Slain

The monster roared, its fury sparked a thousand tongues of fire from its hide. With one almighty sweep it sent Ryanna’s father flying over the top of the volcano, the wind ceased, the spell failed, and the monster drew itself to its full one hundred feet once again.



“NOOOOOOOO!”



Ryanna’s mother screamed in agony and despair, and with a snarl that sounded more like a wolf than a woman, she dashed forwards, a shower of electricity falling around her. With a thrust of her arm and a word, she hurled a massive bolt of thunder at the monster. It was knocked off its feet and landed with an earth shattering crash.



Ryanna’s mother, however, had performed a spell that was beyond her power and endurance. She fell and landed on her back, blood flowing from her nose, ears, eyes and mouth at the same time.



She remained there motionlessly until little six–year–old Ryanna toddled over. To her, it was just all a magic show that her parents put on for her, as they always did. Her mother looked at her through her bloody eyes while she smiled delightedly and clapped the tiny little hands. Her mother smiled back weakly, and with tremendous effort, she pulled out a small, silver, beautifully decorated pendant. Ryanna’s big, emerald, green eyes opened wide as she slipped it around her neck.



“Guard this well, my child,” she said, and they were the last words she ever spoke.



Ryanna waited patiently for her mother to speak again. When she didn’t, Ryanna bent over and gently stroke her stone cold, once beautiful face. Still there was no response, and Ryanna began to panic. She squeezed her mother’s arm as hard as her small hands could, and pulled on her hair. Ryanna began to scream.



“MOTHER!” she cried in between sobs.



The dead woman did not answer, but there was a loud, deep grunt. Ryanna turned to see the monster rise, now so angry that its eyes turned livid red. With a...