Melora adorned her bck armor and purple cape as she stood on top of a hill. She looked down on the forest with her visor obscuring her face. It was almost time for mating season, and a hard decision dawned on her. Arthur approached her from behind and remained silent as Melora slightly turned towards him.

  “I will go alone; do not interfere. That is an order.”

  “Grand Duchess, with all due respect, it is too dangerous.”

  “That is an order.” Melora approached the edge, then jumped into the forest, leaving Arthur and a small army of knights all in grey who stood at attention. Arthur raised his hand as the knights slowly backed away, leaving Arthur with a frown.

  Melora nded in the forest with a loud thud, leaving a small crater. She adjusted her shoulders and scanned the thick forest. She could sense several figures watching her from a distance. She slowly made her way deeper without unsheathing her silver sword.

  The forest seemed empty, with no sign of life; not even small rodents and birds could be seen. She abruptly stopped and stared at the ground. She picked up a nearby branch, then threw it. A magical circle suddenly glowed as rows of rge thorns the size of spears emerged from the ground. Melora stared at the trap as she got up and looked directly at one of the figures hiding on top of a tree. The figure slightly panicked as it scurried away. She avoided the trap and continued to walk deeper.

  After some time had passed, a wooden spear suddenly flew towards her direction as she caught it midair. She threw the spear to the ground and turned towards her side. Her eyes could clearly see an oni who was almost the same size as her staring back. He had dark green skin with markings all over its body. The most distinctive feature was his wild dark long hair, and his lower canine teeth grew out, forming miniature tusks.

  “My name is Melora Stormville, the Grand Duchess of Credoa, and I wish to talk.” Melora yelled out as the oni’s eyes suddenly widened in shock, then turned to the side. He slowly emerged further with great caution as more oni surrounded her from the trees, carrying spears and swords. Melora paid attention to the oni who was approaching her, thinking he was in charge, but she could feel a far stronger force lurking in the shadows.

  “How are you able to speak with us?”

  “It is because I met with the elves, and they gifted me the world tree. I consider them friends and allies. I would like to extend that to you also.”

  “After all the centuries of blood and death, you choose peace? You may be their friends, but you will never be ours!”

  The oni raised his spear as the others descended from the trees, circling her. It was then a snake appeared from the bushes, which caught their attention. The rge snake slowly rose as it stared at the oni.

  “How dare you talk to her with such disrespect.” Scales spoke as her red eyes sparkled under the sun, bewitching the onis in front of her.

  “It is alright, Scales; they have a point.” Scales settled under Melora’s feet as the onis slowly lowered their weapons.

  The oni in front of her looked very lost and puzzled; he suddenly became docile and unable to talk. Melora gnced at Scales, who looked disinterested. She wondered if this was how Scales was able to freely roam the castle without anyone stopping her—truly a terrifying ability. The strong presence suddenly approached her with great speed as her hand instinctively moved to her sword. She could see something simi rge dark ball dart around the forest. Her sharp eyes tracked it every step of the way as a wave of onis and ogres appeared from the forest.

  Scales instantly enrged as her huge body now coiled around the forest. Arthur and the group of knights descended from above and immediately circled Melora with their weapons drawn. Arthur was caught in two minds as he stared at the hydra, then the wave led by a concealed figure. Melora closed her eyes as frustration mixed with anger slowly boiled within her.

  “EVERYONE STAND DOWN NOW!” The knights stared at each other with confusion as Jacob stared at Arthur, who reluctantly sheathed his sword. The rest of the knights did the same as Melora pulled one of the knights away and emerged. Her sharp gaze nded on Scales, who was towering over everyone.

  “SCALES, DOWN NOW, AND DON’T MAKE ME ASK TWICE.”

  “But they are being mean.”

  “DOWN!” Scales reluctantly returned to her normal form as everyone stared at Melora with shock. This was the first time a human was able to subdue a hydra in such fashion. Scales pouted as she silently slithered behind her. Melora let out a sigh as she turned to the horde.

  “Let’s start again. My name is Melora Stormville, the Grand Duchess of Credoa. I come in peace and do not wish for bloodshed.”

  “You are a brave human, very interesting. I invite you, but you alone, no one else. Also, you leave your weapon.” Melora stared at the weird figure with suspicion.

  She indeed had grown stronger, but that didn’t mean she would throw herself into dangerous situations. She silently thought to herself as the knights started to get anxious; things could return to chaos at any time. It was then she remembered the advice she was given—someone needed to extend that trust.

  “I accept, but I will not leave my sword. This is a manifestation of my will and authority. I am willing to trust you, but only if we meet in the middle.” The figure paused as it looked to its left. Melora also turned towards the same direction but did not see anything of note. Some time passed as the figure finally turned towards Melora and silently nodded as the figure disappeared into the forest.

  “Stay here, all of you. This time, don’t disobey my order. I understand you are worried, but as your Grand Duchess, you should trust my judgments.”

  “I am sorry, your Highness,” Arthur apologized as he kneeled. The rest of the knights followed. Melora turned away from the knights with a slight nod as she followed the figure. The rows of onis and ogres, who looked alike with the main differences being that the ogres were far rger and brutish, looked down at her, but she was not intimidated by their gazes. Her purple cape fluttered in the wind as she carried the pride of Credoa.