Spells Trouble

Mercy opened her eyes. Hunter sat beside her. Beside Abigail, Xena had turned to face the tree as well. The hugo cat's back was fully arched and her tufted ears flattened against her skull as she continued to growl menacingly. The thick trunk of of the mighty tree dripped with something disgusting-black and foul and thick. A snout pushed trough the drakness and took form, melted wax becoming solid as it entered this world. Red eyes broke trough the shuddering bark. The thing was huge-all sinew, matted fur, and claws. Its breath came in rapid pants as it pulled its body trough the corrupted center of the tree. The fetid stench of it reached Mercy-thick with sulfur and rot. Mercy tasted bile as she gagged in revulsion and fear.