Howling 20
In the afternoon, inside a fort. A group of soldiers trained. On the walls, archers stare out and scan the area for any sign of the enemy. A few days ago, news reached them that the humans had mobilized troops. General Musashi calculated how much time they had. He increased training for a short period. He was thinking of the children. He had sent word for reinforcement. There has been no reply yet. General Musashi was angry but had to think of other plans.
"Fillan, we are going to war. I am giving you the time before they appear to find your answer. Prove to me you deserve to be here." Since then, Fillan has stayed meditating. Fillan would go into his memories, which showed different parts of his life from his younger years. Sometimes, they repeated themselves.
Fillan was practicing with a wooden sword when he heard footsteps. "YO, Fillan, how is it going?" Fillan looked and saw Shia and Barret walking over. Fillan wiped the sweat from his forehead and greeted them. "How is it going for you guys?" he asked. Fillan saw Barret's exhausted expression.
"That bad, huh." "Yeah, those guys are really serious. Look, I still have bruises from yesterday." Shia shows Fillan his elbow, and Fillan smirks. They become serious, and Shia talks about their role during the battle. "They told us we are the second line of defense. General Musashi hopes the reinforcements come before then." Fillan stayed silent; he knew he wouldn't be allowed to fight.
Shia then asked about his progress. Fillan told him he was having trouble again. He revealed he could use magic. "My affiliation is lighting; it happened when I was young." Shia smiled, then thought about what could cause him to lose the ability to use magic. After some time, he couldn't figure out anything. Then, Shia mentions the Umbridge Kingdom. "I heard their king is leading them. Can you believe their king on the front lines?"
"The Human King, HUH…" Fillan then thought of something. Fillan thanked Shia and opened the door to the shed. He lit the candles and began meditation. Shia and Barret were dumbfounded. "Okay? He might have remembered something. Barret, let's go; I heard they have meat today." Shia and Barret left.
Fillan inhaled and exhaled, his breathing steady. Soon, he drifted, his mind calm. Then, fire and the screams of people. Fillan opened his eyes and stood in the middle of the city. Soldiers were fighting against mud creatures. The buildings were on fire. "Fillan," Sister Angie's shouted. Fillan was about to run to her when he thought about Adolpha. Then he woke up.
Fillan was at the orphanage. He heard the children's exciting shouts outside. Fillan walked out of the house and saw the children gathered. "What is going on?" he asked as he approached. "Fillan, look at this," Rick raised a piece of paper. "They say the fighting will stop." Fillan was surprised. He walked over and looked at the newspaper.
On the news, it said the kings would be meeting to discuss peace. The Demon king said an imposter proclaiming to be him was the one who attacked; he didn't plan to reveal himself, but the war caused too many problems. The children were talking about the king's meeting. "They are coming to Kingsland." "I want to see them." "Let's ask Father William." Fillan stared at the newspaper. The children then ran back inside the house.
Later that night, the children could not sit still. They talked about the news. Father William laughed as they asked all sorts of questions about the news. Father William, who visited the city regularly for business, told them it was a big deal. "They said it would be like a festival. I wonder what will happen." The children became excited and asked to see.
Father William considered it and made a deal with them: "There are still many things to do. How about you help with the chores, no complaining, and we will see?" The children looked at each other and agreed. They finished eating and cleared the table. Father William, Sister Angie, and Adolpha laughed.
Over the next few days, the children worked hard. Fillan had gotten close to Adolpha. Chloe and Misaki were jealous and stuck close to him. Fillan hasn't shown any signs of using magic after the incident. The children were taught the basics and what to do if they manifest.
One day, Fillan, Chloe, Misaki, and Adolpha were pulling weeds. Adolpha had a basket and was about to pick it up. The sun was high in the sky, and she happened to look up. Fillan was with Chloe and Misaki. He helped pull out a stubborn weed. Fillan made an expression. "Wolf?" Adolpha began to shed tears and then collapsed. Later, she woke up in her bed. Sister Angie was cleaning when she saw her wake up.
"How are you feeling," she asked. Adolpha apologized. Fillan was bringing water when he heard Adolpha and Sister Angie talking. "It happened again. The medicine isn't helping anymore." Adolpha murmured something. "I think you should reconsider." Sister Angie said. "I thought about it. I will be leaving after the meeting. Father William knows about it."
Fillan left, and Chloe saw him take his fishing pole from the shack. Fillan arrived at the lake and began fishing. He looked at the calm water and was lost in thought. He thought about Adolpha and the days he spent with her. Adolpha was a little clumsy but worked hard. She sometimes acted like a kid herself. Fillan smiled, remembering this.
Fillan returned to the house, and they prepared dinner. Once they sat down to eat, Father William told them the good news. "I have seen how hard you worked. I decided to let you go to the city." The children happily cheered. They began talking again about what they wanted to see. A few more days passed, and it was time.
That morning, they heard that Father William wasn't feeling too well. "Don't worry about me. I got someone from the village to look after me. I know how much you were looking forward to it; go have fun." Father William told them to go, and they finally agreed. The children promised to bring him something back. Father William laughed and waved goodbye.
The children were on the wagon, eager to get to the city. The girls wore newer dresses, while the boys wore the same clothes. After some time, they reached the gate doors. They saw that many people who also wanted to get in had arrived. The city guards were focused more on checking everyone. Once it was their turn, they were quickly checked and let in.
They were about to pass the gates when the world slowed down. Fillan noticed the color slowly vanishing. He looked at the others, and time stopped. Everyone was smiling and laughing. Fillan sensed something and looked ahead. The beast was standing not far from him. Suddenly, Fillan heard a voice; there was panic and screaming. The world turned dark, and Fillan woke up. Fillan exited the shack, his mind dazed.
"Fillan, how are things?" Fillan looked and saw General Musashi. "My mind, it feels…" Fillan couldn't remember. General Musashi stared at him. "Figure it out by tomorrow. You won't have time after." Fillan looked at him in confusion. He told him to meet up with his group before he left. Fillan saluted and left. General Musashi looked at the sky, a murderous aura wanting to emanate.
Fillan saw Barret. Barret pointed, and Fillan followed. They headed to the blacksmiths. When they got there, the other children were there. Fillan saw they were getting light armor and a weapon. Shia appeared behind them. "We are getting our equipment. This is serious," Shia said in a carefree tone. Fillan didn't say much and stood in line.
Finlay got his armor and weapon and walked past them. As soon as he saw Fillan, he got mad. "What are you doing here?" Fillan paid him no mind and looked forward. "Someone as powerless as you shouldn't…" Before he could say more, there was a loud bang. They all looked, and the head blacksmith stared at Finlay with a menacing look. "Keep the line moving; we have a lot of work to do," he said.
Finlay was scared and left. The line moved, and it was Fillan's turn. The instructor told the smith what to give him. Fillan was given a chest plate, helmet, and sword. The instructor told him his group would be joining another in the formation. Fillan didn't say anything, so he took his equipment and left. Shia and Barret got their gear and followed.
They went to their room and put their gear down. Fillan stared at it. Shia jumped on his bed. "Fillan, I think you shouldn't go. It's better to live," Shia said earnestly. Fillan said nothing and left. Barret was panicked. "Don't worry, he knows we mean well." Fillan knew what he lacked; he needed to recover it fast.
Fillan returned to the shack and lit the candles. He inhaled and began his meditation. Fillan thought about the king's gathering; he wanted to know what happened. Fillan could only hear his thoughts but could not remember. The candle effects weren't working. Fillan became impatient and left the shack. He paced back and forth.
"What is this feeling? Thinking about that day is making... Why do I feel like this?" Fillan sat on the ground and looked up at the stars. In silence, he thought about everyone at the orphanage; he smirked when he thought of them. Fillan closed his eyes and relaxed. His mind drifted to a cold, dark world. Fillan again heard chains; he opened his eyes…
Days earlier, King John was in his office at the Umbridge Kingdom. Someone knocked on his door. "Come in," he said. The door opened, and a maid bowed. "Sir, the Madam and Princess are waiting for you." King John nodded in agreement, and the maid left. King John put some documents away, got up, and left his office.
King John walked out to the backyard, where there was a gazebo and garden. He walked over to the gazebo, where Queen Annabeth was drinking tea. She was wearing a delicate white dress with a coat over her shoulders. King John smiled and sat. "It's good to see you out here." Queen Annabeth smiled. "I can't say no to our daughter." Then, a small child ran over. "Dad, you are finally out. Come, let's go," she said excitedly.
Princess Annelise Umbridge was the first princess. Annalise resembled her mother with tan skin, burgundy hair, and hazelnut eyes. She wore a light green dress. King John picked her up. "Why are you in such a hurry?" "I want to spend time with both of you," she said. Queen Annabeth smiled. "All right, let's go." Queen Annabeth slowly stood up, and they began walking.
A few servants followed with picnic baskets. The royal family was strolling around their large garden. After a while, they stopped at another spot, and the maids set their lunch. Annalise happily ate; she talked about her studies and how she didn't like them. After complaining and sharing things she saw, she wanted to play. "Oh, who is that troublemaker over there?" "Aunt Erica," Annalise got up and ran to her.
Erica Haddison, the Amazonia, picked up Annalise and spun around. Haddison laughed and placed her back down. Queen Annabeth looked at her and asked her to play with Annalise. Haddison agreed and took her. "Come, let's go see over there." Annalise followed Haddison, and they left. Once gone, Queen Annabeth questions King John.
"Are you leaving today?" King John shook his head. "Tomorrow morning." Annabeth smiled and took his hand. "Don't worry about Annalise and me; we will be okay." "I never thought this would happen in my lifetime. I believed there would always be peace." Queen Annabeth reached and patted his head. King John looked at her in surprise.
"John, we can't anticipate the future, but I know how much you care about us and the entire kingdom. You have the responsibility to protect everyone. The kingdom's people are behind you, so show them what their king can do." King John smiled and took her hands. Annabeth, I love you." Queen Annabeth became embarrassed.
King John smiled and got close to embrace her. "Why can't those old geezers be like you," King John said jokingly. Queen Annabeth laughed. "What are they up to?" she asked. King John sighed and told her. It seemed that the Old Guard wasn't accepting the outcome, but they could not go against the High Nobles. They were trying to use the nobles to protest.
King John has been dealing with complaints until now. Queen Annabeth again laughed. "What happened to you? You used to intimidate them before." King John smirked, "Those were different times. I had to control my emotions." King John thought back at those times. When he was younger, he served in the military. One time, he was inside a tent talking to a group.
Then, a fat nobleman walked in and began scolding them. "How could you let him get away? He stole my merchandise! You call yourselves knights. I've never seen such failures." John stared at him, stood up, walked over to the nobleman, and looked down on him. "Say that again," John said in a threatening tone. The nobleman became scared.
Then, a soldier ran in. "Sir, we found their hideout. "Orale, John, you were right." "Yoshi, you lost again," said a man with blonde hair. "All right, let's go shake things," said another man with dark skin and a muscular physique. "Just wait here; we have work to do." John took his sword, and the group left. The nobleman couldn't say anything. Later, John and his group returned with several wagons and people who were kidnapped.
"Did you know he was the tenth one to come and complain? I had it, so it felt right to shut them up." Queen Annabeth looked at him. "Then it was good you learned to control your emotions." King John and Queen Annabeth spoke some more. Annalise and Haddison returned. King John picked up Annalise and asked what she did.
Annalise talked to her father. Queen Annabeth then excused herself. "Annalise, I need to speak with Aunt Erica. I will be back." Annalise nodded and continued talking to her father. Queen Annabeth slowly stood up and left with Haddison. They walked to another area. Annabeth sat down on a bench.
Haddison looked at Annabeth's weak body. "I never seen this bench here," Haddison said. Annabeth told her that John had it made for her. The bench overlooked part of the city. Haddison began talking about the old days with her. Haddison and Annabeth were adventurers. They were part of an all-female group. They disbanded when Annabeth married.
"I still remember that look when he asked you to marry him. The others teased you all day." Annabeth felt embarrassed. "You made fun of me and what happened next. I gave each one of you a good beating." They laughed. Haddison looked at the city. Annabeth asked Haddison how it was going. Haddison told her that half the troops were on their way.
"Cortez, me, and John will leave tomorrow morning, taking the rest." Annabeth couldn't help but sigh. "Are you regretting becoming Queen?" Haddison asked. Annabeth also looked at the city. "At first, it was hard," she said. Annabeth complained about having to be courteous and proper around nobles. Haddison thought about Annabeth's personality before.
"Do you remember when we first met?" Annabeth asked. Haddison smiled, "A course…" A younger, battered Annabeth was fighting in the middle of a country road. She wore leather armor, and her sword looked cheap. Standing before her stood a tall, muscular Amazonian with Greek-inspired armor. "Just give it a rest," said the Amazonian.
"You haven't apologized." "Apologize; why should I?" "Are you going to act dumb?" Annabeth drew energy and attacked. The Amazonian blocked the attacks and landed some punches. Annabeth was thrown to the ground but didn't stay down. She stood up and pointed her sword at her. "I like you; you have earned my respect." The Amazonian laughed. "Later, we found out it was a misunderstanding," Annabeth said, smiling. "Since then, we have become sisters," Haddison added.
Annabeth took out a necklace with a key. "Erica, I made up my mind. I want you to have it." Haddison was talking and didn't hear. "What?" Annabeth repeated herself; she handed the key to her. "Is this…" "Erica, you know well, but this illness can't be cured. The doctor doesn't know, and the elves won't share anything about light magic. After giving birth to Annalise, I left my adventuring days behind me."
Annabeth told Haddison she wanted to spend her time raising Annalise. "Coming from a commoner background, I know she will face many difficulties; I want to show her that she can look up to her mother," Annabeth said confidently. Haddison shook her head. "I know how stubborn you can be. I will take it and hold on to it. Missy won't be happy about this."
They laughed and bought up Missy. Missy was a female blacksmith dwarf. She specialized in female weapons and gear. "Missy is still working hard; she told me to tell you about visiting her." Annabeth nodded. "I guess I won't be able to see the grace of the dance of the flaming rose again."
"If you want to see it, then learn to use the sword," Annabeth said sarcastically. "You will never see me do such an embarrassing thing like that," Haddison said and laughed, and then she became serious. "Don't worry, sister; I promise to protect him." After talking more, they returned to where King John and Annalise were.
Haddison excused herself, and King John, Queen Annabeth, and Princess Annalise enjoyed the rest of their day. That night, as they put Annalise to bed, Annabeth told her a bedside story. King John stood next to them, listening. Annalise then remembered something and went to her dresser. She took out a flower crown and gave it to her mother. "This is for you. I want us to go together again," she said.
Annalise smiled and nodded. King John also promised, and after she fell asleep, they left. Annabeth became weak, and King John took her to their room. King John laid her down, and he lay next to her. They hugged and fell asleep. The following morning, before the sun rose, King John had left the room. He walked into the armory.
King John began preparing. He removed his nobleman clothes, revering his scars, and wore his armor. King John's armor looked more ceremonial than for actual combat. He then looked at a sword but took another. King John walked out and arrived at the front door. The servants bowed as he walked past them. The doors opened, and a group of soldiers were waiting.
King John walked out, and the soldiers saluted. He mounted his horse and was about to leave. Suddenly, he heard his daughter shout, "Father, wait!" Annalise ran out of the house. King John got off his horse and embarrassed her. Annalise was crying and asking her father not to go. King John shed tears. "Annalise, please listen; I must go to protect you and all who live here."
Annalise didn't want to hear it. She held him tightly. "Annalise, I will come back, and when I do, I want to see you and your mother welcome me with a bright smile. Can you promise that?" Annalise looked up at him. "Will you watch the flowers with me and mom?" King John smiled and nodded. "I will also tell you of everything I saw."
Annalise let go of him. Queen Annabeth stepped out. She looked at him and smiled. King John walked over to her and kissed her. "I will come back; wait for me." Queen Annabeth nodded. "Father, I made this for you. Mom asked me to make one for you." Annalise pulled out a flower crown and gave it to him. With a smile, King John took it and placed it in his bag, "Thank you, I will treasure it."
King John mounted his horse again and led his troops out. Outside the castle gates, more soldiers were waiting. King John rode out, and the citizens cheered and blessed him and the soldiers. The Umbridge soldiers marched down the streets. Once outside the city, wagons carrying some adventures moved.
"We are doing this. I can't wait." Haddison appeared next to him. She was riding a horse of her own. Haddison wore her geek-inspired armor and, on her back, a long spear. "Hermano, I have your back." Cortez then rode next to him. Cortz wore his Zorro-inspired costume with light armor. King John looked forward and smiled.
Fillan opened the shack doors and entered. He lit the candles and began meditating. He cleared his mind and thought about the beast. His mind remained dark until he heard the chains. Fillan stared into the darkness and made out a figure. Suddenly, he appeared in front of the city gates. Standing not far from him, the beastly figure stood staring at him. Fillan then notices the chains around his hands and feet.
The beast then howled. Fillan covered his ears, and the shockwave from his howl almost blew him away. Fillan looked at him and finally noticed the beast shedding tears. After thinking about it, he showed some determination. "Who are you?" He began stepping towards it. The beast noticed and launched an attack.
Fillan didn't dodge, and his face was scratched. He continued to get closer. The beast began to shake as if scared. Fillan then reached out his hand. The beast looked at it and then at Fillan. It slowly reached out, and Fillan was back on the wagon before they touched.
The world began to move again. The children were excitedly talking. The streets were crowded with people, and more soldiers were patrolling. They headed to the church and parked the wagon. The church was busy arranging everything. Sister Angie told the children to stay close and not cause trouble. The children couldn't sit still and urged Sister Angie to hurry.
The children walked down the busy streets. There were many stalls and performers. It overwhelmed them, and they couldn't decide where to go. After much deliberation, they went to listen to some music. It was a lively atmosphere. After the performance, word spread that the kings were arriving. The people went to the main street to watch.
The children, not wanting to miss the chance to see them, hurried Sister Angie and Adolpha. Fillan had noticed Adolpha spacing out much more than usual. They headed to the main street and found a place at the front. After a while, the crowd's cheer rang out, but it died down, and murmurs spread.
The children wondered what was happening. The shouts of angry people scared them. The children then saw the first carriage. It was an all-black carriage, and the driver was a demon knight. The black horses elegantly walked by. The people booed and shouted insults. The city guards try to maintain calm, warning them not to do anything rash.
Behind the carriage, demon knights followed. They didn't react and just followed. After they passed, cheers came from down the street. Suddenly, archers loomed over from the buildings. Everyone saw them and noticed they were elves. On a white antelope, a handsome elf man wearing decorative silk clothes rode by.
The elf had fair skin, long blonde hair, and blue eyes. He has a handsome face with pointy ears. Many elves in the crowd looked at him with respect. Behind him, elf soldiers followed. The children pointed at them and waved. Fillan didn't care much and looked at Adolpha, who was smiling.
Suddenly, there was a commotion. Following the noise, a pair of strong-looking oxen were pulling an iron carriage. "Like I said, we should have gotten her earlier." "You were the one that made us take a wrong turn." Next to the iron carriage were short, muscular, and burly men. They were arguing with each other. "I told you guys to act more noble," said a loud voice from the carriage.
These were the dwarfs, and inside the iron carriage was the dwarf king. The dwarfs outside began arguing with him, which made everyone laugh. Following them were heavily armored dwarf soldiers. "That pointy ear stick in front is stinking the mood." People knew the dwarfs and elves didn't get along. After they passed, cheers erupted.
Fillan concentrated, but then it was broken. The sound of a horn woke him up. Fillan stepped out of the shack. On top of the wall, General Musashi stared out into the distance. In the distance, an army was preparing. On horseback, King John stared at the fort. "It is time…"