The Silent Panther

~Chapter 2~

250 years later

Present day...

          Eyvari sat up in a tree, their wand sitting at their side. The hammer they held with pride, that Eyvari had crafted themselves out of vines, wood, and stone, rested against the tree's base. They enjoyed the view from up here. Being a Leopard Hybrid, a Vampire, and leading a clan of people just like them was tiring. But, being up in the trees of the Haunted Forest, feeling the breeze ruffle their chocolate brown hair, they felt at peace.

           "Eyvari! Eyvari! Trouble up ahead!" A small girl came yelling as she ran towards the tree Eyvari was sitting in. She was clearly out of breath, and her hair was disheveled.

          "Calm down, Kethna, calm down. Where are the others?" Eyvari tried to stay as calm as they could.

          "They're back at the village," Kethna responded, pointing towards the side of the forest where the sun was above the trees.

          Eyvari wasted no time, quickly jumping out of the tree and grabbing their hammer. They started running in the direction Kethna had pointed, motioning for said girl to follow. The forest seemed darker than normal. They reached the small makeshift village, where Eyvari and the other Hybrid Vampires were.

          Eyvari climbed up onto a rock, high enough for everyone to see them.

          "My friends!" Eyvari started. "We have found a threat growing near us. A small group of Humans has made camp near our current home. Either we defeat them, drive them out of the forest. Or, we pack everything we have, leave everything we've made here, and leave to find a new home. I am leaving the choice up to you."

          The people talked amongst themselves. Humans? In the Haunted Forest? But how? The Haunted Forest is feared by many for a good reason. Many who have wandered in never wander back out. It's so dark during the night you can't see your own hand in front of your face. The trees are said to be great beings of magic, and if you anger them they will show no mercy. But, the small village of Hybrid Vampires had been there for around 5 months now. They had gotten used to the land, they knew almost everything about the area. Were they just supposed to leave it all behind, and start over for the hundredth time?

          "I say we fight!" a stout Eagle Hybrid Vampire shouted out. Everything went quiet.

          "So do I!" Said another.

          "Me too." Said a tall, thin woman.

          Person after person shouted in agreement. They would get the Humans to move out of their home. They were tired of running. Tired of changing their home just as they had finally settled. They were tired of being scared. They were ready to fight for their land, and for their lives. For their children's lives. For the clan's future.

          "It is settled then," Eyvari said. "Tomorrow, we shall make our assault."

          And the people cheered.