"MARSHALL!!!" I screamed, fear stabbing deep into my heart. The noise sent another bout of pain through my head but I ignored it, focusing on the battle before me; my Champion was in danger. He had done well at the start, avoiding the creature's attacks fairly decently. He'd made a mistake, though, and had paid the price. His left leg was destroyed, almost entirely gone. I felt his Spark react when the Nevind had attacked him; he burned so bright I had to look away. It burned my skin with its power and I could still feel its glow pulsing from him. My skin felt warm to the touch as it always did when I was near him, like the sun was welcoming me home. There was a part of me, though, that hated it. His warmth was too soft, too kind to be true fire. I would have to show him.

  I dismissed the roaming thoughts from my mind and refocused on Marshall. He was limping heavily, golden blood leaking from his wounds. I watched in fascinated horror as the golden liquid travelled down his body and pooled underneath his left leg, becoming a golden foot that enabled him to walk, if not well. Marshall limped away from me, towards the river, and the creature turned to follow him. They were both extremely hurt and slow, and I knew this was my opportunity. I could help my Champion. I reached down deep and summoned my Spark, feeling the warmth subsume my mind. The fire crawled over me once again, gathering in my hands. I scowled and forced more and more power into the growing ball in my hands. Marshall's voice sounded in my head, his low, stony rumble filling my soul with peace. My Spark grew in power with thoughts of him and I smiled. The power felt good to use again after so many years.

  I poured every ounce of my Spark that I could into the ball then brought my arm back and threw it at the creature. The ball of fire raced forward and collided with the beast a moment later, flames erupting around the Nevind's body. The Nevind stopped and ponderously turned back towards us, its eyes locking onto me. Something squirmed in delight when the creature's eyes settled on me, a familiar feeling worming into my soul. The Nevind opened its mouth and my eyes went wide. I fell to my knees and drew Rosie close, covering the wolf's ears. During one of his rants on the road, Marshall had told me that wolves had better hearing than man and, while most of what he said was nonsense, I still covered her ears. I heard nothing but I did feel the beast's power wash over us. Rosie sank deeper into the stone wall, pressing herself further down. I went with her, holding her as close as I could. I waited for something to happen, but nothing did. The silence was deafening, the unnatural silence driving a spike of primal fear into me. I fought through the base fear and peeked over the edge of the wall just in time to see Marshall bring his dagger down on the Nevind's wound.

  I watched as Marshall's Spark blew the Nevindn's leg apart. A wonderful, agonized roar sounded from the creature when its leg disappeared in a flash of golden light. Fragments of bone were scattered about the field and the Nevind fell to the ground with a glorious sound, its bone armor shattering under its own weight. I raced to the edge of the wall, Rosie by my side. Marshall was lying next to the creature, his Spark beginning to fade back to normal, and the creature's Spark had long since fled. I watched as a dark soul rose from the Nevind's body and raced off to the west, away from where the beast had first arisen.

  Marshall sat up and looked at himself then at the Nevind. His mouth opened in a scream as he moved to the Nevind's head. He placed his hand against the creature's snout, another small pulse coming from his Spark, and I saw a smaller soul, one that contained more white in it than the darkness before rise from the creature. This new soul rose to the heavens like souls normally did, which I found odd. Creatures only had one soul in this world.

  Exception.

  I scowled and shook my head clear of the voracious, void-deep voice, Rosie licking my hand. The wolf was surprisingly in tune with my emotions, seeing as how she was bonded to Marshall, not me. I pet her head and summoned my Spark, pressing my hands to my ears. I focused and sent my power into my body, examining the damage. My eardrums had burst and the canals were filled with blood. I sighed and set to work. Five minutes later and both Rosie and I had working ears again. It felt good to hear the wind blowing and my own breathing again. It's the small things, as Marshall would say. I think I'm beginning to understand that sentiment. The Chief and Guild Master came up to us slowly, leaning on each other for support. I smiled at the Chief slightly and curtsied as he approached.

  "Chief. Guild Master." I greeted them when they were close enough. Neither of the men responded and I nodded, summoning my Spark again.

  "Lady Ameilia." Chief said when both pairs of ears had been repaired. "Thank you for all of your help this evening." I smiled kindly at him, his words doing nothing to placate the seething anger in my heart.

  "You are welcome, Chief Kiltont. I expect to be compensated for our efforts." The Chief paled at my words and the Guild Master coughed politely.

  "My Lady, perhaps we could leave the discussions for tomorrow?" I nodded, walking further down the wall and away from the men.

  "Of course we may. If you will excuse me, gentlemen, I need to check on my Champion." Rosie and I walked away without waiting for their responses. I hid my smile; it felt good to abuse my power again. It had been a long time since I abandoned a conversation. I missed the feeling. Rosie led me down a set of stairs identical to the ones we used to ascend the wall. This set, however, led us out into the field where Marshall and the Nevind lay. I picked up my pace when I touched the ground, Rosie keeping time easily. The Shadow Wolf sped in front of me when we got closer, sniffing at her Master with worry. I could feel the emotion pouring off her in waves that grew stronger the closer I got. I didn't need to be bound to her to see her nerves.

  Rosie was sniffing around Marshall's head, whimpering softly and licking his face. She pranced nervously, her sky-blue eyes constantly flicking between me and him. She ran over to me, grabbing my hand gently in her mouth and pulling me forward faster. I sped up, moving to Marshall's head and crouching beside it. I lifted his head as gently as I could and held it in my lap, staring down at him. His handsome, defined face was scratched and bloody and his ears leaked blood like mine had. His sharp jawline was bloodied and more blood leaked from the side of his adorable mouth. The beginnings of his beard made him look rugged and even more handsome, a warrior come to take me from this hell. My Spark automatically reacted, bringing my power to my hands without me directing it. I held his head in my hands, searching for what was wrong. His entire body lit up with injuries and I gasped, fear and worry stabbing into my heart. I had no idea how the man was still alive. The entire lower half of his body was shattered with only his pelvis in decent shape. His spine and arms were fine, thank the gods, but the rest of his body was a mess. His insides had the damage I expected, yet his outside body bore none of them. His physical body wore signs of a general beating, but nothing specific. He was bruised, bloodied, and missing a foot, but other wise physically fine. How could a Bronze rank man face down a Crystal rank monster, ALONE, and survive?

  My power began to enter into my Champion and he sighed, a slight smile playing on his lips. I felt him relax into me, his right hand moving about in search of something. He was unconscious, I knew that, yet I still sensed his need and subsequent comfort when his hand found my thigh. He squeezed it hard, gripping me in a fairly painful way before his hand went slack.

  "Lia." I heard him whisper, his deep rumble carried to me by the warm breeze. A smile of my own drew itself onto my face despite my not wanting it to, a girlish blush warming my cheeks. His hand was so strong and firm on my thigh and I couldn't help but think about his arms around me at night, his Spark warming me from the inside out...

  I forced the errant thoughts from my mind and refocused my attention on healing the man. I couldn't have him dying on me, not after all he has done. His head had been healed and I could feel my power working its way down his body, encouraging it to return to its normal state. It responded better than I could have ever hoped, his body leaping to obey my power. I watched as his ribs shifted under his sun-bronzed skin, resetting into their normal positions. His legs took a tad longer than his upper body. I moved down and placed my hands on his left leg, searching for the damage, and gasped. His entire leg was shattered, the bones reduced to shards no bigger than my fingernail. His missing foot left a jagged, magnificent scar in its place, the flesh burned and cauterized by his Spark. The bubbled flesh was beautiful to my sight, drawing me down closer to it, but I fought the urge away. Marshall needs me.

  My Spark entered into his legs, caressing his bones and urging them to return to their previous intact state. The bone fragments resisted but not in the way I was expecting. I could feel their desire to heal but they lacked sufficient energy. With that thought, something miraculous happened. Marshall's upper body went rigid, a strained gasp exiting his full, pink lips. I watched as two golden coins rose from his chest and floated down to his left leg, settling on the jagged wound. My Champion's face became one of pain as the coins melted into a thin golden line encompassing the entire wound. As soon as the golden glow started to fade, Marshall's bones responded to my power. They leapt into action, fusing back into whole, strong bones. A golden light shone from his missing limb and took the shape of a foot. When the glow faded, the man's foot had completely returned. I sat there, shocked, staring at the newly returned appendage. I reached out and touched it, drawing my hand back quickly. His foot was burning hot, but comfortable, like I had taken a sip of tea that was just a tad too hot. I touched his foot again, a shiver of pleasure running down my spine as his warmth filled me. Gods, this man is incredible.

  The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

  I looked down at my Champion, his handsome face peaceful in sleep. The golden scar around his neck pulsed slowly in time with his breathing, the new scar on his foot doing the same. The scar around Marshall's neck cast his face in an etheric, glorious light that I couldn't look away from. My power returned to me, exiting my Champion's lower body as gently as it could. He sighed as the last of my power left him, his face contorting into one of loss before returning to normal. I felt a flash of regret enter me and I fought the urge to lay down next to him. I failed horridly, settling into the crook of his right shoulder and laying my hand over his heart, closing my eyes. Marshall's heart beat strong and steady, filling me with a sense of comfort. I inhaled deeply through my nose, his scent rosying my sight. He smelled like old wood with a hint of spice that tickled my nose and the barest hint of smoke, like that of a campfire. It filled my soul with thoughts of home and family, of love and joy.

  I opened my eyes to Father looking down at me, empty eyes smiling joyfully. He raised a charred finger and pointed at Marshall, Father's hand bursting into flame. His soulless eyes stared down at me as the fire climbed further up his body, his terrified, magnificent screams filling my head. Father smiled evilly, his mouth curling at an unnatural angle. I closed my eyes and breathed in my Champion again, curling tighter to him. I felt Father's Molinbi leave me with a howl and I let out a shaky breath, keeping the sorrow under control.

  I'm sorry, I thought as I turned my face into Marshall's shoulder. I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to.

  Marshall's Spark rose from his core into his heart, settling right under my hand. I felt it reach into his arm and twitch his muscles, wrapping his arm around me inexpertly. His Spark more like flopped his unconscious arm over my waist and it didn't grip me, but the gesture was appreciated. I chuckled and kissed my Champion gently, his Spark going dormant as he slipped further into slumber.

  "Sleep well, my Champion." I whispered. "I'll see you in the morning."

  "Something was wrong about that creature." the Commander said, leaning his hands on the Guild Master's large desk. We, Chief Kiltont Imborni, Guild Master Tzolob Maribo, Sentinel Commander Lucinius Metio, and I, Lady Ameilia Freyolin, all stood around the Guild Master's table. Rosie was there was well, the wolf having refused to leave my side after ensuring her Master's safety. She sat next to me, looking around the table regally, like a queen observing her subjects.

  "How do you mean?" the Chief asked, narrowing his bird-like eyes in confusion.

  "Did you see the how it did not react to my attack? How about its reaction to the Freyolin's attack? The boy was not prepared for that fight, yet he won with only a few injuries." I fought to keep the scowl from my face and my hand unclenched. Marshall survived, yes, but he did not make it out unscathed.

  "Marshall was critically injured during that fight." I said, sticking up for the man. "He saved your city."

  "For which we are extremely grateful. A reward is being arranged for you presently. However, that does not exclude the fact that the Nevind was not a normal Nevind. It had no blood." My eyes narrowed.

  "No blood?"

  "None. Your Champion noticed it immediately, Lady Freyolin, and I confirmed it myself afterwards. There was no blood within the creature. Not a single drop." Chief Kiltont made a 'hmmmmm'ing noise.

  "I dislike that news. Tzolob, do you remember that hunt we went on out in Guillo?" The Guild Master's face dropped into one of pure sorrow.

  "Yes." he said quietly. "I do. They had no blood either."

  "I cannot help but feel that the pressure coming from the Nevind's corpse is the same as the one that came from that city."

  "What happened in Guillo?" I asked, confused. I recalled Father discussing the city one day when I was young but couldn't remember any details.

  "Our team had just advanced to Silver." Kiltont said in a hollow voice. "This was about twelve, thirteen years ago now, I'd say. The Guild in Martion had not received communication from Guillo in over two months and they needed a team to go check on the city. We were chosen as we had finished our Rank-Up mission and were due for a 'relaxing trip'. We departed Martion with high spirits and laughter in our throats."

  "Two weeks later, and I thought I would never laugh again." the Guild Master said quietly. The Chief nodded.

  "Aye. Marin still hasn't recovered from the sights and wakes in the night, screaming." I kept the smile from my face, taking a cruel pleasure in the knowledge that the woman was Haunted too. She deserves it.

  "What happened?" I asked again, even hearing the whore's name putting a bitter taste in my mouth. Gods, I hate that woman. I wish she had been eaten by the Tyribom.

  "When we got to Guillo," Chief Kiltont continued. "we stopped and made camp for the night on a hill above the city. I had thought it odd at the time that there were no lights on during the night, but we would not figure out why until the morning. When the sun rose, we moved down into the city. Marin remarked that the city felt off and dead, and I agreed with her. The feeling it gave me sent a finger of ice down my spine, like we were constantly being watched."

  "I thought it felt like a ghost was breathing down my neck or something was always just outside of my sight." the Guild Master added.

  "The deeper we got into the city, the worse the feeling got. We arrived at the Guild Hall and opened the door to a horrific sight. I pray I never see anything that awful again. The entire Guild had been slaughtered. Not by weapons, but by what seemed to be claws and teeth. I steeled myself and inspected the nearest corpse, crouching down to check the wounds, when the corpse opened its eyes. I stared down into soulless, empty eye sockets, much like the Nevind had this evening. The corpse was lying on its back, its stomach split by some kind of claw. When it jerked up, its insides spilled out, bursting in..." the Chief trailed off, his eyes distant. His words had rattled me, the void-deep voice laughing when he mentioned the moving corpses.

  The time comes.

  Tzolob picked up, continuing the story, and I blinked away the hallucination. I hadn't heard that voice in over six years and I had hoped it would never return.

  "When Kiltont disturbed the first one, it was like a chain reaction went off throughout the town. Strange, haunting howls began to sound from outside, driving a knife of fear into my heart. I grabbed Marin and started running, not caring about the mission anymore."

  "Thank you, my friend." the Chief said, smiling at the other man. "You probably saved her life by doing that."

  "Ha. You're the one who saved us, cutting a path through them as you did. Now that the memories are returning, though, you are right. The people had no blood in their bodies. They still had their intestines, brains, and organs, but no blood within them."

  "We returned to the Capitol and gave our report to the Emperor, and he sent the Legion out to Guillo to verify our reports. Last I heard, Guillo had been razed to the ground."

  "What does all this mean?" Lucinuis asked. "How does that horrifying story relate to tonights events?"

  "The feeling I got from the things in Guillo's Guild Hall is the same feeling I got when the Nevind looked at me. The eyes were the same, and the lack of blood in both creatures is too much to be a coincidence. I think that whatever happened in Guillo is happening somewhere near here. The fact that it is happening to monsters is a terrifying thought."

  "Guild Master!" a high, familiar voice called from the other side of the door. I turned to see Railey entering the room, a slight flush in her cheeks. She actively avoided looking at me as she spoke to the Guild Master.

  "Yes, Railey?" the Guild Master asked, steepling his fingers together.

  "Tank is awake, sir." My eyes went wide and I sprang from my chair, Rosie right behind me. I raced out of the room, ignoring the Chief's calls for me to return. There was only one thought in my mind; Marshall. Rosie was faster than me, speeding out in front of me and skidding into the open door. She collided with the door frame, claws clicking on the smooth, hard wood as she struggled for purchase. She found it and flew forwards into the room. There was a surprised cry and a laugh from the open door and I rounded the corner to find Marshall buried under a black mass of fur. He laughed again, his hands rubbing the wolf's flank on either side.

  "I missed you too, sweetie." Marshall chuckled, his low, rumbling voice caressing my ears. I hadn't realized how much I had missed it. I walked into the room, closing the door gently behind me, and approached the bed. Rosie noticed me and stood, panting heavily. She walked away from Marshall and flopped down next to him, revealing my Champion.

  Marshall was breathing slightly heavily and had a massive grin on his face. He sat up, looking around the room with dark brown eyes. The golden flakes within them sparked with joy when he saw me, his grin growing larger. He stood and walked over to me and it took all of my willpower not to stare at his bare waist. I had never seen him in the nude and, as my eyes traced his beautiful form, I felt something rise within me that I had never felt before. I felt that same need I had the night he became my Champion surge upwards and consume my mind but infinitely stronger, causing me to step into him. I reached up and tangled my hands in his long, soft hair and pulled him down into me, our lips meeting with a fiery passion. I moaned and jumped up, wrapping my legs around his waist and pressing my lips harder into his. The need grew further and I gasped against him when Marshall squeezed my rear, shivers running down my spine. I broke the kiss, panting against his lips. I could feel his breath on my lips and stared deeply into his eyes, whispering:

  "My Champion." I kissed him again softly, barely pressing my lips to his. "My Marshall." His face went through a myriad of emotions before finally settling on a soft smile and his lips found my neck, causing me to gasp. I held his head to me, pleasure leaking into my brain as he kissed and licked my skin. I could his hot breath against me, sending tingles into the deepest recesses of my mind. "Love me, Champion." I whispered to the unseen stars. "I need you."