The Magic Within ↠ Once Upon A Time

[Chapter 96] The Deer Spirit

Finally... another chapter. I'm sorry for breaking the promise of posting during the summer before starting grad school. Life got in the way. I had started a new job. I had to move back to Uni/Grad School after Covid. But now that I'm a creative writing master student full time, it's definitely high time that I finish the story up.

Believe me, I'd love nothing more than continue with this book, but every story has to have its endings... What the future holds, we'll see. But hey- this isn't the only story I hope to tell you guys. We'll just see if its going to be on here or (if the stars align in some far off world) in a bookstore.

5 CHAPTERS LEFT NOW!!!! Get ready for the ending. Just know that I'm planning to have the conclusion at the end of October! 

Stay Tune... And, make sure to watch out for Jazz Emerald in the future!!!

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~Melody's POV~

It wasn't too long until the lion chose me as its target. The sudden anger in its eyes tells me it somehow recognizes me, although I don't recognize him. The lion didn't give me enough time to study him. The bouldering creature leapt towards me, one jump and it was nearly kissing my feet. I nearly fall back but catch myself in time before the lion can take a chunk of my skin.

Then the chase begins. Him being the cat, the very large cat. I'm stuck in the role of the mouse.

I don't hear Henry calling for me. To be honest, I'd expect him to somehow call to the lion's attention, disregarding my previous warnings. I run further from our current spot in the hopes that I can get the lion furthest from Henry in order for him to find the safest place he can. We can't be certain if this lion is the only one out there. Plus, considering I don't hear him behind, he's going the opposite direction.

It's better this way. I have a better chance than he does.

But I spoke too soon.

Before I consider myself at a safe enough distance, I'm pushed to the ground by a heavy force hitting my back. I hit the ground hard that it takes my breath away. With my body still sore, the pain triples than what it could've been. I groan but don't give myself a second long to pull myself together.

However, when I try to push myself up, large paws the size of my head pin me at each side. With no way out, I'm stuck at the mercy of the lion. He snarls his teeth at me, warning that one bite is all he needs to bite my face clean off.

"Woah, woah, woah..." I mutter as loud as I can through his growls. I'm not able to move enough to lay on my back, so I'm forced to turn just enough to lay on my side while also looking up at the lion's bare canines. "C'mon, I'm not the--"

"I know exactly who you are!" the lion snarls. His voice is as low as Papa's that I need to remind myself that he's no longer here.

"You do?" I question, almost letting out a sigh. "Then you know that I'm--"

"You're the reason we're all here!" he announces.

"Huh?!"

"You're the reason we're all trapped in this human world." The lion's brown eyes seem to darken as his fury grows. At some point, I expect him to blow fire from his mouth. "You took us away from our homes, and for what?"

At last, with a swift push, I'm able to face the creature. "Who told you that?" I ask. "Wha- Why would I ever want to bring all of you here?"

"Humans never need a reason." Venom seeps from his saliva, shining his threatening daggers of teeth.