13. A Deadly Attack

13. A Deadly Attack
At the sound of the word everyone took a step back and the younger trainees gasp in fear. Lycans. I have heard of them. Was forced to read the stories about them. Every year, on my birthday, I would have a Historian come to my palace and tell me the horrible tale of my mother’s death on how a Lycan had destroyed her life and that I had been the product of the almost transformation of the full moon. It was because of me that she had died. The king never failed to remind me that I was the reason she lost her life as well as the others who had helped birth me. Only Hye-Se Young had survived.

According to the Historian, she only survived because I had chosen her to live. But all I got from that horrendous story was that my father had murdered those in the birthing home and he tried to murder me among with them.

But one thing was true and I ‘ll never forgive myself for it. If I hadn’t been born with these eyes and these abilities, they would all still be alive today. I feel a surge of anger and resentment bubble up inside me. I look back into the village and I had decided.

“If Lycans still lurk in the area, I’ll make sure they all rot in hell for what they have done.”

I take a step inside, ignoring Pierre and the others as they try to stop me. But as weirdly as it sounds, I didn’t feel afraid anymore. The place was quiet and eerie, the thick white fog hung like a cloak to the place making it hard to navigate. I only look down at each body that I pass by, knowing that none of them were alive.

But thankfully, the more I enter the village the clearer the fog became and I was finally getting a good look around. The place was a mess. Things were scattered around showcasing that a raid had happened here. Homes were trashed and ransacked. Blood was everywhere as well as torn up corpses.

“This is strange.” Pierre quietly states, as he peers inside one of the homes.

I didn’t even realize they all had followed me inside. Taewon had come back from escorting the noble and his face was a mask of rage and fear. Even though there was a scowl on his face there was no mistake that he was afraid.

“I thought Lycans only kill, this place has been ransacked of anything valuable.” He says before Pierre could voice another word.

“Exactly.”

I stop and frown, looking down at a little girl who was worse off then the old man. I had to quickly look away. The stench of all the blood was nauseating and I wanted to gag.

“What are you two saying? That a group of thieves are pretending this was a Lycan attack just so they can steal from them? That seems to be a bit of stretch don’t you think?” Julien scoffs.

“No, these were definitely Lycans.” Pierre had squatted down to another body, checking the wounds that were fatal. He frowns deeper. “This is bad.” He looks around again.

“What’s your theory Pierre?” Jacques strains as he tries to keep his nose covered from the awful smell that hung in the air.

He sighs deeply and stands back up. “I hope I’m deadly wrong, but I don’t think I am. This was a Lycan attack, not just one, but a group. This was planned ahead of time.”

My blood runs cold. I stare at him, afraid of the answer. “You think they coordinated this massacre the night of the full moon just to take their food and possessions.”

Everyone once again stops to stare at me. “No way. Impossible. Lycans have no control over their transformed state. And they definitely don’t travel in groups.” Taewon snaps.

“When was the last time we have heard of a Lycan attack?” Soo-un, one of the soldiers that doesn’t speak often, voices out.

“My mother’s.” I say before anyone else did.

They all went quiet.

“That…was different though.” Taewon clears his throat, looking a bit uncomfortable.

“How so?” Lumiere asks with a frown. Looking back and forth between me and the soldiers.

“The late queen was bitten by the first Lycan, king Lycaon.”

“Wait a minute, he came here? And went after your mother? But why?” Julien suddenly seemed very disturbed.

I shrugged. “I don’t know.”

“No one has heard from him for decades. They assumed he was hiding with his tails between his legs or dead. But to think he came all the way to Korea from Greece…that’s uncharacteristic of him.” Pierre stared at me oddly and I didn’t care much for it.

“It doesn’t matter. The issue we have right now is that Lycans may be evolving. And if they are, then we’re in deep trouble. The whole country is.” Jacques starts walking again, but this time with a purpose.

“One good thing we can count on, is that Lycans transform back into their human state after the full moon. It’s morning, so we shouldn’t encounter any at this time. This place should be safe now. It’s best we make sure no one survived, because if they did and they are bitten we have to end their life here and now. We take what we can only to help us get back to your home and then we inform the higher ups about this.”

He wasn’t playing around. He was dead serious. He was looking to me, as if waiting for my agreement. I nod to give it to him.

After that we all scatter to check every single body we found. Taewon appointed the trainees to gather what food and supplies they could find since most of it was already gone. Pierre and his group, along with some of the soldiers checked the bodies in every home there was. And so far, no one was left alive.

I walk through the village, my heart heavy and broken. I couldn’t help but wonder what all of this could possibly mean. My nightmare once again came to mind. I turn down a small dirt path that seemed to lead to a bathhouse with a nearby stream. The fog had lifted massively and the sun was higher in the sky. The stench of blood was lessening as I continued to the little makeshift building. It has been awhile since we all had a proper cleaning, but I wasn’t sure I wanted one in a place that was murdered viciously.

I hear the trinkling water of the stream as it hits the rocks and the earth. The sound was soothing to my ears and I felt an overwhelming peace come over me. Nature was always my strong suit and I could always count on it to calm me down, even in terrifying times like this one.

I bend down to cup my hands in the white foams of the tiny waterfall and take a drink of its freshness. I could hear the birds chirping and their sounds were one of sadness. They knew what had happened to the village and they were keeping their distance from it.

So if they were here, then that meant this area was safe. I stand back up and jerk at the sudden appearance of her. She just stood there on the other side of the bank staring at me. Her black hair flowed down her back and her white gown glowed in the sun making her look ethereal.