Fire and Ash (9)

A low growl can be heard in the desolate dungeon. Anna feels goosebumps up her arms and neck, the sound of making her freeze. Even though she is trained, there is something about the growls which is scaring her. It is as if her muscles have gone numb, her brain warped in a twisted fear which cannot be shaken off. Her heart is beating fast, almost bursting out of her chest.

“Anna, this is bad,” Thena whispers in her head. “I cannot shift!”

“What?”

“I cannot shift! The magic in this place is sucking out my energy. Can you not feel it?”

Anna can feel it. Her limbs are weak and slow, her reflexes not on their usual alert. The growl is growing louder and louder. A dark shadow is approaching her way, slowly coming to view.

Her mouth gapes open in shock.

“Oh no,” Anna murmurs.

A half wolf, half goat-like creature comes to view. Its eyes are glaring with red beams and a pair of large, curved horns are visible on its head. The torso is of a goat but the teeth are sharp canines. The rest of th