In the Wake of Giants

Janine sat inside the house, eating food that her mother had cooked. She was quiet for the majority of her time in the house, her mind occupied with the worry of herself being a danger to her mom, and the possibility of a werewolf near the citizens of Amastad. Whether the person lived somewhere else, or if they actually lived in this city, she had to admit that it was a tad problematic. Only in the sense that the Kingdom would most likely have to begin some sort of attack against the creature. And what if she had to fight the beast? She was at risk of endangering those that she cared for as well.

Then Janine had the most insane idea: what if she found the werewolf first? Then she could talk the person into going somewhere where they couldn't hurt anyone..... But that was crazy. Werewolves were essentially humans, and humans subconsciously needed to be with other humans. She shook her head with a troubled sigh.

"Something wrong Janine?" Janine's mother asked. The young woman looked up from her bowl and blinked.

"Yes... No... I don't know. It's just the things that I'm reading. They're just making me think is all," Janine responded.

Her mother said something in response, but Janine didn't quite hear it, as she suddenly heard soft hissing and rattling sounds in her head - a sort of built-in warning system that her demonic half inherited. This made Janine look up and turn to the window. Something was wrong. She didn't known what it was, but she felt it in her body.

Janine got up on her feet and walked to the door to go outside. Night was upon her, and yet, it wasn't bright like she thought it would be. She looked up and saw the moon to be full.... But it wasn't white... It was a blood red color, and it was large and close up. Janine felt an ominous tension building up in her, and it called to her other half. But it was in the sense that she knew something was about to happen.

She groaned nervously and walked outside, staring blankly at the blood red moon. Suddenly, pages upon pages of those werewolf topics just swarmed her head. Werewolves were supposed to be active on a full moon right? But she didn't senses anything before on other full moons..... Maybe her senses were just wonky..... It could happen... right?

"Janine? Are you alright?" You left me high and dry inside," her mother asked suddenly. Janine's mother had followed her outside. Janine looked to her with unease.

"I'm.... Not sure. I feel something stirring. I heard the warning sounds in my head, but I don't know what or who it is for," Janine explained.

The older woman looked out towards the streets and sighed. She understood what Janine was talking about, and she could see that her daughter was uneasy for some reason. But she didn't want her to be uneasy the whole night. She looked up and thought about it - the moon looked ominous tonight. Maybe her senses were just reacting to the way the moon looked.

And yet, on the other hand, it looked pretty in a sense. She didn't believe that she'd seen a moon like this before. It would be a shame if they'd just spent this type of night inside.

"Hey. You want to go for a ride?" The woman asked. Janine blinked and turned her head in surprise.

"Mom? Did you just ask what I thought you asked? What's possessing you to -"

"You're my daughter - I can tell when these things happen. You've felt this before when you were younger, and of course, I couldn't just let you wander off on your own. And besides, this moon looks beautiful. Surely you wouldn't want to waste a night like this inside."

Janine shifted uneasily in her spot. She couldn't shake the fact that something could be wrong, but it was also possible that her other half was just uneasy for no reason. That has happened at times - her senses making her worry for hours on end. Those times made her dislike what she was for a good while.

After a good bit of persuasion, Janine relented and saddled Venus up. The horse looked at Janine with a curious nicker, and Janine chuckled and pat her neck.

"I know, this is a weird night. Calm down, we're going on a little joy ride. It'll be you, me, and Mom.... Yes, mom's coming too, so no funny stuff," Janine told Venus as she helped her mom on the saddle.

Off the two went in the blood red night, passing the open taverns and dangerous streets of Amastad to the more dangerous territory that was the forest. The ride might have just started, but Janine couldn't shake the underlying feeling of dread and worry.

But she hoped that the source of her worry was just in her head....

She hoped...
 
Chestnut galloped for all her worth through the streets ignoring the protest of one man late out and the cry of a sentry at the town's edge. There was no stopping the shire. There was a reason Knights tended to favour heavy working horse breeds for their mounts. Not only could they carry the weight of both man and armour but they could break a front-line and equally kill or do a great deal of damage to anyone they charged into. AS a result, not many opted to stand in the way of a nearly 2000 lbs horse at full charge.

Raban felt none of this thrill as he sat hunched over in the saddle equally oblivious to the world except for the blood red moon that steadily grew higher in the sky growing stronger as it did so. It would be strongest as it came to its peak. He knew he would be at his strongest then and he would have no hope of stopping his actions. He could ready feel a fog tug at his mind, lying in wait as the shift slowly started.

He knew there weren't many of his kind around. He was an extreme rarity for his kind. Others were easily discovered through the tragedy of their relations. Raban just had to hope he was far enough away when the moon held and the beast took control. Despite the movement, Chestnut's running caused him, he still prayed. His lips fervently moved, ignoring the ever increasing tugging pains inside of his chest. He did not pray for himself but for that others were kept safe from him.

It did not take long for Chestnut to complete her task in getting him to the forest but she came to a halt just outside of it, wary that the dragon would still be around. That was the last thing Raban would need and she was wary. Without him, she would have to start again and that would not be easy. It was not everyday a human accepted you as a friend and bonded partner but in Raban she had found more than that. He had given her a promise and she knew that as soon as he could work out how, he would honour it.

The shire pawed the ground, large nostrils flaring at the expense of air that left and entered her giant lungs. She snickered and tossed her head in her indecision. The flighty nature of her entrapment was playing into her hesitation and before long she stamped a hoof and ventured on. Dragon or no dragon, this was a forest for all. Not just for him. A demon would not accept such.

She found a small clearing, one that in the daylight would be a choice reading spot but for now, it provided a hiding place for her little wolf. She could hear the quick intakes of breath from him and she looked at him. He looked feverish, his skin rising with a dampness that clung to his tunic. he was still rubbing at his chest and knew it was from within where it started. An itch he could not scratch.

"To the ground, little wolf. I will not let any harm come to you. I'm here," she encouraged knowing it would not be safe for either of them for him to remain upon her back. His sifts were painful and violent enough when he went through them willingly. They were something else entirely when they came forced. He always fought the change but he would always lose against it if the moon was adamant in having her way with him. Her tone was that of a mother to a child though she had never needed the experience, but perhaps she was in some ways. She was far older than him though her kind aged differently.

Raban slipped from her back, his feet touching the ground before he stumbled over to a fallen log, using it for support as he growled in pain. The moon was distinctly higher now and as he stared upwards, drawn helplessly to it, his eyes lost their whites and he cried out as another wave hit him.

Chestnut remained close-by watching with concern before she probed his mind, asking for answer to a question. She got no response and yet she knew he could hear her. He had looked at her instead with an expression of confusion before the moon took him.

Try as he might to stop the change he knew was happening, it was far too strong a hold for him. It was too tough, too violent and he could not but help answer its call for blood. His frame began to increase in size as limbs lengthened and his breeches and tunic began to stretch at their seems as fur started poking through.

Chestnut lifted her head suddenly as she heard the approach of something but she was having trouble picking it out above Raban's cries of anguish and pain. Oh, how she knew he wanted to avoid this, to fight it and stop it. She felt his pain. He would be oblivious and vulnerable in his current state and she was on high alert. before she could stop them, she realised they were not alone.

Raban's tunic hung limply from broad furry shoulders barely covering his barrel-chest which was losing all of its peachy colouring and turned into the glossy black fur that matched his mane. He fought hard and long enough for him to look up to see the familiar faces of a woman and her horse. He stared at them in a stark last thought that his dark truth that he had kept hidden from the Order was secret no longer.

Chestnut glanced as she heard one strong snippet through the fog of his mind. "Well... fuck." She snorted, Raban was no prone to swearing and it was rare for him to do so but in this instance, she knew it was perfectly justifiable. Just as soon as his voice had cut through the fug and connected, she lost it again and stared as his change continued with full abandon. He was losing his fight and knew he would soon lose all control. This was now a very dangerous situation for all of them and if the beast remembered that there was a town of people, there could be little to stop it other than herself.
 
Janine groaned inwardly as she led Venus into the dark forest. As much as she wanted to be nonchalant and carefree, she couldn't shake the unnerving feeling that was still swirling within her. Venus was feeling the same, snorting every other step and swiveling her ears around to catch the faintest of sounds.

"Janine, must you worry so much? It's not healthy for a young woman to worry the way you are," the woman said as she rubbed Janine's back.

Janine looked back and shrugged her shoulders a little. "I'm sorry Momma, but I can't help it. The night is much too.... Ominous for me to relax. Something's happening, but I can't figure out what. Even Venus can sense something's wrong," Janine said as she gestured to her horse.

The mother scoffed and shook her head. "Janine, Venus is a horse. She's naturally flighty. And besides, she must still remember that horrible day when the dragon came around. Who wouldn't?" The woman asked as she looked around. The red lightning of the moon made the forest even darker, but not without a tinge of red tainting the whole forest.

Suddenly, Venus turned her head to the side and stopped, her ears facing front as the sounds of shouting came forth. Janine blinked and turned her head as well, wondering where the shouting was coming from.

"Someone's out here.... I don't like this Mom. This was a mistake, we should go back home," Janine said as she turned her horse around. She tugged on the reins, but her mother placed her hands on them as well, halting Venus in her tracks.

"Janine Slovas, you better not turn this horse around! You have sworn to protect any and all who are in trouble, whether it involves a dragon or not. If you let your fear take control, then you aren't worthy of being a Knight. What did you become a knight for?" Janine's mother scolded.

The young woman blinked and sighed to herself. She was right. But her reasons weren't exactly up to par with the ideals of a Knight. She wanted to become a Knight to see a dragon up close, but she also wanted to see if she could be a better person through honor and discipline. She would still have to work on the discipline part, but she did like what she had done every once in a while.

With a heavy sigh, Janine turned Venus around, and ran towards the shouts and... Growls...? Janine mentally tensed up. What was happening ahead? After a few minutes, Janine had Venus slow down to quietly approach the sounds. She got off Venus and let her mother take the saddle, walking ahead since she was slightly quicker.

Eventually, the two women approached a clearing, and there was a horse and man in the center of it. A few seconds later, Janine's mind remembered the strong and bulky horse that she had taken care of for nearly a week, and remembered this to be the mare named Chestnut. Which would mean that the other figure was most likely...

"Raban?" Janine said with confusion and wariness. She immediately noticed the changes that his body was forcefully undergoing, and shook her head with a growing fear. The fur, the growth of his body... She panted as she looked up in the sky, and saw the moon as its blood red rays shone down on the darkened earth. Her inner demon hissed and snarled at the situation that screamed danger, the pages of the books she read swarming her once more.

Raban.... He was.... A.....

Werewolf.

"Mom. Mom! Do you remember how to ride a horse?" Janine quickly asked.

The urgency in Janine's voice was easily picked up by her mother, and she took to attention instantly. "I never forgot, but why? What's going on?"

"No time to explain Mom. Hurry up, and make sure nobody sees your face. If anyone sees that something's wrong, the Knights will be informed, and we'll be in trouble. Go back home, now!" Janine commanded.

The older woman hesitated, but the urgency of the situation made her whip the reins. To speed Venus up, Janine smacked Venus' flank, making the horse neigh loudly before rising to speed in seconds. The two ran off into the darkness, which was a relief for Janine, now that her mother was out of danger. She turned around to Raban and Chestnut, wondering what to do.

She left her sword at home - she didn't expect to be in this situation, so she didn't have any weapons to defend herself with. But if Raban was actually changing, she had to do something to prevent the town from being attacked.

But what was she to do?!

Without thinking, Janine slowly approached Raban, her footsteps slow and steady as she stepped into the clearing. Her inner demon was continuously making those rattling sounds in the back of her head, screaming at the fact that danger was in front of her.
"Raban? Can you hear me?" Janine asked nervously.
 
Last edited:
Raban stared for the longest time but there was a discerning lack of human intelligence to be found within the black orbs. The hint of recognition he once had as he stared at her through his blackened eyes faded completely from view. The change was overtaking him as he was losing the battle to compete against this transformation. His face began to elongate, the nose, lips and jaw stretched to conjoin and become a maw of sharp curved teeth. His face contorted as pain wracked out another wave through him and his hand broke into the wood of the log.

His feet broke through his boots, shattering the leather as claws pointed outwards, his heel rising higher to form his hocks and thus forming the double jointed legs. Clothes were nothing but shreds as he grew and changed, ears pointing upwards before laying back against his furred skull.

It took only a few more minutes before there was nothing left of the rational Knight that had been Raban. Only a snarling figure of a humanoid wolf that stared at the tiny woman ahead with unseeing eyes filled with hate, thirst and anger. He advanced slowly at first, his clawed hands ready for the attack, his maw filled with a snarling set of teeth, drool forming around them.

The werewolf paused as the woman approached but if the man inside had heard her, there was nothing he could do to stop himself from whatever came next. Chestnut stood uneasily nearby, her frame swayed as she chomped on her bit. The meat-sack was going to get herself killed. Raban howled, the sound cutting through the night air and the air grew deathly quiet in return as he looked back at her, snarling and baring his teeth.

Knowing a strike would soon come, Chestnut was about to charge at Raban in an effort to stop him from hurting Janine but before she could do so, Raban lunged in the direction her mother and Venus had gone, running on his fours in order to catch up with the mare.

Why had the meat-sack brought another meat-sack?! This had proved to be a forest you just didn't go for wooded walks down for any kind of setting. Chestnut stamped, irritably stamping the ground with all four of her large hooves. She snorted and champed, ears laying back with anger before she looked at the woman. Of all the crazy people to have seen him for his true state, it had to be this nutcase! Raban would be lucky if this one didn't report him. Chestnut was aware she was duty bound to do so.

Chestnut then realised sometimes. The woman's reaction had not involved a scream of terror at all and she had walked closed to something that could have quite easily killed her without knowing what he had done in the process. She snorted before she moved closer to the woman before butting his nose against the woman's arm. They had to hurry if they wanted to try and stop Raban from killing people. He would, Chestnut had seen him do so before when she had been too slow. She tugged again with urgency.

Come on, meat-sack, get the hint!

Raban ran with a inhuman speed, four keen and hardy legs maintain his agility and speed as he raced after a speeding mare carrying its charge. The wolf was hungry and it would have its flesh! He leapt up and landed on a tree before leaping between each one and then landed back on the ground again. His jaws snarled, he was close, he could almost taste it!
 
Last edited:
Janine stepped a few inches back when Raban looked to her with pitch black eyes. Damn it. He wasn't himself at this point... Not anymore... She jumped back when his transformation continued, body changing into that of the beast of many tales and the topic of plenty of nightmares.

Her head was still filled with sharp hissing, trying to get her to retreat and escape from a surely painful death. But Janine was hard-headed, and refused to back away too far. Raban approached the young woman, and she tensed up, ready to dodge or do something that involved avoiding him. Her eyes constantly shifted back and forth from normal and her serpentine eyes, but she wasn't going to change yet.

The howl made Janine flinch, and she growled softly, her body preparing herself for a fight. But then, out of nowhere, the werewolf leaped out of the clearing, running in the same direction that Janine sent her mother down.

Janine gave a shuddering gasp. No no no! That beast was going after her mother and Venus! The demonic side of her wanted to retaliate in a rage, but her worry and fear shoved it down. She had to go after them!

"Mooom!" Janine instinctively shouted. She made several steps after the werewolf, but she stopped, noticing the large snout of Chestnut brushing up against her. She remember the last time the mare did that, and immediately took the reins to have Chestnut run after the former Knight.

Janine's mother slapped the reins to make Venus go faster. She didn't quite see what had Janine so worried, but she wasn't going to argue. Venus snorted as she made her legs go faster, willing herself to run as fast as she could. Danger was afoot, and she couldn't be slow.

Suddenly, a howl pierced the night air, making Venus neigh worriedly. Something was coming, and she didn't want to be anywhere in the forest. Hearing rapid footsteps behind her, the mother looked back to see something moving in the darkness. It disappeared for a moment, before landing even closer to them. She gasped and slapped the reins even harder. They had to get away!

"Come on Venus, let's go!" The woman exclaimed.
 
Last edited:
Chestnut barely waited for Janine to get on before the 17hh shire launched into a full gallop after Raban. She did not head for Janine's home. She knew the woman had as much as an investment in following the werewolf as she did. If Raban was not stopped, he would kill her mother and Venus if the horse intervened without so much as a second thought. Of course, he would be remorseful as soon as he learned what he had done when he regained his human self. That was the hardest thing for her Little Wolf to come to terms with. He carried the weight of those he had killed before when his control had been taken from him. Chestnut thought it was a waste of time. He could not be held responsible for what he had no control over. However, humanity would never be likely to see it that way. Save for the exceptional few. He was a monster to them and humanity would kill what it feared to understand.

Raban growled with hunger, the anger and thirst overriding any shred of what humanity was left within him. There was no rational thought, no thought of reason or resisting temptation. Everything that made him human was locked away and he ran after his prey with total abandon. He could smell her fear, the horse's fear and he could almost hear the hearts beating to flush blood around their systems.

The horse was speeding up and that only served his hunger further. He ran more quickly, tufts of leaf litter flying behind him before he disappeared into the treeline once more. The wolf knew how to fool its prey long enough for it to fuel his own attack. He leapt out from a tree and smashed into the horse's side, claw sinking into flesh in his attempt to knock the horse over and get to his target.

The horse however, as light and flighty as she was, swerved to one side of the trail as soon as she had registered the incoming danger and Raban's curved claws only succeeded in tearing red lines through her flanks. Raban snarled in anger, his jaws snapping with drool flying into the air. he remained unperturbed, unaware or uncaring he was being followed himself.

With each step, they drew closer to the field and therefore closer to town where he would be at large to make more of a nuisance of himself. He would not realise the Knights would be duty bound to respond and try to kill him. That rational thinking process was hidden away, locked away, and the wolf would carry on regardless, attacking prince and pauper with no distinction of bloodline or social status.

Chestnut lengthened her stride as much as she could in the pursuit of her Little Wolf. She could not hear his thoughts or even sense his mind. All she could do was see through the wolf's eyes as he ran and chased after his prey. She knew he was after the woman. She didn't know what Janine would be capable of once they got there. Chestnut knew it was likely she would have to fend Raban off and hoped the meat-sack riding her would have the good sense to take her mother and get out of the area completely.

It worried the fire demon a lot that she could not talk to Raban or sense his mind at all. She had no way of knowing how the wolf would react. This was a dangerous new development in all the years she had been with him and as far as she knew, this had never happened before. This was new and unprecedented. She could see his back now as she thundered around the corner and could register the muscles that fuelled his capability to leap really well. She snorted knowing he was close to reaching the woman and knew all it would take would be one good stretched and he would be able to leap at her and Venus once again. Chestnut threw her head into the chase cursing no for the first time her trapped state.
 
Venus felt the heavy presence of what felt like a huge wolf close to her flank. She picked up the pace a little more, her life and the life of her owner's mother being her motivation to stay ahead. Suddenly, the woman and horse felt the moderate impact of the werewolf attacking Venus. Venus neighed in a panic as she felt claws racking her flank, involuntarily slowing herself by skidding in the dirt before before she tried to dash off again. Janine's mother grunted as she jerked around, the movements of the horse making her flail her hands around in her desperate attempt to take control again. She barely managed to gain it back, and she steered Venus away from a tree to avoid smashing into it.

Then the mother saw the faint shadow of the town. She mentally rejoiced that she was able to see it, but then something happened - Venus' head jerked from side to side, her neighs and snorts growing more panicked by the second. She began kicking and kept neighing at the werewolf, then tried to swerve around in a strange pattern.

"Venus what the hell?!" The woman shouted as she jerked the reins in an attempt to take control once more. Eventually, Venus grew so panicked she leaped up to kick at the werewolf before turning her head and running deeper into the forest. Janine's mom couldn't do anything about it expect to pray for Janine to get to her on time.

Dirt flew behind Venus as she leaped over logs and bushes, hoping that the natural obstacles would work to slow the beast down. But those seconds spent being slowed down was all that was needed to be all caught up.

Janine raced across the forest on top of Chestnut, praying that her mother would be safe and out of harm's way. If anything happened to her, she feared what would happen afterwards. Her other half was viable of taking over in times of extreme distress.

Janine tried to have Chestnut go faster, her panic really beginning to show in her actions as she scanned the forest for the rampaging werewolf ahead of her. Then she heard it - the shrieking neighs of a horse. She gasped with worry - that had to have been Venus. She was hurt! Janine shook her head and slapped Chestnut's reins even harder.

Even in all this darkness, Janine barely managed to see her Venus leaping and shrieking in terror before veering away from the town and further into the dark forest. What was happening?!

"Moooom!" Janine shouted. What was happening? What made her turn to another direction? Janine panted and looked around for something to use. But what could she do when she was still too far away?
 
The horse's fear was rising and that was a good thing for the wolf chasing it. Fear meant a higher likelihood of the creature making a potentially fatal mistake. He ran harder until the horse changed course and it threw him off guard, tumbling in the dirt as he lost his momentum and balance. He quickly got back to his feet and continued the chase trying to regain the few metres he had lost in his tumble to the ground. Leaves and dust clung to his fur as he ran. Logs and bushes served to be of little hindrance to a wolf who could leap off the sides of trees in a moment's breath.

The werewolf had not grasped at any significance in the change of direction. He was going to have his pound of flesh before he sought fresh meat. He followed Venus faithfully and hungrily, drool hanging from his jaws at the prospect of a meal being so close. He quickened his pace, long arms and legs stretching that much farther for a greater reach.

Chestnut cursed as she felt the reins tug the bit in her mouth a little too harshly for her liking but the tug conveyed the worry that the woman was experiencing. She was going as fast as her size and bulk would let her. She could only go so fast. Venus had the advantage when it came to speed but being heavier horse, Chestnut had the endurance. She knew Venus would tire out much more quickly than she was likely to and with a wolf on her tail, that would have bad consequences. The shire snorted and followed the direction the mess of tracks showed her as quickly as she could.

Raban howled and growled, ultimately nothing more than a raging slobbering ball of fur who could do a serious amount of damage without giving it an afterthought. At least in his current state. He charged ahead. All he needed was one good straight path to make a leap at her. Just one more... nearly! He had to wait a good moment before the horse began showing signs of slowing. Raban didn't have that particular disadvantage. Just one more thing his curse had gifted him. Normal wolves could run for miles on end without tiring even if they were harassing wounded prey that was still too dangerous to bring down. A werewolf could easily do the same. Another part of what made them so dangerous. You just couldn't simply wait for it to slow down or tire.

He waited for the right moment before he leapt and this time he struck true, sending the horse off balance and caused it to fall. The wolf had hoped to get an easier attempt at the woman riding the animal but his leap had caused the horse to land on the woman. This complicated things for him. Yes, his target was in one place and pinned down but there was a fat heap of horse to get through and Venus' legs were striking out any chance they got to hit him. The werewolf snarled as he leered over the horse's body. Most of his bulk was on the belly, his jaws facing the woman that was Janine's mother and he was inching closer, jaws snapping at her hungrily.
 
Janine tried to stay calm, but this whole situation was too much to stay calm for. She subconsciously tugged at Chestnut's reins, to worried to be aware of the fact that the horse's body was designed for strength and stamina, not so much speed.
Then, another neigh echoed across the forest. A few hundres steps later, she found what she was looking for, and the sight was far from positive: the werewolf that used to be Raban had her mother and Venus pinned down on the ground, flailing her hooves and neighing harshly, trying to deter the approaching beast from making any more steps. But it was all in vain. Raban kept moving forward, jaws drooling with saliva as he poised himself over her mother to make a killing bite.

"Noooooo!"

Janine wouldn't let it happen. Seeing the fear in her mother's eyes as she faced a beast of death was the final straw. She leaped off of Chestnut's saddle as a strange roar broke out of her throat, and she landed on the ground, skidding at first but quickly recovering to run at a speed somewhat faster than a human's. She leaped on top of the black beast with bared teeth and a snarl. Suddenly, a strong and scaled appendage would wrap around the beast's neck, threatening to choke Raban out as Janine's body faced down the werewolf's back and she leaned forward as hard as she could, hoping that gravity would aid in her assult. She couldn't help but snarl and hiss in a growing rage, her nails digging into the furry hide of the vicious beast under her.

Janine felt her body snarling and roaring in her head - roaring to change and to defend the one she called her mother. It was starting to look as if she might do that, whether she wanted to or not. She felt her body making minute changes; her eyesight growing more suited for night vision, her reflexes growing sharper and quicker, and some of her teeth began to become replaced with sharp fangs. She held on for as long as could as a human, hoping to get Raban off of her horse.
 
The wolf continued to snarl and snap at the woman beneath the struggling mass of horseflesh. Once or twice Venus succeeded in a strike with her hooves but he remained stubborn, steadfast and hungry. He was focused and determined to get the blood he wanted to slake the thirst raging within him. He was oblivious to the woman's cries of distress and immune to the horse's. All he was interested in was her flesh and he inched for it, yearned and craved it. So much so that his sense to everything else dulled.

Chestnut thundered on regardless of the constant reminders to go faster but it was not long before they rounded on the scene of a fallen horse, a woman and her angry wolf trying to get to her. He was close to succeeding, she knew the horse's efforts would be in vain. It was any wonder that he hadn't turn its throat out yet. The shire was about to charge him down regardless of the charge on her back that she carried but something shifted and something roared. It was a roared she could recognise but could not explain why it was here. The shire came to halt, her feet back-peddling somewhat as she stared.

She watched as the female knight changed and stared nonplussed at what she saw. If Janine was anything as to close to what she was thinking, it would explain a few things and opened the rest for more questioning. She snorted, pawing the ground.

Raban barely noticed the fact that he was no longer alone with his prey, too deep was he enraptured with the mind-numbing thought of need. It was only when the wolf felt pressure on its back and something coil around his neck that his attention shifted from the woman beneath him to the one on him. The wolf snarled and shook fiercely trying to get the damned thing free. Teeth bared and claws tugged into the muscle that held his neck all the while shaking like a rabid animal. In so doing his feet moved backwards, receiving more strikes from the stricken horse and backed up so much as to allow the horse space to get up if she so chose to.

He growled and howled, bit and snapped, trying to claw himself free of his thing that was choking him. He shook himself violently, fur shaking everywhere where it was its longest. The wolf knew it was a creature, had smelt it before but it didn't know how or where from. He didn't know how strong it was but whatever it was, it had the wolf's attention now.

Chestnut tried to get into Raban's mind again but like before, she was not allowed in. She snorted angrily not knowing what Raban was feeling, experiencing. She charged at Venus and pawed at the horse's rump. "Get up... get up," she intoned, before staring warily at the werewolf and whatever Janine was turning into. She had known something was odd about her but she didn't know if she could trust it yet. As soon as the shire was able, she placed herself in-between her Little Wolf and the woman he had been trying to get at. It wasn't the first time she had fended Raban away from killing an innocent.
 
Last edited:
Janine's mother panted in fear as she stared into the eyes of the beast that was chasing her and Venus. She expected to have Venus being the target of the beast's attention, but instead of going after the horse, it went after her with glaring eyes full of hunger and a thirst for blood. She cried out in fear and closed her eyes, unwilling to see herself or Venus being torn apart.

But then, a roar erupted from behind the werewolf. She gasped and opened her eyes, only to see the beast being attacked by something else. After a few seconds she found the attacker to be her own daughter, and she had revealed her tail to wrap it around the wolf.

Was she going to change?

She struggled to either get Venus on her feet, or to get out from under her and help Venus up herself. She strained to move herself, but she suddenly felt a sharp pain in her leg. She couldn't move it too much.... Was it broken? Maybe, maybe not.... But she couldn't tell at the moment. She'd have to see to it later. But for kow, she needed this horse to move again.

"Come on Venus, get up! You have to get up or we'll -"

Her sentence stopped coming out when she heard heavy footsteps coming towards her and Venus. The woman gasped and she turned her head as best as she could, and saw it to be that other horse. The horse nudged Venus' flank, and she heard the sleeker horse neigh and snort at the bulkier one.

She felt Janine's horse struggle to get on her four feet, but she kept falling short each time. After the third time, Venus managed to get up on her feet, and she stepped a few feet back behind the bulkier one. The woman wanted to run off again, but she hesitated, unsure if fleeing was the best idea this time around. Venus was hurt, and she when she heard Venus' heavy snorts, she was sure that the horse was near exhaustion. She had no choice but to stay out and watch.

'Damnit Janine...... What did I get us into?' The woman asked herself.

The werewolf under Janine snarled and howled and clawed as he tried to break free from the scaled muscle wrapped around his neck. Janine snarled and squeezed even tighter as he shook around, her focus on protecting her mother and horse being her driving force for action.

She held on until she heard the neighs of her horse, and turned her head to see what the matter was. The brief movement was enough to allow herself to be elbowed, resulting in her being thrown off from the force of the blow.

With a short snarl, Janine fell off of Raban, and she landed on her side to skid on the ground. She quickly got up on her feet, head twitching around as she flicked her clubbed tail like an angry cat. The young demon snarled and glared at her mom as she sat on her horse, slitted eyes replacing her round ones. She caught the scent of blood and felt her stomach drop, thinking it was from her mother. But she saw the claw marks that were inflicted on Venus, and narrowed her eyes, seeing that it was in fact her own horse who was injured.

Janine backed away and faced her opponent with a rage that grew exponentially - and it showed as her tail rattled like the species' namesake would suggest. Her horse was injured.... Her horse. Her mother. In danger. No. Not while she was still alive.

With all the rage built up within her, Janine initiated the change and roared ferociously at the werewolf before her. Her limbs elongated, her neck and tail grew thicker, longer and obtained scales, and her eyes grew even more ominous and demonic than it did seconds before.

When her transformation was completed, Janine grew to be the demonic hodgepodge of a creature that was twice as large as Raban - in size and length. She stood on her strong hind legs to try and intimidate the werewolf with her size, and it was for good reasoning. At nearly twelve feet, she towered over the werewolf, brown glowing eyes glaring with a look that shouldn't have conveyed any emotion, yet somehow showed a burning anger all on their own.

The huge demon flicked her tongue out before releasing a hissing roar, her fangs flashing their deadly capabilities before coming down to the ground like a bear. She slowly stalked around the werewolf like an actual predator, eyes staring at the wolf unblinkingly as she slowly circled the beast.
 
Chestnut tried to help the smaller horse as much as possible before standing between Venus and the snarling raging ball of fur that was Raban. She wanted to console him, make sure that he was not alone in his state of lack of control but her inability to reach him was hampering that wish entirely. Blood moons had happened before but they had never brought on a change like this before. There was no way to know what or how he would be like once the change ended. Chestnut longed the night to end quickly.

She knew Venus was exhausted and was in no fit stat to run anymore. Janine would have to fill in the role of managing Raban whilst she played the guard dog for Venus and this other woman Janine had brought with her. Why Janine had thought that such a good idea, Chestnut didn't know but they were all here now and she just hoped the meat-sack would not try to run in fear. It would only serve to appeal to the Wolf's love of a good chase.

The wolf struggled violently against the one choke-holding him using his limbs wildly in the process and he growled in relief when the pressure was suddenly removed. The wolf eyed the Shire for a long moment as she stood protecting the other true equine and his original prey. With them standing their ground, he lost interest and looked back at Janine. The wolf snarled and bared his curved teeth.

There was a hissing rattle and whilst Raban would have interpreted the danger correctly, the wolf did not. He stood his ground, arms bent and extended with claws ready to strike as he gauged this new target. This serpentine woman thing. The wolf had no way of knowing what Janine was and neither did Raban at present. His lupine head tilted when she grew in size and revealed her true self.

Chestnut raised her head and snorted, "Damned typical. This one gets a human trap and a free change card and I'm stuck with this stinking quadruped." Chestnut was a demon herself but the only external signs of her true self was that her temperature was a little higher than what a horse's should be at. Raban never complained about the higher heat but then her heat was useful for cold days when his arse was cold. She pawed the ground with irritation and jealousy. Jealous that Janine had the freedom to show her true self.

Raban would have surrendered or withdrawn but the wolf knew no such acts and stood his ground unphased by Janine's antics. He snarled with his own unbridled anger and rage, emotions Raban exhibited in human form but they were all fed into him when he was a werewolf, willingly or not. The difference was in his ability to control those emotions. Now however there was nothing to hold back the tempest. He turned as she encircled him with black eyes watching, his hackles rising and puffing out his mane of sleek black hair and a short stubby pointed tail flicked against his rear. He had no fear. The wolf knew no fear.

Chestnut was not worried if the two fought. Janine would likely be immune to the venom of the werewolf and in turn, if Janine herself was a venomous one, it would not harm Raban. There was only one surefire way to kill a werewolf and that was a silver object through his heart. Chestnut doubted Janine's fearsome weaponry was coated in silver and she could not recall seeing Janine with her sword. She also hoped Janine was only planning to keep him occupied till the sun rose. Chestnut looked upwards and the moon was at its highest now. A few more hours and his strength would leave him and he should return to normal.

Normal life for Raban that was now threatened by Janine's and her mother's knowledge of what he was. What he was capable of and the danger he presented to human society.

The werewolf's impatience showed itself and he lunged for Janine aiming for her throat with a snarl, lips pulled back and eyes flat against a fluffy head. If Janine's size phased him, it was well disguised but Chestnut knew size would matter not to something that saw only blood, a need to slay a thirst that controlled his actions. Raban had willingly gone against a colossal dragon. She doubted that the werewolf he portrayed so well now would even question her size.
 
Janine's demonic energy flowed wildly within her as she circled the werewolf. She normally had to make sure she didn't get too riled up and accidentally change, but in this current point in time, she couldn't hold it in anymore. Her demonic side was thirsting for action, for retaliation....

Possibly to kill. Janine wasn't entirely sure of all the emotions running through her body, but the one that she was sure about was rage. She couldn't recall if she was ever like this - this mind-numbing rage that her demonic half managed to convey. But while she knew that her demonic side amplified the emotions she had, this felt entirely new to her. It somewhat scared her, but she couldn't think on that at the moment.

The serpentine creature snarled as she circled the wolf, waiting on a move from him. And surely enough, the wolf made a lunge at her neck - typical for a predator. Seeing this attack, Janine waited until he was close enough, then she jumped up high with her powerful legs, letting the werewolf run under her. When she came down, her clubbed tail slammed on the furred back of the black beast, hoping to send pain up his spine.

She then whirled around and pounced on top of the wolf, her size and weight working to pin him down as she wrapped her tail around his legs. Claws extended to pierce the flesh and eyes glowed unblinkingly as she lowered her head to his, tongue flicking as she glanced at the wolf's pitch black eyes. So dark, so blank.... So.... Primal. She could sense that there was no humanity in those eyes. So there was no chance of Raban knowing her own secret.

So he wouldn't be able to know what she did to him.

With a hiss, Janine rose up and clawed at the beast's back, racking her claws down and inflicting large wounds. While she did that, one of Janine's large hind legs rose up to slam back down on him, making powerful blows with each contact.
 
The wolf howled with outrage and anger, blind to reason or logic and stared before it felt the tail collide from above. It howled with pain as its back caved inwards, his legs giving out from beneath him. His head shook free the daze and he began to lift himself up again, claws digging into the earthy soil beneath. The wolf wanted to leap back at the strange hellish creature but he found himself pinned from above struggling to be free from this thing! He struggled hard as his werewolf might could warrant him and he wriggled so much that he looked more like a landed fish.

His head turned as he felt her head come closer and his maw tried to snap at her snout, his teeth snapping shut with a loud sound that filled Chestnut's ears. The horse stood anxious knowing that every injury she gave him would translate into his human self when he changed back. Chestnut knew this would play havoc with Raban's mind never mind the added pain of a broken body. She pawed the ground in warning.

Somewhere perhaps in the darkest recess, Raban was screaming but there was no evidence of his intelligence, his personality in the black orbs. Just the beast that tried to bite her even as dark coloured blood ran from his wounds. Bone could be heard to snap under her weight and blows but he took them. They were not fatal. The wolf howled in agony and outrage. He wanted to be free, free to run, chase, and hunt. Not be this wretched creature's prisoner and punchbag. The wolf tried to bit at any limb he could reach, broken limbs scrabbling to try and free himself.

Chestnut winced knowing now Janine had broken the wolf's leg and in so doing had broken Raban's leg. This was getting out of hand. She looked back at Venus with a snort that suggested to the other to stay put. She was no good to no one right now. The horse walked closer to Janine and Raban with no fear of either of them. They had already tried killing her as a way to free her bond. She always seemed to heal and wake up again in her trapped state. Whomsoever had enacted her punishment had been quite thorough about it.

Her heat rose and soon steam rose off the Shire in a way in which it should not do. She was angry and upset at how far Janine had gone. Meat-sack! How dare you! She shook her head before she struck Janine's leg with a meaningful prod of her hoof. It was clearly one of getting attention before the horse lowered her head, nipping Raban's ear gently. The wolf seemed confused and simply continued to struggle against the heavy weight pressing him down.

Chestnut snorted and peered upwards in an obvious movement to look at the moon which began to slowly descend as the night progressed. The large horse then walked backwards barely looking backwards as she did so. She knew what Janine was. She had seen the change and knew what she was a part of. In turn Raban would learn that truth from her mind. He knew her mind as much as she knew his. Their secrets benefited both of them and Chestnut suspected the other woman knew as well what Janine was. She certainly wasn't running away as a normal human would do.

The wolf howled deeply, the sound almost mournful in its tune but there was still the anger and frustration. Wolves in the distance answered not out of friendship or out of loyalty but in answer of his pain and in hope that he would perish despite knowing he would not. Raban would be in for a world of hurt but he would heal in time. Short of silver and dismemberment, he was not natural.
 
Last edited:
Janine kept giving blow after blow to the werewolf, her emotions beginning to take hold of her actions. She hissed and snarled at the wolf under her, and she made sure that she was in control of the fight. He wasn't about to hurt anyone tonight.

But after a few minutes, Janine's body felt the presence of heat. She barely registered the sensation, but when she was kicked in the leg, she managed to comprehend the touch. Her serpentine head lifted up to see the large horse that was Chestnut and at first, looked as if she was going to attack her. She hissed and flexed her fangs at her, but she stopped when the horse simply bent down to nip the wolf in the ear.

Janine paused and stared at the horse. The mare was..... Steaming? She suddenly felt something tugging at her again - this time, she sensed that this horse was off. While the fact was now obvious due to the steam rising from the mare's body, she didn't understand what made the horse odd. This bit of thinking made her stop her vicious assault on the werewolf, and she took her legs off the beast's legs, whilst keeping her forelegs planted on his back, and tail wrapped around his legs.

She watched as Chestnut lifted her head and backed away, making her do the same. She looked up at the sky to see the red moon once again, and realized what she was doing. She wasn't just attacking any werewolf.... She was attacking Raban. The man that she helped several days ago. The Knight that had been injured so badly that he was barely able to walk. He looked like he was hurting bad.

And she was hurting him again. All over again. The realisation made her panic in a way - what had she done? How was she going to explain herself? Her actions? Should she apologize? But she would have to reveal her secret. She couldn't do that - Raban seemed like a man of honor, and if he knew what she was, he'd report to the King and Queen, and she and her mother would be beheaded, or maybe even burned at a stake. She almost cried at the thought, but her mind was distracted once she heard Raban howling underneath her. She flinched and looked down at the beaten wolf, suddenly feeling regret and pity at his mournful howl. She looked out at the darkness as natural wolves howled back, wondering what the sounds meant.

She somewhat feared that Raban was calling for their aid, and tensed her body in response. Nonetheless, the young half-demon released her grip of his legs, and slowly backed off his hide. She moved towards her mother and Venus, who nickered worriedly for the large beast of a demon. Her mother looked on with a concerned look, which just made her feel even more guilty. Janine turned around and faced the wolf and horse pair, her anger slightly subsided, but her body still ready for another attack.
 
Last edited:
Chestnut winced inwardly as he heard more bones creak and snap under the blows and weight of Janine's huge form. Even Chestnut felt humbled by her size by comparison but she was not enthralled with her treatment of her Little Wolf even if it did keep him from harming innocents. It would be tough to explain away his injuries to that damned nurse for this lot of injuries unlike the first time. That much Chestnut was aware of. There was no handy dragon to blame it on and his favoured Order would find it all very suspicious. No... he would have to stay in the forest to heal she decided.

She maintained her steaming visage for a while before cooling off, the mist floating and disappearing into the cold night air. She snorted, glad as Janine eased off with the hurting of the wolf. It was strange to see two Knights before her both with a secret they would never share willingly. Raban was aware to some level before his change completed that Janine knew his secret now but eh would be clueless to hers till their minds returned to each other. Even then she could keep it secret from him. They so rarely kept anything from each other.

The wolf growled even as he was freed from his position and when he tried to stand, he fell back to the leaf litter once more. His legs were out of action and the wolf turned to sniff at them before he pulled his body to face the large demoness with his arms, snarling as the pain went through his system mixed with his adrenaline and fury. He snarled and snapped at Janine. This thing that caused him so much trouble. He lashed out at her with a handful of claws. Even with a broken body, he was still dangerous. He was pulling himself towards her with a clear intent to try and bite her limbs regardless of his own injuries.

Chestnut snorted and stamped her feet. They still had hours before sunrise and hope of an end to this affair. Her Little Wolf she knew would not understand or comprehend much of anything when he returned to his own body. This time, it would be in Janine's presence and not for the first time. She pondered before she gave Raban a wary look before her head turned upwards to check on the moon once more.
 
Janine flicked her tail as the wolf examined his inflicted injuries. She hissed softly with guilt, as she never wanted to hurt anyone. All that rage that built up inside of her, and it jist spewed out in the most violent way possible.... And even then, Janine knew that wasn't even all that she was capable of.

She lowered her head warily as the wolf struggled to get at her. She was amazed at the sheer power this werewolf had, though her eyes and body language wouldn't show it. With a broken leg he still wanted to get at the sizable demon. She flicked her tail like a feline, pondering on whether she should continue, or to leave. Then, a voice interrupted her thoughts.

"Janine. That wolf has to be put down. You have to stop it from doing anything else.... you do know this don't you?" Her mother asked. Janine turned her head halfway to meet her mother's gaze. She saw the fear and worry in them, and that reignited some of the anger she felt earlier.

Realizing it, Janine shoved it down, scraping her claws in the dirt as a means to release some of the pent up tension. She did have to make this wolf settle down, but how? She never read anything that discussed the methods of putting wolves back to their humanoid self....

But she didn't want this wolf to suffer, even if he couldn't - or wouldn't - feel the pain.

She bunched her muscles and crouched down like a large cat would, her shoulders shifting up and down as she braced herself. With a short hiss, Janine took two bounds and was instantly on top of the wolf, though she avoided his body completely. Her scaled tail wrapped itself around the wolf's neck once more, only this time, her tail coiled itself even tighter than the first time. She risked injury of her own body, but she had to shake it off when it was over. Sooner or later, this wolf was going to black out. She glared at the strange mare known as Chestnut warily now, her eyes staring into the horse's eyes as if staring into her soul. She wasn't sure how this horse would react, but she wouldn't let herself be caught unaware again.
 
Chestnut stamped and champed irritably and in pity. Her 'Little Wolf' looked pathetic and so much less than of his worth and yet she knew he was worth ten of the meat-sack within his order and she would not be above burning a whole village down if it meant freeing him alone. No one else had done for her what he had done. No one would. She was a she-devil, a fire imp, fickle and loathing of the living flesh but time spent with Raban had tempered her. She gave these two far more patience now than she ever would have done in her free state of being.

The shire demon turned her head as the woman spoke in tones Chestnut did not like. Put down? Just who did she think this wolf was... a freak? A pet? A four leg!? She snorted and stamped her hoof. Insolent meat-sack! Impudent thing! She looked back to Raban who was still in a snarling mess of blood and fur and pulling himself along quite gamely for his injuries.

Chestnut watched as Janine seemed to reach a decision at last. Perhaps that was a good thing, it would not take long for a were wolf to heal and she had no idea if a Blood Moon had any way of speeding up that process. Air blew through large nostrils and she watched with a level of judgement as the Werewolf tried to snap at Janine now that she was closer. Chestnut turned, facing the demon thing that Janine had shown of herself to be. She could not help but think that Janine was on the small side if indeed it was a demon that she was. Perhaps she was a young one. Chestnut snorted, demons came in all shapes and sizes.

The wolf howled again it was cut short as that infuriating muscled coiled around its throat once again. His claws scraped and gouged as it tried to get the foul creature away from his throat. The wolf shook himself vigorously as his body of hardened muscle would allow in the position. Chestnut watched her Little Wolf try in vain but she could see the air was leaving his body and after a good two minutes, his body went limp. The choke would not kill him. His heart would restart by its own accord in good time. Janine could break his neck and it would heal itself.

Chestnut realised that Janine was looking at her with a wary gaze and Chestnut thought perhaps that Janine was unsure of something. Chestnut could not audibly convey her thoughts, they were not bonded and nor were they ever likely to be. She thought for a moment before she tossed her head up and down in an obvious movement. As long as Janine held him that way for a while to come, he would not come to and when sunrise came, then it would be safer to release him. it was something Chestnut could not have done herself. Perhaps there was something in this for both Knights that would be beneficial for all. Raban would take some convincing. He wasn't going to change back until the moon dipped below the horizon.

The hour of the rising sun came with a distinct shift in the wolf's physical state. His frame shuddered and his hackles that had remained raised even during his unconsciousness slowly lowered. Chestnut perked her head up at this and looked at Janine, pawing the ground before she moved closer. She nosed about Raban's muzzle clearly unafraid of being so close to Janine's current state. The tongue that had slipped out through sharp jaws was twitching. Chestnut made her decision and purposefully nudged at the coil holding the Wolf's throat. It was time to let him go and do the rest.
 
Janine turned her head when Raban finally passed out from her choke hold. She hissed softly, her body relaxing a little as the danger seemed to have subsided for the while. She wasn't sure if it was safe to release his neck - a normal human would've been out for a good minute, but this is obviously not a human she was tied to.

She decided to keep herself attached to Raban; she was what they called a night owl anyway, so what was a few more boring hours awake? Although, there was the concern of Venus and her mom. They had to stay as well? She wanted them to go home and sleep. They didn't deserve to be here as long as she did.

A troubled hiss flew out of her mouth as she laid down to try and rest her body. At least as best as she could considering her position. Fighting always took a bit of energy, but she never had to fight a werewolf before. Janine could sense the excitement wearing off after the adrenaline went down.

Hours later, the sun finally decided to creep out. Janine was somehow wide awake, and still holding onto Raban's neck. Nothing had come across the group's paths, which was a miracle and relief. Janine looked up to see Venus and her mother somehow asleep, though she wouldn't expect too much rest from those two. She surely didn't expect any rest for herself.

Chestnut's movements made the serpentine demon alert again, and shifted her body to see her properly. As Chestnut drew closer, the serpentine demon followed her actions silently. Only to make sure she wouldn't try anything while she was still. After all, she wasn't just a horse... That was something her demonic side picked up, yet she couldn't pinpoint what it was. When She nudged at her tail, Janine flicked her tongue curiously, wondering what she wanted. But she quickly figured that she wanted Raban to be released, so Janine slowly uncoiled her tail before stepping back to give him and the horse some room. Her muscles ached as they finally moved for the first time in hours, making her hiss softly in pain as she walked to a tree. Looking up, Janine decided to perch herself in the tree's branches, sensing that something was going to happen again.
 
The earth grew warmer as the sun rose. It had not yet reached above the horizon but the rays were already lighting up the sky. Chestnut knew this would soon cause the wolf to subside. The werewolf belonged to the night, not to the day, even if Raban poked holes in that age old accepted theory. The horse could feel the other's hard gaze but cared not and was glad when the tail uncoiled and released her 'Little Wolf'. He was hardly little and stood a good three to four feet higher as a wolf than as a human and Raban was tall for a man.

Sure enough as soon as the air was allowed to flow back into his body evenly, his body began to react and change. He grew smaller and his fur began to retract where fur should not be growing on a human. His head of hair resumed its usual short length. Raban hardly wore his hair long. Having it short was easier for him to manage. It took longer than usual for his change back into his human self to complete and as before, his clothes had no survived. He was as naked as the day he was born, not that Chestnut actually knew his day of birth. She had never bothered to pry for that information. Chestnut nosed over him before her head rolled him to his back. He looked a mess. His skin was unnaturally pale and bruised. She could see where Venus had kicked him, the small hooves quite distinct. The masses of bruising she could recognise to be Janine's work. Chestnut was nut sure she wanted to know what internal damage he had but ti was not pretty. His kin was also cut and bleeding still in places and his leg was cocked at an odd angle.

Chestnut looked at Janine and snorted heavily at her, "Fine job you did on him. The point was to restrain him, not break him, eugh, meat-sacks!" It was probably a good thing Janine could not hear her thought. Chestnut looked back to Raban when he groaned, his face twitching as he came to slowly. His chest shuddered as he coughed, grimacing at the pain it caused him and he blinked upwards at the tree canopy with a look that spoke of one who didn't know where he was or why he was there. Chestnut let him process at his own pace. The fact she still could not detect his mind yet worried her.

Raban sat up slowly and painfully, his arm sliding around his chest as if to hold it in place as he looked around warily. Leaves stuck to his back in much of the same way as dirt was clinging to his front. "Wh-what... Wh-wher...?" he questioned blindly not realising what he had done or had been about to do. He was absolutely clueless. He could not remember anything and he was afraid he had killed again. He hoped he had not. His eyes crunched shut and his mouth muttered in a prayer in the hopes he had not hurt anyone. He looked down at himself and could see the cause of his pain.

What had caused all this bruising? This hadn't been Chestnut doing... had it? She... Chestnut?

"Chestnut..." he tried talking to her telepathically but she wasn't there. It was like trying to visit a void. There was no warmth, no snarky comments or presence in general. He wanted to go find her but one look at his leg and he knew that somehow it was broken. It was very painful. He blinked his eyes several time before he looked around. He saw Chestnut standing next to him and he placed his hand on her leg and tried to ignore how much his hand had shook in the attempt. He was shaking all over and not from the cold.

"Wh-What..." he blinked and looked round further and stared when he saw Venus on the ground. She was breathing so he knew she was not dead but he could not help but stare at the slashes in her flank. He stared and remembered. Janine. Another woman. Venus. Janine! "What have I done...?" his voice held nothing of its usual charm or confidence. Chestnut could smell his fear and she understood it. At least some of it. "Where's... Is she...?" he trailed off. He did not trust himself to utter the words and he wasn't sure he wanted to know the answer.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top