Chapter Text
The day was as any other. I stood at the edge of the field, looking out at the roll of the land, eyes searching where the trees meet open field. My gaze scans the undergrowth of the forest, grip tightening on the hilt of an old sword. It was one I’d found long ago, it had been lodged in a tree trunk, long since forgotten, imbedded deep into the wood of the tree. I breath out a heavy sigh recalling the work it had taken to remove the weapon from what would have been it’s final resting place, had I not happened upon it.
My muscles stiffen as I catch movement in the tree line. Green eyes widen, as I suck in a sudden breath before swallowing thickly.
I blink rapidly, eyes watering slightly as I’d previously held them open far too long. Tears well as I continue to blink, attempting to clear my now blurred vision. ‘What was that?’ I think silently, praying to whatever gods that be that it had only been the wind brushing through the leaves of the trees. Perhaps a small woodland creature, scurrying about the undergrowth. The deep rumble that began proved other wise. I close my eyes, as the world tilted, time suddenly seeming to slow.
As the rumble grew I turned as swiftly as I could on my heel, breaking out into a full tilt sprint. Legs pumping as fast as I could get them to go. I hear the soft earth being clawed at from behind me. I don’t bother looking back, already knowing what the beast giving chase was.
Tears spring to my eyes as fear clutches at my chest, the air in my lungs burning as I fight with my aching muscles to continue forward.
I some how manage to stay ahead of the creature, bursting in through the front door of my home, which I shared with my parents and my older brother. My mothers attention snaps over to me, as my back slams against the door. My heart feels as though it’s going to burst. “Gun-! Get-“ I suck in air, my lunges feeling as though they were a blaze. “Get the gun! There- there’s a lycan!” I urgently holler, still fighting desperately to get air into my rapidly expanding chest. I cough harshly, half thankful for the cool air that was still refusing to change to warmer temperatures. My mother only stares at me, not moving from her spot. My brows furrow, as I stare her down. “Why the fuck aren’t you moving?! Didn’t you hear m-“ before I can continue I’m cut off by something slamming against the door to our home. The door bursts off its hinges, sending me no rolling across the cobbled floor. I scramble to my feet, rusty sword in hand, blade pointed at the intruder in our home.
The beast snarls, jaws snapping as it lunges forward at me. I leap back, swinging my sword at its gaping maw as I do so. The rusted edge slashes at the soft tissue of the beasts muscle, causing a rather decent amount of damage. I grin, internally celebrating. The celebration lasts but a mere split second as the beast rears back, launching into a secondary attack. I gasp, gulping in stinging air as I leap to the side, barely keeping my feet beneath me as I skitter across the floor. I keep the sword angled at the beast, holding the pommel level with my hips, blade perpendicular with my body, slightly angled away and towards the Lycan. My entire body shudders, muscles fatigued, unused to the strenuous exercise of fighting for my life. I don’t dare close my eyes, keeping my gaze cemented to the beast. It seems it’s got the same idea. It’s eyes stare hard into mine, the both of us watching each other intensely.
I attempt to slow my breathing, trying to calm my heart as it pounds against my rib cage, threatening to burst at any moment. My brows furrow again as I swallow thickly, nearly unable to do so. ‘Where the hell is dad? And Bubba…they should be here-‘ my thoughts are cut off as the beast launches at me for a third time. I barely manage to skirt the attack, bringing my blade down onto the beasts head. The rusted blade hacks half way through the Lycans thick neck, causing blood to spurt forth, coating not only my sword but myself as well in the thick crimson substance. The creature screeches and hollers, clawing viciously at the sword in its neck. As it’s swiping, its claws sink deep into my side, yanking a pained scream from deep in my chest. My hands find their way back to the hilt of my sword, and using the last dredges of strength, force the blade the rest of the way through the lycans neck.
I fall to my knees, vision blurring as I heave air into my lunges, blood coating my entire torso, as well as much of my legs. Was it mine? Or the lycans? A hefty mix of the two I assume. I feel a clawed hand wrap around my neck, but am unable to see who the hand belongs to as consciousness fades, and the entire world goes black.
I awake to soft white sheets, and the feeling of restraints tied to not only my wrists, but ankles as well. My eyes widen as I look to take in the world around me. Everything dips and swirls as my head swims, nausea rising to the edges of my mouth. I swallow thickly, eyes clenching shut, breathing deeply of the sharp air. A cough wracks my body as I wheeze harshly. It seems yesterdays impromptu exercise session did quite the number on me. I hear the faint clicks of a door opening and shutting, followed by the gentle clacks of shoes on tiled floor. I crane my head to the side in attempt to find out who or what is there. I open my mouth, attempting to vocalize such lines of questioning, but the only noise to come out is a harsh rasp. My face contorts in confusion and I clear my throat, attempting to try again.
My attempts are cut off by a gentle tsking. I blink, turning my head towards the direction of the sound. “Hush now child, focus on rest for now little chick. Your body is in dire need of it, believe me. That was quite the stand you made. Hm, if only the rest of your family had been as capable as you.“ The voice that speaks is feminine, and there’s a definite dangerous edge in the speakers tone. I can’t seem to make out the image of the woman, though the voice clearly belonged to such a person. What did they want with me? What happened to my family? What was going to happen to me? These thoughts swirled within my mind, causing my heart rate to pick back up, rising to a crescendo as the organ once again threatens to burst in my chest.
A hand is placed on my face, cupping my cheek. There’s a gentling shushing as the thumb brushes across my cheekbone. “Hush now child. I know you’re frightened but that fear won’t last much longer. You’ll never have to fear anything ever again…” the voice trails off before picking up again. “Well, that is unless you test my patience. Then I suppose you have me to fear.” The woman chuckles before moving her hand to my hair, gently ruffling it slightly. “But you seem like a good girl. Good. And loyal. I’m sure I’ve nothing to worry about. Even if you don’t bring me my sweet Eva back, you’re sure to be a grand edition to the lands. I’m sure Alcina would absolutely love you. After all she is the one who brought you to my attention.” I blink hard, still taking in my surroundings, my vision finally beginning to clear. I was in some sort of laboratory, strapped down to a gurney or a medical bed of some sort. I turn my gaze to the woman who’d been mainly monologuing up until this point.
I open my mouth, an attempt to ask questions, but the woman’s hand promptly forced it shut. Two of her fingers pressed against the bottom of my chin, slamming my jaw up and causing my teeth to clack painfully. I release a soft whimper, and her hand moves to caress my cheek. “Hush sweet girl, just rest. All will be revealed in due time. For now I need to run some tests.”
A heavy silence fills the air as the woman gathers supplies from around the room. I tug slightly at the restraints holding me down, releasing a heavy sigh and shutting my eyes tightly. Tears squeeze out, trailing down the side of my head, I bite at my lip, trying to stifle the flow, clenching my eyes shut even tighter. I feel the presence of the woman at my side again, the pad of her gloved thumb swipes over the tears staining my skin, attempting to dry them only for more to spill over. A soft sob shakes my chest, shoulders shaking from the action. I sniffle and breath deep trying to stop the flow. The woman’s brow pinches, lips forming a thin line as she looks down on me. Her hand slips beneath my head, cupping against it at the nape of my neck. “Shsh, no need for tears, there now, it’s alright. Mother Miranda is here, you’re safe sweet girl. Nothing bad is going to happen to you now.” I hear the soft clicks and then feel the restraints pulled from my wrists, the hand on the nape of my neck sliding down to lift me into a sitting position. Miranda’s hand slides back up into my hair, scratching gently at my scalp. Her other arm pulls me against her and my hands find purchase in her robes. The fear and sorrow that had previously gripped me slips away in her hold. My breathing slows and evens, my heart coming to a slow gentle rhythm. I tilt my head back to look up at this woman, this, Mother Miranda person. I suck air in through my teeth as our eyes find one another, I open my mouth to speak but the world once again fades to black and my body goes limp against her.
When I wake a second time, I’m once again secured into restraints, but my vision is infinitely more clear than it was last I woke. I take a deep breath through my nose, quickly forced to stop due to the sharp scent of chemicals. I hack and cough, barely able to force air into my lunges due to the scent. “Ah, you’re awake! Good.” I swallow thickly, turning my head to the side to take in the voice. It was the same from earlier. Mother Miranda. I swallow again, wincing and pulling my arms. “I-I can’t-cant breathe-“ I gasp to prove the point, coughing and hacking. “What is that god awful smell?” My voice is still half hoarse but I’m actually capable of speech now. Good. For now I will also over look the deep growl it seems to have acquired. I’ll chalk it up to-..well everything that’s happened recently. I can only imagine the effects screaming bloody murder can have on one’s voice. “Oh hush child, the scent isn’t that bad. That is the smell of god, sweet child. That is the smell of miracles.” I blink, half narrowing my eyes as I look at Mother Miranda. We’re those…wings on her back? Like..black angel wings? ‘What the fuuuuu-‘ my thoughts are cut off when her gaze snaps to mine, effectively shutting down anything tumbling about in my feeble little mind. “Would you like to help me perform a miracle?” I blink again, eyebrows furrowing together. “What kind of miracle.” I state bluntly, my eyes widening as I realize I’d spoken the question aloud. A sinister looking grin spreads across Mother Miranda’s face. “Oh sweet child, I’m so very glad you asked.” She lifts the upper portion of the bed on which I’m laying, lifting it up into an upright position. After doing so, she turns her back to me, walking over to what seems to be a bulletin board. It’s smattered with different pages containing gods knows what. I can’t make out the writing from where I lay. They seem to be formulas of some sort, and sequences of events. I narrow my eyes trying to make out the words scribbled across the papers. I notice pictures of people, five woman, a man, and a sort of..aquatic looking beast. At the man sides sits a rather large sized lycan, and one of the five women’s face is covered with a veil, and in her arms is a doll. Dressed peculiarly in a wedding gown. My gaze drifts to four of the women, one of them exceedingly tall, and dressed in a white gown, the fabric bunched together at the front, with a rather large expanse of her chest exposed. I feel heat dust my face as I take in the photo. I force my gaze to the three women gathered about the tall one. Each dressed in what looks like black hooded robes, blood staining their faces. If weren’t for the grizzly image of the blood I’d find them quite endearing. The looks on their faces as they gaze up at the taller woman.
I hear a snapping of fingers, causing my eyes to jump from the pictures to give Mother Miranda my attention. The smile that never left her face seems to widen the slightest bit. “What we’re you looking at?” She asks, her tone dangerously gentle and kind. “The um..the pictures..” I nod my head in the direction of the board and pictures. “M-mainly uh..the-the um..” I swallow thickly, frowning as my words continue to get stuck and refuse to come forth. Mother Miranda chuckles. “Fret not, my girls always seem to have that affect on people. Though it’s normally men that they affect in such a manner. It’s usually Karl that demands the attention of the female audience. Don’t fret you’ll meet then all in due time. If you survive that is.” She’d muttered the last sentence beneath her breath, and the fear that I had felt earlier blooms in my chest. I swallow thickly, closing my eyes and taking a deep breath. I stiffen and jolt to the side upon feeling a prick on my arm, followed by a vice grip hold on my bicep. “Stay still little one.” I whimper, closing my eyes tighter. I hear the woman huff, and though I can’t see, I’m certain she rolled her eyes at me. “It’s only a needle, quit behaving like this.” I stiffen further, releasing another whimper, head turned in the complete opposite direction. My hands ball into fists, fingernails digging into my palms. “It isn’t as though I’m cutting off your arm! Quit your sniveling!” Miranda shouts, her grip on my arm tightening further. I swallow thickly trying to calm the shiver that had settled in. “I-I’m-I-“ I clear my throat, half gasping when an angry growl rumbled in my chest. My eyes pop open in dismay. “What the fuck was that.” I look up at Mother Miranda, who looks rather displeased. Her jaw is clenched and the bridge of her nose pinched into a silent snarl. She turns quickly on her heel, the fabric of her robes swirling as she does so. When she returns she has a vial in her hand and a syringe in the other. My eyes widen, and I press myself against the bed. “Wha-? Wait-was that me? I didn’t-I’m sorry-I didn’t mean to growl it slipped out! I’m sorry! What is tha-“ Mother Miranda cuts me off, her hand gripping my jaw so tight stars spring across my vision and I fear my jaw will break. I whimper softly, looking up at her. She releases me, pressing the vial into her palm and taking the syringe, filling it with the contents from the vial.
“It seems that lycan you killed-it’s blood may have mingled with yours. That puts a bit of a damper on my plans but I suppose it only speeds them along. I’ll simply have to run more tests, and see what I can’t do, what changes can be made. If you’ll be a good vessel for my Eva. If you are I can’t have you turned into a mindless snarling beast.” The needle of the syringe is pressed into my arm and what fills like ice fills my veins. I release a pained moan, eyes rolling back as darkness once again takes hold of me.