Chapter 8

At the scene of the impact was a massive sinkhole. Thick mist filled the basement and with it, hid through the impact resulting cracks in the walls. Perfect for the already partly broken dirty green walls. It would not be long and the whole building would collapse under the strain. Through the cracks wind blew and took the mist with it.

The werewolf was the first to leave the crater. With some reeling moves she leaped out it. She landed on her legs, still shaking from the heavy recoil. Werewolf: That’s why I don’t like this attack! The werewolf turned around to the hole in the ground and cleared her nose. Werewolf: I did a fine job!

The mist had completely cleared by now and the enemy came to light. The sand armour was destroyed, revealing the sorry state of the man. He was covered with lethal wounds and blood poured out of them. With every move he did, the sound of breaking bones arose. One could even see the tips of some bones piercing through the man’s skin. Normally the impact would have killed this now half-dead man, but he had been clever. He had covered his inner organs with sand to dampen the impact on them. Enemy: What was that? My body is paralyzed and fucked, shit! With some effort, he gazed up to the werewolf who was staring at him. She yawned deeply and demanded:

‘You still alive? Wait, I’ll finish the job!’ The werewolf leaped up and landed right before the enemy. She performed a low kick. It missed. Or to put it better, it passed through the enemy. Werewolf: I can’t touch him anymore. So, – It was now that the werewolf realized that her fur wasn’t wet anymore. Before she could react in time, the man placed his hands on the floor.

‘Sandstorm!’ A tremendous sandstorm arose beneath the werewolf. Way stronger than the first one. It hurled her into the air. The sandman yelled again: ‘Sand Impact.’ The rubble lying on the floor turned into sand. The sand took on the shape of immense sand fists. They aimed at the werewolf, still in mid-air. Due to her inconvenient location, she couldn’t evade the attack. She timely covered herself with her arms. Soon after, the fists punched her into the ground. Bam!

The sand fists vanished. And once again, the man surrounded himself with an armour. Enemy: I can’t maybe move my body, but my sand armour will do the job. With lifted chest he stepped out the crater. ‘It’s payback-time!’, he smashed fist against fist. ‘Your fur isn’t wet anymore. So, even if you manage to destroy my armour again, though I highly doubt it, you won’t be able to touch me. Werewolf: If I can’t touch him anymore, I’ll have to approach him in another way! Well, I’m already half-prepared! I’ll let you suffer as I did!’ The werewolf laughed:

‘Yes, you really suffered. I could get a glimpse of your face and... ‘, she wagged her paw, ‘I bet it hurts! You will never be able to show your face in public again.’ The enemy cursed back

‘So, you took the traits of this stupid man? You’re a perfect fit for each one!’ The werewolf replied wiping away the blood that was on its way to her eyes:

‘I don’t copy people! I’m an honest person! When I say that you’re ugly, I really mean it! And indeed, you look hideous!’ Her stare dimmed.

‘Ahhhhh’, the enemy bellowed, a sign that he had lost his cool, again. ‘Let’s see how long you’ll stay cocky, bitch!’ From the sand armour’s back several arms emerged. They launched at the werewolf. The werewolf could evade the first fist. However, the second one connected. She toppled back. Several fists followed. Now, the werewolf had only one option left – Defending! And so, she did. Fists hit. Again, and again. And yet, the werewolf’s defence didn’t weaken one bit. Enemy: I need something stronger! The enemy formed an enormous fist, surrounded with spines. Instantly, he gave her a straight punch. ‘Sand Jab!’ The werewolf crashed into the wall – Bang! She puked gallons of blood and fell to the ground. Werewolf: Ok, that’s enough! Now, I can finish him off!

Suddenly, the door to the basement banged open. Drin and the others entered the room. When Drin set foot in the room, he didn’t stare at all the destruction, nor the sand titan, but his gaze halted at the injured werewolf lying on the floor. The werewolf was full of wounds and some holes, most of them in her limbs. Her fur had taken in the blood flowing out of the wounds and taken on a partly crimson appearance.

An emotion of rage arose in Drin. This strong feeling caused his body to quiver. He clenched his hands to fists and firmly pressed them together. So strong, blood leaked from his fists. Drin: Why am I furious? Drin himself didn’t understand his anger. He had just met this woman and now, he was already getting angry for her? He didn’t understand, but he was sure of one thing – This wrath was genuine! He took a step forward. It seemed like a normal one, but it wasn’t. This one step caused a small shaking in the almost totally destroyed basement. Drin's feet pressed into the ground. He bared his teeth while looking at the enemy and cried out:

‘I’LL WILL DESTROY YOU!’ The enemy and the other two guys jerked back. Drin’s announcement wasn’t an empty threat, but more a fact. And the enemy felt it. He became rigid with fear as he felt Drin’s blood lust. Suddenly, Drin calmed down, took some quick breaths. Drin: I must be careful; I still can’t completely control that power! He sauntered towards the paralyzed enemy. Drin appeared calm from the outside, but inside of him he was burning with rage. He stopped as he felt the arm of one of the guys on his shoulder – It was the skinny one. When Drin turned around, the man recoiled briefly. Man: He’s dangerous! Despite his fear, he pointed at the werewolf and proclaimed:

‘She hasn’t lost yet! Why do you think she is the only one fighting? Why do you think we hid ourselves during the fight? And didn’t help her? Drin: Why does he sound so proud of himself? Heh? It’s because she is strong! Trust in her powers!’ Suddenly and briefly Drin’s ears caught the voice of a small girl, from where it came was unsure, maybe his own mind: ‘Trust me!’ Drin didn’t search for the voice’s owner, nor did he question it and instead, simply eased down.

‘Ok, I’ll trust her!’, he let the other guy know who then backed off. Drin refocused his eyes on the werewolf. The werewolf twitched and just then a heavy sigh escaped Drin. Back on her feet, she shot Drin a glance and teased him:

‘Isn’t it a little bit too early? We don’t even know each other yet. You worry too much! But … thank you!’ Drin said nothing, only breathed a sigh of relief, accompanied by a soft grin. Drin: Don't scare me like that. A now, kick this bastard in the ass! The werewolf might not have heard his thoughts, but she understood Drin’s assignment. And she would accomplish this feat. She put her focus back on the enemy, still groaning:

‘Sandman, you’re stronger than I expected, but it’s not nearly enough to defeat me.’ Meanwhile, the enemy had freed himself from the rigid and reacted to the werewolf’s speech:

‘Are you for real? You’re covered with wounds. Where is the special regeneration power of you werewolves? I thought that’ –

‘Why do you think, I didn’t use it?’, the werewolf interrupted the man, her breathing normalized. Drin: He’s right. She could easily win using her powers. She should still have enough power left to heal herself. So, why isn’t she healing herself? ‘I let myself get hurt on purpose.’, the werewolf said. Drin: Don’t tell me you’re into such things? It’s okay, I’ve got a supple mind! It doesn’t matter what taste you’re in, I’ll adapt. Enemy: On purpose, but why?

The enemy had a lot of questions, and they would be answered soon and Drin would see that his thoughts on this matter were utterly wrong. The werewolf took a deep breath and exhaled all the air.

‘Time to end this battle!’, she muttered. She went on all her fours. ‘This will be my last attack, sandman! You don’t need to be afraid of this man standing there.’ The enemy remained silent. ‘Should he interfere, I’ll finish him off myself!’ Her threat made Drin grin, a grin that was better left unseen. Sadly, the people witnessed it and reacted with a: ‘Ihhh!’

‘Ok, don’t exaggerate!’, Drin replied and undid his grin. The werewolf was still on all her fours. She dug the claws deep into the ground, cracking it. She arched her back; her head was bent forward and every fibre of her body was tense. So much so that one could even see veins, at some places on her body despite her fur. Her fur vibrated and her skin hardened. It was even harder than steel at that moment. Drin: Interesting. It seems like a finisher-move.