Blood dripped off its muzzle as it glared at Eden. Its growls shook Eden’s body as its eyes studied Eden. Taking a glance, Eden saw five children hiding in a hole in a tree. The beast towered over Eden, as it dared to move closer.

Eden didn’t take her gaze off the children. Their eyes weren’t focused, tears poured from their eyes. They held each other tightly, turning their hands white.

“It okay now,” Eden said quietly, ignoring the beast that zoned in at Eden’s voice. “I’m going to get you to safety,” Eden dared to move closer to them, “I promise that I’ll protect you.” One of the older children looks up. He scanned Eden’s face, whatever he found he relaxed slightly.

Eden felt the footsteps of the beast behind her. She moved so the children's view of it was blocked. She pressed her hand against the tree, letting her fingers feel the groves of the tree. The claw marks that covered the tree.

She let warmth consume her as the tree repaired itself, moving the flow of the tree to hide the children. Making sure to leave a small hole for air.

Turning back, the beast started to circle the tree, its eyes focusing on her. As much of a monster it was, it was still an animal. It knew fear and when to flee.

It stood a few metres of the ground; it looked like a large wolf, but it had scales. It had spikes running down its spine. Its icy silver scales were covered in blood.

It sniffed the air, watching as Eden’s gaze darkened and she stood up to her full height. It was nothing compared to the beast. Eden let her breathing even out and her heart rate slowed. 

Fighting it was useless as much of it was unethical. Just like humans’ fear of witches, humans and witches both fear monsters. These ‘monsters’ were just another predator on this land that needed to feast.

Releasing Eden wasn’t going to budge, it started to turn away.

Eden sighed not realising until too late as a familiar presence entered the cove. An ice spear pierced into the beast, as it snapped its head at the witch. Nova stood at the readying a new spell as the beast charged.

The temperature dropped around them as grey clouds covered the setting sun. The beast open is mouth showing its unnatural number of teeth. Nova let it attempt to bite her, but she summoned an ice spike in its mouth.

It yelped in pain, slamming itself into Nova and sending her onto the ground. Eden heard the harsh breathing behind her. She took a step towards Nova.

“Stay back Eden!” Nova rose as raindrops started to fall. Both recovered and when to attack again. Blocking the claws of the beast with an ice wall, Nova's eyes glowed in the dark. 

Nova felt the rain fall around her as she felt the coldness spread around her. Freezing the rain, she launches thousands of small ice spikes at the beast. Some broke on impact on the scales but a few landed in between the scales.

Eden watched as they fought like starving animals. Not cowering away from attacks just for a chance of hitting the other. Eden stood still debating what she should do. “Eden, go!” Eden's eyes fell on Nova’s eyes.

Even when her eyes glowed full of power her face reflected one of fear. Eden didn’t move. Nova was afraid. Scared of the beast, of her safety or Edens? Taking advantage of Nova’s focus changing, it threw Nova and Nova's head smashed against a tree. The rain was in full force, drenching Eden. Her hair fell in front of her face blocking the view of the lumped figure.

The beast turned to face Eden.

Eden felt the coldness speed into her bones. Her eyes refused to move from where blood slowly trickled down Nova’s face. The loud rain muffled the harsh breathes of Nova.

///

Nova felt a piercing pain in her head as she forced her eyes open. The beast loomed over her, but its gaze wasn’t on her. Tearing herself away,Eden's face laced with panic looking at her. Her usual sun-kissed skin mimics her own pale skin. Tears threaten to fall from her eyes.

Nova tried to comfort her, but her voice refused to work. Her body felt like lead as the world spans around her.

“Nova?” Nova's heart broke at the shaking voice of Eden. Her lips quivered as her eyes darted to the monster.

Nova's heart dropped at the monster's raised teeth; its growl sent shivers down her spine. Eden didn’t react to it at all. Her face drained of emotion.

The flower laced in her heart started to glow dimly, and her eyes stop blinking, her eyes’ pupils turned to slits. Her skin became iridescent, and her freckles resembled more of stars. Antlers formed from her skull; and jacaranda flowers were woven between it.

The monster backed away with its snout to the ground. Mimicking a normal wolf sign of submission. Eden took a step forward, and the monster stood back. Nova assumed she was headed to the monster before Eden’s feet entered Nova’s vision.

Eden cupped Nova face with her hands as Nova melted into the warmth. The coldness fled from her body as warmth comforted her. Eden eyes never left her face as the fuzziness slowly went away.

“Sleep,” Eden voiced seemed so far away. Despite her appearance, it was the same voice as before. Fighting her eyelids from closing, Nova forced her voice to work.

“Are you alright?” Eden titled her head, similar to Tempest. Before Nova could hear the reply though, sleep had dragged her down.

///

Carefully, Eden placed Nova onto the grass. Heading towards the tree. Opening up to see the children's faces look up with horror. They all pushed themselves further into the hole.  

Eden went to reach out to them but saw blood staining her hand. Nova’s blood.

The children screamed as they all threw random sticks and pebbles at Eden. It all bounced off of her as she watched the children grow more frantic.

Humming a low tone, warmth spread around her throat as the children started to sway. Their breathes even out, and their eyes started to droop. She gently picked the children out of the cave, letting the feeling of warmth embrace the kids as they started to heal.

Eden felt her hands shake and grow heavy. And the warmth started to boil her.

Settling the children down onto the grass.

Eden finally turned back to the beast who sat staring. Its inky red blood dripped from its mouth and scales.

She pushed herself.

Letting the beast sniff her, she pats the snout and lets the warmth slip away from her.

“You need to go. Both humans and witches will hunt you down now. If you follow my scent, it will lead you to my forest.”  The beast pressed its head against her hand. She could only hope that the beast would listen to her.

Nova started to twitch in her sleep, Eden got up and placed Nova’s head onto her lap.

By the great spirits. What has she got herself into?