7/21/2015

This chapter was so hard to write for a combination of various reasons but it is done...enjoy...


Chapter 28 – Deathmatch

Order of Rein Laboratory

Kanahana crossed his arms as Ulyus walked by him. The Ace seemed…older. Worn out.

"Ace."

"I'm not in the mood for your chats Joker."

Kanahana smirked, falling into step next to him "Of that I can tell. How do the projects fare? Are we sending out any of us again?"

Ulyus shook his head "Not yet…the side project is as good as its going to get. As for the main project…I'm not done."

Kanahana sighed "We sent the Vampire Sharks back to Quadnis to tear the arms of their brethrens off! You have blood samples from all those damned foreigners and have you done anything aside from glare and rant at them? Is this all really for some ultimate power? You keep saying that but you never really explained to us what Ultimatum really is!"

Ulyus stopped and looked to the other vampire "What was your name again?"

Kanahana clenched his teeth "You can't keep holding that over my head."

"I can…I did it…just for you, Kanahana. You were a delinquent human and you are a trying vampire. I only keep you around for your strength. Don't make me utter your name."

Kanahana stepped away "Alright then…Master…"

As Joker walked away he smirked "Didn't answer my question…all this…for nothing…"

Ulyus reentered his office. His hands shaking, it's been so long. Does he really have the answer in the vials before him? Will this solve everything?

The very idea that it might was keeping him back. Clenching his fists he shook his head "No. This is for humanity…I must…continue."


Order of Rein – Prison

Soren sat on his bed, focusing.

He realized that in getting lost in thought about Mia he missed a key opportunity to map out the facility as Ulyus led him to his cell.

He wanted to kick himself but as he thought of Mia again his heart just hammered in his chest. Shaking his head he took a deep breath "I can think of her later…come on…focus. I have to get out of here."

He was at least able to note the frequency of the vampire patrols outside his cell. They were always on the dot. If he was armed he'd break out at any time but he had no tomes, no staff, no knives, no sword and he had no clue where his were taken. If anything they were destroyed or thrown away.

He looked to his hands, clenching his fists as a small black flame formed.

"Ike. I know you are on your way. I need you to get here as soon as possible."


Elsewhere

"No…I won't give in…I won't…but he might be on his way there. This may be the opportunity I need…but not like this…and not yet…everyone needs to stop conspiring against me. I. Need. This…and I will have it."


Centra Wildlands

Titania brought her horse to a stop near Ike "Here we are."

Ike nodded "Do you think they'll be hiding in a cave again?"

Titania shrugged "I'm not sure…if so it may prove difficult to find them. With any luck that isn't the case."

Mist behind Titania crossed her arms "It doesn't matter how long it takes."

Mia nodded "We will find Soren."

Ike remained silent as Titania reached over and put a hand on his shoulder "Hey."

He looked to her "Soren is strong. He'll be find…for all we know he already has a plan in place and we have to be there to back him up when the shit goes down."

He smirked "Indeed we will. Thank you, Titania. As always."

"I'm not just here for my skill in battle and my looks right?"

Ike chuckled before looking back to the other Mercenaries "Alright everyone, we'll be moving in on foot just in case the vampires are here and keeping watch."

As Ike dismounted he continued "Stick with your partner."

The Mercenaries called out affirmations as Lyger yelled "These fuckers die today!"

Ike nodded to the Rook as the group split up.


Order of Rein Laboratory

Ulyus stood before his latest batch, tapping his chin.

"One of these could very well be…it…but…"

He looked out the window to the Vampires waiting at attention and Nekyu and Tukero talking amongst themselves.

"If I test out the correct one on one of those…things I created…they'll gain immortality before me."

"This for all of humanity. Not just me."

"Is that true? Soren was right. You are a monster. This is all for you."

"But humanity will benefit…"

Looking to the vials he picked one up. Ultimatum XXXII. Then he glanced at XXXI and XXXVI.

"Do I need another test subject? Maybe…but what if…"

Shaking his head he swallowed XXXII whole and muttered "This was all for me first and foremost…the vampires were a sad mistake…I'll let them die off. This is about. Me."

Standing still, Ulyus waited for anything to change, he was growing frustrated before glancing at the other six he prepared.

"This has to do something. Something has to change!"

He could feel the desperation returning as he took XXXI and swallowed it as well. The wear and rust in his body seemed to vanish…he felt lighter again but something told him this wasn't it.

"One of these has to do SOMETHING MORE!"

Outside his office, Kanahana peered in from around a corner. Shaking his head the Joker took his leave.


Order of Rein – Prison

In his cell Soren stood in front of the door, silent and looking at his hands. He could easily melt through the cell door to get out…he just had to make sure there were no vampires nearby. However their patrol rate would be very problematic. He couldn't risk them seeing him and he needed a good headstart on them to get far enough away for anything to matter.

Turning around he noted the cell wall. He could burn a hole through it but would that lead outside or just into a bigger cave system? Or into nothing if he was entirely underground?

"Come on Soren, what is this amateur nonsense. You need a fool proof plan to get out of here NOW."

"Hey."

Soren took a step away from the door "Kanahana."

"I've been doing a lot of thinking about what Ulyus wants…I take it he told you quite a bit…"

"He told me everything."

"Of course he did. I was there the whole time…listening to the old man blab on and on about this and that."

Soren narrowed his eyes, "Did you not know anything? Does anyone in the Order know what the real reason for it is? Who Ulyus was?"

Kanahana laughed "Of course not! You see…Ulyus kept us in the dark in regards to Ultimatum for the longest time. I like many others believed it to be as he said. The ultimate power but as thanks to him letting his guard down and allowing himself to rant I now know none of this was his direct intention. The power granted to us, the vampires as a whole were byproducts of an old man trying to cheat death. How pathetic is that?"

Soren crossed his arms "So what are you going to do?"

Kanahana chuckled "Your first guess is probably that I'm going to go up and turn his commanders on him. You are not at all aware of how devoted Nekyu and Tukero have allowed themselves to become. They won't see Ulyus for the liar that he is until it's too late…no…this works better for me and me alone knowing that there is nothing of worth in the Order. That there never was."

Soren remained silent as Kanahana took a deep breath "What he told you about my name was true. We don't know our real names and should he recite them we may very well lose our minds and say what you will about me. I like my mind. I may no longer be able to regain my humanity…but Ulyus owes me for all the lies, the abuse. Everything."

After a short silence the vampire let out a breath "So I've been biding my time. Something will take his focus off me and allow me to act…take Ultimatum for my own use and wipe him and his precious Order out. You see…what he and his dogs don't understand is that I!"

Kanahana slammed his fist against Soren's cell door before whispering "…am the real monster…"

After a few moments Soren spoke "Why tell me this?"

The Joker laughed "Because there are things that I want and I will have them…and you and your foreign friends are going to help me!"

"What?"

"Don't worry too much about it Soren. You have no real value to me…not anymore."

The sage stood rooted in place as Kanahana's laughs faded away. Once he was certain the vampire was gone he sat back on his bed and shook his head thinking everything over "Ulyus has known from the start that Kanahana had to be kept on a short leash. The vampire wanted the Ultimatum all for himself…but now that he knows it isn't what he was led to believe…he's going to burn everything down and for what?"

Soren looked back at the cell door. Kanahana wanted ultimate power, his humanity and it seems that the vampire has no interest in being able to live forever. What would the vampires of the Order get out of Ultimatum aside from an eternity of drinking blood? Were they always to be thrown away? A species Ulyus himself didn't really care for despite the fact that he created it?

Playing back his conversation with Ulyus about Ultimatum and his origin, Soren sighed and shook his head "It was always for himself, wasn't it?"

The sage tried to think of his blood in Ulyus' hands. What did it do? What could it do? Would it really create something that could grant someone eternal life? If it could…

"I don't think falling in love with a Beorc is a good idea. You'll outlive this person. All that will come from this is pain and suffering…you've had enough of that all your life."

Soren shook the thought of his head, "No. No…"

Before he could spare it any additional thought, he noticed something off. Focusing on the hall beyond the door he noted silence. That wasn't right, the patrol was late. That never happened before…

Not wanting to act to rashly, he waited for the next patrol which did not come and neither did the next.

Approaching the door he shook his head. Was something going on out there? Where did the guards go? They didn't go through all that trouble to capture him and screw up routine duties.

Next thing he knew he heard a small snap and stepped away as his cell door fell to the ground. "What in the world?"

Stepping forward slowly he looked outside to see that the cavelike prisons continued for a bit in both directions. Everything in his mind was telling him this was some sort of trap, but he couldn't just stand in an open cell and wait for…something else.

"I'm already in enemy territory…going anywhere else is an improvement."

He said to himself before moving outside and walking through the cave. "I could look for an exit or try to find a weapon."

He quickly decided on the latter as he was absolutely certain that a battle was coming. Peering around a corner he spotted nothing but continuous caves. He needed to find a way back up but with any luck there was something down here he could use. Nodding to himself he continued into the dark.


Order of Rein Laboratory

Exiting his office. Ulyus took a deep breath "Damn it…nothing…again…"

Shaking his head he continued "There has to be something there…there has to be this blood…the bases…the unique nature of Kruse, his comrade and Soren's have to do something."

Ulyus was too frantic in his desire to create something new, before he knew it he had used all of his newest blood.

"I need more samples."

Closing his eyes he focused "Spade. Heart. Bring me the sage."

"Yes Ace." They responded.

Ulyus walked over to a window and looked out over the Wildlands, he swore he saw something move out there. Shaking his head he looked down "That would be impossible…"

Peering outside again, Spade and Heart's thoughts came to him. "He's gone!"

Ulyus swung about "What!? NO! NO!" Spreading his wings he shot through the facility and screeched "Find him! FIND HIM!"


Centra Wildlands

Mia walked through the heavy overgrowth, alone. She was trying to keep a lid on her raging temper and failing. She felt her muscles tense up at any sound, she wanted nothing more than to whip her blade out and cut someone's head off.

She replayed Leah's words, she knew he was right. She did her best, she did what she could but…she still let Soren go.

"Hey there missy."

Turning around she spotted Lyger approaching, holding Castle over his shoulder "I don't think you're supposed to be alone."

"My partner…"

She looked down as Lyger sighed "I know. I know. But don't worry too much. He is anything but a frail mage."

"How can you be so sure?"

Lyger laughed "How can you not be? I've only heard of what you and the rest of your group have done. You lived it. You know what he is capable of."

Mia nodded "I do."

"Now come on. Let's get to searching."

As the pair started walking Mia looked over to the Rook again "Did you forgive your brother?"

"I kind of had to. He's my brother. I'm stuck with him for my whole life, can't stay angry with him."

Mia looked forward again as Lyger spoke up "I take it you want Ulyus' head?"

"…"

"There are quite a few of us who want him dead. Wyre for all the families. Kruse for what was done to him. Yuuten for the terror brought to the land."

Mia nodded "I understand all that…but he took my partner…my…he made it far beyond personal when he came for Soren himself. I understand everyone else's fury…but my blade will be the last thing he sees."

"Heh. Good to hear it. With that attitude I have no doubt…do you see that?"

The pair came to a stop and looked ahead at a wall of plant growth. Mia was about to ask what when she noticed that the plants were covering a white structure of sorts. It didn't look like a mass of rocks or a small cliff.

"A…building?"

Lyger shook his head "Impossible…"

The two eyed each other. Realizing what they found they headed back to tell Ike.


Order of Rein Laboratory – Underground

Continuing his search, Soren could barely make out what sounded like a mass of moving…things.

Approaching the noise he came to two large bolted doors, peering through the barred windows he saw countless vampires. The lessers. Despite the size of the cell it was clearly stuffed to the brim. Just how many people did Tallnit experiment in all these months?

One of the lessers noticed him and lunged at the door, slamming against it. Another joined it, then another.

Soren backed away slowly as they continued to screech at him.

"Diamond! Check down there!"

Hearing the voice, female, Nekyu he took off in the opposite direction just as Diamond appeared. The vampire rolled his eyes and kicked the door before calling back "Just the lessers acting up again."

"Keep looking! Club and Tukero have the other side."

Diamond spat, the caves down here were far too complex. He had no desire to search them all. A quick go around and a report to Nekyu that he found nothing would have to be the way to go.

Soren cursed as Diamond started walking in his direction and took off further into the caves. "If he came from above…then I have to find a way to circle around."

Continuing on his way, Soren kept a wary eye behind him, he was in no position to get caught.


Centra Wildlands

Ike and Titania came to a stop, looking in the direction Lyger and Mia gestured the man nodded. "That's it?"

"We believe so." Lyger stated "When we said nothing happens out here we meant it. If that isn't where the Order is hiding, I'll eat Castle."

Titania shook her head "Won't be necessary. Klein, remember anything?"

As the Knight joined them along with Wyre he closed his eyes "No…I can't but Lyger's right. That has to be it."

As more of the Mercenaries joined the group. Ike looked to Titania who brought her axe up without a word and nodded. Ike smirked "Then we have our target. Its time to get Soren back."

Facing his company Ike spoke "Stick with your partners, we're all moving in together. It doesn't matter how many of those things come at us, we're wiping them all out and getting Soren back. This is personal. Not just to us as Soren's allies but as his friends."

The Mercenaries nodded as Yuuten joined Ike "I know this wasn't your issue, this wasn't your fight and even now you are driven primarily by the need to recover your friend. But I would like to thank you all…what we do now will free Hitenticul from the Order's terror. Nothing I can say can truly express my gratitude." The Rook, Queen, Knight and Bishop bowed slightly as Yuuten and Ike nodded to each other.

Ike pulled out Ragnell and Alondite, turning to face the facility and led the charge.

Mia herself took out her Wo Dao and took a deep breath, she turned to see Leah and Zihark at her side "We're doing this together." The Daein stated.

"And we will not fail." Leah added.

"Z. Leah. Thank you." Facing forward she shot off with the two swordsmen close behind.


Order of Rein Laboratory

"Master Ulyus!"

"What is it Tukero I-"

"The Foreigners are attacking!"

Turning his gaze he flew for the window and saw them approaching, the first wave of vampires shot out to meet them.

"No…no, no, NO! Not when I'm so close! Listen to me my vampires! The prize is in our hand! Stop them! Kill them all!"

The vampires screeched and began shooting out into the field en masse as Ulyus started heading down beneath the facility.

"You all made a terrible mistake."


Order of Rein Laboratory – Underground

Soren watched Diamond as he lazily walked through the cave, barely casting a glance left or right. As the man left his sight Soren began to count, he'd soon break for the path to take him above ground.

Hearing something he turned quickly and came face to face with a Vampire Shark, heavy black robe concealing all his features.

Soren's eyes fell to the creature's blade. He had no means of attack but maybe-

Suddenly the Vampire Shark threw its blade to Soren's feet. It stood there for a few more moments before turning and walking away, back into the shadows.

The sage had many questions but none of them mattered. "The sooner I can get out of here, the better."

Picking up the blade he took off.


Laboratory Exterior

"Wipe them out!" Club screeched as his vampires shot out of the facility and headed towards the Mercenaries.

Ike leapt into the air and swung his blades, one beam slammed against a vampire and threw it to the ground where Titania brought her axe into its chest. The other beam cut off a vampire's wing. It crashed to the ground near Yuuten who quickly stabbed it in the head with Checkmate.

Spinning around, his cape flared out as a vampire landed near him and tried to gore him. Checkmate shot out, stabbing the creature in the chest several times before ripping through the neck.

"Wyre! Miina!"

"On it!" The Queen yelled back as Boyd covered her, bringing his axe into a vampire, slamming the writhing creature into the ground. As it tried to get the axe off, Oscar landed nearby and speared it in the head.

Ranulf rolled into a ball and shot past the pair, slamming into a vampire. Landing he roared and shot back into the vampire, snapping its neck with his jaw. "Ranulf!" The cat leapt aside as two more vampires tried to tackle him.

Shinon spun an arrow and let it fly, right through one of the creature's skulls. Uhnie leapt into the air and tackled a vampire, rolling across the ground with it. As she leapt off its body, Gatrie stepped closer and ran it through.

Quickly tearing the weapon out he rammed the end of it into another vampire's stomach. Uhnie quickly fell upon that one as well, slashing its neck open. Gatrie covered her with his shield, bouncing another pair of vampires away, arrows from Rolf joining Shinon's and feathering the vampires to death.

"You are surprisingly quick big man."

Gatrie smirked as he swung his greatlance around, knocking a few vampires to the floor, allowing Klein, Mist and Lyger to slam their weapons into them.

"Thanks! I try."

With a smirk, Uhnie flipped into the air, throwing a knife into a vampire's eye. It screeched and crashed into the ground near Wyre who zapped it to death before stepping over to Miina and nodding. As the pair pulled out their tomes, Zihark, Leah and Mia took up formation around them and began cutting down approaching vampires.

Zihark roared and shot off first, ducking under several claws, his blade cutting one of the creature's arms off. As it screeched he jumped back into formation allowing Leah to shoot out and stab a nearby vampire in the heart. Ripping his blade out he dodged another attack and flipped around, kicking a vampire to the floor, spinning his blade he sunk it into the creature's skull.

Leaping back into line Mia spun her blade, the vampires faced three of her, using the confusion she quickly cut several of them down, one noticed her and went in for a tackle. Leah was there before she could act and killed it. Nodding to each other they jumped back into line just as Miina called out "Ready?"

Wyre nodded, holding the books out there was an explosion of runes and pages as a giant electrical surged fired off in all directions, paralyzing countless vampires. Lyger took this opportunity to spin Castle and charge through the masses, smashing vampires to bits with his great axe.

An eruption came from Miina, the flames shooting in all directions, burning many of the vampires to death.

Seeing this Club cursed as Tukero joined him "We're going in!" The Heart yelled.

Club shook his head "Those people are unstoppable!"

"So they killed dozens of lessers in the blink of an eye, we're not lessers! Let's show them what we're made of! Come on!"

Tukero let out a screech and shot into the battle, more lessers screeching and following him. Club cursed before falling in line.

Ike spun his blades "Incoming! Second wave!"

Lyger roared "Bring them on! And the third wave! And the fourth! We'll wipe them all out!"

Yuuten nodded "Wyre!"

Spinning the Bishop unleashed Brave Bolt, taking out several of the lead vampires as the horde drew closer.


Order of Rein Laboratory

Soren peered around another corner, no vampires. They were clearly all out doing something. He noted that on his way up the cage for the lessers was open and they were all gone.

But did they all already leave the building? How could this wing be so clear? Entering another research room he found several bodies of people and vampires, ripped open with countless organs pulled out and jarred.

Soren approached them until he spotted a couple of children, quickly turning away he shook his head.

Exiting the room, he could hardly believe a man would allow himself to do this for such selfish reasons. Ulyus could say whatever he wanted but Soren knew that he was just an old man who didn't want to die.

Entering another room there was a large window, he could see vampires outside engaged in battle with the Greil Mercenaries and the Five Pieces. Soren's eyes widened "They made it!"

"They did!"

Turning the sage barely dodged a strike for his head, jumping away he faced Kanahana. "What do you want?"

"Me? I thought I made it clear."

Soren pulled out his blade "You did…you said I had no value to you."

"Exactky…you have no value so what do we do with trash? We throw it away."

"Ulyus won't-"

"He is far too wrapped up in the attack and trying to find you and…whatever else is on his mind. I was able to walk right into his precious personal laboratory and treat myself."

Soren's eyes widened "The Ultimatum. What did you-"

"Take?"

Screeching the vampire shot at Soren, slamming him against a wall before gripping his clothes and dragging him across a table, knocking aside all the glassware before throwing the sage across the floor.

"I took all of it!"

Standing, slightly dazed, Soren could see Kanahana headed right for him. Diving aside the vampire tore through the wall. Screeching he charged back, this time Soren stopped the oncoming claw with his blade.

The other ripped across his torso, tearing some of the bandages off. The sage cursed, remembering the wound still wasn't completely healed.

Jumping away he wished nothing more than to have a tome on hand. Fighting the manic vampire with nothing but a blade was not a good idea but he had to make it work.

"Scared Sage?"

"Never."

Kanahana shot at him again, Soren swinging his blade, barely cutting through the vampire as a hand grabbed his throat and slammed him against the floor, cracks forming across it.

Swinging his arm back, the vampire threw Soren across the room. The sage struck the wall hard before falling over. Kanahana laughed as he approached the fallen man "Any more fight left in you?"

Standing up Soren swung his blade, Kanahana easily sidestepping it before moving in and ripping his claw through Soren's left arm. Clenching his teeth, Soren ignored the pain and swung again, cutting across Kanahana's chest as the vampire's other claw came in. Open palm struck Soren's chest and threw him against a wall, knocking the wind out of him.

Jumping, Kanahana kicked Soren through the wall and across the hall outside. Scrambling to his feet, Soren made sure to grip his blade tightly as he brought it up. Kanahana tore right through the wall and laughed at Soren "Come on! Entertain me! Make me work for this!"

Soren dashed in again, ducking under a claw, before rotating out of the way of the second, blade cutting through Kanahana's side as the vampire jumped into the air, kicking off the ceiling he tackled Soren to the floor. Standing the vampire wound its leg back and kicked Soren across the floor and through a railing. The sage fell into the main hall where the vampires were meeting just a while ago.

Diamond emerged from the underground to see Soren "There you are!"

Kanahana landed "I have this. There is a mess going on outside. Go help them!"

"Ulyus said-"

"Don't obey everything Ulyus says! The facility is under attack, I can handle one mage!"

Soren stood up as Diamond tackled Kanahana. The mage did not want to run through their battle, instead turning to the main exit where he spotted Nekyu.

"Well, hello."

Soren aimed his blade at her, ignoring his aching muscles.

"Ulyus. I found him."

"Good. Bring him to me."

As Nekyu started to walk forward, Diamond was thrown across the room. Kanahana grabbed Soren from behind and shot up through the ceiling.

"Hey! Ulyus, Kanahana has him!"

"What! That…"

Ulyus' eyes widened. "No." Ignoring Nekyu's questions about what to do next he flew back to his lab and tore the door open. Everything was destroyed and all his vials were empty with glass all over the floor. The Ace let out a screech that shattered the remaining glass in the room.

"The Mercenaries are drawing closer."

Ulyus spat "Let them come…I'm through with subtlety."

Tearing through the top floor, Kanahana spun around and threw Soren onto the roof of the laboratory.

"So sage…scared now?"

Soren spat and gripped his blade "I'm not scared of a sad monster like you."

"You should be! Because this sad monster is going to rip your heart out and eat it."

Soren jumped back as Kanahana charged him, claw swinging wide. The sage deflected the second claw with his blade before jumping away again, he had no safe methods of approaching the vampire and said vampire was far too eager to keep close.

Swinging his blade again, Kanahana stopped it with one claw, raking his other claw across Soren's chest. The mage clenched his teeth and groaned in pain as the vampire swung around and kicked Soren in the side of the head, throwing him to the floor.

"Well well Soren…looks like-"

"Kanahana!"

Gripping his head the vampire cursed "Not now Ulyus! Never again!"

"Say goodbye to your mind!"

Kanahana laughed, no longer holding his head he shrugged "Doesn't work anymore."

"What?"

"Your Ultimatum made me stronger than you…better luck next time…well, with the Mercenaries here, there won't be a next time."

"You son of a-"

Forcing the thoughts out, Ulyus fell silent. Laughing Kanahana walked over to Soren as the sage stood up slowly and faced him "You die here."


Laboratory Exterior

Nekyu and Diamond shot out into the field with the rest of the lessers behind them.

Mia saw this and cursed, there were far more of them than she imagined. Leah ran over to her, killing a vampire right behind her "You alright?"

"Yeah, sorry I was just."

Shaking her head she turned around, Zihark rolled over, swinging his blade "We have a lot more to handle."

"I know. Let's keep moving."

Leah and Zihark nodded, shooting off as Mia looked at the building before noticing something odd. Two people on the roof.

"Is that-"

Before she could finish her thought one struck the other off the building. Despite having no idea what was going on her body screamed "Soren!"

Moving forward she swore she never ran that fast before in her life, barely catching the sage though the pair fell to the ground as a result.

Soren groaned before looking over, their eyes meeting "Mia!"

"Soren!" She could feel her emotions boiling over but before she could say anything else, Kanahana landed "Damn it…looks like I'll have to do this the dirty way."

Soren stood up, helping Mia up who noticed all his wounds before facing Kanahana "Last time we fought, I cut one of your arms off."

"And I was impressed but I am far stronger now. You won't get the best of me this time."

"I will." She faced Soren and smiled, he smiled back as she faced Kanahana "Because we're together."

Kanahana just laughed and shot forward as Mia flashed into three and Soren took a step forward, stopping the vampire's claws allowing Mia to attack him from behind, cutting through his back and one of his wings.

Jumping he kicked Soren's blade away before flipping around and swiping at Mia who quickly dodged his claw "Soren!"

Nodding he charged back in, stabbing Kanahana in the back. The vampire glared at the mage as Mia stabbed him from the front. "Come here!" Grabbing her face he threw her aside before flipping around and punching Soren in the face, breaking his nose and throwing him to the ground.

Tearing the blades out he tossed them aside. As Mia sat up and spat she looked at Kanahana "Why are you trying to kill him?"

The vampire laughed "Because that's all there is for me in this life. Killing."

He shot at Mia as she rolled aside. Laughing again he pursued her and raked his claws across her face, before flipping around and kicking her in the chest.

Picking up both blades Soren charged in, Kanahana easily avoided his strikes. Soren threw the Wo Dao to Mia who grabbed it out of the air as the sage swung at Kanahana again. Jumping back once the vampire noted Mia charging in and shot into the air, out of reach.

Mia looked to Soren who was breathing hard "Sorry, I don't have any of your tomes…I wasn't thinking and-"

He shook his head "Its fine. We'll make this work. We are together after all."

She nodded at that "We are. Are you sure you can keep going though?"

"I have to. Everyone else?"

"Busy with the hoard." She commented, the pair spun their blades as Kanahana crossed his arms "You two done?"

"We will be when you're dead." They yelled in unison.

"Then kill me!" Kanahana screeched before shooting down at them. Claws being stopped by both blades, nodding to each other Soren and Mia kicked Kanahana away before moving forward together and slashing at him, one blade cutting through the vampire, the other barely missing as he hopped to the side.

Moving forward again he kicked Mia into Soren, throwing the pair to the ground.

Holding her blade up she stopped one of his claws though the other sunk into her torso. She let out a scream of pain as Kanahana ripped his claw out and sunk it in again.

"Stop!" Soren yelled, holding his hand out, black flames shot out, barely catching Kanahana's right wing, burning a massive hole in it as he jumped away.

Mia stood up slowly and coughed up blood as Soren struggled to stand "You alright?"

As he helped her up she nodded "I will be."

Soren felt a small ache, shaking it off he stepped forward and swung his blade at the approaching Kanahana, cutting through the vampire's arm as it flew past him. Hitting the ground Kanahana shot back at Soren's back, Mia blocking the attack allowing Soren to turn around and try to cut through the creature again.

Kanahana disengaged and rolled aside, Mia following him with her blade, tearing into his left wing.

Licking the blood off his claws, Kanahana laughed "I'm enjoying this…"

Soren focused on his hand "I need a clear shot on him."

"For your fire? You don't have a tome do you?"

Soren shook his head, he noted Mia's expression as she looked back at Kanahana. The vampire split into three and charged them. Mia's eyes widened "You can't-"

She felt a powerful blow to her stomach, blood coming from her mouth as she flew across the clearing. Soren turned in the direction she went just as Kanahana sunk his claws into the sage's back. Swinging his blade behind him, Soren missed the vampire who then flashed back into his face and slammed his elbow into the Soren's chest.

Taking a few steps back, Soren coughed and swung his blade again, as Kanahana flashed around him. Soren braced himself and flipped around, striking Kanahana as he tried to come in for another blow.

Opening his hand another ball of flames shot out into Kanahana, burning along his clothes. The vampire screeched and flashed away, the flames dying as he approached Soren from behind again. Mia's Wo Dao flew threw the air, jamming itself into Kanahana's leg. Looking down at it, the vampire was left open for Soren to stab him in the chest.

Grabbing Soren's throat he tore the Wo Dao out of his leg "I think she wanted me to give this to you."

Kanahana stabbed the sage and threw him to the ground before ripping the other blade out of his chest and throwing it aside as well. Eyes landing on Mia.

She was looking at Soren who pulled the blade out as blood poured from his mouth "You two need to try harder. I'm barely feeling any of this!"

Kanahana flashed towards her, striking through a phantasm. Acting quickly he leapt aside as Mia swung at him from behind using Soren's blade. Pursuing him she cut through his wing as he shot into the air. The vampire felt the strain in his wing and fell to the ground. Mia flashed at him, he looked up as the five charged him, taking four powerful slashes to his torso before the last sword sunk into him. Gagging the vampire ripped it out and spat blood, falling to one knee "You…bitch…"

"Soren! Soren!"

He gagged as she helped him sit up "I'm-"

"Don't even think about saying that you're fine!"

He chuckled a bit "Sorry…"

Grabbing her Wo Dao she helped him up, he groaned "I'll distract him. You-"

"I'm not leaving you with him alone Mia. We do this together."

"But-"

"Mia!" At Soren's yell she swung around stopping one of Kanahana's claws while the other tore across her leg. Soren quickly fired more of his flames at Kanahana who dodged them though they melted part of his right wing off. Shooting back in, Mia swung at him, cutting across his hand as she felt another rip across her same leg.

Soren noted her bloodied leg "He's slowing her down."

Mia started favoring her other as Kanahana shot in again, Soren pushed past her and held both hands out firing two flames at the vampire. Grinding to a halt the vampire jumped aside as the flames burned into his left wing, melting the entire thing away.

Kanahana noted his one wing and sighed, grabbing it he tore it off. "I don't need to fly to kill the two of you…"

Soren held his hands out, creating orbs of black flame. Mia ran past him swinging her blade, Kanahana jumped aside into a black orb that struck his arm. Screeching he jumped out of the way of the second only for Mia's blade to find him.

Moving forward, his hooked his arm around Mia's neck and threw her to the ground. Soren fired off more of his black flames, one burning across Kanahana's leg as he moved away.

Soren kept firing to keep him away as Mia stood up slowly. The sage tried to conjure up another only to feel a sharp pain shoot throughout his body. Falling to his knees he coughed up blood.

Kanahana took that chance to charge Mia, dodging her blade he struck her in the chest with his palm, throwing her to the ground. Bringing his claw up he tore into her arm, she screamed as he ripped it out, she lost grip on her blade.

She tried and failed to keep her breathing even as he stood up "You won't be swinging that blade at me again."

She looked at her bloodstained arm, she couldn't feel it. Trying to ignore the horror building inside she grabbed her blade with her other hand she swung it out, cutting through Kanahana's leg. He laughed at that "Of course. Of course."

Before he could move in again another orb of black flames crashed into his side, he felt his skin burn away and jumped aside as Soren approached him, unleashing more black flames towards the vampire who dodged them.

"Soren…Soren…is my arm…is it-"

"You still have it. It's still there. You're alright."

Mia could feel the tears on her face as well as immense relief "Thank the goddess…thank the goddess…"

He kneeled down next to her, the wound was severe, Kanaha tore through her muscles and nerves, no doubt she couldn't feel the arm. Knowing her she was beyond terrified thinking she lost it.

He looked at his hands, Stefan's warning coming back to him.

"Soren! Don't ignore me!" Kanahana stated.

The mage noted that Kanahana was not charging in, he was well aware of the black flames.

Lowering one hand to Mia's wound he found her eyes "This is…what hurt you so bad back in Thyremog…right?"

He nodded "Then don't…Soren…please."

Not saying a word his hand gave off a glow "Soren."

Kanahana laughed only for Soren to fire another orb of flames from his other hand, forcing the vampire back.

"I'd do anything for you Mia, no matter what it does to me. You have to know that."

Standing Soren helped her up, gripping her blade with her repaired arm she couldn't help but fight off the immense relief.

Kanahana flew in again, meeting Mia's blade with the same fury "This time I'll rip your arm out of its socket!"

"You had one chance and you missed it!" Mia yelled back.

Feeling the pain rage in his body Soren fell back to the ground, turning his head and throwing up all over the ground.

Mia kept fighting, blade flashing, keeping Kanahana's claws away and occasionally ripping into the vampire. For all his wounds he wasn't being slowed, Mia on the other hand could feel one of her legs falling number from the deep cuts.

Knocking her blade aside the vampire raked his claws down her back, tearing through it. Yelling she flipped back around and cut across his face, her blade ripping one of his eyeballs out.

Screeching the vampire jumped away, hand flying to his face.

Soren rolled over on the ground to see Kanahana as he screeched again and launched himself at Mia.

"Focus Soren…land one good shot on him…one good one…to stun him enough for Mia to finish this."

He tried to gather the power together, but the pain was immense "One more. Just one more."

Mia stabbed the vampire in the side as he reached over and sunk a claw into her back. She kicked him away, causing him to forcefully tear his claw out of her as he stumbled away.

She felt the burning pain all over her body but kept going, charging in again as he swung his claw, spinning away the claw nearly missed her. Yelling she brought her blade down far too quickly for Kanahana to react and cut his right hand off.

Screeching he stepped forward and sunk his left claw into her left shoulder. She yelled as the claw was ripped out, he struck her with his palm, throwing her into the exterior wall. Charging her he kneed her in the stomach, before grabbing her by the throat and tossing her to the ground near Soren.

He tried to ask if she was alright, but could barely even whisper as she stood up again "You just don't know how to quit! What is wrong with you?"

Mia aimed her blade at Kanahana again "I have to take Ulyus' head off for what he did…I won't settle for you Kanahana."

"So I can't kill you?"

"You won't."

"Really?"

Laughing he held his arms out and charged her "Even with only one hand! I will rip your heart out!"

Mia ducked under his claw, the vampire turned again, the blade sinking into him again. Kanahana spat "This is…nothing…"

"Is it?"

"Now!" Soren held his hand out, forming another orb of flames, shooting it towards Kanahana's exposed back.

"But this might burn a little." Kanahana muttered flipping over Mia, she turned to face him, Soren yelled her name as his flames struck her back.

Mia's eyes widened, she'd never felt such flames before, such a powerful burning sensation. She screamed as she felt them burn into her back and fell to her knees, unable to stop the tears, it hurt far more than anything she'd ever been hit by before.

With all his might Soren tried to force the flames to die away. Kanahana just laughed at Mia as she fell to the ground, her screams fading away as the shock of the burns practically knocked her out. Lying on the ground she still felt the intense pain and couldn't form any words as tears spilled from her eyes.

Kanahana chuckled "Son of a bitch Soren. I don't know what she did to you but did she deserve this?"

Soren couldn't even respond, a large portion of the skin on her back had been melted clear away, exposing what was beneath it. He felt sick, slowly shaking his head.

Kanahana kneeled down "She's in shock…if this remains untreated she'll die. Y'know. I want to rip her heart out right now but I think we should just sit here and wait for her to die eh? The look of horror and loss on your face…will be my ultimate joy. It'll make living my life as this…mean so much more."

The vampire kept his eyes on Soren's face and chuckled "That is exactly the face."

"What did you do!?"

"I didn't-"

"You killed her!"

"I wasn't…I was trying to-"

"Look at her! Look at what you did! You monster!"

Soren shook his head "Mia…"

"She can't hear you…she's dying. Or maybe she can…that'd be better."

"Kanahana…please just…do what you want to me but let her go."

"Oh I can't do that. This is far too enjoyable for me to just…let it go. What could make this better…ah!"

The vampire pointed at his teeth "You see…we have some Ultimatum in our teeth so when we bite our prey we inject them with it, as such there is a chance that they will turn into vampires. Though given her state it will probably just incur more pain and kill her faster…which is fantastic!"

Soren forced himself onto his knees "Wait! Don't-"

Kanahana picked Mia up turning her so she was facing Soren "Look at her."

Soren found her eyes, looking so lost and distant. Her eyes then looked directly at him.

"Mia I-"

Kanahana smiled, showing his razor sharp teeth "So…shall I?"

"Do something! Save her!"

"What can I…what can I do…"

"Nothing!" The vampire screeched.

Soren closed his eyes. There was nothing he could do. Nothing.

"It is possible that the powers can come together the do something…not wholly unique but maybe something…better."

Feeling the energy swirl within him, the sage noted how…different it felt.

"Well maybe you just need to find someone to care for, care about and see what it's like."

"….there are people I care about."

"Friends?"

"…"

"That's a good start…but the best is to have something like Sothe and I. Love."

"Love."

Soren focused on it and opened his eyes, meeting Kanahana's one. Roaring he held his hands out, from each of his fingers, powerful torrents of flames shot out. The ten streams fused into one powerful wave the crashed against Mia and Kanahana.

The vampire screeched louder than ever as he dropped the woman and started running away. He kept screaming about the pain and pleading for it to stop as one of his arms melted clean off followed by his legs, he fell to the ground covered in the flames letting out more bloodcurdling and bone chilling screams that eventually faded away as the flames ate into his skull and body, leaving nothing but burning ashes.

Looking away from the flames Soren found Mia, laying on the ground unscathed aside from the ugly mark along her back.

Walking felt like he was carrying a building on his back. Falling to his knees near her he whispered "Mia? Mia…please…"

Acting on instinct he let out a small breath, black embers fell along Mia's back. He was barely awake, losing vision. "Mia…"

Closing his eyes he barely made out her saying his name.


Uhnie landed with another dead vampire hitting the ground before her, Gatrie covering her rear again as Shinon's arrows found another mark.

"Let's-"

Before she could continue her scar burned.

"Gatrie. Shinon, take care of this." With that she took off, Shinon called after her "Wait! Where-"

Club flew by him, barely missing as the marksman jumped away and cursed.

Uhnie dashed by the Bishop calling his name.

"What?"

"Follow me!"


Mia blinked several times to clear her vision before starting to stand, her wounds still ached as did her back but she felt noticeably better. She recalled that burning and shivered, gripping herself protectively.

"It…hurt…so fucking much…"

Turning she noted a mass of scorched earth a few feet away, looking the other way she found Soren collapsed near her.

"Soren? Soren!"

Shaking him, she received no response, flipping him around she lowered her head to his chest. She couldn't make anything out.

This was just like in Thyremog after they defeated Barbyos.

No. This was worse.

Desperately she began pressing her hands against his chest "No, no, no. I almost lost you before, this won't happen again. Soren!"

She noted that his body was not giving any kind of response "Soren! Please!"

"Soren! You here!?"

"Uhnie!? Over here!"

Mia didn't turn away as Uhnie and Wyre joined them, the latter noting the area and Mia's wounds "What in the world happened here?"

"Who cares!?" Uhnie yelled as Mia faced Wyre "Help him, please."

Nodding he kneeled down near the archsage and pulled his staff out. Closing his eyes as the end began to glow. "There is a pretty serious wound in his stomach…was that from Ulyus?"

Mia nodded "Yes but that's not what caused this, its inside him!"

"Internal damage? I can't treat that hear, he needs to be taken to a facility I-"

The three turned to face the Order of Rein Laboratory.

"Can he be moved?" Uhnie asked.

Wyre closed his eyes and focused on the staff again "Yes but we have to be quick about it, I don't know when we'll lose him."

Wyre put his staff away as Uhnie helped him pick Soren up. "Mia you should find Mist and-"

"No. I'm not leaving him."

The Shade nodded "Of course not."

As the three headed towards the facility Uhnie looked at Soren "You'll be fine Shorty…"

Mia also looked to Soren, her emotions raging inside. She wanted to scream and cry but she couldn't bring herself either. Closing her eyes she just thought"You'll make it…you have to."