Triple forked tongue
Silver, she is, or should we call her "blade icicles?
====
The Teleportation device, a circle shaped.
Also known as the silent wing getaway, consisted of an outer circle of 20-foot diameter with intricate blackened, steel etchings resembling flower patterns.
An inner circle, a 10-foot diameter with a polished dark obsidian surface.
A Central icon consisting of a silver-black bird silhouette(black-bird emblem) nestled at the center.
A bearded man with ferret looking eyes placed his hands together with some high-ranking members on the central icon.
Intense concentration fixed, every other thing to the back of their minds. They channeled their zodiac energy, conjuring their destination zone.
The four watched in awe as the outer circle began to glow a faint blue-purple light. The inner circle darkening, creating a shadowy vortex.
"You all may stand inside the circle.
Vixen grabbed hold of silver with Wok throwing a baleful look, they all entered the circle. The central icon flashed silver-black and all went hazy.
"Maish! You just sent those students to their graves, Hun? A potbellied man, though high ranking was notable the beggar among them, his words usually discarded said.
Ferret eyes ignored the fool, who couldn't even advance into another level and wondered how he was still high ranked.
"Why don't you stuff that berries into your mouth until you choke, ferret eyes stared disdainfully .
Isn't it enough that your students are failing all over the place and all you do is increase the size of your guts.
"Haha, too bad I got thickheaded students who never learn well, their Zodiac energy stagnant. I just hope this year we would produce better… Ones.
He popped the berries into his mouth because your son is one of the best, and you want that to remain—
Potbelly narrowed his eyes, "don't kill people's children.
***
First they were floating, then they fell. Landing with a thud so hard their bones screamed, vines pierced through their skins, bringing droplets of blood.
The four landed, Otu and Ethan not too well. Because as Ethan shook away the disorientation fogging his head he came face to face with an open-mouthed skeleton.
"Uhun, Vixen hugged herself. What a nice welcome you've got.
The rest chuckled, laughing.
Ethan propped himself up, wanting to stand when the system flashed
[Warning impending clash from above, duck!]
Too late, Otu screamed as he fell unto Ethan planting his face right into the skeleton, disintegrating and groaned.
Silver winched, Otu felt his mouth pool with blood. He muttered a sorry and tried to check on his victim, who stayed still.
Vixen grumbled "you just killed his host! It welcomed him! She whined moving to check on the red haired who was had a dazed look.
"Skeleton welcome aboard. Understands you didn't do it intentional. Don't worry.
Wok watched before rolling his eyes, that clash has sent him into oblivion and we better start moving because shredding monster knows we are here!
Roar!
It just made his presence known.
Ethan got upholding his aching ribs checked his system
[Host isn't affected, your Komodo thick skin had reduced the impact, kill the Lunatrak and level up]
He frowned, this system sometimes sucked, didn't even tell what XP he will get.
[ Caution, this lunatrak is a feral creature. You can't transform here in the presence of your friends]
"Why is it so silent? Otu asked breaking Ethan's concentration from the system. The surroundings were too dark, the trees like shadows creating nightmare creatures.
The area they were standing was a little bright because of the full moon overhead, and they hadn't yet ventured into the forest.
There were no noises of others, sounds of grass and dried leaves was not even heard. Everywhere had gone still. To still.
Wok, hands had gone to his blade, Otu hands conjuring a small ball of fire which Vixen asked him to extinguish.
Otu wanted to argue but dropped it. Somewhere they saw different light rays in the forest like light beams of hope in the darkest place.
They looked like Otu's ball of fire but much brighter. A sword like blade with its body glinting brightly dispersed some darkness.
"It's angry! Vixen mumbled, but it seemed to echo, all three whipped their heads to her.
"What? Silver asked voice low.
"It wants to shred to see if our system the same, it aims to rip us open. Vixen lips quivered, she clung hard to Silver.
Wok seemed to get what she was saying, didn't ask any questions, looked back to the light source just as something feline with elongated hands dash quickly.
"Did you see that? He murmured but loud enough for them to hear, his eyes straining to see what that was, and where it hid.
"Saw long hands, that looked human. Wasn't it? Silver asked icicles blades in her hands.
Ethan saw a system notification
[be careful host, every sound is not a tell-tale sign of the beast.
He wondered what that was supposed to mean? His brows drawn, he had to summon — Just as he thought that, the system flashed again.
[ Host can create a weapon from its XP Using a combination of all the elements, but that would cost more XP]
Then which do you recommend? Ethan asked the system.
[ Fire and water would be a great start, -100 XP]
Ethan felt his lips curl, hmm. What type of weapon exactly can I create from this two?
[That's for the host to create, drag Otu towards you!
Hu? Puzzled but involuntary he turned, dragged a startled Otu towards him just as something whistled pass cutting a tree into two.
The tree fall was deafening in the silent Forrest, a low menacing growl rumbled two feet from them.
"Vixen! Come to me. Wok called silently.
"It isn't there. Its thoughts are jumbled, like writing trash upon trash on a blackboard. Vixen mumbled again but released silver and walked to her brother.
"Can she stop making those cryptic words that I can't seem to understand? Is she the beast or it's communicator? Otu pursed his lips looking at Wok.
"She's telepathy, informed Silver, and I am afraid these blades aren't strong enough.
She went silent, as the blade shaped into a slender crystal-tipped staff adorned with intricate ice shard patterns. It's length approximately 5 feet (1.52 m) 9 inches (22.86 cm).
Wok glanced at the staff, then back at her "nice ability there. What can that do?
"I'm afraid it is only used for close-ranged combat, and this is the only weapon I have.
No!
All hands immediately grilled their weapons, the light rays were all extinguished.
A gurgling sound could be heard. Fire, water, air, earth blustered in different directions at an imaginary creature.
The growl sent chills down there backs, Wok motioned towards the opposite direction from where the attack was ongoing and the three of them followed.
The thing crossed their path and halted, the four of them screeched to a halt almost colliding with the shadowy creature, breaths hitched without any form of escape.
Wok finally unsheathed his sword to drive it into the creature, who sniffed the air having not noticed them as it's left side was faced to them.
[ Do not let him engage or do anything to the beast. Caution; do not engage!]
Ethan made a move just as Vixen held her brothers blade an inch from the shadowy human like wolf.
Their eyes fixed on the beast as it turned, Silver raised her …. Ethan dove midair and successfully held the staff. The beast fixed it's yellow eyes on them.
Shit!
What now system? Ethan moaned low, heart thudding, Rushing.
[ Still your heart rate, snapped system irritable, I can't function well with that kind of activity]
Well then tell me what to do before the activity goes higher!
[ Ethan, I would suggest — Run.
And run, he barked as the claw like hand swiped towards them, venom coated fangs opened.
They ran blindly with a Vixen shouting
" It is chasing its prey. It likes the chase and
What can that do?
"I'm afraid it is only used for close-ranged combat and this is the only weapon I have.
No!
All hands immediately grilled their weapons, the light rays were all extinguished. A gurgling sound could be heard. Fire, water, air, earth came in different directions at an imaginary creature.
The growl sent chills down there backs, Wok motioned towards the opposite direction from where the attack was ongoing and the three of them followed.
The thing crossed their path and halted, the four of them screeched to a halt almost colliding with the shadowy creature, breaths hitched without any form of escape.
Wok finally unsheathed his sword to drive it into the creature, who sniffed the air having not noticed them as it's left side was faced to them.
[ Do not let him engage or do anything to the beast. Caution; do not engage!]
Ethan made a move just as Vixen held her brothers blade an inch from the shadowy human like wolf.
Their eyes fixed on the beast as it turned, Silver raised her …. Ethan dove midair and successfully held the staff. The beast fixed it's yellow eyes on them.
Shit!
What now system? Ethan moaned low, heart thudding. He asked the system hurriedly.
[ Still your heart rate, snapped system irritable, I can't function well with that kind of activity]
Well then tell me what to do before the activity goes higher!
[ Ethan, I would suggest — Run!
And run he barked as the claw like hand swiped towards them, venom coated fangs opened.
They ran blindly with a Vixen shouting
" It is chasing its prey. It likes the chase and when it gets us it would make an X cross dissection and learn to count with our organs.
Tell your sister to shut the hell up, OTU barked curtly, running right behind the direction shower and almost before him in his haste.
[ Go left, No go right]
Not right now! Left or right?
[ Go right]
Move right. More trees shook, some cut into half.
[ Mind you, there's a pit there and motion dragging roots there]
Ethan cursed frustrated. " Why the hell do you have to recommend right if that was there?
[ I didn't recommend, I showed you a direction and you took it. Mind you, left is far worse.]
Be careful motion dragging roots… He hadn't finished speaking when a ball of fire emerged hitting the first root that came for them.
The wolves had stopped their chase, howling murderously. Wok focused his mind and he expanded Otu's fire scorching their path, but that only infuriated the roots.
Silver went down, the roots snaking round her legs trying, but they were many. Vixen stopped and stood still.
Vixen! What the hell you're standing for? Wok spat hurriedly cutting the roots with precision, still helping to explain the fire.
Ethan stilled, turned back and asked the system "how many distances are we from the pit and activate the Komodo dragon fiery breath.
[ Komodo beast dragon fiery breath initiated, use with caution to avoid hit to your fellows]
The roots retreated, and that made Ethan pause, they raised from the ground uttering a wordless cry as they were scorched internally with an imaginary fire.
It came from the bust girl, and every attempt to reach her brought about their pain as they tried to attack. The roots holding Silver twirled and twisted, released her.
Out of the way! Ethan warned before opening his mouth to let out a stream of fire on the roots as they resumed their attack.
Ahhh! They are shouting in pain. Vixen murmured, eyes glazed on the burning roots.
Otu threw her a long-suffering exasperated sigh.
But their ordeal was far from over, as yellow eyes peered at them like a predator watching its prey. They emerged.
Onward they ran with no motion gripping roots and a look of disbelief planted in their faces at the sight of what Ethan did.
The moon was their source of strength and even though silver made an ice floor making the ground more slippery for them, but they glided like ghosts.
[ Pit ahead!]
They came to a stop, as one of the wolves lunged, it's claws sharp. Wok threw his blade at it, but it phases through it, swiped, cutting into Woks arm.
Only to howl in pain, trying to claw at it's head but couldn't, it writhed body convulsing the pack followed but soon started howling, the sound obscene.
Vixen.
That wasn't me, she said, hands outstretched that wasn't me.
They stared at her puzzled. Then what, and who?
The wolves twitched and tried to resist a force pulling them forward towards what Ethan presumed as the entrance of the pit, their bodies assuming a more real shape.
It oozed, a poisonous air from it making Silver stick out her tongue and pinch her nose, but Vixen eyes glazed over as if it were an intoxicating drug, and she was far gone into it.
Using his blade, he searched for the beast core, a small green shaped beast crystal with a faint light.
"Well don't just stand there, this is just small from the target number.
Finished they walked on before coming to what system had called a pit, but it wasn't a pit at all.
[ Well, maybe I didn't know the definition of a pit. And don't ask me any questions, you all are just getting started]
It was as if they had divided the ground, and it was a long way over to the other side, and only horror gripped induced adrenaline would be able to fuel such a jump.
This is a dead end.
"What's in the gap? Otu asked.
Grinning, Ethan replied, " the almighty Anaconda with triple forked tongue and hands made from its victims.
...
Are you for real? Vixen asked, one eyebrow up.
"Yeah, and we got another incoming.
Bats! Silver screeched, eyes wide.
"That aren't bats? What in the world— Wok stuttered, we would have to make a jump and as soon as possible.
"I don't like this, I have snake phobia. Otu grimaced, his body shaking in a fit.
Silver raced backward and with all adrenaline pumping made an ice pathway across the gap. Praying to heaven's that it shouldn't give way.
The thing approached like a black mass hinted with red. The anaconda below raised it's head, just one small mistake and the prey on that sheet of thin ice would give way.