Winnie & Dennis: My Zing Forever

The March Forward

It was an easy victory. Storming the castle was not difficult and they had it under control within a short period of time. But where are the three imposters?

"We can't find them anywhere, General." a soldier reported once they had garrisoned the outer walls and closed off the entrance gates.

"Keep looking," General Gari said. "They are still here and have likely blockaded the way. Let me know as soon as you find something." As he was about to turn away he had a sudden thought. "Make sure that werewolf and the young vampire is alive. This should be an easy task, do not fail me." 

The soldier clicked his boots together and saluted him. "Yes, General!" And scurried away to do his duties.

The fact that this was so easy was troubling to the General. He expected a fight which Dawnstar clearly said he would get but yet they were gone. Or so they would like him to think, but he knew. It was just a case of finding them. He finally decided that he would also search as well to make the process faster. 

The door was kicked down, it flew into the cupboards that were resting against the wall behind it, knocking over some beds that were placed close by. Everything was dismantled and searched for the three intruders. But they were not to be found. 

The General made his final rounds of searching and clenched his fist. They couldn't have gone anywhere else. They were still inside. He approached one of the soldiers who was the leader of that squad. "Tear this place apart. I suspect there is a hidden room somewhere and I want it found," he started. "I don't care if it's empty. I want them all found."

The soldier saluted him and commanded his squad with orders to search for hidden rooms or passageways. Word quickly spread of this order and soon all soldiers were tearing down all kinds of furniture, paintings and lavish decorum that made the hotel and room look fresh, yet somehow monstrous-looking.

The glass shattered with a scream, old relics were thrown to the side. Delicacy had no meaning to them. The only thing that mattered was Dawnstar, Winnie and Dennis. The three intruders.

Dawnstar lost track of time. She was sure that they were holding out in their room for longer than six hours. But now they could hear objects being thrown around, smashed and destroyed. Footsteps rushed the door and stopped at the entrance. Silence. This was soon broken, however, as the door shuddered while someone on the other side rammed their shoulder into it. The door should be able to hold out before it breaks but no doubt they will send some sort of powerful ghoul to break it down.

The sounds of wood splintering soon stopped. Silence consumed all until it was interrupted by that familiar voice. The General.

"It is my estimation you are held out in here. Clever," he said. "But this is where it ends. Surrender and you will be spared." He said sternly.

"I promised you a fighting General! I do not intend to disappoint." Dawnstar countered. 

The General laughed. "Very well," he said coolly. The door flew across the room and splintered into pieces as it hit off the stone wall. The General stood there with a weapon in hand and leg stretched out from kicking the door down with one kick. 

Winnie and Dennis couldn't help but gulp as anxiety ate away at them. 

"Your wish has been granted, Warrior. Ready yourself," the General croaked. "I want this to end quickly. Either way, you will all be coming with me once you are defeated."

Dawnstar laughed in his face. "Remember the rules of combat dear General. If I win, then you let us go." 

"Very well. I will honour this." The General had no real intention of doing this, however, but it sounded good to them and it will give them a sense of hope.

She set her gaze on the vampire and werewolf and nodded. "You will need to flee this room once the fighting begins. Be prepared."

"But how will we know when to run?" Dennis asked. It was a good question, the fact that an army was out there running seemed pointless.

"You'll know. Let your instinct be your guide." Dawnstar said, smiling softly at them. This may very well be the last time she sees her new friends. Doubts were clouding her head, thinking that she could have been a lot nicer to them. But there was no use in thinking about this now.

"We trust you, Dawnstar. Please be safe." Winnie finished, her ears folded down with sadness.

They both knew that they had a very important part to play in this so they had to be strong and willing. Letting her down was not an option. . . 

"They will not be going anywhere. Do not worry about them." He inclined his head and offered Dawnstar the first move. 

Dawnstar reeled her sword towards her and held it close to her heart and then charged. It looked to be in her favour, this quick and surprising attack but the General somehow anticipated an attack like this. His long curved sword with a death skull engraved onto the hilt was out before she could know it. 

Both swords met with a mighty clang as sparks flew in all directions. Dawnstar had to reposition her feet to remain steady after the shock of impact travelled up her arm. Stepping back, she lunged at him slashing up and down, left and right.

He defended each attempt to get at him. Moving his sword this way and that to avoid the blade from kissing his pale hardened skin. She was fast the General noted but her attacks were very predictable and were not of an experienced warrior level just yet. But perhaps with time, she could become a powerful fighting machine. Even better than him.

The General lurched his back and used his body weight to support him, power kicking Dawnstar across the room. Her back slammed into the stone wall while the grip on her sword was now non-existent. She was stunned, confused and dizzy. 

"NOW! RUN!" she yelled.

Dennis grabbed Winnie by her paw and together they ran into the bathroom. The window was small enough just for them to climb through and so they did. Making sure it was closed shut before any of them could grab them. 

Winnie couldn't help let a tear streak down her cheek as they left Dawnstar behind in the clutches of these tyrants. They shouldn't have left her there but it was what she wanted us to do. Right?

"We should go back!" she yelled still holding onto her Zing's hand. But he shook his head and assisted that they kept moving. Defeat succumbed her and so she kept running. 

Dawnstar had said that there was an outpost just outside the castle that she had noticed when gazing out of the window they used to escape. Know doubt it was her kind getting ready to storm the castle but they had to be made aware of the type of threat that awaits them. This was their mission.

"Quickly Winnie! Don't let go!" He yelled. Suddenly, a purple cloud puffed into the air as his former human shape transformed into a bat. Winnie grabbed onto his little bat feet and beat his wings violently and made way for the outpost.

Winnie couldn't see anything at first. Only darkness consumed the void of the world. Then, far in the distance, there was a flicker of light and a wonderful sight of two guard towers standing tall watching over the perimeter. Slowly but surely, the outpost got bigger and bigger as they approached. Shadowy figures could be seen walking the perimeter as well with their scorching torches with the naked flame on top, scaring away the darkness surrounding them. 

"It's time to land Winnie, hold on," Dennis said finally.  "Careful now..." They had finally touched the soft soil below. It was wet, thick with sludge and cold to the touch. Nothing could be done about it, for now, began the march to the outpost for protection.