A moonless Night was upon me as trees of the darkest oak loomed ahead. I flicked Tyrant's reins hard. "Faster boy!" I urged.
They were the same ones I saw in my vision, dark and devoid of leaves. The dark forest.
Tyrant skidded to a stop, I tied his reins to one of the trees and ran my hand through his dark mane "Stay boy, I'll be back soon"
Grass crunched beneath my boots as I urged forward to save my friends.
I snapped a branch from a nearby tree and lit it it in order to illuminate the path ahead, a bold move indeed. I didn't know the extent of what lurked in this forest, but I would need light if i was to continue.
Hours had passed and I didn't know where I was going, for all I knew, I could be walking around in circles, luring the creatures that dwell here towards me.
With an exasperated sigh, I sat at the foot of a dark tree, careful not to place my full weight on it, for fear that it would crack beneath me.
I took a deep breath and closed my eyes, careful not to let sleep in, ever observant this time. Won't be making the same mistake twice.
~
I shot up, my hand gripped chaos tight.
I heard something.
Observing my environment, the night sky was clearing, slowly giving way to morning.
I had regrettably slept for long. Perhaps I was more tired than I thought.
I walked to where I was very sure I heard either the snarling of some wild beast or the rustle of some bushes. Point stands, something was close by.
Too distracted by my searching, my foot was caught with something, causing me to crash onto the cold grassy ground.
Quickly gathering myself, I looked at what tripped me, what I saw had my voice trapped in my throat.
The man before me wore a mix of armor and leather, his lifeless eyes stared at me and I recoiled.
His body was torn apart beyond recognition, his stomach was open, revealing his innards as maggots feasted on his flesh.
He was a hilltribe soldier, one of mine.
Flames engulfed his body as I stretched my hands above his body and chanted a fire spell. If his body was here, that meant that the bodies of my men could be littered around as well, my body shuddered at the thought.
The noise I heard earlier was more audible as I pressed forward, it was a snarl. I knew it.
I followed the sound and came face to face with a beast six foot tall, it's body covered in black fur, it's crimson eyes shone brightly and it's claws sharper than the sword i currently held tightly in my hand.
Doom hound.
My body froze as it's crimson eyes surveyed me, it opened its mouth, revealing an unnaturally sharp set of teeth dripping with blood.
My legs moved of its own accord, backing away slowly for reasons unknown to me. The beast had seen me and it planned to rip me to shreds as I'm sure it had done to the soldier I had burned not too long ago.
The doom hound's steps echoed heavily behind me as I ran, my heart beating wildly in my chest as I veered left, it's constant snarling not far behind.
I stood behind a dark tree, trying to steady my breathing. Everywhere had gone silent, suspiciously so.
Turning my head to where I last heard the beast follow, I found nothing but it's large paw prints. "Perhaps I had lost it" I whispered to myself before I exhaled deeply, finally relaxing my tense muscles.
I closed my eyes and steadied my breathing, trying my best to calm the heart that pounded so hard against my ribcage.
Wild pain shot through me.
In the brief moments I had closed my eyes, something clawed at me from the side. The impact of the attack sent me flying, my back connected with a dark tree and I'm sure as hell I heard something snap.
A doom hound was before me, observing me with a leathal gaze.
It tipped it's head back and let out a howl so loud in resounded through the forest.
Dread like no other crept in as a shocking realization dawned upon me.
Doom hounds travel in packs.
I sat up slowly, resting my back on the trunk of a dark tree, even as the doom hound etched closer.
The pain at my side intensified as multiple thoughts assaulted me at once.
The doom hound that came after me was different, I knew because this one was not the same size as the other. While the first was six foot tall, this one was four.
How many are there? How long till the others find me here?
I flung my hand towards the beast, sending a wave of telekinesis, sending it crashing into a nearby rock, a howl escaped it's lips.
Taking advantage of the fact that it hadn't risen immediately, emerald magic swirled beneath my palm as I placed it above the deep wound, I winced as my skin knitted together beneath my magic.
I plunged my sword to the ground, and used it to stand. The beast stood as well, shaking the dirt off it's fur.
It's crimson gaze focused on me once more, but I returned it with one of my own, Fearless. Unflinching.
My green eyes glowed as I stretched my hands towards the now incoming beast "IncendiaCirculum" I called.
Green flames rose from the ground, following a path towards the incoming beast, trapping it in a circle of burning flames.
It howled upon contact with the fire, burning off a chunk of it's fur, revealing pink skin below.
It circled the flames, looking for an opening, but there was none. It tried jumping past the fire, but I only rose the flames higher, blocking it's path.
This gave me the time I needed to catch a fucking breath.
~
It didn't take long for my strength to return, after my wound healed, my energy began returning slowly. The beast growled furiously at me, releasing another howl.
Shit. It was drawing the others here.
I need to get the hell out of here and find my friends so we can leave this place.
Now.
I closed my hands together, drawing the flames closer to the hound, it's movements were restricted as the flames etched closer to it, until it howled in pain as it slowly turned to ash.
Ashes of the hound remained as the flames died out, the smell so horrible I gagged.
I need to press forward.
Sheathing my blade, I advanced. I still had no idea where I was going, but all I knew was that I had a gut feeling. It wouldn't lead me astray.
After what felt like an eternity, I passed through the last of the dark trees I saw, it gave way to a large opening.
There was nothing but bare land, and at the edge of it, stood a two story mansion.
I stared at it in awe, my feet froze as flashes of my vision flooded my memories, most especially what dwelled within.
Trovaks, doom hounds and goddess knows what else.
"Natalya!" a voice called, drawing me from the flashes of my memory. I turned my head, trying to identify the familiar voice. "Drazhan?" I called, "Damon?"
A rustle of some bushes later, "My queen, over here!"
I followed the sound of Damon's voice. Shortly I spotted them coming and they did not look good.
Both men had bruises all over their body, bloody and bandegd. Drazhan was helping Damon walk, lifting his weight as they both walked towards me.
I picked up my speed and met them half way. They both crumbled to the ground and I felt a pang in my heart.
I had sent them here, this was my fault.
Kneeling down, Damon's head rested on my lap as emerald magic flared to life beneath my palms above his head.
Healing spell.
His bruises began to heal and blood disappeared from his skin, he took a heavy breath in and shot up, his eyes widening in surprise.
"Your majesty, How-" he was cut off as I threw my arms around him.
He stilled, shocked by the gesture. I had never hugged him like this before, it felt nice.
His hand wrapped around me softly "I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry"
"It's not your fault," he whispered "but thank the goddess you're here. We're in serious trouble"
~
I healed Drazhan, and both men had recovered their energy.
I gave them bread and hard cheese from my small pack and they ate, grateful.
"Our men?" I began, wanting to hear from their lips that which I already knew.
"Butchered"
Pain shot in my heart and I sent a silent prayer, for their peace.
"We encountered hordes of Herbert's hooded guards, they chased us through the forest, blocking every exit" Damon began,
"They leave us be for the most time, still not letting us escape, but come when we try going into that house" he pointed behind me.
"Like right now" Drazhan said with a trembling voice.
Thuds were heard around as hooded men landed on tree's branches.
Twenty of them. Their cloaks flowed in the wind.
"Shit" Damon cursed, then we ran like hell.
Hooded guards jumped from branch to branch, while some pursued on foot.
They were gaining on us.
Emerald magic shot from my palm, hitting one who had jumped towards us, his body hit the ground with a thud.
They didn't stop.
Retracing my steps, "Left!" I said, and they turned, as I sent another bolt but missed.
Nine of them jumped in front of us, while the rest blocked the way behind.
We were surrounded.
Fuck.
Drazhan unsheathed his sword, flames roared to life as they engulfed the metal. Damon was next, his blade glowed blue as it was now engulfed in the coldest ice.
Emerald magic flared to life in my palms as I stared them down, no longer afraid.
~
Three of the guards charged at us at once, the one that came at me was charred by my magic, Drazhan stabbed one with his sword, his shrieks echoed around us as his body began to burn from the inside out.
Damon stabbed one through the skull, his body slowly began to crystallize, his body was covered in ice and his body shattered like broken glass.
We couldn't keep this up for long, we need to leave.
Magic coated my palms as I joined them together in a clap. Magic swirled around their necks like a choker, I twisted my hand and their necks snapped at once, the crunching sound a welcome satisfaction.
"Impressive!" Drazhan called.
A smirk played at my lips, but I didn't respond as we pressed forward.
The exit loomed ahead, I spotted Tyrant's dark form as we approached. We were so close.
An invisible force pushed us and we fell face forward.
A groan escaped my lips as we both hoisted ourselves up, we turned to find a face smiling darkly at us, four hooded guards and four doom hounds at his sides.
Herbert Valendel.