@MLB998 has my full permission to copy this story into her book 'Writing Game' on Wattpad.

We all stood, petrified, as the creature slowly arose. A dusty draft swirled around our ankles as the beast lifted its gargantuan body from its resting place.

Briar took a deep breath, sighing slightly with desperation as she exhaled. "How... what... are we supposed to kill this thing?"

Teriana surprised us all by raising her voice. "I hope not."

I understood what she meant. Not only did this beast look terrifyingly powerful -- far more than anything we had faced so far -- but its body had a dangerous beauty.

The colors of its blended fur glistened in the firelight, and the golden spikes adorning its tail were etched with intricate patterns. The muscles of its legs were coiled as if ready to spring, although it maintained a casual posture. It glared at us how I imagined a king would gaze upon his subjects.

Leo whispered in my head.
Would Stelliana send us here to just instantly die? This... this thing... we can't possibly overpower it.

I know, I replied.

An idea crashed onto me like a wave of cold water.
Maybe we aren't meant to.

Leo looked at me like I was insane, and maybe I was. What wasn't in this strange world?

I suddenly noticed how the creature stood; tall and powerful, but making no threatening movements. Its barricading tail only coiled around our campsite, the spearing spikes of the reptilian structure obstructing our escape.

Stella? The thing is closing in on us. How do we kill it before it makes us into dinner?
Leo's attempt at humor fell flat at the panic echoing in his unspoken voice.

I turned to face my siblings, and the only family I ever knew stood at attention. My eyes landed on each.
Glacia stood, bracing herself for battle, and sent her twin what was meant to be a reassuring glance. Aquilo returned her gaze with fear before straightening at her side and cracking his knuckles.
Acorus stepped protectively in front of the sisters he knew from the beginning; Teriana's expression darted as she searched for a way to escape and Briar crouched slowly, either preparing to run or reaching for the dagger in her boot.

Coventina gave me a small smile that never reached her bright eyes, a faint blue glow crackling deep within her as she tried to harness the magic flowing through her veins.

Leo moved next to me, a slight nudge in my mind alerting me to the mental reassurance he was offering.

My family was ready for their greatest battle yet. They were ready to fight and to die... but they didn't need to.

I cleared my throat, the noise slicing through the tense silence. "Listen. I don't think we have to fight it. I think... maybe this challenge is mental."

Seven pairs of eyes slowly settled on me.

Acorus scoffed, muttering under his breath, "Well, it's obviously mental, Stella. Anyone expecting us to defeat that beast is crazy." He glanced around, his expression nervous. "Why is it just... staring at us?"

Glacia's icy eyes rolled and she answered, ignoring his second question. "Not that type of mental. She means a puzzle or something."

"A children's game is supposed to help us beat this thing?"

Leo. A little bit of help here, please.
My twin came to the rescue. "Puzzle in a different way, guys. Usually the obstacle is like a riddle, or a trick the creature plays in your mind."

The unanswered question of what hung in the air until a deep, growly voice breezed through the area. "Try facing... your greatest fears."

The resulting silent void was soon filled with anxious chatter.

Coventina whispered, "It just told us exactly what we're up against. How... convenient."

Aquilo looked at me. "Well, Stella, prepare for some more marshmallows," he joked.

I knew what they were wondering. What will our true fears look like?
The last thing I saw before my vision was overtaken by the blackness was the image of my brothers and sisters simultaneously falling unconscious in a circle around me.
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Hello! I'm Oracle, a reader-writer here. I hope you enjoyed my chapter; if you want to check out my stories, I'd love your input. Thanks to MLB998, the fabulous creator of this book, for your great ideas. Good luck to the next writer(s)! Farewell!