Chapter 4: Marco
My Name is Marco.
Talk about a long run. From the busy cities, to the farmlands and out into the country, it seemed like it would never end. We saw huge cliffs, passed dense forests and Tobias got his paw caught between wooden planks and almost fell off a ridiculously high bridge crossing a river. It was at times like this that I really wished that we could morph more clothing. If we could at least morph sweatpants and a loose shirt, we could have flown there in less than half the time. Though the wolf can run at full speed all day without tiring, we still had to demorph every two hours and frequent morphing an exercise is beyond exhausting once we get back to our human, or bird or alien, form.
The sun had gone down long ago by the time the end of the tracks came into view. Or at least that's what I assumed was the end of the track. I couldn't see it under a very long, old fashioned train.
Good, we found the train that's almost never used. Rachel sighed in relief. Even the ever keen warrior princess had lost her enthusiasm. Running all day with the finish line out of sight even when you reach it will do that to you. The village and this castle we can't see must be around somewhere.
Yeah, now the real fun begins. I responded, keeping my voice as chipper as I can. Next up is trying to find a place that everything, including our own eyes and heads, say isn't there and that we should stay away and then we get to try breaking in through defences designed to thwart even the greatest wizards.
And after that, it's a maze with magical tricks and who knows what else. Cassie sighed. I had the perfect view to watch as her head dropped. The others were all showing signs of doubt or exasperation too. me on the other hand? I was suddenly feeling the urge to grin. I was quite happy that it had finally hit them how insane and impossible this was going to be.
AND THEN, we have to find a group of teenagers who aren't infested, decent people and willing to fight. How hard could it be? Jake snapped, more to himself than anyone else. that sobered me up a little. Things have to be really bad for Jake to start with the sarcasm. That's mine and Rachel's thing.
How about we ignore all that right now? Tobias suggested, his voice as soft as he could make it, trying to calm everyone down. This train isn't going to be used again for a good while, so how about we get on and get some sleep? We can think our next move through tomorrow.
That sounds like a good idea. Rachel agreed, surprising me with the hastiness in her voice. I guess the pressure of this mission was even getting to her. That or Jake's attitude had her nervous. Probably both.
I do not recommend morphing again tonight anyway. Ax said, surprising me a little. He didn't usually try to influence decisions. Usually, he'd wait and follow Jake's orders like the perfect soldier. The number of transformations has already drained most of our strength. Once we leave these forms, it is unlikely that we'll be able to do so much as walk straight.
How long can we stay in morph anyway? Jake asked, tilting his head in a way that had him reminded me of a curious puppy.
Twenty of your minutes, Prince Jake.
Come on Ax, how many times do I have to tell you? They're everyone's minutes, not just ours. I responded teasingly.
Now there are nineteen of your minutes remaining. He responded stiffly, causing me to snort. I'm not sure if he does that as a joke or what, but I always find it funny.
Good. In that case, take Marco and Tobias and see if you can find us anything to eat. After today, we're gonna need it and unfortunately, we don't have any money on us. Jake said as Rachel and Cassie walked towards the train and inspected a door handle. Steal if you have too, but keep it minimal. We can get more food no one will miss once we're inside the castle.
As you wish, Prince Jake. Ax replied, immediately turning and heading off, towards where my nose was telling me that there were people. The village that the Chee had mentioned must have been nearby.
We shall return soon with a meal fit for a king, my prince. I added dramatically, bending my front legs down to give Jake a wolf's version of a bow before taking off after my partners.
Don't call me prince. I could only wage my tail like a dog at that, chuckling inside everyone's heads as I went on my way.
...
Um, wasn't this supposed to be difficult? Tobias asked, his confusion clear in his 'voice' as he looked from left to right. Not that I didn't understand, I was pretty confused too.
The Squib Chee had said that this place was protected so that you had to have magic to see it from any kind of distance before entering it. However, we turned left around a tree and there it was, right in plain sight. There was no ruins, no urge to leave and doing something I'd forgotten and I could hear, smell and see about a million different things, many of the scents confusing the wolf mind terribly. It never had never smelt anything like the aromas coming from the building nearest to us. I guess either it was filled with potions or taken over by some magical creatures. Either way, some of those fumes smelt really bad and I quickly decided that I should stay away from the place.
Perhaps the illusions placed on this village do not affect us because we are not their target. Ax suggested as he continued on his way, unperturbed.
What do you mean Ax? Tobias asked as we followed him at a more cautious pace, crouching within the bushes for as long as we could. They are meant to prevent non-magical people from seeing the town.
And last I checked, none of us put on pointy hats and rode on broomsticks. I agreed. Though, I wouldn't put it passed Rachel. I added before I could stop myself, ignoring the growl I got from Tobias.
Exactly. Ax responded, as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. Non-magical people. It was put in place to stop humans. But a wild animal's mind and senses are very different and are unlikely to be affected. It is safe to say that as an Andelite, I won't be in my natural form either.
Good enough for me. though, I still only see ruins over there where I'm assuming the castle is, so our actual target might still be a little bit of a problem. Tobias stated as we reached the main road of the village.
Worry about that later. I said, glancing at the buildings, searching for names while I sniffed around for food. We've got like fifteen of EVERYONE'S minutes left to get food and run back to the others before we're either stuck or forced to change back in front of who knows who.
Thirteen and a half of YOUR minutes actually. Ax retorted, causing me to shake with suppressed laughter.
I have to say, this place confused and fascinated me at the same time. There wasn't a single shop that I recognised, a weird aspect in itself. I mean, there's actually a place in the world that doesn't have a McDonalds. Who knew? I almost barfed when I saw that the candy shop had something called cockroach clusters on display in the window. I mean seriously, WHY WOULD YOU EAT A COCKROACH! Gross. I didn't care if there was food in there, I wasn't going in. I love candy almost as much as I love teasing Jake and Rachel, but there was no way I was risking putting sugar coated insects in my mouth.
I have to say that I was keen to come back to the village tomorrow though. They have a magical joke shop! Could you imagine how annoying I could be with that stuff. Looking into the display window, I curled my muzzle into a grin as my eyes caught a bowel of brightly coloured balls. According to the sign, they were magical versions of paint balls. Throw them at someone and no matter how little of them is hit, or where, and their entire body turns the colour of the ball and stays that way for three hours. I chuckled evilly to myself at the idea of turning Ax's fur a nice, deep pur-
Has anyone else noticed that no one is around? Tobias called, interrupting my evil scheme. However, I completely forgot it as his words registered in my head. Looking around, I realised that he was right. In fact, the only time I'd seen anyone was just before we entered the main street and he was one antsy old man.
Yeah, that's strange. I know it's night, but you'd think someone would be going home or to the pub or something. I said confusedly. Taking a few good sniffs, I checked the air for any human scent, but even in the main road of the town, fresh scents were hard to come by. Well, human one anyway. Most of them were strongest when I sniffed a door mat, though even that wasn't too strong. I could tell that people were inside the buildings, but they appeared to almost never come out. Then there was that other smell.
There is an odour in the air that is very unpleasant. Ax commented distastefully, shaking his head as if he were trying to dislodge something. Even the wolf wishes to get away from it. It is considering it rotting decay.
Yeah, except it's moving. Tobias exclaimed, his tone thick with nervousness. You don't think that witches and wizards actually create zombies do you?
What is a zombie? Ax asked, a hint of intrigue mixing in with the distaste in his voice.
You know, a dead body that's been reanimated with only one conscious thought on its mind: find and eat brains. I answered, forcing my voice to sound casual despite how nervous I was becoming. Not to mention colder. And...why did I feel like I was losing my ability to find the humour in life?
Normally, I'd say that is not possible. Ax started before his tone turned less sure and confident. But this magic has not been seen on any world the Andelites know of, so I cannot tell if it were possible.
Where about to find out! Tobias cried. He had gone a little ahead of us and the moment he'd turned to look into an alleyway, his whole body had tensed. That posture alone was enough to trigger the wolf's 'defend the pack' instinct and both Ax and I immediately leapt right to his side.
Just as I reached his tail, I knew instantly what Tobias had meant. My ears picked it up first. A flapping sound, like that of a sheet on a clothesline on a windy day. Almost hidden within that was also the sound of breathing. However, it was a cold, rattling breath strong enough to send shivers down my spine. However, passed there it was confusing.
My nose could pick up the smell alright. The dead, decaying smell that coated the town was much more focused and getting stronger, meaning that the source was close by and coming closer. However, the wolf's brain was registering it in the air, not touching the ground at all. And last I'd checked, dead bodies don't fly. But was even more confusing that there was nothing there to see. Both my human and wolf minds agreed, I should have been able to see what I was smelling by now.
This is very peculiar. Ax muttered. Though this time, while the curiosity was still there, I couldn't help but notice his 'voice' sounded almost frail, like his confidence and optimism was gone. Even this creature is confused. Two senses say something is there, but there is nothing to see.
I think we should get out of here. Tobias muttered, his voice shaking. Something is very wrong. And I'm...not alright at the moment He added, seemingly unsure if how to describe how he felt.
However, I didn't need him to. The stronger that smell got, the colder I felt. I could SEE my breath! That alone was freaking me out, it was nice and warm only a few seconds ago. And I'm currently a WOLF! They thrive in snow, how could I be cold? But there was more. Dread was quickly growing in the pit of my stomach and fear had me hyperventilating. And you know something is wrong with me when not a single witty or sarcastic remark is coming to mind.
I agree, let's bail. I said vigorously, already turning to sprint back the way we came.
But Prince Jake asked- Ax started, his voice filled with indecision. He wanted to leave as much as we did, but he was a soldier and they were meant to follow orders until it's no longer possible.
He'll understand, just run! I cut in. That seemed to be enough for him, for a not a second later, all three of us were running as fast as we could back down the street.
Fortunately, whatever was causing the smell didn't seem to care about us, for the smell instantly receded and even the wolf's very sensitive ears couldn't hear anything from it after a few seconds. Furthermore, the further we ran, the less I felt that I needed to. The dread and fear calmed and eventually disappeared entirely and my body felt warm again.
This is just freaky. Tobias stated, summing up everything that came to my mind perfectly. I feel fine now. Nervous and confused, yes, but that all hope is lost feeling went away just as quickly as it came as soon as we as the smell receded. What's going on?
It appears that those creatures, whatever they were, have the ability to affect our minds and bodies. Ax theorised, leaving me with a huge urge to roll my eyes at just how obvious that statement was. Hey, Marco is back! world beware, for you shall submit to my all powerful sarcasm. Perhaps their bodies release a chemical gas in their odour that is meant to paralyse their prey.
Add that to invisibility and it's one dangerous creature, whatever it was. Tobias said nervously as we turned a corner, a deep sense of relief filling me as the train came back in sight. And it stopped us from getting food. We're going hungry tonight. That's just great. He added moodily.
True, but we did get a lot of info that our fearless leader should like. I commented as the earth beneath my paws turned to wood. The biggest part being that it'll be much easier enough to get through the magic and into the castle as animals.
...
"So you could see the village, but not the school?" Jake asked with a frown as he sank into a cushioned seat. After reaching the station, we'd quickly demorphed and headed into the train, trying to avoid all suspicious eyes, though that didn't seem to be a problem. No one, visible or not, was detected by the wolf's senses, but in a magical place that could change quickly. Once inside, it had been easy to find Jake and the girls...pigging out on strange chocolate bars! Now that irritated me. Our mission wasn't even necessary. "I wonder why that would be? If you can see through an illusion in one place, you should be able to see through them in another."
"Maybe it's covered with different spells." Cassie suggested sleepily, laying down on a bench on the other side of the compartment. "It is a castle after all. Magical or not, castles were always very important and only the best were brought in the develop its protection. The wizards and witches who put up its defences may have been more powerful than the ones that did the village or might have known more advanced spells."
"It could also be the result of the sheer number of different spells on the place." Rachel added, popping what looked like a purple bean in her mouth only to spit it out a second later with a look of pure disgust on her face. "AUGH! That tasted like wax! Why would make that into a flavour?"
"Wow, wax? When they every flavour, they're not kidding are they?" I chuckled, inspecting the box curiously. Rachel just shot me a venomous look as she grabbed a chocolate from and opened it.
"WHOA!" Bugged eyed, I nearly jumped out of my chair as a frog made of chocolate leapt right out and at my face. However, Rachel didn't seem too keen on sharing it with me and snatched it right out of the air and shoved it into her mouth, eating it whole. "Hehe, check it out, Rachel literally has a frog in her throat."
"What about these creatures?" Jake asked before Rachel could retort, pulling the subject back on course. "Are they likely to get in our way?"
As long as we are morphed, no. Ax answered. It appeared that we had merely crossed paths with this one coincidentally. When we ran, whatever it was did not try to stop us or follow. Again, it may not have considered us worth paying attention to due to us not being human or magical.
Though they do explain why the streets were deserted. Tobias commented from his place on the upper ledge meant for luggage. The people would want to stay far away from whatever these things are. In any case, I'm confident that no good comes from them. And judging from the smell coating the entire area, it's very likely that there is a lot of them nearby
"Then tomorrow, we fly towards the 'ruins'." Jake nodded, looking around the group for any sign of disapproval. "That should help us avoid these undead smelling creatures and stop a lot of magic from affecting us if our assumptions are right. If we still can't get in, we'll land at the barrier and try an underground approach as moles. But for now, eat as much strange, teeth rotting candy as you need and go to sleep."
"Sweet! Orders to be lazy. Keep that up and we'll keep you around my boy." I grinned, ignoring Jake's eye roll as I made my way to the sweets cart. Looking it over, I decided on the chocolate frogs and some cakes. Hopefully the flour filled goodness didn't include cockroaches and eye of newt. Tomorrow was going to be a long day after all. It would be really bad if I spent it puking.
Note to self. Next time I'm going to a far off, unknown land, pack as many mars bars and potato chips as I can.