Chapter 19: The Hanging Gardens Part II

The stone echoed with the sounds of clashing weapons as Hazel ran into the battle, carrying the sword of her enemy. Though still throbbing in pain, she chose to focus on finding her servant and the others to combat the presence behind her.

She could see the others battle, more servants of Red had come to combat their foes. Somewhere in the clashing of heroes there would be a chance to stop Darnic's plan, she just needed to grab their attention.

"Incoming!" Hazel shouted, but was grasped from behind and turned to face the monster which Darnic had created, and Lancer of Black detested.

Hazel plunged the sword into the vampire's side, while focusing all of her shield magic around her neck, creating a dense yellow collar. His fangs were long and began to crack the shield, growing ever closer to her throat.

He then dug his thumb nails into her arms, impaling them to the ground as she held the blade firm. She was trapped as the others watched, trying to determine if this creature was a friend or foe.

"I'll have you first." The voice blended both master and servant in tongue. She knew the chance of escape was unlikely, being her death would mean Cú's downfall. However, this was her mission, and she needed to make the effort, even if this was the last face she would see.

She heard a faint growl behind her, and grinned. Hazel knew there was a chance.

"Then talk to my Berserker." Hazel used what strength she could from her right palm and pushed the blade up through his chest, leaving a large gash. It was enough of a distraction for Berserker to take over the fight, throwing Lancer down the corridor.

"Are you all right, Master Hazel?" It was Chiron helping to steady her up. She could now see all of the servants involved. Caster of Black, Lancer, Archer, and Rider of Red along with Ruler who seemed to have called the truce until the monster was defeated.

Hazel looked to Chiron, who was examining over her neck and arms as he sat her next to the stone wall. "He didn't drain me. I can heal these wounds. Just get them."

"Them?"

"Darnic fused himself with Vlad. He made him into that." Her wounds were bleeding faster than she could heal, she only needed focus. Ruler came to examine her as she sat.

"Master of Black. Let the servants take over from here. We must all fight this monster." She said and left quickly to join the others. Rider of Red and Berserker were the main hitters, with the others providing support. It was then that Hazel saw a group of homunculi that had become a focus. She knew from the past that these creatures would feast on anything weaker to form their armies.

The adrenaline of the moment distracted her from the pain. She made a large shield to surround the homunculi and flung them into the wall beside her. The golems had made a wall, providing enough time for the spell.

"What are you doing?" Chiron asked as she spat blood out from her lips, her focus becoming blurred.

"He'll just… use them against you. I'll guard them and heal. Just give him hell." Chiron left to join the others as Hazel eased back into the stone wall, pressing her hands against the holes in her arms. She watched the battle with a glazed stare, trying to heal with low mana. He spell to mend the blood back was working slowly. Cold sweat was running down her face and neck.

"Miss we can fight." One homunculi spoke over her train of thought.

Hazel looked at them, their minds programmed to do one thing. Attack until death befalls them. "I know, but you guys are perfect targets.

"We're supposed to be," another spoke. "It's our purpose to..."

"No." Hazel interrupted. "That's a death you don't want. Trust me."

For a brief moment Berserker looked to her. He had been going full force, but seeing his master now, he began to back off, resulting in him being thrown. Hazel could only watch as her servant began to be beaten across the floor. His dark magic only seemed to even out against Vlad's. No amount of shouting could get through. She was powerless unless she could heal her wounds faster.

"You use blood magic, right?" asked a homunculus. Hazel nodded and the homunculus took her weapon and ran it across her arm.

"No. I can't…"

"You could have killed the others last night, but you didn't. Please, let us help now."

It was hard to accept help, but Hazel knew that Berserker would be dead without her being up to strength. She had to take the kind offer.

"A pint each will do."

One by one the homunculi began to give her blood. The wounds in her arms healed first and then her leg. The last pint went towards her mana, and she was able to stand now. As she rose, so did her servant. They looked at each other as they had done many times before. He could see her healed, now it was time to dispose of the threat.

"Berserker, tear him apart." With her blessing, Berserker charged head first, fighting more brutally than he had in the past. Now that Hazel could see the entire playing field, she began to strategize. She knew fire and severing the head would be the fastest, but Berserker was leaving no openings. Though he continued to shred Lancer of Black's skin, it repaired quickly. Divine attacks or light would be needed, and one servant could manage that.

Ruler was no were to be seen, which Hazel was shocked by. It was as though something else had drawn her away from the fight. Annoying was what Hazel thought, but there was another warrior fit to fil the void. She waited patiently for an opening, the homunculus looked at her, as though she was a viper wait to snatch prey. The blood gave her enough for one attack. Once Berserker stepped back, her feet began to carry her forward.

"Miss Hazel, what are you…"

"Karna!" she shouted, ignoring the others around her. "Make an inferno." Their eyes met briefly. Karna was taken aback by the demands, but her eyes had a confidence that he could trust for the moment. If she were to fall, it would be her desire.

Berserker stalled his movement, acknowledging his master's intent to kill the creature as well. Lancer of Red cast his fire towards the vampire, and Hazel planted her feet as she watched the creature charge toward her in the light. This was her mission, and she would do anything to strike him down.

"Cefn." She uttered, and the shield repelled the fire back towards Lancer's face. She manipulated the flame to create a dome around him, encasing the monster in a bubble which he could not escape. The flesh continued to melt and reform as he tried to reach for her. Even when stray flames scorched her clothes and flesh she was determined to see him die here. All of the pain the last few months had given her had funneled into this one moment of rage.

Lancer of Black began to push back and Hazel's strength was diminished, but she would not let him win again. He would fall.

"Fry, you bastard!" Hazel used one final burst to tighten the shield before it cracked and burst. Berserker covered his master as the other servants looked on. In an instant, Vlad escaped to another part of the fortress, leaving the other opponents towards one more familiar.

"Are you okay Berserker?" Hazel asked as her servant loosened his hold on her. Once again, he went to look at her wounds, and realized he had failed once more. She went into the fire ready to die, she wanted nothing more than the vampire's death, and so he went to carry out his master's wish.

"Hey, where are you going?" Hazel asked, but Berserker had already darted forward. The other Servants of Black followed, after ordering the homunculi to return to the mansion and inform the other masters what had transpired.

Knowing she only had enough mana for her small wounds, she took her time to stand. From this point on she would have to be careful. Any more major attacks and Hazel would surely faint from exhaustion.

The sword which she now claimed still had the blood of Vlad and Darnic on the blade, almost as though it had captured it within the engraving. Once standing she went to follow the action, but noticed she was not the only one struggling. The servants of Red had be incapacitated as well, as though they could not control their actions.

"Are you all okay?" Hazel asked. At this point, they were still allies.

"Don't know. It's like something has changed." Rider said, wincing.

"Where are your masters?" Though Hazel could not see or sense any, she knew they would be the only ones aware.

"We've only seen one. The priest." Hazel paused, but the answer was clear.

"All right. Let's find him."