The Beast, The Witch, and The Dragon

  Part 1:  Monster Hunter

  Silence is broken by screams.
  Men and women are disturbed from their slumber.
  Surprised, they are, to find what is in their barracks.
  Through shadow he moves.
  Already, he has consumed victims.
  Gunfire explodes.
  He is not slowed.
  One by one they meet a violent end.

  The episode of violence is reported the next day.
  Brian, Gambito, Isabelle, and Laura were watching.
  Gambito, in particular, finds the news enraging.
  The men and women mentioned were familiar.
  Friends he had made in service.
  Unable to hear anymore, he turns the TV off.
  He states, “This has Bane written all over it!
  Only someone like him has the stones.
  He doesn’t give a shit about who he kills!
  We need to put him the fuck down and do it now!”
  Brian, sworn enemy to the monstrous Bane, chimes in:
  “He’s been dead before.
  I cut his head off, myself, and he still came back.
  What more can we do?
  Every time we’ve fought him, the battles have been worst.
  Fighting harder has done jack shit for us.”
  Gambito huffs, “Who says it hasn’t?”
  Brian rebuffs, “No one, we’ve all witnessed it for ourselves.”
  Gambito counters, “Then we do more than cut his head off!
  How about we blow him to Kingdom fucking Come?!
  Make sure there’s no trace of him left!”
  The room falls silent for a second before Brian sighs.
  “One, I really don’t think it works like that.
  Two, where would we even get the hardware?!”
  Gambito smiles:
  “You know I have my ways.”
  Before Brian could object, they are interrupted.
  Gambito’s phone is buzzing loudly.
  Holding up a finger, he takes the call and leaves the room.

  Laura shares her thoughts:
  “I don’t often agree with him,
  but Gambito has a point.
  I’m all for fighting with intelligence,
  but maybe we can do something like lure Bane to a trap.
  I could use one of my battle spells.”
  Brian waves away her suggestion.
  “I rather if any of you weren’t there.”
  “You can’t keep taking it upon yourself, Brian.”
  Isabelle is finally chiming in.
  “How many times have we talked about this?
  Too many to count.
  I agree that a different approach is needed,
  but doing it by yourself is out of the question.
  That part is no longer up for debate.”
  Gambito returns from his call.
  His spirits appear to be lifted slightly.
  In rejoining the conversation,
  He also shares his news:
  “He won’t have to fight it alone.
  I got a call from a friend of mine and he’s not happy either.
  A bunch of the “Great Danes” are getting back together.”

  The room is silent at the news.
  An uneasy energy is created.
  Brian speaks up,
  “Tell me you didn’t encourage them…”
  Gambito looks at his friend before confirming,
  “Encourage them?
  I’m joining them!
  We’re going to form a hunting party and go after Bane.”
  Now, Brian was angry and shared his thought:
  “They aren’t prepared for someone like Bane!
  They are going to die!
  Do you understand that?!
  I know you’re angry,
  but you know damn well Bane does this shit to call me out!
  You start bringing in others
  then you are giving them a death sentence!”
  Gambito replies, “They know the risks.
  We all do.
  They will not change their minds on it.
  One way or another,
  we are going to stop Bane!”
  Brian releases a frustrated sigh.
  He looks to Isabelle and Laura.
  “You two are staying.
  Now that is not up for debate.
  Besides, we still have that issue of your psycho mother.
  We’ll need you to find out what the hell she’s up to.”
  Isabelle is about to protest,
  but her sister halts her and gives her a slow shake of her head.
  Relenting, Isabelle sighs and nods.
  Brian looks at Gambito.
  “We’re going and I hope no more victims are created out of this.”

  The Great Danes have gathered in the dining hall.
  Their name carries a double meaning,
  representing both a breed of canine and soldiers of the past.
  They have been joined by Gambito and Brian.
  Brian is already surveying their surroundings.
  Gambito is talking to his friend, Jeffrey.
  Jeffrey is the friend who called Gambito.
  A temporary sense of merry replaces the dark mood they all share.
  Stories are passed around about their fallen brothers and sisters in arms.
  Reflections of brotherhood and good deeds are revealed.

  The late hour is approaching.
  The mood transforms.
  Jeffrey approaches Brian.
  “Tell me something.
  You’re not a soldier.
  You’re not one of us.
  So why are you here?
  Gambito talked a big game about you,
  but looking at you,
  I’ve yet to be impressed.”
  Brian rises from his seat.
  His eyes lock with Jeffrey.
  Already, both sets of eyes expose their experiences.
  Brian finally responds to Jeffrey,
  “No, I’m not a soldier.
  I’m not arrogant enough to pretend to be one.
  Aside from being friends with Gambito,
  I’m a hunter of sorts.
  I’m familiar with what you’re going after.
  Truth be told,
  I respect a great deal what you and everyone here has done for our country,
  but this is a different kind of monster.
  You’ve all protected me with your service.
  I’m returning the favor for once.
  You’re not ready for what’s coming.”
  Jeffrey looks him up and down.
  He still isn’t impressed.
  “Well truth be told,
  I can tell you’ve seen plenty.
  All the same, nothing you’ve seen compares to what I’ve seen son.
  You being here is pointless.
  We know what we’re doing.
  Nothing.
  No one.
  Will be able to take us all on.
  You can hang back and watch the real heroes do our thing.
  Then, you can go home and tell everyone what took place here.
  You could probably even write a book and make some money.”
  Brian could only watch as Jeffrey joins the others with a sigh.
  There was no way he was going to convince them of the true danger ahead.
  They have a good, solid plan.
  Too bad that plan isn’t solid enough for the monster they are about to face.
  Brian has his own plan and only hopes he can act in time.

  The full moon shines its beams upon the earth.
  Nightly creatures are stirring.
  Like a moving shadow, Bane comes.
  He sneaks his way into base and into the barracks.
  Looking around, few stirred and none showed a sign of being awake.
  Bane approaches his first victim,
  grabbing the blanket and tearing it from the bed.
  He is met with the blade of a knife and a war cry.
  The lights come alive.
  Everyone has their guns drawn and pointed at the monster.
  All are surprised at seeing who appeared to be a wounded Brian.
  They recognize him as Gambito’s friend.
  Questions are thrown around.
  Confusion abounds.
  The monster simply smiles.
  Bane’s physical appearance changes to a less human form.
  Lunging at his original intended victim,
  he eviscerates him before the horrified looks of the others.
  Jeffrey yells, “What are you waiting for?
  Move!!”
  They all open fire while making their way towards the door.
  Bane proves to be quick.
  Bullets are dodged, but some scratch him.
  Another victim is claimed before the men and women manage to escape.
  A smoke grenade masks their getaway while the monster chases.
  Gunfire ceases for that period.
  Bane pauses and sniffs.
  With a hellish roar, he pursues his targets.
  “I know you’re here!!!”
  To the wooded area outside, he arrives.
  He stops as he’s pelted with grenades and ensnared in a blanket.
  Within seconds, an explosion erupts.
  There was nowhere for Bane to escape nor did he have the time.
  The remaining soldiers slowly approach with guns still drawn.
  Before them is a flaming heap.  
  There is no time to celebrate as a flaming Bane lunges.
  A soldier’s neck is captured by the monster’s powerful jaws.
  He is throttled while the others open fire.
  Bane violently tosses the fallen soldier’s body at one of his comrades.
  Another is gutted by the monster.
  Like a contagion, fear spreads among these modern warriors.
  Jeffrey steps forward with a yell.
  His finger remains squeezed on the trigger as bullets pelt the monster.
  He shoots until his rifle could produce no more bullets.
  Jeffrey makes eye contact with Bane.
  The eyes revealed something dark and soulless.
  In Jeffrey’s eyes, Bane saw pure terror.
  He smiles again.

  Within seconds, Bane is in front of Jeffrey.
  Before he can strike, his cheek is struck by something sharp.
  His body is assaulted by a series of sharp objects.
  They cut into him with ease.
  The monster instantly knew the source.
  His attention turns to Gambito.
  Gambito is brandishing playing cards in his hands.
  Tossing them at Bane, the cards were as sharp as blades.
  Bane snarls, “We’ve done this dance before.
  Your little cards do nothing to me!”
  Ignoring Jeffrey and everyone else, he leaps at Gambito.
  “You are annoying!
  I will gladly end you today!!”
  Gambito counters, “You’ll try, slapnuts!!”
  The soldier ducks the monster’s attack.
  Gambito manages to counter as he embeds more cards into Bane’s back.
  With a growl, the monster strikes him harshly.
  Already, the tide of this confrontation is turning.
  “Same as always,” Bane says.
  “You are no match for me.
  Die!”
  Bane brandishes his talons.

  Bane is, once again, interrupted as a force tackles him to the ground.
  Bane wrestles and grapples with his assailant.
  This new enemy is matching his own physical strength.
  The two roll along the ground before the monster shoves off his attacker.
  Before him stood his true enemy.
  Flashing his trademark smile, Bane speaks:
  “I knew you were here.
  It took you longer to come after me this time.
  Is it because you finally learned to fear me?”
  Brian stares at his doppelganger.
  Ignoring Bane’s taught, he addresses Gambito:
  “Tell everyone to get the hell out.
  Enough people died tonight.
  No more.
  Don’t argue.
  Don’t object.
  Just get your asses moving.
  This is my fight.
  Don’t make me say it twice!!!”
  Gambito doesn’t dare argue.
  He does as he is told.
  Brian addresses Bane this time:
  “Have you ever heard of One Punch Man?”
  The monster is confused.
  “What?”
  Brian strikes with a powerful punch.
  The sound barrier breaks.
  Leaves rustle as a powerful force spreads.
  Bane takes an involuntary flight before crashing through a wall.
  Some of his teeth are missing.
  In a second, Brian is already joining him in the dining hall.
  Blow after brutal blow is bestowed upon Bane.
  The monster returns blows of his own as enemies clash.
  Tables and chairs are thrown if not victims of their battle.
  Brian unsheathes his sword.
  It is a special gift from the goddess, Freyja.
  His previous sword was broken in the last battle with Bane.
  Aside from being created by the goddess,
  it is powered by Freyja’s famed necklace, Brisingamen.
  Brian is wearing it around his neck.
  Another gift from the goddess, though she expects him to return it.
  Every slash from the blade manipulates the wind,
  a crescent force slicing through and threatening the monster.
  Bane is forced to flee the powerful attacks.
  Brian unleashes his other weapon.
  A chain link is crafted from the friendship bracelet he wears.
  The link snares the monster, pulling him into Brian’s sword.
  The blade penetrates Bane’s left shoulder.
  He shrieks in pain.
  In retaliation, he lands a powerful backhand.
  He howls as he pulls the sword out of his shoulder and tosses it.
  Lunging at Brian, he unleashes a ferocious assault.
  Brian counters as he uses his chain link to capture the monster’s wrist.
  With a harsh tug, Bane is pulled towards him.
  Brain grabs hold of his enemy’s arm.
  Try as he might,
  Bane is unable to escape.
  Brian’s grip is vicelike.
  He leads and drags his foe by the arm.
  Brian recovers his sword, driving it through the shoulder again.
  He strikes at the arm viciously, breaking it.
  Bane continues to struggle.
  The more he did, the more pain he made for himself.
  Brain slams his boot into the monster’s shoulder while pulling.
  He delivers a steady, brutal stream of kicks to the spot.
  In a final play, he smashes his boot into the monster’s head.
  Bane’s face is driven to the ground.
  His arm departs from his body.
  He howls loudly, reaching into the night sky.
  Brian tosses his severed arm aside.
  He drives his sword into Bane’s remaining hand.
  Unleashing a destructive force of energy,
  Brian destroys Bane’s arm, preventing any chance of recovery.
  Brian retrieves his sword.
  “We’re done here.”
  Bane lunges, trying to fight through his pain.
  His attacks are futile.
  Brian strikes his belly with his blade
  then circles around the monster.
  He strikes Bane’s back
  then returns to his front to strike his throat.
  He ends his arch nemesis by driving his blade through his heart.
  “Like I said,” Brian reiterates.  
  “We’re done.
  Crawl back to whatever hell you hide.
  Rest assured, the day will come where I will end you for good.
  I will figure it out.  
  You will hurt no one else.”
  Brian returns his sword to his scabbard.

  What happens next surprises the hero.
  The witch, Lucinda, appears.
  She is the mother of Isabelle and Laura.
  Shadows consume both her and Bane before dispersing.
  “That is not good,” Brian said.
  “Not good at all.”

  Inside her cave, Lucinda watches over the defeated monster.
  “This is certainly a disappointing, albeit, surprising development,” she mused.
  Bane looks up at the witch, almost sobbing in pain he’s never felt before.
  “His blade,” he began.
  “His prowess.
  His brutality.
  He has never shown such things before.
  His blade was different.
  I couldn’t break it.
  It cut through me with such ease.
  I thought I was going to die this time, Mother…”
  Lucinda shushes Bane.
  “Everything I have heard about you,
  it told me you were fearless.
  For the first time, I sense fear in you.
  It is not surprising for a goddess empowers your enemy.
  I recognize that necklace.
  I have little doubt Freyja also empowers the others.
  The game has changed,
  yet my plans have not been deterred.
  Rest easy, monster.
  Regain your strength.
  Far from done, we are.
  It is simply time that I’ve done things myself.”

  The wounded are tended to.
  Fallen brothers are mourned.
  Brian returns, looking around at the faces of these warriors.
  “I took care of him,” he said.
  “He will not be attacking any of you again.”
  Jeffrey steps to Brian, still having questions.
  “What in god’s name was that thing?”
  “Definitely not from god,” Brian said.
  “He’s a monster who takes joy in killing.
  He has no regard to any life but his own.
  He didn’t care who he hurts.
  I am sorry this happened to you.”
  Jeffrey offers Brian his hand.
  He takes it.
  “I know you’ve seen some shit in your life,” Jeffrey began.
  “But I’ve had no idea how batshit insane it was.
  The fact that you’re standing here and not in a padded room says a lot.
  You are alright in my book.”
  “Thank you, sir,” Brian said.
  “No, thank you,” Jeffrey said.
  “Keep doing what you’re doing.
  If there’s more shit like that out there,
  then you’re doing the world a hell of a favor.”
  Just as Jeffrey departs to check on the others,
  Gambito approaches Brian.
  “It’s not really over isn’t it?”
  “Not yet, it isn’t,” Brian replied.
  “The sword did the job and so did Freyja’s powers.
  It’s still not enough I think.  
  There’s a way to get rid of him permanently.  
  We just need to find it.”
  Gambito nods.
  “Count me in on that day.”
  “You got it,” Brian said.
  “Until then, we’ve got a bigger problem.”

  Part 2:  Mother

  Days ago,
  after the latest battle with Bane
  Lucinda approaches a young girl.
  She is in a sandbox being watched over by a young teen.
  The witch looks at the child inquisitively,
  then at her babysitter.
  “You have her eyes,” Lucinda reveals.
  “Just as she has mine.”
  The babysitter approaches then pauses.
  The teen stares at Lucinda with an air of familiarity and unease.
  “It’s ok Elena,” she said.  
  “I mean you no harm.”
  Lucinda looks at the child again.
  “And you must be Jamie,” she continued.
  “You can call me grandma.”

  It has taken little time for news to come of the disappearances of Elena and Jamie.
  Elena is the youngest sister to Isabelle and Laura.
  All three were adopted by the loving Ziggler family.  
  Jamie is the daughter of Isabelle.
  The heroine was a teen mother.
  She did right by her daughter by allowing a good family to adopt her.
  Before her passing, Isabelle would still keep in touch with the family.
  She would check in on her daughter,
  which allowed her to still play a role in her life.
  It is a secret only her immediate family, best friend, and Brian knew.
  Even in death, Isabelle would watch over her daughter.
  Now she’s gone and Isabelle’s rage is boundless.  
  They would all eventually learn that her and Laura’s mother, Lucinda, is the culprit.
  Lucinda, though their birth mother, was no real mother to them.
  She’s a witch that ultimately chose her own ambitions and power over family.
  The three girls were left with a perverted father.
  Fortunately, they were taken in by good family.
  Along with that family, Isabelle met her two older brothers with whom she bonded.
  Family, friendship, and love were all things important to Isabelle.
  Any harm comes to those she loves,
  and she will repay the enemy with all her rage.

  Lucinda has re-entered their lives long before this kidnapping.
  She has manipulated the two sisters,
  for a time turning them against each other.
  The twin sisters ultimately came to blows because of the witch.  
  Lucinda has used Isabelle like a marionette.
  She has used their pain, their emotions, even their secrets against them.
  She has proven to be a true monster and this is the final straw.

  Isabelle, Laura, Brian, and Gambito have tracked Lucinda to her cave.
  It is hidden beneath a mere and guarded by amphibious creatures.
  They are also being accompanied by Peter, Brian’s son from a past life,
  Helen, his guardian, and allies, Rebecca Faith Brown and Daniel Hawthorne.
  A path is made for the twins as everyone else deals with the creatures.
  Brian gives Isabelle his sword.
  “But don’t you need it?” she asked.
  “I’ll be fine without it,” he replied.
  “You’ll need it more than me.”
  The sisters journey deeper into the cave.
  Finally, they enter Lucinda’s realm.

  On a throne, Lucinda sits.
  Two mirrors hover near her,
  revealing where Elena and Jamie are.
  The two captives appear to be in dreams,
  blissfully unaware of the true danger they are in.
  “Give them back,” Isabelle ordered.
  “I don’t care what your plans are.
  I don’t care what you have to say.
  You haven’t been a mother to us.
  You have no right to take our sister,
  my daughter…”
  Isabelle could not continue.
  Seeing her daughter overwhelmed her with emotion.
  Lucinda remains unmoved from her position.
  Staring down her daughters, she speaks her own truth:
  “You claim that I have not been a mother to you.
  Yet, if not for me, would you be as powerful as you are now?
  I have made you stronger.  
  I have prepared you for the harsh realities of the world.
  I have shown you that even family can hurt you.
  I was preparing you, molding you to become queens!
  No more would we have served gods!
  We would be goddesses!
  You could have whatever, whoever, you please!
  I know you both had a thing for that boy!
  You could find better!
  The fact that he was a factor in your dissension showed only weakness!
  I was embarrassed!
  You could both have him, or any man you desire!
  You could be stronger together instead of against each other!
  You cannot deny the truth!
  I have made you better!
  I have been more of a mother to you than you realize!”
  “You have been nothing but a manipulative, egomaniacal, narcissistic, cunt!!”
  Laura spoke, using such language that surprised even Isabelle.
  Lucinda squeezes the arms of her throne,
  fighting back the anger at her daughter’s disrespect.
  “Any mother worth her salt would not do what you’ve done!” Laura continued.
  “What I’ve done to Isabelle was wrong.
  I should’ve been honest with her,
  but we’ve gotten pass that.
  We’ve had our share of differences in the past and will have them in the future.
  We’re sisters.  
  It’s what happens!
  But you exploited it!
  You’ve abused it!
  You used us like pieces on a chess board!
  And now you’ve gone too far!
  We’ve had enough of you.
  Give us both our sister,
  return my niece,
  or be ready to eat that fucking chair, you decrepit hag!”
  Lucinda continues squeezing her chair,
  her anger rising.
  “I will not be spoken to-“she began.
  “That’s one,” Isabelle interrupts, clenching her fist.
  “What?!” Lucinda asked, confused.
  “That’s two,” Laura continued the count.
  “This is not one of those useless, morning educational shows!” Lucinda roared.
  “Why are you-“
  “And that’s three,” Isabelle finishes.

  The twins were done talking.
  Laura’s grimoire hovers in front of her.
  The book fires a projectile of energy at the witch.
  The projectile is joined by one of Isabelle’s spheres.
  The two come together, creative something even more powerful.
  Lucinda quickly leaps from her throne as it is destroyed by the blast.  
  The witch lands in front of them.
  She blocks another projectile from Laura’s grimoire and a kick from Isabelle.
  She counters with her own forceful energies.
  She is given distance from her daughters.
  The trio exchanges destructive energies amongst themselves:
  Isabelle’s aegis power creating spheres,
  Laura’s magical projectiles,
  and Lucinda’s own destructive power.
  Isabelle closes the distance.
  Against her mother, the spirit displays her martial arts skills.
  Lucinda reveals combat experience of her own,
  able to counter and block various strikes.
  At the same time, she is doing her best to avoid Laura’s magic.
  So far the sisters are proving to be on equal ground with their birth mother.
  Isabelle swings the sword given to her by Brian.
  The blade collides with Lucinda’s neck,
  but it doesn’t cut through.
  The twins pause in shock.
  Lucinda laughs, revealing her scaly neck.
  Her neck reverts back to a normal appearance.
  “You think I haven’t been struck by a sword before, little girl?!” she sneered.  
  “There are things I know that you can only dream of!
  Things I could’ve taught you!”
  With spite, she backhandedly strikes Isabelle.
  Lucinda lunges at Laura, grabbing her daughter by her neck.
  Laura is lifted off the ground with ease.
  Isabelle tries to cut down her mother,
  but Lucinda’s skin continues to be impenetrable.
  Lucinda blasts her daughter with telekinetic force while maintaining her grip.
  Laura blasts her mother with her own force.
  Lucinda is finally forced to let go.
  Laura tries to blast her again,
  but her’s is countered by a more powerful one from Lucinda.
  The tide of battle is further turning in the witch’s favor.

  Using her magic,
  Lucinda grabs stones from the cave.
  She hurls them at the twins.
  Isabelle uses her aegis to deflect.
  Laura swipes them to the side with her own magic.
  Lucinda begins to transform parts of the terrain,
  turning rock to molten lava.
  She manipulates the hot liquid, launching it towards Laura.  
  The young witch redirects the lava to the sender.
  Lucinda pulls off the same trick.
  Laura quickly chants.
  The approaching lava transforms into metal and shatters.
  The sharp pieces fly towards Lucinda at great speed.
  An invisible field is created in front of Lucinda,
  trapping the pieces as they come.
  A sphere strikes Lucinda’s back.
  She loses her focus.
  The pieces she didn’t catch come through,
  striking her multiple times.
  Her entire appearance changes.
  Stone face, scaly body, her skin a natural armor.
  None pierce her skin.
  With destructive force, Lucinda destroys all pieces that came to her.
  Her armored skin is enough to block a kick from Isabelle.
  Lucinda displays her superior physical strength with a powerful palm strike.
  A giant rock hand forms from the ground,
  grabbing and trapping Laura.
  Mother and daughter continue to clash,
  Isabelle trying her best to harm her mother with her strikes and aegis power.
  Lucinda’s armor continues to protect her while she counters with her own power.
  She manages to bat away the sword, taking Isabelle’s weapon from her.
  With a chant, Laura is able to dissolve the rock hand.
  The twins are side by side again,
  contemplating a way to penetrate their mother’s defenses.
  They both reach the same conclusion.

  Isabelle takes possession of her sister.
  A change takes place as the room fills with energy.
  Isabelle isn’t simply taking control of Laura’s body.
  They were becoming one.
  It is a special thing they have learned as they did it in the past.
  They were not two souls in one body.
  They were two souls reuniting to become one;
  two halves of one whole coming together.
  It is no longer Isabelle or Laura.
  It is Eira’s turn to fight.

  “Interesting,” Lucinda muses.
  The two women come to blows.
  Destructive blasts of energy and powerful strikes are exchanged.
  Both feel the full weight of the other’s blows.
  Rock fists extend from the cave walls in rapid succession.
  Eira is able to deflect them with her powerful aegis.  
  Grabbing Lucinda, Eira tosses the witch into one of the fists.
  The powerful blow launches her into another fist,
  ricocheting her from fist to fist until she’s slammed into a wall.
  Eira begins manipulating the water in the cave.
  A powerful aquatic force launches at the witch.
  Lucinda redirects it, only to have it sent back.
  The two women bounce it back and forth among each other.
  Lucinda finally breaks the chain by turning it into an ice blast.
  Eira conjures up a shield just as she is incased in ice.
  The ice shatters.
  The two women engage in another godly exchange.
  Powerful blows.
  Destructive energy.
  The cave, itself, a victim of this fight.
  With a yell and powerful strike,
  Lucinda ends the round.
  Two souls are separated again as Isabelle is knocked from Laura’s body.
  The twins are exhausted.
  They have tried everything they could think of,
  but none of it any good.
  Lucinda is just too powerful.
  The twins do not give up.
  They attack with everything they have.
  Physical strikes.
  Energy attacks.
  Magic abilities and counters.
  Even combining attacks.
  Lucinda is able to counter them all.
  There was nothing left, except one thing.
  It is an ability among many that Laura promised she would never do.
  It is a form of dark magic.  
  One that Maxine has forbidden her from using.
  It is a technique she has seen her mother use as well.
  Laura focuses on her mother.
  A triumphant Lucinda loses her smile.
  She can’t move!
  Struggling, she finds her efforts to be useless.
  It’s a marionette spell!
  It is a spell she has used plenty of times.
  Now, her own daughter was turning it against her.
  Slowly, but surely, Lucinda is moving one of her arms.
  She reaches out to Laura, who is trying to maintain focus.
  Lucinda’s arms are pinned to her sides.
  She’s standing straight.
  She can barely move her head.
  She begins to move her arm again and reach out to her daughter.
  Laura’s mind is flooded with memories of her mother.
  The birth of her and Isabelle.
  A time in which Lucinda was actually nurturing.
  A side to the witch that was the opposite of who she revealed herself as.
  It was a desperate bid.
  “Fuck you!!”
  Isabelle shouts the harsh words.
  She too had the memories,
  but both sisters have more memories of the evils Lucinda committed.
  Their rage overcame any kind of love they once held.
  The shining blade of Brian’s sword cuts through Lucinda’s neck.
  Isabelle is holding the sword again,
  the blade’s glow disappears.
  Lucinda’s headless corpse crumbles to the ground.

  Lucinda’s spirit form appears before the twins.
  She is incased in a cylinder.
  “Oh no you don’t,” Laura said.
  The spell was her doing.
  The sisters are also aware of Lucinda’s secrets,
  one of which involves her penchant for cheating death.
  This spell captured her spirit as she had attempted to flee.
  “My daughters,” Lucinda said, tears in her eyes.
  “You did it!
  I told you didn’t I?  
  You are stronger together.
  I did this.
  I made you strong!
  Is that not a mother’s job?
  You may not agree with my methods,
  but I have made you better.
  Can’t you see that?
  I would’ve made Elena and Jamie stronger too.
  We could be Queens!”
  “Did you really want us to be a strong, united front?” Isabelle asked.
  “Or did you simply need us to be stronger so you can increase your own power?
  Did you only need us for your own survival?
  Did you not plan to use one of us as your next body?!
  So you can live longer?!
  You don’t give a damn about us.”
  “Isabelle, Laura, please!” Lucinda pleaded.
  “It is not what you think.
  I could’ve still brought any of you back!
  I know how you can come back!
  Is that not your desire?
  To live?
  To grow old and be with that… Brian person?
  I can do that for you!
  I can give you a second chance at being in your daughter’s life!
  And Laura,
  I know you have been so lost without Maxine’s guidance.
  I am aware of her recent passing.
  You cared deeply for her,
  almost as if she was another mother to you.
  But mommy’s here.
  I am here for you.
  It’s not too late!
  I love you.
  I love all of you.”
  Isabelle’s back is turned to Lucinda.
  She is hiding the tears that fell.
  Laura allowed her tears and pain to show.
  She stares at her mother, locking eyes.
  “Go to hell,” Laura said.
  Lucinda’s spiritual form combusts in an indigo, fiery display.
  The witch screams before dissolving completely.
  Laura slumps to the ground.
  With a yell, she lets out all her pain.
  Isabelle embraces her twin as the two sit in silence, sharing a cry.

  Elena and Jamie are found sleeping.
  With Lucinda’s demise, the spell will soon wear off.
  Jamie awakens to see Brian carrying her.
  She recognized him as a kind young man who has helped her before.
  She always referred to him as “The Sad Man.”
  Elena is being carried by Gambito, but sees her sister, Laura with them.
  Though confused as to what happened, she knew everything will be fine.

  The girls are reunited with their families.
  The Zigglers enjoy a tearful reunion.
  They have lost two children already.
  Lance and Isabelle’s passing were hard blows for the family.
  To lose another member would’ve surely broken them.
  Jamie being lost to them would’ve surely crushed them.
  Knowing their daughter’s secret, they never held her choices against her.
  They’ve watched Isabelle fall and rise until the day she tragically left.
  Isabelle could only watch from the sidelines.
  Being a spirit, only those sensitive to such things could see her.
  She still misses her family dearly.
  Part of her almost wanted to accept her mother’s offer.
  She also knew it wouldn’t be right.
  Still, what if she could?
  She shakes the thought.
  As she watches both families celebrate,
  she spots Jamie waving at her.
  Isabelle waves back before pausing at the realization.
  Tears begin to form in her eyes.
  Her daughter can see her!

  Part 3:  Revenge

  Time has passed.
  Not days.
  Months.
  Almost a full year.
  Plenty has happened since that battle with Lucinda.
  Bane has indeed finally come to a permanent end.
  New enemies arrived.
  Old ones returned.
  New friends and allies.
  Discovering new abilities.
  And ascension.
  Isabelle is the New Goddess of Love.
  Brian is the New God of War, Creativity, and Self.
  Laura is the Goddess of Magic and Wisdom.
  Gambito, though powerful in his own right, refused ascension.
  Their journey has been long.
  They’ve lost friends while gaining new ones.
  They have their victories as well.
  Their journeys are far from over.

  Trouble has arisen for them again.
  Brian is missing.
  They searched for him a long time, but finally got answers.
  They were all worried;
  Laura especially.
  She and Brian decided to give a relationship a shot.
  It has been a tough pill for Isabelle to swallow,
  but it is something she ultimately accepted.
  In their search, the group has received help from Detective Rebecca Brown.
  She and Daniel were currently engaged.
  Daniel served as a mentor to Brian.
  He knew that for someone to take Brian, they had to be really tough and cunning.
  Peter also joined the search along with a recently discovered descendant of King Bjorn.
  Helen was also with them.
  Somehow, someone was able to separate her from Brian.
  They would all discover who that someone is.

  They were in the person’s home.
  To Isabelle’s shock, this is someone she is all too familiar with.
  She felt her anger rising quickly.
  It is a face she has never forgotten.
  It is someone she vowed that she would seek out.
  She wanted a rematch from their first encounter.
  It was an eye opening experience then,
  but she is stronger and wiser now.
  The person they stood before,
  the one responsible for Brian’s disappearance,
  is none other than Crystal!

  “Where is he?!” Laura demanded, cutting off Isabelle before she could ask.
  Crystal looks from Laura to Isabelle.
  “Oh this is rich!” she said with a laugh, looking at Isabelle.
  “So once again you’re a loser!
  You lost out to your own sister?!
  Wow!
  This is the stuff, soap operas are made of!
  But, don’t feel bad.
  Your sister just lost to me!”
  Isabelle is held back by Rebecca.
  “Where is he, you psycho bitch?!” Isabelle yells.
  “That’s the million dollar question isn’t it?” Crystal sneered.
  “Too bad, you’re not getting an answer.”
  “Oh, I have had enough of you!” Isabelle roared, breaking free of Rebecca.
  She lunges at Crystal.
  Her punch is intercepted by Brian!

  His eyes appear soulless.
  No emotion is betrayed by his face.
  Rebecca is quickly able to see what is happening.
  “He’s being mind controlled!” she reveals.
  Rebecca draws her pistol,
  ready to use a special ability that allows her to sever mind control.
  Brian moves quickly, snatching her gun and striking her.
  Daniel is enraged.
  He lunges at his former pupil only to be backhanded.
  “Be a dear and kill them please,” Crystal commands.
  “Better ideal.
  Destroy everything!”
  “NO!” Isabelle yells as she tackles Brian before he attacked Laura.
  The two go through a wall as a brawl quickly ensues.
  Brian relentless showcases his brute strength.
  Isabelle is trying her best not to hurt him,
  but she couldn’t allow him to hurt others either.
  She is physically powerful in her own right.
  Both possess martial skill.
  Both have fought side by side for so long,
  that they knew each other’s moves.
  She is easily able to dodge most of his blows as he her’s.
  She is also trying to keep him from attacking others.
  That may not last long as he catches her off guard.
  Isabelle crashes through the wall to the outside.
  Brian follows her out.
  Dragon wings have sprouted from his back as he hovers over Isabelle.
  He slams a fist down to where she is.
  Isabelle is quick to avoid it and counter with a punch.
  He rebounds with his own punch,
  but she already has her shield up.
  Isabelle notices Brian’s skin becoming more scaly and blue.
  His appearance is becoming less human.
  Brian unsheathes his sword, cutting into Isabelle’s shield.
  His movements are swift.
  Isabelle is quick enough to avoid his deadly blade.
  She is able to disarm him with one of her spheres.
  He ignores his blade as his appearance gives way to something more monstrous.
  Before long, he transformers into a full blue dragon.

  The Dragon takes flight, flapping its powerful wings.
  Everyone joins Isabelle outside.
  The dragon opens its mouth,
  releasing a powerful stream of water.  
  Isabelle conjures up her aegis,
  protecting everyone from the Dragon’s watery wrath.
  The creature roars and unleashes another, more powerful stream.
  Houses are damaged.
  People are already coming out in a panic.
  A flood is already starting to swarm in such a short time.
  “Who did this to him?!” Laura asked.
  “Don’t tell me that bitch did!”
  “I don’t know, sis,” Isabelle replied.
  “I got the feeling that she’s not in this alone.”
  “So what the hell do we do?!” Gambito asked.
  “We start calling in reinforcements and favors,” Isabelle answered.
  “And we start getting people the hell out of here.
  I’m going distract him.
  This is not going to be an easy fight.”
  Dissolving her shield, everyone springs into action.
  Already, Rebecca is calling for backup.
  Laura opens her grimoire and sits.
  She starts chanting a spell in order to get in touch with all their friends.
  Gambito and Daniel are trying their best to direct people to safety.
  The Dragon continues its relentless assault on the town.
  Isabelle leaps at the dragon, encasing herself in her shield.
  She slams into the dragon’s body,
  her shield exploding in the process.
  It is enough to knock the dragon to the ground.
  With her aegis power, she constructs bindings to pin the Dragon down.
  The creature struggles and breaks free from its bindings.
  He fires an ice blast at Isabelle.
  She blocks it with her shield.
  She shatters the encasing ice with her shield.
  The Dragon takes flight again.
  The creature is pelted with bullets and arrows.
  Gambito and Peter are teaming up,
  launching their own assault in hopes of at least distracting the Dragon.
  “I’m sorry dad,” Peter says.
 His arrows explode on contact, almost knocking the Dragon out of mid-air.
  The Dragon focuses his attacks on the pair,
  unleashing another powerful stream of water.
  The water quickly evaporates before it could touch ground.
  Laura stands in front of Gambito and Peter,
  having chanted a spell to protect them.
  The Dragon roars.
  He changes tactics,
  unleashing a powerful breathe of steam.
  The trio isn’t quick enough to avoid the assault.
  Laura screams as the searing heat tears through her.
  She’s not the only one in pain as Peter and Gambito are feeling the heat as well.
  The Dragon swoops down, swinging his tail.
  Peter pushes Laura out of the way before he and Gambito are both swept by it.
  The two men are lost to the battle while Laura loses consciousness.
  Quickly, things were getting worst.
  Daniel leaps off a rooftop, attempting to drive his knives into the creature.
  For its size, the Dragon is quick.
  He grabs Daniel mid-air.
  He blasts the hunter with water.
  Daniel is instantly knocked out and tossed.
  Helen leaps and catches the hunter.
  “This is getting out of hand,” Rebecca said.
  “I’m trying to break the hold this Crystal girl has, but it’s not working.
  She must have a strong psychic defense or he does.”
  “You think weakening him might work?” Isabelle asked.
  “We can try,” Rebecca replied.  
  Just then, help arrives.
  Friends and allies ranging from the likes of Feathertop, The Gray Champion,
  Goodman Brown, Brian’s silver haired descendant, Elisa, and even his mother’s dog,
  Who can become human in the Invisible World.
  Isabelle conjures up a war horn.
  Among the abilities learned,
  a unique one taken on by her and Brian is called “All the Kings Men.”
  Usually Brian uses this power in the most desperate of times.
  In cases where he is unable to, it is Isabelle who is capable of doing this.
  Once she blows the horn, a legion of Viking warriors appear.
  These men and women are loyal soldiers to King Bjorn and Queen Eira.
  “What in Freyja’s name is that?!” asked a warrior.
  “I don’t believe we’ve ever fought a dragon before.”
  “Warriors!” Helen calls.
  “Your king needs you!
  He is possessed and taken the form of that dragon!
  I know I am asking you to attack your king,
  but he would rather you save the people from him
  than allow the people to be endangered because of him!
  Weaken him, subdue him!
  We shall save our king!”
  With a thunderous roar, the Vikings warriors are led into battle.
  They join the numerous other allies in the fight.
  The battle appears even as the Dragon is overwhelmed by the sheer amount of forces.
  The Dragon fights back ferociously.
  The numbers begin to dwindle as the battle rolls on.
  More destruction is born of the conflict.
  Warriors and allies are falling.
  The Dragon is relentless.
  They were running out of options.
  “Eira,” Helen says, addressing Isabelle.
  “I know one way we could stop this.”
  Though, often annoyed at being called Eira,
  Isabelle had no time to argue the point.
  “What is it?” she asked.
  “Brisingamen,” Helen replied.  
  “The sword that it powers might be key.
  Freyja, while goddess of love and war, hates war.
  The weapon is unique in that while it is designed for fighting,
  you can use it to reclaim your love.
  If your love is pure and you trust in it,
  you might be able to save him.”
  “What if it kills him?!” Isabelle asked.
  “I... I can’t do that to him.
  Not after everything.”
  “Unfortunately,” Helen said solemnly.
  “If it kills him, then it may be necessary to save everyone.
  It is not an easy solution for me.
  I know that I will perish if he dies,
  but I very much love him.
  I would rather die than see him fall.
  Still, I know he would be unable to live with himself
  knowing he brought people he’s sworn to protect,
  including the ones he loves and cherishes.
  It is a risk, but it is one we have to try.”
  Isabelle falls silent.
  Surveying the area, her eyes fall on the sword.
  She remembers Brian attempting to cut her down earlier in the fight.
  She remembers disarming him.
  She also remembers talks she’s had with him.
  Since vanquishing Bane, Brian’s feared that Bane is his true self.
  He always feared that he is the true monster.
  Bane was simply all the bad parts of himself waiting to explode.
  All his rage and sadness given form to a monster,
  he is afraid of turning into that monster himself.
  Under the circumstances, life appears to be one cruel joke right now.
  Taking up Brian’s sword,
  Isabelle has made her decision.
  She can’t let him suffer.

  Isabelle throws herself at the Dragon.
  Her eyes are closed.
  She drives the sword into the Dragon,
  but the blade doesn’t pierce the creature’s skin.
  All she managed to do was annoy him.
  He swats at her, but she climbs onto the Dragon’s back.
  She continues her attempts to stab him.
  She’s looking for a weak point.
  Nothing is working.
  The Dragon gains speed.
  He’s trying to shake her off.
  Finally, he manages to grab her,
  tossing her off of himself.
  Isabelle is blasted by a stream of water.
  The sword falls from her hand.
  Helen attacks the creature.
  With her incredible strength and staff,
  she is proving to be enough of a match to hold her own.
  Allies who could still fight continue their assault.
  It was all they could do to slow him down.
  Isabelle spots the sword.
  She crawls towards the weapon when her eyes also fall upon Brisingamen.
  The necklace must have fallen off of Brian during the fight.
  Picking up the necklace,
  she takes the time to reflect.
  “We’ve been through so much,” she began.
  “I’ve hurt you in the past and never quite knew how to make it up to you.
  Ultimately, I want to see you happy,
  truly happy.
  I haven’t always done right by you,
  but doesn’t mean I won’t stop trying.”
  Isabelle takes up Brian’s sword again.
  The blade begins to glow as well as the necklace.
  She wraps the necklace around her neck.
  She sees the Dragon in battle with everyone else.
  She also looks at all the damage caused,
  all their friends who got hurt.
  Some might be dead.
  She certainly hopes not.  
  With a yell, she throws herself at the Dragon again.
  She covers her body in the aegis.
  She slams into the creature’s body,
  shattering her shield like before.
  Isabelle plunges the sword into the Dragon’s heart.
  The Dragon roars as it falls onto its back.
  Isabelle pulls the sword out.
  Light emits from the wound.
  The Dragon reverts back to human form.
  Brian lies on the ground.
  He isn’t stirring.
  Helen drops to her knees, appearing weak.
  “No!” Isabelle said.  
  “No, please no!”
  She rushes to his side.
  She’s checking his pulse.
  It’s faint.
  She was told to trust in the power,
  yet it didn’t appear to do any good.  
  Is it because she isn’t the right one?
  Should it have been Laura holding the sword?
  With a loud cry, Isabelle cradles Brian’s head in her lap.
  Across from her, she sees an angry Crystal.
  The look she gave her spoke volumes.
  Isabelle would love to go after her any other time,
  but her focus was on Brian, her sister, all their friends.
  A doorway opens.
  Crystal enters.
  As she does, another familiar face is seen on the other side.
  It is the face of the man responsible for her death,
  responsible for a lot of her pain.
  He killed her brother.
  He led Lucinda right to her doorstep.
  Now, he is no doubt responsible for this.
  Dr. Robert Chill.
  The doctor sees Isabelle looking at him.
  He gives her a mocking wave as the doorway closes.  
  With a roar, she hurls a sphere at him.
  It is too late.
  The door has already closed.
  Isabelle lets out another yell.
  This was his plan all along.
  How perfect for him that it turned out this way.
  The man responsible for most of her woe has struck again.
  This time, he struck at her heart.

  Weeks have passed.
  Most have fully recovered.
  Some were still healing.
  Brian has been mostly staying in bed,
  yet refused to see anyone.
  He is still not over the guilt.
  Everyone knows it wasn’t his fault.
  He’s aware of the mind control.
  He still feels responsible.
  He was in a coma for days.
  Somehow, there’s no damage to his heart.
  The entire experience still took a toll on his body.
  Isabelle is still haunted by the incident.
  It had little to do with Brian’s actions.
  It was the reason why,
  rather, who was truly responsible.
  Their enemy has resurfaced and he’s taking revenge against her.
  He’s more than likely planning his next move and she needs to be ready.
  All that she knows and loves are at risk.

  On this day, Isabelle boldly ignores Brian’s wish.
  She visits him in his room.
  He’s looking at the friendship bracelet he made for her.
  The TV is on, but he’s not really paying attention.
  “I don’t want to see anyone Isabelle,” he said, sensing her presence.
  “Well you have to see someone, sometime,” Isabelle said.
  “Besides, I don’t want you to be alone.
  You’re not the only one carrying guilt.”
  Brian says nothing.
  He sighs, but doesn’t look at her.
  “I would never put my hands on you,” he said.
  “Yet I did.
  I remember all of it, Isabelle.
  I was the monster and everyone I cared about ended up hurt.”
  “None of that was your fault,” Isabelle countered.
  “How were you to know that Psycho Bitch was stalking you?
  None of us knew Dr. Chill would strike at us the way he did.
  None of us saw any of this coming.
  It’s not on you.
  You are not a monster Brian.
  Do you know what your problem is?”
  Brian looks at her then.
  Isabelle places a hand over his heart.
  “You have a kind heart.
  For all your brooding nature,
  for all the time you try and close yourself off,
  I’ve seen you treat people with kindness.
  I’ve seen how you been with Jamie.
  She loves when you visit and check on her.
  I’ve seen you help the family out and for that I am so grateful.
  I’ve seen you be compassionate towards many people.
  On top of that, you are such a dog person.
  I’ve seen you let your guard down around them.
  You’ve helped so many people.
  You are a good person Brian.
  You just never see it.”
  Brian still doesn’t answer.
  He hears the words.
  Does he understand the message?
  “Everyone has a dark side,” Isabelle continued.
  “All of us fucked up in major ways before.
  That is not what defines us.
  Bane was created because you were afraid, Brian.
  You’re afraid to open yourself to others.
  I know that... I contributed to that.”
  Isabelle takes his hand in her’s.
  “I’ve seen you struggle;
  I’ve watched you go through heart break.
  It was like a series of bad luck and I am so sorry for my part in it.
  I’ve never gotten this chance,
  this chance to just be alone with you,
  to tell you how I feel,
  to tell you that I’m sorry.
  For not taking a chance on us when we had it,
  for not trusting you enough to know that you’d accept me
  even knowing that I have a daughter.
  Most of all, I’m sorry for leaving you.”
  She cups his face in her hands.
  He places his over her’s.
  Their foreheads touch.
  “I have never stopped loving you.
  God help me, I’m jealous of my own sister.
  I want it to be me.
  I want you to be happy,
  yet I still want it to be me.
  I know I blew it.
  I know you still hold it against me.
  Still, I wish I had a chance to do it over.
  I still wish that I never… left.”
  Brian takes her hands, lowering them from his face.
  His eyes lock on to her’s.
  He’s still holding on to her hands.
  “I don’t hold it against you,” he said.
  The two sit in silence.
  The words shared sinking in.
  That one sentence said it all for Isabelle.
  She doesn’t have a physical body anymore,
  yet she still feels as the sensation of her heart beating.
  “I’m going to regret this,” Isabelle confessed before kissing him.
  She spent too much time denying herself these feelings.
  She, too was afraid.
  Afraid of the repercussions.
  Afraid of false hope.
  A human and spirit?
  It is unheard of.
  Yet, sealing her feelings away have done nothing but make it worst.
  On that, the two can relate.
  The two come together in an embrace,
  which further gives way to a passion they could no longer fight.

  Days later, the group comes together in Maxine’s home.
  Laura has inherited the place from her former mentor.
  Brian has returned, finally allowing himself some peace and forgiveness.
  The group is already in the midst of discussing the latest troubles.
  Evil spirits, demonic entities, monsters, all in a day’s work.
  In-between, they take the time to simply enjoy each other’s company.
  Their journey has been long,
  it has been hard.
  There’s plenty challenges left ahead for them.
  There’s plenty room for happiness as well.