The General's Son w***e

X

“Amora, you take the south side. Perry, take west; Fayette, you get north as for me, I'll cover all of east.” Constantine demanded.

We broke out in our separate ways and I couldn’t see anything out of the ordinary but I sensed a familiar feeling I had once before.

“Amora,” Fayette shrieked.

I ran in the direction of her voice, but slowed down when I realized she wasn't even here. In fact, I was the only one present, although I could hear Fayette's voice loud and clear as if she was standing right next to me … but she wasn't.

The sound of heavy breathing and the slight crunch of a footstep sounded behind me. I turned around feeling the same sense of time slowing down as the familiar creatures pounded me.

I couldn't locate my powers to fend them off as I was still weak from this morning. The ugly fish looking wolf held me down as the uglier more mangled slime-covered fish creature lowered their mouth to my arm. I watched in horror as the set of teeth grew twice the size of their normal state.

The set of teeth clamped around my wrist puncturing my skin and I immediately felt the excruciating pain from the sharpness of each tooth. That wasn't even the worst part, there was a hot liquid being injected into me, which felt like my innards got poured on by acid.

I groaned in pain as the venom coursed through my veins, “Fear not my child, the pain is only temporary. You're no good to us if we killed you now, you are rather too important in the future.”

I couldn't move. It felt like I was trapped in my own body chained to the ground. I wasn't sure what death felt like, but I could safely assume this was what it would feel like. My eyes roamed around the ugly creatures as they stood full height howling into the night sky, leaving me on the ground, “We'll meet again soon, Princess Amora.”

I held onto the creatures’ words as I let myself fall into a dark abyss.

“She'll wake up, in time.”

I was coming in and out of conversation for what felt like centuries.

Finally, my body regenerated, causing a mild blindness throughout the house. I woke up in a long gasp as my entire body lifted off the soft material, “That looked painful.”

My eyes shot open, regaining my breath as I looked around the room, “What happened?” They stared at me like I was foreign to them, “Words! I need words.”

Fayette looked at Constantine, she shyly played with her hair, “Amora, we can’t understand you.”

I still have no idea what she had said.

I looked at her with a raised brow, “Would someone please tell me what's going on?”

Perry began to brew up a spell as he chanted out, but as soon as he released it, there was a small wave that blasted through the room, knocking everything down in its path.

I sat up quickly and ran to Fayette first; she backed away from me, “Stay away.”

And suddenly I could understand her again.

“Fayette, it's me, Amora.” I stretched my arm out to touch her shoulder, she looked absolutely petrified of me, and I had no clue as to why.

Suddenly, I was struck with a zap, resulting in my anger to grow. I growled as I leaped into the air, crashing down on the attacker. I began to strike them with my claw-like hand as they struggled to get me off. That's when I felt the cool metal slap around my neck and I whimpered feeling the shocks electrocute me. I reached for the device around my neck as I rolled on the floor, growling, “Take it off!”

As if my prayers have been answered, the device was removed. I lay on the floor panting as I felt my body shift again, “Amora, I need you to focus.”

I nodded, “Think of something good in your life.”

I thought about my parents, friends, Constantine and finally McKenzie, but there was a nagging voice in the back of my mind that appeared to be louder.

I roared, “I can't.”

Fayette spoke, “Amora, please … it's for your own good. Try harder.”

“Okay,” I stated weakly.

I tried harder, focusing on the things I truly loved. The first thought was my mother, the way she always told me what love felt like, which I solemnly focused on the feelings I got whenever I was with someone I cared about.

I felt something release within me as the ground shook and an ungodly noise escaped my mouth.

“Let me help you.”

I nodded exhaustingly, “Thank you.”

I was finally well-rested when the crew came in. Constantine spoke, “Amora, do you happen to know the extent of your powers?”

I shook no, “What I know is what I've told you. Why?”

He hesitated, “What you have become tonight is well … dangerous.”

I tilted my head, “What do you mean?”

Perry blurted, “You were freaking scary!”

Fayette slapped him, “What he meant was, whatever that was, you turned into, it was … um, it was … oh who am I kidding, you were f*cking terrifying!” She yelled like she just found the perfect words to describe me.

“I did what?”

I felt a similar feeling course through my body, bones shifting. Constantine grabbed my hand, “Focus Amora. Anger is what causes this horrendous ability.”

I growled at his touch, “Lay off, old man.”

Perry lifted a finger, “I'm so sorry about this Amora.”

He zapped me, keeping a steady stream of electricity coursing through my body. I roared as I couldn't escape the pain traveling through me. I remembered what Constantine told me to do whenever I felt the sudden shift, I immediately calmed down and the current stopped.

I panted, “Guys, what’s going on?”

Constantine answered, “You've become one of the Greater Beyond.”

It's been a week since I had attended school or had time to go outside of Constantine's place. I had taken the time to properly heal. As for my bite mark, it had repaired itself … slower than usual. It normally would heal seconds after the initial contact, but I had become significantly less immortal and more mortal in my short time being here. I was running out of time, and the one person I wanted to be with was with someone else.

Constantine had informed me that although I healed externally, I obtained one-quarter venom from the Greater Beyond, what that meant for me was …

I'm in danger.

I wasn't sure what to make of all this, but I ultimately knew my own fate. I still felt the quarter beast clawing my insides, begging to come out and play.

*****

Before school, Constantine requested for us to meet him in his office. Walking into his office, I noticed I was the last one to gather here as Constantine was already hustling around the seemingly large office space. He had multiple rows of books in various sizes shelved from the floor to the ceiling, not an empty spot in sight.

Constantine pulled multiple books from his shelving, descending down the tall ladder, “While I have you all here, help me look for anything that correlates to the creature Amora turned into.”

I glanced at the book he had placed in my hand, taking a seat next to Perry and Fayette at a nearby table. I took a glance to see what kind of reading material they received, then back at mine noticing the difference in language, “Um, Constantine?”

He peered over his thin glasses from the desk he occupied, “Yes?”

I squinted at the foreign writing, “I can't read this.”

He simply flipped through his book without looking up, “Sure you can. All you have to do is search your mind for it. You're probably the only one here that can read it, seeing how that's written in the Greater Beyond’s language, it might be the only useful book I have on them.”

I didn't question him any further, he was much wiser than I was so I mentally prepared myself for what I was about to learn.

I closed my eyes as I focused, searching deep within my own mind. I searched the mental files that I had harbored over the years, coming across one that made my stomach turn.

I opened my eyes, looking down at the open book. I saw the words light up in a bright red glow as the symbols turned into legible words.

I gasped in disbelief, “Constantine! It worked!”

A smile tugged the corners of his mouth, “Just be careful not to allow anything else to pass.”

I nodded, “Find anything useful?” Perry whispered.

Scanning through the sentences, “Not yet but I don't think I'm going to like what's coming next.”

I flipped the page, sparking a feeling in the pit of my stomach as the images and words became violent and disturbing.

Fayette looked over my shoulder, gagging, “That's absolutely repulsive.”

“You think?”

I forced myself to read further in sight for the intel I needed. What I found out was, they didn't breed like normal civilians do, however, they genetically foster blood samples to fabricate a new hybrid species or a pre-existing species.

On the other hand, only certain types of species repopulate by sinking their teeth, obviously meant to puncture through most anything, releasing deadly venom into the victim—the venom that courses through the said individual causes the heart to immediately stop on contact. After the venom had reached the heart, fatality striking, your body begins to rapidly decay and shift into the origin of the said species.

I flipped to the next page, revealing one of the creatures I had witnessed that night.

This so-called fish-wolf-like creature was referred to as the furred Pterophyllum. They were ambushers from the Greater Beyond that prey on the weak and only hunt at night, due to their inability to see from day blindness. However, with the lack of vision in the daylight hours, their other senses were heightened so they can go about their day. They also only repopulate by biting their victims, which was what makes them rare species

I turned the page, Reading the description of the next creature. The Alpha: who’s commonly known as The Falconer (Hunter/Huntress), the hybrid creature were half bird and half wolf. They had wings, razor-sharp teeth and claws. Their feathers were replaced by the fur of a wolf. The creepiest part about The Falconer was they didn't had a snout or beak like I would have imagined, instead it was simply just two holes.

I couldn't handle it any more so I closed the book. Perry informed us that there wasn't a specific spell or medication for curing the venom of the

Pterophyllum (Angelfish hybrid.)

… which meant there was hope.

I stood along with my friends, “I think I've had enough reading for today. I’m going to head out for school.”

Constantine cleared his throat, “Just be sure to keep a watchful eye, if there is one thing I do know, the Greater Beyond can morph into … ” He looked up, searching for the right words, his eyes flickering back to us, “Let's say the bird you see in the sky or that 'cute' bunny you saw hop across the grass.”

I sighed, “So what you are telling us, we're basically screwed.”

“I don't want to give you false hope, but please be careful out there. I'll be sure to have a stronger ward on my place; I'm not even sure how they passed through the first one, unless one of you let them in?”

I thought about my dream last week and remembered how real it felt, surely it couldn’t have been me that led them here, could it? I hadn't the slightest inkling of how I got in that realm in the first place. Had they been watching over me before, taking advantage of my powers to manipulate where my dreams took me?

I didn't question it any further and decided that dwelling on the idea would drive me insane. Constantine excused us while he continued to work through the several stacks of books that accumulated around him.

Today at school, I didn't feel like talking to anyone in fear that I could potentially shift into the ugly creature residing deep within my soul. Sure a week’s worth of recovery did wonders, but there was still a disembodied voice that nagged in the back of my mind. I still wasn't sure about the extent of the beast itching to come out would do.

I pulled my hoodie over my head, stuffing my hands in my pockets. I laid my head on the table, “Amora?”

I kept my head down, ignoring her attempts to gain my attention, like I said; I didn't feel like talking to anyone.

I almost felt annoyed more than anything.

“Hello … you okay?”

I silently sighed, lifting my head, “I'm fine, McKenzie,” My voice sounding slightly irritated.

“Okay then.” She turned around in her seat.

I started to feel dizzy again and closed my eyes, allowing me to completely be submissive to my dream, taking me wherever it desired.

I dropped in the familiar wasteland I had been to that night I got turned. This place, to no surprise, was eerie mixed with the same toxic fumes I had encountered before. I trudged through the hazy desert, coming across a stairway that led down into the ground. My stomach started twisting, making it unbearable to focus on the situation.

Wherever this stairwell led, surely couldn't be any good. Still being curious, I made my way down the flight of stairs that looked to be out of place for an eerie realm such as this wasteland.

Immediately coming into my view was a row of stacked objects which resembled mason jars along with clear tubes jumbled in sorting trays.

I scouted the shelving lined up with thin tubes placed inside of a rack full of miscellaneous liquid. Picking one up, it read, Donor M. Placing the blue liquid tube carefully back in its place, I picked up a solid red one, reading Donor O.

Repeating the same motion as the first one, I couldn't help but think that this was a hospital of some sort. I needed to know more as my curiosity was getting the best of me, so I continued to amuse my thoughts as I walked around, examining the equipment.

I stopped in front of a chair that was covered with multiple thin tubes that dropped into clear buckets on the white tiled floor. I touched the straps that were located on the arm rest and pulled back immediately after receiving a small shock to the fingertip.

My eyes moved to the counter directly behind it, I noticed an enclosed compartment piquing my interest. I walked around the chair, avoiding the lines of tubes careful not to accidentally yank one out or trip on it, I opened the compartment and a cool breeze escaped. I shivered at the slight coolness, reaching my hand inside, I pulled the tray out. I reached out to grab the glowing tube, reading: Immortal blood DNA X

I examined the translucent liquid, “What are you creatures up to?”

Then I heard some hissing coming from the stairs, I quickly placed everything back into place then hurried over to the shelving. I tried to hide behind one of the shelves as I watched the bodies of the voices come around the corner.

“So you've turned her.”

“Yes sir, I injected more venom into her than I usually would with anyone else.”

I watched the familiar creatures talk amongst each other from in between the items stored on the shelf in front of me. My heart started racing when they headed in my direction.

“What a smart thinking Jasper. In that way, if she heals quickly, she'll remain one of us.”

What did they want with me anyway?

I slowly and as quietly as I could, crouched to the floor, trying to figure a way out without getting caught for snooping. I noticed that the shelving at the bottom had a large enough space that I could potentially fit my body under if I laid down.

“Wait.”

I froze.

“What?”

“Do you smell that?”

“It literally could be any of the blood down here, Jasper.”

He growled, “No, I sense her.”

I crawled under the shelving seeing how there was just enough space to fit my body. I did this quickly and quietly as possible slipping through each row of shelves. Through the last one, Jasper called out, “There she is, get her!”

I sprinted up the stairs skipping a few on my way up, that's when a giant black crow like figure swooped in front of me, landing a foot away. Its face was uglier in person than from what I saw in the book.

It lunged at me and I coward below my hands. I felt his claws around my neck as I tried defending myself.

“Amora, Wake up!”

I snapped my head up, gasping as I held my neck in search of oxygen. I started to panic as I couldn't maintain a reasonable breath; I fell out of my seat, gasping for air.

“Amora, breathe!”

I was finally able to draw in a long inhale, exhaling steadily.

I laid on the linoleum floor, staring up at Fayette and McKenzie, “What?”

McKenzie tilted her head, “Are you okay? You don't look so well, even your eyes are bloodshot.”

I coughed, “I'm fine.” Sitting up, I asked, “Help me up?”

McKenzie helped me to my feet; I went to take a step towards my desk to grab my belongings but ultimately failing to do so. I grabbed the desk to steady myself as I coughed repeatedly, covering my mouth, my hand started to tremble.

A loud ring pierced my ear, pressing my fingers to my temple, I spoke clenching my teeth, “Fayette?”

She touched my back, “Yes?”

The ringing got louder and I felt it unbearable as I endured the pain, “Take me home please?”

“Sure,” she grabbed my belongings, addressing McKenzie, “See you tomorrow, McKenzie.”

Walking out, McKenzie stopped us, “Wait, is she going to be okay?”

Fayette confirmed, “Yeah she'll be fine, I hope.”

McKenzie took my hand, placing a paper in my palm, “Here take my number, let me know if you're okay please.”

I nodded weakly, “Ok.”

I was sweating profusely, shivering as I felt the venom swimming through my veins, like a slithering snake.

I groaned in severe pain.

The random thought of being home again led me to think about why I had ever left in the first place. I should have never left Vudos, being here was far too dangerous for me, what was I thinking?

Fayette spoke, “Constantine, I think she's getting worse.”

I felt my bones twisting, cracking even, as I started shifting into the beast. I growled, “Fayette, you need to leave.”

She shook no, “I'm not leaving you.”

I heard jiggling of metal in the distance as I felt the final snap of a bone inside of me, groaning in pain as my teeth grew razor-sharp. I sat up quickly, snapping my head in Fayette's direction.

Fayette's voice drifted off, standing petrified as she watched me carefully, “Constantine,” She called.

My grin slowly turned into a sly one, standing my full height and then some due to the fact that I had shifted into the beast I was. I howled, lunging at Fayette but as quick as I was to leap, I was quickly restrained by cold metal wrapping around my neck. I clawed at the chain in pure agony, roaring as I fell to the ground.

“Fayette, I need you to find Perry.” Constantine said hurriedly, “Now!”

I growled as I yanked the chain down, fighting against the old man’s grip. He lost his balance for a short moment, pulling back the amount of chain I stole from him. I reached for all of my strength as I gripped the chain with both hands, the worried look on his face as I started pulling him towards me. The old man tried resisting my counter-attack, but to no avail, I was drawing him nearer with every yank.

He was almost in my reach as I clawed for him, growling as my awaiting mouth drooled. I heard some chanting, shortly after the chant stopped, I received an excruciating shock to my body. I endured much of the pain until my body couldn't handle anymore. Mentally and physically drained, I curled up on the floor, shivering, “What happened?”

“It made its way into her heart.”

Here I was standing and not four feet before me stood a whole seven-foot beast. I couldn’t even explain to you the raw emotions coursing through me as I shivered still, feet planted firmly on the hardwood floors.

Amora's mouth opened, letting a deep howl out towards the ceiling, displaying her multiple rows of thin razor-sharp teeth.

I couldn't take my eyes off this ungodly horrid creature as her jaw closed, eyes meeting mine. She licked her lips with her inhumanly long tongue, growling in my direction.

My thoughts raced through my mind, I wasn't sure if running away would benefit me. Although I was sure of one thing, my best friend wants to eat me, that … that was one thing I was sure of.

My voice becoming wary, “Constantine … Perry …” I called.

The chain that held Amora in place rattled as she raised her arms up in attempt to free herself. I immediately threw my hands up between the beast and myself, knowing she'd probably attack me at the first chance she got.

Like my hands would actually stop her from becoming her next meal. I rolled my eyes at my own stupidity; I was much smarter than my childish thoughts. I almost laughed at myself but was quickly stripped from my mind when Amora roared, her half scaled-half furred face inches from mine.

Her hot breath made my hair fly wildly behind me, I was appalled by this.

I tried to show my assertive side, pointing a finger at her, “Bad doggy.”

As soon as my words escaped my mouth, which triggered her as she violently yanked at her chains with her clawed hands. All the while she was yanking, making low growls; I saw a glimpse of Amora's eyes glow. I was completely mesmerized by the small amount of human that flashed; it was only temporary as she finally broke out of her chains.

Perry yelled, “Fayette!” I looked at him in fear; he cupped his mouth, “Run!”

I couldn't.

Physically, I tried several times to turn around and save my life. I was sweating as I tried to pry my legs from the wood, but to no avail.

I was on tonight's menu.

I turned to the beast that growled coming closer, I gave up trying to save myself. I ultimately knew my fate and I was ready to accept it, if I was going to exit this world, I wouldn't have had it any other way than the hands of my best friend.

Amora crept closer, showing her dominance over the situation and I mainly focused on the helpless cries of Constantine as Perry rattled off any spell he could conjure up in attempt to hinder any future attack.

I stood my ground making sure I wouldn't end up begging or pleading for my life. I was much stronger than that.

But I wasn't going to lie. Although I tried to be calm and quietly accept my fate, I couldn't help but seriously think how ugly my dearest friend was. The closer she got the harder it was for me to not actually laugh.

I rolled my eyes, thinking how stupid I was … laughing about my ugly beast-friend this time I actually laughed out loud too.

I wasn't sure why I hadn't been snapped in half as I laughed out of control. At some point during my laughing fit I had fallen to the floor, Amora's figure shadowing over me. My eyes went wide as I stopped laughing when her face came down to the crook of my neck. I laid still as she sniffed me, teeth grazing my neck.

If I made the wrong move, surely she'd capture my neck in a swift motion, leaving me for dead.

I swallowed, whispering, “Amora.”

The beast making no attempt in calming down continued to sniff me, still releasing low growls. I battled my inner self as I wanted to tame her; some part of me knew she was still human.

I raised my hand, a little too quickly for her liking as she snipped at me. I drew my hand back, examining that my hand indeed had no blood. I was relieved at that, if I were to be bitten by these creatures, seeing how I was mortal, I'd turn right away and wouldn't survive.

I couldn't see Perry or Constantine at the time, but I knew they too were most likely butt-clenching.

I wasn't even sure why I haven't pooped on my pants yet, given the situation.

I preceded the same attempt, making sure my movements were subtle, occasionally looking at my hand then to the beast.

It consisted mostly of our eyes challenging one another's, but I'll be damned if I let my beast-friend down. It’s funny how she turned to a beast-friend from a best friend. I silently laugh to myself.

My hand had finally made its place against her right side cheek. Running my hand swiftly and cautiously over her scales and fur, feeling the toughness along with the silky fur passing through my fingers, something between us changed.

I felt a deeper connection with Amora than I had ever felt before. With this slight contact it created a bond between us, sending an electrifying feeling throughout my body.

Suddenly, I felt my eyes roll in the back of my head as images displayed before me.

It was Amora's timeline.

I watched helplessly as images of McKenzie took over my mind.

I saw everything from our first day of school to Amora's memories of them at the park. Every experience she had here at The Munds fueled my thoughts with no control and at this very moment, I could see and feel McKenzie's true emotions.

I was completely overwhelmed with both McKenzie and Amora's emotions. Honestly, I couldn't contain them as they were so strong; I started tearing up as I clenched my chest. The power that they had between them hurt me in so many ways, I rolled on the floor slamming my fists against the hardwood, “Turn it off.”

Completely forgetting about my current situation, I began to cry, bursting into a full sob as I felt the longing for someone else's attention. It was a long shot that I'd ever feel the way Amora feels for McKenzie, and from what I had been experiencing, McKenzie feels the same way.

I felt a hand stroke my hair, “Hush, it's going to be okay.”

The voice sounded foreign but the touch felt familiar. I turned around to my back, removing my hands from my face and coming into view was a strange mix of Amora and the beast. Her face was hers, but she still had the beast’s teeth along with claw-like hands.

I wasn't sure exactly how I obtained Amora's timeline; she hasn't been assigned to me. I feared the worst because that can only mean one thing,

Her assigned Tempus was going to die.

*****

Amora

Tonight was something else, all I could remember was Fayette crying and clearly displaying agony. I felt so bad for her and I knew I had to console her; she was my best friend after all.

I scooped her almost lifeless body off the flooring after she had gone pale, “Constantine!” I shouted.

I started tearing up as Fayette wouldn't respond, knowing her condition was alarming due to her Tempus status. I rocked her in my arms, her head going limp as she started to shake in my arms, “Fayette, come back,” I whispered into her ear.

Constantine pushed me back as he took control of the situation, “Perry, take Amora to the dungeon.” I willingly let Constantine take Fayette from me; he turned once again to Perry, “Lock her up now!”

I watched helplessly as Constantine carried away Fayette in his arms, Perry immediately chanted something along the lines of a captive spell against me.

I was furious at the attack but my emotions played a larger role as I feared the worst for my dearest friend. I allowed the spell to take control of me, groaning as it hit and coursed throughout my body.

The feeling it caused me would have sent me to my knees if I wasn't already on them as I growled, hands balling into a fist.

I shut my eyes, face turning red as I hunched over, forehead to the cool flooring.

Perry's voice boomed, “I'm sorry Amora but I can't take any chances.”

I felt the beast threatening to escape but ultimately knowing Fayette's situation, I complied even if the pain was excruciating.

I gasped, “Perry … ”

I was seriously hurting from his spell casting down on me. I was having trouble breathing and I felt death grace my presence, I couldn't take anymore but I wasn't sure if he would believe me at this point.

I started coughing as I tried to make an attempt to crawl away. The pain was too much and I felt myself grasping my chest not knowing where the pain was actually originating from sweat, agony, and pain.

All of which my body was enduring, I let out a weak breath,