The gargoyles bounded towards them. In one, the intruders transformed into drooling, snarling werewolves. The gargoyles roared and leapt at the intruders. They fought each other fiercely, the slashing of claws and grinding of teeth echoed around the island. One gargoyle was defeated. It was thrown off the stone walkway and lay motionless ten feet below.
A gargoyle grabbed one of the werewolves. He threw it bodily onto the stone walkway. The gargoyle took off and landed on top of the flailing werewolf, using its sharp claws to tear it to pieces. Another gargoyle fell at the hands of the werewolves. This was followed by another gargoyle, and another.
The Volkihar clan sat at the table in Great Hall. From their seats they could hear the commotion outside. The roaring of the gargoyles sent shivers down their spines. They looked over at the front door. Lucinda leapt up and dashed across the hall. She leapt up the stairs and pressed her ear against the door. She heard the roars of the gargoyles and the werewolves.
She turned to look at her sister and Valerica.
"Werewolves," she said. "Lots of werewolves."
"Oh dear," said Valerica. "That's not good."
"Those foul creatures really like Castle Volkihar," said Valeria.
She sprang up and went to retrieve her Daedric bow and a quiver of silver arrows.
"How many of those have you got?" asked Lucinda.
"Not many," replied Valeria. "Perhaps about a dozen."
"Make each shot count," ordered her sister.
Valeria nodded as her sister raised her silver sword. Valerica summoned a Daedric Warrior to assist them. Its ebony skin glowed in the firelight and it drew its enormous Daedric Sword.
The door began to rattle as the werewolves approached it.
"Shall we split up?" asked one of them.
"No need," said Vilkas. "I think they know we are here by now."
They slammed on the door. It shuddered but didn't open. The struck it again, it didn't open.
"Fus Ro Dah!" shouted a voice. There was a rush of air and the sound of bodies being slammed against the door. The girls looked at each other.
"Father," they said in unison.
Stefan approached the werewolves. He had transformed into a Vampire Lord. His wings billowed with fury as he marched towards the werewolves. Serana was close behind firing ice spikes and chain lightning. Stefan grabbed the nearest werewolf. He lifted him off the ground. He closed his hands around its neck. He then sunk his teeth deep into the beasts neck. Blood spurted from its neck as Stefan tore it half throwing the halves either side of him.
The door opened and his daughters emerged. Lucinda led the charge. She raised her silver sword.
"Yah!" she yelled bringing it down on the one closest to her. She cleaved straight through its shoulder It fell in one. The remaining werewolves went berserk. They roared loudly and advanced on the new members of the battle.
Vilkas raised his paw and slashed at Lucinda. She fell. Blood spurted from her arm. Seconds later, the bleeding stopped and her arm healed instantly. She kicked him off of her. He flew across the room and crashed into a suit of armour. A second werewolf came at her. A silver arrow soared through the air. It missed Lucinda's ear by millimetres and slammed into the werewolf's head.
She turned to look at her sister. Her empty bow was raised. She smiled at her sister. Lucinda nodded to her sister. She raised her sword and shield as another werewolf came at her.
"How many of you are there?" asked Serana as she fired continuous chain lightning at the advancing werewolves.
The Daedric warrior was thoroughly enjoying the proceedings. It was duelling with a stubborn werewolf who was determined to send him back to Oblivion. Every slash from the werewolf was blocked.
"I honour my Lord by destroying you!" yelled the Daedra. He lunged at the werewolf. He carved a hole in its shoulders. It roared loudly.
A silver arrow cleaved through the air. It shot past the Daedra and into the werewolf's eye. The werewolf slid into the corner of the room, defeated. Vilkas advanced on Lucinda. He growled menacingly, exposing his huge teeth. She raised her shield.
"Disgusting creature," she taunted. "I will make a rug from your fur."
She gestured for it to come at her with her shield. She swung her sword, enraging it further.
It lunged. She dodged. It lunged again. She dodged. She raised her shield. She smacked it in the nose. Vilkas recoiled. He advanced on her once more. He slashed. She blocked it. He slashed. She blocked it. She lunged her silver sword. Vilkas grabbed it. She pulled it from his grasp. The silver burned his paws. He slashed once, twice, three times. She blocked all three attempts.
The final remaining werewolf lunged at Serana. She was caught off guard and thrown onto the floor. In a skid of claws it landed and made a beeline straight for her. She fired chain lightning as the beast skidded to a halt and bounded at her.
"Not my Serana you bastard!" called Stefan.
He sprinted in the path of the werewolf. The werewolf collided with him and pinned him to the floor.
Serana stood up. She saw her husband being pinned down by a werewolf and her daughter being attacked another, stronger creature. Valeria was hurriedly loading another arrow into her bow. Her mother was firing spells at both of them. Serana felt this incredible feeling of fury she had never experienced before. Without warning she felt something coming from inside of her. Wings sprouted from her back and her red Vampire robes melted into a red skin that covered her body. Her eyes glowed brightly.
She took off. She grabbed the werewolf pinning Stefan to the ground. She lifted it high in the air. She placed her hand around its throat. She opened her mouth, wider than usual exposing her truly enormous fangs. She bit the werewolf's neck, ripping open its skin. She then slammed her hand through its chest. She pulled out its heart and let go of the werewolf.
The werewolf plummeted to the ground, slamming into the woodwork. The fighters watched as the defeated werewolf fell to the ground. Taking advantage of this lull. Vilkas struck Lucinda in the face. He conjured ropes and bound her from head to toe. He then threw her over his shoulder. He leapt out of the open window and disappeared into the night.
"Lucinda!" cried Valeria. She shot a silver arrow at Vilkas. It missed and disappeared into the night. Serana, who had returned to Vampire form, watched horrified as the werewolf disappeared. Stefan instantly took off and followed the beast into the night. He followed them until they disappeared into the forest. He returned dejectedly and landed on the splintered wood.
"Did you see where they went?" asked Valerica.
Stefan shook his head.
"I tracked them as far as the forest," he replied. "Then he disappeared into the trees."
"No," cried Valeria softly. Stefan ran over to her and put his arms around her. Serana joined them seconds later.
"We will find her," said Serana. "Don't worry."
They stood around Valeria, comforting her.