could they be plotting?" She muttered, thinking. Leon noted the gentle gaze in her eyes was gone. It sent chills down his spine.
"What should we do?" he asked, his hand resting against his sword hilt.
"This isn't something we can overlook. We have to reach the Kingdom to get to the Luna Base anyhow. We'll investigate," she said, looking up at the clock tower in the distance. "None of you have combat experience. It'd be safer for you to wait here until I know the path is clear."
"You'd go alone?" Leon's eyes narrowed. "No way."
Do not let her out of your sight, Diablos said. Regardless of the danger, she could use the situation to her advantage. This could be a trap.
Yes, but that doesn't necessarily mean hers. He gripped her shoulder and said, "We don't know what we're getting ourselves into. If we run into them without you, it would be just as dangerous anyway. Separating is a stupid idea."
Katie grimaced. "This is too big of a group. We'll be drawing attention to ourselves if we all go together."
Ed and Richard exchanged a look before moving forward. "So, what is it you hope to find? We're good at avoiding unnecessary conflict, so long as we're careful. We can speed this up," Ed said, leaning against the wall. "This isn't going to get any safer regardless of where we go, if they're as dangerous as you say. Might as well get used to getting our hands dirty."
"But-" Katie opened her mouth, sweat running down her brow. Her eyes lowered as she bit her lip. "King, lead them around town. If you can, try to find anyone you can."
Richard scoffed. "What? You expect us to just let you and Leon split-"
"This is not a discussion," she hissed, turning to him. "The last thing I need is any of you being killed or worse captured. Death is a mercy to what these people are capable of. The only way this works is if you have me or King with you. Otherwise, you three might as well go back into the forest and we'll go on our own."
I'm not fond of letting anyone go alone... but, it seems we have little choice if we want to help. After last night, I know Richard's no slouch in a fight and I doubt Ed's any different, Leon looked at his friends. "Don't worry. My friends know how to handle themselves." He nodded to them, which they returned. "If we don't find anything, I imagine we'll meet up at the train station, right?"
"Yes. The objective is to find someone else and regroup at the station. If you encounter any troops, avoid them at all costs," she told them, crossing her arms. Her expression softened as she added, "Please, come back here if the station is too dangerous. Stay safe. I don't want to lose anyone else..."
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Galadius Town appeared frozen in time, its streets adorned with a captivating Renaissance allure. The buildings, constructed from sturdy red bricks and concrete, exuded an air of ancient wisdom. Delicate towers perched on various rooftops held giant bells that seemed to guard the secrets hidden within the town's walls. Dominating the central clearing stood a magnificent church, its presence emphasized by a golden statue standing proudly before it. Wisps of smog danced out of chimneys, casting a mystical aura over the town, while pink petals floated lazily from scattered dogwood trees, lending an ethereal touch to the atmosphere. The sun, radiant and powerful, illuminated the surroundings with an intensity that defied the shadows lurking within.
"What is this place usually like?" Leon whispered to Katie as they turned down an alley.
Smoke rose from the pipe above them. Turning her eyes to it, Katie shook her head. "Usually, it's a lot of hustle and bustle. The trains here can take you just about anywhere on these islands, and I mean anywhere. I've once heard of a project to stretch tracks underneath the ocean as well, but..."
His gaze shifted to her. "But what?"
A frown formed on her lips as they reached a corner behind several buildings. "As you can imagine, not all creatures are fond of humans on these islands. They may coexist, and yet they do not trust the safety of reaching out to other human countries."
Strange... yet, I guess I can't blame them given their history. Leon's eyes lowered, walking slowly behind her. Their history? I guess as obvious as it is, I've finally accepted that no part of me was ever human. Our parents aren't our blood related parents... then where did Iris and I come from? Did this Gaia create Iris too?
These thoughts plagued him for some time. Sneaking through the various streets and alleys, they stopped at a shack. Smells of food filled the air. Is that... steak? Leon's mouth watered as these scents attacked his nostrils. He turned his head to look at the window beside him. A silhouette was standing behind them in its reflection. His eyes widened. "Iris?"
Before he could turn, Katie pulled his arm. "Leon! There's someone in there!" she hissed, leaning beside the door.
With a curse escaping his lips, Leon's eyes darted over his shoulder, his senses on high alert. Yet, to his surprise, there was nothing but an eerie emptiness lingering in the alley. Suddenly, like a phantom, a shadowy figure swooped out from the darkness, gliding swiftly down the alley. Leon's body froze momentarily, his mind struggling to comprehend the supernatural sight before him.
"This leads to the Golden Library... they'll have a lot of places to hide if they're going in there," Katie muttered, pulling her pistol out of her holster.
"Shouldn't we regroup with the others?" Leon whispered, unsheathing his sword.
She looked at him. "No offense Leon, but this is no place for them. We're better off doing this alone."
Leon narrowed his eyes. "They aren't helpless, you know?"
"If that's the case, why didn't you ask them to help you when you went searching for your sister?"
"What's that supposed to mean?" he snapped, his grip on the hilt tightening.
"It means you willingly searched an entire continent alone for an entire year without asking for any help. You believed you'd fare better with your own strength. Am I wrong?" she asked, frowning.
He sighed, crossing his arms. Katie rested a hand on his cheek, leaning so their eyes met. "I'm not saying they're useless. But as they are now, they're safer away from us. At least until they get stronger." With that, she turned toward the building.
She's being modest. They are very much lambs ready for the slaughter, Diablos said. Useless doesn't even begin to-
Let's just get this over with, Leon snapped, following after her.