Orion was out all alone, walking in the shadows of the night, with pain and anger surging through his veins.

He was past a thick forest, when he heard a sound behind him, getting him alert, hands immediately on sword, prepared for whatever was coming his away.

He drew the blade out without hesitation, speaking to the darkness.

"Reveal yourself!" He commanded.

The forest remained eerily quiet, the only sound to be heard was that of crickets and birds.

He looked around with caution, watching his back with every second that passed, waiting for something to happen. He spun around again, watching with keen eyes and listening with perked ears.

"Put the sword down, Orion. I'm not here to harm you"

A lady stepped out from behind a tree, approaching him, unfazed that he had a sword pointed her way.

"Who are you?" He asked.

"And how do you know my name?" A look of confusion crossed his face as he awaited answers.

"I know so much, Orion. I am Zephyra" She introduced herself.

For the first time since their encounter, Orion took a long look at her.

Her hair was the longest he had seen in quite a while.

It was white in colour, despite her looking very young. It had a few strands falling to the side of her face, while a fair portion covered her left eye completely, giving her a strange look.

Orion pushed his sword back in its scabbard after taking one final look at the lady, turned his heels in the other direction, and began walking away.

"Where are you headed?" She called from behind.

"I don't see how that concerns you" He muttered.

"I could help you if only you'd tell me"

He stopped in his tracks, and without looking back, he answered.

"I'm going to kill Cedric. And thanks for the offer, but I don't need your help"

"Cedric isn't one who could be killed easily" She answered from behind him.

"And what do you know about-

There was a short silence as he spun around but couldn't find Zephyra anywhere in sight. His eyes searched around trying to see if he could find her hiding behind one of the trees, but there was not a single trace of her.

She was gone.

***

Riding into the woods on a high black horse was King Cedric with a dozen guards dressed in black following behind.

Commander Zamarion was right next to him, securing and keeping the king safe.

They were out on a hunt for animals to skin and have for dinner. An activity the king enjoyed partaking in.

Having a catch to himself.

The horses came to a halt at the pull of the reins by the rider.

Fog surrounded the chilly area but got cleared soon enough as the horses huffed and neighed.

"We've been hunting all day, and still haven't found anything" Cedric muttered in clenched jaw.

"My lord, I'm sure those beasts will soon come out of hiding" Zamarion assured.

"I doubt that" Cedric stroked his chin while speaking. His eyes flashing around in observance.

"Lots of them rested in this area of the woods but got stolen all of a sudden"

"My lord, I don't think it's considered stealing, since the animals belong to no one"

One look from Cedric made Zamarion swallow his words and bend his low.

"They'll learn a lesson from me that's for sure" Cedric said.

Zamarion was just about to speak, when Cedric signaled for him to hush.

"I can feel another presence" He uttered in a low voice

His eyes moved around as all of the guards halted, preparing their weapons at the quick motion of Zamarion.

"There's someone out there" Cedric whispered.

"I can feel it"

Zamarion looked around in fear, wondering what or whom could be in hiding.

Everyone turned silent, when suddenly a knife from out of nowhere thrusted into one of the standing guards' chest. They were all left in shock, staring at the fallen guard and then bracing themselves, while standing ready.

A whoosh sound filled the woods as another knife flew towards Cedric's face, but was stopped midway by his stretched out hand.

The knife turned around immediately, returning to the direction where it came from.

Orion finally stepped out from behind the tree, revealing himself and dodging the knife just in time.

"I'm gonna kill you" He spat

"I'd let you try" Cedric responded in a calm voice.

He lunged forward the same time the guards rushed at him.

Fighting the whole lot of them, not missing one. Slashing and tearing skins with his sword, he made sure to get every single one.

"I'd hate to be the one to kill you, Orion" Cedric Huffed.

"You bastard! You killed my father!" Orion yelled at the top of the voice.

"Let's be real here. It was long due for him to die" Cedric responded.

His statement made Orion lunge forward immediately, holding his shiny sword out.

Drawing a knife out from his boots immediately, Cedric threw it at the attacking figure of Orion.

The blade went straight ahead, thrusting into the side of Orion.

At the impact, a low groan left his lips, while he fell back in pains.

"Let's go!" Cedric uttered to his guards.

In a blink of an eye, they were all riding away on their horses, leaving the dying Orion alone in the cold woods.