I remember the day that my sister, Anya, granted me my place by her side – a warrior to be, and an honor. It was a rite of passage for my kin, but being the daughter of our own Princess – now Queen - was no laughing matter. Amongst our people on the Earth, we must slay a predator to become one ourselves. To feast upon our own kills, because that is what they would do to us if given the chance. Kill or be killed – it is nothing new, and despite being a healer, I can embrace that hard truth now. I think.
Anya and her guard followed me no further than the gate, for this was my own mission to be done alone. The prints on the forest floor were my guide, five-toed and fresh in the ground. I knew it was a beast, a predator, with claws and fangs that would tear me to shreds just as my knife would do to them. Fear accompanied by adrenaline coursed through my veins as the beast fell into my line of vision. My dark furs acted as camouflage in the canopy of trees, also masking my human scent with that of prey. It was enough to make the four legged beast raise its dog-like snout to the air, sniffing the air with eagerness that could only be seen from a hunter. I crouched, waiting for it to pounce at me – to try and pierce my neck with her fangs…and so the wolf tried.
Her gray furs were visible as she circled behind me, planning to sink her fangs into my leg for a quick kill…but that was a fatal mistake. It was like being on auto pilot: my body crouched to face the wolf and she in turn stood upon my torso. Sharp claws dug painfully through my furs, but in return my dagger had made its mark in a quick movement. My knife was buried within the side of her neck, severing her wind pipe and leaving the wolf to twitch on the ground. As the wolf took her final breaths, I hummed a song of sorrow and strength, stroking her fur until she passed on. The wolf was a formidable foe, and that was something worthy of respect and honor.
My kins' camp was not far – and lugging the body proved eventful due to my minor wounds, but there was no denying the pride that swelled in my chest at the stares of my kin at the sight of my return. At Anya's feet, I laid the she-wolf down, kneeling with my eyes glancing at the wolf's own yellow eyes for only a moment. That moment quickly passed, and my gaze turned to my sister's eyes – a sign of my own strength and respect for my Princess and dearest sister.
With a nod, Anya acknowledged me – gesturing to the she-wolf by her feet. "My kin!"
Screams and shouts of pleasure echoed across the group, their eyes alight with fiery excitement.
"Our Fang has slayed the she-wolf! Our warrior has returned with the marks of a beast. Let it be known that her wounds are of strength are worthy. Our warriors are brave: they face their fear and never run!" Anya's hand held the claw of the wolf before digging it into the bare skin of my arm: marking my first kill as a true warrior. With pride, she grasped my forearm, pulling me up to her side as the ending ceremony was spoken with revelry as the blood dripped from my mark. "She has slayed her demons with the life given to her. My sister!"
Anya's hazel eyes pierced down on me with a stare that resonated pride and glory before she gestured with her fox-fur glove, commanding me to stand and face our people. My blue eyes showed no weakness, only pride, as I stood tall in front of them: wearing my bloody wounds with the pride expected of me. "I honor my Queen with my life until the day I die, my will is hers, and her will is mine. My name is Clarke Griffin, and I am your Champion."
A/N. So here goes my first story...i'm not sure what to think about it yet so I would love feedback on my writing, the general plot that I just introduced here. Suggestions, questions, whatever you have for me! I plan on updating regularly, but there will be more info to come - truthfully this will depend on how long it takes for me to be happy with a chapter (I don't like to do the 'if I get this many reviews, i'll post thing). I will tell you that chapter 1 is almost done though! Thank you for reading!