I cant even....

63

Beardy Beard Rabbits

“Did you send the message that we have the girl?” Even though Gibbel had calmed down his voice could not hide the pain he felt at having to betray and kill his friends.

The dwarf, the question was directed at ignores the hoarseness in Gibbel’s voice. “Yes I sent it, though I wonder how these humans got their hands on a set of scrying bowls. Them willing to give it to us, must also mean it holds little value.”

Gibbel just shrugs, not caring to do much else.  He stands up swallowing hard. “Enough rest we have to move. It’s not much further before we reach the tent in the human camp.”

The dwarves grumble, complaining about the weight of the large woman they have to drag with them. The dwarf tasked to carry the girl bends down his back towards Gibbel as he reaches for her. Gibbel watches as the dwarf’s body freezes. He tilts his head and is about to ask what is going on when he hears a gurgle. The sound is strangely familiar and it is because of this familiarity that he starts to develop a cold sweat.

A giggle fills the tunnel. It would be endearing or rather cute under normal circumstances, but in this situation it causes Gibbel to be filled with dread! A female voice almost a whisper reaches him. “Alpha would be disappointed. Luna was stupid to trust you beardy beards. Your stone dolls were just so interesting.” She giggles again.

By now two more dwarves have joined Gibbel, all staring with big eyes as the girl with silver hair peaks past one of their comrades. She pushes his shoulder with dainty hand and the dwarf falls over, a blade handle sticking out of  his beard, in the area where his neck should be. They watch in almost rapt attention as the girl stands up her silver hair now splattered with droplets of blood. A green light suddenly lights up and floats next to the girl, casting the tunnel into a strange shade. Gibbel holds his hand up in front of his face to avoid being blinded. In each of Luna’s hands is a throwing axe, gained from the now dead dwarf. She giggles again and licks at some blood on her finger. “Luna thinks you are bad beardy beards. You caught Luna off guard and if Alpha finds out Luna will no longer be allowed to go out with Alpha.”

Her silver eyes seem to stand out all the more on her face that is thrown into shadow because of the floating green light behind her, she giggles once more. “Come beardy beards, let Luna cut your beards…. Along with your necks of course.”

Her eyes narrow and she lunges forward, her hand moving like a whip as an axe is thrown!  The green light pulses behind her, blinding the dwarves! The dwarf next to Gibbel lets out a grunt as it smashes into his head, the force throwing him backwards. Gibbel  blindly throws his own axe but the girl pushes off from the wall of the tunnel, tilting her lithe body out of the way. As the axe passes underneath, her empty hand stretches out snatching it out of thin air.

By now the other dwarves have joined Gibbel, but only three of them can stand next to each other in the tunnel, so the ones in the back are forced to watch as the girl lands, her hands now empty. The green pulse fades revealing Gibbel clutching at a stump where his hand used to be and one of the dwarves next to him doubles over. Gritting his teeth in pain he shouts, “Bring the spears, but remember don’t kill her or our families are done for!”

His words are barely cold before the silver eyes appear right in front of him, far too close for comfort! “Here rabbit, have a carrot.” His mind barely registers being called rabbit before a dagger stabs through his teeth, tongue and finally the back of his throat. He wants to scream in horror and pain, but the blood gushing down his throat chokes him.

 The green light flashes past him. Spears stab from behind and past his head. The girl turns sideways, but is still cut on her shoulder! The dwarves swear, if not for the cursed light they would have been more accurate! Gibbel wants to scream, but it comes out as a muffled gurgle when the girl starts pushing the dagger driving him backwards and into is comrades!

A curved dagger appears out of nowhere and she lunges to the right, to his dismay her hand on the one in his mouth stays in place and his head is forced to the side. He watches as she ducks under a spear and stabs into the neck of a friend he has known for years. His worry for his friend is forgotten as the dagger in him is ripped out taking with it a piece of his tongue while it cuts through his cheek. Luna twists and ducks avoiding two spears, but one cuts deeply into her inner thigh before hitting and digging into the wall behind her.

She screams in pain her voice slightly changing to that of an angered beast!  Vinx buys her time and dances in the spear holder’s line of sight! Luna leans forward and kicks off with her uninjured leg, sliding along the shaft of the spear, towards a surprised dwarf who was busy swiping at the green light. His eyes big as saucers, gets replaced with two daggers. She rolls to the side throwing the now dead dwarf between her and the ones still breathing!

A low growl fills the tunnel before she vaults over the dead dwarf now entangled with the other two spear bearers who are desperately trying to back up and win some distance as well as take out the light following them. Horror fills their eyes as the light suddenly winks out and Luna appears above them. Her daggers sink into the top of their heads and the three of them tumble to the ground.

She looks up to see an axe being swung at her, she rolls to the side, but the blade still cuts her back open. Hands turn to claws and skin turns hard as rock. The last dwarf nearly screams as Luna’s, now armored arm deflects his next  blow and the she devil lunges forward. Daggers forgotten, claws dig deep into his chest, ending his life. The she devil does not stop there and grabs the dead dwarf and starts smashing him around in the tunnel like a dog with chew toy in its jaws.

Vinx worried, starts to scream at the girl, “Stop Luna, it’s over!”

It stops as quickly as it started and Luna blinks a few times fighting the rage inside. Her memories turn to Slyfer and the effect it has is overwhelming. The rage fades to a distant throb once more and her body changes back to normal.

She gasps loudly before kicking the smashed piece of flesh and guts in front of her. “You make Luna turn ugly. Stupid beardy rabbits.”

 Vinx flies over and inspects the wound on Luna’s thigh Luna waves her away still a bit peeved at everything. Favoring the injured leg she makes her way through the blood and carnage to check on the muscled lady that complains too much. As she hobbles she berates herself while thinking on how she got into this situation. Luna plops down next to the large women and Vinx takes the opportunity to heal the wound as best she can. Luna grumbles feeling stupid for what happened.

Earlier Luna had been somewhat amazed at what she had seen around her, she wanted to touch and explore everything as they walked through the tunnel the beardy beards made. They reminded her of rabbits with their tunnels, somewhat ugly and hairy rabbits though. She then thought about how delicious rabbit meat is. She was staring at the strange jewels set into the tunnels that gave of a glow when they suddenly turned down a hallway that had a lot less beardy rabbits walking around in it.

Not long after they took another turn and entered a room. She was curiously looking at a small bed with a strange contraption to the side when Birtha grabbed her hand. Her body reacted instantly, but it was too late. A painful crack hit the base of her neck, causing her to feel confused and dazed.

She woke up later to the sound of scuffling. She groaned a little but Vinx’s voice in her head made her stay silent.  The fairy then quickly explained what happened. She gained a rough understanding on what is going on and her memories soon returned, igniting anger in her. Not for them but herself. Anger because she was caught off guard, anger because she let some rabbits capture her! It was her choice to follow Alpha to this place and he trusted her enough to allow it… then she had failed him. The beardy beard rabbits soon grew tired from having to carry the muscle lady that complains so much and they stopped.

Luna then made up her mind she would kill them all! If Alpha found out she was captured he would not allow her to come with him again. Luna could not allow that. Vinx snuck out of her armor and untied her as she lay still pretending to be out cold….

Her leg now reduced from blinding pain to a dull throb, Luna stands up. Vinx is securely nestled in her cleavage, exhausted from having to heal Luna. After checking the muscle lady she turns around and tilts her head. Pointing at the dead bodies in turn she counts aloud. –Some beardy rabbits are missing?- A moment later she shrugs and bends down grabbing Birtha’s foot. A low groan escapes the woman and Luna looks at her irritably. “All you do is complain, even when you sleep!”

Without further ado she starts to walk in the same direction they were heading, dragging the unconscious women behind her, not caring about the blood Birtha is being dragged through. She had thought on it a while and discussed what to do with Vinx, but they had no way of knowing if other dwarves were also caught in Alexo’s trap. So they decided to stick with the devil they know.

A gurgle brings Luna to a stop and she looks at Gibbel who is still alive, half drowning in his own blood. She bends down and ends his life with a face that never changes. She takes another few steps and her stomach growls. She stops again and looks at the dwarves, after a few seconds she shakes her head. She had already tasted her first victim’s blood out of curiosity; they live like rabbits after all. The blood however had an earthy taste not to her liking.

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Leaving a tunnel filled with death she makes her way forward with the unconscious woman leaving a  trail of blood behind them. She soon reached stairs leading even deeper.

In another moment down went Luna, never once considering the unconscious Birtha behind her.

Alexo looks at Slyfer confusion on his face. The boy had shown spunk a second ago, enough anger to make the human imagine he could kill him with his gaze. Yet now he sits eyes vacant, face neutral. It is because of this that Slyfer never notices a messenger arrive. He never notices Alexo swearing and grumbling for having to leave because of an untimely council meeting. It is because of this that Slyfer never sees him leave.

Sorren has no idea what to do or how to fulfill his master’s order to “fix” him, little does he know that inside of Slyfer’s head voices are raging. The dragons are angry, the dragons want blood. In front of Slyfer is the man that has infected a city, their city which was built for peace and prosperity for all races. They had warned him, told him to kill, but the hatchling showed mercy when he should not have, he showed bad judgement and even now with the cause of all the city’s troubles he had sat and done nothing. A dragon would kill its prey without a thought, without remorse. A dragon would act!

“Boy you have disappointed us, we have been watching and you have been infected by the two legs. Infected with thoughts of remorse, hesitation and pity. You do not feel pity for what you eat, you just eat it! A dragon takes and if something is upset because it took, the dragon kills it. We tried the two leg way, we followed the white dragon in his quest for peace and what happened? No more. No more mercy. No more doubts or thinking, second guessing. NO MORE acting like the creatures that are beneath you. You are a dragon. Have pride in who you are! Destroy those who doubt it, destroy any who do not fear.”

Slyfer had listened in silence, but what they said. What they are asking of him, he simply can’t do. Even to his ears, his voice is feeble in reply. “What then, what happens after I have killed and destroyed. Taken what I wanted and killed those whom it belonged to, what then? I will be left with nothing but destruction, have abundance of things that would no longer have meaning for having lost its purpose. Yes, I made a mistake. Yes, I failed and squandered your trust. I have indeed been infected, but it is not the infections you mentioned. I have been infected by confusion. Confusion with who and what I am.”

Some dragons roar, angry that the hatchling would talk back after making a mistake. Others fall silent and pensive, thinking over his words. Only a sparse few agree with it. “Bah, what confusion? What is there to be confused about! You do what we say, follow and kill what we deem as a danger.”

“I am not your tool! I would rather kill myself than be your toy.” This time its Slyfer’s dragon voice speaking, causing many to fall quiet. “You forced me here, you made me promise or die and now you complain with what you got. I will not follow you blindly into anything. You are consumed by hate and would drive everything to ruin!” Slyfer’s rage subsides, but if he saw these damned dragons he would not have hesitated to throw his life away and try to rip them apart.

“Yes I have made mistakes, but which one of you has not? I realize that I am weak and that I have been acting like a “two leg” but look at me, look at my body and what do you see? You see two legs don’t you. I am no dragon, but I am not a mere two leg either. I must be both. For me to surpass my name sake I must be both. For me to fulfill my purpose I must be both and you angry bastards are going to help me.”

The dragons bulk back at what he said. Sure they had given advice or edged him on to kill now and then, one of them even gave up whatever they are to save the hatchling’s life. The only help he had ever asked for outright was from the female on matters of politics and mating. They also explained a bit about hunting and other questions he had, but that was something afforded to every hatchling. His question left them confused, what dragon had ever asked for help? They solve it themselves or they die. That is why even though they were abandoned they never sent someone to ask, or beg for help. In their eyes it would have been beneath them.

Most were silent now, until a gruff voice fills his mind overpowering the others. “Why and how would we help you?”

Slyfer snorts, “what a stupid question. We all want the same thing. Even though I was thrown in here by you, I have met people I care about. I have witnessed what it would be like to live under Chronos and I have made an oath that I would end it, so I will. However, I will do it on my own terms or die here and now. Teach me to be a dragon, while I learn to be a two leg.”

A dragon with an amused voice speaks up. “And what is it that you think you need to be now?”

Slyfer smiles evilly. “Right now I need to be a demon!”

A lot of dragons still simmer with anger at the hatchling, but most are placated for the moment Slyfer can’t help but hear a few grumble, “this hatchling makes no sense, teach him to be a dragon while he learns to be a two leg but now he has to be demon?”

In the tower Trisha is going crazy, marching up and down like demented crazy person. They had received word about Slyfer’s capture and not long after Luna’s as well. A bit of good news followed a few hours later. Luna had managed to escape. That was all Trisha cared about and dit not care to listen to what else the fairy had to report.

Fira sitting on a bed not far from where Trisha is pacing, just follows her new found friend with her eyes. Jade was with them earlier, but she had to go take care of clan business and reluctantly left.

Aldowin enters and looks at the two. After a few seconds of not being noticed he clears his throat, earning scowls from both of them. The scowls clear up and quickly turn into hopeful gazes, to which Aldowin must reluctantly shake his head. Like balloons both of the girls deflate. Aldowin can’t blame them, he was pacing just like Trisha is now and probably had the same look when a fairy entered the hall to update them again.

Aldowin starts to feel panicked at the thought of losing his student but soon wrestles it down before finally managing to speak. “I do not have news on Slyfer’s situation, but I do have news of you-“ He barely manages to stop from saying the taboo word in Trisha’s presence. “-I have news of what is to be done with the shaman and the Queen.”

Trisha does not stop pacing and Fira only snorts while looking at her red hair that changed back to normal the second day after Slyfer left.  Both of them have tried to contact him on numerous occasions through their link, but the feeling was dull and they were blocked by what felt like syrup the closer they got the stickier and thicker it got. In the end they could do nothing but give up and hold onto the feint feeling they still had of him.

Aldowin getting angry for being ignored raises his voice. “Slyfer would be disappointed.” Its most likely not true but he had to get their attention somehow. Both turn to him at the same time. “he would be disappointed if he knew the way you are acting. We are on the cusp of war and you to are sitting here feeling sorry for yourselves.”

“What do you expect us to do!” Shout both at the same time.

“We have a war to fight, I suggest you prepare for it. The blood pack morale is at an all-time low, fights are breaking out all over the place. The warriors need a new leader.” Aldowin gestures with his hand and two servants come in carrying armor with an all too familiar insignia on it. They place it on the bed and quickly exit. “Who better to take command in Slyfer’s absence then his women?”

Fira freezes at being called his woman, but she does not refute it. “I suggest you two get dressed and go prepare your warriors. We plan on holding a ceremony for Ban tonight.”

With that the man leaves them to their thoughts, a part of him can’t help but feel excited for how it may turn out.

The two girls look at each other before taking deep breaths and getting dressed.

Half an hour later finds them walking down the hallway causing workers, pages and anyone in their path to stop and watch them walk past. Great Hunter appears out of nowhere and freezes in his tracks. “Fira, why are you dressed like that!”

Fira sighs knowing it’s going to be a fight, but if he tries to stop her she will just give him a bit of a tan. “What does it look like father. I am going to the blood pack.”

“Preposterous, you are a princess not some warrior.”

She continues to walk forcing Great Hunter to follow. “Then I will be a warrior Princess, it is because we were willing to sit and watch while some OTHER person went and did what we all should have done that it has come to this. Do not try and stop me, you cannot.”

Great Hunter’s face becomes a mask of anger. “Fira if you do this you can no longer represent us!”

She stops and closes her eyes. Ever since they set off for this stupid council her father had talked and tried to prepare her for it. He had placed all his hope on her and thinking back it has only caused her pain. Forced her to be someone she is not, forced her to get driven away by the one she cares- no the one she loves. She does not know how things will work out with Trisha and Luna, to be honest she does not care at this moment. Hearing what her father said has somehow made her mind clear of all doubts on what she should do.

“Father I accept that, I am sorry but I can no longer be the person you wanted me to be, I am me and I wish to be accepted the way I am, I do not want to lie and manipulate. I will join the blood pack, I will follow Slyfer.” A tear runs down her cheek, the pain her words must be causing her father goes beyond understanding.

Without hesitating Fira continues her walk, for fear of giving in and turning back. As soon as they are out of his sight Trisha places her hand on her shoulder and says. “I accept you.”

Fira nods through her tears and the two continue on.