The cave was a maw of shadows, its walls slick with moisture that glistened like the inside of a beast's throat. The air hung heavy, thick with the scent of damp earth and the coppery tang of blood—a primal perfume that stirred the instincts of every creature lurking within. At the heart of the cavern, the black raptor loomed, her massive form a silhouette of coiled power. Her scales, dark as midnight and slick with a faint, oily sheen, caught the dim light filtering through cracks in the rock above. Her eyes, sharp and unblinking, burned with a cold, predatory focus as she stood over the mangled carcass of a rat, its body torn asunder by her jagged claws.

The raptor's tail twitched, a whip-like motion that sent a cascade of pebbles skittering across the uneven floor. Her breath came in short, ragged bursts, each exhale a low growl that rumbled through the cavern like distant thunder. The kill before her was insignificant—a mere distraction—but the tension in her muscles spoke of a deeper, more volatile rage.

A rustle of movement broke the silence, faint but deliberate. From the shadows emerged a compy, its small, agile form nearly lost against the jagged backdrop of the cave. Its scales were a dull, mottled gray, and its eyes glinted with a mixture of fear and reverence as it approached the raptor.

"Your Highness," the compy began, its voice a high, reedy whisper that echoed unnaturally in the cavern's depths. "We found her. Your daughter. She's with the humans—those scattered military remnants. And... there are new ones. They arrived this morning."

The black raptor's head snapped toward the compy, her eyes narrowing to slits. The air seemed to crackle with the intensity of her gaze, and for a moment, the compy froze, its tiny limbs trembling under the weight of her attention.

"Find them," the raptor growled, her voice a low, guttural rumble that seemed to vibrate through the very stone. Her claws flexed, gouging deep furrows into the earth. "Kill them. But bring my daughter to me. Alive."

The compy nodded rapidly, its head bobbing like a leaf caught in a storm. "Yes, Your Highness. We will obey."

With a flick of her tail, the raptor dismissed the compy, sending it scurrying back into the shadows. Alone once more, she turned her gaze to the cave's entrance, where faint slivers of light pierced the darkness. Her breath steadied, but the fire in her eyes burned brighter, hotter.

Her daughter. Taken.

The humans—those scattered, desperate remnants of a broken force—had dared to cross her. They had no idea who they were dealing with. No idea the storm they had unleashed.

The raptor's claws dug deeper into the ground, her muscles coiling like springs. She would find them. She would tear through their ranks like a blade through flesh, leaving nothing but ruin in her wake. And when she had her daughter back, she would make them regret ever setting foot in her domain.

The cave seemed to hold its breath as the raptor stepped forward, her movements deliberate, her presence a force of nature. The hunt was on.

SCENEBREAK

You walked along the edge of the starlit field, nose lifted as you sniffed for any horses you could use. Ghost had told you that you needed to leave, that someone among your ranks was planning to kill you. You didn't know who, and frankly, you didn't care. You hadn't wanted it to come to this, but you supposed being among the last humans on the planet did something to people's minds.

Your eyes settled on a beautiful black mare grazing under the moonlight, her coat shimmering like liquid night. You approached her slowly, movements graceful and fluid, like a predator stalking its prey. You reached out and ran a claw down her face, feeling the warmth of her breath as she nickered softly and nudged you with her nose.

"Hello, beautiful," you murmured, voice low and smooth. "What's your name?"

Your claw trailed down her neck, fingers brushing against a small leather sheath hanging by her mane. You slid it open, finding a name tag tucked inside. "Black Beauty, huh?" you read aloud, a chuckle escaping your lips as you tossed your hair back. "I always thought Black Beauty was supposed to be a stallion, but why not? You're more than pretty enough to carry that name."

You smiled at her, fingers gently stroking her glossy neck. "We're leaving, darling," you whispered. "We're going to distant lands. Places where no one can ever find us again."

Black Beauty nickered again, tossing her head as if she understood. You nodded, a melancholic shadow crossing your face. "I know... I don't want to leave this place either." You looked out at the vast horizon, the distant mountains silhouetted against the night sky. "But Ghost knows this land better than anyone. If he says it's dangerous, then we can't stay."

You took a step back, reluctant to leave her side. "Wait here. I'll just go get my saddlebag."

You turned and made your way to where your saddlebag was hidden. But just as your fingers wrapped around the worn leather strap, you heard footsteps behind you. You spun around, lips curling back to reveal sharp teeth, a warning growl rumbling in your chest.

But it was only Hunter and Crosshair, emerging from the shadows like silent phantoms. Hunter's face was solemn, his eyes filled with something unspoken, while Crosshair stood a little further back, his arms crossed and expression unreadable.

"Why are you here?" you asked, voice guarded but tinged with curiosity. You managed a thin smile, a mask of confidence.

"We came to say goodbye," Hunter said quietly. "We heard from your guard that you were leaving."

Crosshair leaned casually against a tree, his posture deceptively relaxed. "We could just shoot you, you know," he remarked, voice cold and calculated as always. "Would be a lot easier."

You laughed, a low, humorless sound. "Thanks, but no thanks," you replied smoothly, eyes gleaming with a predator's confidence. "I wouldn't want to put that burden on you." You lifted your chin defiantly. "I'm going somewhere far away. Somewhere no one can follow."

Your gaze softened as you looked at them both, eyes lingering on Hunter's conflicted expression and Crosshair's steely demeanor. "You two should leave too," you continued, voice dropping to a solemn whisper. "If someone wants me dead, they'll probably come after you as well. No one's safe anymore."

Hunter sighed heavily, his shoulders sagging under an invisible weight. "We know," he admitted, his voice low and tired. Crosshair didn't say a word, but his eyes flickered with an emotion too brief to name, and that was enough. You knew they understood. That they would miss you.

You took a step back, heart heavy but resolute. "Goodbye," you whispered before turning away, walking back to Black Beauty, ready to ride into the night toward an uncertain future.

"Wait," Hunter called, and you stopped just before placing your foot in the stirrup. His voice was softer than you'd ever heard it, heavy with emotion. "Take care of yourself, okay? We'll find you... when things have calmed down here."

You turned your head, a bittersweet smile playing on your lips as you looked back over your shoulder. "Thanks, Hunter. It means a lot that you care." You hesitated, your eyes flicking to the ground for a moment before you faced them fully, your gaze intense and unwavering. "But do me a favor."

Hunter's brows furrowed, and even Crosshair leaned in, his guarded expression softening just a fraction.

"Look after my crew. Ghost, Soap, Price... all of them. Even the one who wants me dead. And... take care of yourselves. And little Omega too." Your voice cracked just slightly at the mention of the youngest member of their family, the one you wished you could say goodbye to the most. Your eyes shimmered with unshed tears, but you blinked them away, refusing to let them fall. "One day, we'll see each other again. And everything will be better. I promise."

You didn't wait for them to respond. Turning swiftly, you swung yourself up into the saddle, settling onto Black Beauty's strong back. You gathered the reins in your hands and gave one last, lingering look at the two shadows standing beneath the moonlight, their faces etched with worry and sorrow.

Without another word, you urged Black Beauty forward, her powerful legs carrying you away, hooves thundering against the earth. The wind whipped at your hair, tears finally escaping as the distance grew between you and the only people you had left. You didn't look back. You couldn't. If you did, you'd never be able to leave.

The night swallowed you whole, and soon, you were nothing but a memory fading into the darkness.

SCENEBREAK

In her cave, the black raptor lay sprawled, her eyes gleaming with predatory satisfaction. "Well done, Mahito," she purred, her voice echoing off the stone walls as she looked down at the young curse standing at her feet. "You scared her enough to make her run. Now, we'll be able to dismantle her pathetic little organization piece by piece... and drive her right into our claws." Her lips curled into a wicked grin, sharp teeth glinting in the dim light.

Mahito's eyes sparkled with mischievous glee as he nodded eagerly. "Of course, Master. Can I tell Geto too? He should know about this," he suggested, his voice almost playful.

The black raptor's laughter reverberated through the cave, low and menacing. "Why would you share this little operation with your other friends?" she hissed, her tail flicking impatiently. "You know how gossipy they can be." Her piercing eyes narrowed, and with one swift movement, she lowered her head, dragging a curved claw slowly down Mahito's face, just enough to remind him who held the power.

"Remember who gave you these," she growled, her voice dropping to a deadly whisper, the sharpness of her words cutting deeper than her claw ever could. "And remember what you promised me when I saved you from the edge of death." Her eyes burned with cold fury, a predator's gaze locking onto its prey.

Mahito shivered, a flicker of fear crossing his face before he quickly bowed his head. "Of course, Master. I haven't forgotten," he murmured, his usual cocky demeanor slipping away under her terrifying presence.

"Good," the black raptor whispered, her voice a silken threat. "Because if you do... I'll remind you what true fear is." Her laughter echoed through the cavern as Mahito swallowed nervously, knowing all too well that she meant every word.

SCENEBREAK

The sun was beginning to rise in the west when you finally reached the edge of the ocean. You sighed, patting Black Beauty's sleek neck. "I'm afraid this is where we part ways, my dear," you whispered, voice heavy with sorrow as you dismounted. The saddle and all the gear you had used vanished in an instant, like mist dissolving under the morning sun.

Black Beauty neighed softly, her mane flowing like liquid midnight as she tossed her head. Her dark eyes were full of understanding, yet there was a hint of protest in them.

"No, my friend," you murmured, running your fingers through her silky coat. "I must dive beneath the ocean's depths, and I know you can't follow me there. Go now, and be free, just as you were always meant to be."

The wind carried your words over the sea, a whispered blessing. You took a step back, gesturing toward the distant horizon where the sun was climbing. "Find your herd, Beauty. Survive this world and live the life you deserve."

Black Beauty snorted, her muscles rippling as she looked back at you one last time, her eyes reflecting the golden light. Then, with a flick of her tail, she turned and galloped away, her powerful legs carrying her toward freedom. You watched her silhouette grow smaller, a shadow against the rising sun, until she was gone.

Turning to the water, you took a deep breath and dove into the cold embrace of the sea. The shock of it was biting, but invigorating, wrapping around you like icy silk. You swam deeper, the sunlight fading as the water grew darker, colder.

Before long, a seahorse appeared, shimmering in the deep blue. Its translucent fins glowed softly, casting a gentle light, and its long, flowing mane sparkled like stardust as it tossed its head.

"Hello," you greeted, your voice a bubbly whisper that floated to the surface above. For a moment, you were surprised to find you could breathe underwater, but then you remembered—this was magic you had cast on yourself long ago, back when you were still young and fearless. Back when you loved coming here, to the depths of the sea.

"Can you take me to Atlantis?" you asked, your words ringing clearly through the water. The seahorse nodded, its eyes wise and ancient, and lowered itself so you could mount. You climbed onto its back, its scales cool and smooth beneath your fingers.

With a flick of its tail, the seahorse shot forward, gliding effortlessly through the ocean depths. You held on tightly as the world around you became a swirl of colors and lights, the sea alive with creatures you had almost forgotten. You were headed toward the deep, the beautiful deep where your new life awaited you. Where destiny waited, shrouded in the mysteries of Atlantis.