One hour before Lyra…
"My prince, do you have any idea what's happening?"
I shook my head, disbelief heavy in my chest as I searched for the right words.
"No. These shadows came out of nowhere and stole our people's souls."
"Any ideas?" Ethan asked.
"Ethan, stay with me and help me fight these uninvited guests. Sabrina, Payton, try to find any survivors."
"How are we supposed to do that with our powers gone?" Sabrina snapped.
I paused, thinking.
"Do what you can. I believe in you."
They nodded and ran off.
"Since we lost our powers," I said, "we'll have to rely on bows and arrows."
Ethan snorted. "Let's go."
I leapt down, drew my bow, and aimed straight at a shadow. The arrow struck its shoulder and dissolved instantly.
"Ha ha ha."
My jaw tightened.
"Nice shot," the shadow mocked. "Too bad it didn't work."
"You're the last survivors," another added.
My eyes widened, "What?"
"It's true," Sabrina said as she and Payton returned. "We didn't find anyone."
"Stay close," I ordered.
"Absolutely not," Sabrina argued. "I can fight too."
She fired an arrow. It vanished on impact.
I facepalmed. "Sabrina…"
"Well, how was I supposed to know, Zac?"
I ignored her.
"So bows are useless," Payton muttered, staring at the arrow in her hand.
"Maybe claws will work," Alphonso suggested.
"Keep your weapons anyway," I said.
Ethan lunged forward, slashing only for the shadow to vanish.
"They can teleport?" Payton grabbed my arm.
"Pay, you okay?"
"Yeah… just startled."
"We are more than shadows," one hissed.
"You also stole innocent lives," I snapped.
"Innocent?" It echoed.
My body froze.
"We'll destroy you," I said finally, forcing strength into my voice. "And we'll get everyone's souls back."
"There has to be another way," Payton whispered. "Somthing to distract them."
"Payton, watch out!"
I spun just in time to see Alphonso yank her away as a shadow lunged.
"Watch your surroundings!" he barked.
"Cool it," Ethan warned, placing a hand on his shoulder.
"Don't you dare touch my sister!" Alphonso growled.
"Wow. Protective big-brother energy," Sabrina muttered.
"Shut up."
The shadows' red eyes gleamed.
"Alphonso," I said sharply. "Calm down. They're feeding on your rage."
He exhaled slowly. "Sorry."
The shadows hissed in irritation.
"Must you ruin everything?!"
"You're the ones who invaded my kingdom," I snapped.
"Attack!"
A shadow swooped toward Sabrina.
"Sabrina!"
"Get your hands off me, you disgusting monsters!"
"Where's Payton?" Alphonso panicked.
"I'm right here."
We looked up.
Payton stood on the roof, holding a strange device.
She blew into it. A horrifying, ear-splitting noise blasted through the air.
I clamped my hands over my ears as the shadows scattered, screaming.
The shadow holding Sabrina dropped her.
"I'm exhausted," Payton muttered.
"Get that wolf!"
Before I could react, a shadow reappeared behind her and shoved her. The device slipped from her hands.
"Payton!"
I caught her just before she hit the ground.
"You okay?"
She smiled weakly. "Yeah. Thanks."
"Defenseless again," a shadow laughed.
I gently set her down.
"What made you think that would work?"
"I overheard them," Payton said. "They hate loud noises. I just didn't expect all of them."
"Well done," I said. "But it's broken."
"That's okay," she replied calmly. "I can fix it. I memorized the design."
She tapped her head.
"Are you alright?" Alphonso asked anxiously.
"I'm fine."
"You all hide," I ordered. "I'll distract them.
Payton, collect the pieces."
"Yes, sir."
I stepped forward, forcing a grin.
"Well hello, wonderful shadows."
One smirked.
I scanned past them.
"What's that over there?"
They all turned.
I ran.
"Psst Zac! Over here!"
I slipped inside just as a shadow shouted, "I fall for that every time!"
I chuckled. "Are any of them smart?"
"So what now?" Ethan asked.
"Buy Payton time to rebuild her noise machine," I said. "And survive."
"I'll do it," Sabrina said.
"Sabrina-"
"I'm known as the strongest female fighter."
Silence.
"Guys," Payton called, "I need light."
Before I could respond-
BOOM!!!
Silver mist exploded outside.
"Fall back!" I shouted. "Silver mist!"
We rushed into cover.
Sabrina trembled, tears spilling.
"I'm sorry," she whispered. "It reminds me of that night…"
Ethan wrapped an arm around her. "You don't have to apologize."
Once the mist cleared, I listened.
"Our friends warned us," a shadow said, "to watch for a little vampire girl with mint-green hair."
A vampire?
"On my signal," I whispered. "Get ready."
Then-
"Now!"
Back to the present…
"And that's how it all started," I said, still holding the girl's chin.
"Now enough stories."
I met her gaze.
"What are you doing here?"