Chapter 8

The next morning Taryn was gone. I don’t really care. It’s the weekend after all. I didn't make plans this time in order to “volunteer” in Unicorn Way. I just have to fight some apparitions- easy for a high level like me. Plus it’s part of my punishment for ditching class last week.

I clean myself up and head out. On my way there, who other than Taryn sees me? She bounds toward me.

“Hey! You’re up!”

“Yep. Can I help you?”

“Yes. Let’s go shopping!”

“Not today Taryn. I’m servicing the community.”

“Whaa?”

“I’m going to fight ghosts in Unicorn Way” I mutter irritated.

“Oh. I’m coming!”

“Fine” We walk the route with Taryn mindlessly speaking and me not listening. As we turn the corner, we step into a dreadful sight. Unicorn Way has been run down by highly skilled beasts. There are severed body parts and blood everywhere. I turn away and clutch my stomach. It’s appalling. I have to physically work to keep myself from vomiting.

“Courtney!” Taryn yells. I jolt to a standing position and face her direction. A huge beast five times our size towers before us.  I pull out my deck and commence battle. Taryn is far too low skilled to fight this… thing.

Blood leaks out of its rotten mouth. I taunt the beast so it leaves Taryn alone.

“Taryn, go find help!”

“Okay, Stay alive please!” She runs off to the commons. I turn to continue my battle. Another gruesome monster decides to tango with me. My lucky day.

I cast boosts on myself and attack one. He falters, but bounces back and comes at me with full force. I try to dodge, but I get hit with a fortified Leviathan.

“I don’t know if I’m going to make it...” I murmur to myself, grabbing my wounded side. I wait and dodge before I cast Satyr on myself. Finally with some more health, I can fight on.

Just as I begin casting Dr. Von’s Monster, which was supposed to be a nice hit, a voice come from behind me, “Leave her alone!” Dakota pushes past me causing my spell to fizzle.

 “Hey-!” I stumble to the side. Dakota throws himself at the monster

“NO, DAKOTA STOP! They’re too strong!” He doesn't hear my screams. Dakota lands on shoulders of the weaker brute and begins aggressively clawing and beating the thing. It makes a shrill noise and fights back in a flurry of flinging blood and nasty snarls. I step back. The bestiality from this is overwhelming.

What do I do now? Obviously the answer is fight the other monster and stop being a lazy bum. But, I find I am frozen in place; shocked. This isn't the same Dakota. It can’t be. Who is this horrific boy before me?

The other monster makes the same shriek-y noise and attacks me. I get hit and clatter downward. Dakota rushes to my side and casts a low skilled healing spell. He’s full of the creature’s blood. It’s repulsive.

“Go, Go get help. Taryn isn't going to come back. Save yourself. Please.” He says solemnly.

“What do you mean?” Okay, I’m intrigued.

“Just go get someone. I’ll tell you later.”

“I can’t leave you here alone!”

“GO” he roars. I scramble to my feet and book it to the entrance of Unicorn Way. I pause and lean on the gate entrance, my chest heaving for air. Bile rises in my throat and I throw up behind a small tree.  At least I feel a little better…?

I continue my pursuit to Ambrose’s office despite feeling like defeat. I push through the doors. But he’s not here. GOD DAMMIT!!! Who else can I get- The teachers! Any teacher! Besides Dworgan…

I run to the storm school and urge Professor Balestrom to help. Thankfully he comes to my rescue.

We approach Unicorn way and find two monster corpses- the ones who were attacking me not long ago. Did Dakota take them out? How? He JUST started wizard school and those things were above MY level. And an even better question: Where is Dakota?

“My, my, this IS a problem! Where are the guards? How could they let this happen?” The little professor looks around and then turns to me.

“Please dear, go fetch the Headmaster.”

“Of course.” I know Ambrose wasn't there last time I went. Maybe he was on lunch break? I summon my Magic Carpet mount and hop on. On my way odd shimmering from the waterfall catches my eye.

I step down from my mount and investigate. A hand bursts through the water and pulls me behind the sheet of liquid. I gasp only to get a mouth full of water. The hand drops me and I collapse, coughing like crazy.

“Sorry…” It’s Dakota!

“I need answers.” I say between breaths and hacks.

“Taryn was a pawn in this… this scheme.” He says in a very low voice.

“What scheme? The Monsters in Unicorn Way were planted there on purpose?”

“Yes. Listen, I come from an agency that is known by the name of Bestia. I’m not allowed to tell you this so don’t breathe a word of this to anyone. You hear?” My eyes widen a bit and I nod vigorously. Dakota glances over his shoulder and continues “My siblings and I live under false aliases. We are test subjects for Bestia- Living experiments.”

“How am I involved in this?” I demand.

“Evidently, I’m not allowed to socialize” Dakota scoffs “They don’t want to risk corruption.”

“Of what!?”

“Me? The experiment? I don’t know!”

“So they want me gone!?”

“I think so…”

“What!?” my mind works hard to comprehend all the information. “So let me see if I got this. You’re an experiment from this bizarre place called Bestia and now that were friends, they’re targeting me. Wow Dakota. I haven’t heard that much bull crap since Wolf lied about his virginity. If you don’t want to be friends, just say so.”

“Courtney, I’m not lying!”

“Just give it up.” I say, annoyed. And with that I begin to leave- Dakota doesn't stop me. I don’t want him to.

…

Later, back in my dorm, I lay silent. Taryn didn't come back since she left me in Unicorn Way. I wonder where she is. I locked our dorm door, so she better be having a sleep over or something. While it’s true I can’t explain why Taryn never came back, it doesn't mean she was trying to set me up with my own demise? Could it? No!

Finally with my mind somewhat at rest, I turn over and quickly go to sleep.

A misty vista forms around me. I have a feeling I need to move, to run. But I can’t move. Shadows form in the distance, growing closer and closer to me. Every fiber of my being wants to escape, yet my muscles refuse movement. My breathing increases speed as my body is enveloped in the unforgiving black.

A light figure manifests before me. It’s that angel again! Perhaps he can help… His pale hair moves as if a breeze is blowing. He’s still as gorgeous as ever.

“Life can be funny, no?” He says rather than asks.

“I guess.” I murmur in return.

“And even artificial life. They indeed harbor the same emotions natural beings do.” The angelic boy looks at me and frowns “Listen to the world around you.”

“What?” With that he unfurled his pearly wings and took off leaving me to ponder his words. But I don’t have time to think about it. The shadows go away and reveal Dragonspyrian ruins. I move around. Slimey breathing sounds in my ear. I turn only to be face to face with another beastly creature all too similar to the ones who invaded Unicorn Way.

And who else but the cloaked person should step out from behind the monster. It appears he’s examining the beast. Looking for what, I do not know.

He mutters some unheard words and reveals a hidden sword and lifts his arms ready to strike, but…

I jolt upright. I can’t help but think of my missing roommate. My head snaps toward the empty bed. Taryn…