Ma’s mind drifted between the conversation her kids were having and her encounter in the woods. You can’t rush things, Nancy. No matter how dicey things seem right now.

“I think I need to head to bed. Don’t stay up too late.”

“Okay, Ma.” The three continued their conversation as Ma closed the door to her room. Papers and books were scattered all around, reflecting her mental state. It was always hard for her to keep things tidy, ever since she was a kid.

Picking up an old picture frame, she dusted it lightly, revealing the photo of her and her children. Ma smiled, and plopped onto her bed, “Everything was easier when they were little. Thinking back…”

Gruff ran up to Ma. His little hands held his magic books, and he was excited for his last lesson of the day. “I finally learned the alphabet, and I copied the three words you gave me a hundred times each.”

Ma patted Gruff on the head, “Good job! Soon, you will be able to cast magic.”

Puffing his cheeks out, Gruff grumbled. “I thought I’d be able to do it now.”

“Everything happens in its time. It’s important not to rush them. For if we do…” Ma touched the scar on her face, “there are consequences.”

“Is that how you got the scar?”

“Yes, I wanted to use magic so badly, just like my older brother, but I was too young. Reach the age of ten first, and then we will talk again.”

“I guess I can wait since I’ll be ten soon.” Gruff crossed his arms and smiled.

“Now, let’s go ahead and finish our lesson for the day. I think we are scheduled to talk about monsters.”

Gruff’s eyes twinkled, and a quick flash of red appeared. “Can we talk about creatures too?”

“Believe it or not, creatures and monsters go hand in hand. We don’t know the precise history since a lot of information was lost to time, but we do know that on rare occasions, creatures turn into monsters.”

“If monsters come from creatures, then why are monsters so mean?”

Ma chuckled, “Monsters go through something we call madness. When this happens to them, we are instructed as Guardians to protect others from them.”

“So, Guardians can cure mad monsters?”

“No,” Ma looked down at her hands. “There is no cure. The only way to keep everyone safe is to kill the monster before it hurts anyone.”

“What about creatures? Do they go mad too?”

“I’ve never seen it myself, but I’ve heard stories. The elder of the Shaman village once told me how he saw a creature go mad.”

Gruff shook in his seat. “Do you think either me or Marcia will go mad?”

“Marcia is half-elf, so I doubt it. Since they are more human, they aren’t as affected by the madness as other creatures are. As for you, I’m going to be honest. I’ve never heard of a dragon going mad, but I don’t know for sure if you won’t be affected.”

“But what if I’m not a dragon? What if I’m something else?”

“There is one thing that I am sure about, and it’s that you are a dragon.”

“But I’ve never been able to transform into one.”

“I think we just need to find the right method. Only good things come to those who wait.”

“Ma,” Gruff looked down. “But what if I’m one of the monsters with red eyes?”

“Oh! Where did you hear about such a thing?”

“I saw one. He was in the woods.”

A chill shot up Ma’s spine, and she glanced at the trees all around. “Gruff, why don’t you copy some more spells inside?”

“Is it dangerous? The monster with red eyes?”

“It’s not a monster. I’ll tell you more about it when you are older. Now let’s go inside.”

“What about Marcia and Jonah? They should be back soon.”

Ma looked to the forest. Resolving herself, she said, “I’ll take care of it.” She patted the boy's head. “Now get to the house.”

“Yes, ma’am.” Gruff picked up his books and rushed inside. His red dragon eyes appeared right as he was closing the door.

The forest was quiet. Ma trekked carefully through it, sending magic to the far corners of her territory. If Jonah and Marcia come back before she deals with this demon, they will be in trouble. Sensing something up ahead, Ma made her way to it. It was a small creature, goblin-like, plucking flowers.

She sighed in relief when she noticed a red glow radiating from the bushes behind it. Her heart skipped a beat, and she froze in place. How did it avoid my radar?

The figure moved silently from its position and Ma got a good look at it. It was like no demon she’d ever seen before. There was no smell of rot, and it seemed there was no decay either.

The figure loomed over the goblin-like monster, casting a shadow over it. The monster looked up, horror-stricken.

“Have you seen my orb?” The figure asked.

“I’m sorry, I’m not sure what you mean.” The monster responded.

“Useless!” The figure raised a sword.

“Stop!” Ma jumped in front of the goblin without thinking. “You cannot kill an innocent.”

“I do as I please.” His sword swung down, and Ma wrapped her arms around the monster while rolling to the side. “Why must you get in my way?”

“He’s done nothing wrong!”

“He will someday. Someday, he’ll go mad too. We all do, and you can’t protect them forever.”

The figure left, and Ma collapsed to the ground, releasing the goblin. It scurried away.

I will protect them! She thought to herself.