"Estelle, fetch me the finest wine we have available," King Frederick demanded. "Right away, Your Majesty," I responded with a graceful curtsy. The stone walls echoed with laughter. I envied that sound, as I wish it were me laughing without a care in the world. I made my way into the wine cellar, and in the darkness, I was backed into a corner in the midst of fetching wine for the King's guests. Mederith, Raya, and Evelyn, the other maids, surrounded me and blocked any entrance or chance of escape. They each had scorn in their eyes.
"What’s going on?" I asked in confusion. Mederith scoffed and replied "Don’t act foolish. I know beneath that innocence of yours, you’re a prowling vixen, waiting to get her claws into anything she can get."
"What are you talking about? I am only here to grab some wine, per the king's request." They rolled their eyes, and I added. "Now, move out of my way, or help me find this damn thing."
Evelyn smacked her lips and crossed her arms with determination as she spoke. "We’re not going anywhere."
"Why does the king waste his time with you? Doesn’t he know how worthless you are?" Raya hissed venomously. That stung, deep. In an attempt to plead my case, I spoke "Doesn’t matter how worthless I am, the man wants his wine. I am only here to do my job." My words fell on deaf ears. It seems their anger reached its peak as Evelyn struck me first. "Shut up! You filthy whore!!" She exclaimed, exasperated. Her slap stung, and I was stunned into silence. Emotion started bubbling to the surface, as Mederith struck next. She kicked me in the abdomen, taking my breath as I dropped onto the floor, gasping for air and clutching my stomach.
That’s when all three women decided to attack me. Evelyn transformed into a medium-sized, cat-like beast. Her claws dug deep into my back as an agonizing scream escaped my mouth, and the pain paralyzed me. They bit, clawed, kicked, scratched, punched, and did everything in their power to physically harm me. As the blows kept coming, I didn’t know how to defend myself, so I did what I thought best and shielded my body with my arms. What a futile attempt. Mederith grabbed my right arm, snapping it clean in half. A loud screech of pain burst from my mouth and hot, anger-filled tears streamed from my eyes. Blood poured onto the cold floor, I couldn’t think straight. I was cold, bitter, resentful, and most importantly, angry. Angry with myself, angry with the world, and angry with them.
I’m going to die here. I thought. As they continued to pummel me. I looked at my surroundings, to see if I could find a weapon, or really, anything at all. Instead, all I noticed was so much blood soaking into the pavement, and my tattered and torn dress, was soaked in blood as well. My blood.
"This is for everything you have ever done wrong." Mederith laughed hysterically as she fisted my hair, pulling it to meet my face with hers. My crooked nose dripped blood and my lips were busted. My face was bloodied and bruised. I couldn’t make out what they were saying. Mederith’s nose crinkled and she spat in my face. "It’s the least you deserve," Evelyn added, as she also spat. At least attempted to. Her glob of saliva plopped onto the floor right beside me.
Die. Die. DIE. DIE. DIE.
I was in so much pain. My eyes couldn’t focus. The only thing I could hear was a guttural growl coming from the back of my mind, overtaking any sense of self-control I had left.
They will pay for what they have done. A deep, animalistic voice filled my mind. Finally, my body sat limp against the cold stone wall. As if they didn’t have enough, Evelyn and Raya began mocking me. Enjoying my pain, in fact, relishing in it. Mederith joined them, their malicious laughter made me feel small and weak. I couldn’t move, I couldn’t do anything. Tremors began deep within my bones. It was worse than anything I have ever felt. When will the pain end?
A shockwave was felt throughout every inch of my being, and it seemed like Mederith, Raya, and Evelyn, felt it too. Their smugness quickly disappeared from their face as my body violently began to shake and contort. "Do you think we took it too far?" one whispered. They gasped as my body crumpled to the stone, cold floor. I couldn’t fight it, I was giving in. That voice grew louder and louder, overtaking my senses. There wasn’t much I could do and in this state of helplessness, I felt repulsed with myself. Besides the wounds that were just inflicted, my skin felt as if it was lit on fire. I felt heat surging through my veins, as my skin tore apart. Thousands of needles pierced through the surface, tearing me apart and reshaping me from the inside out. Darkness swallowed me whole, as fur erupted from my skin, a blackness so deep that it seemed to absorb the very light around it. The pain was no longer a sensation, it was pushed to the back of my mind, as I felt a more primal urge erupt.
The weight of new appendages sprouted from my back, four bat-like wings, spreading to the end of my vision. My hands and limbs contorted, sickening sounds coming from each crack. The maids watched in horror. Evelyn, still in her cat-like form, puffed into a large cotton ball, hissing with the tips of her claws exposed. Mederith’s eyes were wide, and she said "This can’t be happening, you have no magic. You can’t transform into your Shadow-kin." In a moment of her denial, sharp, twisted horns, about six of them, erupted from my skull on all sides. I was no longer myself.
My physical form mirrored the pain and savagery that now defined me. My delicate fingers, now sharp and clawed appendages. My torment, my pain reached its Apex as fur, wings, and red, vibrant horns, melded together. I was now a creature of the shadows. A savage Wolf-like beast with plenty of rage. The air was thick with an ancient scent of magic.
I stood tall on my back legs, which left me unsteady. My vision consisted of a swirl of shadows, who had bore witness to the maids that had tormented me. Their faces contorted in a mix of terror and disbelief, as they cowered before the beast I had become. A nasty snarl came from my snout, followed by a howl.
"We need to go, NOW!!" Raya exclaimed, desperately. The three began to turn their backs, and Estelle’s kin took control. The air crackled with energy and Estelles' eyes glowed with an unnatural red light. Fear froze the three into place. They have never seen such a beast shape before. Her Shadow-kin resembled that of a legend, once told many moons ago. Their faces were etched with fear, as they stumbled backward, realizing the gravity of their actions. Estelle, consumed by the beast within, left no doubt that she was no longer prey.
The confrontation ended swiftly as did their screams. I awoke, staring down at my blood-soaked hands, not knowing what had happened. I was in a daze and the last thing I remember was accepting my fate. Instead, I bore witness to the remnants of the rampage. Dismembered body parts and gore lay scattered all throughout the floor, my fellow maids were no longer a threat. My heart sank with guilt as my hands and face were lathered with their blood, my wounds no longer present. I was liberated in a way but also burdened with tragedy and despair. I sat silently, trying to process the carnage that had consumed me. Footsteps approached from behind, quickly, my trembling gaze locked with Prince Noirs. He seemed to be in awe, his eyes were wide. He must’ve seen the creature I became. I’m bloodstained – but no longer consumed by rage. My shaking body sat still in silence as I locked eyes with the Prince. For a brief moment, and only a moment, the world stood still.
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