CHAPTER 14 A BEAST FOR REAL
Leaving the room with full confidence, Phoenix decided to go show Axion the new her. She was kind of surprised seeing it was already evening time.
” Wow. For how long was I locked up in that room? ” She wondered as she headed to Axion’s room. She twisted the doorknob without knocking and saw Axion standing by the wardrobe.
Axion swiftly turn and seeing Phoenix, rested his back on the wardrobe, like he was hiding something. To Phoenix’s confusion, he breathing heavily, slowly, and unsteadily. Under his eyes were dark eye circles, his hair a bit messy. Phoenix rushed up to him.
” Are you ok? Why do you look sick? ” She asked, worry visible in her eyes and face. Axion glared at her weakly.
” Get out ” His voice came out soft much to Phoenix’s surprise.
” What’s wrong Axion? You look sick and tired ” She asked, placing her hand on his forehead to check his temperature. Axion slapped her hand off.
” Get out ” He snapped.
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” I said get out! ” He yelled, pushing her roughly with one hand. Phoenix fell to the floor almost hitting her head on the bed frame. She shot Axion a glare and stood up.
” What is even with you Axion? I was just worried! ” She snapped in anger.
” I told you to get out, are you deaf?! ” Axion snapped back.
” Fine, I’m leaving! ” Phoenix hissed and headed to the door. She left, slamming it close. Immediately after she left, Axion let out a heave. He turned back, facing the wardrobe. Looking at the back of his neck, a black mark in the structure of a full moon (? ) can be seen on it.
Phoenix, on the other hand, stormed downstairs, still fuming in anger.
” I shouldn’t have gone to check on you. I don’t even care if you’re sick or dying. You can go to hell for all I care, jerk! ” She cussed, heading to the entrance door.
She pulled a break on her legs when her heart skipped out of a sudden. Goosebumps filled her whole body.
” Why am I suddenly having a bad feeling? ” She muttered ask herself.
” I’m sure is nothing ” She shrugged the feeling off.
She closed her eyes, concentrating fully on the door as she gathered enough power to break it open. But out of nowhere, Axion’s picture popped up in her mind making her snap her eyes open.
” Concentrate Phoenix,” She said to herself, closing back her eyes. Once again Axion’s picture popped up and she opened her eyes.
” Why am I thinking about him now? ” She groaned.
” You need to concentrate Phoenix, Mom is waiting for you ”
Exhaling deeply, she closed her eyes once again. This time around, Ashley appeared in her mind.
” Don’t leave Phoenix, Axion needs you ” Ashley said to her making her snap her eyes open immediately.
×. ×. ×
Glinda can be seen seated on a mat, on the floor, her leg crossed, eyes closed and arms spread out. A big book was before her. On the book was a seal which was locked.
” Once again I’ve before you, great one. Show me the way ” She chanted, her eyes still closed.
The book before started glowing making the seal unlocked and the book opened to the middle. Glinda opened her eyes, looking at the blank page of the book.
Just then, writing started appearing on the blank page.
” Tonight is the night of the full moon ” Glinda read out and almost immediately, the writing started erasing off by itself. Glinda’s eyes widened in horror and she sprang up.
” Axion ” She mumbled.
×. ×. ×
Axion can be seen opening the door of the room with the prohibition sign on it. He quickly locked the door, resting on it while panting heavily but slowly. He was growing weaker with every passing second. He walked up to the window and opened it, looking up at the sky. It was already night and a full moon can be seen shining brightly.
” No ” He nodded negatively, rushing over to the mirror on the wall, standing before it. He started unbuckling his shirt fast with shaky hands, flinging it away to the room.
Hairs can be seen sprouting all over his body and before you knew it, his body was covered with fur. He started scratching his how hairy body aggressively due to how itchy it was.
The skin in his hands and feet started peeling off and large, hairy, and dangerously sharp claws can be seen growing out of his fingernails and toenail as blood oozes out.
Axion let out a loud and painful growl as he could feel his bones breaking and reorganizing, his muscles ripping and elongating making his skin tear. He started growing bigger and taller, his body transforming while Axion was writhing in pain.
His head can be seen growing bigger and turning into that of a buffalo as two horns grew out of it. His arms and body changed to that of a bear and his eyebrows, that of a gorilla. His jaws and teeth grew longer and sharper like that of a lion followed by the tusks of a wild boar sprouting out.
Lastly, his legs turned into the leg of a wolf as his pants ripped off, leaving him naked, followed by a tail growing out and his eyes turning purple, darker than usual. And like that, he turned into a vicious beast.
Looking up in the mirror and seeing a reflection of what he has become; rage, resentment, hatred, and anger filled him.
” No!! ” He roared in rage, punching the mirror with all his strength making it shatter to pieces. He felt a rush of adrenaline in him making him grab the heavy bed frame in the room and smashing to the floor.
Phoenix was still downstairs, struggling to break down the door which refused to open when she heard the loud and terrifying roar making fear engulf her.
” What was that? ” She asked, turning swiftly. She heard the roar, coupled with a growl again and dictating it was coming from upstairs,
” Axion ” She exclaimed, remembering he was in his room. Without thinking twice, she rushed upstairs, thinking Axion was in danger. Barging the door open, she was surprised to see no one inside.
The growl came once again but this time around it became constant. Looking around, Phoenix immediately grabbed the metal bat she saw standing by. Following the direction of the growl, her heart skipped in fear as the growl got closer and louder. Before she knew it, she was standing before the prohibited room.
Holding the handle of the door with a shaky hand sweats already formed on her forehead, she slowly and quietly opened the door and took a peep. She quickly closed it back on seeing the vicious figure in the room, her heart almost popping out of her chest.
Gathering enough courage, she kicked the door open ever ready to attack.
But right in the middle of the room was Axion ( who is now a beast) kneeling on the floor with his head bowed. His hands were tied together with the big chain. The chain was also tied around his neck and wrapped around his upper body. He was growling and breathing slowly and weakly, his body covered with cuts and blood.
Phoenix was shocked to the bone and she froze on the spot in horror as the bat she was holding fell off her hand. Axion whose eyes were closed, snapped them open and snapped his head upon hearing the sound of the bat falling to the ground.
His terrifying and dangerous purple eyes met with that of Phoenix. Phoenix wanted to slump to the floor, if possible faint because of how terrifying Axion’s eyes were but seeing the familiar purple eyes, her eyes widened instead.
” Axion ” She muttered in shock. Her lips parted as she examined him from head to toe.
” What… happened… to… you? ” She stammered, walking slowly towards him.
” Don’t… come… near ” Axion snarled, breathing heavily.
” But… what… happened? ” Phoenix asked.
” I said stay away from me! ” Axion growled in rage making Phoenix flinch back in great fear. She was already trembling uncontrollably. She wanted to run out of the room for her dear life but then,
” Axion needs you Phoenix ” She remembered what Ashley told her earlier.
Exhaling deeply, she tightened her fist, trying to stop her trembling hands and legs.
” You can do it Phoenix ” She breathed out. She slowly started approaching Axion.
” What are you doing? ” Axion’s hoarse voice came.
” I’m not trying to hurt you, Axion ” Phoenix replied, coming further closer.
” Stay away from me. Don’t come closer! ”
” I can’t leave you like this Axion ” Phoenix snapped and Axion glared at her. Phoenix ignored his glare and knelt before him. She reached out and held his face not minding how big and hairy it was.
” I’m not here to hurt you. And I’m not leaving you like this… I promise ” She assured, staring deep into his purple eyes despite how terrifying they looked. Axion’s eyes softened and face died down. He could feel his rage gradually fading away seeing the sincerity in Phoenix’s eyes.
And to make him even more relaxed, Phoenix hugged not minding the chain around him and how she was compared to him. A strand of tears can be seen rolling down Axion’s face.
And just when he was starting to calm down, he felt a rush of adrenaline run through him and his anger sparked up again. Phoenix noticed and pulled out of the hug.
Growling in rage, Axion broke the chain holding him apart and immediately grabbed Phoenix by the neck, some of his sharp claws piercing into her flesh. Phoenix let out a gasp of shock as her eyes widened. She tried freeing herself from his tight grip, gasping for air.
” I told you to stay away from me, didn’t I?! ” Axion snarled to her face.
” I’m… sorry ” Phoenix gasped for more air as Axion brought her to himself. He opened his mouth as his saliva poured down about to dig his sharp teeth into her flesh when,
” I’m… sorry ” Phoenix wimped, shutting her eyes close as tears rolled down her face. Seeing her tears, Axion’s eyes softened once again and guilt struck his heart.
Not knowing what to do to her, he looked away and threw her with force into the window. Hitting her back on the metal bars of the window, Phoenix dropped to the floor and passed out…