A/N: The second chapter, already. I suppose it pays off that I have most of these typed before they're submitted. Gotta love my plotbunny. His name is Energizer. He keeps on going no matter what. Semper fidelus, he is. For the less Latin-knowing peeps, that means 'Always Faithful'. Anyway, I need to shut up. On with the chapter! P.S. I could use an idea for names, anyone in there that can think of catchy names? I need help. The one thing Energizer is bad at. My ideas are worse that "The Princess and the Pea that Heals", not saying any names...[Allie...] I hope to Avo she isn't reading this... Well, thanks!

-Sam B. ;)

Separate viewpoint

The next day, Mira tried to make up for the incident in the Study by offering to bring Ben along with her on an urgent matter in Silverpines.

"So, what is the problem with Silverpines?" Ben questioned, still suspicious.

"Someone said that the numbers of Balverines have tripled lately, and some Hollow Men are beginning to appear is well."

"At least there's Hollow Men. I could use something I know how to fight." Ben retorted.

"That's part of why I wanted you to go with me. I need someone who knows what they're doing. That, and Balverine slaying is better as a two-person job. Unless you're Scarlet Robe." Mira joked.

"Last time I checked, I'm not, and I don't think you are either." Ben countered.

"Well, there's a difference between being related to someone and being someone." Mira pointed out.

"You're related to Scarlet Robe?"

"And her son, the Hero of Oakvale. And his sister, Theresa." Mira said.

"Wait, the seer, Theresa? Or is she just normal?"

"I have no idea..." She trailed off as a sudden howl began.

"Ughh, night already?" Mira whined.

"What's so bad about night? Besides the Hollow Men, that is." Ben questioned.

"That's the same time the Balverines attack."

"Lovely." Ben said sarcastically.

"It only gets worse," Mira continued, "since the residents won't open the gates at night."

"It's like Skorm's Academy dormitory." Ben joked.

"That may be a bit more of an improvement." Mira mused.

They both stopped as another howl filled the quiet night. Mira suddenly reached for her Guild Seal staring at it like it was the 8th Wonder of the World.

"D-do you think you can hold on to this?" Mira stuttered out.

"That's your Guild Seal..." Ben whispered, obviously confused.

"I can't bring it with me, some mercenaries camp out here, and they know that's my most valuable item..."

"If you think they won't get their hands on it with me..."

"I do. I doubt they will expect an item belonging to a Hero to be with some random soldier."

"So suddenly I'm 'some random soldier'?"

"That's the way they'll see it."

"Good point..."

"Besides, that Balverine earlier sounded really close..." Mira muttered as she handed the Guild Seal over to Ben.

They stopped as yet another howl went out. Ben quickly identified it as above them but before he could react, a large White Balverine landed behind Mira. It grabbed her by the forearms and jumped off with her, Mira screaming bloody murder.

"Mira!" Ben screamed.

There was a deafening crack of bones, and Ben had no doubt that it had just broken her arms. Her screams intensified from the pain, and she quickly passed out as the Balverine shot away with her.

"NO!" Ben screamed, watching in horror as they disappeared past the treeline.

Mira's POV

I don't know how long I was unconcious, but I was surprised to find that the Balverine hadn't ripped me apart like worn cloth. My surprise quickly wore off as pain in my arms took my attention instead. Which was hard to soothe when it's both of them, and they're broken.

When I was done aching I noticed a figure across from me. I quickly realized it was the Balverine from earlier, and I had to try hard not to scream, for fear it would become agitated and eat me.

I drifted back to sleep, if I considered pain knocking me out sleep. Which, at that point, I really didn't care about and just "fell asleep" knowing that a White Balverine was about to have his dinner, and planned to use the Queen of Albion as the main course.

Separate viewpoint

Ben was still looking around in the relative area Mira and the White Balverine had gone. He sighed angrily from feeling so useless. He had spent hours now searching for her. He looked around, trying to see if there was anyone in that section of woods. He noticed a dimly-lit clearing, but he had no doubt in his mind that the figure he saw lying on the ground had golden-blonde hair and limp-looking arms.

Mira...

He ran forward, trying to get to her. He wanted to make sure he was just assuming, that what he thought had happened really didn't, and that she was okay. He only hoped that it hadn't occured.

He hoped that she wasn't dead.