Chapter 36

With Strider navigating through the forest fire, Artemis used her Hawk Sight abilities to look for Morwen. It wasn't easy peering through the black smoke, and breathing was much worse. There was no telling where their enemy was, but she wasn't going to back down so easily. He came with the intention of destroying her home and everyone in it, so it was only natural she wanted to do the same to him. Finally she laid eyes on her unsuspecting target, and she urged Strider to strike.

As if he was expecting this, Morwen turned and used his dark magic. Creating a cage out of a branch, he sent it spiraling at both hawk and rider, smiling as it enclosed it's target. Then, with a flick of a wrist, he sent the cage down towards the ground. Before they could die from the impact, Artemis used some of her pixie dust to allow them to safely float down to the ground.

Taking her sword, Artemis tried to break through her prison, but found it to be too thick. Putting it back into it's sheathe, she began throwing herself at the wooden walls, trying to break it down this way. But after the first try, she decided against doing it again. Sighing in frustration, she looked above her and saw a small opening, large enough just for her.

Realizing there was no way for her to get Strider out, she looked at the red tail in the eyes, hoping he would understand her choice. With a small chirp, the hawk nudged her as if he was saying "It's okay". Hugging him, she then looked up at the entrance and flew out. Flying towards her target with rage in her heart, she dodged any falling branches heading her way. Taking out her sword, she had it at the ready for the one person she had come to hate.

Morwen seemed surprised to find the fairy not dead, but it was only for a moment. A moment long enough for her to strike with all the rage inside of her. Blocking her strikes, the shape shifter began making his own against the animal fairy, causing her anger to grow. Using her sword, she made it seem like she was going to strike left, but instead she aimed for his right side and cut his neck. Wiping a finger on the wound, Morwen looked at his black blood as if for the first time and laughed.

"Impressive Hawk Rider, it seems your master taught you well. I remember a time when you would cower at my feet." Morwen humored himself.

"I'm no longer afraid of you, you've stopped plaguing my mind for months!" Artemis said fiercely, raising her sword up at him to prove her point.

"Even so, you're still no match for me."

Morwen was right, she was no way strong enough to beat him, but Artemis ignored this thinking. She had spent a lifetime of cowering in fear, now this was the time to take matters into her own hands and face her threats head on. Staring at her opponent, the world continued to crash around them, but at a much rather slower pace. In fact, she didn't pay attention to what was happening around her, just her target. Coming up with a strategy, she glanced over at one of the trees branches and saw a familiar plant wrapped around them.

Vines were all she could see and an idea sprung from them. The idea was still wrapped up in her mind, when Morwen suddenly attacked her as she was distracted. Dodging his blows, they suddenly heard a loud rumbling sound and both looked up. One of the higher branches had caught fire from a neighboring tree and almost crashed on top of them. Jumping away from the branch, Artemis saw something she never thought she would ever see. The evil shape shifter seemed to cower at the sight of the fire and from this, another idea emerged.

"What's the matter, afraid of getting your feathers scorched?" Artemis questioned and was answered with a cold stare from her opponent.

"Don't try to sound brave young Hawk Rider." Was Morwen's response.

"I don't have to try, I just do." And with this, she jumped in the air and used her legs to kick him in the face.

Infuriating him, Artemis dodged Morwen's attacks while slowly flying backwards. Her plan seemed to painfully work in her favor when Morwen, out of frustration, grabbed her by the throat and held her against a branch.

The lack of fear, made Morwen snarl at her. "Out of all the Hawk Rider's I've faced in the past, none has ever infuriated me more than you! You may think that by killing me means that you're loved ones will be safe, but you're wrong! By them just knowing you alone is enough for a death sentence. You're nothing special compared to the others, so what makes you think that you can stop me?!"

Struggling with her words, she looked him straight in the eyes and said "I may not be special, I mean all I can do is speak to animals. But I do know one thing that can help separate me from the rest."

"And what's that?"

"I can tie a bloody good knot." As soon as she said this, Artemis swung her legs around his head and used her strength to bring him down to the ground, using her hands to pin his arms behind his back and tying vines to secure them in place.

Once he was secure, she began tying him to the branch as he screamed in anger at both his humiliation and the fire coming towards him. As she did, she finally noticed the barrier was still up. Which made no sense considering Morwen used Alfonse's blood to bring it down. Seeing it though, seemed to awaken her from her dark reverie and Artemis stared down at the pitiful creature next to her. She couldn't believe the person she had become just a moment ago and her intentions to kill.

She knew then and there, she couldn't kill him. But she couldn't just let him roam free either. As she contemplated on what to do, the tree began to crack and then a loud snap could be heard from down below. Feeling the tree begin to sway, Artemis was suddenly pinned to the branch by an invisible source. Looking around, she met Morwen's stare who's murderous intentions were very clear. Suddenly fear gripped her heart as her body was held captive by the dark magic.

"If I am to die, then so shall you!" Morwen yelled over the loud groan coming from the tree.

Artemis only had a moment to think about the one's she loved, before the tree fell into the roaring of the flames. And she hoped through her death, they would find peace.

Author's Note: Duh Duh DUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUHHHHHHHH! Well as promised, the next chapter is finally hear and boy was it fun to write! Honestly I love writing fight scenes and I hope you all think this showdown between Artemis and Morwen was a good one. It's a strange feeling knowing that the next chapter is the end of this story. I hope you've all enjoyed it and I hope you'll let me know you're thoughts! Until next time!