Chapter 7
The cool and damp smell of the forest eased Idris' mind soothingly as she walked around looking for tracks of possible prey. But she still felt odd, that part of the forest felt unnaturally silent and try as she could she couldn't sense any animal close by. It was like something sinister was lurking in the shadows. The hair at the back of Thunder's neck went rigid and a cold chill ran down Idris'back. She could sense it... in the shadows just beyond her range of vision. She inched one step forward and the presence intensified. It was not an it, it was a them. Whatever it was, there was multiple of them.
The shadows promptly jumped to life into what Idris could only describe as tree monsters. A mass of gangly roots strewn together to form an almost humanlike shape, except with multiple arms. Thunder let out a low dangerous growl as the creatures drew nearer. Idris reached for her knives only to find her slacks empty. That moment of hesitation was enough for the creatures to lunge for them. Thunder ripped them apart with his razor like claws while Idris looked around frantically for a weapon. Thunder seemed to have an easy time tearing through them as he was down to three and Idris contemplated on letting him finish them up when vines suddenly appears under her feet and bound her to the ground. In a state of panic, Thunder bolted toward her but one of the remaining creatures seize him in tangles with coils so tight he couldn't breathe. Idris could feel Thunder slowly losing consciousness as the mark on her chest burned painfully. Thunder would die if she didn't do anything. In a flash, the image of a dead Thunder sped through her mind and the rage she felt was unimaginable. Thunder was the only thing she truly cared about in the whole world with all her heart, the only thing she was willing to die protecting and this creatures....? How dare... How dare ....How dare they even touch her precious Thunder. Rage was bubbling inside of her so thick she could almost taste it. "I will burn you ... I will buurrrn you till you're nothing but ash," she said in a low monotone voice to the creature and she let the rage consume her. It covered her in a thick foil and she was ablaze.Her hair, her clothes, her eyes ,her body was on fire.... no, she was the fire but that wasn't enough. The rage was just so much it lifted her into the air and when she opened her eyes to look upon Thunder still in captivity, they were completely white.
Luka, who had been watching and controlling everything while hidden went pale. "This is going to end so wrong..... so so wrong. What the hell was I thinking?!" He just couldn't see how Idris would set Thunder free using fire. She'd scorch the panther to death for sure. Things had gotten out of hand fast. Luka had just planned for this to be a chance for Idris to practice her powers through surprise. He wasn't going to let the creatures, which he had made himself kill the Panther. But Idris didn't know all this, all she saw was Thunder in danger. Luka let out a loud gasp of terror when Idris fired a blast of fire toward the creature. The fire spread a dazzling orange gleam on the trees setting ablaze anything on its way and when it hit the target, it burned brighter and all that was left of it was ash. When the smoke cleared Luka saw Thunder on the ground panting for breath but very much alive. "How is that possible?" he wondered as he watched Idris drop gracefully to the ground. She was unharmed and very naked. As Luka quickly averted his eyes, he caught a glimpse of the mark on her chest glow a dull green and he had his answer. The bond between Idris and Thunder made the panther immune to everything that couldn't hurt Idris. If Idris got hurt, then the panther would feel it and in turn if the panther got hurt Idris felt it too. "Hmm remarkable... remarkable but dangerous." thought Luka as he made his way stealthily away from the pair. He would have shown himself, but seeing the reaction Idris had, he was afraid for his own safety and thought it best to mention it some other time. Maybe in the future.... where he was surrounded by many people hehe.
Later that night, very late indeed, Luka received a guest. "Hello old friend," he said. A voice as smooth as a river and low. "Geralt. Come on in." Luka hastened to bolt the door shut. "I hope you weren't followed? Here, drink this."
"Of course I wasn't followed I'm no fool. They tried and I lost them at the Village of Barbados. I got your message and you're right. Something is about to happen, something big. Even the Barbarians are alert and tense and you know nothing scares that lot."
Luka stared off for a moment before answering Geralt. "I think I may know what it is... Have you received any news from the mountains?"
"Not really, there was an attack on the southern villages though. Many children were reported missing, female children. The demons are suspected to be involved but there's no proof. No one saw anything."
Luka was thoughtful as he chose his words carefully. "I think the demons are rising again, to take over."
"But they need a pureblood queen for that. There hasn't been one for centuries now so how?" Geralt asked perplexed.
"I have a ... friend? Let's say friend. She saw a vision of sorts in a dream. She saw the demons attack and completely slaughter the Village Winona. She's here in the woods and her name is Idris. She's so powerful Geralt, I have never seen anything like it and she doesn't even know it. I think she may be a Bright and you know what it may mean. A Bright may only exist if a demon queen exists too." Luka responded
"I must certainly meet this... friend? of yours then Luka."