The Guardian: Full Moon

Chapter 11

Arima’s P.O.V

Enya took off running and in that moment, I couldn’t have been happier to finally be outside. The moment we were out of the den, I was in my element, a proud wolf running free. I can’t wait for Enya to turn 18 so we can shift for the first time. Her limited senses may have been better than a human’s, but she still wasn’t experiencing the true beauty of the world. The smell of the forest as she buried the crystals around the perimeter, the vibrancy of colors that surrounded us, the happy sounds of the wolves as they ran and played alongside us; I longed for her to experience it all. Lost in my own thoughts, I almost didn’t notice the change in the wolves’ behavior, or the sudden chill that ran through the air. Something wasn’t right.

Enya’s P.O.V

“Enya, something’s wrong!” Arima yelled in my head. I had been so lost in what I was doing that I jumped at the sudden noise. “For the love of the Goddess, Arima! Can’t you give me a little warning before you suddenly yell at me?” I answered back annoyed. “Be quiet.” Arima said sternly. “Something isn’t right.” Her tone had put me on edge, and now I was crouched down with the wolves behind a fallen tree, surveying the area. “What is it?” I asked just as I laid eyes on what appeared to be the silhouette of a large wolf made out of shadows. It’s body swirled and flowed like ink in water. It’s eyes were an eerie shade of yellow that made you feel like you were choking, like walking into a cloud of toxic spores. “Don’t move.” Arima warned as it passed through the trees and sank back into the shadows.

I stayed crouched behind the log, holding my breath and waiting for Arima to give me the all clear. “I think it’s gone now.” Arima said cautiously. “What was that?” I asked, standing up slowly. “I don’t know.” Arima replied, still on edge. “Finish up the barrier and get back to the den.” “Don’t need to tell me twice.” I replied and quickly finished burying the last of the crystals needed for the barrier. I activated the spell, and all at once the air seemed less tense and sinister. “Right, then.” I said turning to the wolves. “Let’s head back home.”

The wolves and I wasted no time running straight back to the den. I hurried down the tunnel back to the base and all but ran to the library. “What are you doing?” Arima asked as I started scouring the bookshelves. “I’m trying to figure out what in the name of Hades that thing was.” I said as I started pulling books off the shelves and piling them on a nearby table. “There has to be something about it in at least one of these.” I said pulling out a chair, ready to sit down. “Why don’t you take some time to relax first, and then start your research in the morning?” Arima suggested gently. “The books aren’t going anywhere, and neither are we.” I took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “Alright. A hot bath does sound nice right now.”

Arima hummed contentedly, pleased that Enya didn’t fight her on the matter. Enya made her way out of the library and down to the bathhouse. She activated the spell to fill the tub as she undressed, and soon steam filled the room. She grabbed a soft towel and robe from the shelf along one of the walls and placed them on the edge of the tub before stepping in. She slowly sank down into the water and sighed as the warm water washed over her body, soothing her previously unnoticed tense muscles. Enya smiled to herself as she relaxed further into the water. “I can feel you staring Arima.” Arima chuckled lightly as she replied gently. “Well?” “Alright, alright. You were right.” Enya replied as she dunked her head under the water. Arima said nothing as Enya continued to soak in the warm water, the stress and tension melting away by the minute. They would worry about everything else in the morning, but for now, they were at peace.

Kai’s P.O.V

I gazed out the window as a fresh batch of snow began to fall. It had already been a month since Enya disappeared and left this journal with me. I marveled at the detailed illustrations and writings contained within it’s pages. The degree of knowledge was enough to rival the researchers and historians from the Hunters. Recalling that Enya left me the book, I couldn’t help but wonder for the hundredth time how and where she found it. I hope she’s keeping warm wherever she is.

Enya’s P.O.V

I wiped the sweat from my brow as I finished off the gnome warriors in the training hall. “I think that’s enough for today.” Arima said pleased. “You’ve improved quite a bit in the past month.” “Thank you Arima.” I replied aloud as I wiped off my face with a fresh towel. I’ve been training hard every day since the encounter in the woods last month. I came to learn that the creature I saw was known as a pheonyxian from the realm of shadows. Unfortunately, not much is recorded about them, so I’ve been preparing for the worst case scenario. “Why don’t you go for a swim in the sea today?” Arima suggested. “It’d probably feel nice after working out so much.” “That sounds like a great idea.” I replied with a smile. Being half werewolf and half nereid, I learned that I had a higher tolerance to the cold than even full blooded werewolves, so swimming in the sea during winter wouldn’t bother me in the slightest.

I ran to my room and changed into one of my wet suits. It was a beautiful deep blue color with a seafoam green wave design on it. I quickly made my way down to the first level and took a running dive into the water. I swam out of the tunnel and into the lake. The winter sky above and the new seaweed below giving the water an almost eerie look that would have put off anyone else, but to me, it was calming. I made my way to the opposite end of the lake and dove down into one of the tunnels that would lead me out to the sea. The tunnel was pitch black except for a few small bioluminescent fish that had found their way inside. My eyes quickly adjusted to the lack of light as I happily made my way along the tunnel’s path.

It wasn’t long before I reached the tunnels end. I felt excited yet peacefully content as I swam, gazing out at the expanse of open water. Not far away, I noticed a group of young merfolk, nereids and sirens playing and laughing. It always amazed me that so many species of water spirits coexisted so peacefully in one area. One of the female nereids noticed me and waved at me excitedly. I smiled as I waved back and swam up to them. The rest of the group noticed me as I approached and greeted me happily. “Hi Miss Enya!” They called out in unison. “Hi everyone.” I replied as I got close. They all rushed over and tackled me in a big group hug, laughing and giggling. “Come play with us.” One of the boys said while earnestly pulling on my hand. “Alright, alright, I’m coming.” I said laughing as the rest of them urged me on as well.

I played with the kids for a few hours before they started to get tired. We all decided to take a break and swam up to the surface to rest on some of the rocks off the coast. It was a little too close to two of the werewolf packs for my liking, but I figured we’d be fine as long as I stayed vigilant. “Miss Enya, can you sing for us?” One of the sirens asked. “Please?” The rest of the children chimed in with pleading eyes. I rolled my eyes and chuckled lightly to myself. “Oh, alright” I responded and the children all cheered in delight. “Anything in particular you want me to sing?” I asked. They all pondered for a moment before one of the older girls spoke up. “Can you sing a song that you like?”

“A song that I like?” I asked surprised. “Yeah.” She replied as the other children made notions of agreeance. “Okay.” I said still shocked. I thought for a minute until a lullaby I had heard once came to mind. “Do you care if it’s a lullaby?” I asked. They all shook their heads “no” as they gazed at me expectantly. “Alright, here goes.” I said closing my eyes and taking a deep breath as I began to sing.

“Hush now, my story. Close your eyes and sleep. Waltzing the waves, diving in the deep. Stars are shining bright, the wind is on the rise. Whispering words, of long lost lullabies.

Oh won’t you come with me, where the moon is made of gold? And in the morning sun, we’ll be sailing. Oh won’t you come with me, where the ocean meets the sky? And as the clouds roll by, we’ll sing the song of the sea.

I had a dream last night, and heard the sweetest sound. I saw a great white light, and dancers in the round. Castles in the sand, cradles in the trees. Don’t cry, I’ll see you by and by.

Oh won’t you come with me, where the moon is made of gold? And in the morning sun, we’ll be sailing. Oh won’t you come with me, where the ocean meets the sky? And as the clouds roll by, we’ll sing the song of the sea.

Rolling, rolling, rolling, rolling.

Oh won’t you come with me, where the moon is made of gold? And in the morning sun, we’ll be sailing free. Oh won’t you come with me, where the ocean meets the sky? And as the clouds roll by, we’ll sing the song of the sea.”

I finished singing and opened my eyes to find that most of the children had fallen asleep and the rest were starting to doze off, barely staying awake by what I could only assume was sheer will. The girl that had suggested I sing what I wanted, spoke quietly as she struggled to stay awake. “I know that song.” She said yawning. “My mom sang it all the time when I was little.” Her eyes closed yet again and I couldn’t help but quietly laugh to myself. “Go ahead and rest.” I said petting her hair gently. “I’ll keep watch.”

Enya watched as the rest of the children finally gave in to their tiredness and fell asleep. She began humming and singing to herself as she looked out at the sea, unaware that she was also being watched. On the beach along the shoreline, stood two groups of werewolves that had been out hunting. One group was from a southern pack, and the other was from a western pack. Neither group spoke as their gazes fixed upon the source of the song that had been carried on the wind, drawing them to this stretch of beach. They stood rooted to the spot as they continued to listen to her sing, completely mesmerized. It was almost as if they were spellbound by this unknown brown haired woman. Suddenly, the wind shifted the opposite direction, blowing the werewolves' smell straight to her.

Enya stopped singing mid sentence as she caught the distinct smell of werewolves. She turned around quickly, surprised by the unexpected company. Her surprise quickly turned to protective anger as she made a wave rise out of the sea and directed it towards the shore. She quickly roused the children and had them dive into the water as the wave made contact with the beach. As the last child sank below the waves, Enya chanced a look back at the werewolves. None seemed hurt, but every single one was clearly shocked by what had just happened. She glared at them a moment longer before diving into the water herself, not knowing that soon a rumor would be spreading like wildfire. A rumor about a green eyed enchantress that could paralyze a werewolf with just her song.