Leaving the path

The red flare originated in front of Jake, and it showed him first, who was talking to him. 

It was the guardian beast, like he had suspected. The red flare shined a tint on the stone that formed the winged tiger's body. But the flare wasn't nearly big enough to show the tiger's full body once more. 

What it did show, was what existed beyond the tiger, right around Jake. 

He didn't need to even turn to suddenly feel some breathing along his neck. He could feel it. The beasts were right next to him, just inches away. 

"The master put out the flare. Not the trial challenger." A cold and sharp voice came from much, much farther than where Jake was standing. 

And with that, the breathing that Jake felt suddenly stopped. 

"This concludes the ending of the trial." The guardian beast spoke.