Chapter 26: A Battle to the Death

Jasmine watched, in silence, as Xerxes dropped the King's head on the floor in front of her and then walked towards the window that overlooked the village. She was seething with anger over the fact that Xerxes was taking such pleasure out of killing innocent people who believed in peace and who had prospered throughout the years.

It was obvious that Xerxes took pride in making people's lives miserable. That was also including Night Blood's people. Jasmine remembered that Night Blood had spoken several times about the criminal caste society who performed such heinous and hideous deeds that they were deemed as Bad Bloods and were hunted down until they were killed.

As Jasmine thought about Night Blood, she knew, deep in her heart, that what Xerxes was saying was the truth. She wanted to call him a liar and say that Night Blood was not his older brother but, even as she thought about it, Xerxes and Night Blood were too similar in appearance to be anything but brothers. The only things that she could see that were different between Night blood and Xerxes were the fact that Night Blood was a couple inches taller and little bit broader. Night Blood also showed remorse when someone that he knew was killed, unlike Xerxes who took great pride in watching everyone suffer as he triumph over destroying everything around him.

She also knew that she was the one who was supposed to give birth to the Phoenix but, she knew that would never happen because Xerxes was making it perfectly clear that he planned on killing her before the child could be conceived, if it hadn't already. She knew that it was very possible for her to be pregnant with Night Blood's child because she was told by Erica that it only took one time. But, Night Blood and she were two different species. Could they actually conceive a child together without there being any complications or would they remain childless throughout the marriage?

She looked across the throne room and saw that her sister was huddled up in one of the corners. Jasmine could see the fear in her eyes and the tears streaming down her face. Xerxes had desecrated her sister's body in a way that no man should have. He scarred up her body to the point that she no longer looked like the same fifteen year old girl that Jasmine grew up with.

Jasmine looked back down at her hands as she sat there in her father's chair. She had several cuts on the palm so her hands from where she had climbed up the palace wall. Her thigh had finally stopped dripping blood from earlier. Her chemise was tattered and frayed around the edges from her struggles.

Jasmine finally decided that she had had enough of Xerxes gloating over his victory. She was going to see to his destruction one way or another, even if it was at her own hands. She didn't care that he was Night Blood's brother. It was obvious to her that Night Blood did not think very highly of his brother or else he would have mentioned him in one of their many conversations. Instead, Night Blood spoke of everyone else in his family but Xerxes.

"This be very wrong!" Jasmine shouted as she stood up and pushed her father's chair backwards so hard that it fell onto the floor.

"You female oomans are not the smartest creatures in the galaxy" Xerxes stated when he heard the heavy chair fall. He turned and saw that Princess Jasmine was making her way to the wall where several swords were kept hanging up.

"And ye'll be a dead male when I be getting' through with ye" Jasmine growled as she ripped two swords off the wall, turned around, and brandished them in front on her.

"Not before you Princess" Xerxes roared as his wrist blades extended to their full four foot length.

"Aye, to be sure, I'll be sendin' ye straight to Hell if I be havin' me own way about it" Jasmine said as she felt her adrenaline kicking in. She knew she was ready to take Xerxes down, she just didn't know how long it was going to be before Night Blood and her father arrived.

P.O.V.

As Night Blood and the remainder of his crew made their way to the palace, he heard the distinct sound of a Yuat'ja battle roar coming from the palace. He knew that roar from anywhere. It was Xerxes getting ready to take another life. He just hoped that it wasn't Jasmine or any of her family members who were on the opposing end of that roar.

P.O.V.

She watched as he yanked his spear from his waistband and allowed the two freshly sharpened spear ends to full extend. She was afraid that if she failed her sister would be on the receiving end of his destructive rage. She knew that she could hold her own against him; she just wasn't sure how long she could.

Flashing the two swords in front her, Jasmine slowly moved closer to Xerxes. She had every intention of cutting off his head for what he had done to her kingdom. She blew a few strands of her blonde hair away from her face just before Xerxes roared again and came charging after her with his spear held in an attacking position.

She watched as their blades met and sparks flew from metal clashing against metal. Her only disadvantage was the fact that she was no where near as experienced as Xerxes was with combat. She was lithe and fast where he was bulky and a little awkward.

She used both her swords to keep him from being able to strike her directly. She watched as his spear came close to striking her in the face. She quickly moved away from him by turning and that's when he finally got the advantage. When she recovered from her quick spin, Xerxes used his wrist blades and sliced two gashes on her upper arm, causing her to drop one of the swords.

Jasmine gritted her teeth against the burning pain that scorched though her arm. She felt tears welling up in her eyes as she gazed at Xerxes. She heard his laughing growl and that enraged her even further that she decided it was time to catch him off guard.

Jasmine charged towards him, catching him off guard, and quickly sliced part of his face. If he had not dodged the attack, she would have killed him. She watched as he placed a clawed hand to the side of his face and found that she had actually cut him; his neon green blood glowed on his hand.

"You're not a half bad fighter. I must give credit where credit is due. But, that is not going to save your life. When I finally kill you, the prophecy will die with you and then I will have peace of mind" Xerxes stated as he charged back at Jasmine again, their blades again meeting and creating massive sparks across the room.

"Aye, I'll not be givin' ye the privilege" Jasmine softly chuckled as she backed up towards the window that overlooked the village. Her plan was to get Xerxes off balance enough that she could shove him out the window and the fall would kill him.

P.O.V.

"Varick, go to the dungeon and locate Erica and Bakuub. Draciel and Balkan, I want you two to locate any survivors and try to find Yvette. I'm going after Xerxes" Night Blood stated as he started to move towards the throne room.

"Aye, and I be going to locate my wife, Elina. If she still be alive" Alfred stated as he started to walk towards the stairs.

"Be careful your Highness" Night Blood stated.

"Aye, to be sure, I will" Alfred stated as he walked up the stairs and unsheathed his sword.

Night Blood could hear the sounds of battle taking place inside the throne room as he made his way down the corridor that led to it. He could hear the sounds of metal clanging against metal when he reached the opening that lead into the throne room.

Looking inside, Night Blood saw Yvette lying on the floor, barely conscious from her excessive injuries. As he scanned the room, he saw that there were no other Bad Bloods inside and Jasmine was dueling against Xerxes.

Night Blood slowly crept into the room, trying to remain unnoticed until Xerxes spotted him. He watched as Draciel came behind him and carefully picked up Yvette and proceeded to carry her out of the room.

"Well, if it isn't my big brother coming to rescue his mate. How sweet" Xerxes stated.

"Night" Jasmine barely breathed out the words when she saw Night Blood.

That was all Xerxes need to be able to throw Jasmine's guard off. While she was distracted by Night Blood's appearance, Xerxes slammed his spear into her thigh. He relished the sound of her anguished scream of pain. He watched as she fell backwards onto the floor. Her body shook with pain as the spear quickly slid out.

Night Blood charged across the room and used his whole body weight to shove Xerxes out the window. Xerxes howled when shards of glass pierced his hide and then he fell to the ground.

Walking over to Jasmine, he found her to be unconscious from the extreme pain that coursed its way through her body. He was amazed at the fact that she had actually stood up against Xerxes, one of the most dangerous Bad Bloods ever known to any of his kind.

Night Blood knelt down beside Jasmine and lifted her into his arms. He was thankful that she was still alive after all that she endured. He heard footsteps coming his way and he turned his head to see Erica running into the throne room with Varick and Dawson supporting an unconscious Bakuub. His breathing was ragged and uneven. His blood oozed from multiple lacerations on his back. Night Blood knew that all of them needed to get back to the ship and have their wounds tended to before possible infection set in.

Lifting Jasmine up in his arms, he walked towards the corridor and was greeted by Balkan who was supporting Draciel. Night Blood knew that Yvette had been taken prisoner by one of the other Bad Bloods who served under Xerxes because; Draciel had a massive spear wound in his lower abdomen.

"Let's get back to the ship. Varick, locate the king and queen and then meet use back at the ship" Night Blood ordered as he held Jasmine closer to him, he long blonde hair hanging loosely over his entire arm.

"Yes sir" Varick stated as he went to search for any remaining survivors.

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I wish to thank everyone for their wonderful reviews. Everyone who has reviewed on this story, you are the ones who make this story worth while for me to continue to write and finish this story. I hope everyone is enjoying this story so far. If anyone has any comments on anything that they want to know or want to hear in this story please let me know and I will put it into these last few chapters. I also wish to send out a couple of very big "thank you" to several readers who have been with this story since it first went up. Yes, Xerxes is quite an arrogant bastard who likes getting everything and everyone hates him.

Cittygurl:

Very big CYBER HUGS and I should finish reading and reviewing your story very shortly. I love your language over Xerxes behavior. I busted a gut laughing over it.

Kae'She

Very big CYBER HUGS to your review.

Katsumi:

Many CYBER HUGS.

Millen Stryker:

Many CYBER HUGS for your multiple reviews.

Mystic Blade:

HUGE CYBER HUGS for all of your reviews and I promise I will finish reading and reviewing your story. So many stories and so little time.

Cassiopeia1979

Yes my dear, there will be more mating…just not too sure how many more chapters.

Caz

Thanks for the vote of confidence and the hugs. Here's some CYBER HUGS to you.

JuJu

I am glad that you are enjoying the story and many cyber hugs to you for your review.