The Forbidden Forest

[Scarlet Lioness]

"I'm...ah..Kiro..." Kiro looked around, a little unsure of himself. The centaurs were very big, and looked quite scary.

[choki]

With the widest grin he could squeeze out of his facial expression in order to calm the tensed furball, Tales smiled at the young griffin. But upon seeing Kiro's fearful expression, he figured out it was not working.

Tales was going to let Kiro down onto the ground when he sensed a killing glare on the group. Something else besides them were present in the river tonight.

[Phoenix in the Ashes]

"2, 1... 0."

"Put the furball down, Tales. There's eight of them, and we can't take them ourselves."

But Tales was already gearing up to attack.

"No! Flee!"

It was too late - the predators pounced, and Tales launched.

[Scarlet Lioness]

Kiro slunk into the tree's again. Predators could be dangerous even for a griffin.

[choki]

The moon was blocked by the dark clouds and little moonlight shined upon them. Tales was not able to identity those creatures but he could see their faint shadows. Standing in front of his gang, and with one good eye left, he carefully judged the spatial distance between them. As they pounced, he was ready to take them on.

Armed with the fishing rod, he brandished it like a sword, except the fact that this 'sword' was made of wood.

[Phoenix in the Ashes]

Bair could fight with Tales. But he'd probably lose. They would probably lose, even with the other smaller centaurs. He wasn't a strong fighter, anyway.

He'd have to find another centaur gang for aid. Hopefully Tales and the others could manage themselves in the meantime.

[choki]

Tales knew, as the oldest, he had the responsibility to safeguard the young ones, especially for Petal. Being the only female and inexperienced one in the group, Petal wouldn't be able to defend for herself.

He shouted for Orion to stay close to Petal and little Kiro who was hiding in the tree, before slashing out on one of creatures who then gave a loud roar.

That roar! Tales knew that sound, it was too familiar for him... the creature who gave him the scar...

With a head of a lion, the body of a goat and tail of a snake, the chimera was never an easy opponent, let alone with eight such creatures.

[Phoenix in the Ashes]

Bair heard the roar of a lion behind him, and sensed many of the small animals in that area of the forest fleeing. He quickened his gallop; there was a small community of centaurs that he could reach in about seven minutes.

But seven minutes was a long time... fourteen minutes there and back, and he would have to convince them too.

It wouldn't be less than 15 minutes - and he doubted Tales would be able to hold off a chimaera for that long. Or even survive.

He went as fast as he could.

[choki]

As the chimeras came closer, Tales retreated back slowly, step by step. Looking back at the terrified gang, he realised they were getting cornered. Tales had to act fast otherwise it would definitely be the end for them and a big feast for the chimeras.

At this point, his hind leg hit something with a small clank - the metal bucket containing his catch. There were still some fishes inside. Slowly bending down while maintaining his eye contact with the creatures, Tales managed to grasp the handle. With a swift action, he threw the bucket over to the chimeras who then caught the scent of the food.

"RUN!" Tale bellowed it to his gang, whom they obliged immediately. The chimeras were now fighting over each other for the fishes but Tales knew that won't be enough to satisfy them. Orion and Petal ran ahead. Tales spotted the hiding Kiro shivering in the tree hole. Although that could be a safe hiding place, Tales was unsure. He rather not bet on it. He picked up Kiro and held him tightly.

Standing on his hind legs - the best way to start a sprint - he said to the young one, "This is gonna be a bumpy ride! Let's roll!"

The instance his front hooves hit the ground, Tales dashed forward into the menacing forest.

[Scarlet Lioness]

Kiro felt Tales pick him up. He covered his eyes with his tail. And felt his body being thrust from side to side and up and down.

[choki]

Within a minute of running, several loud, angry roars distinctively that of chimeras were heard.

"They sounded pretty p***d," Tales said to no one in particular. Orion and Petal had ran out of sight and even though Orion was the clumsy, he had a good survival instinct. Tales was pretty sure Orion will definitely be able to lead Petal to safety.

Tales surveyed the area as he continued his burst of speed.
"It should be around here..." Tales mumbled. T.O.P had been frequently playing around this part of the forest and they had set up many retreats around. In fact there was one tree top platform nearby meant for star glazing lesson. They should be safe there.

[Phoenix in the Ashes]

"Chimaeras!" Bair shouted to the large group of centaurs he encountered further down the track. "Tales is trying to deal with it, but there's just too many of them. Come on! Please!"

[Scarlet Lioness]

Kiro kept his eyes covered with his tail. This was too frightening for a creature so young, even one who had witnessed death before.

Kiro shivered when he heard the chimera's roaring and felt as though he was cutting through the air at a fast pace.

[choki]

Tales ran as fast as he possibly could. The treetop platform was just around the corner. With a great leap, Tales landed onto a rock plateau where he could see the safe hideout, even though it was hidden in view by the thick canopy.

[Scarlet Lioness]

Kiro shivered. It was getting colder the more they entered the middle of the forest.

Tales didn't show any signs of being cold. So Kiro didn't complain, instead he looked around at his surroundings.