Beasts

46: A Dream Come True

  The fire immediately licked up the curtains. Everyone sprung up from their chairs as I grabbed Iridescent's arm and bolted for the exit. "June! What are you doing!?" She shouted as I ran.

"Your plan!" I shouted back as we burst through the curtains that weren't on fire yet. A raindrop falls on my face and I look up. The sky is completely grey and another droplet falls on my face. There were some concerned Wolves that were frozen on the spot. "I'm not going to let you and the others lose there magic." I breathed and turned back. The sleek black curtains were now engulfed in flames. Then a second later, the curtains exploded out and everyone came running out.

  "Kill them!" Eddison boomed. All the innocent Wolves turned to me with confused eyes. "Too long have we been hanging our tails to this arrogant tribe! We'll finish what our ancestors died doing. Taking what's ours and destroying those Golds!" He said through gritted teeth and burned his eyes at me.

  "June, you have to go." Iridescent ushered me to the forest.

"No, this is my fight as well." I said stubbornly and held my ground.

"But you'll hurt yourself if you use your magic. You already used some earlier."

"I don't care. I'm willing to do this if that means everyone will be free from Eddison's plans." I looked her dead in the eyes. She swallowed then nodded. I looked over her shoulder and pulsed a wolf back before it could get close enough to do some real damage. "Your welcome." I said then ran into war.

  It was just like when we fought at the festival. Only that we were heavily outnumbered and we had created this bond with some of the Wolves. I tried my best to not hurt anyone by sticking to only using pulses. Plus, they didn't take as much magic to use and I needed to save every last gram I had. If it even was measured in grams.

  I caught sight of Charlie throwing these green magic darts at a wolf. Right behind him was another wolf that he would soon back into. "Charlie!" I called out and threw a blast at both wolves. It burst into gold and white and Charlie gave me a quick wave and pointed behind me. I turned my head only to get tackled to the ground. I gasped as, who I could only guess to be Andy, pressed his paws to my chest. He snarled and I tried wrestling him off with my claws. Tried.

  Andy shifted back to human and stared down at me with an evil grin. "Why are you so heavy!?" I squirmed against him but he held my wrists tight to the ground.

"Still trying to fight even though I could kill you right now?" He teased. I spotted the claws marks on his arms that I had made. "I never understood why we needed a wimp like you. You can barely go five steps without slipping unconscious. You broken thing. I bet everyone stays with you out of pity. Shall I end your suffering for you?" He held his claw to my neck so that I could feel the sharpness about to break my skin. "Any last words?" He said with a crooked smile.

  "Bear." I said with a smile.

"What? Bea-" He was tossed aside like paper then Bear came and lifted me up on my feet.

"Kid, you better get going. I hear there's some pack that's gonna be unleashed on you. Like their version of our council." He explained then turned around and changed into a bear. I had to admit that I was getting tired. My heart ached and pounded in my chest. I took a deep breath before pounded my feet through to the forest. The first step releasing a pulse that hit through everyone I could see. It was really meant for the wolves only to disorientate them.

    I ran for a good minute before I heard steps from behind. I looked over my shoulder and six wolves were chasing after me. They were big, fast, and looked to be out for blood. A quick image of my dream flashed in my eyes. My dream was coming true...

  Just like in my dream, I stumbled over a log which are the equivalent to demons. I skittered to a stop at this cliff that's the bottom of a higher path. On it was the tribe's symbol. I must of drawn it on the way here. I turn to the wolves closing in on me. They growl and snap their teeth at me. From my peripheral vision, a brown wolf leaps at me and scratches my arm. I wince as a take a wobbled step which was barely enough to stun them. I sprint off as they get back their footing. As I run, I look down at my arm. It's a bit of my upper arm and half of my forearm. Did I mention that it was my right arm? I swear to God that it's cursed. Might as well start writing with my left hand now.

  I stop when I see another pack of wolves in front of me. I look behind me and the wolves from before slow down so that I'm trapped. I hold my arm as a grey wolf comes from the pack that just came. Already, I know that it's Eddison. He changes back and stalks towards me. Then says those words that make me want to shove a sock down his throat. "I gave you a chance. To join us. A life of greatness and power. Then you run away?" I pant as he continues. "I guess there's nothing left to do but this." He calmly said and sent me to the ground with a simple flick of his wrist. I squeak and prop up on a hand. This is where I die. I thought as I recalled my dream.

  I brace myself for what's to come. Instead of darkness swallowing me, a flash of orange sweeps between Eddison and I. It's a bird over half my size and covered in burning feathers that shimmered as it moved. It takes me a second to realize that it's Phoenix, here to rescue me. He fans out his wings which sent embers flying out and makes this sounds like a caw mixed with a screech. The wolves whimper and shuffle back on their paws.

  "Why hello there, Phoenix. I never thought I'd see you like this." Eddison smiled. "Quite majestic. Though, do you have the stamina to keep up with it?" Phoenix cawed again and sprung forward. Eddison did what I did expect by changing into a wolf so Phoenix went straight over him. Then he quickly changed back and walked over to me. "I would love to play with you, but I have more important matters to attend to. Don't we, June?" He said and leaned over me.

  I took a deep breath. Then with a burst of energy, I shot up and scratched him right across the face. He held his jaw then turned back to face me. Three big gashes went right across his face and started to turn red with blood. He did nothing but laugh lowly. "Silly girl. To think, I found you smart." He said then sent me flying. My back hit a tree and I slumped down. "Accept it. Your sacrifice was in vain." I whistled a low note in defeat and closed my eyes. The rain slowly started to come down.

  Screeech! My eyes shot open as Eddison fell onto his knees. I peered behind him where Phoenix changed back and was breathing heavy. When Eddison collapsed on the ground, Phoenix dropped to my side. "You're not going to die." He said and turned me to see my arm.

"I-is he dead?" I could get over the fact that he went done just like that. Like there was a power off switch on his back that Phoenix hit.

"Shouldn't be. I only give him a gentle shove."

"Gentle?" I raised an eyebrow. "That was anything but gentle." He chuckled and slipped something into my hand. "Wha-?"

"There's still the wolves." He turned back to where they were starting to come out of the trees. "I don't care what you think. Please remember this so I can be happy when I die..." He leaned in and kissed me. His lips were soft and warmed my whole body. He said in my ear, "I'll always love you, kitten." Then he jolted up and gave me a sad smile before running to the middle of the clearing.

  Wolves surrounded Phoenix. He glanced back at me once more before his body was engulfed in fire. I knew what he was doing... "Phoenix, no!" I shouted but it was too late. Fire burst from him and devoured the wolves in it like an atomic bomb. I felt the heat on my face as I closed my eyes and turned my head away. My arm stung and my heart was beating much to quickly. All the pain and exhaustion caught up with me. I heard thunder before all I could see and feel was not nothing. Nor pain or tiredness. But a light feeling in my heart. Love.