Feral Magic

brow at Zak’s voice and glanced behind, sure he was addressing someone else. “Excuse me?”
“You could have killed that guy.”
“What guy?”
Zak gave a frustrated snarl. “The one back at the camp.”
“You mean the one trying to kill us?”
He gave her a blank stare. “You don’t know—”
“Oh, I think I do.” She gave his friend lying on the ground a pointed stare.
Zak worked his jaw. “We don’t kill people Vixin.”
She crossed her arms. “Maybe you don’t, but if someone comes after me with the intent, I’m not holding back.”
Silence passed between them and Zak took a settling breath. “Look, I know we’re in here because of a game, but that doesn’t mean it is one. If we die in here, that’s it. Game over.”
“And that’s supposed to what? Make me feel guilty?”
“Yes. No. I don’t know all right?”
She glared at him. “Reality check. Without me, you and your friend would have died today, so how about a little more gratitude and a little less of your moral bullshit.”
Zak opened his mouth to respond, but instead clenched his fists and let out a defeated sigh. “Come on, let’s get back to the others.”
Zak and Sam draped the arms of their friend over their shoulders and carried him through the trees. She followed on near silent steps, keeping her ears and eyes peeled for anything out of place, but the forest was quiet.
Vixin let her magic fan out, grazing the plant life in all directions. They reached out to her in turn, letting her pulse energy through their branches, feeling for anything unusual, before slipping away again. Animals lurked in the treetops, but nothing that would deem them easy prey. Even with an injured member of their party.
She’d learned the plant names years ago, but now she could identify them by a different means. Their energy. Each had a different signature attached, almost like people had fingerprints. The vines were the easiest to identify. They carried a strong light, only dimmed by the surrounding trees. Flowers were more delicate, and the poisonous ones carried a bite that reminded her of spicy food. She half wondered if she’d be immune to their effects.
Upon reaching the camp, Zak took the full weight of their companion who was still dragging his feet. She supposed healed or not, his body was still spent. He needed rest. So did she, but Sam turned to her when Zak was out of earshot.
“If he won’t say it, I will. Thank you.”
Vixin clenched her jaw. “He’s delusional if he thinks he can do what you guys have been doing and escape without hurting someone.”
“I know.” Sam walked after him, leaving her to wander toward her normal spot. A place on the outskirts against a tree. At least here no one bothered her. Usually.
A short while later, Vixin took note of Zak wandering around the center of the camp. He stared at the fires, at the people, and finally toward her secluded resting spot. It seemed she wouldn’t get to sleep just yet.
Zak took his time coming over and stopped several paces away. He shuffled his feet and she resisted the urge to scream at him while he fought some internal battle with himself. If he wanted to say something, he should just say it.
“Can I sit?”
Vixin gestured toward the ground. “Not like I can stop you.”
Zak wrung his hands together, then sat and folded his legs. Neither spoke for a time.
“I’m sorry I yelled at you. I just—would it really be so easy for you to...”
“To kill someone?” she finished. Zak nodded and Vixin let out a long sigh. “If I had to think about it? I don’t know, but in the moment, it’s me or them. I’ll do what I have to do to survive.”
“And if they have a family?”
She shrugged. “That kind of thinking will get you killed.” Zak went silent again. “I’ve never killed anyone, if that’s what you’re worried about. Sure, I grew up hunting and doing crazy stuff, but I’m not heartless.”
A small smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. “That’s not what I was thinking at all.”
“Then what?”
“I’m just hoping you don’t disappear in the middle of the night.”
Disappear? “Why would I—” Realization dawned on her and Vixin had to resist the giggle that tried to escape. “I’m not that easily scared off and you guys have become a little too convenient for me to just up and go. Besides, I like the cooking.”
Zak chuckled. “I’ll be sure to give Sam your regards.” He looked at her for another long moment and stood. “Goodnight Vixin and thank you.”
She didn’t reply and as Zak walked back toward the center of camp, Vixin curled in on herself and let her thoughts drift. Killing. She’d done it once already and she still wasn’t sure if it bothered her or not.

Chapter Four
They trudged through the forest like a herd of elephants. Every single one of them. If they died, it'd be no one's fault but their own.
Vixin marched along the outskirts, scanning the trees, the ground, and everything else the fools around her failed to notice.
They’d entered the third realm three days ago and had already hit two other camps along the way. Thankfully, those two had been less prepared than their previous target and Zak’s group escaped without so much as a scratch.
Days ago, those around her were barely carrying any supplies. Now, many had packs slung across their shoulders and new weapons in their belts. She idly wondered how much they’d gather before heading back to the first realm, or wherever Zak claimed to share his treasures. Maybe he’d been lying before. Perhaps he kept it all to himself, tucked away in a thief’s den somewhere. She eyed his back. But that would require