Togar watched as the boy worked. The old woman was suffering and Elwyn’s hands worked quickly to discover its source. They had come into town early in the morning and had spent the day here. Now night was drawing in and Togar felt fatigued. He wondered if the boy was aware of the time.

Screaming and loud bangs drew them both out onto the street. People ran past them and a dark cloud rose from a neighboring building. Fire spread across the front of the house and stretched out across the dry grass. A dark howling mass approached them. Before they could make out what it was that heading their way,a large form struck Togar and shoved him to the ground. The large black dog pressed its paws onto his shoulders, digging its claws into the flesh and snapped its jaws at Togar’s face. His hands had come up quickly and he pushed the dog’s head back. But it was clear to Elwyn that it was a losing battle.

“No!”

He pulled uselessly on the dog. But it shifted its weight and easily knocked Elwyn back.

“No!”

Darkness settled over him. Bringing out the beast. Black and grey, oozing and vile, he rose from the ground. With his new bulk, he easily lifted the dog and broke its back. Tossing it away like a toy, he turned to face the rest of the rushing tide. Howling, the beast let his rage wash out and swallow all that was before him. The dogs came to a sliding and confused halt. They whined and cowered, looking for their masters to lead them. But the men who had been in the charge behind them were now retreating. Fear pulsed forward and settled upon all living things. Togar felt crushed beneath the weight of it. He struggled to rise, but lacked the strength.

Raging forward, the beast unleashed its wrath. Heavy claws tore through the metal of trucks and mecha gear. Its jaws bit down, cleaving men in half. Black bile spewed from its mouth, melting everything it touched. Making short work of the force that had come upon the town it turned and sought what next it could destroy.

It laid eyes on mother who was now standing in the middle of the street between it and Togar who was stiffly getting to his feet. She drew large circles in the air with both hands while chanting. The beast felt the tug in its chest. Animosity drove it forward with the intention of crushing this meddling creature.

“I bind you,” she whispered.

Lurching to a halt, it strained to reach her. Drawing another circle and then closing her fist brought bands of light tightly around the beast. It snapped its teeth at her, but were a few inches short of their target.

“Don’t do this,” Togar yelled.

He grabbed her arm and turned her to face him.

“He’s only a boy.”

She said nothing.

“He saved the town!”

Togar grabbed her shoulders and shook her.

“At what price?” she asked quietly.

Togar shook her again.

“The beast doesn’t know the difference between friend and foe.”

Tears came to her eyes and she let them fall. It didn’t matter if he saw her agony.

“Not again.”

She raised her hand and placed it on his chest. Pushing gently, she forced him to take a step back with the magic that followed her gesture. Two quick circles drawn in the air and she whispered “I bind you.”

“No! I can bring him back!”

“You almost died when you tried to bring Eliate back,” she stated, turning from him.

Summoning up her magic, she unleashed a column of fire onto her son. Igniting, Elwyn screamed. He embraced the pain, knowing that this would end his suffering. For now, he understood what could be worse than dying.

Then there was nothing but ash which swirled then blew away in the wind.

She turned to Togar and whispered “I release you.”

The bands of light faded and Togar rushed forward. She did not resist him. She accepted the punishment that should have been dealt twenty years ago. Then she had only been spared because she was carrying the boy she had now killed.