Werewolf

Ch-21

Carina flinched, shutting her eyes. But the sword never came close to her and she heard Gertrude gasp in pain. The fairy and wolf starred in stunned surprise as Klara sunk the sword into Gertrude’s torso. Gertrude grunted in anger and surprise then threw Klara back with a blast of dark magic. “Pathetic, worthless girl!” she drew out the sword and it disappeared, no wound left in her body.

“Told you it wouldn’t work.” Gerrick laughed.

“Shut it!” Gertrude snarled. Klara pulled herself up, panting heavily. Grabbing the amulet she flung it away from her, the hexed object sizzling on the ground.

“I will never be like you.” Klara whispered. “No amount of dark magic will force me to hurt those I love.” Gertrude rolled her eyes.

“Your mother was the same, weak!” Flexing her hands she clicked her tongue. “Pity, I enjoyed the quality time we spent together…”

Dark Magic sprung forth as malice purple lightning around her body, killing the ground and plants around her. As Gertrude aimed at her niece, Klara drew up her own power, the pure blue light easily evaporating the Dark Magic. Gertrude smirked.

“You’ve listened well, my dear. You’re more like me than I thought.” Klara’s anger rose but she took a deep breath and suppressed it. Channeling a simple but powerful spell, the wind howled through the trees, bringing debris along with it. Gertrude grunted as she was smacked with leaves, twigs and clumps of dirt, forcing her to draw back. As she was distracted, Klara released Randolf who charged forth, grabbing Gertrude and pinning her to a tree by her throat.

“Gerrick, do something you lazy fool!” she grunted, clutching Randolf’s grip. Gerrick shrugged.

“It seems obvious to me that you’re beaten Gertrude. You really let me down.” Gertrude snarled at him. He sighed. “Fine,” he transformed and advanced on Klara who had her back turned as she tried to heal some of Carina’s wounds.

“Klara, behind you!” Carina called out. The wiccan turned just as the wolf drew back his claws.

“Fulgur Percutiens!” she shouted. Lightning burst from a sudden storm cloud and struck him in the chest, sending him flying into the forest. She panted heavily, sweat dripping down her forehead. “Carina, go, get help…” she whispered, trying to regain her strength. Carina hesitated. “Now!” Klara shouted. Carina staggered off as quickly as she could, getting far enough before Gerrick returned, snarling angrily.

His fur was burnt from the lightning striking him but the magic had otherwise not harmed him. She stumbled to her feet, backing away as her mind scrambled for a spell she could do.

“Tired already?” Gerrick taunted.

“Klara get out of here!” Randolf commanded, struggling to restrain Gertrude. He looked at her for a moment and Gertrude took that instant to stab him with a small silver knife, hitting him in the lung. He crumpled, gasping for breath as the wound burned around the silver.

“Randolf!” Klara rushed forth but was pinned by Gerrick. Gertrude ripped out the knife, pinned Randolf with thorny vines and pressed her knee into the wound. He yelled in agony.

“Gerrick, finish her.” Gertrude commanded. She grabbed Randolf’s chin and forced him to look as Gerrick’s jaws clamped down on Klara’s right shoulder, tearing through flesh and bone.

“NO!” Randolf screamed. Klara’s scream was cut off, shock making her body numb. Her world was fading, her beloved was dying…

“I love you.” She whimpered tearfully. Randolf’s heart stopped as he realized what she was going to do. The forest darkened as she closed her eyes and lay still, clutching the ground as she drew upon the strength of all living things. Gertrude and Gerrick froze in confusion, not knowing what she was about to do. Silence came for a second. Then Klara whispered, “Auferetur.”

Brilliant light exploded from her body and blasted through the forest, banishing all dark entities within fifty miles. When the light faded, Randolf was able to breathe, his wounds healed but his strength was gone. It took him a moment to be able to roll onto his side, thinking only that he had to get to Klara. Lifting his aching head, he called out to her desperately, but she didn’t answer. Klara lay motionless, bleeding and quiet.

“Oh God, no!” he pleaded, lifting her into his arms. The wound was gory, showing smashed bones and mangled tissue. Her eyes were closed, her skin snow white. “Please liebling, look at me!” Randolf gently shook her but still no response. He held her close, weeping into her hair. “Don’t leave me like this.” Her heart was weak, her body was giving out.