Kendra speed potion

Ronodin lowered his voice again. “You better take that speed potion Tanu prepared.

(Additional text cut)

Seeing no alternative, she uncapped the flask and raised it to her lips. The fluid inside bubbled like soda and had a flavor like spicy grapes. She consumed it in three fizzy swallows.

And everything slowed down.

Nia’s wings swished back and forth lazily. Seth inched toward Ronodin. And Mombatu came into view, his mouth opening to roar has his three eyes surveyed the scene. Kendra crouched and picked up a stone as the roar began. She flung it at his eyes, and the rock struck his cheek. Raising his club above his head, the triceps swung it down at her slowly enough for her to lunge out of the way. The blow flattened part of the sticky mushroom.

After she hit Mombatu in the mouth with a second rock, he trained all three of his eyes on her. The snarling triceps ripped his club free and gave chase as she ran away. Behind Mombatu, Ronodin and Seth lay flat on the ground, silent and still, watching.

Dodging around trees and the larger plants, Kendra dashed toward the empty pond. Tanu had warned that the effects of the speed potion would not last very long and would leave her exhausted when it wore off, so she decided to sprint across open ground to maximize her temporary advantage. Also, she figured that crossing the empty pond would more efficiently get her to friends who could help distract Mombatu.

It agonized her to be running away from Seth. After all her worries, having food him, she was fleeing, leaving her brother with their enemy. But with the triceps in pursuit, what else could she do?

Mombatu raced after her, his ferocious roar spurring her on. She rushed down into the drained area, mud acculumating on her shoes and spraying into the air with every sloppy step. Mia and Beruni flanked her, despite their wings seeming to flap slower than normal.

As Kendra reached the far side of the pond, exhaustion began to take hold. Each breath became laborious, and the muscles in her legs started to burn. A glance back showed the triceps pounding through the mud at the middle of the empty pond, huge feet sinking to well above the ankles, his three-eyed gaze locked on her. After a couple more steps, the underbrush screened her view of her pursuer.

Fighting the fatigue in her limbs, Kendra charged forward, wading through ferns and knifing through gaps in heavier vegetation. While the potion lasted she could stretch her lead, but after it failed, Mombatu would have the advantage.

Maintaining her top speed became increasingly hard. Breathing hurt, and no inhalation seemed to bring quite enough oxygen. Her legs began to feel wobbly, her head throbbed with each step, and her vision became hazy.

Behind her, she heard branches cracking as the triceps reached the jungle. Despite her best efforts, Kendra had slowed, but she dug deep to resist the rubbery fatigue in her legs. And then the effects of the potion ended abruptly. The fairy wings beside her fluttered like normal. She staggered and had to brace herself agains the side of a tree to keep from falling. Her strength had all but disappeared.

Chapter 20-Triclops and Chapter 21-Cyclopses