“They are liars,” repeated the rabbit.

My sword left its sheath and pointed at the rabbit. Luminescent eyes of gold stared me down, unphased by the blade threatening them. My perception of the creature distorted as midnight fur began to blend with the shadows.

“You’d better run mister, or your friends will eat you all up.” The childish voice taunted. It was a púca, a shapeshifting aes sídhe known for scaring travelers. It was probably what left the prints. There might not have even been any members of the Osraighe clan in the area.

“Mister look out!” The rabbit leapt at me, dodging the slash from my blade. The creature shifted into human form and tackled me to the ground. Two arrows embedded themselves in the soft earth where I had been standing. I knew the hunters must have been on edge, especially with my sword drawn, but they shouldn’t have taken a shot so close to me.

The púca bolted for the trees, already shifted back into rabbit form. It would be impossible to catch. The rain had already picked up enough to wash away tiny rabbit tracks. I rose to my feet and turned.

Green, glowing eyes stared back at me. A howl pierced the air next to me. Grinning teeth greeted me from the trees nearby, happy to smell my fear. I widened my stance and prepared to charge. If I could take the first wolf down while the other was still stalking from the brush, I had a better chance. An arrow sank into the ground next to my foot.

“It was a great plan you came up with templar.” Weylyn’s voice called from the trees above me. “Tell me, how does it feel to be caught in your own trap?”

“So, you mongrels have been hiding in the village all along.”

A low growl reverberated from the trees above me. The proud Osraighe clan hated to be compared to dogs. My taunt had worked, and at least I wouldn’t have an archer to worry about. I just had to face three massive wolves.

My initial dash brought me to the treeline before the first wolf caught up. I jumped high, my knees tucking up to my chest. Sharp fangs snapped where my feet had been, failing to trip me. I used the force of my fall to add strength to my slash, bringing the blade down as hard as I could.

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The gash in the werewolf’s face sent it back with a shrill whine. The wound sizzled. The monster’s regenerative power could do nothing to heal the cut from my silver blade. Liquid silver flew from the small bottle in my hands and spread itself over the wound.

Toxic silver entered the bloodstream and my attacker cried out in terrible pain. I took the opportunity to make my second dash. Rain spilled from the grey sky above me. Mud sloshed under my feet, slowing my pace. Darkness grew deeper as the storm boomed above me.

I couldn’t see them, but their howls echoed around me. Fear pulsed through my veins. My muscles screamed for air as the adrenaline drove me forward. Wet moss on a flat rock sent me to the ground. My reflexes pushed me back to my feet quickly, only to find another wolf in front of me. With a growl it crouched down, getting ready to pounce.

Fangs bit down hard onto my left arm. The beast in front of me was only a distraction. The stone curse on my arm prevented most of the damage, and a sharp thrust with my sword cut straight into the wolf’s heart. Death released its teeth from my arm.

A heavy weight crashed into my back before I could recover. My fingers lost their grip on my sword as massive paws pushed my face into a stiff root. The blow knocked the wind out of me. My lungs gasped for the air needed to chant.

“Bring peace to the lost lambs.”

I clutched my amulet tight in my fingers. Claws slowly bit my back, gently opening gashes into my skin. Hot breath swirled around my ear.

“You called us mongrels and even killed two of my brothers. Yet here you are, helpless and bowing under me.” Weylyn’s voice dripped with malice.

“Tear out the fangs of the lion.”

I begged the three for hope. I longed for greater courage as I faced death again. I prayed that they would once again hear their servant and turn defeat into victory.

“Your gods can do nothing to save you now.”

Pain shot through my leg as the beast sank its teeth into muscle. With a shake it turned my whole body around, forcing me to face a vile pair of eyes. My screams rang in my ears, mixing with a howling laughter.

“Cry out to them templar. Beg them to smite me. If they don’t, you’re going to have a long night.”

“Shatter the claws of the wolf.”

“What good will that silly chant do without your sword?”

His claws pressed into my arm. My fingers went numb, and released the amulet.

“That little trinket may protect you from curses, but it will not save you from my claws.”

My little trinket could do more than just protect me. If I poured my life force into the relic, a gateway would open to the divine realm. I would beg the goddesses to smite the treacherous beast, just as he asked for.

“Rain final judgement upon all evil in this realm.”

Hot tears ran down my face, the salt seeping into a cut. No herb would cure the burning of my own life force. I would not be able to cheat death a third time. With my last breath, I would call the hammer of death onto this fiend.

“Amen.”

Blinding light cascaded from my amulet. The aes sídhe backed away, but it was too late. Holy flames burst from the light. Not even ashes remained after the light faded into black oblivion.