What's going on?

Mana could feel something wasn't right. She could smell blood everywhere and she felt an ominous aura looming over the school.

Where is Zero?

Mana reached the front of the school building, looking around.

"Mana!"

Mana jumped as she saw Kaname run to her, grasping her shoulders.

"What are you doing here?" he asked. "It's not safe!"

"Why?" Mana asked as she pushed his hands off her shoulders. "What's going on?"

"There's no time, we need to get you to a safe place!"

Kaname grabbed her arm but Mana yanked it out of his grasp.

"No!" she barked and Kaname looked at her with wide eyes. "No. Where's Zero?"

Kaname narrowed his eyes.

"That's not important right now."

"Where is my lover?" Mana snarled and Kaname clenched his fists. "Where is he, Kuran?"

Kaname's face fell.

"Mana, you'll get your answers soon enough, but not here."

"No! I want to know what's going on! The grounds are crawling with Level Es, I've had to help evacuate the students but I can't find Yuki-nee or Zero!"

Her mismatched eyes began glowing angrily and Kaname stepped back.

"Mana?"

"You wanted Zero dead which is why you denied him Shizuka's blood," Mana pointed at him. "Now that something has happened, you've twisted it into something to your advantage! I'm not blind anymore, Kuran! Tell me, what is going on?!"

Kaname parted his lips but was interrupted by slow clapping. He and Mana turned to see a figure approaching them.

"Ah, my beautiful daughter," he purred and Mana's heart lurched. "So smart. It looks like you've been outdone, my nephew."

He stepped into the moonlight and Mana stepped back, covering her mouth.

He bore a striking resemblance to Kaname and his eyes were red and blue. Just like Mana.

"Mana, he is not your father, no matter what he says," Kaname turned to her.

"Mana!" the man called to her. "What has he done? Shall I take care of him for you?"

"Mana, he is dangerous, you need to run."

Mana looked between them.

"Who are you?" she called.

The man grinned and turned to Kaname.

"Haven't you given her your blood yet?" he asked. "Ah, no. Because the little berserk princess got to her first."

Mana glowered at him. The man tilted his head.

"So beautiful. Like my Juri."

Kaname stood between him and Mana.

"Rido, I will warn you once," he said. "You cannot win this fight."

"Oh?" Rido raised an eyebrow. "But you're already falling behind. One queen who hasn't had her memories restored and the other trapped in my clutches."

Mana's heart leapt.

"You're bluffing!" Kaname spat.

"No, no, dear nephew," Rido grinned. "Oh you should hear her scream."

Mana raised her hand.

"She sounds divine."

Kaname jumped when Mana lashed a blood whip at Rido. Rido raised an arm and it snatched it. He pulled against it, laughing.

"Yes, Mana!" he roared. "You want your Yuki-nee and Zero? Come with me!"

Mana retracted her blood whip and ripped the charm off her wrist. Kaname grabbed her arm when she passed him.

"No, Mana, you're not strong enough!"

Mana pushed him aside.

"If there's a chance that they're in danger," she snarled. "Then I will fight."

She dug her nails into her palms and her blood whip lashed out, coiling around her arms and hands, giving them an overall appearance of beast claws.

Rido grinned as he applauded her whilst she descended the stairs.

"Well done, Mana," he said as blood whips appeared from behind him. "My good girl, you've worked hard."

"Mana!"

Mana charged at Rido and his blood whips dove for her. She blocked them with her claws and dove at him. Rido dodged and disappeared into the woods. Mana pursued.

I'll rip you from limb to limb if I must!

Mana crashed into the bushes, her claws disappearing into her body as she rolled. She hopped back to her feet as Rido landed in front of her.

"Checkmate, Mana," he cooed.

Mana stepped back as he reached out and cupped her face.

"You've fought well but don't despair."

He pushed hair behind her ear.

"I'll make you beautiful."

Mana lifted her skirt and snatched Pearl Beauty. She lashed out and Rido howled, jumping away. Mana lifted her thumb to her lips.

"I'm not done," she snarled before nipping her thumb.

A blood whip shot out and she pressed her thumb to Pearl Beauty's handle. The blood constricted the handle and twirled around the cord. Mana grasped the cord with her free hand once it stiffened and became a handle. She braced her muscles as the blood pooled at the end of the cord and formed a hammer head.

She launched herself and slammed the hammer on Rido. Rido caught it and the ground trembled as the ground gave way to a small crater. He grinned.

"Impressive," he purred as Mana landed and held Pearl Beauty up for another swing.

Sweat trickled down Mana's face as she took a step back.

"But how long can your body cope?"

Mana gnashed her fangs as she swung again.

Until my last breath, I will make sure Yuki and Zero are safe!

Mana slammed Pearl Beauty again, causing the school grounds to shake. She glared at Rido who wagged his finger.

"You're getting slower, little warrior," he purred. "I'd take a rest now if I were you."

Mana shifted her grip on Pearl Beauty and squared her feet. Her eyes lit up as light shone behind Rido and a gunshot was heard.

Rido roared as he held the hole in his chest. He glanced behind him then dashed into the shadows. Zero ran towards Mana.

"Mana, are you alright?!"

Mana nodded then turned to Rido.

"No more running!" she roared and charged after him.

Zero followed her. They gave each other a nod and split ways, heading in the same general direction towards Rido.

Mana launched herself again and slammed Pearl Beauty on Rido. Rido caught and fell to one knee. He glowered at Mana who gnashed her fangs.

"Game Over."

Rido roared at her and Mana heard a second gunshot.

Pearl Beauty sent another quake through the ground when it landed in the crystallised dust that was once Rido.

Mana let Pearl Beauty go and her blood shot back into her body. The whip lay on the grass as she fell to her knees and swayed.

"Mana!"

Zero ran to her, vines retracting from his body. He fell to his knees in front of her and placed her face in his neck.

"Drink."

Mana glanced at him.

"But…?"

"You went too far, now please, drink."

Mana wrapped her shaking arms around Zero and sunk her fangs into his neck.

Thank you, Zero.

Mana felt Zero pick her up and his lips on her head.

"Are you alright?" he asked.

Mana snuggled into him, a smile on her face.

"Better than ever," she whispered.

She kissed his cheek.

"I love you."

Zero nuzzled her head.

"I love you too," he whispered.

Mana smiled wider and closed her eyes, drifting off to sleep.

I love you more than anyone.