The Prophecy of Hydrangea

FIFTEEN *FACING THE ROGUES*

I have to act really fast, the rogues were fast approaching, and I wonder how they were able to take me by surprise. How did they even crossed the well guarded borders.

I tried to gather more information from Dahlia but she insisted she has already given me all the information at her disposal. Of course I knew she has given me all the information within her reach, I was only pushing my luck.

What was I going to do now, how do I protect my friends from even witnessing what was going to happen? These thoughts and many more filled my mind.

I don’t know if I will successfully pull through this, but fear is alien to me. I am only worried that this event might leave my friends traumatized for the rest of their lives. And what if things never go back to normal for them again after this? I am already used to being a little bit different (or you can decide to say more advanced) from the normal, but my friends are not.

The growls are getting nearer and louder by the seconds. And should be more audible to my friends now.

I turned to my friends, and my eyes caught Lilium staring at me. They was something about her gaze, it was filled with support, some sought of a solidarity. This is not the time to think about the expression on her face, and it might as well just be all in my imaginations.

I looked at the others, they too were staring at me, but I couldn’t locate the strength I drew from Lilium from them. Theirs were of confusion and fear.

“What’s that growling Andrea?” Brenda asked, she was becoming more nervous.

Dahlia drag me through the mind link to see the rogues approaching. They didn’t appear to be searching to know our exact location, they were coming directly for us, racing in speed, as fast as a cheetah. Only stopping once to master the surroundings.

Dahlia said to me *let’s drain their fears Andrea. Drain their fears and place them in hiding somewhere safe*. He was referring to my friends.

*Drain their fears?* I asked in bewilderment.

I have never heard of such, I never knew I had the ability to do such.

*Your fears are completely drained Andrea, and that’s why you fear nothing. I am only hoping you could be able to use your drain on them for sometime*. Dahlia said trying to make me understand what she meant.

*Let’s try it then Dahlia* I said.

I am happy that she is standing up for me at this time, when I obviously deserve none of it.

Okay, we can see how we could drain their fears and then hide them. I am ready to give this a try. If Dahlia said to hide them somewhere safe, then, they must be somewhere really safe. Over the years, I have come to trust Dahlia’s directives in situations such as this.

Whenever I want to discover the usage of any of my powers, the first step is to become completely one with Dahlia. And working in tandem enables us to harness a power for the first time. And after that, I would be able to use it subsequently without having to merge with Dahlia.

Whenever Dahlia takes my form, I become completely pure white and a mixture of glittery gold, having same radiance as the sun. This would be the first time this would be happening in front of others. We normally do this in the closure of my room.

Immediately I and Dahlia became one, I hypnotized my friends and entered into their minds. While inside their minds, I convinced them that they was nothing to fear about and seeing a roaming wolf here and there is an indispensable part of our daily lives. And of course they believed me.

I took back my normal form and released them from the hypnosis.

Yes they know what they saw, I mean me turning all white and the rest, but they wouldn’t believe it themselves and would find no reason to discuss that with anyone not even amongst themselves.

“You guys should come with me” I said to them. I have to hide them. This time not because of me but because of the rogues, less they are attacked.

Yes, I think I have a perfect place to hide them. I was going to hide them in my heap of flowers. It’s a disguise I created only a few days ago. They can safely hide there without anyone being able to detect or smell them out. The strong fragrances from the flowers have the ability to cover the scent of any wolf hidden in it. And with the way the flowers are heaped, no one would suspect that someone is hiding in them.

Dahlia was the one that actually came up with the idea and I actually bought the idea out of boredom and lack of any other thing to do. And now it has come in handy. I can’t love Dahlia any less than this.

“Remain hidden in these bunches of flowers, and whatever happens, don’t come out. I will come get you out myself”. I told them. I could have decided to hide with them and signal on the pack’s warriors to come to our defense, but the rogues were coming specifically for me. This is my battle, and it’s only me that can win it.

I knew my friends weren’t going to come out from where I had kept them, because they were under my control at the moment and would await my direction before taking any action. At the moment, their mind is not independent on its own. From where they were hidden, they would have a fair view of the garden and whatever happens in it, but won’t be able to discuss what they see after now. It event would only live in their imaginations. This was in no way harmful to them. It will only live with them as a fantasy.

I turned and walked back to the table and I quickly used this time to signal uncle Jasper and some pack warriors, and left out my father. I think that’s the best right now, even though I doubt if no one would inform him.

Just then, the rogues arrived all looking furious, smelling of terror.

This is going to be a physical fight, I have never been faced with a physical attack, I mean a real physical attack apart from the trainings I occasionally had with my father and the warriors. I took my time to check out the rogues and figure out their strengths. They appear to be very strong.

Considering their strengths, I couldn’t immediately figure out the best strategy to use in combating them. I looked within me, and was glad to discover that Dahlia was still with me, having Dahlia remain with me at a time like this one is not something to expect everytime.

*She is alone here, hmn that’s wonderful* the very dark wolf amongst them communicated to the rest through their mind link.

*I would have sworn just a minute ago that they were up to four tiny little kittens around here* the smallest among them said moving round me.

I stood listening to them. I have to know their purpose, at least that would make me know the best strategy to apply, whether to attack or remain on the defense.

And I am glad that they aren’t aware that I could intercept their conversation. This would enable me get all the information I require. And if worse come to worst, I would have to manipulate their minds to get whatever information I so desire.

*Shut up Chard, what four? Only one little kid, Hydrangea*

Hmn this is becoming interesting I guess. I thought to myself.

*Shut up both of you idiots, let’s get to business* Said the huge and handsome wolf who I believe should be their leader.

The remaining two wolves growled, obviously becoming impatient with the delay. They appear very ready to act.

*Okay, okay, okay* the smallest screamed.

*but isn’t the girl supposed to be scared by our presence, I thought fear was part of the package? I love devouring them amidst their wails for mercy* he growled.

This should be the easiest prey I said to myself. Much talks, less strength. Manipulating him would be just easy.

*Chard who sent you and what do you want* I asked him.

He immediately stopped and fixed his gaze on me.

*We want to take you down and they is no going back, cause that’s the order* he said.

*That’s no problem, just tell me who you work for, who gave the orders, at least we could start from there*.

*And who do you know?*. He retorted.

He is proving stubborn, I never expected it. He definitely is not an ordinary wolf.

*Come closer and closer, get more nearer* I said dragging him to me.

He slowly walks towards me, he was getting closer. All I need to do is to touch him, and all the information I need would be mine.

As he was getting closer to me, I stylishly stretched out my hands to touch him. I had almost succeeded, but their leader sensing what might be happening jump on him, causing to fall and hit himself on the ground. This act disconnected my powers over Chard.

*Alright, you want me, why not take your human forms and let’s all be on the same level here.* I said

*lets fight a fair battle* I added.

*We aren’t here to negotiate kid* the leader replied with a growl.

This was strange, how was he able to speak in his wolf form I thought to myself.

And just then, I heard myself scream out loud, “If you want it that way, then so be it”.