Springtime Rainbows

Story by Nathmurr on SoFurry

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#1 of Harkening Nights

Before reading, I'd like you to know that both the title and picture are supposed to be ironic. Also, the art is NOT mine. This story is about a Bat-Wolf hybrid named Bellethy. She's one of the best Monster-Hunters on the Planet RueHark, which is a world of constant paranormal activity. This story has little-to-no lewdness in it, so don't get your hopes up on those regards. Though Bellethy WILL be featured in romance stories that are somewhat sidelined from this series.


Daunting yet beautiful, the full Moonlit Night began to set over the face of a large civilization, white twinkling stars gradually spangled over the pale blackness thereof. Large buildings hailing from an Era of proud and architectural demeanor stood tall, yet were still belittled by the colossal view of the radiant rising Moons. The ancient structures were long-ago designed from cold and chiseled grey stone, matching the overall essence of Dusk. Those unfortunate folks who inhabited the City kept their windows shut, and their wooden doors blocked by several bulky contraptions, which mostly consisted of silver-coated iron locks. The clear streets stayed mind-numbingly quiet, as if not a single Soul knew the place. In reality, many had retreated to their warm and cozy homes, while those with their wits about them left the cursed place entirely. The threshold of the City laid between a small plain of swaying grass out in the distance, it's billowing patterns tinged with the silvery lunar light. Mages dressed in strange hoods and long black-colored garments walked along the windy plains, leading multiple small crowds of Mammals and Scalies behind them. They each eagerly followed the wise and powerful Mages, those of whom had shown up earlier before the full Moon began.

Those more desperate for help decided to adhere to their promises of a safe enclosure, free from Werewolves and Night-stalking Vampires. The Vamps would often follow the charging Werewolves as they sniffed out the fresh and intoxicating scents of mortal blood. The sorcerers put up a convenient field of magic around the traveling civilians, one which cleverly trapped their scents from anything lingering outside. A small ball of bright magic hovered in front of them, uncovering the features hidden within the darkness ahead. Rocks and trees unveiled in the forms of partial silhouettes, basked in the rays of luminescence, as the fatigued mammals and Scalies suddenly realized where they were being led. One particular official spoke out with concern, exuding an aura of authority. "What is this? Has a screw gone loose in your head? We can't venture through the forest, save we're torn to shreds by monsters!" Said a formally dressed Raccoon with a rounded top-hat, presumably being the Mayor of their City. He fought against minor trembles of fear which slowly took over his body, sadly failing at his attempts to set a calm mood for the members of his proud City.

One of the Mages turned her head to the side as she walked, speaking to the Mayor in a soothing tone. Her eyes gave a calm and dazzling expression his way, almost immediately calming everyone down as she spoke softly, and with clear assurance. "Do not fret. You are all fine. We promise you and your Citizens a safe sanctuary. You will no longer suffer the malicious intent of your stalkers." A beautiful smile beamed across her face, subsiding their suspicions. All worry had vanished with only the warm statement of three sentences, followed by a radiant smile across the Snow-Fox's face. The whole multitude, that including different species of equine, canid, feline and reptile, were each trusting in her reassurances. Although seemingly contradictory to her claim, the City folks could hear shifting within the trees above them, the rustling of leaves along with the consecutive snaps of breaking twigs. This was shortly after entering the forest's enormous threshold. Rapid whispers took off throughout the multitudes. Ladies and gentlefurs tensed with paranoia, as they conversed back and forth in frightfulness of what might be lurking in the dreaded shadows above. The robed Mages each turned around with a unexpectedly wicked smile, this time their eyes paletted with crimson. Their glares pierced into them, displacing the people's fears once-again with the cunning corruption of comfort. Many had succeeded in their attempts to fully resist their alluring gaze, save for a few seconds... but eventually their eyes hazed back into that soothing calmness, brought to them by these disguised Monsters.

Completely raptured in the hooks of Vampiric hypnosis, these residents of the depleting City mindlessly followed the Vamps throughout the depths of the woods. One of the robed figures grew suspicious of the ongoing noises shifting about the trees as they treaded the pathless grounds, realizing this peculiar stalker was not one of their own. For reasons unknown, and whatever species the creature was, it intended to be heard, which was extremely uncommon behavior for a Vampire. "Perhaps a diversion? Maybe Werewolves..." The Vampiric Mage thought over quietly, as she looked over her shoulder, only to see her Dinner, each walking with a dumb vacuous look fixed over their faces. The rustling within the trees and bushes continued for hours-on-end, never ceasing to stop for a second. She didn't wish to bother with it, but something eventually had to be done about this persistently noisy nuisance.

Her paces slowed as she drifted towards another robed Vamp, also leading a bewitched crowd of his own. Awkward, yet urging, she tapped his shoulder, causing the Ferret's vivid red eyes to reveal from underneath his hood. He answered, but with a rude monotone voice, most likely enraged with hunger. "Uuhhg... Yes, Helen?" The Fox grumbled back before answering, aware this acquaintance of hers wouldn't converse easily. Put off by his domineering tone, an angry scowl took over her face as she whispered, her muzzle placed behind her paw. "Don't talk to me like that. We're being followed! Something is after us, and it's not a Werewolf. It dwells above the trees, intentionally trying to distract me!" The Ferret raised a brow with slight concern. Not as though he were afraid for her safety, but instead as if she were delirious. He stopped for a moment, as his herd of dinner reciprocated the same. "Are you sure you haven't been sniffing garlic?" He said sarcastically, giving a bothered expression. "We've been walking miles with our prey, and I haven't heard a thing anywhere." He rose his right arm expressively towards the open threshold of the forest. "You think maybe we would've heard someone tailing us miles away by now? What could possibly be following us, besides a harmless murder of pesky crows?" He folded his arms, awaiting her response with a criticizing glare.

Having no patience for blatant ignorance, she growled, baring her vampiric fangs as she argued back. "Damn it Joel, you must be brain-dead if you couldn't hear it! It was bigger than a few crows!" She said defensively. Her claws involuntarily protruded from her padded fingertips. The Ferret only grew more annoyed, his ears flattening. "By the Goddesses Helen, you're delusional... Stop wasting my time. I have fools to devour, and I'm hungry, so piss-off!" He said as he waltzed away with a scoff. Immediately after, the furs and scalies went along with him, slavishly treading in their hypnotic states. A leer of hate lingered on her face as he turned his back on her. Her own crowd of food continued behind her as she attempted to shrug off the anger. She decided to keep up with him, regardless of wanting to rip out his vocal cords for rudely back-sassing her. She tried to warn him. Her first thoughts were, if he ends up a pile of dust for his own incompetence, that's all on him. Natural selection was a common belief among Vampires anyways. She grinned inconspicuously, thinking it would be a lesson well-deserved. As for whatever stalked them through the shadows, it wouldn't survive if it were dumb enough to prey on Vampires. This was a thought which calmed her nerves, if not just a bit.

A few minutes went by, and there was no sign of their stalker. The bushes and shrubs remained quiet as the trees stood still. None of the shrubby depths seemed to bare any creature at the moment. Their mystical lights cloaked with their shimmering beams between the trunks as they pressed onward. After several minutes of people slavishly passing endless birches and elms, dimly flickering lanterns rattled in the crowds as everyone in back stopped behind their cunning predators. They were all now standing in front of an obscenely dark cave. The shadows after it's threshold knew no limits, being far darker than the piercingly silent atmosphere surrounding them. Unknown to their captors at the moment, the Mayor himself had somehow managed to avoid hypnosis. He stopped nervously, trying to follow along with everyone else's numbing movements. With clenched teeth and watering eyes, he forced himself to execute the thousand-yard-stare like everyone else. Although as still as he was, sweat built up at the side of his face. He was sadly on the verge of having a panic-attack. And it didn't help that they were all stopped in front of a Vampire's den. He could've sworn he heard the cave entrance breathing, if not for just a split-second.

A series of footsteps gathered behind them, as there were more crowds being led to the same location for Dinner. More furs and folks were arriving from the same path they'd taken. A third hooded figure was seen leading them, right before putting a paw in front of the multitude. They stopped in accordance to his signal, slaves as they were. He sauntered forward, heading towards the two others who'd stopped in the front of the rocky hideout. The Fox and the Ferret; Helen and Joel, looked back at him. Despite their own hatred for one another, they both seemed to smile with a particular fondness towards this hooded figure. A pair of tall, grayish-blue canid ears stood from the two slits in his shadowy hood. He spoke with a deep and quaking voice, one that could fill the chest of any mortal being with it's malevolent vibes. "Well now.. We're finally eating like Kings, it seems." He said rewardingly, with an unsettling tone, frightening the Mayor as his hat tipped off from between his ears. The approaching Vampire, who was most likely their leader, placed himself between the two rivals. His ears twitched, picking up on something lurking in the darkness. He stared into the cave, before steadily pointing his nose into the air, as the two beside him awkwardly stood there, observing his rather odd behavior. His glowing yellow eyes quickly widened with a jolt, as the fur on his back stood on end.

He growled under his breath as his teeth gleamed towards the cave. He peered back and forth, to and fro, turning back around as he gave an aggressive look of disappointment. He sighed, drawing out a slight expression of fear from the other two. "Good Goddesses.." He put his claws over his forehead, nodding in disapproval. "Neither of you two happened to catch that scent?" With looks of confusion, they were left questioning reality, as they heeded their master's trustworthy suspicions. "We don't smell anything.. What is it?" Joel the Ferret replied, lightly in a whisper. Silence thinned the air, as their Master pulled down his hood, properly revealing his identity as a Wolf. His fur was lightly colored in grayish blue, mostly overtaken by the fuzzy hues of silvery fur. He spoke sternly, giving command to his fellow underlings. "An overpowered enemy lurks in our abode.. We must leave, now." Lifeless chests sunk as they caught ear of this, each Vamp becoming slack-jawed with disbelief. This brazen announcement left them both with an astonished scowl. "Wh.. What? How can you say that right now? Wh.. What the Hell!?" Asked Helen, the white Fox. They received no relevant answer, save for another direct command. "Leave all the prey behind. This is not our home anymore." Taking a second to understand what he meant, hearing this caused their jaws to drop, dumbfounded by such a cowardly suggestion, especially from one such as their Master.

The Mayor stood frozen as his presence remained cloaked by the crowds of surrounding Furs and Scalies, squished between a few reptiles and canids. He could easily hear the Vampire's protestant arguments against their Master's commands. "We haven't eaten in Days! How could you say something like that!?" Helen angrily questioned, as her claws extended automatically. Her demeanor changed to something of a ravenous state. The Wolf remained calm under the Moon's light, leaking dimly through the branches. With a simple lunge forward, he snatched the Snowy Vixen by the throat. Her wrapped wooden sandals visibly dangled inches from the dirt, followed by a raspy release of loud chokes. With an intimidating leer, the Wolf held her body up with one arm. His demonic eyes peered into her, despite making no real eye-contact. She could still feel them burning through her skull. He growled slightly as his eyes exchanged directly to Joel, still keeping his helpless servant off the ground. "You will both do well to follow my commands, regardless of your petty disagreements. If either of you dares to speak to me in such a way again, I'll have your unbeating hearts between my claws." He paused for 3 seconds, then started again, this time speaking with more conniption. "So... Are we CLEAR!?"

Joel the Ferret felt no empathy for her, seeing how she clearly crossed the line. He gestured an affirmative nod his Master's way as the Vixen was released to the cold hard ground. She didn't need to breathe, but the Wolf's grasp around her throat was so powerful, it left a visible black mark beneath her fur. The snow-Vixen held herself up with her elbows bent. Her voice sounded a tad hoarse from the aftermath of the strangulation. "Yes.. Master." She said with a raspy tone. The Vampiric Wolf sauntered past them both, keeping an aura of fierceness about him. He signaled them with his claws, telling them to follow. "Let's go! We've wasted enough time!" He said urgently, as they quickened their steps along the path. With the pure intention to distract, a mysteriously melodious voice began echoing from the cave, curbing each of their attention before they could get a move-on. The feminine voice sounded simply divine, yet provocative at the same time.

"Aaawww, no fun... You three will miss the surprise-party I've set up for you." The fluent voice was that of a young female. And for reasons unknown to them, something about her resounding wavelengths were so perfectly soothing, they couldn't help but stop, just after deciding to walk away. Alas, the sound of her voice hadn't even aroused them sexually.. It was something else.. A mysteriously brilliant ring to her words which caused all three to gaze in her direction without even thinking twice. The leader, having quite a bit more mental discipline, snapped out of this odd trance, just after turning away. Although his underlings still went on, persuaded by her sassy taunt. Their eyes were fixed in her direction as she formed her next sentence. "You're not really leaving so soon, are you? You'll leave your poor helpless victims in the darkness." Without warning, suddenly the crowd of brain-dead individuals sprung to life. Their hypnosis subsided, displaced somehow by some unknown power. Their eyes regained consciousness, the crowd now beginning to riddle itself with confusion immediately. Most of the Scalies and Furs stayed together, while some ran off from the rest in disorientation, only to become further-lost within the decrepit woods.

The Mayor, being already conscious, had fallen into the unknown entity's voice. Others were surprised and confused to even higher levels, as they recognized the Mayor, his eyes wide, and his body stone-still as he stared into the deep cave. Before they knew what was happening, others around him fell into the same trance as he, baring no resistance. "Thaaat's it.. You two are so hungry, I'm guessing. You're probably in the mood for a fight." Not noticing her enchanting words had coaxed their minds as well, the two Vamps squinted their eyes as their noses scrunched slightly in anger. Joel the Ferret beckoned her without thinking, taking a legitimate fighting stance as his knees bent slightly. His arm and hands extended, motioning a signal, which properly denoted "Let's see what you're made of." Helen the white Vixen hissed, claws sticking outwards, her body lacking a fighting stance, yet still coming off viscous nonetheless. She spoke with hasty determination. "We're not going anywhere without our prey!" She hissed. The voice only continued to drone on afterwards. "Oh no, I've been cornered! What ever shall I do?" She mocked them sarcastically. Their Master stood behind them, angry as Hell at the sudden defiance at his orders. At first it was aimed at his weak-willed servants.. But then his rage took on a more accurate direction; towards the feminine voice which had so easily overshadowed his authority. His razor-sharp claws shook with his fists, before he abruptly noticed.. He'd taken another step closer without realizing.

"Rrrrg! NO!!" He shouted in resistance, trembling as he forced his legs backwards. The wolf covered his ears, then stormed off into the open Night, leaving his doomed subordinates behind. The two failed to look back at their retreating Master, only fixated on their desires at hand. The white Vixen shouted with a comeback. "You think you're funny, bitch!? Let's see how hilarious it is when we drag your bloody corpse out of our domain!" Helen charged first into the darkness, being able to see clearly through the void with her Night-vision. She saw nothing but the endless craggy interior of the cave stretched before her. As she ran, Helen soon reached the main-point of the cave. The craggy surfaces of the walls had black fluid stained all over them. She almost gasped in astonishment as her ears ramped backwards, taking in the excessive amounts of black vampiric bloodstains which encompassed her field of view. Torn limbs and tattered cloth decorated the fancy stolen furniture. What used to be the 'blood-bar' was now a mess, each crimson cocktail broken across it's shelves. It appeared a few of her allies had become the hunted, likely by the hands of some horrific creature. Suddenly Helen wasn't feeling so right about this. She caught no indication that the intruder was nearby.. Nothing, save for the quiet gory graveyard strewn about the dirt and rocks. But then, her eyes widened as she realized what was happening. Their stalker giggled to herself, hiding in some unknown crevice, announcing something to her aloud. "Check"...

Meanwhile, Joel the Ferret was still outside the entrance, waiting patiently in case the enemy decided to run out. Still offended by her recent quips, he felt the need to make sure she'd find no way out of this. His nose suddenly twitched, sleuthing a newly found scent which lingered in the cold Night air. He was surprised he hadn't caught it before, just like his Master had. It was the strange pattern of her scent, mixed with the odor of garlic that baffled him. It was as if the odor were reappearing between timed intervals. She was using the same masking spell they used for their prey. A technique now ironically fared against them. "Damn it.." Joel muttered to himself, realizing how dumb he'd reacted before. He felt a mere sliver of shame pass through his thoughts, reminded of what he called his ally before.. "Delusional"... Well, it turned out she was right after all. He knew he'd later get told-off for this... If they both survived, anyways. His attention focused back to the open mouth of the cave, trying his best to see their hidden ambusher. "Whoever you are, you can't hide in there forever!" He said aggressively, remarking with a fiery confidence. Suddenly the smell of his enemy wafted around him. That's when he heard the frightfully harmonious voice once more, except now the decibels rang in his left ear.

"Who says I'm over there?" She answered back playfully, as her sharpened teeth curled along with a sinister grin. And without a moment of hesitation, his chance to quickly dodge had been permanently revoked by a blowing pain through his upper torso. Black blood sprayed profusely into the Night, unseen as it was camouflaged by the matching contrast of darkness. His hands shook vigorously, as his widening eyes contributed to an expression of immense shock. Looking down, he saw what he'd expected to be a large wooden stake driven through his chest... But instead, it was a contorting pair of black-furred arms, claws covered in his pitch-black blood. Unable to mutter any last words, his throat gurgled before his head fell limp, his now dangling body kept suspended by the two protruding limbs. With an abrupt 'crack', she dexterously separated her arms apart from inside his chest, unevenly dividing his upper body apart as the crimson sinews slowly dissolved into red dust. As his disintegrating corpse fell face-first into the rocks, the rest of him followed along, drifting through the gentle breeze like a swarm of crimson dandelions. "-And mate", she said as her figure was lit up by a nearby Feline Citizen, keeping a lantern held out in front of him. The crowd stayed behind the black cat who was dressed in a pair of brown overalls. His yellow eyes stared in awe at every single detail of her, everyone else eyeing behind him.

She had a grayish-brown mane of fur surrounding her neck, suffusing perfectly as it streamed into her pitch-black visage, which contained two vivid rubescent eyes. Her long and bat-like ears complemented the pair of black batwings which extended from her arms. A matching wolflike tail swerved along with her flawless movements as she stepped closer to the cowering crowd of folks. Once she was done fooling around with her recent prey, her demeanor changed suddenly. She exuded a slight air of authority. "Most of you are safe now." She looked into the deeper recesses of the forest. "...Though I can't say the same thing for those poor dummies who ran off. They're Monster-chow by now." She said, her tone denoting a disguised tinge of guilt. The Foxes, Lizards, and Felines right in back of the Mayor were still timidly eying her, as though she herself were one of their captors. One of them spoke out, seemingly after building enough courage to even talk. "A-are you another one of those.. deceptive evil creatures?" A gray-furred wolf inquired, as a high whine escaped his muzzle. She gave an irritated glance. "Well, no.. I just exterminatedthe monsters, and saved you. -I don't accept cash, but I do take 'Thank you's' just fine." She said with an attitude, as she walked past them, headed towards the shadowy cave entrance. Noticing the mass confusion, the Mayor turned around, his attention now on his fellow citizens. Desperate to repay their hero, he eagerly told them everything he witnessed. "She speaks the truth! I never saw her with them! I promise you all, she's trustworthy!"

The crowd listened to the Mayor, the multitude now taking on gladder tones. As everyone's reassurances were gradually restored for the most-part, one of the folks asked her a question as she passed the cavern threshold, readying herself to battle the next Monster. It was the same Wolf who inquired before. He asked another question, this time with some sincerity. "Wait! ...Could you please tell us your name?" A quick answer came through as her figure disappeared behind the black curtain of darkness. "Bellethy." She said immediately, as though it were a rehearsed pattern, which she dealt with all-too-often. She walked away, venturing through the darkness. Once Bellethy entered halfway through the cavernous tunnel, her left hand leveled in front of her own face in the dark. Her padded fingers snapped, releasing a blue magic spark which fluoresced about the cave for a mere second. She stopped just before the main room, patiently waiting. Meanwhile, Helen, the Vampiric white Fox, suddenly rung out with screams of agony. Bellethy could hear thrashing and crying, as Helen's painful shrieks started up with what sounded like a frenzy of insanity. Meanwhile, Helen was overwhelmed by an odor so vile, so powerful, it permeated her nostrils like fire. With that recent snap of her fingers, Belleth had taken down the scent-masking spell she'd placed within the cave. The fresh pungent odor of garlic which had been applied there minutes ago, now tortured the utterly fucked Vampire inside.

The jolting citizens outside couldn't help but flinch at the echoes of madness blasting from the cave. Somehow the multitudes knew those crazed shrieks weren't from their hero, but instead from her dying victim. Suddenly the reverberating cries came to a halt, silenced by a guttural resounding 'crack'. Those standing outside waited, stuck with the deeply imbedded gut-feelings which carried the needling emotions of raw suspense. A soaked head flung out of the cave, leaving pitch-black splatters across the grainy dirt. The head rolled along, it's white fur revealing the identity of the Vampiric Snow Fox. Her unmoving eyes still managed to glow with a red vibrant light, as it's messy tumbles came to a stop. Bellethy was somehow unseen when she snuck out of the cave. Her silhouette appeared behind the frightened hoard of Furs and Scalies. She executed stealth similar to that of an invisible snake, unintentionally scaring the wits out of them once her voice started up. It was most-likely the eyes which triggered a few screams. The redness in her eyes were far deeper than the recently slain Vampires sprawled on the ground. At least she wasn't trying to hide it.. "Let's not waste any time people! If you hate being torn to shreds by Monsters of the dark, then follow me!" Some jumped at the sudden command, while others replied immediately, asking worried questions back and forth. The Mayor inquired politely. "Young lady, there are blood-starved creatures everywhere! Where do you intend to take us?" He said helplessly, now forced to rely on Bellethy for survival.

"I own an abandoned cathedral North of these woods. It's still warded against Vampires." She said casually, as if inviting someone over to her house. The Mayor stuttered. "B-but, what about Werewolves?" He asked with angst, now looking up at Bellethy with wide brown eyes. His little hat only made it cuter. "I have several large chests full of silver jewelry on the top floor. There's enough for each of you." She replied with a mirthful expression, trying not to laugh at the adorable faces. "Now come on!" She exclaimed aloud to the crowd, signaling a hurrying gesture to everyone. Each person trailed hastily close to the back of her, clustering together like their lives depended on it. Afterwards, Hours had passed as they treaded through the dangerous woods. There was an old dilapidated path built in stone bricks which stretched ahead of them. Trees and bushes rested a few yards away on each side. To the multitudes, they felt as if the moaning depths of the forests were closing in on them. In a way, that was almost true. Werewolves noticeably stared with beaming yellow eyes, as they watched from the shadowy thickets on all fours. All they could do was breath heavily, for all the travelers to hear. The watchful predators never lunged forward. In fact, they'd cleared the path a few times, only once they saw Bellethy's figure fading into their field of vision. Werewolves were far more in check with their instincts. They knew automatically, and naturally, to stay the Hell away from her. "Danger" screamed in their intuitions the moment each Monster caught a glimpse of her malicious eyes, causing them to retreat.. But they questioned it with inquisitive stares from behind the darkness, seeing only a young Female hybrid.

The whole way, citizens were behaving obnoxiously. Hours later, Bellethy was just about to snap from all the whining and mewling droning on from the crowd behind her. It wasn't like anyone was getting dragged off. They were all just scared out of their wits, continually asking and remarking. -"When'll we get there?" . . . "-I have to use the bathroom." . . . "-Why are the Werewolves just staring at us?" . . . "-So.. How'd you come to own a cathedral?". . . "-This place doesn't feel right." . . . "-We're all dead.." Bellethy was just a hair-close to pulling her own fur out, and screaming at everyone to 'shut the fuck up'. Taking a deep breath, just as she prepared to yell, she exhaled once she saw the subtle head of the cathedral's bell-tower, its construct poking out from behind the thick treetops. If the Moonlight hadn't shone across it, she might've missed the silver bell's glimmer from across the woods. "This way." She said as they all turned to the left with her. Nobody seemed perfectly okay with venturing into the dark pathless thickets, but what other choice did they have? All they could do was obey and follow, knowing this odd Bat-Wolf was their only hope at survival.

A few minutes went by, and they'd finally arrived at the cathedral. Everyone seemed amazed by the towering remains of the abandoned works of architecture looming above them. The stained glass was still intact, depicting pictures of demonic entities being hunted down in detail by holy weapons. It was obvious what this place stood for. The Mayor tilted his hat back, marveling up at the impressive building. Others kept walking with "wows" and "Ahhs", as they each crossed what felt like a warm magic barrier. Bellethy was first to enter, effortlessly pushing open the heavily carved stone doors, which stood roughly 12 feet high. There were exactly 153 Furs and Scalies waiting to dash inside once it swung open. At the very second both doors presented a single crack of walking space, everyone began dashing in, running around Bellethy like a herd of deer, and into the expansive building. The floors were made of a swirling mix of black and white marble, lit up on the inside by rows of black lanterns. Although dim, the Moon's radiance slid through one of the arched high open windows. The reflection shined off what was left of the floor's polished surface, making it easy enough to see what was inside. Thick grey pillars distantly lined each side of the holy room. Some of the dark wooden congregational benches lined within the room had collapsed, due to the prolonged passages of time.

Since most had already overheard what Bellethy said to the Mayor about the stashes of silver, many had already gone to the top floor, each individual grabbing a heap of silver jewelry from the 3 giant chests sitting near the bell. Once everyone shared and received a glimmering piece hanging about their necks and wrists, the cathedral was officially a sanctuary at that point. The Night lasted long, the Moon's radiance unwavering. By the time everyone was calm, they sought to thank Bellethy for the huge help.. But she had disappeared, nowhere to be seen by those she saved. It was a disappointment to the Mayor, as he wished to schedule an award ceremony for her the next Morning. He was left in the abandoned establishment, tending to the citizens who needed help, giving encouraging speeches, and situating petty debates which usually involved food or rations. Meanwhile, Bellethy felt like skulking about in the woods, jumping stealthily from tree to tree. She wanted to make sure nobody had followed them. Her body bore no clothes, yet a simple illusion spell easily caused one's mind to elude that fact. Nobody in the crowd took notice that she was in-fact, buck-naked the entire time. Illusion magic could manipulate one's senses, and Bellethy was a Master beyond Masters. If she so pleased, the wave of her hand could cause one to believe their Mother was a blue tomato. She used her own custom techniques on the Vampires she hunted earlier that Night, luring them in by copying the coaxing voice of a Siren-Queen.

Bellethy jumped into the open Night air, as she caught the raging wind underneath her wings. Her wolf-like tail staggered rapidly through the messy currents of wind. After gliding for at least half an hour, she was currently thinking about how much harder Sirens were to kill than Vampires and Werewolves altogether. One would have to attain a willpower of reinforced titanium in order to avert their attention from such powerfully hypnotic voices. Bellethy was just passing the time as she flew, thinking about strategies she'd use if she were ever confronted by an enemy she'd never fought before. She talked to herself, not caring if that was a weird thing to do. "Goddesses, at least I don't live near the Ocean.." She said with a quiet voice, as her eyes gazed down at the bird's-eye-view of both the shadowy forest, and the invaded City. Large quantities of smoke could be seen rising in some sections, while the fast-moving specks which she assumed were Monsters, prowled throughout the dimly lit walkways. Using her superior eyesight, she zoomed in on a Feline couple, their heads covered as they cowered helplessly inside of an abandoned horse carriage. The Male had coal-black fur, and wide yellow eyes, while the Female possessed white fur, contrasted by a pair of dark purple eyes.

The two black stallions pulling the vehicle had clearly been bitten by something monstrous. One laid dead in a gored mess of sinews, blood, and bones, while the other had grown long and brooding black fur. It let out a series of incessant, piercingly loud, shrieking roars towards the victimized cats. The felines desperately clasped their paws over their bleeding ears, as the quaking sounds from the creature's vocal cords rendered them both deaf. Bellethy could hear it clearly from where she soared in the moonlit sky, not requiring any kind of advanced sense to hear their otherworldly shrieks. Although she still possessed the competence to hear it nonetheless. Even she presently felt the urge to cover her oversensitive batlike ears. She tilted her wings, angling herself downwards as she flew closer to the City's surface. Lanterns seemed to brighten the more her distance decreased, textured details revealing themselves in the overwhelming light. Screams orchestrated a symphony of mayhem, the fiery crackles of burning carriages, squelching red flesh, and the dull reverberations of crunching bones filled the air with chaos. Blood flowed through the rugged cracks between the bricked roadways, beginning from the torn flesh of innocent civilians. Reptiles, Felids, Canids Equids and Avians each screamed for their lives, some already having been silenced by the razored jaws ripping their necks apart. The sopping wet sounds of gnashing organs resounded vaguely from the background, the disheveled creatures minding nothing else, save if it were their next meal. Werewolves darted from all directions, violently pinning all in their wake, before picking them up in their jaws and rapidly swinging their bodies around like lifeless rag-dolls. The gruesome scene ahead forced a cringing scowl over Bellethy's face. She had already seen enough, and now it was time to intercept this madness.

Once within a certain distance, being roughly 30 feet high, Bellethy noticed the eyes of the beasts suddenly shifting towards her. Like deers in a set of carriage-lights, the monsters froze up momentarily, some with tattered guts dangling from their jaws. A series of glowing orange eyes followed her like fifty pointing daggers, mixed with similar crowds of crimson and gold altogether. Their instincts immediately switched gears, keen as they were. Each stepped back, slowly creeping away on all fours. A sharp instinctual sensation sent wave after wave of caution through every follicle in their fur. Bellethy not only heard, but felt the threatening vibrations of each growl mixed into the multitudes of were-beasts. Not all were werewolves, seeing that even the ravenous horse now stood in front of her, hooves now sharper than usual. It's nose was slightly gnarled with partial wrinkles, the ones that appear when a wolf bares it's fangs. This massive equine, which had grown exponentially in physical size, due to the infectious bite of an inconcise Werewolf. He no longer fixed his attention on the two cats shivering within the vehicle. It's bloodlusted gaze locked with Bellethy's, somehow inattentive to the dangerous aura radiating from her presence. The potent scent of blood lingered in the breeze, causing the behemoth to step forward. By observation, Bellethy knew it was motivated into a misleading force of adrenaline, coaxed into a mindless frenzy by fresh blood. Unlike the others, it had no fear, which was exactly why it would be first to die.

Elder beasts who'd been infected for much longer stayed hidden, wisely concealing their figures behind the casted shadows of buildings, untouched by the Moon's light. Most quickly sprinted away with tails between their legs, heading in the direction of the forests. The furry steed revealed a set of arcing fangs, along with rows of smaller but sharper counterparts. It's breath hastened, the two Moons illuminating long stretching droplets of drool with a tinge of purple light. Saliva oozed over the glimmering white razors, drooping to the ground as it's starvation for flesh set in. It's limbs were less stiff, less horselike... Now it could run quicker, and with even greater dexterity than before. It's entire figure bolted forwards like a speeding train, an unbelievable amount of energy charging in Bellethy's direction. In that moment, the creature's visage was upon her, it's ravenous eyes ready with intent to murder and devour. Time seemed to slow down as her expression remained unswayed. Bellethy never once experienced anything faster than her, and this creature was no exception. In her decelerated perspective, she saw it's jaws gradually open up, as it's hooves split into 4 sharpened curves. As it's transformation finalized, Bellethy sneered with a violent growl, rocketing her fist upwards with an explosive uppercut.

The were-steed's screeching roar had been cut off midway, replaced with the booming crack of impact. Despite the punch lasting at least a 67th of a second, Bellethy could still feel the consecutive crunches of it's mandible against her knuckles. It's neck fired the opposite way, it's head contorting into a backwards, upside-down angle. It's whole body was propelled into the air, clawlike hooves sent a foot above ground. After just one hit, it's body went collapsing back down with a reverberating 'thud' throughout the bricked intersection. It's body twitched rapidly with grotesque movements, as if struggling against the bizarre affliction. Unlike vampires, a were-creature's head will not automatically correct itself when lodged out of place. It's body may convulse at alarming speeds, but is still inevitably bound to die. The remaining beasts lurking within the darkness decided to retreat, having witnessed the damning consequences of taking on a stronger opponent. Bellethy easily heard the fleeting footsteps of the werewolves, despite their desperate attempts to quiet each step. The idea of splitting into different directions wasn't a bad retreating strategy. She noticed they were becoming less hasty, exercising more caution with each encounter. In recognition of this, Bellethy pondered, hoping they weren't adapting too fast. However, she was immensely powerful, and was well-aware of it, so the thought came without much concern.

"Damn savages.." She scoffed. "They're getting smarter..."

[End of Part 1]