Brave New Girl's World--Chapter 2

This is the second chapter of Brave New Girl's World, where Briar decides to challenge herself by becoming a businesswoman in monster slaying and get money for it while also appreciation from others. Will she succeed? And who is this damsel in distress that always needs saving? Find out in this new chapter! Thank you! --KatDon 

Chapter 2: West Journey Squall 

The pool was vast and a clear blue, the sun shines down with light making it all sparkling like magic. Standing before it was a young woman with light brown hair long enough to reach her shoulders. Her bangs were parted away, letting a little bit of her forehead exposed, making them look like a curtain. Her eyes were light blue, her skin was so fair in the sunlight. She wore a one-piece bathing suit, it was blue mixed with orange, yellow, and green like a sunset on an island. This girl was Miranda Tempest, she's around the ages of 16 to 17 years old and was innocent, naive, beautiful, and a sweet young lady. Her bosom size could be either a B or a C however she is unaware about that, she's oblivious to her beauty and how virtuous she looks. With goggles on her head, Miranda dipped her foot in the pool's staircase and put the other in. She shivered a bit but she cautiously took another step of the stairs in the pool and gulped; holding back a scream. Another step as she could see her knees are under the water and finally, she did a midjump into the water. She let out a gasping yelp while she couldn't believe how undeniably cold it was! "How's the water, sweetheart?" Her mother, Aimee, called out. "It's freezing!" Miranda answered. She placed on the goggles and begin to swim underwater, looking up as the sunrays was shining down on her like she was a mermaid under the ocean floor. She swam a little bit more, before coming up to the surface for air. There was a portable music player, on a device of portable speakers boom box that played music of a playlist for the swimming pool. Miranda listened to a song that talks about a rarest relationship where both individuals have same interests and how they are genuinely intrigued by what each has to say. Anytime she listens to this song, Miranda has this image in her head of her locking eyes with an unknown boy and slowly leaned over and kissed him but soon she snapped out of her reverie when the song ended. She did not understand why was she having that illusion and swam more as other songs played. That's when a song plays, which was about coming of age and loss of innocence while having regrets. For Miranda, she came from a good family. Her mother Aimee and her father Hal always loved her very much. However, Miranda was an only child but she was a good girl and comes off as perfect; even though she isn't. She was a chastizing young lady who never interacted with boys but she hasn't found anyone interested to her. Though Miranda is happy to be herself but people always persuaded her to go to house parties and get wasted. But Miranda was not like most people, which makes her different from the rest and likes herself the way she is. She also loves to go swimming but her mother was concerned about the stormy weather around where they lived. She also heard that a hurricane is coming here possibly. After swimming for hours; it was time to get out and Miranda looked at the pool with a faint smile, strangely bidding it a farewell. While changing in the bathroom; Miranda couldn't help but noticed in the mirror on how much of a woman she's growing up to be but fails to see the beauty but only sees a girl with a thin body and proper amples that weren't too big or two small. She then changed into cozy clothes of pants and a T-shirt. She doesn't dress in tank tops, shorts, or skirts....Unless she's out somewhere. When it all comes down to it, she struggles of being different and wanting people to love her just as she is. It was her first day of summer and she was happy to get away from those people at school--Miranda deals with pressure from peers and she couldn't understand why life was so confusing. There's many stories about the unknown, questions of why are people and what comes next in their chapter of their lives. What is their connections and purposes. But Miranda likes how she can see rainbows after a storm, rainbows are so beautiful though they don't endure struggles and conflict people go through. Some folks might look at a rainbow as a vision of color--How it represents a symbol of faith or hope. Over in their place, there's one thing for sure: In this world they all lived in; everybody was a child once. Sometimes people don't think like a grown up nor they don't act like a child but are in that spot of fine, yet clean and unspoiled in the world that makes them all forget! However, it's faith and superstition that is man-made but it is being an illusion nevertheless it can affect people in a magical way almost. The same way that hope is something that can only exist if believed and it can elevate people to do great things as it's true magic! Everyone wants to believe in things greater than itself, others ponders over implications as the sky above has been the center of myths and beliefs that involved in star-wishing, horoscopes, and stories about constellations. There's a connection Miranda has between reality and dreams, she wished that the two to match up even if it seems unlikely that they can. And she hasn't found that connection of actuality in her situation and the hope behind her aspirations, even remaining optimistic as one day that dreams and reality will become the same in one world. Miranda is a dreamer, not a lover and she's something else! She wants adventure while escaping from those that brought pressure upon her for not being like the other girls. Where she's not judged and one day, she'll find people who will be kind to her. She will be loved for who she is just as she loves herself for being her. Miranda's parents knew their daughter wasn't happy with school in the last two years and the previous two was OK--It changed when she move to higher grades. She heard about a land called Murias, which was in the west and longs to go there one day if she can. In the meantime; loud noises of a storm with thunder and lightning. The captain showed up and called out, "FERRAND!!!" On cue, a young teen boy and his dog--a wolf looking puppy--approached. The boy was Ferdinand Alphone but his friends called him 'Ferrand'. Ferrand has silver-blue eyes and spiky, medium purple hair with lightness to it, he wore a short sleeved buttoned black shirt as a white tank was seen underneath and his pants were light grey with shoes that matched the color of his shirt. He had some sort of weapon tucked from behind. Ferrand saluted his captain, "Yes sir!" He said over the stormy weather of the sea. "What do you need, Captain?" The captain nodded with a smile, "Good, you're here my boy." He said. Then, he gestured over to the crew, "Give them a pep talk and make it fast or we'll crashed. Go! Now!" He instructed. Then, the captain hurried away. Ferrand went over and gave the instructions to the other sailors. Moments later; Ferrand and the sailors were hard at work. "That's it, guys! Come on, take in the upper sail! Take the storm by the reins!" Ferrand called out to them, they were getting wet and drenched with water spraying everywhere from the storm. Other mates came out, "Ferrand! Where in the hell is the captain? Why is he making these men work?" One of them called out. "You there, stay below deck! Get away from here!" Ferrand commanded. The mates didn't pay no heed, "WHERE. IS. THE CAPTAIN?" The mate shouted. "He's busy right now! You guys need to listen when he gives out orders, get back to the cabins! You're not helping us, right now." Ferrand shouted. The other mates heed the words and left but things went downhill from here, no matter how hard they try--They were gonna crash! "IT'S NO USE MEN!" One of the sailors screamed, "WE'RE DONE FOR, PRAY FOR YOUR LIVES--WE'RE GOING DOWN!" Everything was a blur, the ship crashed and the next thing happened was Ferrand woke up with incisions. 

His puppy, Gonzolo, survived too but the rest of the crew are dead. Ferrand was emotionally distraught, so he gave them a proper funeral for the mates and the captain. With Gonzolo in his arms; he said: "Well....Looks like it's just you and me, boy." Gonzolo wagged his tail, he barked and whimpered a little and Ferrand grimaced of the pain while he walked away. In the meantime, Miranda woke up and decided to take a walk to a hill. While on her walk; she comes across a boy, Ferrand, and his dog Gonzalo where they were lying on the grass and looking up at the blue sky. But Ferrand said, "There's a storm coming, it's going to sweep things in its path." Miranda looked up and saw that the beautfiul sky's yonder blue was now a dark purple. When Miranda turned back to the boy, she saw that he was already gone! So she decides to head back. As she walked back; Miranda looked up and saw that the hurricane while she was determined to get home soon. She regrets on going on this walk, it was a bad idea and she wish she stayed home. She wished that it passed or wash away like rain. But it was getting closer and nothing could stop it. She hopes she won't blow away as she saw in horror of every debris, every part crumbling and it was blowing harder and harder. Miranda managed to dodge every flying object and nearly went flying, it was so strong but she made it back home safe. However, she was horrified to discover that her house has been capsized and she managed to get in the house where she found that her parents were nowhere in sight. Miranda begin to panic a little bit, she cried; fearing that her parents could be dead. The next minute afterwards, Poor Miranda was sitting near the mailbox, thinking about if her parents possibly got caught in the storm and possibly died but she didn't want to jump to conclusions. Then, she felt a shadow upon her and saw Ferrand with his dog, Gonzolo. "What are you doing here?" Miranda asked. "I came to help you, I also want to tell you that your family is safe." replied Ferrand. Miranda's gasp got caught in her throat, "You do? Where are they?" She asked. "The Good Sorceress Melisande knows and she might be able to help us." explained Ferrand. Here this was to be another day, an ordinary day until this boy came along as he will inspire her to look for majestic beauty that others wouldn't see and find them mundane. Ferrand stretch his hand out, "Come with me." He said. "Where are we going?" asked Miranda. Ferrand smiled, "To the West...Murias." Miranda was hesitant at first but she knew that this boy would help her. Maybe help her to be in control of her own destiny. She took Ferrand's hand, and they were off. But first before they had to go West, they stopped by Ferrand's apartment where they meet two of his roommates, Caliban Raven and Ariel 'Arye' Shay. Caliban was a nice guy, pretty much average looking person...Nothing magical about him. And Arye hated his name because it sounded too girly to him. Miranda was shy at first however she bonded fast with these guys as they stayed up late because of no power, they played spin the bottle and laugh and joking around while drinking root beer. Miranda hardly spoke for she felt excited and glanced at Ferrand, admiring how beautiful and confidence he was but he probably wasn't so down-to-earth. Summer was all in full bloom, where Miranda found a place of belonging with friends that care about her. And don't judge of what she is not. The next day, when the storm was over; Miranda and her new friends stumble upon a village called Alfheimer where the friendliest creatures of dwarves, fairies, elves, gnomes, pixies, leprechauns, and mermaids. Then, the Good Sorceress name Melisande appeared! Melisande has blonde hair so wavy with curls, she wore a tiara on her head, but her dress was something else. Her dress was pink, pearlized with petals covering the skirt as the bodice and skirt are decorated with sequins, it was off the shoulder with a heart shaped outline to the top. The gown looked like it was made of bubbles, like somebody took them out of bathwater and sewn them together so they won't pop. Melisande gives Miranda a pair of magic shoes called Talaria to give her guidance. That's when Miranda remembered what Ferrand said as she asked Melisande about the whereabouts of her parents. Melisande assured her that they were safe however they are hidden in a shelter because of all the monsters, the ones called manananggals. As if on cue, they appeared as they terrify the residents into hiding as Miranda, Ferrand, Caliban, and Arye were horrified to see them. Gonzolo barked at the creatures, which they look hideous with their horned wings, claws, and fangs so sharp. They snarled and Miranda shivered a little. The beasts demanded the magic shoes Talaria, however Melisande spoke out: "It's too late, they are here and they will stay." She gestured that the shoes were now on Miranda's feet. Miranda was shocked, Ferrand put an arm around her and pulled her close in a protective way while glaring at the monsters, who demanded for the Talaria shoes. But Melisande laughs, "You have no power over here you beasts, now be gone or I'll plunged a wooden stake in your hearts." She sneered at them. The manananggals winced so they decide to accept defeat for now but cursed Miranda by the fact that many enemies will come for her. Some would kidnap her and held her in prison while others would try to kill her, or use her for lustful desires so she must keep her head down, watch her back and stand her ground: "We''ll get you, sweet blood--AND YOUR MEDDLING FRIENDS TOO!" They growled, they laughed and disappeared into smoke. Once they were gone; Miranda and her friends were told to go to Murias where the wizard Prospero resides! So; Miranda, Ferrand, Caliban, Arye, and Gonzolo headed to the west--Murias! 

For the time being; there was a lot of madness going on with the manananggals, when all of a sudden there was a mix up and Roland now has a device that's not his. Later, he and Elphin were walking back as they were trying to work the device. "Damn, why isn't this working? I just know the others are going to get suspicious." Roland complained. Elphin looked him, "At least, they won't notice. 'That's yours? Yup, sure is.' NOT MY DEVICE!" He said. Roland groaned, "Please, don't say! We're going to be in big trouble if they do find out." They managed to sneak from their friends as the two boys look at it. However some strange recordings were discovered of singing, Elphin realized something and said to Roland: "You know what this is, don't you?" Roland looked at him funny, "This is the mysterious girl's device." Startled; Roland shriek as he throws the phone on his bed! Elphin looked at him, Roland was red faced. "Um...I don't know why I just did that." He said. They managed to hide it away but Elphin likes to listen to the recordings and finds them amusing however some of the songs sound so beautiful. In the meantime; Briar realized that her device is gone and realized she accidentally took Roland's by mistake. She blushed, then she freaked out. But cannot let him nor Elphin know about her singing talent! But kept his device with Demetri as she trusts him more than she trusts Ostadar and Hervey. Meanwhile; Ostadar might be strong, but clearly needs to do more cardio. Evidently Hervey doesn’t hold his prospects for surviving very highly, Demetri is commenting on Roland’s leadership — all of his friends are brave while they are scared to go to fighting becase of his vigorous training. Briar is worried that Roland or Elphin, or both of them, will discover she is the singing girl. The curse came true as an evil witch of the manananggals name Alcina was jealous by the beautfiul and virtuous Miranda Tempest so she decides to take it upon herself for some catastrophe towards her. First, Alcina got a werewolf to lure her and eat her. Once that will happen, Alcina will have Miranda destroy! Nobody will stop her now...Or will they? Ferrand, Caliban, and Arye learn of her plans so the trio went to stop werewolf's plans to swallow Miranda. The two of them hurry to the location as they can see Miranda went into the forest. Poor Miranda never even thought of such a thing, that it was not her mother at all, but a wicked werewolf, to pretend that he was the werewolf as the lady herself. "Come and sit down beside my bed, dearie," wheezed the werewolf, "and let us have a little chat." Then the disguised werewolf stretched out his large hairy paws and began to unfasten the basket. "Oh!" said Miranda, "What eyes you have, Mother!" "All the better to see you with, my pet," grinned the werewolf. "What great arms you have, Mother!" Miranda said. "All the better to hug you with," said the Wolf. "And Mother," gasped Miranda, "what great sharp teeth you have !" "All the better to eat you with!' growled the werewolf, springing up suddenly at Miranda. But just at that very moment the door flew open, and Ferrand and the others rushed in with their weapons, and killed the werewolf. Since that failed; Calliope got an evil woman and her daughters to kidnap Miranda and make her a working maid. Miranda worked and worked for them, even worked when there was a ball in town. "Don't you wish you were going to the ball?" said the mother. "Yes I do," sighed Miranda. The sisters burst out laughing. Then, stepping carefully into the limo so that they might not crush their fine clothes, they drove away to the ball. Miranda went back to her chimney-corner, and tried not to feel envious, but the tears would gather in the pretty eyes, and trickle down the sorrowful little face. "What are you crying for, child?" cried a silvery voice. Miranda started, and raised her eyes. Who could it be ? Then in a moment she knew--it was a fairy! "All I ever wanted--" began Miranda; then her sobs stopped her. "To go to the ball," finished the fairy. Miranda nodded. The fairy told her to go into the garden and bring the largest pumpkin. Second is to trap mice from the pantry. Third task was to ger a large rat in the rat catcher, fourth was to get six lizards. Soon the pumpkin, the mice, the rat, and the lizards each turned into a fancy vehicle, coachmen, a limo driver, and other great things. Miranda was so excited that she couldn't speak. However she forgot she wore her maid clothing and tries to ask but before Miranda could realize what was happening, the fairy's wand tapped her lightly on the shoulder, and in place of the shabby frock, there was a gleam of satin, silver, and pearls. The gown was white as snow, and as dazzling; round the hem hung a fringe of diamonds, sparkling like dew-drops in the sunshine. The lace about the throat and arms could only have been spun by fairy spiders. Surely it was a dream! Miranda put her daintily-gloved hand to her throat, and softly touched the pearls that encircled her neck. "Come, little lady," said the fairy, "don't be late." The fairy gave her diamond-like shoes to wear. Once then, Miranda arrived at the ball as she reunites with her friends and left the prince. Alcina was upset at this sight and decides to send the most dangerous squad of dark fairy tale people. As the others ran, someone tugs on her arm: "Um, excuse me?" A voice said. Miranda and the boys turned and saw there was a girl wearing a red jacket with a hood and hands them something. Mia looked at it, "Oh! Thanks." She said. As she put her item away, The gang looked at the girl and was surprised to see she wore a short white dress with the red jacket. It looked ripped and stained, "What happened to you?" asked Miranda. "Oh, nothing. I always dress like this." The girl said shyly. Then noticed the bag and asked: "What do you have in the bag?" The girl, who try to peek in the bag, "Just some stuff, nothing really important." explained Miranda. The girl looked back at her, her stomach rumbled. "Do you have something to eat? I'm hungry." She asked. Miranda shook her head, "I'm sorry however, why don't you come with us and maybe we'll find some food." She said. The girl wouldn't budge so Ferrand shrugged, "All right, why don't you stay here? I'll be back with food." He promised. The gang were about to turn and walk away but the girl cried out, "PLEASE!!!! I'M STARVING!!!!" Ferrand looked back, "Do you want to come with us or not? I won't let you go hungry but if you come with me, I promise I'll get you food." He called out. The girl trembled and looked up with vulnerable eyes, "I--Um---Are you lost? I'm lost." She said. Mirand and the others were confused by the girl's moods. "What is wrong with her?" thought Ferrand. The girl sniffed the air and said, "I can smell it, a wolf is here....Isn't it?" She purred. They were puzzled, again, she had no idea what she was talking about until she heard a growling sound--It was a wolf! The girl pulled out an ax and attacked it violently. Cutting up the monster into pieces over and over again without stopping. Miranda witnessed this in great terror and the girl glared back at her. "You sent the wolf after me, didn't you?" She snarled. Miranda took a step back, the girl kept swinging the ax and tries to kill her, but Mia dodged her and Ferrand managed to fight her. Just then, the girl was so crazy that she accidentally fell on her own ax and died of blood loss.  This was her story: Petra had got lost in the forest again. Darkness was quickly setting in and she was becoming more and more nervous by the second. She didn't want it to end up like last time. She heard a rustling sound from behind her and turned round to see what it was. Nothing was there so she carried on wondering further into the unknown. Again the rustling sound came from behind her, louder this time. She turned round again to see what was there but all there was were the tall, grey trees looming over her in the darkness. Petrified, she ran. Soon she was more lost than ever and just wanted to be at home with her family. "Why had I decided to visit my grandma?" Petra asked herself "Why do I have to get lost so often?" Soon after her fright, Petra came across a little tree stump, she sat down on it and tried to think of a way out of the forest. Suddenly she heard that rustling sound behind her again, closer than last time. She turned round to see a huge pair of yellow eyes glaring at her, a low growl rumbled through the forest and that was when she realized it was a wolf. The shadowed figure walked out from the gloom and circled her twice before smiling at her, an evil, hungry smile. Terrified, she looked around to find a suitable weapon. A large ax lay on the ground a few meters away from where she sat. If she could just reach it then she could finish the wolf off. She sprinted for the ax, grabbed it and spun round just in time to make the blade collide with the wolf's side. The crack of bone could be heard from a mile away and the wolf gave out an outrageous scream before it lay limp on the ground at Petra's feet. And that was when her obsession started. Miranda and the gang walked down the path while looking around, Miranda could've sworn that she heard moaning and incoherent shouting the dark mists of the forest. Her heart was racing and her palms were sweaty. She had less than five minutes to destroy the creature in the woods. She looked and saw a knife. Without thinking what he was about to do, Ferrand threw the heavy blade straight into the creature's shoulder. There was a scream coming from the creature that made her ears vibrate. The creature turned out to be a zombie girl that try to attacked Miranda fell to the floor instantly, but now the deranged woman was dead. But there was a chilling story of Bella Venezia: The apple was so red, so delicious looking, and the woman seemed so harmless, so she ate it. As soon as her lips touched the crimson apple, Bella Venezia fell to the floor. She was instantly dead. Sadly for her, no prince charming came to save her. However, Bella Venezia weren't really gone. Her soul came back to look over her dwarfs. People would see her in the woods near the old cottage that once belonged to some poor girl who died a sad death. She was known as "The Maiden of the Cottage".  Bella Venezia would stand outside, luring people into the cottage, so the hungry little friends could eat. Now; Bella Venezia sat at her dressing table in the dwarfs cottage, staring at herself in her magic mirror. She had already asked it many times that week who was the fairest of them all but she just couldn't help asked once again. "Mirror, mirror on the wall, who's the fairest of them all?" Bella Venezia asked in her gentle voice. To her horror the mirror said "Your mother is the fairest of them all." To head such words made Snow White so angry she set out on a little mission. She walked into her bathroom and took out the little tube of poison from the cabinet. She got an apple from the fruit bowl and put a couple of drops of poison on it. That is all it took. She hid it in a basket surrounded with other apples then dressed up in an old cloak with a hood and set off on her way to visit her mother. When she got to her mother's house she knocked on the door. Bella Venezia bites into the apple. The apple was not poisoned so she would die, it poisoned her sanity, she lay into a coma and would not waken until her prince charming came. She woke up saw her prince charming, screamed and started to eat him until he was dead, the apple had made her into a manananggal, killing whoever she liked, she clawed 3 dwarves to death and changed the other 4 dwarves into hungry manananggals, they stayed hiding in the forest for animals and people to eat. 

Next on the list was Rhodopis, she wasn't going to be easy like these other two girls. While on her destination; Miranda was reading a book when she dozed off. By the time she woke up, Miranda saw a garden full of weeds and pumpkins. Just then, Miranda could see a girl covered in stitches as she smiled as she said, "Welcome to my ball, a dream isn't it?" Miranda looked around her, "What?" She said. The girl then was in blue rags and she looked quite strange but then she found Miranda was an intruder as she attacks her with help from her demonic friends. Miranda couldn't break free however Ferrand came and managed to fight them all and defeated them but no the girl. Miranda came over and saw the girl crying, "The ball....my prince....they took them away from....me...." Then, she put her face down and she died with tears streaming her face. Miranda watched her sadly and then, she buried the girl. Just then, Miranda and the gang were told the tale of Rhodopis, the girl she just buried: Ashley was a servant girl for her evil stepmother and ugly step sisters, invite to the ball, her friends help make the dress and everything she go down stairs showing off her new dress ready to go, the stepsisters tear it off and ruin it, so she doesn't go. Rhodopis, runs to the garden and fairy godmother comes, she was fascinated by her magic when she gave her a dress a carriage horses and foot men. At the ball when she was looking for the grande hall she could see a soothsayer  and ask him about fairies and about their magic. "If you kill a fairy their power will go into the nearest living thing and you own their powers to do with it what you will. However fairies are just a myth," The soothsayer said, but Rhodopis knew they did exist, so as she found the hall, the prince saw her and started to dance with her, Rhodopis enjoyed herself but at the same time thinking about having the power to make her stepsisters and stepmother suffer for everything they done. After she rushed home with her clothes turning into rags Ashely thought long and hard if this was the path she wanted to go down. When she got home from the ball, she was happy as could be. But someone wasn't. Her stepsister had discovered who she was, and she was very jealous. She viciously killed her, ripping her apart. Later, Rhodopis's friends and 'godmother' found her body and they sewed her back together. Rhodopis came back to life. The next day the royal carriage stopped outside bringing out a glass slipper for all the ladies to try on, this made Rhodopis furious, later on that night she called her fairy godmother and she felt sorry for poor Rhodopis, but moments after she comforted her, Rhodopis stabbed her through the heart. The power from the fairy flooded into her. Her appearance changed as she had straw like hair and greenish skin. She had sharp fingers and razor teeth and pushed out skeletal wings but she loved it. At the dead of night she took over took the kingdom and killed many people and she made her stepmother and stepsisters into your personal slaves which also loved to tease, torment and torture. She lived happy causing madness across the land. Today she patrol the pumpkin garden, and if anyone comes near, she ripped them apart. They call her "The Maiden of the Pumpkins". Now that was over, Miranda and the gang headed off into their next journey! 

Later, Miranda and the gang was exhausted from the day she had and it was almost getting dark soon so she decided to spend the night at a strange castle so she went there and found that the door was ajar. She was so curious that she decided to go in and found it empty. She closed the door behind her, calling out: "HELLO!!!!! ANYONE HOME!!!!" Nobody answered and the gang moved around with caution. She found a room with the door halfway opened. As Ferrand opened the door, he saw that there was a plain white dress. Miranda turned around and she saw a bunch of wolves before her. She fought them off and ran for her life from any more danger. She managed to calm down while she found another room from the wolves. Then found a weapon and a message: "YOU WILL NEED IT!!!" in red letters. Miranda was confused by this, "What does this mean exactly?" She thought. The weapon inside says an inscription that says: "THEE WHO HAS FOUND IT MUST USE IT AGAINST THE DARKEST OF EVIL!" The others were puzzled and Ferrand tucked it in his front pocket. "Lovely, isn't it?" A sultry voice of a young woman asked. Startled, Miranda and the others turned around to see a dark haired woman, fair skin and a rose pinned to the blouse of her dress. "Oh, I'm sorry. I was just....We were just...." Miranda started to say, but the woman laughed. "Now, now, don't be frightened. It's all right, you can stay here. Please, wait here while I got and fetch you some food and water." She said with kindness in her voice. The others coulnd't help but feel grateful and sat there, waiting but they were curious to know that there was another door. She could've sworn that she could smell a particular stench that didn't seem right. Opening the door, Miranda made a gruesome discovery: Bodies, corpses of people were there....Their bodies torn apart and blood oozed on the floor. Miranda was terrified as the hairs on the back of her neck stood up when she sensed someone behind her. The woman grinned darkly back at Mia, her eyes were glowing white and no pupils were in them. "Awww, it's not nice to sneak around in people's houses...I believe, it's time I teach you....A LESSON!" Then, the woman transforms into a female werewolf and fought Ferrand, who dodged her with all his might until he remembered the weapon in his pocket as he used it against the woman. The weapon was a silver knife that smelled of mistletoe and wolfs-bane. The werewolf try to get away, try to bite Miranda but Ferrand was stronger and stabbed the werewolf, killing her. Then, the wolf turned back into a woman, who then quickly aged before turning into a pile of dust and went away! Then, Miranda and the others got out of the castle and went away but listen to the story of the she-wolf, Galatea: Galatea's dad gets lost finds castle and ends up imprisoned in there. She went to look for him and traded herself for him and she got her wish, the Beast scared her one night when she was snooping around so she ran off and got surrounded by wolves as one of them bit her. Seconds later; the Beast came and fought them away and instead of him being on the horse and is guiding it back to the castle he carried Galatea back there due to the fact she was unconscious. Galatea woke up in a bed feeling weak but different, she wasn't her normal nice, kind, generous self and so she pretended to be what she usually is until she found out what happened to her. A few days later she became angry and greedy a dark side occurred inside of herself where she wanted so much, she lost control of herself. Galatea burst in drooling when she saw the Beast, he was about to cry when she jumped over the table and pinned him down to the ground and roared in his face. "Galatea, I love you, I know you love me to, please don't do this," He whispered, she didn't care and she ripped off his head and howled and she heard other wolves howling back in the distance. Anyone who dared to come to the castle would have to answer to her. From this day on, Galateabecame known as "The Maiden of the Castle", Many people see her dancing out at the castle gate, luring them into her castle for her next meal. The next morning, Miranda and the others could see it was light out. So she got her things and left the motel she stayed at. It begin to feel as if someone was following her so Mia picked up her pace and begin to walk quicker with each step she made. But then, she stumbled and fell down, then everything went black. The next thing happen was when Mia sat straight up, her eyes fluttered opened and looked up. There she was in her room as she wondered what was going on now. She realized someone was coming in to check up on her, so she relaxed her face and closed her eyes. Then, someone sighed: "You think I'm going to fall for that trick? C'mon, I know you're awake darling." The voice said in a Romanian or Russian accent, it was hard to tell. Mia looked up and saw a woman so fair and beautiful with blonde hair. "I don't think you asked but it's OK, you looked like you hit something hard and fell in." said the woman. "Oh, I didn't mean to--" Mia said, "I was just lost and confused. I thought maybe I would find someone here." The woman looked at her, she looked over and sniffed her. She grinned and Mia was startled to see her incisors, no her fangs! "You smell so juicy, darling. I'm very parched so if you don't mind...." The woman said, leaning over to her next but Mia fought back and used a cross against her. The woman slapped it away, "You think that's going to work on me? You got to be joking me, darling!" She laughed. Miranda was running out of ideas, she had used the garlic and the holy water but nothing worked. She couldn't believe it, "What kind of vampire is she?" She thought. The woman attacked but Ferrand fought back and then, he took a wooden stake and stabbed the woman in the heart, murdering her as she turned to dust. Miranda and the others were exhausted that she almost passed out again. Then she heard the origins of Bastiana: In her dream as she slept, Bastiana was waiting for her prince to come. He never did. She was assumed to have died and rotted in the tower. One thing happened during the time when she was sleeping. During her sleep a bat ended up in her room, not just any bat a vampiric bat, which bit her and she was going through the transformation whilst she was sleeping. After her prince charming came to your tower he saw her lying there looking fair, beautiful and had to kiss her, so he did as he was fore told to do, he kissed her cherry lips. Bastiana woke up happy to see her hero, but really she didn't care. Bastiana hugged him, flipped him over pinned him down on the bed and started to suck his blood from his neck leaving him drained and very dead. However, she was not finished on this earth. She would always go back to the forest she had come to know and love. People see her gracefully dancing through the woods, singing her mournful song. She felt so free and wild she loved it and she flew about the kingdom choosing victims and drinking them dry, she hid in the forest so no one knew exactly where she was, it added to her fun when hunters tried to find her but none were successful. She lived forever as a vampire looking for victims and never for love. She has come to be known as "The Maiden of the Forest". If anyone ever tries to come near her, she set her protector, the Dead Owl on them, and they are never seen again. 

The mermaid girl came swimming down towards you, an alarmed expression across her face, with a hint of excitement and dreaminess. “You wouldn’t believe what just happened. I think I found my true love!” She squealed at Miranda. “What?” Miranda asked confusedly. “Human girl, you have to promise not to tell anyone what I’m about to tell you,” Melusine said suddenly with wide eyes. “I promise.” said Miranda. The girl then said, “I just saved a man from a shipwreck. And I think I’m… in love!”  Mia was surprised. This mermaid girl was in love? Though part of you could believe it. She had always loved the land more than the sea. “Melusine… but you’re a mermaid! He’s a human! I’m not sure you guys could actually be together.” Miranda said. Now it was the girl’s turn to be confused. “But… I thought you would support me.” Her voice was beginning to sound angry. “Why can’t you just consider that humans are like us?” She demanded. Then, she got so mad that she try to get she to jump off a cliff and into the ocean. Miranda ran over to the sea to escape while Ferrand and the others fought the mermaid as she then was swimming but then, a powerful wave took her and she drowned but not before Miranda slayed her. The mermaid was dead, sinking to the bottom. Miranda manged to catch her breath after all that swimming and she was told her the story of the mermaid, Atara: The mermaid Atara fell in love for Prince Tireas but of course there is a problem which is he is a human and she is a mermaid and her father as the king of the underwater world is not approving of her feelings for a human. She wonder how can she could possibly be with Tireas because he can't breathe in water and she can't stay out of it for too long, so how could this ever be? She heard rumours that Beira the sea witch could help and so she reluctantly went there, her nerves filled her body, Annis's lair was not attractive at all and neither was the sea witch who was sitting on a stool made of shells and seaweed playing with her white blonde hair. "Hello Atara, I believe you wished to see me about an unfortunate circumstance," Beira purred as she faced her, her face was ancient and looked like it was cracking like a vase, her eyes were a milky white, her skin was close to blue as if she was suffering from the cold, she was a voluptuous woman and her tentacles were long, scaly and slimy and they worked their way up her body forming what looks like a black tight strapless dress. She swam out of her seat and approached her, her tentacles grabbing parts of her as she studied them. "What is it that you want with me little mermaid?" Beira said as she released Atara from her slimy tentacles. "Well I have meet this man and he is perfect but that's the problem, he is a man," Atara told the sea witch. Beira pursed her lips and narrowed her eyelids so you could only see a tiny gleam of something in her eyes, she turned and looked at her with a smile of helpfulness like a mothers gentle smile. "Well I can help you, I can give you legs so you can meet your man." Beira informed her. The news was great you had three days with Tireas and maybe you two could talk things over and you could make things work with him. She browsed through her ingredients taking some and ignoring others, she placed the selected ingredients on an old table that must have sunk to the depths a long time ago. She threw in a bit of this and a bit of that and something else while saying an enchantment. Within minutes a purple potion was created, Beira poured the liquid into a flask and blew it gently. "This potion will give you legs, I will give it to you after I have your voice," She whispered as she approached Atara. Her heart sank, how could she get a true love kiss from him without her voice? She couldn't condemn to this, her whole life was ahead of her. But her heart ruled her head and so she agreed. Beira cast a spell, stealing her voice, it was agony like she was ripping out her throat, Atara couldn't breathe and was gagging and after what seemed like a lifetime it stopped. No sound came from her when she sighed and inhaled loudly. Then, Atara got her legs too and got to meet her true love but it ended badly when Annis disguised herself, seduced Tireas and then had Atara's father killed. Atara was now angry with the sea witch turned Tireas against her and killed her father, anger eating her up inside her. She killed her former true love and so to avenge her father she stabbed Beira through her heart as well. As she died; Atara murderer her magic lift her body and went into her, for this was dark magic that latches itself on the strongest creature for darknes. She placed her fathers crown on her head and took the golden trident and disappeared from all she knew. Years went by and she never spoke to anyone, mermen and mermaid women came across her dozens of times but they never returned home for she killed anyone who has seen her. Now however they talk about the cursed mermaid Atara the curse of the sea who takes pleasure in bringing down ships and ruthlessly killing people for she was immortal and will never change her wicked ways. Now people know her as "The Maiden of the Ocean". Then, Miranda managed to get a grip as she has to get to the west. They headed off on their way!

While getting to her next destination; Miranda ran over and noticed that she wasn’t just outside her window. She was hovering outside the window. When she made a motion to open it, Miaranda slid it open, letting in the cold night air. The woman offered her hand and she took her hand, and before she knew it, Mia was flying. The woman, still holding her hand, began flying away from the window, and so did Mia did. It was then that she finally spoke. “Where are we going?” The woman smiled, “You'll see.” She said. Then, the woman revealed to be a siren and tries to get Miranda to become one but she refused and Ferrand came to the rescue as he fought the siren until there was nothing left of her. Miranda went away and was once again who was told about the siren, Selena: A month or so before the wedding; Selena realised if the prince were to be her husband he would rule the kingdom and not her even though she should, so Selena thought to herself, after the wedding a couple of days she should kill the prince and be the natural ruler of the land. The wedding was beautiful and amazing, a few nights after while the prince was sleeping she pulled out a dagger from under her bed and killed him, she took a few minutes to grieve but the feeling died as soon as she realized she was now queen and that filled Selena with such joy. Selena then screamed and acted like she just witnessed a murder just to make up a story. A couple weeks later she was crowned queen, the stress of it angered her and she took drastic measures and made the citizens suffer so much, she was hated by all even her father. So she caused havoc in the village before she left home, leaving it in flames, Selena jumped on a camel and left for anywhere, she traveled for over 2 days and found a watering hole where she drunk so much just to hydrate herself to be strong enough to carry on. Before she could get back on the camel she heard a singing she turned and saw a siren, because she was female this had no effect to her. "You are a strong woman your highness, I am impressed, would you take an offer in becoming one of us?" The siren asked, she thought about it and realized she needed to start again and this offer would give her the opportunity and the adventure she'd been dying for, so she accepted and after a few minutes of going through agony changing from human to siren she was now a siren with fearsome silver eyes and a hypnotic voice. She killed a few men but she was hooked doing this, so she found a way to escape the watering hole to the open ocean, where she brought down many men from dozens of ships, she loved this life and never looked back. One day she was out, looking through the desert, when you saw some figures in the distance. As they came closer, she saw they were bandits. They surrounded her and pulled out their swords, demanding she give them all her money and jewels. When she told them she had none, they didn't believe her, so they killed her. However, she wasn't done. A few months later, the same bandits came by, so she set her tiger on them, and they were all killed. Now, whenever she could see someone walking through the desert alone, her pet tiger kills them. she became known as "The Maiden of the Desert". It was over. 

However, love was in the air. Roland and his friends arrived however more love was going around; Roland meets Iris and becomes enamored to her, Isabella meets & develops a crush on Ross but gets a love rival--Diana. Thomas defrosts the ice heart of the snobby, queenly Minerva and Owen finds young love in Iris's younger sister name Arcelia. That's when, they heard about the Girl of the Water who has been haunting places under the ocean. In the past of the girl: The flames were everywhere of their once beloved village. The people watched with fear, a little girl had tears in her eyes, “Daddy! Where’s Daddy? I want to see Daddy!” The girl said. She was attempting to go in the inferno village but the others restrained her. “I’m sorry sweetie, but you can’t.” said a woman. “Daddy--!” The little girl protested. A man put a hand on her shoulder and smiled with reassuring. “Don’t worry, my dear. I’m sure he’s all right.” He said. “Everyone!” A voice called out. “The boats are here, let’s go!” Immediately, the people ran to the docks and onto the boats. “But what about Daddy?” The little girl begged. “Honey, the fire is getting closer. We have to go right now!” commanded another woman. She got the little girl on the boat. The men got the flag up and the engine starting, the boat start sailing away from the village but the little girl would not give up. She was about to get out of the boat and in the flaming village however other people held her back. The girl kicked and cried out, “You’re leaving Daddy behind! Why are you leaving him behind?” All of a sudden, there was a huge eruption and the village exploded. There was a red, orange, and black big cloud. Tears streaming down the little girl’s face: “FATHER!!!!!!!!” She screamed. The little girl sank to the floor and cried. The people looked at her, feeling guilty. Anguish filled them. The poor girl, they should’ve listened, they should’ve waited! They should’ve gone back to rescue those who could have been still alive. But they didn’t, their fear made them panicky, and they ran from the fire. Underwater was so beautiful for Isabella, the blue was so wonderful and clear. But she had to focus, she had to remember what she came here for. She looked in the sand, she looked among the fishes, she looked in the coral, she looked in the seaweed but she found nothing! With a sigh, which her sigh formed a single bubble from her breath mask and she swam up to the surface. Gasping for breath; Isabella took off her mask and snorkel gear. She takes off her fins as she reveals wearing her bikini. Isabella went back to her friends with a disappointed look on her face.  “Did you find anything?” Roland asked. Isabella shook her head sadly, “No, not really.” She said. “What do you mean ‘not really’?” demanded Elphin. Elphin shot a glare in his direction with her eyes, “Hey, give me a break. I looked everywhere. Nothing, nada, zip!” She snapped. Roland shook his head, “This can’t be right, there should be something. Someone….” He said as he looked at the map. “Maybe it’s the wrong area.” Thomas suggested. “No, these are the right coordinates.” insisted Roland. Elphin let out a sigh, he dropped on his knees as he buried his head for one second, and looked up with irritation. “We’re wasting our time looking for a mythological person that doesn’t exist.” He complained. “I know she exists, I know she does!” Roland declared as he folded up the map. Isabella sat in a mermaid position on a rock and looked among the blue sea. “Got any better ideas?” She asked. Nobody didn’t realized that a figure was swimming up to the surface. There was bubbles that the gang can see from shore. Isabella was the first one to notice, “What is that?” She asked. The others gathered to see what she was pointing at. “Is it…Ohhhh…” Roland asked. “No, could it be?” Elphin muttered. They watched in mixed feelings of amazement and fear as a figure emerged from the deed, a young lady it looks like. She had a curvaceous figure, ivory white skin, straight black hair that covered her face. She wore a black bandeau top that revealed her midriff and matching pants that reached down towards her knees. When the girl removed the hair from her face; she revealed her face. Beautiful, dark brown eyes, small nose, and glossy black luscious lips. Elphin approached the girl as he said to her softly, “Hey, you OK?” The girl replied back in a creepy monotone,  “Fire. Who started the fire?” Mikado looked at the others with a perplexed look. “What fire? What are you talking about?” He asked. “Fire, I see fire.” said the girl. “What?” Elphin asked as he leaned closer. The girl pushed him away and seized Roland by the neck and they fell into the water. “Oh man, Roland!” Isabella shouted. The girl tries to drown Roland but he breaks free and swims, he gasped for breath. He dragged the girl away, the girl released her grip from him and ran away. “She’s getting away!” Thomas cried. “After her!” Roland called. They chased after the girl however they paused for a breath and they lost sight of her. “What happened?” Owen asked. “We lost sight of her.” Elphin replied. “What?” Owen asked in disbelief. “She was too fast!” Thomas called. In anger, Roland kicked a tree as she was distressed over their failure. “Dammit! She got away!” He cursed. In the meantime; The girl ran from the beach of her pursuers, she looked back to see nobody was following her. The girl begin to relax, as she walk ahead. She found herself in a city and looked around to see the sights. That night, The girl managed to get back to the land, to look for the people she encountered earlier. But when she got through the forest towards the beach, it was already vacant and getting dark. She was wondering when she was hand gagged from behind. “Gotcha! Can’t get away this time.” Roland said with a leer on her face. The girl struggled, muffling but she thought she heard snickering of Elphin and Roland from behind. Cold anger kicked in as she somehow she was glowing and she broke free from Roland’s grip and let out a screeched. Susanoo and Mikado fell to the ground as they look up in horror to see The girl's eyes glowing blue. Susanoo is frightful, "I'm--I'm sorry!" He stammered. Back with Miranda and the others; someone came from behind and bound her wrists, "Get off me!" She exclaimed. Then, a tissue covered her mouth and she passed out. As she woke up; She and her friends were tied up and couldn't escape at all. No escape. While kidnapped; Miranda, Ferrand, Caliban, and Arye were trying to think of plan but Miranda begin to think rationally and her adrenaline will be pumping, her heart will be pounding, and she will be terrified. She had to calm down. The sooner she can regain your composure the better off you will be immediately and in the long run. Right from the start, she should try to observe and remember as much as possible in order to help her plan an escape, predict abductor's next moves, or give information to the police to aid in a rescue or to help apprehend and convict the kidnapper. 

At the same time, she had to be positive. Most kidnapping victims survive--the odds are with her. That said, she should prepare herself for a long captivity. Some hostages have been held for years, but they kept a positive attitude, played their cards right, and were eventually freed. Take it one day at a time. One of the captors looked over her, Miranda looked back with no glare at her. It is generally psychologically harder for a person to kill or otherwise harm a captive if the captive remains 'human' in the captor's eyes. She did not grovel, beg, or become hysterical. She tried even not to cry. She will not challenge her abductor, but show him that him are worthy of respect. The guy untied her, then he asked her: "So, who are you little missy?" She swallowed and said, "I am here to bring the world peace. I do not wish for violence, please let me in..." But she stops when one of the captors jump at her, "I do not permit a woman to teach or to assume authority over a man; she must be quiet." He recited, a verse from the Scriptures. Then;  could feel his hands on her bare skin, she felt cold anger and kicked him in between his legs. The guy groans in pain, loosen his grip, and Miranda tried to run however the guy wraps himself around her and bangs her hard against a wall as he forcefully kissed her. In the kiss; Miranda bite his lip hard. The man yelled, he was furious and grabbed Miranda's neck, choking her. She was about to die without air in her throat, when Ferrand down on the captor cry out in pain. He fell backwards, he was critically injured as he fell unconscious. Miranda was shocked, she begin to weep sorrowfully. "Ferrand...." She gasped. "Oh...." She wept and wept until there was nothing left. Ferrand wrapped his arms around her in an embrace, he must protect her and maybe help her fend off for herself too. Back with Briar, she's panicking over the situation but what's even more worse, there's monsters roaming around in an area like this. That's when; she came up with the idea to work as a freelancing monster slayer.