Fantasy+Novel

As dawn broke upon the sky, and stretched its arms across the land, the camp stirred under the sunlight. As General White was awaking his men to pack up, they heard a blood curdling scream. The scream sounded as if someone was dragging their fingernails across an old chalk board. They soon saw it was a gruesome Skaleon. These beasts are a mix between a bird and vampire. They have beaks that were filled to the brim with razor sharp teeth. They even carry midnight black wings that could easily black out the sun. And the worst part of it all was that they have a hunger for blood, human blood. Then the creature raised its torso to reveal, Crow, our scout lying below it. He was drained of all his blood like all the unfortunate people who shared that fate. When this sight reached the eyes of the men, they all instinctively reached for a weapon of some sort. Boiling in rage, Vox shot a bullet at the monster, it penetrated its left wing, drawing blood. This enraged the Skaleon, and was sent roaring after him. As the vicious, blood thirsty creature ran on all four limbs toward Vox, Raven, our highly trained sniper had an opportunity to terminate the beast. Raven undoubtedly pulled the trigger. But unfortunately, Skaleons aren't stupid. It raised it's talon, and as if with ease, sliced the bullet clear in two. The two fragments of the bullet, rounded it's head, and instantly killed the two men behind it. Vox readied himself for death, in case it was to come upon him at this moment. But he would put up fight, he subtly unsheathed his machete. He locked his elbows and wrists, and put the weapon in front of him. The Skaleon couldn't stop from colliding with the blade.

It protruded from its skull like an awkward movie prop. In its last breath, with a feeble reach of its arm, it was still was attempting to. Then it lay there lifelessly, for eternity. "You saved countless live Vox." said General White "No problem sir, Despite the fact that I could've died, it's my job. And I LOVE IT!" Vox replied. With a faint chuckle the general walked back to our makeshift tents to pack his belongings. They didn't have much out in the Philippines. What you carried in, was what you carried into the mission. The mission is to retrieve all the Futromal as possible, to "retire" as many monsters as possible, and to find and save all humans along the way. Also the Futromal is a source of energy worth trillions, but we aren't worried about money, we were worried about saving the human race. Futromal is an acid, If you want to be all scientific about it, it's a one on the pH scale. It also is a radioactive substance, and the skaleons are highly sensitive to it.Which is why we want as much of it as possible. There is only a thinning number of humans left, only a mere 722,604,332 humans left on the planet. The special 13 men chosen for this were General White, Vox, Raven, E, Crow, Sgt. Keith, Luke, Victor, Kris, William, Thorn, Simon, and finally Adam. But three men were killed on this dreadful night, and that leaves 10 to carry out this dangerous, self sacrificing order. Then I awoke in a sweat, laying in my sleeping bag. I was dreaming of the previous night, I tend to dwell on bad memories unfortunately. These dreams were a constant thought in my mind. They happened almost every night, Like a distant voice calling to me, telling me something is embedded in the memories. Almost like it's showing me something, something I could've done, to save innocent lives. This may be something caused by my situation in life, the whole not being human thing. __End of Prologue__ It all began on a Wintry day in the middle of January, when I recruited myself in the U.S MARINES. Mainly because I had nothing better to do, I had finished college, and I needed to serve my country. Four years passed and I had been sent on several tours in that time. And on a relaxing evening to my own after returning from a 5 month tour, a letter from General White came in the mail unexpectedly. The letter reads,

" Dear Adam, You have been chosen and 12 others, among the remaining few of the U.S. MILITARY to carry out a elite mission. This mission will be dangerous and self sacrificing. More briefing will be released at the U.S.A.F. Virginia base at 2:45 pm next Tuesday. Be there or you will be relieved of the mission. General White" I easily could've jumped out of my skin on the spot but remained emotionless. I remembered my parents death, my brothers death, my sisters death, all because of the god forsaken Skaleons that inhabit the world now. They are ruthless creatures, I hate them with all of my heart. Revenge was boiling in my veins now that I am aware of a chance to murder them, all of them. I didn't care if I had to do it single handed, but I would. I still remember the words that the monster said, as if it was just this morning. He spoke as he was dripping blood onto our burning house. The followers of him had set fire to out home, and His words were "You can't do anything, you will all die, and feed us. Your family is one of the many that will share this fate. You will be next." But he was right, he would kill others, and I couldn't do anything about it, I was only 12 at the time. But four years has passed and I can do something. His name was Deja, the one who slaughtered my beloved family. I would make him pay, I vowed to it that very moment, and I lived up to my promises. The following Tuesday I was at the Virginia Base fashionably late, one minute late. Considering I nearly blew my engine up trying to get there, was the main reason. I entered the building attempting to rid all the emotion from my face, to be solemn was to be a strong man. I followed the sign that said "Meeting, Room 224."I caught a seat right before we began. "Sir!" we all said simultaneously, as the Commander walked into the room. "At ease gentlemen. You are the 12 men chosen for an elite mission to the SIDIOUS military base in the Galapagos islands. In case you don't know, they have moved down to where the French Polynesia once was. You will go home tonight, pack your belongings, and be here tomorrow morning. But I won't keep the information from you any longer. Take a seat men. You are all aware of the Mythical beasts inhabiting this planet now. They came in 2012, the world was supposedly to end, but obviously not. That was over 440 years ago. It is now 2452, and the race of the Skaleons is still running strong. The death count is unimaginable, almost 6 billion dead, drained of blood. And the remaining look up to the military, who is only a number of 100,000 currently, which isn't nearly enough to eradicate all the fearsome creatures. Anyways, back to topic. Once you have your belongings, and have landed on the base, you will be shown the newest weapons and armour. These will be the nature of the gear you carry into the Philippines.Of which is where the Futromal is mainly located along with the majority of the Skaleons, are living there. They live well in tropical weather. You are the only 12 men along with me, that will be on this mission. The mission is to save as many humans as possible, terminate the majority of Skaleons, and retrieve all the futromal. One thing that will help us a great deal is that none of you are human correct?" spoke the General. "You are sir. None of us are." mundane." Simon, a person across the table replied. " Simon, Will,and Crow are werewolves. E, Kris, Luke, And Victor all are Shape shifters. Sgt. Keith, Crow, Vox, Raven, Thorn, and I are all Adze's. And you Adam...." He said pointing at me. " Are an animeagus. Your animal is a panther. Am I right?" "Yes sir. And I believe you were also about the others." I simply replied. "Then all is well for now. Dismissed."

I left the building briskly, and was filled to the brim with anticipation of the next day I would face. My I awoke in the middle of the night in a sweat, in rage, and my head throbbing constantly. I instantly knew why my these things were happening, my other side wanted out. My skin grew black hairs all over, my clothes torn off, my ears rounding, and a tail. I was now in full form of a panther, My other side was released from it's hiding. I needed to get the rage out... forever. I ran on all four limbs out to nowhere. I cleared into a wood, clawing at everything in sight. This is what happens to me when pent up emotion is bottled up in me like lightning in the clouds, ready to strike. Panting, with a burst of speed, I retraced my tracks back to my home, but ran into trouble. Trouble being a Skaleon laying just beyond the door of the woods. But this was no regular Skaleon, this was Deja. I immediately realized this by what he spoke, "I told you, that you would be next." is what he said as he lunged his blackened body towards me. I was no match for this, unless I was capable of releasing all my rage towards him. Which I soon found out that I was more than capable. With a bite, a claw, a collision, started a brawl with ease. My panther side helped me a great deal for this fight, I was stronger and more nimble than my mundane form. Our fight rung through the night like a bell being struck at a church. But don't get me wrong, Deja was a hell of a fighter, we both fought with rage as our energy to go on. Blood was spewing from my chest, deep cuts all over my body. I had done the same to him. "YOU KILLED MY FAMILY!" I screamed as I pawed his face.

He replied with his talons dancing across my chest, and releasing large amounts of blood. "AAH!" I said seeing my torn chest. I can't take this much longer, I have to give up. With bloodied skin, I leaped with the final ounce of my strength towards my house. Deja was smart enough not to follow, I doubt he could put up another fight such as this. I reached my house I reside in within the hour, nothing had changed. I wonder how Deja could find me across the world? I seriously begin to doubt about my self security now days.

Once inside, I attempted to clean myself, just a little bit. I needed all my possible strength for, Well today. It was beginning to become dawn and I still had no rest. I fear for my life that I will not be capable of fighting or even rescuing anyone. After packing I checked my wounds, and they were more severe than I had thought. I will not be able to keep up with the others. But the general must not know about this, in case he were to relieve me of my duty. Then my alarm rang, sounding the time to leave for the U.S.A.F. base, to leave behind this life,to lead a life of duty from now on. I jumped into my custom Sambordo 56 - Turbo, which is a classified military sports car, only for Elite troops use. I stole it on one of my tours a few years back, but they have so many they probably didn't notice. I floored it on the highway, and was well on my way there.

Upon my arrival, I was the first one there of course, I laid first glance at the new, remodeled, most likely stolen from a run down factory, guns we're gonna use. The box was labeled 'C-22 Black-hawk rifles', sounds pretty cool right? General White strode by my car and I, shooting me a questioning glance. He probably knew these vehicles are prohibited from "Normal" troops, which I was no longer. I waited along side of the building with my personal things, the others finally arrived. We walked into the base, to the aircraft bay. Inside lay a C-17 Globe master XIII. For the dull minded, it's a big plane.And now way farther advanced than the earlier C-17 Globe master III back in the 2000's. "Time to pack up ladies!" The general yelled. "You know that doesn't help any ones self esteem!" some one yelled in the crowd.

I also faintly heard Crow and Will arguing over who's biceps were bigger. I was in a trance of my life before this day, I was thinking of my first Christmas, the yelling of my old football coach, Jenny Brown (my first girlfriend) All of these thoughts were swirling around my head. But Will easily broke this trance by shoving his bicep in my face. Rude, huh? "You see these guns? These suckers be more powerful than them C-22's, right Adam? They're OBVIOUSLY bigger than Crow's puny arms." Will asked. I replied with " Two things, work on your grammar, and I seriously doubt your 'guns' are more powerful than these." He didn't take this well and stalked off off mumbling some rude words, (towards me for not agreeing with him). We then boarded the plane, which was definitely not my first time to do this. The first things that popped into my head while setting foot in the aircraft was, holy crap, this is a pimped out plane! I mean this had White leather interior, dimmed lights, darkened windows, and complimentary beverages. We were set. But we wouldn't have been 447 years ago, because it was simple cargo plane. And certainly, over that time things can change. After about 3 hours of flight, the pilot came over the speaker saying, "Troops, we are at the 1/3 mark. We will be over the islands in about 9 hours." Which the thought that came to mind was 'Awesome!! I got nine more hours to be on this plane!" Which you can tell I love this plane. After what had seemed minutes, Nine hours had passed. The pilot once again spoke on the speaker. " We will be landing within ten minutes. Pack what you have brought, and get ready for touchdown."

With that said, we unbuckled our belts and went to find our bags stored in various places. Raven pulled out a long tubular shaped bag. I wasn't completely sure if it was a gun or not so I asked anyways. " Hey Raven! What's in that big case of yours?"

" This is my first rifle I ever had." He said opening it. "She's a beauty eh?" " Yep sure is." I spoke overlooking the fancy gun.

We all jumped at the thump of the wheels hitting the concrete. The doors opened with a whoosh, releasing fresh air into our lungs. Kris was the first to leave the plane, considering he was of heights, and needed to throw up. The light from the sun was nearly blinding since we were used to the florescent lighting. "Hello soldiers! You're finally here!" greeted the General of the air base. "My name is General Peerson. You can follow me to your cabins, then I'll show you where your first path lies on your operation." We walked around the base, glancing at the cabins, and obviously mine was the farthest away, but mainly looking at where we would begin our journey. I shared my cabin with Victor. I was too awake and ready for tomorrow to fall asleep. So I sat on the window-sill gazing at the moon, I could see the white glow circling the moon.The evergreen trees swayed gently in the breeze, and the wind whistled a soft tune in my ear. I sat motionless for minutes, thinking about what would happen over the following weeks. Life or death, win or lose, it will all come together on this brutal journey. I started dozing off, I attempted to stay awake, but I failed and fell dead asleep.

The steady, annoying, loud, BEEP BEEP BEEP of the alarm awoke me on the following morning. Victor was already awake and showering, while I lied there yawning. I looked at the clock and it was only a mere half an hour before we left. I immediately leaped out of my bed, threw on some deodorant and clothes, and was out the door. I walked down the paved road and watched the leaves dance along the sidewalk. The Brisk temperature of Autumn was cutting into my jacket. As I approached the building, General White stood along the wall. I followed his line of gaze to an ominous black cloud rolling in. Coming in right on its tail, was bright, sleek, stripes of lightning. When the lightning struck, it paused, and with a sigh let out a roar of thunder.

"It's gonna be a big storm son. Better be ready, 'cause we're starting this mission rain or shine." he spoke. I replied, "I plan on seeing this out sir."

Once all of the us got there, we got the order and set foot on the road .... in the rain. But before, General Peerson and General White both agreed that 3 pilots would be flying ahead of us, checking the perimeter. Which made me feel a little more comfortable, knowing there would be big planes with big guns ahead of us. We must have walked several miles before we came to a halt and set up camp. In my soaked clothing, I ate some dried meat and a roll for my dinner, then slept the night in a tent. I had a horrid dream in my sleep. My whole convoy and I were all killed in an ambush. The first day of the operation was pretty uneventful. At least nobody died. First thing the next day, we woke up and left. We all could see the giant hive of skaleons looming above us a few miles ahead. The size was breath-taking, the hive held every single one of the beasts. The soles of my shoes were slowly becoming worn. As I walked on, I heard a rustle in the trees hoping it was only an animal, but naturally, it was a massive Skaleon.

Screaming, the General commanded us, "FIRE AT WILL!" We all did, and the skaleon did eventually come down. Hitting the dirt with a thump, was one less skaleon to kill.

Reloading, Sergeant Keith said, "Oi, the bigger they are, the harder they fall. Right?" Everyone basically said yes or didn't answer. Then a dense cloud of smoke contained us all. From every corner came a skaleon, and behind that one, was a second skaleon. It was an ambush.

With skaleons surrounding us everywhere we all started shooting like mad men. But there was just too many of them. They must have come from their hive a few miles up. Then, I saw a 45- Z Wing fighter jet through the wisps on the long take-off road from the base.

The General yelled at me saying, "ADAM! TAKE THE INITIATIVE! GET IN THAT PLANE, AND BOMB THESE GOD ****ED THINGS!"

"YES SIR!" I yelled back.

I could already see the others turning into werewolves, and shape-shifting. Our special abilities helped us significantly in battle.

I morphed into my panther from and ran an even 35 mph. I got to the plane and found the cockpit was locked. I muttered a curse, and checked under the left tire heel. And the key was there. I learned that pilots always keep a spare key there. Knowing that, I might have saved lives. I jammed the key into the lock, twisted, and leaped into the seat. I powered up the engine and drove it off. Airborne, I found the firing keys and target lock button and pushed the key. The massive, repetitive, WHOOMP, WHOOMP, WHOOMP, of the ammunition leaving the barrel was ear shattering. Screams rung in my ear, and blood sprayed from the ground. But the men couldn't stand the forces of the skaleons, along with the monsters that invaded our planet. Lying on the ground, lifeless. This was my all my fault. I now knew the right thing to do is ... I'm going to the hive and killing all of the skaleons.

Pushing the vehicle to its limit, I reached the hive. Unloading everything all the ammo the 45- Z Wing had, I brutally slaughtered over 500 skaleons by dumping every last drop of the futromal we had recovered. I recognized one of the few standing as Deja. He was the strongest, most determined, cruel skaleon of all. When he laid eyes on me, everything from there on was down hill. Flying low, I attempted to Kill the one who murdered my family, But he got the best of me. He leaped with his hind legs and landed smack on the windshield. With a scratch of his talon, separated the glass. He grabbed me by the rung of my neck, put his claw to my throat and whispered, "I told you I would finish my job." And with that, cut my throat .... leaving me to die. Using all the strength I had left, I drove what was left of the aircraft ... straight into the hive. This was my last glimpse of sunlight I would ever see, then it went black.

I now am up in heaven, I stare down at the earth, and can almost see the clouds of smoke. I can almost hear the screams of the innocent people dying down there. And if I had done my job better, they would still be alive.