Luna Lupis
By Fleggle
PROLOUGE: Luna Parvulus
Summer, the warmest of the four seasons, a time of merriment and a time of relaxation. A time where people of all walks of life come together and bask in the warm, soothing glow of that big ball of fire otherwise known as the sun. The young and the old frolicking about with great vigour amongst the vibrant, green flora. There was however a young child, a girl with golden hair, who sat alone, away from every other person, beneath a great oak tree.
Now it was not clear who this girl was, or where she had come from; her parents died shortly after her birth and she had no other family of which to speak and no friends – people were wary of her. The girl was alone. So very alone. Yet, despite this, she was always smiling, a smile wider than all of the other children. Why? No one knows, it baffled them, so the people paid her no mind. Or, at least, that is what people thought. There was in fact someone with a deep interest in this child; a girl so peculiar is bound to pique the curiosity of... collectors.
Collectors were those among the people who have a voracious appetite for fulfilling their idle interest. Dangerous folk they were: they would acquire the 'item' no matter the cost. Human life? Genocide? Painful experiments? These people, if collectors are still considered human, would cross any line and knock down any boundary to get what they want. Collectors were not to be trifled with, and they had that poor, young girl in their sights.
The summer's day was coming to an an end as the sun slowly sank beneath the horizon, turning the sky a hue brilliant pink. As the night began to creep over the earth, chasing the light away, something else was creeping. A terrible, malicious entity roamed the land in search of something. Someone. It was after the golden-haired girl. The unknown creature was large and bestial in nature, dashing with powerful legs, it moved fast, faster than any vehicle of the time. Perhaps the creature was one of the many treasures the collectors had in their arsenal; they were not ones to dirty their hands with grunt work.
The beast had no rational thought, no moral restraint, it acted purely on impulse, desire. It ravaged through the village, ripping anyone and everyone limb from limb in search of the child. Really the girl was lucky, she did not have to undergo such a savage and pitiful end at the hands of the collectors. Yet, at the same time, she was also the most unfortunate of the lot for she was to be captured alive and become part of their 'collection'. Who knows what the collectors have planned for her.
Bodies littered the streets; one would think it was the site of some great battle. The creature neared the child it so desperately sought. It approached the oak tree where the girl spent all of her time, she even slept there. Closer, closer and closer still the beast marched. Upon finding her, the creature's persona was now that of a newborn pup, placid and gentle: the beast was a living oxymoron. It now picked up the child in its arms being ever so careful not to wake her. She hung over the beast's shoulders deep in dreaming, looking content and comfy.
CHAPTER 1:
Darkness. Everywhere. Enveloped by the great black, the hospital stood, alone in the night; the surgical tools casting frightful shadows upon the walls. “Another day passes and I still can’t remember a thing. How did I get here?” she let out a deep breath “I wish it all made sense.” The patient was a young girl who had lost all of her memory three months ago. Amnesia is a terrible affliction; it is, after-all, one's memories which defines their existance. Without memories, one cannot comprehend who they are and find little reason to go on. This girl was different however, no matter what she would not lose hope; her incredible tenacity drove her forward.
Footsteps were creeping down the empty corridor. They were getting closer to her. “Who’s there?” uttered the girl, her voice quivering like a frightened puppy. The door creaked opened, making a sound akin to that of a castles drawbridge as it slowly lowers. An ominous figure began to approach her. She screamed, but there was no one left to hear her. “Hey, hey, calm down if you would; is that any way to greet your knight in shining armour?” The man wore a long trench coat darker than a raven’s wing with his snow white hair which gleamed in the moonlight
The girl sat and stared for a moment, who was this man, what did he want, and more importantly, why did she find his cliché so enamouring?
“Can you answer that for yourself?” he retorted.
Turning away from the gentleman for the first time, realising the unfortunate truth that he was right: she did not even know her name.
“…No…” was all she could manage to say, she felt angry but there was nothing that she could do.
The young man placed his hand upon her face and tilted her head until their eyes were locked. “Don't have such a melancholic expression across your face, its no look for someone whom is as beautiful as you.”
“...I...I... Nice to meet you,” she was blushing and wore a small smile upon her face, Jonah had made her feel happy and like she mattered, that her existence had meaning, for the first time, as far as she was concerned, ever
“Now then I suppose you’ll be needing a name too, I can hardly walk around calling you girl. How about... Celeste? Appropriate don't you think my little angel” Jonah gave her a wink whilst a cheeky smirk was plastered across his face.
“I…” Celeste blushed,
“Well then, shall we get going?” Jonah clapped his hands together; he really is the impatient type, rushing a poor girl out of hospital as well.
“Where to, and why do you want me to come with you? I still have no idea who on earth you really are,” spouted Celeste, panting and shaking.
“All will be explained in due time, right now I just need you to trust me, please.”
“That’s a little vague, but I'll trust you. For now. I know I shouldn’t, but it doesn't appear that I have much choice in the matter do I?” The dazed look was gone from Celeste's face and now she spoke with confidence. Quickly getting dressed, and composing herself once more, she exited the macabre medical facility only to be greeted by the piercing chill
“So where to first Jonah,” enquired Celeste.
“We’re heading due south from here to a small village called Donn’Lo. It's quite a distance, you sure you’re up to walking?”
“Yes!” she said with a burning passion; if she was going to discover her lost memories she needed to be committed.
For a time, the duo walked in silence; Celeste had a multitude of questions for Jonah, yet she did not know where to begin; her mind was a bottleneck and all the things she wanted to say were stuck fast, unable to escape, so she remained quiet. Jonah also made no effort to speak; he was off in his own little world, happily puffing away at his cigarette. Phoenix, it was the only brand he would smoke for it had a particular blend of flavours which captivated him. Any other brand would simply not do. Not at all. It was the Phoenix which kept Jonah satisfied, without these he wasn't himself. Music may soothe the savage beast, but for him it was cigarettes.
However, not everyone was thrilled about the smoking, namely Celeste was rather sick of coughing constantly at the vile, grey cloud trailing Jonah making her journey less than pleasant.
“Jonah, could you please put out that tab, they’re bad for your health you know!” the silence had now broken, much like glass shattering upon a stone floor.
He ignored her comment, a comment he’d heard too many times and now it passed through his mind unregistered. Celeste did not take kindly to being ignored so coldly. She was not normally a confrontational person; shy, quiet and meek best described her. Jonah however had done the impossible; he had transformed her into a ferocious specimen of a woman. She rushed ahead of him, turned around hurriedly and snatched the cigarette from Jonah’s mouth with the speed and grace of a feline, before proceeding to toss it to the ground. Celeste angrily stamped and crushed it into the ground, long after any trace of a flame could be seen. Jonah gave the mound of ash an intense glare, then without any hit of concern he merely lit up another and continued to puff happily away. Now even more infuriated, Celeste stormed ahead of him, showing no sign of ever calming down. The long silence resumed.
After a tiring journey, Jonah and Celeste finally reached an inn where they were able to rest. The inn was anything but special; no swimming pool, only three rooms to speak of and terrible plumbing. It did however have a strange sort of charm which captured the hearts of weary travellers who passed through. The surrounding village was a lively market village bustling with people from all walks of life, going about their daily lives.
“Good morning Jonah, did you sleep well,” Celeste asked whilst rising from her bed, letting out a great yawn – she had slept well.
“Why yes, thank you. I’m going out to buy some supplies, would you like anything in particular?” Jonah asked, appearing rather groggy himself, a stark contrast to the man Celeste first saw in the hospital. He was now anything but lively.
Celeste rubbed her eyes as per the usual morning routine, “Could you buy me the news paper after all I was out of it for a long time and I want to see if I’ve missed anything?” she asked.
“Your wish is my command milady,” he said sarcastically, “…you may do whatever you want while I’m away, though, under no circumstances are you to leave the inn. Understand?” his tone was now much more serious, a tone his feminine companion did not think was possible for him.
Celeste was taken aback by his sudden mood shift, “Okay I’ll stay right here.”
With that Jonah left the room and headed outside.
Jonah walked down a small alley near the outskirts of Donn’Lo where a lone figure was standing, cigarette in hand. “Ya took ya time Joany boy, I was gettin’ worried ‘bout ya. Anyway ya got the package?” asked the man.
“Yes, I have her, tell the boss the plans going exactly as scheduled. I’ll get her to ‘the nest’ in a month or so, that is providing there aren’t any ‘inconveniences’ along the way,” replied Jonah.
“Ya had better, for your sake,” After the meeting Jonah began walking back to the inn when he saw a ghastly site; Celeste had left the inn and found herself in quite the sticky situation.
“Gwhararar! I have the lycan, now no one will be able to stop me!” a large stocky fellow held Celeste over his shoulders and began to carry her off down the road. “Let go of me you big ape! ( how very cliché, I feel like a damsel in distress from a fairy tale)” she thought to herself, “…(now all I need is my knight in shining armour…”
“You, the large one, put the girl down and I might let you live,” Jonah was glaring at the man with feral intensely.
“What’s a punk like you gonna do against me, eh?” he approached Jonah, squaring him in the eye. Jonah slowly unbuttoned his coat. It fluttered in the wind. He reached into a pocket. BANG! Goraz the ape man had been struck! Jonah blew the smoke from the barrel of his golden revolver. “Don’t say I didn’t warn you,” he said smugly. He returned his duelling pistol back into its holster and began advancing towards Goraz’s corpse. Tap, tap, tap… Goraz’s eyes opened and he sprang into the air at an incredible velocity. “No, this isn’t possible! How could he have survived that shot, I struck him through his heart…” Jonah pondered to himself. Celeste lay unconscious on the ground; Jonah ran towards her to get her to safety. “OH NO YOU DON’T! IF I CANT HAVE THE LYCAN THEN NO ONE SHALL!” bellowed Goraz as he began plummeting down to earth at an exponential speed heading straight for Jonah and Celeste. He didn’t have much time to act. Jonah quickly positioned himself directly between Celeste and Goraz. Once again he took his gun from his coat. Goraz was 300m away. Jonah put a crimson bullet into the chamber of his revolver. Goraz was 100m away. Jonah took careful aim and fired. This time the bullet worked, tearing through the ape man from head to toe. “That was close. Who was he and how did he know Celeste’s true identity? I’ll have to ask around and see what I can dig up,” Jonah lights a cigarette and takes a deep breath in.
***
“Hmm, mm. Oh hello, back from your shopping so soon?” Celeste asked Jonah after regaining consciousness. He gave her a hard stare back.
“Don’t act like you don’t remember, you left this room when I explicitly told you not to. You were almost killed Celeste.” He replied in a harsh yet emotional tone.
“I was curious. You seem to have forgotten that I was stuck in a hospital bed for goodness knows how long, I wanted to see if the world had changed that’s all.”
“Well next time tell me if you plan to do such a thing.”
“Yeah, yeah, I will. Oh, I have a couple of questions for you.”
“Go on.”
She paused for a moment to gather her thoughts, Celeste then asked: “Why is it always so dark I mean it doesn’t seem like there’s a sun anymore, and another thing, what did monkey man mean when he said that I’m ‘Sheena?” Celeste had a perplexed look plastered across her face.
Jonah looked at her for a moment, gave her a smile: “I’ll tell you all about it in the morning don’t you worry your pretty little head about it. For now though lets eat! I don’t know about you, but I’m famished.”
“Seems like you’re dodging the question; why is it that men never want to sit down and talk? Though I suppose its been a while since I’ve had a good meal,” Celeste smiled back at Jonah.
“Ha. Well then I shall put the pan on and cook us up something.” He headed into the kitchen and started frying some rice and chicken…
After the meal the duo both went to sleep but were rudely awakened by incessant knocking upon the door. “Open up ya tramps’! ya aint paid your rental fee! Pay up now or I’m kicking ya both oot!” the inn keeper was rather disgruntled.
“There is no need to get so riled up good sir, I have your money right… here…,” Jonah’s wallet was barer than old mother Hubbard’s cupboard.
“That’s it! Both of ya out now! This ain’t no inn for squatters! Come back when ya got some dough,” the man left the room mumbling to himself. Jonah packed up what few belongs he had and woke up the half-asleep Celeste.
“Rise and shine sleeping beauty, time to get up,” Jonah said loudly. She groggily tossed and turned until she fell out of bed. “Ow, ow, owww!” Celste had hurt her head on the floor.
“Pack your bags, we’re leaving soon,” Jonah announced.
They left the inn post-haste and roamed around the village till they found a tavern: The Tortoise and the Hare.
“I thought we were doing some investigating, not going for a quick pint?” inquired Celeste.
“Ha. Don’t worry we are; a very good contact of mine comes here often. If any one can shed light on your past its him, ” answered Jonah.
“Hey aren’t you going to tell me abou- ”
“See you inside,” Jonah interrupted. He then hurriedly entered the pub.
“GRR! That man, always dodging questions! Well, I suppose it does give him a certain flair, tee-hee. Oh god, what am I saying don’t tell me I’m getting a crush on him!? Ahem… well don’t want to keep him waiting” And so, slightly flustered, Celeste soon followed Jonah inside.
The moment Celeste stepped foot inside the suffocating stench of smoke hit her. The were many people, mostly men, in the room. They were slumpped over the table like string-less puppets. “ You sure your contact is in here Jonah? This place looks like a cess pit,” remarked Celeste disapprovingly. Jonah ignored the snide comment and headed in the direction of the bar.
“Hey there Ando, give me a long island black tulip; and for the little lady a Vermillion rose.” Ordered Jonah.
“Comin’ right up mate.” Ando grabbed two glasses from the shelf and began pouring out the drinks; the way he did it made it seem like an art form. “So what brings you back to this neck of the woods? Trouble with the law?” curiously asked Ando. Jonah looked to his left as to hint at Celeste. “Ah a problem with your woman. You old dog you.” Joked the barman. Celeste blushed.
“I’ll explain later, all I can say now is: I need to speak with ‘Melchior’.” Jonah was now speaking quietly as if to make sure no-one was listening.
“It must be serious if you need his assistance. Follow me,” instructed Ando; he walked down to the opposite end of the bar which lead him to a door, he unlocked it and went into the passageway. “Now Celeste, I want you to stay here, ok? And this time don’t go running off on your own, please,” politely asked Jonah.
“Well I suppose so, but don’t be long; this place smells funny and the man over there keeps looking at me,” she complained.
“Ha! Have fun.” Jonah hopped over the bar and followed the barman.
Jonah and Ando walked along the dimly lit corridor, their footsteps echoing into the distance. Eventually they came to the end of the passage but it was a dead end, or at least it seemed to be at first until Ando reached out and pushed a stone into the wall. The wall in front of the duo vanished into the ground; the corridor continued further on still as dark as the dead of night.
They walked on, further and further, deeper and deeper yet the seemed to be no end in sight. At long last Ando and Jonah arrived at a door upon which there was a sign. It read: ‘Melchior’s domain- enter at ones own peril’.
“Ha. I see he hasn’t changed a bit; he really enjoys messing with people doesn’t he,” Jonah began to chuckle.
“Got that right mate, heh. Just wait ‘til you actually go inside,” Ando replied.
The room wasn’t a luxurious paradise (as one might expect of one so highly esteemed) but a small, dimly lit hell hole. It was empty. No lights, no furniture. Nothing. Well there was something; a flickering candle which cast eerie shapes over the walls; and in the corner was a single chair, old and withered. Melchior sat on this chair, puffing his pipe like a chimney.
“Magi of the North, I require your services,” Jonah asked with the best English he could muster.
“My, my, my. Its been so long since anyone has called me a Magi; you see not many people have need for one such as I these days,” Melchior cackled to himself.
“Hold on. You seem to have aged beyond your years. How is that possible?” Jonah was taken aback by Melchior’s condition.
“Well where to begin. Ahh yes. You see it was about three months ago…”
***
Celeste sat at the bar, stirring her drink with her finger. She sighed deeply: “Once again he leaves me behind whilst he does everything. Its my past that we’re attempting to piece together so I think I should be able to hear everything for myself. Right! That’s it! I’m going to follow him whether he likes it or not!” she thought to herself. She jumped up from her seat in a frustrated manner, hopped over the bar and followed Ando and Jonah down the dark corridor.
Celeste sauntered down the corridor making sure to keep her distance from Jonah, but also close enough as not to lose sight of him. Luckily for her the shadows hid her well should she be heard following the pair. Celeste was growing weary of walking down steps and along pitch-black crevices. “God, how long does this bloody corridor go on for!” she was getting very agitated; patience definitely wasn’t her strong suit, though despite that she trudged on forward.
After about an hour, and a great deal of walking, Celeste had finally reached the end. “A door. I’ll bet Jonah and Ando are on the other side along with…” she read the name on the door; “… Melchior? I have the strangest feeling I’ve heard of him, but the only person I’ve seen since my accident are the hospital staff and Jonah and no one has mentioned Melchior,” Celeste pondered over this for a moment until she heard murmuring inside the room, immediately she pressed her ear against the door.
“…it was ten years ago and I was on the job, though the task which had been given to me seemed rather unusual; I had been asked to capture a young girl….” Celeste’s heart skipped a beat.
“Could that girl have been… me?!” she thought to herself, now she was listening more contently to the discussion.
Melchior continued: “Now at first I thought this mission to be simple, but I was sadly mistaken. You see this girl was a chimera or more specifically a Lycanthrope. They are such vicious creatures Jonah! Abominations! They laid this curse upon me, now I can never reclaim my youth! However, I was successful in my mission and managed to capture the girl, or rather the ‘guinea pig’.”
“What do you mean Melchior, you can’t be serious!?” Jonah was very flustered at this information.
“I tell no lies, the Lycans are attempting to create a virus to spread their bloodline into humans! And the girl I captured is the incubator”
Celeste was speechless, trembling in fear that her whole life was just for the purpose of some sick experiment; her life was meaningless. Why should she go on living? Celeste bravely held back the tears and silently walked away from the door which now seemed cold and menacing, it held a truth she was unable to face. It stood there taunting her, laughing as she moved into the distance.
“Hmm I’d say we still have maybe a week or so before the Lycan virus fully infects her system, we need to hurry Jonah! Take her to see Casper in Spira he may offer more insight into the matter. Now go! Gods speed!”
CHAPTER 2
The howling winds blew violently, tossing leaves up into the air, whirling round and round. The sun laid low in the sky, welcoming the coming night. Jonah and Celeste had been travelling north towards the glacial city of Spira.
“How much further Jonah? We’ve been walking for hours, in silence I might say, it wouldn’t kill you to talk you know,” Celeste was looking very crestfallen.
“Ok, ok. I’m sorry, I’ll make it up to you. How about we rest for the night in that cavern in those hills, not exactly five star luxury but it’ll do for now,” he stared deep into Celeste’s eyes, she began to blush.
“Thank you. I appreciate it,” They both walked towards the ominous looking cave; although it looked threatening, it was better than being in the freezing wilderness surrounded by ferocious beasts and dark shadows which consumed the land.
The interior of the cave was damp and dingy, horrible and smelt putrid like rotten meat.
“Ugh what is that god awful stench!?”
“Ha. That’s the great outdoors, ain’t it grand?” Jonah said sarcastically.
“Humph. I don’t need your stupid jokes ok. Ive got enough to deal with as it is, so just leave me alone!” Celeste was getting very passionate, almost in tears.
“Relax, get some rest and we’ll sort it out later, alright?” He reached over and put his hand on her shoulder.
“Go away! Since I met you my life has gotten worse! I was happy in the hospital and then you come and take me away, I should never have come with you! Now I find out im some sort of freak experiment, that I’m some sort of animal! Get lost! I’d rather take my chance out there on my own,” she ran out of the cave, holding back her tears.
“Very well,” Jonah replied, although Celeste could not hear…
A few hours had passed since Celeste had fled the cave, she was cold tired and hungry. The sky was a deep blue colour and the moon was full but hidden by the lingering clouds. Unknown to Celeste, there was someone following her. Creeping in her shadow, quiet as a mouse. The stalker was swiftly approaching Celeste. It was behind her.
“Purrr, hello there. I believe you are Sheena, correct,” the figure had confronted Celeste.
“N-no. W-who, W-what are you?” she was very scared of this stranger.
“How rude of myself, I do apologize. My name is Violetta, however most know me as the Black Panther, CHIMERA’s premier assassin,” she curtsied.
Celeste was breathless; standing before her was a tall, panther woman.
“A-are you real?”
“Indeed I am. Haven’t you learned how to transform yet,” inquired Violetta.
“Good joke. I think you’ve got the wrong person, I’m just your typical girl,” Celeste was trembling with fear and denial, her eyes staring deep into the eyes of the panther woman.
“Well that won’t do now will it? Here allow me to help you,” she grabbed her arm and pulled up her sleeve to reveal a tattoo, the mark of the beast. Celeste struggled free.
“What on earth do you think you’re doing?” but before Violetta could answer, Celeste’s tattoo began to glow.
“No, no! This isn’t real! Stop it! What have you done to me?!” Just as she had finished speaking her jaw and nose began to elongate. Her bones were cracking, extending, tearing her clothes to shreds. Iron grey hair was creeping over her body, enveloping her. Pointed ears were protruding from her head. She yelped out in pain, no longer able to speak a human tongue.
Jonah sighed heavily “I’m too late! Now I have no choice left I’ll have to take her down myself,” he threw down his long, black trench coat to the ground with a thud. He was clenching his signature silver revolver tightly; it glistened in the moonlight.
“I only have a single stun bullet so I’ll have to make this shot count, because if I miss… May God have mercy on our souls.”
Jonah stared deep into Celeste’s fearsome eyes, pools of vibrant yellow. The pair sized each other up, circling a small area on the ground; this is where they would do battle. Celeste charged at Jonah without warning but fortunately he dodged and retaliated with a devastating left hook. Celeste was unfazed by this attack and merely shook it off. “Oh dear, perhaps this is going to be more difficult than I had expected,” Jonah commented. The she-wolf charged again this time Celeste hit; Jonah’s blood staining his snow-white hair. “Damn you woman, do something!” He yelled in desperation to Violetta. “You can keep up with her better than I can, grab her!” She looked surprised.
“Like I’d help you, in case you’ve forgotten I’m here to make sure she kills you. But… I wouldn’t mind pitting my skills against this beast. Very well, I shall help,” Violetta hastily ran at Celeste, sidestepping left and right during her approach.
Jonah and his new partner both attacked Celeste in a synchronised assault, and managed to pin her down. Jonah held up his revolver; it glistened in the moonlight. “Good night sweetheart,” he pulled the trigger and the bullet surged into Celeste. She cried out in agony, the tranquilizer was taking effect. Slowy but surely her bones were cracking and shrinking back to their original, human, form. The fur retracted back beneath her skin. And finally, the tattoo faded away as though it was never there…
“Well, I’m pleased it all worked out. So Violetta, are you leaving now, or would you strike an injured man?” asked Jonah; dusting himself off and polishing his gun.
“…Yes… I shall take my leave, but know this Jonah: I will return and I will kill you!” At that she vanished into the night, moving like a shadow.
Jonah breathed heavily. The air was cold and thin. The wind howled, blowing the dust up into the sky. He gazed up at the stars; the moon glistened in the milky twilight high above the earth, shining down with a magnificent glow. There was not a soul in sight, nor sign of civilisation. Nothing but the wilderness and the open road. “Ah, no matter what happens there is one thing that remains the same: the beauty of nature,” Jonah sighed again and carried on walking.
He walked on for a good many miles until, at last, he collapsed due to his fatigue. The two lay there, unconscious and exhausted, and completely vulnerable…
Clomp, clomp, clomp. A large figure advanced on them from the shadows and dragged them off into a small crevice which had a lighted fire; a beacon of hope for those lost in the night.
The strange figure was draped in a long, tatty cloak, covering its whole body like a caterpillar inside a cocoon. Jonah and Celeste lay down near the fire wrapped up nice and snugly with a thick woollen cloth. Celeste began to toss and turn. “*Yawn* Mmm… where am I?” The figure jumped back and hid behind a rock. “Hey there, thank you for taking us in from the cold, and don’t be afraid, I wont bite,” She smiled gently at the stranger, and the figure crept closer to Celeste. “That’s it come here.” She gestured the being to come closer. However, the strangers cloak snagged on a rock which jutted out from the wall. The cloak fell to the floor revealing a young, slender girl with some very unique features. “….!” The girl grimaced and stared at Celeste who was speechless, for the girl had what appeared to be antennae protruding from her head. She had large circular eyes upon her face. From her waist there grew a second pair of arms, responsive as the other set she had. And there, poking out from the base of her spine was what appeared to be a thorax, coloured red, green and black.. All that remained of her clothes were ragged and ripped pieces of cotton barely covering her body. What a shame it was for her to have such disfigurations for she was once a beautiful young girl, now a mutant. “Oh… my! What has happened to you!?” Celeste was scared yet concerned.
The young girl scurried over to retrieve her cloak and covered herself once more. “They… did things to me… horrible… things. They did… this to me. A… freak, everyone called me. Forced… out here. So… very… alone.” The girl began to whimper.
Celeste moved over to her and put her arms around her and gently rocked her side to side like a mother cradling her child. “Shh don’t be scared. I’ll help you. Somehow. Anyway I can. I’m like you, although you wouldn’t know it. And Jonah over there he’s the nicest man I’ve ever met, I’m sure he’d help you too!” Celeste let go of the girl and brushed down her cloak. “It’s a shame you hide such a pretty face from the world,” she winked at the girl, “…now tell me, what’s your name? Oh, my name is Celeste by the way.”
The girl wiped the tears from her eyes, “My… name is…,” she paused for a moment for it had been such a long time since anyone had asked her, “… Anna.”
“Well then Anna I think its time we got back to sleep don’t you?” Celeste yawned heavily and shuffled back to her cloth, wrapped her self up and went soundly to sleep. Anna did not conceal herself with her cloak again and instead kicked it out of the cave, throwing away the defence she had from the outside world; just as Celeste had done, Anna rested her weary head and drifted off, with a smile plastered across her face; for the first time in her life she was happy…
Jonah had remained silent whilst the two girls talked, but now they were asleep he took this chance to slip away. Ever so quietly he gathered his coat and weapons and exited the homely cave, took one last look inside and went on his way. “Don’t worry, I wont be gone long my dear Celeste. I just need to take care of some business,” Jonah whispered to himself.
Morning had broken and the sun was low in the sky, shepherding the coming day. The light was bursting into Anna’s cave bringing it to life. A peculiar thing happened to Anna when the sunlight brushed her body: it reversed her transformation. Her extra appendages retracted back into her torso, her antennae vanished from her head leaving only her mahogany hair. Her eyes became more human, deep blue pools of sapphire. Then, finally, her thorax curled back up into her being. Anna was once again a human. However, she can only retain her humanity in sunlight otherwise she reverts back to the hideous insect creature of the night.
“Ah, good morning Anna, how are yo-,” Celeste was surprised to find Anna human again, but then she thought back to her transformation and shrugged it off.
Anna now looked like a petite beauty, her auburn hair swaying in the gentle breeze. “…Yes… thank you… I’m… fine. How… are… you,” she stuttered.
“Couldn’t be better!” Celeste smiled at Anna and the glanced to her side and noticed a small piece of paper where Jonah had been sleeping. “Where has that man gone off to now?” she mumbled to herself; Celeste began to read the note: ‘To my little angel, I have an urgent matter to attend to and wont be back for quite sometime I’m afraid. I shall meet you in Spira in 6 days in a bar named: C’est la vie. Oh and I suggest you and that other girl work on your combat skills since you don’t have me around to protect you. Ha. Learn to transform at will and then and only then venture out of the cave area. Ciao bambina.’
“Ergh. The nerve of him!” Celeste threw down the paper and stamped on it in anger. “Tell me Anna, do you know how to transform at will? ‘cos I don’t know!” she was slightly flustered at the prospect of turning into that… beast again.
“N-no… s-sorry…but I’ll…help you…work…it out.” Anna strained a smile.
The duo left the cave and climbed above it onto a great plateau, raring to learn the art of transformation. “Ok now where to begin…” Celeste thought for a moment, “…ok, lets concentrate hard on what we need to achieve, try and manifest that into a physical shape, that being the transformation,” she was surprised that such wise words left her lips; Celeste smiled, proud of her feat.
Anna nodded and closed her eyes, as did Celeste. They stood in silence both deep in thought, trying to unleash the beast within. After an hour or so something finally began to happen! Fur was creeping down Celeste’s arms and legs, her ears becoming pointed. However this is the limit to what she would achieve. Anna too had some success, her antennae popped out of her head once more and her thorax was once again visible. “Hey look we did it! Well nearly!,” Celeste was jumping with joy, “… but how do we change back?!” Her joy had now turned to panic. Anna shrugged, and was curious too how to revert back to normal. “Ok we just need to… erm… I’m not actually too sure,” Celeste began to panic and trembled with fear “Nooo, I cant go around looking like a… like a beast! I’ll be shunned out casted…” she was lost in her little drama when Anna brought her back to her senses. “Um… couldn’t we…just um… retrace our… steps.” Celeste became bright eyed at this idea and a smile was plastered across her face. “Oh yes! Anna you’re a genius.” The two girls repeated the process which allowed them to transform into their primal, animalistic selves, except this time in reverse. The girls visualised their changes disappearing, fur receding, limbs returning to their original length. Finally, with a feeling of relief, the girls were once again normal. “Oh thank God it worked! Now, I don’t know about you Anna, but I’m quite hungry! What do you say we get some lunch?” Anna nodded haphazardly and they headed off into the wilderness in hopes of finding a meal; a perfect opportunity to practice their newly acquired skills.
CHAPTER 3:
Jonah stepped calmly towards the towering gates of Spira, enveloped by his dark, coat. Their icy iron irradiating conspiracy & terrible horror. The impenetrable metal gates lock all secrets within: nothing escapes these walls. “Hmph. I think its about time I broke down these walls,” he lit a cigarette, took a deep puff in, filling his lungs with smoke and entered the city. The people of Spira usually kept to themselves, didn’t give a regard for anyone else only looking out for number one. But despite this, as Jonah walked past them fear manifested itself in their eyes. “Ha ha ha ha ha ha! You all remember me then it seems! Oh its been a very long time indeed my friends. Did you miss me?” Jonah almost seemed a different person, loud and obnoxious. “Aw come now there’s no need to be so coy, come on out and give uncle Jonah a big hug.” He had a look of dark intent within his eyes as he spoke. All of a sudden he immediately ducked throwing his trench coat up into the air; it fluttered majestically on the gently breeze. Two large daggers were caught by the coat. A lone figure appeared behind Jonah, the figure moved like lightening yet was silent and subtle; it was someone to be feared. Quickly again the figure moved this time face to face with Jonah. “Dear me and here I thought that you’d gotten rusty after all this time. At least your assassination wont be a complete bore,” the strange man licked the blade as though the prospect of killing would be exciting. “What! What do you mean? Who has authorised this order!?” Jonah, seemingly for the first time broke his cool and was trembling, most likely from fear. “Haven’t you ever heard of client confidentially? No, no, I cant be telling you that, I’ll kill you now if you don’t mind.” He gave a small sadistic smirk then unsheathed his dark metal dagger which shone dully in the afternoon sun.
“Damn you Judas!” Jonah screamed, he then began running down the street eyeing left and right, up and down desperately looking for cover. Seeing a market stall he pushed it over and jumped behind it immediately. Judas laughed loudly and gave chase down the street, periodically strafing side to side as to avoid Jonah’s devastating gunfire, however the blade toting assassin was far too quick for Jonah to hit. Judas dashed towards him attempting to strike but Jonah dodged escaping with nothing more than a scratch. “Damn, the only way I can win this is to use ‘that bullet’ though I’d rather not after all it may drag in all of these innocents” he thought to himself; his personality back to his caring persona. “No, I think its time I stopped playing dirty and fought like a man. You hear me Judas!? You’ve forced me to draw my sword, I hope you have made final peace with the world because this spells the end of you!” Jonah stood up from where he was hiding, and dropped his revolver; it landed with a thud dispersing a small amount of the earth around it. He walked over to where his coat had fallen, now dirtied with dust. Once dusting it off, Jonah removed from the pocket a small object which appeared to be the grip of a sword; it was of course missing a blade. “Jonah you intend to fight me in a duel without a blade? You’ve gone crazy old frien-” before he could finish out from the handle shone a brilliant light in the form of a blade, a heavenly glow. “Penitentia: a fitting name for my weapon. The sword of heaven in the hands of a devil, ironic don’t you think?” he took a step forward then proceeded to walk right up to Judas. “Goodbye,” Jonah drove the divine blade through his foe’s chest before he even had time to blink. Judas’ body began to break up, dissolve almost, disappearing into the air. “Judgement has been passed. I only hope your soul may find peace, you’re free of this whole sordid affair now, unfortunately I must continue on. I cannot die until I save that young girl…” Judas closed his eyes and vanished, it was as though he never existed in the first place.
Summer, the warmest of the four seasons, a time of merriment and a time of relaxation. A time where people of all walks of life come together and bask in the warm, soothing glow of that big ball of fire otherwise known as the sun. The young and the old frolicking about with great vigour amongst the vibrant, green flora. There was however a young child, a girl with golden hair, who sat alone, away from every other person, beneath a great oak tree.
Now it was not clear who this girl was, or where she had come from; her parents died shortly after her birth and she had no other family of which to speak and no friends – people were wary of her. The girl was alone. So very alone. Yet, despite this, she was always smiling, a smile wider than all of the other children. Why? No one knows, it baffled them, so the people paid her no mind. Or, at least, that is what people thought. There was in fact someone with a deep interest in this child; a girl so peculiar is bound to pique the curiosity of... collectors.
Collectors were those among the people who have a voracious appetite for fulfilling their idle interest. Dangerous folk they were: they would acquire the 'item' no matter the cost. Human life? Genocide? Painful experiments? These people, if collectors are still considered human, would cross any line and knock down any boundary to get what they want. Collectors were not to be trifled with, and they had that poor, young girl in their sights.
The summer's day was coming to an an end as the sun slowly sank beneath the horizon, turning the sky a hue brilliant pink. As the night began to creep over the earth, chasing the light away, something else was creeping. A terrible, malicious entity roamed the land in search of something. Someone. It was after the golden-haired girl. The unknown creature was large and bestial in nature, dashing with powerful legs, it moved fast, faster than any vehicle of the time. Perhaps the creature was one of the many treasures the collectors had in their arsenal; they were not ones to dirty their hands with grunt work.
The beast had no rational thought, no moral restraint, it acted purely on impulse, desire. It ravaged through the village, ripping anyone and everyone limb from limb in search of the child. Really the girl was lucky, she did not have to undergo such a savage and pitiful end at the hands of the collectors. Yet, at the same time, she was also the most unfortunate of the lot for she was to be captured alive and become part of their 'collection'. Who knows what the collectors have planned for her.
Bodies littered the streets; one would think it was the site of some great battle. The creature neared the child it so desperately sought. It approached the oak tree where the girl spent all of her time, she even slept there. Closer, closer and closer still the beast marched. Upon finding her, the creature's persona was now that of a newborn pup, placid and gentle: the beast was a living oxymoron. It now picked up the child in its arms being ever so careful not to wake her. She hung over the beast's shoulders deep in dreaming, looking content and comfy.
CHAPTER 1:
Darkness. Everywhere. Enveloped by the great black, the hospital stood, alone in the night; the surgical tools casting frightful shadows upon the walls. “Another day passes and I still can’t remember a thing. How did I get here?” she let out a deep breath “I wish it all made sense.” The patient was a young girl who had lost all of her memory three months ago. Amnesia is a terrible affliction; it is, after-all, one's memories which defines their existance. Without memories, one cannot comprehend who they are and find little reason to go on. This girl was different however, no matter what she would not lose hope; her incredible tenacity drove her forward.
Footsteps were creeping down the empty corridor. They were getting closer to her. “Who’s there?” uttered the girl, her voice quivering like a frightened puppy. The door creaked opened, making a sound akin to that of a castles drawbridge as it slowly lowers. An ominous figure began to approach her. She screamed, but there was no one left to hear her. “Hey, hey, calm down if you would; is that any way to greet your knight in shining armour?” The man wore a long trench coat darker than a raven’s wing with his snow white hair which gleamed in the moonlight
The girl sat and stared for a moment, who was this man, what did he want, and more importantly, why did she find his cliché so enamouring?
“Can you answer that for yourself?” he retorted.
Turning away from the gentleman for the first time, realising the unfortunate truth that he was right: she did not even know her name.
“…No…” was all she could manage to say, she felt angry but there was nothing that she could do.
The young man placed his hand upon her face and tilted her head until their eyes were locked. “Don't have such a melancholic expression across your face, its no look for someone whom is as beautiful as you.”
“...I...I... Nice to meet you,” she was blushing and wore a small smile upon her face, Jonah had made her feel happy and like she mattered, that her existence had meaning, for the first time, as far as she was concerned, ever
“Now then I suppose you’ll be needing a name too, I can hardly walk around calling you girl. How about... Celeste? Appropriate don't you think my little angel” Jonah gave her a wink whilst a cheeky smirk was plastered across his face.
“I…” Celeste blushed,
“Well then, shall we get going?” Jonah clapped his hands together; he really is the impatient type, rushing a poor girl out of hospital as well.
“Where to, and why do you want me to come with you? I still have no idea who on earth you really are,” spouted Celeste, panting and shaking.
“All will be explained in due time, right now I just need you to trust me, please.”
“That’s a little vague, but I'll trust you. For now. I know I shouldn’t, but it doesn't appear that I have much choice in the matter do I?” The dazed look was gone from Celeste's face and now she spoke with confidence. Quickly getting dressed, and composing herself once more, she exited the macabre medical facility only to be greeted by the piercing chill
“So where to first Jonah,” enquired Celeste.
“We’re heading due south from here to a small village called Donn’Lo. It's quite a distance, you sure you’re up to walking?”
“Yes!” she said with a burning passion; if she was going to discover her lost memories she needed to be committed.
For a time, the duo walked in silence; Celeste had a multitude of questions for Jonah, yet she did not know where to begin; her mind was a bottleneck and all the things she wanted to say were stuck fast, unable to escape, so she remained quiet. Jonah also made no effort to speak; he was off in his own little world, happily puffing away at his cigarette. Phoenix, it was the only brand he would smoke for it had a particular blend of flavours which captivated him. Any other brand would simply not do. Not at all. It was the Phoenix which kept Jonah satisfied, without these he wasn't himself. Music may soothe the savage beast, but for him it was cigarettes.
However, not everyone was thrilled about the smoking, namely Celeste was rather sick of coughing constantly at the vile, grey cloud trailing Jonah making her journey less than pleasant.
“Jonah, could you please put out that tab, they’re bad for your health you know!” the silence had now broken, much like glass shattering upon a stone floor.
He ignored her comment, a comment he’d heard too many times and now it passed through his mind unregistered. Celeste did not take kindly to being ignored so coldly. She was not normally a confrontational person; shy, quiet and meek best described her. Jonah however had done the impossible; he had transformed her into a ferocious specimen of a woman. She rushed ahead of him, turned around hurriedly and snatched the cigarette from Jonah’s mouth with the speed and grace of a feline, before proceeding to toss it to the ground. Celeste angrily stamped and crushed it into the ground, long after any trace of a flame could be seen. Jonah gave the mound of ash an intense glare, then without any hit of concern he merely lit up another and continued to puff happily away. Now even more infuriated, Celeste stormed ahead of him, showing no sign of ever calming down. The long silence resumed.
After a tiring journey, Jonah and Celeste finally reached an inn where they were able to rest. The inn was anything but special; no swimming pool, only three rooms to speak of and terrible plumbing. It did however have a strange sort of charm which captured the hearts of weary travellers who passed through. The surrounding village was a lively market village bustling with people from all walks of life, going about their daily lives.
“Good morning Jonah, did you sleep well,” Celeste asked whilst rising from her bed, letting out a great yawn – she had slept well.
“Why yes, thank you. I’m going out to buy some supplies, would you like anything in particular?” Jonah asked, appearing rather groggy himself, a stark contrast to the man Celeste first saw in the hospital. He was now anything but lively.
Celeste rubbed her eyes as per the usual morning routine, “Could you buy me the news paper after all I was out of it for a long time and I want to see if I’ve missed anything?” she asked.
“Your wish is my command milady,” he said sarcastically, “…you may do whatever you want while I’m away, though, under no circumstances are you to leave the inn. Understand?” his tone was now much more serious, a tone his feminine companion did not think was possible for him.
Celeste was taken aback by his sudden mood shift, “Okay I’ll stay right here.”
With that Jonah left the room and headed outside.
Jonah walked down a small alley near the outskirts of Donn’Lo where a lone figure was standing, cigarette in hand. “Ya took ya time Joany boy, I was gettin’ worried ‘bout ya. Anyway ya got the package?” asked the man.
“Yes, I have her, tell the boss the plans going exactly as scheduled. I’ll get her to ‘the nest’ in a month or so, that is providing there aren’t any ‘inconveniences’ along the way,” replied Jonah.
“Ya had better, for your sake,” After the meeting Jonah began walking back to the inn when he saw a ghastly site; Celeste had left the inn and found herself in quite the sticky situation.
“Gwhararar! I have the lycan, now no one will be able to stop me!” a large stocky fellow held Celeste over his shoulders and began to carry her off down the road. “Let go of me you big ape! ( how very cliché, I feel like a damsel in distress from a fairy tale)” she thought to herself, “…(now all I need is my knight in shining armour…”
“You, the large one, put the girl down and I might let you live,” Jonah was glaring at the man with feral intensely.
“What’s a punk like you gonna do against me, eh?” he approached Jonah, squaring him in the eye. Jonah slowly unbuttoned his coat. It fluttered in the wind. He reached into a pocket. BANG! Goraz the ape man had been struck! Jonah blew the smoke from the barrel of his golden revolver. “Don’t say I didn’t warn you,” he said smugly. He returned his duelling pistol back into its holster and began advancing towards Goraz’s corpse. Tap, tap, tap… Goraz’s eyes opened and he sprang into the air at an incredible velocity. “No, this isn’t possible! How could he have survived that shot, I struck him through his heart…” Jonah pondered to himself. Celeste lay unconscious on the ground; Jonah ran towards her to get her to safety. “OH NO YOU DON’T! IF I CANT HAVE THE LYCAN THEN NO ONE SHALL!” bellowed Goraz as he began plummeting down to earth at an exponential speed heading straight for Jonah and Celeste. He didn’t have much time to act. Jonah quickly positioned himself directly between Celeste and Goraz. Once again he took his gun from his coat. Goraz was 300m away. Jonah put a crimson bullet into the chamber of his revolver. Goraz was 100m away. Jonah took careful aim and fired. This time the bullet worked, tearing through the ape man from head to toe. “That was close. Who was he and how did he know Celeste’s true identity? I’ll have to ask around and see what I can dig up,” Jonah lights a cigarette and takes a deep breath in.
***
“Hmm, mm. Oh hello, back from your shopping so soon?” Celeste asked Jonah after regaining consciousness. He gave her a hard stare back.
“Don’t act like you don’t remember, you left this room when I explicitly told you not to. You were almost killed Celeste.” He replied in a harsh yet emotional tone.
“I was curious. You seem to have forgotten that I was stuck in a hospital bed for goodness knows how long, I wanted to see if the world had changed that’s all.”
“Well next time tell me if you plan to do such a thing.”
“Yeah, yeah, I will. Oh, I have a couple of questions for you.”
“Go on.”
She paused for a moment to gather her thoughts, Celeste then asked: “Why is it always so dark I mean it doesn’t seem like there’s a sun anymore, and another thing, what did monkey man mean when he said that I’m ‘Sheena?” Celeste had a perplexed look plastered across her face.
Jonah looked at her for a moment, gave her a smile: “I’ll tell you all about it in the morning don’t you worry your pretty little head about it. For now though lets eat! I don’t know about you, but I’m famished.”
“Seems like you’re dodging the question; why is it that men never want to sit down and talk? Though I suppose its been a while since I’ve had a good meal,” Celeste smiled back at Jonah.
“Ha. Well then I shall put the pan on and cook us up something.” He headed into the kitchen and started frying some rice and chicken…
After the meal the duo both went to sleep but were rudely awakened by incessant knocking upon the door. “Open up ya tramps’! ya aint paid your rental fee! Pay up now or I’m kicking ya both oot!” the inn keeper was rather disgruntled.
“There is no need to get so riled up good sir, I have your money right… here…,” Jonah’s wallet was barer than old mother Hubbard’s cupboard.
“That’s it! Both of ya out now! This ain’t no inn for squatters! Come back when ya got some dough,” the man left the room mumbling to himself. Jonah packed up what few belongs he had and woke up the half-asleep Celeste.
“Rise and shine sleeping beauty, time to get up,” Jonah said loudly. She groggily tossed and turned until she fell out of bed. “Ow, ow, owww!” Celste had hurt her head on the floor.
“Pack your bags, we’re leaving soon,” Jonah announced.
They left the inn post-haste and roamed around the village till they found a tavern: The Tortoise and the Hare.
“I thought we were doing some investigating, not going for a quick pint?” inquired Celeste.
“Ha. Don’t worry we are; a very good contact of mine comes here often. If any one can shed light on your past its him, ” answered Jonah.
“Hey aren’t you going to tell me abou- ”
“See you inside,” Jonah interrupted. He then hurriedly entered the pub.
“GRR! That man, always dodging questions! Well, I suppose it does give him a certain flair, tee-hee. Oh god, what am I saying don’t tell me I’m getting a crush on him!? Ahem… well don’t want to keep him waiting” And so, slightly flustered, Celeste soon followed Jonah inside.
The moment Celeste stepped foot inside the suffocating stench of smoke hit her. The were many people, mostly men, in the room. They were slumpped over the table like string-less puppets. “ You sure your contact is in here Jonah? This place looks like a cess pit,” remarked Celeste disapprovingly. Jonah ignored the snide comment and headed in the direction of the bar.
“Hey there Ando, give me a long island black tulip; and for the little lady a Vermillion rose.” Ordered Jonah.
“Comin’ right up mate.” Ando grabbed two glasses from the shelf and began pouring out the drinks; the way he did it made it seem like an art form. “So what brings you back to this neck of the woods? Trouble with the law?” curiously asked Ando. Jonah looked to his left as to hint at Celeste. “Ah a problem with your woman. You old dog you.” Joked the barman. Celeste blushed.
“I’ll explain later, all I can say now is: I need to speak with ‘Melchior’.” Jonah was now speaking quietly as if to make sure no-one was listening.
“It must be serious if you need his assistance. Follow me,” instructed Ando; he walked down to the opposite end of the bar which lead him to a door, he unlocked it and went into the passageway. “Now Celeste, I want you to stay here, ok? And this time don’t go running off on your own, please,” politely asked Jonah.
“Well I suppose so, but don’t be long; this place smells funny and the man over there keeps looking at me,” she complained.
“Ha! Have fun.” Jonah hopped over the bar and followed the barman.
Jonah and Ando walked along the dimly lit corridor, their footsteps echoing into the distance. Eventually they came to the end of the passage but it was a dead end, or at least it seemed to be at first until Ando reached out and pushed a stone into the wall. The wall in front of the duo vanished into the ground; the corridor continued further on still as dark as the dead of night.
They walked on, further and further, deeper and deeper yet the seemed to be no end in sight. At long last Ando and Jonah arrived at a door upon which there was a sign. It read: ‘Melchior’s domain- enter at ones own peril’.
“Ha. I see he hasn’t changed a bit; he really enjoys messing with people doesn’t he,” Jonah began to chuckle.
“Got that right mate, heh. Just wait ‘til you actually go inside,” Ando replied.
The room wasn’t a luxurious paradise (as one might expect of one so highly esteemed) but a small, dimly lit hell hole. It was empty. No lights, no furniture. Nothing. Well there was something; a flickering candle which cast eerie shapes over the walls; and in the corner was a single chair, old and withered. Melchior sat on this chair, puffing his pipe like a chimney.
“Magi of the North, I require your services,” Jonah asked with the best English he could muster.
“My, my, my. Its been so long since anyone has called me a Magi; you see not many people have need for one such as I these days,” Melchior cackled to himself.
“Hold on. You seem to have aged beyond your years. How is that possible?” Jonah was taken aback by Melchior’s condition.
“Well where to begin. Ahh yes. You see it was about three months ago…”
***
Celeste sat at the bar, stirring her drink with her finger. She sighed deeply: “Once again he leaves me behind whilst he does everything. Its my past that we’re attempting to piece together so I think I should be able to hear everything for myself. Right! That’s it! I’m going to follow him whether he likes it or not!” she thought to herself. She jumped up from her seat in a frustrated manner, hopped over the bar and followed Ando and Jonah down the dark corridor.
Celeste sauntered down the corridor making sure to keep her distance from Jonah, but also close enough as not to lose sight of him. Luckily for her the shadows hid her well should she be heard following the pair. Celeste was growing weary of walking down steps and along pitch-black crevices. “God, how long does this bloody corridor go on for!” she was getting very agitated; patience definitely wasn’t her strong suit, though despite that she trudged on forward.
After about an hour, and a great deal of walking, Celeste had finally reached the end. “A door. I’ll bet Jonah and Ando are on the other side along with…” she read the name on the door; “… Melchior? I have the strangest feeling I’ve heard of him, but the only person I’ve seen since my accident are the hospital staff and Jonah and no one has mentioned Melchior,” Celeste pondered over this for a moment until she heard murmuring inside the room, immediately she pressed her ear against the door.
“…it was ten years ago and I was on the job, though the task which had been given to me seemed rather unusual; I had been asked to capture a young girl….” Celeste’s heart skipped a beat.
“Could that girl have been… me?!” she thought to herself, now she was listening more contently to the discussion.
Melchior continued: “Now at first I thought this mission to be simple, but I was sadly mistaken. You see this girl was a chimera or more specifically a Lycanthrope. They are such vicious creatures Jonah! Abominations! They laid this curse upon me, now I can never reclaim my youth! However, I was successful in my mission and managed to capture the girl, or rather the ‘guinea pig’.”
“What do you mean Melchior, you can’t be serious!?” Jonah was very flustered at this information.
“I tell no lies, the Lycans are attempting to create a virus to spread their bloodline into humans! And the girl I captured is the incubator”
Celeste was speechless, trembling in fear that her whole life was just for the purpose of some sick experiment; her life was meaningless. Why should she go on living? Celeste bravely held back the tears and silently walked away from the door which now seemed cold and menacing, it held a truth she was unable to face. It stood there taunting her, laughing as she moved into the distance.
“Hmm I’d say we still have maybe a week or so before the Lycan virus fully infects her system, we need to hurry Jonah! Take her to see Casper in Spira he may offer more insight into the matter. Now go! Gods speed!”
CHAPTER 2
The howling winds blew violently, tossing leaves up into the air, whirling round and round. The sun laid low in the sky, welcoming the coming night. Jonah and Celeste had been travelling north towards the glacial city of Spira.
“How much further Jonah? We’ve been walking for hours, in silence I might say, it wouldn’t kill you to talk you know,” Celeste was looking very crestfallen.
“Ok, ok. I’m sorry, I’ll make it up to you. How about we rest for the night in that cavern in those hills, not exactly five star luxury but it’ll do for now,” he stared deep into Celeste’s eyes, she began to blush.
“Thank you. I appreciate it,” They both walked towards the ominous looking cave; although it looked threatening, it was better than being in the freezing wilderness surrounded by ferocious beasts and dark shadows which consumed the land.
The interior of the cave was damp and dingy, horrible and smelt putrid like rotten meat.
“Ugh what is that god awful stench!?”
“Ha. That’s the great outdoors, ain’t it grand?” Jonah said sarcastically.
“Humph. I don’t need your stupid jokes ok. Ive got enough to deal with as it is, so just leave me alone!” Celeste was getting very passionate, almost in tears.
“Relax, get some rest and we’ll sort it out later, alright?” He reached over and put his hand on her shoulder.
“Go away! Since I met you my life has gotten worse! I was happy in the hospital and then you come and take me away, I should never have come with you! Now I find out im some sort of freak experiment, that I’m some sort of animal! Get lost! I’d rather take my chance out there on my own,” she ran out of the cave, holding back her tears.
“Very well,” Jonah replied, although Celeste could not hear…
A few hours had passed since Celeste had fled the cave, she was cold tired and hungry. The sky was a deep blue colour and the moon was full but hidden by the lingering clouds. Unknown to Celeste, there was someone following her. Creeping in her shadow, quiet as a mouse. The stalker was swiftly approaching Celeste. It was behind her.
“Purrr, hello there. I believe you are Sheena, correct,” the figure had confronted Celeste.
“N-no. W-who, W-what are you?” she was very scared of this stranger.
“How rude of myself, I do apologize. My name is Violetta, however most know me as the Black Panther, CHIMERA’s premier assassin,” she curtsied.
Celeste was breathless; standing before her was a tall, panther woman.
“A-are you real?”
“Indeed I am. Haven’t you learned how to transform yet,” inquired Violetta.
“Good joke. I think you’ve got the wrong person, I’m just your typical girl,” Celeste was trembling with fear and denial, her eyes staring deep into the eyes of the panther woman.
“Well that won’t do now will it? Here allow me to help you,” she grabbed her arm and pulled up her sleeve to reveal a tattoo, the mark of the beast. Celeste struggled free.
“What on earth do you think you’re doing?” but before Violetta could answer, Celeste’s tattoo began to glow.
“No, no! This isn’t real! Stop it! What have you done to me?!” Just as she had finished speaking her jaw and nose began to elongate. Her bones were cracking, extending, tearing her clothes to shreds. Iron grey hair was creeping over her body, enveloping her. Pointed ears were protruding from her head. She yelped out in pain, no longer able to speak a human tongue.
Jonah sighed heavily “I’m too late! Now I have no choice left I’ll have to take her down myself,” he threw down his long, black trench coat to the ground with a thud. He was clenching his signature silver revolver tightly; it glistened in the moonlight.
“I only have a single stun bullet so I’ll have to make this shot count, because if I miss… May God have mercy on our souls.”
Jonah stared deep into Celeste’s fearsome eyes, pools of vibrant yellow. The pair sized each other up, circling a small area on the ground; this is where they would do battle. Celeste charged at Jonah without warning but fortunately he dodged and retaliated with a devastating left hook. Celeste was unfazed by this attack and merely shook it off. “Oh dear, perhaps this is going to be more difficult than I had expected,” Jonah commented. The she-wolf charged again this time Celeste hit; Jonah’s blood staining his snow-white hair. “Damn you woman, do something!” He yelled in desperation to Violetta. “You can keep up with her better than I can, grab her!” She looked surprised.
“Like I’d help you, in case you’ve forgotten I’m here to make sure she kills you. But… I wouldn’t mind pitting my skills against this beast. Very well, I shall help,” Violetta hastily ran at Celeste, sidestepping left and right during her approach.
Jonah and his new partner both attacked Celeste in a synchronised assault, and managed to pin her down. Jonah held up his revolver; it glistened in the moonlight. “Good night sweetheart,” he pulled the trigger and the bullet surged into Celeste. She cried out in agony, the tranquilizer was taking effect. Slowy but surely her bones were cracking and shrinking back to their original, human, form. The fur retracted back beneath her skin. And finally, the tattoo faded away as though it was never there…
“Well, I’m pleased it all worked out. So Violetta, are you leaving now, or would you strike an injured man?” asked Jonah; dusting himself off and polishing his gun.
“…Yes… I shall take my leave, but know this Jonah: I will return and I will kill you!” At that she vanished into the night, moving like a shadow.
Jonah breathed heavily. The air was cold and thin. The wind howled, blowing the dust up into the sky. He gazed up at the stars; the moon glistened in the milky twilight high above the earth, shining down with a magnificent glow. There was not a soul in sight, nor sign of civilisation. Nothing but the wilderness and the open road. “Ah, no matter what happens there is one thing that remains the same: the beauty of nature,” Jonah sighed again and carried on walking.
He walked on for a good many miles until, at last, he collapsed due to his fatigue. The two lay there, unconscious and exhausted, and completely vulnerable…
Clomp, clomp, clomp. A large figure advanced on them from the shadows and dragged them off into a small crevice which had a lighted fire; a beacon of hope for those lost in the night.
The strange figure was draped in a long, tatty cloak, covering its whole body like a caterpillar inside a cocoon. Jonah and Celeste lay down near the fire wrapped up nice and snugly with a thick woollen cloth. Celeste began to toss and turn. “*Yawn* Mmm… where am I?” The figure jumped back and hid behind a rock. “Hey there, thank you for taking us in from the cold, and don’t be afraid, I wont bite,” She smiled gently at the stranger, and the figure crept closer to Celeste. “That’s it come here.” She gestured the being to come closer. However, the strangers cloak snagged on a rock which jutted out from the wall. The cloak fell to the floor revealing a young, slender girl with some very unique features. “….!” The girl grimaced and stared at Celeste who was speechless, for the girl had what appeared to be antennae protruding from her head. She had large circular eyes upon her face. From her waist there grew a second pair of arms, responsive as the other set she had. And there, poking out from the base of her spine was what appeared to be a thorax, coloured red, green and black.. All that remained of her clothes were ragged and ripped pieces of cotton barely covering her body. What a shame it was for her to have such disfigurations for she was once a beautiful young girl, now a mutant. “Oh… my! What has happened to you!?” Celeste was scared yet concerned.
The young girl scurried over to retrieve her cloak and covered herself once more. “They… did things to me… horrible… things. They did… this to me. A… freak, everyone called me. Forced… out here. So… very… alone.” The girl began to whimper.
Celeste moved over to her and put her arms around her and gently rocked her side to side like a mother cradling her child. “Shh don’t be scared. I’ll help you. Somehow. Anyway I can. I’m like you, although you wouldn’t know it. And Jonah over there he’s the nicest man I’ve ever met, I’m sure he’d help you too!” Celeste let go of the girl and brushed down her cloak. “It’s a shame you hide such a pretty face from the world,” she winked at the girl, “…now tell me, what’s your name? Oh, my name is Celeste by the way.”
The girl wiped the tears from her eyes, “My… name is…,” she paused for a moment for it had been such a long time since anyone had asked her, “… Anna.”
“Well then Anna I think its time we got back to sleep don’t you?” Celeste yawned heavily and shuffled back to her cloth, wrapped her self up and went soundly to sleep. Anna did not conceal herself with her cloak again and instead kicked it out of the cave, throwing away the defence she had from the outside world; just as Celeste had done, Anna rested her weary head and drifted off, with a smile plastered across her face; for the first time in her life she was happy…
Jonah had remained silent whilst the two girls talked, but now they were asleep he took this chance to slip away. Ever so quietly he gathered his coat and weapons and exited the homely cave, took one last look inside and went on his way. “Don’t worry, I wont be gone long my dear Celeste. I just need to take care of some business,” Jonah whispered to himself.
Morning had broken and the sun was low in the sky, shepherding the coming day. The light was bursting into Anna’s cave bringing it to life. A peculiar thing happened to Anna when the sunlight brushed her body: it reversed her transformation. Her extra appendages retracted back into her torso, her antennae vanished from her head leaving only her mahogany hair. Her eyes became more human, deep blue pools of sapphire. Then, finally, her thorax curled back up into her being. Anna was once again a human. However, she can only retain her humanity in sunlight otherwise she reverts back to the hideous insect creature of the night.
“Ah, good morning Anna, how are yo-,” Celeste was surprised to find Anna human again, but then she thought back to her transformation and shrugged it off.
Anna now looked like a petite beauty, her auburn hair swaying in the gentle breeze. “…Yes… thank you… I’m… fine. How… are… you,” she stuttered.
“Couldn’t be better!” Celeste smiled at Anna and the glanced to her side and noticed a small piece of paper where Jonah had been sleeping. “Where has that man gone off to now?” she mumbled to herself; Celeste began to read the note: ‘To my little angel, I have an urgent matter to attend to and wont be back for quite sometime I’m afraid. I shall meet you in Spira in 6 days in a bar named: C’est la vie. Oh and I suggest you and that other girl work on your combat skills since you don’t have me around to protect you. Ha. Learn to transform at will and then and only then venture out of the cave area. Ciao bambina.’
“Ergh. The nerve of him!” Celeste threw down the paper and stamped on it in anger. “Tell me Anna, do you know how to transform at will? ‘cos I don’t know!” she was slightly flustered at the prospect of turning into that… beast again.
“N-no… s-sorry…but I’ll…help you…work…it out.” Anna strained a smile.
The duo left the cave and climbed above it onto a great plateau, raring to learn the art of transformation. “Ok now where to begin…” Celeste thought for a moment, “…ok, lets concentrate hard on what we need to achieve, try and manifest that into a physical shape, that being the transformation,” she was surprised that such wise words left her lips; Celeste smiled, proud of her feat.
Anna nodded and closed her eyes, as did Celeste. They stood in silence both deep in thought, trying to unleash the beast within. After an hour or so something finally began to happen! Fur was creeping down Celeste’s arms and legs, her ears becoming pointed. However this is the limit to what she would achieve. Anna too had some success, her antennae popped out of her head once more and her thorax was once again visible. “Hey look we did it! Well nearly!,” Celeste was jumping with joy, “… but how do we change back?!” Her joy had now turned to panic. Anna shrugged, and was curious too how to revert back to normal. “Ok we just need to… erm… I’m not actually too sure,” Celeste began to panic and trembled with fear “Nooo, I cant go around looking like a… like a beast! I’ll be shunned out casted…” she was lost in her little drama when Anna brought her back to her senses. “Um… couldn’t we…just um… retrace our… steps.” Celeste became bright eyed at this idea and a smile was plastered across her face. “Oh yes! Anna you’re a genius.” The two girls repeated the process which allowed them to transform into their primal, animalistic selves, except this time in reverse. The girls visualised their changes disappearing, fur receding, limbs returning to their original length. Finally, with a feeling of relief, the girls were once again normal. “Oh thank God it worked! Now, I don’t know about you Anna, but I’m quite hungry! What do you say we get some lunch?” Anna nodded haphazardly and they headed off into the wilderness in hopes of finding a meal; a perfect opportunity to practice their newly acquired skills.
CHAPTER 3:
Jonah stepped calmly towards the towering gates of Spira, enveloped by his dark, coat. Their icy iron irradiating conspiracy & terrible horror. The impenetrable metal gates lock all secrets within: nothing escapes these walls. “Hmph. I think its about time I broke down these walls,” he lit a cigarette, took a deep puff in, filling his lungs with smoke and entered the city. The people of Spira usually kept to themselves, didn’t give a regard for anyone else only looking out for number one. But despite this, as Jonah walked past them fear manifested itself in their eyes. “Ha ha ha ha ha ha! You all remember me then it seems! Oh its been a very long time indeed my friends. Did you miss me?” Jonah almost seemed a different person, loud and obnoxious. “Aw come now there’s no need to be so coy, come on out and give uncle Jonah a big hug.” He had a look of dark intent within his eyes as he spoke. All of a sudden he immediately ducked throwing his trench coat up into the air; it fluttered majestically on the gently breeze. Two large daggers were caught by the coat. A lone figure appeared behind Jonah, the figure moved like lightening yet was silent and subtle; it was someone to be feared. Quickly again the figure moved this time face to face with Jonah. “Dear me and here I thought that you’d gotten rusty after all this time. At least your assassination wont be a complete bore,” the strange man licked the blade as though the prospect of killing would be exciting. “What! What do you mean? Who has authorised this order!?” Jonah, seemingly for the first time broke his cool and was trembling, most likely from fear. “Haven’t you ever heard of client confidentially? No, no, I cant be telling you that, I’ll kill you now if you don’t mind.” He gave a small sadistic smirk then unsheathed his dark metal dagger which shone dully in the afternoon sun.
“Damn you Judas!” Jonah screamed, he then began running down the street eyeing left and right, up and down desperately looking for cover. Seeing a market stall he pushed it over and jumped behind it immediately. Judas laughed loudly and gave chase down the street, periodically strafing side to side as to avoid Jonah’s devastating gunfire, however the blade toting assassin was far too quick for Jonah to hit. Judas dashed towards him attempting to strike but Jonah dodged escaping with nothing more than a scratch. “Damn, the only way I can win this is to use ‘that bullet’ though I’d rather not after all it may drag in all of these innocents” he thought to himself; his personality back to his caring persona. “No, I think its time I stopped playing dirty and fought like a man. You hear me Judas!? You’ve forced me to draw my sword, I hope you have made final peace with the world because this spells the end of you!” Jonah stood up from where he was hiding, and dropped his revolver; it landed with a thud dispersing a small amount of the earth around it. He walked over to where his coat had fallen, now dirtied with dust. Once dusting it off, Jonah removed from the pocket a small object which appeared to be the grip of a sword; it was of course missing a blade. “Jonah you intend to fight me in a duel without a blade? You’ve gone crazy old frien-” before he could finish out from the handle shone a brilliant light in the form of a blade, a heavenly glow. “Penitentia: a fitting name for my weapon. The sword of heaven in the hands of a devil, ironic don’t you think?” he took a step forward then proceeded to walk right up to Judas. “Goodbye,” Jonah drove the divine blade through his foe’s chest before he even had time to blink. Judas’ body began to break up, dissolve almost, disappearing into the air. “Judgement has been passed. I only hope your soul may find peace, you’re free of this whole sordid affair now, unfortunately I must continue on. I cannot die until I save that young girl…” Judas closed his eyes and vanished, it was as though he never existed in the first place.