~Master Yala

The humans, far below, wander aimlessly around the smoking, destroyed, train, like so many fall leaves, lost in a cold winter wind. Some of them, at least, have sense and are helping the more seriously hurt. But none are what I'm really looking for.

"None of them are the Chosen," I growl, exasperated. Nova and Zjier nod in agreement.

"But as long as the Chosen are not with Catastrophe, what could go wrong?" Zjier says lightly

"You'd be surprised." I hear Nova mutter. I smile. Even the humans alone can change the tide of the war. Probably even more than we think they can. 

"Should we pay them a visit?" Zgier says suddenly. I snap out of my thoughts to look at him (her or him?). He (or she) is staring down at the humans again. 

"What for?" Nova asks, surprised, her tone clearly implying that the humans can be of absolutely no use in the present situation.

"They might help us," I reply, ready to argue

"But we don't know who they are," she insists

"But-" I start to answer angrily,

"No," Zjier interrupts, "No, Nova's right, there's an evil, at least a past evil, among one of them."

I look at them. Their expressions are firm. I sigh. Sometimes I feel like Nova doesn't understand that even we need help. I turn back to the cliff edge, resigned. I watch the humans a bit more before closing my eyes and letting the emotions wash over me. Down there... something dark.... something hidden away, but just as deep and scarring as when it first appeared...

I open my eyes and slowly nod.

"Alright. We won't go down there," I turn to stare at Nova, "But someday we'll have too. If we want to save the Crown we must have other allies." She doesn't say anything, but I know she agrees. And the Crown must not be found.... Catastrophe must not get it. Or Kyngdom will again become a dark, tortured land.

"Oh," I say, accepting the stone. "Thank you."

I was surprised by his gift. It was difficult to get used to the fact that now he didn't want to kill me. Though, I didn' want to admit it, I had already forgave him.

Suddenly someone calls for help. Trillian and I look up, but Elliot puts his hands up.

"Don't worry, I got this." He flies off, leaving me and Trillian.

"Don't you think its kinda weird that now he has wings?" I ask.

"Yeah, must be some vampire thing. Maybe you could do it."

I laugh. "I doubt it. Remeber, I am just a baby compared to him. I guess you could say I'm a newbie vampire."

She laughs. "Still, gives you something to think about."

Soon Elliot comes back, his red wings beating the fire into a frenzy.

"What powers do I have as a vampire?" I ask, surprising him and myself. 

(Zjier's a boy XD)

"I would agree with Yala, Zjier," I respond. "It is wisest to stick together. The three of us with all of our powers combined are stronger than being alone."

Yala nods in agreement, but Zjier still has a skeptical look in his eyes. 

"We would find the Chosen easier," Yala offers.

Zjier thinks but smiles and nods. "True."

"Shift to dogs," I say.

"What kind of dog?" Zjier asks.

"Does it matter?" Yala ask with exasperation.

Oh littermates. They love each other but also don't always get along.

"Huskies?" Zjier asks.

We nod and shift automatically. Then we begin our descent down the hill, Zjier on my right and Yala on my left.

We approach the humans and...vampires. Interesting. They seem to be talking amongst themselves, and they all huddle around a fire.

I nod at Zjier and Yala, and we step into the light.

A couple gasp, and one gives us the, "Aw, so cute!"

I nod slightly and we change to our true form, three wolves.

"Who are you," Zjier asks. "And what are you doing here?" 

It's time. They'll all hate me. But I have no other choice. It's a plan that they cannot know of.

I take out my gun and point it at all of them.

"Mina, what are you doing?" Shadow asks. She gives me a confused look and that smirk that I've seen so many times.

I take a deep breath and fire at her feet. She leaps back and pulls out a knife from her boot. Of course. The smallest weapon she would use on me. She doesn't want to hurt me yet.

"Is this a joke?" Icy asks with an edge in her voice. Anwen nods and stands beside her, looking slightly frightened.

I quickly scan Icy. Judging by her body size, if I shot her to the left near the stomach but in the part with the most muscle and fat...it would heal quickly. They would give her immediate medical attention. I need them to think I'm serious so they won't help me.

I'm sorry Icy. 

I pull the trigger and the bullet impacts Icy within a millisecond.

There's a brief moment of shock before Icy tumbles back and Shadow screams at me. Anwen launches for me, but I dodge back and she lands face-first in the snow.

I shake my head and run through the snow to Catastrophe's ship that agreed to meet me.

As I climb on board, a couple of soldiers salute. "Welcome back, General Courageux," one of them says.

I wave them off and head to the situation deck as the ship flies off. I look back one last time, and Shadow's screams still linger in my ears. 

"A higher being than you," Zjier replies. 

The man looks taken aback but regains himself. "That cannot be determined. I am Elliot, former king of Sailhaven, advocate and member of the Resistance, and Highborne."

"And we are The Three, guardians of the Crown of Frostwood, chosen by the powers themselves, and ancient beings that exsited even before you, oh high and honorable Elliot," Zjier replies.

There's a silence.

"Anybody can be like that these days," a girl finally mutters.

I step slightly in front of Zjier before he can react.

"Not anybody, dear," I reply. "We are all unique, and we did exsist even before 'anybody,' could be 'like that.'"

Yala nods. "I do believe you are those of the Resistance, then?"

"I feel as though we already established that," Elliot replies.

No Yala, I communicate. Do not react to his remarks.

Yala's fur lowers down and she shifts her paws in the snow. "Yes. Well. Where are the others?"