Within the darkened sky, the stars had cast a hue over the trees. The wind and creatures of the forest ceased their harmony and a deafening silence was left in their stead. Margus stirred, the unnatural state of the forest awakening him. His eyes snapped open, and the girls voice screamed in his head, echoing louder and louder "Margus! Wake up!"
His hand was already clutching the hilt of his blade, his heartbeat racing. "What is happening? But alas, the girl was no where in site. "Fuck!" Margus lurched forward, grabbing nothing but his sword, boots, and breeches. Worry crept up like a poison. He could feel it, the presence of the beast. As if in response to his thoughts, his blade, now unsheathed, burned hot. Lines of gold appeared alongside his veins, and the blue flames began flowing into them. A damn couldn't be given about this new development. Whatever it was, he sure hoped it'd help. He could smell the little bird's fear, and the rank of this accursed beast.
As Margus reached for the door, Lawson's voice was sharp in his mind;
'Are you ready to give your life for this woman?'
'Is that really a question? I don't have time for this.'
Margus flung the door open and rushed out, only to be stopped again. This time by a creature of the forest. It sat on its hind legs, staring up at him with its topaz eyes. It's fur shown like the moon, electricity dancing across its body. "A guardian fox of the forest? Which means you know what is happening, don't you?" It stood, as though waiting for him to do something. "I don't have time for this, either help me, or get out of my sight!" The fox glowed in response, seeming agitated by the human. It walked towards him, now only two feet away, but instead of staring up, it stared straight ahead, as if saying 'Too tall, kneel.'
Margus arched an eyebrow, growing frustrated by the second. "For fucks sakes, fine!" And knelt down before the fox, offering it his hand. The fox, in return, licked his hand tentatively. Eyes sparking, it had bared its teeth and bit deep into Margus's hand. "AAAH!" Electricity ran up his arm, causing a strange numbing sensation. Margus's sword flickered with a flame he had never seen. His veins enlarged and he watched his sword meld into his skin, flame and all. The pain was excruciating. Margus gripped his right arm with his left, his arm pulsating with gold hues and blue flames. An inscription was burning into the skin of his arm. Lurching backwards, Margus stumbled and crashed into his pile of firewood.
Sheer willpower kept him from strangling the damned beast. It continued to sit and peered at Margus, as if seeing right through him into his soul. Looking at his arm, the inscription, now a permanent tattoo, gave a feint glow. As he focused on it, a burning hot sensation crawled down his arm accompanied by blue flames. The flames collected themselves and formed a sword, his sword. Tendrils of blue fire ran from the sword and into his entire body, now claiming its owner. One with its Guardian.
Now wielding what once he thought he had lost, Margus looked at the fox dumbstruck. "Fine. Great. I'll thank you later if this was your doing. Can you lead me to her now?"
The fox stood on all fours and turned away from Margus, looking back to see if the stupid human understood to follow.
Margus gave it a nod and the two moved like lightning through the forest. A fire had ignited inside him. The hunt had begun. If this beast thought he could take what was his, he was clearly deranged. A madness awoke inside Margus, causing his eyes to ignite with golden flames. He howled fiercely, a cry so loud the forest shook with fear "I will take back what is mine!"