HOME | DD

Description

The noisy, colorful greenery of the highland trail wasn’t enough to distract the group from the sudden shift in the air. What once was an inviting breeze coaxing the intrepid explorers onward was now an ominous, stagnant ambience. Though the team had encountered plenty of perils along the way, the overwhelming sense of dread in this occasion was stomach-churning. It wasn’t a stretch of judgment to assume something had gone awry, far worse than anything before.

Lucky could feel the fine hairs on his body instinctively raise as the stillness of the secluded grove nearly suffocated him. He had run off on his own in hopes of catching a glimpse of the elusive autumnal meteor shower in this area, despite knowing his separation from the others was ill-advised. Those thoughts of doubt and hesitation rang in his mind as the presage of imminent danger encroached, the eerie quietness of the formerly lively mountain path rendering him motionless.

The beauty of the setting sun in the distance did little to alleviate the cacophony of the panicked, harrowing shrieks of the Griffolk below, shattering the stiflingly silent vicinity with a fully realized aura of terror. Frozen in fear from the initial chaos, Lucky’s delayed instinctual reaction had him almost tripping over his tendrils in an effort to quickly reunite with the frenzied foray down on the proper route. He would instantly come to regret his choice to travel up such a precarious traverse as the low-hanging boughs, uneven tree roots, and irritating underbrush impeded his imperative rescue.

His mad dash was interrupted by a sinister, slithering track of void essence approaching at the trailhead to a forest clearing. Although his small, stubby legs were abnormally nimble, the swift pursuit of the malicious, mauve mire had cornered Lucky. If encountering it wasn’t bad as is, the chase had left him winded, his exhausted gasps persisting in the chilly air as the loathsome, dark ooze shifted and churned around him.

“I guess you’re not going to let me off easy, huh?” he cheekily sputtered through the few breaths he was able to muster.

The pitch-black grime, seemingly amused by his unexpectedly bold remark, warped and squirmed in response.

“No, I’m afraid I can’t.” answered a smug, condescending voice.

Raising himself from his panting position, Lucky was shocked to see that the void essence had mutated into his image, the ripples of matter bubbling and swirling as he saw its face – his face – flash a wicked grin.

“You’re surprised, I take it?” the gooey imitation chuckled, taking a brief pause to admire its new form and extend its claws in a mocking manner. “It’s only natural. Speaking of… isn’t it a bit unnatural for you to go waltzing about unscathed?”

Lucky gulped. It was true, the group had been remarkably fortunate, especially upon seeing the grim fate of the residents of Beanberg earlier in the journey. Sure, the roads they traversed weren’t always straightforward, but until this moment, they had skirted by genuine hardship by pure chance.

A slimy, terribly uncomfortable claw stroked the soft outline of his chin. “I’m sure that you’ve enjoyed your little ‘adventure’ to this point, but it’s time to wake up and smell the Crowses.”

In an instant, the talon that gently teased him sharply twisted with a gooey elasticity, his reflexes thankfully saving his face mere centimeters away from being punctured as the limb rocketed past him. Tumbling backwards from the assault with sudden, startled breathing, Lucky knew there was no way out of this without a fight.

“My, you’re agile!” laughed the swirling ooze, winding up for another strike. “I know it’s unwise to play with one’s food, but I’ll let you entertain me.”

Biting his lip, Lucky lifted a nearby branch. There wasn’t any question now – it was time to prove himself one way or another. With a reluctant step forward, Lucky raised his weapon to fight.

“I won’t lose, you viscous villain!”

i don't like writing growls but OK. also the last line is not spelled wrong, i do mean viscous as in gooey. i just love alliteration ok

Description

The noisy, colorful greenery of the highland trail wasn’t enough to distract the group from the sudden shift in the air. What once was an inviting breeze coaxing the intrepid explorers onward was now an ominous, stagnant ambience. Though the team had encountered plenty of perils along the way, the overwhelming sense of dread in this occasion was stomach-churning. It wasn’t a stretch of judgment to assume something had gone awry, far worse than anything before.

Lucky could feel the fine hairs on his body instinctively raise as the stillness of the secluded grove nearly suffocated him. He had run off on his own in hopes of catching a glimpse of the elusive autumnal meteor shower in this area, despite knowing his separation from the others was ill-advised. Those thoughts of doubt and hesitation rang in his mind as the presage of imminent danger encroached, the eerie quietness of the formerly lively mountain path rendering him motionless.

The beauty of the setting sun in the distance did little to alleviate the cacophony of the panicked, harrowing shrieks of the Griffolk below, shattering the stiflingly silent vicinity with a fully realized aura of terror. Frozen in fear from the initial chaos, Lucky’s delayed instinctual reaction had him almost tripping over his tendrils in an effort to quickly reunite with the frenzied foray down on the proper route. He would instantly come to regret his choice to travel up such a precarious traverse as the low-hanging boughs, uneven tree roots, and irritating underbrush impeded his imperative rescue.

His mad dash was interrupted by a sinister, slithering track of void essence approaching at the trailhead to a forest clearing. Although his small, stubby legs were abnormally nimble, the swift pursuit of the malicious, mauve mire had cornered Lucky. If encountering it wasn’t bad as is, the chase had left him winded, his exhausted gasps persisting in the chilly air as the loathsome, dark ooze shifted and churned around him.

“I guess you’re not going to let me off easy, huh?” he cheekily sputtered through the few breaths he was able to muster.

The pitch-black grime, seemingly amused by his unexpectedly bold remark, warped and squirmed in response.

“No, I’m afraid I can’t.” answered a smug, condescending voice.

Raising himself from his panting position, Lucky was shocked to see that the void essence had mutated into his image, the ripples of matter bubbling and swirling as he saw its face – his face – flash a wicked grin.

“You’re surprised, I take it?” the gooey imitation chuckled, taking a brief pause to admire its new form and extend its claws in a mocking manner. “It’s only natural. Speaking of… isn’t it a bit unnatural for you to go waltzing about unscathed?”

Lucky gulped. It was true, the group had been remarkably fortunate, especially upon seeing the grim fate of the residents of Beanberg earlier in the journey. Sure, the roads they traversed weren’t always straightforward, but until this moment, they had skirted by genuine hardship by pure chance.

A slimy, terribly uncomfortable claw stroked the soft outline of his chin. “I’m sure that you’ve enjoyed your little ‘adventure’ to this point, but it’s time to wake up and smell the Crowses.”

In an instant, the talon that gently teased him sharply twisted with a gooey elasticity, his reflexes thankfully saving his face mere centimeters away from being punctured as the limb rocketed past him. Tumbling backwards from the assault with sudden, startled breathing, Lucky knew there was no way out of this without a fight.

“My, you’re agile!” laughed the swirling ooze, winding up for another strike. “I know it’s unwise to play with one’s food, but I’ll let you entertain me.”

Biting his lip, Lucky lifted a nearby branch. There wasn’t any question now – it was time to prove himself one way or another. With a reluctant step forward, Lucky raised his weapon to fight.

“I won’t lose, you viscous villain!”

i don't like writing growls but OK. also the last line is not spelled wrong, i do mean viscous as in gooey. i just love alliteration ok