Hybrid Warrior Luna

How Did We Get Here

The air crackled with emotion as the fight raged on. Snarls, growls, screams, and thuds rang through the night as everyone fought desperately for their side. Fur, blood, and light from spells whizzed and flew through the night. It was hard to tell who was on what side, and the fighters probably couldn't tell either.

Alina stood watching from her perch on a high branch, "these fools think this fight matters! They don't even see they're being distracted by nonsense!" She let out a frustrated sigh as she crouched down on the branch deciding the best course of action. This can't be allowed to continue.

A cold laugh sounds behind her, interrupting her thoughts, but she doesn't move or react in any way. She knew Hope would show up. She can't bear to stay away and miss the chaos she created. "I wonder if your mother knew how you'd turn out. Did she name you ironically or is she as thoroughly disappointed in you as the rest of the world?"

"Oh Lina, you make me blush with your kind words!" Hope giggles and it feels heavy, forced, unnatural. Alina is still watching the events below, wishing she could end the battle, but they are too deep in their hatred to hear the truth.

"You've outdone yourself this time. What a f***ing mess."

"Aww, you still feel for them, don't you? All because you fell in love with that mutt of an Alpha. Pathetic."

"Just because no one has ever loved you doesn't mean you have to ruin it for everyone else. Melting your heart may actually help someone care for a change."

Hope smiles and rolls her eyes; Alina still doesn't turn around, unable to look away from the battle, her eyes threatening to betray her and let tears fall as more and more bodies drop to the forest floor. Taking a deep breath, Alina floats up off of the branch, she feels Hope tense behind her and ignores it. She floats down toward the battle and wills her voice not to break. "ENOUGH!" Alina's voice booms across the forest and everyone freezes. "Every leader to the clearing. Now."

The command hovers in the air as no one moves or speaks. The Hybrid Warrior rarely intervened in the issues of any packs, clans, or covens, but it was near impossible to leave them to it when they were *all* fighting now. Especially when they have been puppeted into it. Alina sighed and emanated an aura of peace, hoping it would help those around her come back to their senses. She could feel Hope watching, surely she was formulating a new plan, but Alina couldn't focus on that right now. One by one, the leaders of each group moved closer to the floating woman.

"Look around you at the destruction you have created in your anger. Manipulated or not, there is no denying who's hands, paws, and claws caused this mess. The blood of your friends and enemies stains each of you. You have 2 hours to peacefully attend to your wounded and your dead. After that you will meet me here to discuss fixing this chaos -"

"Who do you think you are to tell us what to do?" An Alpha she had never spoken to yelled out.

"Dear boy, I am Alina the Hybrid Warrior, and by all treaties, you are my responsibility and I will not allow destruction sparked by ego to continue. Sit down and speak when spoken to."

A heavy silence followed. Hope departed, her mind wild with ideas.

"Your 2 hours begins now."

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The tension is palpable as the leaders of each group stand silently waiting. No one wants to be here. They want to continue fighting. Their anger has blinded them to their shared histories and alliances. Alina walks through the clearing with her scent masked and her aura tucked away. No one recognizes her or notices who she is. She watches their faces and studies their emotions. Finally, she makes her way to the center and summons a seat from no where.

"Let's begin," she scans the crowd and watches them shift uncomfortably. "How did we get here?"