Arden lost his grip on the blade and the howling beast ran off clutching at his freely bleeding lower abdomen.

 "Oh, Arden, thank you...thank you," Yuma gasped, breathing heavily, as she fell onto the grass beside him.

 “You cut him good...” Hari ran up and panted beside his friends.

 Arden nodded dumbly, as he eyed the blood on his quivering hands.

His heart was beating loud enough to muffle all other sounds.