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 12
Italics – Thoughts
Shizuru had always been a collected individual. Not to mention, polite and considerate as well. One would assume that a woman like that would have been extremely popular with leagues of friends and followers. Well for one thing, Shizuru Viola did have a crowd of admirers – admirers who would fall head over heels for one of her many virtues. What she didn't have though, were friends.
She did have her parents, of course, whom she loved deeply. But she never had anyone whom she could relate to. Not until she met her closest friend and lover, who came in a most different form from everyone else. Underneath the gruff exterior, fearsome fangs and muscular frame, Natsuki was the sweetest and the most sincere to her. Shizuru always felt at ease and protected and she reciprocated Natsuki's love in every way she could. They had come to a point where their compromise and acceptance had blossomed into a whole new level. She had never felt so loved. Because of that, the beautiful woman had never once felt so passionately for any one in her entire life before, once Natsuki occupied that sacred spot in her heart.
When she took in the scene before her – Natsuki rushing headlong into Tomoe's attack to shield her parents' statue from destruction – she couldn't help but let out a cry of anguish. Natsuki's body had flown a couple of feet from the force of the impact, before she collapsed on the ground as her own blood pooled around her.
Shizuru lifted her gaze and locked onto Tomoe, who was laughing cruelly at her handiwork. It was right there and then when Shizuru felt an intense flood of emotion coursing through her veins, almost as though they were pumping rapidly through her bloodstream. She couldn't even pinpoint any one single emotion at that time. Anger that she had arrived too late? Fear that Natsuki was too grievously injured? Hatred for Tomoe who had done this to her beloved? Terror that her love would never get up again? It was possible that it was a culmination of all.
Flashback
"Sh-shizuru," Natsuki muttered to her one morning. They were just getting to know each other during this time Shizuru had just started to get to find the brooding wolf more and more endearing as time passed.
Natsuki was, or rather, has always been a shy individual. So, in an effort to get the lycan to speak to her more, she promptly responded, "Ara, what is it, Natsuki?" Rubies gaze fondly at the wolf before her, her head bowed and her ears were flat against her head. Taking a quick peek, Shizuru notices Natsuki's tail was hanging a little low, a sure sign that she was feeling nervous. Shizuru waited patiently for a response when her question was met with silence.
"Actually, I- uh.." Natsuki looked down at her feet, swallowing a little to muster more courage, "Would you.. liketoeatlunchwithmetomorrow?"
"Pardon, Natsuki?" Shizuru bent forward a little, not quite catching what Natsuki blabbered.
The familiar scent of Shizuru filled Natsuki's nose and she quickly coughed out whatever she had in her mind, "I'm cooking. A picnic, I mean. For you and me."
Her friend's eyes widened in surprise, "Natsuki.. is cooking?" She had never seen Natsuki in the kitchen before. Actually, she had, but the wolf was usually helping to lay the dishes and such. No, she definitely had not seen Natsuki cook the entire time she had stayed here.
Natsuki scowled at the disbelief in Shizuru's voice, growling and responding curtly, "Do you want to come or not?"
"Does Natsuki have a special occasion she wishes to celebrate?" Shizuru replied calmly, her gentle voice turning the heat of the conversation down altogether.
"N-no. I just thought.." Natsuki trails off, "Thought you might like it. I see you having lunch by the trees almost every day.."
Oh, she's so considerate! Shizuru smiles warmly at the thought, "Of course, Natsuki. I'm all yours tomorrow."
An audible gulp at the suggestive tone she used. Shizuru giggles internally, not wanting to scare her newfound friend off, especially after she took the courage to ask this of her. "I'll see Natsuki tomorrow at noon, then?"
The lycan nods her head firmly and Shizuru glides off gracefully, unable to hide the happy smile on her face.
End Flashback
Shizuru feels herself trembling lightly in anger as she recollected their shared past that was flashing past her eyes. Natsuki.. The turmoil of emotions started to bubble and boil, more violently than ever, as she locked her eyes on Tomoe. But, true to form, when the elegant Shizuru spoke, the words came out soft and calm – there was no hint of the terrible storm that was brewing deep inside of her.
Shizuru's words to Tomoe had their intended effect – the teal-haired girl turned and squeaked her name. The mage's body moved automatically to close up the distance between Tomoe and herself, with her sharp eyes noticing that Tomoe had clenched her fist around her mace. The mace that was the cause of two crumbled statues. The mace that was about to destroy Natsuki's parents. The mace that barreled into Natsuki. She wasn't able to contain her emotions much longer.
It was then when she unleashed hell on Tomoe.
XXX
At the front of the castle
"Mai!" Aldred yelled, moving in swiftly to cover the redhead's side from being flanked by a handful of soldiers. Similar to Shizuru, he wielded arcane magic, which he used for this case to blast the few intruders a few feet away. They were dazed for a moment, but their empty positions were quickly covered by more soldiers. There were just too many of them. Even after Natsuki and Shizuru had whittled their numbers earlier, it was still almost ten soldiers to one mage.
"Thanks!" Mai was panting slightly from exertion after her last fire missile, "Did you see where the rest were?"
A thin stream of energy burst forth from Aldred's fingertips as he shook his head, "Let's get rid of them first. They're trying to box us in and that wouldn't bode well."
Before Mai could reply, a stray arrow had found its way into the fray, embedding itself into her right shoulder. She crumples to her knees, clutching her injured shoulder. Alfred immediately conjures up a temporary barrier from pure energy, to keep them at bay for a small window of time. He kneels down to her, gently supporting her weight with his arm, "Mai, do you think you could throw up a fireball?"
Amethyst irises widen in surprise despite the sharp pain, "B-but.. we've not practiced together before! You might get hurt if the spell..!"
The older magus cuts her off with a small, reassuring smile, which reminded Mai of Shizuru. During Mai's time with the brunette, she had always displayed an outstanding amount of calmness and level, rational execution of actions. If their smiles were as similar as their characters, Mai knew better than to argue, much less the fact that she was already injured. Aldred knows what he's doing, Mai reassures herself. "Alright, I think I can do it," she grits her teeth in determination. This is my home and I'm going to do whatever it takes to save it!
"The barrier's going to come down in about seven seconds and when it does, just do what you do best. Alright?"
Mai nods firmly, her eyes focused on the thin veil of energy. She glares at the intruders who were trying to hammer their way through, only to be sent sprawling a few feet away. The metal timer in her head starts the countdown as she readied with the spell on her lips. As soon as she saw the purple hue start to fade, she raised her arms, ignoring the sharp pain that was coursing through her and whispered the spell.
Aldred, who was watching her intently, followed suit according to redhead's offensive. He had chosen a faster spell to ensure that their attacks were simultaneous; and despite the fact that both had not trained together, orange and lilac magic intertwined neatly, finding its goal in the dead center of the mass of soldiers that had them surrounded. The resultant impact cleared their path and removed the perilous threat.
With the gap that had opened, both spotted Nao and her mother, Julia side by side in combat. Despite the fact that both were usual pranksters, they were a force to be reckoned with – telltale signs being sooty soldiers strewn around them carelessly and bouts of cackling coming from their general direction. Their years of training had obviously paid off and Nao's eyes immediately zoom in on her sister that was kneeling on the ground. "Mum!" Nao swivels her head around and Julia quickly notices her daughter's injury. Snarling in anger at the intruders, she spins around, enveloping the remaining soldiers in a tall cone of flames, spurred by her ire and eagerness to get to her daughter's side.
Nao takes the opportunity and bounds over to Mai's side as Julia clears a path for her and drops to her knees, worry evident in her voice, "Mai! Mai!" she props her up with her shoulders, brushing aside Mai's hair out of her face.
"Ahh, I didn't know you cared so much about me, baby sis," Mai inhales lightly, hoping to reassure Nao. "Did you see..?"
"Mother will be fine, I last saw her with Shizuru's mum. They both awesome mages and they can handle themselves," Nao knows that Mai is asking about Amber, whom they had yet to find. "You just concentrate on yourself."
Before Mai could reply, a deafening crash echoes throughout and everyone's attention turns to the ruckus. Aldred's hazel eyes peers up as soon as he sees a flash of white coming from behind the castle and he feels the colossal surge of energy that came forth with the crash. His eyes widens as he spotted six heads of a massive hydra sticking out above the castle. Realization hit him and he exhaled sharply in recognition, "Shizuru.." Taking the opportunity as the soldiers were distracted, he quickly subdues the remaining of them in one fell swoop. He had to get to his daughter as soon as he could.
XXX
Tomoe couldn't believe her eyes as she watched the beautiful Shizuru summon a huge, vicious serpent in front of her with the burst of a flash. The magnificent hydra shifted before her, rearing all six massive heads poised directly to strike. The gleam of the silvery, smooth scales reflected whatever light the partly clouded moon offered and Tomoe could see the sheer girth of her opponent. She felt weak in the knees and the bloodied mace falls to the floor with a dull thud. "S-hi-zuru?" she manages to stutter.
There was no response. Shizuru tilted her head lightly and the sight of her dark lycanthrope still unconscious and bleeding made her furrow her brow. As though in sync, the hydra hissed in displeasure and the six heads return their focus on the one who had dared to injure her master's beloved. The powerful snake picks the screaming Tomoe easily from the ground, crushing the devious woman in her thick coils as she shrieked in pain from the random popping of her bones. A singular head moved, picking the limp body up, fangs tearing into Tomoe's flesh as she was lifted high above the ground. In a swift motion, Tomoe was flung, hard and fast into the sturdy stone walls of the castle. Her lifeless body fell like a tossed rag doll down the side of the castle walls and disappeared from view.
"Kiyohime.." Shizuru whispered, barely audible. A singular head lowered and she hopped on easily, both hands wielding her naginata. Above, her gaze easily spots the remains of the intruders sparsely spaced out in the front yard. With her silent word, Kiyohime's attention turns to them at once. The hydra's eyes narrow and all six heads gather, letting out a collective hiss of murderous rage. Natsuki.. Natsuki's enemies.. I'll destroy each and every one for her. I won't let her get in harm's way again. With that last thought, the hydra and her master made its way to its target, bent on utter annihilation of those who dared to harm their most important person.
XXX
"Uuugh," Natsuki grunted as a bout of pain coursed through her entire body. Her eyes open and she finds her aunt's worried eyes on her.
"It's working, Elvira," Amber nods as she returns to chanting a soft hymn. Both women were not specialized in healing, but when they found Natsuki torn and battered amidst the statues, they decided to try whatever they could in an effort to bring her any form of comfort. It seemed like a dual chant had worked somewhat. Natsuki's wounds were still there, but the bleeding had stopped and she had somehow regained consciousness.
A loud crash echoed into the still night and her deep green orbs shifted toward the sound. Was it Tomoe? She couldn't remember – only the fleeting sight of a spiked and heavy mace headed her way as she tried to stop her parent's statues from a certain doom. Heaving herself up in a hurry, she staggers lightly on her feet from the vertigo and glances behind her. Her parents were safe. Sighing in relief, she gazes to the front once more; only to find six enormous hydra heads sticking up from the castle. She squints into the distance, fearing that her injuries were more serious than she had thought for she was definitely hallucinating.
"Natsuki!" Amber cries as she quickly catches her young charge from stumbling. "Are you alright?"
"I'm fine, I'm fine, I'm fine," Natsuki chants, focusing to get her bearings back, "Did you see anyone else here?"
Elviria shook her head, "Afraid not, Natsuki. How are you feeling? Your wounds are not fully healed."
"I think I'm seeing things.. Do you see a massive hydra there?" Natsuki tilts her chin up at the ferocious beast that was clearly on the offensive.
Bowing her head, Elvira replies her softly, "Shizuru's ascended. Not to worry, Natsuki. Her father's on the way to her now. She'll be alright. She's a strong girl."
Natsuki blinks, her ears bent downwards as she took in what Shizuru's mother had said. The rampaging beast.. was Shizuru's creation? How could it be? What happened? Ignoring the pain, she takes off wordlessly despite frantic calls from her aunt and Elvira, bounding off through the trees and toward her lover.
She'd never run so damn fast before in her life. It seemed like the dense forest did nothing to slow her down. The wound that had barely mended started to open up again from all that exertion, causing thick, dark blood to roll down her torso but she fought against the pain. She had this strong feeling that Shizuru needed her now, more than ever and she was going to heed that call, no matter what it took.
Shizuru's presence felt stronger and stronger as she neared the castle's frontyard and so were her invisible calls for Natsuki. When the astoundingly large and beautiful serpent came into view, with her master atop one of its head, claws dug into the ground, coming to an abrupt stop.
Natsuki took in the scene before her – Aldred was standing a couple of feet from Shizuru, hollering at the top of his lungs, but it seems like the brunette just couldn't hear him at all. Amidst the carnage of decapitated bodies, strewn limbs and crushed corpses, the serpent raged together with her master, both moving as one. Natsuki could see Shizuru in each and every strike – the thrust of her naginata and the agile front strike of hydra. The swift flurry of Shizuru's signature six, short swipes of the naginata and the simultaneous attacks by all six heads. The hydra was an embodiment of Shizuru herself.
"Shizuru! You have to control your power! Please!" Natsuki snaps out of her funk as her keen hearing picks up Aldred's frantic calls for her daughter.
She quickly bounds over and taps him on the shoulder, "Shizuru. What happened to her?"
Aldred's eyes were wrought with worry as he turned and faced Natsuki, who was caked in blood and marred with now newly opened wounds, "Natsuki! Shizuru's… she might lose control of her powers if this goes on. I.. I can't stop her… I can't break her out of her trance!"
"I need to get to her. Blast me up there or something, whatever you mages do! Please!"
"You might not withstand the impact in your state, Natsuki! I- I..!"
"Help me, Aldred," Natsuki spoke urgently, paws grasping onto Aldred's shoulder. Aldred recognizes the deep emotions reflected off Natsuki's eyes and he grits his teeth, coming to a decision. Inhaling deeply to ready himself for the spell, he gestures for Natsuki to stand in position, which she complied without further ado.
Natsuki curses aloud as the initial thrust from Aldred's spell kicks in and she feels herself being catapulted toward Shizuru at breakneck speed. The wind stung her eyes and she could barely keep them open. She lands with a thud on one of Kiyohime's necks, which causes the serpent to raise its heads in alarm and glance at the offender in question.
Shizuru's gaze follow her pet's and instead of crimson orbs that were always full of playfulness and wit, Natsuki sees only an empty, glassy look in her beloved's eyes. "Ara, ara. I see that Natsuki has regained some strength. Please wait for me here. I just have a couple of things left to take care of."
"Shiz..!" Natsuki couldn't complete her sentence as the serpent had moved off, causing her to grasp on tightly to avoid the long fall down. Dangling off like that had caused much strain on her injured back and she feels her grip loosening with each passing second. Panting hard, she tries to pull herself up, but the smooth metallic surface of Kiyohime made the climb that much harder. Two steps up and one step down. She didn't know how much longer her battered body could take this climb.
Suddenly, her arms were relieved of all weight and she found herself getting lifted, albeit without consent, but it was welcomed anyway. She was certain another minute dangling like that, she would have lost her grip. She finds herself deposited atop a flat, plated head of Kiyohime and with a glance to the left, she could see Shizuru focused on the fight before her. Natsuki shook her head – Shizuru still had such a knack of multitasking and remaining so collected. But she had her task at hand – to stop Shizuru from utilizing any more of her power before it consumed her wholly. Even though Natsuki had no magical background of any kind, she could feel the brimming power exuding from Shizuru. It felt as though a large, black vortex was around the woman and as the seconds ticked, the vortex was growing larger and larger, threatening to devour her whole. Natsuki couldn't let that happen. "Shizuru!" She hollers at the top of her lungs. "Shizuru! Look at me please!"
Over the screams of dying men, Shizuru couldn't hear Natsuki, far too absorbed in her task at hand – eliminating all who had dared to threaten and harm Natsuki. Her newfound power had ripped an opening through the enemy ranks and sending men running for the hills. But as she advanced through the battlefield, felling troops with that brimming energy, it stirred within her, tempting her to lose herself to it.
Natsuki growled in frustration as she continued to call out for her beloved. Those once soulful rubies never glanced at her and from this distance; she was unable to reach Shizuru. Going on all fours to get better balance, she pokes her head out and peers over Kiyohime's head. It was a long way down to the bottom. To even reach Shizuru, she would have to scale all the way down and up again onto the correct head. That would take far too long and she was in no condition to do it. Shizuru was already too engrossed in her massacre and Natsuki was afraid that she didn't have that luxury of time.
How? How could she get Shizuru's attention?
Flashback
"Uhm, two eggs.." Natsuki mumbled as she read off the recipe book that she had requested from Mai. "Fold it..?" She looks curiously at the two eggs in her paws, wondering what on earth that meant. Looking into the bowl that held a cup of butter and flour, she continues reading the rest of the recipe, hoping that it would give her a clue. "What the damn hell is Mai writing?
"Excuse me! That's not the way to speak to someone who just lent you her very precious recipes painstakingly crafted through countless experimentation for the best flavors!" Mai crossed an arm on her hips, wagging a finger at Natsuki. She had lent Natsuki her recipe without much question earlier, but she suddenly realized something was WAY out of the blue so she decided to head down to the kitchen to find out.
Natsuki let out a surprised yowl at Mai's exclamation, dropping the two eggs in hand on the ground. She had been too engrossed in reading that she didn't even hear her friend's footsteps.
"Natsuki!" Mai yells in horror at the mess that was just created under her watch. At her precious kitchen, no less!
"Don't come in!" Natsuki yelps immediately, taking a step forward without thinking and she throws her arms out, trying to catch her balance as she slides to and fro on the puddle of eggs. She finally lands with a thump on her side, groaning.
Mai's jaw drops open in astonishment at the spectacle in front of her. Before she knew it, Natsuki had instinctively stood on all fours and shook her body. Ridding herself of the eggs and effectively transferring the mess onto Mai and the kitchen. "Natsuki Kruger!" Mai screams in horror through a splat of egg that slid down her cheek.
"Ah! I'm sorry! I wasn't thinking!"
"I can see that! Why are you trying to cook in the first place?!"
Natsuki's ears folded backwards immediately and she look sadly at the mess, "I-I.. was trying to get a picnic ready.. Invited Shizuru.."
Mai took one look at her childhood friend – sad puppy eyes, slumped shoulders and folded ears –and immediately held back the exasperation that was ready to burst from the tip of her tongue. "Oh, Natsuki.." The redhead quickly tries to alleviate the situation by exclaiming, "Oh I love to make picnic baskets! Could I help you with it, then?"
The werewolf's face lights up a little at Mai's proposition and was then followed by a chuckle as she eyed her friend who was still covered with splashes of yolk. She was thoroughly grateful for her friend's aid and Mai always knew how to put it across gently without hurting her pride. Giving her friend a toothy smile, she replies, "Thank you Mai. But, uhhh.. Let me clean up this mess while you take a bath. Is that okay?"
Mai pokes her belly and grins, "Of course!" With that, her bubbly friend disappears from the kitchen.
XXX
The sun was right in the center of the sky when Shizuru emerged from the castle doors. A hand shielding her eyes from the strong sunlight, she spies Natsuki under a tree not too far off, pacing to and fro uneasily. A smile crosses her face immediately and she makes her way down towards the nervous lycanthrope.
Natsuki's ears perk up once she hears Shizuru's approaching footsteps and her smile broadens almost instantaneously. "Shizuru!"
"Ara, Natsuki," she greets her friend warmly, her eyes settling on the neatly laid out picnic basket.
Emerald orbs follow Shizuru's gaze and Natsuki sheepishly raises a paw to scratch the back of her head, "Uhm, would you like to sit, Shizuru?"
Gracefully, the magus lowers herself on the neatly laid out mat and waited as Natsuki opened the picnic basket. "Ara, I wonder what surprises Natsuki has in store in the basket," she remarks playfully, sneaking a peek at the contents, but was quickly stopped when Natsuki grumbled under her breath about her lack of patience. "Natsuki's such a meanie."
The dark wolf shot her a sideway glare, but its intended effect to intimidate Shizuru into keeping silent failed. She sighed in defeat and pulled out a hearty looking sandwich, complete with lettuce and tomatoes, basically bursting with ingredients.
"Try it," Natsuki quickly adds, watching Shizuru expectantly and hoping for a positive indication. Her tail was drumming nervously against the picnic mat that they both were seated on as Shizuru takes a bite.
The brunette's face lights up as she chewed, with Natsuki at the edge of her seat, waiting for the elegant woman to finish the food in her mouth before she could give a verdict. "It's delicious, Natsuki," Shizuru beams brightly. And it was the truth, for before Natsuki could reply, Shizuru had taken another bite happily.
Pleased at the outcome, Natsuki settles down and chomps down on her own sandwich. "Shiz-" she mutters while chewing, "There's cake… after this… Shiz-zuru?"
Shizuru had leaned forward and brushed the tip of her muzzle, sending a gulp down Natsuki's throat and shivers of strange feelings she couldn't identify with. Smirking at Natsuki's reaction, Shizuru commented, "Ara, Natsuki had a bit of lettuce sticking on her jaw. I was helping Natsuki get it off. Surely she does not wish to walk around with that bit of vegetable as her companion the entire day?"
"O-oh, thanks," Natsuki feels her face heating up and thanks the heavens for having a thick coat of fur.
"Mmh, you're welcome, Natsuki," Shizuru settles back at her position with a playful smile and their meal continues on without further teasing as Natsuki was now very much pre-occupied with quelling her growling stomach.
An entire cake and two sandwiches later, Natsuki flopped back onto the mat, yawning widely. She closes her eyes, feeling the full effect of the heavy lunch taking its toll on her.
Amusement crossed Shizuru's rubies as she glances at the now relaxing werewolf. Natsuki looked absolutely adorable. She smiles to herself, propping herself up with her hands as she leaned backwards. The serene setting, balmy sun and the delicious food absolutely made her afternoon. Before she knew it, she was sound asleep, curling up beside the snoozing Natsuki.
Shizuru didn't know how long they napped, but she shot up almost instantaneously when she heard the labored panting beside her. Natsuki had curled up into a large, furry ball and her paws were twitching. It seemed like she was running in her sleep for her chest heaved up and down rapidly. Worried, Shizuru shifts herself closer, placing a hand on Natsuki but she does not awaken.
"No..! Mom..! Dad!" Natsuki whimpers in her sleep and her paws move faster now, as though she was sprinting.
Shizuru realizes Natsuki must be having a bad dream, most possibly about the time the shaman turned her parents to what they were today. "Natsuki," she shakes the dark blue wolf, but to no avail. "Natsuki!" Shizuru tries again, worriedly combing Natsuki's mane in an attempt to soothe her nightmare.
The lycan shifts unconsciously into Shizuru's touch and the brunette reciprocates by running her fingers deeper into Natsuki's silken locks, occasionally thumbing the side of her cheek gently. It took much coaxing on her part, but Natsuki's breathing soon returned to normal and Shizuru sighed in relief.
It might have been the heavy meal before sleeping that caused this, or there might have been another reason. But one thing was for certain; as Shizuru watched Natsuki; the usually aloof and independent warrior also needed someone beside her, even if these occasions were rare. Shizuru wanted to be that someone. Without thinking, she pushes her hair behind her ears and bends down, pressing a chaste kiss on Natsuki's cheek. "I will always be here for you, Natsuki. For you to lean on, to catch you when you fall and whenever you need me, whatever it takes." It was a promise, one that Shizuru intended to keep, even if Natsuki did not hear it.
However, Natsuki had been drifting in and out of her slumber after managing to get out of the confines of her nightmare somehow, and her eyes crack open slightly at Shizuru's words. She had picked up the whispered words despite her sleepy stupor. When she returned to the land of slumber a mere five minutes later, the haunting dream had dissipated.
End Flashback
Green orbs regard Shizuru. She would do just about anything right now to pull Shizuru out of her stupor. There was nothing up here as her eyes darted around and she moved closer to the edge and peered down – down at the extremely long plunge from the tip of Kiyohime's head again. And it was then when a crazy idea spurned by desperation formed.
Would she get Shizuru's attention if she fell from this height? Could she take that leap of faith, believing in Shizuru's promise and entrusting her life to Shizuru? Would the Shizuru she knew and loved be there to catch her when she falls?