"We need to run!" Nox shouted, his eyes darting nervously to the alley.

  The boy behind him remained frozen, his wide eyes locked onto the light blue creature standing nearby. Realizing the boy wasn't responding, Nox grabbed his arm and yanked him up.

  "Run!" Nox barked again, pulling the boy after him. It took a moment, but the boy finally started running. Together, they darted into the shop with the shattered window, finding refuge behind the counter.

  "That creature tried to enter this shop! It was the one that broke the window! We need to run to a different place!" the boy protested, rising to his feet. Nox pulled him back down, his voice calm but urgent.

  "That creature won't hurt us. But the other one will." He peered cautiously over the counter.

  In that moment, a deafening roar tore through the air. It came from above. The mantis-like creature jerked its head upward, instantly raising its arms in a fighting stance, on edge.

  Something new was descending—something huge. It landed with a bone-shaking thud. Pavement cracked beneath its feet. It was enormous. It was a creature bigger than a truck and, unfortunately, Nox knew it well. He occasionally saw it. Saw how its long and muscular body, almost like a bear's—but lower to the ground—would rush at people with its maw open, as if ready to devour them, only to never be able to do so. Its front limbs were thick, ending in claws that looked capable of slicing steel. Its snout was elongated, tapering to a point like an anteater's—but armoured, and twitching as if sniffing for prey. A thick, coarse mane ran down its back like a bristled brush, quivering with every breath. Its tongue flicked out—unnaturally long and barbed, lashing the air like a whip.

  Another roar echoed—low, rumbling, commanding. Then, the street fell eerily silent, a dead hush that sent a chill down Nox's spine.

  The new creature lowered its snout and fixed it toward the store.

  'It's blind,' Nox thought quickly, recalling what he'd learned. 'It can't see, but its hearing and sense of smell are excellent. If only we could hide...'

  Sweat beaded down his neck. Nox felt the boy tremble beside him, and he instinctively wrapped an arm around his shoulders. His legs felt like lead. He wanted to move—find a place to hide—but his body refused. His lungs tightened, and his breath became shallow. He slapped his hand over his mouth to stifle any sound. He was frozen.

  'It will follow our scent,' Nox thought, swallowing hard, trying to suppress his panic.

  The creature crossed the street, its heavy steps causing the ground to vibrate. It approached the store's broken glass with deliberate slowness, the boy trembling more and silently sobbing. The moment the creature's clawed foot touched the shards of glass, a sharp clang echoed through the air. Without warning, the praying mantis leapt forward, its long, graceful body blocking the doorway.

  Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

  Its height was enough to cover the entrance completely. Its sleek, pale blue body, segmented like that of an insect, gleamed in the dim light. Subtle ridges ran along its smooth surface. Its limbs were unnaturally long, each joint sharply angular, ending in razor-like claws that clicked with every step. Its triangular head twisted unnervingly as it locked its black eyes onto the anteater creature.

  In that moment, a deafening roar and a hiss rang out. They charged at each other and collided with a sickening crunch, claws sinking into each other's flesh.

  The mantis, with its delicate, dancer-like movements, was poised for a swift, lethal strike. Its forelegs were raised in a perpetual prayer, ready to strike at any moment. Its opponent, on the other hand, was all brute force—its heavy limbs flailing, sharp teeth snapping, and head shaking violently, trying to sense its foe.

  Despite both creatures being blind, the mantis moved with an elegance that left Nox in awe. Its precision was mesmerizing, its every twist and turn calculated to perfection, while the anteater thrashed around in frustration, its strength unable to secure a kill.

  'I never knew that it could fight,' Nox thought, unable to tear his eyes away.

  All the years he'd seen the mantis, exchanged quiet nods of acknowledgment, and watched it wander aimlessly, had left him oblivious. He'd thought it was blind and deaf to the world. But now, Nox realized it was he who had been blind—blind to the creature's silent power and awareness. Unable to hear the heavy anteater approaching, too concentrated on what was happening in front of him to realize the multiple threats that now existed in this world.

  The mantis had seen through the anteater's heavy movements, avoiding each strike with practiced grace, landing blows with cold precision.

  Finally, after a brutal clash, the anteater let out a frustrated roar, its energy waning. With a final, mighty sweep of its tail, the monster swung back and prowled away, leaving the mantis standing still, unfazed.

  Without pursuing, the mantis turned its head slowly, fixing its gaze on the shop. It exhaled deeply, and Nox, unable to hold himself up any longer, slumped against the counter, relief flooding him.

  "D-Did... D-Did that thing just pr-protect us?" the boy asked, his voice still trembling.

  With a nod and an exhale, Nox looked up at the Mantis creature that now towered over them. With a yelp, the other boy jumped up, bumping into the wall.

  "Thank you," he said softly.

  "Th-th-thank you," the boy tried again, despite the fear still gripping him.

  With a nod, the Mantis turned its back to them and resumed its quiet observation of the jewellery display.

  "Wh-what's it doing now?" the boy asked, still trying to make sense of the chaos.

  Nox just shook his head, then turned to the boy. "What's your name? Why were you out in the street filming? Didn't you think about how dangerous it could be?"

  The moment the question left his mouth, he clamped it shut. He felt like a hypocrite. Nox had ventured out so boldly, assuming that, since he grew up in a world with those creatures, he would somehow be immune to danger.

  "I'm Luke," the boy mumbled, his gaze glued to the floor, refusing to say anything else.

  "Let's go," Nox sighed, "I'll take you home." He grabbed Luke's shoulder, gently pushing him toward the door.

  Before stepping out, Nox looked back at the Mantis, seeing it in a completely new light. He wondered if the things he thought he knew about these creatures were wrong.

  "Thank you," he said quietly, unsure how to repay it. His eyes flicked to the jewellery case as he turned to leave.

  "I wish I knew what you were searching for," he muttered as an afterthought, not realizing that the Mantis's head snapped toward him.