The undead of Rybalka emerged from the earth with snapping mouths hungry for living flesh and vacant eyes clouded in death. The band sprang into action and quickly returned the walking dead to eternal slumber.
The band returned to the hunter’s path and quickened their pace to prevent the deaths of any more Rybalkans. Around then, a perpetual gloom persisted, cut by a cold wind and the high-pitched cry of locusts and the faraway howls of wolves.
After traveling for another hour, the band saw pairs of glowing red dots in the gloom, like eyes tracking the band among the wooded hills. Before long, the eyes came closer, each pair belonging to a wolf the size of a horse growling and pacing before the pack launched an attack. Scomitch quickly put two beasts to sleep while Ary charged the alpha with his scimitars. In fairly short order, the pack was defeated, and the band marched on wearily.
As the band approached the hill country, several centaur guardians stopped their progress.
“You venture into our rangelands, hoomans,” exclaimed the large, helmed centaur, apparently the herd's leader. “Two-leggers must pay tribute to cross!”
The band held an impromptu band meeting. All were present.
"We can take a bunch of half-horses,” said Nick. “And there’s not that many of them.”
“Yeah, but the other halves are armored and have large spears,” observed Aldi. “Not to mention the big brass horn the leader has. I bet that summons the rest of the herd.”
“We’re not fighting centaurs. They are peaceful if left alone,” said Wynter.
“What then?” asked Scomitch.
“I’ve got it,” announced Aldi. “Alright, guys, listen, this is a blues riff in B. Watch me for the changes, and try and keep up, okay?"
The band began to play a song of praise and glorious tribute to the mighty centaurs of the Horse Hills. Against all odds, the song bore an eerie resemblance to New York City’s own heavy metal band Kiss’ mega-hit, Detroit Rock City, released on their 1976 album Destroyer.
The song was an astounding success, and the centaurs rocked out. As a reward, the band was not only allowed to cross the range but also given the title of “Hoof-Friends” and given the leader’s brass horn to blow in case they needed aid.
The band continued through the forested hills and, after a time, began to notice a number of trees that bore gashes and claw marks in the thick bark. The marks were reminiscent of bear claw marks but larger. The band continued warily.
Before long, a roaring crash was heard in the trees nearby, which caused the band to stop and peer into the tree line. Unfortunately, no one saw the creature until it emerged onto the track in an explosion of fur, feathers, leaves, and branches. It was at least nine feet tall, its body of an enormous bear topped with an owl's huge feathered head. The creature reared and emitted a terrifying screeching roar before dropping to all fours and charging the band with the speed of a galloping horse.
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