Tales of Six

Chapter 24 : The escape

A muffled roar from a crowd makes both Kaen and Savyna turn their heads. Savyna looks worried. Kaen looks confused. They both rush toward the roar, and Kaen tries to imagine what the sound could mean. Especially in here. They go through more hallways covered in the same light grey stone pavement that rings clear when hit by Savyna's heels.

How is no one coming after them ? How come they barely passed anyone in here ? If that's the headquarters there should be at least a few dozen people working and walking around.

She can't be thinking about that right now, she needs to focus. She needs to get Phil out. Get her somewhere safe. The noise becomes louder as they draw closer, until they reach a closed door. Savyna stares at it for a moment. Kaen turns to Savyna and, feeling her anxiety, is now worried.

Savyna looks at Kaen, and Kaen nods. Then Savyna turns the handle.

---

The monster takes a few steps in the arena, and its paws sink into the sand under its weight. As it walks, the sharp claws leave thin marks, and the back hooves make a thud every time they land. The ruckus from the crowd is deafening, some spectators are just screaming their lungs out, encouraging the beast. Slowly, the monster arrives in the middle of the arena, then stops.

It takes a huge, deep breath. Then opens its mouth and roars loud enough to stun Philantéline and silence everyone else. There, in the calm, the announcer starts speaking.

- Isn't she a beauty ? Our newest creation, for your entertainment. Feast your eyes on Chimeria ! ... While she feasts on her midnight snack.

The reaction of the spectators is very mild compared to what he expected, probably because of the terror instilled by the beast. He covers his loudener and turns to the beast trainer.

- Make the next one a bit less loud, okay ? We need the people hyped, not in shock.

Trainer- We can't just-

- I don't care, just do it.

And the announcer turns his attention away from the conversation, leaving the trainer gritting his teeth. In the meantime, Philantéline is thinking of a way to escape. This is going too far and she absolutely cannot win this fight. She has nothing, she's exhausted, and she has no idea what just entered the arena, but it doesn't look normal. It doesn't feel right.

She's never read about anything like this, and even though she recognises some parts from pictures of animal anatomy books, there's not much left of the rest of the book in her mind. That thing was made, not born. But it doesn't matter, she just needs to leave.

Chimeria tilts her head sideways looking at Phil, her pupils dilate, then she spreads her front paws wide while lowering her head and turning her ears backwards. A slight butt wiggle, and she jumps. The monstrous mass of muscles flies in the air towards Phil, claws and fangs bared. Phil can only jump sideways with a boost from her own wings to evade a sharp and quick death. Chimeria scrambles to get back on her feet, then quickly looks around until she finds Phil. She shakes her head then takes a deep breath. Phil puts her hands on her ears to prepare for the coming roar. But this time there's no sound, instead a cone of fire spews out of its mouth.

- YESSSS

The announcer screams ecstatically to the people around him.

- FUCK YESSSSSS. You got it to attune to fire ??? This is so good ! So good !

He goes to hug the trainer, but the trainer coldly stops him.

Chimeria seems to have difficulties aiming the fire, and it allows Phil to start running. She tries to run around and into the source to do the same as she did the mage before, but it goes faster this time. She needs protection. She..