Day 22 – In battle, side-by-side
"Who would have thought it would ever come to this," gasped Mariku and wiped the sweat from his forehead.
"Are you already out of breath?" Malik said, grinning mischievously. He managed to hide his exhaustion. He looked up the rock wall behind them. They had been pushed into a corner and the only way that remained to them was forward, through the ranks of their former allies. Malik pulled an arrow from his quiver. That would be bloody.
"Can you do it? Slaughter your own people?"
Malik nodded hesitantly. "And you?"
"I've been waiting decades for this moment." Mariku's grin contorted as his body began to change. Malik was watching the transformation process fascinated. Mariku's clothes ripped, fur was growing on his skin. His fingers became claws. Mariku fell forward onto all fours. He groaned painfully.
Panting, he lay on the ground for a moment, and then straightened himself. Malik looked up at him and swallowed. He felt tiny next to Mariku's werewolf form. Mariku straightened his back and howled. Not too far away from them his howling was returned. Mariku growled. His eyes flashed. He was ready to fight.
Malik stroked Mariku through the fur on his arm. A large paw lay down on his head. Mariku could crush him with ease. Malik clung to him. He didn't know if he would see Mariku again at the end of the day. He heard the beating of great wings and the horses' hooves on the rocks. They whinnied nervously.
Malik bent his bow. "Don't die."
Mariku made a growling sound, which sounded almost amused.
It was as if all hell broke over them. Mariku wiped aside the first volley of arrows with one movement of his arm.
They wasted no more time talking. They had already talked enough. Malik saw the hatred in the eyes of those with whom he had once fought side by side. He was a traitor because he had chosen Mariku. Malik felt the anger rising in him. They knew nothing! Blind obedience was all that they knew. He killed without hesitation, ignoring the arrow in his shoulder.
He drew his short sword and whirled around to catch the blow, which came from behind, but Mariku was faster. Blood spurted Malik's face as Mariku ripped of the head of their opponent. Mariku was in his element. His fur was soaked with blood. It stuck to his mouth and nose. The two arrows in his back, he did not seem to notice. Only the deep scratch wound on Mariku's arm disturbed Malik, but he had no time to worry, because their fight still wasn't over.
His sword pierced in the heart of another werewolf and when he tried to pull it out, he was thrown to the ground. Malik screamed. The arrow in his shoulder came out on the other side. Unarmed he was below his opponent. He saw teeth flashing, ready to bite, but the next moment his opponent was torn from him. Mariku's claws dug into the upper body.
Malik had difficulties, coming to his feet. He had barely any strength left. Mariku stood in front of him like a protective wall and let out a fearsome roar. The survivors ran and Malik and Mariku were left alone on the battlefield. Malik broke the arrow, threw the shaft to the side and put his hand over his shoulder. He took a deep breath, and dragged at the arrowhead. He cried out and went back to his knees. Mariku plopped down next to him. "Mariku." He carefully removed the arrows from his back. Mariku growled, but did not move. The wounds on his arm were worse. Malik didn't know where to begin. He knew that only the werewolf form ensured that Mariku stayed conscious. Would he turn back now, he would most likely bleed to death. "We have to clean the wounds," said Malik. "Can you move?" Mariku stood up and Malik sighed in relief. They had been lucky. Just a little longer and they would not have survived this battle. He let his gaze wander over the battlefield. They had won. They had survived, but they had no time to rest. Mariku put his paw again on Malik's head and Malik looked up to him. Mariku leaned down and licked Malik over his face. "Ugh! Mariku! This is really disgusting!" But he smiled. Whatever would approach them, they would get through it together.