2 New Beginning

I wake this morning with a long, luxurious stretch and a happy smile on my face. Never have I awakened feeling so refreshed or bright. I laugh, thinking how ironic it is that I have a strong talent with fire and have never felt bright. It's like after all these years a weight has finally been lifted off of me, a stain lifted off of my soul.

Rushing to my bathroom I handle my business and wash up. I don't wear makeup, my skin is smooth and flawless, so I jump straight to getting dressed. I have two closets, one containing clothes that are all black or dark and the other full of vibrant clothing, mostly really pretty or scandalous dresses.

Today I choose a long gown that'll show off what little curves I have. It's a very pretty, vibrant green that goes well with my ice blue eyes. My eyes have flecks of gold in them as well, so I pair my dress with gold slippers and some pretty earrings. I leave my wavy raven black hair falling down my back, where it reaches my waist.

I love heels but I'm not so foolish as to try to wear them while I take a stroll in the forest. I think of one of the noble 'ladies' from the kingdom trying to walk through these same woods, with her heels and silly clothing and it makes me giggle like a school girl. She wouldn't last very long here! "She'd probably get eaten by a wolf", I say out loud.

My voice startles me a little, as I rarely use it. But I like the way it sounds, despite not being regularly used it's smooth like honey and sounds just a sweet. It's mesmerizing and holds a kind of beauty. It's also hold a kind of authority. Not the forced sound the nobles try to use, but the real deal.

"Hmmm", I hum, just to hear my own voice again. "I think I'll just stick to my walk in the woods, there's no one to ruin my mood there", I say to myself. It'd be a shame to ruin such a great mood like this one. Especially if there's a chance I go so long without feeling this way again.

Grabbing a hooded cloak, I head out of the door, fastening the clasp as I go. There's no need to me to pause and lock my doors, my entire home is guarded by strong magic. Only I or someone I invite would be able to enter it, which is something else the goddess taught me early on. Even though I feel bitter towards her for abandoning me, she taught me a lot that has kept me alive.

Besides, who knows. Maybe being a goddess is busy and tiring work.

***

As I take my walk throughout the forest, I see many different animals. Deer, wolves, bunnies, squirrels, frogs, birds and deeper in the forest I even see the occasional leopard. I remember while I was in town not so long ago I heard the nobles saying how it's been so long since they've seen any animals. How they think that the lands are finally dying. They sound so worried but it just made me laugh, I see animals every day!

The creatures of the forest flock to me. Sometimes they keep a respectful distance and other times they come a little closer out of curiosity. I've been here so long they know I have no intentions of harming them, and I respect their space as well. The deer I'll sometimes feed, and as a reward they'll let me get a few pets in before they move along.

Lost in thought of my forest friends, I make my way towards my little creek with the large rock I love sitting on. Before I get there however I hear something suspicious so I crouch down.

Whatever I am, we are supposed to be more in tune with our instincts. We hear better, see better, we're stronger, faster and overall just more athletic. We're more predatory than a human could ever be. However we can also be civilized and polite. As you know it's a personality thing.

While I crouch I wait, I listen. I have the patience of a skilled hunter, I could sit here in the same position for hours. I also have the skills of a leopard, I could creep forward silently and no one would know as long as they can't feel my power. I decide to investigate since I no longer hear anything. Stealthily moving forward I keep my ears open for any noises and my senses open to any possible attacks or threats.

Expanding my senses I feel none of that, but I do feel a touch of...death. Taking a deep breath I can smell blood. Someone is here, and they're badly injured, but I don't see them. They can't be too far, the smell is too strong. Looking around I've decided that whoever is bleeding out is trying to shield themselves from further attack by cloaking themselves in their magic.

They must be very strong to hold onto their magic this long and not have been noticed by me much sooner. The hum of their power is so low that I know they have great control, but that control is slipping. The control of this individual shocks me because in all the times I've been to the town and the kingdom I've never seen an individual who looked strong. Not strong enough to have this kind of power.

After I'm sure no one is around but the injured person, I stand up tall and take a slow look around. I know my eyes must be glowing faintly because I am actively using much of my power to try and find this mystery person. I have narrowed down their place of hiding to a grove of trees to my left. There's plenty of grass over there and lots of shadow from the trunks of large trees.

My voice has the power to mesmerize and sometimes strongly convince others to do as I tell them. I've never used it in that manner before, as I've never had a reason too, but I think this situation causes for me to give it a try.

I clear my mind of every thought besides my will and positive intentions towards this person. I pull forward my will for them to do as I instruct and I call out, "Show yourself."

I wait, and wait, and when I finally think I may have to try again I hear a hiss of pain. And then I see, behind the smallest tree, a frightening looking man with pine green eyes blazing at me. He looks positively pissed, which throws me off. I expected him to look half dead and sorta thankful, not angry enough to rip my head off.