A rustle in the bushes sounded and blood dripped, staining a nearby bush. Kyra emerged through the bushes, though limping, because of slash marks bleeding all over her stomach. She couldn’t remember much that happened to her, but she could remember one thing. Wolves… so many wolves, she thought, her heart racing. Panting and gasping for breath, she struggled to make her way out of the thickened forest, and into the clearing. As soon as she made it, however, her eyes began to fade dark and she collapsed, leaving a bloody trail to her body. Light poured onto Kyra’s eyes, and she heard a person speak. “Oh good! You're awake.” The person said, with a warm tone in their voice. Realization and fear came quickly to Kyra, and she bolted up, only to be disturbed by a searing pain in her stomach, making her cringe. “Am I dead?” she asked, laying back down. “No silly!” The voice said walking over to Kyra. She then realized that the voice belonged to an orange haired girl wearing a knitted red sweater, and surprisingly ripped and tattered jeans. “Who are you?!” Kyra interrogated, bolting up though the great pain made her weak. “Lucinda, there is no reason to startle the girl. I know how enthusiastic you can be.” Said another voice behind her. “Ahh!” Kyra yelped, startled by it. The voice behind her then serenely explained, “Try to keep your body lying on the bed. It will help.” Sighing, Krya knew that the voice was right. She laid back down onto the bed, which from what she was used to, was very soft and comfortable. “This might sting,” Said the unidentified voice, as it walked over to Krya. The person was like nothing Kyra had ever seen before. They had a tall and lean body which was covered in fur, and their head was like a skinnier version of a goats’. They were wearing a long, elegant, gray robe, and a twisted weed necklace. Noticing Krya’s agape mouth, the goat-person implied. “Oh! It seems that I have not properly introduced myself. I am Florence, healer of Ferngrove.” Shutting her mouth, Kyra inquired, “How did you find me? I thought I was way past civilization in the forest.” “Oh Lucinda, in fact, found you unconscious, so she brought you back to me. She’s learning how to be an alchemist under my watch. I had to study all kinds of healing to get to this point. Someday I’m sure Lucinda will be even better at alchemy than I.” Florence paused, looking down at Kyra. “This might sting.” A ball of light exploded onto Kyra’s stomach, tearing the bandages off of her, and making her levitate. Lucinda clapped in the corner. Kyra was blinded by the light and thought she saw Florence’s eyes glowing bright blue. The blinding finally stopped and Kyra floated gently to the ground. Florence suddenly turned to look out the window. Kyra was confused at first, but then she began to hear some commotion. With a worried look on their face, Florence said, “Hurry.” They rushed out the door, Lucinda close behind them. Kyra forced herself, and her sore body, out the door, along with them. A heavily armed army stood menacingly in the village, the remnants of a gate behind them. Managing to stand up, Kyra looked at Florence's stunned face, horrified at the damage the army had made. She slowly looked around and saw, burning houses, destroyed crop fields. A clanking of metal armor sounded and she turned her head to see what was happening. A person appeared, his armor the most noticeable of them all, stunning turquoise blue hair, and battle scars reaching from his neck, all the way to the top of his face. Kyra could hear faint crying. She turned her head, and saw Florence hunched over and clutching his arms, Lucinda trying to comfort him. Releasing the pain that this army has given, Kyra found new confidence washing over herself, she felt stronger than ever, the soreness retreating like a mouse to a cat. She stared at the boy directly in his eye. Slightly shocked, he recoiled a little, but still managed to keep a regal look about him. Florence shifted forward, and straightened up, the silence heavy, and brooding. “I see you all are tired of our visits.” The boy said, flatly. Kyra thickened her stare. The boy took no notice. “But it seems your village is not giving up something that her majesty wants.” He started to laugh maniacally, but quickly stopped. His face turned cold. “Sapphires.” he paused. “We know you have them.” His voice echoed over tense silence. Kyra saw his brow arching downwards into an angered face. “I’m starting to get impatient.” He snarled, his blue eyes flashing. “No one has taken our bounty and no one ever will.” said a stern voice. Kyra broke her stare and looked around. She stepped back as a woman stepped forward. As her red cloak billowed in the wind, she said; “The sapphires you so desperately seek, do not lie in this village of scared people.” “I see your ears, don’t try to hide them from me. Only three rings? Ha. Weak.” The boy said. He grinned, bowed his head and spoke,
He grinned, bowed his head and spoke, “If I have to, I will destroy this village.” Kyra stared as the boy began to transform into a large silver wolf. Growling it sprung forward, and howled. Kyra saw an arrow being thrown into the army. The boy looked startled. “WHOEVER SHOT THAT ARROW WILL BE EXECUTED IF THEY DON’T SHOW THEMSELVES.” Still no answer. Suddenly a swift shadow came down upon the boy’s head, making him crumple. The shadow then darted back into the woods. “I have to follow that… thing.” Kyra uttered, turning around to face Florence and Lucinda. Before they could respond Kyra took off into the direction of the shadow. Behind her she could hear Florence shout after her, “Kyra, wait! You still haven’t healed enough!” Her heart pounding, Kyra raced through the forest darting, and weaving through the vines and branches like a snake. She caught a glimpse of a green cloak and tore towards it. Light poured through the trees as she ran. Closer, closer. Dead end. Clenching her teeth, she sprinted towards the green cloak which was quickly climbing a tree. Kyra jumped up into the air and tackled the figure landing roughly on top of them. She rolled off of them realizing the sudden sharp pain in her stomach. She breathed in sharp breaths and sat up, clenching her teeth. She heard soft footsteps running towards her direction. Through great pain, she managed to stand up and clench her fist waiting for the person to emerge out of the distance. “Kyra! What did you do?” Kyra sighed and recognized the warm voice. Her heart pounded. Lucinda came running out of the woods, and stopped abruptly. “What is this? Who is this?” “I don’t know.” Kyra responded, crawling over to the green body. “Wait.” Lucinda interrupted. She crouched down and carefully removed the cloak, to reveal a person with very short brown hair, and pointy ears. Their bow and quiver lying helplessly at their side. “Well… I can’t-” Luncinda got cut off by a soft grunt coming from the body. She and Kyra turned around to stare at them. Gently Lucinda shook the shoulders of the body. “Aaug!” The stranger bolted up looking around. “Who are you? Why am I here? Wait-” “Don’t worry– we’re friends.” Lucinda chimed in, smiling. “What about… her?” The stranger asked inching away from Kyra. Kyra caught the stranger’s glance and quickly turned around messaging her head. “Oh don’t worry about her. She’s a little tough on strangers.” Lucinda remarked. “I think I might want to worry about her.” The stranger growled, inching farther away from Kyra like she was a disease. Kyra growled back at the stranger. “Oh!” Lucinda commented. “We haven’t got your-” “It’s Coco, and we best be going now.” Florence interrupted, walking swiftly towards them. “Oh. You’re with Florence.” Coco assumed, standing up and brushing dirt off her cloak. “We don’t have much time for introductions.” Florence stated, pausing “Kyra stop sulking.” He added, pulling on a leather satchel. Kyra turned around and stared at the goat-man’s face. Florence’s beady black eyes stared down at her, never blinking. “Are you getting up or not?” He questioned. “Yes.” Kyra mumbled standing up, and wincing at the sudden movement, astonished at the painful pounding in her head. “I suggest we travel in pairs. Lucinda with me and Coco with Kyra.” Florence mentioned, as Kyra felt her stomach drop at walking with a stranger. “I would feel more comfortable walking with someone else besides the stranger.” Kyra protested. “I’m afraid it would be much more efficient if I could walk with Lucinda so I can teach her the ways of nature. After all, she is my apprentice.” Florence responded. “But-” “No.” he said sternly, beginning to walk ahead with Lucinda. “I’m not really happy about this either.” Coco growled. Sunlight flooded through dark green leaves, and silence echoed throughout it, except for the occasional stick breaking under Kyra’s thick boots, the sharp breaking sound piercing the silence. Coco turned to face Kyra. “Would you stop doing that?” she asked angrily. “Oh I’m sorry I didn’t realize that it was illegal to break sticks.” Kyra uttered sarcastically. “You never saw your family being shot down, leaving you and your brothers to survive on your own.” Coco shot back, angry tears streaming down her face, as she curled into a ball on the forest floor. Kyra reached out her hand, and awkwardly patted Coco on the back, only to realize they had caught up to Florence and Lucinda who were standing still in the middle of the path. “Um-” “Shhh” Florence hushed. All of a sudden, a high pitched screaming sound echoed towards them, through the many oak and birch trees, as 10 bat-winged monkeys flooded through them, their eyes all a bright piercing green. Swiftly Florence searched through his satchel and took out a jar of what looked like dried lemon peels, quickly tearing off the jar and throwing the dried fruit out towards the monkeys. Nothing happened. (Countiues in comments)
