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Chapter 17
publish date:
2020-11-13 02:45:41Chapter 17
>Gardens. Night<
We all gaze up towards the Blood Moon. The inevitable is happening now. Stella has initiated the final part of the ritual by harnessing this celestial event. I simply stare at the moon, feeling helpless. No, I shouldn´t feel helpless. I have the capability to do something about this. I am going to face Stella, and I am going to defeat her.
Lucas steps beside me. “Do you feel any different?” “I do. Having defeated Liam, I feel this power coursing through me. It´s as if this reservoir of strength has opened up within me and I can tap into it.” (Nolan) That´s because at the moment you defeated Liam, you became a true Alpha. You´ve unlocked your true potential as a First Wolf. Earning an Alpha status through trial by combat is scarier than just bowing down to your Alpha.” “Although why do I feel like there´s something else?” “What is it?” (Lucas) “You think it´s the Blood Moon?” “I don´t know.” (Nolan) “It´s a possibility though. After Stella has eliminated the descendants of the First Wolf, she also attempted to destroy every compendium or grimoire that mentions the lore. Much of the knowledge that we possess about the First Wolf of the five original werewolves was handed down through word of mouth by our elders. And of course, from the oracles. There´s probably an entire lore about the First Wolf that still requires unearthing.”
“Stella worked so hard to wipe out my entire line. So she can be certain that I will wipe her from the face of this earth in return. All of this rage I feel within me, it´s more powerful than before, although this time I feel as though I can control it.” “Then use it to your advantage. If you´re able to channel it, then you can easily defeat Stella.” “That´s what I´m depending on.”
We continue to what the eclipse, as if mesmerized by it. “How can something so beautiful portend something so terrible?” (Patrick) “I´m uncertain how the ritual works, however the eclipse should last for about an hour. Do you think Stella will become fully immortal by then?” “I believe so.” I stand there observing Patrick. He´s worried. That much is apparent. And so he should be. He must enter into the battle knowing how high the stakes are.
(Amelia) “It´s frustrating that there is no way that we can prevent Stella from becoming immortal.” (Lucas) “Well, her immortality is short-lived anyway once Laura is done with her. It will be the briefest immortality in the history of immortals.” (Nolan) “I suggest we don´t underestimate Stella. Once she is immortal, Stella cannot be killed by any other weapons. And although it´s true that Laura can kill her, the fact remains that Stella is able to kill Laura.” (Liam) “I agree with Nolan. Stella is a very powerful witch after all.” (Nolan) “Let´s not forget that the prophecy says that only a descendant of the First Wolf has the potential to kill Stella. It does not foretell the actual demise of Stella at the hand of a descendant of the First Wolf.” (Lucas) “Well, that´s really reassuring, Nolan. Thanks for mentioning it just before the final battle.” Nolan holds up his hands. “I´m only saying that these prophecies are open to interpretation. I´ve lived with the oracles long enough to gain a deeper comprehension of how they work. And most of the time, according to old scrolls I have read, prophecies have a tendency to be construed in the wrong way.” (Amelia) “Which is precisely the reason why I don´t trust these oracles and their prophecies. Damn them.” “Although I have been cautious about these oracles right from the outset. They haven´t given me any reason not to trust them. So far, what they have told me has been to our benefit.” Amelia remains silent at my pronouncement.
(Nolan) “Look, all I know is that we must help Laura in whatever way that we can once we finally face Stella. We need to help her fulfil her purpose.”
Suddenly, I feel his presence and detect his smell. I can tell that he´s far away, yet he´s coming. I step forward, crouching to the ground, my senses on full alert.
(Liam) “What is it, Laura?” “He´s coming.” (Lucas) “Laura, who are you talking about? I don´t see anyone.” “Laurence is coming.” And now he´s coming fast.
All of a sudden, Laurence is in front of us. I stand abruptly, prepared to fight. “Laurence!” Liam shouted. “Why are you here? What do you want?” Laurence smiles at me menacingly. “I come here to bring you a message. From the witch Stella. It´s a message that she instructed me to deliver, once her transformation is complete. Stella has your mother Claire.” “What?” I can´t believe what I´m hearing. “So, if you want to see her alive one final time, then you must come to the old manor on Wolf Creek Road.” (Liam) “Laurence, what did you do?” “Oh, I didn´t do anything. This was all Stella´s work. As a matter of fact, she also told me to do this.” Laurence pulls out a wooden stake from beneath the folds of his coat. We all assume a fighting stance, ready to subdue the vampire. However, he then does the unexpected. Laurence suddenly drives the wooden stake through his own chest. “Laurence!” Liam screamed.
Red cracks appear across his skin, as he seems to combust from within. Within seconds, Laurence has turned to ashes.
(Amelia) “What the hell just happened? Why would he do that?” (Nolan) “He´s evidently under some form of mind control.”
I glance at Liam, who is obviously upset. “Liam, are you all right?” “I´ve prepared myself for this day, the moment when Laurence would align himself with Stella. Laurence had it coming. However, Stella is going to pay nonetheless.” “She will, Liam. She will.”
(Lucas) “Where´s this old manor that he talked about anyway? There´s no old manor on Wolf Creek Road.” (Nolan) “There isn´t. It was burned down decades ago.” “How do you know that?” “I used to go hunting when I was younger, which is when I discovered the ruins.” “Your secret place when we were younger.” Nolan nods. “Yes.” “Lead the way then.”
I begin transforming into my wolf form, with my pack doing the same. This shift is painless. As a matter of fact, it is invigorating. I´ve never felt so powerful. The transformation lasts only a few brief moments. When the shift has been completed, I howl at the Blood Moon above. The pack, fully transformed, howls with me.
“Nolan.”
>Woods. Night<
Nolan darts towards the woods, into which we all follow. “I´m tapping into your mind Nolan. I want to see the location of this burned down manor.” Nolan opens his mind to me; I see a memory of the path he took to reach the old manor. Now that I know precisely where it is, I realize that I know a much faster route. I reach out to the remainder of the pack with my mind. “I know a quicker way to get to the manor. Follow me.”
I veer from the path and the pack follows. I run as rapidly as my four legs will carry me. There´s no time to waste. We need to get there as rapidly as we can. I simply can´t allow anything bad to happen to my mom. I´m coming, Mom.
>Ruins of an old manor. Courtyard. Night<
The path off Wolf Creek Road that leads to the old manor is obscured from untrained eyes. We leap over the overgrowth that conceals the path. We continue racing down the path; I see a set of gates covered up in vines up ahead. Without slowing down, I leap over the gates and land on the other side. The remainder of the pack land beside me, and we find ourselves within a vast courtyard. There´s barely anything remaining of the burned down manor, except for the charred stone foundations.
I stop in the middle of the courtyard, right before what appears to be the steps leading up to where the manor´s front door used to be. However, what makes me stop in my tracks are the two women standing atop the steps. It´s my mom, her face expressionless, while the other woman must be Stella.
“Mom.” It appears as if Stella has my mom under some sort of mind control. (Patrick) “Careful, Laura.” (Liam) “Don´t go any closer.” Stella smiles. “Laura.”
(Lucas) “So that´s Stella. I want to bite her face off already.” Stella turns to Lucas. “Bold words for a werewolf of your caliber.” (Lucas) “Oh, shit.” (Laura) “You can hear us?” “I am a witch of myriad talents.” Stella laughs. “How did you like my message? I was feeling slightly dramatic by that time, pardon me. You see, these vampires, they´re so easy to control. Unlike you werewolves, your Alpha system makes you invulnerable to mind manipulation. It´s infinitely annoying. Which is why I began my own breed of werewolves.”
Three black werewolves, rabid and feral, appear from behind Stella and my mom. Four more emerge from behind, blocking any way out. Robert´s face flashes across my mind, as the black wolves´ presence reminds me of him. “You´ll pay for what you did to Robert.” “Whatever Robert did, he did it because of you. I merely guided him along the way. He just needed a little push.” “You turned him into a monster.” “Did I? Or was it you who turned him into a monster? Come to think of it, Laura. That poor boy was in love with you, however you continued pushing him away, stringing him along and then pushing him away once again. That´s got to take a toll. And now, he´s dead. That´s on your head.” (Liam) “That´s enough! Let´s get this over with.”
Stella gazes at Liam, interest sparking in her eyes. “Ah, the pale wolf. It barks.” “Yeah, and it also bites.” Liam charges forward. “Not so fast, hybrid.” Stella´s eyes glow red, and Liam stops his tracks. Suddenly Liam sheds his wolf form. Now, the problem with a vampire´s thrall is that it may be exploited to work the other way around. It´s what makes you easy controllable. Manipulating you is child´s play.”
Stella beckons for Liam to come forward, which he is compelled to do. “Just like when I sent my witch to Midnight Harbor. She whispered in your ear, planted thoughts inside your head. Brought your vampire side to the surface. Then you fed on her and killed her.” Stella laughs maniacally.
With a gesture from Stella, Liam wheels around to face us. His fangs are out and his eyes are red. “Now this should make things interesting.” Stella´s eyes are upon me now. “You want your mother, Laura?” Leave your pack and let them play with my puppets. Come and get your mother.”
Stella and my mom retreat into the ruins of the old manor, as the black wolves descend from the steps. I move forward to confront the wolves. (Lucas) “Laura, what are you doing?” “I can´t just leave you guys. You´re outnumbered. I´ll take care of these four. You guys take care of the others then subdue Liam.”
The black wolves break into a run; I charge them head on. I knock the fastest of the three out of my path with a single swipe of my claws. The next one I mangle with my jaws, as the third manages to bury its razor-sharp teeth into my back. As the second wolf falls lifeless to the ground, I reach behind for the third wolf and tear it in half. When I turn around, I am face-to-face with Liam. Liam charges at me, although Lucas intercepts him.
Suddenly, black wolves begin emerging from all directions. (Lucas) “Laura, just go! We´ll take care of this!” Without another word, I race up the steps and into the manor´s burned down ruins.
>Empty field. Night<
I discover my mom and Stella standing a few yards away. “Laura.” The sound of my name from her lips disgust me. “Are you aware of why I chose this place?” “I don´t. And I don´t care.” “Too bad. You´ll be unable to appreciate the poetry of your own death, once the ground is awash with your blood.” “I´m done playing your games. Just let my mother go and come and face me, Stella.” I rush forward, lunging for Stella.
Out of nowhere, a sphere of energy hits me, sending me hurtling through the air. I land on the ground, from where I see the energy ball had originated from. My mom is holding her hands before her, palms outward and smoke emanating from them. “Mom?” Mom takes a step forward. “I´m sorry, Laura.” “Mom, snap out of it! She´s controlling you!” Stella´s shrill laugh mingles with the sounds of the night. “Oh, you silly little girl. I don´t control your mother's actions. She´s merely doing what she´s sworn to do.” I glance from Stella to my mother, confused. What is going on?
“That is right. Your mother never revealed to you the truth of her history.” “What truth are you talking about? Tell me now.” “Claire and I didn´t start out as enemies. We were friends once. As a matter of fact, we became more than that. She became my paramour.”
I can scarcely believe what I´m hearing. Stella any my mom were lovers? “Besides that, Claire is also my trusted Lieutenant. She´s done so many terrible things in my name. One of them was the massacre at Frogcreek House.”
I stare at my mother. “You know what else?” “Stella, stop!” Stella shoots her a contemptuous look. “I want Laura to hear the truth from me.” “I don´t want to hear it. I don´t want to hear any of your lies. My mother may have made many mistakes in her past, but I believe that she´s already made up for them. I know that she´s a good person deep down, because she raised me to be one. Although that doesn´t mean that I will spare your own life for all your wrongdoings. Your time ends now, Stella.”
I am about to attack, when my mom steps in front of Stella to protect her. “Don´t. I am under a blood oath that cannot be broken. I am sworn to protect Stella from a true Alpha of the First Wolf´s line. That´s you, Laura. The moment you defeated your pack, you become that wolf. Now I have to kill you. The call of the blood oath is becoming stronger. I am attempting with all my might to fight back against what it´s urging me to do. However, with each passing moment that I don´t fulfill the oath, the magic that binds me is slowly killing me from within.”
Now it is evident to me that my mother is struggling, as tears roll down her cheeks. “I´m sorry, Laura. For everything.” Mom brings her hand up, with a sphere of crackling energy materializing on her palm. She drives her hands forward, sending the energy ball hurtling towards me at considerable speed. I dodge just in time, with the energy hitting a pile of debris behind me that causes it to explode.
I stare in horror at the destruction the energy ball has caused. I circle around as my mother hurls orbs of energy at me, evading the attacks that each leave me a smaller crater in the ground. “Fight me, Laura. The only way to stop me is to kill me.” I know that I must subdue her somehow. But to what end? The blood oath will eventually kill my mom if she doesn´t fulfill her purpose. With a burst of speed, I charge at my mother. I lunge for her, tackling her to the ground and landing on top of her. She drives an orb into my face, although I manage to catch it in my mouth. The orb is caught between my jaws, crackling with energy. Summoning my strength, I snap my jaws shut, effectively disabling the orb. It dissipates, leaving my maw smoking.
I growl at my mother, who has suddenly caught my jaws in her hands and is attempting to rip them apart. She is stronger than I previously anticipated. I lath on to her arms, struggling to get her off me. Then, with one powerful kick, I manage to send her hurtling to the ground. “Kill me now, Laura, before I kill you myself!” My mother´s face is contorted in a menacing glare. I´ve never seen this side of her before. It´s as though she´s become an entirely different person.
“There has to be another way out of this, Mom.” “A blood oath is unbreakable. Not even a werewolf´s bite is able to shatter the spell. This is the only way.” Her face softens then, and I see my mother again. The woman who raised me. “Please, moonbug.” Her face returns to its murderous mask once again.
An orb of energy issues from my mother´s hand, hitting me in the face and sending me toppling to the ground. I am momentarily dazed. That was an incredibly powerful blast that would have killed an ordinary werewolf. My mom moves towards me, grabbing me by the throat. Using a supernatural strength, I never knew she had, my mom lifts me to my feet. “Mom...” Once again, I can see the pain in her eyes. My mother is suffering. I must end it somehow. I have to end this now. I struggle to give her a nod against the force of my mother´s grip on my throat. As she finally comprehends what I´m about to do, my mom smiles gratefully at me. “Thank you...” I drive my claws into her chest, ripping her heart out. My mother dies instantly.
I howl out in pain. I did what I was compelled to do, yet it´s still painful. I gather my mother in my arms, pulling her closer towards me. My mother is gone. I can´t breathe. I can´t move. Why does it have to be this way?
“What a shame. I was really hoping to witness what happens when a blood oath is unfulfilled. Oh, well.” Stella smiles at me.
“You!” I gingerly release my mother´s lifeless form, climbing to my feet. “You´re a monster and you should no longer exist.” “I´m simply a woman taking control of my own destiny.” “No. You are a woman attempting to escape your fate, which is death. All humans must die when their time comes. That includes you. You´ve killed so many people. To what end? Just so you can extend your own life?” “You know nothing about me, you stupid girl.” “You know what? I don´t plan on getting to know you. I just know that I have to end you. You´ve ruined so many lives. It´s time you pay for your crimes.”
Stella´s eyes glow red as I speed towards her. Before I can wrap my claws around her throat, Liam blocks my path. Liam grabs me by the wrist, although I can manage to break out of his grip. Without hesitation I backhand Liam, sending him hurtling to the side like a ragdoll. I scream in fury as I attack Stella, slashing her face with my claws. She doesn´t even flinch as I slash her skin apart. Her wounds simply heal rapidly and return to normal. Stella grabs a boulder with one hand and crushes it against the side of my head, smashing it into million pieces. She´s definitely far stronger than my mother.
Claws out, I swing my arms to swipe at Stella´s face. However, she catches my hand and twists it, breaking my wrist in the process. Then she blasts me with an orb of dark energy, resulting in me careering through the air and landing several yards away. It hurts like hell.
“You cannot defeat me, First Wolf. I wield the power of an entire coven of witches. I am also imbued with the demonic energies of a clan of vampires. So you are no match against me.” I smile inwardly. I am not about to lose hope now. “Perhaps I am no match against your powers. Although I do have something that you don´t possess.” Stella peers at me curiously. “And what is that?” “I have them.”
One by one, the members of my pack climb up the steps, walking across the ruins and joining my side. They have defeated the black wolves. Now it´s time to defeat Stella. Together.
