Athena In Gold

XXV - La Sangre

(The blood)

~ ~ ~

It was dusk.

Most students stayed to see the portal open. Some left for home, afraid of the new visitors.

Nicholas and the others were with some important guests from all around the world that came to witness the opening. Since their families own guards were on duty for the opening, they were allowed to watch up close.

The rest of the students could only view from afar.

Nick insisted on me staying.

And there wasn't much to go against. The pull really had me wanting to stay beside him all the time. Even though there wasn't a single part of me that wanted to stay for the opening.

Since I wasn't exactly vip, Nicholas had to request for permission for me to stay in the vicinity.

I didn't stay.

I felt too clingy and didn't want to be anywhere near that portal when it opens, so I chose to walk around the campus.

For a moment, a small moment, it felt like everything was going to be alright.

I was only looking out the window, staring at the fog that was settling down in the field. I thought about how Selene had given me the perfect chance to live a new life with Nicholas.

That maybe she put me through everything horrible and unjust just to see if I was worthy.

But then I think, why would the moon goddess do this to me now?

After all she put me through, is this just another test?

Maybe I jinxed myself, or maybe I had thought it into existence since the next moment I found myself stumbling forward onto the glass.

I tried to brace myself but instead fell to my knees.

Something had erupted from inside me.

At my core which burned like a raging fire spreading throughout my entire body. I felt my bones rearranging, cracking into place while my canines were coming out.

Azula and I both realize, staring up to the sky.

The blood moon.

On a usual full moon, werewolves wouldn't be compelled to shift like most humans think. Only our senses would be heightened more than it already is.

I'm assuming that on this special occasion, the moon has it's controlling effects.

I tried to surpress the process as much as I could while I ran through the halls trying to find an exit. My arms were twitching badly while I fought against the shift.

By the time I reached the courtyard, I had fallen to the ground as my body lost it's original support.

Standing on the gravel as a six foot tall wolf.

My uniform was all over the ground, torn into bits of fabric. I whined at the thought of the cost to replace them.

As the clouds disappear, the red moonlight shone directly at the Academy. Slowly the red moondust descended down to the school fields almost like a sand storm.

I sensed someone approaching from far into the school but I had no time to investigate since out of nowhere I start to get stabbing pains in parts of my body.

Azula cries to the moon and we start to limp.

My front legs weakening abruptly. I end up on the ground and the gravel wasn't a pleasant place to lay down. But I couldn't think about that too much as I kept snarling in pain.