The Lycan King’s Tribute

Nearer

“All my life, I’ve been a runt, a virgin with no wings to fly. I’ve always wondered what it’s like, giving myself to someone.” - Enoma Pearl

…

As the straps extended, looking like a harness, a new feeling spun in. I moved to take the two sides of the last, and Marina did the same.

The minute she was strapped, the Reaper pushed something and just like they were interconnected, the boat reached a drop-off.

The Reaper paddled further, propelling the boat forward and advancing in a quick motion. The water flowed down, cascading into the unknown. From this observation, I couldn’t stop my heart from racing. The thought of what lay beneath made me want to puke.

“I’m scared,” Marina said clinging to me firmly, with her little fingers.

“It will be over soon, do not worry,” I said.

They surely didn’t bring us all this way to eliminate us. I thought, holding her too.

My hands trembled but I was quick to steady them. Hunting required that I control my grip, so I mastered this over time.

VROOM!

The boat leaped forward, advancing us with force, and levitating which led to screams from the females on board. “Ahhh!!”

The Reaper shut his eyes with some smile on his features. “My favorite part.”

I arched a brow, trying to welcome the fact that we went down slowly. My eyes rounded in surprise at what I saw.

A circle of glitter that propelled us in a gigantic wrap. I imitated the Reaper, shutting my eyes only to open them once more from the thought that I might actually drop and pass out.

The next thing I heard was a thud.

What followed was some finger poking me making me open my eyes. We had landed.

Marina moved closer, narrowing her eyes in curiosity. “Were you scared too?”

I braced myself instantly, sitting tall as I unbuckled my belts. Some white mists twirled, with the smell of wet stone hitting my nose.

“No.”

“Being scared should be the least of your concerns. Now we’ve arrived, a lot more awaits you in the Kingdom.” The Reaper said, directing his hands through a tunnel. “Pass through the narrow end, and you will find your way around.”

I stood with Marina whose hands were firmly wrapped around mine.

“W-What?” I stuttered, already getting nervous from this.

“Here, put on these cloaks so you don’t get cold.” The Reaper said handing us some cloth materials from a bag he hung over his shoulder. I took it putting it on, and so did Marina.

“You’re not coming with us?” I asked the Reaper with a frown.

“My journey ends here, Enoma. You figure the rest out. Hurry now, so you’re not left behind.”

“But-“ I watched his figure fade in the white mists just opposite ahead, with a curious gaze.

Trying to process where we were, I looked around.

The grounds were vibrating, with some whistles and tremors that seemed far off.

“Enoma…?” Marina tugged me. “The grounds aren’t stable, we have to go!”

“C’mon.” I took her hands, darting across the other direction with pacing steps.

We were welcomed with daylight, and directly ahead was a crimson train. On its body, which read, “To the Kingdom of the Awakened” and just as it hissed, I noticed some girls around.

They were surrounded by some companions. I realized the companions were their parents, from the gestures and grey hairs. They seemed to be bidding them goodbye, and I couldn’t help but notice the girls looked pretty, wearing glamorous outfits.

In their hands were luggage. Like they planned their journey to the detail, with smiles on their faces.

I stared at the guards just at the entrance, with a quick smile at one of them who returned it flirtatiously, waving that I came in.

“He likes you,” Marina said, smiling.

“Of course not!” I blurted, taking her hands so we moved in synch.

From there, we went in a non-stop motion, passing through the dry grasses which crunched at our steps.

“Welcome, milady.” the guard said, taking my hands in a kiss making me fidget on the spot, nervous from his gesture. With a rarity in being sought for, I had no romantic history.

“I’m Francis, here are your tickets,” he said, handing us two scraps of paper. The scent of wolves hit my nose, and at this, I mustered up courage.

No one should ever find out the truth about me.

“Thanks,” I said taking it from him bravely.

“Your seats are reserved in the middle,” he said before leaning in a whisper. “Team up before you get to the Kingdom. It will raise your chances of surviving.”

“Um, sure… thanks,” I said not used to males around me. To escape this, my eyes directed at the seats before staring back at him.

“Thank you, Francis.” Marina cut in with a smile, directing her gaze to me with an ‘I-told-you-so’ look.

“You’re welcome, now go. The seats are limited,” he whispered once more.

I nodded at him, taking Marina with me.

Quickly, I searched for the seats on the tickets which were numbers 24 and 25. I sighted them, opposite each other, and instantly, my eyes roamed around.

I checked for any signs of danger, almost like I was hunting.

This was still uncertain. My stay at Crestwood taught me that nothing was ever normal. And people will always pick on you, no matter what.

My thoughts were silenced when I found no threat. I gestured to Marina, “We can sit.”

The uniqueness of it all made me suspect that something was wrong. The question, was what?

Elena didn’t even know I was taken; I should try to contact her. She couldn’t hunt. They won’t make it through the winter.

With these thoughts, I sized up the booth, which had four seats facing each other in two rows. A sigh of relief, emanated from my chest and so did Marina's.

With a bit of tension released, I shook off the remnants of mud that came from the tunnel.

“We are about to move!” The train’s operator said and immediately the girls rushed in.

“Are the seats taken?” a girl asked.

“No,” I replied only to see a younger girl beside her.

She looked about Marina’s age with an unsure look, rubbing her hands together.

The train motioned to start that instant, getting a reaction from the girls who poked their heads from the windows. On their mouths were grim expressions as their parents bade them goodbye.

Too bad my mom barely existed and my dad ran off at my birth. I thought discreetly with a sigh.

“Here, this will warm you up a bit.” The female said, covering the girl's hands in hers.

The entire scenery made me think of the guard’s words. Get a team. Maybe I could work with them, I thought.

My eyes flickered over the first girl beside me, and then, to the smaller girl who sat beside Marina. The fact that they were in similar cloaks made me suspicious, was this, a setup?