FILE 14: A NIGHTMARE IN LEA'S HOUSE PART 4

Mars glowered at the spectre. "Succubus," he snarled. She fluttered her eyes coyly. "Correct. Who knew a talking cat could be so smart?" She smiled, showing her white fangs. I trembled at the sight. Mars looked daggers at her. "Weren't all Succubi banished? How are you here?"

"Banished? Maybe so. We hellcniht were all banished to beyond the Veil, but you didn't actually think we'd remain there, did you?" she mocked. 

"What are you talking about? Weren't you banished to the underworld for eternity?" He demanded, confused.

"Oh my. Who told you that story?" she laughed evilly. 

Mars looked upset. The person who told him must've been close to him, so I defended him.

"Don't make fun of him. Maybe the one who's lying is you. 

You're just trying to confuse him!" I shouted. Then I hesitated. This sounded very much like a TV show I watched the other day. Dammit. The bad guy was right then. 

"That's enough, Nathan," Mars said. Relieved, I went silent. "It doesn't matter where you come from; we're going to kill you, succubus. So prepare yourself!" 

All the laughter disappeared just as she glared at us. "You will kill me? I would like to see you try." She vanished, only to reappear beside me, eyes raging. I threw Mars to the side when I dodged her punch.

"Nathan!" Mars yelled even as I quickly activated my CLAW. Her brow lifted in surprise, but she continued attacking. She gave off a floral scent, making my arms feel heavy. "Nathan, look out!" I fell to the ground, barely missing the long, sharp nail. 

I stared in amazement when she grew two bat-like wings from her back. "I guess I'm a bit slow. Time to speed things up," she grinned. The entire room filled up with the scent, making me drowsy. 

I sat on my knees, gasping for air. Mars catapulted from nowhere onto my back.

He dug his claws into my flesh as he yelled, "What are you doing? What was all that training for? Use FULL FORM!" 

"But, but," I rasped. "It's so ugly. I can't use it in front of a girl." He pulled back, blown away. "Is your head made of straw? Do you think it will matter when you're dead? Get a grip and fight!"

"Why can't you do it?" I muttered. "I can't use all my power in the human world, dolt." He bit my arm and hopped away. 

"Done talking? Shall we continue? I'm starving for a man. The human girl wasn't very satisfying," said the succubus as she licked her claw.

I was still dizzy, but I concentrated on initiating the ultimate ability, FULL FORM. I combined all the skills at once and felt my body ache as it transformed. The succubus gasped. 

"I've seen that before! You look just like—" she paused. "Teenage werewolf. Hahaha!" I'm going to kill her. 

I simmered. I took a deep breath and growled. Witnessing my aggression she took a fighting stance. To my surprise, I was more alert. It seemed that she came to the same conclusion, and the floral scent disappeared.

Her wings flexed, and she flicked her finger provokingly. You (censor). I leaped, appearing behind her but she smiled viciously and vanished. Confused, I peered side to side. 

Where was she? "Nathan, above you!" I crossed my arms defensively when she came crashing down, her nails extended. 

She grabbed my arm and threw me to the ground. I choked for air as she stamped her foot on my stomach. Her nail scratched my neck, near the artery, causing a trail of blood. 

I slashed her leg in alarm. 

"Nathan!" Mars cried fearfully. I saw him land on top of her head, swiping furiously. She grabbed a fistful of his fur and tossed him out the small bedroom window. Mars, I despaired.

She laughed meanly. "One down and the last one left. But I'm not going to kill you, I'm going to eat you." I gazed teary-eyed at the window while she spoke.

I heard her make a sucking noise, but I refused to look. My limbs lost their vigour, and my breathing became laborious. Darn, after all that I went through, this is how I'm going to die? 

My life flashed before my eyes. My parents, my regrets, and my partner. I will miss them.

[But you shouldn't give up like he did. If you can transform fully, you'll be able to defeat not only high level spirits but even demonic spirits.] It was Mars talking. 

It was a memory from last night. [Listen. If you transfigure into a Feile Maor, you will become an impressive being. In my world, only a selective few are chosen.]

Even demonic spirits? My eyes snapped back to the elated succubus. My limbs were numb and wiry looking. I could barely stay conscious, but I had enough energy to try for the last time.

I activated my abilities slowly and without her notice. 

The pain was severe, and I groaned as I transformed. I put all my energy into the metamorphosis. The succubus had now detected my change and came threateningly towards me. 

"Putting up a last effort? Such spunk. Maybe I should take you home for a treat," she licked her lips.

I shuffled backward. Not yet, I pleaded silently. My body screamed in pain with the transformation. It never happened while I was training. 

I got to my hands and knees, wheezing. The snickering succubus halted. "What? What's going on? Stop! What's happening to you?"

I have no idea and Mars wasn't here to explain. 

My vision was blurry. I blinked as the floor suddenly got further. I must be hallucinating while the succubus' yells got louder. 

My ear went flat as I tried to drown out her screams. "What the heck! What are you? Some kind of demon?"

What was she talking about? I lifted my hand to punch her. I wanted to shut off her annoying shouts, but paused. Likewise, I gaped in shock at what was supposed to be a hand.

 A giant golden paw covered in a bronze bracelet with strange carvings was in its place. 

I started to hyperventilate. Mirror. Where's a mirror? I shuffled around the room, looking for a mirror. The succubus kicked me as I rubbed against her. 

Unfortunately, the only mirror was too small, so I tried to leave, but the doorway was too narrow because of my wings!

I then forced myself through the doorway, causing cracks in the wall. "Stupid cat!" The succubus shrieked as I busted through. Cat? She can't mean me, right? 

I trotted to an object that could show me my full reflection. Finally, I found Lea's large flat screen TV. Standing a few feet away, I examined my appearance. The succubus was right; I was a cat. 

A very large one of at least eight feet high. Mars was right, too; it really was impressive. I was a giant golden tiger with white stripes and white angel wings. My eyes radiated gold as I stared at the TV. I noticed the bronze bands around my legs. 

Each had engravings. I seriously wanted to confront Mars, but he was nowhere to be seen. My heart sank. He wasn't dead, right?

"Like what you see? I can't believe this. I've never seen a human like you in all my three hundred years," she frowned. I awkwardly turned toward her. 

She was leaning against the kitchen counter. "It doesn't really matter. I changed my mind about you. I never had a pet before so I think I'll keep you." Her wings flapped. 

I growled menacingly. Her smile faded. She looked uncertainly at me. "Strange. For some reason, I lack confidence," she murmured. She shook her head. 

"It can't be. I'm a succubus. One of the hellcniht. I won't be defeated by a mere cat!" She sprung ferociously. Uncertain how to counter, I hunched, my tail curled around myself protectively. 

I closed my eyes as her wicked nails reached me, only to hear a piercing scream. I opened my eyes cautiously. She was rolling on the floor, clutching a bloody stump. 

I glanced down. Startled, I saw my engravings were glimmering. Did they protect me? 

Well, whatever they did, I took advantage of it. I pounced on her and pinned her. She coughed as I pressed her down.

"Growrerowr." Don't move, I tried to say. She laughed weakly. "I can't speak cat. If you turn back into a human, I might understand you better," she cooed.

I think it's because I'm a feline now that her flirting didn't work. I stamped down harder, making her wince. 

"Nathan. Can you hear me, Nathan?" It was Mars. 

He gazed at us carefully. I nodded and he sighed. "Good, I'm glad. Before you kill her, I want to ask her some questions, okay?" Weird, why is he treating me like a child all of a sudden? 

"Tch. Try your best. I won't betray my world. Die," she sneered. Mars, unfazed, walked up to her.

"I just want you to elaborate on what you said."

"About what?" she asked innocently. Mars sighed. "Don't play dumb. The Veil. Tell me about what you meant about the Veil."

"Oh, that. What about it?" Mars looked frustrated at her evasiveness. "You said the Veil wouldn't hold you forever. Why weren't we ever told? Does that mean it's breaking down or vanishing? What's happening over there?" He bellowed.

"I just repeated what everyone else was saying. We were banished thousands of years ago. I'm only three hundred years old, so how should I know?" 

She shrugged unconcernedly. "As for the Veil, I'm not important enough to know anything about it. But what I do know is that it's being destroyed by a human." Mars gasped. I had no idea what was going on, but I knew it was important.

"That's all I will tell you. Now, kill me and be done with it," she said in resolve. I waited for Mars. He didn't acknowledge, nor did he pay attention to anything. 

He was deep in thought thus I made the decision myself. She lay unresisting as my claws came down her neck. 

They were sharp as daggers, and as I cut, her head was decapitated. I desperately wanted to converse with Mars therefore I went to my happy place but I couldn't change back to being human. Trying to stay calm, I beckoned to Mars. 

"You're annoying. What is it?" he snapped.

I made gestures, hoping to get the idea across to him. "You want to change back? Do the same as what I taught you. Now, leave me alone." He hopped out of sight. I sat on my hunches, crying silent tears.