I crept hurriedly through the dark courtyard, looking around tepidly to make sure no one was present. Unlike the other night, I didn't have Emut's help, so opening the door took a while. But, at long last, it creaked open a few inches and I edged through the small gap as it slammed shut behind me.

I already felt out of breath by that action alone and I cursed internally at my lack of fitness skills. Still, I knew that I had to hurry before someone noticed me missing, so I jogged up towards the direction Emut had taken me- the place he would go to be alone. I had remembered the route from when we were walking back and my feet moved on their own accord. The night was silent, save for the soft crunch of my steps in the sand and the crickets chirping in the darkness.

It was moments such as these that I was thankful for the bright light that emanated from the moon as it shone down, basking every tree in its ethereal glow as I stepped into the oasis. Each step was more familiar than the one before and I sighed in relief when I felt myself getting closer.

It was only when I heard voices that I slowed my footsteps to a creep, ducking as I moved to see the place where Emut had brought me. I peered in from behind the trunk, looking on at the sight of Emut sitting near the bank of the small blue lake.

"He said it was the right time to relieve himself of his duties and give them to me." I heard Emut speak up as he sat on the grass, pulling on it as he had done before when with me. He looked down, a tense look on his face.

I turned my gaze when I heard a small sound, looking to Demir who was leaning against a tree, his glaive in hand as he stared at the blue water impassively.

"You act as though it wouldn't have happened eventually. He's not exactly a man in his youth." Demir spoke, lifting his head, his eyes mirrored the reflection of the luminous blue water.

Emut sighed at this before leaning back, making his biceps flex with the action.

"I had known it would happen eventually, but that doesn't change the fact that I don't feel ready." He said honestly and I let out a sad sigh at his words, remembering how during each plan he would allow Negus to have the final word.

Demir let out a small scoff, stroking through the water with the point of his glaive absent-mindedly, making ripples form in spheres.

"What better time to be ready than now when the prophecy has arrived? I've seen you in action; you're as every bit a leader as we had all hoped for." He muttered out and I felt myself stiffen at the mention of me, listening intently for Emut's next words. Instead, Demir chose to continue, moving closer to Emut and crouching next to his form. His soul-searching gaze was palpable, even from a distance.

"Unless, you're uncertain." Demir finished, his blank gaze roaming Emut's face and I watched as Emut looked up at Demir's words, staring long and hard before running a hand through his hair. He let out another sigh then before leaning forward.

"It's different- to be a soldier laying your life down for what you believe in to then being a leader that holds the fate of each soldier's life in their words. How do I guarantee that nobody else gets hurt?" He said, in a defeated tone, his eyes a dull hazel. I watched as Demir scoffed, his bitter gaze on Emut.

"That's your only fault- allowing yourself to be held responsible for the deplorable actions of others." He almost spat out and Emut shook his head, opening his mouth to speak, but Demir continued, his stormy gaze set firm on Emut.

"And as for your guarantee, there is no one else I would voluntarily follow behind into battle. I only do so because I believe you capable." He finished and I watched as Emut looked up, a smile making its way to his face.

"Or perhaps you do so because you care too much, Demir." He teased, letting out a small laugh when Demir raised an eyebrow, his face impassive.

"Careful, Emut. If you're so fickle to fall into such delusive contentment, I might take back my sentiments." He said bluntly and I watched as Emut nudged him playfully with a smile.

"Well, at least then I can say I'm content." He replied, in a teasing tone to which Demir scoffed, standing up to his full height.

"I'd much rather be miserable in actuality than content in delusions." He said simply, making Emut laugh as he stood up. I watched, smiling as he slapped Demir's back.

"Whatever be the case, I'm content in having a friend like you." He said warmly, folding his arms and Demir smiled at his words which I found to be quite a rare sight. He looked as though he was about to say something, but instead his burning gaze snapped to the surroundings as he scanned around cautiously.

"There's someone here." He said darkly to which Emut placed his hand against the hilt of his sword, making me panic. I moved out from behind the trees then, hands up as I edged closer.

"Hey, no, I'm sorry. It's just me; I came to see if you were okay." I said apologetically, directing the last bit towards Emut and Demir tutted at my words.

"I knew you were there the entire time, Hanna. It's something else." He said, looking to the surroundings and I stilled at the seriousness in his words, staying quiet as we listened.

It was then that I could hear the faint rustling, something that could have been easily mistaken as the wind, had it not been brought up. And, yet, now that it had, I could feel the beating of my heart as the sound neared, becoming more prominent.

Emut moved by my side as we waited for something and it was then that my breath caught in my throat. The dark feeling that I had felt during the battle in the Centaurae province came rushing back with a vengeance and my hands clenched tight in response to the ominous feeling pushing against my body.

Emut looked to Demir, drawing his sword.

"A commander?" He asked to which Demir shook his head, his focus on the surroundings.

"Worse. A Bakenanouke." Was all that he said, but it was enough to make my heart stop dead in my chest and I looked in panic at both males. I remembered how I had seen one in the battle and hadn't mentioned it at all, hoping that I could forget the nightmare-inciting creature. I felt Emut tense at Demir's words before sheathing his sword again, looking to us both.

"We have to run." He instructed and I flinched as the sound of rustling nearing us. It was silent for a moment before Emut shouted another incoherent command and we began moving, racing through the familiar oasis.

I could hear my breathing becoming louder and louder with every step. The moonlight was bright enough to see that I was much slower and I pushed hard to go faster, feeling the ache build in my legs. Yet, I was slowing with every step and I knew I'd have to stop eventually.

It was then that I felt a strong tug against my arm before being tossed in the air. I let out a small yelp before landing against warmth and I looked up with heavy breaths. I was looking into the darkness of the forest as we moved further away from it. Emut held his arms around me tightly, my stomach against his chest and my arms lay dangling behind his back and I sighed in fearful relief.

It was the first time in a while that the wind caressed me and I closed my eyes tightly when I could still feel the ominous feeling as it drew closer.

At long last, we drew to an abrupt halt and I felt the ground as I was lowered behind a large bush. Emut was still sat close to me as he looked around and I copied his actions. It was then that Demir came, ducking beside Emut, his glaive in hand and hair tickling his eyes. He looked to Emut before looking back from the way we had come, a look of thought on his face. I felt Emut tense at this.

"No, Demir, we won't win this one." He said quietly into the dark, his stern tone still potent despite the low volume of his words. I pieced their words together and looked to Demir in shock. He wanted to go against the creature? Demir edged closer at Emut's words, a scowl on his face.

"We will never win if we don't try. It's you and I, remember?" He replied, an edge to his tone and Emut shook his head.

"No, it's you, I and Hanna. We can't risk her life for a meagre battle. We win the war." He replied firmly without hesitation and Demir's eyes snapped to me at his words. He looked for a moment or two with his searing gaze before sighing and dipping his head.

I let out a breath at this, feeling utterly exhausted at the events that had just happened. But, more so, I felt helpless. Again, I was the dead weight that had to be taken into account before the next step was considered. I felt a pang of sadness, but also relief. If it weren't for my being here, Demir may have won in convincing Emut to fight and, from experience, I knew that the Bakenanouke was not a creature to mess with. I could feel the power it emanated even when it was just stood conversing with a soldier. Who knew how much it held when it fought.

We looked around cautiously and my heart sunk again at the familiar feeling as it drew near.

"It's close." Demir spoke, voicing my thoughts and Emut gazed around, looking for a form of escape. Yet, there was no escape to be found in this oasis. I jerked up at my own thoughts, thinking to the only form of escape that had run through my head as a doubt for the past weeks.

The cave!

If just temporarily we could escape from the Bakenanouke. I sighed, knowing that it was a long shot and I hadn't even tried to see if the cave worked in such a way because I was too afraid if it did. Yet, I knew it was just as bad to stay hiding here with no means of escape.

The surroundings supported my thoughts when the clear crunch of leaves echoed across the forest and I knew that there was no way that hiding would help. So, with that thought, I steeled myself and rose to a crouch. The boys turned to me then as I looked ahead towards the direction I knew the cave to be.

"I have a plan." I spoke in a determined tone and Emut was first to speak, a firm look on his face.

"The best plan is to hope that we are not seen, Hanna. The Bakenanouke is not known for its mercy." He said simply and Demir peered out the bushes at his words.

I could sense the unsureness from both boys and I knew they would never concede or hold any conviction for my plans.

So I did what I knew would put my plan into action.

I got up swiftly, ignoring the protests and ran towards my desired destination. I could feel the sound of crunching leaves behind me, making my heart lurch into my throat as I ran, but sighed in relief when I saw it was both Demir and Emut, keeping at my pace and by my side.

"Do you have a death wish?" Demir's voice whisper-shouted beside me and I pushed myself harder as I ran before looking to both males.

"Please. Trust me." I edged out almost through clenched teeth before turning to look ahead. I didn't wait to see their expressions for I knew that, in order for my plan to succeed, I had to concentrate on getting there before the Bakenanouke got to us.

Just as though it heard my thoughts, I heard the sound of a piercing shriek behind us and enraged scurrying, making me let out a small cry at the terrifying sound. It had well and truly found us now and I knew that there was no turning back. I felt myself trip slightly over a thick tree root, but Demir pulled me up roughly by my arm and I pushed on.

I sighed in relief when the cave was in sight and maybe that's what made me go a bit faster- the small ounce of hope.

"Hanna?! We can't!" Emut's voice sounded out near me, but I ignored it as I clung to the hope.

I hurriedly grabbed both male's hands, seeing from my peripheral view how their gaze snapped to me at the contact. I ignored this and ignored the crazed sounds from behind. I had to focus and I closed my eyes as I recalled the words the man had given me.

"This is insane!" Demir''s voice sounded out again and I heard the louder screeching of the creature behind us, but I pushed it away to focus. My eyes opened with a renewed sense of vigor as we stood a few feet away from the cave and I shouted the words at the top of my lungs.

"Ana iza arooh Earth!"

I could hear the wail of the creature and it's claws as it scraped against my neck as well as Emut's incoherent words before I tripped, falling hard to the ground.

Demir's and Emut's hands were yanked out of my own at the fall and I opened my eyes, groaning at the pain in my neck. It was only then that I realised the texture of what I was lying down on and snapped upright, my hands burying themselves into the familiar carpet.

Looking around, my eyes found both Emut and Demir lying beside me and then I looked around, my breathing still heavy from the events, but I laughed slightly through the fear and exhaustion.

I was home.

                             °°°°°°°♧°°°°°°

Hey, guys! Thank you for reading.

I hope you guys enjoyed it because I very much enjoyed writing it!

I will update every week (or twice a week), so there will be plentiful to read.

Please vote if you enjoyed it and comment on what you would like to see!

Much Love,

S.A.A