Page 95 of Synodic

Another branch snapped from a different direction, and I startled again. Then another snap. And another until I was completely surrounded. My hope that the creatures were merely curious, and not hungry, was thrown right out the window when deep carnal growls and yips filled the night around me. It sounded like an entire pack celebrating an easy catch, because whatever they were, I had absolutely no chance of fending them all off.

My only chance would be to kill them one by one as they tried to enter through the small opening of my hideout, but how long could I keep that up before I was overrun?

Operating on nothing but sheer terror and adrenaline, I raised my weapon and braced myself. An eruption of broken twigs crashed behind me and a slicing pain lanced across my bare shoulder. To keep from screaming and attracting any more attention, I bit down on my lower lip so hard that blood welled on my tongue.

More and more scratching talons broke their way inside, pawing and swiping at me through my wooden enclosure. Snarling lupine snouts bit their way through from above, snapping and gnashing their fanged teeth.

My breath battered against my ribs as I drove my blade into the chaos of attacking creatures. A piercing whine echoed through the night as a wounded beast backed away, but as soon as one retreated, another filled its place.

One had already found the opening of my hideout.

A giant bundle of dark fur made its way into my sanctuary, trapping me in a shrinking cage of wood, claws, and fangs.

There was no clever way to escape. Not this time. I was going to be eaten alive. A rogue claw from above swiped and grazed my newly healed cheek.

The black beast who had found the opening was already halfway through, and I reared my blade, ready to drive it down upon its jugular when something stayed my hand.

I couldn’t do it.

Why couldn’t I do it?

The massive beast was completely in my shelter now, rising to its full height as my sanctuary tore down around me, and I had to tilt my chin back to take in its whole form.

I would at least have her look me in the eyes before I was killed by her.

Her? How did I know it was a her?

She was the most magnificent creature I’d ever seen, and I dropped the knife to the ground.

She was a great fox-like creature covered in luxurious midnight fur. A small mane streamed down her regal head and surrounded her neck. She had narrow legs, pointed ears, and purple eyes with a delicate heart-shaped nose.

What really had me in awe was her long fluffy tail, flowing and hovering around her like fanning peacock feathers. Her proud chest and the tufts of fur at her feet were wispy white, a stark contrast against the rest of her ebony body. The very tip of her tail was tinted a pale purple as though dipped in ink by an artist’s hand. Her keen slender face regarded me with regal impassivity, and her slanted fox-like eyes spoke with an ancient understanding known only to her and the land itself.

Transfixed, I realized the animals were no longer mauling their way inside. The being’s powerful presence ordered every other creature to remain at bay, and now all was utter stillness.

Slowly and tentatively, I extended my hand to her beautiful face. She closed the distance between us, bringing her narrow snout to the palm of my hand, and her warm breath puffed at my skin. I gave her satiny fur a few stokes before she lay down at my feet.

Fully relaxed, she gave me several knowing blinks, then rested her head on her forepaws and closed her eyes. For whatever reason, she had chosen to protect and guard me throughout the night. Without her, I doubt I would have lived to see the dawn.

I shivered. Not just from the knowledge of my narrow survival but from the biting cold of the night. I could only feel it now that my fight-or-flight adrenaline had cooled.

My breath clouded in the air in front of me, and my fingers were losing feeling, but there was no way I could start a fire. It would be a shining beacon leading the red man right to me.

Seeming to have read my thoughts, my savior raised her velvety tail and gently swatted my back, urging me closer to her.

I lay down beside her, bringing my body close to the warmth of her belly.

The steady rhythm of her breathing was deep and wild, like the very thrum of the beginning of time. Her canny tail swept around and encased me in her deep fur like a downy blanket.

I rested my head against her. “Thank you,” I said, knowing she was saving my life. Her eyes remained closed; only the slightest twitch of her ear indicated she’d heard me all.

Nepta mentioned the spirits still roamed the land as animals, trees, or other various forms of life.

I closed my eyes, somehow knowing the truth—this magnificent creature was brought to me from the land itself, knowing full well who and what I was, but more importantly, why I was.

And just like that, I slept safe and curled in the presence of an Elder Spirit.

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