Clifford lurched back as the fiery being from before materialized before him, tossing up his arm, instinctively shielding himself from the bright of the flames. It held up its four arms, making it very much clear that he was [i]not[/i] allowed to go any further.

Clifford turned to his right and, foolishly, attempted to run from the creature again. Its wispy tail of fire glided along the grass below as it strafed around him, again holding up its four hands, barring his passage.

He turned again, and the process repeated. And again, except, the [i]third[/i] time, the being merely observed as Clifford ascended back up the hill he'd taken a tumble down before, closing the distance when it grew too agape.

Clifford slowly realized what was going on. This thing wasn't intending on killing him. It was leading him back to where he started. Corralling him like some kind of sheep lost from the herd.

He continued to search for some way, [i]any way[/i] to escape the being, as he was slowly led up the hill.

There was a roar. Loud, piercing. He stopped, but the flaming being had him continue his pace.

This wasn't good. Any of this.