Wretchlings swarmed over the city streets as Darkcallers soared overhead, barking unintelligible orders to the rabid ones below. Brutes crashed through buildings, attacking anyone in sight be they humans, vampires, or a mix of both.
Richard grunted as he flipped away, firing round after round into Wretchlings, the spikes puncturing through their heads effortlessly. A Brute came close, roaring as it swiped at him. Richard merely jumped away and fired a larger one that blew the Brute's body apart. He then aimed and fired, this time at Katarina.
"Really!?" Katarina roared as she ducked, the round splitting open a Wretchling's head as she decapitated another.
"Really." Richard sighed as he fired round after round into multiple Wretchlings. "What am I supposed to do with a target rich environment?"
"Well, if you say so…" Katarina growled as energy built up within her. With a cry of effort, she impaled the ground with the blade. Instantly the ground below her exploded as red energy pulverized the cobblestones and right through into the earth beneath. Even the nearby buildings were not spared, their structures crumbling apart from the force of the shockwave. Paragon beasts were blown to pieces while Richard had no choice but to raise his arms, though that didn't stop his collision through multiple buildings as he was blasted away.
Katarina panted as her hair stopped glowing. A crack sounded and she now looked to see the blade starting to fragment. "Damn." Katarina cursed as she lifted it up to examine it further, causing the whole sword to crumble to pieces at last.
"Can't fight without a good weapon, and I doubt that one is dead." Katarina growled as she cast her gaze all over the desolated field she stood in. "Still, if these things are here, it would mean…"
Katarina turned her gaze toward the castle where Cassandra was. Frowning, she made her decision to immediately return, a slight dread in her heart as she did so.
"Well, I guess hell just broke loose here huh?" Rodin panted as he punched a Wretchling, its face breaking as green blood splattered all around. Some few feet away, Lance weaved through the Paragon monsters, slicing them apart while occasionally shifting his weapon to its bow form and firing at other targets. A loud roar echoed through the air as a Brute now lumbered toward them, picking up the remains of a house and flinging it at them.
Rodin ducked as he grabbed another Wretchling, crushing its skull slightly as he threw it at the Brute. The large monster merely swatted the Wretchling away and bore down on the two of them, arms ready to smash anything before it.
Lance finally turned his bow toward the Brute and fired, the arrow striking it in the eye and causing it to falter. Rodin immediately ran up to the monster and delivered a backhand, fracturing it jaw. The Brute howled in fury as it attempted to strike back. Lance immediately dashed in and sliced its arm away before making another attack on Rodin.
"Yeah, figured that'd happen." Rodin groaned as he blocked the strike, catching one blade in his gloved hand. He tugged with all his might, lifting Lance off the ground and tossing him into a building. Rodin now turned his attention to the other Wretchlings that began to swarm toward him. He punched his fists together, cracking the tendons in his neck as he faced the incoming horde.
"Okay then. Guess I'm going to be sore by the end…" Rodin sighed as he spread his legs and got into a fighting stance.
Then, something whizzed by his ear. Instantly, a blast of power detonated in the midst of the Wretchlings, wiping them all out instantly. Rodin turned to see Lance now standing with the bow drawn, black marks running down his face as his bow now revealed two menacing eyes at the riser section, while the limbs had what looked like serrated edges.
"Geez, you can't give me a break, huh?" Rodin grumbled.
"I merely want to test your strength." Lance said as he stepped forth from the rubble. "As one who was formerly number four, I had to see what to live up to."
Rodin sighed as he looked at his blackened hand, clenching and unclenching his fist. "Seems I'm not just walking away from this huh? Fine then. Just one question, you remember the stories about me when I was still running with you maniacs?"
"A few." Lance replied. "Care to enlighten me about the rest?"
Rodin now raised his blackened hand and, for the first time in years, drew upon the vampiric power within his glove. He felt the burning sensation of vampiric blood spread through his body, setting alight a power that burned like a hideous flame within his body. Slowly, black lines ran up his arm and made a splotch upon his face, covering his right eye while five crooked lines stretched across his neck. The hand now increased in size and sharpened into claws with a sinister red eye on the back and palm of his hand.
"Well, if you insist." Rodin replied as he charged at Lance. Their battle now tore the town apart, along with all the Paragon monsters around them.
Ichigo felt his own heart pounding in his chest as he beheld the man before him. His silver hair billowed slightly in the wind as he advanced, sword drawn. Beside him, he could tell Anju was trembling just as much.
"Well, the famous Hunter, Ichigo Kitsuke." Arthur smiled as he advanced. "And then the vampire-spliced human Anju Cross."
"So you know about us." Ichigo huffed as he kept his guns ready.
"Of course. Helsing likes to keep itself updated on any potential threats to our objectives." Arthur nodded. He then took a look to the crater, frowning as soon as he saw the motionless form of Giselle. "A shame. Giselle was extremely talented in her use of the Bloodbane weapon. I had hoped she would be of continual use to our goals. I must say, it is quite impressive that you bested her. Regrettably, with her completely defeated, she no longer has a place in my designs. It seems I would need to replace two Executors this day."
"Two?" Anju frowned as she stood up.
"Ah, yes. Reports indicate that the Kraven clan has attacked." Arthur nodded. "It seems Cliff has finally met his end. At the hands of Mortis Kraven no less."
Shock crossed the faces of Anju and Ichigo as the news hit. "Ichigo, we have to get back to the castle! He has to be after Cassandra!"
"Indeed. The Kraven clan Blood Siren." Arthur nodded. "It would seem I would have to make haste and kill her before she complicates things in the future."
"Kh!" Anju gritted her teeth as her eyes flashed red. Ichigo calmly reloaded his guns as he stared at him.
"Anju, get back to the castle." Ichigo said. "I'll handle him."
"You sure?" Anju breathed as she stood up. "I don't think I need to tell you that he is bad news."
"Well, we can't let Mortis get to Cassandra." Ichigo said. "So get your butt back there and make sure nothing bad happens."
"Fine then." Anju replied. "Just don't die, alright?" With that, Anju quickly flew off, Shadow carrying her quickly.
With just the two of them now, Ichigo hefted his guns, cocking their hammers. Arthur frowned as soon as he beheld Havoc and Wither.
"So, Serenity managed to complete them after all." Arthur smiled as he raised his sword, the eye-like 'jewel' at the hilt drawing caution from Ichigo. "Do show me their capabilities, if you will?"
Ichigo swallowed as he considered his odds of victory; near nothing. In all the days of battle he had lived through, he now had an idea of his opponent's strength, a warrior instinct honed into him through countless engagements and his Death Dealer training. This one? This was just as dangerous as Mortis was, he could tell that much. Despite this, Ichigo knew that he could not let him go so easily.
"I'll try not to disappoint." Ichigo nodded.
Celestine huffed in annoyance as she directed swarms of blades all around her, slicing through the dozens of Paragon monsters that encircled her. While it was easy to destroy each one, the sheer numbers had meant she couldn't completely focus on her fight with the three who challenged her.
"Really now, can't we just have a private ladies time, just the four of us?" She frowned as she impaled three Wretchlings, tilting her head to see her three opponents handling their own fights.
"Not sure if I could call it that, considering you have hundreds of blades all around to focus on everything." Emi huffed as sweat creased her forehead, exhaustion hitting from all the ice swords she had to summon in a single night. It was the only way to counter the massive amount of attacks Celestine had to use, but Emi had to supply more just to keep up with the increased power of the Executor's attacks. The swords were now moving faster and faster, becoming harder to avoid. She now ducked as a sword flew for her head, barely missing her by inches, instead slicing off a lock of hair.
Misaki thankfully had also remained mostly uninjured, her cloak having protected her from the Executor's blades. Ren however had been struck many times, purple welts appearing on her body where the cuts had been made. It was also obvious that the Grandmaster was weakening, the metallic vines growing more sluggish by the moment.
"Well, I suppose I can make do." Celestine giggled again as she sent a trio of spare swords toward the Grandmaster. Ren raised a vine to block, but this now left her open to a Brute charging at her. The Brute roared as it closed in and raised a claw to crush her. Instantly, Misaki rushed up and flicked the switch on her knife, the sigils now glowing intensely as she sliced at the Brute. The knife went through its flesh easily, causing the monster to tumble. Ren immediately finished it off, a thorny vine stabbing through the creature.
"Geez, these things are endless!" Misaki growled. "And the Executor isn't making this easier!"
"We have to stop her somehow." Ren breathed. "Then we can retreat to the castle."
"I'm almost spent though!" Emi said as she froze another group of Wretchlings before diverting more swords to intercept Celestine. Misaki frowned as she thought long and hard. She now stared at the dagger that Serenity had given her. A thought crossed her mind as she twirled the blade.
"I might have a plan." Misaki said. "Miss Ren, I'll need your help. Emi, we need a distraction!"
"Alright!" Emi grunted as she raised her rapier. With a deep breath, Emi spun around, creating a massive cloud of mist that obscured the whole area, confusing the Paragon beasts and the Executor.
"Really?" Celestine frowned. "Hiding again? So droll. How is it that we always end up with this little game of cat and mouse?"
As soon as she said this, a rumbling sounded as five metallic vines rushed from the mist and stabbed toward her. Celestine huffed as she called upon more swords to form a barrier around her, blocking the thorny vines.
"Sheesh, you'd think you'd try something more original?" Celestine groaned as she looked around. "I mean, sneak attacks are soooo predictable. You could almost see it coming."
"Then see this." Came a voice. Celestine turned to see Misaki materialize, her knife now jamming its way right into the Executor's cleavage. Blue electricity now arced across the Executor's body as Celestine shuddered against the full onslaught of Misaki's taser function. The Executor slowly lost hold of her Blood Drive, the markings on her face now disappearing as the sword shimmered and slowly melted back into one another before finally melting into the main one that was in her hand.
Misaki removed the knife, causing Celestine to fall to the ground where she jerked uncontrollably. While it was likely due to the fact that her muscles had gone taught, Misaki was pretty sure the Executor was fuming.
"Well, that smith sure doesn't pull her punches." Emi frowned as she dissipated the mist. "Basing a taser on the same seal she gave Anju…"
"Still amazed the Executor isn't even blacked out yet." Misaki said as they each grabbed a hold of one of Ren's arms and made their way back to the castle as quickly as possible.
"We can gripe on these issues another day." Ren answered. "The castle needs us!"
Akatsuki huffed as he threw more fire towards Sergei. Behind him, Hanabusa panted as he fired ice shards at the Executor who did not seem fazed by their attacks. "Well, this is quite the workout." Akatsuki huffed as he conjured more fire in his hands, blasting streams at Sergei who had begun to charge at him.
"You think fire can kill me?" Sergei roared as he twirled his hammer in his hands, smashing it to the ground and extinguishing the flames, the shockwave blasting away the ice and flames and forcing both vampires to the ground.
"Sergei, I really hope you'd be more calm about the situation…" Hugo moaned, but had to cut his complaint short as a tendril of blood sliced downward, forcing him to raise his weapon before it could strike him through the head. Immediately he twisted to deflect and electrified shortsword from Rima. "Comme c'est sournois."
"Unfortunately, we are pretty desperate too." Rima huffed as electricity crackled across her fingers and her weapon.
"I'm not a fan of my cousin's home being torn apart. So why don't we finish this up quickly now?" Senri nodded.
"Oui." Hugo nodded. "At least that, I do agree." Now, his weapon extended tendrils that dug into his arm. Unlike the time Henry and Ganju had faced him however, Hugo's transformation went further as the lance now appeared to fuse into his own arm, a single red eye now pulsing at the middle of the lance head as red vein-like patterns emerged upon the weapon's shaft. Hugo similarly developed black streaks across his face and neck as he readied himself. As Wretchlings attacked from behind, he spun, quickly slicing them in half.
"Calm Hugo?" Sergei chortled. "Speak for yourself. You already using Blood Drive at full."
"We have an objective to capture, do we not?" Hugo frowned. "I doubt Arthur and Hagan would be so understanding of failure."
"You speak truth." Sergei nodded as his own weapon extended dark tendrils into his arm. The hammer head now grew extra spikes as the pulsing eye in the middle enlarged. Sergei himself now has black splotches running across his head and arms, his veins now bulging red through his own skin.
"It seems now we have a fight." Hanabusa nodded as ice gathered in his hands.
"Well, then I suppose we should hurry up and finish this." Senri frowned as his blood coiled around him, flattening out and now resembling a sharp blade.
"Yes, we should…" Hugo nodded as Sergei raised his hammer again. The four noble vampires readied themselves for another bout.
Then, the earth beneath them cracked and split. Hugo and Sergei looked as the ground under them opened up, their forms now falling into the dark below as the ground covered itself up. The four nobles now watched as Ganju and Henry approached them.
"Ganju?" Akatsuki frowned. "What is going on?"
"Gramps! Mortis just busted through with a huge amount of Paragon beasts behind him! Akira is busy with holding back the tide, so we need to get back inside and hold him off while Cassandra gets secured!" Ganju said.
"Hard when those two are still raring to go!" Rima remarked as the ground cracked and quaked, evidence that the Executors were trying to break through.
"Then let us even those odds!" Akatsuki said as he slammed his palm into the ground, conducting a vast amount of heat to where Ganju's underground prison was. "All of you, follow Henry back in. We'll hold these two for as long as we can!"
"Don't get too crazy here." Hanabusa nodded as he turned and headed back toward the castle, the others following suit.
"Think you can handle it gramps?" Ganju grunted as he strained against the two Executors struggling to break free.
"Don't count me out just yet…" Akatsuki huffed.
Akira impaled another Wretchling through the head as his familiars rose up against a Darkcaller, tearing it apart. Akira now rose into the air, his sword slicing through another before he landed amidst a horde of Wretchlings, tearing them apart.
"Pretty exemplary Kuran." Serenity smiled. "But you really should go after the ass hat that just tore a new one through your home."
"I will not leave you defenseless against this horde." Akira replied as he cut a Brute's head clean off. "Besides, Mortis will find that my mother is not so easy an opponent."
"Well, I'll hold you to that." Serenity said as she slowly walked to the door, her injuries slowing her down. "Though I do admit, extra data works just fine. I might be able to tweak the rest now to better suit your friends' weapons."
"An interesting revelation." Akira smiled. "I can't wait to see them." He now turned his attention to more of the beasts that charged the wall.
Suddenly, a ghastly screech echoed through the air. The Paragon monsters all stopped, cocking their heads to the right. Akira and Serenity frowned at the unnatural behavior, which turned to surprise the moment they turned away from the castle.
"That was odd as fuck." Serenity blinked as she reached for the door handle. "The hell was that all about?"
"I don't know." Akira breathed. "But I do not like it." He scanned his surroundings, alert for the slightest danger.
Then, something rammed into him from the side, driving him to the ground. Akira recovered, getting onto his feet to stare at his assailant, his eyes widening.
The creature that attacked was unlike anything he had seen before. Four bat-like wings emerged from his back while its bat like face growled, fangs gleaming in the light. But what stunned Akira more were the clothes worn by the monster and the black sword that hung by its hip. The creature now descended, its body shifting and morphing to finally reveal a human visage and brown hair. Akira snarled, recognizing him immediately.
"Hello there." James Ridley said as he smiled cruelly.
Author's Note:
So, to explain the delay in this chapter, the recent months have been draining for me. With colleagues at work leaving to pursue other professions, things have been piling up lately and it wasn't too easy to continue this when I was exhausted. I hope for your patience and understanding if other subsequent chapters experience similar delays.
For now, I will soon be ending this particular arc in the next chapter, so please keep reading and reviewing!"
Jdbl00d