The Mystical World of Ethermoore

Halfway There

This time, we were woken up by screeches, and not of someone but something.

"What's that?" I asked as I was startled awake by screeching sounds

"That sounds like a...basilisk," Irene said in an alarmed tone,

"Close your eyes," she shouted, putting her hands over her eyes. I promptly followed her lead;

"What's a basilisk?" I shouted as the screeches got louder and closer

"It's a rare, even legendary, creature,"

"Its glance is fatal,"

"What do you mean by fatal,"

"Just looking at it can kill you," Its screeches were getting louder and louder. It was as if a whistle was amplified, as it pierced through every fiber of my body;

"Why would something like that exist," I shouted, forcibly trying to keep my eyes shut;

"That's why they are forbidden," she screamed back; I felt like my hearing was slowly degrading as it got closer; Suddenly, it stopped;

"Should we open our eyes," I said, as I felt relieved, my eyes softened as I started to peek

"Don't," Irene warned, using one of her hands to cover my eyes. Almost immediately, the screeches started again, even louder than before;

"It does that to confuse its prey," Zelpha shouted, It felt like an eternity before the screech diminished,

"Now you can open your eyes," Irene said, I opened my eyes slowly and was relieved to hear normally again,

"How do you know so much about Basilisks," I said to Irene,

"I know about most of the forbidden creatures, in case I ever came here,"

"At least we're all okay," Heron said, looking around

"You saved our lives," Zelpha said

"Thanks, Irene," Quintis added

"No problem," she smiled

"Anyways, let's hurry, I don't want to meet another Basilisk," Florus said

"She's right," I said. We hurriedly packed our bags and started our descent.

"You're riding on Quintus's back this time," Heron said,

"Get on," Quintus said unenthusiastically.

"Alright," I said, smirking which he disregarded;

We walked down the mountain quickly, and it took less time than the trip up and in no time, we were at the bottom.

"Where's our next journey taking us?" Florus asked Heron

"We're going to need our weapons this time,"

"Finally," Irene said excitedly,

"We are going to be passing through the scorpion kind, Aqrabuamelu, legend has it that he was the most ruthless king which was why he and the other scorpions got banned, and that was the end of kings and queens.

"That explains a lot," I said

"Can't we pass him without fighting?"

"He's what you'd call, egotistical, so unless we don't beat him in a battle, we most likely won't be allowed through," Heron said

'What else should we know about him?"

"He's lower half is similar to that of a scorpion, however, the venom is very potent and can kill at one sting," Irene said