Chapter 73: Shadow Beast

The beast lurched forward in a big charge, its huge claws scraping into the ground as if it were running. Red eyes focused on Reika as if she was the only prey. The battlefield quieted for a moment, all eyes pinned on the towering creature. Reika didn't move. Her wolf instincts yelled to turn and run, but her will never buckled. She could not let the family heirloom from House Dawn destroy all that she struggled to fight for. Smiling triumphantly from his position, Marcus sneered, "You see, Reika, you are nothing against true power. This beast will finish what I have started." "Let it come," Reika growled in a low, defiant tone. A Desperate Battle As the beast sprang, Reika dove to the side barely, avoiding its claws. Its huge paw slammed into the earth with the force of a small earthquake, creating a deep crater in the ground. Kael's voice yelled from behind her. "Reika! We can't fight that thing! We need to regroup!" "No," Reika snapped, her glowing wolf eyes fixed on the creature. "If we retreat now, it will destroy the entire palace. Kael hesitated a moment, then nodded, clenching his sword tight. "Then we fight together." The beast roared, jaws snapping, in its second lunge toward Reika. She sprang onto its back, her gloves clutching deep into his thick scales with the claws. He bucked hard to throw her off but she held, and continued to slash his neck. Kael danced around the head of the beast, his blade flashing in sunlight as it bit deep within its legs-long enough to take the creature's attention, and for Reika to scramble higher. An Unlikely Ally Full into battle, Daisy entered, still pale but determined, clutching a small vial with a glowing liquid inside. "Your Majesty!" she exclaimed, dancing around tumbled wreckage. "The moonstone elixir! 'Tis mixed with magic to weaken the creature!" Reika looked back over the beast's shoulder. "Daisy, you musn't be here!" "I'm not leaving!" Daisy shouted back, heaving the vial up to Reika. "Catch! Reika caught the vial out of the air, and in a second, she knew what she should do with it. She uttered her war cry as she dove the vial deep into the neck of the beast-the glass shattering, sending the glowy liquid inside his veins. The beast had let out a roar in his pain as its movements started to slack. Reika leapt at that moment clear from the beast's back to land lightly beside Kael. "It's weakening," Kael said, eyes wide. "But it's not done yet. Reika nodded. "Then we finish this." --- The Turning Point Reika and Kael struck the beast in concert, their blows true. And with each, its strength seemed to be sapped, the roars growing weaker. At the sight of his failing weapon, Marcus began to panic. "No! This can't be happening!" Reika spun to him, her eyes afire in fury. "It's over, Marcus. Your weapon has failed, and so will you. With one final deafening roar, the beast collapsed to the ground, its body still. Reika stood triumphantly over its huge carcass, her chest heaving in exhaustion. Then she turned to Marcus, who now took flight. "Kael," she called coldly. "Don't let him escape." Kael nodded and ran after Marcus, determination in his eyes that showed no quarter. --- Reika's Moment of Triumph The dust settled, and Daisy approached Reika cautiously. "Your Majesty… are you alright?" Reika nodded, her body leaden with exhaustion. "I am, Daisy. Thanks for your bravery." Daisy smiled weakly. "Couldn't let you face that thing alone." Reika laid a reassuring hand on Daisy's shoulder, her eyes softening. "You've done more than enough. You can rest now." --- The Plot Thickens A few moments later, Kael returned with a bloodied and defeated Marcus behind him. He tossed Marcus to the ground before Reika, his face dark. "Caught him trying to slip through the tunnels," said Kael. Marcus snarled up at Reika, his face contorted into a mask of pure hate. "You really think you have won? The plans of the Dawn family extend so much further than this. You will never stop all of us." Reika threw herself onto her knees, and then her shining eyes instantly locked onto his. "Then I'll make sure to kill all the rest of you until not one remains." Marcus' bravery broke, and he turned his back. Kael stepped forward. "What do we do with him? Reika stood; her gaze never once moved. "Imprison for now. I want him alive for prosecution of his crimes." Kael nodded and dragged Marcus away, leaving Reika to think of what was to be done. It wasn't until later that night, sitting in her chambers reflecting on the battle, that a knock at the door caught her off guard. "Enter," she called. Daisy came in, an ashen seriousness upon her. "Your Majesty, there's something you need to take a look at." Daisy led Reika back into the war room, where Kael and Ileus awaited her attention. Across the great table, in fresh ink, lay a map. "What's this?". Kael's finger touched upon a flurry of markings up the west perimeter of their lands. "Report back from scouts. The Dawn family mobilizes. This incident only the first." Reika's heart sank. "They're preparing for war." Ileus nodded grimly. "And this time they're bringing allies." Reika clenched her fists, her wolf instincts stirring once more. 'Then we'll be ready. Whatever it takes, we'll stop them." The silence in the room weighed upon them, and in that was an implication setting into their bones with this looming battle. Reika knew this was far from over, but this time she would be prepared. Reika kept recalling the ill events that led to her death in her former life. The Dawn family were going to pay for their crime and they will never see her as that weak wolfless girl that could be easily killed. She was stronger now that was her advantage. 'This is far from Over". She said