by DGFone » May 24th, 2011, 11:43 pm
Ahadi watched in horror as the hunt collapsed right in front of his eyes. All he was able to do was watch and hope that Uru would make it out alive. She was able to find a dead tree and climb on top of it, but there was a problem: it was right in the middle of the stampeded. The safety Uru got was only good for a short period of time at best before she would get mauled off the wood to hear death.
Without any other choice, Ahadi sprang into the stampede. Running as though he were a wildebeest, he aimed at the tree. Hoofs and heavy bodies were right next to him, daring him to make a mistake and pay for it with his life. Dust clogged the air, making it hard to breath. A few collisions with the wildebeest gave Ahadi a number of painful scratches and bruises that reminded him to stay on alert. Ahadi ran as fast as he could, avoiding the deadly hoofs just paw's lengths from his face, hoping that he didn't miss the tree in this madness.
Miraculously, he found it. Scampering up, Ahadi stopped right next to Uru, looking for a way out. Uru looked bad. She was covered in scratches, a few serious looking. Ahadi had to get her our of the stampede fast. He didn't see way out, though. What little view he could see through the dust offered more wildebeest and the sheer cliffs of the gorge. How to get out? Ahadi looked around. As long as he could stay calm, he will figure something out...
A sickening crunch as a wildebeest ran into the tree reminded the two lions that they didn't have all the time they needed to figure out a way. Ahadi decided on one course of action. "Uru, get on my back!" he ordered. The lioness climbed on his back, and Ahadi prepared to jump down into the stampede. "Hang on tightly! If you fall off..." he didn't need to explain what would happen if Uru fell off.
Ahadi took a deep breath, and jumped, the force of his jump breaking the tree from under him. Uru clung onto his mane as tightly as she dared while still allowing him to breath, as Ahadi sprinted as fast as he could in the stampede. His legs burned, and he had trouble getting enough air to breath. If Ahadi won't be able to get out of this stampede soon... he didn't want to think about it. He ran on, always aiming to the side, trying to get ever closer to the edge of the stampede...
A wildebeest hoof collided with Ahadi's side, causing him to roar pain and nearly falter in his run. Ignoring the searing pain, Ahadi ran on, now even more determined to get to the edge. To get out alive. To live...
Like a miracle, a gorge wall came into view through the dust and wildebeest bodies. Ahadi ran even faster, reinvigorated by the sign of hope that they might even make it out alive. As he ran, Ahadi scanned the lower edge, looking for a way out. His strength was already failing, and Ahadi slowed down against his will. He couldn't continue... Ahadi closed his eyes, dreading the fate that awaited them. But he refused to give in. He opened his eyes, still running. The gorge wall taunting him with it's false promise of safety. Ahadi no longer felt his limbs. His will to survive keeping him, and Uru on top of him, from getting trampled. Then he saw it: a small platform. The salvation he was looking for.
With one mighty jump, Ahadi jumped on the platform with his remaining strength. Climbing on top, he set Uru down on the rocky surface. Ahadi's limbs felt like they were on fire. His lungs several times too small for the air he needed. His side throbbed painfully, and Ahadi felt it with a paw. It felt wet. He examined his paw and saw it red with blood. Cursing under his panting breath, Ahadi finally looked at Uru. "We... we made it!" he managed to gasp out. He gave her a smile, and collapsed.
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Mohatu ran as fast as he could, hoping for the best, dreading the worst. Zuzu flew back to him, calling him. "I'm coming!" Mohatu called out, sprinting even faster. He reached the edge of the gorge, and looked down, fear in his eyes. Zuzu flew in front of him, and motioned with a wing. Mohatu looked where she was pointing. He saw them: Ahadi and Uru were on a small platform, just a hair's breath away from death. "I'm coming, Uru! Hang on!" Mohatu looked at a way down to them, hoping that there was a way to get to them. He found one, and took off.