Chapter 9: Tak'kah
The creature snarled and tugged at its restraint, trying to get at the synthetic man. Its basic body type resembled that of a lion, except in the way that a grizzly resembles a teddy bear. It had rows of long quills down its neck and back, like a death mane, and huge bone-like claws protruded from its paws. Two huge saber fangs jutted down on each side of its mouth and its drooled and snapped and roared at the man. Its eyes emanated like two yellow embers in the shadow of the pole. Its blood red fur shone like it was metallic, and finally the predator spoke. "This is the Tak'kah, Ooman, kill it, and you pass your final test.
The predator disappeared though the trees and before Vaughn could get a word out, he heard a loud "clunk" and the chain fell from around the Tak'kah's neck. It instantly leaped high into the air and let out a blood-curtailing roar. Vaughn drew the blades from his belt and summoned forth the surreal feeling of his technique. The Tak'kah fell down at him in a rush, then slowed almost to a halt. Something was wrong though. Instead of feeling lightened, he felt heavier. He felt enormous pressures being exerted on him, and his head spun as pain swept over him. It was a deep pain, in his chest, almost like there was a black hole there and it was pulling him apart from the inside out. He snapped back to normal and dropped to his knees in pain. He dropped the knives to the ground and grabbed at his chest. The Tak'kah slammed down into Vaughn with amazing force. They crashed into a twisted heap of bodies and chunks of clay flew up into the air as the synthetic man was slammed into the ground. Vaughn struggled to breathe since his chest was almost crushed by the force of the Tak'kah. It scrambled to its feet and began to circle the man. Vaughn rolled over and pushed up to his hands and knees. He coughed and sputtered trying to catch his breath and spit out blood onto the ground. The Tak'kah pounced at him again, but Vaughn wasn't very intent on being a meal. He snatched up one of the knives and thrust it at the oncoming beast. The blade plunged deep into the Tak'kah's chest and it roared in pain. It quickly smacked the knife away from Vaughn's hand with one paw, then dug the claws of another into Vaughn's chest. The beast broke two of Vaughn's ribs as it bounced its weight on the paw that now held down the man, and the claws dug deeper into his flesh. Vaughn let out a scream of pain as the Tak'kah bit at his head. He reached up and grabbed a hold of the large saber fangs plunging at him. He struggled against its strength as it bounced its weight on his chest again. Vaughn's hands bled, and his arms felt as if they were about to buckle. He kicked at the under side of the Tak'kah but it had no effect on the beast. Vaughn could feel his chances slipping away with every passing second, so with one last burst of strength he twisted the Tak'kah's head as hard as he could. The animal was sent off balance and fell from the synthetic man. Vaughn leapt to his feet with pain, snatching the other knife from the ground. The Tak'kah stood to its feet as well, and shook off the last attack. Vaughn could feel himself bleeding from his multiple wounds, as well as internally. If he didn't take care of this thing quick, he would never get the chance to heal. The Tak'kah pounced at the man again, but this time he was ready. Vaughn dodged the Tak'kah's attack and jumped onto it's back. Vaughn wasn't thinking though, and fell right onto the quills that covered the Tak'kah's back. The sharp spines punctured through Vaughn's chest and stomach in several places. Vaughn fell backwards off of the beast, ripping off the tunic as he fell to the ground, blood gushing from his many wounds. The Tak'kah slowly strode over to its downed prey. It growled deep in its throat as it hovered its head just above that of the prone man.