If Only They Knew (she saved their asses)

Chapter One

Soft whispers entangled her mass of curls, gently lifting the tips as she gripped her weapon of choice tightly. Determination locked her face, anger boiled her blood, and adrenaline clenched her muscles taut. Slowly lowering her hips into a crouch, her murky brown eyes flashing iridescent - for only a second - she waited.

Soon, the moment would arrive. Leaves rustled, birds twittered and the heavy scent of blood permeated the air. Slain across her path, the edgleburries laid still in contrast to the natural life the forest breathed.

Soon. It will materialise before her, horrendous and enraged. Her mouth curled, a cruel smile gracing her face, layered above her immense self-confidence.

A twig snapped behind her - the monster's position now given away, she leapt up, sword drawn, eyes flashing rhythmically iridescent. Her smile grew as the monster towered before her, nostrils flaring, eyes red as the blood splatters on her riding cloak. A tense moment passed before the monster stood on its haunches, its black scaly skin rippling and spines down the center of its back grew erect. Its misaligned fangs pierced the sky as it gave a roar, shaking the ground she stood on. The body of a fierce, powerful lion, but the face of something otherworldly - not quite a snake, not quite an undead goat, but some horrifying mix in between. A welcoming sight for her.

Shadowed briefly for a moment by the gargantuan paws and forked, whip-like tail, she darted forward, striking precisely through the stomach with strength beyond a normal human. She pressed forward, her sword deepening its successful cut, the creature wailing, blood spurting. With a yell, she pulled her sword upwards, the slice increasing in length.

The creature flailed its paws, trying to bat her away, but she insisted. With an inhuman laugh, she let go and backflipped onto the natural formation of a platform behind her. Breathing heavily, her eyes flashing red, she ripped off a black leather glove with her teeth. It continued to struggle, blood pouring and eyes widening. Gasping and writhing for a few moments, she watched it fight against the sword. But she knew the sword was beginning to expand within the creature, cutting away at its vital organs.

Targeting the point of impact with her palm, a burst of lightning shot through her palm and fingertips, her curls raising and eyes as bright yellow as the sun. Within seconds, the creature's efforts stopped, and it lay still. Wind whistled through the trees, seeming to go through her. The loss was felt, and the forest darkened. Quickly she jumped down to the creature, testing for signs of life before retrieving her sword, its size ten times wider than it began. Once firmly within her hands, however, it began to shrink to its original form. She reached into the opening and gripped its heart. With a tug, she pulled it out. Her eyes flashed white, her nails transforming to the size of daggers and just as sharp. She cut away the tubes swiftly, and, for extra measure, decapitated the creature with her nails. She wasn't quite sure what was required of her.

Stuffing both items within her shoulder sack and sheathing her sword, she quickly assessed the forest around her. Eyes like tiny pinpricks rested on her frame, but she knew the creatures they belonged to would not dare. With a smirk, she leapt onto the platform, then onto a tree fifteen metres away from her, eyes glowing light green. Rapidly, she climbed to the top, finding her home in an instant. She bounded across the tree tops, light as a feather with pale purple eyes, until she reached the castle walls. She observed the castle's comings and goings for a moment. Merchant travellers with carts, ladies in fine dresses of silk and velvet, adorned with jewels, men with billowing shirts and high waisted trousers, sheathed swords across their hips, archers hats adorning their heads, crossed the wooden drawbridge. The sun was starting to set and the servants were lighting lamps hanging off the walls. Deciding she had had enough of the scene, she tumbled off the nearest tree in a graceful somersault, landing perfectly on her feet.