From the same universe as Arena.

A distant woodpecker split the silence of the forest, but seemed to realize its mistake, and stopped abruptly. Jane’s boots carefully crunched old leaves. The sound would not carry.

The silence that permeated the forest, the subtle scent that spoke of dangerous beasts and wild places. The feeling that something was always watching you. These signs told Jane that it was close.

A stick cracked. Jane spun around, searching. She had followed its trail for days, but the creature always seemed to be just ahead, just out of sight. Now she could feel it. Something was different.

Jane pulled out a slip of paper from her pocket and held it in her left hand. It was small, but should be plenty for what she had in mind.

Jane crept forwards. Her hair stood on end as she held herself ready for an attack that never came. Jane rounded a large tree and spotted it. It was huge, lying in the grass in a small clearing.

The tiger slept. In the day. For a moment Jane was suspicious. It had to be a trap. But she needed this. It was the only way. Besides, beasts were known for being unpredictable, and this one lacked the intelligence to set such a trap.

Jane crept forwards, careful not to step on anything that might bring those ears swiveling. She was careful to approach from downwind, which also happened to be towards the creature’s back.

The beast was huge. Even lying down it’s shoulders reached her waist. The smell the smell threatened to overwhelm her. More so, the pressure of it’s magical presence pushed at her from all sides.

Jane’s stomach did somersaults. Before she could think twice, Jane stole herself and pounced. The action felt huge, but in reality was quite small. Her had pressed against the beast’s side. It’s fur was silky smooth, and rippled when she touched it.

The feeling in the air changed so abruptly Jane had no time to react before her aura was being attacked on all sides. A massive force threatening to crush her. She felt cracks form. Her aura was crumbling under the force.

The beast was not asleep. She had underestimated her opponent. Jane pushed against the force for all she was worth. It was no use. She couldn't stand against the creature.

Jane instinctively changed tactics. Her minimal practice paying off. Instead of resisting she deflected the attacking aura. It slid towards the paper like water through a funnel. As soon as it contacted the paper all of the pressure vanished. The aura was flooding into the paper, but not fast enough. A spear of concentrated aura broke through her meager defenses. She had spent all her energy reinforcing her outer shell. Her interior gave no resistance.

Jane screamed as the hand touching the tiger twisted painfully. This was not the gentle touch of an absorber’s work. This was the raw power of a beast. Her fingers shortened, her thumb pulling back. Claws and pads sprouted, followed by short fur, orange and white. The fur spread up her arm, the bones in her wrist and hand popping and reforming. The fur spread, slower and slower up her arm. It seemed like forever before it stopped. When it did the malicious aura had disappeared.

Jane took a deep breath. Instead of a massive tiger, a tiny girl remained. A spec of beastly aura floated inside of the girl’s. Jane had not cured her, such things were impossible, but she had done the next best thing.

On the slip of paper clutched tightly in her still human hand were words where none had been before. An immensely detailed description of the beast that had tricked her. She would tuck it in a hollow. Someplace it was sure to never be discovered.

Jane carefully placed it in her pocket. Then she scooped up her daughter, and began the long trek back to civilization.