Khelians from the steppes part 1

In the vast expanse of grassy lands that stretched out like an endless ocean, wild fauna roamed free, unencumbered by any human settlements. The deer that grazed there was unlike any other, with magnificent horns sprouting from their foreheads. As the leader of the herd lifted its head, its ears twitched and swiveled as it scanned the surrounding area, alert for any signs of danger. Satisfied that all was well, it continued to graze.

Suddenly, a massive, white lion with a turquoise mane the size of a small cart appeared out of nowhere and launched itself at the unsuspecting deer. Its razor-sharp claws and teeth sank into the unfortunate creature, as it let out a heart-wrenching cry for help that went unanswered.

The other deer bolted in all directions, their hooves pounding the earth as they fled for their lives. The leader of the herd struggled to break free from the lion's grip but to no avail. The lion had found its prey, and it wasn't letting go.

After some time, the lion came upon a pair consisting of Liana and Pema. The creature's jaws were still dripping with blood as it approached them, its massive frame leaving no doubt that it was the apex predator of these lands.

"You got something?" Liana asked, as Gwon, transformed into his true form and lifted the dead deer onto his broad shoulders.

"These lands are great," Gwon replied, still hungry, but now covered in animal blood. "So much game, and it's easy to spot them."

Liana crinkled her nose in disgust. "Must you always be so... animalistic?"

Gwon chuckled. "What can I say? It's in my nature."

Pema, intervened, taking the deer away from Gwon to prepare it for cooking. As they settled down for the night, they found themselves in a strange place, teleported far away from where they had been.

~~

Days passed as they journeyed across the land, encountering various creatures along the way, some harmless, while others proved more dangerous. The horned deer and shape-shifting badgers that could transform into trees were just some of the weird things they saw. Finally, after ten days of travel, they spotted smoke rising in the distance, indicating the presence of a community.

As they drew closer, they believed they would be finally able to know where were they, but their hopes were short-lived. The small village of nomadic people they had hoped to find had been completely destroyed, with the yurts burnt to the ground and no sign of survivors or even bodies.

"What happened here?" Liana asked, horror etched on her face.

Gwon kicked a piece of charred wood and muttered, "Looks like someone forgot to put out the fire when they cooked."

Liana said angrily. "This is no laughing matter, Gwon. Lives were lost here."

Gwon entered one of the yurts but found nothing. All the food and meats that had been drying on racks were gone, stolen by whoever had attacked the village.

Pema touched the coal and Liana asked, "Is it still hot,"

Pema nodded. Gwon came out of the yurt but immediately sniffed their air. They are not far. Only a few kilometers that way.

"Should we head there?" Liana asked Pema who pointed at Gwon, who had already turned into his seng form and started running towards the smell.

"Gwon!!!" Liana yelled, frustration and anger building inside her.

Pema grabbed Liana and sprinted after Gwon. They caught up to him quickly and jumped on his back. With Gwon galloping at full speed, they closed in on the group of nomadic Scythian warriors who had taken the villagers captive.

As they approached, they saw that the warriors were heavily armed, wearing thick fur coats and armor, with black wolves as guard dogs. Their leader rode atop a massive kevah, surrounded by his men, as they forced the inhabitants of the village to march ahead of them.

Liana and Pema slipped off of Gwon's back and sneaked closer, hiding under the tall grass.

"So much land, but they still feel the need to war," Liana said.

Pema agreed.

They saw one of the sassan captives fall. One of the kevah riders turned back, took out a whip, and started to whip the female sassan to get back up.

The three of them looked as if the civilian sassan was being brutally hurt.

"I want to help them. Do you think we should?" Liana asked Pema.

Pema then once again just pointed at Gwon, who had already once more, decided to do what he wanted, without any consulting first, and charged at the Scethians.

Liana sighed.

Gwon jumped into the air and bounced forward, giving out no sound. When one of the scethain riders saw a shadow move above him, he looked up, only to see a massive lion coming down, ripping his head off.

The Scethians were caught off guard as Gwon attacked them, tearing through their ranks with incredible speed and agility. The kevahs got spooked, but the black wolves quickly were unleashed. They bit on Gwon all over, but his hide was thick and strong.

As Gwon tore through the Scethian ranks, he met fierce resistance from their warriors. The black wolves snapped and snarled at him, their teeth sinking deep into his flesh, but Gwon fought back with unbridled ferocity. He lunged at the nearest Scethian, his massive jaws clamping down on the warrior's arm and crushing it like a twig.

The leader of the fighter took out a large sword and with incredible strength swung his sword at Gwon, but he was too quick, leaping out of the way and pouncing on the warrior's back, crushing his spine with a sickening crunch.

The leader of the attackers then found an arrow, made from pure light imbued in his chest. Realizing that more people with divinity were now attacking him, he ordered what remained of his warriors to flee.

As the attacking warriors and their leaders made their escape, Liana's attention turned towards the captives who remained crouched on the ground, their chains finally cut loose by her blade of light. The Scythians who had been taken captive were all women and children - no adult males were present.