It disappeared as fast as it came, that rumbling growl that Bennett wasn’t sure he’d actually heard. But he remained frozen just the same, stealing a glance toward the guildsman. Beside him, Caeden was just as still, eyes wide and scanning the surroundings in the dim light. 

Bennett’s fear confirmed; he’d heard it too. 

Wisp too, was dim and still ahead of them, stiffly floating in the air. As if catching Bennett’s eye, though, the wispy flame slowly returned to it’s companion. Casting them in darkness as it wriggled underneath the bunched fabric of Bennett’s fallen hood. 

Barely heartbeats passed in the silence under the moonlight before everything changed. 

Hearing Caeden’s voice urgently rasp out “Run” just as the bigger man's hands pushed Bennett into a narrow alleyway started the kick of adrenaline that pushed him into a sprint. Wisp tumbling off his shoulder and into the open once again, lighting the cluttered path ahead of them. 

A snarl vibrated through the air behind them as the scraping of claws on stone soon followed. Bennett chanced a look back to see a large creature silhouetted at the entrance of the alleyway. It’s claws tore into the stone as it forced its way past, chipping away at the narrow walls. 

The reflected glow of the beasts eyes bore into Bennett’s back as he ran, turning a corner behind Caeden he nearly ran into the man as he turned back, drawing his bow. “Keep running, get out of here!” Caeden ordered as he fumbled with the quiver at his side. 

“That’s not gonna-”

“Go!” Caeden picked up his pace, bow ready now as they ran for it. They snaked through the winding ruins as the beast continued pursuing them. He nocked his arrow as he turned mid-stride and aimed at the beast. Bennett kept running past as he heard the thud as the arrow  struck it’s target. Whether the beast would be stopped by such simple methods, Bennett didn’t want to stick around and find out. 

He kept running, Caeden now out of sight behind him as he continued to shoot at the creature. And soon enough, the narrow passages through crumbling walls gave way to a clearing. Few trees and columns dot the place, leaving very few places to hide, and even fewer obstacles to stall their attacker. 

~~~

Caeden was not far behind Bennett, following the boy out from the ancient buildings. The beast was not far behind, and would surely gain on them without cover. So far, not many of his arrows had met their mark, the ones that did merely glancing off the beast’s tough hide.

They’d get nowhere just by running, Caeden scanned the surroundings, as well as he could in the dark. Finding an easily climbable ledge on the edge of the clearing, he beelined for it just as the beast burst out of the alley behind him. 

The creature was nothing like Caeden had ever seen. The stories that were told about the beasts, about how terrifying and monstrous they are, he regretted to admit now that he didn’t believe them before. Just the loud, boisterous guildsman and hunters spinning tales of the legends over ale and liquor. 

Caeden could have never pictured this. It was huge, at least his height, muscled limbs only barely hidden by fur that he could imagine was coarser than a boar’s. From his perch on the side of the clearing, the beast's silhouette was now in full view; long and thinner than expected.  

Bennett had hidden within the scattered trees, the glow of the flame not even visible anymore. The beast slowed as it searched for them, limping on its front paw.. One of his arrows having met its mark. 

Evening his breathing, Caeden nocked another arrow. But just then, a light ignited in the area. Bennetts little companion flying out into the open and moving quickly. A distraction, Caeden realized as he noticed another small movement in the opposite direction. Bennett heading back to where they’d entered the clearing as Wisp lured the beast away. Caeden smirked at that, the kid was smart. He was holding his left arm close to his chest, seemingly in pain as Caeden got a better look, a new worry flaring in his chest at the sight. 

A flash brought his attention back just as the Wisp led the creature back around. The light had multiplied; what appeared to be one of the columns along the edge of the clearing had ignited at the top of the intact structure. 

The wisp circles back again into the new lighting and Caeden draws back his bow, his aim aided with the newly acquired visibility. Steadying his breath, he loosed the arrow. 

“Nice Shot!” He hears Bennett praise quietly beside him as the beast recoils at the impact; the arrow having hit the same shoulder where it had been limping before. 

With a roar, the beast reared up, its tall form falling against the lit column which broke with the impact. The light flaring as the beast shrieked again before the clearing once again went dark. 

Grabbing Bennetts arm, he guided them down flat onto the roof. Out of sight. 

Narrowing his eyes to see better in the moonlight, Caeden watched the beast shakily raise from the ground before limping away. 

They stayed lying where they were, Caedens hand on Bennett’s back as a gesture to keep him quiet. 

They waited there in silence until the sounds of insects and other critters once again filled the air. The beast no longer a threat. Caeden let out a tense breath in relief. Patting Bennett’s back once before letting him up. 

Once they moved, a faint light appeared in the clearing. “Wisp!” Bennett said, careful to stay quiet. The two of them climbed back down to the ground Bennett hissing as he jumped down the last bit. 

“You’re hurt.” Caeden pointed out just as Wisp reached them. 

“Hah, yea. Fell on it back there.” Wisp lit the aforementioned area where Bennett had been holding his upper arm, his sleeve stained red. Not enough to be a danger, Caeden was relieved to see. 

“C’mon, let’s get out of here and look at that.” He urged, putting his bow back over his shoulder and adjusting all his equipment. 

They quietly made their way out of the ruins, Caeden leading the way with his prior knowledge of the layout. 

Honestly, Caeden couldn’t believe that they’d survived.