Cassandra finally closed her mouth, her song cutting away into silence. She gasped, doubling over and catching herself on the parapets. She breathed heavily as her eyes returned to their normal violet while her hair shifted back into silver.
She could no longer hear the overwhelming cacophony of the Paragon monsters. It seemed like her song had worked. She had learned that by focusing herself on the target of her song, she could selectively enthrall them without causing harm to others. She had to admit, the power of a Blood Siren was incredible.
Still, she had not found a way to overcome the immense fatigue that was the result of overusing that power. She shivered as she attempted to straighten herself, her feet wobbly as she attempted to head toward the door.
Sudden movement in her peripheral vision snapped adrenaline back into her system. She made a haphazard dive to the floor before a shadowy tendril sliced into the air where she was standing but a few moments ago.
Cassandra got up to her feet quickly as the darkness retreated to reveal a very familiar face. Of course he would be sent to deal with this. "James… So my grandfather has decided to send his hunting dog for me at last…" She huffed.
"Lady Cassandra." James said sternly as he drew his sword. "Return to your grandfather this instant. He is quite furious with the recent turn of events. However, if you behave yourself this time I will beg him to show mercy."
"So I see. Then kindly tell him that I have no intention of obeying him anymore." Cassandra replied in defiance.
"That's quite harsh." James said, all trace of mercy gone from his eyes. "Hasn't he taken care of you all these years?"
"Only after he had my entire family killed…" Cassandra replied coldly, standing straight despite her exhaustion. Even if James knew of her fatigue, she would rather die than let it show so plainly before him. "But wait, you know that already don't you Ridley? I'm sure you were privy to many of my grandfather's secrets, such as allowing the terrorists involved with Helsing to strike at my family that he may take control of my skills. I'm sure he was quite shocked to learn that my mother kept my powers a secret from him so that he could never take advantage of it."
James frowned as he heard her words. "So, how much did that Kuran princess tell you?"
"She told me all I needed to know." Cassandra said. "That everything I have been told was a lie… He doesn't care about making the world safer for vampires. He merely wants to rule the world; using my powers as a means to show anyone who dares to defy him the folly of such thoughts. Mother told me to live the way I wanted to; so I shall. This is my first step."
James glared as shadows writhed around him. "I was hoping that I wouldn't have to get rough with you. I simply detest violence toward women."
"No you don't." Cassandra frowned as she summoned a sword formed from shadows.
Silence existed between them as they braced themselves for battle. Cassandra held the blade with two hands, her eyes on Ridley's blade as much as possible. The instant he moved in, she twisted and blocked the blade that aimed for her leg. James then torqued and aimed for her arm, which she blocked expertly before aiming a strike at his head. James responded by leaping backwards, though he hit the stony wall due to the constricted space around.
Cassandra took her chance and thrust her blade forward, aiming for his heart. James then slipped back into the shadows, appearing behind her. However, Cassandra had anticipated this, flipping her blade and then giving a backward thrust. Though it connected with nothing, she knew that she had successfully stopped his ambush.
Cassandra walked back to the edge of the parapet, hoping to restrict the direction James could appear from. She watched as he stepped out right in front of her, his blade hanging low. "Very impressive lady Cassandra. I see you did take my lessons to heart. You hold up well for someone who is fatigued."
"You taught me everything I know James." Cassandra said as she raised the sword again. "Don't think I'm going to be an easy foe…"
"Oh, I know that I taught you everything you know." James nodded. "But think for a moment Cassandra, do you think I taught you everything I know?"
Cassandra braced herself for anything. Her eyes scanned Ridley for anything out of the ordinary, alert for the slightest sign of an attack. And then the pain flared through her left arm.
Cassandra's eyes widened as she looked down to the limb. She now saw a black blade had sliced right through her inner arm. Closer inspection revealed that the blade had in fact originated from her own shadow.
Cassandra gasped as the pain became too much to bear before it was replaced with a tingling sensation. She moved away from the black blade just as her arm went limp. "What in the…" She huffed as blood streamed down her arm.
"Run if you want." Ridley said, keeping poised. "You'll only end up getting tired." As he finished, Cassandra registered more movement from below. She grunted as she weaved her blade around, defending herself from her own shadow as it snaked around her. Despite her skills, she could not keep up with the fluid and spastic movements of the shadowy assault. She locked blades with it, but then a part of its body twitched and a shadowy spike extended, impaling her right arm. Cassandra screamed as the spike retracted, the pain lasting for a brief moment before her right arm too went limp, causing her own blade to vanish.
"All too easy…" James said as he directed her shadow again. This time, he aimed the blade straight at Cassandra's right thigh, slicing through it right down the middle. As Cassandra screamed again, he morphed her shadow into a spike that stabbed through her other leg. Cassandra felt both her legs suddenly go numb. She fell upon her knees as her arms lay limp by her sides, her blood now staining her dress as she gritted her teeth in agony.
"Despite the difference in our species, humans and vampires are still the same anatomically." James explained as he sheathed his blade. "Even a Pureblood is helpless when their Medial and Femoral nerves have been completely disabled."
Cassandra glared at him. "So the dog loves to play with his food. You are such a twisted evil snake…"
"Thank you for the compliment milady." James smiled, causing Cassandra's lips to curl in disgust.
"Don't call me that…" Cassandra said adamantly. "I never want to be associated with someone as vile as you…"
"It's too bad…" James said as he approached her. "You'll have to live with that for a long time after this. I do have my charming moments you know? I'm sure we'll have plenty of time to find them out." As James reached for her, he suddenly turned his head back, looking toward the door. "They're already coming!? Blast it…"
Cassandra chuckled. "Seems you'll be having a very disappointing report for my grandfather. Too bad. It appears even the great James Ridley is prone to failure." James now turned and looked at her, and now Cassandra could see the malice and cruelty that existed in his eyes. It shocked her slightly, but she kept her look of defiance.
"It's too bad then." James sighed. "I'm definitely going to be reprimanded harshly for this. I suppose I'll have to settle for the next best thing." He now walked around her, and Cassandra flinched as she felt his fingers grip her jaw.
"Unhand me you wretched-" Cassandra growled but was stopped short as Ridley jerked her head to the side. She could now feel his lips press against her neck as he took a long and heavy sniff. Instantly she felt her blood run cold as she realised what James had meant by 'the next best thing'.
"Tell me Lady Cassandra…" James asked as he leaned back to stare at her alabaster skin. "How exquisite is the taste of a Pureblood?" Cassandra didn't answer. Instead, she attempted to pull away from him, making every effort to release herself from his grip. However, due to a combination of fatigue and paralysed limbs, her efforts were nothing but futile.
"I wonder what sort of power will it contain?" Ridley smiled as he focussed on the blood running through her veins. He could already feel her jugular pulsing as his fangs extended. "And how much of it will I be able to capture?"
"No…" Cassandra pleaded. "Even you wouldn't dare…"
"Purebloods are those that must be protected at all costs." Ridley stated. "The majesty and purity ingrained within their blood inspires an instinctual fear and awe in all others of their kind." He chuckled darkly as his other arm now wrapped around Cassandra and grasped her right arm. "Perhaps now, it's time for those rules to change."
Ridley now forcefully bit into Cassandra's neck, tearing apart her skin as he pierced her veins beneath. He gripped Cassandra tighter and tighter, like a predator ensuring his prey would not escape as the feasting began. He drank her blood greedily, savouring the electrical tingle that shot through his teeth and gums and permeated his body with a euphoria unlike anything he had felt before. He was completely immersed in the ecstasy of her blood that it blocked out everything, the coldness of the air, the tension of the body he gripped so tightly and the agonised screams of the young Pureblood vampire. Still, he made a note to keep track of time. The intruders were closing in, and it wouldn't be long before they made their way here. With a final sip, he finally let Cassandra go.
Cassandra gasped and cried as he relinquished his hold on her. Her head now felt light and her vision started to blur. She wondered how much of her blood James had drank to leave her so drained. She heard the clop of his boots upon the stone as he walked into her line of vision again. She looked up with a pained glare as he turned back to face her. "I hope that one day…" Cassandra gasped as she held onto the last vestiges of strength. "Someone sends you straight to hell…"
James blinked, regarding the Blood Siren one last time. The intruders were close now. It was time to make himself scarce. He now let the shadows envelop him, transporting him away from the castle and to where his master was waiting.
Cassandra did not blink for a few more seconds, wanting to be sure James was gone. Then, her vision blurred completely as her body felt heavy. She took one final glance at herself, watching as the blood gushed out from her torn neck before she fell to the side; her eyes fluttering close.
Lestat fumed as he made his way to the car. All of the work he had put into the marvellous Nightfiend was now ruined thanks to Cassandra's betrayal. He had hoped to garner more results for lord Mortis, but now it was imperative that he made his exodus before the allied forces stormed what was left of the castle.
Already his staff had been able to pack up all the necessary equipment, with the data drives backed up and uploaded to their backup facilities. The next step now was to ensure that the progress of Project Paragon would continue as planned. Lestat fingered the recording of the battle between the Nightfiend and the three intruders, most notably Yuki Kuran herself. Even if it didn't yield the desired results, he supposed that the footage would be enough to convince lord Mortis of his achievements. Perhaps then he would finally attain the rank that had been given to James the minute he had showed up.
The small convoy began to move, heading toward the mountain pass that served as their main escape route. As Lestat's car cleared the castle exit, the sound of a motorbike cut through the air.
"What in the world?" Lestat yelled as he saw the two-wheeled vehicle soar above and land upon the bridge leading into the mountain. Red blades now sprouted from the sides of the bike, carving apart the pass and launching the lead convoy vehicle skyward. It tumbled back and crashed onto the car right behind, causing it to swerve and ram into the wall of the pathway. This ended up causing the other cars to brake, jamming the road.
Lestat looked up to now see a girl dressed in the Vampire Knight uniform diving at them from the air, her red eyes glowing as she readied her rapier. Immediately, he fumbled with his seat belt, trying to leave the vehicle. As he opened the door and got out, the girl landed among the wrecked cars, her rapier stabbing into the ground. Ice immediately spread through the ruined convoy, freezing both vampires and vehicles alike. Lestat himself was not spared; frozen mid-run with his arm outstretched, his mouth open in a silent cry.
Emi stood up and brushed the dust from her clothes. "Well." She huffed as she took out a cloth and wiped her blade. "That takes care of that."
"Lady Cassandra!" Beatrice screamed as she set Yuki down and ran to the side of the motionless Pureblood. Even Ichigo and Akira were horrified by the sight of Cassandra bleeding out atop the astronomy tower. Judging by the amount of blood pooling around her body, she had been attacked not too long ago.
"Milady, please wake up!" Beatrice cried, shaking the unconscious Pureblood. Cassandra stirred slightly, but made no indication of regaining consciousness.
"Who could have done this?" Ichigo asked, checking the area for any traces of a fight. "No good, I can't find any indication to who attacked her…"
"Ridley." Akira gritted his teeth as his eyes flashed an angry red. "Only he could have attacked without leaving clues. But to think he'd go so far as to bite a Pureblood…"
"It looks like he was pretty brutal about it." Ichigosaid as he checked Cassandra's wounds. "The bastard practically savaged her."
"He was always a twisted evil wretch…" Cassandra finally breathed as she opened her eyes. However, closer inspection could see that her violet orbs were dimming and unfocused. It was apparent that she had lost vast quantities of blood.
"Milady don't speak…" Beatrice said as she cradled the Pureblood. "Conserve your strength!"
Footsteps sounded from behind. Akira turned to see his mother, his aunt and the other vampire prefects now gather here. "Akira, what happened?" Ai asked, keeping her scythe Diana at bay. "We smelled the blood of a Pureblood so we thought…" Ai stopped talking as soon as she saw Cassandra's state.
"Oh god…" Gabriella gasped. "What happened here?"
"James Ridley." Akira said. "I think he must have been sent to capture Cassandra. When it failed, this was the result…"
Ai stepped forward and examined the Pureblood girl. "She needs blood. She won't survive more than a few minutes if we let this go on."
"Her wounds are too severe." Ren stated. "She is losing more than we can give her at the moment."
"No!" Beatrice's shrill cry echoed through the air. "There… there must be something we can do!"
"Beatrice…" Cassandra smiled weakly. "Don't… It seems my time is here…"
"No…" Beatrice now began to weep, shaking her head in denial. "We can still help you… We just…"
"It's alright…" Cassandra said. "Even if I am to die, I am dying a free person. It feels so blissful despite the pain… I wonder, is this what it's like to truly be at peace?"
No one could speak as Cassandra coughed, spitting up more blood in the process. "Beatrice…" Cassandra said. "Consider this my final order to you. Serve Akira Kuran without question. He will need you more than ever for the days ahead… Help him stop grandfather… Help him end this insanity…"
Beatrice nodded, clutching onto Cassandra's hand amidst her tears. "I-I will…"
"Akira Kuran…" Cassandra called out now. "Please, take care of Beatrice… Treat her well. I promise you she will be the most loyal servant you will have."
"I will, I swear on my blood and life." Akira nodded, grimly knowing that Cassandra was now on her last breaths. As if to prove it, her breathing suddenly degenerated to short gasps that occasionally was interrupted by choking.
"How sad…" Cassandra coughed. "It seems, no one will ever hear my voice again… I'm… glad… I got to sing for… so many…"
And then, the form of Anju Cross walked past the crowd from her seated position behind the door. She knelt before the dying Pureblood, lifting her wrist and making a small incision in it with her thumb. Everyone watched as she now offered the wrist to Cassandra, her scarlet eyes facing the young Pureblood.
"What the…" Ganju exclaimed, but was hushed by a look from Ren.
"Cassandra, your time has not come yet." Yuki Kuran said, leaning to put her bleeding wrist to Cassandra's mouth. Cassandra frowned as soon as she tasted the blood. "Though faint, the power I have left is more than enough to heal your wounds."
"Why…?" Cassandra asked. "Why are you sacrificing yourself?"
Yuki smiled. "I'm no longer meant to be a part of this world. I was supposed to have died millennia ago, remember? Besides, I don't have much power left to remain in existence. And beyond that, Anju needs to actually get her life back. This one last act is the least I can do for you saving all our lives. It was only thanks to you that everyone here can live to see another day. So go and live on. You deserve that much."
Cassandra hesitated for a moment before she finally bit down on the wrist, drinking the blood down readily. The effects were instantaneous. Everyone gasped as Cassandra's wounds healed immediately, the only thing left of James's attack on her being the blood stained upon her clothes. Cassandra gasped, filling her lungs with air as she recovered completely. Her maid immediately burst into tears as she hugged Cassandra, crying with both joy and relief to know that the Kraven vampire would live.
Yuki now stood up and watched as the wound on her wrist slowly healed, frowning as she noted how slow the process currently was. "So that's it I guess… That's all that's left…". Her knees then buckled as she collapsed onto the floor. Quickly, Ichigo rushed up and grabbed her body, slowly letting her down onto the floor.
"Geez, don't do that in Anju's body will you?" Ichigo grumbled.
"Oh come on now…" Yuki chuckled. "Can't you be a gentleman for once? You'll never get married like that."
"S-shut up…" Ichigo blushed with embarrassment. "Seriously, you take these matters far too lightly."
"Can't blame me for trying to lighten the mood right?" Yuki smiled before her gaze turned serious again. "You know now don't you, who your real prey is?"
Ichigo frowned as he nodded. "Yeah. I do."
"And you know how powerful he is, and what he has at his beck and call." Yuki said. "If you wish to hunt him, you must prove yourself either stronger, or craftier."
"Got it." Ichigo nodded as he set her down, letting her sit upon the floor.
As soon as he stepped away, Yuki turned to look up at Ai and Ren. With a warm smile, she raised her arms open wide. "Come here, you two."
Instantly, Ai and Ren dropped their weapons and ran in to hug her, smothering her small body. Yuki chuckled as she stroked Ren's head. "Look at you Ren. You've become so strong, like your father." Then she turned to Ai, ruffling the vampire's brown hair. "And look at you, my dear sweet princess. You've grown so beautiful…"
"Mother…" Ai said, small tears welling up in her eyes. "Despite all these years… you have no idea how much we still miss you…"
"I've missed you too…" Yuki said. "And I'm sure that you have much you want to tell me. But now is not the time for that. I died millennia ago, and it should stay that way. You know this to be true. No longer should I hold sway over matters in this time."
Ai nodded as Ren tightly clutched her sister's hand. Yuki now hugged the both of them, smiling as her hands wrapped around their necks. "You've done so much, you've achieved more than anything I could have realised in my own lifetime. And despite all those setbacks, you both have continued to live with compassion and kindness, for both yourselves and everyone else. And though this reunion is but a fleeting one, I want you both to know how proud I am of you."
"We couldn't have done it if you hadn't taught us mother." Ren said as Ai now began to cry. "You showed us the future that was possible for both vampires and humans. This world now is a result of your own efforts. While it isn't perfect, I hope that you have seen it nevertheless."
"I have, through the eyes of this young girl." Yuki smiled. "And it is wonderful. Keep it up you two. And remember, never lose sight of who you are." They held the hug for a few more seconds before Yuki now looked up to Akira, beckoning him to come closer. Ai and Ren detected the change, standing up and moving away from her as Akira knelt down.
"My dear Akira…" Yuki smiled as she caressed his face. "At last we can have a chat. I hope you have been well? You aren't causing problems for your mother and aunt I hope?"
"I regret to say; more than a fair amount." Akira smiled sadly. "With good reason though…"
"I wonder…" Yuki said wryly. "You look so much like your Pureblood grandfather. Ai told you about him did she not? Your very presence feels so similar. Yet, it is entirely due to the fact that you are kinder than anyone could realise. Your mother must be proud to have a son like you."
"I owe her for many things." Akira nodded. "But in a way, I suppose I owe you as well… I never would have become the man I am were it not for the lessons you gave mother and aunt."
Yuki smiled. "I can't say more Akira, so I have just these few things to tell you. Cherish the people you care for with all your heart. Become a man you yourself want to be proud of, and never ever discard your dreams and hopes. You who exist with that thirst; may that thirst be quenched…"
"I will grandmother." Akira nodded. "I promise."
"And last, but not least Akira." Yuki said. "I want you to know that I love you, and will always be proud of you and everything you have done." Yuki now cocked her head to the left, signalling that deep within, Anju was speaking. Yuki now chuckled. "And Anju says: after this, she wants to have an extended vacation with everyone. And she isn't taking no for an answer."
Akira laughed as he stared back into Yuki's red eyes. "Grandmother, thank you for looking after her. Thank you... for everything."
"I had to…" Yuki replied. "She was just like me, when I was at that age. Only with a greater fire of purpose within her." Yuki now winked at him. "She's a keeper Akira."
The comment had Akira suddenly blush madly and instilled shock within everyone else present. "G-grandmother!?" He sputtered, flustered for once in his life. "W-what are you insinuating exactly?"
"Ahahahaha!" Yuki laughed. "Maybe you'll understand, one day." Yuki now looked skywards, taking in the numerous stars that hung above. "It was fun while it lasted. See you all around, I guess…" With a final breath, Yuki managed one ore glimpse of starlight before her eyes closed and her head slumped forward.
"Grandmother?" Akira frowned, observing her for any reaction. "Grandmother is everything alright?" Akira shook Yuki briefly and she stirred. When she opened her eyes again, Akira now found himself staring into brown eyes.
"Uhhh…" Anju groaned, as if she had been woken from a deep slumber. "That always feels so weird…"
"Anju?" Akira frowned, catching her attention with a mention of her name. "Anju, where is-"
"She's gone…" Anju said, her gaze turning downward. "Yuki isn't there anymore…"
Akira nodded sadly, accepting that his grandmother was now gone for good. He helped her to her feet, supporting her as she wobbled slightly. "Come now. Let us go home."
"Yeah." Anju replied. "Lets…"
Author's Note:
And now, toward the final arc of this story which I hope will be done within the year. It has been tough balancing this out with University work and other commitments, and it means a lot to me that there are people still reading it despite long hiatus's and delays. As always, please review.
Jdbl00d