"CHRIS!" Rayflo screamed, staring in horror as his beloved blond dropped to his knees mere yards away from his outstretched hand. Useless! It was painful to realize the course of action his instincts decided to take ended in failure. Why couldn't he save him? Why did he believe that Charley could defeat something he created himself?

Charley was stunned silent, dark blood bubbling heavily from the corners of his lips. Time stood still as the bright, intelligent eyes of Rayflo's love drew dim and lifeless. Like soft snow fall, Charley drifted forward and crumpled face first into the pool of blood collecting beneath him. A heavy spear inlaid with silver stuck there in his back. On the other end of the weapon smiled the beautiful vampire child Marie. She stepped a dainty slipper onto the dying man's hip and admired the wound. More blood sprayed out from the spear tip as she twisted then ripped the pole free, shaking off the excess flesh that belonged to Charley's heart. She brushed at a few spots that stained her silky white gown, but to no avail.

"Parting is such sweet sorrow," Marie chimed musically, twirling her spear effortlessly like a baton along her finger tips while walking around the body. "Thanks for playing with me while you could!" She tossed the weapon away to the side and sighed happily, stretching her arms above her.

The night sky was overcast with thick rain clouds. The breeze picked up, swirling dust and scattering leaves. Large amounts of debris littered the stone ground of the courtyard. A once beautiful garden of roses and antique statues now lay waste from a battle between two supernatural beings. Nearby finches bristled and tweeted to one another in the deep foliage, a sign that morning was to come very soon. The twilight hour was the most precious to behold; being able to feel the faint glow of the sun but not within its deadly grasp. Rayflo and Charley were basking under the moon and sharing a typical conversation together, until Marie interrupted their budding romance. Charley had refused to let Rayflo fight. He was determined that he would rid the vampire himself and protect his master from the sudden invasion to their home. Unfortunately, Marie was there to claim what was hers and wasted no time in her victory.

Marie. Princess Marie from so long ago her history no longer had substance.

Rayflo clenched his jaw tightly. It took all his will not to break down into a mess of tears. He couldn't feel his mental connection with Charley anymore. He was dead. Why did this have to happen? There were so many 'what if's and 'if only's running through his mind that he felt like vomiting. The only thing he'd come to realize was that he was alone now. There was no going back. He would never love again.

Marie, the one he used to protect and serve as a knight in shining armor during many years of war, had utterly destroyed the only thing he had left worth living for. Long ago, this innocent, angelic child was clear from corruption and foul play until Rayflo entered her castle and saved her from being slaughtered. The girl had cried in his arms, fearful of death and cringing from pain. She was gravely wounded while trying to flee. Rayflo succumbed to her tears and whispered of a different kind of death that would free her from all fears. He gave her everlasting life with a small sip from his own cursed blood and created the monster that danced before him. Despite having loved her and killed countless for her, Marie was no longer the princess he remembered or wanted to protect. Now, it was quite the opposite.

"I told you to kill him, Rayflo," Marie said, watching him. "But you're so weak these days, so I did it myself."

"That you did, Marie," Rayflo said in a hardened voice, tightening his fists turning to face her, "but I no longer serve you." His stomach churned in anticipation.

I am the master. You are my offspring, and I will remove you for what you've done.

Her eyes widened in complete shock. "W-What? How can you say that?"

Rayflo stepped toward her, his upper lip curling in new anger and revealing his threatening fangs. "Don't start to play innocent. You knew this was coming for many years; the day that I become sick of your meddling and demands. You no longer have a place with me. It's time for you to go back to sleep. Permanently."

I'll never allow you to ruin me again by your selfish ways.

"No!" she cried, retreating a step in panic. "I don't want to anymore. I want to be with you forever, Rayflo! You're my savior! Remember?! I love you!"

Rayflo's distraught heart would normally throb at words like these as Marie expressed her love and devotion to him. The only thing he could feel now was anger; so much blood curdling anger he was going to kill her. His heart was wrenched of all other feelings.

I will kill you.

Rayflo's pupils lit red and fiery, his wavy black mane of locks whipping around his shoulders from a fresh torrent of wind. The intensity of his feelings was spilling over the brim of control, forcing the oncoming storm to condense in the sky. What glare remained of the moon faded into the sanctuary of the clouds. A strike of lightning cracked violently nearby. Cold rain then poured down in sheets. The scene was drenched in a matter of seconds and darkness consumed.

"R-Rayflo. Listen to me for a moment-" Marie started. Her eyes darted over to where the lightning struck for a split second.

You were always afraid of storms, weren't you?

Rayflo seized the moment and rushed forward with unnatural speed, taking the girl by the throat and pinning her body up against the side of his home. The bricks exploded behind her from the force of impact, rubble and dust flying outwards. Rayflo dug his claws into Marie's throat, puncturing her skin as if it were made of soft dough. He squeezed viciously, drowning out her terrified cries as she stared at him with wide, tear-filled eyes. She wasn't completely defenseless against his amount of power, but she didn't struggle to fight back his sudden attack. Why?

"You will regret coming between Chris and I," Rayflo hissed.

Chris... the one I have always been in love with, is dead because of you.

His rage flared. Without giving her another moment to speak, Rayflo mercilessly plunged his hand into the small vampire's chest and penetrated her heart, crushing and destroying it with as much strength he could muster in his fist. Blood spurted from the cavity and from her mouth. Marie choked on it and bodily trembled, then mouthed the words 'I'm sorry' before closing her eyes and going completely limp into his arms. Tears made of blood leaked from her eyes and her body set in a deadly blaze. His breath caught in his throat and he immediately released Marie and stepped back. The fire extinguished as quickly as it came and she crumpled into a heap of ash. The pile was dusted gently by the rain and wind, which was beginning to clear with the oncoming sunrise.

"Why... Marie?" Rayflo whispered, his eyes staring at the devastation he created. His hands and arms were thickly coated with his kill, but he wasn't satisfied in the least. Rayflo dropped heavily to the ground, face upturned to the sky. It wasn't Marie's fault, it was his. "C-Cherry," he sobbed, completely defeated. He couldn't bear to look towards where he left his partner's body.