Aria watched the prince rise like a storm.

His hand reached back, seizing the sword that hung on his back. His powerful muscles flexed as he breathed. As if reacting to him, the wind moved, following his silent command. The ink on his skin began to glow a dark magenta, pulsing against his lightly sun-kissed flesh. It gained a life of its own, whirling around his body in a silent dance.

A growl escaped Elvin's lips, and his neck strained as two sharp magenta stripes extended into his skull, disappearing into his braided hairline. The sharp ink flowed all over his skin, decorating him like a work of art. From the side, Aria could see a large purple slash across his right eye. It turned grey-blue eye into a raging thunderstorm.

He took a single step forward, and the ground trembled under him. He broke into a fast sprint. So fast, Aria could hardly see his individual movements. Fluid like the wind, he appeared next to the beast and slashed his sword across its face. The creature roared in anger and snapped its long talons at Elvin. He flipped back, missing the edge of its claws.

Elvin landed on the floor, the ground grinding under his golden boots. He stood tall, ready to attack again. Estel rushed to his side, sword in hand.

Nessa screamed once again, and Elvin turned towards her. The mother trees roots, attracted by the blood pouring from Nessa's wounds, grew towards her. It craved, the life, the minerals, her essence. The roots threatened to encase and devour her. On the floor, she swung her swords violently at the fine wood, breaking it, before they could reach her.

"Estel, take Nessa and retreat."

"But-"

"That's an order, soldier. I can handle this Orcosk myself."

Estel flashed angry blue eyes at him, annoyed to be sidelined, but reluctantly nodded her head. She sheddeth her sword, ran to Nessa, and picked the bleeding soldier up. They ran out, disappearing into the treelines.

"Come, we must go too," Elora urged.

"What of the prince?" Aria asked.

"He will be fine."

Aria tried once again to get up, but her legs buckled. Elora grunted and wrapped her arm around Aria, pulling her off the ground. The weight of Lia and Aria tugged down on Elora's steps, making them drag against the grassy floor.

The ground tumbled as a sea of large wolf-like beasts appeared. Drool dripped from their canine-like teeth. Their blood-stained red eyes watched their prey.

Aria felt Elora tensed next to her. Her arm went to reach for her sword, but stopped when Aria's stance faltered.

One...two...ten... sharp and deadly jaws waiting to devour them. There was no way— no way to make it around them. Fear shredded through Aria. They would tear them all apart. Unless...

Aria unwrapped Elora's arm from around her. "You have to run. Get Lia out safe."

Elora looked at Aria like she had grown a second head. "I can't leave you behind."

"You can't carry us both and still fight. You have to protect and love Lia, and you can't do that if you are dead. GO!" Aria screamed, shoving Elora away.

Elora looked ready to argue back, but one of the smaller beasts started to prowl forward. Its large teeth bared as acid saliva fell from its crooked mouths.

Elora turned and ran. Her child tightly in her arms. The beast charged forward, its jaws wide open. She wilded her sword and cut through its neck mid-air. Its body fell limp on the floor. More attacked, and she fought them off, one by one, until she broke through their lines and ran past them. Elora stood at the tree line, waiting for the beasts to turn. Once they had their eyes locked on her, she ran with a trail of monstrous creatures following close behind.

Aria smiled as Elora and Lia's form disappeared into the shadows of the treelines.

A few stragglers turned their beastly red eyes to Aria.

Aria's heart pounded—fingers dug into the dirt. The pebbles turned to dust in her scared grip. Many had followed Elora, but some remained. The biggest one, a crocodile-like head with a bear body, sprung forward.

A spear pierced the air. The atmosphere swirled around its sharp edge, piercing the reptile's right eye. The beast trashed around, angrily flinging its head. It tore at its face, trying to rid itself of the spear.

Aria took the chance and threw the pebbles at its face, perfectly timing it to blur it's one good eye. Fighting against the weakness that kept her down, she rose, and grabbed the handle of the spear. She pushed, digging it further into the reptile's eyes. The spear zizzled against her skin, stinging her flesh. But yet she still pushed it forward, resisting the electrifying force that wanted to launch her away.

The beast growled in agony before it collapsed at her feet. Aria stumbled backward and looked at her reddened hands.

Elvin appeared next to her, the wind crashing around him. He grabbed the spear, and it quickly retracted into a sword. No lightning, as if it belonged in his hands. And only his.

He extended his hand and screamed, "come on!"

She did not hesitate and grabbed onto it.

Elvin rushed towards where the other had disappeared, but the remaining large beasts blocked their way. They stalked, inching closer.

A fruit fell from the mother tree, rolling at the beasts' feet. Their eyes lost focus of Elvin, and they rushed towards it, each clawing at each other for a single taste. The massive creature threw the smaller ones off its back and devoured it like its life depended on it.

"Fuck!" Elvin cursed.

The juice of the fruits dripped off its jaws. It revered in its essence. Soon its muscles began to crack, the skin splitting open as it grew in size. Blisters boiled on its face, pupils at their centers. Eyes formed, covering its head, like a spider. Its wolf-like body morphed, torso transforming into that of a large ape. It was a beast of nature, all split together, regurgitated as something hideous. Monstrous.

A deep thundering growl made Elvin's eyes turn to the treetop of the mother tree. His large hands grasped Aria's waist, and he placed her in front of him. Just mere inches away. "Stay still and don't move a muscle. I have an idea. When I tell you, grab on to me."

Elvin's muscles flexed. He took a deep breath, and the air around them surged once again. The marking pulsed. The sky darkened above, a large cloud veiling whatever light could sneak by. Lightning sparked throughout his body, pure lightning rippling through.

The sparks of energy teased Aria's skin, stroking her being. Every hair on her body rose in response.

The sky thundered. A cascade of lightning crashed all around. Pure energy striking the ground. Aria stood frozen, trapped between the gentle sizzling of Elvin's skin and the far deadlier thunderbolts that cracked all around. The dust rose forming a cloudy mist, fogging all around it.

Elvin's breath was sharp and hard. Exhaustion was written on his face.

Once the air cleared, the electricity still rippled through the ground. A surge of energy entered the grass and was channeled up to the mother tree's roots. Streaks of light traveled up the hovering trunk. Up above the vine filled treetop, fruits matured, their weight breaking their stem. Plum-red and fleshy blooms rained from the sky, their spiked filled coat splattering on the ground.

Silence fell over the clearing. Destroyed, disassembled beast plagued the ground—strange fluids leaking from the broken parts.

The spider-like monstrosity rose, its flesh barely held together. It crawled on the ground, clinging to life.

Elvin whispered, "I expected this, hold on tight."

Elvin's firm finger wrapped her arms around his neck, and he jumped. The air around them swirled violently, propelling them upward. His arm extended, and he grasped the hanging roots.

Aria screamed when her grip began to slip. In response, Elvin's leg wrapped below her rear, bolstering her up. Her breath halted at the heat of his skin. She could feel every muscle shift, brushing against her clothes.

A growl vibrated through the roots from below.

Aria cast her eyes down and saw the creature reach out and lick the spilled juices of the broken fruit. Its flesh messily glued together. Its eyes snapped from side to side, rolling up to look at them.

"Elvin?!"

"I know," Elvin spoke calmly.

"How in hell's name are you so calm?!"

"I have a plan."

Once the monster began to stand, Elvin swung from the roots to the low hanging vines that cascaded around the treetop branches. He swung, from vine to vine. Feet tight against Aria's bottom, making sure she wouldn't slip.

The beast beat its closed fist against the ground before it jumped. It grabbed tight onto the hanging roots. Its sharp claws tore through the vines as it tried to reach them.

Once Elvin reached one of the enormous tree branches, he rocked Aria on top before climbing next to her.

"How good is your balance?" Elvin asked. Grey eyes stared down at Aria before they trailed the length of the branch. It extended for ages, branching and splitting multiple times, before ending just short of a mountain top. Occasionally, his eyes swayed down to glance at the beast. It scratched closer, and closer, by the second.

"Good?" Aria hesitated, looking down. The space between her and the floor widened as her heartbeat quickened. She would splatter on the floor like a fallen egg.

A growl came from above, causing the leaves to shake. Every bird that had previously rested on the branches hid further in the greenery.

"What is that?"

"The dragon."

"Why is it here?" Aria asked.

"Lured by the carcasses," Elvin looked down once more. The beast inched closer, its clawed paws grasping the branch they stood on.

"It's time to run. Make good use of your balance, won't you."

"Huh?" Aria asked.

Before she knew it, the prince grasped her right hand and began running on the branch. He dragged her with him. Her small feet trying to keep up with the haste and precision of his step.

The beast pounded its furry paws on the branch as it ran behind them, struggling with its poorly put together body. It inched closer. And closer.

The branch in front of them was thinning, and soon, they wouldn't be able to run next to each other.

"ELVIN?" Aria asked. But instead of answering, he lifted her, with a gust of air, he sent her to the branch above. She kept running, for what else could she do, wait for the beast to snap its large jaws around her.

Elvin kept running below her, keeping a close pace. His gaze shifted back, then up. "Aria, when I tell you. Jump."

The leaves began to brush against their side. Twigs scraping their skin as they broke through the surface of the canopy.

"JUMP!" Elvins screamed.

Aria metal boots pushed into the bark so hard, they cracked the skin. Power flew through her once more, projecting her forward, farther than she ever could.

The monstrous spider-ape jumped after them, swinging its arm to grasp Aria.

A growl broke through the air as the fire spread through the sky. Aria's heart tightened at what she saw. A beast. A magnificent beast. Its scaly blue skin reflected the moonlight around it. Grand bat-like wings flapped as it prowled over the treetop. It breathed fire so hot, it burned blue.

It took a dive and flew towards them, its two legs extending, claws open wide, ready to grasp. Its talons dug into the beast, clawing into its skin. The creature screamed in pain. The dragon flung it above, spitted fire, turning it to crisp before it swallowed it whole.

A strong hand wrapped around Aria as she dropped from the sky. Harsh winds ragged all around her, as a firm chest pressed against her back. She turned to see Elvin smirking smugly down at her as he held onto a vine.

That bastard had used her as prey. 

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Next chapter: Elvin and Aria alone, what could go wrong?