The Last Lycan
Set in an old, enchanted world, a young mage stumbles upon a reclusive Lycan, who has lost her powers of transformation. The Lycan distrusts humans because of its past and thus, the mage finds herself thrown into the topmost tower as a prisoner for trespassing.
A/N: Hi readers! Seems like I'm in time for this update! I actually made it an M chapter, but decided to hold it for now. So, it'll not be a very long chapter, but please be patient, the next chapter in the works. Will not reveal much here :) Appreciate your support and reviews very much!
Chapter 10
Italics – Thoughts
Couple of Days Later
Grey eyes watches in disbelief as she hears the honey-haired beauty call out for someone. Her eyes widened further when a huge beast appears and Shizuru breaks out into a smile, before running toward it, falling into the arms of that hideous looking monster.
She turns her head away, furor in her eyes. She had followed Shizuru for four whole days and this was what she got in return?! Snarling, she glares back at the scene that was unfolding before her eyes. Her Goddess then buries her head in the abomination's disgusting, matted fur. This was unreal. This was impossible. That beast must have used its vile magic of sorts to make Shizuru behave like this. There was no way anyone could love a monster.
Tomoe retreats into the shadows, disappearing into the darkness.
She had to get Shizuru out of that monster's grasp. She had to save her Queen from being defiled. To top it off, it seemed like a wonderful way to amass more power. She could take over the entire castle and instate herself as master of the castle, with Shizuru by her side.
Yes, that sounded pleasant.
Her parents were successful merchants, so they had more than enough gold for her to amass a small army under her command. She would take the castle that rightfully belonged to her, not some ugly monster. It did not deserve these luxuries at all! She shakes her head in anger. It did not deserve Shizuru!
Yes. She would return. And in force. Oh, Shizuru would be so proud of her.
Far Ahead
Natsuki lifts her head, sniffing the air and cocked her head. Shizuru notices Natsuki's behaviour and moves beside her, "What's wrong, Natsuki?"
"I'm not sure, Shizuru. I thought I smelt someone else.." she shakes her head, "I think I'm just too overwhelmed by the new scents. It's nothing, Shizuru."
Aldred notices the pair whispering and turns to them, extending a hand, "Great to finally meet you. I'm Aldred Viola and this is my wife, Elvira Viola. Shizuru was telling us how she had spent the last few months, and I'm really grateful for your care of her."
"U-uhm. It's nothing, Sir," Natsuki, unfamiliar with usual customs tilts her head curiously, looking at the extended arm.
Shizuru immediately wraps her hand around Natsuki's arm and Natsuki lowers her head as Shizuru whispers, "Shake my father's hand, Natsuki. It's a form of greeting that we use."
"Oh. Okay!" Natsuki sheepishly nods, sending Shizuru a grateful look and grasps Aldred's hand firmly. She gives him a smile, revealing a side of her canines that looked absolutely adorable to Shizuru. Natsuki bends down and picks up the crates by Aldred and Elvira, "Let me help you get that in." She picks up the Violas' luggage with ease, disappearing into the castle, but not before sending Shizuru a smile that said, 'I won't be long'.
"Natsuki's such a peach, 'Zuru!" Elvira had silently noted the chemistry between the pair, gushes to her daughter. "I can feel that she's genuinely nice too." She cups a hand over her mouth, "And so handsome too! I wonder how she looks in her human form."
Shizuru face turns somber. She'd have to tell her parents about this. And since they were experienced mages, perhaps they could offer some help too. "Mother, about that.. Natsuki was cursed a very long time ago by a dark shaman. Her entire clan was turned into stone. Her aunties were able to counter the spell in the nick of time to save Natsuki, but as a result, she has lost her ability to shift back into a human."
Aldred raises a brow, "Dark shaman, Shizuru? Their spells are hard to undo, mostly because it involves a sacrifice from the magus himself."
"Father, if you have any information about those spells.."
He shakes his head sadly, "I do have some books with information but unfortunately, to even apply and reverse the spell, it would take an extremely powerful mage."
"Ara, can I borrow those books, father?"
"Sure, Shizuru. They're in the boxes that Natsuki carried. We could run through them together later."
Shizuru nods gratefully, "Ara, thank you father!" She spots four bobbing redheads and a dark wolf coming out of the castle and beams, "Mother, Father. I believe the rest of Natsuki's family is here to welcome you."
Both Aldred and Elvira turn around and wave to an eager group. Introductions were made as Natsuki returns to Shizuru's side, earning herself a soft 'thank you' for helping her parents move the heavier luggage to their room. The mages on both sides were taken immediately with one another and a hearty chatter had befallen them as Amber and Julia led the Violas into the castle. Mai turns backwards, mouthing to Natsuki, "You coming?"
Nao, who was beside her, sporting a cheeky grin on her lips, cuts in, "Come on Sis, they were separated for almost a week. Give them some time alone, wouldja?"
"Oh!" Mai's eyes widen for a second but she quickly sent them a knowing glance, "I'll keep this nosy parker occupied!" and drags Nao away. "Also, take your time!" she calls out, followed by a burst of laughter.
The pair watches as Mai and Nao disappear into the castle, their boisterous banter getting fainter and fainter before it subsides entirely. Natsuki turns her head to search for her beloved, only to find that Shizuru had already taken the first move and had pounced on her back.
Natsuki laughs at Shizuru's playfulness, her head turned and glancing back fondly at Shizuru, "I'm glad you're home, Shizuru."
"Ara, so am I. I've missed my Natsuki so much," Shizuru murmurs, burying her nose into Natsuki and inhaling lightly. "I'm sorry I took longer than expected."
"As long as you're home safely, Shizuru. Hang on tight, okay?" Natsuki returns Shizuru's affection by gently bumping her forehead against Shizuru's. Shizuru nods, tightening her grasp around Natsuki's neck as Natsuki pads towards their room with Shizuru hitching a piggyback ride from her. She gently lowers Shizuru onto their bed and the brunette falls backwards on the so fabric, snuggling against the quilt that she had missed.
Natsuki watches her with a smile – Shizuru was home and so were her parents. What could go wrong?
XXX
Approx a week later, back in the town
"Father, I need money," Tomoe fixes her grey eyes on her father, who was seated at the dinner table. She had just arrived home after a four day journey and was rather disheveled.
The Marguerite patriarch eyes her, his brow creasing and his wife Mara easily picks up on the conversation, "Whatever for, Tomoe?"
"I need to hire an army to take down a castle!" Tomoe huffs in annoyance and crosses her arms.
"What?" Tomoe's father, Ubel, bellows in retort, "What ludicrous idea do you have in your head now? There are no castles anywhere around!"
Mara quickly calms her husband down, "Tomoe, please explain yourself, honey."
"I came across a castle with a rampaging beast, mother! And it has Shizuru captive! I wish to slay it and occupy the castle. That beast does not deserve such a luxury anyway. I mean, imagine what we could do with a castle, father!"
Ubel went silent, slowly contemplating his daughter's outburst. Yes, he could definitely use a castle. It would speak volumes of their family's name. If they amassed an army now, he could garrison his troops there and their power would only grow. That seemed like the next logical step, considering how wealthy they already were. "It's only inhabited by a creature?" he clarifies with his daughter.
"And a few other people, but only a handful, father. We could take it! Just let me hire a company of able soldiers! You could be King and I the Princess, together with Shizuru."
Ubel shakes his head at his obsessed child. Though, he had to admit, having Shizuru as a daughter-in-law was a definitely plus. She had a way around people and would be a fantastic addition to the family. Besides, she was a stunning woman and all men loved stunning women. There were so many ways to make use of her. He sets his eyes on Tomoe, who was practically on the verge of begging him and closes his eyes. A momentary silence passes through the Marguerite family before he finally exhales, "Fine. But I want to come along when you're ready. Get the best fighters you can find. Gold is no concern. I want this done right the first time. You hear me?"
Tomoe squeals for joy, leaping to her feet, "Of course, father! I shall take my leave at once!"
A hand stroking his beard, Ubel reclines into the chair, pleased. Mara was by his side, an equally sinister smirk on her face, knowing that she was soon to be Queen. Both had no qualms about taking something that was not theirs. After all, it took monsters to raise someone as deranged as Tomoe.
At the same time, back in the Castle
Shizuru closes her eyes, feeling the magical energy concentrate at her fingertips. It no longer held the familiar lilac hue and was now instead a deep purple, almost close to black. She redirects it at a dummy sack that was lying limply a few feet away. The magic curves into a scythe-like shape, but dispels before it could reach its target. Shizuru lets out an uncharacteristic sound of frustration – this was her thousandth attempt in the last six hours. She was exhausted to the bone and she was starting to feel the drain on her powers.
Natsuki had fallen into a deep slumber and she had secretly snuck out of the room to practice. She had been doing so since her father had handed the book to her but there had been minimal progress so far.
"Trouble, my darling?" her father's familiar voice comes from behind her and she glances back, bowing her head. He had a pot of tea in a hand and Shizuru guessed that he must have heard her while getting a late night drink. His eyes roam across the room and settles on an open book, the one that he had handed to Shizuru. He didn't have to ask further, for he already knew what she was up to.
"Ara, I'm not sure if I am able to keep this up, father. I just.. don't have enough power," Shizuru replies, following his gaze. There was no way she could keep this from him any longer.
Aldred places a comforting hand on Shizuru shoulder, rubbing it gently, "That's normal, Shizuru. As I've told you, the Dark Arts are amplified with either a sacrifice, or by sheer power. That's the price of such powerful spells. Mages usually choose the former, because it's that much easier. Ascension does not come easy."
"But.." Shizuru expels a long drawn sigh. She understood what her father was saying. Mages who have ascended were usually much older and had garnered years of training and experiences. There were some young mages who were able to ascend but these were usually forced by circumstance. As a result, they were far and few between. "I wouldn't be able to help Natsuki. She doesn't say it, but I know how much she misses her family. I.. I just wish I could.. do something." She stares at her hands; wishing power would just burst forth from her fingertips.
"You're very talented, Shizuru," her father replies, "And I'm not saying that because you're my daughter. You just need a couple more years of training and I strongly believe you would be able to unlock your full potential. Then and only then, should you think about that. Natsuki didn't put this pressure on you, so please do not put it on yourself. I'm sure she does not want you to wear yourself out like that."
Shizuru meets her father's gaze. He understood her and he understood Natsuki. Natsuki had never pressured her nor even asked of anything of the sort from her, but she really wanted to do this for Natsuki. I can't give up like this. I'll have to make it work! With a smile on her face, she addresses her father again, "Ara, I understand father. I'll pack up first," she gestures to the dummy sacks lying on the ground.
Aldred nods and gives her a toothy smile, before yawning and shuts the door behind him.
Shizuru's waits for the footsteps to dissipate before she picks up her book and studies it once more. I'm sorry, father, for lying. But I want to do this for Natsuki. She waits a little longer, just to be safe, before she sets the book down and resumes her practice.
This time, she took extra caution to remain as silent as possible.