The Forbidden Forest

[Phoenix in the Ashes]

The other centaurs were reluctant - but time was running out.

[choki]

Tales soon reached the bottom of the tree where the hidden platform was. But at the same time, he felt the hideous monsters were closing in behind.

"Can you fly?" Tales asked Kiros.

[Phoenix in the Ashes]

"Listen! If we don't band together to stop the chimaeras, they will take all of us over one by one! We must make a stand - this isn't one of those times that we can sit back abd protect our own selves. We have to protect the others!"

The centaur Hildor, the leader of the group and the oldest and wisest of the centaurs of the east forest, said: "Hmm..."

"Please come!"

Hildor nodded slowly. "We shall come."

The other centaurs murmured slow agreements.

Bair was already sprinting off to the rescue, with 14 centaurs following him.

[Scarlet Lioness]

Kiro couldn't fly. He was too young.

He shook his head.

[Phoenix in the Ashes]

Bair could sense the others. They were in real danger to the southwest of where he was.

"This way!"

[choki]

The instance Kiros shook his head, Tales knew they were in greater danger. At least, he had thought, the young one could escape even if he could only fly a short distance - just up the tree platform while he stayed on the ground, luring the chimeras away.

But right now, he has no time to think of another plan.
"Grab on me tight and never let go!" Tales commanded the young Griffin as he carried Kiros over to his back. Feeling the small claws retracting and grabbing his back, Tales kicked off into the airs while he grabbed hold of the vines coming out from the canopy. He has been doing this everytime T.O.P. had to get back the platform and today, it definitely would not be his last attempt.

[Phoenix in the Ashes]

Bair and the other centaurs galloped heavily around the last corner and nearly collided with Tales, still trying to escape.

The chimaeras were stunned by the many large centuars, and gnarled their teeth at them - they looked at each other, unsure of how to proceed.

[Scarlet Lioness]

Kiro gripped on tight, it was this or die. I wish I was old enough to fly...

[Phoenix in the Ashes]

The chimaeras roared and the centaurs stamped their hooves, teeth glaring.

It was not clear whether the chimaeras would initiate a fight.

[choki]

Relieved by the appearance of the centaur herd, Tales swiftly swinged from the vines to another and landed on a stepping entrance to the treetop platform.

"Climb these steps and you will reach the top in no time," Tales said in a hushed tone, as he urged the young griffin.

[Scarlet Lioness]

"O-k." Kiro stammered. He was scareder than he realised.

With shaky legs he climed the stairs.

[Phoenix in the Ashes]

The centaurs took a step foward.

The chimaeras took a step foward.

The centaurs took a step foward.

The chimaeras took a step foward.

The centaurs took a step foward.

The chimaeras looked at each inquisitively.

And they retreated.

[Scarlet Lioness]

Kiro reached the top of the staircase. It was a treehouse.

"Woow..." he looked around. It's beautiful he thought as he looked at the treehouse with bright eyes. Climbing plants lined the walls of the treehouse, there was no roof, but instead there was a hole so they could see the stars...

[Phoenix in the Ashes]

They retreated...

Just as the centaurs moved into attack position.

The chimaeras whipped their heads around and roared, It was as though a fire had arisen within them. They charged at the centaurs. The leader knocked the feeble Bair to the ground. He was injured.

[choki]

Tales, upon seeing the chimeras attacking, swinged down using the vines valiantly. His front hoof landed on head of one and he swiftly kicked the other one beside with his powerful back legs.

He was not known as the "Warrior" in the centaur community for nothing.