#Googlyeyes - The Monster

_{By Pexels on pixabay.com}

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Ancient stories tell the tale of a yellow monster, living in the coldest lands known to men.

Many have tried to find it, and it's said that those who didn't return fell victim to its hunger.

Some who returned claim to have seen it, its shiny, metal-like skin which protects it from any attacks of brave knights trying to slay it.

Are they telling the truth?

Or are they just desperate for attention, trying to hide the fact that their quest had been unsuccessful?

Nowadays, most knights seek out more promising marks.

Princesses, abducted by dragons.

Dungeons deep below the Earth filled to the brim with goblins and treasures.

Evil sorcerers, threatening powerful kingdoms with destruction.

The possibilities are seemingly endless for a strong young man - or woman - with a reliable sword.

My party is different.

We're not warriors, though we carry swords for our protection. But our backpacks! They are filled with equipment of a different kind.

Because we, we are explorers. Scientists, looking for the truth that lies behind the stories of death and wonder.

For weeks, we have traveled to the lands where the monster is supposed to hide. We braved heat and storms and now, we fight the biting cold.

We lost people along the way, but they knew that they might have to sacrifice themselves. Their names will be written in stone, once we succeed in our mission.

And succeed we will.

Anton has found track marks, sprinkled with blood, that lead into a cage. They don't match any creature I know. Is this it?

Carefully, we enter the dark, frozen cave. Soft noises echo through it. Is it the monster, feeding?

The noises get louder and we reach a corner. One last time we collect our breath. Felicitas readies her camera.

And as we step around the corner, hands shaking and hearts beating, we suddenly see eye to eye with the monster.

And it is nothing like we expected.