Eden felt the world around her grow distant and cold. The chatter from Nova and Tempest started to sound underwater. Eden's entire focus was on the morphed wolf that loomed over her.  

“You should be careful; I could have killed you as soon as you entered the forest.” It licked its muzzle and bearded its teeth, “I haven’t eaten another spirit in nearly 418 years.”

Eden took a step back as the spirit stalked around her.  It moves effortlessly, blending into the mist appearing and disappearing at will. The greater spirit gave off a vigorous aura with little to no malice. Eden doesn’t want to change that.

“Thank you for letting me pass through your territory.” Eden bent her head down and showed her respect. It titled its head seeming to be thinking. Whatever it was going to say, it paused before seemingly disappearing into the fog.

The feeling of warmth rushes over Eden as the heavy atmosphere lifts. Her racing heart quietens as she feels her nails draw blood from her palm.

The chatter from Tempest and Nova returns still arguing. She slides behind and ignores whatever just happened. The others didn’t seem to have changed. They didn’t see the other greater spirit. Eden debating if that’s a good thing or a bad thing.

Eden's eyes lingered on the mist, waiting for the spirit to return.

As minutes passed, the group got closer to the edge of the forest. Did it take this long before? When she first entered it was three minutes max. It feels like it has been thirty!

Silently, Eden accepts her fate as she wishes to easily ditch Nova and make it home. And never interact with humans for a decade.

Once they exit the forest, Eden realises how much she has missed the open landscape. In the distance, she saw the sparkling water of the ocean and a very populated town.

“That’s our stop.”

Ever since Nova has been away from any other members of the coven her manner of speech change and personality has done one-eighty. Eden is way out of her realm and can’t wait to leave this coven behind.

They travel through the grass field before meeting up with the dirt path. Tempest vanished into Nova's shadow. Eden spotted a few travellers, all walking with a group. Stella Oak is around about Eden’s age if not a bit older, after the war many humans finally had the corsage to make civilization outside the cities. Stella became a pit stop town, as it sat between main cities.

Eden adores the architect of the stone-carved building compared to her town of wooden and brick buildings. Maybe she could stay in Stella Oak for a few days.

“Will catch a boat across the lake and meet up with the coven.” Nova's eyes glanced scanning Eden's posture, “Don’t worry they’ll take care of you. And you no longer have to worry about being hunted.”

Eden nodded.

Glancing around, Eden noticed that leaving the town calling out and heading to the woods.

When they arrived at the main entrance a few guards were stationed just observing everyone. One of the shorter guards smiled at them and waved. A few people rushed past them scanning people's faces and the environment.

Nova led them into the port. The port wasn’t weirdly empty. Like a ghost town. It put Eden on edge as they looked around. For a stopover, the town is scarily empty. Something was wrong and maybe the perfect excuse for Eden.

“Excuse me, ladies,” an old woman shouted who franticly ran over to them. Eden and Nova shared a glance.

“Is everything alright?”

“You’re travellers, right?” They nodded, “Did see some kids run into the forest? Or even heard anything?” Now Eden was very confused and concerned.

It begs the question of why kids would be anywhere near the forest. But the young haven’t had enough experience to determine what’s safe and what’s dangerous.

Nova shakes her head grabs Eden’s hand and pulls her away. Muttering under her breath about being delayed.

They arrived at an inn on the docks, and only a few people were surrounded by it.

“I can’t believe they shut most of the town down because of a few kids,” a man leaned against the side of the building talking to a group of other merchants.

“In the forest lurks monsters!”

“Those are just stories people tell to scare away kids,” he slurred his words. “If the kids run off then it’s their fault.”

“Do you think a witch lured the kids into the forest?” Another voice added.

That seemed to trigger as the group started to delve into a debate about witches. Nova’s grip tightens on Eden’s hand. She pushed past them into the building.

Nova quickly paid for a room and pushed Eden into it.

“You stay here, while I go find someone willing to transport us.”

Eden was left in a plain room; she looked out the window at the barren docks. She let her thoughts dwell. She opened the window to let a nice breeze into the room. She glanced down at the ground. Only a second-story building. Pulling herself up on the windowsill, she slipped down.

She ducked into an alley, and she let herself wander. The streets were mostly empty, as Eden explored. Her eyes landed on the forest.

Eden didn’t know why her legs forced her to the edge of the forest. Eden let her magic flow in the roots of the forest, she felt animals moving on the forest ground and wind blowing the leaves. She heard the feet of adults searching in the forest and wildlife hiding away from them.

Hiding away far in the forest were the sounds of cries, and blood dripping onto the forest ground.

Eden should leave. Nova gone. Eden should go home. Eden has to go home.

So why are her legs running, but not away but straight into the forest? She could hear the heartbeat of the kids, and how it quickened and how it stopped. Her ears were filled with screams that wouldn’t leave her alone.

She could hear the deep growls, and footsteps that shook the forest, its claws shredded the forest.

She could hear a monster.