Author's Note: All properties are the rights of their respective owners, Dynamite Comics, etc.

I've learned there's apparently a Red Sonja film in the works, and all I can say is... dear god, no, don't do it Hollywood. You're just going to screw it up.

Wolfking0811: Thank you for the encouragement. I did start to realize that Walker and Sonja were having too easy a time of it, and it was removing the tension from what is supposed to be a life or death scene. It's easy to get carried away with how badass your characters are and forget that they're supposed to be characters, not steamrollers with faces. But now we find out if they do any better the second time.

DockOck: Well spotted, and you'll see if they figure it out. Hopefully the way it plays out is satisfactory because I felt just having Walker pull the answer out of his ass would be deeply unsatisfying. What I came up with isn't that much better, but I think it is, but I'll let you be the judge of that. You won't have to wait long.

This chapter was originally going to be 'Bad Omen' by Megadeth off the awesome Peace Sells... But Who's Buying? album, but in the last few days I've been listening to W.A.S.P. seriously for the first time and felt like this song would be a better fit. Expect to see another track from these west coast shock rockers in a few chapters.

Once Upon a Time in Hyboria

Chapter 15: Cries In The Night

Wincing as she tentatively shifted her arm, Sonja blinked away the last vestiges of sleep and saw rays of sunshine coming through the window of the room. Her body ached after the battle last night, no beast she had encountered before had fought her so well, and she had a nagging feeling that she would no longer be on this mortal plane if not for having Walker's aid. Turning her head to see that the man was still laying in bed alongside her, and she couldn't help but reach out and run her hand up his bare arm and across his shoulder. The Bounty Hunter shifted, and Sonja's hand pulled away out of reflex, but when Walker settled back down, the Hyrkanian whispered. "Joshua Walker?" she asked, and the only reply from the man was a groan, "Joshua Walker, are you awake?"

Sonja leaned in close, giving the man a shake. Her efforts bore fruit as the Gunslinger groaned, shifting to face her. "I'm up, I'm up," his eyes opened. "Are you alright Calamity Dame?"

"I have endured worse," assured the Hyrkanian with the beginnings of a smile despite the pain she felt. "Are you well?"

"Yup," he answered before sitting up and pushing himself out of bed, Sonja suppressing the urge to reach out and keep him close. "A few bruises for me, the biggest pain was a I shot off all the ammo I just made… and didn't do a damn thing to that monster." The Hyrkanian watched the Bounty Hunter walk across the room, frowning at his ginger movements, and sit down at the small table in the room at the inn. He opened up the bags of powder he mixed to make his propellant and poured some of each into the clay mixing bowl before looking back at Sonja. "Which leads to the pertinent question…."

"How do we kill it?" finished Sonja as she gritted her teeth and pushed herself up, moving to the edge of the bed, crossing her legs and leaning back against the wall. Walker nodded, and Sonja pursed her lips as she pondered the query. "I have faced many beasts, but none like that, none that could survive my blade," answered the Swordswoman before taking a deep breath, and noting Walker's eyes on her. "Does your world have some creature like that?"

"Not that I've ever heard of," replied Walker as he set to work on his task, only to come to an abrupt halt. "None that are real anyways. There are legends, stories from the old world, that have monsters like that, we call them 'Werewolves.'"

Sonja's interest was piqued, "And did these legends of yours say how to kill such beasts? In my travels, such tales often have some aspect of truth."

"If I remember the stories correctly," began the Gunsligner in his lazy drawl, "The monsters are usually gunned down… by Silver Bullets." Sonja was surprised by that answer, so much so that she couldn't keep it off her face, prompting Walker to chuckle and speak again, "What's so funny about that?"

"I have heard tales of men, hirable monster hunters that wield both blade and spell. The people speak of their yellow eyes, like those of a cat, and that they are as monstrous as the creatures they slay." Sonja let out a breath and met Walker's eyes, "I have never met such a man in my travels, but have heard many tales of their exploits, of slaying creatures like the one we encountered. Embellished by bards, I thought, but now I am no longer certain…."

"Um, what's this got to do with us Calamity Dame?" inquired the Bounty Hunter as he kept working on his ammunition.

"The songs sung of them say they carry blades of silver," said Sonja seriously. "I thought them mad, but it is the only idea I have," admitted the Hyrkanian as she stood up, gritting her teeth at the pain in her leg as she slowly stepped towards Walker. "Do you have the means to craft these 'silver bullets'? Would they work?"

"I'd suppose so," drawled the Gunslinger, "As long as we can melt down the silver, it should be much the same process as making a lead bullet. To be frank, Calamity Dame, I got no idea if they would work, I've never heard of anyone actually using them, but I can't see the reason they wouldn't." He then set his tools down and fixed her with a serious expression, "And that by no means is a guarantee that silver is what kills that fucking thing."

"No battle is a guarantee, Joshua Walker," replied Sonja as she leaned forwards, over the table until she could feel his breath on her face, "All I wish to be certain of, is if you are willing to aid me."

She saw the way the corners of his mouth curled up and the how his eyes hardened, "Now that, Sonja, is something I can promise you. I want another crack at that monster. That… and I can't have you dying on me yet," he deadpanned, with Sonja hearing a tinge of mirth in his tone.

"It is good that I have no intention of doing such a thing. I did not know what it was we would be facing, now that I do, I will be ready," assured the Hyrkanian Swordswoman as she stepped back from the table with a smile. Turning around, Sonja went for her belt, her weak legs causing an unintentional sway to her hips as she went. Looking back over her shoulder and seeing Walker quickly look away, Sonja couldn't help but smirk as she bent over to pick up her leather belt before slinging it around her waist and doing up the buckle, "I shall procure what silver I can. Tonight, we will face that beast again, and this time, it is we who will emerge victorious."

"So that's our lot," observed Walker as he set the last of his newly made silver bullets down, "Twelve shots." Pulling out a cigarillo and striking up a match, Walker stuck the tobacco between his lips and lit it before blowing out a puff of smoke and looking to Sonja.

The redhead was watching him closely, with a look in her eye that Walker couldn't quite place, and spoke, "Will it be enough?"

"It should be," answered the Bounty Hunter, but he was anything but certain about that. "It all depends on where we hit it. A beast that big? We'll need a head or heart shot." Puffing on the cigarillo, Walker pondered how best to use the twelve bullets he had, looking at the Winchester and two Schofields, and then to Sonja. "And if something happens to me, I want you to be able to take the shot."

"Oh?" returned Sonja, eyebrow up as she was clearly caught off guard. "But I do not know how to use your weapons."

"Then why don't we go and fix that?" suggested the Gunfighter through the stick of tobacco between his teeth. Putting the freshly made silver bullets away, Walker holstered the two revolvers, slung his Winchester, picked up a sack of lead ammo, and made for the door. Just as he was about to pass through, he realized he was moving alone, "Come on Calamity Dame," he said over his shoulder, "We're burnin' daylight."

Sonja followed Joshua as he led her outside, past the few townsfolk who walked the streets, the pair drawing stares from each person they passed. Walker heard the redhead finally catch up and turned to see her alongside him, ample bosom bouncing with each long stride before he forced his eyes up to her face. "Where are we going?" inquired the Hyrkanian.

"I want somewhere out of the way for you to practice, that abandoned farm we came across last night ought'a do," drawled the Bounty Hunter as he turned off the street and made for the edge of the village. Coming to the end of the street, Walker paused to take a look around, getting his bearings before turning and leading Sonja further out. The smell told him they were getting closer, and rounding the corner of a building revealed the rotting fence and half collapsed barn they were looking for. Vaulting over the fence, the two began striding through the overgrown grass, weaving around the remains of livestock until they stopped just short of the broad side of the barn. "Alright, let's get started," announced Walker as he leaned the Winchester against the barn and drew both of his Schofields. Flipping the No. 3 in his left hand around, the Gunslinger offered the gun to Sonja, "Take this, I'll walk you through it."

After a moment's hesitation, Sonja took the offered Smith & Wesson, getting a feel for the weapons weight. Her eyes looked back up from the gun to Walker and she asked, "Which hand should I use?"

Walker blinked, caught off guard by the question before sputtering out a response. "Whichever you prefer Sonja," he said before thinking further and adding, "Which hand do you use to draw a bowstring?"

"My right," replied Sonja.

"Then hold it in that one, like this," said the Gunslinger as he held up the other revolver, showing her both sides to make his grip clear to her. "I've had a lot of practice, so I can make each hand work, but let's just focus on one. And you're only going to have one gun." Looking at how she held the Schofield and seeing it was a satisfactory grip, Walker continued his lesson, "Alright now, spread your feet and raise the gun. Extend, but don't lock your elbow, yeah, just like that. See the sights on top? You put the post at the front in the center of the notch there at the back, see it?"

"I see it," confirmed the Hyrkanian before turning to look at Walker, "But how come you never use them? They appear quite useful."

Walker chuckled for a second, "Practice," he answered, a grin on his face. Sonja only answered with a raised eyebrow, and Joshua chose to continue the lesson rather than elaborate. "Alright, reach up with your thumb like this and pull the hammer back. That rotates the cylinder and brings the next round into position. Now let go, and the hammer stays back, we call that 'cocked' and it means you're ready to shoot. Make sure you have a good grip on the gun; it will kick, but you're plenty strong, so don't worry about it. When you're ready, just reach out with this finger and pull the trigger, don't jerk it, just pull it."

The redhead did as instructed, and Walker watched her closely to ensure the muzzle didn't move until the gun went off. Once it did, sending its .44 caliber slug into the rotting wood of the barn. "Tarim's Blood!" she exclaimed as she stared down at the Schofield with wide eyes, "This weapon does kick like a strong drink. Fitting for such a powerful weapon." Without further prompting, Sonja repeated the process, firing the remainder of the cylinder until all six rounds were expended. Incredibly, there were six new holes in the wood, all within the same foot diameter circle, and she turned to him with a grin covering her face.

"You like it?" asked Walker, and the Hyrkanian nodded with unbridled enthusiasm. "Okay, now to reload, you'd hit that latch right there on the side and the gun will break open." Sonja looked down at the gun in puzzlement, but eventually found the mechanism and got the gun open. The automatic ejector sent the empty brass flying, causing Sonja to recoil more than the gun going off. Unable to suppress a snort of amusement that earned him a glare from the redhead, he then nodded down at the brass. "Pick those up, I can reload them when we get back to the inn, I'ma grab the other gun real fast."

Before he could, Sonja bent over at the waist, her ass pressing against the bottom of her bikini and Walker found himself staring as she plucked up the brass. Swallowing, the Bounty Hunter pushed those thoughts aside, denying the temptation and attraction he felt, to go grab the Winchester he left leaning against the barn. Shaking his head in a failed attempt to forget that image, to no avail, Walker picked up the Repeating Rifle and returned to the Hyrkanian. "Okay Calamity Dame, let's give this one a go. Hand me the Schofield," he instructed. Upon receiving the gun, he put it back in its holster, "And the brass." The six shell casings went into a pocket, and only then did Walker pass her the long gun.

For a second, Sonja struggled to get to grips with the Winchester, her first instinct to hold it like the revolver or sword, with both hands wrapped around each other and using the loop of the lever action like a loop guard on a sword. Chuckling, Walker moved around behind the Hyrkanian, "Not quite like that Calamity Dame," and he immediately wrapped his arms around her to guide her left hand onto the handguard. "There, that's better. Now tuck the stock up into your shoulder, like so."

"Yes, this is much better," said Sonja, and only then did Walker realize how close he was to the woman, her bare back pressed against him as he had his arms wrapped around her.

Taking a step back and a deep breath to calm himself, Walker went back to his lesson. "Alright, there are sights up top like the revolver, put your cheek on the stock there to look down them. See it?" Sonja nodded, and the Bounty Hunter took a breath, "Now you need to work the action," he said, reaching his hand out to gently wrap around Sonjas, feeling his skin heat at the touch. "Just force it down like this." Together, they worked the lever action down until it reached its stop, "Good. Now bring it back up." With the metallic 'thunk' the gun cycled the first round into the chamber, and Joshua pulled his hand back, "Now just pull the trigger."

The gun fired, its report filling the air, smoke coming out the end of the barrel before Sonja lowered it and turned to face the Gunslinger. "Do not be afraid, Joshua Walker, you are a fine teacher. And I am greatly enjoying this lesson."

Despite wanting to focus on the task at hand, Walker couldn't ignore the warmth her words instilled.

Going by the candlelight, Red Sonja knotted the rope over the most intact wooden beam in the ramshackle barn, hoping it would support the weight she had just suspended beneath it. Not wanting to make the same mistake as the night before, the pair had hatched a plan to make sure their next encounter with the monster went in their favor. Earlier, Sonja had gone into the woods and caught a deer, cutting its throat before hauling it back to the barn, making sure that there was an obvious blood trail leading to the barn where Sonja had learned to shoot earlier.

Her teacher was leaned against the wall, looking out a gap where the rotting wood had fallen away as he smoked another one of his unusual 'cigarillos.' The moon was starting to rise over the trees in the distance, and Sonja quickly finished her task when Walker spoke. "You think this'll work Calamity Dame?"

The Hyrkanian couldn't help but smile at the nickname with a fondness she had not felt when he had first spoken it. Pushing that aside, but still smiling, Sonja answered, "I do think so. The beast has proven itself formidable in its environment, and so we must lure it to a place of our choosing." Standing back to her full height and returning to Walker, the Swordswoman blew out the candles before she continued, "We cannot afford to chase it through the woods, or give it an avenue to escape, now that we have the means to slay the beast."

Illuminated by the red glow of his tobacco, Sonja could see features of his grizzled face morph into a frown, "It's still an awful gamble Sonja," he answered in his distinct lilt, "I don't like it." His words caused the wounds Sonja had sustained the night before to flare up and she shifted ever so slightly. They would not impair her ability to fight, she had fought through worse before, but it was a reminder of how formidable their foe was. Walker shifting drew her attention back to him, and Sonja saw his left hand pull his 'duster' back to reveal his holster. The Gunslinger then drew the 'Schofield' revolver from that holster and opened it, slowly withdrawing one of the cartridges inside the cylinder. "This one has Silver Bullets," explained Walker, showing Sonja the shimmering head of the bullet. He then put the cartridge back into the empty slot and closed the gun before offering it to Sonja, grip first, "Make them count."

Grasping the wooden grip of the revolver, Sonja took hold of the weapon, feeling the weight in her hand and marveling at the craftsmanship that went into it. Nodding at the Bounty Hunter and saying, "May the Red Goddess guide my hand so that my aim is true." The nod and grunt of acknowledgement Walker gave was all Sonja felt she would get before he turned back to look out at the landscape. "Thank you, Joshua Walker, for entrusting me with your weapon."

"I'm also entrusting you to give it back," deadpanned the Bounty Hunter, and Sonja had come to understand his tone enough to understand this was his sense of humor. "Else I'll have to take it from you."

The Hyrkanian felt a small smile grow on her lips, the man's subtle, reserved sense of humor was something she had come to prefer to the boasts of most men. She often found that trading remarks with him was an enjoyable pastime, and decided to indulge in that, "You may try. I welcome the opportunity to test myself against you once more."

A chuckle emanated from the Bounty Hunter, "A chance to… reclaim the honor you've lost?"

Sonja bristled but did not rise to the challenge. Instead, she smirked, feeling a warmth as she decided to try and put him off balance, "Perhaps our next contest will not take place on the field of battle," she suggested as she stepped closer and placed a hand on his shoulder, "But somewhere more… personal."

Despite being unsure of herself, Sonja saw her actions had the desired effect as the cigarillo slipped from Walker's lips and landed on the wood they stood on, only for Sonja to step closer and snuff it out with the toe of her boot. "Still hung up on that, huh?" drawled Walker before he took in a deep breath, "Well Calamity Dame, I tell you what…."

The spike of heat in her faded as his words did, "What?" encouraged Sonja as she saw the man tense up.

"Movement, out there," whispered the Bounty Hunter lowly, stepping back from the gap in the barn and reaching back to unsling his longer weapon, "Get ready." The Hyrkaninan felt her demeanor shift immediately, slipping the revolver into her belt, feeling the cold metal against her skin as she crouched down, narrowed eyes scanning the trees for any hint of movement under the moonlit sky.

There! Her mind shouted, seeing something dart between trees, her heart beating that little bit faster as she slipped away from the gap and towards where she was needed. Waiting in a corner of the dilapidated barn, just above the open door, Sonja pressed her eye to a crack in the rotting wood, seeing the shadowy form of the creature the pair was hunting emerge from the woods. Its head was down, nose to the ground as it followed the path Sonja had taken back to the barn. Every so often, Sonja could see the beast pause and lift its nose to the sky, sniffing the air before warily stalking towards the barn.

Stepping back from the gap in the wood, Sonja silently drew her blade, keeping the sharpened steel from reflecting what moonlight slipped through the cracks of the barn. Seconds drew out, with Sonja thankful the wind was blowing in from the forest, the scent of the pair inside the barn was carried away from their prey, and Sonja could hear the steps and snorts of the monstrous creature get closer. Looking over at Joshua Walker, the Hyrkanian saw the man shrouded in shadow, his coat and hat breaking up his silhouette to the point where if Sonja hadn't known he was there, she would have missed him.

A snort caused Sonja to whip her head around and peer through the floorboards, holding her breath as she saw the paw of the creature rest on the frame of the open barn door. Fingers silently shifting on the hilt of her blade, Sonja watched the Werewolf stalk inside, pointed snout aimed directly at the deer hung as bait. Bit by bit, more of the Beast's imposing bulk came through the door before it exploded forwards, claws tearing into the flesh of the deer. The creature's size meant Sonja only saw the shredded tatters of meat that went flying as the Werewolf tore into the lifeless body of the deer.

Her blood running hot through her veins, Sonja stepped forward slowly, reaching the edge of the wood and then dropping down to the ground, getting the attention of the beast. Before it could turn around, Sonja had reached back to shut the door of the barn, closing off the only opening. Now trapped inside the barn, the Werewolf snarled at Sonja, baring its crooked, blood covered teeth as meat from the deer hung from its jaw, yellow eyes blazing as it squared up to the Hyrkanian. Her feet shifted, the Swordswoman raising her blade as her lips curled back into a snarl of their own, "Prepare yourself creature! You shall not escape my blade a second time!"

A reverberating growl filled the barn as the Werewolf dug its hind leg into the dirt and Sonja's eyes fixed on a hint of movement up on the upper deck. The growl was then overpowered by the distinct sound of Bounty Hunter's weapon as the fire spit from its muzzle lit the room long enough that Sonja saw the beast stagger from the shot.

Not wanting to waste their few silver bullets, Sonja and Walker had agreed that it would be best to wound the beast with the lead bullets and her blade before finishing it off with the bullets in their revolvers. Walker fired his Winchester again, causing the Werewolf to turn around and Sonja lifted her sword and sprung forwards. With a savage slash, Sonja's sword tore into the arm of the Werewolf, causing the beast to roar as its other claw swung at her as she ducked below the blood covered claws. With a roar of her own, Sonja thrust her sword into the beast, causing it to let out a satisfyingly pained howl.

After giving the blade a quick twist, Sonja stepped back as Walker fired again, blood flying from the wound at the top of the beast's head. Letting out a roar, the Werewolf turned around and threw itself into the rotten wood of the barn, cracking it with seeming ease as the upper platform collapsed. "Ah shit!" exclaimed Walker as he lost his footing and slipped, crawling away from the newly made gap in the platform. Snarling, the beast lashed out at another column, cracking it just as easily, and Sonja leapt into the fray once more, slashing at the Beast's back.

Flipping the blade around, the Hyrkanian prepared to plunge the sword into the Werewolf when it lashed out with a leg, and Sonja felt herself tumble to the ground, her sword slipping from her gasp as she slammed to the dirt. With a roar, the beast raised its claw and Sonja rolled away as it came down, digging into the ground where she had just been. Sonja dove for her sword, grabbing hold of the hilt just as the Creature's foot came down on the blade and kicked it away, ripping it from her grasp just before the paw came down to grab her by a thrashing leg and toss her across the barn. Sonja felt her world tumble as she flailed uselessly until coming to an abrupt and painful halt against the wooden wall, feeling them crack from her impact.

Groaning, Sonja rolled over, eyes peering through the darkness and haze to see the beast stalk towards her when Walker's weapon sounded again, a string of rapid shots pounded at her eardrums, worsening her headache. The beast flinched from each hit, blood pouring from the wounds that covered it, and let out a guttural bellowing roar as it spun around and faced the Bounty Hunter once more. Attempting to blink the haze away, feeling her aching muscles respond and automatically trying to get up, Sonja saw the beast bend its hind legs and realized what was coming. Opening her mouth to shout a warning, Sonja found her lungs didn't have the air to manage a scream of warning, and only a pained gasp left her lips as the Werewolf sprang up to Walker's level.

Sonja watched the Gunslinger stumble backwards, caught flat footed as the Werewolf launched itself up, claws coming down and digging into the wood the man stood upon. The Winchester fired again, drowning out Sonja's renewed cry before it was slung like a club, the wooden buttstock down atop the Werewolf's skull. That blow drew another howl as the big claw swiped again, coming down on the wood with enough force to break the support beams beneath and send the whole construction toppling down.

Pulling herself to her feet, Sonja's shaking hand skimmed across her belly to the wooden handle protruding from her belt. Tugging the oddly shaped grip of the revolver, Sonja's eyes remained fixed on Walker as he rolled across the ground and came to a stop, coughing violently, and in no better shape than she was. By contrast, the Werewolf stood tall, still covered in blood that flowed from its numerous wounds, huffing and growling as it glared at the slowly rising Walker. Sonja heard the scream before she recognized that it was her own voice as she saw the Werewolf's paw swipe the Bounty Hunter across the barn, a cry of agony coming from the gunfighter.

"Beast!" roared the Hyrkanian, "Face me!"

The Werewolf obliged Sonja, squaring up to the redhead and hunching down as the Red Woman raised her gifted revolver and pulled the hammer back. When the beast opened its mouth to let out an ear-splitting roar, the Hyrkanian settled her shaking hand to rest the sight on that open maw before pulling the trigger. The Beast's head snapped back from the bullet, and Sonja could see her bullet had gone low, tearing off a piece of the beast's jaw and letting blood flow from what was left. "Fear the wrath of Red Sonja!"

But the beast ignored her cry, instead staggering forwards despite its wounds, and Sonja fired again, just like practice, and with only eight paces separating her from her target, she could not miss. Pulling the hammer back and firing again, Sonja saw blood fly from the creature's head, its eye hanging from the destroyed socket as the Werewolf stalked closer. Taking a step backwards, Sonja fired a third time, her rapid breathing causing this shot to ere into the shoulder of the creature, bits of blood and bone falling from the wound. Stepping back, Sonja fired again, putting a bullet center mass. Pulling the hammer back, the Hyrkanian was about to fire when she backed into the wooden wall of the barn, throwing off her aim and putting a bullet into the ground. And then the beast was upon her, that massive claw coming down at her, tearing through the wood as Sonja sidestepped, feeling the splinters pelt her skin as she spun to raise the Schofield, only for the beasts wounded arm to swing with enough strength to knock the weapon from her hand.

Looking back up at the beast as she shook off the blow, Sonja saw that massive, open, bloody maw coming down at her and ducked as the Werewolf's head plunged through the wood and letting out a wounded, bestial cry. Putting on a burst of speed, Sonja tore away from the Werewolf, frantically searching for her lost weapon and its single remaining silver bullet. But the sound of splintering wood and a powerful blow to her back sent Sonja forwards, face first into the dirt as she rolled onto her back and looked up to see the monster looming over her.

Reflexively, Sonja lifted her arms as the claws were about to come down on her, only to hear another string of gunshots and look over her shoulder to see Walker, his own Revolver in his right hand while his left worked the hammer rapidly. Looking back at the Werewolf, Sonja saw all the bullets had struck its chest, blasting away its flesh with each shot, but the gun fell silent, and the Werewolf remained standing, despite the gaping hole in its chest that allowed Sonja to see the beasts beating heart.

Eyes widening, Sonja realized what had to be done, "The heart!" she cried, eyes rapidly flicking about the barn until she saw a glint of moonlight on well-polished and oddly shaped steel. Scampering around the legs of the creature as its claws came down. Scooping up the Schofield, Sonja turned to take aim, but in the adrenaline-fueled haze that realization hit her. "Walker!" cried the Hyrkanian, throwing the weapon to him as she pulled out a dagger and threw herself at the Werewolf.

Ducking under the monster's good arm, Sonja drove the short blade into the monster's weakened one, inciting a pained howl as she pulled on the blade with one hand and pushed the arm with the other. Digging her heels into the ground and letting out a yell, the Hyrkanian turned the Werewolf before releasing her blade and rolling away, turning back just in time to see Walker extend the hand with the Schofield and fire, sending the single bullet straight through the heart of the beast, causing it to go still and fall forwards.

The atmosphere that filled the barn was still tense as Sonja half expected the beast to get back up, just as it had the night before. When it did not, the Hyrkanian felt relief flow through her like a river, the silent air, heavy with the smell of gun smoke and sulfur scented blood, did not instill dread, but safety, until it was suddenly broken.

"Well Calamity Dame…" asked a heavily breathing Walker, "Ya' think we got it?"

Sonja, launched herself at the Bounty Hunter, throwing her arm around his neck, refusing to be denied as she did what she had seen so many others do and pressed her lips to his. It was a feeling she had never experience before as she pulled him close to her, but his stiffness was disheartening. After a few seconds, she felt him change, his lips reacting to hers, exploring, which Sonja allowed. Finding herself in an unfamiliar battleground, the Red Woman quickly lost the advantage as her inelegant, shaky attempt at a kiss was overwhelmed by Walker. Sonja felt a shiver down her spine at the way his lips sealed against hers, and that wasn't all he did. The Hyrkanian not minding the hand that came around her waist to her lower back, pulling her closer to the Bounty Hunter and prompting her to let out a soft moan of approval, her cheeks instantly blushing as she realized what she had done. Sonja felt the heat in her core, and put a hand on the shoulder to push him back to the wall, pinning him there. One of Walker's hands came down to her leg, pulling her thigh until Sonja acquiesced and lifted it, now held up by the man she was kissing in a way that instilled an odd sense of security and intimacy.

When her passion ran out and Sonja finally pulled back, she stared up at Walker to see he still had a shocked expression on his face, "I got everything I wanted tonight, Joshua Walker."

Closing Notes: Okay, I'm moving things along quite swiftly, which was why this arc was very short and it'll be straight into the next arc next chapter. We are getting near the end overall, and the next arc will be fairly short too, and then it will be the final confrontation with Kulan Gath. Hopefully that explains the ending there, because I don't want it to come off as too rushed, but 15 chapters in is enough build up I think.

The action sequence was also fun, I don't usually do any fights with creatures like a Werewolf so hopefully it came out okay. And yes, I did all the stuff setting up Walker being able to make his own bullets in the previous chapter just so he could make silver slugs for this fight. The next action sequences will be different if all goes to plan. In any case, leave thoughts if you have them, and I'll post that chapter next month.

Stay Frosty, Misfit Delta out.