Unlikely Heroes

Chapter 9: Back to That Realm and Priest Paladin

Although shaken by these recent events, the females were going to do whatever it took to survive. They weren't going to die at all. But none of them were prepared on how tough it was going to get. And attacks of these creatures were beginning to get even tougher, requiring the four to fight. It wasn't easy at first, but they had no other choice. At least the guys were there to back them up. "You've all done well so far," commented Nicholas while the entire group was training. "I have no doubt that you'll be ready for the tougher enemies when we come across them."

"There's going to be more?" Liru asked with weary.

"I have no doubt. This virus we've found can infect many things. And I wouldn't be surprised if it could adapt and evolve like regular strains of cold and flu viruses. The problem is that unlike with those, creating a cure will be much harder. In the meantime no human or animal has immunity to this."

"And then there's the problem with that other realm," stated Logan. "We haven't seen anymore of it, but who knows when it will come back. And if those who are behind this also try to tap into it, it will cause even more problems."

"Even if it can't be control?" asked Uma.

"Considering what they've created, it wouldn't surprise me in the least if they could."

"All the same the next time you come across it you'll be bettered prepared," said Nicholas. "And perhaps gain a clue or something as to who or what is behind this. If the enemy is manipulating the Otherworld."

Little did anyone know that it would play a role in what was to come. And it would begin with Uma and Logan. They had the extra charms that had been made with them and figured that the afternoon was perfect for a stroll. The sun was out and the weather was perfect. The two talked a bit, but then the female brought up a question that had been on her mind. "Say, you think I'm getting better at spells?"

"What brought that up?" he asked.

"Well… I just wanted to hear what you think."

"I think you've become a lot stronger ever since you started training. And it will grow a lot."

The female blushed but smiled up at the male. "Thank you." He nodded. She then turned her head and noticed something. "Hey… What's that?"

Logan looked and could see it; the mysterious fog from before. "Shit! Run!" He began but looked back to see Uma hadn't.

"I can't move!"

"Damn it!" The wizard managed to grab her just as the fog consumed both of them.

Both woke up next to a brick wall on a bench. "Damn…" the male cursed after both got up. "Seems we've been dragged into this place."

"We're more prepared than Pachira."

"Yeah, but this seems different than where they ended up. Keep you guard up."

The two could see how foggy the place was and that they were in some kind of city. Even the trees on the sidewalks were dead looking. But there were street signs to help show the way. However, the only building that seemed to have access was a hospital. With a nod, both went inside. The first thing the two found was a hospital map which was sure to come in handy. Both could see the place look gloomy as well. What was strange was that nobody seemed to be here. After walking a bit Uma and Logan found an elevator and they rode it up to the second floor. This area was dark. Luckily the ruin that was Foresight helped both see. They then went through another door. Inside was a few things but also a person that was making weird noises and twitching while standing up. "Miss?" asked the male. "You okay?"

She turned only to show that it was a figure covered in blood, a surgical mask, and a blank face. The creature lunged forward like a zombie and Uma screamed in terror. Logan went on the offensive and brought out his wand. With a shout the guy shot lighting at the creature and killed it. "You okay?" he asked the female.

"What was that?" she whispered.

"Not what we encountered before. Remember, if this is that realm it was probably made from your mind. Let's get out of here." Both then went into the room nearby. There was a bloody surgical chair and a mirror. But something was wrong with the reflection. Just then the sound of static could be heard. The witch and wizard looked to their left and could see a small girl of about 11. She had purple eyes and long black hair tied back by a white ribbon. This new person was standing in front of the mirror and held her right hand up to it. A bloody print appeared and this person backed off. What was weird was that she wasn't there before.

Logan and Uma went up to the mirror again. "Who are what are you?" asked the male and raised his hand up to the print. The images of him and the witch began to twitch and distort. Blood seemed to pool out from the print. After a few seconds it stopped, but looking showed the room had changed. There was blood everywhere; on the floor and walls. It looked even darker and scarier. "Are we seeing things?"

"I wish we could leave…" Uma whispered and grabbed the male's arm. "There's got to be a way out."

"I agree." Logan then noticed something in a box and grabbed it. It was some plastic lungs. The guy put them away; it could help. They then left the room and could see the hallways were the same and even had a couple more of the creatures from before. These were quickly dealt with. Then in another room a golden egg like ornament was found and taken. In another a plastic heart was obtained. Then it was back downstairs which was just as twisted and had the same creatures. But what was different was there was a place to place the gold egg. Doing so allowed a door to open. Inside this room a plastic liver was obtained. This place also had another mirror. Holding their hands up caused the area to go back to normal. A bit of exploring latter found a plastic stomach and intestines. These happened to be in a room that had a plastic dummy; one to place the parts in. Doing so caused the eyes to open and gave Logan and Uma glass eyes.

Then it was back to a mirror and the horrid version of the hospital. The two found a place to use the glass eyes and went into the room that it unlocked. After following the path, they came into a square like room. Both slowly turned and saw to their surprise and horror, a bloody corpse with no limbs or face rise up from the ground on two legs. The top of it twitched and shook in a scary, unnatural way. It lunged blindly at the wizard and witch who were able to dodge it. Suddenly the top part split open to reveal a sideways mouth with sharp teeth. Some kind of liquid was spewed out. Uma and Logan quickly had their wands out. The female brought up a protective barrier and the liquid wasn't able to reach them. "Leave this to me!" the male stated.

From his wand fire came out and engulfed the creature. While this seemed to do damage, the enemy didn't back down at all. This cycle of dodging and attacking had to be repeated a couple of more times until suddenly the thing disappeared. Then a red glowing circle with strange symbols appeared. In the middle was some kind of triangle like object. Uma went over and picked it up. "What is this?" she asked.

Suddenly the two felt they were being watched and looked to see the same girl from before. "You!" stated Logan. "What was that thing?"

"Something produced by me…" she whispered, the voice echoed. "A fear of things like that…"

"Who are you?"

"Your leader will know… Take that object back with you… It will help…"

Suddenly Logan and Uma felt vibrations in the air and their eyes rolled in the back of their skulls before passing out. Upon awakening, they could see they were back in the real world. "Did… did that really happen?" asked the female. She then looked down and saw the object that had been picked up.

"I think it did," answered the male. "Let's get back before anything else happens."

They returned quickly and told everything that happened. While the rest of the females gasped at the right parts, the males just listened the entire time. At the end Uma handed the item that had been obtained by Nicholas. The werewolf held it and examined what it was while thinking things over. He then spoke up. "And you said this… girl you saw said it would come in handy?"

"Yeah and that you would know who she was," stated Logan. "Do you?"

"Her appearance reminds me of another girl. You should remember it happened in the news about one who perished in a fire named Aya Drevis." At this the other guy's eyes went wide with shock. They did remember.

"Then… was it her ghost or spirit?" asked the wizard.

"Possibly. What troubles me is why she appeared in the Outerworld. And more importantly why you came across this." He held up the object. "Looking closer it looks like it's a piece of a large thing. You can see here that there are slots like something is made to hook up or go into them. But as for it being useful… I will need to look into this."

The guy did so and had to flip through the same books as before while everyone else did what they wanted. Nothing more was said until latter that evening when the male werewolf told everyone what he had found. "It seems you Logan and Uma have found something interesting."

"What is it?" asked the wizard. Nicholas held up the object.

"This is part of an artifact known as the Flaruos. It can be used to amplify thought. And you two found a part of it called the Future Piece. I don't know how many they are but if this was given to us then perhaps our enemy is not only trying to manipulate the Outerworld, perhaps they want to get their hands on this."

"So what now?" asked Napoleon.

"Be prepared since you may find yourself in there. And keep an eye out for Aya. She most likely will return; perhaps to help us. As well as for attacks that are happening here."

However nobody was prepared for the next encounter in their world. But the word of another attack by creatures was something that drew them towards it. This would cause someone else to get involved. But they were in a different country. The scene started at an orphanage somewhere in Rome. "Now both of you stop that," stated a male voice that had a Scottish accent. "There's no fighting between friends. How do you expect to get to heaven acting like that?"

"Sorry Father," replied one of the children who had been doing so. The older one stood up. He wore glasses, white gloves, and a long Grey overcoat that looked a bit like priest robes. A cross on a long cord was around his neck.

"Listen," he stated. "Violence is never the right answer. Expect when used against monsters." This person looked up and saw another priest approaching. He turned to the children. "Alright, I want both of you to run straight up to your rooms."

"Yes Father," the other replied, and taking the first's hand, they ran away laughing. The adults began to walk in a different direction to talk.

"So what do I owe this visit? What happened?"

"I'm afraid we've been hearing a lot of bad news coming from Japan as of late," sated the other male.

"Yeah, they're working hard to keep everything quiet."

"Vampires, werewolves, and other monsters." The first got a grin that seemed to be a bit psychotic. "They're have recently been multiple attacks from these things within their borders. Far too many to be pure coincidence."

"Well there's nothing wrong with that is there? If those things want an area that's Protestant, that's not our business."

"But there's more," commented the second priest. "We've received word that a small group has been fighting these attacks and holding a stronger front. Keeping damage to a minimum."

The first priest scoffed. "They're nothing but amateurs! They're like kindergardners compared to us! The Catholics, the Vatican, and the Iscariots! We were fighting against the forces of darkness centuries before this group even existed! So why are you here? If the problem is just in that country than surely they can take care of it on their own."

"But it's not just in Japan."

"What?!" asked the first in disbelief.

"There's been an attack in one of the cities that's Catholic." The details were quickly told. "That group is on the move, and we will not sit back and watch."

"The nerve of that group, sneaking around were they're not wanted, like they belong there. These fools are shameless it seems."

"We will teach them to know their place Fileson. They tread on Catholic land. These monsters are our to destroy. We want you to take care of this problem before they do."

"And if I should run into the group?" asked the one named Fileson.

"Just remember, we are part of God's divine instrument on earth. We do not retreat when we are challenged by heretics."

"If anyone does not love the Lord, Jesus Christ, let him be accursed at his coming; God save you from your fate, Amen," stated Fileson.

X

The others were a bit late getting to the place. But they made it otherwise. This time it was in a small village. The carnage was going on in a hospital and the sound of gun fire and blasts could be seen and heard. The guys were already in the fray, shooting down the hoard of the zombie like creatures. One shot to the head did the trick for these things. "Now it's your turn," said Napoleon in his communicator. It was heard by Pachira.

She came rolling out into a hallway below like in practice. "They're not real people," the female reminded herself as she took aim with a gun that had been lent to her. "They might as well be zombie pumpkins. They just dance. Take aim; one shot and it's all over."

The vampire then fired and managed to take out those that were near here. The others except Aiko were helping out in their own way. The female witch had caught up with Napoleon and the same with Liru and Nicholas. Pachira made it up to the same floor as Napoleon and continued to fire at the enemy. As she did, the female's senses somehow became sharper than before. Her eyes took on a blood red tint. The shots became faster and took the enemy down quicker. The male vampire managed to catch up to her. "Hey Pachira, when you aim make sure to put a bullet through the head or the heart," he stated while firing at another enemy. "Remember, these people didn't become like this by choice most likely. And so far there's no way to cure them. It's for their own sake that we put them to rest as soon as possible."

Pachira turned to face him and reloaded her gun. "Yes I understand," she responded and her voice echoed a bit. The male's eyebrows went up as he saw the change in the eyes. But the guy then smiled. Doors on this floor opened and more zombies came out. The female just smirked and charged forward, dodging the shots that were fired at her. Pachira then slid on her back and took them all out except for one. She rushed up to it and knocked it down. The female then stepped on the head and with a fiendish grin, she stomped the head to bits.

"It seems you're finally becoming a vampire like me," said Napoleon. He knew that Pachira was a sweet girl deep down. But in the heat of battle it could change anyone. This was the more darker side to her that was normally kept locked up. This time it had come forth.

Suddenly out of nowhere a shinny blade came out and stabbed Pachira right through the neck. Both vampires eyes went wide with shock and the female let out a groan. More came out and stabbed her in various areas. The female went straight to the ground. Napoleon growled and stepped forward to take a look. He could see symbols appear briefly on the handles and could see they were bayonet blades. "Blessed weapons," he snarled. Suddenly pages from a book came out and were pinned to the wall that glowed with yellow light. The male vampire turned and could tell what it was. "A barrier," he whispered.

Then came the sound of footsteps walking down some stairs and the dripping of blood. A figure came into view and it was Fileson who grinned. Two more bayonets were being wielded. "We are the servants of God and the messengers of his justice," said the male. "We are the instruments of his divine wrath on Earth. We are called upon to cleanse his kingdom burning ash from the flesh of thine enemy." The human crossed his weapons briefly into a cross like shape. "Praise to our lord." Fileson then took some steps forward with that same grin. "Beautiful moon tonight, don't you think?"

Napoleon didn't answer but bared his fangs in a snarl for this guy attacking Pachira. The female slowly raised her head up with groans. Fileson chuckled. "Your voice sounds so very lovely when you're whimpering in agony, young lady. Don't worry though. You're not dying yet. I haven't pierced your heart. It's been awhile since I've had a good hunt. I plan on enjoying this." Pachira like all vampires couldn't be affected by regular weapons and bullets. As long as holy ones didn't pierce the heart, they couldn't die, or regenerate from the wounds.

"Vatican Special Division 13; the Iscariot Organization," Napoleon state. Pachira's eyes went wide with shock, haven never heard of them before.

"Right you are," stated Fileson. "You pathetic vampire dogs. You must be part of that group who's been taking care of monsters as of late. Word has reached our ears." He began to walk forward.

"What have you done with the one in charge that we were trying to find?" asked the male vampire as he to began to walk forward.

"He's dead. Not much fun really. I didn't even have time to enjoy it." The two kept walking forward with the female watching on with nerviness. Both males then stopped with their backs to each other. "It seems you two are the only vampires left."

"Really?" asked Napoleon with a grin. Their eyes looked back for just a second. Then they whirled around; one had the bayonets ready, the other his gun. The blade parried the firearm, and both managed to get the male vampire. He groaned in pain as the blood came spilling out. Pachira gasped in shock at how fast the other was and that the guy she really liked had managed to get hit. He growled and quickly fired. The bullet got Fileson right in the forehead. There was blood and the human was sent flying back.

"You attacked me, a vampire head on in the middle of the night," Napoleon stated and removed the blades in his body. "You didn't even try to catch me by surprise. You're a brave man Father. But you're also a fool."

Pachira slowly rose up to her hands. "Napoleon..." she gasped.

"Don't talk. You've been stabbed with a blessed blade. It's one of the few things that can cause problems for us. Now, let's-" The male stopped as he sensed Fileson behind him. The male let out a chuckle and stabbed the vampire again with his blades. "WHAT?!" Napoleon asked in shock. Pachira also felt the same.

The human laughed as the male vampire managed to pull himself off of the blades. Jumping ahead to get some space, he pulled out his gun. Turning back, a volley of bullets was launched. They all found their mark, causing blood to spray out from the wounds. Fileson was knocked back as Napoleon landed. The human didn't moved for a few seconds before stirring. He got up with a grin. With a yell, the guy ran forward. The male vampire fired again, but the bullets didn't slow his opponent down. Two more bayonets were brought out and slashed at Napoleon who dodged and fired again. A few more shots were let loose and then Fileson threw his hands back. Now the vampire could see a summoning tag on the wrist part of the coat. From each four blades came which were thrown with alarming speed. The force broke the windows on the right. Napoleon just shot at these projectiles. That was a mistake as the enemy managed to grab the vampire's right wrist. The human sent the other male back into a wall and pinned his hands and body down with two more bayonets; right through the palms.

Pachira looked on with worry while the guy she liked looked on with shock. Fileson drew some blades and stood there. Now the vampires could see the bullets that had been shot into him being pushed out and the wounds closing up. "Amen," said the human with a grin.

"A re-generator," Napoleon whispered in shock. "An actual human re-generator."

"Correct. A living weapon engineered by the human race to defeat vile monsters like you." The opponent threw a bunch of bayonets right into the upper body of the male vampire. But nothing vital. The female who was watching felt her eyes go wide with worry, knowing what was going to happen next. Fileson slowly went over and with one swing of a blade, cut off the head of Napoleon. "Amen!"

Pachira gasped. "NAPOLEON!" she cried out. Fileson threw his head back and laughed long. He didn't bother with the female or head that had been sent flying to her.

"That's it?" he asked. "That's all he had? A member of a group that took down monsters was so easily defeated? What a disappointment. Bloody Protestants screw everything up…" The guy turned and saw Pachira was gone. Only some blood was left behind leaving a trail.

"Well after all that, she's still able to crawl away. It seems I may have underestimated her." Two bayonets came out to deal with Pachira.

The female vampire was panting and slowly making her way down the hall with Napoleon's head. Blood was dripping from her body caused by the one blade left in her. The rest had managed to be taken out. Pachira reached for the last one in her back. The bayonet burned her a bit, but the female managed to get it out. It did cause some pain though. After catching her breath, Pachira cradled Napoleon's head. "Napoleon…" she whispered before holding it close. "I never got to say how I felt about you… I wish the others had been there."

Suddenly a bayonet blade came out, stabbed through the head and pinned it to a wall. The female turned with a gasp. "Where do you think you're going?" asked the voice of Fileson. "There's no place to run. Ashes to ashes and dust to dust. We are nothing more than dust. And to the dust we shall return. Amen." The human came out from the shadows.

"I have to get out of here," Pachira thought with fear. "I have to escape. Just have to run and find the others." She reached for a window, but was pushed back by something that cackled with energy. The vampire cried out in surprise. "What is this?!" The female could see more pages of a bible held in place by nails.

"That is a spiritual barrier little girl," the human answered as he got closer. "It's impossible for vampiric creatures and others like yourself to penetrate it. Now settle down while I slaughter you god damn monster."

The fact the female was going to die was flashing through her mind and thoughts about what she still wanted to do in life plus Napoleon was all Pachira could think about. And stay frozen in spot. Until a voice that echoed invaded her thoughts. "This is no time to loose your head Pachira." It was Napoleon. The vampire watched his head dissolve and turn into the blood. The crimson liquid began to form words and the voice of the male spoke.

"Drink my blood Pachira." The female let out a gasp of shock. "Drink, and you shall never be helpless like this. Drink, and you shall truly become one of us. You will drink blood of your own choosing. Wondering the night. Powerful and singular. Become eternal and complete. Drink my blood Pachira. Do it to survive."

Before she could move Fileson was right behind the female. "It's over." Before the blades could be brought down, gun fire sounded out and blew the weapons to pieces. It was Nicholas and the others.

"That girl right there is with us," stated the male werewolf. "What's your business here, Paladin of Iscariot, Father Alexander Fileson?" This guy had encountered the human before and knew him well enough by face.

"So it seems the group ridding monsters makes an appearance."

"Enough," Nicholas growled. "This situation here is well under our control. Withdraw immediately. Neither our side or Iscariot can afford can afford this sort of battle. I don't care who the hell you think you are. This act of aggression ends now."

"Withdraw? Is that an order?" Two more bayonets came out. "You except the Iscariot Organization, God's own chosen instruments of judgment to just withdraw on your order when you have none? Did you really expect me to run screaming in fear from filthy monsters like yourself?" Fileson lunged forward and everyone opened fired, only to find that wouldn't work. Logan and Cosmo moved Uma and Aiko out of the path of the enemy's blade while Liru managed to jump back. Nicholas managed to draw his katana and had it stopping the attack.

"An artificially bio-engineered re-generator agent," he stated. "And they've upgraded your healing. You're a thing."

"Perhaps, but you're nothing but weak. You're worthless. And as for that pathetic male vampire who you talked about, you just miss his decapitation."

Nicholas let out a grin. "You cut his head off? Is that all?"

"What?!" asked Fileson in shock. Liru and the others drew their weapons and pointed it at the human. "Get your hands off of Nicholas right now!" the female werewolf ordered. The enemy just let out a laugh.

"It's not looking very good for you," the male leader stated. "If I were you, I would leave while I was still able."

"Have you gone insane? I'm about to paint the walls with all of you!"

"Then you'd better do it quickly! That vampire you decapitated will becoming back to life any moment!"

"He'll what?!" Fileson asked and looked behind him. Pahcira did as well and could see Napoleon's body was gone. The only thing there was a shadowy bat like figure flapping its wings.

The female vampire heard his voice. "Why didn't you just drink the blood you idiot?" Suddenly more bats came and broke the remaining windows. Fileson tried to use his bayonets, but they didn't do anything.

"Cut off his head?" said Nicholas. "Pierced his heart? He is nothing like any vampire you've ever known! You're tricks won't kill him and the same goes for the rest of us males! You may be the fruit of the finest anti-vampire technology. But a hundred years of vampires breeding produced this achievement! The crown jewel of these beings! The vampire Napoleon!" While this was being said the mass of bats merged together until the guy came back, fully healed, and ready for action.

"Napoleon!" Pachira cried with happiness.

The male drew his gun. Then he and Fileson charged forward. The result was the vampire had both his arms cut off. But looking back the human could see them regenerating. "I think you're beginning to understand," commented Nicholas. "What will you do now, Fileson?"

"I'll leave," he answered. "I need further preparation to kill this one and you." He brought out a bible and flipped the pages open. "We'll meet again soon." The pages came out and begin to glow yellow. "Next time, I'll get you." These came around the human, and flew to a window. The guy was gone.

"It's over," stated Cosmo. "But he'll be back. I know it."

"The Vatican isn't our main concern right now," said Nicholas. "The real one is the people responsible for these attacks." The rest of the group then notice Napoleon walk over to Pachira.

"Tell me, why didn't you drink the blood?" the male asked.

"I'm not sure," she answered. "I just…" Pachira went silent and Napoleon just brought the female in with his arms.

"It's okay," he responded. "I bet you were frightened. Which is why I'm going to have to train you more." She didn't answer but hugged him back. Everyone else looked on with a smile at this scene. But soon a new threat was going to happen, putting them to the first real test.