The Guardian: Full Moon

Chapter 2

“Mom! Enya's wolves are here!” Mrs.Drago heard her youngest son Kai shout from the living room of the main house. “Shove it Kai!” Enya yelled from upstairs. “Enya, language! Kai, stop provoking your sister!” Mrs.Drago chastised her youngest children from her position by the stove. Mrs.Drago breathed out a heavy sigh and shook her head, turning her attention back to the pan of scrambled eggs she was making for her family. “Can’t we ever have a peaceful morning without those two being at each other’s throats?” She wonders aloud. “I don’t think that’s likely to happen mom.” Akia says chuckling while she sets the table. Just then Ensio and Mr.Drago walked into the kitchen, both sweating from their pre-breakfast chores and yard work. Messina and Shiro following close behind.

“Is breakfast ready yet?” Ensio asks pouring a cup of coffee for himself, and for his father. “I’m starving.” “Can you at least get cleaned up first?” Akia commented in disgust, holding her nose. “You stink.” “Oh do I?” Ensio says with a mischievous smirk. “Well why don’t you come give me a hug, just to be sure?” He says stalking over to his sister. “Don’t you dare Ensio!” Akia shrieks and retreats to the other side of the table. “Oh for heaven’s sake Ensio, you aren’t a child anymore. Stop harassing Akia and go get cleaned up for breakfast.” Mrs.Drago bites out. “Sorry mom.” Ensio says dejectedly and walks towards the bathroom. “Lighten up honey.” Mr.Drago says walking up to his wife’s side and wrapping an arm around her hip. “They were just having a bit of fun.” He says and kisses her cheek. “I know.” She says sighing and turning off the stove top. “I just wish we could have a quiet, peaceful morning without Kai and Enya trying to strangle each other.” She says sitting down at the table. “I know dear.” He says placing a hand on her shoulder. “Things will work out eventually. It did with the other four.” Mrs.Drago chuckles at her husband’s comment. “I'm not so sure your assessment of our children is accurate.” She says teasingly as Ensio and Kai make their way into the dining room. “None of them are married yet.”

Mr.Drago playfully pouts at his wife and laughter erupts from their children. As Mrs.Drago and the children continue to laugh at Mr.Drago, Enya strolls past and into the kitchen. “What’d I miss?” She asks pouring herself a glass of milk. “Enyaaa.” Mr.Drago says in a mock whine, and rushes over to his daughter, grabbing her hand. “My sweet, beautiful, baby girl. Your mother and siblings are making fun of me.” He says, his lips puckered in a dramatic pout. “But you'll defend me, won’t you?” He asks falling to his knees and then letting go of her hand to clasp his hands together, as if he was begging her. “Well dad, as much as you know I love the challenge of 3 to 1 odds…” She pauses and looks at her father with a smirk playing across her lips. “I think the logical and tactical thing to do, would be to surrender this battle.” Mr.Drago gaped at his daughter and another round of laughter erupted from the family.

Enya smiled at her father and shrugged. “Sorry dad.” Just then one of the wolves stood up on its hind legs and peered into the house through the open kitchen window. “Sorry, sorry, I'm coming.” Enya says downing her glass of milk and walking towards the door. “I’ll see you guys later!” She calls back to her family as she exists the house and closes the door behind her. “And there she goes.” Mrs.Drago says shaking her head. “What do you think she does everyday when she goes running with those wolves?” “Who knows?” Kai says scoffing. “But it’s annoying as hell.” “Kai, you know your sister can’t control those wolves.” Mr.Drago says as he stands to take his seat at the table. “And she isn’t the only Seer that’s able to attract animals either.” Mrs.Drago chimes in. “When I was your age, I would always attract cats.” She says chuckling at the memory of her younger self. “But why does it have to be EVERY DAY?!” Kai says angrily, slamming a fist onto the table. “Kai!” Mr. and Mrs.Drago say in unison, reprimanding their hot-tempered son. “Kai.” Akia says his name calmly, grabbing his attention. “You know Enya has about as much control of those wolves, as you do your visions. It’s not fair to judge her for something she can’t control.” “That’s not why I'm mad.” Kai says, resting his head in his hands.

“Then why are you upset with your sister?” Mr.Drago asks, genuinely curious. “He’s jealous that he isn’t as strong as Enya.” Ensio says leaning forward and staring directly at Kai. “Aren’t you?” “Yeah.” Kai says with a heavy sigh. “I’m jealous. It’s just…” He pauses as he tries to piece together his thoughts. “It’s just so unfair. She’s smarter, faster, and stronger than me. And she doesn’t even seem to realize just how inferior I feel standing next to her.” He says, throwing his hands up in indignation. “I’m pretty sure anyone would feel inferior when compared to Enya.” Shiro commented. “I mean, she could probably rival the top agents in the Hunter Society.” “That’s the truth.” Messina chimed in. Nods and words of agreement were exchanged around the table, and breakfast continued in relative peace.

Enya’s P.O.V

Just another normal day in the Drago household. Mom and Akia are in the kitchen cooking breakfast, dad and Ensio are doing whatever work they wanted to get an early start on, Messina and Shiro are helping with the chores, Kai is sitting in the living room doing who knows what before he inevitably has to finish his summer homework, and I’m getting ready for my daily routine. Yes, my routine is different than the rest of the family’s. (I was lucky enough that I was able to test out of school and graduate early.) I had just finished getting dressed in my running gear and putting my hair up in a braided bun, when I heard Kai yell out from the living room, “Mom! Enya’s wolves are here!”

I knew Kai was being an obnoxious and jealous brat, so I promptly yelled down the stairs, “Shove it Kai!” I don’t know why I attract wolves instead of birds or cats like other Seers, I just do. I don’t consider the wolves as possessions though, they’re my friends, almost like a second family. I made my way downstairs for my usual glass of milk and family shenanigans before my morning run. When I got into the kitchen, dad was being ridiculous as usual. I ended up laughing so much I lost track of time, until one of the wolves got my attention through the window. I downed my milk and made my way out the door, happy to get some time alone.

It’s not that I don’t love my family. It’s just something about the woods, and running with the wolves called to me. It’s been calling to me all my life. I started off at a slow jog through the yard and along a trail path that bordered the werewolf territory towards the woods. Just before I reached the tree line I braced myself for the inevitable, and 3…2…1… “Hey! Wolf enslaver!” And there it is. Standing along the path at the border of their territory, stood a group of young werewolves from one of the Southern Region packs. “Witch!” They've done this every day for the past 2 years, stand and wait for me to pass by so they can yell profanities at me. “Seer b***h!” Needless to say they aren’t very imaginative, and I've learned to ignore them. I run right past them, straight faced and surrounded by the wolves I love. I run along the path into the trees, and keep running until I can’t hear them anymore. As soon as they’re out of earshot, I break away from the trail and pick up the pace. Running as fast as I can and dodging every obstacle.

I've always been faster and stronger than other people, not as fast or strong as the werewolves obviously, but more so than the regular person. I run, leap, and climb through the trees with ease. My wolf friends never far away. I run and run until I can taste the air change and hear the rumble of a waterfall. Seven years ago a sinkhole opened up, exposing an underground river. Now exposed, the water flows freely into what used to be an underground lake. It’s here that I find my escape from the world, and my hidden treasure. I slow down when I get close enough to feel the mist on my face and walk to the edge. I take a waterproof knapsack out of my sweater pocket and start undressing. I take off my sweater, leggings, socks and shoes, revealing the swimsuit I wore underneath, and put them in the knapsack. “I’ll be back later guys.” I say to the wolves as I put my arms through the straps of the knapsack, glad to escape the August heat. I close my eyes, take a deep breath, and jump. Diving gracefully into the center of the lake with ease.

After landing in the water I open my eyes and swim down towards the opening of an underwater tunnel. That, is where my secret treasure is. The tunnel is completely dark except for a few enchanted luminescent crystals I had found in the past and embedded in the rock walls. As the tunnel reaches its end, more light can be seen. Finally the tunnel opens up to an underground lake and a large cavern, its walls lined with the luminous crystals, and on one wall is a doorway and a set of stairs leading up to a higher level. I swam to the waters edge and set down my bag as I walked out into the bottom floor of an old abandoned Hunter’s base.

The entire base seemed to be carved right into the rock, reinforced with a protection spell. From the exploring I've done since I first found it I've found an armory, training hall, healer’s room, communal bathhouse, bathrooms, kitchen and dining area, greenhouse, sleeping quarters (each room with a private bathroom), and a library. Any other possible tunnels or rooms were purposefully blocked in and sealed with magic. I’m not sure why it was abandoned, but I’m really glad it was. I've gained so much knowledge and I've gotten so much stronger from my daily visits here. I would even dare to say that I would be able to hold my own against some of the current Hunters. Over the years of coming here I've slowly stocked the base with towels, toiletries, pillows, blankets, cooking implements, and just about anything else I could think of aside from my clothes.

Through the one doorway on this level is the communal bathhouse and greenhouse. The next floor up has the library, armory, training hall, healer’s room, and kitchen. The top floor held all of the sleeping quarters. I started heading up the stairs to go the first floor, where I was in the process of making a tunnel up to the surface. My plan is to connect this place with the wolves' den on the surface. I figure it'll be useful if I ever have an emergency. As I’m reaching the top of the steps I hear muffled voices. Someone is in one of the blocked off tunnels. I instinctually crouch down and slowly make my way closer to the sealed tunnel to try and listen.

“This is the end of the tunnel.” A male voice says. “Nothing but solid rock.” “It looks like that sinkhole wiped out the old base that used to be here.” A female voice responds. “The elders aren’t going to be happy about this.” The man says distressed. “That place was a treasure trove of Hunter knowledge and artifacts dating back centuries.” “I know,” the woman says. “but there’s nothing to be done about it now. Let’s head back. We can fill the tunnel back up as we go.” “Yeah,” the man replies. “good idea.” The faint sound of retreating footsteps is soon covered by the sound of the tunnel being filled with dirt. “Well, thanks for the help.” Enya thinks to herself and grins. If the Hunters think that this old base was destroyed, it'll be easier to keep it hidden. Enya creeps back over to the stairs and heads down to the library. “It’s probably best I avoid digging today.” She thought. “Oh well. There’s still plenty of books I haven’t read yet.”

The sun had already begun to set by the time Enya finished reading the book she had chosen from the library, A Beginners Guide to Animal Familiar Contracts. The book didn’t contain any information she didn’t already know, after all, familiars were one of the first things Seer children learned about when learning magic. She was even certain that there was a copy of this very book in the family library at home. She just felt like reading it again to pass the time. She put the book back where it belonged and made her way out of the library, and down the steps to the bottom level. She picked up her bag where she left it by the waters edge, put it on her back, and waded into the water, glancing back with a smile before diving in to swim back.

Enya could tell as soon as she surfaced on the other side of the waterfall that something wasn’t right. The wolves were usually calm as they patiently waited for her, but today they were restless. She swam to the wall closest to the wolves and started climbing as fast as she could. She hesitated slightly before completely climbing out, surveying her surroundings. She couldn’t see, hear, or sense anything out of the ordinary in the area, so she climbed out of the sinkhole. As soon as she was out the wolves started to yip, bark, and pace around. Something was definitely wrong. She took her clothes and shoes out of the bag and got dressed as fast as she could. She opted to hide the bag instead of taking it home with her. She could smell that it was going to rain soon, and she didn’t have time to dry off like usual. If there was any trouble, she didn’t want to explain anything she didn’t have to.

She started running, the wolves practically leading the way back home. It’s almost as if the wolves were trying to tell her that something was wrong at home. Her anxiety and worry grew with every step she took. She hoped that everything would be all right. Night had fallen and the rain was pouring down by the time Enya had made it close to home, and she didn’t like what she saw. From down the trail she could see trucks, Hunters, and werewolves both in human form and wolf form surrounding the Drago home. As she got closer, all eyes and attention fell on her.