It had now been three months since she had last heard from either of the two ‘gods’ who spoke to her. At that time, luck was on her side as people came into the forest. She felt the first spike in presence two months ago and felt her heartbeat rapidly. People meant clothes, books, and news. She needed all of these things to set a firmer foundation for her life here. So far, all the parties that have come through have been busts. The current spike would be the fourth spike in presence since she had chosen to inhabit this forest. 

In the beginning, she would handle them herself, but now she didn’t want to. She wanted to avoid people as best she could. Or at least be able to kill the ones who didn't look all that innocent. She looked into the shrubbery that separated her land from the dense forest. Though she could not see its eyes, she knew the beast was there. 

She also knew the beast had some intelligence as this was the creature that kept bringing meat and other berries to her. None of which were terribly mauled or mashed. She didn't dare to approach the creature to see what kind it was. Yes, she could tell she was strong, but she was more confident in annihilating humans not animals. As twisted as it was. To her, this was still a fantasy world and any sort of beast could be behind those bushes.

Or maybe not... Animals have been kind to me since I’ve been here… if not kind, courteous at least… 

“Go.”

So, she only uttered one word before pointing in the direction she felt the presence. No howl or roar came as a response. Just a simple growl before she heard the leaves rustle furiously. 

When Salem’s phone timer counted out one hour and 42 minutes, she heard a deafening roar come from the direction she was certain the presence had existed. She had been lying on the bed playing music and holding the eggs. She had gotten used to holding them and singing. She missed singing. Her bare legs and feet swung over the bed and touched the floor. She had placed the eggs back on the makeshift blanket. 

“I don’t want to take you guys if it’s dangerous…” Salem contemplated. “A strong barrier should do it for now.” 

With a confident nod, she proceeded to create the barrier around the twin eggs before leaving the dirt home. She looked in the direction the roar came from with furrowed brows. She had no way of knowing the exact distance, but she could feel the beast’s presence so that would be her indicator.

Salem stretched her legs and arms. She would be running. She hadn’t run once since arriving in the forest. She had done plenty of long-distance walking and a light jog, but no running. She didn’t want to hurt herself back then.

But now?

She was fed as properly as one could be in the forest. She had fresh water and could rest her haunted mind with slight ease. Her long-lost muscles would never be the same for a long time, but she had gained meat and fat in all the right places she liked. Especially her thighs and calves. 

Salem lifted her head and closed her eyes. The wind blew past her face teasingly and gently. She opened her eyes once more. Her heartbeat was loud in her ears. Salem licked her lips in anticipation. The wind that blew across her face had now gathered at her feet. 

She didn’t look down to her feet and only shot forward. Had she looked down, she would have noticed the wind had morphed into wings. Resembling that of the Greek God Hermes. 

***

What was supposed to be a simple trip through the outermost skirts of the Forest of No Return had soon turned into despair. A creature said not to leave its cave deep within the forest was lying down right in front of them. This was a creature that was said to spend 99% of its time sleeping. Once in the literal blue moon did it ever leave the cave, but even then, never the inner forest. 

So, imagine the surprise on these opportunistic deserters' faces when they were confronted with this ferocious legendary beast not even one day into their forest travel. The war between the temple of Dawne and the newly revolutionized Empire was now in its lull. 

After their largest temple was destroyed by the Empire’s forces and an unknown assailant, the temple of Dawne’s corrupted officials had begun turning themselves in. The temple was trying to be the number one force on the continent by forcefully and illegally summoning saints periodically. 

A saint(ess) or holy warrior(maiden) were once-in-a-lifetime phenomenon. One temple hogging all the holy power necessary to proceed with such an act goes against the Gods and nature. 

Beings selected by Gods should live an extremely long life, but the ones presented by the temple of Dawne never lived longer than 50 years before aging horrifically after overuse of their holy powers.

As such, many people began to notice this strange occurrence, fast-forwarding a revolution. What they did not know though, was where the majority of the summoning magic came from. Many believe the temple kidnapped citizens as slaves and disposed of the bodies. 

Only those high in rank knew the real reason and power source. But many of those patrons were dead. Dawne’s judgment fell upon hundreds of priests when the war hit the lull and they were gathered up for trial. None could forget the sight as it left an awful taste in the mouth. 

So here was a merchant, not part of the Dawne faith, but well involved with the temple due to many hidden deals. He was running for his life and planning to lay low in the southern kingdom which would soon become a dukedom unbeknownst to him. 

So again, here sat on the ground in soiled undergarments, merchant Edward Tolkien of the Tolkien Merchant Group. One of the largest merchant groups on the continent. They were a forerunner in new technology specifically passed around between the temples and high-ranking nobles. Around him, several of his guards lie on the ground bleeding out due to missing limbs. The women he brought along as playthings were terrified and huddled together by the carriage that was tipped over. 

In front of all of them stood the gigantic, majestic but ever terrifying Fenrir. It was towering over 4 meters and had deep blue eyes and onyx fur. Despite being a canine, it had a luxurious mane that danced in the wind. Its tail did the same. The creature's fangs were protruding from behind its deep pink gums and would be pearlescent if not for the blood splattered on each and every tooth. Its claws were a slight silver and not a speck of dirt could be found on them.

This behemoth of a beast had come from nowhere and decimated the group Edward had so meticulously put together. The legendary beast laid down on the ground. With what could only be described as a smug look, the beast opened its mouth again after cleaning its mouth. 

“You will do.” 

It came out low and almost like a growl but sent chills down everyone's spine. Including the ones on their deathbeds. 

I-I-It talked…. 

Edward was sure his eyes would roll the back of his head right then and there when his mind finally processed the statement the legendary beast had said. 

We will do?... for what?