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.
Chapter 2
Italics – Thoughts
The beautiful brunette settles by her favorite spot in her residence – under the leafy tree just a distance away from the small fountain in the backyard. In her hands was her latest interest, yet another hardbound novel that her parents had obtained for her – charming chronicles of danger and adventure with a splash of romance. She unclipped her framed reading glasses from her blouse; one that her mother had recently made for her; and slipped it on.
Well-read and open-minded, Shizuru Viola's parents had raised her to take on their traits. Her love for knowledge had begun at a young age, when she had exhausted their library of scrolls and books. She had read her parent's collection of spells and charm thrice over and was now snapping up any fiction, prose or poetry she could find. Unbeknownst to the rest of the provincial village, the Violas were actually powerful mages but had wisely chosen to remain inconspicuous. They had chosen to settle here mainly due to the fact that it was situated away from the bustle of the capital and at the very edge of town. The young Shizuru had started practitioning the arts at the age of five, a prodigy for her age which was largely complemented by her love for reading. However in recent years, the alluring teenage maiden had begun to be hounded by obsessive and avid admirers from the town. It had started with simple love letters, but had slowly escalated to them showering her with gifts and now following her around whenever she set foot into the village.
"Shizuru honey, are you sure you'll be alright alone?" Elvira Viola had stepped out into the backyard and was peering at her daughter, her brown eyes full of concern. "Perhaps I should cast a warding spell to keep them away from this place, especially that little buffoon, Marguerite."
Aldred trailed after his wife, placing a reassuring hand on her shoulders, "Not to worry Elvira, Shizuru knows what to do. Isn't that right, my child? Besides, that's a little too obvious, isn't it?" He grins at the thought, "The fool will be sent flying off the minute she steps within the circle!"
Shizuru regards her parents fondly, mirroring her father's chuckle, "Of course, Father dear. I shall be keeping you updated on a regular basis." As though in agreement, the falcon resting on the nearby perch caws, flapping its large wings. Shizuru strokes its head gently and continues, "Please do not worry about me or you shall be late for the gathering. Oh! Please give me a minute!" Shizuru exclaims suddenly, setting her book down and disappearing into the house. She returns soon after with a small satchel, "I brewed these potions, just in case. They're mostly healing tonics and protection teas."
Her father smiles, slinging the precious satchel across his shoulders and hugs her, "Thanks, Shizuru. These will definitely come in handy. Now, despite what I said to your mother, if you ever feel threatened by that silly teen.."
"Indeed," Shizuru cast them a bemused look, "I'll know what to do."
"Alright then," Elvira kisses her daughter's cheek, opening the white picket gate, "Be well, my darling!"
"Take care Mother, Father!" Shizuru calls out as the pair disappears down the dirt path. She returns to her spot, a smile on her face as she reopens her book and dives back into the enthralling world of mystery and adventure.
XXX
Two days later
As much as Shizuru disliked it, she had to head into town today to purchase some groceries. Armed with a small basket; she approached the main marketplace where she was greeted by the townsfolk. The elegant young lady gave them a short but polite curtsey, earning smiles wherever she went. The entire town knew of Shizuru Viola, her looks and pleasant demeanor were unparalleled – silky sandy locks and a well-defined countenance attracted a legion of admirers whenever she was in town.
She, however, had absolutely no interest in any of her suitors or admirers. She knew that what she really wanted was for someone who had the ability to understand her for who she actually was. Someone who could share her zest for thinking over and beyond. Someone who could see through her cordial façade and uncover the real her. Of course, she kept these all to herself. She had long recognized that she would never find what she was looking for in this town. The townsfolk had already set their expectations on how they thought her life should have to be but she refused to conform to the norm. Ah well, she sighs to herself as she continues going about town, picking up fresh eggs and produce. She notices a flash of teal from the corner of her eye and sighs internally, knowing that the young Marguerite would be approaching her soon enough. True to form, as soon as she moved on to the next stall, she heard a familiar drawl coming from behind her, "A very good morning to you, my dearest Shizuru."
"Same to you, Tomoe," Shizuru replies cordially as she thanks the woman that had just sold her two large potatoes, placing them in her basket.
"You know, Shizuru, you really shouldn't turn in so late. I was really worried when the lights didn't go off. And, it was way past midnight yesterday," Tomoe continues, trailing after the brunette as she decides to start heading back home.
A tawny eyebrow quirks, feeling rather vexed knowing that Tomoe was camped outside her house. "Ara, Tomoe. As I've mentioned before, I'm perfectly safe at home. There really is no need for you to be watching over me. I am fully capable of taking care of myself."
"I am concerned, Shizuru! And you're living right at the edge of town. Who knows what might come charging into town. You do know that there are wild beasts out there that will probably have you for dinner, right?"
Shizuru closes her eyes for a second, exasperated but keeping her cool and instead quickens her step as she continues down the dirt road back home, "Indeed Tomoe. However, I have been living there for as far as I can remember and there have been no rampages by wild beasts as you claim."
"Ah.. But it seems you're all alone now, isn't it? Your parents looked like they were going away for a long trip."
Shizuru hums, refusing to give Tomoe an answer as she unlocks the small gate to her home, wondering if Tomoe never tires from stalking her. How was it possible that she was watching her continuously? "Thank you for walking me home, Tomoe. I really must go and get ready for the day. I have much to do," she raises her grocery basket slightly as an indication; turning to lock the gate behind her but finds Tomoe's hand on the gate, pushing it aside to step within the compound.
"I would love to help, Shizuru. And it's no secret that your stews are the best in town. Perhaps that could be your way to thank me for standing guard," Tomoe murmurs, stepping forward and closing the distance between them.
The brunette takes small, unnoticeable steps backwards, pressing her frame against the doorway, "Perhaps some other time, Tomoe. I really have plenty of chores awaiting my attention."
Instead, Tomoe raises her hand and turns the doorknob, causing Shizuru to stumble into her house. Shizuru hears the lock clicking into places and she immediately tenses, sensing dangerous vibes emanating off the intruder. The sharp maiden had already an inkling of what Tomoe was about to do, realizing that her parents' absence had only fueled Tomoe's advances tenfold. A spell already at the tip of her tongue, she eyes the encroaching figure, waiting for the right time to strike. Shizuru feels herself being pushed against the wall roughly, her head bumping it rather hard. She feels Tomoe's breath down her neck and she instinctively raises her hand, slapping Tomoe across the cheek, her strength amplified with the short spell.
Tomoe's head snaps to the side from the impact, the reddening mark rapidly taking shape on the pale cheeks. She licks her lips in glee; adrenaline pumping and turns back to continue her assault on the woman that caught her eye, only to find that Shizuru had already slipped past her and was already unlocking the door. She was about to give chase but a sudden blur flits by her, talons leaving a large tear across her shirt. "Ah! Damn! Shizuru!" she calls, a hand on the wounded shoulder, but the brunette was already a distance away. "Damn it! I was this close to making her mine!" Tomoe snarls, hammering a fist against the doorframe. Her grey eyes follow the figure that had already made her way to the edge of the woods and she promises herself, "It's okay, Shizuru, You'll have to come back sooner or later. No one could survive in the forest, especially not you! I'll continue to wait for you." The narcissist smoothens her rumpled hair back, "After all, no one can resist me."
XXX
The nerve of that barbaric, boorish pig! Shizuru shudders involuntarily as she thought of the proximity between them just a few minutes ago. Just the thought of it alone was enough to make her gag. The intelligent falcon had followed her and was now perched on her shoulders. She had bunched up the sleeves of her dress, allowing it to rest on her as she continues heading deeper into the forests, deciding that she should just get as far away as she could.
Her parents would not be back for another couple of months and she really did not want to deal with Tomoe again. She had extraordinary patience but the thought of being manhandled by that wretched buffoon on a daily basis was just insulting and exhausting. She just felt like getting away from this place as fast as possible. She signals for the falcon to take flight and closing her eyes, she starts to sift through her memory for a spell that would aid her. As soon as the words leave her mouth, she finds her footsteps much lighter and faster. The burst of haste allowed her to cover a much larger distance than any ordinary human could. In a rare display of elation, she grins, weaving in and out of the trees easily.
It wasn't until the golden rays of the sun had started to wane, before she was feeling pretty tired and hungry. The brunette was, however, pretty content in knowing that she had probably covered a three day journey in less than a day. There was still a little bit of time left before nightfall and she decided to forage for her dinner. Despite the fact that it was early winter, she was still able to find a few small berries and fruits. Placing her dinner in her pocket, she wandered around the forest, but stopped short when she suddenly felt a magical presence ahead of her. Shizuru was suddenly on full alert, wary for what she would encounter. She inched forward slowly, feeling the presence getting stronger. A barrier?
She lifts her hand, taking slow steps in front until it disappears entirely into the peculiar barrier in the middle of nowhere. Startled, she retracts her hand, gaping at what had just happened. Thoughts immediately run wild through her head –What on earth was on the other side? Why was there even a barrier here to begin with? Perhaps because there was something dangerous lurking on the other side? Or something wonderful? Should I turn and leave or should I throw caution to the wind? Biting her lower lip, she pauses, hesitating to take the next step into the unknown. She closes her eyes, taking in a deep breath to calm her beating heart down. This could most possibly be the adventure of a lifetime; it was things like these that had always drawn her into the novels she was reading.
Was I going to just let an opportunity like this slip by?
XXX
The large lycan was standing amongst her brethren by the castle's expansive greenery. She was no longer the little wolf pup that was small enough to be carried by her aunts, Amber and Julia. She had grown to her full size, towering over her guardians and her friends as well. It seemed that age had only served to further the chiseled features of the wolf, her silvery markings firmly accentuating her forehead and muzzle. The distinct highlights in her fur were also now found on her four paws and at the tip of her tail, contrasting beautifully with the midnight blue fur that was covering most of her body.
Her large paws were now resting on her mother's face, thumb brushing tenderly on her stone cheek, fondly remembering her gentle touches and soothing lullabies. She sighs as her emerald eyes shift to her father and resting her muzzle against the cool rock that was his shoulder, missing his steadfast presence every single day. She was now a few inches taller than him, nothing like the tiny pup he used to piggyback on his broad shoulders.
"Damn those humans," she growls, her razor sharp canines showing. They had taken everything from her all in the name of greed and she would never forgive them for it. And it was because of this fierce determination that Amber and Julia, together with the help of their daughters, Nao and Mai, had decided to cast a powerful barrier that enshrouded the castle with elaborate magic, obscuring it from sight. There had been a few wanderers that somehow managed to stumble upon the secluded castle before Nao and Mai were old enough to help their mothers with the spell, but they were quickly met with a ferocious, dark lycan that was ready to tear them apart from limb to limb. Natsuki was distrustful of humans and she guarded what remained of her family with fervor. She would not let anyone desecrate her pack ever again. More so, now that she was grown and fully capable of taking care of what was left of them. It had taken much restraining from her aunts and friends before she begrudgingly allowed them to be let the humans go, under the promise of her aunts that they would cast a spell to make them forget everything they saw. However, things had improved substantially after the barrier was up and they never had such occurrences anymore. It was the way Natsuki liked it and she wanted to keep it that way.
"OY! Scruffy!" Natsuki's ears prick at the sound of Nao's voice, scowling in displeasure at the nickname. She whispers softly to her parents before taking her leave and headed toward the voice. She arrives by the small pond where everyone was gathered and sees the grinning redhead.
"What now, Nao?"
"Stop playing with my name!"
Natsuki shrugs, "That's what you get for calling me Scruffy and pooch and bowwow and.."
"Stop it, both of you!" Mai threatens, taking her eyes off the roasting chicken at the pit. The fire rages, spitting and crackling as her temper spiked at the squabbling duo.
"NO! Don't get mad Mai! My food! I'll stop, l'll stop!" Nao cries in horror as she picks up a whiff of burnt chicken. She was starving, having spent the entire day reciting spells with her mothers.
Julia scoffs, "You little pushover, Nao! Is this what we taught you?" She was quickly silenced when Amber sent a short kindle of fire her way as a warning. "Hehe! Okay, you win Amber dearest!"
Amber rolls her eyes at Julia, earning herself a sheepish smirk. Amber turns to the lycan, a smile on her face as she rubs the furried arm gently, "Natsuki, would you help to set the plates, please?"
"Sure, Aunt Amber," the wolf replies affably and trots to retrieve the plates that were nearby. Suddenly, she raises her large head, sniffing into the air, ears cocked. She locks onto a scent and the markings on her forehead scrunches.
"Natsuki? Natsuki, what's wrong?" Julia immediately notices the change in Natsuki's body language and it did not bode well. The plates in her paws drop back onto the table with a clatter and the lycan was off, her cape billowing behind her as she sprinted toward the source of the scent.
The family of redheads were soon on her tail, Julia panting as she ran, "How the hell does she run so damn fast!"
"She has four legs instead of two, ma!" came Nao's breathless reply.
"But.. the barrier.." Mai was unable to think and run after her friend at the same time. "Oh, we must hurry, mother!"
Amber spots Natsuki and the unsuspecting trespasser whose back was turned against the raging lycan. She had to stop this! "Natsuki!" she screams with all her might, hoping it might snap Natsuki out of it.
XXX