Reuben's Transformation

WRITER'S NOTE: This is a retrospective of Reuben Grealth just before he came into the Great Mage War. This short story will also be added to one of my future books; one of them being a prequel to "The Blacksmith's Nephew" called: "A Tale Between Knights & Mages". One minor spoiler in this passage so proceed with caution. Please enjoy the reading.

'Of course Gerlard Strent would do something like this' I said this to myself as my trusty steed, Wilblur, and I rode towards the Open Fields where the Great Mage War was.

We have been traveling for the past day or so now, with little to no breaks. Both my horse and I were on mission. What was supposed to be a royal visit from your's truly have to be postponed considering a certain individual all started a war upon the neighboring kingdom.

I ask my men to stay back since I knew Wilblur can make the trip. All I asked in return is for my family to be protected as I ride into the battle. My dear wife, Esther, and I have a beautiful one year old daughter. And the last thing I need is something to happen to both of them. I'm sure they are getting all the protection needed in case, Gerlard and his now established minions have any other ideas.

Wilblur and I have known each other since he was a little foal. He is the most beautiful blue roan horse you ever feast your eyes on, and also happens to be very reliable. When I first saw him, I could already tell he has potential. His mother was a show pony while his father was an war veteran horse.

Wilblur's father unfortunately and tragedy got killed in combat, while his poor mother died from heartbreak. Dear Wilblur became an orphan shortly afterwards, but he quickly gained a new family within our Grealth residence, all thanks to the other horses to rising his spirits.

Now, at the age of 10 years, Wilblur was the fastest steed in our Kingdom, quite possibly the whole country now that I think about it.

The two of us rode onward until we finally came across the Howling Woods. By which, was the final place to pass through until we reached our main destination. I simply couldn't ask for a better horse. Wilblur was truly a great horse by any means.

As we continue along the path that was given to us, all of a sudden I felt my body was getting pulled. Like some gravitational pull. I fell off my horse before even realizing what was happening as Wilblur continued to run. However, just as I looked at my horse while remaining stationary with my back on the ground, I can see movement up ahead.

Gerlard had teleported himself right in front of Wilblur with his scythe ready. It was at that moment, I knew what Gerlard was intended to do. I yelled Wilblur to halt but it was already too late.

Like an acrobat, Gerlard made a quick spin while squatting under Wilblur's body. With such a lethal technique, Gerlard sliced my horse's legs, making Wilblur limbless.

Poor Wilblur was in so much pain, it was so heartbreaking to see and hear, especially with him neighing helplessly. All the while, I couldn't even lift a finger to help my friend at need. I was still trapped under Gerlard's damn spell.

Speaking of the devil, he was grinning that whole time, enjoying the display. Gerlard was very amused about the outcome that he was literally torturing both of us in some way shape or form.

The Dark Wizard turns to my now apodous horse as he finally spoke: "This poor creature never stood a chance against the Dark Wizard. I might as well put it off it's misery. Any last neighs, you useless animal?"

All Wilblur could manage was breathing slowly now, considering the lost of blood from his legs. He even looks at me and drew tears from his eyes. Wilblur was accepting his fate. The same fate as his father.

Gerlard turns his head slightly towards me and asks: "What says you?"

I can only grinded my teeth as the words I wanted to say couldn't be spoken. All thanks to Gerlard's nasty skill. The gravitational force was so unbearable, it was like having a Rissindellis elephant sit on top of you.

"That's too bad," started Gerlard. "You might as well rest in peace, you futile." The Dark Wizard takes his top spear tip of his scythe, hovers it over my hopeless horse for dramatic effect, and pierce Wilblur's heart right in front of me. Eventually Wilblur gave his last breath away.

After doing such a despicable and evil deed, Gerlard finally releases me from the captivity of his spell. Finally, I can get up and drew my great sword, aiming to give the vile villain the same treatment he had bestowed on my horse.

I charged at him while shouting with tears in my eyes: "Now I will cut off your legs to see how you like it!"

"I don't think so," stated the villain as he then teleports from where he stood, leaving me with my dead limpless horse.

I looked around my surroundings, pinpointing where the devious snake could be. After turning around a couple of times, he came up behind me by whispering in my ear, "What a terrible tragedy the King is in."

Without hesitation, I swung my sword as hard as I could at 180 degrees, only to find that Gerlard wasn't there.

"Too slow," taunted the Dark Wizard.

I swung a full 180 again, only to be caught in a nearby tree.

"For a King, you aren't good with your surroundings and self-awareness," the villain says out of thin air. "Could it be cause you are driven by anger after what had happened to your poor little pet?"

"Wilblur was more than that! He was family."

"One that couldn't pick nor fight his own battles unfortunately."

"Come out now and show yourself, you coward!"

"Oh, but Reuben, I've been here this whole time," smiled the villain as he pulled off his invisible spell right in front of me.

"As your King, I command you to stop with this dirty tricks."

"Let me think about it," said the villain as he pretends to pander on such. "I think not!"

"You're a traitor to all of the crowns in Rissindell."

"I could care less about all of that. Rissindell needs a new ruler after all. One who will set fear into the kingdoms alike."

"I beg to differ. I strongly believe that we Rissindellis will overcome whatever you throw at us."

"I don't know if you happen to notice but I have won the battle already. You might as well give it up while you're still ahead."

"Never! I'll never submit to the likes of you."

"Then so let be it," says the villain as he brought out his scythe, ready to duel me.

I charged at him but he was quick and light on his feet. Cause the second I came close to cutting anything, he completely dodged my swipe to the right by ducking down to the left. Gerlard then takes ahold of me by using his scythe to close the distance.

Within the deadly embrace, Gerlard pulled out his scythe blade tip towards my face. All while trying to get me to go forward as continue to hold me down with his entire weapon's rod. Before it was inches away, I elbowed in the guts which stopped him as he had to recover.

I next spun around and aim to disarmed him for the time being. However, Gerlard had other plans for the next thing I knew, he had his entire hands onto my face.

"You've taken everything from me, including the woman of my dreams!" Gerlard shouts with resentment. "Esther was supposed to be with me, not you!"

All I could muster was me mumbling into hand.

"Sorry, your so-called Highness. I can barely understand. Now, you have left me with no other choice but to transform you into something monstrous."

He then starts chanting a strange spell: "If you were to look upon another pair of eyes from a loved one, only then the spell would be broken."

He lets go of me but suddenly my body began to change drastically. My clothes were ripped to shears as my medieval green underwear were the only clothing I could actually salvage, even though I grew a tail from where my rear is. I became tall with more hair than I ever had, except this hair turned into black fur covering my entire body. My face morphed into something of a wolf, and my eyes became more adjusted with the night.

It was soon that I realized I was transforming into a werewolf, right there and then, as Gerlard laughed sinisterly, feeling accomplished while I suffer the painful transformation. It was so bad that my own willpower and conscience was passed out.

I found myself getting back my humanity after the third day. However, what I found out what I did was totally unforgivable to my dear lost friend. My claws were bloody as well as my black fur, including my own face. I look at the mess I made and found out that Wilblur's inside remains were completely outside, made in a disgusting gore display. Eventually leaving him with nothing but his own skeleton.

I couldn't help but cry heartbreakingly there after what I have done. I'll give Wilblur a proper funeral. But for now I have so much resentment. All thanks to the evil Dark Wizard and his satanic ways. He will pay for this!