Late one afternoon, Eliana was gathering berries near a stream when movement upstream caught her eye. Smooth rocks parted as a large, lithe shape broke the surface - an otter, carrying a fish twice its size. 

She watched, fascinated, as it lunged and flipped, wrestling with its prey. This brief distraction cost her; too late she noticed the bushes rustling behind. Whirling around just as a massive paw swatted her to the ground, knocking the wind from her. 

Stunned, Eliana came face to face with a mountain lion, lips curled back in a snarl. Golden eyes bored into her, sensing fear. Panic seized her lungs but she dared not move under its claws. 

Then she spied her hatchet, scrambling out of reach on the bank. With lightning reflexes, she grabbed a fallen branch and jabbed it upwards. The Makeshift weapon surprised the cat long enough for her to roll away and grab her tool.

Heart pounding, Eliana swung it at the stalking cat, cursing her luck. It snarled and swiped but did not retreat, seeing her now as prey. She desperately shoved at its attack, hatchet locking against dagger claws, their combined growls filling the glen.

In a flash, it twisted and landed atop her, pinning her down as its jaws opened to clamp her throat. With a guttural cry, Eliana jammed the hatchet straight up with all strength left. Hot liquid gushed over her as the cat bellowed in pain and released its grip, collapsing. 

Gasping for breath, she slid from under its twitching form, stained anew in blood that was not her own. For the first time, she had slain a predator to survive rather than for sustenance. Eliana knew then - she, too, was a force to reckon with in this forest realm.