Winged Warrior

Chapter 5: Deafening Sirens

Skye woke to Jesse moving around. The girls had pushed their two beds together the night before.

She guessed the time to be around 8 am. She gave Jesse a small shove, "What time is the self-defense training at?"

Jesse responded with a series of grunts and mumbles, causing Skye to chuckle, "Hey, sleepy head! It's time to wake up!" she bounced, shaking the beds.

Jesse rolled over, groaning and rubbing her eyes, "What time is it?"

"Time to wake up!" Skye tossed a pillow at her groggy friend, "What time does the self-defense thing start?" Skye asked, peering at the clock next to her door.

"Nine to Elleven." Jesse sighed.

"It's 8:16."

Jesse sat up, "We don't have much time for breakfast."

"Well, let's get a move on, then!"

The girls left their slumber party mess behind and scrambled to ready themselves. Jesse ran to her dorm across the hall to change into her gym uniform, and Skye changed into her school uniform; though, it wasn't necessary, being Saturday.

In record time, the girls stomped down to the cafeteria with nearly twenty minutes to spare. After ravaging the buffet the girls made their way to the gymnasium.

Descending some stairs, they entered through a large set of double doors. The girls winced at the sudden bright lights that shown from the high ceilings. The green, white, and gold academy colors decorated the grand walls, along with lengthy banners that displayed winning sports teams and star players. Bleachers lined the left and right sides of the gym, leaving the entire back wall open with windows reaching from floor to ceiling, allowing the natural light to aid in brightening the auditorium.

A portion of the floor was covered in mats, and countless students stood and sat around waiting for training to begin. Skye wished her friend luck and searched for a teacher.

She gave her note from Ms. Acacia to the teacher and took a seat on the bleachers, located on the left side of the gym, to watch some of Jesse's training session--she was curious.

Skye found herself gazing out the windows. A short pad of grass led to a beautifully flower-adorned dock that stretched over a vast body of water. On the horizon, a picturesque lighthouse sat intently on a large island that stretched out of view.

Her wings ached to be stretched to their full length and be free. She imagined herself gliding over the sparkling water.

The thought of merpeople crossed her mind momentarily as she wondered if there were any swimming under the surface.

Her attention snapped back to the training mats at the sound of two young men wrestling. It appeared the student had been split into groups. Some wrestled and fought in pairs on the training mats, others practiced with weapons, and another group sat, watching an instructor demonstrate some self-defense strategies. Skye also notice that there was a group of students made up entirely of werewolves who practiced shifting to and from their wolf forms, and recovering their battle positions once the shift was made.

She could see Riftan in that group and it looked like he was the one directing it.

Skye couldn't help but watch him. He demanded full attention from his peers as he demonstrated shifting back and forth. They wore stretchy clothes that seemed to withstand the drastic transitions their bodies were making, and their shoes were all lined up neatly at the edge of the mats, leaving them barefoot.

Skye watched as Riftan explained the different strengths of both forms and the importance of being able to effectively use both if/when need be. She was completely mesmerized by the process werewolves had to endure while shifting. Some made it look easy, switching in mere seconds, whereas others displayed signs of pain, taking considerably longer to fully morph. It must take a certain degree of strength to be able to shift. She guessed that their demonstration of strength and speed fell in line with their ranks.

Riftan definitely ruled with an iron fist. He was direct and focused as he repeatedly directed his peers to perfect their transitioning and stances--some caught on much faster than others, and were then directed to help struggling students. He was skillful and tactical.

He glanced in Skye's direction, causing her to turn her face away, pretending to watch another group. When she dared to sneak a glance back at Riftan, she realized he was headed in her direction.

As he neared, his muscles became more pronounced, and beads of sweat glossed his bronzed flesh. He walked confidently, keeping his eyes on her the entire time.

She stood, being an extra seat high, she was almost able to look him eye to eye, only a few inches short. She tried to hide her fright but feared he could sense it leaking from her very pores. She cleared her voice, "Can I help you?"

He lifted his brow in response, "Are you hurt?"

Skye was confused, "No?"

"Then why aren't you participating? Your recent demonstration of skill proves you are capable of partaking in S.D.T."

Her voice quivered slightly, and she coughed. She clenched her hands, digging her fingernails into her palms, hating her traitorous nerves. "I'm exempt. I delivered a note that was signed by Ms. Acacia to one of the directors."

"Why?"

"Personal reasons."

He looked her up and down, scanning her small figure. He knew he couldn't dig for answers, and huffed.

He turned to leave, "Thanks for your concern, though," Skye added quickly.

Without turning around, he mumbled something she couldn't quite catch, then sauntered off.

She released her breath, relieved, and sat back down. The nosy on-lookers returned to training.

Skye watched for a while longer before venturing to the scenic view that the windows captured. As soon as she exited the gorgeous, glass French doors, she was greeted with a cool breeze.

She sniffed the air, deciding that the water was fresh. Calmness swept over her and she fought her urge to lay in the grass, choosing to have a seat on the dock.

She removed her shoes, soaking her plain feet in the rigid, clear water. She watched the small fish grow braver as they neared her toes, she wiggled them, causing them to dart away.

Birds chirped to the rhythmic laps of the gentle waves against the shore. She focussed on the symphony that nature offered her, and leaned her head back, bathing her olive-toned skin.

She thought about flying, wondering if she could use the privacy offered by the curtain of darkness--night. Maybe this was the spot?

A splash caught her attention as she scanned the surface of the lake. A colorful bird emerged, swallowing down a small fish.

She watched the bird fish for some time. It flaunted its freedom, making Skye envious.

It squawked suddenly before disappearing under the surface once again. But this time, it didn't come back up.

Skye stood, searching the water. She wondered how long it could hold its breath. When she peered in the water, the small fish were gone also.

Anxiety consumed her thoughts as she suspiciously searched for what lurked beneath her. She felt danger and grabbed her shoes before trotting back to solid ground. Before making landfall, the dock jerked violently, causing her to stumble. She crawled the last few feet and scooted backward, keeping her eyes on the water.

A deafening silence fell upon her, with only the loud thrumming of her heart. She was frozen in place, scared to make a sound.

Before she could scream, a demonic-like man lunged from the water, screeching like nails on a chalkboard. It's sunken eyes were black and nearly the size of golf balls, and its mouth hung wide open, revealing jagged teeth and a long, slim tongue. It's flesh was grey and it reached for her with its sharp, webbed claws.

It scrambled crazily, frantically dragging itself towards Skye--its tail and fins hung in shreds.

Before it could grab hold of her, a bear-sized, black wolf appeared in front of her, causing the demon-fish-man to freeze. It sneered and hissed, licking the sores on its face, "Miiine," it gurgled.

The wolf growled menacingly before attacking the creature. The wolf grabbed its arm, nearly chomping it in half. The creature screeched again before trying to wiggle away with the use of only one arm. It slashed its claws at the wolf, attempting to gain some distance. It drug itself closer to the water, but the wolf slashed at it's dangling, shredded tail.

Some young men ran to stand between the creature and the water, trapping it. Before it could release another dreadful screech, one of the men plunged a long sword through its chest.

Skye watched as the sword exited through the creature's back. It fell limp as the blade was pulled free.

Shock. Skye sat wide-eyed and frozen, she couldn't stand, nor speak, and struggled to comprehend what just happened.

The wolf turned slowly, revealing the scar that led to deep blue orbs, and stepped to hide the scene behind it. Riftan?

She watched him morph back to his human self as he kneeled before her. But, she was speechless.

"You okay?" His low tone was almost a whisper, his eyes searching hers.

All Skye could muster was a stiff nod, however. He scanned the crowd that had gathered and sighed, "Come on," he hoisted her to her feet, but her knees buckled. Keeping her upright, he then carefully brushed her skirt flat behind her knees and picked her up--bridal style.

Too stunned to speak or protest, Skye allowed him, and he marched her back towards the academy.

Whispers floated around, but they fell on deaf ears, as Skye was too lost in her trance to care.

Jesse ran to her friend, "Skye!" She panted, "What's happening? Are you okay?"

Skye could only reply to her friend with another nod, but she felt her stiffness subside slightly. There was something comforting about Riftan's touch, and it confused her. Too many feelings and emotions consumed her, but she couldn't cry.

"She'll be fine," Riftan assured Jesse.

"What happened?" Jesse repeated, tears pooling in her doe eyes.

"A siren."

She gasped, "Here?! How is that possible?"

"It shouldn't be." He commented, "It had nearly killed itself just traveling here."

Riftan was troubled, and he displayed it clearly. As he walked her through the halls, she studied his face. His eyes flickered from his usual blue to black and occasionally glazed over. Regaining her nerve, she was tempted to start pummeling her savior with a million questions. That was a siren? Why did that happen? Where are you taking me? What's up with your eyes?

Instead, she settled on, "I can walk now." But Riftan ignored her without stopping.

Jesse silently followed behind them.