A burning stench filled my nostrils. I opened my eyes to smoke that I couldn't distinguish from a cloud of fire. It surrounded me and seemed to grow bigger by the second, making it harder for me to breath. It felt like I was suffocating, and yet there was no air in my lungs as far as I knew. The ground shook beneath my feet with every step I took but I continued on regardless of whether or not I had legs. Everything around me began to move at the speed of light. I saw the fire surrounding me as though it were real, but the sight was quickly obscured by the thick smoke, obscuring everything in its path. I tried moving forward, but all efforts proved futile.
Through the flames I could hear shouts and meows of pain. "Alana?" I called out for my cat.
My vision blurred and I found myself looking up through the smoke, unable to see where Alana was. "Alana," I shouted again, "come here." As I called for her again, my ears perked up as my cat's voice rang out from somewhere behind me.
"Mew!!" [help me]
Her meows suddenly cut off and I heard laughter. Who... Who dared to infiltrate my home with such filth? My mind began to swim as I attempted to stand up, only falling back down onto my ass seconds later with another wave of dizziness. I could feel blood pooling underneath me and I looked down just in time to see a large piece of debris land where I had been laying moments before. Blood pooled from my neck where the wood must have impaled me. A deep pain radiated from my side and my hand went to my nightgown where the source lay beneath.
"Mistress!" I heard Ren's voice call for me.
"Over here!" I scream and then fall down coughing. Smoke entered my lung and I felt something warm seep through my shirt and into my wound.
"Oh God! Mistress?!" I hear Ren yell. "What happened?!" They cried.
My eyes fluttered shut as consciousness faded in and out. My breathing became shallow and rapid, and I heard more screaming and footsteps approaching I tried lifting myself up again but was met with excruciating pain. Something sharp dug deeper into the wound and blood began pouring out
I held onto my fading consciousness and asked Ren, "Alana! Take me to Alana!"
I cannot lose her. I cannot lose my baby. She is all I have left.
"Mistress you can't go yet!" Ren said. "We need to tend to your wound first," they added
I tried pulling away but my head felt like it weighed an immeasurable amount. I saw my staff on the ground, covered in soot. I picked it up and started walking, using it as a support. The pain began to fade, but the burning sensation remained in my side and my shoulder throbbed in sync. "Ren! We need to make haste!" I managed to say in between gasps and coughs.
I began running and Ren flew overhead in a desperate attempt to reach Alana and find out how badly she was hurt.
"Mistress!" Ren yelled. "We're almost there!"
We finally were out of the burning cottage.
I took a step further and was out of the smoke. I saw the sight before me clearly, it made my blood run cold.
The village men stood at the edge holding torches and weapons, their leader's weapon was stained with blood. In front of them lay a black cat, its fur burnt in different places and neck cut open.
"Alana!" I screamed as I ran towards her.
I kneeled down beside her and checked if she was okay. When I felt her pulse I realized she wasn't. I gently turned her over to check the wound on her neck and found a small shard protruding from her throat. Her blue eyes that resembled mine stared lifelessly ahead, staring into space.
"Please don't leave me..." I whispered as tears rolled from my cheek.
I felt a warm presence next to me and turned to look at who it belonged to. Ren had tears streaming down their face and had an wing wrapped around my shoulders.
This cannot be happening How could this happen?! I thought to myself. I looked at the rest of the villagers and saw many similar expressions, including their leader.
They too were holding torches. Their faces showed hatred while others' expressions were filled with rage. Seeing me, their expression turned to that of fear and they took off in the direction of the village.
They... They did this. They burnt my home. They killed my Alana!
I will not forgive them.
My nostrils flared and my fists tightened as anger rose within me. This village is not safe for anyone anymore.
As long as they are alive I will hunt them and everyone like them down until my name has become a curse upon all those who live.
"Mistress, I beg of you," Ren said as they hugged me tighter. I didn't respond. I couldn't. I couldn't breathe I couldn't think I couldn't do anything. I felt myself becoming numb, slowly slipping away as the voices around us grew louder. There was yelling and screaming and crying.
"Mistress!" Ren said once again.
Something snapped inside me. I knelt by Alana one last time, pressing two fingers against her throat. My chest heaved with each breath and as much as I wanted to cry I couldn't. I needed to stay strong. To hold on. To keep going. For Alana. I closed her eyes and placed a kiss on the forehead before standing up.
"ሬን, መግደል."
[Ren, kill.]
"But, Mistress-" Ren started to protest.
"Now! I am your mistress and I command you to kill those bastards. Kill every one of them until there is nothing left and nothing else that belongs to them." I commanded.
"Yes, mistress!"
They nodded solemnly before turning and disappearing into the mist. I stood there, feeling completely alone. I raised Alana's body onto my lap, cradling her in my arms. Tears poured from my eyes as I looked down at her peaceful face. I leaned forward and kissed her forehead, leaving several more. I stood up and began walking in the direction Ren disappeared in.
"የመሬት አጥር."
[Earth, Barrier.]
The ground shook beneath me but I walked steadily, the pain of my wounds long forgotten. I came upon the forked road that lead to the village. A large wall made of rock blocked the pathway. At the base of the wall stood a small group of people who watched me as I approached. They had weapons drawn and their eyes gleamed menacingly as I got closer.
On top of the large wall sat a pure white owl.
"Ren. Now." I commanded.
Ren flew down, their beautiful form transforming into a gruesome beast. The beast's head morphed into the creature, the color of death itself. It's body expanded to ten times its size as its wings spread out in a mighty manner. Its claws elongated, growing longer and sharper than normal and its talons extended. Their feathers disappeared leaving behind black skin. Their beak became larger an longer as well and when it opened it revealed rows of razor sharp teeth, as well as sharp nails and talons.
Their red eyes shone maliciously as it screeched. The villagers cried in fear as Ren charged towards them. They retreated backward, away from the monster. Their cries turned into cries of confusion as they tried their best to fight it off. One fell to the ground dead, their head decapitated by Ren's claws as they swung it around violently, causing blood to drip across the grassy ground.
Ren let out an ear splitting shriek as it attacked the group of people in front of it, tearing through the nearest villagers in one swipe. Another man collapsed to the ground, his blood gushing from various openings in his neck and head. The remaining villagers tried fleeing and fled back the way we had come but all of them fell prey to Ren's claws.
And soon the cries ceased, leaving behind the sound of crackling fire behind me and my laboured breaths.
Ren transformed back into their owl form and sat on my shoulder.
"It's done, mistress. I will not need another meal for a long time."
"Good."
"Now what? Our home is gone mistress."
"I am not done with them yet. Gralianc. The Capital. We are going there."
I will see how the remaining villagers survive.