Monster, how should I feel?

Chapter Nine

The cold night was pitch dark, frosty winds were caressing the dried trees. It was quiet but there were creatures lurking in the shadows. They were full of evil, killing anything in plain sight. Their hungry eyes were hunting through the darkness.

Marcee's steps were silent and cautious, not wanting to get their attention. The Forbidden lands had been worse than she could have possibly imagined. The land looked lifeless, nothing good would ever dare to step foot in a place like this. She heard a noise coming from behind her. Quickly, she turned around and aimed her bow at the dark lands, suddenly an evil creature wasted no time to jump out of the shadows as it charged towards her. She steadied her arrow at it, shooting it right through the chest.

"Nice job!" Toby was beside her, a large grin on his face.

"I cannot believe I just did that!" Marcee replied excitedly.

"I knew you could do it." Toby stated, proudly. Suddenly, echoed sounds of hisses and growls were heard around the dry lands. "More are coming this way. Let's get in position, we must be ready for when they try to attack."

Toby and Marcee both aimed their arrows at different directions of the dark night. Prepared to take down any creature that was in their way.

Together as one they began shooting arrows at every evil creature that tried to attack them.

"Quick Marcee, you take that one on the left and I will take down these three."

"Got it." Marcee replied, quickly shooting the creatures that ran towards her.

"There you go!" Toby smiled as he took a quick glance at Marcee. "Not bad for a beginner!"

"Oh please, we will see about that." Marcee scoffed, getting a chuckle from Toby. "Let's play a game, who ever kills the most creatures gets to brag about how awesome they are."

"Sounds good." Toby replied, trying his hardest to kill every creature he could. "An easy win for me."

After a long while, creatures stopped showing up. They knew it was no use to attack, Marcee and Toby were too good.

"It looks like that is all of them for now." Toby stated, sweat trickling down his forehead.

"You are right," Marcee agreed, out of breath.

"That was fun," Toby said, looking down at Marcee. He was really glad she came a long with him, it would have been so boring doing this alone.

"I agree," Marcee replied. Her eyes gleamed as she stared back at Toby.

"Who do you think won?" He asked as he looked around, glancing at all of the dead creatures on the ground.

"I honestly think it was a fair tie."

"It does look like a fair win," Toby replied, walking towards her grinning.

"You looked good, beating those creatures out there." Toby added, stretching his arm out, Marcee flushed.

"Thank you," She replied, looking up at him.

"We make a pretty awesome team," Toby stated. Marcee shook his hand in approval.

"We do." She agreed. They both looked at each other, pleased with their teamwork. "We should do this again sometime."

"Definitely, we still have a long journey a head of us." Toby stated. "Avery needs our help."

"I cannot believe you would go through all of this just to save a girl." Marcee frowned.

"She is not just a girl, I love her. And I am willing to do anything to get to see her again." He stated. He meant every word he said.

Marcee had forgotten why they had came here for a moment. It was because Toby is going to save... that girl.

"Oh... of course." Marcee replied softly, as she turned from his gaze, disappointed. "I am pretty tired. We should get some sleep."

"Yes, you are right." Toby agreed with a smile.

Marcee wondered why did the thought of Toby saving that girl, the one that he loves bothered her so much. She brushed the thought away quickly as she drifted off to sleep as Toby laid next to her.

*~*~*~*

King Hageshadow walked through the dark woods that were surrounding his castle, it was late passed midnight. He quickly glanced at the sick dragon that was laying on the dead grass.

"Do not die on me." The king said. "The war is starting soon, I need you there."

The dragon closed his weak eyes with a slow nod. The king took one last glance at him and hopped on his horse, on his way to the dark night.

The forbidden lands could seem very unpleasant for the outlanders but for the creatures that live their, it was everything they could of ever asked for. The endless dark forests and dried lands were usually seen as gloomy and creepy for others but not to the evil creatures and monsters, they were used to this environment.

The king's dark horse was running fast through the woods, its steps were echoing in the silence. King Hageshadow ruled these cursed lands, he was feared by all of the darkest creatures and admired by the most powerful ones.

A group of creatures had spotted the king riding on the horse.

"King Hageshadow!" One of them called out. The rest of them all bowed their heads in respect to their king. "We must inform you about something, my king."

"About what?" The king replied, stopping his horse. The creature swallowed in fear.

"Have you heard about the rumors, my king?"

"Rumors?" King Hageshow narrowed his eyes at her. "What rumors?"

"The people from the Jebricus Territory have been conspiring against you,"

"They have always been conspiring against me. This is not new to me." The king replied bitterly.

"Someone from those lands have arrived here, my king."

"That is nonsense. No one from those lands would ever dare to set a foot in my territory."

"Are you sure?" She asked looking up at him. The king tensed up, glaring at her.

"Are you questioning your king?"

"No, no, my king. It is just that they have been killing our kind throughout the way, he is not alone."

"They are nothing compared to me. I will kill them just like every other leader they have ever had. They are no opponent for me." The king exclaimed angrily. The group of creatures looked frightened.

"Be careful, my king. They are different from the ones of the past."

"Who is this leader that dared to step foot in my lands?" He commanded.

"I have not seen him, my king, but I have heard of his name."

"Tell me his name."

"Toby." She answered quietly, cowed by the king's tone.

*~*~*~*

King Hageshadow opened the door to his chambers. His eyes quickly fixed on a sleeping Avery, lying on his bed. He quietly closed the door. He was across the room from her, watching like a predator before his prey. Moonlight and candles were caressing her soft skin as she slept soundly on her back. The king furrowed his eyebrows in deep thought. Avery was meant to be with him, but he wondered why she has not given into him yet. For the first time, King Hageshadow was doubtful. He was not sure how to handle things with her. The king took a swig of rum and placed the bottle back on the table slowly, making his way to the bed. He laid down next to Avery, wrapping an arm around her waist. He closed his eyes, engulfed by her nice scent as he pulled her closer to him.

For the first time in decades, King Hageshadow had a peaceful sleep.