Well, I am not going to do a declaimer on every chapter; it's on the first, so I do not see the point of repeating it.

But I did want to give a special thanks to the three reviews that I have had so far on this story, and those three people are, (drum roll please) Sportyno1, Sweet Night and Book (dot) sessed, those reviews gave me the need to write this chapter so bloody fast.

And Tina...if you wanted this bloody story, well, bam, two chapter, and what, one up-date, you better hurry up on that man, or I will go bat shit crazy on you.

Chapter two; Dawn of a new age

The dawn was quite, and peaceful, a rare gift for those in war. I wait every morning for that one moment, just before the sun rises above the horizon, where everything is at peace. That moment I forget that there is war, I forget the innocent blood on my blade, I forget that I am the last daughter or the Queen; I forget that it is only for a moment.

The sun shone into my eyes, and just like that, the chaos and destruction was back. Why most we continue this god awful war, when the one who started this madness is long gone? It's pointless, a fight one can't win.

Who am I kidding, I love to fight, it's what I was breed for. My natural incites told me to kill, and ask question later. The smell of decaying flesh, and the sight of blood running down my axe excited me. I yearned to walk onto the battle field, and slice open a few witches.

My chamber door opened to reveal a tall, muscular man, dressed in black armour.

"Alexia, you are needed in the weaponry."

"Zane, I don't start training for another thirty minutes."

"It's not your training Princess it's the young bloods first day, and with you being the only good competition I have..."

"Your competition, oh hell know, you are like my training dummy, dummy!"

"So, you will be down there in what, ten minutes?"

"Make five."

He smiled his goofy grin, and closed the door behind him. Only Zane was that comfortable to be joking with me, but today was a first time in a long time that he has called me Princess, he usually sticks to the nick names like little dagger, or kitten. Zane is my best friend, we have known each other since the moment we could open our eyes. He was confidant, and my only true companion that didn't treat me differently because on my social status.

(Line break...)

Making my way down the stairs, with my axe hanging over my shoulder, I heard a blood curling scream. No, they have gotten threw the walls. No, no, no, this can't be happening! I ran fast down the corridors to my mother's chambers. It was my sworn duty as a warrior to protect the queen, at all costs.

But when I got to her room, my world crashed, there she was, body mangled, and covered in blood. I was too late, I couldn't protect her, my own mother, my family, and I was too late.

I felt someone's hands grab my shoulders and pulled me out of the room.

"No, let me go, I have to be with her, I can't leave her alone, let me go!" I screamed, and kicked against the body that held me captive.

"Shh, Alex, you can't be with her, I won't let you see her."

"Zane, I was too late..."

His arms wrapped around me, "We were all too late, do not blame you self Alex."

I let a single tear fall, I only had an infant brother left, and he wasn't even in the kingdom, I didn't even know if he was alive. Mother sent him away to keep him safe, said his destiny would bind two souls together forever that would end this bloodshed.

So, lucky for me, I got a double whammy, first of all, the kingdom always goes to a female decent, and secondly, I am the only one eligible to inherit the grown with my mother's passing. I am not ready for that responsibility. I am too young, I am known for acting before thinking that is no quality meant for a queen. I can't do it, I just can't.

"Zane, I am not ready..."

"Alex, if anyone is ready to be queen it's you, you are."

"But so many people looked up to my mother for wisdom and strength, I can offer her nothing compared to her."

"Alex, you are stronger than ten men, you think with your gut reaction, which, by the way has never been wrong, they will look to you as there Queen, protector, and a warrior, just like your parents before you."

I wished that his words would be true, I wished that more than anything else. I have to be strong for my people; I can't be a weak Queen.

"Zane, thank you, for everything, you can let go now; I believe we had training we had to attend to earlier this morning."

His arms lingered around me for the tiniest bit longer, before he dropped then to his sides.

"I believe you are right, but what about you mother..."

I turn to her door, yes it still hurts to know what lies behind that door, but I have to go on, to show my people to be calm in this sort of situation.

"Chi, go inform the doctors that the Queen is dead, and we wish to cremate her ashes as soon as possible."

"Yes, my lady."

I turn back to Zane, "Last one there is the test dummy!"

I took if running, changing as I went, my muscles burned, and stretched as I ran. My bones broke, only to reshape, and soft velvet, jet black pelt that covered my body. My tail swayed in the wind, and the pads on my feet barely hit the ground when I ran. It get great to be free, to feel my animalistic side hungry for the freedom it has been given; a hungry that never goes away no matter how many time one feeds it.

The young bloods are only about fifteen years of age, only just learning to use their gifts to their full potential. So to see me, a powerful panther, and Zane, a slimy snake must be a real treat, I know it was for me when I saw my mother jump from a tree branch twenty feet high to the ground below like it was a piece of cake.

Every gift is unique the person, we have found over time that the one that can fly are amazing archers because they depend so much on their eye sight. Whereas the fast runners where better at leading the witches into traps. So every gift had a spot in our ranks. But only one animal can fit into any category, the royal bloody line Abner himself, the Black Panther.

"Alright you young bloods, I am Caption Zane, and this is Princess Alexis, you will treat us with the up most respect, you will be here on time every morning, unless you are dead, understood?"

"Yes Sir"

I could smell there fear radiating of their sweaty little bodies, a dead giveaway that they were scared. One paw in front of the other I approached a smaller young man, who was shaking more so then the other, looked him in the eyes, and let out a growl

Changing into my human from quickly, "I will not have weak men fighting for me, it only causes me more work, because I have to tell the families, and get rid of the mangled corpse, so if you can't handle this pursuer get out of my armoury and get to the forge."

No one moved.

"Zane, get my axe."

"Alex..."

"Zane, I am not asking."

Muttering under his breath, he went to fetch my axe.

"You there, what's your name?"

"T-t-troy."

"Don't stutter, you won't you voice to be clear and firm, your voice will give you away, don't let the witches use it as a weapon against you, now, I asked you, what is your name?"

"My name is Troy."

"Much better Troy, now come here," he walked over to me," stand right here, and whatever you do not move, or you will get hurt, who knows, maybe even die."

I saw him gulp, "Zane, my axe if you please." I help out my hand, waiting for my axe.

"Are you sure he's ready kitten?"

I wanted to laugh, I knew Zane would catch on to my; "scare the new young bloods till they wet themselves orientation".

With the axe in my hand, I was just about to swing at his neck...

"Princess Alexis, there is an intruder at the front gate!"

I froze mid swing, turning my head sharply," Witch?"

I simple nod was all the guard gave me, "Find him, and bring him or her to me in chains!"

Oh, no! What is going to happen to our lovely friends? Find out next time!

Okay, imma try something...the next chapter won't be up-loaded unless I get...let's say six reviews for this chapter. Should be easy enough.

Syd.