The shadows seemed alive as I took it in. My straining eyesight barely able to register the tiny changes, perhaps not if every so often soft crumbles and rock hadn't fell around this anomaly. Pounding and waves came at my side, while I blankly stared in creeping anxiety at the unknown, the rising beat struck more. Looking down to my now quivering body, shaking from the cold or what I didn't know. Regardless of it all, the thumping refused to cease despite my plea, but as I glanced to my sides the crashing of water had stopped. As I came to realize it was my own echoing heart.

My knees buckled, heaving forward I caught the fall. Meeting the ground once more pain surfaced all over my body as the shock lessend, bloodstained and wet. The aching memories and wounds called back to me as I laid,- But my attention kept to my surrounding as a distant noise rolled closer. Red.. It was an apple tumbling out from the dark. It was out of place amongst rained rock and salty air, nay had its presence stopped my bubbling anxiety for the briefest moments; I felt as if my heart would've burst as it's companion followed. Causing a part of my mind wishing I had gone blind. Just so my eyes didn't reflect abyss itself.

Then darkness spoke, from my trance state I somehow understood,

"Eat.." ...Bellowing like thunder, I couldn't move. Trying to speak my words fell short, till I edged back did the force dissipate.

"What-." Again my speech left me, like I was paralyzed. The darkness huffed...

"Death lingers on you. Eat."

The apple nudged closer as it spoke, hitting my hand.

"Eat. Then rest."

Almost invading my mind kin to a command, perhaps it somehow was, my body and will bending to it. I couldn't deny the words.

..

It's dark form encompassed my sight, despite what seemed as if I looked through red, turbulent varying blur my vision was clear; a jet black sheen that resembled scale, arching over into a wider sly form. Legless it was like a wall- No, A pillar which adorned piercing eyes. Gaping upwards my body was made dwarf opening its mouth, striking razor like teeth. And a flicking tongue. From up high, it's constant stare looked like pity, but in certainty there was no denying; if it wanted me dead I'd be.. A trembling feeling rose in me, and I couldn't resist, as I took the apple, my mouth acting on pure instinct.

Biting, my body yearned for it, all the same it remained vigilant over me. Disrupting any semblance of normalcy I once thought it's actions defying what it was. As I ate my stomach turned, a rising jolt of heat coursed through me. It was a warm feeling and welcoming one, unknown and no doubt obscene, I felt safe breaths away from the beast. My senses slowly drifted off yet. I remained content, I didn't know why but It didn't want to devour me..

In only that could I take solace.

...

Bumbling the hobbit stood awestruck like a caveman witnessing fire. Gasping in place, and still, though not without footing the woman; chased for, for a pound or more was nothingness. Vanishing like ghost, but the weight against steel felt real and not a figment of the mind. A shared delusion? The hobbit groaned as it resigned itself to the strangeness of this place. There would be more cattle to have fun with, a jeering grin quickly formed with the thought.

Humming slightly the hobbit softly rested his axe to the ground, 'A rewarding and fulfilling place, and commanded to do their worst at one's own leisure? What more bliss could I humbly ask for! There were still many ways to satiate oneself and find bliss within... Those that ventured to the forest. The unsettling chuckle turned to a muse as numerous scenes played behind the hobbit's eyes, called out to his partner beside him...

Dull silence filled the expected call back, ushering the hobbit to turn impatiently.

To be greeted with wavering green. Of that like emeralds, peering back still and ragged, with only droplets of purplish goop. Rolling along the side next to waving locks of gold; shifting fourth between the former, the hobbit instinctively clenched his axe at the scene, spilling out. "Demon!" Yelling his mind escaped the haze as the body caught up. In face of it, the warcry didn't shake those eyes. That blood stained face, small frame dead like complexion, it was in no doubt a demon.

Downwind past the far gazes of it's companions, shrouded by low incline. They remained as they were, had they seen what transpired?.. Thudding heavy a lump hit the ground and the tang of metal bouncing, however there was no remorse or sliver of sympathy found within him. Be it his own shortcoming, taking pride in not having my throat slit! The damned demon, cowards bare fang in confusion.

...

Looking upon the flab's of meat contort to surprise, it alluded to that there was something inside the thick skull. Despite its appearance of ineptitude and misshapen gaze, just so like the fellow which now post-drowns in their own gushing muck of purple. Tough. That was the only applicable thought that came to mind; as piercing the short blade across the hobbit's neck, the "skin" was more like an elephant's hide... Sighing deeply, albeit a tad bit dramatically Beth pulled her gaze off the laying corpse, gauging the bewildered soon to be deceased.

Beth repositioned sword and posture, in brief breaths between a thud. Intent in a singular and vital forward lunge, before the scum could raise it's axe off the ground. Just then arcing, a flash of bright whisked. Cutting hair the motion caught Beth by alarm as she stumbled, the sheen of metal reflected before her eyes and immediately struck the ground by feet-side. Twirling the object implanted itself, quaking the ground shook as it did. The lying area cracked and caved, solid brick crater formed to that of rubble like sludge.

Trembling, not just the surroundings Beth lost balance falling forward to a kneel. Vision went a haze, as she faltered as an odd sensation crept; holding firmly the hobbits' weight kept true, hefted its axe upwards to cut and sever. Gulping, staring down the impact Beth hadn't the time to process what had happened. Tickling goosebumps ushered as she knelt wavering between her feet and the crater. In the same stroke as the hobbit, Beth refarrimed herself, as the looming blade edged closer that same sensation stayed. Dread and fear of seconds to come, heaving she willed the body to move as the wind parted a fraction away, darting to the side in a narrow escape.

Gazing back in a desperate roll, the axe struck and carried along the path she took in a swiping slash. But the hobbit remained, baring fangs once more her sight went blur. Begrudging the situation Beth remained as where she stood, just like the other they both excluded arrogance playing with me like some toy' Maybe it could've stirred a laugh at her own pitiful state but it was no joke. The other laid at its feet gushing blood, it still cloaks itself in bravado.

It had called me a demon, does it not know? The oddities of this place, Beth's mind went rampant in a tangent at the prospect, the beasts despite appearances were smart enough for tactics. And had enough hubris to boot a fatal flaw which cost one dearly, trying to pride herself on that Beth fell short-It was all she had to just make use of the surroundings, it was more luck than any prowess. But regardless one of those bastards was dead.

But the concerns only seemed to pile. Taking the stage in full, and beckoning Beth's pondering worry the hobbit reached down grasping a hatchet in the crater not of his own... Regarding the force alone if she had been hit. Parts Beth probably didn't know she had would've littered the ground, she couldn't resist the urge to swallow her saliva at the sight.. 'The others must've thrown that hatchet..'

Almost like puppeted the fog parted unnaturally like in an instant, as if to paint the savage display; gave no scene of escape in the clearing between them. As if the withered forest itself had paid equal in due, at Beths own tiny victory.

..

Waiting in anticipation, Beth watched fervently, unknowingly in desperate strain as sweat began to roll off her. Unperturbed by the easily thirty-more pound hatchet, the hobbit effortlessly lifted and in the same motion threw out of view-A surge swelled as Beth peered, her vision fading again to gaussian; she lost herself in those moments unable to follow as a numb feeling called. Gasping in the calm standing now seemed to take a monumental toll.

In a rapid urge Beth cupped her right eye, all the while the sensation kept it's persistent dizzying slide. Wiping away her sweat, she pulled back the palm, to the horror she bore witness at her own fragility; woven between fingers and more- Red mush, slivers of bloodied eye drooped. As she looked upon in a frantic state now it was apparent the blur encompassed half her sight. Unable to rest, sudden sounds of thudding and metal scraping tore her attention.

A singular thought eerily played its all knowing triumphant tune, as Beth stood jaw ajar, with the dizziness becoming a torrent of pain, 'The world cared not. Not of these fragile lives in bodies of glass, the world held but energy, of any form it didn't discriminate.' These words Beth had heard not distant ago, now she had truly understood what it meant. Weakness is a sin.

...

Beth edged on the precipice, her thoughts took no end palpable now the regurgitation of all she was flashed before her. In the dire strafe of life none has the blessing of time, still unable to wallow in her own cut stature Beth was reluctantly pulled. Her bloodied hands were the least of concern, as the two echoing sounds became distinct. From where the hatchet had been tossed, the fog too did clear resting ankle high and all too eager to showcase the revolting visage and towering silhouettes.

The darkened shadow beyond treeline faded as the bodies trodded closer. It was in no doubt the same, two hobbits like before- Beth's chest lunged at the sight, one bore a wide cleaver and the other the assumed tossed axe, dressed a stark contrast from the rest. The leader it looked like but now a helmet adorned the beast. A nearly marble like skull, with two antler like protrusions and elongated snout. Beth couldn't fathom the change, or any of what these beasts where here for besides consuming flesh' namely hers. However unnoticed in the rushing of before a small staff intertwined with shrunken heads hung from the leaders hip...

Guttural the former bellowed, with earwenching tenacity' causing the one nearest at me to turn speaking back in the same tongue as it pointed to the deceased's corpse. The voices quaked the ground, along with my ears, in ways I couldn't possibly have replicated- If I even had the organ to do so, Beth twitched as she watched them converse... In a twist of fate, damming or not their arrival had stopped the stirring of my head; for the briefest of moments rather than stabbing, searing pain was numb like apathy. Whatever the case, the outcome doesn't bode well. Be it the loss of blood, some pity from high above or just morbid insanity a slash remained across my stomach. Bruis-..Definitely broken rib, and my eye I'd rather not speak off.

Beth arced her back as her thoughts went rampant, leading hands across her lower abdomen; sides and part of her cheek. Darkened skin, inlaid with the soil and stone dribbled across soon scars- It wasn't a pretty sight, it irked filling Beth with disdain and for her own self, or what had happened. Maybe both she didn't know, but being called a demon isn't all bad'.. Telling proof of the hobbit's own stupidity in slight of extruded confidence.

One still seeped blood onto the ground...

...

Distracted the hobbits delved in more throat thrashing, if there is any change of escape I have to take it. As before, the strange phenomenon some I had marked just as afore this. With the lifting fog it should be easier to spot the marks of the trees laid before...- As the sounds quieted Beth ceased her backward step' it seemed as the time for talking had dwindled. Settling first the closest had took attention to the "Demon" a set of determined eyes resided, more than that of a starved mongrel. Puffing slightly, the hobbit stretched its neck side and back, took a swift look behind itself towards the skulled one, "CHU LAK DE CREE! DEMON!" finishing the yell it smacked the ground with it's axe.

Telling faces was hard, more so of damned beasts thralled in mask- Yet spotting signs of its posture, not all needed explicit declaration; Beth prepared herself as the same words were uttered, and this time with a aloof nod. Barring not just an idle piece, the leader pulled out it's staff, starting to chant in rhythmic hums. As the other two shifted back towards Beth... Whatever is about to happen wasn't good, Beth could tell much and for some reason they stood, not pursing as before.

Begrudging her time, Beth had to move, no matter how much pondering she did on the behaviors of these beasts. Thought alone won't precede escape. In the same vein of the fog slightly thickening, intent on gaining distance, Beth immediately hunched as line of sight faded. Grabbing fist fulls of grime and dirt, Beth splashed them in the air as she lunged backwards, pluming the surrounding closest' face the hobbit took a step back. Without taking glance she exerted all, rushing to the treeline.

Yet still, the hobbit kept it's stance. Odd, and to mock more, it seemed to be enjoying it? As if making her attempt anything but a joke to it. Instead of elation, despite achieving what she wanted a urge of uneasiness rubbed at her sides. The intent on gaining distance didn't cease, and it was no more than twenty or so feet after-.. The realization came down, the leader of the pack raised its staff contrasting to the horrid visage of it. Calming almost pure white bulged from the top, emotion swelled as Beth took a frantic few looks back, signifying her worry wasn't just delusion. Like a lighthouse on the shore, it beamed outward causing drenching blindness, Beth lost herself in it, halting her run with a stiffening expression' what-in the hell?

...

As I took back, my curiosity got the best of me- The light beamed pouring from the staff's tip, like flame and in the same stroke engulfed me. Instantly I clenched my eyes, sensation left my sight drowned out but the feeling of touch and hearing persisted; fucking asshole! My vision but white, cut short any thoughts I prior had. Mind racing, I rushed paces back, as whatever that bastard did, I near lost all surroundings.

But wisps of the wind still caressed, and my weight constantly bore as droplets of sweat piled where I stood. I wasn't dead, at least not yet, still laughing or more of bellowed jabs. Tickled to torment my ears.. Not letting up, those same sounds reached their peak, upon striking me the utterings of unknown tongue garnered more traction. As in the same tone what I began to think was inescapable, faded and with so the thrashing of throats.

"DEMON BEGON--.." The words stopped dead, as if they'd been ripped away. The blinding clout faded as such did the hobbit speak, I was far fifty steps perhaps more, 'n still the gaping faces looked mile wide. Whatever happened wasn't my only surprise; with rising hairs I turned back, greeted with nothing' then took to myself.. Bruised and cut, but just as before. Not a hair had been singed by that light, had the blast not work as intended? Besides my temporary haze nothing had befell'd me.

My vantage hadn't been lost on me. Grasping reins and in scrutiny I dashed sight between willowed bark and fallen stumps, our bouts of running had indeed led back to parts I'd whence walked. In this maze of fog and twisting branch, though as my mind took me I didn't fain the thought of whichever peculiarities I marked just trade of time or matter of what they did. Some had called me a bastard once, cunning but truly I couldn't tell possibly all my notch blade marks apart. Even still in my exasperated state, perhaps master could.. He definitely could.

Be it some warping of space, or time that was all I had. I wont fool myself into thinking I had a fair chance in an even fight no matter how much I dreaded it.

..

...

Stuttering in idle moments, the hobbit leader stood slack. Tracing the line of its staff blankly, cocking in a twisting motion and shake.. As it did cries shot from the side, "Shak Le!..Useless caster!" Pounding the pole of its axe the hobbits face contorted leaning into the weapon as it glared to the skulled one. Again it yelled, driblets of its mucus splattering the ground then pointed to Beth's escape path. Motioning with the other hobbit, the leader let out a deep irritated sigh, parting it's teeth to a snarl.. "No Demon." The caster garnishing speech with a huff and growl.. "Human."

As the leader pushed past the bumbling fool, stepping over the laying corpse; the other dragged it's cleaver behind... The teetering boil of the axewielder, queeled as the duo past, gazing to the leaking fluids flow around his boot. To soon run cold as ice, "Human.. Kill?" The hobbit spoke uncertain at his own words. Fumbling to come to any semblance, no demon? Humans, how? They're.. "Fragile. Weak." ... "Togan. weak!"

Taking a short glance back the leader found both pity and annoyance at 'his brethren, more meat and muddle than brain. That was no demon, no shapeshifter but a cornered rabbit with teeth... And she probably tastes divine. Hiccuping, the hobbit's drool fell slightly before the leader wiped his mouth. Grunting he took tightened grip unto the short staff then began to mumble...

Germinating in those brief moments a bud of light soon again sprouted, yet unlike ushering in an arching flash it dove upwards. The light seemed flame, as if white fire spread across the horizon; at it's peak it split into four, then like a square and light turned lead plummeted down....