Tales of magic: grimoire of transmogrification

  Chapter 43

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  Arc 2 – “The hunter and the beast”

  Chapter 27- “Last words.”

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  What shall remain of us? What do we leave behind after we transition to the realm of death? Is it the treasure we have stored up for ourselves? Is it the mark we have made on the world?

  No. It’s our children. Or, more precisely our legacy. Our legacy includes of all we have to offer to our universe, and after we are gone, if it was passed down to worthy heirs, our legacy shall grow and improve. Each new generation would receive it and pass the torch down to the next. And then our names shall never be forgotten...

  ~The Philosopher. Memories of the Forgotten. Book of magic. 1697.

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  1st May, 1886.

  Weidson, Pridon.

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  6:39

  Good morning.

  The colossal werewolf’s body slammed against the ground with so much force that the entire forest quaked. As it fell, something else was happening. It was changing. The fur was turning white, and the eyes were going red as well. The surface of his skin bubbled and boiled as though it were liquid. The majestic figure was shrinking and becoming far more frightening than before.

  At the exact same time, he caught on fire. The flames appeared so suddenly that Jordan would’ve sworn it was a spell. However, it looked so...magnificent. The fire arose all over his body and devoured his flesh, bit by bit. At first he didn’t make a single noise, but soon a low growl could be heard all over the woods.

  Jordan was transfixed. He couldn’t take his eyes off of it. Even if the thing he saw before him had murdered tens of thousands, and had put him through so much pain, he couldn’t help but feel a bit sorry for it. He didn’t think the simple spell would do so much.

  ‘At the end of the day, Lycan is only a mortal. Spells work on him just like any other mortal. Transformation spells work even better since he’s a shapeshifter- his body and soul is more malleable. But I didn’t think it would be this easy...Though, what was I expecting? Did I... want things to go wrong? No. Maybe I’m just so used to losing all the time that I don’t know how actually winning against these supernatural entities actually feels like.’

  When he had calmed down, seeing that Lycan couldn’t do anything to him anymore, he smiled. Though he felt a little guilty-smiling at someone’s death especially after killing them with your own two hands wasn’t exactly a heroic thing to do- he did it anyways. He wanted to be happy, he believed to have deserved that at least. But Jordan couldn’t shake his guilt and his newfound respect for the dying Lycan.

  He turned his head away, looking for Veronica and Lancaster. He found them in different corners of the massive clearing. As he got up though, he was greeted with the all to familiar feeling of intense pain he felt in his recent wounds. He fell flat on his back, breathing heavily.

  ‘Damn it.’

  “Jordan... Don’t worry about us. We’re okay.” Veronica’s voice drifted to his ear.

  “Is it fucking over?” Lancaster yelled. His voice was far weaker though.

  “Yes, I think it is.”

  ‘They’re hurt... But they’ll be okay. When my Power is replenished, I’ll transfer some to Lancaster and he’ll heal his wounds. Then I’ll do the same for myself and Veronica. It’s finally over.’

  He glanced at the burning beast once more. He didn’t see anything new, so he sighed in relief.

  ‘We finally won.’

  “It’s not dead yet.” A manly voice could be heard from behind him. Jordan pushed his injuries to roll over and turn towards the voice even when it hurt so badly.

  “William.” He snarled.

  ‘Why him? Why now, when I finally get to rest. Why?’

  William frowned. His body was riddled with countless fresh wounds. The wound on his chest for one, wasn’t gone. However, the man was standing tall as though there was nothing wrong with him.

  “Do you always have to greet me like that?” He stared at Jordan, hands folded across his chest.

  “What do you want?” Lancaster managed to ask, still hurt from the beating he received.

  William ignored him, and walking closer to Lycan, Jordan had to force himself to turn around to follow his movements. He felt something else stirring up inside his body, almost falling out through the hole. He tried not to think about it, but the pain wasn’t giving him a chance.

  This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

  “Amateurs. Is this the first time you killed someone? Next time, try to remember this. If you commit to killing someone, make sure they’re actually dead before you relax and celebrate, okay?”

  “Sorry we’re not accomplished killers like you.”

  “You’re back to hating me, are you? Peculiar lad. Just a moment ago you were clinging on to me for dear life. Nonetheless, you managed to bring the king of beasts to his knees. For that, you have my respect.”

  ‘What does that mean?’

  William cocked his gun, a small folded gun he hadn’t used throughout their battle earlier. Then, without warning, he fired.

  You really think that’s enough?

  Lycan’s face had a small hole in it, but his body had stopped burning awhile ago. Now he had burns all over, he didn’t look nearly as majestic as he did before. Though, the presence remained. It was still Lycan, in the flesh.

  “He fucking transformed again.” Lancaster complained.

  Margaret, the lady on the floor earlier – Jordan simply guessed that that was who Lycan was referring to- was up for some reason.

  “Dad...” She stared at him with so much emotion, but didn’t move closer.

  I actually thought I was going to die.

  “You are going to die. Someone who was more that ready to slaughter tens of thousands of people doesn’t deserve to live.” William reloaded his gun with a strange looking bullet he uncovered from under his tongue.

  Who made that rule? You? You must be joking, William Sharpside. No mortal has the right to judge other mortals.

  “True. I’m no god. And I know you’re about to say that your god encourages you to do this. But you have to understand that I’m not talking about right and wrong. I’m a murderer too, and I’m not a hypocrite. I’m really talking about problems and solutions. Believe it or not, I do what I do to protect the world around me, especially my own species. I can’t sit back and let someone who would commit genocide on a whim go scot free, would I?”

  Hunter aimed at his head.

  “I won’t miss, trust me. This one will end you. But before I fire, I would like to ask you a question. Why didn’t you retreat to your domain when the sun came up and this boy casted his spell?”

  I assume you slaughtered my pack?

  “Every single werewolf and demon spawn.”

  That’s your answer. What’s a king without his people? It seems even Lord Chaos has turned his head away from me.

  “It’s not fair. But I guess they realised that you had grown too powerful, and too dangerous. Just like you...”

  Lycan smiled.

  You want to kill me, and you still manage to sound friendly?

  “Father...” Margaret had tears running down her cheeks. This time, she had more to say. “... it doesn’t have to be like this. You could run away or..”

  How? He’ll just follow me.

  “Then try to fight back!”

  I would lose. Like I lost before.

  “You’re supposed to be strong. A legendary powerful monster that kills and destroys and... You’re not supposed to lose. You can’t lose! Kill him, damn it!”

  While she cried, William simply stared at her with a sad expression.

  “No. No! I can’t. I just can’t! I spent so much time, looking for you. It... It can’t end like this. You’re faking it. Yeah. You’re pretending to be weak. Yes. You have to be. It’s the only way this makes sense.”

  Lycan shook his head and started to glow.

  William readjusted his gun, and Margaret had something that resembled a smile...until Lycan transformed into a human.

  “It’s much easier to kill me now, isn’t it?” He smiled to William before turning to his daughter. “Margaret, I love you. I always have. But..”

  “But what? You’re giving up on living?”

  “I have no choice.”

  “It’s fucking over. Kill him already!” Lancaster laughed.

  ‘It’s almost as if all the pain is making him even more crazy than usual.’

  William nodded his head.

  “Gladly.”

  “Margaret, I don’t want to hurt you. I never did. But let me ask you a question now. Could you, approach me now?”

  Margaret’s eyes widened suddenly.

  “You can’t. You’re afraid. Even when I look like a human being. You know what kind of monster I am. But let’s forget that for a moment. Remember this; You wanted this. You didn’t come here to stop me, you came here to kill me. I believe this was your doing, Margaret, even though you might’ve forgotten.”

  “What... are you even saying?”

  “I’m sick and tired of living. Ever since I became...this, my goal had always been to find a cure.. to become human again. But no matter the sorcery, no matter how much I hide my fangs, they still come back. No matter how much I transform, I return to my original state under the full moon. I return to the monster I am. I soon discovered that living amongst humans was impossible for me. So I tried to live amongst monsters. But I wasn’t...one of them. I never fully integrated into their societies...so I made them integrate into my society. I fought, and made them my slaves. I made them do as I wished. I became...this. Soon, there were only so many things I would do to feel... peaceful. Killing soon became boring. So was hunting, feeding, and sleeping. I began to torture my targets too. I became inhuman. But I didn’t find peace. I didn’t find pleasure. Look at me, Margaret. I have found peace. I know you can be happy now. You can finally be free from the curse that is your father. Let me find my peace, Maggie. Knowing that the world will be better because of you makes me happy. Speaking of which, happy birthday.”

  Margaret trembled, gripping her head.

  “You’re finally remembering it, aren’t you? The centuries you have been alive, devoting all of your being to making this moment a reality. You put plans in place to make sure everything had worked out... I’m glad. You have given me the peace I wanted. Jordan, sorry for my former comments. I understand now. Fate, has taken it’s course. The gods are good.”

  “Are we done? Good.”

  Without any ceremony, William fired again. The massive bullet sailed through the skies and blasted a huge hole through his head. His body toppled over, and fell backwards.

  Lycan was dead.

  Margaret fell down as well, still in shock.

  William glanced at her, opened his mouth to say something, but closed it immediately afterwards.

  Then he walked towards Jordan, seeing the gun on the floor and picking it up.

  “You even replicated the silver bullets?” William pointed the gun at Jordan.

  ‘I realise it now. He respects me...so I’m good enough to get killed by him. Great.’

  “Any last words?”

  “Fuck you.”

  “Stop swearing! You’re turning into Lancaster!” Veronica yelled at him, then coughed a lot immediately afterwards.

  “Don’t stress yourself. Your boyfriend isn’t going to die that easily.”

  “Lancaster!” Veronica yelled, again.

  “Would you two just stop it? We’re about to die here.”

  William smiled warmly.

  “Yes, you are.” He pulled the trigger. The bullet was fired.

  However, instead of feeling the pain of getting shot again, Jordan felt nothing.

  “I missed. Oh, and it looks like I’m out of bullets too. Well, it seems I’ll have to kill you some other time.” William shrugged. Then, just as suddenly as he came, The man casually walked away without a care in the world.

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