Face Off!

Before Fred could even respond the sound of purring caught everyone's attention. It came, of course, from the Dragon. Astra spun around, Fred hefted his sword, Velus growled and spit. The horror which had affected Fred so profoundly now took its effect upon Astra (Velus had already been exposed to it and thought it rather blase).

"Oh - my - Goddess," hissed Astra.

Before the threesome was a most horrific sight: it was the Dragon, the Beast. Its huge rotund body lay heaving upon a pile of gemstones, its smallish legs were curled under its great mass. The silken wings which aided its movement were tucked upon its back, but most impressive of all was its abdomen/tail... its length of fleshy appendage that wove around like a snake, like a worm. It pulsated as the acid of its blood coursed within its sinewy veins and a soft steam seemed to be respired from its scale-covered pores. Its large head grew from its long neck, and set into that head were the largest, roundest eyes that Fred had ever seen. And they were looking at the three heroes from behind its extended snout.

"This isn't good," whispered Astra.

"I think I pee'd my armor," whispered Fred.

"Ruff!" whispered Velus.

"Don't look into its eyes," whispered Fred, regaining some of his composure. "This is no mere animal."

"I know that!" quipped Astra. "I was thoroughly trained upon the mystic energies that would be unleashed in this ungodly abode."

Even as they bickered the Dragon watched and waited. This was its home, it was well aware of its weaknesses and of its strengths. The Beast breathed in and out, fluxed a muscle here, a nerve there. It viewed the intruders through pixeled iris' attuned to more than a single dimension. It wondered what it had done to deserve such attention, but fresh food was always a delight.

1. Oh my! What will happen next? Can this be the end of our heroes? Can they best this supernatural force of Nature?!? Stay tuned!

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