Author's Note: This chapter is stunningly short. Less than a page. I apologise, but this was done for a reason. My brother returned home today from University. He had been home three hours and managed to close the chapter I was working on and I lost it all.

However, I rewrote the bit of the chapter that starts it, and kept it short. It's a dramatic and very important moment in terms of the story, and I actually think it works better as its own very short scene. It's probably unsatisfying and disappointing to read, but it's a very important moment and I feel this way it's significantly emphasised. The next chapter will be longer, I promise. Back to normal length hopefully. It deals with what would have happened mostly in the rest of this chapter, but personally, that probably would have ruined the effect of the moments dealt with here.

Anyway, enough excuse making from me. Sorry for the extreme shortness. I know it's a bit of a letdown. Hopefully it works as dramatic though.

CHAPTER 11

DEATH

Olose was caught off guard as Abaj lunged at him, sending him flying backwards. He crashed against a bank leading up into the forest that overlooked Tavnazia. He scampered into it, having dropped his sword, his mind racing.

It wasn't a full moon. Abaj's transformation had been triggered by will power. Will power Olose couldn't match. He would have to fight Abaj with his own skill and abilities, which pretty much meant he was doomed.

Abaj lunged at him, sending him flying. He crashed down and Abaj tore into his stomach. Olose drew a dagger and stabbed Abaj with it, causing enough of a reaction for him to get up and for his wounds to heal.

"You can't win Olose." Warned Abaj in a growl from his wolf-like mouth. "You can't kill me. You can run, but if you escape I will kill your loved ones until you surrender to me. Arcadia will die if you do not, Olose."
"What happens if you die first?" Olose taunted desperately. "Haven't planned for that one, have you?" Abaj growled.

"It is impossible, Olose." Abaj laughed. Olose took a few steps backwards and looked down. A river ran through the woods, below, it was quite a drop to it and the waters raged. Olose began to smirk, he could knock Abaj into it and finish him off. Abaj lunged and Olose swung aside. Abaj turned and landed skilfully on the edge. Olose ran at him and jumped, but Abaj just batted him away causing Olose to crash down.

"So much for that plan." He grumbled.

"Surrender Olose." Abaj laughed. "You can't win. But you can give in. Die. End your pathetic life. I have no desire to harm Arcadia, or any more of your friends. My grudge is with you, but if you continue to survive, I shall use whatever methods I can to strike at you. Of that you can be assured." Olose sighed, closing his eyes.

He could see now that he could not win. Not in combat. But there was one other way. Olose didn't need to win. As long as Arcadia lived, he was happy.

"I will not give in, Abaj." He stated firmly. "So do your worse." Abaj leapt at him, tearing outwards with his claw. Olose had lied. He didn't raise his guard. He didn't try to dodge the blow. He gave in. Abaj caught him in the face perfectly, ripping it from his skull completely. Olose stumbled back, faceless, left with a bloody pile of torn muscle and ripped eyes, and fell backwards into the river. Abaj grunted. The tear must have damaged his brain enough to kill even Olose. He looked down into the water, seeing the blood in it as the body was rapidly washed away, bouncing off vicious rocks. He smiled triumphantly.

Olose Sampson was dead.