May Bell takes a moment to breathe and collect herself as she finds herself in a dark, cavernous room as evident by the echo of her breath returning to her from a distance. Along with her own emission she can hear the rising growl of the next beast and knows its identity even before she sees the dark fire rise from between its savage teeth.
The flashing flames of the cerberus illuminate the immediate vicinity and glint off the long chain wrapped tight around each head. The other end of said metal leash is affixed to a long pole stuck in the floor. The confining implement is so long that the excess lies coiled about the large dog's overszied feet.
The child is nervous she'll have to find out just how restricting the chain is before she can continue which means enticing the rabid beast to action. Slowly, she inches her way toward the slobbering jaws as the cerberus growls and snaps its teeth. The canine launches itself forward and runs with powerful muscles directly toward our heroine.
The girl scrambles backward in response and is able to create enough distance that the chain keeps her from becoming overszied puppy chow. This doesn't stop the denizen of the underworld to pull against its restraint while snarling, snapping and breathing fire. It's clear that if she is not careful, she won't be around long enough to regret it.
She is desperate to think up a plan, but the snip, snap, snarl of the jaws just in front of her, with enough distance to stay away from the exuding fire, has her so in fear for her life that she wishes she would just wake up. Her breathing is erratic and she's desperate for a different sight altogether.
To calm herself she imagines being in her bed once again. Warm under her covers with the light of the sun peeking through the windows. Her mother calling her to breakfast. Her father joining in that call. So safe, so serene, everything in its place and a place for everything. And she knows she can have it all, if she only let go of her mission.
But what of LIza? Can she really leave her behind to pursue her happy ending while she languishes in who knows what kind of torment? What type of friend would she be if she gave up so easily? How could she possibly live her long days knowing that when it mattered most, she shirked her responsibility for the sake of simple selfishness?
May Bell's mind snaps back into the moment and takes proper assessment of the threat before her. There is at least ten feet between her and the cerberus, five of which are impassable due to the small spurts of flame coming from each of the mouths. She only hopes that the extent of their range as she isn't sure as to whether it can spout a greater distance.
She decides she'll just have to risk it as she determines through a simple process that staying near to the wall should see her safe. A matter that is far more easily said than done, for staying one step ahead of so dangerous a foe is a task far more difficult than should befall so so small a child.
However, perseverance sees her through and she bypasses the first enclosure to find a narrow passage leading on and is far too small for the beast to follow. After a short walk she finds herself in another spacious interior with enough light this time to see the threat beforehand in the center. Luckily, the occupant, a gryphon, is sleeping soundly.
Slowly, she circles about carefully as she keeps an eye on the slumbering monster. Suddenly, without warning, the creature springs to life and leaps to its feet while splaying its wings and giving off a terrible screech. It scratches at the ground while narrowing its eyes on the prey that even now is frozen.
May Bell takes a swallow as she gazes with a more discerning eye as to the cryptid that stands before her. There's no chain around its neck, nor any other form of impediment to keep it in place. The girl has no choice, she throws off a weak smile and takes off running as fast as she can.
She sees the narrow passage ahead of her, much like the one from before, and she hears the sharp pad of paw as it grows near. She pumps her legs for all their worth and is able to just slip inside the opening as the much larger beast crashes into the much smaller entry and falls to the floor, incapacitated.
The girl leans against the wall and lets herself slide down as she recovers her breath. She gazes upon the monstrosity that struggles to breathe with each strangled breath. She even looks upon it with pity until she see the claws reaching for her and swiping at the air as they intend to rip her apart.
Once rested, she moves on to the next room which is similar to the first two, but is much more illuminated. In the middle of which she spies a pair of unicorns waiting for her, with skin as black as night and dark red horns and hooves. They stare at her with their glowing green eyes and stamp their feet as they scrape the ground.
The girl approaches with great caution as she can tell that these cryptids are much smarter than their counterparts and stand still because they know she is within their power. They can easily outrun her without breaking a sweat, as it were, and she would be skewered on their long horns before she was even aware any violence had taken place.
As such, the child consigns herself to her fate and hopes that a solution will present itself. She draws near to them with great trepidation and keeps her hands down and at her sides that her actions might not be mistaken for malicious. Each step brings her that much closer to a horrible end should she misstep in the slightest way.
Between the pair of them she advances and extends her hands that she might lay them upon their respective muzzles. They both nuzzle the offered extremity, but neither of them loses their scary demeanor, not even a little. All the same, she strokes their long noses as she fights with herself to come up with a plan.
The horn of the left glows. "Little human," the child hears within her mind. "You are in our power."
May Bell is confused, to say the least.
"We could end your life this very instant," a second voice enters her head as the right horn glows. "If we so chose."
May Bell takes a nervous swallow as she comes to grips with the strange communication.
"Yes little one," the left starts in again. "You will note that we are not as savage as the others."
"Or as stupid," the right one chimes in.
"Quite so," the left agrees. "So then, you must know by now that we have orders from the master to detain you."
"And kill you if it becomes necessary," the right tacks on.
"Quite so," the left proceeds. "But we are sophisticarted creatures and abhor bloodshed."
"If we can help it," the right completes the sentiment. "If not, well…"
May Bell is cowed by the blatant threat leveled upon her, but she tires of being afraid. "Please excuse me gentle creatures," she prefaces what is to come as she takes hold of each horn with a strong grip. "I understand you are only doing what you were told, but I can't let you stand in my way."
"What are you-" the left demands.
"What the deuce?!" the right blurts.
"Hush now, both of you," May Bell commands as she pulls upon the horns, causing the noble steeds to buckle to their knees. "Were you real unicorns I would indeed be in trouble, but you are only constructs of smoke given power by my imagination. You are no more real than is a dream and you cannot hurt me."
Neither transmit a single thought.
"So, if you will only let me pass, I will move on and leave you be," May Bell lays bare her terms and focuses on each steed one at a time. "Is this acceptable to you?"
"Of course not-" the right snaps.
"Very well," May Bell responds and using the strength of a single hand breaks the horn of the protestor.
The right one dissipates instantly back into smoke.
May Bell focuses on the remaining one, but keeps only a single hand upon the protruding piece of bone. "Do I need to ask again?" she states and narrows her eyes as she strengthens her grip.
The left one, the survivor, emits a terrible bark. "Pardon my laughter," it speaks through its telepathic horn. "You are correct child. We, monsters, are nothing more than constructs of a dream. We cannot really hurt you, only put you in a state of sleep. You have nothing to fear from us. But the master is not so limited, and though I will concede to your demands, know that I will be watching from afar the confrontation about to unfold." It laughs again. "Farewell heroine, I look forward to observing your bravado in action." With that it reverts to smoke and blows away.
May Bell is left all alone with a sickening feeling churning up her guts.
She looks ahead at the mountain that stands before her and the door that sits directly at the foot, in the middle. Rather than face the disquiet that has been stirred up by the unicorns farewell speech, she carries on and opens the simple obstacle which allows her access to a long, dark corridor, and that which she finds at the end of it.