Inside the Night Crawler's Den
1001 Words
"No Father. Father No. I can't. "
Minara desperately pleaded with her father, the present Night Crawlers' President.
" It's not a choice or a game, it's a job for our survival. "
He insisted , turning a blind eye on his wailing ward, lying on the ground, beside his desk.
"But why does it have to be me? Why can't anybody else take my place? Is this what I get for being born in your palace? "
The pale-skinned woman with dark, jet-black hair. Her eyes were blood shot where tears rolled down endlessly.
" You were the one who went on a rampage, slaughtering their masses in the last battle, now you want them to take your only daughter as a mate? Did you even think about the consequences this arrangement could possibly have on me? "
Her voice was hoarse but stern and she was looking into her father's eyes directly.
Before the President could answer, the doorbell rang, three times consecutively.
" They are here. Pull yourself together and go and get ready. "
The father walked up to his daughter, grabbing both her shoulders with his string palms and wrist.
" Listen Minara. This is something beyond you and me. I have raised you a soldier. It's time you acted like that. "
She went inside, shrugging his hands off with a sharp whisk.
"Hail our majesty, " Just then, three boys entered the room and announced their presence with a chorus of greetings.
"Ahh! Drop the formality boys. Darian, Caspian, Blaze, did you prepare the gifts before your departure? "
He enquired ,asking the boys with his hands to sit around.
The one named Blaze looked rather disoriented as his eyes wandered here and there.
" It was difficult, but we managed, " Darian promptly said, making himself comfortable in his chair.
" Do you think this is going to work? You have put a lot on betting this time. Forgive me for my rudeness, but I am concerned for you, my Majesty, " Caspian asked as he eyed the President, fidgeting.
" It has to. It's our only chance. "
The president banged on the table, bringing all three of the boys' attention back to him.
"I have placed Minara on the stake. You three, of all, know how dire it is this time. "
Just then, the back door of the office opened and Minara immerged , dressed in a very skimpy, sexy revealing leather suit.
The men almost chocked on their breath.
" Why? You don't approve it? Didn't I dress for my part? "
She taunted her father, who looked away, as if ashamed even to face her in that state.
" Didn't you say you raised me a soldier?So I just focused on the task you have given me at hand. Aren't you sending me to seduce the Shifter Prince and push a offspring out? "
The three boys looked at each other , then looked away as swiftly as they could.
" Boys, let's go. Lets go before I change my mood."
She spared one last detesting glance at her father and then walked, striding out of the room.
The three of them looked at their president, who nodded his head and moved his hand, motioning them to move. Promptly, without a moment's ado , they moved with the cue.
" Here, take this. It will be cold. The trip to the moon. "
Blaze tossed his jacket over Minara, who covered herself with it without any fuss.
"The terrain of the Moon is as unpredictable as the world outside the fortress, my lady. Though the Shifters are awaiting our arrival, there is no telling if or what they might be plotting. "
Caspian tried briefing before they got inside their Lunar Pod. Minara listened carefully, very unlike the rude daughter that she acted like a few seconds ago.
" We have taken our guards to send you back in a dire emergency. But it's our focus to make things work, till the very end, or atleast as far as we can possibly. "
Darian explained once they were seated inside their pod. Each belted into their seat and the auto-pilot blasted off at full speed.
" As far as I know about the Shifters , they aren't very complicated beings. They work for their packs more than they care for their own families. They place their trust based on how docile you will seem. They take simple meals but always eat in groups. They will take care of you like their own if you pass the initial test and are able to hit their core. "
Darian seemed to drag as his briefing got a little disoriented.
Minara promptly intervened, asking, " May I ask how you know them so well? "
" He had been raised by them when he was little, " Blaze put in, straining his head.
" Raised? "
Minara looked at Blaze, hoping for a little more input.
" It was a long time ago. A very handy phase of my life, that helped me navigate to my roots. "
Darian cut them short as he took the steer of the Pod, as they hit the Moon's atmosphere.
" Brace yourselves for the impact. And we need to put on our suits before we de-board. "
The act-in Captain annouced, as the other three looked at the Pod's hood.
It was a majestic view. The luminous part of the lunar sphere looked nothing less than a magical globe. Its lustre drew them in as their white eyes twinkled in its vicinity.
But before they could drown in the marvel completely, they had to cower for cover as a bright streak of light, tore through their iris. The entire craft shook with a terrible vibration.
The only thing heard was Darian yelling,
" Everybody stay down. Keep your eyes closed. "
and then there followed a total mum, with not even a single sound.
- Writer
