I walked through the forest breathing in the sweet scent of nature. I finally get sometime to explore by myself. I thought to myself steping over a branch.

Hey, wait for me!" I heard my sister calling to me. She was always slow.

You're going to have to walk faster than that, Prsephanie." I told her when she caught up.

Or you could walk slower and actually take some time to enjoy the scenary." Prsephanire shot back at me.

What ever, just come on!" I said running forward, Presephanie following just behind me. The wind wipped through my dark grey fur as I ran. I had no clue where I was going nor did I care, I just ran enjoying the freedom.

Hey, Koffing!" I heard Presphanire calling to me. "There's a river over there, can we stop and get a drink?"

I looked over my right shoulder to look at the river, the water sparkled in the sun light. It was impossible to say no, plus I was getting thirsty. "Sure" I replied.

Slowing my pace I turned towards the river. The ground next the the river was moist and vegetation nearby was lively and vibrant. Lowering my head I took a gulp of water, It was cool and refreshing. Tipping my head back I looked up at the sky. Which took me by surprise. The sun would be setting soon, we'd stayed out longer than I thought.

Prseph!" I cried. "We have to get back now, we weren't suppose to stay out this long!"

Prsephanire looked at me then up at the sky. "you remember the way home right?"

Of course I do!" I looked at her in disbelief. "Don't you?"

Of course! Just lets get going!" She said pushing me forward. Obviously wanting me to go first.

I sighed but ran forward retracking my path from before. I knew we'd come a long way already, I just hoped it wasn't too long. The sun met the horizon casting an orange glow on the forest. The shadows of trees symbolized nightfall would soon come. I looked over my shoulder to see if Prsephanie was still there. She was, right on my tail running as fast as she could but also tiring.

Only a little longer." I called back to her. She nodded but didn't say anything.

I looked back ahead. The faint glow of the stars and the moon could be seen in the sky. Light was running out fast. Soon I began to recognize familiar landmarks. finally I thought to myself relieved. But I noticed someone up ahead. It was extremely unusual for a human to walk into this forest. I halted, causeing Prsephanie to crash into me.

Hey, Why'd y-"

shhh" I cut her off before she brought attention to us. "Someone's there."

But humans never come here!" She whispered, crouching.

I know just be quiet!"

We ducked behind a bush and watched the human for a second. He seemed confused and lost. But there was something about the way he looked that i just didn't trust. He wore a robe, his faced covered by the shadow of his hood, he wore a belt with many different items attached to it. None of which I had any clue what they were for, and lastly he carried a wooden staff with odd patterns carved into it.

Suddenly he turned around and stared directly at us.

Finally someone's come!" he cried moving towards us.

How did he know we were here?" Hissed Prsephanie

The human moved the branches and leave of the bush aside to reveal our location. "Two wockies." He said, bending down.

I hissed and backed up slightly.

Now, now." He said calmly. "I won't be here long I was just wondering if you could help me out of these woods? I seem to have lost my way."

What are you doing here anyway?" I spat.

Aaaah, it just seemed like a nice place to explore, I haven't been here before, y'know"

You shouldn't be here at all." Prsephanie surprised me by saying.

Please help me get out of this forest and I promise I won't come back, this is obviously your territory." he begged.

The whole time he was talking I saw nothing of his face, still cloaked by shadow. Occasionally I would see his mouth and he seemed to have a wicked smile. There was something deffinately disturbing about him. The sooner he left these woods the better, and we couldn't go back home now because this human would follow and put us all in danger.

The exit's not that far from here." I stated.

Brilliant!" The human stated standing back up. "You lead the way and I'll follow."

You really trust him?" Prsphanie asked in disbelief.

No, not at all, but him staying in the forest would be a greater danger." I said. "But you should go home."

What?!? I'm not leaving you in the forest at night by yourself! We'll both go, it's safer that way."

I hope so." I murmered looking at the human, who was waiting for us, closely examineing his staff.

I'd been leading them through the forest for awhile now, getting more nervous the farther we got. This human was planning something, I could tell. I glaced back at the human before moving closer to Prsephanie.

Hey, Prseph." I whispered. "I think we should make a run for it, I can't stand this anymore. He's planning something."

I'm with you." She whispered back. "We'll run in opposite directions in a few seconds. Just run as fast as y--"

Well, I think we've come far enough now." The human interupted. "I'll be capable of finding the rest of the way out. But after I take your souls." He smiled looking down at he staff, now glowing.

What?" I snarled, not surprised.

Oh sorry did I forget to mention I'm a black mage?" He asked sarcastically. "It must have slipped my mind. But I do need your souls, I can't perform a spell unless I have them." He raised his staff pointing it towards us. "Sorry if this is inconvenient for you."

Quick Run!" I shouted to Prsephanie. She darted off into the forest and I turned to run the other way but found myself immobilized. I struggled against the spell but was unable to break free.

hmmm, well at least I got one." The mage muttered noticeing Prsephanie had escaped. "Which should be enough."

I continued struggling against his spell, but it was too strong. I was then blasted by another spell which started to zap my strength. I knew I didn't have much time left, I had to do something. But there was nothing I could do, I just continued to fight against the spell.

You've got more fight in you than I expected." The mage said, struggling to keep the spell focused.

The mage unknowingly gave me more courage with those words. I will not let some human defeat me!I thought, unleashing all my strength to counter his spell.

My hidden ability was discovered then. Fire started igniting trees and other plants arounds me. The flame spread rapidally to other trees, and the mage looked around in shock. The distraction caused his spell to fail and I fell to the ground, weak and unable to move. The mage quickly fled farther into the forest escaping the flames which spread quickly engulfing the forest.

It was dark..Am I still alive?...yes. I knew that much at least, but for how long I'm too weak...fading... The end seemed to near. Slowly a light started appearing in the distance. It wasn't the end, not quite yet. The light brought comfort, moveing closer to me, then I heard a voice.

You are on the edge of life, The path to the spirit world. I am a spirit guardian, I have the power to send you back. You, are not ready to leave yet."

I looked at the blue form of the spirit guardian. be saved? Is it worth it? Is there really anything left?

We cannot wait any longer." The guardian said. "Make use of this gift, go back."

Light surrounded me and the darkness disappeared. I was going back..I had another chance.

My eyes shot open and the sound of rain rang through my ears. Was that a dream? Or did I really just return from the brink of death? I looked around, and it took a few moments for me to realize this was my forest. My home. But it was not how I remembered it. The trees...many were gone, some severly burned. It was a wasteland. The ground was drenched in mud and rain, as was my fur. The memory of the mage, the fire, flooded back to me. I attempted to stand up, but my muscles screamed in protest. The pain shot through me like a bullet and I crashed back into the mud. Where did the fire come from. I thought, remember back to the moment it appeared. It seemed to come from me. All the areas around me had ignited in my rage. I looked up at the sky, the rain splashing on my face and tried to stand up again. This time ignoreing the complaints from the muscles. I swayed standing up attempting to regain my balance. I looked around at the desolate area, at what use to be the lush forest I lived in. All this damage, destruction. If that fire was caused by me, then I had destroyed the only one place that was important to me.

I started walking, making my way through the thick mud and over the torched tree stumps. There was a hill up ahead. There might be some of the forest left I thought. Over that hill I broke into a slow jog, tripping a few times and getting my fur soaked with even more mud. It was raining harder now, but I ignored it. There will be forest over the hill I kept telling myself. and I'll be home, everything will be back to normal. I was tiring quickly, still weak from the mage's attack. Slowly I did make it to the top of the hill, I was not met by the forest, but by more wasteland. All my hope faded. Nothing would ever be normal, nothing would ever be how it was before. My life had been changed forever. But I kept moving forward, forcing one foot in front of the other. I hadn't gotten very far when I remembered Prsephanie, what had happened to her? A terrible though entered my mind. What if the flames, the fire I created had gotten to her. If that was true the I had caused the death of my sister, my best friend. I started to panick imagining Prsephanie running, terrified through the flames. I couldn't handle the thought and collapsed in the mud.

why?" I whispered though tears. "Why did this happen?" My tears splashed into a puddle, barely noticable amongst the raindrops.

The events of the day started to take effect then. How could a day change so much in only a few hours. I thought remember running through the forest earlier today. One of the last times I was ever actually happy.

It was a long while before I could stand up again. By now it was dark, and still raining. I couldn't stay here though, I was given a second chance at life. There must have been a good reason for that, and I must not waste the opportunity. There's a blacksmith near by I will go to, I remember hearing of him. I will get armour from him, to protect the remainder of my soul. Then I will find my perpose for a second chance, a reason why I'm here. I looked down at my paws before continuing through the rain to the blacksmith. I noticed for the first time red fur sprouting from my left paw. I was curious but didn't contemplate it very long, before leaving for the mountain where I'd find the blacksmith.