World of Lah

In valley of crystals

-"C'mon! Hurry!" -Kira screamed while she ran with Aisha in the labyrinth-like cave. They weren't sure where they're going. The walls were almost identical and the tunjels all lead to different places. But in this moment they didn't care where they end up, as long as they'll be safe.

Kira pulled Aisha behind a wall and waited. Waited and listened. From the other side of the wall the sound of growling and sniffing could've been heard. Then, without a warning, a giant paw wanted to strike upon the hiding one. Fortunately they ran away just in time and followed the tunnel. They hoped that wherever they end up, they'll get some help. The monster didn't stop though, it still pursued them. When they reached the end of the tunnel, they were horrified to see that it's a dead end. They've been cornered. The monster approached them slowly. It was a manticore. It's enormous and strong lion body got closer by the minute. It laid out it's bat wings intimidatingly and waved it's scorpion tail threatheningly. The beast followed them ever since they arrived at the Apogalla Empire, the center of the realm. Aisha looked around worriedly to see if she can find something that can help. The monster came so close that they could feel it's breath.

-"It was nice to be with ya, Ai-Ai." -Kira said.

-"You don't want to give up so easily, right? I thought it will be harder to make you give in."

-"Yes, but there isn't another way now."

-"We'll see..."

Aisha rushed to the wall behind them and started to rip off tendrils, then indicated that Kira should follow her example. The manticore tried to attack them. It clawed, it bit, but it couldn't pay attention to both of them. When it targeted Aisha, it clawed at her with it's paw, but the girl tied the tendrils to it's leg. While our winged lion was busy with ripping off the tendrils from it's leg, Kira climbed on it's back and tried to get to it's head. She got close to falling many times, but eventually she reached the head. The manticore turned around, so Kira was about to fall, but she held onto it's face. The creatue tried to shake her off, but it only made Kira stab into it's eye. The monster staggered and tripped in some tethered tendrils, which Aisha made while Kira played with the kitty. Kira fell from it's face and tried to hold onto it's fur. When she saw that the creature is falling backwards, she began to climb down, but she still fell down. The fall wasn't too big, but she didn't came out of this safe and soundly.

On the monster, when it hit the ground, stalactites fell. They didn't know if it survived or not, but they didn't want to stay there to find out. Kira tried to stand up, but the pain in her ankle stopped her. Aisha ran to her to help her up.

-"Are you okay?" -She asked.

-"Of course, it's nothin', it'll pass."

-"Don't say that. Sometimes it would be good if you'd take things seriously." -Aisha said while she put Kira's arm on her shoulder and tried to walk.

Behind them, however, the creature growled and the sound of stones rattling hit their ears. They didn't have to turn around to know: the monster is still alive.

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While the girls ran from the manticore, Dion and Rocky didn't stay without obstacles either. They ran with the cave raptors. When they noticed that nothing follows them, they stopped and rested for a few moments.

-"We have to help them." -Rocky said.

-"Of course, we will, we won't leave them alone, but without a plan it would be crazy to leave without a plan." -Dion said while he started to think out a plan.

-"Have you ever encountered a manticore?" -Rocky asked.

-"No, not until now. Have you?"

-"Once..." -Rocky remembered. -"I mean, I didn't encounter it, I just saw someone fight one."