FIORA: DARKNESS BEFORE DAWN

VOL 1 - Chapter 6 - Matterinna

The undergrowth grew denser, the air thicker with foreboding as Matterinna delved further into the heart of the forest. The shadows seemed to writhe and twist, morphing into sinister shapes that danced at the periphery of her vision. Her senses remained alert, her keen eyes scanning the surroundings for any sign of danger. It wasn't long before she found it.

A chilling laughter echoed through the trees, heralding the appearance of a group of malevolent figures. These were no ordinary brigands, but rather sinister, reanimated corpses – the handiwork of a nefarious necromancer. Their skin, pallid and stretched over their skeletal forms, emanated an eerie green glow, a testament to the dark magic that animated them.

The bandits spoke in raspy, guttural voices, their words dripping with malice. They demanded that Matterinna relinquish Illyanna to them, in exchange for the angelic Laussinna they had abducted. The threat hung heavy in the air, a palpable tension that settled over the forest like a thick fog.

Matterinna's resolve, however, remained unshaken. Her voice, laced with defiance and determination, boomed through the forest, resolute in her refusal to comply. "I am Matterinna, the Princess of Dragons, and I have sworn my loyalty to the Fiora household. I will not allow harm to befall them, nor will I barter their lives like common currency. You shall taste the wrath of the Great Matter Dragon, for I am the master of elements!"

The reanimated bandits sneered, their ghastly faces contorting into grotesque facsimiles of smiles. Yet, as they prepared to attack, they underestimated the force they had provoked. Matterinna's draconic form shimmered with power, her scales crackling with elemental energy as she readied herself for battle.

The forest became a tempestuous battleground, as Matterinna unleashed her full might against her foes. Blazing torrents of fire erupted from her maw, while arcing bolts of lightning danced between her outstretched talons. The very air seemed to tremble beneath the force of her command, a howling maelstrom of wind and rain swirling around her.

The undead brigands, their arrogance swiftly replaced with terror, found themselves overwhelmed by the sheer magnitude of Matterinna's power. As they fell, one by one, their reanimated forms reduced to smoldering ashes, the forest began to regain its tranquility. The shadows retreated, the sun casting its warming rays on the scarred earth.

Yet, the battle's victory provided little solace to Matterinna. She knew that her true objective, the rescue of Laussinna, remained unfulfilled. With renewed determination, she continued her journey through the forest, her heart a beacon of hope amidst the darkness.

In her newly transformed state, Matterinna exuded an aura of fierce power and regality. Her silver hair cascaded down her back, shimmering like a waterfall of moonlight, while her deep purple eyes, filled with wrath, bore into the heart of the forest. Her petite frame was now clad in a sumptuous purple coat, soft and fluffy, contrasting with the tough leather pants and boots that encased her legs. The delicate hands that once attended to the Fiora household were now formidable talons, capable of rending flesh and bone.

As she strode through the verdant undergrowth, Matterinna deftly plucked a seemingly ordinary branch from the embrace of a nearby tree. With a mere thought, she transformed the simple piece of wood into a magnificent staff. The gnarled bark twisted and curled, taking on a refined and polished appearance, while a swirling mass of black energy, enigmatic and otherworldly, coalesced at its tip.

With her staff in hand, Matterinna let out a powerful call that echoed through the forest. "Dad!" she cried, her voice resounding like thunder. Unbeknownst to her, the call reached a seemingly innocuous purple witch hat, resting amidst the clutter of the Fiora household. The hat, imbued with a life of its own, twitched and stirred, its enchantments springing to life as it heard Matterinna's cry.