It had been two months. Serena had finished her project of removing all the traps in the dungeon, and was surprisingly dismayed at the fact it ended. She had enjoyed seeing the inner workings of them more then she was willing to admit.

Her new magic had grown much more powerful too. The constant practice had expanded her pool of energy and enabled her to do many new things. She could walk through walls much easier, and had even stepped between shadows that were a couple meters apart.

Right then however, Serena flew high above the ground. She would usually fly higher, but just a glimpse of the monstrosities waiting in the clouds was enough to make her drop lower. Cabin fever had been getting to her, even with the trips to collect food and she was bored.

Considering the She had decided to explore patrol her territory. She wanted to see if there was anything interesting nearby, or if she could find that Shadow. She wanted a rematch now that she was stronger, after all.

Scanning the ground below her, she spotted some movement below.

Two teiflings where fighting against the Shadow. One of them was in scale armor that was painted black. He wielded a pole arm that she haden't seen before, looking like a crescent moon mounted on the end of a pole, or a pole with horns. The other was covered in a dappled hooded cloak and had a bow made of what looked like the black trees in the area.

They're hunting the Shadow! How dare they. That's my prey. Though I do have to wonder, does that mean there's a town nearby?

Serena swooped low, drawing into the shadows while she did. As the world around her went slightly misty the Shadow came into focus, showing it to be a large cat like beast. Approaching the fight she folded her wings and dropped onto the cat-beast. Wreathing her hands with dark power she ripped into the startled creature, basking in the blood of her kill.

Covering the creature with her wings, she turned to the adventurers, and hissed, "This is my kill. What are you doing here?"

The warrior moved in front of the ranger, who she now saw was a rather young female. About her own age. He spoke in a language she didn't understand to the girl and she shook her head and responded in the same language. Together they retreated while covering each other.

Serena made a move to follow them, but stopped when the girl drew and aimed an arrow. Stepping back Serena grabbed the Shadow and returned home.

POV: Talsira

An hour ago

Talsira scanned the forest. Hiemal tromped on in front of her, but she didn't put any stock in the warriors ability to spot threats. Or move quietly.

They were a party that had formed a few years ago, starting when she only could sneak and shoot. The Adventurers guild had teamed her up with the lunk so he could teach her how to fight in a party. Talsira quickly grew to see the man as a mentor and they had bonded. When her internship was over and she became a full member last year they had officially partied up.

Now if only she could teach him to move with less noise. Her kept scaring their targets.

Hiemal had grabbed today's mission when he saw it was from his hometown. A Shadow had been seen growing closer to the borders and the town had pooled it's resources to put up a request.

Spotting movement, Talsira softly called a stop. Hiemal tensed and moved his weapon into a guard stance. Moving up next to him Talsira aimed at the Shadow and fired a shot.

In a hazy blur of shadows, it dodged to the side. Lunging forward it found Hiemals sasumata catching it, before it was forced back, bleeding where the weapons blades had pierced it.

Moving to the side to get a clear shot she fired again, this time catching it in the flank. Furious, it turned and attempted to attack her, only to be repelled once more.

It was a good tactic, one they had used often to take advantage of both their weapons strengths.

Then another Shadow fell out of the sky. With a single attack the new Shadow tore the targets head off. Now that it wasn't moving Talsira could make it out a little bit clearer. It was a humanoid Shadow with wings, that it proceeded to cover it's kill with.

" $" @$' , $':@#", it hissed, words distorted by the same shadow mana it used to hide itself.

"You know a few different languages. Did you understand that?", Hiemal called out to Talsira.

"No, though it did sound familiar.", she responded shortly. "Retreat? Targets dead, and this one seems to be a little more intelligent then the average Shadow."

Hiemal grunted, and began to back up. When he did the Shadow made to move closer to them. Lining up a shot Talsira prepared for another fight, but it stopped before grabbing the target and flying away.

Hiemal shifted uncomfortably, "So... How do we explain what happened to our proof of kill to the guild?"

Stepping through the door to her sanctum, Serena dropped the beasts corpse and fell to her knees.

Why did I act like that? That wasn't me. I didn't even think to drop the shadow concealment or draw my sword. They must have thought I was another monster.

Pulling herself together, Serena focused on the two positives. This was the biggest thing she had hunted or trapped the entire time she had been here and she finally had a reserve of meat. Secondly, neither of them had large packs, meaning there must be a town close by.

Exhausted by the events of the day, Serena charged the ritual before heading to sleep early.