The Taste of Seduction

Meredith grabbed her mother Gwen's hand and hurriedly pulled her towards the safety of a boulder at the mouth of a cave. She turned to the two men beside her with a look of urgency. "Marcus, Atlas, how long can you guys hold them off?"

"Long enough, Meredith," Atlas replied with a growl as his body began to contort, growing larger and more muscular. His bones cracked, skin stretched and sprouted out thick fur all over his body, and then his features morphed into those of a wolf.

With his eyes glowing a piercing yellow; his snarling mouth revealing sharp teeth, and a deafening howl, he leapt forward in his original form as a werewolf. Marcus, already fully clothed in darkness, emanated an aura of intense and foreboding darkness that made the air seem heavier.

Above, the sky was shrouded in dark clouds, completely obscuring the sun and providing the perfect cover for them to unleash the full length of their powers.

The sound of approaching footsteps echoed through the cave, drowning out Marcus's voice as he spoke to Meredith. "But you need to make a decision quick," Austin's army was drawing closer by the second, and the urgency in his voice was palpable. She could feel her heart pounding in her chest, her thoughts racing as she tried to come up with a plan.

Gwen cupped her face, forcing her to lock her gaze onto hers. The concern etched on her features, the light filtering through the entrance of the cave illuminated the worry lines on her forehead. She began to confront her in the softest voice she could conjure whilst addressing her child, "Meredith, I am going to fight Austin, alone. You and the boys can't be here –"

"No mother, you are doing no such thing!" Meredith declared firmly, interrupting her mother's desperate plea. "My powers returned while I was asleep. I'm strong enough to stand against Austin, too. We will face him together." With those words, she summoned her abilities, causing her eyes to ignite with a fierce energy that flickered with an otherworldly glow.

"Oh my sweet, I can understand your need to help me, but I have to do this alone." Meredith's shoulders slumped as she beheld her mom's solemn expression; it was clear from her expression that her mind had been set on the prospect of taking on Austin alone.

"It was Austin's mistake not to seal my powers, because now," she slipped her hands from Meredith's face and with her powers, she brought herself to levitate off the rocky terrains of the mouth of the cave and then she began to drift backwards. "I am sure to defeat him once and for all. Come my child; let me show you the true level of your power."

Marcus and Atlas were now backing up, creating an opening for the women to face each other, Gwen turned to face them as she spoke, "You might want to give more space boys, this here is no ordinary strength," The confusion was evident in their expression but they complied.

"Ich manuch sabyern anellis Meredithe lefyurn Gwen eck sund…"

There was a distinct vibration in the grounds underneath their feet, Marcus and Atlas glanced at each other and then back at Meredith who was now levitating far above every one of them. Gwen settled on the earth, watching her from below.

A bright purple ball of light emerged from her, sending out laser-like rays in every direction, creating an effect like the sun, illuminating the surroundings with a brilliant glow. Gradually, the ball of energy began to grow in size, emanating from her chest and expanding outwards. She squeezed her eyes shut as all the energy compressed inside her.

Everything around her turned pitch black and still for a moment. With a sudden burst of light, the energy exploded into the sky, creating an enormous wave of light that rippled out in all directions like an aurora reflection.

Marcus and Atlas stared in disbelief at Meredith, who had just revealed the full extent of her powers. Gwen, standing nearby, beamed with pride. "Don't tell me," Marcus whispered, his eyes fixed on the glowing ball of energy in Meredith's hand. "Yes it is," Gwen confirmed, her voice filled with awe.

Atlas turned to her, "She mentioned something about her powers being held back," He said, his voice was low. "I sealed her powers so she'd learn to control and use them when the time is right," She replied, "And this is the time."

The skies returned to their original hue as Meredith slowly drifted to the ground, her companions still staring in awe. Gwen clasped her palms together, beaming at her with pride, Marcus and Atlas stood in disbelief, struggling to process what they had just witnessed.

"Mother, was that?" Her confusion was evident as she closed the distance between them.

"Yes, my child," Gwen replied, pulling her into a hug. "This is your power."

"I feel – very –" She splayed her palms in an attempt to conjure something, anything. But what she made from that move was much more than she could've imagined. A concentrated wave of blue energy took form in her elbow, coalescing around her arm and into the depth of her palm, where a white light took residence, growing more and more intense.

Gwen watched with joy as she mastered her abilities, "I did it to protect you from Austin," She explained to the hearing of Marcus and Atlas. "If he sensed your power, he'd come after you, knowing you would be the catalyst of his sure death."

After she'd spoken those words, there was a sudden tremor that shook the earth, causing everyone, except Meredith, to lose their balance. "Well, it seems he also sensed the energy because he's gaining on us, with speed." Marcus said, turning in the direction of a cloud of dust gathering in the distance.

"Marcus, Atlas, guard Meredith with your lives." Gwen ordered, "Austin knows now that she is more powerful than he ever imagined. He will do anything to take her life. Do not let him." She growled the last statement and turned to face her daughter.