LORRY SPRINGSTONE'S/KELLY THOMPSON'S POV
Jason's statement makes a shiver runs down my spine as I realize that our journey to the emergency portal isn't going to be as straightforward as we had hoped. The uncertainty in Jason's voice only amplifies my anxiety but I look at our son's sleeping form and I gain some sort of strength from his peaceful expression. We have to make it, for Eden's sake.
As dawn breaks, we cautiously emerge from our cave hideout. The air is thick with an eerie mist, making it difficult to see more than a few feet ahead. Jason takes the lead, his wolf senses on high alert for any sign of danger. I follow closely behind, cradling Eden in my arms.
We move as quickly and quietly as possible through the dense forest, every snapping twig and rustling leaf making us jump. The weight of the scepter at my hip is a constant reminder of the power we carry - and the danger that follows us because of it.
Hours pass in tense silence and then suddenly, Jason freezes, his nostrils flaring.
"Something is not right," he growls softly.
Before I can respond, bone-chilling howls pierce the air one after another. It's then followed by the frightening sound of approaching eerie creatures. Jason's eyes widen in fear, mine and those of our six-year-old son Eden as well.
"It's surely the Black Faes. They must have felt the power of the scepter of convergence. It means the emergency portal is no longer far away." He whispers urgently.
"We need to run and locate it as soon as possible. Let's go now!" He thereafter urges.
I clutch Eden tighter to my chest as we break into a sprint. The howls grow louder and closer. My heart pounds in my ears as we weave through the trees, branches whipping at our faces. Jason leads us towards a steep ravine, hoping to lose our pursuers in the treacherous terrain.
As we near the edge, a massive male black Fae, the ugliest creature I have ever seen in my lifetime, leaps out from behind a boulder, blocking our path. Its upper body is the hairy torso of an unbathed and unshaved human fool while its lower part is a dark and surprising mixture of a whale's tail and gorilla's feet.
Its eyes glow an unnatural red, and I can feel negative waves emanating from its form. Jason skids to a stop, placing himself between us and the evil creature.
"Give us the child," a raspy voice echoes in our minds.
I'm in shock when I hear the gruesome request of the monster. I immediately recall the warning of Lady Arianrhod that these despicable beings will chase us not only for our scepter but also to snatch our son Eden from us whom they may believe he's the reincarnation of their late king.
I throw a glance at Jason and I see tremendous rage on his face. His wolf Jude is boiling inside, ready to come out and defend us.
"In your dream, hideous ogre," declares Jason followed by a spit of hatred against the creature.
And in an instant, his body begins to contort and shift, bones cracking as his wolf form takes over. Jude emerges, snarling and bristling, his silver fur gleaming in the dim forest light.
The Black Fae lets out an inhuman shriek, calling to its brethren. More of the grotesque creatures emerge from the shadows, surrounding us. I clutch Eden tighter, my eyes darting frantically for an escape route.
Jude lunges at the leader, teeth bared and claws slashing. The two beings collide in a furious tangle of fur and flesh. The other Faes advance, their red eyes fixed hungrily on Eden.
"Run!" Jude's voice echoes in my mind. "I'll hold them off!" It adds.
But I can't simply go and leave the father of my son fight alone this deadly battle. Though I have been wolfless for quite a long time now, I need to do something and fast.
In the middle of the chaos, I close my eyes and make a swift prayer to the Moon goddess. And as if she has accepted my plea, when I reopen my eyes the scepter in my hand begins to pulse with an ethereal light. A surge of power courses through my body, and I feel a familiar stirring within me—my long-dormant wolf awakening.
"Shelly," I whisper, feeling her presence after so many years.
With Eden secure in one arm, I raise the glowing scepter with the other. A blinding flash erupts from its tip, momentarily stunning the advancing Black Fae. In that instant, I feel my body shifting, bones realigning as Shelly emerges.
My senses sharpen, the forest coming alive around me. I can hear Eden's rapid heartbeat, smell the acrid stench of the Fae, and feel the earth beneath my paws. Shelly howls, a sound of both challenge and triumph.
Jude, still locked in combat with the leader, barks in surprise.
"Kelly? How—? Never mind that now!" Jude on behalf of Jason asks me by telepathy.
Shelly growls and answers him also spiritually on behalf of me: "We fight together!"
With Eden nestled securely in the crook of Shelly, she leaps into the fray. My newfound strength courses through her as she slashes at the nearest Fae with razor-sharp claws. The ominous creature shrieks in pain, black ichor oozing from its wounds.
Jason's wolf and mine move in perfect synchronicity, as if years of separation had never happened. They circle the group, striking and retreating, keeping the Faes at bay. The scepter, now fused to my wolf form, continues to pulse with power, each flash weakening our enemies.
But the Black Fae are relentless. For every one we injure, two more seem to materialize from the shadows. Their haunting cries echo through the forest, calling for reinforcements.
As the battle rages on, I feel Eden stirring against my fur. His tiny hands grip tightly, and I can sense his fear. But there's something else—a spark of power emanating from his small form. Suddenly, his eyes fly open, glowing with an otherworldly light.
A dense portion of the glow then escapes his orbits, and a shockwave of energy bursts forth, knocking the Black Faes off their feet. The forest falls silent for a moment, all eyes turning to the child in my grasp.
"The prophecy of Lady Arianrhod," Jason's voice echoes in my mind.
"He's indeed a special kid with a special power!" I reply to him through our invisible channel.
The Fae leader snarls, his face contorting with rage and desperation.
"Seize the child!" he commands, and his minions surge forward with renewed vigor.