Chapter VI

I felt heavy and full of despair as I made my way into the bloodshed to help. Mr. Crepsley and Seba ran in as well, but eager to take down our enemies.

Arra Sails was apart of the first assault. I could hear her laughing brutally as her sword cut through the lives of vampanezes.

Arrow reluctantly left to bring news to Paris, while Ariel and Mika passed him, patting him on the back.

"Looks life your having too much fun," Vanez commented sarcastically as he paused beside me to wipe the sweat off his face with his tunic.

"No," I replied, holding my knifes against my chest tightly.

"You learn quickly, kid..." He sighed.

"What do you mean?"

He gestured at the whooping vampires, and I watched Ariel take someone's head off with her ball and chain. "They think this is a great sport. Most vampires don't see the horror of war, they don't understand how pointless and savage it really is. You were smart enough to see the truth. Don't ever forget it."

A dying vampaneze staggered towards us, moaning in pain. Vanez stabbed him through the chest, finishing him with mercy before laying him down. "However, sometimes it can't be avoided. We didn't chose this, we were forced into it."

"I know," I sighed. "I just wish it didn't have to come to this."

"I think its best you leave, Darren. Go back to the halls and drink yourself senseless."

"Good idea," I murmured, turning away to leave. Before I got to the exit, I saw Arra and Glalda exchanging words.

"So, the vampires send women to do their dirty work now? How pitiful." He sneered.

"You don't deserve the honor of dying at the hands of men. Women are all the vampanezes are fit to face!"

He lunged at her with his sword, but she jumped back out of the way. They began to circle each other, fencing almost. I wanted to see this through, make sure she was safe before I left.

Mr. Crepsley had stopped to do the same. "Arra!" He called over the throng of men fighting. "Do you need assistance?"

"You must be joking!" She scoffed. "This fool is nothing, I'll be fin-"

Her insult was cut short. Glalda ducked away from her sword and drove his through her stomach. She cried out in anguish and crumpled down.

"Now, wench," He rose his blade, aiming it in between her eyes. "Prepare to witness-"

I couldn't stand by and watch. Without hesitation, I threw myself at the vampaneze, knocking him off balance. He turned to deal with me, but I was quick to stab him through the chest with my knife.

He fell on top of me, convulsing and screaming.

I quickly rolled out from underneath him, then went to see to Arra. She tried to stand up, but I stopped her and made her hold the wound to stop the flow of blood.

"Will I die?" Arra gasped.

"No, of course not, you're gonna be fine,"

"Will I die?" She repeated, shouting this time.

My eyes scanned her face, then the blood soaking her hands. "I don't know," I answered honestly. "Maybe,"

She sighed. "At least I will not die unavenged. Darren Shan, you're a true vampire."

"Thanks," I replied hollowly, unsure of whether or not that was a good thing.

Mr. Crepsley made his way besides her, rubbing spit around the wound, to no avail. "Does it hurt?"

"You were always one... to ask stupid questions!"

"And you always told me I had a talent for putting my foot in my mouth," He smiled, wiping blood from her mouth.

"I'd ask you to... kiss me, but... I'm not in the... shape for it."

"There will be plenty of time for that later," He promised.

"Maybe," She sighed, as medics began to tend to her.

The last vampaneze had just been killed, and the clearing away of dead bodies began.