The Decision
872 Words
I didn't think it was possible for the room to be more silent, or cold. I wasn't going to let it deter me though, my mind was made up. I pulled my shoulders back, feeling my wings flare out, drawing me to my full height. I looked each of them in the eye and said, "I'll do it."
There was silence for a few seconds before my mother shrieked, "Sibyl! What are you saying? You don't know what you're saying!"
Before I could reply, she turned to face the Council, her eyes holding a wildness that I knew was her wolf trying to break free. "Please! Please, I beg of you! She is my Daughter. My sweet, innocent girl! Don't make her do this! I'll do anything! Anything, please!" she begged.
My father wrapped his arms around her, trying to console her. Her shoulders shook as she sobbed, Helen coming over and hugging the both of them. "It's okay, Mom. Don't worry, I know what I'm doing." I told her.
My family looked at me, worry evident in their expressions but I gave them all a reassuring smile. I knew what I had to do.
"I don't know what the future holds, that isn't for me to know. But I do know that I have seen the Gate, I have felt the souls that are there, felt them try to take me down with them. I wont let anyone else experience that. I must have been chosen for a reason. I don't know if I'll ever know what that reason is, but I'm willing to follow my destiny, no matter what it is. I will be the Gate Keeper." I told them all.
I felt a new sense of power flow through me, accompanied by a new sense of peace, and purpose. Everyone gasped in shock and awe and I looked at their face questioningly. They were staring at me wide eyed, mouths slightly open. I looked down at myself, seeing that I was now covered in armor.
My chest was covered in a black breastplate, intricate glowing runes and designs embedded in the surface. Crimson leather pants stretched across my legs, laces holding the material on the sides of my legs together. Black steel-toed high heels on my feet, the heels appearing to be solid silver, one inch thick and three inches long.
My hair was still flowing down my back but threaded with braids in a warrior style. Around my waist was a belt that held two sheaths, one held a sword, the other a dagger. A small satchel attached at the hip on either side. I wished I could get a better look at myself.
As if someone had read my mind, a full length mirror appeared in front of me. I stared at my reflection in a daze, seeing all the detail in my armor. When I looked at my face, I almost jumped out of my skin. Gone was the young girl that I used to be. Instead of the normal violet that I was used to, my eyes were now entirely black, not a trace of white showing, as if my pupils had engulfed my entire eye.
I didn't think it was possible that my already dark lips could get any redder, but they were, a red darker then blood. My canines were slightly elongated, a stark contrast to my lips. My skin seemed to have a surreal glow to it. I looked at myself one last time before turning to the Council.
My family was quiet, sitting huddled on the floor, the Council had left their seats and were standing nearby, watching the scene. I wanted to go and comfort my parents but I didn't want them to be scared due to my appearance. I wasn't sure if it was going to work, but I remembered what Helen had told me about when she shifted and decided to try her way.
Closing my eyes, I thought about how I looked before. My long blue-black hair that always flowed around me, my violet eyes, my normal human hands with soft pink nails. A tingling started in the base of my neck, radiating outward. It felt like water that was running over me, washing everything away.
When I opened my eyes, I smiled. I was me again, my floral dress reappearing as if nothing had happened. If it weren't for the rips in the back, I would have thought I had hallucinated the whole thing.
I quickly went over to my parents, falling into their waiting arms. As we hugged each other, I heard someone shuffle uncomfortably behind me, looking over my shoulder to see that the Oracle was waking up.
I let go of my parents, rushing quickly to the woman's side, gently supporting her as she sat herself up. She seemed surprised that I was helping her and I gave her a small smile.
"Don't worry, I've got you." I told her.
Her brows furrowed in confusion, and she looked beyond me to the members of the Council. I looked at them and saw that they were now staring at me in shock.
"How are you doing that?" she whispered, drawing my attention to her.
- Writer
