{ Mia }
The fire had burned down to its last embers, the glow barely holding back the darkness pressing in from the trees.
I lay on my back, staring up at the sky through the gaps in the leaves. Sleep refused to come. My body ached from the fight earlier, but it wasn't just that. Something felt… wrong.
Then, I heard it.
A whisper.
"Mia…"
My breath hitched. I sat up, my pulse quickening. The forest was silent, too silent. No wind, no rustling leaves, no chirping insects. Just an unnatural stillness that made my skin crawl.
I turned toward Ace and Cole. Both were asleep, completely unaware of the eerie shift in the air.
Then...snap.
A sharp noise came from the edge of the camp. My body tensed. Slowly, I reached for my knife, every muscle ready to spring into action.
Another snap. Footsteps.
Not human.
I rose to my feet, heart pounding. The shadows just beyond the fire's glow seemed to pulse, shifting unnaturally. A dark shape lurked between the trees, its glowing white eyes locking onto mine.
The whisper returned, curling around my mind like smoke.
"Run."
The creature lunged.
I barely had time to react before it crashed into me, knocking me back. My head hit the ground, stars bursting behind my eyes.
"MIA!"
Ace's voice barely registered before the creature's claws slashed toward my throat. I rolled to the side just in time, feeling the sharp air where they nearly sliced through me.
Ace was up in an instant, shifting mid-leap, his massive wolf form colliding with the creature, sending it skidding back.
Cole scrambled to his feet, half asleep. "What the hell—?"
"Move!" I shouted.
The fire flickered violently as the creature twisted, its body flickering between shadow and solid form. Just like before.
Ace growled, baring his teeth. "I thought we scared them off."
"So did I."
But this one was different. It wasn't retreating. It was waiting.
Then, it spoke.
A guttural, rasping voice filled the clearing, echoing in my head more than in my ears.
"You cannot run from us Mia..."
A shiver crawled down my spine.
Ace lunged first, fangs flashing. The creature dodged effortlessly, disappearing into smoke before reappearing behind him.
I didn't think, I reacted. My golden glow surged, lighting up the camp. The creature hissed, staggering back.
This time, I didn't hesitate.
I struck.
My claws, glowing, burning, sliced through its chest. The creature let out a shriek so piercing I thought my skull would split.
Then, it crumbled into nothing.
The silence that followed was deafening.
I stood there, breath heaving, my hands still glowing.
Cole let out a shaky breath. "Okay. That was...terrifying."
Ace shifted back, eyes narrowed at the space where the creature had been. "Mia."
I turned to him.
His expression was unreadable, but his voice was low, serious.
"They're after you."
I swallowed hard.
I already knew.
And something told me… this was only the beginning.
Ace hurried towards me. " Mia are you alright?! Let me help you."
Ace closed his eyes as a portal similar to mine opened up in front of him but this time it wasn't golden like mine, instead it was a mixture of purple white and blue, like the galaxy.
" Whoa." I exclaimed as blood dripped down my neck and my body started to weaken.
" You're just like me!" I smiled as he took out some medical supplies, and then I felt dizzy and suddenly, darkness engulfed me.
{ Ace }
" MIA! MIA! Wake up !" I screamed as Mia's body went limp in my arms.
My heartbeat exelerated and my palms started to sweat.
" Is she alright?" Cole asked .
" Does she look alright Cole ?!" I screamed as more blood gushed out of her throat. " Now help me!" I urged.
I gently lowered Mia onto the ground, my hands trembling as I pressed against the wound on her throat. Warm, sticky blood seeped through my fingers, and my stomach twisted at how pale she looked.
"Cole, get me something—cloth, bandages, anything!" I barked, barely keeping my voice steady.
Cole scrambled to my side, yanking off his jacket. "Here! Use this!"
I snatched it without hesitation, pressing the fabric against her wound. Mia let out a faint, pained sound, her eyelashes fluttering. My jaw clenched. She was slipping.
"Stay with me, cupcake," I murmured, my voice barely above a whisper.
Cole hovered beside me, eyes wide with worry. "She's burning up… Is that normal?"
I didn't know. I wasn't even sure if this was from blood loss or whatever power was inside her. The golden glow had vanished, but something about her still radiated warmth—like embers waiting to ignite again.
"Come on, Mia," I whispered, tying the jacket around her neck to slow the bleeding. "You're not going down that easy."
Her breathing was shallow but steady. It wasn't enough.
I clenched my fists. I need to get her out of here.
Without another thought, I scooped her up and stepped took a deep breath and focused all my energy on teleporting to the safehouse, then, I slowly stepped into the portal, swirling galaxy of purple, white, and blue waiting before us.