The villagers scrambled in all directions, struggling to keep distance between themselves and the monstrous creature. Each of them darted through the trees, using whatever cover they could find to shield themselves from the beast's relentless pursuit. It was a losing battle, and they knew it. The creature was simply too fast, too powerful—an unstoppable force of nature bearing down upon them with merciless intent.
They ran as best as they could, their lungs burning as they sought safety among the thick forest growth. Some villagers threw rocks or swung their tools in a desperate attempt to ward off the creature, but their efforts were little more than a nuisance to the massive beast. Those who were too slow or unfortunate enough to draw its attention were battered by powerful blows, thrown like ragdolls against trees or into the muddy ground.
Cries of pain echoed through the forest as the wounded were carried by their companions, the mud beneath them stained with blood. The beast stalked after them, savoring their fear. One of the villagers, panting as he ducked behind a tree, remembered hearing tales of this monstrous guardian as a child. It was said to be a protector of the forest, a spirit so ancient that its name was known only in fearful whispers.
"The Grimfang… It's the Grimfang," he murmured, his face pale with terror. The other villagers near him glanced at each other, the name sending a chill down their spines. Stories of Grimfang, the Guardian of the Wilds, had been passed down through generations, tales of a beast that could annihilate anyone foolish enough to disturb the forest's balance.
But why it was attacking them now, they couldn't understand. They were merely trying to unblock the village's water source—nothing more, nothing less. Yet here was Grimfang, raining terror upon them as if they'd committed some unforgivable sin.
They attempted to use the dense foliage and scattered boulders to slow Grimfang down, hoping to tire it out or find some way to get the upper hand. Yet every plan they tried fell short, every tactic met with failure. Grimfang was relentless, slashing through branches and uprooting shrubs as it lunged after them. It was a force of nature, leaving nothing but devastation in its wake.
.
Blue's tiny heart raced as he scuttled across the ground, dodging between rocks and roots. He hadn't seen Wobbles, and the growing sense of dread gnawed at him. He pressed forward, his gaze scanning the forest until he heard it—the thunderous rumble of footsteps.
The vibrations shook him to his core, rattling his small frame, and his instincts screamed for him to flee. But he couldn't abandon the villagers; he had to help somehow. As he darted closer, he finally saw it—the towering silhouette of Grimfang, a monstrous blur through the rain. It was faster and stronger than anything he could have imagined, a creature of pure terror.
He pressed on, scuttling as fast as his legs would carry him, zigzagging to the nearest villager in a desperate attempt to warn them. Suddenly, he felt the air shift, a sensation that sent a chill down his tiny spine. He risked a quick glance back, and his heart froze.
Grimfang was gone from where he'd just seen it.
Blue's gaze shot up to the rain-filled sky, just in time to see the creature's shadow leaping through the air with blinding speed, hurtling toward the villagers below. Blue knew he had only seconds. In a burst of determination, he lashed out with his pincers at the leg of the closest villager, hard enough to make the man stumble and fall just as Grimfang streaked past, its claws narrowly missing him.
Grimfang's massive form crashed into the tree, its claws digging deep into the wood. The shock of the impact sent splinters flying, and the men staggered back, staring in horror as Grimfang's claws tore into the tree's trunk like it was nothing.
The men stood rooted in place, unable to tear their eyes away from the creature before them. Each of them was paralyzed by the sight, their minds racing with dread as they took in Grimfang's massive, twisted form—the lion-like body, the monstrous talons, the predator's gleaming eyes that glared down at them with primal fury.
"Run!" one of the villagers shouted, snapping the others from their shock.
They scattered, some grabbing wounded companions, others grabbing whatever they could to hurl at Grimfang as they made their escape. But the creature let out a guttural, bone-shaking roar that reverberated through the forest, sending shockwaves that shook leaves from trees and churned the ground beneath their feet.
Blue staggered, fighting to stay upright as the roar washed over him, the sheer power of it rattling him to his core. But in that moment of terror, an image flashed through his mind—the terrified faces of the villagers, their lives hanging in the balance.
Determination replaced his fear. He would protect them, no matter the cost.
He scurried forward, weaving through the undergrowth until he reached Grimfang's side. As the monstrous creature took off after another group of fleeing villagers, Blue leapt with all his might, latching onto Grimfang's hind leg. His claws dug into the creature's thick fur, and he clung for dear life, his small form jostling as Grimfang moved.
With all the strength he could muster, Blue raised his tail and struck down, plunging his stinger into Grimfang's leg. He injected as much venom as he could, hoping—praying—that it would be enough to slow the beast.
For a terrifying moment, nothing happened. Grimfang didn't even flinch, continuing to charge forward, its focus unwavering. Panic rose within Blue, and his grip faltered. He lost his hold and was flung off, his small body crashing against a tree. The impact dazed him, leaving his vision blurred and his limbs aching, but he forced himself to stay alert.
.
The men continued to flee, but Grimfang's relentless pursuit and brutal strength left them with little hope. Those who fell were lifted by their companions, but not all were so lucky. The creature's attacks sent some villagers flying through the air, hitting the ground with bone-crunching force.
Yet, gradually, they noticed something strange.
Grimfang's movements were growing slower, its powerful strides faltering. The beast skidded to a halt, crashing into a tree to steady itself, breathing heavily. From a safe distance, the men turned, watching in disbelief as the once-unstoppable guardian staggered, its chest heaving.
"What's happening to it?" one of the men murmured, clutching his side.
Another pointed, his eyes wide with realization. "Look! Its leg… it's swelling!"
Sure enough, one of Grimfang's hind legs had taken on an unnatural reddish-purple hue, its veins bulging grotesquely, as if something was poisoning it from within. The creature let out another roar, louder and more furious than before, and the sound created shockwaves that dispersed the rain into hot mist, creating a foggy haze around them.
The villagers covered their ears, wincing at the overwhelming noise. Grimfang's power was terrifying, the raw strength of its roar a reminder that it had been holding back. But as the creature's anger peaked, it dropped to one knee, the swollen leg visibly weakening it.
Then, Grimfang's gaze snapped downward, its intense eyes narrowing in fury. The villagers, hesitant to draw closer, watched in confusion and fear, each of them wondering what had caught the creature's attention.
One man's eyes widened as he noticed a tiny figure in the shadow of the beast. "Look! It's… it's that scorpion! Mina's friend—Blue!"
They all looked, incredulous, as the little scorpion stood firm in the mud, his pincers raised defiantly, as if daring the enormous creature to come closer. Grimfang let out a guttural growl, the sound low and menacing, filling the air with a dread that even the bravest among them couldn't ignore.
….
Blue's body trembled as he stared up at the monstrous Grimfang. The creature's growl reverberated through him, his every instinct screaming at him to flee, to hide, to get as far away as possible. But his anger flared as he saw the state of the villagers—injured, battered, and terrified, all because of this creature.
He didn't know where the courage came from, but he stepped forward, his small form dwarfed by the towering beast above him. He raised his pincers, holding his ground as he glared up at Grimfang.
"Can you understand me?" he asked, his voice low and filled with anger.
The creature's growl softened, almost as if it was processing the question. Its massive eyes fixed on him, narrowing with something that seemed suspiciously like understanding, and the rain continued to pour down around them, drumming a steady beat as predator and defender faced each other in the misty forest.
Blue held his ground, undaunted, and waited for an answer.