The Perilous Quest to Save Vinyl From Certain Demise

As the dark figure stands dramatically by the stairway, you feel a cold dread fill your mind, realizing that you cannot hope to win a battle here, nor can you escape, for whatever creature it might be, it is standing guard over your only possible route out of the prison tower. The hostile growl that it lets out strikes fearful chords in the back of your mind.

Terrified, you let out an intense scream, and panic.

Running to the opposite wall and backing into the stone surface, you cannot escape, but this unknown figure scares you so much, your rational mind fails you completely.

The figure slowly advances on you, letting the light fall over it's features to reveal a monster from only your worst nightmares, with a huge, hulking mound of muscle beneath it's cloak. Powerful legs of feline nature extend from the massive body, under a glorious golden mane, and the face of an angry lion. Your mind hardly processes the rest of it, from the tattered black cloak to the menacing bat wings, and the threatening, barbed tail.

This is a manticore, but much larger than the books might describe one being.

As it advances, it's glowing, red eyes remain fixated on you, driving your mind into frantic turmoil, as your body freezes, unable to obey your commands to run, and get away from this vile creature.

"So, you merely trespass like your friend..."The beast says, it's deep, masculine voice working it's way into your weakened psyche.

"If you have nothing else to say in your defense, then your punishment is clear."

Something snaps in the back of your mind, finally connecting with your desire to escape, and gives you back control of your legs. You spring into motion, trying to work your way around this beast and back to the stairway that lead back down to your freedom...

But even before you feel the manticore's muscular torso crash into yours, pinning you down against the stone floor, you know that the effort is futile.

"Release me!" you cry out, as you feel sharpened claws against your throat, a massive paw grabbing at your neck while the beast lifts you into the air. "I swear, I've done nothing to deserve your punishment!"

The manticore only sneers back at you angrily as he thrusts your limp figure against a wall, asserting his newfound dominance.

"No," he says. "You no longer have a say in the matter."

As he speaks, you struggle weakly, but some part of you knows it is useless. You hear Vinyl screaming something out from her cell, but the only thing you truly hear is the voice of the beast, as he claims you for his own.

"You are mine now."

He claims your freedom.

He claims your body.