Of Angels and Vampires

Chapter Ten

The Trade
and
The Dark Angel

By Fallon

Shurii stood over Aya, looking down at her and kicking her sword aside. "Leave the palace," he commanded.

Aya gave him a wicked smile, throwing her legs up and wrapping her legs around him. She threw him down and Shurii fell to the ground. Aya picked up her sword and pointed the sharp end at his throat.

"I'm going to overthrow you and that little witch Suzumi!" She spoke through her teeth.

Suzumi came running at top speed towards Aya, kicking her in the face.

Aya fell and shook her head, looking up at Suzumi.

"Gather up your zombies and leave!" she said.

Aya laughed."I'm not going to leave any time soon! Zombies, hold them down!"

Shurii fought off the Zombies that were trying to get near him and Suzumi. They stood beside one another, in fighting stance.

Takeshi came running, slashing zombies left and right. "Suzumi!" he shouted.

Suzumi's eyes glowed a light blue, bringing her hands together.

"From the depths of Hell I call upon thee, come forth, Seiryuu!" she shouted, raising her hands to the sky.

The ground crumbled from below, and Seiryuu rose from the ruins, roaring.

Seiryuu tore the zombies apart with his sharp teeth, then growled furiously at Aya.

Aya stepped back. "No, not again!" she said.

"Madam, you promised that we would kill the Vampires and take over the palace!" one zombie said.

"I need several of you to go after the dragon! The others, attack the Vampires!" Aya commanded.

The group split apart. The largest group of zombies rushed toward Seiryuu. One jumped on top of the dragon, biting and scratching its long neck. Seiryuu cried out in pain, trying to shake the zombie off. Several more zombies attacked the dragon, tearing its skin apart and sending dark red blood gushing from the dragon's body.

"NO!" Suzumi screamed.

Aya laughed.

A female zombie came after Shurii, throwing her clawed hand in his face. He barely missed her hit and he slashed her arm off. She screamed, then growled and threw her other hand in his face. She scratched the right side of his face as he tried to dodge her claw.

Shurii held his cheek and looked at the blood, then looked at the female zombie. She charged at him. Shurii charged at her throwing his sword over his head. He brought the sword down, quickly decapitating her.

Seiryuu screamed in pain as it tried to rise up, throwing the zombies off it, then biting them and throwing them aside. Suzumi ran to Seiryuu's side, petting the dragon's nose.

"You've done all you could. I don't want you to get killed. Go back."

Seiryuu dispersed into a blue light and disappeared.

Suzumi looked at Aya. "You're going to pay for hurting my dragon."

"Zombies, seize them!" Aya said, pointing at the three vampires.

A large group of zombies approached Suzumi and the two men. "Got any ideas, Suzumi?" Takeshi asked.

"We can't use Seiryuu, so we're outnumbered," Suzumi replied.

Lucifer laughed.

You Gaians have a lot of nerve to go past the gates of Hell.

"Let Yukinari go, Satan," Mayura said firmly.

No! He belongs to me!

"I'm no longer your servant!" Yukinari shouted.

You don't have a choice; if you leave here you must agree to give me your soul.

Yukinari looked at Hanako, then at the others. "If I give you my soul, will you let us go?"

In exchange for your release, then yes.

Yukinari stepped forward.

"Wait, Yukinari, you don't have to do this!" Hanako said, grabbing his hand.

"I have to, Hanako, in order for us to go home."

Hanako looked at him carefully. "Let me take your place instead! After all, I am mortal..." she said, casting her eyes down.

Ah, the plot thickens!

"Hanako, I can't let you do that! You've already been banished from Gaia!"

"Please, let me do this for you...I love you."

Hanako brushed past Yukinari, approaching Lucifer. She sank to her knees. "I pledge myself to the darkness," she said meekly, grabbing a sharp rock and slicing her left hand.

Lucifer chuckled. You take his place instead. You're very brave.

Hanako didn't reply.

Very well, your soul is mine to keep.

Mayura's mouth dropped open as she watched Lucifer's hand submerging into Hanako's body, tearing out her spirit from her human form. She gasped, and her eyes widened in shock. Lifting her head, she looked up at Lucifer, seeing nothing but darkness around his face and his eyes glowing a fiery red, like two embers burning.

Hanako fell forward, falling on her face.

You're mine now, Hanako.

Lucifer turned and walked away, carrying Hanako's soul with him. He lifted her spirit up and it ascended into the arena. There in a bright fiery flame appeared a pool of millions of souls floating in midair. Her spirit gave one last look before she joined the others, giving them a sad expression.

"NO!" Yukinari screamed, running to Hanako's side and gathering her in his strong arms. He kissed her forehead and held her face to his. "You didn't have to do that, my love," he whispered.

Mayura approached Yukinari's side. "Come, we must go." He looked at her and nodded.

Aya looked throughout the main hall of the palace, watching the zombies bring in the Vampires and forming them in groups.

Shurii's face became infected from the scratch he received earlier from the battle with the female zombie. He breathed heavily as he tried to fight off the pain he felt inside.

Suzumi looked at him, worried. "I wish there was something we could do, Shurii. You're becoming one of them!"

Shurii shook his head. "No, this can't be!"

His eyes become bloodshot as he felt a great power over ome him. He screamed in pain as he fell to the ground in seizure. He rose and gave a low growl, looking at Suzumi and the other Vampires. Suzumi's eyes widened in fear. "No, Shurii," she said.

He then looked over to the other zombies and they growled at him.

Shurii showed his fangs as he growled and ran with haste, slashing one zombie with his claws.

A zombie came up from behind, grabbing his neck and biting him.

Shurii shook the zombie off and punched him in the face.

Aya laughed. "Welcome aboard, Shurii." she said grinning.

Shurii shook his head. "No! I am not a part of your army! I serve the Vampire Lord Yukinari!"

He ran towards her, throwing his hand back to strike her face. Aya dodged him, twirling around him and kicking under his feet, making him fall to the ground. "Zombies, hold him down!"

A few male zombies came and grabbed Shurii, wrestling him to the ground.

Aya had her sword in her hands, pointing the sharp end in Shurii's face.

"Goodbye, Shurii!" She raised her sword over her head. As she was bringing it down, Yukinari blocked her sword with his with a clank!

Shurii looked at Yukinari, smiling. "My lord!"

Yukinari smiled back, placing his hand on his shoulder. He then ran towards Aya, their swords clanking together again.

Leiko held Hanako in her arms, while Mayura escorted her into the palace. The rest of the Council members were fighting off zombies.

"Bring her to Yukinari's chambers and keep an eye on her. I hope she will awaken. We don't know what the Devil has done to her since taking her soul," Mayura said, while Leiko nodded.

"Understood, ma'am," she replied.

Leiko went up the stairs and took Hanako to Yukinari's chambers. She lay her down on the bed just as Hanako's eyes fluttered open. She quickly sat up, looking at Leiko.

"Where's Yukinari?" she asked frantically.

"It's all right. He's in a battle with Aya right now. Lady Mayura wanted me to bring you up here."

"I have to go help, Leiko!"

"No, Hanako, just stay here."

Hanako got up from the bed, but then she felt lightheaded, almost falling to the floor. Leiko caught her in her arms.

"You are not well enough to fight."

Hanako nodded. "I felt a darkness over come me when I felt him take my soul."

Leiko looked at Hanako intently. "What kind of darkness?"

"He spoke through me and told me I am a Being of Darkness. He gave me a vision of my new form."

Hanako stood up, arching her back. She inhaled the air and revealed her dark wings. Leiko stared in awe at the sight of Hanako's wings.

"A dark angel," Leiko whispered.

"He gave me this sword too." Hanako held out her hands and dark smoke appeared, forming a sword. She held a black sword and stood in fighting stance. "I once served the Light. Now I am a slave to the Dark," she said, holding her sword in front of her. Hanako walked out of Yukinari's chambers to the battlefield while Leiko followed behind her, not stopping her.

Yukinari swung his sword upward. Aya blocked his attack, grinning.

"Looks like I might win this, Yukinari."

"I don't think so Aya!"

He shoved her into the wall, grabbing her throat. He revealed his fangs and hissed at her, "I was foolish to fall in love with you, Aya. Now I'm going to kill you!" He shoved his sword into her stomach, causing her to gag.

"You're defeated, Aya, now die!"

He put his sword at her throat and sliced it open. Then he dropped her, sending Aya falling to the ground with a pool of blood surrounding her.

Azar decapitated a zombie as he backed away, then turned when he heard a scream across the palace grounds. He looked to see Aya lying on the ground, dead. He saw the remaining zombies being killed off by the other Council members and Vampires.

He then noticed Hanako approaching the battlefield, a dark sword in her hands with her dark wings expanding as she walked.

Hanako's eyes glowed a fiery red. She ran towards Azar, slashing his arm. He looked at her, shocked, trying to dodge her next attack.

"Hanako! What are you doing?"

Leiko tried to grab Hanako from behind. "Hanako, stop!"

Hanako knocked Leiko to the ground, aiming her sword at her throat. Leiko stared into Hanako's fiery eyes and gasped. He's controlling her.

Mayura clashed her sword with Hanako's. "Stop, Hanako!" she yelled.

Hanako quickly shifted her attention to Mayura. She glared at her, growling.

"I serve the prince of darkness. Let the harvest begin." She turned and flew away from the palace grounds. "The harvest of reaping of souls." Mayura said, turning to the others. "We must stop her or she's going to bring Hell on earth."

Demitri nodded, "Yes. Our treaty is in affect and we must work together."

"It is our duty to protect the human race, will you help us lord Yukinari?" Odin asked, holding out his hand. Yukinari looked at Odin and nodded. "Yes, the Japanese Vampires will join forces with the Angels." He shook his hand.