“Before you embark on a journey of revenge, dig two graves.”

                                -Confucius

Maiya stared coldly at the burning cabin. Her heart wept as she watched the flames hungrily away the past twenty-one years of her memories. Her mind, however, wandered to the lonely grave in the middle of the forest.  She gave the place she called home one last look before walking away.

She kicked a rock along the forest floor as she made her way through the familiar woods. Maiya stopped as she neared a clearing. Her ears had picked up on a new sound, and her senses told her she was not alone.

Slowly, Maiya reached for the katana at her side and tensed her stance. Her eyes darted around her surroundings, following the direction of the rustling leaves. She narrowed her eyes as a cloaked man approached her.

“It’s not safe to wander about the woods by yourself, little girl,” he said maliciously, “Something might sneak up on you and your sweet blood.”

“I don’t think that’d be a great idea,” she retorted, “I hear that lamia and lycan blood can be quite the deadly cocktail.”

The cloaked man did not seem unfazed by her comment as he circled around her, nearing with each step. “Aren’t you a feisty one,” he mumbled. His eyes probed her defensive figure as he let out a dark growl. “Everyone knows that those monsters were eradicated before they could even take their first breath.”

“Were they?” she answered coolly, unsheathing her katana.

“Didn’t anyone ever tell you not to play with knives?” he hissed.

“I’ve only been told not to play with the dark,” she replied.

A snapping twig provided enough distraction for Maiya to dash away from the man. She steadied her breath and her heartbeat as she watched him from behind a tree.

“Come out, come out, wherever you are,” he called out.

“I do believe she doesn’t want to play,” said an unfamiliar man.

“Don’t tell me you’ve gone soft,” replied her aggressor.

“We were expected a half hour ago. If you keep this up, I’ll leave you to the dogs,” he replied coldly.

“Wooyoung, I was kidding. Let’s get back then. I couldn’t find the old man or his daughter anywhere.”

“Shut up, Minho.”

Maiya froze as the man named Wooyoung stared straight at her. She noticed his slight nod before he turned to Minho and beckoned him away.

Her heart raced as she processed what she had witnessed. Someone was looking for her and her mentor, but why? A glint of metal caught her eye as she walked toward the place where the two men had conversed.

A silver band rested on the dirt path, calling out to her. Maiya bent over and wrapped her fingers around the ring and held it to the dying sunlight, studying the intricate design. It willed her to put it on, and she obeyed. A warm sensation ran over her body as the ring glowed lightly on her skin.

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Another update! I was reading through some quotes I had collected and found this one super inspirational to my creativity. :)

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~Emylie<3