Cold sweat trickled down Veythor's face as his eyes locked forward.
"Shimi… Raika. Don't move. Don't move, clear?"
"O-Okay…"
Shimi's voice quivered, her whole body trembling. Raika said nothing, his silence heavy, his jaw clenched.
Before them stood a beast a two-headed dog. Its skin was pitch-black, stretched tight over long, sinewy limbs. Twin pairs of eyes glowed faintly, its ears sharp as blades. Both heads growled in unison, a low, guttural rumble that made the earth itself seem to vibrate.
Grrrrrrrrrr…
Veythor's breath steadied he was stil...
"Don't turn your backs," he warned coldly. "If you do… it'll strike."
The beast suddenly tilted both heads skyward and let out a deafening howl.
AAAUUUUUUUU—!
The sound tore through the forest, so loud it rattled their bones. Shimi shrieked and collapsed onto the ground, clutching her ears.
"Shimi!"
