He thought about Viktoria's proposal for quite a while and soon, before he knew it, it was almost 12 midnight on the day of the full moon. Was Cole worth risking his life? He thought about it and, remembered the night when Cole saved him from certain death. He almost died out there but still, Cole risked his neck to help him escape.
He stood by an old tree near the place where he was to make his exchange. He knew that Truart wasn't coming alone. A cold wind swept through his cloak and as it did, he made his decision. He went to the place where Viktoria made her offer. He heard the rustle of leaves and knew quickly that Viktoria was there.
"Viktoria…I… I accept your offer but…" Garrett said with a hesitant voice.
"But what?"
"Tell me first what you want in return. You can't be doing this for me without a price."
"I am only doing this because I want revenge. Truart killed my old faithful allies. He shall pay for their deaths."
"Fine." Garrett said in a cold tone.
"But wait! To ensure our victory and to make sure we don't double-cross each other, we must drink each other's blood. This is an old ritual made by our kind when fighting with humans." She said in a hushed tone. "If someone does not keep his/her word, he/she shall die a most painful death. We shall obtain each other's powers for one hour but after that, it will fade away. Now, put your arm here."
Viktoria grabbed a dagger and made a big cut on Garrett's arm. She pressed the arm firmly then blood slowly dripped from his arm. Garrett felt a sudden rush f pain as Viktoria pressed his arm. She put a goblet under his arm and soon it was halfway full. Viktoria then grabbed another goblet and also made a big cut across her arm. Her face didn't show any pain as green blood dripped from her arm. She gave the goblet with her blood to Garrett then drank the blood of Garrett with ease.
"Now drink it." Viktoria said.
Garrett looked at Viktoria with a suspicious glare then drank the green blood. As the green blood touched his throat, he felt an agonizing pain going through his whole body. He hollered in pain as he drank the last drop of blood.
"I am used to doing this so I have learned to bear the pain of drinking human blood. Soon you'll learn to bear the pain itself too."
After a few minutes it became quiet. All that can be heard were wind blowing on the trees. Garrett soon found himself lying by his side on the ground. He looked at his hands and felt no pain. He looked at where Viktoria made the cut and it was gone too. As his vision came back, he saw standing by his side was Viktoria. She looked at him with no expression and said, "We must go. Time is running out. We have ten minutes left before 12 midnight!"
Garrett stood up; still groggy after the painful experience but he knew that he still had something to do. They went to the place where Truart said they'd meet. Garrett hid in the shadows and saw Truart. There had been 8 hammerites guarding him from all sides. He saw that Truart was holding a knife to Cole's neck and he began shouting…
"Garrett! Come out now! I know you are there somewhere, hiding in the shadows! Your little friend will die if you don't give us what we want!"
"What a coward." Garrett whispered to himself. Viktoria signaled Garrett what to do. Garrett drew his bow and water arrow and prepared to shoot. He aimed at the lampposts and put it out quietly. The guards were startled. Soon, the only thing lighting the place was the gas lamps that the hammerites were holding. Garrett saw that one hammerite was off guard. He took out his broadhead arrow and shoots the hammerite at the head. Viktoria crept quietly and killed two more.
"Give it up Truart! You'll never win against me!" Garrett shouted.
"That's where you're wrong Garrett! I never underestimated you!" Truart said with a cold echoing laugh.
Garrett felt a stabbing pain in his left shoulder. He touched his left shoulder with his right hand and saw blood dripping out. He looked behind him and saw that one of Karras' machines had stabbed him. He dropped a bomb under it and leaped to another shadow. The explosion destroyed the machine but led the hammerites to where he was hiding.
Garrett didn't notice the trail of blood he left behind and so, two hammerites noticed this and followed the blood trail. Garrett saw the hammerites and he slowly draws his sword. The hammerites saw a reflection of light on the sword and quietly moved closer. As they were two feet away from him, he swiftly drew the sword and stabbed it into the first hammerite. The second one saw this and launched a frontal attack to Garrett. Somehow, he was able to dodge it and soon, they were in a sword fight.
Truart saw this and let out a crooked laugh…
"You see Garrett, you won't stand a chance against all of my hammerites and soon, one of them is going to end your misery!" Truart said with a confident grin.
Truart failed to notice that Viktoria had once again killed 2 more hammerites that were guarding him. Soon, there were just 3 hammerites left. Or so they thought.
Garrett saw that 3 hammerites were left and finished off the one he was fighting…
"Get ready to die, Truart! You've REALLY underestimated me!"
"The fun has just started Garrett!" Truart shouted.
From the darkness, a hundred guards marched through and revealed themselves. Garrett was shocked and realized that Truart wasn't bluffing. Viktoria was quite surprised too. She went to Garrett and gave him a seed.
"If something goes wrong use this. I'll go and distract them while you get your little friend." Viktoria said.
"Fine" Garrett put the seed in his pocket and swiftly rescued Cole.
"Now leave! Leave now!" With one last breath, Viktoria let loose tangling vines from her body. She disappeared in the blanket of vines along with the hammerites.
Garrett ran away carrying Cole farther and farther away until the marketplace became only a blur.
Something, which wasn't expected, happened. Apparently, someone hit Garrett at the back, which made him unconscious.