Capítulo 56: The Creature

After having their lunch, both Lumian and Erudite stated their journey through the forest again. The path was getting more rough, unused. But a loud screech echoed through the forest again. It was the same sound that spooked their griffin before, but there was a small growl combined with it.

"Walk fast," Lumian started walking faster. He kept glancing around as if he was hiding from something.

Eru followed behind him without a word in fear that unknown creature might find them.

Glancing down, there were even traces of animal footprints on the muddy ground. It looked similar to a cat's print, but it was at least thousand times bigger. 'Are there mountain lions here? Tigers perhaps.... No, it must be something else. Something more terrifying enough to spook even a griffin,' he thought with a gulp.

The small trees in their pathway suddenly shuddered.

Lumian stooped him and unsheathed his sword.

Eru as well unsheathed a small dagger tied to his shin. He packed this secret dagger just in case something goes wrong.

"Uncle?"

"Stay very still, okay. I will take care of what's in front," Lumain whispered and walked ahead into the forest.

Eru tried being his lookout, but the huge trees were obstructing his field of vision. Soon his uncle fully went out of sight, followed by a loud growl.

Gripping the dagger tightly, he stood guard all alone. 'Should I go help? But he told me to stay.' The sound abruptly stopped.

"Uncle," he whispered, but there was no reply. Even the small rustling of his uncle's footsteps disappeared completely. In his heart, he knew something was wrong.

Gulping, Eru stepped out of the path and into the deep, dark forest. This time he was not invaded by those nasty visions, instead his heart was completely filled with fear.

As he was slowly walking, something branch landed on his head. Startled, he rustled his hair to find that it was only a small branch.

"Oh god, I thought it was a snake," he whispered, holding his pounding heart. He continued to walk ahead, but something felt off. The branch...it was still green. 'That means....'

Holding his breath, he glanced up above the huge branches a black shadow rested there with its paws out. "Jaguar....." he mouthed and slowly stepped away.

The creature slowly stretched its long body and jumped down. It was ten times larger than the jaguars he had seen on earth and...it had scales all over its body. Its flexible tail had a speared tip, which it swayed around behind it.

It crouched low and started stalking him low. Its paws soundlessly moved through the grass as it slowly approached him.

"Hey.... back off...." he shouted, holding out his hands. Some animals get scared of loud sounds. But this one just crouched lower, as if ready to pounce.

'I need a long distance weapon,' he thought, gazing at his small dagger. For wild animals like this, it would be better to attack it from far, an arrow or even a long sword might work. But a dagger would only be able to scratch it. Even then there is no assurance that he would be safe from its sharp claws.

Glancing around, he found a huge stick. He quickly picked it up and swiftly tied the dagger to the tip of it with his kerchief. And hence he made a DIY spear. It might not be sturdy, but it would help him hold out until Lumian gets back.

The creature's swaying tail stiffened. It launched itself at high speed.

"Now," Burying his feet deep, he readily defended its attack. He stabbed the spear upfront. The creature dodged to the side and clawed at him. His cat like reflexes helped him dodge it, but still he had not been training for a long time so his muscles were not as flexible as before.

The cat-and-mouse game started. The jaguar looked like it was going to take its time with him because it just kept swatting at him. Jaguars in the wild usually go straight for the kill.

He was losing energy fast. The travel already made him worn out. So another long-winded battle was burning through his muscles.

"Go Away!!" he shouted.

The Jaguar licked its lips and dashed towards him.

Panting, he dodged again.

"Get Lost Already... I'm not food. Okay...." Eru shouted. He knew that the animal was just playing around, but its sharp claws could be deadly to him.

"Please... go away," he shouted and waved around the DIY spear. This time jaguar did not dodge. The small dagger stabbed its head, but it did not pierce through its thick skull. It slipped on its scaled and stabbed on one of the thick roots on the ground.

This seemed to anger the beat even more. It crouched low and pounced on him again.

Eru pulled his makeshift spear, but the dagger was stuck firmly. He helplessly watched the jaguar pounce on him.

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