The moonlight became stronger as she moved out of the cave entrance towards it. As she moved towards the light, she felt something start to radiate within her… a renewed sense of hope.

Ashalan looked out into the night and the sleeping world below and smiled. Holding her arm out, the moonlight caressed her translucent skin and gently illuminated the cuts and bruises all over her arm. Looking down at herself and back out across the silent landscape, the light of hope in her heart was quickly extinguished and replaced with the dull throbbing of fear. It gripped her tightly and pulled her back into the cave. How would she ever be able to fit into the world again as a monster? She’d only be able to be human at night which meant that socialising during the day was out of the question, the beast inside her showed no mercy so she would put others in danger, if she hadn’t already. Shaking her head, she cleared the thoughts from her mind, and chided herself. She must stay focused on her quest, nothing else at this point mattered.

The mouth of the cave was the doorway to her newfound freedom, so she slowly walked back to the entrance again and peered out, the darkness of night would keep her safe.

At that moment a vibrant blue streak of light flew and crackled through the air, causing her to look up to see where it had come from. It impacted against the cave entrance next to her with force and sent bits of rock and smoke flying, knocking her off her feet onto her back. She gasped and instinctively raised her arms to shield her face. Fragments hit her, stinging as they did so.

She half opened her eyes and looked through the gap between her arms, protecting her face and to gauge where the strike had come from. In the distance she could see some of Seraphine’s soldiers advancing. Her hiding place had been discovered but how?

Another streak of blue light lit up the night sky, hitting the rocks to the side of her. She rolled out of the way and jumped to her feet as large pieces of debris crashed down, breaking apart as they hit the ground. She heard the roar of a dragon and searched the stars for it, catching sight of the beast just above her.

A night breather.

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She wondered which one of her friends from the caverns it was, their will now in Seraphine’s control in their dragon form.

Swooping down, it drew it’s wings behind it’s back into attack position, coming at her in a fast fury. Ducking out of the way, she leapt down onto some larger rocks in front of the ledge of the cave and huddled against them. The dragon missed her and it’s large wings blew dust into her eyes as it flapped, gaining height again as it lifted itself into the sky. Turning sharply, the dragon came at her again, opening it’s mouth ready to launch a fiery onslaught.

Ashalan heard it inhale deeply and the rumble in it’s throat as the fire inside it mixed ready to be launched in her direction.

“Sorry my friend.” She whispered under her breath as she rubbed her hands together, conjuring a fire ball of her own. As she rubbed her palms together, the warmth from the energy she produced started to crackle and glow. It came together swirling into a large ball of heat, Ashalan lent in and blew softly, a spark leaving her lips and hitting the energy. As it did so the ball erupted into swirling fire, ready to be thrown.

Drawing her hands back by her side, she waited until the dragon was closer then launched the fire ball straight at it as it opened it’s mouth ready to breathe fire at her.

The ball struck it’s target straight down it’s throat, making the dragon choke on it’s own fire. It screamed in pain and roared trying to catch it’s breath as it fell from the sky.

Two men jumped down behind her from the top of the outside of the cave mouth and grabbed her. She felt an arm go around her neck. Instinctively she set her feet for balance, grasping the arm and slinging herself forward to throw the owner of it over her head. The attacker landed with a crushing thud against the rocks in front of her, immobilised. He groaned and passed out, his head falling to the side at a sickening angle.

Turning, Ashalan saw a fist coming straight at her face as another assailant came for her. She blocked the blow with her palm and bent down, sending her own punch straight back into his stomach.

He threw another punch, Ashalan quickly crouched and roundhouse kicked out his ankle. He grunted in pain and fell backwards to the ground, his head bouncing against the rocky terrain as he did so knocking him unconscious.

Panting, she stood up surveying the scene before her. Two men down, how many more to follow?

She stood in a combative pose, prepared and ready for more of an onslaught. Looking out across the field below she saw shadowy figures of more of Seraphine’s henchmen approaching and where there were henchmen there would be dragons. Seeing a pathway across from them, she weighed up her options. How much strength would she need to fight a whole army?

Taking a deep breath, she ran.