Redhawk Caldera Vessel

This was what had killed his Dad. 

Having never seen it with his own eyes, his surprise did nothing but fuel his fear. The creature was still out there- and the dream was realistic enough that it felt like it was happening- that it was actually happening. He tried to scream, but his throat was clenched. He tried to run, but his legs felt like lead, and it felt as though he was tethered by his tail to a stone that was almost impossible to tow along behind him. 

"MAMA!" He screamed- but only in his dreams. "DAD!! PLEASE!!" He begged. The tiger's eyes flashed, a vibrant shade of honey-brown, though the rest of the animal almost looked as though it was on fire. It reached out with a huge paw to smack at him, and that was when he noticed it. 

The ground- there was a crack in the ground, and it was getting bigger. He could feel the earth protest as it was forced to open, and he could hear a low, loud, rumbling sound. Something that smelled sour and hot filled his senses and stung his eyes. 

And here he was- pinned between the two, with nowhere to run, and no way to fight back. The tiger leapt for him again, and he wailed, almost silently. 

**

In the den, his body continued to quake. The whispy moans continued with each breath; he remained locked in a duel with his sleep paralysis demon.