Chapter Seven

A terrifying encounter with one of Drake�s minions�

“What was that?” Star exclaimed her voice filled with fear.
They had only just lost sight of temple, when they heard a loud cracking noise behind them, followed by a tremendous thud.   Beneath them, they could feel the ground begin to shake. It shook with such a force; the girls could feel the vibrations run through them, down to their very bones.
As they looked back, they could see the tops of the trees moving slightly as another cracking noise echoed throughout the woods. Tygra and Star watched, overwhelmed by the sight before them, as a tree began to bend to its left until it was completely out of sight. It was then followed by another thud as more vibrations ran throughout the forest floor.
Jade looked around, finding no other place to run but above them. “Quick! To the trees!” She yelled, grabbing a hold of each of the girls by one of their arms as she jumped up onto one of the tree branches above them.
“What’s going on Jade?” Tygra asked, watching her intently.
“Sh!” She hushed as she pointed down toward the ground.
As they looked, they saw a huge monster stop right underneath the tree. The monster was at least ten feet tall and seemed to be growing right before their very eyes. Its skin was a grayish-green and seemed to be oozing with slime. The creature’s eyes were darting around the forest floor like crazy as it searched its surroundings.
“It seems to be looking for something.” whispered Tygra as she watched the creature.
“Not something, someone. Now would you be quiet, at least until it leaves?” Jade snapped never taking her eyes off of the creature.
Tygra gave her a long, angry stare before looking back to the creature below. It took one last look around its surroundings before it left. Jade held out her arms in front of the two girls, preventing them from jumping down making them wait an addition two minutes to be positive the creature was gone.
She then looked back to them. “Let’s go.” She said, jumping down to the ground, the girls shortly following after her.
“Jade, what the hell was that thing?” exclaimed Tygra in disgust.
“Would you shut up?” Jade demanded as she looked at her in anger. “You almost got us killed with that big mouth of yours!”
“What?” Tygra exclaimed, clenching her hands into fists at her sides.   Who does she think she is talking to me like that?
“Use your head! That creature was Gilabarous. Gilabarous has the best hearing in all the land. It heard everything you said!” Jade yelled, turning her back to Tygra and Star.
Tygra raised her right fist. The skin around her hand seemed to glow a bright red as her energy ball formed around her fist. The red shine seemed to move like fire about her hand as she held it out threateningly before her.
“You might want to rethink that action, because if you miss,” Jade stated as she turned to face her, “I won’t.”
“I never miss! NEVER!” Tygra yelled, placing her left hand under her right wrist for extra support.
“Ok. Let me explain this a little more so you can understand it.’ She took a few steps toward her. “If you hit me, and I do mean if, no damage will be inflicted on me.” Her eyes began to glow their eerie bright red as she stared daringly into Tygra’s eyes.
“Jade! What’s wrong with you eyes?” exclaimed Star in shock.
“Nothing.” She said, not taking her eyes off of Tygra. Thinking quickly she added, “It’s the gift of the Lucranians. When my eyes glow red, everything is increased by ten. My speed, strength, etc.” She closed eyes and took a long deep breath. After she exhaled and opened her eyes again, they were back to their normal black color.
“So, that s the reason I wouldn’t be able to hurt you?” asked Tygra, lowering her hands willing her energy ball to disappear.
“Well, yes. And the fact that this bracelet repels magic.” said Jade as she held up her right arm, pulling back her sleeve so they could see it.
It was a small, gold bracelet that hugged her wrist tightly. Engraved on its front was the symbol of the goddess; a circle with two small crescent moons on either side.
“Well, I guess there’s really no sense to fighting then.” Tygra said, resting her arms at her side. “Let’s go.”
Jade let out a sigh of relief.   Damn. That was too close for comfort.