Hayley, ahead of Stryngs, vaulted over a log, a tear in her skirt forming. She didn't even notice. Being a rabbit made her quicker than he was but Freya still was at the front. Despite holding the coats she was racing to the scream as if the monster were behind her. Noticing how slow he was, Stryngs picked up pace.
'We must be close-' Hayley gasped beside him '-The roar is getting louder!' Nodding dimly, Stryngs followed Freyas' far away figure.
Freya dived into a bush and a snarl came instantly when she was out of sight. Stryngs felt his heart stop and propelled himself to the bush Freya had dived through. Ignoring Hayleys' gasp at his sudden speed, he emerged on the other side and his blood ran cold. 'Oh my Lord...'
A monstrous thing stood in front of him, it's body covered in slick, brown scales. It had no eyes with large nostrils and gaping jaws- its' teeth didn't even fit in it's mouth! Freya stood lone, facing the beast with shivering, black flame clasping at her hands.
Hayley pushed beside Stryngs and saw the creature. She screeched in shocked fear and it turned its' ugly head towards them. Grabbing Hayleys' wrist Stryngs yanked her after him as he sprinted a little way behind Freya.
'Psst!' A voice sounded from a tree. Looking up, Stryngs saw a familiar face: Zachary. He pulled Hayley with him, ignoring her protesting squeak.
'Up!' He hissed giving her a leg up. When she'd reached a branch and was climbing with out his help, Stryngs hauled himself after her.
'Stryngs! I-I'm so, so sorry! He-He just ran out! I couldn't stop him!' Zachary looked terrified as Stryngs reached him and Hayley. Stryngs frowned with guarded curiosity before he noticed what Zachary was talking about.
'A-Alex..?' The Prince lay unconscious on Zacharys' lap, his skin pale and his eyes shut lightly. Around his stomach, his white shirt was stained red. 'Is he dead..?'
Hayley checked his neck. 'Alive...'
Stryngs looked up, a dreadful thought entering his head. 'Freya...' Hayley looked up, fear in her eyes as she understood. 'I'm going back out to help her!' His gun in his hand, he jumped out the tree before anyone could protest.
Freya rolled away from the monsters foot as it tried to stamp on her-Stryngs fired a bullet into the beasts' shin, the bang sending some forest birds in a panic. The thing straightened up in anger, shuffling slowly towards Stryngs.
'Didn't plan for THAT...' He muttered and ran towards Freya. Sliding his gun into it's holster he pulled out a staff, ducking behind Freya. 'Cover me!' He said, waiting impatiently as the staff responded to his touch.
Nodding, Freya summoned up some dark flames. 'Yep.' She replied, getting ready.
'Come on... Come on..!' Stryngs hissed at the staff as the orb started to shimmer than glow- the monster advanced and Stryngs sensed Freyas' urge to run.
Please don't...
He begged internally. The creatures' steps shook the ground as the orb finally stobbed flickering and now shone. 'Yes!' He cried, standing up.
A yell from Freya and he found himself flung aside as she jumped backwards. The beasts' jaws snapped in the place they'd been standing. Stryngs, with a shudder, realised that if Freya hadn't pushed him, he'd be two stumps if feet and nothing more. Freya was at his side again, panting for breath. 'Are you... You ready?' She breathed.
Nodding, he stepped forwards. Holding his staff in front of him, Stryngs uttered the words of magic
'Elibi!'
And no one but Stryngs was ready for this. The monster froze, smoke coming from under its scales, emitting a foul stench. The creature started to melt, from the head down, now whistling as it shrank. A red puss spluttered out, spitting and splattering on the ground, lying in sizzling puddles. The monster let out a terrified cry that cut short. The whole forest was silent.
Stryngs didn't feel triumphant.
He knew how horrified everyone must be.
He noticed Hayley and Zachary aid Alex out the tree who seemed to be better.
His vision stumbled and he heard Freya yell a blurred sentence.
It went dim as Freya ran to him in alarm.
And Stryngs dropped his staff standing straight.
Energy left his body and his eyes rolled up.
He crumpled down to the floor...
Blackness...
Blackness...
Blackness...
He could see nothing else.
#TheEvilGoodness : Chapter Fifteen
VivianArts
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