My heart was racing as I, and my friends stood on the gate. Overhead, a full moon was rising, creating rich red hues in the sky. The night was calm and frightening. As I sensed the calm before the storm, I had a sickening sense of dread.

As we awaited the arrival of Lord Dregan's army, the air was tense. The gate creaking and our own breathing were the only sounds we could hear.

Everything seemed to have a gloomy tint from the red moon, and I couldn't help but feel like a tidal wave was about to hit us. I gripped my sword more firmly as my hands shook, bracing myself for the worst.

I couldn't help but question whether we were prepared for this conflict as we waited for the enemy to show up as we stood there. I caught a glimpse of my friends and noticed that while their eyes conveyed determination, there was also a trace of fear. We were all aware that this battle would not be simple, and Alnor's future lay in our hands.

The army of Lord Dregan moved closer. I could make out the dark silhouettes of werewolves on the front lines. Their eyes shone a piercing yellow, and their fur gleamed under the light of the full crimson moon. They were enormous beings that were easily twice the size of an adult human, and they moved with muscles that rippled. Each of them had pointed teeth and claws that sparkled in the moonlight.

With their footsteps resonating on the ground, the werewolves moved in perfect unison. Although they lacked armor, their thick fur served as a natural form of defense. Others clutched enormous shields that appeared to be capable of easily stifling a man, while some of them carried swords and axes.

As the army drew closer, I could see the individual features of the werewolves. Some had scars across their faces, while others had piercings in their ears and noses. They all appeared to be battle-hardened and fierce, as if they had been trained since birth.

My heart pounded in my chest as I watched the army approach. This was no ordinary fight, and I knew that we were vastly outnumbered. But we had a plan, and we had the element of surprise on our side. We just had to hope that it was enough to defeat Lord Dregan's army and save the Alnor Kingdom.

Lord Dregan suddenly accelerated his horse to the front of his soldiers. Sword in hand, he yelled, "Surrender or die!" 

I could sense the tense atmosphere. The crucial moment had arrived.

"Come and get us!" I yelled back, and the calm, pitch-black surroundings reverberated with my voice.

The army raced forward as the gate opened below me, their eyes glistening with a ferocious intent to defeat us. There was no going back now that the conflict was about to begin.

As the werewolf army entered the town, the silver traps performed as intended. Each werewolf that entered the traps was immediately rendered helpless and weakened.

Because of this, the human knights assaulted the werewolves with their crossbows, shooting silver bolts that penetrated their flesh. 

The knights fought bravely against the advancing army, filling the air with the sound of metal crashing on metal. The werewolves were severely weakened as Kevin and Salina launched smoke bombs that dispersed silver particles.

The plan was working, and the enemy's strength was gradually declining. The knights were fighting with fresh vigor, and I could see optimism in their eyes. I was confident that we might triumph in this conflict.

Just outside the castle wall, I could make out the shape of Lord Dregan. As I ran in his direction, my heart was racing. I jumped off the edge when I got there and landed with a gentle thump. 

With a grin on his face, Lord Dregan turned to face me.

He looked at me from all angles and exclaimed, "Ah, the girl from the future. If you kill me right now, your future will change."

I drew my sword and aimed it in his direction. I said in a firm, calm voice, "I'll totally risk that.”

Lord Dregan laughed. “I'll grant you that you have guts,” he said. “You're still no match for me, though.”

He pulled out his own blade, and we cautiously encircled one another. I had to try even though I knew I was outmatched. When I leapt forward with my sword aloft, Lord Dregan easily parried. Swords rang as we clashed as we traded blows. He was too quick for me, though, and before I knew it, my sword was gone and I was on the ground.

Standing over me with his sword lifted, Lord Dregan delivered the fatal blow. However, I then noticed a flash of silver, and there, with sword drawn, was Terrin. The clash of their swords rang in my ears as he and Lord Dregan got into a violent fight.

I stumbled to my feet, grabbed my sword, and went into the battle. We sparred ferociously, each hit resonating like thunder. As I fought Lord Dregan, I felt the weight of the world on my shoulders, but I didn't give up.

Lord Dregan finally lost control of his blade and stumbled backward. 

Lord Dregan growled. "This is not yet over. Which monster has the most strength?”

He roared inaudibly before beginning to change. His teeth lengthened, his fur darkened, and his body got larger. My personal transformation was also beginning, I could feel it. My muscles became larger, my bones started to tremble, and fur started to grow out of my skin.

We both transformed into werewolves in a couple of seconds and were prepared to fight. Dregan knocked Terrin to the ground as he ran at him with his sword up. Unconscious, Terrin was on the ground.

 I was prepared as Dregan charged at me with great speed. I deflected his blow and slashed him with my sword. He roared loudly before lunging at me once more. I dodged his blow and struck him with my claws.

I sprang forward and countered Lord Dregan's assault with one of my own. Fur and claws flew as we engaged in combat across the courtyard. He had incredible strength, and I found it difficult to match his ferocity. Dregan was unrelenting as I ducked and spun to locate a gap.

Dregan struck me hard just as I was about to gain the upper hand, knocking me to the ground. Even though I could feel my power ebbing, I knew I couldn't give up. I struggled to stand back up, ready to start battling.

Dregan rushed towards me while his jaws were open. I ducked to the side and nearly escaped his assault. I pounced when I sensed a chance, digging my claws deep into his side. Dregan cried out in agony, but he persisted. I was able to keep up with his newfound aggressiveness as he fought back.

“Jessica!” Terrin threw me a silver knife, which I effortlessly retrieved.

As Dregan came closer to me, his bone armor clanging with each stride, his yellow eyes sparkled with hate. His arrogance and sense of invincibility were evident in his countenance. I had to try, though, I knew that.

I moved swiftly, dodging Dregan's blows while I searched for a gap.

I finally recognized my chance. There was a tiny opening in Dregan's armor that I could use to my advantage. I yelled angrily before lunging forward and stabbing the silver knife into his vulnerable spot.

The silver burnt Dregan internally as he let forth a spine-tingling groan. He fell to the ground, his body returning to that of a human. I approached carefully, prepared for any last-ditch assault, but Dregan gave me a feeble smile instead.

He responded, his voice barely above a whisper, "You were a worthy opponent," and then he closed his eyes and breathed his last.

I exhaled a sigh of relief as a wave of fatigue swept over me. Though it had cost me dearly, I had won the battle.

I was panting heavily as I sat on the ground, experiencing pain all throughout my body. My clothing were ripped and filthy, and my fur had grown back on my human skin. With the exception of the breeze and the rustle of leaves, the courtyard was suddenly quiet. King Norton, Terrin, Salina, and Kevin came up to me.

“Jessica, you did it," King Norton remarked. "Alnor was saved by you and your friends."

I was exhausted and relieved as I gazed up at him. "I wasn't the only one. We all collaborated.”

“Yes, but at what price?” Kevin asked. “Now that we've altered the future, our hometown will be different.”

“But it will be a nice different,” said Salina. “A better alternative.”

I turned to King Norton, who had now approached us, and nodded in accord. “I'm happy we could help, Your Highness.”

The king grinned at us. “No thanks, please. Your group of companions and you saved my kingdom. All of you are heroes.”

The rest of the evening was spent having fun with the king and his subjects. It felt fantastic to have made this earth a more peaceful place.

*****

The following day, I hung out in the courtyard with my friends. We became aware of an odd development while we stood there. Our physical bodies were progressively vanishing.

I declared, "This is it; we altered the future."

Terrin moved forward and appeared dejected. “That implies that none of this will be remembered. We won't remember you either.”

I felt tears in my eyes as I turned to face him. I acknowledged as much and added, "But I won't forget any of you."

I gave my friends one last bear hug before turning to face Terrin. I said, "And as for you, even if you don't remember me, I'll remember you."

I gave him a short kiss and withdrew feeling a pain in my chest. Things quickly became dark, and I sensed a pull away from this reality. The adventure had been amazing, and I was thankful for every second of it. I might cease to be a werewolf in the new future too.