Katrina ducked as a jet of poison whistled past her head. Her friend Ani whipped her long silver knife past Katrina's head and Kat stood up, shoving the torch she held at the Hydra's neck. It sizzled as it burned, and she stood there for a split second as Hunters yelled and the Hydra roared. Then the neck was fully cauterized, leaving just two head left to take down. Three Hunters, working as a perfect team, sliced and burned, jumping back as the Hydra fell to the forest floor and exploded into dust. It left three long green claws on the black leaves, the 'trophy' that was the gods' reward to heroes for their kills. Lady Artemis stepped forward, bent and picked up the claws, unfazed by the venom that dripped from their tips. She handed one to Ani, one to Jade, an Asian Hunter with short spiky hair, and one to Kat. Kat looked up at the goddess, surprised.
"You deserve it," she said in her voice like bells. Katrina nodded and grinned at Ani. She touched her charm bracelet and tucked the claw into the bag that appeared, then fell into the silent file of the Hunters heading back to camp. They padded through the woods, totally quiet, wolves padding beside them. Ani's falcon was on her shoulder, scanning the woods with golden eyes. Katrina bent down for a moment, stroking her wolf, Neva. She admired Neva's shiny white fur and ice-blue eyes before concentrating on the woods around her.
Soon, the Hunters arrived at their temporary camp and went to work setting up tents. In a matter of moments, the silver tents we tucked into the trees, camouflaged with leaves, and full of sleepy girls. The guards took their posts and Ani and Kat settled into their sleeping bags. All was well.