Liath

Liath clenched her fists tightly together to keep them from trembling. She stared at the huge portal that was looming before her glowing in a sickly greenish color. Not for the first time she asked herself if she had done the right thing, chosen the right path. She had been happy and content patrolling the borders of the Forgotten Sanctuary, protecting her clan from wild beasts and strange otherworldly creatures thirsting for revenge. It was a dangerous and challenging task befitting one of her bloodline. But deep within, she had always longed for more. To see more of the world, to pit herself against the most formidable enemies. Now she had the chance to prove herself and she felt utterly unprepared.

She forced herself to look away from the portal, concentrating instead on her two companions. To her left, the mage Suijin sat casually on his hindlegs seemingly serene and unperturbed by the forbidding sight. He looked ill-equipped for fighting, wrapped in shimmering silks but Liath knew that he didn’t need steel or leather to protect himself. He had brought her back from the brink of death more than once and she owed him greatly. Like herself, he was of the Night Warrior bloodline but his mother was a highly skilled mage from the deep ether bloodline and he was blessed with immense Arcane talents. To her right stood their leader Scylla, her eyes were fixed unblinkingly at the portal. It was said that her bloodline carried a curse that would eventually lead to a gruesome and painful death. Maybe this unpleasant future made her such a fearless and coldblooded warrior. In contrast to Suijin, Scylla was clad in steel and leather just like Liath. She had been through the portal before and brought back a strange creature that seemed to consist of red mists. It followed her wherever she went, drawn to battles and death.

Scylla must have felt Liath’s gaze lingering on her for she turned around to her and smiled reassuringly. ”Time to go then. The magic of the portal seems stable today. Let’s get this done.” Suijin raised from the ground, brushing leaves and dirt from the silks and followed their leader. Liath unclenched her fists, her claws reaching for the small necklace she was wearing under her armor. It was a present from her brother, a good-luck charm he had said. It was nonsense of course, but touching the small smooth stone gave her strength and calm. When she set out to follow Suijin to the portal, her claws were trembling no longer.