The Crystal Odyssey

Chapter Thirty-Two: P For Plan!

Chapter Thirty-Two: P for Plan!

I altered positioning, lifting my right foot and placing it vertically on the boulder behind me. I put my other foot in front of my. I used my left foot as a stabiliser so that when I pushed of my right so I would not fall over. I planned to use the boulder behind me as a starting block. Being in that position bought back memories of when I was eight. Back when I used to run and race with my friends without a worry. I let the memories sink into my head. Perhaps the memories would help me execute my next move. I had only just gotten used to my new body but I knew I had no room for error. Whatever was chasing me was fast and I needed the element of surprise to outrun it. I tensed my thighs and took a deep breath, charging up as much energy as possible. I exhaled slowing, allowing my breathing to repose. For all I knew this would be my last breath. Once I had stored enough energy clenched my fists and placed my hands in front of me, forming a Y shape on the ground. This was it. I ignored every thought of negativity in my mind and pushed against the boulder.

The force was overwhelming at first. I felt like my legs were going to crush the rest of my body but I swiftly regained full control. I upsurge my body from the ground and sprinted for my life. The boulder behind me burst, creating a cloud of dust behind me, which clouded my back view. I overlooked this uncertainty and continued to run. I was extremely curious to see what was behind me; surely a small glimpse wouldn’t hurt. I tried to jerk my head back but my body rejected my command. I felt a small voice whisper in my head, ‘Run!’ I took the advice and pushed forwards. I wasn’t sure exactly where I was going but I just kept running. As long as it was far away from the beast I didn’t mind. I ran straight for several minutes until I could not sense any danger. I stalled my pace to observe my surroundings. I was sure I recognised the area but then again everything around me looked the same. I halted my movement and stood still, the noise of my footsteps eerily echoing into the surrounding.

I shrugged and put my hands on my knees, my adrenaline was low and the side effects were beginning to show. I hastily panted for air and placed my hands on top of my head. I slowly lifted my head up and turned around.

I saw a sight that struck utter fear into my heart.

I froze. A drip of sweat trickled down my face as a soft wind blew against my face. For a few seconds there was silence... The grass beneath my feet rustled and the sky itself ripped in response to my pathetic state. My pupils shrunk as I gazed into the eyes of the beast that would soon bring me an early end.

Its eyes were pure black. As I gazed I noticed the dark swirls that tunnelled around its pupils sluggishly whining into the centre where a luminous yellow light emerged. Its skin was pure black, not a single blemish could I see. It resembled a lion, a great ebony beast. Its main circled around his face like a decoration, proud and bushy like an honour it had earned. Its fur was sharp and bristle like. Such power ooze out of its body that even its hairs stood proudly on end. Paws the size of my face decorated with claws and a sharp array of teeth that spat blasphemy against the gods. Its teeth were tainted, a scarlet ting stained the ends of his teeth and a false tongue of crimson colour lurked behind it. Its face towered over me as a trembled in fear. Its back was darted with yellow stripes, like that of a zebra but this was different. The stripes moved like an ever changing patterns, illuminating a lime yellow glow to the surrounding. Its tail was long and ever slithering. It crackled in the air like a whip with granger.

The beast raised its mighty club paw and snarled its teeth at me. My end had finally arrived.