Preternatural Prophecy Chapter 10

            The twins sat there silently rocking on the beach. Someone cleared their voice behind them. Laurel looked back through teary eyes. Behind them stood the old woman with a soft look on her face. “Hello Laurel. What is the matter young one?”

            “Haru has left. We have no clue where he is gone and we are not sure if we are strong enough by ourselves to defeat the vampires. Haru is gone, Wendel has been captured, and we have no idea what we are supposed to be doing. Please help us.”

            “Laurel, you and your sister are strong enough. Just remember that no matter what Haru and Wendel and all those people that you have helped and that have helped you are with you. In the end they will be with you to help you defeat your enemies and you can count on them being there. The end is near. But if you give up it will not be the end of the vampires but the end of the humans. Vampires cannot survive while humans thrive and humans cannot survive while vampires thrive. Your love for each other can support you the whole way. Whether you believe it or not, you can do this. You two are the ones who will do this for us and will complete this journey. Everyone believes in you and you cannot let a simple obstacle stand in your way. There will be bigger obstacles that will stop you but you cannot let them defeat you.” Tatiana looked up at the old woman as well. “Laurel and Tatiana, you two were chosen for this by the Gods. Now stand up and move on. Wendel is free from the vampires. Go meet him at the temple. The way will be shown to you. Also Haru is dead. Delano has killed him. Go and avenge him.” The old woman turned and walked away disappearing over a small rise.

            “Laurel?”

            “Yes Tati?”

            “Let’s go.”

            “Okay Tati.”

            Ten vampires appeared by the cage all brandishing weapons. They fanned out around. One found the fainted vampire and called the others over. They moved towards the one fainted vampire. One vampire threw him over his shoulder and vaporized. The rest stood in a small circle and talked quietly. Wendel sat in a tree watching them converse until finally they all turned into shadows and left. Wendel jumped out of the tree and picked up the weapon that they had left behind.

            He turned it over in his hands. It was a short dagger with runic symbols on it. He swiped at the air with it and shook his head. He pocketed it and walked around the cage. He sighed and sat down on a stump to think.

            The old woman walked around the side of the cage looking around. “It’s quite beautiful out here. Don’t you think Wendel?”

            Wendel started and looked the old woman. “It is. I just wish I knew how to get away from here.

            “Now why would you want to do that? It is an amazing place.”

            “I need to get back to Laurel and Tatiana. They need me.”

            “Do not worry you will get back to them after we chat.”

            “Why are you not confused as to why I am speaking?”

            “I know all Wendel. Do not underestimate me. Just like I know Haru is dead.”

            “He died? How?”

            “Delano killed him. It is of no use to get into it now.”

            “I wish to know though.”

            “First you must discover your way out of here don’t you? Then you can worry about more trivial things.”

            “Fine,” Wendel conceded, “How do I get out of here?”

            “That is for you to find out.” The old woman jumped up and sat down on the edge of the cage. She kept looking around taking in the scenery. A minute passed by and then another. Time dragged on as Wendel looked about for a way out of his mess.

            “Still nothing?” The old woman asked.

            “Not if you keep breaking my train of thought.”

            “Well excuse me. You sure are abusing that voice that Haru gave you.”

            “Haru gave me my voice? How?”

            “He had the power to take away other’s inflictions. It was one of his many gifts.”

            “Why would he give me his voice though?”

            “That is a good question. Not sure.”

            “I thought you knew everything”

            “I do. I just don’t want to tell you. I may know everything but that doesn’t mean that I have to tell you everything.”

            Wendel shoot his head, “You are very difficult.”

            “Most people tell me that. Well I must be off soon. There are other things I must attend to.” The old woman hoped off the edge. She started to walk away.

            “Wait; first tell me how to get out of here.”

            “That is for you to discover not for me to tell you.” With that she walked into the dark woods and disappeared. Wendel shook his head and placed it in his open palms, massaging his temples.

            The sun started to set behind the mountains as Laurel and Tatiana slowly approached a large hill. They had made their way down a well beaten path towards the mountains. Laurel stopped at the bottom, looked up at the top of the hill, and grunted. She went over to a small log and sat down on it. She pulled her water sack from her pack and took a long drink. Tatiana looked around for something to eat. Tatiana came back with a few berries. She handed them all to Laurel and sat down next to her on the log. She pulled her pant leg up a little and rubbed the symbol.

            “What’s that?” Laurel asked spying the tattoo. She gulped down her berries.

            “Nothing, it’s just a scratch.” Tatiana quickly covered it back up and stood up.

            “Tati…Tell me please.”

            “Laurel, really it is just a scratch.” Tatiana quickly moved to the base of the hill. “Coming?”

            “Yes.” Laurel stood up. She placed her water sack back into her pack and went over to Tatiana. They both started up the hill. Soon they were halfway up. Laurel began coughing.

            “Are you alright Laurel?” Tatiana looked at her with a worried look.

            “Yea fine.” Laurel said between coughs.

            “Are you sure?” Tatiana asked as she came to the top of the hill. She looked back at her sister. Laurel got to the top of the hill and gasped. Tatiana spun around to see the entire army of vampires waiting for them. Delano stood in front of them with a malicious look on his face.

            “Hello, my dear twins. I thought you might want some company on your way to the mountains. Or maybe I thought this was now the chance to get you out of my hair. Men, attack!” Delano shouted. The army of vampires surged forward. Tatiana and Laurel screamed and turned and ran down the hill. The wave of vampires came over the hill following them.

            Wendel had his head in his hands. He gently massaged his temples with his thumbs. He heard loud screams coming from a distance. He turned towards the place the screams were emanating. He rushed towards them drawing the sword that he had stolen from the vampires. He exited the woods to see Tatiana and Laurel fleeing an army of vampires. His blood began to boil in his veins. His eyes grew to a deep red and he gritted his teeth. Laurel and Tatiana stopped when they saw him. They hurried to his side and faced the vampires. They both drew their swords and watched as the army skidded to a halt in front of them. The army parted and Delano stepped out of the mob.

            His smile faded a little when he saw Wendel. He pointed to them and shouted to the army, “Kill them now!” The vampires surged forward. Laurel and Tatiana hacked and slashed at the oncoming army. Wendel kicked and stabbed the vampires. A vampire rushed forwards and bit down on Wendel’s neck. He yelled and flipped the vampire. He drew his sword across the vampire’s neck and tossed it back into the army. Laurel swung her sword in an arc and sliced into a vampire’s shoulder. She grabbed his tunic and threw him into another vampire that was charging her. She slashed at a vampire’s throat. He fell to the ground gasping for air. Tatiana methodically hacked off limbs; she moved around the vampires swipes. Black blood poured from the vampire’s dead bodies. Delano’s face fell more and more as he realized that his army was losing.

            Finally a vampire broke through and brought his blade across Tatiana’s chest opening a gash. Tatiana grinned as the wound closed up. The vampire backed up. She brought the hilt down on the top of his head. He dropped like a rock. Delano drew his own sword and made his way over to Tatiana. He drew back his hand and smacked her away. She took a few steps back dazed. The vampires jumped on her immediately. She curled up in a ball. The vampires scratched at her body. She rolled onto her front. The vampires dug gouges in her back. She screamed out in pain. Wendel tore the vampires from her ripping them apart as he tore each one off. Tatiana lay on the ground bleeding. Wendel fell to his knees in front of her. Laurel sliced through any vampire that neared them. She grabbed one by the back of the neck and slammed it into the ground.

            Slowly Tatiana’s wounds closed up. She stood up and picked up her falchion. She went over to Delano and looked him in the eyes. He stood there in shock. She brought her falchion back and sliced open his neck. Blood leaked from the clean cut and dribbled down his neck. He fell to his knees then on his face. Tatiana turned her sword over and stabbed down into the back of his skull. A sickening sound escaped as the sword went through his head. The vampires stopped and turned towards her. Each one had a scared look on their face. One by one they turned to shadows leaving the dead vampires to rot in the daylight. Only one remained. It was a girl warrior. She went over to Delano and dropped her weapon. She fell to her knees and began crying. Tatiana pulled her falchion out and walked away. Laurel stood watching the vampire. The vampire drew her dagger and drew a long line on her own neck. She fell on top of Delano and died slowly.