Chapter 10
Zelman set fire to his house, burning and destroying every one of the Coven. Zelman had told Sayuka, the one who called him to go home and get some rest. She was safe. I hoped. Sayuka had told Zelman that the Coven had been drinking blood pacts beforehand and then suddenly they had began feeding off each other. I watched the fiery flames gorge the massive mansion that I had admired so much. Zelman had told me that Black Snake and the Kowloon Children had delivered the blood pacts to the Coven. I understood. It was all to provoke Zelman. Before they had tried to bribe Zelman, now they were hoping to turn Zelman into a Kowloon Child. Zelman, furious burst the house in high orange flames that reached to the sky. Smoke blackened the air and fire cinders floated their air. This act would not go unnoticed and it would draw the attention of the Company. Zelman walked towards me, as the crumbling mansion fell to crisp pieces. His dark red hair flowed in the wind, catching gold cinders. His crimson eyes glowed from the fire's light. He smiled. As he looked back at his house, his smile turned into a frown.
"What a shame. I really liked this house." He put his hand to his face, lazily.
"Zelman, I'm sorry about your house." I asked.
"It's not your fault. Why are you apologizing?" Zelman removed his hand and stared at me. Then he smiled, gleefully.
"Zelman, do you remember your parents?" My out-of-the-ordinary question halted Zelman. He studied me and struggled to answer. He finally said, "No….you tend to forget things after 800 years." He said in an empathetic tone. Cinders burnt my face but Zelman brushed them from my skin.
"I can barely see them. It's been so long." I tried to hold back the tears.
"Miss Aya." Zelman stared at me. "Your parents were murdered. They were the guardians of world at one time."
"What…..they were the guardians?" I questioned, surprised.
Zelman held his hand to my face. "Yes and they were very powerful. I had heard a great deal about them…but now you and Miss Isabella must continue on their legacy….and save this world from the Reality that will destroy us all."
I was in such shock, I stared at the ground. This was all so sudden.
"What will you do?" Zelman watched me blankly.
"Well, Well, what are you doing here, Crimson-Eyed Butcher?"
Zelman and I faced the burning mansion. Before the blanketed statue of the angel, Cassandra Warlock stood. She smiled, evilly as her sharp eyes pierced us. "How dare you filthy vermin possess my home?" Zelman yelled, fiercely. His eyes burned a glowing light red.
"So scary." Cassa taunted.
"You witch!" Zelman hollered.
"Cassa!" the loud voice roared. A flicker of silver caught my eye. A flowing red cloak followed. Jiro charged Cassa, swinging his blade towards her but her agility got the best of him. She flipped backwards and landed a distance away.
"You are so late, Jiro, my dear. Our lord is resurrected." She laughed, evilly. Zelman and Jiro both glared at her. They ignored each other and focused on Cassa. "The Kowloon Children are an unwanted race but they will soon gain power under our king. Jiro you will witness it…before I kill you…like Alice." Jiro burst into sudden rage and charged blindly at her. Zelman created scorching flames that chased her while Jiro pursued her. She was fast.
"Aya, hide!" Zelman yelled at me.
"No. I want to be of some use!" I exclaimed. Zelman continued to fire attacks at Cassa. Jiro and Cassa fought with their swords, cutting each other up but managed to overwhelm it.
Zelman approached Cassa and Jiro's fight.
"Silver Blade! Face the Kowloon King! Kill him!" Zelman shouted angrily. "I'll deal with her!"
Jiro ignored Zelman and pushed Cassa's sword back with one of his arms. Blood poured from the wound. Cassa snickered.
"Silver Blade!" Zelman hollered angrily. It was no use. Jiro was too consumed in getting revenge on Cassa for destroying his love, Alice, also known as the Sage. The Sage was the oldest vampire; the Mother of Darkness.
"Jiro, you haven't changed. Still has brutal and rough as always. You are still weak." Cassa looked down on Jiro. She cut him down with her sword. Jiro struggled to his feet. "Our Lord is always up for another challenge with you, Jiro. Feel free to visit." She began to walk away, after glancing impassively at Zelman. "You know where to find us." Her dark eyes fell on me, curiously. She smiled and disappeared.
"Why didn't you attack her when you could Zelman?" I called to Zelman. Zelman didn't look at me. He lit another cigarette and stared down at Jiro who was almost to his feet. "That is punishment for him being reckless." Zelman turned from Jiro. Jiro clenched his fangs.
"We should discuss this with the Council." I suggested, outwardly.
"Silver Blade…should come too." Zelman looked at Jiro with disappointment. "The Compromiser and Kotaro must know already." Jiro got to his feet. "You defeated the Kowloon King once before. Can you do so again, Silver Blade?" Zelman stared at Jiro with interest. "You care more about revenge on Cassa then the safety of the Special Zone….and the people living here. I'm overestimated you, Silver Blade." Mr. Zelman turned from Jiro and glanced at me. "Miss Aya, it is evident that Black Snake wants you. Her filthy scent was among that warehouse where I found you. She obviously planned this." Zelman dug his hands in his pockets.
"What?" Jiro turned to me, suddenly noticing that I was covered in blood. His eyes turned crimson. He tried to control himself. He ran over to me and grasped me by my shoulders. "What happened, Miss Aya?" Jiro shouted. He turned to Zelman in a rage. "What did you do to her, Zelman?"
Zelman said nothing.
"It was Cassa, Jiro" I said, softly.
"Zelman, Cassa kidnapped Miss Aya?" Jiro's face was grave.
"You really can be reckless, leaving Kotaro and Miss Aya in the park." Zelman glared at Jiro. "Kotaro's with Mimiko so you don't have to worry."
"Zelman, I want to help. It's my duty." I said softly. Jiro and Zelman both turned to me.
"Miss Aya… you need to return to the Company." Jiro ordered. Zelman snickered, cigarette in hand.
"I am a guardian, right? What do I have to do?" I pleaded.
I don't know. We have to go to the Council…. besides…" Zelman turned to face his crumbled house, engulfed in flames. "…I need a new house."
Jiro began to walk past us, towards the direction Cassa disappeared to.
"What are you planning, Silver Blade?" Zelman asked.
"I will face the Kowloon King alone." Jiro answered.
"There will be more Kowloon Children…." Zelman warned.
Jiro grimaced at Zelman.
"Don't let me stop you." Zelman held his hands up in his defense and smiled. He began to walk away from Jiro towards me. "But don't you want to see Kotaro or Mimiko before you leave. Silver Blade?" Jiro sulked.
"I have been worried about Kotaro. I don't want him to live in a world full of hate and deception." Jiro gripped his sword tight.
"The world will always be like that Silver Blade. There's nothing you can do. Even our world will never be purged of evil." Zelman frowned.
"Jiro faced me and bowed. "Miss Aya, I apologize for living you and Kotaro in the park. I know it must have been frightening for you both. I was reckless and I am sorry." He sounded incredibly polite and sympathetic. I could tell he was deeply upset at himself.
"Jiro, I know you only left to protect us from August. Kotaro knows that too. He won't be mad." I put my hand on his arm. He was shaking from frustration. "Jiro, I have to protect the Special Zone…but I can't do it alone." Jiro walked past me, smiled but with a hint of sadness. Zelman walked over, passed Jiro and went on ahead. I followed with Jiro behind him. We walked to the Company's main building. Zelman and Jiro didn't talk to me once or even to each other. When we made it inside the building and persuaded the guards, we wandered through the halls to find the Council room.
"What the heck! Where have you been, Jiro?" Mimiko caught sight of us, as she strided down the hallway. She marched up to Jiro. Jiro turned away from her, clearly scared. She looked to Zelman with a hint of uneasiness. "Hello, Zelman."
"Miss Compromiser." He grinned.
"Miss Aya, are you alright? You're covered in blood!" Mimiko put her hands on my shoulders and looked at me with worry. I was glad that all the blood covered Zelman's bite marks. "I heard you and Kotaro got lost on the street. Thanks to reckless Jiro." Mimiko shot a scary glare at Jiro, causing Jiro to shrink back. "I'm sorry I left you back home alone." Mimiko seemed on the verge of tears.
"It's ok, Miss Mimiko. It was my fault. I shouldn't have left."
"Huh?" Mimiko seemed surprised. Then she smiled.
Zelman was already down the hall when I looked around. He disappeared behind the corner of the hallway.
"Anyways, Miss Mimiko, I'm perfectly fine now. The pain is gone now." I tried to put on a smile for her.
"Aya, what's wrong? Is there something you're not telling us?" She pleaded.
"Miss Mimiko…I have to go to Council's meeting room. That's where Zelman went right?"
She stared at me, puzzled.
I turned to Jiro. "Thank you Jiro but I have to explain to the Council alone." I took off down the hallway, rounded the corner and arrived at the Councils' room. The guard saw me and bowed. "You are free to go in as you please, Miss Aya." He entered the room with me. I faced all the members of the Council. The guard closed the doors behind me and I was left alone with the Council. They stared at me with interested eyes. They probably wondered why I was before them again. I knew that I had to explain that I had found out the truth.
"The Kowloon King has been resurrected. Cassa found his ashes. I know now that as one of the guardians of this world, it is my duty to stop him." I announced.
The Council appeared startled by my words but they collected themselves.
"Will we leave it up to you, Miss Aya?" The Chairman asked.
"I have been shy and unaware of my duties as one of the guardians…but I know now that I have to do my part and protect the Special Zone." I admitted.
"Miss Aya, your powers were locked away at one point but you will need them to fight this battle." The Chairman said.
"What must I do?" I asked, desperately.
"An Old Blood must awaken your powers, Miss Aya but they must be ready to protect and serve you." The Chairman answered. "Your power and strength will awaken deep within your blood?" Sei said, facing towards me.
"This is the only way?" I asked.
"If you wish to protect the Special Zone, then yes." Sei answered.
"I do." I assured.
Suddenly the doors to the meeting room burst open, sending a chill into the warm room. Miss Mimiko flew through the doorway. She was panting and gasping for breath. She had been running. Every person in the room, including me knew that an urgent message was on its way.
"Kotaro's missing! He disappeared after Jiro left!" Mimiko explained loudly.
"What! Jiro left to where?" Cain shouted. He glared at Mimko.
"He left to find Cassa." Mimiko said, sadly.
That fool! His thirst for vengeance will never end. All he causes is trouble here in the Special Zone!" Cain hollered, furiously.
"We have to help Jiro. He won't stand a chance against Cassa and the Kowloon King. He's still weak from fighting Cassa this afternoon." I exclaimed.
"Aya, will you help Jiro…or remain here and allow him to be killed?" Zelman smiled. "You are the guardian after all. You don't need our permission to accomplish your goal."
"The Special Zone is a haven for both vampires and humans but lately it's been a nest for Kowloon Children. We need to weed them out." Sei said, quietly. He talked big despite being in the form of a small child. He was actually a great Old Blood vampire who had been alive for hundreds of years.
The 11th yard is where the Kowloon King's ashes were placed. He is probably hiding there." The Chairman asserted.
"Getting his underlings to do his dirty work, while he hides like a coward, so like the King." Zhang Lei Kao mumbled.
"We have to go to the 11th yard." I said, with a hint of nervousness.
Lord Dragon Sei remained at the Council building so he could activate his shield to protect the innocent civilians of the Special Zone. Cain was reluctant to come with us. He wished to stay with Lord Dragon but Sei urged him to accompany us. Zelman, Mimiko, Zhang Lei Kao, me, and a large group of Suppression team members were all sent out to confront the Kowloon King. The sky had begun to turn black when we all left the Company. I could see a few pure white stars that were glazed across the night sky.
Not before too long, we had reached the secret place known as the 11th yard. The Chairman elaborated to me about where it was. I was the only one who was allowed this information for now. For protection, I was given a small gun. Mimiko had shown me how to fire it a few times since I had never fired a gun before. It was temporary until my powers were awoken. Jiro can be the one to do it. I thought. He cares about me. I was confused. I walked ahead of everyone else. I was the guardian. I didn't care if I didn't have my powers yet. I will protect everyone. As we approached the site, we were attacked by ravenous Kowloon Children. Their fangs were bared and their eyes were pitch-black with golden irises. Claws stretched from their fingertips. Zhang Lei Kao was very old but because he was a vampire hunter, he was highly skilled in fighting vampires. Zelman was simply amazing with his Eye Ignite. Mimiko stayed among the battalion of Suppression soldiers, as they endlessly fire upon the corrupted vampires. The 11th yard was enormous and I couldn't see Jiro anywhere. Soon, the Kowloon attack died down until it completely stopped. The Kowloon Children fell back. This had to be a trick. They must have been called back. There was no sign of Cassa or the Kowloon King though.
"He's here." Zelman said. He became overwhelmingly excited.
"So, you've all come to kill me?" The voice was mocking. "It's surprising that so many of you have come." I turned towards the direction of the voice but saw no one. "It appears you have brought the guardian with you this time. How interesting." The voice said with a laugh. The evil voice made me frightened but I stood my ground. I had allies so I can't be afraid. Suddenly there was a rush of cold air. I swiftly turned around and stopped in my tracks. The Kowloon King, Adam Wong stood before me, smiling horridly. A flash of fire encircled him but he escaped it. Zelman grinned smugly at Adam. "Your aim's not that bad, Crimson-Eyed Butcher. I have heard about you from Cassandra."
Zelman scoffed. An aggressive expansion of fire caught Adam but he dodged it. The Company soldiers began to fire. The Kowloon Children had come back. Mimiko, suddenly spotted Jiro. She hollered to me. Jiro was sprawled out on the ground, terribly injured. Mimiko ran to him. I followed.
"Jiro, drink my blood. It will make you feel better." Mimiko offered her blood to Jiro. Jiro resisted at first but then gave in. I protected them until Jiro was strong enough to stand. I will ask him to awaken my powers. No one else knew that an Old Blood must be the one to awaken my powers.
"Jiro, I…."
"Yes, Miss Aya." Jiro bowed.
"I need you to…"
"Miss Aya…." Kotaro appeared before us. He was teary-eyed and completely worried.
"Kotaro! You're alright? Cassa didn't hurt you, did she?" Jiro asked, nervously. Kotaro didn't even look at Jiro and he turned to me. "Miss Aya, there is something you should see. It's very bad." He grabbed my hand and took off, pulling me with him. I could hear Jiro and Mimiko calling out our names. They were trying to catch up with us but soon I didn't hear them anymore. Kotaro lead me to an abandoned warehouse hidden among the dead bushes and craggy trees. The atmosphere was eerie and it made me feel frightened. We slipped into the warehouse. It seemed empty at first but I soon spotted large boxes scattered around the room. They were all open. Inside the boxes were hundreds of blood pacts. What? Blood pacts? Are these filled with the Kowloon blood?
I turned back to Kotaro but Kotaro wasn't beside me. "Kotaro…? Kotaro!" I hollered throughout the building. He had disappeared.
"Miss Aya…" The voice of Kotaro echoed from behind me. I spun around and saw Kotaro. Suddenly I was thrown back against a wall. It felt like an invisible hand had a hold of my torso. The shock of the impact stunned me. I struggled to break free. All at once, Kotaro transformed into Cassa! Cassa tricked me!
"You seem to be our only problem. We can take care of your allies but you…need to die." Cassa smiled, evilly.
I realized I still had the gun Mimiko gave me. It was in my belt. I aimed and fired at her. She dodged the silver bullets like nothing. Cassa appeared beside me. All of sudden, an immense feeling of heat covered us. My skin prickled. The warehouse door opened to reveal a bright fiery light that shone into the dim room. Mr. Zelman stepped through. Fire flickered behind him, and then Zelman sent it blazing towards Cassa. I fell to the ground, free from Cassa's grasp. Zelman stood before me and shielded me from Cassa's dark magic.
"My, My, Crimson-Eyed Butcher, you're attacks seem slower than before. Protecting a mere weakling is not your style." Cassa taunted. She held up a blood pact. "Vampires will infect vampires….and vampires will infect humans! The whole cycle will then repeat itself!" Cassa chanted, laughing as she spoke. Zelman glanced at me. He looked frustrated and tired. His red eyes burned into me. He turned back to Cassa.
Suddenly Zelman waved his hand across the air, creating a wave of fire that swept throughout the warehouse. It burned everything, including the massive stock of tainted blood pacts. Cassa cursed and barely missed burning to death. All around us, the crumbling walls toppled down.
"…That witch escaped….." Zelman said, irritated. He collapsed onto the ground, clearly tired. "…But it's not over yet."
"Yes." I agreed. "Zelman, I cannot defeat the Kowloon King by myself and neither can the others. I have to return to them."
"What can you do?" Zelman scoffed.
"I cannot defeat the Kowloon Children…without my powers. The Council says that only a highly powerful vampire that has lived for hundreds of years can restore those powers." I explained. He knew what I was getting at. Jiro is an Old Blood but he's only lived for a hundred years. It won't be enough. Zelman came closer, and stared into my eyes.
"Heh, you would have me drink from you. How conceited." Zelman smirked.
"Zelman…" I whispered.
Suddenly, Zelman's face became calm and peaceful. He drew closer to me until his dark red hair caressed my cheek. His head lay on my shoulder like he was resting on it.
"Aya, you are a vampire." The words hit my mind faster than Zelman's fangs piercing into my neck. His head buried into my neck. It felt uncomfortable but the feeling of my blood rushing from my neck made me feel restless. Blood ran down my neck, staining my clothes. I felt strange. My mind was connected with Zelman's and I could feel what he was feeling. He was anxious and weak, like a starved beast after a long battle. Now he was at peace. I could sense anger but there was also a scent of caring in his heart. Zelman held me close, embracing me. Suddenly, a great red barrier surrounded us, protecting us from the surrounding fire. Was this my power? I could feel a great flow of energy cascade into me. My powers were awakening! I could feel the heat of his blood. The smell was intoxicating. Before I could stop myself, I had already begun to drink his blood. He let me drink his pure blood without hesitation. I could feel a strength I had never felt before. Suddenly, he released me and gently pushed me away from him. The warehouse was in ashes around us.
"We have to defeat the Kowloon King. It's not over yet." I explained, softly. Zelman gawked at me, interestingly. Crimson blood trickled down his mouth and across his throat.
"Yes…Miss Aya."
Kowloon Children attacked me from all sides. Zelman was by my side. I drew closer to Jiro and the others. Jiro was fighting Cassa while Mimiko and the others were pursuing Adam Wong. When I looked upon the Kowloon Children with rage, my eyes burned red like hot needles. The Kowloon Children suddenly writhed in pain and turned to ash. There was no fire, flames, or acid. They were ash, and were swept away in the wind like snow. When I approached the Kowloon King, Mimiko and the others held fire.
"It seems you can't be killed so easily, Miss Guardian. Is the Crimson Eye protecting you?" Adam scoffed. "Even if you now are one of the Asura bloodline, your new power will not affect me!" My new vampire powers summoned a weapon; a weapon that could defeat Adam. The weapon that I held in my hands was a thin crimson naginata, etched with long black markings along the hilt. Adam used his black sorcery as his tool in battle. "You cannot defeat a Source Blood!" Adam grimaced.
I smiled, smugly.
I flung myself towards him, swinging my naginata directly at the Kowloon King. He was fast and quickly dodged my attack. I was faster though because of my vampire powers and sliced his side. I twisted my blade in his wound. The silver tip of the blade burned into his flesh. He screamed.
"Curse you!" He said, repulsively.
Adam used Hide Hand to lift stray bullets, fired from the company soldiers, from the ground and shoot them towards me. I could not dodge all of them. A few hit me in the side of my torso. I writhed in pain as the bullets seared into my flesh. Zelman restrained me as he dug them out of my side. The wounds healed quickly.
"Aya!" The voice was familiar. It was Kotaro's voice. I turned and saw Kotaro some ways away. He was with Mimiko and the Company soldiers. They must have found him. I was happy he wasn't harmed.
A large abrupt explosion lit up the area where Jiro and Cassa were fighting so suddenly that I was distracted. The Kowloon King flew at me, sword in hand, from the corner of my eye. Zelman interfered with Jiro's fight, sending fire spreading in every direction while Jiro chased Cassa. The Kowloon King landed before me and readied his blade to kill me. I turned my gaze from Zelman to Adam. All of a sudden, there was a loud crackling screech from the right. Cassa was being consumed by Zelman's endless flame. Her large blade wounds were red-hot and sizzling, weakening her. There was another wave of fire and she disappeared.
Jiro collaspsed. My crimson naginata cut through the chest of Adam at the moment he turned to witness Cassa's death at the hands of Zelman. Adam screamed and lunged at me through the blade. His face was enraged and his fangs were bared. Before his head reached my neck, his body disintegrated into ash. The ashen remains of the Kowloon King absorbed into the blade of the naginata and turned it black while the markings glowed crimson red.
"Aya!" Kotarou's loud voice reached me before he did. His smile was my reward. I embraced him like he was Kashu. "Aya, you did it!"
"The Special Zone is safe now from the likes of the Kowloon Children. Thank you, Miss Aya." Jiro said, with a bow.
I turned to face all my allies. "Everyone protected the Special Zone, not just me. You all should be proud of yourselves."
"The Kowloon King's ashes are infused your blade, Miss Aya. What will become of it?" asked Zhang Lei Kao.
"I will use its power to fight Reality. Along with my new powers as a new vampire."
"Vampire….?" Everyone gasped, except for Zelman who was standing by Jiro.
"Yes, I am a vampire, I wasn't before but the secret has been unlocked." I said. I dropped my blade to the ground and held my face.
"I want to see Kashu." I cried.
"Aya."
Looking up, Zelman smiled positively at me.
"I'll take you to her." He said quietly.
"Ok." I said, wiping my tears