Her Soul for Revenge

Hours later, Zane and Juniper arrive at her cabin. Exhaustion makes Juniper snappish when Zane asks about her comfort, which she immediately regrets. Juniper feels that it’s important to bury Marcus herself, so she sets to work despite her weariness. She buries her brother near a large log where she has fond memories of them playing together as children. As she lays him to rest, she weeps and apologizes.

Back inside, Juniper laments enjoying, even briefly, the comforts of Zane’s house, as her cabin’s lack of amenities now seems starker. She sleeps on the floor, feeling guilty about Marcus’s death. She dreams about them playing together as children, promising to be his knight and always protect him. The dream grows frightening as Marcus points to something she can’t see. She tries to find it, but he disappears while her back is turned.

Juniper wakes to the sound of growling Eldbeasts. She’s furious and horrified to realize that they’ve dug up Marcus’s body. She races outside, shooting erratically at the beasts, which attack her back. The numerous beasts snap and bite at her, and Juniper fears that they’ll eat her alive.