Book One:Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fourteen: One’s Hate Can Last Forever

He could see it. His home. Just down about a mile away. He stood where he did all those years ago. The cliff overlooking his home. The castle looked the same, yet the town had changed. It had gotten bigger… expanded. His red eyes narrowed in distaste at the new buildings. They were of poor quality and didn’t appear to be meant for housing families. The sun was rising up behind him, glaring down at the world below. Oddly enough everything looked vacant, belongings littered across the ground. Slice must of ordered everyone to evacuate, which also meant the old bastard knew he was coming. A silent growl rose up from his throat. A malice snarl graced his dark face. Dakota stood proud where he was, wings spread open slowly as he readied himself for a battle, even a massacre if he could manage. Everyone who wronged him was going to die by his claws. With that he let gravity take over, the wind gushing past his wings. Keeping himself aloft as he glided down, flapping his wings only when he had to stay at the same altitude. Dakota’s heart was pounding, almost seeming like it would burst out of his chest. His jaw clenched when he realized deep down he harbored fear. Fear that was unwelcome and unworthy to be inside him. Shaking his head slightly, propelling his wings faster. Reaching a decent speed. He needed to save his energy for the fight. Dakota wasn’t going to let fear rule him. If any emotion was going to rule him it would be none other than Hate itself. Just as he reached the outskirts of the town he landed quietly, taking careful steps forward as he scanned the area. Dakota’s face was holding a stoic expression but deep down he was having an inner turmoil of which emotion would guide him through this. His ears flicking around at any random sound.

    Dakota came to a sudden stop, looking off at a dark building. “Come out and maybe I won’t kill you.” He commanded firmly. Tail flicking in mild annoyance. Dakota’s breaths were short and slow struggling to keep himself calm. Two figures do come out from behind the building, both looking just a few years older than himself. Both wore smug expressions as they bravely and stupidly marched over to the shadow dakotian. Dakota narrowed his blood red eyes once he connected the dots on who they were. Two golden horned dakotians like himself, both bigger than he was back then, but now it was he who had the slight advantage in height. “Well look who came crawling back. Just couldn’t last any longer without us beating you’re worthless ass prince.” The first snarled, cackling along with the other dakotian. Dakota remained silent, scowling darkly at them both. His red eyes blinked slowly. Dakota then gave an amused look. Both of the dakotians were staring into those eerie eyes, not noticing those red claws digging into the dry soil. “Look the little maggot things he can take us on! I hate to admit it but I missed that look. What are you gonna do weakling?!” The other blurted out, taking bold steps forward, seriously ready to strike Dakota at any moment. The shadow dakotian doesn’t move, he doesn’t even flinch. His breathing became leveled the minute they showed themselves. His heart beating not with fear or nervousness but excitement. Dakota still holds his tongue but his expression said it all, he was beginning to loathe the very sight of them. Their voices like gnats buzzing around his ears. Like an annoying dog nipping at his heels. A pesky pest at most. “I’ve missed beating you into the dirt, get ready to taste the bitterness of defeat again!” The closer one snarled, lunging at him with surprising speed. Sure they were always one step ahead of him but now it was he who was one it not two steps ahead. As Dakota always did he ducked down close to the ground when his attacker came near. His wings arched out only extending once contact was made with his attacker’s stomach.
    
    The other charged him with a fierce battle cry. The teen slammed the first into the ground after about two spins, slamming his claws into their chest. Effectively gaining a grunt from the now pinned dakotian. Dakota’s tail swung around and whacked the other’s face. Cutting their cheek like a whip would. The hit caused him to skid back, his head held in the position it was forced in when it got hit. A snarl curled up on his enemies lips. The pinned one started struggling and Dakota lifted his paw up. The downed dakotian gasped in air finally, coughing up a small storm. All too soon Dakota slammed both of his paws back into that bleeding chest. The sound of bones cracking gave the stunned one a harsh shiver, his eyes blown wide in surprise and soon fear flooded both of them. “Bullies don’t prosper, karma has come to find retribution and I will be freed from you’re annoying mockery forever.” Dakota said in a low hissing tone, taking a deep breath before actually looking down at the still pinned dakotian. Staring deeply into those fearful eyes that looked up at his own hollow ones. “P-please…” Stuttered the one now with broken ribs, gasping in pain only to cough up blood. Dakota only watched with a stone cold expression, sure it phased him inside but he only buried those feelings deep down inside himself. Locking them away. Dakota knew the one below him wasn’t going to survive anyway if those broken ribs punctured his lungs, he’d drown in his own blood before they healed. “You bastard!” The other roared, going in for another attack on Dakota. With snake like reflexes Dakota had the charging dakotian between his claws, lifting his body off the ground completely by standing only on his hind legs. The one below him hurriedly struggled away from them both. Crawling weakly inch by inch, foot by foot. Dakota’s eyes flicked over to the escaping one. One word filled his mind. ‘Coward.’ He snarled internally. Claws sunk into the limb grasping onto the other dakotian. Blood ran down his black fur, welling up past those claws that sought to make him let go. His victim started to kick him, Dakota only held him up higher and out further. Choking noises could be heard as Dakota tightened his grip on the dakotian’s throat. Coughing could be heard behind him. “I’m not someone you can torment and expect to ever get away with it. If you had been nice all those years ago this wouldn’t be happening to you or your friend.” The teen clearly stated, making sure the other dakotian behind him could also heard. Dakota’s tail slowly came around to point right at the unguarded belly of the dakotian in his grasp. Each fur on the tip of his tail stiffening and sticking to each other to look like a blade.

    Thrashing ensues as soon as the choking dakotian sees what's about to happen. “No no no… please!” Was the response Dakota got, who knew someone who seemed so tough could sound so pitiful when starting their death in the face. Dakota doesn’t end it yet, turning slightly so his captive could see their friend lying there still breathing… barely. Blood soaking the dry ground. “I’ll give you a choice…” Dakota paused looking over at the prone form. “Either he dies or you die. Just how far will your friendship go?” A small smirk was on the shadow dakotian’s face now. A harsh cough could be heard as more blood spilled out of the prone dakotian’s mouth, joining the puddle of blood below his form. Dakota looked into those fearful eyes, watching the inner turmoil that was going on inside his prey’s mind. It seemed a choice was made seconds later. “He… d-dies…” Stuttered the dakotian before him. It seemed loyalty wasn’t in their ‘friendship’ and Dakota only frowned slightly. “Very well.” The teen replied as that trademark black smoke rose out of nowhere, shooting towards the prone form. Sliding in any entrance it could gain access to. Mild thrashing could be seen as the fallen dakotian stopped breathing and eventually stopped moving altogether seconds later. All the while Dakota watched and so did the remaining dakotian who seemed to be hyperventilating, frozen in disbelief. Slowly Dakota looked back his way, deadly intent riddled on his dark features. The dakotian’s breath hitched as his pupils turned to mere dots. Dakota smirked darkly. He was shaking now, and looked like he was about to wet himself. “We… we had a deal!” They screamed, thrashing about in hopes of getting free. Just then Dakota’s tail shot forward and went straight into his belly, poking out of his back. His prey screamed as pain and shock set in, halting any movement from him. Dakota brought the dakotian closer, leaning in so his head was right next to their ear. “I lied.” He said bluntly. The dakotian’s eyes were glazed over and droopy not yet closed. Dakota knew he could fix that. In one quick movement he removed his tail which was now all bloody yet he wasn’t done. It was now poised for their heart. The dakotian didn’t move but his eyes were all teary now. The look of regret was on their face, too late now. “You have no right in this world weakly.” Dakota taunted, sweet revenge at it’s finest. With that he plunged his tail back in what was now a corpse. Not a sound nor a final attempt at movement came from the surely dead dakotian in his grasp. Pulling his tail about out he threw the corpse aside, licking his bloody paws clean like a cat as he sat down. Once he finished only then did he set his sights on the castle he once called home and soon it will be his again.