⚠️ Content Warning:
This chapter containeth light mention of wounds and monster distress. Proceed with care, brave reader.
------------------------------------------------------------------
The stillness of night had long departed.
The ground quaked in slow pulses beneath their feet, each tremor a warning from the forest beyond. Smoke lingered in the air, and the townsfolk clutched their young, retreating behind doorposts and broken carts, their gazes fixed upon the strange beast now lying in their midst.
Mavie stepped forth, her blade yet unsheathed but no longer raised. Her voice was low, cautious.
Mavie: "Art we truly to guide this beast into the woods… whilst its mother treadeth somewhere beyond, seeking blood?"
Aurelia did not look away from the creature. Her hand remained gently upon its coarse hide, calming its breath as best she could.
Aurelia: "We have no other path. If we send it not homeward, the mother shall come — and she will not halt at the wall."
Theron moved beside them, his cloak rustling with the wind, the moonlight catching the polished edge of his crown.
Theron: "Then let it be so. Mavie, take thee five of thy finest riders. Guard Aurelia as thou would guard thine own blood. I shall remain and see the folk prepared."
Mavie: "Aye, my liege." She turned swiftly, barking her command. "To the stables! I want steeds ready and swords honed. We ride ere the hour wanes!"
Steel rang as the guards moved with haste. Yet their steps were heavy, their eyes wary of the beast — now curled beside the well like a wayward hound seeking warmth.
Aurelia knelt once more, her voice gentle, her tongue laced with words old and strange — a language forgotten by men, yet somehow understood by the beast.
It cooed, low and thunderous, yet soft in intent. Its eyes, wide and wet, met hers with the gaze of a child lost in the dark.
A mournful roar rose from the woods.
Closer.
Deeper.
Theron: "May the gods walk with thee, Aurelia… and watch thy back."
She rose, brushing dust from her cloak. Her voice, though soft, held the weight of conviction.
Aurelia: "Let us mend what was never meant to break."
And so, under the silver watch of the moon, with the eyes of a weary village upon them, the girl, the knight, and the beast made way toward the broken wall.
Beyond it, the forest stirred — ancient and wild — where mothers waited, and the lost yet lingered.
The broken wall loomed before them — jagged stone and shattered wood, where the boundary of the kingdom once stood proud. Wind howled through the breach, whispering of things that should never have passed through.
The baby creature, still limping slightly, whined low and deep before suddenly dashing forward with surprising speed.
Mavie: "Nay—! Wait!" she shouted, reaching out instinctively.
Too late.
From the forest's shadow came a groaning thoom… thoom… THOOM.
The trees bent. Birds scattered. The earth itself seemed to hold its breath.
And then they saw it.
A towering creature, black as night and crowned with horns like jagged roots, emerged from the fog. Its eyes, red and ancient, flickered with fury and fear. Taller than the tallest pine, its limbs moved like thunderclouds, heavy and slow — but filled with strength beyond measure.
The villagers gasped. Mavie instinctively stepped in front of Aurelia, drawing her blade.
Theron, still upon the outer rise of the wall, murmured, "By the gods…"
The mother beast let out a roar so mighty it shook the stones beneath their feet — a cry of grief, confusion… and warning.
Mavie: "None shall move!" she barked, her voice cutting through the panic like steel.
The baby ran up to its mother, curling at her massive claw. The great beast gazed down, sniffing its child, noting the wound — the scent of blood, and humans.
Its head rose once more, and her scream split the sky.
Mavie: "Everyone! To safety — NOW!"
Guards scrambled. Archers reached for their quivers. Screams echoed. But Aurelia did not move. Her eyes remained locked with the beast's.
Aurelia: "STOP! Thou mustn't harm us — we have done thee no wrong!" she called, her voice raw with urgency. "We healed thy child! Please, hear me!"
The mother paused, one clawed foot mid-air. Her breath steamed in the night. Her eyes, like burning coals, narrowed.
Aurelia: "Y-yes, 'tis true we struck the babe at first… out of fear, we admit it. But we did mend what we marred. We meant not to harm it."
The wind quieted for a moment. Even the archers lowered their bows, unsure.
The mother let out a quieter growl. Her eyes fell upon her baby, who gently squeaked and nudged at her leg as though confirming Aurelia's words.
The beast huffed once — and stepped back.
Silence.
Theron, watching from above, dared a breath.
Mavie: "…She's not attacking."
Aurelia, still trembling, lowered her hands.
Aurelia: "She heard me…"
The baby let out a happy chirp. The mother leaned low, nuzzling it once before casting one last heavy stare toward the humans. The message was clear:
Harm my child again… and I shall not show mercy twice.
Then, with a slow, thundering turn, the mother disappeared into the woods once more — the child trailing close behind.
No one spoke.
Only the wind stirred.
The three stood still, processing all that had just passed. The beasts were gone, and silence fell over the ruined wall.
Aurelia stepped forward, raising her voice.
Aurelia: "Good folk! The danger hath passed. Ye may come forth!"
Doors creaked open as villagers peeked out, murmuring:
"Is it over?"
"They've truly left?"
Mavie sighed, lowering her sword.
Mavie: "By the gods... I nearly struck it down."
Theron: "And had thou done so, we might not be standing here."
Aurelia: "The creature was but lost… scared. Now reunited, it meant us no harm."
The people gathered slowly, eyes wide with awe and disbelief. Above them, the moon shone down — quiet and knowing.
Mavie exhaled deeply, brushing the damp strands from her brow. Around her, murmurs of relief rose like gentle wind—villagers embracing, guards lowering their weapons at last. The nightmare had passed. Sleep, long denied, would finally grace the kingdom once more.
Night faded.
------------------------------------------------------------------
The morning sun crept over the castle stones, warm and golden. Inside, footsteps echoed swiftly down the corridor.
Aurelia, cloak fluttering behind her, rushed toward the royal chambers. She barely paused before knocking sharply and pushing the door open.
Aurelia: "Your Majesty! Forgive mine intrusion!"
She bowed hastily, breath short. "But we have a grave matter—"
Theron groaned, sitting upright in his bed, hair tousled, brow furrowed.
Theron: "Speak. What now disturbs the peace?"
Aurelia swallowed hard.
Aurelia: "Your crown… it is gone."
Theron sat upright as the door creaked open, his brows drawn.
Theron: "Aurelia? What brings thee in such haste at dawn?"
Aurelia stepped in, her robe fluttering as she bowed quickly.
Aurelia: "Forgive mine intrusion, my lord… but we are met with grave news."
Theron: Rubbing his eyes "Speak, lady mage. What ill hath stirred the morn?"
Aurelia: Takes a breath "Thy crown, Your Grace… it hath been taken."
Theron stared at her, silent for a heartbeat.
Theron: "Taken? From the vault?"
Aurelia: "Aye, my lord. The guards found the chamber unbarred, the seal broken—yet not shattered. 'Twas a careful hand."
Theron: Voice darkening "Not a monster, then. A man. One with cunning."
Aurelia: "Indeed. The prints left behind were too fine for beast. A thief walks among us."
Theron: "Then we are not merely under watch from the woods… but betrayal from within."
Aurelia: "Shall I raise the guards?"
Theron: Stands slowly, jaw clenched "Nay… not yet. Let this not stir the hearts of the people. We must find him quietly… before fear takes root."
Aurelia: Bows her head "As you command."
(TO BE CONTINUED)