Xander
"Crap, Crap, Crap." I think as I gather my bearings after what was undoubtedly the worst portal jump I have ever been through. After leaping in to follow Sylvie, I would have thought that we would have ended up at least somewhere close together. Also, something must have gone wrong as normally a portal created by a Leaper, when you enter through a body of water, you generally exit from one too. To be honest, I thought I had felt something strange as we went through the portal. It was almost as if something was pulling us away. Reaching down I pull out the Fellstar pendant.
"I really need to find Sylvie. The gods only know what kind of trouble that girl has gotten into. Not to mention I need to figure out exactly where we are. At least it's the right realm." I think as I look up into the sky to confirm my thoughts. As I wait for the pendant to tug me into the right direction, I notice that the ruby in the center has lost some of its lustre. I send out tendrils of my own energy into the pendant and find that all of its magical power has been depleted. Funneling some of my own energy into the amulet, I wait for the tug that will hopefully lead me to her.
It takes longer than before but the tug begins to pull me towards the north. Dropping it down I make my way through the trees.
"There are so many dangers in this realm. I don't believe she is strong enough to face any of them. Especially if her clumsy display earlier is anything to go by."
With these thoughts running rampant through my mind I increase my pace.
"I hope nothing in this forest finds her before I do."
Sylvie
As I spin I stifle a scream. Making its way through the trees is something truly out of a myth. From top to bottom it is a mish-mash of creatures. Its twin heads are that of both a goat and a lion. The heads join at the shoulders to the body of a lion, all ending in a tail with a serpent's head. Growing up I was always interested in mythology. The name of the creature easily came to mind; Chimera.
I try to back away slowly, hoping it hasn't yet noticed me.But as per my usual clumsy self, I end up tripping over my own feet.
"Crap!" I think, beginning to beat myself up a little.
With a snarl from its lion head and a hiss from its tail, it leaps through the air towards me. I never thought a creature composed of such parts would be graceful but wow, with the lion's mane rippling in the wind I am momentarily awestruck.
"Stop!" Xander's voice rings out through the clearing.
To my surprise, the chimera freezes in midair.
"Leave us and find weaker prey" Xander orders.
The chimera drops to the ground, the momentum of its leap gone. With one last look towards us it turns and slinks back into the forest from whence it came.
"Are you okay?" Xander asks, concern flooding his features.
"There are many ways I can answer this." I think. "Either I can move past this and pretend that everything is okay. Or … I can unleash all my anger and frustration that I have towards everything this man has put me through."
Opting for the latter, I take a deep breath.
"No, I am most definitely not okay." I yell. "Today started off totally normal. I got up, had my coffee and went into work. I had a clumsy moment, but then some insane, controlling jerk came in. He orders me around and for some reason I have to do what he says. I have no other option even though my brain screams for me to run. He takes me, against my will I might add, to the park. In the middle of fricken winter, and throws me into a freezing cold lake. And now, even this could be explained as you being a mental patient but then I am transported off of Earth and then I am attacked. Attacked by a creature of myth. And of all the things you could possibly have asked me, you ask if I am okay!.
My chest is heaving by the time I finish.
"I understand you are upset." He begins.
"Upset does not even begin to cover it."
"Is it at all possible for you to wait until we are somewhere safe to give me a chance to explain. I promise it will all make sense once I do." he finishes.
"Fine." I answer. "But I have a few conditions before I go anywhere with you. First, no more using your mind control juju. If you want me to do something, ask. If I don't want to do it, maybe try reasoning with me like a human. Secondly, when we arrive somewhere safe you will explain everything, and I mean everything. If I have a question I want it answered. And finally, no lies. You will tell me the truth, and if, after all of this I am not satisfied with your answers, you will return me home. Do you accept it?" I reach my hand out ready to shake his in agreement.
With a sigh, Xander reaches out and takes my hand.
"I accept" he agrees and he reaches his hand out to mine. As soon as our hands touch, a strange tingle works its way up my arm. "Now just let me work out where we are. Hopefully we can get somewhere safe before dark."