Alright everyone, here's my first attempt at a fanfic! I'd like to thank my lovely beta, ArandoraStar, for helping me and giving me that extra kick of courage to post this.

Please don't forget to review. I'd appreciate any and all feedback. Enjoy!

Chapter 1

Felimath, 302

Smoke.

Pillars of smoke climbed higher and higher into the night sky. Screams rang through the ears of anyone who dared to come within earshot of the small town. People darted between buildings and, while guarding their loved ones, their panicked eyes searched for safety. No safe places remained to cower in fear from the beast that wreaked this irreversible havoc.

A little girl, no older than five years of age, stood in the middle of a path while staring at a house set ablaze. She couldn't move, couldn't speak, and couldn't blink. She stood motionless as the smoke burned her eyes and filled her lungs. Her mouth was slightly ajar and she cocked her head to one side. She was frozen amidst the flames. A familiar voice slowly dragged her out of the trance.

"RUN! RUN TO THE WOODS! YOU MUST GO!" The screams of her mother were barely audible over the roaring and cackling fire.

The little girl slowly looked over to see her mother and father stumble out of the inferno that was once their home. Something was thrown over the man's shoulder. His beard was singed and his face was covered in sweat and soot. The couple quickly made it to the child, and her mother grabbed her by the arm and dragged her away from the house as they ran past.

Everything started to take shape in the child's mind as she remembered what her father and mother told her to do once they realized the danger. Run. Don't look back. Run. Don't stop for anyone or anything.

Run.

The girl glared around at the stampede of townspeople headed for the forest. Her parents stopped at the edge, quickly talking to an older man as her father handed off the covered bundle. Her father turned to her mother and cupped her face in his callused hands, kissing her one last time before he ran back towards the scorching village. The sobbing woman turned and crouched on the ground next to the old man and smoked bundle, slowly uncovering what was hidden. Her shoulders started to shake violently as she burst into tears, wailing and screaming. She was shouting at the bundle, rubbing the tiny, blistered hands that hung uncovered in her delicate fingers. She picked up the baby and held it close to her heart. The lifeless body slumped against her chest and lay there. Tears started to build in the little girl's eyes as the most painful screech erupted from her mother's lips. The ground beneath them trembled with sorrow and anger.

Standing up slowly, the woman handed the dead infant back to the older man. With a stern nod she turned around and bolted back into the village. Her husband was not going to die alone. Her son did not die in vain.

The girl took off after her mother as fast as her child legs could carry her. She ran by the skeletons of the houses she once knew. She dashed by the people she grew up with and jumped over their unresponsive bodies that covered the streets. The smell of burning flesh clawed its way into her mouth and nostrils, but she ignored the repulsion that was eating her inside and out. She wanted to scream and cry and vomit and cry some more. She had to find her parents. If they could help, so could she.

She was wildly running through the torn up village when she abruptly collided with a man. It frightened her and sent her flying to the ground, scraping her knees and hands. His sand colored hair was rustled and messy; his somber golden eyes stared intently into her frenzied blue ones. Without a word, he scooped her up and placed her on the back of a nearby horse. She kicked and screamed, telling this strange man to let her go. Didn't he know she needed to be with her parents? She needed to save what was left of her family.

"You must go, child. You need to trust me." The man's voice was deep and stood out over the screams. She tried to argue with him, but his solid voice would not give. "That is enough. You must listen to me; you must go before it's too late."

The ground beneath them began quaking as a distant pounding reached their ears, followed by a thunderous and blood thirsty roar. He turned away from the sobbing girl and leaned close to the horse. He seemed to be whispering something in the twitching black ear before turning back to the girl. His eyes were deep, and she thought she would fall into a trance and drown in them. The stranger gave her the most reassuring and grave look she had ever seen as the horse lunged forward and galloped. Gathering a handful of mane and holding on for dear life, the girl whimpered as she was carried away from the crumbling buildings and frightened souls.

Every so often, she would momentarily look behind her to absorb her last memory of a life she once knew. Her tiny hands clutched at her necklace ; it was the only proof she had of her previous life. Her parents were gone. Her brother was dead. Her friends were dead. Her home was a pile of ashes. Tears stung her cheeks as they poured from her eyes.

A soft but strained voice soothed her throbbing ears. "It will be alright, filly. I promise. I will always be here for you."

Please review! Thanks for reading.