"News Flash"
Trembling with fear, I hid behind the hedges, clutching my dagger because my life at the moment depended on that dagger, the low growls of my pursuer still echoed in my ears. I closed my eyes to imagine the words Fallon would have said and the look he would have given me.
Thinking about Fallon gave me a newly filled strength, I took a deep-rooted breath before walking out from the safety of the hedges, leaning beside a tree, I surveyed my surroundings to locate the point where the growling sounds were coming from but at the sound of a cricket's touch on the hedges, I bounce back in fear, almost losing my grip on the dagger.
Struggling to regain composure, I quickly adjusted myself, and within a swift motion, my adversary lunged at me causing me to swiftly roll over, narrowly escaping its attack, I turned back to catch a better glimpse of the creature that was after my life and to my surprise a dark, huge figure with protruding claws and its eyes blazing red like fire stood before me filled with a definite craving to devour me.
I was tucked with immense fear which rendered me motionless and unsure of what to do to save my wretched life. I found myself staring at the creature, which for some reason was also staring motionless at me, and before I could make out what its true nature was, it pounced on me in an attempt to satisfy its cravings. I struggled to free myself, reaching out for my dagger beside me, my attempts were futile as its claws got a hold of my clothes and pulled me back to him.
I desperately stretched out of its reach and managed to grasp the dagger but my body seemed to be tired and it slipped from my grasp, falling out of my fingers and distracting my pursuer. I take the chance to roll away from beneath it and draw out my sword, waiting for it to come closer.
I contemplated whether or not to run away but Fallon's words rang through my ears one more time causing me to abort the thought. The creature spots me and growls one more time, slowly moving closer and closer to me. I tighten my grip on the sword, focusing intently on the creature. It throws itself at me and I prepare to slaughter it with every bit of strength left in me when I am abruptly interrupted by Fallon.
"Okay, okay, I see you've worked on your confidence level a lot more, son. That's enough for today." He says, softly patting my shoulder.
"But I was just about to take it down?" I complained and he ignored me. I smiled, fixing my gaze on the training specimen I was sparring with a few minutes ago, and a feeling of disappointment at not getting to finish it off swept over me. "Today's training felt so real. I almost forgot I was just sparing. You keep making every stage of my training more difficult and intense."
I comment.
"That's because the task ahead of you is even scarier and more difficult. Up your game, boy!" He says, hastening his steps while I follow closely behind.
"You can't afford to lurk around. I shouldn't be telling you this..you should know all this by now," he remarked and I nodded in agreement at his words.
"Now go freshen up and meet me in my quarters. Be quick about it," he says and I nod before rushing to my quarters. I spot Cairo at the entrance of my quarters and hurry toward him. "Hey C, have you been waiting for a long time?" I asked him and entered my room, parting the curtains for him to also enter.
"Yeah but not that long. The guys told me you were at the grounds with Fallon so I decided to just wait out here for you. There's an assembly scheduled for this evening. Heard about it yet?"
"No? What assembly?" I asked.
"Well, I figured since you were with the grandmaster he must have mentioned something about it to you." I shook my head gently.
"No, he did not but he did say to meet him in his quarters after I freshen up and also to be fast about it," I said, shrugging.
"That's all?" He asked and I nodded in agreement. "Be quick then, you can't keep Grandmaster waiting, you've gotta go."
Leaving him behind, I quickly freshened up and hurried back to the grandmaster's quarters. I spotted Moira on my way and informed Cairo to go ahead of me. "Tell Fallon I'll be there shortly." He nodded and left.
"Heading to the assembly huh?" Moira asked as I approached her.
"Mhmm no, I'm actually meeting Fallon first, do you know what the assembly's about?" She shrugged.
She shook her head no, "Only that it's about an important announcement."
"Ohh, I see, well, see you there then," I said, as I turned to leave but I noticed her gaze and halted in my tracks.
"Really? That's it? Roan, it's been
days since our last meeting and you've been acting awfully weird. Is something going on?" She said and I could sense the frustration in her voice. I held her hand and shook my head.
"Moi, there's nothing wrong, okay? I've just been caught up in practice. I promise I'm going to make it up to you. I'll come to see you tonight okay? I promise." She nodded and I kissed the back of her hand and left. I could hear Cairo and Fallon's voices as I approached his quarters and started to wonder what it was about. My frame appeared in front of Fallon's door and he signaled me to enter.
..." But grandmaster, we cannot just".... Cairo is stopped in his tracks, as the grandmaster raises his hand midway, signaling Cairo to cut his mini protest. Cairo sighed in frustration as the urgency of the matter hit him once more. He tries to speak again, but I take a seat beside him, and he decides otherwise. I sensed tension as I looked at their faces and I wondered if I was supposed to enter in the first place. I decided to speak up to clear the atmosphere.
"You asked me to come, grandmaster," I said and he turned his attention to me. I started to fidget, wondering what this was all about. My thoughts were interrupted by the grandmaster as he began to speak.
"There's been reports about werewolf infestation in Astrid." He pauses, as if for effect, and continues. "In the past few weeks, we have sent out a couple of our hunters but none of these missions have been reported fruitful."
"Astrid!? That is our Red-zone area!" I exclaim, as if almost in tears. "And how come I am only hearing about this now? Grandmaster that place has been infested by hundreds of Alphas and Omegas and you send hunters there without backup? Without skill and technique possessing hunters? This is so not good! Not to talk of the scorched Ones. It's been a long time since the appearance of the Scorched Ones and all of a sudden they are resurfacing. Fuck!" I curse, unable to contain my frustration at the information I had just been told. Fallon remained silent while Cairo started to pace the room.
"You are right and while we are on the topic of skills and techniques, that is where you come in, Roan."
"Me? But Grandmaster, I am still in training. How could I possibly do that?"
"Yes, you. Roan, if anyone can take down any of those Alphas or Omegas or Scorched Ones, it's you. I believe in you, I am certain you can do it. And the sudden reappearance of the scorched ones marks the initiation of a new blood Alpha from another of their packs and you know how that plays out."
I turned to him more attentively, realizing what he had just said.
"Wait, me, a-alone? Do you mean I should embark on the most dangerous mission our order has ever seen all alone? Are you kidding me?"
I laugh aloud slightly at the thought but stop when I look up to read their facial expressions and find them serious. I get up to pace the room and glance at Cairo's face, hoping he will back me up but he just shrugs. I sit back down and Grandmaster proceeds to give me more information about the current crisis.
"The districts of Astrid seem to have become porous over the passing years. The werewolves and Scorched Ones appear to have joined forces and currently, they have been able to break the barrier and have infiltrated three of the districts- the Slums, the Commoners, and the Business districts." He pauses and pulls out a map of Astrid's districts.
"We suspect that they are receiving aid from the inside. What seems rather peculiar is that the Nobles' districts report no signs of Werewolf infestation but slaves keep on disappearing day by day, without a trace neither are their bodies ever found." He pauses and sighs. "We must protect them, son. It's our duty."
I sigh too because I know he is right. But why should it be only me? I sigh again and stand up. "So when am I supposed to leave?" I ask, though not prepared for the answer.
"You should start packing. You should leave by tomorrow. We have little or no time to waste. Soon, they'll be done with Astrid and Alfea will be next. You've been training your whole life for this. You've got this, I believe in you." Cairo says and pats me on the shoulder. I offer him a helpless look and move to take a look at the map of Astrid. There's a knock on the door and one of the hunters walks in.
"Grandmaster, your presence is required at the assembly." The grandmaster nods and the hunter leaves. "Cairo, go ahead and tell them that we'll be joining them soon." Cairo nods, pats me one more time, and leaves the room.