A War of Stuffing and Spirit

“Onwards, we march, my minions!” The girl adjusts her pointed hat, a gift from her mother, as she points forward, animated creatures of her own making marching in file through the wintry forest. “We march on the Golden Princess!”

Beside her, a boy and a wolf, both emanating a cold aura, stand ready. In the distance, a castle, shimmering in gold, spirits swirling around, preparing to defend.

“She’s amassing her army, sister. But her spirits will be no match for us, and your creations.” The boy says, adjusting his grip on his sword, the wolfess huffing in agreement.

“Don’t underestimate our sister and her spirits, Damir. They’re formidable in their own right. Especially Diss.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

On the other side, a girl wearing a glimmering, shining crown is surrounded by spirit creatures, a giant spectral wolf curled around her. A Dragon, a Meerkat, and a Fox all sit in front of her. “The army of creations marches on us, Princess. They will be here within the day.”

“So, my siblings are making their move now, are they? Rally all the spirits, prepare them for battle. If Mina wants war, we’ll give her war.” Kiara nods to the spirits, as Diss sits up, stretching behind her. Miyako shakes, and scurries off to scout, while Nieve and Jojo prepare for the main assault.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“Your army is ready, Mina. We are at your command.” Damir readies himself, wings out and flapping. Melody shakes her body, standing tall between the siblings. “Sound the attack. Take down the Golden Princess, leave no spirits standing.”

Damir nods, raises his sword. “Chaaaaarge!” He calls out, running forward, followed by an army of animated servants of different sizes and shapes. On the flip side, spirits charge forth to defend their golden kingdom, meeting the army head on. Damir swings his sword, as Melody pounces and chews. Spirit and Automata clash, casualties on both sides. Spirits rip soldiers apart, leaving stuffing and limbs in their wake. Soldiers cut spirits in two or more pieces, the battle a massacre on both sides.

Melody and Diss collide in a ball of snarl and growl, teeth and claw as they fight for top wolf. Mina and Kiara meet face to face, one girl calling her magics: lights and winds swirling around her. The other brings her sword, glowing golden, ready to fight. One sister swings, batting away colours spheres of light as they’re fired toward her. The other dips and dodges beneath the golden blade, blowing a gust of wind that knocks the attacker back. “You’re good, Kiara, but you’re not going to win.” Mina gloats, her spheres circling around her as she readies another barrage.

“You’ve always been too confident and too smart for your own good, Mina. My army will fight back your ‘toys.’” She readies her sword once again, rushing the witch, swing down, across, catching the girl in the arm, as a green orb collides with her chest, sending both girls to their backs, breathing hard.

Damir watches on the sidelines as his sister’s battle, Melody and Diss on either side of him, as they all look among each other, grinning.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“Kids, lunch is ready.” A womanly voice calls from the kitchen. Three babies, two wolves, a fox, a dragon and a meerkat all look up, surrounded by stuffies and spirits. Mina stands, waddling over to her sister, helping the smaller girl to her feet. “A dwah,” she declares. “Dis time.” Kiara nods, as the spirits vanish, and animated toys fall lifeless once more.

“What were you three doing in there? It sounded like a war!” Rowan laughs as Damir comes out of his sister’s room, his wings folding away, toy sword abandoned in the hall on the way to the dining table, followed by the two girls, one wearing a golden tiara, the other in a pointed hat. They all get seated in high chairs, grinning and giggling as their imaginary world is forgotten for the time being…