Challenge #1: The Queen's Power
I try to steady my breathing as I sprint down the street. I try to focus on running. Not what I had just done. That I had just- stop thinking that way! It was an accident. Though a small part of me worries that is wasn't. That I meant to. The very thought of it makes me want to puke. But no time to be nauseous.

I quickly turn right at the corner and head down an alley. I feel as my legs weaken. I'm running on pure adrenaline. I silently wish I hadn't skipped all those gym classes. I hear as footsteps thunder behind me and I know they are close.

Just do it.

A voice in my head encourages. Normally I wouldn't listen to strange voices in my head but, nothing about this week has been normal.

I just had to find that stupid bracelet! I couldn't have left it in that library were I found it! I couldn't have given it to the librarian to return! No. I had to put on. I had to randomly and accidentally shoot people with red beams of light.
I tried to take off the stupid accessory but it just got hot to the touch. Then to my horror I watched as it became one with my skin. Now I'm being chased by freaks with fangs and weapons. It's not like I wanted freaking superpowers. Well I always wanted to teleport... but that's not the point!

Come on. You know you want to. The voice urges.

Just let it all out. One flick of the wrist and they'll be gone. It purrs.

I glance back at my pursuers. My legs feel like they have turned to Jell-O. So I do what I promised myself I would not do less than hour ago. I embrace the power.

I stop running and face my attackers. Many smile and show fang like teeth. I let them circle me. I glance down at the bracelet on my wrist. The barbed wire accessory resembles a tattoo on my skin. It begins to glow red as if it already know my intentions. I rub a hand over it, knowing its my only way out. I let the chaos ensue.

The power feels great. Better than everything I had ever felt. Though it's scary at the same time. I feel like my body moves on autopilot once again. My brain is simply a bystander. I can't control what I say, or do. I feel myself smile.

"Tsk. Tsk. Is this all you can do boys?" I mock. A few bare fangs others hold various weapons. Bow and arrows. Swords. Guns. Crossbows. Spears.

"Return the Queen's Power mortal," A man growls. Clearly he is in charge. He is stout with green eyes and black hair. With a look of determination. He holds a bow loaded with an arrow pointed at my heart. He's perfect.

"Even if I could. I wouldn't. I quite like this. I mean see it from my point of view. I could be a superhero! Or villian! Either way I'd make millions! God knows I need the money. Now what will they call me..." I muse.

The man opens his mouth to speak but, I cut him off.

"Poison!" I shout happily with a clap of my hands. In a very non-me way. "Now to be Poison... I have to try it out my powers don't you think?" He relases his arrow, but I'm faster. I fire a red beam of light at him. It hits him in the chest and he falls to ground. For a second he is motionless then he begins screaming in agony. I duck as the arrow passes over my head. It is followed by thunk as it embeds itself in a wall.

"The poison is replacing your blood," I say nonchalantly. "You shall be my minion." At my words all others charge. I don't think. I just act. Red light shoots from everywhere. I dodge a strike and then an arrow. I punch one in the face and flips another. A minute later they lie dead.

"Excellent work Mistress," A voice says. I look and see the man standing. His eyes now have red specks within the green.

"Why thank you... Alled. Yes Alled. That is your name now." I feel as the power drains and I begin to return to normal. One main thought in my mind. What kind of name is Alled?

"Alled?" I call before I slip fully.

"Yes Mistress?"

"I shall return to my mortal state. Clean up around here and come find me later. I shall find a spot to sleep."

"As the Mistress wishes."

I nod and walk off, stepping over the bodies as I do.

+++

I wake to a pounding in my head and unfamiliar surroundings. I slowly sit up to find myself in a bed in what I guess must be a cheap motel. I glance around the room and try not to scream as a man with green eyes stands in the corner smiling at me.

"Good morning Mistress," He says as he steps out of the shadows.

"Mistress?" I repeat confused. Then the memories of last night flood back. The girl I killed... My attackers. Killing them. I shake my head and try to figure out what's going on now. I look back at the man, Alled. I've wanted answers for the past week. Now I can finally get them.

"Alled?"

"Yes Mistress?"

"What exactly do you do? And what are you?"

"I do what ever the Mistress asks. I am her humble servant," He answers happily. I nod slowly.

"Yes but what else? Your not mortal?"

"No Mistress. I am not. I am from one of the few gatherings of Beings left. We hide away from mortal eye."

"Okay... Well why is everyone chasing me?"

"Mistress holds the Queen's Power," He answers nodding to my wrist.

"But, is so important about it? Tell me the whole story."

"Yes Mistress-"

"Please don't call me Mistress," I interupt. He frowns.

"But I am the humble servant and-"
"Yeah you are but don't call me Mistress. Say 'you' or 'your'. Or call me by my name."

"I do not like informality. Miss Poison."
"That isn't my real name. That's when the power takes over. Otherwise call by my real name. Silena." His frown deepens but he nods and starts the story.

"Long ago before the Mortals came it was only Beings. The King and Queen ruled all. When the King died without any heirs the Queen ruled. The Queen was a tyrant. All Beings lived in fear of her and her private army. She had created the army herself. They were born out of her own blood. Humans is what she called them. Human Beings.
"While these Humans had no powers they could still fight and soon began to outnumber the Beings. The Queen was said to be searching for immortality. Thus the name of 'mortals' came about as a derogatory term for the Humans. When Queen began to die she refused to accept death. She sealed her power and soul in a gift The King had given her," He says walking closer and taking my wrist. He runs his fingers softly over the now tattoo.

"The mortals tried to keep the Queen's Power away from the Beings hiding it here and there. The Power often hides itself. Soon mortals forgot their orgins. Beings became almost extinct. Though they still search for the Queen's Power. This is why you are important Silena.

"Never before as a mortal been able to accept the Queen's Power. All who have tried died. Their souls burned their hearts. Mortals think they had heart attacks. But, not you. You still live. That is why they chase you. They wish to kill you before the Queen fully awakens."

"So... I'm going to die?" I ask in a small voice.

"I do not believe so. Atleast not by your souls burning your heart. Your soul is becoming one with the Queen's. I cannot tell you for sure what will happen. As I have said it has never happened before. Though there are speculations. The Queen will most likely regain control of the world. Her tyranny shall reign again. Though you have a choice Mistress. You can embrace the Queen's Power and accept what comes with it. Or you can recant. It is not my place to tell you what to pick. I am but, a servant who shall stand by your side."

I nod slowly letting his words sink in. I am being possessed by an acient queen who wants to take over the world. But I get awesome powers. Fun...

We sit in silence for some time. I'm not sure if he waits for me to speak but, he simply examines my wrist. I glance around the room and my eyes find a small clock on the nightstand. 9:23. To think this time seven days ago things were normal. Then, I went to class. Hung out with my friends at lunch. Then went to the library to study. A desicion I want to take back.

I look back to Alled. I have stolen his life. I have done worse than kill him. I have forced him into being a shell of what he was. I wonder if his real consioucness sits in the back of his mind watching without control as mine does.

"Alled?" I ask softly. He slowly meets my gaze.

"Is there a way to turn you back? Turn me back? Me into a mortal and you into a regular Being?" He looks at me confused.

"I am your servant. Why would I change that? You I am not sure."

"What was your name before Alled?"

"My name has always been Alled... Mistress is sick," He decides. "Mistress needs to sleep and eat. I shall get some food for you. Sleep." He quickly stands and walks out. I listen as his footsteps retreat. I glance at the tattoo on my wrist. I concentrate and summon a small red light on my fingertip. Not enough power to consume me but enough to observe.

"To embrace or to recant?" I mutter to myself. I let go of the red light and let it die out like a fire.

I slowly rise out of bed and drag myself into the shower. I stay in the shower for a long while scrubing the non existent blood from my hands and body.

When I exit the shower. I wrap myself in a towel and walk out into the room. Alled stands with a pile of clothes in his hands.

"I assumed you would not sleep. I believe these are your size. If not I shall get more." He places the clothes on the bed and walks out the room to give me privacy while I change. I take the clothes and take off the tags and packaging. I dress slowly examine the clothes as I do. Black skinny jeans which fit like a glove read $30. I vaguely wonder where he got the money. I finish dressing and examine myself in the mirror.

The black jeans. A red top with a deep V-neck. Though he even picked up a black tank top to go underneath. On top of it all I wear a black jacket. Which thankfully covers the tattoo. Bright red converse finish it off. I pull my dark black hair back and open the door for Alled to come in. I sit on the bed and begin to eat the McDonald's version of breakfast. Cheap pancakes and sausage, with a small black coffee. I still don't get why the don't serve fries this early.

"Alled. Where did you get the money for this? And aren't you going to eat something? And where did you sleep?" I ask firing question after question at him.

"I ate before you woke and slept in that chair. The money is from the account you told me about last night.

"Account?" He nods and I continue to eat.

+++

I glance at Alled as he fires another arrow. I blast another man with red lift and watch satisfied as he drops. It's only been two hours since we left the motel and we were attacked again. Alled was right. We should have left before dark. Now we are in a fight once again. I released the power without meaning to and started killing mercilessly.

As I fight with Alled by side my enemies fall one by one. As they do I feel a pang of guilt. They are basically extinct yet I kill without a second thought. I slash a man across the chest with a sword made out of my pure power. I laugh as he screams. As I stop laughing I look around to see as the bodies litter what once was a parking lot. Now it resembles a morgue.
I nod to Alled who walks over to the nearest body. He begins to chant and green glows about him. Then in a flash of green light all the bodies are gone. I smile satisfied.

"You certainly out did yourself Alled," I praise him.

"Thank you Poison. What shall I do now?" I pace thinking. I stop suddenly realizing something.

"Alled?" I ask.

"Yes Poison?"

"Silena."

"Yes Silena?"

"I have made a choice." He doesn't reply and waits for me to continue. "I made it the moment they attacked. I didn't think. I just acted."

"Did you embrace it then?"

"No."

"Recant?"

"No."

"There is a third option?"

"Yes. I realized, it's not the Queen's Power. It's mine. My power do with what I wish."

"And what is that?"

"You have no need to know at this very moment... But I must know, are you up for bloodshed?" I ask with a wide smile. He doesn't answer and just smiles a Cheshire Cat smile. His eyes shine with mirth. I'm sure I look the same way. I nod and turn on my heel.

"Good. We have work to do."