Battle of the Elements

We were outside the castle walls within a day. I had a different horse this time, he was brown with a white strip in-between his eyes, I decided not to name him.

Shane sat atop his black horse, he looked as if he belonged on it, like he was built for adventure. He and Bridgette were laughing at something they had said – maybe a joke about the past.

Melanie and Jake sat on their horses, talking to each other about something. I felt a hand on my knee and looked down.

My father stood on the ground. He smiled, “You’re off again?”

I nodded and smiled.

He smiled back, “I hope it’s a girl.” He said.

I felt my face turn to shock, “How did you-?”

“I am a doctor Titania. You really think I didn’t know?” he said with a laugh. “Either way, I hope it’s a girl. And I hope she turns out just like her mother.” He said before he squeezed my knee before stepping away.

I kicked my horse’s sides lightly and it took off in a gallop.

After a while, we left the kingdom behind, letting it disappear behind us. We pulled to a stop as the sun went below the horizon. Shane put a hand out, gesturing for us to stop. He and Bridgette shared a serious look as the group fell silent.

There was a few sounds in the woods, some birds chirping, the wind rustling through trees, but all of a sudden, the birds all stopped chirping. I heard a snap of a twig to my right. I pulled my hand into a fist, ready to send a tree shooting out of the ground and into the new threat.

Melanie had her hand on her katana and Jake had a knife in his hand. Bridgette gave Shane a look and leapt off her horse soundlessly and disappeared into the woods slowly.

Two golden eyes gleamed through the trees, a growl came from the woods and I turned as something lunged at me.

I heard Shane yell, I felt pain erupting in both shoulders, something was pinning me down with daggers that dug into my shoulders.

The creature was off, being shoved away. Shane was with me in a moment, there was something dark on his hands. Blood. Was he hurt? No, that was my blood.

I felt pain throbbing down my arms and up my neck. Dots clouded my vision. All I could here was growling and snarling, he dark spots blacked out the last of Shane and everything stopped.

Jake

I felt the buzzing feeling I always got when I transformed, it started in my fingers and toes and spread until it clouded my thoughts and took over my whole body.

I lunged onto the giant wolf, colliding into it with great force. Its teeth sank into my throat but I didn’t stop, I clawed at its eyes and nose. I heard Melanie leaping off her horse.

I heard a cry from the woods – Bridgette. Bridgette was thrown out of the trees from something I couldn’t see. She landed against a tree with a moan, but leapt off her feet a moment after with a fire in her eyes.

The wolf’s claws nicked my mouth and I tasted something foul. They were using kyceon: a plant juice that, when placed in a wound, makes the victim’s senses fail and makes the wound twice as painful. They were coating their claws and teeth in kyceon.

I slammed the wolf to the ground at full force, lifting him up by his fur, then back down again.

A voice called out inside my mind, “Jake?”

I froze. The wolf did the same, but looked at me with its golden eyes.

I spoke inside my head, “Brian?”

“Jake!” his voice shouted inside my head.

I leapt off him and I felt the buzzing feeling disappear as I changed back into my human form.

He did the same. Brian stood in front of me, he had the same skin, hair and eye colour as I did, but he was shorter than me and had slightly broader shoulders. He had always said that it wasn’t fair I was more ‘physically mature’ than he was – he also said that’s why all the girls liked me.

Brian smiled, the small gap in his front teeth on full display. He gave me a small punch in the shoulder, “Where the hell have you been?”

I smiled, “Here and there.”

“Excuse me!” Shane shouted from behind us. I looked to where he was sitting and holding an unconscious Titania. Melanie had her hand on her katana but didn’t bring it out. Bridgette was looking as confused as Melanie probably felt.

Brian looked at me, “Are these guys with you?” he asked.

I nodded.

Brian whistled. On que, four people emerged from the trees, their eyes still glowing gold from transforming. I recognised some of them instantly. They bowed their heads to me, one of them mumbling something like ‘Welcome back’.

I heard some growling and turned around. Two werewolves were closing in on Melanie – who still had her hand planted firmly on her katana. Melanie was tense as they closed in.

Brian looked at her with disgust, “What the hell is a half-breed doing here?”

Melanie looked at him sternly, “Touch me and I will end you, I don’t care if you are friends of Jake’s.”

Growls erupted from the crowd, two wolves lunged at her. Melanie brought out her katana in one swift motion, you couldn’t even see the sword as she sliced through the air. Yelps of pain sounded through the air as two wolves jumped back, one holding its arm that was dripping blood, the other holding a bloody leg.

Melanie sheathed her katana, “I won’t be as nice next time.”

Brian growled, sending a glare her way, then to me, “Don’t tell me you have a half-breed with you.”

“I don’t see the problem with it.” I said calmly.

Brian looked at me like I was an idiot, “Are you damaged? She’s a half-breed!”

“She’s a Beasta.” I said with a shrug. “She will be allowed in our territory – I will take full responsibility for her.”

Brian gave me a suspicious look but didn’t challenge my authority – he knew who would win.

I nodded and the werewolves all backed away from Melanie. She looked like she had tasted something sour as she eyes the men and women.

Shane had picked Titania up and carried her to one of the horses, “Not to interrupt but,” he shot a deadly look at Brian, “what the hell have you done to her?” he said in a calm voice – which only made him more terrifying.

Brian nodded – probably trying to act like he wasn’t scared of Shane – “She’ll be ok. Morrie can help her.”

Bridgette arched an eyebrow, “Who?”

Brian gave her a wink, – oh god – “You’ll see. Come on.”