Avalog:  A medium-sized creature with six legs, two horns on its head, leatherlike skin, and a long tail used as a whip for protection. Ability to sense fear from other living beings. They live in a herd of four or five. Often hunted for their meaty, fatty thighs and indestructible horns.

• ♡ • ♡ • ♡ •

The ground shook beneath her feet, and Perry sensed that whatever was approaching had multiplied; it was not merely one but many—the heavy sound of dragging echoed around her. With rising dread, she realised it was a stampede of Avalog. More so, the direction they were heading would put the creatures on a direct path to the tribe. 

Perry had to take action.

"Get back! It's a herd of Avalog!" She warned the others before positioning herself in front of her friends. "I can stop them." With her eyes fixed on the gap between two nearby boulders, Perry waited for the first creature as it would be the leader.

Jonathi turned to his sister with doubt and worry written across his face. "Can she do that?" 

"Yes, you know that a shaman can call on the spirits for help." His sister mirrored his facial expressions. "But Jonathi, once the spirits have left her, she will be weakened." 

Perry, of course, overheard Ayara's words, but she was not going to let a little fatigue stop her. "I know the risks," as the ground shook more viciously and the sound of hooves hitting it became louder, Perry glanced back at the siblings, then knelt on the rocky ground and pressed her hands together, forming a diamond shape against her stomach. "I invoke the power to communicate with animals. Spirits, grant me this ability."

Although Ayara didn't partake in shaman training, she could still sense when spirits were nearby. A small gust of wind engulfed the group, originating from one of the rocky mountains. 

"Ayara?" Her brother squeezed her hand, tugging her backward away from Perry, who was meditating. "They're here, aren't they?" 

As Ayara opened her mouth to respond, she was interrupted by an ear-splitting squeal. Moments later, the first Avalog emerged between the two large boulders. Its two horns protruded from the sides of its head as the creature slammed two of its six legs onto the ground, causing it to shake upon impact.

"I meant the spirits, not that." Jonathi joked. "I'll take literally anything over Avalogs, especially when I'm weaponless." The young warrior wished he had his wind swords. 

"Hear me, great and noble Avalog," Perry concentrated. This was not the first time she had communicated with an animal. "Hear me!"

However, the male Avalog glanced at the shaman, disregarding her completely. His red eyes were fixated on Jonathi, who felt a deep-seated fear. Unfortunately, Avalogs could sense fear and were drawn to it.

"Um, Perry? I don't think it hears you," Ayara took a step back until her back was pressed against the remnants of a tree.

With its intense gaze on Jonathi, the massive, brownish-red Avalog stomped forward, each step resonating with a low rumble as it closed the distance between them.

"I think it wants to eat me." 

"It should go right ahead. I wouldn't complain," Ayara answered her brother, causing him to sigh. "What? Good riddance, I say!" 

"Ha, ha, ha, very funny sister." Glancing at the shaman, he took a step towards her. "Perry, if you plan to do something, I would really appreciate it if you could do it now. I don't want to get squished." When she didn't answer, Jonathi looked at his sister, who, in return, shrugged. 

Perry heard him; however, being connected to the spirit world meant that she could not communicate in the real world—at least, not with her friends. The Avalog, on the other hand, was a different story.

"Avalog, hear me! I command you to stop!" Perry's voice was focused on the creature. She took a deep breath and shouted, "Stop!" Just as the Avalog was about to step forward, Perry's commanding tone stopped it. "Good, now listen," she closed her eyes, concentrating deeply, and began to communicate with it through her mind, sending her thoughts in a silent, telepathic exchange.

Jonathi and Avara watched in awe as the creature appeared to be under Perry's command. The wind calmed, and everything around them became quiet. 

As the twin suns dipped lower in the sky, a warm golden hue enveloped the barren landscape, and time appeared to slip away in the fading light. Shadows stretched across the ground, morphing into dark silhouettes that danced with the gentle breeze. The vibrant colours of the day began to yield to the soft pastels of twilight, signalling that night was quietly approaching.

The Avalog finally snapped out of his daze, blinking as his eyes landed on Perry, who knelt silently, urging him to leave. He stepped back, his six hooves softly thumping against the ground, and walked away to a safe distance before stopping. His herd soon emerged between the boulders where he had been standing. With a soft grunt, he ordered them to follow, and they quickly gathered around him, instinctively moving in unison.

"What was that?" Asked Jonathi, breaking the silence. "Don't tell me, Perry did that?"

His sister laughed before smacking his upper arm. "Okay, then I won't tell you."

"Very funny,"

"Thanks! I thought—" She was suddenly interrupted by the dull thud of a body landing softly on the earth. Then realisation hit her, and with wide eyes, Ayara's attention turned to her friend. "Perry!" In a split second, she sprinted over to the shaman, who lay motionless.

Jonathi followed his sister. "Is she okay?"

Kneeling, Ayara gently rolled Perry onto her back. Icy blue eyes stared back at her. "You good?"

It was an understatement to say Perry felt good; her body felt heavy and drained as if encased in lead. All she could manage was a faint nod, too exhausted to do anything else.

"She's just weak," Ayara responded to her brother. "We need to get her back to camp." 

The siblings gently assisted Perry in standing, their hands steadying her. With a warm smile, Jonathi scooped her up into his arms, cradling her like a bride.

"T-thank you," Perry barely managed to speak before a shadowy haze crept into her vision, and she realised it wasn't just the setting sun causing the darkness.

Closing her eyes, she felt Jonathi start to move, and then the darkness won. 

• ♡ • ♡ • ♡ •

A/N:

It's almost 2025 here in Australia, so I wish you all a happy new year! 

What is your New Year's resolution?