Taena whirled, her first thought to protect those weaker than herself, namely Sukrae and Teegan. As she faced it, she was aware of a very large black something.
Its claws extended, the beast leaped. Taena felt hot fire at her neck as it sunk its fangs. She fell back, slamming her head into the rocks. Her sight blacked out.
'I guess this is the end then,' said a little voice in her head. And then 'Teegan!' but even her thoughts faded, and she floated away to blackness.
Meanwhile, Sukrae and Teegan were up against the rocks, staring in horror at the huge black panther that now ravaged the mangled body of Taena. Then Sukrae remembered his throwing darts.
Carefully, with his good arm, he took them out, throwing them one by one at the big cat. A few hit their mark, drawing growls from the creature and turning its anger to the couple. As it lunged, Teegan screamed, and with a power born of rage her dagger glowed blood-red, plunging into the panther's heart.
The beast fell, dust balloning from the ground. It spasmed, claws raking the air as it fought for life.
Teegan jerked her dagger from its body, dark blood flowing from the tip, and stood trembling as the creature breathed its last breaths. The second it was dead, she ran to Taena.
Sukrae was there first, "She's not breathing, Teegan."
"Yes she is!" screamed Teegan, "she has to be! This is her quest!"
Sukrae supported her as she sobbed, trying vainly to bring back life to the body that was her sister.
Suddenly she quieted, growing limp and seeming to sleep. The power hit Sukrae next, and he struggled against it. Soon, however, he laid down his head and slept as Teegan did.
24-Oct-2006 22:22:54