Howl Your Appellations

Here to Save You

Lissana Mons

“Imus, are you there?”

It’s actually a lot harder to snap him out of it when he’s in full form. I have to get closer to his eyes. If I was in my full form this would be easy, but the gem’s too damn small for my giant claws to hold.

“Sana, are you getting to him? He won’t let go of some of the parts. I thought you woke him up already?”

“It’s different when he’s in full form. I’ll get him to wake up. Just give me a sec!”

I don’t remember his mane being this slippery. I wish he wasn’t looking the other way. Aghhhh, enough whining. Now I’m, here!

“Imus, you see this right? How dare you disrespect Luna?”

“...!” Bingo!

“Aooughhh, hey! Move slower, get me down! Reese is already on it. Where’s Boen?”

“So it really is you. Finally back.”

I really want to hug him so tight that we both explode and tell him, ‘I’m home big bro’ but it’s not like I can do and tell him that right now.

“Boen went in to find the Queen. To think that she actually found her and triggered her signal. Just…what is that girl.”

So it was Boen who caused the beacon to activate after all. She probably did it unknowingly, that’s just how life works around her. It most be so bothersome for her.

“This light, we’re safe to go in right? Boen’s most likely at the upper rooms.’’

Even though we’ve encountered something like this before, we were never at the forefront of it. Never close enough to see or ask what happened. Nothing in Skia’s journal too.

“Imus, what do you think? We don’t have much time. Even if Reese can form the circle by herself, Prince is about to arrive any minute now. What do we do?….Imus?”

“We’ll have to take a gamble. We have to wake up the Hawk Were.”

“?!?!?!?! W-wake it up?! But…do you even know them?! These guys are more powerful than us, what if they rip Boen and the whole cabin apart?! Or steal the Queen. It’s too much of a risk.”

“Sana. Look around you, why do you think these Weres came here right now? They came in right before the Beacon struck. Most of them didn’t seem like they wanted to interfere, at least not yet. They know full well that the faes should not be taken lightly. This Hawk Were may be the same. It knows more things than we ever will.”

“People who know many things aren’t exactly morally sane, Imus. But since we have no choice and we’re running out of time, I’ll have to listen to you. In fact, I think it would be safer if you talked to it.”

I don’t like letting go of something that’s kept me alive these past few months but I trust Imus. He’s kept me alive for more than the ring ever had. It’s gonna be okay, I’ll return the ring to Boen in the end.

“You’ve grown up. I’ll give it back as soon as we’re safe.”

“Okay. Now turn into your human form and hop on my back.”

I wonder if he’ll notice that I grew a bit too. The caves really did a number on me and my full form, I didn’t really notice until we were out. My ears are a lot sharper and my canines seem tougher though I haven’t tested it out yet. If the Hawk tries to harm any of my family, it’ll be the first to know.

“.… I feel like got bigger somehow. But that’s impossible.”

It’s actually not impossible, but maybe it’s just one of those unique-to-me things again. Boen and I have this in common at least. We’re both outliers to our respective group. Always the odd one out.

“Sana, you have to get closer to it. I need to jump on it’s wings correctly.”

Ack! Why does it have to fly all the time. It’s harder for me and Imus. Why isn’t the beacon dying down yet. What’s causing the delay?

“Sana, stay focused. And whatever you do, don’t aggravate it. Trust.”

“Alright. This is our best bet. Good luck, brother.”

He’s wasting no time. That’s my second for you. I really don’t like the fact that he’s riding on a Hawk Were but it’s better than me climbing it. I wouldn’t know the first thing to say to it when it wakes up. I just have to be ready to jump in when they signal go. Boen’s already been there long enough. What if her body can’t take any more of the Queen’s light? I don’t want to think about it until everything’s over.

Huh. Imus’ finally reach it’s head. I need to listen in.

“Excuse me, I’m Imus Golt.”

Introducing himself at a time like this?! Is he insane. What’s a Hawk Were gonna do with his goddamn name?!

“I’m a friend of Ranza.”

Still no reply. But who’s this Ranza? Where have I heard that name before… I’m sure I’ve heard it a long time ago. Ranza…

“Snap out of it dammit! Is this how a Hawk treats the moon?!”

Ah, Imus. Its eyes, it’s waking up! Watch out!!!

“I got you! Imus the ring-----”

“HOW DARE A MERE WOLF WERE TALK TO ME IN THAT MANNER?! DO YOU UNDERSTAND WHAT’S GOING ON HERE?!!!”

“Sana, take the ring. Let me talk to him first. I can hear Prince getting closer.”

“We know exactly what’s going on! We instigated it! Now we need your help to finish what we started. We’re gonna set the faes free and bring peace back to the Prince!!”

“YOU INSTIGATED THIS!? DID YOU POSSIBLY ANTICIPATE THAT THE QUEEN WOULD ACTIVATE HER BEACON? THIS SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED UNDER NORMAL CIRCUMSTANCES!! I NEED TO FIND THE QUEEN IMMEDIATELY!”

“We intend to help! Our comrade has finished forming the circle. All that’s left is the Queen.”

“.…VERY WELL. TELL YOUR COMPANION OVER THERE THAT THIS HOUSE NEEDS TO BE DESTROYED OR IT’LL TURN INTO DEAD SPACE. FIND THE QUEEN INSIDE AND WE’LL DESTROY THE BUILDING WHEN YOU GET OUT.”

“Alright! THANKS KAZEAL! I’ll bring them back!”

“DON’T TAKE MORE THAN 5 MINUTES LISSANA MONS. YOU’LL WITHER AND BECOME ASH.”

“Don’t worry. I’m got the goddess of luck by my side.”

Heh, at least I hope she’s still sticking with me. She already paid enough when she allowed my existence into this world. Now she has to watch as I put the life she gambled at risk.

I can’t see s**t. Everything’s white but I can still feel the walls. If I close my eyes like this, it’ll be like that time with Neel. I have to break this wall. I’ve got no time to pass through the entrance and check each room. I know for a fact that Boen’s up here somewhere, I’ve always had a bad feeling about the windows of this cabin. I’ll just have to break it will full force.

“RRRRRYYYYYYYAAAAHHH!!!”

BOOM!!!!

I’m inside…? That was easier than expected? Not that my arms couldn’t handle that but this is the Queen’s beacon. I’d assumed it’d be more dangerous… at any rate, I have to find Boen or we’ll both die. I just hope she’s still here, please God Luna I’ve suffered unfairly enough. I deserve to keep what little happiness I got!!!

“Ho? Well if it isn’t Grey’s daughter Lissana. You’re all grown up, aren’t you?”

What… Queen Fae…?

“You’re looking for that girl, aren’t you? You can open your eyes. Mothers don’t hurt their children.”

I...can’t seem to resist, “Okay.”

All I see are outlines… just a bright, sharp balck and white…“Queen it’s really you!!!… and Boen! …!!! Why are there so many of her?!?!”

“Sorry Sana. Everything has been out of my control. Please choose wisely for all our sake. This child thought it was her responsibility to take me home. Now the responsibility’s passed on to you.”

“Queen, I don’t…please help. Give me a clue, where’s the real her..where’s the real you?”

“Lissana, my child, it’ll be easy for you. You’ve been thinking about us more than anyone else in this world.”

Ah! Queen Fae!!

“Come back! What about Prince? Should have saved your last energy to talk to him!”

Queen…..

I’ve got to get them both out of here…but which one’s the real Boen and which ones are just echoes. All of them, lying unconsciously with Queen’s last shards nestled in their arms. There’s more than 16 of them how am I supposed to check on each and everyone? There has to be some sort of clue. The difference between the real one from the fake ones. There has to be something….!

“Boen! I’m here! Lissana’s here to save you please say something! Anything!”

“.…”

“I know I haven’t been good to you and it took us two separate traumatic experiences to make me finally realize that it doesn’t need to be this hard.”

“.…”

“I’ll be better, I’ll stop running away from the pack, and I’ll pay closer attention to your feelings. We’ve still got the rest of our lives to make things right between us.’’

“...”

‘’…But if this is really the end for the both of us, then at least let me return the ring that rightfully belongs to you. It kept me safe, thinking about giving it back to you… ”

…. s-still no answer…

“Boen…we’re all …waiting for you. Please come home.”

…..

“.…Sana…..”

THERE! BOEN! BOEN! It’s her, she’s so cold but she’s tangible! She’s here! It’s her! It’s really Boen! I’m so happy she’s alive! We’ve gotta get out! The exit is so close! Just a little bit closer!

⁂

Luna, I know I have been very rude to you these past few years. I know you know why I’m like this and you allow it somehow. I’ve acknowledged your beauty but never your authority. And it’s not like the world’s going to change if I start respecting you now. But for what it’s worth, from the bottom of my cursed soul, I’m eternally grateful to you. Thanks for guiding Boen with your light.

⁂

“Sana! Lissana! Wake up, are you both okay?!”

There’s something really loud ringing in my ears what’s going on? Did we make it out? Ughhh, everything hurts again.

“Sana, hey look at me! Sana!”

“Oh, Mei and Reese. I feel like s**t. My head’s so light I’ve got no energy left to transform. Boen’s surprisingly light for someone uncon…Did you guys get the Queen?! Where is she?!”

“Relax. Imus took care of her and the Hawk immediately tore the house apart when he saw you jump out with Boen. Um, Mei help me with Boen over here, come on you two. Let’s find you both a place to lie down properly. Prince is about to mourn finally. I’ll get Anda and S.B. to watch you guys.”

“Thanks you guys. I’m so exhausted I could sleep for days.”

“Hahaha! Well you could! Thanks to you and Boen. Prince will finally be able to go back home with his lost loved ones.”

“Nah, I’d like to experience the rest of this day as consciously as I can. I can’t really see properly with all these other Weres around, but I can hear the trees and Prince’s wailing. I never want to forget this. Prince Fae deserves the world.”

⁂

Prince’s mourning lasted the rest of the day and most of the morning of the next. He’ll be dormant for a while protecting his family under his cape and canopy, sleeping somewhere in the deep forest. The winds on the trees have never sounded calmer. The faes will be celebrating his return in their realm which means that the possibilities of Airies popping up is close to a zero.

We’re acquired some help from Weres across the forest to help rebuild Boen’s cabin into a better one. And even Kaz said he’d help out from time to time. The forest is grateful to finally provided closure to the faes and a number of Weres.

In the meantime, Boen’s still asleep in The Train. I woke up earlier than her so I wait closely. Three days isn’t a long time to be asleep but it feels like agony to me. There’s so many things I want to talk to her about and a certain thing I’ve been meaning to return.

“Boen, it’s time to wake up.” my magic words.

“Hmn, Sana…?”

“Welcome home, Little moon.”