Willow's Arc

Chapter 7 of 12

Willow emerged from the underground chamber and crouched beside the shrine's foundation. The fresh claw marks curved toward the water's edge. She followed them to where they disappeared into the black surface of the swamp. She heard it before she saw it—a low rumble that vibrated through the mud beneath her boots. The water rippled, then bulged upward. A massive scaled form rose from the depths, water streaming off its emerald hide. The beast stood taller than the cypress trees, its body wrapped in chains that seemed fused to its scales. It didn't retreat into the marsh. It planted itself at the water's edge and stared at her with eyes that glowed the same teal as the crystal in her pocket. Willow reached for the swampy rope coiled at her belt. This was what the elders wanted—the beast trapped, helpless, theirs to use. Her fingers tightened on the rope. Then she saw movement behind the creature. Torches flickered between the trees. The elders approached in a circle, robes trailing through the mud, each one clutching a glowing green charm. They'd followed her here. They'd been waiting for this moment. She dropped the rope and stepped between the beast and the approaching circle. The elders stopped. The lead elder raised his charm, and Willow pulled the crystal from her pocket, holding it up where the torchlight caught it. The beast shifted behind her, chains rattling. She didn't turn to look at it. She kept her eyes on the elders and spoke loud enough for all of them to hear. "You want this? Come take it." The elder lowered his charm. The circle broke apart and faded back into the trees. Willow stood alone at the water's edge with the beast at her back, knowing she'd just chosen a side the elders wouldn't forgive.