Crossing the Path of Three Ch7

Chimera vs. Beast

Fafnir placed her rear leg onto the deer, pinning it down as she continued to glare back at the creature, *My kill!* she snarled and bent lower ready to retaliate.
The creature stood up on its rear legs and Fafnir could see it fully, she was startled by the creature's appearance for a moment; the face of the creature was that of a tawny lion, black hair fell in front of its face and trailed down its back in place of a mane; the arms and body, she noted, was that of a man. He wore black clothes, now tight against his bulky fur, consisting of a black short sleeved shirt, a loose hanging belt hung holding down the tattered remains of a jacket and completed with black pants and a belt like sash with a golden medallion that looked familiar. But what drew her attention was the scale-like pads on his arms that resembled the long, curved and deadly looking tail that adorned a sharp stinger, and from what she could see, metal blades were attached to his back, *A chimera…* she concluded with a snort.
"Back off beast… that's mine!" he growled menacingly.
Fafnir pinned her ears back in insult and snarled in response, *MINE. Get your own.* she growled firmly, her tail stiffening and her muscles bracing.
~
Leng maintained as battle ready snarl and stance as he stared in surprise at what he was looking at; from somewhere in his childhood, Leng recalled Crusher… a  t-rex he had at one time frequently drawn in class, destroying trucks, buildings and the like… but he had believed them to be extinct, and here he was staring one down! It was a lot smaller than he thought they were…
No sooner had his comment for the animal to back away danced off his tongue when he felt a very familiar pulse shudder into his core, but he didn't quite make out what it meant nor did he stop to figure it out; he took a step forward and the animal quickly grabbed the deer by the neck, still staring him down and growling louder; Leng stopped for a moment looking at the creature. Despite the fact that the animal was the size of a man and that he had dealt with far larger creatures, the animal still looked very strong and he was not in top fighting shape… but the pinch in his stomach urged him to pursue his potential meal.
"Drop it beast. That deer is mine! Give it back!" He snarled reaching skillfully to his sides and drawing his battle axes; he smirked inwardly as he saw what could have been fear flit across the creature's face… but it was only for a brief moment. It let go again and stepped over the deer slowly and aggressively, ears flat, fangs bared that were still red with blood, and eyes glinting with the fire of battle; Leng smirked and took a full battle stance, "Fine then." He said licking his muzzle, "Bring it on."
His eyes widened as the creature closed the distance between them in a splash of mud and soil in nearly the blink of an eye…
~
Fafnir gave a short battle roar and charged headlong at the lion-like chimera at full speed, catching him almost entirely by surprise, giving the xingese chimera barely any time to react. The large reptilian animal's mouth came open as she lunged up at Leng, ready to bite down into her aggressor's body; only to flinch in pain as her teeth came into contact with hard steel, "Nice try… But no good." Leng hissed as he swung his axe's twin towards her open neck.
Fafnir glimpsed the movement and the axe was sent hurling into the trunk of a large tree by her powerful tail, ringing as if furious that it missed its target, as did Leng who quickly grasped his remaining axe with both hands in an attempt to force back the large reptile that now would not release the axe, both grappling undauntingly.
Fafnir stepped forward slowly forcing the chimera's feet to drag back and dig into the soft soil, their eyes in a deadlock telling the other they would not yield. Despite that, Leng grit his fangs in irritation as his arms began to shake weakly, 'Not yet, dammit! Not yet!' he thought angrily as he leaned harder forward to prevent himself from falling backwards, 'I have to tilt this in my favor… I have to… ah….' He remained expressionless as he continued to glare back into those yellow orange eyes.
Fafnir gave a shriek of pain and anger as something struck her neck and yanked back so suddenly that Leng was forced to release his remaining axe, falling forward into the mud as the angry reptile began snapping at her now burning side unable to reach where the chimera had stung her; his axe landing in a muddy puddle some ways away. Leng quickly rose to his feet, and rushed past the reptile towards his blade, 'Now while it's distracted I have an edge!' he thought.
Fafnir winced at the ever increasing burn that was spearing across her neck rapidly, almost blinded by the pain she was now feeling. She wanted to run and lie down, but her instincts poured adrenaline and anger into her blood and she swiftly snapped her head around looking for the chimera; she spotted him yanking at the axe that was lodged in the tree trunk with all the strength he could muster.
Leng heard the angry roar of the animal and looked over his shoulder in time to see it charge at him, "DAMN IT!!!" he growled loudly as he released the handle and readied his stance; as if in slow motion, Leng carefully watched his opponent's movements and calculated his next move as the angry animal charged, 'One…… Two…. NOW!!'
Leng leaped into the air at an angle as the animal came within four yards of him; his momentum propelled him just above the creature's head. Twisting in midair with expert ease, Leng swung his tail at the dinosaur once more at his previous mark, the dinosaur giving a startled and pained shriek as it was sent sliding headfirst into the mud.
~
Fafnir's head was spinning as she slowly raised her mud caked head, the forest a smear as she pushed herself up with her front claws, *A deer should not be worth this….* she thought to herself sluggishly. Looking to the side she saw a black smudge amongst the green forest heading in her direction, his blade in hand.
Fafnir's eyes widened in slight panic as the chimera let out a loud roar as he charged at her; she didn't want to resort to this… but now she had no more choice….
~
Wet mud and leaves were flung in the air as Leng charged at the dinosaur, despite an inward respect for this powerful animal, it was a threat to him and needed to be put out of his way; then he could claim his meal and a well-deserved rest.
His eyes flashed as he leaped into the air screaming as he came down, blade swinging down towards the vulnerable animal…..
"Wha-?" Leng sputtered as suddenly his target rushed up at him, throwing his calculated kill shot, his blade made contact with the animal and made a grating sound as it slid harmlessly off its scaly neck. Leng felt the wind leave forcefully from his lungs as he collided with what he thought briefly was a brick wall and was flung back across the tattered clearing and slammed against a tree, knocking the rest of the wind from him. Coughing violently, Leng shakily pushed himself up to his knees and looked up and froze, fear swept across his face indefinitely as his eyes trailed up from where his foe had fallen, "Son of a-"
A bellow that shook the forest and forced Leng's hands over his ears erupted from the near 7 ton colossus' massive jaws, shaking the trees and sending terrified birds and animals in all directions and piercing Leng's entire body to his core.
~
Leng was bent over slightly, his fur caked with mud, on his knees staring up at the massive reptilian before him in a mix of aggravation and, despite him wanting to disbelieve it, fear, as it stood to the full height of a creature earning its name of tyrant lizard king, lightning and thunder sounded adding to the creature's imposing form.
"How….? How did it get so damn big so fast!?" He growled barely above a whisper as it flexed and gave a menacing snarl that would make any chimera he had ever seen cower in fear. Leng grit his teeth and looked towards the deer that still lie across the field, 'No deer should be worth this….' he thought agitatedly as his stomach protested, 'But I won't run away… If I'll ever be an emperor I must never retreat.' He thought as he stood up, once more taking his axe in hand, looking to the side he saw his axe's twin and grasping hold he gave a final tug and the blade came free.
The rex pinned its ears back and once more bared its fangs as Leng took a stance, "Just because you're bigger does not mean I fear you more. Come on, I'm waiting." Leng stated loudly and evenly. The rex blinked slowly, its snarl slowly lessened and the fangs slowly vanished beneath their sheath, ears still pinned back as it stared at the warrior as if impressed. Leng braced as it snorted and growled, and then blinked confused as its head seemingly shook side to side as if saying no amusedly, steering towards the deer, making Leng fluff angrily, "HEY!!! I SAID COME ON!" he yelled. He twitched in anger as the animal strode calmly towards the opposite side of the clearing, completely ignoring him as it picked up the deer that now fit almost snugly in its mouth and began heading into the forest, the ground shuddering with every step it took.
~
Fafnir grumbled inwardly as she headed into the forest, planning to go chameleon and lose the troublesome chimera, who was no longer a real threat to her, to at last attempt to enjoy her meal.
*Great… now I won't be able to get into town for a few days…. Xochic will be so….!!!!* Fafnir grunted as she felt the deer suddenly jerk in her mouth making her bite a little harder to keep it in her mouth. She growled as she saw the chimera now grasping and clawing madly at the leg and thigh of the deer ripping flesh and drawing blood, growling angrily and almost desperately.
"GIVE IT TO ME!!!!" He roared furiously, making Fafnir flinch in surprise at his rage.
*Let go!* Fafnir growled as she began shaking her head side to side, trying to dislodge the slashing chimera to little avail, *OW!!* Fafnir bellowed angrily as the lion-like beast dealt a blow to the skin of her gums, dropping the deer and the chimera to the ground, *Stubborn chimera!* she growled as she grabbed hold of the deer again, the chimera grabbing hold and striking her in the snout with his stinger.
~
Leng struck over and over again at the dinosaur, hoping to inflict enough of his venom to make it retreat so he could eat; but he soon came to the realization that he could no longer easily penetrate the scales. Presently, he was once more dangling some 19 ft. off the ground, unwilling to give up to a creature, that from what he could see now, that was attempting to ignore him as if he were too weak to even bother with. He had dropped one axe again to hold on with one hand and was swinging instead at the deer's carcass in hopes of at least severing a good chunk… in truth he was too worn out to pursue the entire thing… he needed food now.
The rex suddenly stopped flinging, making Leng also cease his slashing, panting heavily as he looked up to meet the narrowed yellow orange eye of the dinosaur who looked more annoyed than angry.
Leng flinched as he felt the pulse come again… but realized he could understand it, *Stubborn chimera.* it growled.