Warning : Violence

Bella

As I walk the moonlight shines down on the snow, giving it a silver cast. Another sorrowful sound shatters the night. I release an answering cry and adjust my direction. My pace is steady, I'm not too worried about if I'll find the creature, and when is irrelevant. A cold breeze cuts through me, ripping away what little warmth I had. With a sigh I wrap my cloak around me again, pulling it tighter.

A howl echoes through the trees and I look up, it’s near. I howl back and a moment later a massive hound bursts through the trees. The beast skids to a stop and stares at me, panting. I stare back, startled at the size of the thing. Standing as tall as I do, it's long legs are clearly built for speed and agility. It's eyes are red and it's fur is so black it seems to absorb light. Shifting my sight I see that it's made up almost entirely of Chaos Magic.

I swallow and raise my hand, "Hey there," I coo.

He bares his teeth at me with a menacing growl.

I turn my head to the side, "Don't be like that," I say, "I want to help."

He shifts his weight then shakes his head growling again as he backs up.

"Hey, it's okay." I take a step forward, letting a trickle of my magic reach out to him.

It doesn't move away, but does bare its teeth again.

A smile tugs at my lips, "Come on, you liked me well enough on your way here." I raise my head and howl.

The beast joins in, his voice is soulful and pained. As the duet fades I look back at him, he’s stepped closer. I smile and hold my hand out, "There you go,"

He takes a few steps toward me; I match my steps to his. Soon we're almost touching, the large animal looking at me with fiery eyes. I raise my hand and put it on his head gently stroking his face. I let out more of my magic, but keep it under control so it doesn't become too much.

His eyes close and makes a sound that's somewhere between a growl and a purr as he presses his head into my hand.

"There you go," I say as I continue to pet the beast, allowing my magic to soothe him, "You're all right. I'm here to help." I close my eyes and allow my magic to move across the creature, using it to feel out what's wrong with the poor thing.

I continue to stroke his head as I work. Pressing closer to me he rubs his head against my hand then gently headbutts my chest when my hand stills. I chuckle and scratch behind his ears.

Finally, I find a spell of Order Magic buried near his center, I scowl and start to analyze it. I hear a nearby twig crack, opening my eyes I turn toward the sound. The hound pulls away from me and turns as well. I start to reach out with my magic when the twang of a bow shatters the night.

"NO!" I shout, shoving my way in front of the hound. The arrow slams into my shoulder, I bite back a scream and turn to the hound, "Leave!" I shout, pushing him with my magic.

He whimpers and steps toward me. I gather as much magic as I dare and shove the beast again, "Go!"

He whimpers in pain then runs from the clearing.

Once the Hound is out of sight I stand up and make my way toward where the arrow had come from. I get a few steps into the tree line and find Troy standing there with his mouth hanging open. I snatch the bow from him and toss it aside, "Do you have any idea what you've done?" I demand, the arrow still lodged in my shoulder.

He stares at me, his eyes wide.

"Speak!" I shout. My magic lashes out, causing snow to fall from the nearby trees.

"You jumped in front of it…” he stammers, "You… you were petting it."

“So you thought you’d help by shooting it?” I demand.

“It’s a monster.” he says, his voice cracking.

“There’s only one monster in this forest tonight, and it wasn’t the hound.” I say flatly. His eyes widen and his mouth drops open. Before he can say anything, I grab his arm and drag him away from the clearing, "Let's go. He's not coming back here tonight."