Chapter 58: The Hunt

Melody shivered as a cold breeze glided by, toying with her hair. She pressed herself closer to Lara. Despite the night's chill, her guardian's warmth never faded. Nor did Tempest's steps as they continued through the maze of trees that was the Howling Forest. This was not Melody's first time here. She and Lara visited on several occasions before. But never this deep into its reaches, and never at this late hour. It was unsettling to say the least. The ancient trunks stood silent and mysterious, like the pillars of some ruin made by a long-gone civilization. Beams of moonlight slithered through the branches, casting silvery rays through the gloom. It was eerily quiet. Too quiet for Melody's liking. The stillness of it all magnified the nocturnal sounds of the forest, from the hoots and screeches of owls to the chitter of mice and the calls of coyotes and foxes. She felt eyes on her from everywhere, observing them as they rode on towards the mountains and morning. She looked up, trying to see the stars through the trees. She only caught brief glimpses of the diamond points against the sky. The canopy was too thick to allow anything else. The earth was more needles than it was dirt or foliage, with scattered ferns and saplings throughout. The air was thinner as well. She had no idea where they were anymore, or which direction they were heading. All she knew was they were far, far away from Seahaven and going farther with every step.

The trio traveled almost non-stop since they started their escape. Tempest ran through the entirety of the Emerald Woods and then well past the border of the Howling Forest. Oak, alder, and birch soon became pine, spruce, fir, and redwood as they steadily climbed. How the stallion could go so far so quickly while carrying two people Melody could only marvel at. Only after they were far into the old growth did their pace slow to a brisk walk, giving all three of them a chance to catch their breath. They briefly stopped at rivers and streams as they went, quickly drinking before setting off again. They all knew there was little time for rest. That would come once they were out of danger.

That did not make the pace any less exhausting, though. Tempest may have been the one doing the walking, but that did not make the ride effortless for his passengers. Melody's hips and back were aching, not to mention her traumas from escaping Seahaven. Hunger gnawed at her stomach, begging for the smallest morsel to sate her. Lara was able to find some red and white disc-shaped mushrooms at their last water break. They were horribly tough and had a bitter taste, but hunger allowed Melody to overlook this. It gave her relief for an hour, but now the hunger was back.

The snap of a branch caused Melody to look out into the forest for the umpteenth time. Her heart raced when she saw something move, and then it slowed when she realized it was a swaying branch. Then an owl flew through the forest, its wingbeats utterly silent as it vanished like a ghost amongst the trunks.

"How much longer?" Melody asked quietly.

"As long as we can," said Lara. "The farther we get tonight, the better off we'll be." She leaned up to Tempest. "How're you holding up, bud?"

Tempest gave a quiet nicker and shook his head.

"And that means…?" asked Melody.

"Hopefully that he's got some miles left in him." Lara stroked the horse's neck and then rolled her own neck side to side, groaning as it popped.

"I don't know…" Melody paused, unable to stifle a loud yawn. "How many more miles I have left in me. I'm exhausted."

"Hold onto me and try to snooze. Tempest and I can handle watch duty."

"But if I go to sleep, won't I fall off?"

"Hence why you snooze, not–whoa!"

Suddenly Tempest neighed loudly, halting hard and backing up. Melody rocked forward with Lara as the horse reared, pawing furiously as he threw his head. They clamped their legs onto his chest, keeping them from sliding off.

"Easy!" shouted Lara. "Whoa! Down, boy!"

Tempest planted his hooves, but then started dancing and darting about fearfully. His nostrils flared as he continually nickered and neighed in distress. Lara pulled his mane left and right, trying to steady him.

"Would you settle down!?" Lara hissed. "What's gotten into you!?"

Tempest looked back at her, pawing the earth as he snorted repeatedly.

"Are you sure?" asked Lara.

Tempest threw his head vigorously as if nodding.

"What's he saying?" asked Melody.

"Trouble," said Lara. She instinctively reached for her knives, then grimaced as she remembered they were now shards lost in the rubble that was Seahaven's palace. "He smells trouble."

Melody's pulse quickened again as she clung tighter to Lara. "W-what kind of trouble?"

"Given our luck today? The Maelstrom kind." Lara turned Tempest around, her eyes scanning through the woods. "Eyes up and ears open. We're not alone anymore."

Melody looked about, trying to see and hear what little her normal human eyes and ears could. Everything was so dim it was hard to tell what was real and what was a trick of the moon and shadow. Her ears strained for the smallest sound over the tromping of Tempest's hooves and her own beating heart and breaths. A lone wolf's howl pierced \ the night, making the hair on her neck stand up. Tempest immediately spun towards the noise, ears forward and nose working as he sniffed fast and deep. He neighed again and backed up, almost running into a tree.

"Tempest, would you just stand still!?" Lara hissed. "I can barely hear anything over you!"

Then, from behind a tree, a large gray and brown mottled wolf stepped out, his yellow eyes fixed on them.

"A wolf!" exclaimed Melody. She had never seen one before. He was much larger than she expected. The wolf stared at them a moment longer.

Then, to their utter shock, he grinned. And then he chuckled.

"I knew I smelled a horse!" he said, his voice a menacingly triumphant growl.

Melody's mouth fell open. "Did…did that wolf just speak!?"

Lara tensed as goosepimples dotted her arms. "That's no wolf!"

The wolf turned his head to the forest and shouted, "Here! I found them!" Then he threw his head back and howled, his call carrying out clearly through the night to all with ears.

Then, to Melody and Lara's horror, he started changing. His shoulders and spine bulged outwards as disturbing pops, cracks, and crunching sounds came from his body. Muscles and bones took new form as his limbs grew longer and thicker. His chest deepened and broadened as his snout elongated further. Paws became hands and feet, complete with clawed fingers and toes. His neck thickened as his tail became longer. His voice deepened, the howl becoming more of a roar. The whole thing was over in a matter of seconds, but for Lara and Melody it felt like hours. Draw-out, horrible, terrifying hours. What stood before them was an unholy melding of man and wolf, with the wolf emerging dominant. He stood taller than a man, the fangs on his snarling snout longer than fingers. Just one of his arms and legs was larger around than all of Melody's limbs put together. The black claws on his fingers looked strong and sharp enough to rip anything to pieces, including them.

A/N: "Titan Dune" by Two Steps From Hell

"What is that!?" screamed Melody.

The forest came alive with similar roaring howls. They came from all directions, as did the sounds of stampeding feet. Melody could see new forms slipping through the trees. And this time, they were not shadows. Shadows did not have eyes.

"Werewolves!" Lara shouted. "Tempest, get us out of here!"

Tempest did not need to be told anything. He spun and burst into a sprint. The werewolf crouched on all fours and leapt after them, giving chase. Melody looked behind and saw the werewolf keeping pace. More followed behind, their snarls and howls filling the night as they multiplied by the second.

"How many!?" asked Lara as Tempest ran, weaving his way amongst the trees with inches to spare. She quickly ducked as a pine branch came at them, the needles raking Melody's hair.

"Too many!" shouted back Melody, plastering herself against Lara. "They're everywhere!"

Lara grimaced again. "Of all the rotten...!" She reached up and snatched a large pinecone off a branch. Then she turned and chucked it as hard as she could at the werewolf. It quickly darted aside, the pinecone missing completely. Lara cursed and turned back. "You've gotta lose them, bud! It's our only chance!"

Tempest gave a neigh as if to say he already knew that, and she should focus on not falling off and let him drive. He suddenly turned hard to the right, slipping between a pair of firs. The rough bark grazed Lara and Melody's knees, but they went through. They glanced back to see the werewolf dart through the gap, not giving so much as a foot to them. Seconds later the pack started running by the same trees, dozens of dark forms sprinting after them.

"Not enough!" said Lara.

A loud snarl from the left caught their attention. A jet-black werewolf came hurtling out of the night straight for them. He crouched and leapt, clawed hands outstretched and jaws open wide. Melody screamed in fright. Lara grabbed a handful of Tempest's mane and then swung her and Melody down onto the horse's right side. The werewolf flew over them, narrowly missing. Lara quickly hauled herself and Melody back up. They looked back and saw the werewolf roll through the dirt, only to rise and then chase after them with the others. The forest was crawling with werewolves now, each one with murder in their eyes.

"They're getting closer!" cried Melody, watching as their pursuers began to fan out.

"They're trying to flank us!" said Lara. "We gotta find a way to bunch them in or they're gonna trap us!"

"Can't you do anything to slow them down!?" asked Melody.

"I'm down a sword, two knives, and a bunch of magic!" said Lara. "So no, I can't!"

One of the werewolves sprinted up and leapt at Tempest. The stallion quickly drew a leg back and nailed him right in the face. The werewolf let out a yelp like a wounded dog and dropped, clutching his face. The other werewolves paid him no heed, running straight past their wounded pack member.

"Good horsey!" said Melody. "Very good horsey!"

"Yeah! Now do it another hundred-something times!" Lara added.

Tempest started to neigh when he suddenly turned sharply to the right, bringing them parallel with a river. The span was at least fifty feet and flowing fast with large, jagged boulders jutting up from the flow. Spray flew up from where water and stone met, creating a constant roaring noise.

"Can we get across that!?" asked Melody as they ran upstream.

"The current's too fast!" said Lara, watching as a stick was violently tossed about on its way through a riffle. "We go in and we're either gonna be swept away or werewolf chow!"

Tempest suddenly whinnied loudly. Lara and Melody looked right and saw eight werewolves coming at their side. They would be on them in a matter of seconds.

"Mel, let go!" said Lara.

"What!?" said Melody, not sure she heard correctly.

"Let go! Then slide up and hold onto his mane!"

"Wait! What are you gonna do!?"

Melody got her answer when Lara suddenly pulled her legs up, planted her feet on Tempest's withers, and then revere leap-frogged over her, landing on the stallion's rump. Melody quickly scooted forward, grabbing onto fistfuls of Tempest's black mane as she lay as close to him as she dared.

"Do not let go, and do not sit up!" said Lara as she pushed Melody down, reached out to their left with her other hand.

"Why can't I sit up!?" asked Melody.

She got her answer when Lara snatched a large branch off a downed tree along the riverbank. Her strength and the speed at which Tempest ran by were enough to snap it off, leaving Lara with a two-meter-long makeshift staff.

"Because otherwise you'll get hit!" Lara grasped the staff and scraped her hand down it, peeling the bark off in one go.

"Watch it!" shouted one of the werewolves. "The witch has a weapon!"

"It's a puny stick!" snarled another one. "What's the worst she could do with it!?"

The werewolves flanking the girls were now in range, lining up for the attack. One launched himself right at Lara, one hand drawn back to claw her. Lara quickly swung the end of her staff up and thrust straight for his neck. The splintered ends may as well have been a blade because it pierced into his throat just as easily. Lara whipped the staff down, flinging him into the dirt as two more werewolves jumped for her. She spun the staff around herself with an audible whoosh as it gained speed, and then smacked the wood into their heads like a bat. They both dropped like stones as yet another werewolf came running in from behind. Lara quickly spun the staff and slammed the pole down on top of his head, cracking his skull and rendering him unconscious if not dead.

"I can do that, you flea-ridden mutts!" yelled Lara, holding her staff at the ready. "Who's next!?"

"Lara!" shouted Melody. "Up ahead!"

Lara turned forward. The river they were following was leaving a short, steep, and narrow mountain valley. The slopes were lined with loose shale taller than a five-story building. Crumbling vertical cliffs rose high above, waiting to inevitably release more of themselves into the shale. Dense brush lined the banks of the bellowing waterway, the river swollen and raging with snowmelt. The only way Lara and Melody saw through was a treacherously narrow game trail running alongside the bank.

"Keep going!" Lara shouted, striking a werewolf that went to catch them from behind. "We'll lose them in there!"

"We can't make that!" cried Melody. "It's too narrow!"

"You hear that, Tempest!?" shouted Lara. "She thinks you can't do it! She thinks you're some sort of second-rate pony!"

Tempest slowed a step, not believing what he just heard. Then he gave an indignant neigh and surged forward, running straight for the valley.

"Are you crazy!?" shouted Melody. "One wrong step and we could die!"

"What do you think they'll do if they catch us!?" shouted back Lara as a werewolf sprinted at them out of the forest. He leapt at Lara, who thrust and caught him square in the chest with her staff. The end sunk into his chest, piercing his heart. She yelled as she swung up and over, vaulting the werewolf out into the river. He landed with a loud splash, surfacing moments later as the water carried his body away.

"Get her!" snarled a lean red and gray werewolf. "That stick won't hold out forever!"

On cue the two remaining werewolves went for the attack. One came in and tried to claw Tempest's hind leg, only to have his hand batted away by Lara's staff. He tripped and fell, rolling through the dirt. Lara swung her staff again at the last werewolf that nipped at Tempest's heels, striking him across the snout. She hit clean and hard, but her staff could no longer withstand the abuse. It snapped in half, showering splinters on the downed werewolf. Lara cursed and tossed the ruined weapon away.

"Staff's done for!" she said, wrapping her arms securely around Melody's waist. "It's up to you now, Tempest!"

The stallion neighed and threw his head. The forest began to slope upwards as they neared the entrance to the valley, their path becoming narrower and more uneven. The werewolves were now squarely behind them, having lost their flanking ability. The trees thinned and grew smaller, giving way to shrubs and small conifers. Then they disappeared from the slopes entirely as dirt gave way to shale. Tempest did not slow as he charged into the valley. Branches and snags whipped at his legs and chest, but he kept his blistering pace. The werewolves followed them in, half spreading up onto the shale slopes as the rest funneled into the trail.

"Ow!" yelped Melody as a thorny bramble cut into her arm. She clasped a hand to it, only for Lara to pull her hand off an put it back on Tempest's mane.

"Do not let go!" Lara ordered. A sharp branch whipped her in the face right then, slashing a thin cut across her left cheek. She quickly rubbed her face on her shoulder, smearing blood across it.

The sound of falling rocks made both girls look back. The werewolves on the trail were having little difficulty keeping pace. The ones on the slope, however, were discovering how treacherous their new route was. The rocks were unsteady and perilous, shifting and breaking under their feet and claws. One slipped into a hole and caught his leg, howling as it brought him to a dead stop. Another lost his footing, scrambling to regain his balance before he went tumbling down the slope, taking out another werewolf in the process. Rocks started sliding down, spilling onto the trail and hampering the other werewolves.

"Get off there!" shouted the werewolf directly behind Tempest. "You'll get us all killed if you start a rockslide!"

"You don't say…!" said Lara. She released Melody and scooted back, holding onto the princess's hips. She squeezed her eyes shut in concentration. "Please! Give me enough for one! Just one!"

Around Lara's neck, her fire pendant glowed softly. She breathed deep, filling her lungs with air, and then held it in tight as she forced her magic into it.

"Tempes-TA!" she shouted. The air came blasting out of her mouth like a shot from a cannon, soaring up the side of the valley as a visible distortion in the air. "Yes!"

The lead werewolf quickly fell back several paces. "Watch out! The witch still has her magic!"

Melody whipped her head around. "Your magic! It's back!?"

"Just for that one shot!" said Lara.

The air blast struck the shale and detonated, flinging rocks and dirt into the sky. There was the sound of pebbles and shale falling to the ground, and then there was a groan and a rumble. A large patch of the slope shifted and then began sliding.

"It worked!" Lara exclaimed. "It worked!"

The newborn rockslide started gaining speed, pulling new rocks with it. Several large boulders came free, caught up in the flow. Then the cliff above it began to crumble, loosening even larger boulders. Then a second rockslide started in front of the first one, followed by a third directly in their path. The disturbance cascaded, spreading down the sides of the valley in a wave.

"Rockslide!" shouted the lead werewolf.

"Uh-oh…" said Lara. "I think I overdid it!"

"No duh!" Melody shouted. Tempest neighed as well, indicating he shared the sentiment. "What do we do now!?"

"Just run!" Lara yelled, grabbing onto Melody. "Run like the wind, Tempest!"

Tempest sprinted up the path as fast as he dared. He was only halfway through the closest rockslide when it reached them. Boulders and slabs ranging from the size of cats and dogs to wagons and houses flew by amidst the deafening voice of cracking and shattering rock on the move. The horse worked his hooves and legs furiously, dodging and weaving his way through the avalanche of earth and stone. The werewolves were not so fortunate or skilled. Lara and Melody heard no shortage of pained howls and cries as the slide crushed, flattened, and smashed them. They narrowly avoided a large granite slab that came spinning end-over-end down the slope, biting a large divot into the trail before it rolled out into the river. The other rockslides had yet to reach the trail. Tempest kept up his pace, determined to get ahead of them. Melody and Lara looked uphill as they entered the path of the next slide, seeing two literal walls of stone heading right for them.

"Lara!" Melody screamed in panic.

"Close your eyes!" Lara shouted, pushing Melody's head down as she closed her own eyes. What else could they do?

The blue orb started to glow within Melody's bodice as a large boulder came rolling straight at them. Suddenly a stream of water rose from the river and snaked up and over them, aiming right for the path of the boulder. The boulder rolled onto the water as though it were stone, missing the women and horse entirely. Then the water fell apart, splashing onto the ground as Tempest continued unhindered. The rockslide was now the main threat chasing them, and it was far faster than the werewolves. The end of the valley was in sight, opening onto a wide basin filled with redwoods. Tempest ran for all he was worth, hearing the slide gaining on him. He looked ahead and saw a wave of rock heading for the trail, racing him for the finish. He pumped his legs hard, sprinting the fastest he ever had. He smelled his own blood in his nostrils as he pushed his heart and lungs their limits. He ignored it and kept going. It looked as though he and his riders might not make it, but at the last second he blasted through, the rockslide obliterating the path and the werewolves behind them an instant later.

Melody and Lara opened their eyes as the sounds of crashing rocks faded. They looked behind and saw a dust cloud as the slide continued, pouring mountains worth of stone into the river. And to their relief, there was not one werewolf in sight!

"We made it!" Melody breathed. "Lara, we made it! They're gone!"

"I think you're right!" Lara agreed. "We did it!"

Tempest gave a loud snort and shot a look as if to remind them who it was that carried the two of them through that death trap.

"I mean, you did it!" she corrected. She reached around Melody, taking hold of his mane. "Thanks! Now we gotta put as much distance between them and us as–!"

A werewolf leapt out from behind a tree right in front of them, swinging for Tempest's legs. There was no time to stop or evade, much less react. The beast tripped him up with one swipe. Melody barely registered what occurred before she and Lara hit the dirt, rolling hard and far. She came to a stop, her mind and world disoriented. She lay still, momentarily immobilized by the shock and then the pain. Her right leg felt like it was on fire. So did both her shoulders and the left side of her chest. She tried to draw a breath, only to stop as stabbing pain erupted from her ribs. She had no idea a broken bone felt like, but she would not be surprised if she had multiple of them.

"Got you know!" snarled a rough voice, followed by a loud howl. More immediately followed along with the sounds of hundreds of feet closing in.

Melody was just regaining her wits when powerful hands seized her arms and legs, lifting her up and then forcing her to the ground on her back. She looked up and saw two large gray werewolves had ahold of her. They snarled, baring their enormous teeth as their yellow eyes bored into her. One leaned forward and snapped his teeth within inches of her face, causing her to scream on instinct. She heard Tempest whinny in fright and saw him lying on his side, deep lacerations through his chest and front legs. He tried to get up but buckled when he put weight on his legs. A werewolf strode up, pinning him down by his neck.

"Get your claws off them!" Lara snarled as she scrambled to her feet, charging at Melody. She was covered in dirt and bleeding from her forehead, but clearly still mobile. She was not mobile enough, however, to get past the werewolf that leapt into her path. He growled and slashed at her. She quickly dodged aside, only to have another werewolf sneak up behind her and grab her neck. He lifted her off the ground with one arm and then threw her. She flew through the air, glancing off the side of a tree and then striking another flat. She bounced off and hit the ground with a heavy thud, laying stunned in the dirt.

"Grab her! Now!" barked the werewolf who threw her. Immediately four others rushed in and seized Lara's arms and legs. They lifted her off the ground and pinned her up against the tree. Lara struggled against them, but she was unable to overcome the combined strength of four werewolves holding each of her limbs. She tried to bite one in the hand, only for the werewolf that threw her to run in and drive his knee directly into her stomach. Lara gagged and doubled over, saliva flying out her mouth.

"Lara!" screamed Melody as the werewolf hit her guardian again. Lara gagged, her breath choked and hoarse as she tried to refill her lungs.

The werewolf seized Lara's face roughly, turning it side to side. "What's wrong, witch!? Not up to snuff today?" He struck her face with the back of his hand, the wet sound reverberating in Melody's ears. "Come on! Do something! Don't make this too easy for us! Hunting's no fun if your prey just gives up!"

"She really doesn't have any magic!" said the werewolf on Lara's right arm, laughing as Lara was backhanded again. "That masked maniac was right!"

"How'd she cause that rockslide, then?" said another.

"Must've been a fluke!" said the werewolf on Lara's other arm. "Or her last scraps! Either way, she doesn't have it anymore! Without her tricks, she's just another weak human!"

"Stop it! Let go of her!" Melody yelled as the werewolf continued to assault her.

"Shut it, kid!" snarled one of the werewolves holding her. He twisted her right arm, causing an explosion of pain from Melody's right shoulder. Her head whipped up as she screamed. She felt like her arm would rip off at any moment. Then the werewolf stopped. Her face fell forward, breathing in lungfuls of forest dust as she gasped. The tear streaks on her cheeks soaked up the dirt, leaving dark marks on her face. The pain was slow to recede, dominating her thoughts as it went.

She looked around them, seeing more werewolves arrive by the second. There were hundreds of them now, emerging from the forest to circle around their captives. They bayed and howled as a pack does, excited by the success of their hunt and the smell of blood in the air. How were there this many? Did the rockslide not kill as many as they thought? Or were these ones already waiting for them?

"Just like we planned!" laughed one of the werewolves. "Drive them up the river and straight into the pack!"

That answered her question.

"Like chasing down deer!" said one of the werewolves holding Melody. He leaned close to her face, his foul hot breath washing over her skin. "You surprised us with those rockslides! But you still went right were we wanted you!"

"Which reminds me…" The werewolf beating Lara punched her hard in the face, knocking her head back into the tree. "That's for all our brethren you just killed, witch!"

"Hey, hey! Lay off!" snarled a stocky black werewolf as he marched towards Lara, shoving the other werewolf aside before he could hit her again. "The boss said–!"

"The boss isn't here!" snarled the other werewolf. He shoved his darker companion back and turned to Lara again, seizing her hair as he drew a fist back.

"Heel!"

Melody twisted her head around, following the gaze of all the werewolves present. She heard footsteps approaching. There was a palpable and visible change in the werewolves, ears perked forward and tails stiff. Then the werewolves parted to allow through the last man Melody ever expected to see.

"Lord Avitas!" exclaimed the dark werewolf. He immediately took a knee, bowing his head in subservience. The other werewolves quickly did the same, save the ones keeping ahold of their captured prey.

Melody could scarcely believe her eyes. It was indeed Richard! He was a different man from the lord who lost the Tournament of Champions in disgrace. His blonde hair was cut short and haphazardly, and his once clean-shaven face bore a rough swathe of scruff. He wore only a pair of dark green pants held up by a black belt. The rest of him was barefoot and bare-chested. Melody never saw him without a shirt on before, but she was sure Richard was never that muscular before he left Seahaven. He was cut like a marble statue brought to life. The werewolves cowered as he approached Lara, ears flat and shoulders hunched. Even kneeling he barely stood level with them, yet they yielded to him as though he were ten times their size. The werewolf that struck Lara quickly stepped aside and knelt, allowing her head to hang limply. Melody saw Lara swallow and then roll her jaw.

"If anyone's going to kill that freak, it's me," said Richard sharply. He walked up to Lara, looking her over. Then he turned to the werewolf that beat her. "You. Come here."

The werewolf flinched, then cautiously obeyed. He approached Richard with obvious fear, stopping just outside arm's reach.

"What were my orders?" said Richard.

"I-I was just–."

Richard's hand shot out and grabbed the werewolf's right shoulder, fingers digging in like an eagle's claw. The werewolf howled and dropped to his knees, grabbing Richard's arm. He tried to pull him off, but Richard squeezed harder, causing something to break with a loud crunch. The werewolf's howl turned into pained yelping.

"What were my orders!?" Richard shouted, giving the werewolf a shake. "What did I tell you all to do after catching them!?"

"Not to –augh!– to lay a hand on her!" screamed the werewolf.

Richard drew his other hand back and struck the werewolf in the side of the face. His head snapped over, one of his teeth flying out.

"Then why *wham* is her face *wham* like that!?" Richard shouted between punches. He did not give the werewolf time to respond, tossing him back. The werewolves shied back like oil from soap, not wanting to be any closer to their commander's wrath than needed. Richard marched up the werewolf as he rose and then kicked him straight in the gut. The werewolf shot backwards into the pack, knocking four others down. He lay groaning and whimpering on the ground, clutching his broken shoulder. Melody swallowed hard. Richard was never that strong, either.

"Lara is mine!" Richard shouted, turning about as he addressed the pack. "Mine! The next one of you mutts so much as looks at her wrong, I'll turn him into a pelt! Is that understood!?"

The werewolves cowered further, avoiding his eyes as he looked about.

"I said, is that understood!?" Richard repeated. "Or do you need another demonstration!?"

"Yes, sir!" was the unanimous response from the pack. Richard's eyes swept through them a final time, daring any fool to say otherwise. None did. He gave a huff and then turned his focus back to Lara. "Bring her here."

The werewolves did so immediately. They hauled Lara over to him.

"Drop her," Richard ordered.

"But sir–," one of the werewolves started.

Whatever argument or reason the werewolf was about to give became moot with the glaring look Richard shot him. "I said drop her! Then get back in line!"

The werewolves did not dare question him a second time. They let go of Lara as though she were molten hot and ran to join the pack. Lara almost fell into the dirt as she staggered forward, then caught herself. She looked up at Richard, blood leaking out her mouth and nose. Melody saw her eyes narrow as she glared spitefully at him.

"It's been too long, Lara," said Richard, clasping his hands behind his back as he looked down on her. "Far, far too long."

"Oh." Lara snorted and then stood up, wiping her face. "It's you."

"Surprised?"

"No. Just disappointed." Lara snorted again and then spat. If looks could kill, Richard would have dropped dead where he stood. "I figured Maelstrom would send someone after us. I just thought we'd get more of a head start than this. That, and your boss would've sent someone more…well, more. What, was Remora not feeling up for a rematch?"

Richard gave a dismissive huff. "Hardly. Right now, she's probably fuming in that rusted-out hole she calls a lair. The Master put her on guard duty while he…recuperates."

"From what?"

"From whatever you did to him." Richard started walking a wide circle around Lara. The werewolves backed off as he went, creating an open space with their leader and quarry inside it. "From the sounds of it, you actually managed to hurt him."

"Shame. I was hoping I killed him."

Richard threw his head back, giving a loud laugh. "Not a chance! You wounded him, but the blow is hardly fatal. He may be out of commission for the time being, but he will return. All he needs is time. Oh, and as for Ursula and Riptide, they're alive as well. So is Morgana, if barely. She was supposed to be the one attacking Seahaven originally. But she's still recovering from the thrashing you gave her."

What little hope Melody still had shrank even further. The Master was still alive. So were Ursula and that giant serpent Lara fought. Even Morgana somehow pulled through. How anyone could survive what Lara did to her Melody could not fathom, but she did. That meant all of Maelstrom's leaders were still a threat. Lara gave it everything she had. More than that. And it was not enough. Maelstrom cost Lara and Melody their home and their friends and family. The only thing they cost Maelstrom in return was time. Was that really all their effort amounted to? A momentary delay?

Richard looked Lara over again. "Still, you're in better shape than she is. Though, I must admit you're not the only one who's disappointed. I hoped you would be at your prime when we met again."

"Can't say the same," said Lara. "I really enjoyed seeing you a broken mess in the dirt. The muscles are an improvement, though. What's your secret? Weightlifting? Running? Putting in hours with the sword? Meat and veggie diet? Black magic? It's magic, isn't it?"

"Mock all you want," said Richard. He held his right arm out, flexing it. The veins stood up under his skin, the muscles bulging intensely. "I assure you, this form is not for show. And as you've undoubtedly guessed, my loyalty now lies with Maelstrom. Not that I truly had any to Seahaven to start with."

"No, I imagine you didn't," said Lara. "The only thing you're loyal to is yourself."

"True. Which is why I accepted their offer. And, as you can see, picking the winning side comes with certain perks," said Richard, gesturing to the werewolves surrounding them.

Lara glanced at them as a chuckle went through the pack. "Didn't know you were into dogs. You teach these ones any tricks besides heel? Sit? Speak? Stay? How about drop dead?"

The chuckle turned into an angry growl, several of the werewolves stepping forward. Richard raised his hand and they stopped. "No. But they do know how to conquer Vorhaven in less than an hour. Including disposing of that oversized troll they called king. And his pathetic knights."

Melody gasped. "No! Not Gerrod!"

Richard looked at Melody. "Good evening, princess. Almost forgot you were there. Since I have your attention, you can answer a question that's been puzzling me. To be a princess, you need a kingdom to be princess of. But since you don't have a kingdom anymore, does that still make you a princess? Or royalty, for that matter?"

Anger boiled up inside of Melody, and she spat at Richard. Her attempt fell short, wetting only his feet. "Traitor!"

Richard looked down at his foot, then back at Melody. He drew his foot back and then kicked a cloud of dirt at her, spraying her face. Melody shut her eyes, but not fast enough to keep grit from getting into them and up her nose. She coughed, spitting out dirt and dust as her eyes watered.

"Get away from her!" snarled Lara, marching towards him.

Richard snapped his fingers. Suddenly the werewolves holding Melody wrenched her arms back. Melody screamed as she felt her shoulders explode with pain again, fresh tears washing the dirt out of her eyes.

"If you want her to keep her arms, you'll stay right where you are," said Richard coldly.

Lara froze, her teeth bared angrily as she growled. Richard raised his hand to snap again, and the werewolves twisted Melody's arms harder, earning fresh screams. Tears were pouring down her face, eyes wide with panic and torment.

"Stop!" Melody screamed desperately. "Stop! No more! Stop! Please!"

"Okay! Okay!" Lara said, stepping back. Richard lowered his hand and the werewolves let up. Melody lay crying and panting beneath them.

"And since you're here too, Lara, I have my own question for you." Richard started circling again. "From what I've heard, you're some sort of dragon-human mish-mash. Which makes you…what, exactly? You're not a human. You're not a dragon, either. By my reckoning, you're just a step away from those mutant mongrels Ursula's been breeding. Hmm…mongrel. I suppose that will do."

He moved towards her, stopping out of arm's reach. "And since you're a knight of Seahaven, I suppose your title went up in smoke along with the rest of it. Including your magic and sword."

"Better a magic-less mongrel than whatever backstabbing, slimy, crawling thing you are," said Lara. "I should've grabbed the table salt when we first met. Could've finished you off with a dash of the stuff."

A few low chuckles went up from the werewolves. Richard glanced sharply towards the noise, immediately quelling it. "Still full of insults, aren't you?"

"Among other things," said Lara. "Guts, for one. Another thing you're lacking, seeing as you ran off with your tail between your legs after the kingdom saw me whip your bare butt. Literally whip it!"

Melody saw Richard clench his jaw briefly. Lara was making him angry. But why? She was horribly outnumbered and outmatched. What was she hoping to gain from this?

"An indignity I intend to repay in full," Richard said, an angry edge in his voice. "Shame those salt-crusted yokels won't see our rematch. I imagine most of them are dead now. That, or in chains. How are Isaac and John, by the way? And Sarah? Did they make it out in time?"

Now it was Lara's jaw that tightened, her hair bristling in full as light flickered in her eyes. "Shut your freakin' mouth!"

"I'd say I hope they're okay," continued Richard. "But that would be lying. And given Remora hates you almost as much as I do, I'm certain she told at least one of her gunships to target the orphanage and the Mermaid's Trove. I wonder if they died instantly, or if the fires bur–?"

Lara interrupted Richard when she punched him hard in the face, sending him flying backwards. The werewolves caught him, helping him back onto his feet. Blood flowed out his nostrils as he shook his head. He wiped his nose, eyes widening as he saw the red.

"I forgot how good it feels to punch that smug face of yours!" growled Lara. "How about you get up and help me remember some more?"

The werewolves began growling and snarling, rising to their feet. They closed in on Lara, baring their teeth and claws.

"No!" snapped Richard, causing the werewolves to halt. "I'll take her myself! No one interferes!" He wiped his face again, smearing red across his cheek. "I've waited a long time for this, Lara! Tonight, I'll make you pay a hundred–no, a thousand-fold for what you did to me!"

Lara rolled her neck and wrists, popping them. "Bring it on, pretty boy! I need to blow off some steam anyway!"

There was no countdown. No starting signal. No drop of a flag or anything of the sort. Lara and Richard just ran straight at each other, drew their fists back, and then punched as hard as they could. Their fists slipped by and connected with each other's faces, sending the two of them flying apart. They rolled through the dirt and then back onto their feet. The werewolves nearest Lara snarled and ran at her.

"Touch her and you die!" yelled Richard. The werewolves stopped immediately and retreated. The circle widened, giving the two combatants more room. The werewolves holding Melody hoisted her up as they withdrew, shoving her onto her knees. It made her right leg flare with agony, but she stifled it into a hiss through her clenched teeth.

"Not bad," said Lara. She spat blood, giving her head a little shake. "I might have to put actual effort into beating you this time!"

Richard snarled and stood, his right nostril bleeding again. He ran at Lara, swinging for her head. Lara blocked him with her forearm and threw her own fist for his face. This time Richard evaded and quickly countered with a punch at her lower ribs. Lara dropped her arm and took the hit on her bicep, then immediately stepped in and threw an uppercut for his jaw. Richard knocked her blow away and then spun, swinging his elbow out for Lara's face. She whipped her head to the side, the strike missing her. Richard followed through and then punched Lara in the temple. The heaviness of the noise told Melody it connected completely. She thought Lara was going to fall with how fast she went down, but suddenly she swung back and shot her right fist straight into Richard's gut. He doubled over and backed up. Lara charged in and drove her knee towards his face. Richard quickly thrust his hands out, catching her knee. He learned immediately it was a feint when Lara's other foot swung around and struck him in the side of the head. Richard went tumbling through the dirt.

"You hit harder than before!" said Lara, rubbing her temple as Richard got up. "I'll give you that!"

Richard glared at her, the right side of his face bright red. "The same can't be said for you, mongrel! Playing palace guard dog has made you soft! No wonder you couldn't protect Seahaven, much less save the queen! I honestly wish she and the king were here! That way, they could see you fail to protect their daughter!"

Lara growled, her hair prickling with anger. She marched towards Richard, her eyes flickering with light. "Where are they?"

Richard smirked as he raised his fists. "Wouldn't you like to know?"

"Fine." Lara raised her own fists. "If you won't tell me, I'll just beat it out of you!"

She dashed at Richard, throwing a hard straight for his face. Richard parried her fist past and then grabbed her wrist, pulling her in as he kicked for her stomach. Lara immediately raised her right leg to block, taking the blow on her shin. Melody thought one of their legs would break from how loud the impact was. Lara wrenched her arm out of Richard's grasp and immediately swung a hook at his head. Richard jammed her swing, then grabbed her arm and yanked her in, driving his forehead into her face. Lara reeled back, grimacing as her nose and lip bled. Then she snarled and grabbed Richard back, smashing her own head into his face. He yelled in pain and released her. Lara kept up her assault and punched him in the face, then kicked him in the chest. Richard staggered back but stayed up, grimacing angrily. Lara kicked at him again, but he was ready. He seized her leg and spun, throwing her over his shoulder and into the ground. Lara was able to catch herself on her hands but was unprepared when Richard swung her back. She hit the ground hard, losing her wind and knocking her head. Richard hauled her up and swung a third time, yelling as he smashed her into the earth. Lara yelled at the impact. Melody could guess from her face how much it hurt.

Richard released her leg and stepped up, raising a heel over her face. "Right where you belong! Under my foot!"

"Lara!" Melody shouted.

Lara recovered her wits right as Richard stomped down. She jerked her head aside and then drove a knuckle into the soft pocket just above the inside of his knee. Richard's leg buckled and he fell. Lara quickly rolled backwards out of the way, leaving Richard to catch himself. She immediately sprang in and kicked him hard in the chest, launching him backwards. Richard flipped through the air and landed on his back, knocking the wind out of him. Lara leapt into the air, sticking her left knee out as she arced towards him. Richard rolled out of the way as Lara landed, burying her knee in the dirt. He quickly threw a kick at her, catching Lara flat in the back. Lara lurched forward, scrambling to get her feet under her. She got her balance back, skidding to a stop, and then charged back at Richard. He ran at her just as fast. They yelled as they swung, Richard's fist grazing Lara's face while hers struck cleanly. Richard backed a step and then swung back, sinking his fist into Lara's gut. Spit flew out her mouth as her feet momentarily left the ground, then she grabbed Richard's shoulders and slammed her knee into his stomach. Now it was Richard who lost his wind, mouth agape as he tried to refill his lungs. Then he tackled Lara around the middle, knocking her to the ground. Lara quickly wrapped her legs around his middle, pulling him in tight as she began driving her elbows repeatedly into his head and back. Richard retaliated by punching her repeatedly in the ribs. They rained blows on each other for what felt like a long minute, rolling through the dirt as each tried to find an opening for a finishing blow. Then Lara landed a heavy elbow at the base of Richard's skull, momentarily stunning him. She quickly slipped an arm around his neck, putting him in a chokehold. Richard got his wits back as Lara squeezed, pinching his airway shut. Richard got to his feet, Lara clinging to him as she kept the choke going. Richard swung his elbows back, hammering Lara's chest with them. She grimaced as he pounded away unhindered at her vulnerable ribs, but she did not let go.

Richard dropped to one knee, his elbow strikes becoming sluggish. Melody thought he might pass out, but then Richard snapped his head back straight into Lara's face. There was a queasy crunch from Lara's nose, her chokehold momentarily loosening. It was all Richard needed to rip her arm away. He spun and slammed an elbow directly into her head, knocking her off. Richard spun and then kicked her before she hit the ground. There was a loud crack and then Lara went tumbling away, coming to a stop at the edge of the ring.

"Lara, get up!" Melody shouted as Richard marched towards the downed girl. "He's coming! Get up!"

"Shut her up!" barked Richard. One of the werewolves holding Melody immediately clapped a large, clawed hand over her mouth, muffling her voice. "Now, where was I? Oh, yes…"

Richard grabbed Lara's hair, lifting her up by it. "Putting you back in–gurk!"

Lara's hand shot out, grabbing Richard by the neck. Her eyes were ablaze as her hair glowed fiercely. Richard immediately swung at her face, punching her in the cheek. Lara took it without hesitation and returned the blow, whipping Richard's face aside. She pushed him back as she continued to pummel him.

"Where *POW* are *POW* Ariel POW* and POW* Eric!?" Lara shouted between blows. She flung Richard to the ground and then punched him in the chest. Richard screamed as her fist broke bones. "Where are they!?"

She drew her fist back to punch again. Richard grabbed a handful of dirt and threw it into her eyes. Lara clenched her eyes shut as she swung, her punch grazing Richard's shoulder. Richard retaliated by punching her in the ribs, launching her away. Lara rolled through the dirt and then back onto her feet, skidding to a stop. She started to stand but then fell to one knee, grimacing as she clutched her chest. Richard sat up, giving his head a shake. He almost fell again as he stood, his legs wobbly and head dizzy from the blows. He wiped the dirt off his face, eyes fixing on Lara again as he scowled.

"I've had enough of this!" he snarled.

"Really? I could do this all night!" said Lara. She stuck her lower lip out with pouting mockery. "Is poor little Ricky mad? Is the mean lady not letting him have his way again?"

Richard took an angry step towards Lara, his fists as tight as his jaw. He looked like he wanted to run in and tear Lara into pieces, but he held his spot. "You don't get it, do you, mongrel? Look around! Even if by some miracle you beat me again, you and your princess are outnumbered more than two hundred to one! You have no magic! No weapons! No allies! And absolutely no hope! You're just delaying your inevitable deaths! I've already won!"

Lara glared at him, wiping her mouth. The light in her eyes and hair flickered and then started to fade. "Maybe you're right. Maybe this won't change anything. But even if it won't, that doesn't mean I'm gonna give you the satisfaction of seeing me grovel!" She took a stance again, fists up and ready. "So quit your yapping and give me all you've got!"

It worried Melody to no end that Richard's response was a knowing smile. He looked around, his eyes settling on a beam of moonlight slipping through the trees behind him. "You want all I have, do you? Very well! I'll give it to you!"

He stepped back into the light, his green eyes suddenly turning yellow. "Witness how far I've risen above you!"

Melody should have realized what was happening immediately. But it was not till Richard's body began changing in earnest that she realized what he had become. His hair turned dark gray as fur sprouted all over his body. His mouth grew outwards as his ears became pointed, traveling further up on his head. The bones in his feet grew longer as his toes and fingers sprouted claws. His muscles swelled and rippled as his body grew larger. A large canine tail burst through the seat of his pants, the fabric stretching and tearing as it tried to contain his rapidly growing form. His shadow stretched out, falling over Lara as she watched with wide eyes. The surrounding werewolves moved further back, even more intimated by their leader than before.

When it was over, Richard Avitas stood before them as a full-fledged werewolf. He was a monster of a specimen, standing head and shoulders above the others. Even Undertow was not this large. Each of his claws was as long as Melody's fingers. Every contour of his muscles was visible through his thick gray fur. He glared down at Lara, snarling to reveal enormous, pointed teeth.

"Well, mongrel?" said Richard, his voice growling and low. His snarl turned into an arrogant smirk as he spread his arms wide, displaying himself before her. "Are you satisfied?"

Lara managed a grin even as beads of sweat ran down her face. "It's an improvement, at least. Hope the Master's brushing you out frequently. Can't imagine what he'd do if you shed on his carpet."

WHAM!

Melody barely saw Richard move. He lunged forward and smashed Lara with a kick in the blink of an eye, sending her flying back. The werewolves caught her and threw her back into the ring. She fell flat on her front, coughing out blood as she lay. Then she shakily rose, her breaths haggard and rough. Melody could tell from the look on her face alone that she was as astonished by Richard's transformation as she was. That, and she was seriously hurt.

"How about now?" said Richard, smirking as he folded his arms together.

Lara coughed again and then spat, smirking back at him. "Eh, Remora's was better."

Richard's eyes flared with anger. "Why you…!"

"What?" Lara grunted as she put her nose back in alignment. "Upset you're still playing second-best to a wo–?"

Before Lara could do anything to protect herself, Richard dashed in and backfisted her in the head. Lara tried to block, but he was so powerful he forced his way through her defense. She went flipping head over heels and then rolled through the dirt. Richard seemed to vanish again, becoming a dark blur and then reappearing in Lara's path. He drew a foot back and then kicked her, launching her into the air. She went flying above the heads of the werewolves and into the branches of a tree, snapping and cracking them till she slammed into the trunk. She tumbled down, bouncing limply off branches before she fell out of the canopy.

Richard laughed–at least, Melody thought the noise was a laugh–and leapt over the werewolves at Lara, pinning her against the tree as he slammed his open palm into her chest. Lara screamed as the tree cracked, bark flying off the opposite side. He sunk his claws into the tree, keeping himself and Lara in place.

"Who's second-best now, mongrel!?" Richard snarled, pressing down on Lara. She would have screamed if Richard had not crushed the air out of her. "Who!?"

He did not bother allowing Lara to answer. He grabbed her by the neck and threw her back into the ring. He jumped after her, aiming to land on her. Lara rolled away fast enough to avoid being squashed, but not fast enough to avoid him slashing at her. His enormous claws raked her front, leaving long lacerations across her stomach and chest. Richard laughed again as he drew a fist back and then punched Lara right in the face, knocking her flat, and then stomped on her hard enough to sink her into the ground.

Melody squeezed her eyes shut as the sounds continued. She could not watch. She wished she did not have to hear, either. The heavy smacking and ripping noises of fists and claws laying into Lara. Her pained cries as she tried in vain to defend herself. The jeering barks and howls from the werewolves. And Richard's feral laughter as he carried out his revenge without hesitancy or mercy. The longer it went on, the closer to despair Melody fell.

The sounds stopped, and Melody opened her eyes. Richard had Lara dangling by her hair in front of him. She looked even worse than when Undertow assaulted her. Her clothes were reduced to shredded strips, barely keeping her modest. Her skin was coated in crimson, blood dripping to the ground. Her left arm hung limp at her side as her right hand grabbed onto Richard's arm, trying to wrench herself free.

"You might've been a match for me before!" said Richard. He suddenly drove his knee into Lara's stomach, bending her in half. Melody saw blood fly out her mouth, her right arm losing strength. Richard lifted her again, lifting her face with his other hand. "But now you're not even a decent punching bag! Face it, Lara! Without your magic and fancy weapons, you're just a weak, helpless tramp who doesn't know her place! And to think they made you a knight!"

Lara said something, but her voice was so quiet not even Richard could hear her. He brought her close, smirking as she dangled from his hand. "Still have something to say to me, mongrel?"

"No," said Lara. "Just this."

Lara suddenly jabbed the fingers of her right hand as hard as she could into Richard's left eye. There was a wet, squelching pop.Richard dropped Lara and recoiled, howling as he clutched his eye. Blood ran down his face as he flailed about, kicking up dirt and needles in a cloud. Lara scrambled away, but Richard spotted her. He lunged and snatched her from behind, seizing her by the neck and slamming her down into the dirt. Before she could get up, he started stomping, slashing, and punching her as hard as he could, shaking the ground with each blow.

"You maggot!" he bellowed, his remaining eye turning bloodshot with hatred. "You inbred, gutter-dwelling piece of trash! How dare you!? How dare you do this to me!?"

Richard raised both his fists overhead and hammered them down on Lara, spraying a cloud of dirt out. He stepped back, panting furiously. His left eye was squeezed shut, blood seeping out between the lids. Then he grabbed Lara by her left arm, lifting her into the air. She dangled like a dead fish covered in dirt and blood.

"I was going to take my time killing you!" Richard hollered. "But I've changed my mind! I'm going to tear you apart one limb at a time! Then I'm going to do the same to your horse, and then I'll start on your precious princess! Then, when I get back to the Factory, I'll search through the prisoners and find everyone that ever helped you, and I'll do the same thing to each and every one of them!"

He grabbed hold of Lara's other arm, turning to the werewolves. "Place your bets, men! Left or right! Which one goes first!?"

Melody's eyes widened as a cacophony of "Left!" and "Right!" rose from the surrounding werewolves. "No! Lara!"

Her despair became absolute as Richard started to pull. Lara's eyes flew open and she screamed in pain. It was all over. This was it. This was where they died. There was no one coming to save them. No knight to charge in brandishing shield and sword heroically. No trident to drop from the sky. No secret magic Lara could call on to get them out of this. No Hive Queen to appear from the night. This was the end. Her end. Lara's end. Her family's end. Seahaven's end. The end of it all.

They lost.

"Someone…someone…" She squeezed her eyes shut and then screamed, "Someone save us!"

"AAAAWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOoooooooooooo…!"

The howl cut through the moment like a blade. Richard stopped trying to dismember Lara, looking out into the forest. So did all the other werewolves and Melody. Richard narrowed his eyes, jowls curling up in a snarl. Then he turned to one of the werewolves. "Who was that?"

The werewolf threw his head back and howled loudly. Melody heard his call carry through the forest, fading as it went. There was quiet for several long seconds, and then a replying howl came back.

"The third hunting party, sir," said the werewolf. "Probably heading this way."

Another howl sounded, louder this time. Or was it closer? Was it even from the same direction? Melody was not sure what to make of it. Then a second and third howl rang out, followed by a chorus of howling.

"Then who is that?" demanded Richard.

"Maybe a scouting party?" said the werewolf. He did not sound sure. "Probably out hunting all the survivors that–."

"GRRRRRRRRRROOOOOAAAAAAAAAHHHHRRRR!"

The hair on Melody's neck stood on end as the pack collectively flinched. Even Richard tensed at the noise. That was not a howl, but a growl. It sounded like something much larger than a wolf or bear or mountain lion. If anything, it sounded like a literal mountain, if such things had voices of their own.

And it sounded very, very angry.

"That's not one of ours…" said a werewolf nervously.

A sudden cold wind went racing through the forest, rustling the trees and kicking up dust and fallen leaves. Then a cacophony of howls sounded out, and then descended into pained canine yips and terrified human cries amidst indecipherable yelling. It carried on the wind with chilling clarity. The werewolves tensed, their hackles standing up and tails bristling as they snarled and growled.

"What's going on out there!?" shouted Richard, dropping Lara's unconscious form. "Who's making that racket!?"

Several werewolves howled at the same time. There was no response save the distant sounds of panic.

"No idea!" said a werewolf. "No one's responding!"

"There's blood in the air!" said another werewolf, taking a nervous step back.

"Probably tearing into some mob of runaways!"

"No! It's our blood!" The werewolf sniffed deeply and then snorted, shaking his head as if trying to rid the scent from his nostrils. "I can smell it!"

Richard stomped over to one of the werewolves, grabbing him by the scruff. "Then what are you standing around like an idiot for!? Take twenty dogs, get out there, and find out what's going on! As in now!"

The werewolves flinched as Richard emphasized his order with a sharp bark. The werewolf and a score more immediately if hesitantly took off towards the noise, disappearing into the trees. The rest moved closer together, watching the forest with wide, nervous eyes. The air of trepidation was thick as water. Richard remained where he was, lips curled back in a snarl.

A small firefly flew down from the trees, sinuating towards Lara. Richard saw it and batted it away with his hand, giving it no further heed. The bug recovered and then continued towards Lara, alighting on her nose. To Melody's amazement and relief, Lara's eyes slowly opened, focusing on the tiny insect. Perhaps it was the dim of the night, or the shock Melody had been through, or the blood and dirt smeared over Lara's face. But Melody swore she saw Lara manage the faintest of smiles and then whisper something before her eyes closed again. A second firefly flew down, this one heading for Melody. It hovered before her, the buzz of its wings barely audible. Melody blew at it, but the bug remained where it was. A green glow came from its abdomen, like sunlight passed through an emerald. Then the firefly alighted on the tip of her nose.

Was Melody seeing things, or was this bug made of plants? Its wings looked like young green leaves, and its legs and body were formed from entwined vines. Its abdomen was a pair of grass blades folded together, enclosing the light within. The firefly looked at her with glowing green eyes. She had the chilling thought that this bug was doing more than seeing her. It was looking at her.

"Princess Melody."

Melody's eyes widened. The firefly just spoke to her. She knew it was not Richard or one of the werewolves. This voice was entirely different than any human or monsters. It was deep, old, and strong. She was not sure she heard it, either. It felt like words bypassed her ears and went straight into her mind.

"Be steady," said the firefly.

Melody's eyes widened. "Who…who are you?"

"Hey!" The werewolves holding her wrenched on her arms again, causing Melody to cry out. Or, she would have if her voice did not suddenly disappear. "Keep your mouth shut!"

The firefly crawled up Melody's nose to her forehead. "Thou shalt see."

"Boss! Boss!"

All eyes turned to the forest. A werewolf was hobbling towards the pack as fast as he could. Swathes of his fur were wet and matted. He was clutching his left arm, which hung limply at his side. He was all but dragging his left leg, barely able to bear weight on it.

"Run!" he shouted. "Everybody run! It's real! It's real, and it's coming!"

"What is this!?" snarled Richard. "What happened!? Where's the rest!?"

"They're dead!" yelled the werewolf. "There all dead! It–!"

A long slender something swung down from the trees and wrapped the werewolf's neck, choking off his words. Then it yanked him back towards the shadows. The werewolf grabbed onto a trunk with his good hand, claws leaving deep gouges as he was pulled away. His voice came out in choked muddled sounds as he tried to say something. Suddenly he was pulled off and vanished into the forest. There was the sound of a scuffle, followed by painful yelping and screaming. Then it went quiet. The only sounds Melody heard were the rustling of the trees and the frightened mutterings of the werewolves. More than several of them began backing away, clearly thinking of heeding their dead compatriot's warning.

"Don't even think of it!" growled Richard, baring his teeth to the pack. "Any of you turn tail and I will personally hunt you down and kill you myself!"

"Dogs…"

The hair on Melody's neck stood up. That was the same voice as the beetle. Only this one was coming from the forest itself. And this time, everyone heard it. The werewolves looked about fearfully, ears perked as they tried to find its source.

"Who's there!?" yelled Richard. "Show yourself!"

"Nay, not dogs, for a dog doth bear his pride as a beast. Before me cower sons of man in the guise of beasts." A low growl echoed amongst the trees. "Thou art beneath dogs. A coterie of contemptible mockeries. Repulsive shadows of thy forebears."

The rusting from the trees intensified. The werewolves pressed in further. Melody felt it as much as they did. This sensation of eyes all around them. That their every movement was being watched. And that they were not welcome here.

"You think you can insult me and live!?" yelled Richard, his hackles raised in anger. "Quit your hiding, coward, and come fa–!"

An angry roar like a bear that ate thunder rang through the forest, cutting Richard off. "Still thy tongue, cur! Thou has no dominion here! The crowns and banners of man be earth and cloth to me! Thy words are the barks of an irksome half-blind pup!"

Richard growled, his one good eye scanning around. "One of you tell me where this bastard is so I can kill him!"

"He's nowhere!" said a werewolf. "I can't pinpoint his voice!"

"Same here!" said another werewolf.

"Never mind his voice!" snapped Richard. "Put your blasted noses to work!"

"We have!" said a werewolf. "He doesn't have a scent!"

"Thou has known my scent since thy feet tread upon my body," said the voice. "Thou hast drunk my blood, eaten my flesh, and walked amongst my bones."

"Boss, what is this freak talking about?" asked a werewolf.

"He's just running his mouth!" sneered Richard. "Too afraid to come and face us himself!"

"In accordance with the ways of old, I offer thee this first and final mercy," the voice said. "Depart me afore yonder dawn. Leave the daughter of Bel'al and the child of sea and shore unto me."

Melody's eyes widened. This voice, who or whatever they were, knew about Lara's father! And they knew about her! Did that mean…was this who Lara was trying to bring them to? Was this her mountain-dwelling friend speaking?

"Never enter my presence again," continued the voice. "Do, and thou shalt keep thy future. Refuse, and thy lives shalt be forfeit."

Richard snarled furiously. Then he threw his head back, letting loose a sound between a roar and a howl before he spoke again. "I have had enough of your prattling! I am Lord Richard Avitas! One of the commanding officers of Maelstrom, and alpha of the howling legions! You are beneath me! And I do now bow to empty threats from faceless cowards, much less my inferiors!"

He snatched Lara by the neck, holding her high in the air. "You want this tramp!? Come and take her from us!"

"So be it," said the voice.

A/N: "Underwater March" by Klaus Badelt. You all know which part to listen to ;)

There was a loud groan of stressed wood as a single redwood swayed in the breeze. Then it moved.

Melody's mouth fell open as the tree's roots rose from the earth and reached out, dragging itself across the ground. The werewolves quickly shrank back as it dragged itself away from the pack. Then more and more of the trees did the same, pulling themselves along. They moved aside to create a long clear path through the forest, the werewolves and their captives in the middle of it. The road faded into darkness as the trees bowed over, forming a vaulted ceiling of pine, fir, and spruce. Countless firefly lights appeared in their branches, making it seem the stars had fallen to their boughs.

The werewolves holding Melody abandoned her, joining the rest of the pack as the trees assumed their formation. She quickly crawled over to Lara while Richard had his back to them. It agonized her arms and leg to do so, but she had to reach her. She dropped beside her mangled guardian, wiping her hair out of her face. She was coated in so much blood it seemed a miracle she had any left to spare. But she was still breathing, and her heart was still beating in her chest. The firefly was still on her nose, its abdomen pulsating with light.

"Lara?" Melody whispered. "Lara, can you hear me?"

Lara slowly opened her left eye, then managed the weakest of smiles. "Hi…Mel…"

A loud groan of wood caused Melody to look up. The trees were rapidly growing new branches, adding years if not decades of growth to themselves in a matter of seconds.

"He's…coming…" Lara whispered.

Melody looked down at her. "Who? Who's coming?"

"Kodama." Lara closed her eyes and then exhaled loudly. Melody could have sworn Lara just relaxed. "Stay…close…to me…"

"What is this!?" snarled Richard, oblivious to what was happening behind him. "What's going on!?"

A wind blew through the forest again, rustling Melody's hair. The fireflies on her and Lara took off, carried away into the dark of the forest road. Melody watched their green lights fly off into the night, growing smaller yet losing none of their radiance as they bobbed about in the air. Their flights began to steady, coming closer together and then going still as the air quieted. They grew brighter, outshining the countless lights among the trees with their radiance.

Then the firefly lights blinked. They did not flicker. They did not dim. They blinked, just like a pair of eyes. No, they were eyes! They swayed in tandem within an unseen face, steadily growing closer. Melody could feel their gaze on her, and it was terrifying.

"I am the forest," said the voice, the glow from the eyes intensifying.

"There he is!" shouted Richard, pointing at the eyes. "Kill him!"

The werewolves made no move. If anything, they backed away from the eyes, terrified by their ominous approach.

"I said kill him!" shouted Richard. "Do it! Or I'll kill you all myself!"

The threat was enough to galvanize a handful of the werewolves into action. They charged towards the light, claws hands and feet churning up the ground as they sprinted.

Then the eyes flashed, and the forest came alive.

The branches of a tree swooped down and snared one of the werewolves, wrapping his arms and neck before hoisting him off the ground. He screamed as he was hoisted into the air, and then went silent as his neck broke with a loud crack. Another tree did the same, snatching a werewolf around his middle and then smashing him repeatedly against the ground till he moved no more. As the branches attacked from above, roots sprang forth from below like waiting snakes, seizing werewolves left and right. The beasts struggled in vain as the roots pulled them underground, their claws leaving deep furrows before the earth swallowed them whole.

"Help me!" pleaded one of the werewolves as his waist went below the dirt. "Don't stand there! Help me!"

The werewolves did nothing of the sort, cowering back as their comrades were rapidly dispatched. Melody heard the panicked pleas of the last werewolf before a branch impaled him like a spear. Dead werewolves hung like moss from the trees like morbid ornaments as the ground went still. The remaining werewolves packed in close as they could, terrified by what they just witnessed.

And the lights kept coming.

"I am the leaf on the branch," said the voice. "I am the sea of grass upon the meadow. I am the seed from which the tree is born. I am the mold and rot that returns it unto the earth."

The lights in the trees flew down to the eyes, forming the outline of a large beast. Melody saw faint lines of green light spread out from them. They sinuated and twisted through the air like drawing a constellation between stars, creating the outline of a creature like none she knew of. It stood three times taller than the largest horse. Richard himself was barely half its height. Four long vulpine tails grew forth as its four canine legs took shape. Its neck was long like an elk, holding a wolf-like head aloft with dignity and pride.

"I am the rock, stone, and clod underfoot," said the creature. "I am the cloud, rain, and snow. I am the river and the air."

Suddenly the creature's outline filled with green light, casting a light through the forest. Then it faded away, starting at its head. White fur grew in its place, covering the beast from head to the end of its bushy tails. Sweeping, graceful patterns of red, green, and black appeared on its hide as a pair of elegant branches grew from its head like antlers. Moss hung down as flowers and leaves continually bloomed and withered upon them. Plants grew, blossomed, and died where its feet touched the earth. Its tails rapidly changed, sprouting plants of their own. One tail filled with vibrant green grass and shoots, flowers of all colors appearing throughout. The second grew grass that then faded, becoming yellow and dry with seed heads ready to burst. The third grew a tangle of branches covered in the yellow, orange, and red leaves of fall. And the final tail became barren sticks that then sprouted winterberry, witch hazel, and all manner of winter-blooming plants. Yet the tails moved as if they were flesh and blood.

"I am life hopeful. I am death inevitable." The creature continued towards them, its green eyes never blinking nor straying. "I am the forest eternal."

Melody gasped, drawing a sharp breath as the memory of a conversation inside her father's private study came flying back to her. Beings with such might and abilities they were indistinguishable from gods, able to perform the impossible and bend if not break the laws mortals were forced to abide by. That was how Lara described them. Melody had no way of being certain, but deep down she already knew it.

This was Kodama. And he was an Eternal.

One of the werewolves could take no more of it. Between his dead comrades hanging from the trees or buried in the earth, the living forest, and now this living force of nature that appeared before them, his fear overcame what courage he possessed. He gave a terrified cry and ran, shoving his brethren aside as he fled for his life.

"Get back here!" yelled Richard. "Now, before I–!"

Whatever threat Richard was going to make, it was pointless. The werewolf barely made it ten paces into the forest before Kodama went after him. He moved like the wind, slipping through the trees with a trail of vaporous light behind him. A green light engulfed his front limbs as he went, paws becoming long hands with razor sharp claws on each finger. The werewolf just registered the threat when Kodama seized him, claws burying into his body as his mouth opened wide, revealing long sharp teeth that would put any wolf to shame. The werewolf screamed as he and Kodama disappeared behind a tree. Melody did not see what happened next, but she heard it. The scream was cut off with the sound of shattering bones and tearing flesh. Then Kodama stepped through the tree, blood smeared across his face and arms. He phased out of the wood like a ghost, his fur becoming white once more as the blood disappeared by some unknown magic.

"Make peace with thy selves," said Kodama, his glowing eyes narrowing as he emerged completely from the tree. "For I shall grant you none!"

That was all the werewolves could tolerate. They broke formation, fleeing into the forest in all directions.

"Stop!" yelled Richard. "Back in formation and attack! All of you!"

The werewolves ignored him, their loyalty as broken as their bravery. Kodama began attacking them left and right, moving like the wind through the trees as he killed any werewolf that strayed into his path. He ripped and tore into them as if they were made of paper. Some tried to claw and bite him before they died, but his fur did not suffer a single mark. Plants grew off his body and tails, attacking the werewolves with swift brutality. Sharpened branches pierced hearts and bellies as roots and thorny vines sprouted from his footsteps, mowing down the werewolves in droves. Some were frozen solid at the slightest touch, encased in ice before they shattered to death. Some were caught in ferocious gusts of wind, launched with cannon force into the sky or into trees. Others were buried beneath waves of earth that rose like water, crushing the werewolves under a torrent of dirt and rock. Mushrooms and molds grew on others still, rapidly draining their victim's life away till they crumbled to dust amidst a cloud of spores, seeding all who wandered into them.

The forest was no more merciful that he was. Melody saw the trees attack the werewolves one after another. She heard the snapping of branches and bones as the packs' voices were silenced one after the other. For some reason, none of the trees attacked Richard. He was left standing alone in the middle of the chaos, watching as his forces were decimated.

Richard grabbed a werewolf that ran within his reach, wrenching him back. "Are you deaf!? I order you to–!"

The werewolf responded by clawing Richard in the face. Richard let him go, yelling angrily as he clutched his wounded muzzle.

"Screw your orders!" barked the werewolf as he ran after his comrades. He did not make it far. The trees around him seized his arms and legs with their branches and then flung him up into the canopy. There was a loud snap and his voice was snuffed out.

Melody felt something moving underneath her. She looked down and saw tree roots slithering through the dirt like snakes towards Richard. He did not notice them, too preoccupied by his rapidly disappearing underlings.

He did, however, notice Melody when he turned around. That, and the rise and fall of Lara's chest as she continued breathing. He suddenly snatched Lara by the legs.

"No!" shouted Melody, trying to hold onto Lara. But Richard was too strong and she was too injured. Lara slipped through her grasp, hanging upside down in Richard's grasp. "Let her go!"

Kodama turned at her voice, a dead werewolf hanging in his jaws. He threw it aside as Richard brought Lara towards his mouth, intent on biting her in half. "Release Anclagon!"

Melody did not hear the dire wolves until they went shooting past her, launching themselves at Richard and taking both of them by surprise. One leapt and bit into the arm holding Lara, thrashing its head side to side, while the other latched onto Richard's right calf. He snarled and dropped her as two more wolves appeared, leaping onto his back and biting and clawing furiously. Melody caught a glimpse of canine figures rushing through the forest towards them. Then an entire pack of dire wolves burst through the forest and launched themselves at Richard, taking him by surprise Another pair latched onto his right leg as another wolf chomped into his side. The others formed a ring around him, looking for an opening to make their move. Richard bellowed as their claws and fangs tore into him.

"Rotten curs!" he shouted. He grabbed the one on his arm and ripped it free, throwing it at a tree. It hit the trunk with a loud yelp and fell to the ground. Then Richard seized the ones on his back and hurled them away. The wolves hit the dirt and rolled, then immediately sprang to their feet. He pulled the one on his side off as he kicked away the two on his leg, only to have another wolf charge in and bite down hard into the back of his thigh. Richard roared in pain as the wolf thrashed and pulled, ripping itself free and then darting away from his reach. Richard dropped to one knee, unable to put weight on his leg. Two of the wolves took the chance and grabbed Lara by the legs, pulling her away from him and towards Melody.

"Lara!" Melody exclaimed, quickly crawling towards her with right leg dragging painfully behind. Richard turned and saw the wolves making off with his intended victim.

"No you don't!" he growled. He reached for Lara, only to have a root spring from the ground and snare his wrist. He tried to pull it off, but then a swarm of roots burst forth and wrapped him. Richard bellowed as he struggled against them, his claws and fangs ripping and tearing them to pieces. But for all his strength and fury, he could not overcome their numbers. For each he destroyed, five more took their place. Within seconds his arms were bound to his sides and he was brought to his knees. All he could do was struggle in futility against his bonds as the dire wolves encircled him, keeping watch.

"Let me go!" Richard bellowed. "Let me go!"

The wolves dragging Lara released her as Melody approached, taking hold of Lara again. Four of the wolves came and stood protectively beside them, teeth bared in snarls at Richard. Tempest attempted to stand as a wolf approached but then immediately fell. The wolf backed away and then turned, standing guard over him as well. The princess and the stallion watched as the wolves parted, allowing Kodama to approach Richard. He stopped before him, looming over him in silence.

"Release me this instant!" snarled Richard as he struggled against his restraints.

"As said, thou hath no dominion here," said Kodama. "And now, thou hath no soldiers."

"What!?" shouted Richard. "That's impossible! I brought more than three hundred! And I still have my reinforcements!"

He threw his head back and howled loudly, his call fading away into the night. No one responded. Richard howled again and received the same response.

"Thy 'reinforcements' be with the forest now," said Kodama. "And thou art alone before me."

Richard glared up at the creature. Then he started chuckling, baring his teeth in a maniacal smile. "You fool! You utter, stupid fool! Do you have any idea who I am!? Or what you've done!?"

Melody was not sure if Kodama's silence meant he did not know, or that he did not care. Whichever it was, the quiet only infuriated Richard further.

"I'm Richard Avitas!" he all but screamed, spittle flying out his mouth. "One of Maelstrom's commanders, and a lord! To harm me is to ensure your death! No…you already have! Your fate was sealed the moment you interfered, you ugly flea-bitten freak! Even if you let me go, it's over for you! Maelstrom will come for me, and for you! They'll find you and kill you! And then they'll–!"

"Dost thou presume me to tremble at thy vacuous ramblings?" interrupted Kodama, his tone blatantly unimpressed.

Melody could have sworn she saw light flash in Richard's remaining eye as he glared up at Kodama. "I am talking, you worthless animal! How dare you–!?"

Whatever Richard planned to say next, Melody would never know. A vine grew off the roots restraining him and wrapped his muzzle shut. His words became muffled and indecipherable.

"Thy words are empty as thy threats," interrupted Kodama. He looked towards Melody and Lara, causing the hair on the princess' neck to stand on end. She felt that he could see more than her form. That he could see every single thing about her, body, mind, and soul. Then he returned his gaze to Richard. "And thy power be fragile as thy form."

Kodama's eyes glowed, and then a green haze enveloped Richard. He began to change back. His fur receded and his snout shrank. His tail grew smaller and then vanished. Claws became fingernails as his transformation was undone. The roots retreated as Richard grew smaller and more human, till he was left a shirtless man kneeling before the giant four-tailed beast. He gawked at his human hands, looking himself over.

"Y-you!" Richard stared up at Kodama in outrage and disbelief. "What did you do to me!?"

"Taken what thou were given," said Kodama. "Thou has no right to wear such form before my eyes."

"No!" yelled Richard. He stood, clenching his fists as tight as his jaw as he tried to force the transformation again. But nothing happened. He kept trying till he was red in the face, and then gave up, panting and sweating. "No! This isn't…it's not possible!"

Kodama's eyes glowed again. Richard went stiff as though something had ahold of him. Then he slowly floated off the ground, hovering in front of Kodama.

"Richard Avitas," growled Kodama. "Lara divulged much of your history unto me in our last meeting. I care not for the laws and pains of man. I leave the execution of mortal justice unto mortal hands. But thou was offered life, and thou did rebuff it."

The glow from Kodama's eyes intensified. Suddenly Richard screamed as the green aura enveloped him again. "Methinks death too kind and brief an end for thee!"

Richard began to shrink. His neck shortened as his fingers and arms withdrew. His feet and toes elongated as a hairless tail grew from his seat. His ears enlarged and became rounder as his snout elongated again, large whiskers sprouting forth. His voice became higher and higher till Melody could not hear it anymore. All the while his form became smaller and smaller, till Melody lost sight of him within the green haze. Then the light faded, and a small round animal dropped to the ground.

It was a mouse. Richard had become a small, fluffy brown mouse. His dark eyes looked around in fright, then widened as he looked himself over. He let out an enraged squeak, then covered his mouth as he realized that was his new voice. He screamed as a hand-like branch grew off Kodama's left antler, reaching for him. Richard tried to run, but the branch snatched him like a striking viper, lifting him by the tail. He dangled and squirmed helplessly before the creature.

"Thou lived as a predator in man's skin," said Kodama. "Now, thou shalt die as a man in prey's form. The smallest and most hunted of my realm. Every moment of thy life shall be spent in fear and struggle. Never shalt thou know a moment of true rest nor security, come light of sun or glow of moon. All shall hunt thee. None will protect thee. Thou shalt never be found by man, and never be remade to one. Not even thy Master be capable of restoring thee. And if thou leaves these lands, thy life will cease. This be the sentence I render unto thee."

Kodama dropped Richard, who landed with a startled squeak. He leaned down to him, narrowing both his gleaming eyes. Richard backed away, tripping over a branch.

"Run," growled Kodama.

Richard gave a terrified squeak and scampered away fast as his four tiny feet and legs would carry him. The dire wolves watched as he scurried, but none made a move for him. Melody watched as he ran behind a tree and disappeared. An owl hooted off in the distance, as if announcing itself as one of the countless new foes he would have to contend with in his remaining days.

That was the last time Melody or any other human saw Lord Richard Avitas, the tyrant and traitor of Seahaven.

Kodama continued to watch Richard a while longer, and then he turned to Melody and Lara. Melody quickly bowed her head as he approached, remembering from somewhere that predators saw direct eye contact as a challenge or a threat. She started shaking all over, terrified this being was about to turn his wrath on her next.

"Lift thy gaze, Princess of Seahaven," said Kodama. "I bear no malice towards thee."

Melody shakily did so, unable to stop the chill she felt as she looked into Kodama's eyes. They made her feel incredibly small and vulnerable. Which, in truth, she was.

Kodama's gaze shifted onto Lara, and his eyes narrowed crossly. "However, I bear displeasure for the actions of this one, as she hath made her concerns into my burden."

"Wh-what actions?" Melody asked.

"Tis not a matter of thy concern," said Kodama. "Thy flight is at an end. Now, sleep."

Melody suddenly felt extraordinarily tired. Her eyes slowly closed despite her efforts to hold them open. She felt herself float away, glimpsing Kodama's eyes one last time. Then she surrendered to slumber.


A/N: Out of the frying pan and into the oven. Lara and Melody have narrowly escaped danger once again, rescued by the force of nature that is Kodama. But the forest guardian has a bone to pick with Lara when she awakes. And Melody's family is still in peril. What awaits our heroines with the coming dawn? Find out in the next chapter!

DISCLAIMER: I do not own "The Little Mermaid," Disney, or any of its associated characters and intellectual property. I do not own any of the songs/music listed. Everything else, however, is mine =)