Dark Aura (under editing)

Part 3 Invoked Nightmare: Prey

Night fell, I stood in the spot where Xavier told me to be. I inhaled and exhaled, watching my breath in the cold, crispy air. To say it was cold was an understatement. It was tempting to make a fire. But if I did, they would find us immediately...

I tugged the coat tighter around me, a harsh wind brushed by. I hugged myself tighter; it seemed as if all the odds were stacked against me. I missed the cities and villages. For the first time in my life, I wanted nothing more but to be there.

The dark, tall and black trees blocked the moon and whatever light. The moon was always full over here. I kept in mind when we traversed through here. Werewolf territory, werewolf moon.

The clouds covered the moon. I watched the sliver of light slowly fade away; I gulped. It was dark enough, perfect for them to attack.

I can't make out a thing, nor my hand in front of my face. Panic gnawed at me, I wanted to scream, run, maybe even... cry? At least in the cavern, I wouldn't have been mauled and eaten? Right? I closed my eyes and inhaled and exhaled shakily. Just like I did in the village. I felt this feeling... this sickening feeling. I close my eyes and do this whenever the knights would walk by. How long ago was it? Maybe I was ten or younger? Every time they so much as looked at me, my heart stopped, my blood ran cold and my legs refused to move.

I stand there frozen, unable to look away from their menacing eyes. I always felt like they knew, and they were just waiting for me to slip up. Every chance I got, I ran and hid in the house. I remember curling into a ball under the covers in my room. How young was I? Seven? Maybe Eight? I'd stay there as long as I needed. In the morning, I brace myself to see them again. As time went by, the house was known as my haven. It was, for a long time...

It wasn't until father started experimenting with blood magic. I knew, just by looking at his eyes. He reminded me of the knights. Waiting, waiting for a chance to have me dealt with. It was him or the knights? How long has it been since then? What year is it now? Is it still 1799? Am I still fifteen? Would the knights remember me? A snarl erupted, then a twig snapped. "Grrrr...!" My heart was racing with my thoughts. I didn't want to give that up.

For some reason, I fought to live. The menacing eyes held mine, they looked at me exactly as they did before. Even though I'm not in that cavern anymore, it appears I've just stepped into another.

They circled around me sneering and growling, I couldn't stop my body from trembling. The wolves snapped at me; I flinched back and gulped, swallowing bile and as much of my fear as I could.

I could see how much they relished my reactions, my fear. I stood there frozen, unable to move. Tears streamed down my eyes, What wrong could I have caused to deserve such a life? Is it fate? Why was I born into such a life? My heart pumped harder, fighting with my thoughts. If it only... it was the reverse.

This would never happen to me if I was strong enough, powerful enough. Fear... truly is a powerful thing, it can make anyone crumble to their knees and gravel. Just like they made me do, just like they want me to do now.

"Why are you crying?" I heard my mother's scolding voice. "Do you expect crying and graveling to solve anything?"

She's right, even when I did submit, it wasn't enough. They only beat me more, used more force, and were more brutal. Even when I did everything they wanted! They continued on kicking me around as if I was nothing more than a helpless animal! "Weak!" She scolded in my ear. I'm not weak! I'm not weak! "No? What are you doing right now? Cowering in fear?" I don't know what to do!

"Haven't you suffered enough?" An unknown voice whispered. "What are you waiting for? Make them pay!"

What good will that do? I'm not strong or powerful enough. I could barely whip flames or summon them! "Does it matter?" Huh? "Does.it. matter?" I don't understand...
"No, it doesn't! Because nothing can amount to how much pain you've endured! Nothing can amount to how many scars were left, forever engraved on your body. Proof that they got to you, proof that you were beaten and crushed under them!"

I don't know where the voice was coming from, perhaps it's my own? But my fears were no longer as big nor was my worry. All I felt was rage, raw, exploding rage.

"Look at them! Look at their sneers! They assume they can get away with it again." No! "Just by looking at your state, they believed they won. They believe you're nothing but a weak, incompetent mage that can be used as a trophy to bring to their Alpha!"

I grit my teeth, no no no!
"Is that what you want?" NO! "You're a mage are you not? Unleash your power and make those filthy bastards kneel to you! Just like you had to do for them!"

"Come on, you sons of bitches!" I screamed, taken aback by my powerful voice and words. Soon as I said that, one leaped right in front of me. An idea came into mind, I held out my hand, I still can't make out a thing. But I remember where they were before it turned dark.

There was one right here, another on the side, and one frail one to the left. I close my eyes and picture it clearly and vividly. I felt my magic attach to something, I applied more force to my magic. Come on! I added a bit more, using my hand. The more curled it became, the more force I used.

I yanked off the branch, I spun the branch by thinking exactly how I wanted it to position it. When it was in the right position, I flung it at the wolf.

The branch pierced right through him before it even landed on the ground. It lets out a whimper and falls limp to the ground. I felt a small sense of triumph as I met pairs of yellow, beady eyes glaring at me in fury.

My eyes pulsated, allowing more magic to flow out of me. Two wolves lunge at me. I caught one of them and flung at another wolf. It felt as if a powerful force punched me in the stomach. But I didn't care, I set my gaze for two branches. Testing the limits of my newfound ability.

I held them in the air and spun them both, I spun them faster and faster than flung them. It was easier to throw the branches than the wolves, aiming, however... was a bit difficult. I imagined it piercing into its stomach and instead it pierced through the back.

I flung the other branch, but this time directed it with my magic and it hit exactly where I wanted. Two wolves remained, slowly creeping back, they stood hunched. And locked their eyes on me for a while.

This time I stood tall and glared at them, I matched their yellow eyes with my glowing ones. One of them snarled at me and took off with the other wolf. When they were far enough, I let out a breath of relief, I... did it! And I didn't use as much energy! I did it! I found my ability and knew what it took to wield it! Now, I was eager for more wolves to come so I could test the limits of this power of mine!

Xavier came running over, glancing at the lifeless wolf's bodies. He looked at me and gave me a firm nod. "I told you, you would be fine." I let out a small smile. "Now we better get moving before more come." We made haste and traveled as far as we could in the cold and dark night. Xavier walked ahead, guiding me forward.