PROMPT: As she stood there she felt it. That weird burning coursing through her veins. Except this time it was stronger.

PART 7

ADRENALINE

Evangeline stood by the tree line, her hands clasping the worn hilt of her silver Witcher sword. The runes on her blade glowed dimly in the moonlight; the purple characters almost seeming to pulsate as the beast drew nearer. She saw it more clearly now, as it perched high on the hilltop, the moonlight illuminating its shadowy form. The monster reared back, unfolded its bat-like arms, and gave an ear-piercing shriek.

"Lucky us." Muttered Geralt. "Analysis?"

"A Katakan; a large bat like beast believed, by most, to be a higher vampire. More dangerous and more intelligent than your average ekimmara. It's power is more potent at night." 'Lucky us, indeed.' She thought with a scoff. "Attacks include: invisibility, high pitched screeches, fangs, and extended claws. Vulnerable to: Yrden, Igni, fire bombs, moondust, black blood and, of course, a silver blade."

"I have a walking encyclopedia as a partner." Geralt mumbled rolling his eyes.

"You won't be so cheeky, when this 'walking encyclopedia' saves your ass." She stated as she hurriedly rubbed half a vial of black blood along her blade, then tossed the remaining contents to Geralt. She felt chills run down her spine as the creature howled a blood curdling cry, and cast its glowing yellow eyes towards its prey. "They're a lot uglier in person..." She scoffed as she examined their target as it drew nearer; its notable features consisting of large ears and wrinkly leaf-like nose that resembled a bat. She noted that it truly was a sight to behold, but an ugly creature nonetheless; nothing in comparison to its cousin the true higher vampire.

The monster was within combat range now, preparing itself to pounce on its prey. Evangeline gripped the hilt of her sword with both gloved hands and took a defensive stance, assuming the creature would attack her first; most of her opponents done as much already in her short time as a witcher on the path.

The creature charged at Geralt, he pirouetted to the right twirling his blade down landing a strike to the katakan's left shoulder. Crimson blood splattered the ground as Geralt followed through with his swing and almost completely severed the creatures entire arm from its body. The vampire shrieked again, its dangling arm oscillating uselessly from its socket. The enraged creature swung its remaining clawed hand around aiming for Geralt's head, meaning to slice it off with one fell swoop of its elongated, razor-edged claws.

Evangeline jumped forward and cast igni to the creature's hideous face, allotting time for Geralt to jump back far enough to evade the vampire's erratic movements. The monster slashed at the air with its one functioning arm and tossed its burning head side to side, howling in pain as it tried to put out the fire spreading over its body. The duo watched as the katakan flickered invisible, but its attempt at hiding itself proved useless as the fire covering its body continued to burn.

With fluid ease Evangeline twirled her blade around and severed the katakan's flailing hand from its body. The monster screamed in pain, ceasing its erratic dance long enough for her to lunge forward and stab her sword deep into the creature's chest. As she stood there she felt it. That weird burning coursing through her veins. Except this time it was stronger. She shoved the silver blade further into the monster's chest cavity, burying the blade to its hilt. She felt warm liquid flow over her knuckles as the creature writhed against her full weight. Her heart beat faster and her cat-like eyes narrowed as she yanked the sword from her prey's chest. The monster stood there before her twitching and gasping for air. Blood gushed from the gaping wounds in its chest and back, pooling around their feet.

She twirled around like a dancer, and with one full revolution completed, she brought her blade down one final time; severing the katakan's head from its body. This feeling, this inherent urge... Is this how all witchers feel? Is this a result of the mutations?

... Or do I just enjoy killing monsters?