"What a mess,"said Kell.

"What kind of monster did that" wondered Alyssa.

The party stood in a part of the forest, a few days' ride away from Prol.

Around them lay the torn-apart remains of a pack of dead wolves.

"Whatever it was, it seems to be our quarry."implied Valerin.

" Well,it matches the description from the job." said Durg.

A few days earlier, Valerin and his party took on an open job at Prol. A group of merchants had been attacked shortly after leaving Prol. The gruesome aftermath was discovered by the nearby villagers: The merchants aboard had been mutilated, their limbs torn apart.The horses had been impaled and their bodies clawed open.

" This one had its stomach torn open" said Kell ,disgusted by the gory scene.

" Our hunt has sharp claws, it seems" noted Durg.

" These were impaled...Horns?" said Alyssa, visibly disturbed.

"Claws,horns-it checks out the job description .But what could it be?" wondered Durg.

"Only one way to find out." said Valerin." Here,look"

The others rushed over to him.

"A Blood trail." said Kell.

" They must have wounded it,"said Alyssa.

" Let's follow it," said Valerin.

The party began moving along the trail.Suddenly, Kell stopped and looked back toward the tree cover.

"Kell?" asked Valerin, his voice was sharp with alarm.

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" I thought someone was... never mind.Must be nerves." Said Kell. " Let's go."

Valerin paused to give one last look toward where Kell had been staring, then joined the party as they pressed on.

"There..Up ahead" whispered Kell.

After a few minutes of tracking the trail, the party reached a small clearing in the forest.In the centre lay the beast, licking its wounds.

It had large horns protruding from its head, which was surrounded by a lion's mane.This stunning contrast was further emphasized by its massive bear-like body,covered in brown fur.A long, serpentine tail was coiled behind him.

"What..is that?" asked Kell with a whisper.

" A chimera." replied Valerin in a low tone.

" What's it doing out here? I have never heard of a chimera in these parts" said Durg, narrowing his eyes.

"Alright let's move in slo-"

Valerin was interrupted by a sudden sherik by Alyssa.The other three spun towards her.

Alyssa had stumbled upon a half-eaten eaten carcass of a human.She clutched her hands to her mouth, her emerald eyes filled as her shriek echoed through the clearing.

Valerin turned back towards the beast.It was staring at them now, it's eyes filled with rage as a low growl escaping from its throat.It lunged at them with terrifying speed.

"Shit," muttered Kell, scrambling to pull an arrow from his quiver

"Everyone spread out! NOW!!!" shouted Valerin stepping in front of the three to protect them from the impact.

The chimera's outstretched claw impacted with Valerin's sword and the impact sent him flying back towards a tree.

"Val!!!" the other three shouted in unison.

As Alyssa landed, she lightly tapped the ground with her staff. The ground beneath the chimera softened and turned into a marsh. As it landed, its claw stuck deep into it.

The chimera roared in frustration and tried to free its claw. An arrow whistled through the air,aimed towards the chimera. The chimera turned its head and deflected the arrow using its horns.

Growling in anger,it freed its claw and pounced on Kell with fury.

Kell,caught off guard while reaching for another arrow in his quiver,froze as fear flashed across his eyes.

Suddenly, Durg appeared with blistering speed and slammed into the chimera's side with inhuman strength.

The chimera was thrown off course, stumbling as it landed a few feet away.It shook itself and looked at Durg, stunned by the force of the attack.

" Thanks, Durg" said Kell, finally pulling an arrow free.

"Come on then!!" shouted Durg pointing his axe at the chimera.

The chimera roared and charged at Durg.Alyssa quickly cast a spell, pulling a massive chunk of rock from the ground and hurled it towards the chimera.

The chimera's eyes widened in surprise as it turned to brace for impact. The boulder smashed into its shoulder and though it managed to push the rock away,the blow left a deep wound. Blood began to drip from its injured shoulder as it turned its enraged gaze on Alyssa.

Alyssa tapped her staff on the ground again.This time, two giant stone hands erupted from the ground, grabbing the chimera and held it in its place.

It lashed around furiously. Sensing opportunity,Kell nocked an arrow, and Durg rushed forward to Attack the chimera with his axe.

"Durg!! Watch out!!" Shouted Valerin, struggling to lift himself from the ground.

Before Durg could react,the chimera's long tail lashed out like a whip and struck him in the waist and sent him flying.

An arrow embedded itself in the chimera's side, and it let out another enraged roar. It lashed its tail toward Kell, who narrowly dodged the attack but lost his balance and fell, his bow slipping from his grasp.

Alyssa summoned sharp shards of stone and launched them at the chimera, but it swatted them aside with its tail.

With a thunderous roar, the chimera tore free from its stone restraints.

"You can't be serious," muttered Alyssa, panic creeping into her voice.

The chimera lunged at her, horns lowered.

"Alys!" yelled Kell, frantically reaching for his fallen bow.

Alyssa sprinted backward, conjuring walls of stone to block the chimera's path, but it shattered each barrier with its powerful horns. Another arrow struck its back, but the beast didn't falter.

Alyssa tripped and fell to the ground. The chimera closed the distance, its massive form looming over her. She shut her eyes, bracing for the end.

But the impact never came.

Opening her eyes, she saw Valerin standing between her and the chimera. He had stopped one horn with his sword and the other with his bare hand.

"That's enough. You've had your fun," Valerin growled, his sharp eyes blazing with fury.

"Now... it's my turn."