The Animagus: From Hunter to Monster-Chapter 88: Red Key

Tristan and the soldiers with him were already inside the dungeon. They were still in water, but they can stand, since they feet is on the ground. With Tristan leading, and with their torchlights fixed to their guns, they moved. Slowly, and attentively, they observed the area. Birds hovered around, above them.

"Which way?" Samuel asked Tristan.

Tristan flashed back again to when he was a child. He remembered when he played with his fellow children and figured out the way they followed.

"This way," he said, taking his right and Samuel with his men followed.

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In front, they saw the metal cage already open. Of course, the wall used as door was still open.

"Is this is?" Samuel asked again, and Tristan nodded in affirmation.

"He’s already here," Tristan added to his nod.

Samuel signaled two of the soldiers who followed to stop at the point, and to keep watch, while he ventured with Tristan forward to the cage. As they approached nearer, Tristan saw a yellow paint by the side of the wall and felt it in an anxious manner.

"What is it?" Samuel asked from behind Tristan.

"Nothing. Let’s go," Tristan replied and moved forward.

And they finally reached the cage. Ruben left, or probably, forgot the circular key in its opening. Seeing that nothing was there, Tristan said, "We are already too late," and when to collect the key.

(Roaring)

On hearing the sound, Tristan, including Samuel and two other remaining soldiers, rushed back to where the sound was heard. Behold, they saw Victor, who had already defeated the soldiers who were asked to keep watch. Immediately, they started firing shots at Victor and due to the effects of the bullet, Victor turned behind him and tried to escape.

"After him!" Man 1 said and was running after the Lycan.

"Behind him," Man 2 added and followed suit, including Samuel. As soon as the three soldiers left, Ruben came out from the dark behind Tristan but Tristan sensed him fast enough to turn and counter the attack from Ruben. He pushed Ruben to the wall, and tucked him at the throat.

"Impressive," Ruben grumbled and with much effort, got free from Tristan’s grip and now, it was Tristan’s turn to face what he made him face. Tristan’s rifle fell off to the ground as he struggled to be free from Ruben’s grip and with a final attempt, he removed Ruben’s hands from his throat and gave him a punch. Tristan’s eyes flashed with supernatural intensity, his lean physique radiating an otherworldly strength.

Ruben, in a bid of revenge flew punches in a flurry. But Tristan dodged with inhuman agility, his movements a blur. With a swift counterattack, he landed a series of precise blows, sending Ruben crashing to the wall.

Ruben struggled to get back at Tristan, but Tristan quickly picked up his rifle from the ground, and fired uncountable shots at Ruben. Ruben, now remained leaning on the wall, trying to get over the pain the shots from Tristan is causing him. Immediately, Tristan rushed to the side of the wall where an opening for the circular key was and used to key to lock the door-wall. He did this since Ruben was across on the other side. Before Ruben could reach the door, it had already closed. So, he kept struggling to open push it upwards, open.

With anger, Ruben yelled out aloud. But knowing no one can come to his rescue, he turned into his bird-like creature form.

*****

Inside the helicopter which hung in the air, outside the dungeon. There are two people inside. Christine and the pilot. When Tristan was checking out for Christine while they were inside the air craft, she didn’t zip back the bag.

(Tristan, in voice over) "Christine, you’re unique. There’s never been a hybrid before. Your powers could be limitless." Immediately, Christine opened her eyes. It was dark, black.

(Inside the dungeon) Tristan was rushing, holding his two rifles out, and a bullet crossed his face.

"Hold it! Oh, fuck. I’m not the Lycan for Christ’s sake," he yelled at the soldier the fired the shot.

"Where is he?" the soldier asked.

"He went right through there," Samuel replied, trudging out of his hiding face. "All we have are UV rounds, they won’t take him down," Samuel added.

"No, but they will slow him down," Tristan said. And immediately, Victor, from nowhere, hit Samuel and the other soldier out. Making them to hit themselves on the wall and laying lifeless finally on the ground.

Like a victorious king, Ruben was able to lift the door-wall and at the same time, Christine landed on the path where Tristan faced the Lycan. Christine had already turned, so, now, she snarled at Victor. Tristan, noticing that Ruben is out, left Christine to face the Lycan while she dived down to face Ruben.

The air was charged with tension as the four combatants faced off in a fierce showdown. Tristan, with eyes blazing like hot coals, clashed with the Ruben, their movements lightning-fast. Fangs bared, Tristan landed a series of swift kicks and punches, sending the Ruben crashing to the ground.

Meanwhile, the Christine, with muscles rippling beneath his skin, wrestled the Lycan to the earth. The Lycan’s claws swiped wildly, but the Christine dodged with ease, countering with a devastating blow that sent the Lycan’s head crashing into the dirt.

Tristan, having bested Ruben, turned to face the second, but Christine stood victorious over the Lycan’s prone form. Tristan’s eyes narrowed, acknowledging the Christine’s strength, but also recognizing the Lycan’s defeat.

In the end, Tristan and the Christine stood panting, their chests heaving with exertion. The outcome was stark: Tristan had vanquished the first hybrid, Ruben, while the Christine had emerged victorious over the Lycan.

"So, daddy, what later happened? Please, tell me how this whole war began. I am sorry to ask but there must be a cause to all that had happened," came the little child’s voice as he asked the dad.

"Go and get me a coffee, since you want to listen to history," the dad answered.

CHAPTER NINE

The light of dawn shows Tristan while he was on the roof of a tall building alongside a colleague, a death dealer. He narrates:

"The war had all began but ground to a halt in the blink of an eye. Josh, the most feared and ruthless leader ever to rule the Lycan clan had finally being killed. The Lycan horde scattered to the wind in a single evening of flame and retribution. Victory, it seemed, was in our grasp, the very birthright of the vampires. Nearly sixty decades had passed since that night. Yet the ancient feud proved unwilling to follow Josh to the grave. Though Lycans were fewer in number, the war itself had become more perilous for the moon no longer hold her sway. Older, more powerful Lycans were now able to change at will. The weapons had evolved, but our orders remained the same: Hunt them down and kill them off, one by one. A most successful campaign. Perhaps, too successful. For those like me, a Death Dealer, this signaled the end of an era. Like the weapons of the previous century, we too would become obsolete. Pity, because I lived for it."

*****

It was raining in Sylvercroft. Human beings were seen on a busy road, going to and fro, with umbrellas raised above their heads in a way of covering themselves from the rain. From the top of the roof of the tall, I gave my fellow colleague I sign to go after the Lycans we sighted in the midst of the humans. Like a superhero, he flew down the tall building while I waited on the roof still trying to identify the activities of the Lycans.

Seeing they were after a young lady, Christine. They kept following Christine everywhere she went to but she didn’t notice.

"Prepare for possible water landing. Please ensure your life jackets are securely fastened."

The air grew thick with anticipation as every occupiers scrambled to ready themselves. The sound of gun cocking filled the cabin.

As the helicopter continued its descent, Tristan eyes glowed and immediately, he made for the door and opened it.

"Closer!" Tristan instructed, standing at the door.

"Tristan," Samuel called, offering her a machine gun. But, to his disappointment, Tristan just stared at him for some time and jumped out bringing out his two rifles, five other soldiers followed suit.

They had jumped into the water and are now swimming. They relied on their sense of direction, following the faint sound of waves crashing against the shore, since the fog was thick.

The water was icy, numbing their limbs, but they pressed on, their breathing synchronized. Occasionally, they’d pause to shout encouragement or adjust their course.

The swim was grueling, but the men endured until finally, after what seemed like an eternity, they saw it - a rocky shoreline, beckoning them towards safety.

With renewed energy, they stroked towards the shore, and beside the shore, there was an entrance.

*****

Ruben went closer to the prison. He inserted the circular key into its opening in the prison.

The metal cage, now stood vulnerable as the chains that bound it were slowly unwound. The sound of clanking metal echoed through the air as the links