AAN: wow another chap amazing huh? Well I hope you enjoy and please R&R.
Nightmares and Dreams
When Holly finally awoke it was almost noon. The others had decided she should rest extra since she was sleeping so peacefully. Akka had remained by her side the whole time, refusing to leave her. Tiger too had stayed near by leaving only when he had to.
"Akka… did you watch over me all night?"
"Yes, I shall be with you at night from now on, if it will help you."
"Thank you, elder."
"We should move out soon. Genki will need to be freed soon, if he is to regain control of his body." Holly shuddered at the thought of the monster wolf in her dreams never returning to the Genki she once knew.
"Akka, I'm worried about him. What if we are too late… and he can never return to his normal self?"
"I doubt that will be the case, but it that occurs then the best option is the kill him. I know he would not want to remain as a murderous Wolfen." A few tears slipped down Holly's cheeks. The elder wolf merely pulled her close nuzzling her as Genki might to comfort her. "We will make it in time, child. He is strong; he will not give up easily. But when we find him you need to tell him of his child. It will give him extra strength to know you are pregnant with his cub."
"I will, elder." She gave the elder wolf a hug in return, and then looked to the monsters who were now watching her. "Guys I want you all to know I am pregnant. Genki and I care a lot for each other…" she blushed as the stared at her in shock, all except Tiger. "And now I carry Genki's child. Akka thinks he or she will be born in human form."
"Actually at the rate your belly is growing I am reconsidering that. In a few months time we shall know for sure. Genki's half-breed blood may alter the time line for the cub's birth. I doubt this cub will give you much trouble though, Holly." Holly looked to her elder surprised to hear this new development.
"Holly, what do we do now?" Hare asked gently.
"We find Genki and set him free. What I see in my nightmares is what he has to live through we must find him before he breaks inside. I can only imagine how he feels being a prisoner in his own body." Holly's voice became soft now.
"Holly we will find him. After all Pixie is working with us and Big Blue." She nodded and rose to get some breakfast.
"We need to get moving soon if we are to meet with Big Blue." Hare stated simply.
"We will after Holly eats." Tiger countered, but did not fight with Hare for a change.
Pixie landed with easy in the open courtyard of Feral's castle. It didn't take long for her to reach him, witnessing his cruelty once again as he killed his latest 'bed bitch'. He sneered at her seeing her repulsed by the blood on his muzzle and claws.
"Not your style Pixie? Maybe you should try having some blood on you someday. It's very innovating." He laughed at her noticing she didn't agree.
"It's not my thing. I enjoy my work as much as you but I would rather not be covered in blood. Besides I doubt it'll come out of my clothes." She walked over to him giving him a lustful kiss then stepping back to whisper, "can you wash up like a good villain before we get on with it?" he pondered a moment.
"I will this once but don't ask again." He left to clean up as Pixie when to his bed chamber. Genki I will find a way to free you I promise. I wish Feral didn't have some much control over you…. I do hate to admit this but I have always been very fond of you. And honestly I had hoped you would choose me rather than Holly. When Feral walked back into the room he immediately summoned her to the bed. Pixie knew she was in for some heated activities for the next few hours and submitted to him; know he had the power to kill her. Not that she could complain anyway, sex with Genki, Feral, was amazing.
A few weeks passed as they continued towards Feral's castle. Pixie relayed information to them through Big Blue who was being careful in his meetings with them. Each meeting he seemed to be fighting them not helping them. Hare had devised a code and as they fought Hare calculated the real meaning and then relayed it to Holly and the rest later. Feral had become increasingly violent towards those around him. Holly knew this herself and lived some of what he was going through in her nightmares. Akka proved to be a sense of security for her on nights when she knew a nightmare was coming or after one had already occurred.
"Holly, maybe we should see what the next village has heard?" Hare suggested noting Holly's large bulge. Akka had been wrong and the cub was developing much faster then expected despite Genki's human form at conception.
"Yes, that might be wise. We also need to stock up on supplies." Genki we are very close please hold on a little longer
They arrived at the village soon enough, and were greeted by stares and cautious movements. Akka had changed to her human form, but still stood out because of her tribal garments. Holly found the market managers eager to make money though. Akka took her time and found some new clothes for herself; once changed the villagers seemed to ignore her. These people are odd. Do they not know the wisdom of being alert? Holly found their contentment in Akka's new look odd too. Hare managed to come upon some information form a dealer and easily bought it off him with some supplies.
"Holly." He pulled her aside, "Feral's castle is only 20 miles north. Also I found out there is and elder of this village that we should speak to before we go there."
"Do you know where this elder is?"
"Yeah, let's find the others and go there." Holly nodded. It was easy enough to find the others, they we all looking around the village attempting to gather information. Even Akka was speaking with an older woman, and making great progress with her herbal wisdom as a bribe. It took about 15 minutes of hiking to reach the elders home. Holly had an odd feeling as soon as they arrived but decided to ignore it.
"Elder are you here?"
"Who is asking for me?"
"My name if Holly, I and my friends wish to speak with you."
"And what have I to say to you, youngsters?"
"Please, we wish to know anything you can tell us about fighting Feral." The door opened now and an elderly man with a cane stood before them. Holly bowed along with Akka in respect for the man. He summoned them inside then locked the door.
"Feral is not to be messed with young lady. You should not fight him."
"Feral was once our friend Genki, Moo is forcing his will on him. We must fight him to bring him back to his former self." The elder seemed intrigued now.
"The only thing he fears is fire. If you wish to beat him you must find a way to use that fear against him. Feral is ruthless he will not give you another chance. Use your chances well; your lives may depend upon it."
"Elder can you tell us what he has done to this village?" Hare inquired.
"Several young girls were taken for his enjoyment. He killed anyone trying to stop him."
"Elder if Genki is freed he may want to come here to reconcile things. Do you think the villagers would kill him?"
"He should not come. They have seen him as a human. He would be killed on sight."
"Alright, thank you for helping us." The elderly man nodded.
"Now go child before the villagers learn of the cub within you." Holly was about to ask what he meant then noticed he had vanished. The group left mystified and headed towards the looming castle in the distance knowing Genki would have no chance to reconcile what he had done as Feral in this village.
A few more weeks passed and Holly's stomach grew to the full size a wolf cub needs in his or her mother's womb. Akka chuckled when Holly began to experience mood swings. The monsters seemed dumbfounded by this new development. One morning Holly woke with a sharp pain in her belly. Realizing her water had broken she woke Akka. Akka in turn woke all the monsters up and got them readying thing for the cub to come. When the time came Akka took charge of the delivery and has Tiger coach Holly.
"Push, Holly."
"I am!" she snapped at the now bewildered Tiger.
"Calm yourself Holly. The cub is almost out. Another hard push should do it." Holly relaxed a few minutes before pushing as hard as she could with the next contraction. She felt her young one slip out allowing her to relax and layback, panting from the experience. Akka brought her the child in a towel and laid the child in her arms. The pup nuzzled his mother as she smiled down to her young. "She's a healthy girl, Holly and a beautiful little girl at that. Those fur colors are very unique." The pup had a tan-red under coat with a gray/white/black topcoat.
"I'm not sure what to call her though."
"You will know her name as you get to know her." Holly nodded,
"When will her eyes open?"
"In a week or so, her ears will also pop up by then. Her eyes will be blue at first, but they will change in a few months. It's rare for a wolf to retain blue eyes." Holly felt another spike in pain, less though as her body cleaned out the afterbirth. Akka helped her clean up and dress, and then made some tea and soup for the morning breakfast.
"Akka, thank you for all your help."
"Your welcome. You will find this pup exhausting I'm sure. I will watch her when you need rest. The pup will learn about her human form in a few months time. Until then we must beware of villages that Feral has attacked." Holly nodded as she listened.
"How long will this little one need milk?"
"About 2 months." She handed Holly some tea and a bowl of soup. Holly gratefully took them and began to eat, holding her put in her lap and one arm as she ate and drank. Her body needing the food after all the energy she had used. After all had their fill they left to head off to Fearl's castle.
It took another 3 weeks to reach the vicinity of the castle. Holly seemed restless each night, the nightmares becoming more intense and lasting longer. She was more then jumping at shadows as they near the castle. Pixie met them outside with Big Blue as she had left Feral's castle. She had drugged the guards for the night, now all the need to do was wait. Pixie confided in Holly that she had had regular visits to Feral's bed. At first Holly seemed upset but easily forgave her knowing Feral could kill Pixie at any time. Pixie gave Hare all of her intelligence about the castle and where guards were placed along with Feral's whereabouts at any point in time during the day or night. Hare carefully calculated a strategy for that nights attack.
"Alright everyone listen up. Since Pixie drugged the outside guards we should sneak in easily but we have to make sure to take out any of the inside guards before they sound any alert. Which means we need a lot of stealth. Akka if you could help with the guards that'd be great." Akka nodded in agreement. "Golem you and Big Blue will handle the doors and the main room. Tiger you and Pixie will go to the dungeon and free all the prisoners. The rest of us will make our way to Feral's room. Once there, Holly you must act as our shield. We know he cannot hurt you; we also need to you to tell Genki of his child. We need Genki to fight as hard as he can against the evil." They all nodded, "any questions?"
"Akka, how do we change Genki back?" Holly asked seemingly anxious.
"Your love will bring him back, you will know what to do when the time comes." Holly didn't seem thrilled by the answer but nodded. Looking towards the castle they all bravely began to march toward it now that dusk had come. Genki please hold on we're coming, please don't let the evil over take your heart.
