"Father."

Trist's father stared at her with emotionless eyes. "Tristana," He finally spoke with his gruff voice, "Why did you run away? Come back with us."

"No. I won't be cooped up in the past dad. We shouldn't live in solitude, away from the rest of the world." Trist's voice grew as she ranted on. "Not the all the world is evil."

"Tristana." her father reached out a claw.

"NO!" Trist yelled. Her father's claw tensed at the harsh rejection. "I don't want to be treated like a child who needs to be protected!"

"None of us are safe out here Tristana. We can not live with the rest of society."

"Why not?!" Her father stood silent.

"I. . . can't tell you."

"Why? Why can't you tell me dad?"

". . ."

"Why?"

"Because we are different!" Trist's father finally yelled. His head down and eyes shut. After a few seconds passed he raised his head. "We will talk of this no more! Heilia, bring Tristana back with us." He ordered. The female hunter from before bowed. Then began walking towards Trist.

"You heard your father Trist. Now just be a good princess and come back home." Heilia coaxed pulling out a spear. The other hunters moved forward, slowly enclosing us.

"I'm NOT going back Heilia, I'm going to find my mother." Trist pulled out her knife and slowly backed up.

This isn't looking good. Should I reveal myself now? I didn't know if I should act now or not. They may not know that I'm sapient yet. My thinking was interrupted by the sound of three hunters grabbing Trist and restraining her.

"Let me go!" She struggled against her attackers. In her struggle, she happened to smack one of the hunters in the head.

"Ow! Freaking bitch!" He raised his sword to smack her with the hilt. Without even thinking about it, I dropped everything I was holding and rushed straight at the hunter's back. I grabbed his sword arm and spun my back to touch his. After that I pulled and leaned forward. I was easily able to fling the griffin hunter over me and disarm the sword from him. Quickly, while he was stunned on the ground, I smacked him on the forehead with the sword's hilt. With sword in hand I looked to the other two hunters holding Trist.

The two immediately let go of Trist and drew out their weapons. One had a spear, the other a machete. I charged at the two and parried the spear's tip, spinning to block the machete. I let the blade pass me and threw a punch at his face. The griffin staggered backwards, cussing as he covered his face. As he backed away, the spearman approached me, getting in between me and the other hunter.

Using small jabs, he begins trying to stab me. I grab hold of the sword and dodge, until he strikes to low and I used my sword to lead the spear tip into the ground. Then I rushed past him and charged at the stunned griffin. My heart was beating, and I could feel the blood pumping through my body. As he started looking up at me, it was as if everything was in slow-motion. As I ran towards him I threw my sword at him from above my head. He easily ducked to dodge my sword. But as he ducked I sped up and met his face with my knee. As I heard the crack of his beak, and saw his body go limp.

I had an odd tingling in my spine. I turned to face the spearman to find a spear tip headed straight for me. I leaned backwards to dodge and spun my body to the side to get out of the spear's reach. The spearman turned and once again aimed his spear at me. Although his aim was slightly off. Without my sword I would have to be more careful of the spear's tip.

He lunged with his spear and I dodged to the side and grabbed hold of his spear. Seeing this, the spearman let go of the spear and went to draw out a sword. I quickly dropped the spear and jumped at the griffin and punched him in the face. The griffin fell to the ground, tucked in a fetal position and moaning. I took his sword and brought it to his neck. But as the sword neared his throat, a voice intervened. "Enough."

A metal claw grabbed the sword and crushed its blade. Looking up from the griffin on the ground I saw Trist's father standing right next to me. His other metal claw grabbed my arm and began lifting me into the air. " I had suspected that you were not an average human." This grip on my arm tightened as he spoke. I clawed his talons as I tried to free my arm. "What are you?" He lifted me so we were face to face. "You clearly don't have the primal instincts of a petty human. I clearly saw you outmaneuver a spear and knock both of my hunters out cold."

The pain in my arm was starting to numb from how tight he was holding me. But then I was able to notice that some of the other hunters were holding torches. As I wondered why they had torches out, I realized that the sun had set, and the moon was only beginning to rise. Trying to focus through the pain in my arm I scanned the group for Trist. I spotted her being held down by a single hunter. Trist's father shook me by the arm. "What are you looking at?!"

Using my free arm, I hoped that Trist was watching and would notice. ~Trist, I've got a plan. I'm going to kick your father. When I do, I want you to put out the two closest torches to you.~ I waited long enough for her to get ready as I turned and focused back on her father. "Why are you doing that with your hand." Trist's father continued to shake me. "Answer me!" He lifted me up high that before. Using this moment, I swung myself and kicked him in the face. "Ugh, Bastard!" He threw me. My body hit the ground, but didn't hurt as much.

I tried to pick myself up, but my right arm was numb from his grip. "Kill him!" Trist's father ordered. I quickly thought of my plan and looked for the other torch carriers. With most of the hunter's attention focused on me, Trist was able to free herself and was rushing towards the torch carrier beside her. Alright, I got to put out those torches.

I barely dodged a hunter's sword as I ran as fast as I could to the torch carrier to my right. I grabbed the torch and threw it on the ground, stepping on it twice to make sure it was out. I spun to duck under a hunter as they tried to tackle me. I glanced to the side to see Trist flying to the next torch. I rushed to the next torch. Halfway to the carrier, I could see Trist put out her second torch. Dodging another hunter's sword, an archer's arrow hit me in my shoulder. Crap! I yelled through the pain and lunged for the last torch carrier. I was able to reach the carrier, but the arrow weakened me. The torch fell to the ground, but was still lit. I need to put it out! I quickly covered the torch with my body and smothered it with my shirt. The heat felt like it was burning my skin. Then the torch's fire went out, and everything went pitch black.

I stayed there, laying on the ground as my eyes adjusted to the new darkness. My plan had worked, although barely. During my skirmish and Trist's father holding me, the sun had time to set. Lucky it had been a new moon tonight and there was near to no light. I didn't notice that because they had four griffins holding torches for light. However, that meant that if their lights were to be put out all of a sudden, they wouldn't be able to see. Then I, with my ability to easily adjust to see in any amount of darkness. Once the torches were out I would sneak off with Trist and- . Trist! I suddenly remembered! I got to find Trist and get out of here! It's only a matter of time until the hunters will be able to see. I pushed myself up, feeling the pain of the arrow and the burns.

I looked around seeing hunters frantically bumping into another and cursing when a sword poked them. Ok, I can see now. Where is Trist? I scanned the griffins until I spotted a significantly smaller griffin scrunching up into a ball at the edge of the group. I weaved my way over to her, careful not to touch any hunters.

Once I reached her I put my hand on her. She reacted by immediately lashing out at me before realizing that a human hand touched her. "Phantom, that's you right?" She spoke in a hushed voice. I couldn't respond, but I tugged on her to get up and move. I got up and looked around, most likely not seeing anything but black.

With one hand grabbing Trist, I led us away from the hunters. I continued to walk in a straight line, with only getting as far away from Trist's father as possible.

We walked for ages until seeing a lit building. "Ok, I can see now," Trist claimed. "Somewhat. Ok, let's get closer." She stalked closer to the building.

With my enhanced vision I could see rails near the building. Train tracks. I followed Trist closer, seeing that she too noticed the tracks. "There are griffins here." Trist whispered. I nodded and we approached the train station. Soon we had a good view of the area. "Perfect, its a cargo train, hurry." We ran towards the closest train and slide open the doors. Trist silently flew inside as I climbed slowly in. Trist closed the door and the door slid shut with a click.

I took a quick look around the room we were in. It seemed to hold tons of burlap sacks. I walked up to one and untied it. Looking inside I see fine seed-like pellets. "Looks like wheat." Trist observed, turning around to find a more hidden spot to lay down. I retied the sack and followed her to a corner blocked off by a pile of bags. "Quick thinking back there." I was about to lay down next to her, but then the pain of the arrow and fire came back to me. I fell onto the floor sideways. "Phantom?" Trist asked reaching over and getting a closer look at my wounds. "Phantom stay with me!" My vision blurred as her voice slowly faded out, and I slipped unconscious.

Author's Note

Sorry for the wait again *sweat drop* My sister is visiting and I finally got to finishing this chapter. Hope it's good, I was working on it on and off so I'm not too sure of its quality.