𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟖
𝙰𝚗𝚊𝚜𝚝𝚊𝚜𝚒𝚊'𝚜 𝙿𝙾𝚅

I tightened my grip on the sword, sweat clinging to my brows. My muscles screamed in protest as I surveyed the forest.

Flashes of black smoke glimmered as it whooshed past the trees. Scales shimmered underneath the sun as its body flowed through, circling around the woods.

With determined focus, I lunged forward aiming for its fleshy body. Blood dripped out as scales flicked off the creature, kicking it with the tip of my sword.

My eyes squinted as I heard a gurgling growl echo from the grove. Silver eyes shone out from the darkness, its thin pupil gawked at me, glowing brighter and brighter as my footsteps backed away.

The dragon, wounded and enraged, unleashed a torrent of fire from its fanged snout, black streams of energy poured out of its mouth tainting the green grass.

The shadows twisted and contorted, slowly crawling towards me like tiny demons. The dragon seeped its claws into the soil, bending its body back as it prepared to leap towards me. Its butterfly-like ears brushed up against the wind, sinking into its head ready for attack.

I tightened my grip on the sword, determination overriding the fear welling up inside. Now's not the time to be afraid.

We will survive this. The dragon's wings unfolded, the giant bodies of fabric casting wide across the plains. The dragon leaped off the ground, its talons fraying outward ready to sink its claws into my skin.

With swift motion, I lunged forward aiming for the creature's underbelly. The sword met scales, each strike a sound of metal against metal echoing through the forest floor.

As the dragon recoiled from the strikes, it unleashed a furious roar, the sound shook through the woods.

I could feel the earth trembling beneath my feet, my legs shaking, crumbling to the ground. The shadows that coiled around its form seemed to darken, its silver eyes melting into an ethereal light white, its pupils were gone.

Its teeth bared right in front of me, and pieces of old dead animals flew off its gum as saliva flung onto my face. Its black feathers and scales barely touched my shoulders as I backed away.

My feet sank deep into the earth as my bottom brushed up against the grass, slowly pushing back until I had hit a rock.

The slithering shadows snaked towards me, engulfing my hands as they quickly brushed up against my skin. I dropped my sword in defeat, shutting my eyes. Ready to embrace the darkness.

"Exsolvo!" As the word was muttered, the shadows recoiled, hissing and dissipating like water on a hot stove.

The dragon's roars diminished, replaced by silence. Slowly the darkness retreated, flowing back into the forest. When I opened my eyes, the dragon was no more. The shadows evaporated and the forces returned to its natural state.

I remained on the ground, stunned by what had happened, as Arion approached, concern etched on his ethereal face.

"I-I shouldn't had gone so hard on you," he paused, looking down at the grass. His arms were crossed behind him, his tail flicking back and forth brushing against the grass. The sword, dropped in the midst of the battle, lay forgotten.

Confusion swept over me as the realization set in. The battle, the gurgling growls, the blood on my sword- all mere illusions conjured by Arion. But- But it seemed so real.

"That...That wasn't real?" I stammered, still catching my breath.

Arion sighed, embarrassment flooded his features. "I wanted to test your instincts, your ability to face the unknown," he admitted, his voice carrying a hint of remorse. "But I may have overdone it. It wasn't my intention to frighten you to this extent."

"So, the dragon, the wounds, it was all just...magic?" I muttered, trying to make sense of it all.

Arion nodded solemnly. "Illusions woven from my magic. I needed to see how you would react, how you would face a threat. The necklace you wear," He stumbled for words. "I wanted to gauge your connection to it."

"You know arion, for a being as old as bedrock you sure have a knack for not thinking things clearly. " My voice was a blend of anger, tension and exasperation.

He scratched the back of his head, a nervous smile playing on his lips. "I may have underestimated the impact. I apologize Anastasia." His hoove dug into the dirt, his body swayed back and forth awaiting my answer.

"Listen, I appreciate all that you're doing for me but I haven't stopped training in a week. I'm exhausted and going out of my mind, Arion. I need some time alone.."

Losing my parents, being chased by a soul sucking entity whilst all the while doing it alone was difficult to say the least. I hadn't told Arion my situation completely yet I had a feeling he knew that I was hiding something.

Arion nodded absently, his body turned around, hooves click-clacking against the grass. I watched as his figure became smaller and smaller as he climbed over a hill. His tail swooshed in the summer breeze.

I picked myself off the ground, brushing off the dirt from my blouse. It was a bit oversized as it lay on my smaller frame however it smelt like roses and orange slices.

My ankle had healed a couple days ago, Arion had slowly built up my tolerance to his magic enough so it could fully fix itself on its own.

I moved through the forest, kicking a pine cone that lay in my path. It rolled away, scattering dry needles in its wake. I don't understand. What's happened this past week?

My necklace has some ancient power in it....and Arion- Arion thinks that I can control it? Though I had met him not long ago, I felt a closeness with him. Like I could trust him. He'd helped me out more than anyone the past few weeks and, to be honest, felt like just about the only person I could trust.

The thought that I could've died that night, at the waltz, shook me to my core. I hadn't noticed it before but the living dead looked terrified when he walked in.

They were all shaking like leaves like they had known something I hadn't. I remember. But what were they so afraid of? If a being could shake the fears of a ghost- there's no telling what they were capable of. And what they were capable of when I'm not around.

Each step toward the clearing brought forth a flood of memories. Liam standing by our mother's flower garden, his small fingers gently plucking petals.

His small body lost in the tall orchids and soft tulips. Baby's breath would tickle his arms and legs. The image was a bittersweet reminder of the familial warmth that once enveloped us.

As I walked, the melody of giggling sounds danced through the air, a sweet serenade that seemed to emerge from the heart of the woods. The laughter of a child, innocent and carefree.

A distant voice then broke through the stillness. "Psst! Ana! Come here! I have something to show you!" As I rounded a bend, the clearing opened up before me, revealing Liam standing around a pillow of wildflowers. His innocent brown eyes, usually filled with the wonder of childhood, met mine.

"Ana! Come here! Quickly!" He called out again, the lightheartedness in his voice bellowed out comforting me from the events that I had experienced. It was nostalgic.

Filling my body with a warmth I hadn't experienced since before I'd said goodbye to him during the Offering. This isn't Liam.

I slowly stepped into the clearing, aware that whatever I was seeing wasn't my brother. "Hey, sis," Liam grinned, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "I've got a knock-knock joke for you."

His childlike innocence seemed to shine through, momentarily making me forget of the creature that stood before me.

"S-Sure, Liam. I could use a good joke right now," a ghost of a smile played on my lips. My eyebrow crinkled up.

Liam's grin widened, sharp fangs hung from his gums, blood dripped from them onto the brown leaves. He started his joke, "Knock-knock."
"Who's there?" I responded, my voice cracked. Damn it.

"Boo."

"Boo who?"

Quietness filled the air as he paused, slowly tilting his head. Liam paused, his eyes now holding an unnatural glint. The atmosphere shifted, the air became sharper.

A quiet ringing sound murmured in my ears, cutting through my thoughts like a hot butter knife. He never finished the joke.

I watched his eyes darken to shadows. The mischievous glint transformed into a sinister gleam and the contours of his face seemed to warp into red veins mixed with charcoal-colored skin.

The air around him shifted, tainted with the wickedness of his soul. The giggling sounds that had lured me now mutated replaced with a haunting melody of a sharp tongue.

Liam's body elongated, his once boyish features twisted into a grotesque caricature, his limbs stretched unnaturally like strangled flowers detached from their stems.

His legs were tall and thin like chopsticks they snapped and clicked into place, their claws curved upwards with jagged edges.

Like a drawing from the cover of a goosebumps paperback, the monster raised upwards, its tongue slipped out of its mouth pulling and pulling its own teeth out in the process.

Its eyes popped out of its head dangling from their sockets like ornaments. Each eye seemed to have a life of its own, rotating independently and scanning the surroundings with an eerie intelligence.

The air was now thick with the smell of rotting flesh, the sour smell broke the air. Arion's previous words filtered through my head, Things that will have you hiding under your bed in fear.

I stumbled backward, a gasp catching in my throat as I witnessed the monster of what was once my brother.

"W-What are you?!" My voice raised as my eyes widened at the vision in front of me.

"Aw don't you remember me? What did your little friend say?" I watched as its head transformed, spiraling in and out as its mirage changed.

Its face formed wide high cheekbones and out of its scalp appeared long white hair that cascaded down its back. Its skin turned from a musky black to tan sun kissed skin. Arion?

"Oh that's right," The creature began to recite Arion's words. "I'm talking about the aluminum-canes, the soul hounds. Creatures trapped in purgatory, bound by the sacrifice.

They're drawn to the living, seeking a vessel to escape their eternal torment. Mortals who enter these woods are often seen as prey." It was as if the immortal being had been in the room with us. Its voice slipping into a heavy accent, Arion's.

A soulhound. I thought. Now in its ghastly form shifted its elongated limbs, laughter, a blend of Liam's giggles and the monstrous hiss of the soulhound echoed through the clearing.

I watched as it slipped back into its ugly form of skin and bones, its spine cracking back into place.

Summoning every ounce of courage, I took a step forward, my heart pounding in my chest. "G-get away from m-me. I don't h-have anything for you." I shouted, my voice quivering.

The soulhound's gaze, now a hypnotic swirl of obsidian, locked onto mine. It tilted its head towards me, its skin breaking apart as blood dripped down its neck.

It licked its chops as it bent down towards me. The once familiar voice of my brother whispers through me, "Ana...don't be scared. I just want to play."

The creature lunged towards me, its spider-like limbs closing the distance with unnatural speed. Instinct kicked in, and I dodged to the side, narrowly avoiding the razor-sharp claws.

The laughter intensified, echoing through the woods as if the very trees joined in the mockery.

I fumbled for the pendant around my neck. The necklace pulsed with a faint warmth, a reassuring reminder of the power within.

I clutched it tightly, feeling a surge of energy coursing through me. "I won't let you take control!" I shouted, my voice carrying a newfound strength. The pendant glowed brighter, casting a protective aura around me. The soulhound recoiled.

"Anastasia! Anastasia?! Where are you?! Ana?!" A voice crumbled the walls of danger around me, I watched as the soulhound leaped off the ground, gripping the sides of a tree's bark.

It began to bounce from tree to tree ascending higher and higher until its figure dissolved into mist melting into the night sky.

The voice calling my name grew louder, drawing me back to the present. "Arion?! Is that you?! Arion?!" My hands pushed through the trees, my mind instantly focused on finding the centaur creature.

His horns came into my vision as I pushed one final tree out of the way, stepping over some wild gooseberries that lay on the silt path.

There he was, standing tall and regal, his equine lower body merging seamlessly into his humanoid upper form.

Arion's eyes, pools of light in the moonlit night, were fixed on me. As I emerged from the embrace of the woods, his expression shifted from concern to relief.

"Anastasia," he breathed my name, he grasped me in his arms, placing his hand on the back of my head as he pushed me closer to his chest. "I sensed a disturbance in the woods...I knew it was you immediately. Are you alright?"

My hands grasped his chest as I spoke, "I...I encountered- I think...I think it was a soulhound? Oh god Arion it was terrifying. It took the form of my brother but it wasn't him. But the resemblance, geez you should have seen it, his eyes, his nose, his face...his laugh...it was-"

"Uncanny," Arion interrupted me. "That's how some of them lure in their prey. They take the shape of their loved ones...tricking them, luring them in, until it's too late. Thank gods you're alright." He whispered.

As the adrenaline began to subside, my own heartbeat synchronized with the comforting cadence of his. The forest now felt like a sanctuary wrapped in the protective embrace of Arion. Though the tick-tocking of his heartbeat lulled me in a gentle slumber.

Word count: (2045 words)

𝐏𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐯𝐨𝐭𝐞 𝐨𝐫 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐬𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭!

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