Yixing raced through the forest as fast as his paws would carry him. Blood rushing in his ears drowned out any other noise. His claws scrabbled against the rock as he heaved himself up the ravine. Rain pounded down on top of him, drenching him to the bone. A bestial roar came from far above.

A flash of moon-flower white flashed in the peripheral of his vision. Hooves thundered to a halt beside him. “Run!”

A shadow flitted across his other side. Yixing's head turned to look as he ran, his amber eyes wide with fear. Suddenly his feet were into the soft earth as it tried to swallow him. Pain exploded in his ankle as he stumbled and landed heavily in the mud. His head snapped up as the cry rent the air, and sharp teeth pricked into his scruff as he was thrown off the track, towards the elderly willow tree that stood at the pinnacle of the forest.

“Yixing! Yixing! Get up, quickly!”

The end of the shout was cut off as the beast swung its tail, sending his best friend flying across the clearing. He barely had time to scramble to his paws to help before a massive bulk landed, shocking the ground. Vicious claws crashed down towards his head, whistling as they fell.