Chapter Four; Demon Deer Owl?!
The creature that had lept from the bush honestly looked like a cross between a Deer and…..a snowy owl.
Nico let out an odd sound, his hand stretching out to the ground as cracks appeared and soon after a Skeletal hand burst out of the crack.
I let out a shriek of fear and surprise as I jumped away," what th- WHOAH" I thrashed as the back of my hoodie was suddenly tugged on and I was in the air and then back on the ground in no time, my position drastically different.
I heard another shout(Presumably from Nico) as a large…Human. Skeleton shamble-Charged at whatever had gripped me and deposited me behind its avian hindquarters.
Nico stood behind the skeleton, his hand still outstretched-however now it was towards me-,holding a black sword in his other hand with an enraged light blazing in his dark eyes.
The monster had sent me down almost in a gentle way ,as if it was scared to harm me, raising one of its taloned feet to push me back some more, a large white and black wing extending as if to shield me from the shambling undead approaching, its golden antlers brushing the branches and causing leaves to fall freely.
If I was not terrified, I would have said that the scene honestly looked like a battle between life and death, nature and decay.
"Stay here!" Jack's shout seemed to echo as I heard his footsteps fade," I'll go get Jackson! I heard he has a knack for training monsters! I mean look at who he's dating!"
I whimpered as I tried to push the wing of the creature away so I could stand ,and hopefully break away from it's clutches.
The deer-owl hybrid however had other ideas as its talons closed around my ankle rather painfully ,its body jerking and lunging as best as it could to keep the undead figure away.
"Ouch! Let me go!" I shouted, my eyes burning with tears, trying to pry its claws away from my ankle.
I froze when I heard a quiet, gentle voice speak in my head," Once the child of Hades is no longer a threat, I will release you. I am sorry if I cause you any discomfort ,but you cannot fall into peril quite yet mistress."
I stared at the creature with wide eyes as it turned his(as that is the gender I assumed his voice was) head drastically, breaking eye contact with me and sending his horns through the ribcage and spine of the skeleton, sending bones flying to the ground, however the undead's bones rattled as it started to reform.
I stared wide eyed at Nico as he seemed to be losing energy fast," Nico wasn't harming me!" I suddenly exclaimed, standing up so quickly that the creature's talons dug into my skin and drew blood ,causing me to hiss in pain.
The talons immediately relinquished their grip on my ankle due to the hiss ,his golden eyes locking with mine once more,"Are you sure small one? Did I hurt you?!"
"U-Uh yeah." I nodded ,recognizing his voice," Why do you sound like God?"
"God…?"
"Chuck Supernatural." I mumbled, realizing Nico and the skeleton were staring at me.
"You can talk to that….Thing?!" Nico gasped, his eyes wide
The creature folded his wing back against his side, and sidestepping the skeleton as it lunged for him once more.
"Uh yeah." I nodded," I don't think he wants to hurt us. Call off Jack Skellington." I groaned as putting weight on my leg started to hurt ,and the look Nico was giving me made me add a ,"Please." To the end of my previous sentence.
"…Are you kidding me?" Nico grumbled as he threw his hands into the air- much like I did earlier- and the skeleton's bones scattered as they hit the ground and seemed to fade into dust.
"I-I'm here!" A new voice gasped as the deer-creature angled his neck to look with curiosity at the newcomer, before making eye contact with me again." Friend or Foe?"
"My guess is as good as yours Chuck-Deer. I'm assuming friend though. "I noted,smiling as Jack approached behind the new guy.
He had to be at least college age ,and his black hair was just as messy as mine usually was before I pulled it back into a ponytail ,his eyes a familiar sea-green.
"So…" The deer coughed ..somehow, as his jaws moved, a sign that he could talk audibly-Yay! Proof I'm not as total of a nutcase as I thought I was!-
"Uhm… Hello. "He bowed his head.
"Great another talking magical creature!"
I squeaked and jumped as a small lizard poked his head out of Jack's front pocket, which sent me into the deer's side, his wing extending once more to steady me.
"What do you mean Kid?" the lizard questioned, It's crimson eyes blinking slowly as it stared down the deer," Oh hey. A rebirth sprite. Nice to meet ya Bub!"
"A destruction lizard. How quaint." The deer drew back his lips ,revealing a nasty set of fangs
"Can someone explain to me what's going on?" I questioned weakly ,pulling my one foot off the ground.
The deer snorted as he looked at the newcomer ,"Hello lord Perseus."
"What? Who?How?" The college kid blinked in shock.
"I am not mindless." The deer shook his head
"Ignored again ."I grumbled, not really the happiest of campers for a variety of reasons.
He turned his head back to me, his golden eyes glittering ,"As for your question Mistress, I am a Peryton, not a Deer-Owl Hybrid as you were calling me. And as to why I am here now, that will all be revealed soon. But for now, this explanation will suffice. My name is Tsuniren of the grace of Andraste, and I am here under orders to protect you. However I would prefer If you would call me Tsuni."
I nodded weakly," Oh…kay…."