The early morning sunlight broke through the gaps in the trees, streaks of gold piercing the fading mist that clung to the forest floor. Mizuki stirred from her restless sleep, shaking herself awake and rising to her feet in one fluid motion. Around her, the company was already bustling with activity. Gandalf had roused them before the sun was fully up, his steady voice commanding efficiency as the dwarves packed their belongings onto the sturdy ponies.

Mizuki stretched, her muscles taut, and inhaled deeply. The morning air was crisp and clean, carrying with it the faint promise of a good day. She exhaled slowly, her lips curling into a small smile. Nyx, her usual quiet demeanor tempered with cautious optimism, sniffed at the breeze and nodded to herself. "Today will be a good day," she murmured under her breath, a faint gleam in her glowing purple-blue eyes.

With practiced ease, she hoisted herself onto her Arabian horse. The steed, dark as midnight with a sleek, muscular frame, nickered softly beneath her. "Easy, buddy, easy," she whispered, running a soothing hand along his neck. The horse bucked its head slightly, but the motion was more playful than uneasy. "We're soon off this road, I promise."

The company set off, the ponies clattering along behind Thorin and Gandalf, their hooves kicking up loose stones as they began the day's journey. Mizuki's Arabian followed with a measured gait, her sharp eyes scanning the horizon as the forest gave way to a vast plain. The landscape stretched before them, rocky and barren, the sun casting long shadows over jagged outcroppings of stone.

Yet despite the openness of the plain, they veered toward the edge of a forest that stood dark and brooding on the horizon. The trees closed in around them, their twisted branches blotting out the sunlight as they ventured deeper into the woods. It was there, amidst the thick shadows and creeping undergrowth, that the company came upon a destroyed farmstead.

The remnants of a home stood in the clearing, charred beams and broken stone scattered like the bones of some forgotten beast. Smoke no longer lingered, but the air carried the faint scent of ash and despair. Mizuki felt her chest tighten as unease crept through her.

Her Arabian shifted under her, and she leaned forward, murmuring softly to calm him. But when she sniffed the air, her entire body went still. A cold, acrid stench cut through the forest—something foul, something familiar. Her glowing eyes narrowed, and her lips pressed into a thin line.

"Troll," she whispered, the word sharp and quiet, but it carried.

Gandalf caught her gaze, his weathered face betraying no surprise, only a grim acknowledgment. He gave a slight nod, his staff tapping against the ground.

Mizuki turned toward Thorin, urgency flickering in her eyes. "We must go," she said, her voice steady but firm.

Thorin's brow furrowed as he turned his attention to the ruined farmstead. His expression darkened as he seemed to weigh her words. "We can't," he said after a moment, his tone decisive. "We'll rest here for tonight, then move on at first light."

Mizuki opened her mouth to protest, but Thorin cut her off, stepping closer and lowering his voice so only she could hear. "Look, I know you have some... senses we don't," he said, his tone low and deliberate. "But just tell me this place is secure for now. Is there anyone close by?"

For a moment, Mizuki stayed silent, her glowing eyes scanning the forest, the destroyed homestead, the shadows shifting in the fading light. She let her senses stretch out, seeking any trace of movement, any sound beyond the natural rustling of the woods. Finally, she exhaled softly.

"Not yet," she said, her voice quiet. "But I'll stand guard."

Thorin nodded, his expression still troubled, but he trusted her word.

Mizuki turned away and walked back to her Arabian. The horse's dark eyes met hers, sensing her unease. She placed a hand on his neck, her touch firm and steady. "You better go," she said softly. Her voice was warm but laced with something heavier—an unspoken goodbye.

The horse nickered, shaking his head as though questioning her.

"Yes, I'll be fine on my own," she assured him, stroking his muzzle. Her voice softened further. "I love you, Zeus."

Zeus tossed his head, his mane catching the faint moonlight as he trotted away into the trees, his silhouette fading into the shadows. Mizuki stood watching until she could no longer hear the sound of his hooves.

Balin approached her cautiously, his old eyes watching her with quiet concern. "Why did you send him off?" he asked, his voice gruff but kind.

Mizuki glanced at him, her expression unreadable. "Something's going to happen that I don't want him to be part of," she said simply. She gestured toward the dark forest. "He can come back to me anytime he wants. But for now, it's time for us to part ways."

Balin frowned but didn't press further. He patted her arm once, then left her to her thoughts.

Mizuki sat down on a nearby boulder, her posture straight but her head bowed slightly as if the weight of her thoughts pressed down on her shoulders. The night deepened, the sky shifting to an inky black as stars began to dot the heavens.

She stayed like that, silent and unmoving, as the company settled around her. The night was still, but Mizuki's eyes stayed trained on the darkness beyond the trees, her senses sharp and alert. She knew, deep down, that tonight would not be quiet for long.

SCENEBREAK

Mizuki felt a wave of relief as Bofur approached her in the quiet stillness of the night, his usual cheer soft but still warm. "Dori says you can take a nap," he said, his round face lit with a grin as he tilted his head toward the camp.

She gazed down at the jolly dwarf and smiled, a rare flicker of genuine gratitude crossing her features. "Thank you, Bofur," she said, her voice soft but sincere. She gave him a small nod before turning and walking back toward the camp, her steps light on the forest floor.

But sleep did not come easily. She lay down on her makeshift mattress, staring up at the canopy of trees above her, her mind restless. Something tugged at her—a faint sense of unease that she couldn't quite shake.

She sat up abruptly and glanced around the camp. Her sharp crimson eyes settled on Gloin, who was methodically cleaning his axe by the fire. "Where's Bilbo? And Fili and Kili?" she asked, her voice cutting through the quiet.

Gloin gestured toward the shadowy edge of the water forest, where the ponies had been settled earlier. "Out there, by the ponies," he said simply, not looking up.

Mizuki nodded and stood, brushing dirt from her cloak. "I'll go see to them," she said, her tone brisk.

Balin, seated nearby, looked up from where he had been carefully studying a map. "You've got to sleep," he said, his tone gently admonishing. "You can't just stand around all night, lass."

Mizuki turned her sharp gaze on him, her eyes flashing in the dim light. "I know what I can and cannot do, Master Balin," she said evenly, though her voice carried an edge of finality. "Now, please, let me see to our company."

Without waiting for a response, she moved toward the water forest, her senses prickling as the shadows closed in around her. It didn't take her long to spot Fili, Kili, and Bilbo standing by the edge of the clearing, their heads close together as they talked in hushed tones.

"What's going on here?" Mizuki asked, her voice cutting through their quiet conversation like a blade.

The three of them jumped, startled. Kili rubbed the back of his head sheepishly, his usual grin faltering. "Nothing, Master Mizuki," he stammered, his voice filled with nervous energy.

Mizuki didn't reply. She brushed past them, her sharp eyes scanning the clearing. The ponies were scattered, and something immediately felt wrong. Then she noticed it—two were missing.

"Where are Myrtle and Minty?" she asked sharply, her gaze snapping back to the trio.

Bilbo froze, his face paling as he fumbled for an answer. "I-I don't know," he stammered, his wide eyes betraying his guilt.

Mizuki's eyes narrowed as her attention shifted to the edge of the clearing. There, near a broken tree, was a jagged tear in the earth, roots dangling unnaturally in the air. She stepped forward, crouching low, and sniffed the ground.

Her face went pale as the acrid stench hit her senses. Trolls.

"Oh, stars," she muttered, standing abruptly and turning to the others. Her voice was sharp, commanding. "Go back to camp and warn Thorin," she barked at Bilbo. "Now."

Bilbo hesitated for a fraction of a second before nodding and scurrying off toward the camp.

"You too," she added, glancing at Fili and Kili.

Fili frowned. "Where are you going?" he asked, his voice laced with concern.

"I'm going to get back our ponies," Mizuki said firmly, already moving toward the trees. "Don't come after me under any circumstances. If you hear a scream, don't come. Do you understand me?"

Kili opened his mouth to protest, but Fili grabbed his arm, shaking his head. They watched in silence as Mizuki disappeared into the darkness.

Once she was deep into the forest, Mizuki let herself change. Her human form began to shift, her body expanding and glowing faintly as her iridescent scales reappeared. Within moments, she towered over the treetops, her full, godlike form casting an eerie glow in the dark woods.

Back at the edge of the clearing, Fili, Kili, and Bilbo watched in awe as her enormous figure barreled toward the source of the disturbance. Her bioluminescent spines shimmered, and her tail lashed through the trees like a whip, sending branches and leaves scattering.

The trolls didn't see her coming until it was too late. Mizuki descended upon them with the fury of a storm, her massive jaws snapping down on one as her claws tore through another. She whipped her tail around, striking a third troll and sending it crashing to the ground.

The ponies neighed in panic, their hooves kicking as they struggled against the ropes binding them. Mizuki turned, her glowing eyes narrowing as she snapped the bindings with her teeth. "Run," she growled, the sound rumbling like thunder. But to the ponies, it came out as a low, guttural growl. Still, they understood, and with a chorus of frightened whinnies, they bolted into the forest.

Mizuki turned back to the last troll, the one wearing a filthy handkerchief around its thick neck. Blood dripped from her jaws as she loomed over him, her crimson eyes blazing.

"Your buddies are dead," she snarled, her voice shaking the ground. "I suggest you leave."

The troll froze, his beady eyes wide with terror. But before he could move, the first rays of dawn pierced through the trees, bathing the forest in golden light. The troll let out a strangled cry as his body stiffened, the sunlight turning him to stone.

Mizuki stood still for a moment, her glowing spines dimming as the tension eased from her massive frame. Slowly, she began to shrink back into her human form, her features softening as she stepped away from the lifeless stone figure.

She exhaled deeply, brushing a streak of dirt from her face. "Not the day I'd hoped for," she muttered to herself before turning back toward the camp.

SCENEBREAK

Back at the camp, Mizuki shifted back into her human form, the glow of her scales fading to reveal skin and the quiet power of her smaller stature. She hadn't even stepped into the clearing when Thorin stormed toward her, his steps purposeful, his expression dark with anger.

"What were you thinking, doing that?" he snapped, his voice low but edged with fury. He jabbed a finger toward the forest, the remnants of her battle still echoing in his mind. "What was that thing?"

Mizuki's crimson eyes flicked toward the trees where the trolls had met their end, her face calm, unreadable. "Nothing," she said coolly, brushing past him as if the conversation weren't worth her time. "Nothing at all."

Before Thorin could press her further, Gandalf approached, his expression heavy with concern. Mizuki turned to him, a faint smile tugging at her lips. "Gandalf," she greeted softly, brushing against his sleeve in an unspoken gesture of familiarity.

Gandalf pulled her into a brief hug, his sharp eyes scanning her face. "You shouldn't do this too much, Mizuki," he said, his voice tinged with both admonishment and care. "You'll worry the company. You'll worry me. I didn't know you would need help."

Mizuki stepped back, scoffing lightly. "I didn't need any help," she replied, her voice clipped. "The trolls are dead. One of them turned to stone. I can take care of myself," she suddenly snapped, her voice rising as she clawed at her ears in frustration.

"Mizuki?" Bilbo's soft voice broke through the tension as he stepped forward, his small hand reaching for hers. She froze at the touch, and his warm, gentle eyes met hers. "Hey, take it easy," he said, his voice soothing. "Those trolls... they shouldn't have been there, should they?"

Mizuki's jaw clenched, and she looked away, her eyes narrowing as she fixed her gaze on Gandalf. "No," she said firmly. "They're getting bolder." She exhaled sharply. "They must have a nest nearby. I can find it."

Thorin and Gandalf exchanged a look, the weight of her words heavy between them.

"Are you sure?" Thorin asked cautiously. "You should rest."

But Mizuki snapped her teeth at him—a sharp, warning gesture that startled the company. Thorin flinched, taken aback. This wasn't the calm, calculated Mizuki he had come to rely on. Something about the encounter with the trolls had rattled her, shaken loose something raw and unsteady.

Gandalf stepped between them, his staff planted firmly in the ground. "Easy," he said, his voice low and commanding. "We're not about to turn on our own leader."

Mizuki took a step back, her hands brushing over her face, her mouth, her ears, as if trying to ground herself. "I'm fine," she said, her voice flat, before slinging her backpack over her shoulder and walking ahead.

The company followed her lead, the tension hanging in the air like a storm cloud. It wasn't long before they found the trolls' nest—a gaping rift in the ground that reeked of filth and decay.

Mizuki stopped at the edge, her nose wrinkling in disgust. "I'm staying out here," she said curtly, turning her back to the rift.

The dwarves ventured inside, coughing and gagging as the foul stench filled the air. Mizuki stayed rooted where she was, her sharp senses attuned to the forest around them. The soft rustling of leaves and distant chirping of crickets were joined by something else—something heavier. Footsteps. Ragged breaths.

Her eyes snapped to the bushes, and her body tensed. "Someone's coming!" she called into the rift.

The dwarves rushed out, their weapons drawn, only to see a muddled figure stumble through the foliage. A man, dressed in tattered brown robes, his eyes wild and unfocused.

Mizuki stepped in front of Bilbo instinctively, her hand resting on the hilt of her blade. "Who are you?" she demanded, her voice sharp as she shielded the hobbit with her body.

The man's wide eyes snapped to hers, and he froze, his breathing labored. "You," he said hoarsely, his voice trembling with both awe and desperation. "You're the one I want."

Mizuki's crimson eyes narrowed. "What are you doing here? Who are you?"

The man shook his head, as if shaking off a daze, and stepped off his sled, which was pulled by a pack of curious, twitching rabbits. "I'm sorry," he said, his tone softening. "My name is Radagast."

He turned to Gandalf, his wild eyes suddenly sharpening. "I need to speak with you."

The two wizards stepped off to the side, their voices low as they conferred in hurried tones.

Thorin glared at Mizuki, his distrust evident in his furrowed brow and stiff posture. "Who are you really, Mizuki?" he murmured, his voice barely audible.

Mizuki turned to him, her expression cold and resolute. "I told you last night," she said evenly. "I am a nobody." Without another word, she walked away, her steps purposeful and unyielding.

Bilbo watched her go, then glanced down at the blade in his hand. Mizuki paused and turned, her sharp gaze softening as it fell on the weapon. "Sting," she whispered, her fingers brushing over the blade. Her voice was quiet, almost reverent. "I haven't seen this in a while."

Bilbo frowned, tilting his head. "You know of it?"

She nodded, a faint smile flickering across her lips. "It's a good sword for a good man." She reached out and patted his head gently before straightening.

They didn't have long to dwell on the moment. As the company moved to check on the ponies, a howl cut through the air, sharp and chilling.

Mizuki froze, her blood turning to ice. She knew that sound. She'd heard it before, too many times to forget.

"Orcs," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. Her hand instinctively went to the hilt of her blade, her body coiled and ready. "They've found us."