Forest (2)

A tremendous roar rang across the clearing. Long Xiu Yun turned towards the direction of the roar. She knew it came from behind the waterfall. She was certain of it.

She didn't know what creature it was, but that roar had been filled with pain. She could sense it; most likely due to her bloodline. Long Xiu Yun stood up. Her gaze filled with uncertainty. She had to know what caused such a heart wrenching roar filled with so much pain and agony.

Heading towards the base of the waterfall, she could now see a crevice which went deeper into the mountain hidden behind the waterfall. Poking her head into the entrance, a dark winding tunnel greeted her vision. She walked into the tunnel keeping towards the right side of the wall using the wall to guide her.

Goosebumps ran across her skin as she walked. Due to this body's heightened senses, she felt a sense of dread as she walked further into the tunnel. Her instincts kept urging her to turn back. To run. That she would meet something that her young self couldn't handle if she ventured any further.

Gulping, she slowly made her way forward. After 10 or so minutes of walking, she started to hear growling sounds emerging from the depths of the cave that grew louder and louder, as though in warning. The emotions that she could pick up from the growls were sparse. Like a thinly veiled bluff covering for its weakened state.

After turning another bend, she saw dim light at the end of the tunnel. Quickening her pace, a gigantic cavern appeared before her eyes after stepping out of the tunnel. The cavern had a rapid river that stretched from one end to the other on its left side. Multiple stalactites and stalagmites littered the cavern as far as the eye could see. The cavern had an aquamarine hue to it due to the minerals in the ground.

On the right side of the cavern, hidden behind a group of stalagmites, Long Xiu Yun spotted a silhouette slightly moving up and down. Instead of walking straight towards the silhouette, she walked towards the side maintaining a certain distance. The silhouette that came into view lay prone on the ground, barely breathing. The creature looked like a white jaguar with gray scales running along its back and four limbs. On its front legs attached to its ankles were white wings spanning the length of its legs.

Its size lying down was twice the size of Long Xiu Yun standing up. Flesh wounds were gouged into the creatures towering body and its white fur was marred with blood. From its wounds she could see a dense black mist oozing out. Its wings were badly damaged and half of the pristine feathers were clawed out.

Long Xiu Yun took a step closer. Sensing her, the creature eyed her, issuing a deep growl from the back of its throat. She took a step back in response and stopped moving, staring straight into its eyes. As though it could tell she wouldn't cause any harm, it shut its eyes once more.

"Mew."

A soft, weak mewl transmitted from the giant jaguar like creature in front of her. Long Xiu Yun scanned its body with her eyes searching for the source. Near its stomach, she found 2 cubs. The mewl came from the smaller one, the size of a house cat.

The sight of the big cub made her heart squeeze. A deep gash ran along its sides that oozed the same dense black mist as its parent. There was no movement from the cub either. She couldn't see the faintest sign of it breathing.

"I want to help," Long Xiu Yun voiced out. The sight was too much for her to bear. She looked the jaguar like creature in the eyes, not breaking contact. A creepy sensation slowly crawled up her spine, it felt like bugs were crawling on her. Her heart beat quicker and quicker. The nervousness made her stare more fiercely at the jaguar like creature, "Let me help."

The jaguar like creature issued a growl in response. Long Xiu Yun took that as an agreement and moved towards it, her eyes fixed on the cub. She slowly made her way over one step at a time. She only needed 5 to 6 feet more before a guttural growl came from behind her. She flinched. Her nerves stretched taught. She held her breath as she forced her head to turn back and look behind her.

Bright piercing yellow eyes bore down on her.