The Inglorium (Version CEDRUS, PT. 1) [FINISHED, UNDER EDIT]

Part Seventeen: Blood Moon

Yugo

It's hard to believe what I'm perceiving. My friends.... both from the Brotherhood Of The Tofu and the Brotherhood Of The Forgotten.... They don't appear to have aged even a day. But time here has passed so much more quickly. I frown. But why? Why was there such a severe time difference? For them, time didn't pass as quickly.... and I have a feeling that it has to do with Cra.....

I narrow my eyes. There's a woman with them I don't recognize. I motion with my head to her. "Who are you?" She blinks at me from across the room. "Me?" She points to herself, her mouth in an 'o' shape. I nod. She blinks again. "I'm Enripsa." I lift an eyebrow. "The Goddess Enripsa?" She smiles shyly and nods. "The one and only!"

I sigh, then sit down in the chair I was leaning on. Sheila looks both afraid and intrigued, but she doesn't say anything as she puts the final plate of soup on the table. Cedar drags his chair next to mine and sits next to me, looking amazed. His eyes sparkle with delight and excitement. I turn my attention back to my friends. "So, how exactly did all of this happen?"

Dathura clears her throat and replies, "You aren't the only one who wants an answer to that question. You said it's been six years for you?" I nod, feeling a little grim.

Avoiding everyone's curious looks, I avert my gaze.

"I.... honestly, I thought I would never see any of you again." Trying to sum up how I feel, I look up and give a lopsided grin. "It's good to see you all again."

Amalia is the only one who doesn't meet my sweeping gaze, and she actually stands up and excuses herself. She walks out into the darkening light, not looking back even once.

Shelia especially looks concerned. "Yugo, isn't today.....?" I snap to attention. "Yes, it is." I jump up from my chair and head outside. Luckily, Amalia hasn't gotten far. "Amalia!" I call to her, but she doesn't look back. In fact, she picks up her pace. "Amalia!" I shout again. She once again picks up her pace. I start to jog to catch up to her. It doesn't take long, and I grab her arm once I'm in range. "Amalia, it isn't safe, today is-" Amalia yanks her arm from my grip and stomps into the forest.

A wave of familiar irritation rises in me, and it makes me want to laugh. I've sort of missed her attitude. I roll my eyes with a smile and head after her. "Amalia! Are you mad at me for something?" Amalia finally stops, turns around, and stares at me.

I cringe a bit. If looks could kill! She is glaring at me with all the force she could possibly have, grits her teeth, then says, "Well, smart guy, what do you think?" She then whips around and continues to stomp through the forest, further inland.

By now, the sky is almost completely dark, and my concern increases as well as my alarm. "Amalia! I know you're mad at me, but now isn't the time to be exploring! You have to listen to me! Today is-" Amalia seems even more furious. "I don't care what today is!" She yells back to me. She stops then turns to face me. The look on her face was one of sadness.... of hurt, of betrayal.

I have to close my eyes to stop the twinge of pain I got from her expression. "Amalia, if you're referring to Cedar and Sheila, it's a little complica-" A blood chilling howl interrupts my words. Chills run down my spine as I look up.

Shit....Full moon....blood red. My eyes wide in panic. Am I too late? Damn it! I rush up to Amalia, pick her up, and hoist her over my shoulder. She squeals in alarm and anger, and I rush toward the village speeding up, even with her kicking and screaming.

"Put me down! What are you doing? Yuuuuugggoooooooo!" I ignore her and continue to run, praying I wasn't too late. Snarls near me answer. Crimson and golden eyes appear from the darkness around us, and I push my pace even further. I burst out into the open, and immediately head toward the house. I rush in and put Amalia down.

Her hair is sticking out just about everywhere, and she raises her index finger and opens her mouth to yell, but I rush into my office before she can say a word. I grab my weapons and sling them over my back. "Watch them!" I yell to Sheila as I run out.

I slam the door behind me, attracting the beasts already prowling. The Blood Wolves glare and snarl at me, drooling as if I'm an easy meal. I yell in defiance and anger, draw my metal sword from its sheath, and charge. Left, right, left, right. They charge at me without hesitation, and I slay them without hesitation. They're out for my blood even more than the villagers- especially because I've killed so many of theirs.

Paws thump on bloodied ground. Teeth and claws flash, and the blood is rushing in my ears. One of them bites my arm. I howl in pain and fury, then stab it in the eye with a smaller dagger from my belt. It screeches, but it doesn't let go. I then stab it in the other eye, and it screeches again, but this time the sharp teeth release my arm.

Within seconds of the first one letting go, I am surrounded. I grimace. So, you're getting smarter, huh? One bites the same arm. Another bites my left leg. Another my shoulder.... before I can even form a thought, I fall beneath the swarm of carnivorous bodies. "Papa!" I blink open my eyes. Cedar is standing outside of the house, looking at me with both desperation and horror.

Three of the Wolves break off and prepare to pounce on him. "Cedar, get back inside!" I scream. "But papa! I can help!" "Cedar!" I scream again. The Wolves have me pinned.

I can't move!

"Cedar! Go inside, NOW!" Cedar looks terrified, but he doesn't move. The Wolves are getting closer and closer to him....then one of them pounces.

It's like time slows down.

"CEDAR, NO!"