The Return of Lycans

'Whoever gets the moon crystal wins the world.' It is an old prophecy that has made all the capable people of the world move.

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"Theo, you need to get out of here!" A woman said as she rushed outside into the backyard with a boy.

"Mother? Mother, what is happening?" The boy asked frantically as he ran towards the woman.

"The kingdom is on fire. Dark sorcerers and their soldiers are everywhere. You need to leave the castle with everyone alive. Right now."

"No Mother, I wouldn't leave you here alone. I will find Father and get him to help us." The grown-up boy replied with determination.

He gripped her mother's hand, and she shook when she heard another blast go off at some part of the castle. The boy didn't know what was happening. There was a huge commotion all around the castle. But why would a sudden rebellion start in the kingdom when they had been living in peace and harmony for centuries?

His thoughts were interrupted when the door into the backyard flew open. Armed soldiers who didn't belong to the boy's kingdom trooped in. The last person who was in, however, was familiar to both the woman and the boy.They looked at the person in front of them in disbelief.

"Ha ha, my lucky day! I met the queen and the prince at the same time without any effort? Your good days are over." The wizard couldn't hide the excitement in his eyes.

The man in front of them was not the same who served their kingdom for the last two decades with utmost sincerity. He

He used to be the teacher of Prince Theodore, he taught the prince about the strategy of war, and he was also the prince's favorite wizard.

But now, he stands on the opposite side of this country, he holds a sword, and points the sword at the heir of this country.

No. It couldn't be.

Standing before them was a cunning sorcerer, a savage monster thirsty for blood. His otherwise dull blue eyes were blazing with a strange blue fire, making them look like blue sapphires. His brown hair was tousled, and his face was deathly pale. A sneer played on his lips as he watched his prey with a calculating look.

Queen Genevieve draped an arm around her son and pulled him closer to her own trembling body.

"Not another step forward, Eldar .Or I will not hesitate to use my powers on you."

Eldar Aquislanada cracked a smile and fixed his eyes on the shaking body beside the queen, not in fear, but excited. Seeing the prey's powerless clamor made him feel comfortable and excited.

"I'm not here for you Genevieve, dear. What I want is that boy you have with you and the throne he will inherit when he is older."

"Stay away from him."

"You know what, I didn't even have to ask, I could just channel the required power from the 'Moon Crystal'. 'Whoever gets the moon crystal can rule the world. ' This prophecy is about to be fulfilled. Ha ha ha ha. Before I do it, be obedient and give up the throne." Said Eldar, a sinister smile playing on his lips.

'Moon crystal? Has it fallen into his hands? ' The queen's heart dropped.

Before any of them could utter another word, the door was opened roughly. But this time it was soldiers of the kingdom with their bloodied black and red uniform and steel armies with the royal crest.

Leading them was their King.

"Father!"

The kingdom soldiers charged forward at the flick of King's wrist. In the commotion, Queen Genevieve managed to usher the prince across the backyard to her husband.

"Are you both all right? Did he inflict harm?" The King let out a sigh of relief when he found them unharmed and pulled them into his arms.

"Your highness, we cannot hold him back for much longer, he's too strong for us." One of the soldiers called out.Soldiers fought hard against wizards and enemies.

"Listen, we're running out of time.Genevieve, take Theodore and escape from the castle. Run towards the north and get the child to Antoinette at any cost. We cannot lose him. He's our only hope if things don't go our way tonight. I will not due knowing that the kingdom has gone into wrong hands." King fished a dagger from the belt around his waist and pressed it in Queen Genevieve's trembling hand. "For your defense."

The King bent forward until his son's level and placed his hand on Theodore's shoulder firmly.

"Don't stop until you avenge the death of your clan's people." Dominance reflected in his voice as he further continued, "Find the 'Moon Crystal' and reclaim the throne."

Bright malachite eyes, identical to King's dark malachite orbs brimmed with tears as the little prince brought them back and said, "I will Fath-".

Moon crystal, still safe.And it is waiting for its master.

A loud growl from Eldar cut him off mid-sentence as he ripped his sword from the now-dead soldier's abdomen. The King got his sword in position as Queen Genevieve grabbed Theodore and left the room as quickly as she could. A sharp stab of pain struck her, starting from her stomach and traveling throughout her body. Her back hurt, but she had to do this for her son, her people.

From all around him, Theodore could see blood and hear cries of terror and pain. He wanted to yell at them to make it stop. With whatever energy the Queen had left, she teleported them to the hidden dark forest. The scene wasn't any less loud or bloodier. It only seemed to increase now that they were outside the palace walls.

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The forest was the only place, untouched by the soldiers as at a far distance, they saw the stables were on fire and they could see the soldiers rushing, cutting ropes, and dowsing water on burning beams, letting the housed horses free.

"Jack!" Queen Genevieve almost cried in relief when she found her horse safe and unscathed. Not all horses were as tough as Jack.

Jack roared in answer when he noticed his master. The Queen helped herself, leaning against Jack to maintain her balance, and asked Theodore to climb up onto Jack's mighty figure. She placed the reins in Theodore's hands and gave them a quick reassuring squeeze.

Theodore watched in mild confusion as his mother unclasped the sacred amulet from her neck and clasped it around his own. He opened his mouth to ask her why, but the Queen shushed her.

Out of confusion, he asked anxiously, "Why aren't you healing? Why can't you shift?"

She held his small hands, "We can't tonight, nobody can shift. And that is why we shall rely on our human strength-"

Before she could complete it, he whined; "But why mother?"

Wiping his tears, "If you could only understand my sweet boy," tucking the amulet safely, she began, "Listen to me carefully, Theo. I need you to keep this amulet safe for me. Whatever happens, do not take it off. It'll help you reach out to Antoinette; you'll be safe there. Now follow this path to reach the north of the dark forest. Once you reach the middle forest, the amulet will glow, and Antoinette will get to know you and she'll grant you access to enter her abode. Don't stop until you get there ." She instructed. Queen Genevieve placed a cold shivering hand on Theodore's tear-stained cheek, wiping away a tear as it fell.

"What about you, Mother? Father?" He asked. The noises around them seemed to get louder by the second.

Queen Genevieve gave her son a small but beautiful smile, one Theodore didn't know if he would ever see again.There was worry and determination in the queen's brown eyes. Tears glistened, and what she couldn't bear was the child in front of her. She cannot be weak. The queen suppressed the tears and kept them from shedding.

"We'll be fine Theo. And so will you. Your Father and I are ready to put our lives down to protect you and this Kingdom's future if we have to. Remember this, you are brave and strong, and you'll carry forward the legacy of the ' Vouculia Empire '. I will miss you, Theo. Remember that I will always love my boy, okay?"

She hugged Theodore tight and kissed his forehead softly.

Theodore breathed in deeply, taking in his mother's warmth. Queen Genevieve pulled back and patted Jack's body. "Stay safe for me, Theodore."

She took a step back to allow Jack to run.

"Mother!"

Prince Theodore held the reins tightly in his hands as he frantically tried to spot his mother amongst the gathering dust as Jack took off with all his power.

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Queen Genevieve dragged herself towards the castle and sent the trusted clan people behind Theodore to back him as they would also be safe from the crisis.

If Theodore was shocked at the scenario inside the palace grounds, he was flabbergasted and utterly miserable when he got a view of the burning village.

People were trying to escape and everywhere he turned, the orange-red hues of the flames that enveloped the Vouculia Empire in its tight scorching grasp were what he could see as far as his vision would go. His heart was beating harshly against his chest as if it was going to pop out.

'Don't stop until you get there, even if somebody asks you to.'

'Stay safe for me, Theodore.'

His mother's words rang in his ears. He can't turn back.

"But I cannot let my kingdom go to ruin right in front of me. I am not trained, but I can help for sure."

The little pup, the prince of the Vouculia Empire, Theodore was determined; his eyes glowed a darker shade of malachite as he handled Jack to a halt. Jack growled in protest, but the prince was having none of it.

"Prince Theodore, keep moving,We don't have time to stop. It's the order of her majesty." Said a soldier, behind him on the horse.

When Theodore looked back, he saw the people of the Vouculia Empire, alive, they were his people. He cannot be selfish and hide in the protection of someone when his people's life was endangered. These are his people, and he wants to protect them.

"You all will move forward and will halt on my command." Ordered Theodore and everyone shook their heads.

"We can't move in front of you, you are the heir of the Vouculia Empire."

"Just go on and I'll guard you all."

"No, your highness, we can'- Watch out!"

Theodore coughed and pressed his palm against his thigh where he felt a burning pain. A wooden arrow had lodged itself into the side of his left thigh. Blood now coated his hands and his already bloodied clothes. He heard the soldier suck in the air at the sight and feebly opened his eyes.

"As the heir of the throne, I command you all to do as I said. Now hurry!"

At last, everyone obeyed his order and moved forward.

Their hearts are trembling, this is their prince, and now the prince stand after them for their lives, they will not disgrace the mission.

Theodore could feel the heat surging through his veins. He might be just a pup, but his powers outmatched even the highest-ranked Lycans in his clan.

No sooner had they reached the middle of the dark forest as the amulet around his neck started glowing. Looking back, he found no one and Theodore sighed in a breath of relief.

They entered the boundary with the amulet and everything was safe for the time being.

When a woman who looked to be no older than in her thirties, with long brunette hair and bright emerald green eyes, walked towards them and a boy followed her from behind.

Theodore's tense nerves instantly relaxed and he passed out.

Her eyes widened when she took in Theodore's state.

"Prince Theodore! God! Someone quickly get him off the horse, this is getting out of control."

A little boy with raven hair and steel grey eyes, younger than Theodore came running toward his mother after hearing her scream.

"Adonis! Get here!"

Being the heir of the Vouculia Empire, the prince was much stronger and grew up faster compared to the humans- mentally and physically. Though they did stop aging normally once they reached adulthood. Theodore was almost in an unconscious state when he felt something

It was the little boy whom Antoinette addressed Adonis. He wrapped a cloth around Theodore's wound and got him off of the horse.

Antoinette quickly dropped the barrier spell and took everyone inside her secret abode in the middle of the dark forest. Running into the wooden house, she grabbed a few bottles off the shelves.

"He's the Prince?" Adonis asked in a surprised tone.

"I thought you would have recognized by the shade of his eyes. He's Prince Theodore Zarek Vouculia, heir to the throne of the Vouculia Empire," Antoinette said as she dabbed a dark blue substance on Theodore's stab wound using a white feather. Looking at Adonis, she said, "and your elder brother."

Theodore groaned and slightly squeezed Adonis' hand which he held tightly in his grasp.

"It's all right. It's over now. You're okay.... brother."

A few days later.

Theodore remembered everything, every pain inflicted on him, on his clan by Eldar Aquislanada.

A young Lycan boy, whose everything was torn apart, took a pledge in front of his people, saying:

"We are born of a time before every creature when the world was raw. The wisdom of rocks and fire and earth and blood is in our veins. For now, we live in a world of mists beyond the reach of mortals and immortals, but the time shall come when we shall rise again. The Lycans will return soon."

The others kneeled, bowing to their Young King. Promising their lives to him as their King's only goal was to find the 'Moon Crystal', to restore the glory of the ' Vouculia Empire', and to reclaim his lost kingdom, and they would support their King until the last drop of their blood.

It was not the end of an era, but the beginning of one.

At the same time, when the sun rose, the moon went down, and stars were always stationary. The new morning came with a new surprise as Queen Ophelia Aquislanada gave birth to the princess of 'The Aquislanada Empire':

Crystal Rosette Aquislanada.

~Eighteen years later~

King Eldar heard the light footsteps of a girl hurrying up the castle stairs, entering the main chambers where every meeting was governed by him. He would recognize that patter of slender feet among a thousand others as she was his little bundle of joy, his princess:

Crystal Rosette Aquislanada.

Being the oldest witch of the world, granted some extraordinary powers, one of those was his hearing capabilities. Outside, she appeared to pause before the door for a moment - then thrust it open.

There she stood: a slim, white figure, red hair grumbling down to her waist, eyes blazing like sapphires, even in the dim light of the lonely oil lamp that illuminated the room. She was just as lovely as her mother. King Eldar felt his heart swell with pride and love. For the moment, she caught sight of her ageing father, and she walked towards him in her warrior suit as she was training the army.

"My sweet Crystal," Eldar said. "What do I owe this pleasure to you visiting your old father?"

Crystal glared up at her father and said, "Why didn't you tell me about the plunder?"

"What plunder?" Elder asked, maintaining the emotionless face.

Crystal could see conceal flicker in his eyes for one single moment. He concealed it well, but she had been looking for it.

Darn it, Father! Crystal thought.As a princess of a country, she was always well protected by her father. She was brave and good at fighting since she was a child. She really wanted to fight for her father and her country. But, never allowed.

"How could I have been so stupid?" Crystal whispered, staring up into Elder's hard face, into his dull blue eyes. "You wanted me to train the army so that you could send Dimitri in the town, right? I can lead them to fight too, Father. " Asked, Crystal.

She remembered it well, yesterday- how her father asked her to train some witches who could control and generate fire as they were fire Benders.

"Tell me, Father," she said. "Or do you think I'm incompetent in handling the crisis?"

Elder's blue eyes were fixed on her. They turned cold, as he said in a harsh voice, "You are everything, Crystal. I wanted you to train those fire Benders ,But you are so precious that I can't risk involving you, because you are the only water Bender left in the Aquislanada Empire."

Yes, it was true. After her mother died in an accident, she would not rather talk about it. Crystal was the only Water Bender left.

Water bending, one of the four elemental bending arts in sorcery, was the hydrokinetic ability to control water in all of its various forms.

"Then you should at least tell me the truth. I am a princess and I have the right to know what crisis is happening in my country. " Asked, Crystal.

"Because," Elder said, his eyes calm, "Your brother got the situation under control."

"So, there will be no more plunders?" Crystal heard herself questioning.

He nodded. "Yes, the problem is under control. Don't worry."

The king looked at his daughter with love and relief in his eyes.

His daughter is the only remaining witch who can control the water, and her preciousness is beyond words. She is also her favorite child. In any case, as king, he couldn't put the princess in danger.

"Sorry, I should not have yelled." Apologized, Crystal.

He stood from his throne while walking down the aisle, towards his daughter, "It's okay, Princess." He said, placing his hand on her shoulder, "Rest for now, we shall meet at the dinner table."

"Yes, Father." Said, Crystal placing a small peck on her father's cheek as he exited the main chambers.

Somewhere in the back of her mind, she did not believe his father's assuring words. If that problem was under control, why did he look so tense? Thought Crystal.

Anger was taking up far too much space in her mind right now, regarding the invasion caused by some criminally minded people in her Empire.

Crystal felt her irritation rising even higher. She had to look into the matter herself!

It was her birthright and her responsibility to save her people from any kind of awaited danger and she would do it at any cost.

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After a while, at the town's entrance beside the dark forest. From the bush where he was hiding and waiting for his next victim, Zarek could hear the light hoofs of the horse, approaching fast. The rider seemed to be in a hurry. Just when the animal was about to pass him, he broke free of the brush, to block the path of whoever was unfortunate enough to be his prey this day.

"Halt!" He shouted, holding up his sword.

The rider's horse was startled, it reared and the young girl on its back had to hold on for dear life. Zarek watched her efforts with a hard face, hiding inside the mask he wore. He contemplated the chances of her landing on her behind in the dirt.

Now that would be an entertaining sight, thought Zarek.

However, she managed to control the animal. Well, well. Here was something you didn't see every day: a female who could manage to stay in the saddle. Her face was hidden inside her cloak, until she looked at him, unveiling the most beautiful face he had ever seen.

"Who are you?" She asked, clearly showing the authority in her voice. The girl's sapphire icy blue eyes were blazing at his action.

"None of your business," Zarek Retorted.

Through the slits of his mask, he saw the girl's eyes go wide and enjoyed the show immensely. Oh yes, she wasn't talked back in her whole life.

The girl had come to a conclusion. After throwing him a wary look.

"What do you want?" She asked.

Zarek had to work hard to suppress the smirk. "Now," he said, "that's a simple enough question: all that you have."

She stared at him, still not understanding.

"You! Why are you invading my land?" She hissed.

Behind the mask, the cold grey eyes begging him to turn into fuming red, after listening to her confrontation brought back the hatred towards the Empire in his heart. The way she was pressing her rights onto this land was enough proof to determine that she belonged to the royal family of the Aquislanada Empire.

"Aye," he said, very pleased with himself, "I."

"How can you do this?" Demanded the girl.

Swallowing his anger as it was very tough for him, but the years of training paid him very well.

"Oh, it's quite easy, if you know how to. I'll let you in on my secret if you promise to keep it to yourself. You see, unlike warriors, normal people don't usually carry weapons. That makes them very easy to rob." Zarek just shrugged and spoke.

"Get out of my Empire," the girl made an imperious gesture with her small hand. "Leave this land and I will overlook that you even came here."

'Her empire'? Judging by her attire and her arrogant tone, she must be from the royal family.

How can a princess who should be kept in a castle gallop through the forest on a horse?

Zarek found it interesting.

Zarek almost burst out laughing, cold-heartedly. "What a generous offer, little girl. But alas, I have to rob you first."

"You dare defy me?"

Pretending to think hard on the subject, Zarek scratched the side of his helmet. "Yes, I think I do. Dare to defy you, I mean."

Girl's eyes were fuming in anger at his words, as he saw the wind picking up the speed causing her fiery red hair to flow in the air. The way her eyes were sparkling was giving him the idea that she was far more than the normal girl from the royal family.

"You dare to invade my land and defy my order." She hissed, glaring at Zarek. Then she muttered something in her native language, from which he was very well acquainted.

Raising her right hand in front of Zarek while thrusting it forward, she said, "Glacies!"

'Oh, she is a witch', Zarek thought. But her little spell didn't have any effect on him which shocked the girl and him as well.

'Why the hell didn't he turn into ice?' Crystal did not understand why her mana was ineffective against him.

Taking the opportunity as she got distracted for a moment, with lightning speed, Zarek drew his sword and swung it around. It came to a stop only half an inch from the girl's slender white throat. Rider and horse froze, both sensing the danger. Thoughtfully, Zarek moved the blade a bit, pushing aside her long, red hair. It made a nice contrast against the silver gleam of the steel.

He hoped it wouldn't be necessary to add red to the colorful mixture, but the hatred towards her race took him a second to press the steel sword hard against her neck as a few droplets of her blood briskly drifted down her neck.

Surprised, she blinked and stared directly into his eyes. "I dare you." Challenged him.

Zarek's eyes darkened as he watched the blood flow, as if the blood was calling for him. He could feel a longing in his heart that was slowly growing.

It took all his willpower to restrain him from tasting her blood.

The intense eye contact made Zarek feel his emotions being greatly swung. He turned his head to avoid such a gaze.

He felt his eyes were going to change their color from grey into red.

The girl had an effect on him, and Zarek was so displeased with this discovery that his anger was about to diffuse out of his eyes.

The girl caught Zarek's baffled state followed by the loud sound of growl from the forest's side. It got her distracted for just a moment and when she looked back, Zarek wasn't there.

"You escaped, but I'll find you and when I do, I'll have you punished for every crime that you've committed!" Crystal pledged.

"My Armour is like tenfold shields, my teeth are swords, my claws spears, and my breath death!

And people call me a BEAST."

****************************************

Zarek managed to escape from her in about two seconds, when Crystal got distracted by the loud growl, coming from the dark forest.

Somewhere in the back of his mind, Zarek was aware of the fact that why did he feel the connection with the redhead little girl. Yes, he definitely knew, but wanted someone else to point it out.

He decided that he probably would feel the connection- but later. Not now.

Instead, all he felt now was.... pure hatred. He was in enemy territory again. And he had lived too long in the shadows of the Aquislanada Empire, little did the king know his people who didn't watch their backs died a quick and painful death.

"Are you out of your mind?" Zarek's firsthand in command, his friend Adonis demanded to know again. But Zarek hardly heard him.

With two long strides he was at the side of a waterfall in the middle of the forest where he lived for the most of his life. The water always calmed him down whenever he felt agitated, it was the soothing element for the fire flowing in his veins.

Who was that little girl? Thought Zarek.

Maybe you should have killed her on the spot, said a nasty little voice in the back of his mind. That voice had often kept Zarek alive before. Now he didn't like the sound of it very much.

Didn't like it? No, he hated that voice right now. Anyway, what it said wasn't quite true. He may have managed to escape from her, but like her aura screamed royalty, Zarek could not hide forever from her.

"Theodore?!" Adonis yelled at him.

Zarek's eyes turned red when he heard him, snapping his head towards Adonis, he said, "Don't. It's Zarek until I avenge the death of our people, especially my family."

"Okay, I understand. But what in the mighty Lycan's name were you doing?" Adonis demanded, eyeing him suspiciously.

"I'm not in the habit of doing anything in the name of mighty Lycan," Zachary replied, absent-mindedly.

"You were going to shift; did you know about the risk you were willing to take? Exposing ourselves in the enemy's camp will bring us trouble and even death. " Adonis pressed, glaring at Zarek.

"No," Zarek snapped at him, "I wasn't."

"Then what was that shifting of your eyes? Your baffled state?"

The image flashed in front of Zarek's inner eye. Little girl's blood drifting down her neck.

"Her blood," he growled.

"That little girl's blood. When... when I saw her blood, it felt like a spark in my soul, like it was calling me. Everything blacked out, it was just her blood and me."

"And you know the meaning of it, right?"

"No, I don't! We Vouculias do not indulge with the Aquislanadas, our one standing enemy." Zarek declared.

The eyes of Adonis narrowed indignantly. "Yes, we don't. But it's you who have to. Because, the souls have identified one another, whether you like it or not."

"She's the fobbing witch, damn it!" Zarek's fists clenched as he turned away from Adonis.

"What?!" Adonis exclaimed; he couldn't believe his ears. "But... but that's impossible. You can't be paired with a witch."

Zarek chuckled darkly to himself. He was in quite a unique situation. Lycans never get paired with witches, they either get paired with humans or to the other Lycans.

With a bitter smile on his face, Zarek turned back and asked Adonis, "Did you do the task I gave you?"

Adonis smirked and said, "All done, my King."

*******************************************************

Meanwhile, when Crystal was returning towards the castle, 'Why does my water elemental magic not work on him?' Was the question that kept beating on the door of her mind like a battering ram.

Why in the name of the moon goddess, my spell didn't work on him?

There was only one thing she wanted to do-- having him out in the stocks and pelted with rotten cabbage for what he had done to her people. This was so confusing. She wanted him punished or maybe dead, but she also wanted to reveal his identity.

Frustration was piling up inside the mind of the Aquislanada princess, Crystal. After reaching the Aquislanada castle, she ran through the long corridors, towards the secret training garden that she along with her mother, Queen Ophelia developed in her training days.

No one noticed her distress-- they all had to deal with their routine work. The castle was busy as it was time when evening guards exchanged their duties with the morning guards. Maids were busy setting up the dinner table.

Thrusting the door, which leads to her secret garden, Crystal walked out of the castle into the backyard after closing the big wooden double doors behind her.

It was the place where she could calm down.

While leaning against a tree, Crystal took a deep breath. She shook herself, but her lips, and managed to steady her breathing.

"In this garden we guard the den of nature, for here we bare our souls in such nurturing safety." Crystal remembered the saying of her mother Ophelia when she was little.

Let's get started, shall we? A small voice in the back of her mind said.

Crystal stopped her thoughts right there and walked towards the waterfall, which always intrigued by calming her down. The garden was situated beside the highest waterfall in the Empire. The starting and ending of it was still a mystery to everyone.

Standing there, Crystal steadied her breathing, closed her eyes and focused her concentration on the sound of running water in front of her.

The flashbacks when her mother, Queen Ophelia used to train her started flashing inside her eyes.

"Remember my girl, water is the element of change. The moon is the source of power in water bending, and every water Bender has to learn to bend by observing how the moon pushes and pulls the tides. We deal with the flow of energy; we let our defense become our offence, turning our opponents' own forces against them. Do you understand, Crystal?"

Crystal opened her eyes, raised both of her hands and thrusted her palms away from her towards the waterfall, yelling, "Glacies!"

The running water froze, as if time had stopped. Crystal looked around her and saw the wind was still blowing, birds were still flying, but the water wasn't flowing. It meant that her spell had no effect on the invader, only. Else, she was doing fine.

"I know you'll be here." The crystal collects its energy.