Ai sat with Ren in the state room which, miraculously, had been spared the majority of the carnage. Ai rubbed her shoulder, still positive she was feeling an ache there somewhere despite having taken about a day to recover.

"I'm sorry sister." Ren said as she fingered the bandage upon her head. "Mortis's summon was far stronger than I imaged. Even Night Rose couldn't hold it at bay completely. It simply broke free and struck at you. I am ashamed of my failure."

"None of us anticipated that from Mortis." Ai reassured. "His power his exponential, perhaps even greater than mine. Should we face him, we will have no choice but to do it together."

"Indeed." Ren nodded.

"For now, how bad is it? How many casualties did we suffer?" Ai asked.

"We lost about a third of the castle guard, almost thirty in all, against Mortis and his entourage." Ren said. "Against the various Executors of Helsing, a hundred of our knights are wounded, and seventy-two dead. We are still trying to get an idea of civilian casualties."

"Blasted Helsing." Ai gritted her teeth in anger. "They simply slaughtered anyone they saw. They truly are terrorists."

"Well, compared to us, I believe they suffered plenty of losses as well. We repelled most of their troops, and thanks to Anju, we bested an Executor. The fifth of them I believe." Ren reported.

"And the eighth has been killed by Mortis." Ai sighed. "However, considering our failure to protect Cassandra, this is nothing more than a pyrrhic victory. Who knows what he will do now that he has the Blood Siren again. And this time, there is nothing stopping him from exploiting her all he wants."

"At the very least, we must assume that the next time we battle, Mortis's power will have grown." Ren nodded. "We must recuperate all our strength before we face him again."

"Indeed." Ai nodded. "I can only hope whatever strength we have left is sufficient enough."

"That aside, I did hear that smith had something she feels could help even the scales." Ren nodded. "Haven't heard a peep from her since the battle, but it seems that her workshop has been going non-stop."

"Well, if Ms. Serenity is on it, I suspect we might at least be able to deal with whatever else Mortis decides to toss at us." Ai said. "Did she say anything about what she is working on?"

"Haven't the slightest idea. But if memory serves, she crafted something for Akira that helped him overpower the eighth Executor. She has been trying to perfect it ever since." Ren reported.

"Well, let's hope she gives us an update promptly." Ai answered. "For now, everyone needs a bit of rest. Tonight, we will meet again to discuss our next steps."

With the presence of training halls for the vampire knights in Kuran town, there was also the necessary facilities to help treat any injured knights returning from the field. While often these facilities would be bustling, this time around they were cramped. Injured vampire knights were laid out even in the hallways while those more severely injured took up the infirmary beds. Any available individual was tasked with treating their wounds as best they could, though the overwhelmed medical staff were already feeling the brunt.

In a separate room, Serenity sat together with Anju, Ichigo, Misaki, Akira and his classmates. None had any idea as to why they were summoned, save for Anju whom Serenity wanted to have a look over. But since Serenity had called for them, they came. They knew how important it was, and how terrible it could get to refuse the vulgar woman.

Anju put her shirt back on, fastening the buttons quickly and then reached for the waistcoat.

"Seriously kid." Serenity huffed. "There is a limit to how much damage you should tank in a fight. Didn't we tell you that?"

"I tried." Anju breathed as she put the waistcoat back on. "Giselle was a lot tougher than I expected."

"Yeah well, maybe this'll teach you to wait before you go charging in against a maniacal kid." Serenity noted. "Then again, maybe you didn't have much of a choice. Still, you might want to watch yourself. The clothing I gave you is tougher than nails, but it isn't completely invulnerable. You get careless, and one of these days something'll spill your guts for sure."

Anju nodded, not intending to argue. It was beyond excruciating when Giselle had cracked her spine and most of her ribs in a single strike.

"Alright." Serenity nodded. "Everything checks out and you're good. Now head outside while I get some things ready."

"What things?" Anju asked as Serenity strode to the door.

"You'll see in a bit." Serenity answered as she walked away. Anju stood up, stretching for a bit. She felt as Shadow materialized and draped itself over her. Silently thanking the entity, she strode to the door, opening it into the main room where the rest were gathered at.

Rodin waved at her as she entered. "Giselle is all tied up down in the cells. She's also hooked up to Serenity's artificial blood solutions." He now sat down next to Anju, looking at her with amazement. "Seriously though, never thought you two would be able to take Giselle out. She's only a kid, but she's strong as hell."

"I had help from Ichigo." Anju said, nodding toward him. "But even more so, that new power that woke within me…"

"Yeah, I heard." Rodin nodded. "Serenity already told me of her theory on how you destroyed Jerome's Bloodbane weapon. Considering that, what happened to you does make sense."

"In the past, Purebloods would devour each other for greater strength." Emi nodded. "So if you 'devoured' a Bloodbane weapon, it would sound reasonable that you absorbed its powers as well, considering such a weapon is similar to a Pureblood."

"It could be entirely possible that Giselle's power transferred to you too." Shinji nodded.

Anju looked at her hands. "What could Giselle do exactly?"

"The name we had given it was Perforation." Rodin explained. "She coats her claws in an energy that vaporizes whatever it touches. Even Serenity's clothes won't do jack on that. If you could use it, maybe we'd get the edge we need against the other Executors. Just don't go touching your friends with it, lest you want to see them full of holes."

"Yeah, hard pass on that one." Henry nodded, earning him a light smack from Ganju.

"I'll make a note." Anju nodded as she looked to her fingers, already imagining how even a poke with a finger could potentially kill. "So, for what reason did Serenity call you all here? Knowing her, it's definitely not just for a talk."

Rodin smirked. "It's presents. I'm sure of that." He now gestured to Akira with a smile. "How did it feel kiddo? Using that sword she dropped for you?"

Akira looked to his fingers. "Like nothing I've ever felt. I wonder what it was? She said it caused quite some injuries to her."

"Serenity doesn't balk at trying to make a new discovery." Rodin answered. "It's kinda like her ecstasy drug. It sets her engine going like nothing else in the world."

"She did say she was a researcher." Gabriella nodded.

"And a hell of a smith." Ganju added. "I'm sure all armorers and engineers the world over would want a chance to pick at her brain with all the things she's done."

"Good luck with that." Henry smirked. "There is an extreme likelihood she'll turn a shotgun up your nostrils."

"Nah, she does worse." Rodin said. "Especially when she feels like you deserve it."

"Still, I am interested in what she is about to present us." Shiki said. "And if it gives us the kind of edge we need against those Executors and Paragon beasts, I'm all for it."

"Especially after we heard that Ridley has a Paragon body of his own." Emi frowned. "As if that wretch couldn't become more troublesome."

"Well, glad you guys are at least interested." Serenity grumbled as she opened the door. "Now, if you'd like you can come in here and see what I've got." The room occupants looked at each other before following Serenity into the room that served as her personal lab. The vampires couldn't help but frown at the massive cloth draped over a section of the place.

"What is that supposed to be?" Ganju frowned.

"Just a little something I managed to cook up whilst you all were busting your asses." Serenity said as she walked forward and pulled the cloth off. As the cloth fell away, the young vampires looked on, their eyes widening with wonder.

"Whoa…" Gabriella blinked.

"What in the world is that?" Emi blinked as she stepped forward.

Serenity regarded them all for a few seconds before she cracked a wide smile. "Why don't I tell you as you try them out…"

A few hours later

"Thank you for attending, esteemed vampire representatives and members of the Hunter Association." Ai said as she sat within her throne room with the rest of her trusted nobles, observing the screens of various vampire nobles and Pureblood lords worldwide through the emergency virtual meeting. "Before we proceed, I would also like to express my gratitude for the aid you all have sent in repelling the attacks. While I wish it were under better circumstances, we must act with haste and purpose."

"Indeed." Isaya said on his screen. "There can be no delay now that Mortis seems to be putting the final act of his plans into motion."

"Now that he has the Blood Siren, I expect he will move without delay." A Pureblood spoke in response. "He may even do so at the expense of her life."

"That assumption is most likely true." Ren nodded. "He only needs the Blood Siren to confer her powers to him. Once that is over, she would have outlived her usefulness, evident that he was so content with draining her dry."

"We must attack with our full might!" One exclaimed. "Encroach on Mortis's door with all we have and destroy him!"

"Agreed!" Came another.

"My lords, calm down!" Ruka said. "While such actions may be needed, it is pointless if we don't know where Mortis is! Until we do, we will not be able to act!"

"Indeed, though hopefully Katarina Kraven can help." Ai nodded. "She was part of Mortis's inner circle and would no doubt know where they are hiding."

"Can we be certain of her aid?" Asked a German vampire. "From what I heard, she wasn't very cooperative despite the requests by her sister."

"I intend to seek her aid the minute she is medically cleared." Ai nodded. "Of course, in lieu with such concerns, I am also having my available forces scouring the world for any signs of them."

"What of our battle power?" Lord Li asked. "The damage is quite severe for the main force of Roseland's Knights."

"We will make do." Ren said. "I have made it clear that for now, recuperating the injured is top priority. And thankfully, we have that smith to help with it. My estimate is that most of our forces will recover within the week."

"But that may not be enough!" Another vampire said. "Their military prowess is too overwhelming, between Paragon beasts and Helsing's Bloodbane weapons, we are severely lacking."

As Ai moved to answer, the door was pushed open, with Serenity and Rodin walking through.

"Apologies for the interruption your Majesty." Rodin said. "But we would like to give an update on that. Or rather, Serenity has an update on that."

Serenity now came forward, holding the experimental dagger recovered by Emi and Shinji from Berlin. "Firstly, I want to be able to alleviate our current concerns about Helsing's Bloodbane weapons. This dagger that was retrieved by two knights indicates that the assholes are trying to replicate Bloodbane weapons without the use of Pureblood DNA. Currently, it is confirmed that, while they can seriously make any vampire cry like an overgrown baby, they aren't that effective to be used in exterminating all of vampire-kind. However, it is also apparent that they possess a ridiculous resilience against being blown up. Observe."

Serenity now pulls out a grenade, shocking everyone but Rodin, along with a cloak which Ai recognized as one of her blast-proof creations. Pulling the pin, Serenity placed the grenade next to the dagger and then wrapped the cloak over it. As soon as she let go, she retreated a few steps before the grenade went off, the explosion forcing the cloak to violently puff up and the smell of gunpowder to fill the room. Walking to the wrappings, Serenity pulled them off to reveal the dagger intact, though not much could be said for the floorboards.

"So yeah, you see that shit." Serenity remarked.

"We are well aware of the resilience of Bloodbane weapons Ms Serenity." A vampire said.

"And thankfully, I have found a way to destroy them." Serenity said as she turned her gaze to the door. Everyone turned to see Akira and the others now walking in. It was then that everyone's eyebrows shot up. It was plainly apparent that the weapons they were carrying did not seem natural.

Emi carried in a rapier that was white as snow, except that snow also appeared as if it was stained with blood as attested to the splotchy red dots upon the blade with accompanying Hunter runes. For Shinji, it was as if the new Kusari-gama was connected by a living piece of muscle, seeing how the chain glowed with an eerie red that also snaked its way up the weighted end and sickle.

Ganju now walked in with an axe that looked like it had cleaved through thousands of butcher shops without ever being washed, as if gore and entrails had now tightly wrapped themselves upon the massive axe blade that was as black as obsidian.

Gabriella carried no weapon, but the grey dress she wore was adorned with crimson strands that flowed out like macabre wings from her neckline and the waistline.

Finally, Henry sported two katanas that looked like blood was weaved through the steel, appearing as a red-stained wavy hamon pattern upon the blade, with red cloth wrapping upon the handle.

"What have you been up to Ms. Serenity?" Ai asked, half-frowning, half-smiling.

"Our answer to the shitheads at Helsing, and their weapons." Serenity smirked. "Now then, maybe one of you can come forward and demonstrate."

"Allow me." Emi said as she moved forward, raising her blade. Lifting it in front of her face, Emi pointed the rapier's tip toward the dagger lying on the ground. With an exhale, she drove the blade into the dagger. In the instant the blade struck, both the rapier and dagger glowed a blood red. Sparks began to fly as the weapons seemed to battle each other.

Finally, the dagger began to crack and crumble. The dagger's glow now died as it broke apart, red fluid now leaking from the broken pieces and the handle. Emi pulled the blade back, watching as her rapier's glow ceased.

"Impressive." Ren commented as she walked forward to the dagger. "Pray tell, what just happened?"

"It's something I gleaned thanks to our little Anju Cross." Serenity explained. "See, Bloodbane weapons are built from the life essence of a Pureblood vampire. I merely decided to respond back with aspects of a Pureblood itself, and the data I received from our Kuran prince proved everything to me."

"Oh?" Ai blinked as Akira walked in, bearing the same sword he was given to by Serenity in his battle with Cliff.

"I won't bore you with the process, but it was a brainwave that came out thanks to Anju Cross, and proven with Akira's little bout." Serenity said. "Thanks to a generous donation of Pureblood vampire spliced human blood, I was able to develop these bad boys. The human DNA bypasses the Hunter protection, while the Pureblood DNA devours the vampire factor fused to the weapon. I call them Banedrinker weapons." Serenity frowned for a bit before finally speaking: "Okay, now that I say it out loud, I realise just how shitty that name sounds."

"Hold on. What did you mean by donation?" Ai frowned, as did the rest of the vampires in the room.

"With consent, I should remind you all." Serenity scowled. "And it worked just like regular Pureblood vampires did, with one vampire factor devouring another." Silence stretched through the room as everyone processed this. No one said it, but all believed they knew what Serenity was talking about.

"I see." Isaya nodded. "Yuki was amongst the most powerful of our kind in recent centuries, and also a Kuran. If we consider that, it is also possible that her blood is capable of devouring that of the other Bloodbane weapons Helsing uses. In essence, Ms. Serenity has recreated a Pureblood battle in a different way."

"Glad you get it." Serenity nodded. "And I also gave a little more Ooomph into the thing as well. Now, which one of you wants to try?" She gestured to the teenage vampires as well.

"Let me." Shinji said as he raised the weapon. Slowly, he focused as the red chain began to glow, electricity starting to spark up and down the blade and weight. Slowly, the blade morphed, becoming akin to jagged teeth while the weighted edge formed red spikes all over. Shinji's very appearance also began to change, his eyes turning blood-red as red marks appeared on his hands, snaking up to his elbows. Red electricity crackled around him, causing sections of his hair to stand up and make him look more menacing than before.

"So, how do you feel kiddo?" Serenity asked.

"Exhilarating…" Shinji panted. "As if, I have enough power to light up a building."

"Now don't go getting ideas." Serenity said. "You've still got a long way to go before being able to use Blood Drive without cooking yourself."

"You managed to replicate Blood Drive for our knights." Ai nodded, smiling now. "Indeed this will provide the edge we need."

"So long as they put in a few hours a day to master this, we'll likely be as prepared as we can be." Serenity nodded. "Rodin will handle them with all the training he can give them."

"Don't expect me to go easy kids." Rodin smiled as he cracked his knuckles. "You'll need to do all you can if you want to beat the Executors."

"And as for the Hunter Association, I have plenty of other ideas to give you an edge without killing you." Serenity nodded. "Just send some grunts my way to help with the heavy lifting, and make sure they can put up with my crap."

"Very well." Marcus nodded. "I'll delegate some staff to you immediately."

"Alright then." Ai stood up. "It seems we have work to do, and battle plans to draw up. Regarding the arming of our forces, I leave that to Serenity and any knights available to assist."

"All that is left is finding the location of Helsing's base." Ruka remarked. "Which we are worryingly placing on the shoulders of Katarina Kraven. You really think she'll talk?"

"Big sis Ruka, and all others, I simply ask for time." Ai replied. "Katarina is still recovering and…" Suddenly, the door burst open. Everyone turned to see Katarina Kraven standing there, bandages still on her body with Anju by her side.

"Ms Kraven!?" Ai exclaimed as Katarina barged in. "You are still wounded."

"Sorry!" Anju said. "I tried to convince her to stay while we came to get you but…"

"An island near the Bermuda triangle." Katarina explained. "That is where he is holed up."

The room went silent as Ai stood up. "So, I take it you've made up your mind?"

"I have. My only regret is that I took too long to do so." Katarina grimaced as she straightened. "All my life, since my mother died, I believed his way was the only one; to show the humans that they couldn't simply toy with our lives, that we were still the dominant race upon this earth. But now I see it was just a lie. He merely wants power, the power to rule all, forever."

"Forever is something even we vampires do not have claim to." Akira spoke. "After all, who is to say that our lives wouldn't erode, even if time cannot touch us."

"You've shown me that much." Katarina nodded, especially toward Anju. "After all, I never believed I could soften the way I have. And I never believed that I would act the way I have over the last few hours."

"Better late than never as the humans say." Ai nodded.

"I hope it isn't too late." Katarina gasped as a new wave of pain hit, forcing her to grab her side. "At least to save Cassandra."

"Then we have little time to waste." Ai agreed. "Now, here is our next plan. We get all our forces into tip-top fighting condition and ensure we get well armed. I hope Serenity will help us there."

"Putting me through the grinder." Serenity nodded. "Not that I mind. But you'd better give me the hands I need if you want me to meet that deadline."

"That I shall." Ai nodded. "As for me, Ren and I will continue to draw up our battle plans, and I hope Katarina can be available for that as well, considering her knowledge of the Kraven clan's stronghold. That is of course, once she is better."

"As you command." Katarina bowed.

"And as for the rest, nothing but preparation for the battle ahead." Ai said.

"As you command." The knights in the room bowed.

"Very good." Ai now gazed at the ones who intruded on the meeting. "Now go whilst I make the appropriate preparations."

Katarina slowly walked back to her room, now starting to limp. Before she had done everything to stand up tall and proud, but little did anyone know that she was reaching the limit of her endurance. Finally, she slumped to the side, bracing herself against the wall.

"You ought to get some nourishment." Akira said from behind her, holding up a glass of Serenity's blood solution. "I'm told this is quite effective."

Katarina huffed as she took the glass without arguing, downing its contents in a single gulp. Akira was right. Despite her misgivings about the foul-mouthed smith, the artificial blood was beginning to work wonders. "I wonder how that human thought of this."

"We all wonder." Anju remarked jokingly, but immediately her face turned serious. "So, you ready for this?"

"I have to be." Katarina said as her hair began to glow again. "I will add my strength to yours and Queen Ai's. However, all I ask for in return is that she gives me custody of my sisters. I promised my mother that my siblings would be safe, and so I shall do so. Even if they have to face judgement for their crimes, I will not simply hand them over to just anyone."

"A compromise that my mother will discuss." Akira nodded as he stretched out his hand. "I welcome you, Lady Katarina Kraven. I hope you are as staunch an ally as you were a foe."

"You will find I am every bit, and perhaps more, Lord Akira Kuran." Katarina grasped his hand, shaking it. "At least, once I am recovered."

"I'm certain you can manage." Akira smiled.

Anju now frowned. "Why is Mortis so set on ruling the world? He must have a reason…"

"My only guess is that he is infatuated with our clan's history." Katarina sighed. "In the distant past, the power of the Blood Siren made the Kraven clan unstoppable across the world. It seems he wishes for that again."

"Whether that is truth or not matters not." Akira nodded. "Mortis is simply now a tyrant who wishes to destroy the peace and coexistence we have built, as did the ancient vampires of old that my ancestors had to fight. I will not stand for this."

"None of us will." Anju said as she looked at Katarina, who nodded as well. "So let's do this. Together."

"On that, I can agree." Katarina nodded.

"Yaaaay. Group hug and all." Serenity droned lazily behind them. "Now, if you are done with wasting time, I have shit that requires your attention Katarina Kraven. Especially if you are still bent on kicking your grandad's monstrous ass."

Katarina sighed, obviously not used to being addressed so coarsely. "This will take getting used to, won't it?"

"You have no idea." Anju nodded.

"Well, let's get it over with." Katarina huffed as she followed the smith. Just hold on a little more Cassandra. I am coming.

"You've done well James." Mortis smiled at the transformed James.

"You flatter me my lord." James said. "Though I can't quite say if I would have prevailed against Akira Kuran on my own, considering that he was already weakened by the fight against the Executor."

"Mm, perhaps." Mortis smiled. "And yet, you proved equal to a Pureblood boy who once you would have scurried away from."

"I accept your praise sire." James replied.

"Be that as it may, I do believe your assessment of the situation back in Kuran town is accurate. Thus, I have commanded that you will receive more to supplement your already vast abilities, with discretion of course." Mortis said.

"Of course milord." James said as he stood up.

"Now then, go and await me at the labs." Mortis smiled. "I will be there once I'm finished with my business here."

"And what of the other Pureblood lords and ladies who have flocked to our side?" James asked. "They have been enquiring to your gift for them."

"Tell them that progress takes time, and even more so when a war is being fought." Mortis answered. "That, and a brief reminder of my prowess should at least silence them for the time being."

"As you command." James said as he took his leave. Mortis now turned away and strode to the basement of the castle. Descending the stone stairs, he finally reached the dungeons hidden well below the surface, walking toward the furthest cell from the entrance.

"Comfortable my dear?" Mortis smiled upon the naked being in the cell, chained by her wrists to the wall.

Cassandra looked up, her grimace accompanied by bruises and cuts on her face while her disheveled hair hung across her features. "If you think I'm still buying your false concern, then piss off."

"How vulgar." Mortis shook his head as he snapped his fingers, commanding the guard to open the cell door and letting him walk in. "Verona would disapprove of such language."

"Don't you dare use her name!" Cassandra spat. "You allowed her death all those years ago so you could better use me, you twisted evil…" Cassandra barely finished before Mortis slapped her.

"Insolent child." Mortis growled. "But at least I won't have to deal with your resistance any longer, now that I have all I needed from you."

"You won't win!" Cassandra spat. "Anju, Akira, everyone will stop you!"

"I doubt it." Mortis smiled. "Soon, the culmination of all my efforts will bear its final fruit. And once more, the Kraven clan shall ascend, unopposed as we were in the past. A pity that you won't be part of it." Mortis's hand now morphed into its bestial form, his claws flexing. "I must say, the power of the Blood Siren is indeed incredible. And finally, it can be used in its best way."

Mortis quickly grasped Cassandra's head, forcing her to look at him as his sclera turned black and his hair turned red. "Fret not Cassandra. Soon, all of this will be over. Whilst you have served my purposes, I can't simply allow you to run freely like you did before."

"No!" Cassandra struggled against him. "Don't!"

"Goodnight my foolish granddaughter." Mortis said as he channeled the power he had spliced into himself, unleashing it all upon Cassandra's mind. "Sleep, forever…"

Author's Note:

And finally I can get started on the climax of the final arc! My only hope is that with the current long period of leave I'm taking from my job, I will be able to finish this by 5 months max.

Till then, please be patient for the next chapter, and do read and review!

Jdbl00d