• tab Trisa lay flat on the ground with Reyn on top. She had tried to drag Reyn away, but then there was a problem with bringing him downhill. She was too weak to lift him up onto the horse—Ania, so she decided to bring him down herself. It was a bad idea because his weight was too much and they tumbled down.
    tab “Heavy” Trisa groans, trying to shove Reyn off for the hundredth time, and for the hundredth time, failed. She sighed and looked towards Ania who hasn’t left her side. What a weird horse, Trisa thought to herself. “I don’t suppose you can help lift this junk off me?” she asks Ania.
    tab Ania grunted and bit the collar of Reyn’s shirt, then swayed her head and tossed him aside. She looked towards Trisa again, eyes serious. It was like she understood Trisa and is trying to show her what she can do.
    tab “Th-thanks” Trisa stutters. She never noticed that Ania had different colored eyes, the left is emerald and the right is ruby red—strange. Once she sat up, the first thing she did was groan, her back pained. A look towards the sky changed everything. It was getting dark, and she could already see the first star. “I got to get somewhere safer”
    tab Ania bent down low, dug her snout beneath Reyn, pushed, and lifted him over her forehead. He rolled down her neck and onto her back. Trisa stared, why didn’t this happen sooner? We could’ve been out of here by now instead of me being under Reyn! She hopped on Ania, wrapping her arms around the horse’s neck. Reyn was lying on his stomach, his arms and head on the right side, and his legs dangling from the left. Go! Trisa shouted in her mind. Being in the dark meant being exposed to the monsters. It was suicide to walk the nights without weapons.
    tab Right when the wind blew, Ania neighed and ran full speed. Trisa almost got knocked backwards during the take off. As trees blurred past her in green stripes, she worried if she’ll be alright. It wasn’t heard of that horses could outrun monsters but if running was the only thing possible right now, then that’s what they’ll keep doing. Her mind buzzed. She was afraid for not only her and Reyn’s safety, but for Cillia too. If they died tonight, who will save Cillia from death? Determination surges through Trisa as they rode. It wouldn’t matter if she lost an arm or a leg—she’ll get to Trell no matter what. And as her hope rose, Ania increased speed.
    tab It was too bad she didn’t hear a rustle in the bushes that they had just passed. A long, dark figure rose up into the trees and glared out, staring at the direction Trisa had went. The black figure had an extremely long body, like a snake. But it was far thicker and far bigger. Fur cropped on its neck and horns appeared not only on the head, but on the back too. The moon reflected off the snake creatures monstrous scales. It had only one eye, and it shone like crimson blood. It made one hiss before advancing towards its victims.

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