Monster Legends - Volume 1: A World Of Monsters

18. There is a way

"There is no cure to the Pa'Lhax venom." The words hit me like a tidal wave and my legs shake. "Wh..what?" I barely say, thoughts rushing into my head. "There is no cure. No antivenom that could make your friend live. She has a day to live. Day and a half if she's lucky." "No. That's not true. There has to be something." I say, determination on my face.

"There is no cure to the venom, I should know, I was stung by a Pa'Lhax three years ago." My eyes avert to catch his. "But you are alive. Here, standing. You said there is no cure, that you were stung but you are here nontheless." The man nods. "I wasn't lying you know. Everyone that gets stung dies. Every human that is, but I'm no human."

My eyes bulge with surprise and I instinctively step back. "You don't have to fear me. I never attacked a human. Father made sure I was in control." "What...what are you talking about? What are you?" "I'm a Monster. I wasn't when I was stung, but I am now. I came to father that day, and he changed me. He taught me how to control myself, how to fight and hunt. I'm not a human like I used to be. I'm a w'Olftagnan, and father is a Fenrir."

"So how did you become a Monster then?" "After I was stung, a Fenrir found me. I was lucky that he didn't attack humans, but he could smell the venom in my veins. He offered me a chance to live. He warned me that I would never be the man I used to be. And he was right. All it took was a scratch of his claw on the side of my neck. As Fenrir's venom flowed inside of me, it killed the Pa'Lhax venom and made me able to live another day. I'm stronger, faster, my senses have improved. I can change into a Monster and I'm practically immortal. What else would you want, right?"

"Stella? What do you think? I don't want to make the decision for you." "She looks at me and smiles. I don't want to leave you." She says, her voice raspy. "You won't. I promise." I look at the man. "Where is he? Where is Fenrir? Stella mustn't die. I...I want Fenrir to change her." I say.

*

"Here we are. Fenrir's lair. Just stay outside and I'll call him out. He doesn't like intruders." The w'Olftagnan disappears into the hole in the forest ground. "Is this a good idea? What if I hurt someone?" "You won't." I say, pushing a curl of her brown hair behind her ear. "He can control himself, so will you." "Maybe so. But if I can't? If I hurt you? What then? I would never forgive myself. I'm starting to think this is a bad idea." Before I can answer, the w'Olftagnan appears out of the lair, followed by a Monster you could only encounter in your nightmares.

Almost eight feet tall, the Fenrir was truly a terrifying sight. His eyes glowed red and his fangs were so large they sticked out over his lips. His fur was dark grey, almost black, covering his entire body. He wore some sort of horned helmet, making his appearance even more frightening. He was broad and muscular, his fingers ending with at least four inch long, razor sharp, coal black claws. His snout was long like a wolf's, his nose dark black.

"What do you want, strangers. I don't like humans." I gulp, his deep and animallistic voice making my heart beat rapidly faster. "My friend needs your help. She has been stung by a Pa'Lhax. We heard you can get rid of that venom." "You heard correctly. I can get rid of it, but it comes with a price. Your friend will not be human any more. Are you willing to pay a price like that?" I look at Stella and she nods. "I am. Anything to keep her alive, as long as you will allow us to leave this forest unharmed." "Whatever. I promise you can go after it's done. Shall we get started then?" "Yes." I nod.

Fenrir told me to stay outside but I refused, I wanted to be with Stella when it happened. Fenrir reluctantly agreed.

"Just one scratch and then it is all over." I say, stroking her hand. She was lying down on the floor, her face sweaty and her breaths came in ragged bursts. She was not well. "Let's do it." I say, and allow the Fenrir to start.

I hold my breath when Fenrir quickly and smoothly scratches Stella's neck. There was no blood. Stella's breathing calmed down and she closed her eyes with a smile on her face. "I love you Shay." She says. "I love you too."

She starts to shake, w'Olftagnan and Fenrir holding her down. "What's happening?" "Her blood is changing to Monster blood. This will only take a while. You do not need to worry. All the venom will die and she will be just fine."

I hated watching her shaking uncontrollably like that, so I stood up and turned away. My feelings got the better of me and I started to cry. How did this happen? One moment we were watching a tennis game, the next we are in a Monster's lair, and Stella is being changed to a Monster. It reminded me of the time we fought Viktor. Stella was a Monster then too. This time however, she will be able to control herself. She has to. Oh god. What if she won't remember me? What if she forgets everything that ever happened in her life? These thoughts rushed in my head as I struggled to keep calm.

Five minutes have passed and Stella finally stopped shaking. She was lying on the floor still, unconscious, breathing evenly. "Will she be alright?" "Yes. The process didn't fail." "What?" "Sometimes the turning process doesn't work and the subject dies." "You're telling me now!?" I shout, anger in my voice. "What difference does it make? It would have only made you worry more." I grunt angrily.

Twenty minutes pass, me sitting in complete silence, biting my nails in worry when finally Stella wakes up.

I'm on my feet in an instant, crouching next to her. "Hey, you alright?" She looks at me and nods. "Yes. I feel amazing. Did it work? Am I a werewolf now?" I laugh. "I guess you can call it that, yes." She smiles.

"You sure you don't want to stay? I could teach you control..." "We can manage, thank you very much." Stella looks at me and smiles. "I certainly hope so."

"One last thing. Make sure she is calm. If her heart rate speeds up too much, she will change."

*

"Thank you for everything." I say, Stella and Bolt beside me. The w'Olftagnan took us to the edge of the Dark Plains. "No problem. Be safe out there." And with that he leaves.

*

We were lucky she hasn't changed yet. Almost two weeks have passed and she was her old self. But like always, it was bound to happen, and that it did one night when we were camping.

Taking my hand she looks into my eyes, smiling. "I can't believe all we've been through." She says and I nod. "Yeah. Been through some crazy stuff. But you gotta admit, it was one hell of an adventure." "Yeah." She laughs. "I'm so glad I found you." I smile into the fire, its flames illuminating our faces and sending waves of heat down our bodies, which did not stop the goosebumps breaking out on my skin as Stella takes my hand into hers. Our eyes meet and before I can say anything awkward that would probably ruin the moment, she leans forward and kisses me on the lips.

My hand automatically reaches to her neck when she stops. "What's wrong?" I ask, her face inches from mine. "I...don't know. I felt something. I can't explain it, but I..." Her voice trails off and I pat her shoulder, hating the scared look in her green eyes. "It's gonna be alright, you're with me. There's nothing to be afraid of." "Shay?" She looks into my eyes, terror on her face. "I feel sick. I feel like there is something...inside of me...fighting to get out." I try my hardest to keep fear off my face, my heart beating rapidly.

"It'll be alright. Just calm down and everything will return to normal." "I can't! Shay! It's happening! It's so...powerful!" She shouts the last word, tears running down her eyes. "You need to leave!" "I'm not leaving you, Stella." "You have to. I'll hurt you. I can feel it. The Monster inside is so strong. What if I kill you?" She looks at me with absolute terror. "Stop thinking like that. If you just calm down, you can stop it." "I can't!" She shouts with anger. Then she adds with a softer voice: "It's here..."
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