All Along the Watchtower

Chapter 5 - A Few Good Men

"Fuck!" Kaden threw his phone across the room and slammed his fist into the wall.

"What's wrong?" Harry asked, looking at the dent in the metal, Kaden could hit harder than he thought.

"That completely incompetent bitch Erica May just got three of her Ravens killed! The bastards know we're coming and have activated every single ward at the Academy including the anti-magic field!" Kaden took a calming breath and slammed his fist into the wall again.

"I don't know how much use I'm going to be since I've never fired a gun or used a sword. Magic is my thing." Harry said pulling a flak vest over his jacket.

As it turned Kaden's room had a walk in wardrobe. It was used to store Kaden's emergency weapons cache, hidden behind a rather large wardrobe in his room requiring a pass code to unlock. I t was all very James Bond, clichéd if Harry was honest. The room was lined and floored with metal. The walls were covered with guns, swords and other assorted equipment. It looked like it could outfit a small army but Kaden insisted that it was mostly old junk his family kept for posterity and it was useful in an emergency. This collection included two gunblades. One was a heavy blade with a revolver handle, crafted of silver-like metal which drew in light. The other was a wicked emerald crystal blade which seemed to swim and sparkle with energy.

Kaden gave him a funny look, "I can do something, it will be painful and might not work-"

"-what is it?"

"This-" Kaden grabbed Harry's fringe, staring directly into his eyes. A whisper of "Legilimens" and the room twisted in Harry's eyes until his mental shields were bombarded memories, each taking a space in his own memory.

Harry staggered back as his eyes opened to find the room suddenly familiar and his eyes went to the gunblades on the wall, every instinct told him to reach out. He went for the silvery blade, his footsteps echoed on the cold metal flooring. He stretched out for it but a hand clamped around his wrist. Instinct took over and Harry pivoted to strike out but his other hand was caught at the wrist.

"Calm down." The blue eyed Elemental said and released Harry's wrists. "Don't touch the gunblades."

"Why?"

Kaden paused. "One has a nasty enchantment; if you are not of the Blackwood bloodline it will make a fair go at electrocuting you and the other? Just leave it alone."

Harry perked up at Kaden's explanation, any compulsions gone. "What the hell did you do to me?" Harry rubbed his temple.

Kaden searched the wall. "I transferred my memories of sword training and basic firearms." He shook his head at some silver-tipped weaponry. "They should work as a stop-gap, it'll be a bit awkward but it's the best I can do. I need all hands on deck for this and you can do serious damage once we get that field down." He stopped and lifted a silver coated scimitar, sweeping it in a downward arc. Satisfied he sheathed and threw it to Harry who, "Strap that on and grab a sidearm, a USP Tactical, the recoil is low and it should be the easiest to handle."

Harry secured the sheath to his back and straightened his sleeves. Harry found the sidearm on the wall quickly; he was surprised and knew exactly what to do with it. He picked a holster and strapped it to his thigh and picked up the muggle weapon. The sleek black handle seemed foreign and yet familiar to his touch. He holstered the gun and opened a drawer full of empty magazines.

"Silver hollow points," Kaden shouted over.

Harry was confused but intuition took over and he loaded the magazines with bullets from a lower drawer. It only took few minutes and five clips where full. He shoved the four extra into various pockets in the flak vest and pulled the M9 from his thigh. He and flicked on the safety holstered it.

"Guess the memory transfer worked better than I thought." Kaden took his own weapon off the wall and opened a drawer full of loaded magazines and a selection of sound suppressors, he handed one to Harry.

"What do you mean?" Harry asked; affixing the suppressor as Kaden led him from the room.

"We use a similar technique in classes with the kids but it doesn't work in high stress situations. At best it lasts of a few days but I need you for this even if I don't think you're ready." Kaden said regretfully.

Harry was incensed. "Not ready? You shove your memories into my head and you say I'm not ready for this? You know what I've done!" Harry almost shouted, stopping himself from pulling at his sleeves, it was the habit of a scared child.

Kaden turned tiredly and pulled a small patch from his pocket. It was the Reaper patch that Harry could see on the shoulder of Kaden's jacket. Unlike earlier he could see black lettering on the blade of the scythe, For the Greater Good. "For the greater good, that's what we're all about."

Harry looked up at his friend; he recognized the words from somewhere.

"We used to hide, before the Elementals joined with Assassins. Then we began to fight back, for the greater good." Kaden looked downcast. "I'm not going to lie, we kill people and I've killed people." Kaden sighed. "I have no illusions about my life Harry, I'm a bad person. I hate people, I kill people and I have no real problems with it." He sighed. "Hell I've enjoyed it more than once and on those days I've wondered where I draw the line. Who the bad guys really are, because I've sure as shit felt like one before…but the world needs people like me and my Reapers; because if we don't do it the who fuck else will? You need to make that choice here and now. No one is forcing you into this...but this isn't some stupid little duelling club where we can fuck about and pretend to be little rebels. I know what you've done Harry but I know what it did to you, you can barely talk about that night without having a panic attack. You pull at your sleeves and hide those scars like there's something to be ashamed of. You stood your ground and fought for your life and survived against the darkest Dark Lord in a thousand years. I wish we could talk about this but this is my family on the line, my home, people I've known since I was born have died tonight. I need you Harry but if you can't do this, if you don't think you're ready to walk back into the fire. You need to stay here, stay out of the way because I can't lose anyone else today." Kaden left him alone.

Harry had two choices. He could run or stand and fight like before, he pulled at his sleeves and turned the patch in his hand.

It slapped on his shoulder and a Reaper he became.

Kaden looked over the Reapers. His squad were all athletic young men, hardened by the training they endured together since they were six years old. Rossi, his XO; one whose loyalty could never be questioned. He and Paul were more recent additions but Reapers for three years, their skill proven time and time again. Richie was his cold, dark haired Lieutenant; he was unparalleled in his field of fire and a master tactician. John was his other Lieutenant. Kaden always harboured a dislike for him but he was a great leader, he would lead a squad in a few short years and move on to the Operative Corp. Mark was the comic relief of the team, he could even make Richie smile on occasion. Finally there was Ollie; their Technical Sergeant. Unlike the rest he would never move on from the training squads to the Operative Corp. He possessed an ability far too valuable to endanger, he could talk with computers. The ability stemmed from his underdeveloped Elemental powers with which he could subtly control and receive very low level electric impulses, he was labelled a technopath. The only squad member not present was Connor, the Commander of the Assassin Training Corp and technically the senior officer but he fell into a more observational capacity, often drifting between his Squadrons to check their progress. Kaden regretted his absence as there were few who could hold his brother to ground by blade.

Kaden's ear twitched as a door open and he allowed himself a small smile until he saw that it wasn't Harry. Karen was clad in black gear similar to his own but more form fitting, with a short, thin blade at her side and sidearm on her thigh. Kaden's face twisted into a frown, "Karen you have to stay and alert the Council if the Academy falls."

A scowl to match her brother appeared on her face. "There is no way I'm letting you all do this yourself. You need me if the Wolves are as bad as we think."

Kaden grunted in annoyed approval and stood at full height; readying to address his squad but he heard another door open. Kaden found Harry standing in his bedroom doorway.

Harry shifted unsurely but stopped himself from pulling at his sleeves.

There were a few murmurs from the squad.

"Get in line Apprentice." When he was in line next to Rossi, Kaden tuned in the Captain. "Here's the sit, we have a code blue at the Academy. The Harps and Wolves are on guard, we have a confirmed count of four dead and two wounded including Captain Wilson on the Wolves side. The Harpies with the exception of Lieutenant Blackwood are of unknown status." His thoughts flashed to her. "Assume they are lost, but they may have been caught in the automated lock-down of the complex and are locked in the dorms. The younger students should be locked so collateral damage should be minimal. There are an estimated fifty Vampires from the House of Erebus involved." Kaden paused and observed his squad. They could do it; Kaden had the utmost faith in his team and would trust them until the end of time. "First team, Lieutenant Anderson and Technical Sergeant Mitchell, you guys get the job of taking the security room; lift the lock-down and all wards except the barrier. Standard combat jump insertion, go in through the roof. You'll find parachutes at the weapons cache in the outer forest; the anti-magic field is active so watch your heights, can you handle it?"

John nodded, not surprised at his assignment and Ollie was about to answer when Karen said, "Kaden I-"

"-that's Captain to you Lieutenant; and you will follow the orders of Lieutenant Anderson or you are off this mission is that clear!" Kaden snapped off.

"Yes, Captain." Karen bit out evenly.

Kaden ignored her. "Mitchell?"

"Give me half an hour Captain."

"Fall out, Blackwood, signal when you're in." Kaden said tapping the side of his head as Ollie and Karen apparated away. John stayed and Kaden let the Captain facade drop for a moment; that of a brother taking place. "I trust you."

"Won't let you down," that said he turned on the spot and disappeared.

"Second team will be Lieutenant Jackson, Paul and Tanner. Secure the Armoury. Use the western tunnels to gain access. Keep it secure until we can get everyone able to fight suited and booted. Begin in ten. No signal, maintain radio silence until ordered." His Second Lieutenant acknowledged with a nod and his team disappeared with him.

Rossi stepped forward. "What are we doing boss?"

Kaden sighed; he hated when Rossi call him Boss. Rossi should have been one giving the orders, he should have been Captain of the Reapers not Kaden and he commanded them while Kaden was away but Council politics dictated otherwise. Rossi was still on the roster as Captain, he was the one who received the signal. "We'll secure the dorms, make sure the students are okay and get everyone ready to kick those blood sucking bastards out of our Academy."

Rossi gave an even nod, it was a sound plan.

"There's going to be a fight?" Harry asked.

"Yeah, a big one, it'll be in the quad if I can help it and we need to be ready. Here's the plan…"

Harry, Rossi and Kaden waited deep inside the forest bordering the Academy. They sat around a metal hatch, waiting for the small light near the control panel to change from red to green.

Theywaited in silence, contemplating what would happen if their home fell under vampire control. It would mean an all-out war like they hadn't saw in their generation. The feeble Alliance of the Five wouldn't come to their rescue; the Vampires would never fight an all-out war, it went against the cloak and dagger approach. The Werewolf clans were too scattered and disorganized to make any real contribution, any Lycans who would make a stand with them already fought with them as part of the Order. The Veela wouldn't fight a war; Chateaus across France and Eastern Europe protected them, they would enjoy the rich and privileged life granted to them by their beauty. The Elves, those who weren't enslaved by wizards would never consider themselves strong enough to fight, fighting wasn't their strength. They would be on their own and coupled with the war against the Dark Lord it would be devastating to them.

A click sounded from the locking mechanism and a nod from the Captain told his XO to open it. They all climbed into the darkened shaft. At the bottom the Captain stopped as a familiar feminine voice sounded in his head. "We've cleared a way though the lock-down security doors to the dorms. There will only be two Vampires in your path, they're guarding a storage closet we figure you should check out. All secondary wards have been lifted including the anti-magic field; we kept up the Portkey and Apparition wards to keep them from jumping in reinforcements or escaping."

Kaden nodded. "Got it Lieutenant, any idea how the Master is doing?"

"Dad is talking to the Count out near the front gate. He has Sunny with him." She replied worriedly.

Kaden was worried too, the Count of House Erebus was old, very old and that meant very powerful. "Copy Lieutenant, we'll be quick. Stay in position and monitor, give us a call if anything changes." Kaden said as he turned to a confused looking Harry and a nonplussed Rossi.

"Me and Karen can talk to each other; saves us breaking radio silence."

Harry nodded and pulled at his sleeve. He'd never tried that with James except in his most desperate hour, when he screamed at him mentally, when he screamed for his brother to run.

"We have a clear path to the dorms except two hostiles at a level one storage closet off the main corridor. Rossi take one, I'll take the other."

Rossi nodded and they were off down the tunnels. Four hundred and sixty-eight meters later they came upon the ladder which would take them onto the stairwell on level two of the dorms. They climbed the ladder with Kaden taking the lead and Rossi at the rear, keeping the less experienced of the group from harm. When they reached the hatch for the level two, they climbed out into the dim emergency lighting. The acute senses of Vampires made stealth all but impossible so they ditched any not-needed gear. They traversed the quiet corridors slowly and when they reached the main hallway which led to the squad dorms.

A thought interrupted Kaden's calm. "Kaden you're almost there, we have you on the security feed. You still have the jump on them."

"How's the Master getting on?" Kaden stopped and signalled to his Reapers.

Kaden readied his USP as Karen answered. "Still talking, he knows we're here. He's trying to stall them."

"Good. You and Anderson better hook up with Jackson and his boys, have Mitchell lockdown his area so he's safe. If the Master knows we're here so do they."

Kaden nodded to Rossi but Karen's voice was suddenly panicked. "One just came out of the storage room, there are three now. Repeat, there is now three Vampires, three."

"Not a problem Lieutenant, get yourself to the Armoury. Have Mitchell signal to the Ravens and Talons, have them come in the front door, full dynamic entry. Head to the quad, dad will draw them there and we'll wipe them out. Good luck."

"Good luck Kaden, love you."

"Love you too 'Kay." Kaden answered, turning to Rossi and Harry. He signalled that there was three vampires now.

Harry nodded evenly despite his trepidation, he had to take one.

Rossi was the picture of professionalism, his face stony and unreadable.

Each took a breath as Kaden held up his hand. Raising three fingers he slowly counted down in his head. Three…two…one...his hand went down and he dived around the corner.

Three shots rang through the air; the silencers didn't do much to mask the gunshot beyond eliminating muzzle flash. The marksmanship of Rossi and Kaden each nailed their targets in a killzone and their targets were nothing more than piles of unholy ash in seconds. Harry, despite his implanted experience, fired off centre and the bullet hit his target in the shoulder. It fell; screaming in agony and twitching horribly as the silver took longer to kill it.

Kaden put another bullet through its forehead, "Hey."

Harry put the gun in the holster and looked down at the pile of ash which was once a person.

"Good shot but me and Rossi have been doing this for years; it'll take a bit of getting used to. Don't worry that thing was only a vampire."

"But, but it...he was still-"

"-that thing was not a person…it killed without thought or reason. It would have killed me, you and Rossi without so much as blinking, you did nothing wrong." Harry didn't look very reassured, Kaden hit his shoulder. "Go with Rossi. Check on the students and get them ready. I'll do this." Kaden watched as Harry and Rossi walked down the hall, Harry wasn't ready, just as he thought. Sighing he turned and punched in his security code. He frowned as the panel flashed red and clicked the radio in his ear. "Mitchell; open the storage room on level one."

"No problem boss." The panel fluttered green and the door slid open.

The room was bathed in darkness and Kaden heard a sob. He stepped into the room and felt around for the light switch. His suspicions were confirmed when the light flickered on. In the corner of the room was a Veela. Her silvery blonde hair and perfect figure was outlined in the small, sky-blue silk robe she was wearing. All around her objects had fallen from shelves, a chair was broken and a table turned over; the results of a struggle. Kaden stood in shock until a ball of fire was thrown in his direction, he dodged it easily.

"Leave me alone!" The small figure screamed from the corner, her voice reduced to a strained and desperate shriek as she choked back sobs.

Even strained Kaden would recognize that voice anywhere. He inched forward, only to have to another ball of fire thrown which he used his wand to divert it. With the Anti-Magic field up she wouldn't be able to use her fire magic and with the superior strength of a vampire she would be easily subdued. Danielle cowered in fear, drawing further into the corner of the room as Kaden reached her, only for a searing ball of superheated flame to glance off his shoulder. He shrugged it off but he felt the burn weep blood and pain and reached out to put an arm around her. "It's me Dan, it's me."

Her hand clamped around his wrist, Kaden felt the searing pain as his wrist burned, as his flesh twisted and warped. Kaden bit his lip, drawing blood. The physical was always the easiest for him to bear. Using his other arm, Kaden pulled her to him and she released him. His wrist was afire with pain but Kaden held her close. "You're safe now."

Danielle was crying through the shock, shaking fearfully against him, "Kaden?"

"It's me." Kaden repeated, she drew closer to him and he felt her shaking. Her robe was ripped in tatters and she was a mess, her wrists, neck and eyes were bruising badly. He didn't even want to know what other injuries she could have. He released her gently and unzipped the jacket he was wearing. His gunblade fell to the floor in its sheath with a clatter and Danielle jumped away from him. Kaden edged forward and wrapped the jacket around her.

Rossi rushed into the room, "Captain the Princess-" He stopped when who Kaden was holding.

"C'mon Danielle, I'll take you back to your room."

"Will you stay with me?" Danielle asked timidly.

"I'll try." Kaden lied. A minute later he was at Danielle's door with Rossi and Harry standing sentry.

A spark from his hand and the door slid open. Her room was light blue and held more personal effects than a normal dorm at the Academy. Unlike most she lived at the full-time, her true home was in France at the Matriarch's Palace. The heir to the United Veela colonies of Europe deserved the best protection, and that was at the Academy of the Element. Kaden just wished they lived up to the bill better. He flicked the light on with a touch of magic and pulled back the bed covers the same way. When he placed her down on the soft bed and tried to pull away her grip only tightened.

"I need to go."

Danielle looked up. "Stay with me…"

Kaden recognized the pain and desperation in her bruised face. "I can't but I'll be back as soon as I can."

"No." Danielle said firmly, tightening her grip on him.

Kaden sighed, "Danielle I have to go otherwise-"

"-Boss the Master's in trouble, he's fighting the Count with Sunny. You need to get down there as soon as possible!"

Kaden turned his head and clicked the radio. "Where is he?"

Ollie didn't hesitate. "They've moved to courtyard in the quad...shit Sunny's down. You better hurry, the Vampires are gathering. I think he wants an execution."

Well done Dad, Kaden thought. "Signal Jackson and tell him to get everyone there ASAP! Have two Wolves stay with the wounded and I want one stationed outside the Princess's room."

"Will do Captain."

Kaden turned back to Danielle, his voice softened. "Danielle, I have to go but I'll be back."

"You never come back," She muttered.

"I will this time, I promise." Kaden said bringing a hand to the side of her face and giving her a light kiss on the forehead.

Danielle nodded and as Kaden reached the door he heard her whisper, "I love you." He stepped out of the room quickly and slid the door closed, ignoring the instinct to go back. Putting a hand over the reader he fried it completely, just in case.

"What happened to your wrist, boss?" Rossi asked, handing Kaden his gunblade.

Kaden ignored the question and unsheathed Lightning and tested the thin blade strapped to his unburned arm. With a motion of his wrist, it popped out with a snick, deadly sharp and edged with silver, a beautiful surprise. "I'm fine." Kaden said finally looking over his injuries as the thin blade snapped back to its sheath. His black t-shirt had burned through into his shoulder, pieces of it fused to his skin and his wrist was angry red with patches of blackened skin, Numbing Charms were a godsend. "Have you got any bandages?" Kaden asked.

"Yeah Cap'in, here," Rossi said handing him a roll of bandage.

Kaden wrapped it around his blackened wrist and held his hand out to Rossi who laid a freezing cold hand over it. Almost solidifying the once flexible bandage, Kaden knew the wrist would be frost bitten but he was more worried about surviving.

"What happened to her?" Harry asked.

"Not now." Kaden replied coolly and turned as the Wolf assigned to protect her room arrived. "Tony, if things go south get her home safe."

Tony nodded sharply. "Yes sir!"

They made it to the courtyard in record time. Thunder clapped overhead and the ground was soaked with rain as the Master of the Order fought. The three stopped when they reached the square and drew their weapons. The leader held a shining silver gunblade; the emerald eyed boy drew a curved blade while the violet eyed boy unsheathed two thin swords. Fifty or so Vampires stood opposite them.

The Master swung the blue crystal gunblade with ferocity which belied his age.

His opponent was older for a Vampire, being turned later in life but held himself regally. To fit his image he wore deep crimson robes and a matching cloak. His hair as white as was his perfectly trimmed beard. He used his rapier one-handed with the skill of centuries to counter his stronger foe, only moving when he saw fit with every thrust and parry perfectly timed. The Count parried the heavier crystal blade and followed up with blinding speed as he drew a silver dagger and thrust it deep into the Headmaster's shoulder.

The Master fell hard to rain soaked ground. Ice blue eyes were streaked with defiance. "When you kill me Count Kruhl, know that my sons will hunt you down!"

"I think not Master Blackwood." Count Kruhl said triumph as he brought his slender blade into a high guard. "It was a pleasure." He added as he pulled blade downward.

The Master closed his eyes; this was a day he had danced around too often but the loud scrape of metal on metal reopened them. His day hadn't come and his gaze locked onto his son.

"Hi Dad, thought you could do with a hand." Kaden quipped holding the Count's blade scarcely a foot from his Father's neck. Kaden shunted the blade aside and delivered a powerful kick to the Count's gut, launching him back to fall in a heap.

"I had a plan." Adam replied standing painfully.

"Laying there almost getting killed, some plan. Leave it to me, Rossi will look after you."

Adam smiled and picked up the crystalline gunblade from the ground. "Sorry for borrowing this."

Kaden shook his head. "It's about time I started using Light again, keep it for now." He watched his dad retreat and turned to his opponent, "So you're the Dark Lord Vayne Kruhl…" Kaden looked him up and down, "I always expected you to be taller."

The Count gave a hearty laugh, "I prefer Count; I am no longer a Dark Lord, my magic was taken from me before I was turned." He said regally, dusting off his robes and adjusting his cloak.

"Care to tell me why I shouldn't kill you? I like it when Vampires beg before I cut them in half."

"Such anger and pain in one so young, you should temper it and bend it to your will."

"Save it, I'm not good with the whole control your dark side shit." Kaden held Lightning in a tight grip.

"As you wish Captain," The Count said bringing his sword into a high guard.

"Whatever." In a flash of magic Kaden brought his unburned arm around and extended his fingers. The electricity coursed through his veins and a bolt of ice blue lightening tore from his hand.

The Count pulled his blade forward, the tip of the slim blade parallel to the ground. The bolt was blocked by a crimson shield around the blade's tip.

"Still got a few tricks up your sleeve?"

"A few-"

He couldn't finish as Kaden leaped forward with inhuman speed knocking his blade to the side and trading a few blows, testing the waters.

The Count recovered from the attack easily, "I assume this will not be a fair fight?"

"Not if I can help it."

The Count was ready when the Captain struck again. The heavens poured and drenched them to the bone. Kaden was tired of stalling, there was no way four people could take care of fifty Vampires and survive. It was a death sentence so Kaden had to keep on going. Kaden knocked aside a thrust aimed at his heart and countered with a quick slash which tore through the Count's cloak at the shoulder. The Count was stepping up his game and Kaden was struggling to block all of his fluid blows, he slipped around and under them one after another in a blistering display of evasion as the Count thrust and slashed at will. The Count was a master of his blade, every attack was perfectly weighted, every parry and counter was timed to perfection.

Kaden was on the defensive, a nasty slash to his burned shoulder was followed with a nick to his side with the tip of the blade. Kaden moving slower and the Count was circling like a hawk. Kaden waited, knowing he needed time or they would all die at the hands of the vampires. And it came. He heard the doors to the Quad croak open and every ready Assassin of the Academy entered the courtyard. They formed a line and watched as their Captain was circled by the Count.

"You planned this?" The Count asked, nodding in approval.

"I love it when a plan comes together." Kaden said with a feral grin as a yellow shadow clouded his ice blue eyes.

The Count's eyes widened. "You're a Ly-"

Kaden was on him in a second with a heavy downward strike and the Count gave ground. "I'm a Reaper." Kaden growled and the Count was on the defensive as Kaden threw himself forward. Every slash, thrust and cleave sent the Count stumbling back.

And the Count was tiring, even being an Elder Vampire of nearly two hundred and fifty years was not wearing well. He thanked whatever damned Gods he prayed to each night for his vampiric abilities as the Captain's blade bit deep on many occasions. He was confident he could outwit the Captain, his strikes were powerful but his technique had not been refined for near three hundred years. When the slight opening came he parried the strong cleave to his side, off-balancing the Captain and his blade flashed with inhuman dexterity; elegantly twisting the silver-like metal from the Captain's hands. With his foe defenceless, the Count drew his blade across the Captains face. It cut a deep gash from the bottom of the Captain's temple, narrowly missing his left eye and tearing through his brow.

Kaden fell back as the blade drew along his face, narrowly missing his eye. Kaden felt the blood pour down his face, over his eyes. He could barely see but through the red but he spotted his gunblade not far from him and made to dive for it but was stopped short as the old Count's slender blade came to his neck.

"I wouldn't do that Captain."

"You're going to kill me anyway." Kaden watched a lone hooded figure emerge from the first rank of vampires.

"Don't be so sure young Elemental, I have uses for such as you." He said with a malicious grin, flashing his pearly white fangs.

Kaden flinched. "Try it you bastard."

"If you-" The Count stopped as the hooded figure drew an onyx black gunblade and held it to his neck, the silver coated edge shining fiercely.

The hooded figure kept his blade on the Count's neck, burning the skin. "Step away slowly."

The Count moved away to safety.

"Hey little brother, what do you hear?"

Kaden spread his arms, feeling the cool rain slap against his skin, "Nothing but the rain."

Connor shrugged off the black robe. "Then grab your gun and bring in the cat…"

Kaden grinned. "Boom, boom, boom," He picked up Lightning while Connor took up at his side, "You staying to help big brother?"

"You know how the story goes, two halves of the whole-"

"-destined to wield the blades of Hyperion… and all that shit."

"Well we wouldn't want to mess with destiny's plan would we?"

"Let's take care of business big brother." Kaden cracked his neck with renewed vigour.

The brothers went forward in a whirlwind of ice and lightning. They moved fluidly around one another, changing between defence and attack like they were one soul finally brought together and made whole. Kaden was hurt, but when he faltered Connor was there to knock a sword or dagger away from his body.

Connor stepped in as his brother took another hit and trapped the magical rapier under his gunblade Ice and shouldered into the Count's body, knocking the wind from the aged vampire. Kaden moved in again, almost running on animalistic instinct to direct Lightning.

Soon enough the Count was falling back, taking body blows like a punching bag but a blade had yet to breach his defence.

Three spears of glowing ice coalesced by Connor's direction and battered the Elder Vampire's defences. The Count spun and twisted, hammering one spike from the air with his blade as he turned to intercept Kaden's gunblade from taking off his head. Pivoting around another spike the last glanced his shoulder, tearing at muscle and leaving his sword arm limp and useless.

Kaden didn't miss opportunities like that, Lighting cleared the path and with an outstretched palm a bolt of cobalt lightning blasted through whatever was left of the heart that once beat in the Count's chest. In seconds the silver tipped blade of Ice speared through the Count's back.

"Finish it," Connor as he pulled his blade from the Count's chest and glared at the assembled vampires. Daring any of them to come forth and challenge him.

Kaden didn't miss a beat and Lightning fell from his hands. The hidden blade on his wrist snapped to attention with a snick and he jumped. He landed a two footed kick which took the Count to the ground and before he could recover Kaden plunged the blade into his chest cavity, searching for heart tissue.

The Count sucked in a breath as the blade pierced his heart. "A Reaper indeed."

"Whatever." Kaden snarled and pulled his hidden blade from the Count's heart. His eyes caught the thick gold cross dangling from his neck. Kaden saw red and finally jammed the blade through his jaw, through the soft palette and into his brain. The Count was consumed by flame, becoming ash and leaving the golden cross in Kaden's hand.

Kaden dropped it to the ground and summoned Lightning to his hand.

"Got a plan at all?" Connor looked to his side as a line of fellow Assassin's joined them.

"Of course, just give me a second." Kaden said as he tried to summon his magic. "No." He turned to Harry. "You have to do my part, after that I-"

For the first time in the Academy and certainly not the last Harry pulled his Holly and Phoenix feather wand from his pocket. He gathered as much magic behind his wand as it could handle without exploding and mentally screamed 'Demprimo' three times. The jets of blinding violet cannoned from his wand thick and fast, the overpowered Blasting Curses demolished the paving of the quad and threw stone and dust into the air, blinding the vampires.

Now Rossi took his turn. Being a former Wand-Wizard and graduate of Hogwarts he had advanced transfiguration skills. In fact Rossi had the highest NEWT Transfiguration score since Professor McGonagall. His hawthorn wand was inscribed with a multitude of Cuneiform and Aramaic strengthening runes to hold it together. He was the most talented in the Academy when it came to Transfiguration but like all Elementals had a tendency to drastically overpower spells and blew up a box load of wands during school, much to his adoptive parents chagrin. This particular wand took him a few sessions with Mr Olivander to perfect and he hadn't regretted it since.

Concentrating clearly and intently on what he wanted the shards of rock and paving to transfigure into, he muttered a long incantation and with a wave of his wand the tons of rubble shone silver, each razor sharp. They would cut through a vampire like a hot knife through butter.

Harry held the razor sharp silver in place easily; suspended in the mid-air before the vampires. He didn't need his wand, only an outstretched hand as his magic burned along his scarred arms. It hurt but it was the good kind of pain, the kind of pain which made him stronger.

"Do it." Kaden ordered.

Harry reacted instantly with his wand in hand he used the most powerful Banishing Charm he knew, overpowering it through sheer will and magic. His wand was white-hot as the spell snapped away at twice the speed of sound.

More than half the vampires disappeared in a cloud of fire and ash as the improvised silver stakes rained down on them. The rest struggled to regain their courage. Unfazed the Ravens, Talons, Reapers, Harpies and few Operatives advanced on the enemy. Flashes of silver, fire, lightning and ice rang through the courtyard as the Elementals, Veela and Lycans fought for their home.

Within minutes a loud cheer signalled the victory. The last of the Vampires became ash and the Commander spoke.

"Listen up, I want the Reapers to patrol the perimeter and take up guard until morning. I want the Harps is to check on the students and get them to their dorms safe, look for any unexpected casualties and take them to the infirmary. Then report to me, I'll be in my office before joining the Reapers, if not the Masters Study. All active Operatives report to my office for debriefing. Everyone else get some rest, that's an order."

A loud rendition of, "yes, sir!" and the teams filed out of the courtyard.

Connor turned to his Reapers only for a small blonde to throw herself at him. Connor felt a smile tug his lips. "I missed you too little sister." She pulled back and returned to his squad line, intent on joining them for the night. "Welcome to the Reapers Apprentice."

"Thank you." Harry replied.

The entire squad except Kaden received little to no injury. "We're on guard until morning." A groan went through the obviously tired squad and continued. "Standard teams, I'll go with Anderson and Blackwood when I'm ready." He received a nod from his brother who looked worse for wear. "Rossi will you and the newbie be alright on your own. Your Captain looks banged up."

"We'll handle it Commander." Rossi said clapping a hand on Harry's shoulder.

"Reapers fall out."

In their respective teams the Reapers and lone Harpy filed from the courtyard. Connor took a moment to observe his brother. Kaden's right shoulder was burned, one of his wrists was bound with a half frozen, blood soaked bandage and the gash on his temple and over his eye wasn't healing like it should be.

"I know how good I look, you don't have to stare."

Connor rolled his eyes and gestured inside. "Very funny, I'm just wondering how everyone else comes out uninjured and you end up looking like shit, people will think I've never taught you anything!"

"Piss off." Kaden muttered moodily, staggering past his brother.

"Where are you going?" Connor asked, stopping in his little brother with a hand on his shoulder. "Get in there and let the Doc look at you before I kick your ass!"

"I made a promise to a girl and I'm keeping it-"

Kaden swayed on his feet, the adrenaline tapered off and Connor caught him before he could collapse. "Always getting yourself into trouble little brother," Connor sighed, there was a lot of blood. "You can tell me about this promise and this girl once you're stitched up and can walk straight..."

Kaden nodded to himself, leaning heavily on his brother. "Thanks big brother."

"Anytime kid…"