The shorter path is not easier

[Time]

Through the Mountain – Iasan, Divide, Hawke, Lucrezia, Cerva
 
“I can help you! a voice calls from inside the strange rock formation. As always, you can go back, though by now the way back may be harder than the way forward. Or you can go to the voice promising help. The sound of running water catches your ear, and when you enter the rock temple, a man with two heads stands there, a small river running in front of his feet. “Drink,” he offers, and as you do, the rocks begin to grow around you, slamming shut on all sides until it is just you and the strange man with two heads. No, not really two heads. It is one head, but with two faces on either side.
 
They swivel back and forth to look at you, the other mouth speaking now.  “I promise, this is help. It is a quicker route.” The man – is he a man, or a god? – raises his hands slightly and two shimmering doors appear on each side of him, and another behind you. “The shorter path is never easier – “ “you can go back if you choose.”
 
At this, two creatures begin to shimmer, forming as the doors did, though the creatures do not solidify. On one side, a creature with the body, tail, and back legs of a lion; the head and wings of an eagle and an eagle's talons as its front feet. One the other side, an impossibly large two-legged creature towers, a club in his hands. The head on the side of the strange lion and eagle creature speaks first. “Inside each door, you will find these creatures in the tunnel.” ”We cannot stop the creatures, we can only warn you.”
 
”Choose. Griffin,” Or Giant. Or the door behind you will take you home.” And then the two-faced man is gone, and you are left to choose.
 
**
Detail your trip through the tunnel. The tunnel is cold, and you are still under the snowy landscape above, but the rest of the details of the tunnel are entirely up to you (small/large, dark/light, etc.). Encounter the monster you choose and detail your escape. Your trip ends when you reach the end of the tunnel and find a white room.
 
Dunes in the Desert - Briske
 
“I can help you! a voice calls from inside the tree-ringed oasis. As always, you can go back, though by now the way back may be harder than the way forward. Or you can go to the voice promising help. The sound of running water catches your ear, and when you enter the oasis, a man with two heads stands there, a small river running in front of his feet. “Drink,” he offers, and as you do, the trees begin to grow around you, slamming shut on all sides until it is just you and the strange man with two heads. No, not really two heads. It is one head, but with two faces on either side.
 
They swivel back and forth to look at you, the other mouth speaking now.  “I promise, this is help. It is a quicker route.” The man – is he a man, or a god? – raises his hands slightly and two shimmering doors appear on each side of him, and another behind you. “The shorter path is never easier – “ “you can go back if you choose.”
 
At this, two creatures begin to shimmer, forming as the doors did, though the creatures do not solidify. On one side, a large snake appears, fangs dripping venom. One the other side, an overlarge hyena forms, though you know it cannot be a hyena. There’s something wrong about it, something long dead. The head on the side of the snake speaks first. “Inside each door, you will find these creatures in the tunnel.” ”We cannot stop the creatures, we can only warn you.”
 
”Choose. Basilisk,” Or ghoul. Or the door behind you will take you home.” And then the two-faced man is gone, and you are left to choose.
 
**
Detail your trip through the tunnel. The tunnel is hot, and you are still under the desert landscape above, but the rest of the details of the tunnel are entirely up to you (small/large, dark/light, etc.). Encounter the monster you choose and detail your escape. Your trip ends when you reach the end of the tunnel and find a white room.
 
Hard Ground in the Desert - Rora
 
“I can help you! a voice calls from inside the tree-ringed oasis. As always, you can go back, though by now the way back may be harder than the way forward. Or you can go to the voice promising help. The sound of running water catches your ear, and when you enter the oasis, a man with two heads stands there, a small river running in front of his feet. “Drink,” he offers, and as you do, the trees begin to grow around you, slamming shut on all sides until it is just you and the strange man with two heads. No, not really two heads. It is one head, but with two faces on either side.
 
They swivel back and forth to look at you, the other mouth speaking now.  “I promise, this is help. It is a quicker route.” The man – is he a man, or a god? – raises his hands slightly and two shimmering doors appear on each side of him, and another behind you. “The shorter path is never easier – “ “you can go back if you choose.”
 
At this, two creatures begin to shimmer, forming as the doors did, though the creatures do not solidify. On one side, a large two-legged dragon appears, though it’s head looks like that of a rooster. One the other side, a two-foot long worm appears, with no discernable head. The head on the side of the dragon speaks first. “Inside each door, you will find these creatures in the tunnel.” ”We cannot stop the creatures, we can only warn you.”
 
”Choose. Cockatrice,” Or Death Worm. Or the door behind you will take you home.” And then the two-faced man is gone, and you are left to choose.
 
**
Detail your trip through the tunnel. The tunnel is hot, and you are still under the desert landscape above, but the rest of the details of the tunnel are entirely up to you (small/large, dark/light, etc.). Encounter the monster you choose and detail your escape. Your trip ends when you reach the end of the tunnel and find a white room.
 
 
Jungle on the Island – Druid, Nyxia
 
“I can help you! a voice calls from inside the hut. As always, you can go back, though by now the way back may be harder than the way forward. Or you can go to the voice promising help. The sound of running water catches your ear, and when you enter the hut, a man with two heads stands there, a small river running in front of his feet. “Drink,” he offers, and as you do, the doors and windows turn to hard wood, until it is just you and the strange man with two heads. No, not really two heads. It is one head, but with two faces on either side.
 
They swivel back and forth to look at you, the other mouth speaking now.  “I promise, this is help. It is a quicker route.” The man – is he a man, or a god? – raises his hands slightly and two shimmering doors appear on each side of him, and another behind you. “The shorter path is never easier – “ “you can go back if you choose.”
 
At this, two creatures begin to shimmer, forming as the doors did, though the creatures do not solidify. On one side, a creature with the body of a red lion and a human head with three rows of sharp teeth. One the other side, a two-legged creature with flaming red hair, his feet twisted around to face behind him. The head on the side of the lion-like creature speaks first. “Inside each door, you will find these creatures in the tunnel.” ”We cannot stop the creatures, we can only warn you.”
 
”Choose. Manitcore,” Or Curupira. Or the door behind you will take you home.” And then the two-faced man is gone, and you are left to choose.
 
**
Detail your trip through the tunnel. The tunnel is hot, and you are still under the desert landscape above, but the rest of the details of the tunnel are entirely up to you (small/large, dark/light, etc.). Encounter the monster you choose and detail your escape. Your trip ends when you reach the end of the tunnel and find a white room.
 
 
***

Teal and Argo have withdrawn. 
 
Irisa withdrew after the time limit, and Jay’s Wing has been eliminated.  For the next BQ year, Irisa and Jay’s Wing will speed age both backward and forward, as far as their birth and death. They will not be re-born or die, however. After one BQ year, they go back to their correct age. 

As before, if I messed up your choice, correct me and just reply to the right prompt. If I missed a choice completely and you need a prompt, let me know. 

The 1,500 word maximum is still in effect. You have until Thursday, January 5th at 5pm EST to reply.