Chapter 14
"Meera!"
Eryx grabbed Meera's arm as she bolted out of the palace gates towards the winding paths leading out of the city. The silent night dripped with tension like honey from a beehive. The wind had picked up, tossing around Meera's hair like wings that could fly her away to where she wanted to go.
"Where are you going?" Eryx asked, pulling Meera to his chest and grasping her shoulders. He steadied her to look into her eyes as she muttered incoherently.
"You have to tell me where you're going," Eryx insisted, his voice laced with concern. He could feel the desperation in her movements, the palpable need to answer the sea's call.
"I have to go," Meera sobbed as if a loved one had slipped past her fingers. Her fingers trembled as she tried to break free from Eryx's grasp.
The city around them slept, unaware of the unfolding drama beneath the moonlit sky. The winding paths stretched out like a labyrinth, and Meera, seemingly guided by an unseen force, attempted to navigate the streets in the dead of night.
Eryx, torn between understanding and concern, tightened his grip on Meera. "You can't just run off like this. Talk to me, Meera. What's pulling you away?"
But Meera's responses remained fragmented, a mosaic of whispers carried by the night wind. Her restlessness and the mystical forces tugging at her soul left Eryx grappling with a profound sense of helplessness.
"Where do you want to go?" He asked. "Tell me and I'll take you."
Trembling and sobbing like a child, Meera raised her hand and pointed towards the hills just past the boundaries of the palace.
"There?" Eryx asked, following her gaze. "What's there?"
"Something's wrong," Meera's voice shook. "The water.....there's something wrong with the water."
"Okay, okay," Eryx nodded, understanding the severity of the situation. Taking her hand once more, Eryx began to pull Meera towards the backroads of Azmeera. The cobblestones gave away to uneven dirt and muddy paths as the ally cats and dogs scampered to get away from the pair.
"Are you sure that's where you have to go?" Eryx asked, pausing by the mouth of the ally and grabbing the hem of his white shirt.
"Yes," Meera nodded.
In the darkness, she turned towards Eryx just as he pulled the shirt over his head and handed it to her. Meera stared in confusion, watching Eryx remove his sword and the small dagger tucked into his shoes.
"Wh-" she took a small step back. "What are you doing?"
"We'll never make it there on foot," Eryx said, unbuckling his leather belt with one hand while his eyes watched Meera to make sure she was steady enough to stand on her own. "I'm going to shift."
"Shift?" Meera questioned. "Like....."
"What was it that you called it?" Eryx chuckled. "Wolfing?"
Meera's eyes widened. She clutched his shirt and dagger to her chest as Eryx slipped off his shoes and handed them to her.
"I'll need them when I change back," he explained. "You might want to look away in a bit."
"Why?" Meera's question caused the corner of Eryx's mouth to perk up.
"I mean, listen, princess, if you want to see me naked -"
Gasping, Meera raised her hands and buried her face in Eryx's shirt, causing him to burst into laughter.
"Once I change, you'll have to get on my back, okay?"
Meera didn't respond. She continued to hide her face as if it were a crime to open her eyes.
"Meera, I need to know you understand," Eryx's tone grew slightly serious. "Don't scream or run off once you see me, okay?"
"Why would I do that?" Meera's voice was muffled by the shirt.
"I might not be what you have pictured in your head," Eryx said. "And if you run off, I can't chase you through the city. Plus, you have my clothes."
As Eryx continued to undress, the moonlight bathed him in an ethereal glow, casting shadows on the sculpted contours of his body. Meera, still holding onto his shirt and dagger, wanted to peek through her fingers. She was unable to resist the urge to steal glances at the transformation unfolding before her. But when she heard Eryx slip off his belt, she squeezed her eyes shut as if her life depended on it.
"Are you sure you're not going to scream?" Eryx teased, his eyes reflecting the lunar radiance as he removed the last piece of clothing.
"I won't scream," Meera mumbled, her unease evident in her voice.
"Okay..." Eryx said with a deep breath. "Just try to keep in mind that it's still me. And no matter what I may look like, I will never hurt you."
Meera nodded and Eryx's transformation began.
It was a fluid and mesmerizing dance between man and wolf. The night air echoed with the sounds of shifting bones and rustling fur. With each sound of Eryx's body breaking and rebuilding, Meera flinched and whimpered. The process took less than a few seconds. But to Meera, it felt as if a lifetime had passed. She released the air she held captive in her lungs as the sounds suddenly stopped around her. Meera, her curiosity battling with apprehension, finally gathered the courage to open her eyes.
Before her stood a magnificent wolf, its silver fur shimmering in the moonlight like shooting stars across the night sky. The creature's eyes, a reflection of Eryx's vibrant silver gaze, held a captivating depth that seemed to convey both wisdom and ancient knowledge. Meera marbled at his size as she stepped back and out of the wolf's shadow.
The wolf lifted his head and turned his ears, his eyes narrowing as if to make sure Meera wouldn't take off running. His massive paws stepped forward just as his cold, wet snout lowered and he sniffed Meera's hand.
"Are you alright?"
Meera slowly lowered her arms, "How are you able to do that?"
"I can speak to you through the bond we share," Eryx explained. "It's much easier when I'm in this form. When I am in my human body, it's harder to tap into since you are not marked."
"Marked?" Meera asked.
"Oh, you have so much to learn, M," Eryx chuckled as he crouched down, beckoning Meera to climb onto his back.
Eryx's wolf form was the size of a large horse. Meera had never seen an animal quite so big. Once when she was younger, her father had shown her a bear he had hunted. But everything looked bigger when she was a young girl. Standing before Eryx's wolf, Meera wondered how he would have measured up to the beasts her father hunted.
As Meera gazed up at the towering wolf, she marveled at the intricate details of its anatomy—the sharp claws, the powerful jaws, and the unmistakable presence of an apex predator. Despite its intimidating size, there was a certain elegance in the way it carried itself, a testament to the harmonious blend of strength and agility.
"Meera?" Eryx waited.
Tentatively, Meera approached, her eyes still fixed on the majestic creature before her. Eryx's demeanor, although altered, retained a sense of familiarity and gentleness, reassuring Meera amid this surreal encounter.
Remembering what her father had taught her about riding a horse, Meera settled onto his broad back. She felt the coarse yet strangely comforting texture of his fur beneath her fingertips. The night breeze carried the scent of the sea, mixing with the familiar aroma of the Eryx's presence. The surroundings, now viewed from a higher vantage point, took on a dreamlike quality as they traversed the moonlit city.
"Hold on tight, Your Highness,"
With that, the wolf leaped forward, navigating the moonlit alleyways of Azmeera with a combination of grace and speed. Meera clung to Eryx's fur, the wind rushing past them, and the enchanting night unfolding around them. Each moment became a blur of sensations, both thrilling and surreal, as they journeyed through the labyrinthine streets under the watchful gaze of the moon.
As they left the clamor of the busy streets behind, the occasional scattering of homes marked their path toward the outskirts of Azmeera. Eryx's powerful strides carried them towards the hills, where the town's hum faded into a tranquil hush. The scattered homes grew sparse, giving way to open spaces that embraced the serenity of the night. The moonlit landscape unfolded before them, revealing the silhouette of a large freshwater lake and a distant dam.
"There," Meera murmured, her body pressed against Eryx's back. She lowered herself, her cheek brushing against his thick fur as he picked up speed, heading straight for the dam.
"What do you feel?" Eryx inquired, his voice carrying a mix of concern and curiosity.
"The water is restless," Meera replied, her eyes scanning the night. "There's something wrong over there. I can taste it."
"Taste it?" Eryx questioned, his surprise evident in his tone.
"It's bitter," Meera explained. "At the back of my mouth."
Eryx listened intently, trying to grasp the nature of Meera's connection with the elements. As they approached the dam, their eyes scanned the wagon full of wooden barrels lining the sides of the aqueducts. The moonlight illuminated the scene, revealing a group of men dressed in dark hoods, their sinister silhouettes conspiring around the large barrels.
"What are they doing?" Meera asked, climbing off Eryx's back before he could stop her. Beside her, Eryx growled lowly, his instincts sensing danger.
Despite his attempt to keep her at bay, Meera stepped around Eryx's wolf and headed towards the men. Her heightened senses, attuned to the natural world, resonated with the discordant energy emanating from the water. Meera watched the men pour the contents of the barrels into the water supply, staining the once-clear lake with a dark and ominous substance.
"Stop!" Meera bellowed, her voice echoing through the night.
The hooded figures froze, their hoods concealing their faces as they turned to face the approaching girl and the large wolf behind her. Upon seeing Eryx, they dropped the barrel they had been holding and backed up against the stone walls of the aqueducts. Their shocked in take of breath filled the night as Meera lowered to the ground and stared at the oozing liquid from the broken barrel.
Meera's heart raced as they neared the scene, her gaze fixed on the desecration of the water supply. The bitter taste lingered in her mouth, a testament to the violation of the natural order.
"What did you do to the water?" Meera's voice sliced through the tense night air. Her eyes bore into the hooded men as she questioned their sinister actions. "What's in the barrel?"
The men, overcome with fear, cowered back, unable to find their voices in the presence of Eryx's intimidating form. The sight of the massive wolf, standing behind Meera like a guardian, struck terror into their hearts.
"What did you do to the water?" Meera repeated, her words enunciated with increasing stress.
Behind her, the large wolf lowered its head, snarling at the men with a ferocity that matched the primal instincts of the wilderness. Eryx pulled back his lips, revealing razor-sharp teeth that gleamed in the moonlight. The hot breath escaping his jaws made the fabric of Meera's nightgown sway, a chilling reminder of the deadly force standing just behind her.
The men, still silent and visibly shaken, avoided Meera's gaze.
Frustrated and anxious about what was in the water, Meera grabbed Eryx's heavy sword and raised it before her.
"I'm going to ask you one last time," she said. "What did you put in the water?"
The night air was thick with the toxic scent emanating from the oozing barrels. Meera's eyes stung as she took her stance, recalling Ozmen's training with the sword. The moon cast an eerie glow on the battleground, shadows flickering in the tense atmosphere.
As one of the men, desperate to escape, lunged at Meera with a sword, Eryx's wolf form leaped over her head, landing on top of the assailant. His powerful jaw sank into the man's neck, blood spilling in the moonlight. Meera stared in horror at the brutality, her heart pounding.
The confrontation escalated as the remaining men drew their swords.
"Meera, stay back," Eryx commanded, positioning himself protectively between her and the aggressors. However, Meera had no intention of standing idly by while her kingdom was under attack.
Ignoring the standoff between Eryx and the men, Meera took a step forward. The glow from a dropped torch illuminated the ground, revealing the scorched grass and decaying earth beneath the oozing poison. Realization struck Meera like a thunderbolt.
"Venomfire..." she gasped breathlessly, her eyes widening as she looked up. "You poisoned the water!"
Fury surged through Meera. She jumped to her feet, wielding Eryx's sword with newfound determination. Stepping out from Eryx's protective shadow, she swung her blade at the first man who dared to approach. Anticipating her anger, the man attempted to evade, but Meera was quicker. With a swift, precise motion, her sword tore through the air, cutting into the man's flesh on his arm.
Eryx, surprised and impressed by her skills, watched as Meera unleashed her wrath on the men who dared to harm Azmeera. He prowled nearby, eyes locked on the others. As soon as one of them dared to step forward, he lunged at them. He caught one man by his leg and tossed him aside. The force of Eryx's jaw caused the bones in the man's leg to shatter as it was torn from his body. A terrifying howl from the man filled the air.
"Who sent you?" Meera demanded.
Eryx saw her questioning the fallen man like an avenging angel. Her wrathful stance, illuminated by the moonlight, painted a portrait of fierce determination. Her hair, freed from its braids, cascaded around her like the wings of a vengeful deity. The white of her nightgown seemed to glow, emphasizing her ethereal presence.
With Meera's sword poised at the fallen man's trembling Adam's apple, Eryx approached and stood beside her. With a swift, predatory movement, he placed a massive paw on the man's chest, keeping him pinned to the ground.
"Speak!" Meera commanded.
Eryx's eyes remained locked on the other would-be assailants, a silent warning to anyone considering further aggression.
"Who sent you?" Meera demanded, her voice cutting through the night. The tip of her blade remained dangerously close to the fallen man's throat. Her eyes glinted with fury.
Eryx, standing beside Meera, continued to exude an air of protective menace.
"King Elias," the man answered, his lungs gasping for air as Eryx applied pressure to his chest.
Meera felt her insides twist, "Elias?"
"Dalphina will never belong to Azmeera or to Silverkeeps," the man spat in anger, despite the fear in his eyes. "You all will pay for what you've done to us."
"The people of Azmeera are innocent," Meera declared. "You poisoned their water with Venomfire!"
"You will burn like you burned Delphina to the ground," the man said, his eyes locked with Meera. "Every man, every woman, every child of Azmeera will burn."
"No," Meera shook her head as the wounded man took his last breath and stilled under Eryx's paw. "No, no!"
Hearing the pain in Meera's voice, Eryx looked up to see the other men dropping their weapons and making a run for their wagon and horses. He ran after them, tearing into whoever he could catch first.
Behind him, Meera rushed to the edge of the water channel, determination etched on her face. She plunged her hand into the cool liquid, feeling an immediate, desperate plea for salvation from the tainted water. The poison burned through her veins, a searing agony that threatened to overwhelm her senses. Meera clenched her teeth, suppressing any cry of pain as she focused on her task—willing the water to separate from the venomous substance.
As Meera's hands began to emit heat, the water in the channel responded. Small waves formed, swirling around as she continued her relentless effort to purify it. The excruciating pain shot through her body, making her pale and causing her to hunch over in agony. Unable to contain the torment any longer, Meera let out a scream that echoed through the night, sending chills down Eryx's spine.
Turning toward her, Eryx watched in horror as Meera's glowing hands worked to cleanse the water. Her form, hunched over the channel, seemed on the verge of collapsing from sheer exhaustion. Relinquishing the last surviving man, Eryx sprinted to Meera's side.
"What are you doing?" Eryx demanded.
"They can't..." Meera cried, shaking her head. The tears running down her face shimmered from the light in the water. "They can't drink this water."
"Meera, you're absorbing the poison!" Eryx growled as he witnessed Meera's pale skin and the discolored veins beneath her skin. "Stop!"
Meera shook her head. She felt her energy flare up one last time and shot through her fingertips before Eryx's wolf pushed her away from the channel and she collapsed to the ground.
Did you enjoy seeing Eryx and Meera team up?