Burning...

The sound of my final sword strike echoes in the forest. My enemy hits the ground, its burning eyes growing dark. Two sword punctures mark the places that finally felled the Chimera.

It's too bad really, they used to be such a majestic and abundant breed, but since the magic world became hidden they've been corralled up like livestock, unable to run or hunt. This is exactly why this one broke free and attacked that human, poor girl couldn't even see what killed her…

Wait a minute, I stabbed the heads, why is the tail still…

SONOFABITCH!

It bit me, I forgot that the Snake has its own mind too, and it bit me while my guard was down. Right over the heart too, that's going to hurt for a while, wait… oh no, not here, not now!

I can feel it, that bite went too deep, right into my heart. The venom is destroying me from the inside, and that can only mean one thing…

I'm going to Burn.

Here it comes, the first stage, my body is glowing now, I can feel the energy building up, like a spring inside my body, coiling tighter, and tighter…

Where is my watch, I have to stop this, the girl's family, I have to tell them where she is, before I change, before I don't care anymore. It's not in my pocket, I forgot it, damn… hopefully the new me will have a better memory.

Ah, the second stage, my mind is fading, old desires are disappearing, and the slate is clearing. I must fight to remember her kindness, our friendship, I have to make things right, to say I'm sorry.

Her Ring… a small thing, but it may be enough to remind me of those feelings. My hands aren't responding well anymore, but I've got to push, pick it up.

My body is fading, returning to energy again, every nerve in my body explodes with a sensation beyond euphoria. I am being born again, rising from my ashes… let's see who I become…

Ah, a new body, same hands, faces, yep, still there. No extra fingers. Good.

Well, I didn't accidentally turn myself into a girl this time, that's good. What in the name of god am I wearing? This is so informal! I've got to remember where I put my waistcoat,

What's this, her ring…? Oh no… I remember now, but I can't tell the truth, best to just call the police, for now I must go, but I must be at the funeral…

LATER…

She was so young… it's not fair for a life to be taken so quickly, not when her story has just begun. No parent should attend their Child's funeral….

I don't know if you hear me, but I'm so sorry, I shouldn't have told you about the forest, or my secret. I made it snow for you, so you could see it one last time.

Maybe I'll see you one day; I hope you can forgive me by then….