Lunar

Ch.12: Reunion

  Jackson awoke to being dragged by his legs, which were attached to a rope that was being pulled my a large black horse. To his right was Leah. Except she was bound and covered with a rope as she was pulled in a wagon. The people around them didn't even acknowledge them. As if they meant so little to them. He could hear more dragging behind him. Probably Lucile. If they gut her or feed her to some creature, he wouldn't even batt an eye. Leah however, he hoped wouldn't be harmed. She was on this quest because of him. Last thing he needed was another harmed female on his conscience. 

  They appeared at a river that was black. Black as tar and gooey like the inside of a Zinglebear. Zinglebear's were the forest's weirdest kind of bear. They ate and ate and were never full. Not many survive an encounter with this beast. 

  Michael ordered them to set the bridge down. The bridge was well hidden in the vines and brambles of a high Mecalipse tree. Biggest tree's in the world. They crossed easily enough. It was strange how there were no monster's attacking them. Especially when it was night time. 

  Suddenly they heard a loud shriek pierce through the air. Everyone froze, readying for battle. Their was a sword slash and then the sound of blood being let free. More shrieks filled the air.

   "Screechers! Screechers!" someone yelled. 

   "Michael what do we do? There's bound to be at least a good hundred of them." asked one, who looked to be second in charge. Michael looked at their prisoners, a little to long at Jack, before drawing his own sword. 

   "Set up a defense line all around us. We just have to hold'em off for now. Shouldn't be to hard." 

  They all set up a defense circle around Jack, and the others. The Screechers came fast. They had long arms, big mouths, and even bigger ears. They looked like they were only made of bones with skin on them with how skinny they were. Jackson squirmed, trying to reach the knife that was hidden in his jacket. Twisting the way he was was quite painful. But he wasn't about to let him and Leah be brought to the Dragon Queen. Sure, he did still need to stop her. But he wasn't doing that now. All that mattered was getting to Ashtyn. 

  The men and women were getting tired. They looked to be ready to give up when fire hit the earth from above, scorching the Screechers. The others turned away, bailing on their potential meal. Then, landing before them was a very large fire Griffin. It's whole body was a beautiful mix of golds, reds, and browns. Michael calmed everyone before going to it. The griffin bowed its head, and Michael pet it. It purred loudly, shaking out it's beautiful, lushes fur. Everyone else reconcealed their weapons and made sure their prisoners weren't harmed. They took great care to make sure they weren't hurt. 

  Michael sent the griffin up before signaling everyone else to continue moving. Jackson was already halfway through with cutting his feet binds. Leah was finally awake as well. She squirmed but was immediately shocked. She whined from the pain, stopping her movements. 

   "We'll set up camp here. Let all of you rest. Put the prisoners next to Gira. She'll stay on the ground and keep watch along with Bubblegum. 

   "Yayyy!" screeched a snow leopard hybrid wearing all pink. The others did as they were told. Supper was served to everyone. It was a stew of some kind. Some cat hybrids came over to feed them. Michael kept injecting Lucile with something purple. The purple washed over her, before calming. The large griffin, Gira, landed next to them, settling down. Bubblegum came bouncing over. Literally. She greeted everyone before settling against Gira's side. It was pretty clear she wasn't going to be actually keeping watch. Gira however, would. 

  It was very dark when Jackson woke. Gira was asleep, along with everyone else. He looked around and was about to use his knife when he froze. Their, sitting right across from him leaning on a log of a tree, was Michael. They stared at each other for a very long time. Neither spoke or moved. Kind of like they were trying to read each other. 

   "Why did you come back?" he asked, twirling a knife. Jackson debated on telling him the truth or to just say something else. He still hated Michael. He just wanted to stab him in his heart and smile as his last breathe was stripped from him. 

   "I'm looking for Ashtyn."

   "Ha. That's a joke after what you did to her. What, you think she's just gonna welcome you with open arms?" 

   "No, I-"

   "You what? You broke her fucking heart Jackson. You didn't see how I found her."

   "How did you find her? Weren't you captured by the same Queen you're taking me to?"

   "I escaped. I was wandering this forest for days. You know how I found her? I found her shaking and scared holding on to a tree. I picked up the pieces. She cried for a whole month before she just one day woke up with a fierceness in her heart that I was glad to see return to her. She trained with me for days and with a sorceress. Now? She's so much stronger than I ever thought possible. No thanks to you."

   "When I find her. I will make things right."

   "Well good luck then. You're chance is coming sooner than you think." he said, getting up and departing in disgust. Jack settled back down. He didn't know how changed Ashtyn would be. But that still wasn't going to stop him. She was his world. And he will tear down everyone else just to get to her. 

***

  They arrived at a very large campsite that went on for miles in every direction. Their were many different people and species here. One thing he saw a lot of, was wolves. Dire wolves, fire wolves, ice wolves, etc. They put all three of them on their knees. They had woken Lucile up with a different injection. Everyone circled around them. Jackson cut the last of his rope and sprung out of his binds. He stood with just a knife, facing Michael.

   "Bow before the Queen." yelled someone from the large tent behind him. He ignored it. This game was going to end. Michael kept everyone calm and merely smirked at Jack. Then Michael bowed.

   "My Queen. I brought you some gifts." he said. Jackson turned around and felt his whole body go cold. There, standing in front of the large tent, completely altered, was Ashtyn Moon. She was visibly stronger and more in control. She wasn't even hiding her eye. As soon as her eyes hit him, she froze too. They stared at each other for what seemed like an eternity before she growled and red magic shot from her hand. It struck Jack's body and forced him down on his hands and knees. The pain was excruciating. Ashtyn sauntered over to him, lifting his chin so he could see her face glaring down at him. 

   "You should have stayed away, cheater." She let his chin go before going down the line. She didn't focus as much on Leah and just by passed her. But when she got to Lucile, she smiled. 

   "Found you. You've made it quite difficult for my men to find you, Lucile."

   "You? You're still jealous i got your wolf boy and you didn't?"

   "No. I just want you dead. The world will be a better place without you. Bring her to me." she ordered. Michael grabbed her single handedly and dragged her to Ashtyn. He held her hair down, keeping her on her knees. Ashtyn's eye began to glow, the red aura returning around her. 

   "You're no match for me, bitch!" screamed Lucile. Ashtyn growled. 

   "No. You're no match for me." spoke Ashtyn, a different voice speaking with hers. For the first time ever, Lucile actually looked scared. Ash put her hand aimed at Lucile's chest.

   "No! No please! I won't be able to join my family if you take my magic and my soul!!!" pleaded Lucile, tears forming in her eyes.

   "Oh don't worry little witch. You'll be able to go with them."

   "Oh. Oh thank goodness hehe."

   "In Hell!!" growled Ashtyn. A Black clawed hand came over Ashtyn's and started taking all of Lucile's magic and soul. No matter how much Lucile screamed, Ashtyn would not stop. She didn't stop until Lucile crumbled into dust before her feet. The clawed hand retreated, as did the aura, as she turned to Jackson and Leah. They were both stunned. This, was definitely not the Ashtyn he knew before. 

   "Take them to the holding cells. Feed the Hell Hounds and tell them I said to keep watch on these two." she ordered, before disappearing into her tent with Michael.