The Hunt for the Night-Cursed Crone

Does your character go towards the gathered people, or do they pursue the monster?

The bird and the stallion had a staring contest, one hovered in the sky and the other snapping its jaws from below. Both were as threatening as one another and they played a game of chicken with neither willing to falter on their position. It was an intense stand-off of power and control.

As the commotion continued, more and more people piled into the valley. Some were residents, scared out of the minds. Some were travellers, here to help. The terrified screams made them easy targets, attracting the attention of the black beast with its jewelled, emerald eyes. It lost interest in Kivo and their little game. It began its approach towards the vulnerable group, the earth shaking with every thumping footstep it took. He began to beat his wings to pursue. The panicked strangers playing the perfect role as bait, giving him another perfect opportunity to attack from behind.

Suddenly, a shower of rock and fire fell from the crack of night in the sky. It happened so quickly, Kivo hadn't time to dodge and dive through the hail of meteors. He was stuck hard. Down he fell, his wings flailing around as he tried to grasp the air. Was he on fire? He smelt burning. It was all happening too fast. It was all a blur until he slammed into the ground, a Kivo-sized dent forming in the soft earth. His loyal familiar raced across after witnessing the whole thing. The asteroids continued to fall and Onyx had to take care but he made it safely to his master's side. Kivo was, in fact, on fire, his feathery wings blazing wildly from the strike. The panther did the only thing he could think of and began stamping on the flaming feathers, grounding them in the sodden ground in the hopes that the moisture would put them out. It worked a little, the fire dying down to mere embers. Onyx's soft paw pads took a beating, though, and they were now red-raw and painful but it hardly mattered for his own life was a fabrication if Kivo wasn't okay. He had to get him up. The meteor shower still poured with rocks the size of houses falling all around them. They were vulnerable here. He pushed his soft satin nose against the thick, muscular neck of the stallion, nuzzling him to wake. After a few seconds, the pushing became more insistent. The panther was starting to become desperate, tugging on his mane and biting his ear. Anything for a reaction!

It was a soft squeak that gave away his awakening. With a grunt, he lifted his head. Every part of Kivo ached. His wings were fried, still sizzling from the heat. Groggily, he arose, his legs shaking with pain. He was lucky, though. No broken bones from what he could feel. He was just singed and feeling stupid.

The distinct wail of the corrupted monster stirred Kivo's rage. It was like throwing a firecracker on a fire. Anger fizzed within him. This was now personal. In his unconscious state, the monster had made a surprising amount of progress. It had the advantage of being FUCKING MASSIVE. It's huge taloned feet were like snow-shoes in the winter, enabling the creature to move speedily through the cesspit. That, paired with its colossal strides, made it a match to be had. His wings were so burnt, they were no longer useful to him. He couldn't fly no more. That meant he had to pursue on foot. The cries of the fearful were drowned out by the creature's gravelly, stomach-twisting roars. The creature seemed disinterested, though, now mesmerised by the shiny streetlamps that glowed in the distance. It crushed whatever was laying in its way. That wasn't Kivo's concern though. Whoever was squashed by its bird feet was just a casualty of war. It wasn't his job to rescue the weak. Kivo's focus was bringing this monstrosity down to its knees with it begging for mercy.

Off he took, galloped across the plains. His body screamed in pain but there was no availability for recovery. The bombardment from above continued, no letting up from the threat. He dodged and weaved with skill, his feet gliding over the uneven ground with ease. When he was in the pursuit of vengeance, he could do whatever he set his mind to. Onyx struggled to keep up, his thick fluffy paws heavy with water, the third degree burns on his soft pads not helping his swiftness. Nevertheless, he charged onwards, following his friend into danger once more. He always would.

Surprisingly, in his crash, Kivo's saddlebag had stayed strapped to his bag through the whole ordeal. Even more extraordinary, his flasks of goodness were still intact. Thank the creator who gifted these beauties to him! Kivo couldn't even begin to dream of what would've happened had they broke in such close proximity to him. Thankfully, the glass was made like steel and stayed intact. In the race to reach the monster before it reached civilisation, he clutched onto one of them. It was a slow chase, Kivo making little progress in comparison to the monster's vast steps. Could he throw it from this distance? Would it hit its target? Kivo cursed the beast, muttering under his breath how he'd be faster in flight. But, that was life. Sometimes, it throws shit at you and, sometimes, you're not quick enough to avoid it. Today was definitely a shit-covered day.

"Fuck it," he whispered to himself.

With all his power and might, he threw the ball of energy as far as he could muster. It sailed through the air, spinning uncontrollably.

"Hey! Bird brain!"

Kivo called out, screaming at the top of his lungs. The monster paused. The skull turned. All eyes were on him. The stop was just what Kivo needed and the exploding flask struck the edge of its writhing tentacles. It burst on impact, once again spraying glass shards everywhere, many embedding into the tough hide. Another success for Kivo!