II

The raven-haired girl stood out from the green forest with her long, dark locks cascading down her back in luscious waves. Her hair was as black as the feathers of a raven, with a subtle sheen that caught the light just so. Her hair framed her heart-shaped face, accentuating her delicate features and making her beauty all the more striking. But it wasn't just her looks that made her stand out. This girl had a heart of gold, with a kindness and purity that radiated from her like a gentle glow. Her eyes were the colour of the clearest sky, and they sparkled with warmth and compassion. She moved with a grace and elegance that seemed to defy gravity, as if she were floating on air. Her steps were light and effortless, and she seemed to be in perfect harmony with the world around her.

Selene has lived in the Bloodwood Forest her whole life. It is everything she has ever known. The tall, green, powerful trees have watched over her small frame for 24 years, always giving her the feeling of safety. Birds sing in the branches above, their sweet melodies blending together to create a symphony of sound. The occasional rustle of leaves tells her that some small animal is moving nearby, hidden from view in the dense undergrowth. The forest is a place of wild, natural beauty and it has always reminded Selene of how greatful she is to call this place 'home'.

As long as she can remember, she has had a deep connection to the forest, like they were in sync. It would call to her when a creature was in need of help, and she would nurture it back to health. She would watch the flowers bloom in the meadow right below her small cottage. The stream flowed so perfectly, she would listen to it for hours on end, like a song to her years.

In the beginning, she was not alone. Her protector, Soren, was like a father to her. He taught her how to hunt, how to appreciate the nature and its gifts and the way of life. Since she was a child, he would always tell her to be kind and gentle, that her soul was great and her mind was pure of all the evil in the world. Selene did not understand this until later in life.

When she was, as memory tells, 13 of age, Soren told her with a harsh voice to hide in their wooden cottage. It was the first time he spoke to her that way, but she knew she had to listen to him, no matter what. However, her adventurous soul could not let her stay still. With small and quite steps, like he taught her, she followed him deeper in the woods. There, what she saw will forever be embedded in her mind. A wolf, the size of a bear, stood growling before Soren, with his teeth sharp and his belly lowered, ready to strike. As it jumped, Selene's eyes widened. A feeling of fright was caught in her throat as she watched the huge wolf attack her loved father. As fast as light, Soren craunched down, lifted his silver hunting knife and slit the wolf's belly with a long strike. The wolf went down, limp, with no movement. Its eyes fell on Selene, and she watched as it went lifeless.

„No", she whispered. She took rapid steps toward the wolf, craunched down and put her small, delicate hand on its fur. She felt the animal was gone, but still, her tears could not stop. Her deep love for the nature and the animals was all she had ever known and she could not understand what happened. Her sadness could be heard and felt throughout the forest. Suddenly, her hands glowed silver.

„Rest, you will be with the goddess now" she said, almost as if the fraze was written in front of her eyes, and the wolf faded, swallowed by the ground. Soren watched from a distance, with surprized, yet proud eyes. He has always known that Selene was special and that she was meant for greatness. After all, she was the descendant of Goddess Artemis herself. However, he was still astonished by her kindness and her newly found powers.

„Selene", he approached her slowly.

„Why did you do that? Why did you kill it?", she screamed, her anger felt by all creatures. „You did not have to kill it!"

With sorrowful eyes, Soren embraced her tightly. „I'm sorry, little flower, but not all are good and kind like you in this world. He was a rabid wolf, a rogue werewolf. Their souls are tainted, they crave blood and can not be brought back."

„A werewolf?" she whispered, her eyes slowly gazing up at him.

„Yes, Selene. There are many things you do not know, but I am going to teach you. The world is a vast and dangerous place, especially for a soul like yours. You have to be aware of good and bad, not everyone can distinguish between them and their souls can become rotten with greed and cruelty."

He started guiding her towards the cottage. As they got closer, Soren turned his head over the shoulder, to gaze back to where the wolf was eaten by the ground, only for his eyes to go wide. There, in the middle of the grass, a small patch of silver flowers stood.