To Soldier Onwards

I take in a big breath and hold it in. I feel the tension of my clothes pull in an unfamiliar way against my chest as it expands with air. The feeling of constriction is new and unpleasant.

As if attempting to disrupt my calming mind the sky begins to rumble, and rain begins fall in a drizzle.

I think for a moment, Nadya warned me not to panic. "She's supposed to arrive soon" I think to myself, "I... can do this."

I stand up off the ground, a bit unsteady in a changed body but otherwise resolved. I look for Nadya but do not see her. The sky starts to thunder in the distance and my clothes are slowly soaking in the rain. The wet clothes to cling to my body, reminding me of the unsettling nature of my change. Thankfully, my sense of touch is dampened by the cold as I wait. Just as I feel my composure slipping, she appears running towards me panting with exertion.

"Bought... you... time..." she gasps out. I notice scorch marks on her clothing and her ragged state.

"Are you okay" I ask with concern.

"Run to the sacred pool, NOW!" She yells with desperation in her eyes.

I turn and run. Despite my unfamiliar physique I run at full **** down the path to the bathing pool. I do my best to ignore how my chest bounces as I run for my life. Thunder sounds closer and closer as I run the trail to the sacred pool. The flashes of light to my rear grow brighter and brighter. Until they begin to fade as I approach the water. The pool looks different tonight. Despite the overcast of the night, a full moon is reflected in the waters center, haloed with seven bright stars. I am transfixed by the scene until I feel an arrow point threatens back of my neck.

"What do we do with you?" I hear a voice speak directly into my mind.

"First, you steal one of my courtiers. And, now you come here to MY domain after being warned through story."

"For, your mercy?" I start.

She laughs, "You want the kind of mercy shown by hunters?"

"No I want..."