[@Lord Santa][@BytheSpleen][@Shikaru]

The starving mountain cougar had no chance of surviving. It's paw reached [color=khaki]Illumina[/color]'s face tearing four deep cuts. Each surely leaving a permanent souvenir from the trip. The moment that happened and Illumina rolled, [color=coral]Steven[/color]'s halberd hit the beast at the root of it's neck. The blade sank deep into the body of the cougar. At the same time when the lethal iron met the beast, [color=teal]Lyra[/color]'s death beam hit it's side. The ink colored, snake-like projectile penetrated it's fur to devour all life that was left in it.

The lifeless, almost decapitated carcass hit the ground with the force of the halberd and Steven's blade sank few inches deeper. Blood streamed freely from the gaping cut that separated the body from the head. The cougar's fur began to take ash shaded color from the death beam.

Silence fell on the scene. [color=gold]Säätur[/color] found his way to a sitting position and turned to see the others. He froze on the spot.

[hr]
[@Baklava]

[color=gold]"Was he alright?"[/color] The old man seemed to relax slightly but the gloomy concern remained on his face. [color=gold]"That boy was not home when the family woke up. They were afraid that he had been taken like his older brother."[/color]

The last sentence seemed like it escaped from the old man. He realized what he had just said and looked around confused and embarrassed. [color=gold]"I ... I shouldn't have said that. It is not my place it say more."[/color] The old man's voice slightly faded to a apologetic whisper as he turned his eyes towards the direction where Abel had pointed.

[color=gold]"Say, you had others with you?"[/color] The man kept his eyes fastened at the Rocky Gate in the distance for a moment more before turning his eyes back to Abel. [color=gold]"where are they now? You came here alone."[/color] The gloomy concern had not left his voice.