"Run!!" Ronan commanded, his voice like thunder. "Both of you!"
"Not a chance," Selene shot back, already stepping in front of him.
"Travis—get him out of here. I'll handle this," she said quickly, eyes locked on the monstrous direwolf before them.
"Selene—" Ronan tried to move forward, but Travis caught him by the arm.
"We don't have time for this!" Travis yelled, dragging him back. "We need to get you out of here—now!"
"Unhand me!" Ronan growled, trying to shove him off.
"You're in no position to fight. Especially not that." Travis nodded toward the hulking beast tearing through their army like it was made of straw.
"And she is?!" Ronan shouted.
Travis glanced back at Selene. "Well... if she can lift your sword, she can do anything. Now move!"
The sound of screams and steel filled the air. Chaos unfolded around them.
The direwolf—Klaus—roared and lunged, claws raking through three soldiers in a single swipe, sending blood splattering across the village square. He bit clean through a knight's armor like it was paper. Another soldier tried to stab him from behind—Klaus crushed him beneath a massive paw.
The field was soaked in blood. The villagers ran. The soldiers were dying fast.
Selene didn't hesitate.
She sprinted toward Klaus, sword gleaming in her hand. She leapt into the air, slashing down hard across his snout. A clean cut—deep. Blood sprayed, and Klaus snarled in rage.
She ducked as his jaws snapped where her head had been a second earlier.
He lunged again. She rolled, spinning low and slicing at his legs. He stumbled, but only for a moment.
Faster than anyone expected, Klaus turned and slammed her with his shoulder, sending her flying into a wooden cart that shattered on impact.
She groaned, coughing blood, but still stood.
Ronan watched from afar, eyes wide, fists clenched. "Selene…" He wanted to get to her but Travis strongly held onto him.
Selene wiped blood from her lips and charged again. She moved like fire—swift, unpredictable, fearless. She dodged another swipe, then jumped onto his back and stabbed into his spine. Klaus howled, thrashing violently. She held on, jabbing again and again, her blade finding flesh.
But it wasn't enough.
With a violent twist, Klaus threw himself backward—slamming Selene into the ground. She let out a broken scream as the air left her lungs.
He landed on top of her.
One claw raised.
She barely managed to roll out of the way before it struck. Dirt exploded as the claw dug deep into the ground.
She was panting now, her body bruised, blood dripping down her temple, one arm nearly limp.
Klaus loomed over her, snarling.
Suddenly, Travis tackled her from behind, rolling her out of harm's way just as Klaus lunged. The beast missed—barely—but Travis grunted as claws grazed his side.
"You okay?" he asked through gritted teeth.
Selene coughed. "I've had worse," she wheezed.
The remaining soldiers regrouped, surrounding Klaus from every side.
"For the king!" one of them shouted.
They charged.
Klaus met them with pure fury—ripping through them like nothing. Blades bounced off his thick hide. He swatted men aside like flies, crushing bones and splitting armor.
"Nothing's working," Travis said, breathing hard.
Selene stood shakily. She looked at Klaus—at the way he moved, reacted, hunted.
Then, suddenly, her eyes widened.
"I have an idea."
Travis looked at her. "Please tell me it doesn't involve dying."
She didn't answer.
Instead, she grabbed a fallen soldier's spear and sprinted around the chaos, circling behind Klaus.
"Hey, ugly!" she shouted.
Klaus turned.
Selene stood at the edge of the field, bloodied and injured, grinning like a madwoman. She held up the spear, then turned and ran straight into the dark trees.
Klaus snarled and chased her.
"Selene!!" Ronan shouted, trying to rise, but collapsed from the pain.
"Trust her!" Travis yelled.
Selene darted through the woods, dodging branches, jumping roots. Her breath was ragged. Her legs felt like fire. But she kept going.
She found what she needed.
A narrow trench. A steep ridge. A low-hanging branch.
She stopped, panting.
Klaus burst into the clearing, snarling.
Selene stood still.
Blood on her face. Her sword gone. Just the spear.
She baited him.
Klaus charged.
At the last second, Selene sidestepped, using the low branch to launch herself upward, flipping behind him, and drove the spear straight through the underside of his jaw—piercing up and out through the top of his head.
His growl died in his throat.
The light left his eyes.
His massive body trembled… then crashed to the forest floor.
Dead.
Then a roar of triumph rose from the village as the remaining soldiers and villagers watched the impossible unfold.
Selene collapsed beside the beast, covered in blood and shaking.
Ronan, tears in his eyes, whispered, "She did it…"
Travis just muttered, "Remind me never to piss her off."
----
Travis rushed to Selene's side, crouching beside her. "My Queen," he said gently, brushing dirt and blood from her face. "Say something. Please."
"I need… a drink," she croaked.
Travis let out a relieved breath, grinning.
"Come on. Let's get you back."
Ronan limped forward, leaning on two soldiers who tried to steady him. His eyes locked on her—Selene, slumped in the grass, victorious but covered in blood. The world around him blurred. Nothing else mattered.
"Let me go," he ordered, pushing the soldiers away.
He dropped to his knees beside her, cradling her gently in his arms. "You reckless, stubborn—brilliant woman…"
She looked up at him, her lips twitching in a weak smile. "Told you I could handle it."
"You shouldn't have had to," he whispered, his forehead resting against hers. "You nearly died."
"But I didn't," she replied.
Ronan said nothing more. He just hugged her tighter.
All around them, the battlefield quieted. The villagers emerged slowly, carefully, eyes fixed on the fallen beast. The soldiers—what few remained—lowered their weapons. A somber respect settled over the clearing.
They hadn't just witnessed a battle.
They'd witnessed a legend.
One soldier stepped forward, planting his sword into the ground. Then another. One by one, every remaining knight did the same.
For the fallen.
For the survivors.
And for the warrior woman who saved them all.
Queen Selene.
The Huntress of Flame.