Chapter 3
"Can I wake her up?" I heard an unfamiliar boy say.
"Maybe if I stab her with a fire pit poker, she'll wake up." Who? Me?! I immediately opened my eyes and saw the woman and her child on the ground, playing toy wooden blocks. It seems we're staying inside a debilitated forest house.
I got so startled, I fell off the bed, chunks of my warts fell on the floor, splatting and emitting their usual repulsive odor. The little boy runs away and vomited outside.
His mother, the former imperial princess, shook her head and stood up. She massaged his back and asks if he's okay. He asks how much longer should I stay here.
"For as long as she lives…"
I screamed, "What?! No! Where's my mom and dad?" I run through the corner and grabbed a broom. I raised the threadbare cleaning tool in front of me, threatening to hit them with it. "I want to go home!"
The boy started laughing, his mom wiped the vomit off his face. "She's so funny, mom."
"Yes, don't worry. We'll tame her in no time." The wicked woman is smiling. She and her child no longer look angelic to me. They are hellhounds out to torment me. I'm trying to calm myself, figuring ways on how to escape this place.
But my jaw dropped, realizing the scenery outdoors. The sun is bright and the grass are luscious and green. I can literally see the sun and the clouds clearly in the sky. There are flowers, colorful ones, smooth and fresh smelling. Not cold-shrooms nor frozen barks immobile in the icy terrain. I walked slowly outside, my bare hands touching the delicate petals and moist leaves.
"They are pretty, aren't they?" The boy squealed and plucked one of them. He handed them to me, his golden locks flowing in the wind. "There are more flowers over there. You wanna' come?" He extended his hand towards me. I took the flower and examined it. I smelled it and the pollen tickled my nose. I sneezed so hard, my flesh sheds again.
"Yucky" The boy said, pinching his nose but giggling. "Do they hurt?"
"Yeah, can I go home?" I asked, he looks nice and innocent. I got totally mesmerized by this place I almost forgot that I have to go home. My mom and dad are probably worried sick looking for me. My body itches like crazy, but somehow I'm reluctant to scratch myself in front of him.
The boy became sad and said, "Don't you like it here? I can take you to more places if you want?" He said. "I also have chocolates and candy."
My mouth melted. I have always love them. "Can you give me some and take me to my mom and dad?" I pleaded. I don't know how to look cute, but it always works with my parents.
"I can't. They don't like my mom. My mom likes you and I do, too. You can stay here with us instead." The boy said. "I can grant anything you like, except for that. You don't have to implore like that. It's creepy." My gosh, this kid is terrible, I thought.
"Huh? No, I'm not." He said and his mom rushed over and covered his mouth.
"Why don't we introduce ourselves first?" She's smiling but she lacks sincerity. "I'm Princess Suri", she extends her hand, her palms downward, common among royals when they want you to lean your head and curtsy. I took her hand and bowed.
"Karah", I said, not wanting to look at her.
Her smile twitched, her son looked at her and tugged her. She withdrew her hand and spoke "And this is my son…"
"My name is Alphos." He said, taking my hand and kissing it. I covered my face. His mom got mortified and pushed me. "MOM!" He scolded her. I fell on the grass, which ticked my legs and aggravated the discomfort I'm feeling.
"Ow" I groaned. I stared at her angrily. 'Evil woman'
His mom wiped his mouth and told him not to repeat that again. She said he doesn't need to observe decorum common among common werewolves. "How would they respect me, if I don't show proper manners?"
"You don't need their respect" His mother said sternly, "You're the future leader of the wolves. The ultimate ruler, you…" She stared down at me. "You will rule them by fear."
---------------------------
The mother and son, continued playing in doors. Sometimes, she would open a book and teach him. They didn't invite me in nor told me to stay outside. I sniffed the air, I don't have clues as to move or venture since the whole environment is unfamiliar to me.
Then the fire in the fireplace died, the house darkened. I dug my heels and run as far as I could. I avoided the trees and rocks blocking my path. From a far, I can see figures running on fours. There are eyes watching me, but dare not approach, perhaps because I am new and strange to them.
'Run, run' the two of them doesn't seem like warriors. I think the princess used some voodoo hoodoo on me in order to kidnap me. If I were to run, they won't be able to chase.
I stopped, witnessing an enchanting lake ahead of me. The lake has numerous other monsters around it. A Hagerman, Mastodons and Miracinonyx. There are plenty more which I can't name.
I crouched slowly, I haven't had a sip of water since my arrival here. But before I got closer, a sound of rustling grass permeated in the air. I jumped out of reflex and a sticky, burning acid fell on the spot I'm previously standing on.
Both the soil and the weeds melted, a gray vapor rising above it. My heart raced, and my eyes scanned the vicinity for the intruder. But I failed to track it down, I heard a loud sizzling sound and I jumped again, thinking I can evade it. My left boot suffered damage and my foot almost got dissipated.
I shook off the damaged covering and turned around. I have no weapon nor a shield, and I have an invisible enemy.
"Above you!", someone shouted and I saw a slender but tall worm with a long tongue, filling its mouth with acid about to spit it out. I jumped on the nearest and highest branch I could reach to study my enemy.
Its green skin made it hard for me to recognize it. It's as slippery as a snake and as thin as a tree stem. The only obvious trait it has, is its mouth. Unlike most monsters which kills for sustenance, it's out here because I pissed it off.
Alphos is waiting at the foot of the tree. "Are you alright, Karah?"
"Alphos, get away!" I screamed. The giant worm, gathering its weapon from its belly. The swelling travelling from its bottom towards the mouth. I jumped out of the tree and pushed him away from the deadly sputter.
"Where's your…" I was about to ask where his mom is, when I heard the crackling sounds of ice. The monster got petrified in ice, Suri raises her hands, blue sparkling scales coming out of her palms. The royals of the icy plains of Niveo have the power over ice. I forgot that even the females of the family display such skill. 'To be a royal…' I can only imagine.
A crack formed on the worm's frigid body, the cracks multiplied, freeing the monster. Suri fell on her knees, weakened. "Take Alphos…", she said. She tries freezing the enemy again, but I highly doubt she can defeat it.
I threw one of my warts against it, the monster shrieked. "Taste your own medicine, freak!" I don't think it damages it, but the smell probably infuriated it more.
I jumped towards it, hoping to choke or tear its body. Suri freezes its neck and I chopped it with my hand. The head and the body separated and the mouth just spilled the acidic substance. I almost let out a victory shout, but the body slammed me away from them, hurling me towards the lake. The monsters raised their claws and body, thinking it's an attack. 'Oh no!' They are going to tear me to shreds!
Alphos tried to reach his hand towards me, but his short limbs aren't going to make it, "KARAH, SHIF…"
My heart starts beating faster and my mind felt like exploding. My hands tried to get a hold of something, but instead my mind went blank. Yet before I completely pass out, blood came out of my fingers and fur came out of my skin. I let out a howl and spun, snapping a millipede monster in half.