The Angel's Guardian

To the Death

Lissa freed her body from the long claws impaling her shoulder. She quickly turned to push the dark one back and away from her sister, who now had her daughter. She watched as Shayla raced back to the water's edge with Lumina in her arms. Wading quickly into the shallow waves, Shayla held Lumina above the water as best she could. When she got further out Shayla started to swim for the boat that was leaving with all her might.

Lissa glared at the dark one before pulling out a small dagger she had and slashed at the dark one, pushing it back. She had to create distance between it and Shayla. Lissa hoped Shayla would get away with Lumina.

‘Goodbye, Lumina. I’m sorry’ Lissa said in her head to her daughter. Lissa knew she wasn't going to make it, but she could be satisfied that her daughter would be safe. She kicked at the Dark One, pushing it back and fighting against it. Then it lunged forward and Lissa felt a searing pain in her stomach.

“Umph” Lissa groaned at the fierce pain shooting through her entire body. Looking down she saw the claws of the dark one embedded through her stomach. She felt herself weakening, but tried to stay conscious.

Wren limped towards the shore where the boats would be, badly beaten and his body covered with bruises. His left eye was completely swollen shut and his wounded arm hung limply at his side. On his back was his quiver emptied of arrows, unable to collect them because they had been burned away in the fire. He looked down at the water and could see Shayla swimming out holding his daughter. He wondered why the boat had left her to swim out on her own. Wren looked at the rocky shore where the boats would have been and saw the biggest Dark One of that night. It was then he realized Lissa was in its claws. Wren howled in rage and transformed instantly into a wolf. He knew he could get to it faster this way. His werewolf form was strong with long claws and sharp teeth. He wasn’t as big as the Dark Ones though and didn’t have a humanoid appearance, he was pure wolf.

The wolf was a bright white against the darkness all around. Running quickly, he closed the distance between him and the dark one holding Lissa in its grasp. Wren’s wolf growled and leapt at the Dark One, tearing at it with every ounce of strength he had left. The dark one turned quickly, tossing Lissa to the side as the white wolf latched onto its back. She dropped to the ground with a sickening thud. Wren knew she was dead. The Dark One ripped the wolf off it’s back and held the white wolf around the neck. The wolf whined and whimpered in pain as the dark ones hold around its neck tightened. Still not giving up, the wolf clawed at the dark one's head and eyes.

Wren transformed back into his human form, dropping from the Dark One's grip. He reached for Lissa; she was completely lifeless. He grabbed for the dagger that was still locked in her tight grip. He turned and used the small blade to cut at the Dark One’s neck. The dark one roared and stabbed its claws into Wren’s chest. Wren’s eyes grew wide at the pain and the realization that he was dying. He used the last bit of strength he had to stab the dagger through the dark one's neck and tried to remove its head.

Blood filled Wren’s mouth and he coughed, spattering the blood across the Dark one's face. He hoped he had finished it off before he felt himself go limp, with no strength left to fight. Wren’s lifeless body now slid off the claws of the dark one and landed with a thump next to Lissa.

The Dark one’s head hadn’t been completely separated from its body and it quickly revived. The fluid shadow melded back together as if he hadn’t even been hurt at all. The two he had just killed lay before him slumped in a pile. He would feast off their essence and grow even stronger. He leaned forward, opening his large mouth, and without even trying the essence inside Lissa and Wren was forced out of their bodies and sucked into the Dark One's gaping mouth. He stood and looked out over the lake; he could feel a light of essence coming from somewhere out there. It was the strongest he had ever encountered and it called to him. He was out of time though. His master called him back. He would have to wait until the next time he was released into this world.

He growled very lowly and reluctantly turned away from the water. He slowly trudged back up the hill back to where his master was calling him. His master had opened a portal where he would be sent to be in darkness again for an unspecified amount of time. There was no resisting his master, he had no choice but to return and do what his master had ordered. He knew he was a construct of his master; something created for his master's enjoyment. He never knew how much time would pass, but he longed for when he would be free, to feast again on the light essence of the ones he was released upon. As did all the other Dark ones imprisoned with him.

Shayla paddled with one hand in the water. She looked back at the shore to see if her sister had managed to fight off the Dark One. It was hard for her to see because a fog had come up and she couldn’t get a clear view. Shayla could see the bright orange hues of the fires that burned there, but it was faded and blurred through the fog and smoke. She squinted, but it was useless. She heard a howl break through the night so loud that it nearly drowned out the cries coming from Lumina. She turned to keep swimming. Lumina was held tightly in one arm, but Shayla was no longer able to hold her entire body above the water. Only their heads stayed above the water’s surface now. Lumina’s cries were shrill in the night and there was nothing Shayla could do to calm her. The cold water only upset Lumina further. Shayla kept swimming, trying to find the boat that had only just left a few moments ago. Shayla looked down at the infant in her arms. It was hard swimming while holding Lumina above water. Shayla didn't want to drop her but it was getting harder to hold her. If Lissa or Wren survived they would never forgive her. She could survive and save Lumina too. At least she hoped she could.

“Come back!” Shayla yelled out into the darkness.

Her body was growing tired from swimming and she wasn’t sure how long she could remain afloat holding the tiny infant.

“Where are you?” She yelled out again, hoping the boats were close by.

Shayla didn’t know if she should risk swimming back to shore or continue to swim out into the dark lake. Her teeth started to chatter from the cold invading her body. Poor Lumina was beyond crying now and her little lips were pale from the cold. Shayla had to make a decision soon, but didn’t think she would have the strength to make it back to shore.

“Please, we are still here. Help us!” She yelled out into the darkness again. Listening for any sign of the boats.