Rated M for mature: Though I often asked myself "What is mature exactly?" Well as I got older, it's basically life, and how we all choose to live as adults. M for really adult like themes and all the other naughty bits that is included. That usually because of the swearing and the gore that currently going on a lot thus far in this story and probably for sexual content in the future. Young viewers, what are you doing here? I'm not responsible if you get caught reading this!

SO fresh and probably full of errors. What I'm aware, but I'll always fix them at some point. I stay on my game.

6/10: Mild editing was done

ENJOY AMIGOS!

Chapter Twenty three: Sometimes, you have to 'take one for the team'.

The doors burst open with such a lively commotion, that it nearly startled Proserpina to the point where she nearly threw back her chair a bit. The man from earlier, along with a couple of other lackeys had three new individuals that where being restrain by the vampires. Her eyes widen with horror when she recognizes the face of that one girl, the princess known as Amelia, who stared back with the same level of intensity as she too took notice of both Zelgadis and the other chimera.

"Mister Zelgadis… Miss Proserpina…" She sobbed though the hands of the man that held her captive, and was one of the first they fasten with rope to a chair one grabbed from nearby. Second was Pokota, who gaze in bewilderment at both Zelgadis and Proserpina; his eyes reflecting the question unasked. He continues his stare as they too, tie him to a seat. Lastly was Prince Phil; it took twice the number of vampires to hold him against his will. Her orders where no harm done to any of the human subjects that have trespass this residence, that her later arraignments may be that of a food source if any of the two chimeras do as instructed. They gave the older prince's ropes a hard tug, before leaving in silence, as the larger man bellowed at them.

"You will not get away with this!" Nothing was said as the door clanked loudly as it close. He sighed heavy, his dark eyes shift to the younger prince, whose gaze met his, then to his daughter. Amelia was making an attempt to talk to Zelgadis, who still render unconscious. She begins to sob as she continues to speak to him.

"Come on…Mr., Zelgadis…You got to wake up…" The quietness about him bothered her even more. It grew to the point even Pokota gave a sour reaction. "Amelia," His voice was somewhat horse from before. "Breathe. You're acting like he is dead." She shot her redden eyes at him. "Don't be so cold, Pokota!" Her breath hitch a bit before she finish fusing at her peer. "Mr. Zelgadis means a lot to us!-"Amelia began to cried again, this time Proserpina had her say.

"Hey," Her tone was gentle, yet mature. With a tear streaked face, Amelia lifted her head at her. "He's going to be alright. Trust me. He's still with us. He just has a concussion at the moment. Give him some time, he will wake up."

"Are you sure?" The wary princess hiccupped as the pearly one bobbed her head. "Yeah… I can hear him breathe; it's low, but it's there." Both Pokota and Prince Phil stared at her with a somewhat mild amazement.

"Wait-"The younger prince eyes were focus on Proserpina. "You just said that you can hear…him…breathe?"

"Yeah…" She seemed somewhat taken aback, taking a subconscious nudge at one of her pointed ears. "These things aren't here for aesthetics, you know."

"Yeah, I'm sure." He commented somewhat sheepishly, if his around was free, he would rub the ache at the back of his neck. The older man's mouth cracked as he opened it to speak.

"How long do you think he will be out?" Prince Phil rasped as Proserpina's head tilted.

"I can't say," She responds as Amelia let out a deep sign along with a few sniffles. "There is no telling; brain swelling is pretty serious, and it can take time for it to go back to its normal size. So we are talking hours, unless someone is able to attend to him." There was a pause before the older prince interrupted the lingering silence.

"That is why they tied us up here!" The three looked at him in a puzzling expression; Pokota's eyes narrowed as Prince Phil continued. "So they can slowly take each one of us out, one by one-"

"Hey! Stop with the crazy talk, Big Phil." The older man snapped his head at him, cutting his eyes at him for interrupting him at first. "No one is taking any one of us down!" He grew a bit louder as Amelia turn her gaze at him as well. "We will get out of here, alive, and I think we will, but there will be a time and place. I know this!" There as a matching flicker of a burning hope in both the father and daughter's orbs as they exchange glances at each other. Proserpina slowly inhale, finding it difficult to be the one that exposes the reality before them.

"With that being said, I'm hoping something happens really soon." The three of the all turn the heads at her. "Because let's be honest; being all chained up isn't going to get us anywhere isn't it? I hate to sound like a Debbie downer, but the situation here looks pretty shitty if you ask me. There is not telling what this psycho bitch and the rest of these shithead vampires have in store for us. Not to mention the where about of Both Lina and her boyfriend. Unless Zel over there wakes up and we manage to break loose from these chains and bolts, then we may have more of a chance, but in the odds…" She trail off, noticing that she was being rather counterproductive to Pokota motivational speech. Their eyes started too watered as they stared at her hard, waiting for her to finish her rant. He was trying to raise the spirit, and here she was exposing the unlikely hood of survival. Gulping hard, the pearly chimera gave a half smile, her mind racing to think of something to say to restore the faith instead of destroying it

"Then again I could try to rock the chain again. I manage to knock it over earlier, and broke it…" The trio blink in unison as they confusingly shook they eyes dry. The younger prince gave a half hearted laughed as he shook his head. "It's Proserpina, right?" Which she bobbed her head in a yes? "Yeah let's not do that. You will hurt yourself-"

"What do you mean hurt myself?" She halfway snorted as rolled her eyes. "Are you forgetting something? I'm a freak mixture of a species of dragons with diamond like hinds; so you can put two and two together. It's going to take a lot to hurt me...Come on dude…" With that, she made her attempted at rocker her chair again, getting into a good swing to the point it was nearly about to fall back.

"Uh…I don't think that's going to work, Ms. Proserpina…" Amelia's voice trailed off as the chimera manages to crash the chair backwards once more. A lond bang echo throughout the chamber, and the four of them set eyes wide in dead silence, as they listened out for any kind of commotion from outside the set of doors. The eerie ringing continue as Pokota, Amelia, and Prince Phil exchange glances, before leaning as far as they could from their seats, staring at Proserpina as she wiggled from the floor.

"I think I might've loosened it…" She grunted as she struggled against her binds. "I might've done something other than making myself look like an ass…"

The sliver blade of the board sword Gourry held in front of the both of us gleamed in the lighting as Montreal slowly crept up; his bare feet padded softly against the wooden floors.

"Seems like I've lucked out after all…" A grin full of fangs spread its way ear to ear. Gourry adjusted his blade; pose to strike as the vampire was merely a few feet from us. "Looks like I'll be honor in retrieving the both of you just in time for the Ritual!" Wait….a ritual? I don't like the sound of that. I grabbed the exposed part of Gourry' arm and he glanced from over his shoulder. I don't think he was as pleased hearing that as much as I was. It seemed like he had the same level of uneasiness in his eyes as I did. We have to do something; if Montreal was able to take on Zel on his own, so there is not telling what he would be capable of with a human like Gourry.

"The choice is yours…" The knuckles on his hand grew pale as he squeezed the halt of the sword. "You can come quietly, or I can handle you like I did with you little freak show of a friend…I'm sure you heard of how that happened, now did you?" Well, that was one hell of a way to give someone an ultimatum; "Come now or I'll take you out of your misery" is what Montreal should have said. Such kind words from someone with murderous intentions. If the odds were in our favor, I'd say we take him on, but just like before, when all of this first begun, I was in a similar scenario. My powers sapped and I was on the run from the bad guy. Of course the reality is that you can't escape, but at the same time I just don't want to freely hand myself over like that. If we ran, Montreal will just chase us in a circle; I glanced behind us, and saw the hallway stretching out perpetually.

"There is really nowhere to run, as you noticed." I was really getting sick of hearing this guy, and I really wish I had my powers. I would have blasted him to oblivion a long time ago, even if a Dragon Slave casted by someone like Potoka wasn't deflected, the one juiced up by my blood talismans would have been a different story. My anger rose is I realized that I was stripped off my glory due to Mother Nature issues…

His eyes shoot open, greeted by nothing by the pitch darkness that surrounds his form. Even the ground below him, as solid was it beneath him was just as black as the rest. He fumbled around, grasping the surface of what felt like damp earth at his finger tips.

'This isn't good.' He thought to himself, balling his fist tightly as he struck the earth out of anger! This is the last place he ever wanted to be in; standard and lost. There was no telling of where or how close he was from where he was taken away from. Panic filled him as he stood to his feet, waltzing in a circle.

'Wait a minute…" He pause his movements, and asked himself "Wasn't my leg broken before I got here?" He flexed his fingers across his thigh; the soft fabric of his trousers rubbed against the smooth skin… That is where his eyes went even wider.

"What is going on?" He asked loudly as he begins to chant. "Lighting!-" A small, yet faint orb is form in from of the man, whose ivory tunic glowed as well as his pale finger tips. The man froze as a great uncertainty spread though his being. "How was this possible?" His voice rattled against his throat as he started to roughly push up his sleeves, revealing more of a fair complexion verses the discoloration and scattered with an assortment of pebbles. This wasn't natural, and despite of the transformation, the man's skepticism grew as his hand trailed to his face. The skin was soft, and his hair no longer the thick, steel wool, but instead it was smooth and ran though his fingers like silk…

"This isn't right…" He muttered lowly as he eyes darted around for a source in this unknown pitch. Even though light was summoned, even that was too weak to pierce though this layer of the unknown. A fear spread itself way though him, failing to not take notice of the person, holding torches, which materialize from behind.

"There is no reason to be afraid…" A woman's voice boomed, nearly causing the poor man to leap out of his newly formed skin. Clutching his chest, he spun as he was greeted by the sight of a tall woman in red. The sight of her alone influence an interesting mixture of emotions; ones of both familiarity and that of uncertainly. The light from her torches bounced off like a bright halo in contrast to her dark, yet oddly flowing dark hair. The man felt his heart skipped when he look into her eyes; a blend of that of void and the cosmos swirled danced about as she stared at him unblinking.

"I can assume that you are some kind of god?" He asked and she nodded quietly. "You can consider me as that, though to you, I am unknown and unnamed."

"But it feels like…" He trailed off as her gaze intensifies on him, waiting for him to finish the rest of his statement, which he gulps nervously. "…I know you. Yet who are you, and where am I? What is going on? Explain to me how I am human-"

"You're not in the tangible at the moment, Zelgadis Graywords." He fell silent after his name rolled from her lips. "You are somewhere in-between, if I must say. You are not dead, but not awake in the conscience state of mind. Some of your kind calls it Limbo… a world where souls often wonder Thus deep down, your core is still very human, hence the appearance." His throat flexed as he swallowed hard, shaking as he fought for his next question to exit his lips. "The how did I end up here?" She softly smiles; it is warm, like a mothers. "There was an opening but it was meant for someone else to pass though. Though I do expect that even the universe itself is bound to make mistakes, yes?" She chuckles, easing some of Zelgadis' anxiety as he listens carefully to her words. "Unfortunately, the wrong person made their way though. This is not the first occurrence. There was an issue previously where a girl from your world with the prettiest red hair I've ever seen show up right outside of Headquarters." Zelgadis gasped loudly. "Lina was here?!"

"Ah you two know each other at that!" She clasped her hands together, the torches floated on their own accordance. "That means we must be getting closer to the Child." He scrunched up his face, not following along with anything that she has currently mention; there was nothing known to his knowledge about a Child of any kind.

"Who are they?" The strange giantess flinched, before she blankly stared at him. "I have to assume that your kind doesn't know…?" He shook his head. "Well here, we believe it to be a girl, who processes something rare; you can consider it as a birth rite if I must say. As for the rest, is unknown to us, Lilith was clever this time around. Even she was careful in taking precautions to ensure their safety as well as their mystery. Hence is why we seek after this Child, so we do know."

"Okay…" Zelgadis mumbled as he braced himself to ask something she left unanswered. "But you still haven't told me who you are, and how can I go back –"

"You can call me Enodia," There as a sudden energy that flared from nowhere; giving him more the impression that she was perhaps a higher ranking deity at that. "And I am your way out of here. Now if you must, I need you to follow me. Come and do not hesitate. I am not here to harm you, but to guide you." She then gracefully spun around, her movements fluid, as if she was guiding on top of water. Zelgadis waited a second before trotting behind her, staying close as she seem to know her way around the pitch. They travel for an unmeasured amount of distance, until they stumbled across a towering building. Zelgadis gaze at the structure in awe, as lighting struck around it, contrasting its solid form against the darkness.

"Proceed after me." The torches vanished, and reappeared on to the wall' surface. Enodia then places her ethereal hands upon its surface, shifting the material with her willpower alone, stops only when a door large enough for her to pass was form. The door swings open, and a bright light passes though. The woman heeds in first, and Zelgadis, who was quiet as a mouse, does what he is instructed. The brightness of the new area was much on his eyes, straining them to stay open as he blinks, and waiting for them to adjust. An empty waiting room with a pile of chairs as if someone had made the attempt to build a bed sat to the side as they pass though another door that show up on its own. He wonder to himself if that was Lina' attempt to get comfortable while she was here…

"Keep following me…" His curiously cause him to lag behind her, as he made the attempt to study the numbers and symbols that were drawn on the series of doors they passed. Some of the lights flickered unnaturally, and he wanted to get close to those as well to understand their make. Enodia maintain her brisk like pace, giving him no option but to continue after her. "Enter after me." There as a door to the right, which the words "Worldly Portal" was inscribed on a plaque, nailed to its wooden surface. She twists the knob and opens it. A blast of a cool breeze caress their faces as Enodia ushers the tentative Zelgadis into the room ahead, and towards a solo chair, that sat in the certain of a sigil; with symbols that Zelgadis recognize to be that of their universe.

"Go on and have a seat." His movements where shaky as he seated himself, he nervously watched as Enodia glided to the darker side of the room, after she vanished, the lines began to glow, and the sigils surround lit up as well.

"Please remain seated at all times, and do not attempt to leave the circle." He heard Enodia' voice echo around him as a pulling sensation tugged at him. He felt as if he was going to be sucked into the ground; at this rate with the force it had on him, if he even wanted to get up and leave, he won't be able to fight against the strange current. The lights around him blurred with the pitched, and a spinning sensation took hold as the images around him lost their shape.

"So what will it be?" Montreal hissed as he licked his lips, encircling us was Gourry and I bumped against each other back to back. We watched him intensely as he brought up his left hand, a strange device like the one Lady Karnstein had before the floor opened up below us. I saw as he fumbled with it; a loud click echoed as the hallway began to shrink badly and a wave of nausea hit me hard as it felt like the area around me was shifting and spinning. Everything turned into a blur, and whatever was left in my stomach violent exit, splashing onto the floor. I wiped off my month and Gourry gingerly pulled me up, only to vastly notice the major change in our surrounds. We were standing before a set of grand doors, leading into where I want to assumed where the rest of us were. Colors changed as the surroundings settled; the area before us was décor in a much elaborated wallpaper, that of a pale ivory. Fancy glass crafted lanterns gave the place the best lighting in the whole establishment. The device Montreal had in his hand, had changed the whole area within a matter of seconds. No wonder nothing here was making sense; this whole place is indeed magically engineered probably by the lost civilization, known as Letidius. It was once a prosperous kingdom, but the king grew obsessed with the idea of immortality, and to the point where it ironically cost him his own life. What was thought to be a potion to obtain everlasting life was a fatal poison in the end. Rumor was it that he mistaken Hemlock for Moonwort, yet there is no telling. The vampire continues to smirk as he gestured us to the doors.

"Would you care to join the others?" He pushed though the entrance, and just as I suspected, before Gourry and I sat the four who I grew to know well. Amelia greeted me with tear in her eyes, while Prince Phil and Pokota looked with a mixture of that of amazement and bewilderment. As for Zel, he wasn't looking so hot; his head hung to the side, clearly unconscious for gods know what Montreal did to him. Proserpina was missing, and I think Montreal wasn't too keen on finding that out as well. He roared at first, his bellow nearly scaring the color out of poor Amelia' face. Yet after he stormed into that area, he realized that she was just lying on the floor, still bounded to the chair.

"What!" She exclaimed as he lifted her back its proper position. "I had an itch, and lost my balance." I'm not quite sure if that was the case, being that in her case, would you still experience an itch even with diamond like skin? Then my eyes caught something that she quickly tired to hide as Montreal walked passed her, grabbing two more chairs, and placing them across from the others. The cruel man then offer the two of us to seat ourselves, follow by be fastened tightly, with a side of cold silence as his recruits made sure their handy rope was good and secure.

"The blasted thing is secure, sire." One rasped as he passes to the exit, the other grunted with a nodded, taking his leave as well. Montreal was the last the leave. The last thing he said sounded a tad too giddy if you asked me.

"Now just wait here. I'll be back here with both the Lady and her wife." He somewhat bow like a butler, and left as quiet as a mouse.

"Man, Zel…" Gourry gasped as he finally noticed the state the poor blue chimera was in. He's a little slow at times, but at least he shows the upmost care when it comes to me and our colleges. Meanwhile, I spun my gaze at Proserpina, who was smirking in the most mischievous of ways.

"Uh oh." Judging by that smile, she apparently had done something, like I took note of earlier. "What are grinning like that?" She giggled as the chains around her begun to slack. "It seems like I've somewhat busted out, for the most part. I'm still shackled to the legs though."

"Seems like they took heavy precaution to make sure you stayed put…" Pokota comment as Proserpina side glanced at him.

"I guess they didn't take good enough." She remarked as she wiggled more in her seat. "As always, people love to underestimate me." I know that feeling, a little well at that. I cut my eyes towards Pokota, who must've felt my gaze, as he awkwardly met mines, and we stared each other down, until a faint grunt at the far end of the table was audio enough to snag all of our attention.

"Mister Zelgadis!" He was coming too; along with a series of groans and coughs. He gulped in air, focusing his blood shot eyes gaze at each one of us. "Ugghhhnn." There was a low rumble as he blinked rapidly to focus his vision. "At least I'm not chained up to a ceiling anymore. Ugh"

"Well I hate to break it to you-" Pokota said flatly as the blue chimera swayed at his direction. "But you're still chained up, just in a chair instead." There was another low groan as the blue chimera hacked more. He still didn't sound like he was a hundred percent.

"Are you okay, Mr. Zelgadis?" He slowly shook his head in dismay as he tilted his head in her direction. "How bad do you think your injuries are?" His mouth had trembled as he mustered the strength to respond to the princess' inquiring.

"My leg is badly broken…" He croaked, and that was the first time I ever heard him really complain about being in pain. "And the rest of me might as well be…" Even his tone carried how much discomfort he was in, not to mention the grunts that were issues from the attempted he made to struggle against his bonds.

"They took extra measures with both you and Proserpina." Pokota dryly inclined as more chains rattled prior to his comment. He eyed the pearly chimera as more of her bindings slacked against her torso.

"I don't think so…" She chimed as Zelgadis shifted his gaze at her, his face somewhat a mixture of extreme pain and disbelief. His eyes widen somewhat (Though one still obviously swollen from what I'm assuming was a punch from Montreal) as he too was somewhat amazed s well.

"Well aren't you a tricky one?" He somewhat chuckle as he hacked at the end. I don't think he was ready for that, but I'm impressed that she manage to do that, and without breaking her neck at that! Then again, she is similar in structure to that of Zel over here, just maybe a tad tougher. You know, Diamonds are harder then rock, yeah? It's not like I would wish anything against their current status, but if I had the choice to bet on, Sorry Zel, but I would bet on her if the scenario where you two are put against each other ever happened, not saying anything though out loud. I'm treating it as a passing thought and focus back on what was going on in the present. Proserpina had manage to break the chain apart, but kept it together somehow. At the same time she made it to where she can fling them off of her at any moment. Her newly freed arm messed in her coiled hair as she fetch out a solo bobby pin. The she lean over, and proceed to pick at the cuffs. Zel started to cough as what I thought might've been him laughing at her idea. There was a successful click, and I heard her laugh softly as she lifted herself up.

"I learnt that from a friend." She smiled as she winked at the blue chimera, only to quickly straighten herself up when the doors explode open; Lady Karnstein, along with Sarah, Montreal and a handful full of others walked on in. There was something in there smug like smiles that brought me an inclination that the mentionable "Ritual" was about to take place. The duchess stood in the middle, sliding in between Gourry and me, Montreal gained up on Zel's, while Sarah eyed Pokota, Amelia and her father as she took stance close to Proserpina. The pearly chimera look askance at us before the countess began her speech.

"Ladies and Gentleman," What is this? Is this some kind of grand opening to a museum of magical history? "I am honor to have though who endured and survived this long to take witness in this great achievement as we attempt the first time transformation of the impossible of the two subjects before us." I don't think Zel and Proserpina where very fond of hearing that, as both sat there with identical sour expressions; the pearly chimera' would occasionally peep around at Sarah, checking if he vampire was observing her or not. I think she may be plotting to reveal that she had broken free at any moment; the question was what she was waiting for? She continues to remain as still as possible, to fool the vampire that is. We all know she deliberately broke free moment before we arrive on the scene.

"Any suggestions on who shall we begin with?" Montreal then squeezed Zelgadis' shoulder, smirking as he flinches from his touch. "Should we risk him first? He had a lot of fight in him; in spite of his weaken state…" The countess raises an eyebrow at his direction, appearing that she had took somewhat offense to his suggestion, even though she stood there and asked… "I'm not quite sure if he was what I was hoping your vote would be on…I know you personal took him and had defeated him in some way. Besides he would be too fragile at this state to even survive at this rate-"

"My lady," Montreal bowed for interrupted as the countess fumed. "You asked who should go first, and I suggested him. Why should we risk the more vital subject over the one that already at a weaker state?" I think there was a part of him that was hoping Zel would be the first to go, and this started some point during the ship incident, or before that. Geez, this guy was so hell bent on seeing the downfall of him that he was so insisted that they waste it on Zelgadis first. Montreal hastily snatched the bottle placed before the blue chimera, and pried open the cork. A wet POP noise echoes loudly throughout the room. He then thrusts the substance beneath the blue chimera' nose while both the duchess and Sarah gaze at him in a disturb manner.

"Ugh!' Zelgadis scoffed as he whipped his head away from it. Gross I can smell it from here! It's that wine we encountered earlier, but even worst. It smelled like someone took a dead body, and aged it like a pickle. GAG! Proserpina shallow hard as Montreal made a grab at the crown of Zel' head, forcing his face upwards.

"Zelgadis!-" Pokota gasped as the vampire' hand attempted to forced his mouth open, Prince Phil began to rocked in his chair. "Unhand him this insisted!" The troll like man snarled from his chair as the vampire lean in his direction.

"I don't take orders from you anymore." Well isn't that obviously, next! He flashed a sick grin before returning back to Zelgadis.

"You better get ready…" He snarled as the other clamped his jaw as tight as he could. "Don't worry. It won't choke you. It will go nice and smooth; right down the hatch!" Amelia let out an ear deafening scream as Zel struggle against Montreal' strength, he growled as he continues his fight against him. It got to the point where even Gourry and I felt the urge to chant for him.

"Wait…" A soft voice was somehow heard over the commotion, and Sarah bent closer to Proserpina. "Care to have your say in this?" She asked as her eyes flashed brightly. The pearly chimera bobbed her head as the countess' wife made it clear that she had something to say.

"I think someone interjects…" she purred as her hand went across Proserpina shoulders and armor. Her face twitched as she looks dead on at Zelgadis.

"I'll drink it." WHAT! I wasn't the only one who protested against Proserpina opting herself to do such! Amelia had her say first!

"But Ms. Proserpina…" She gasped, her hands squeezing the sides of her seat. "What if the worst happens and you die?" The princess wasn't the only who was thinking that as well; there was a look in our eyes, minus the vampires, that said that same thing. Not many go around a drink vampire's blood on a daily bases, but the ones that do, aren't around to tell the tale…

"Come on!" Pokota yelled, as he flexed against the rope that held him in place. "Don't do this-There has to be a better opportunity other then risking it for this!" He made a fair point; after all you did manage to get out of your chains, so why are you playing along with this evil plot? Why haven't you broken out of you half way attempt to reattach the damn chains yet and kick these guys' asses? What are you doing Proserpina?!

"Relax, I've done this before." THAT IS ALL YOU CAN SAY? LIKE I'm SUPPOSE TO SIT HERE AND BELIEVE THAT IT WILL BE FINE, WHEN IT"S NOT! Still, even though we sat and plead her not to do so, I watched in horror as she threw back whatever that gods' awful stuff was, like she was taking a shot of whiskey, and downs it in one gulp. The sight made me cringe alone, I closed my eyes quickly as I heard Gourry gagged as Pokota and Amelia moaned lowly.

"No…" Zelgadis gasped as Proserpina gently sat her glass down; I didn't see it at first, but I soon caught on of how her eyes, which where gold and had healthy whites, changed into a dense black. She darted her gaze at Lady Karnstein, who seem rather delighted about the sudden beginning of the transformation. "Behold!" She held her arms high enough to make a dramatic scene (really she was). "Here it is where the very first non contact fledging ever to be sired! I'm made history here!" Amelia cried again as black streaks started to race across the pearly chimera' flesh. Even the armor reacted violently, as it spread out rapidly, tearing though more areas of the gown she was still wearing. Proserpina began to claw the table' surface in pain; a rage course though as her nails extend and turned black. She groaned as she bent over, clutching the edge of the wood to the point the newly form claws dug their way deep, shattering a good proportion as she clutched her fist. I don't think transforming into things like this is supposed to be a pleasant experience in the first place. Proserpina then lifted her head and hissed; fang protruded from full lips, and for once I felt threatened of the sight I saw before me. She was a frightful sight, yet still retains her natural beauty as well.

"Lovely…" Sarah outstretches her thin hand toward the pearly chimera. She hisses more as her finger trace on the side of her cheek.

"Why not be a dear and set her loose…" the duchess whispered as Sarah gleefully smiles, leaning over in front of Proserpina. There was then a low growl that rumble in the most unnatural way. I could hear shuffling, but anything else I saw I could only describe as a blur.

'Urk.' Sarah swayed before setting back up and turning around. The area, left to center, was gapping open, and large amounts of blood gushed from it. Her eyes went wide with realization as she began to collapse at the knees.

"My dear NO!" the countess made a grab for her wife, and the woman slowly died while in her arms. It was sorta sad, really, but then again it's one less bad guy to worry about. The duchess then let out a cry of despair as she cradled her body. Proserpina had stood up; the chains drop to her sides and the late Sarah' heart still clasped in her grasp.

"How could you-?!" The duchess croaked as bloody red tears streamed down her face. Normally, I would feel so bad for the person, especially if this was a completely different situation. Yet these were vampire women hell bent of world domination and enslavement of the human race… and not to mention sabotaging these two chimeras here. I feel worse for Proserpina, who put herself in that place, instead of watching Zel go through that. She just remains there, swaying as she responds to the Lady' sobs.

"No…NO…My Sarah…NO!" Even Montreal was staring down the pearly chimera, I don't think any ones' eyes left her as flexed her hand, squeezing the heart into a mushy pulp, which hit the floor with a sicken splat. The countess gaze burn to Proserpina. "You will pay for this!" She shriveled, jabbing a shaky finger at her, glaring at the henchman. "What are you waiting for?" She hissed. "Go after her!" A group of seven men encircled around both us and Proserpina. One snarled before taking a leap, which was clearly a horrible decision. In a blink of an eye; the man's blood spurted out and showered onto the wall nearby, and Proserpina just stood there, with the same hand that had the heart in it, held above her head.

"Shit…" One grunted from the left of Prince Phil, he then jumped over the man, and hopped onto the wall behind Pokota. I'm guessing her was trying to a sneakier attack, as he took off fast. He too, suffers the same faith as his blood sprayed everywhere as well.

"That's three down…" Amelia mumbled as a third is struck down, followed by the fourth and the fifth. The last two cowards close to Montreal, who was working on loosening up Zel's bindings. Is he going to do what I think he is going to do?

"Come here." He wiggled the injured chimera in front of him and the others. Zelgadis whence as he is being forced to stand on his legs; it wobbles as Montreal shoves him forwards toward the advancing Proserpina. "Go and get it. While it still fresh…" Did he…Just offer him as a meal?

"Are you a fool?" Lady Karnstein narrowed her gaze as she lifted Sarah with her. "What do you think you are doing?"

"I'm trying to redirect her…" He said with the up most confidence. "Maybe if she drinks the blood of another like you were hoping so, then maybe the transformation will correct itself…" I think what he was saying, is that Proserpina is not completely a vampire, but rather she has the abilities of one, as of now. Seeing her in this way made sense, but her reaction with the blue chimera was unreadable; it's hard with her eyes all blacked out…

"What in your right mind thinks that that's a suitable feast?" Okay, we all know Zel is skinny, but he's not that rawboned. The expression on his face seemed like he may have been bothered by that idea alone as he began to put two and two together; they were trying to give him to Proserpina, to feed on! Like the rest of us, but why Zel of all people, and not one of us? No! I'm not making a suggestion, don't get the wrong idea, I don't want to go first!

"If anyone can destroy him," Montreal dark eyes gleamed as he leered. "It would be her." She was standing in front of him now, and he didn't seem afraid, at least showed it that is. His eyes flickered as he waited for her to do something as she stood in the stillness.

"What are you going to do?" He asked softly, and Proserpina blinked slowly, and as silent as night, she placed her hand on his shoulder, and move aside from him. She had no interest in attacking, at least Zelgadis that is. I think her waver was one that of Montreal, Lady Karnstein, and the other two. At this point, it seems like she has control still of her own being; even though it can make a mere human go insane, not to mention the level of addition they crave after wards. People don't realize it, but to change on into a vampire, it must be more of a process then just a simple bite. "Boss," One of them shouted and the larger vampire snapped his head around. "I don't think it was a good idea to turn that one…" Montreal flared with a rage; bursting into his beast form once more! That guy may be on to something, and like the rest of us, they also took on to how the tables turned fast. I suppose the duchess didn't have the greatest researcher, especially when it comes to beings from other worlds at that!

"You weren't supposed to attack us…You were supposed to go after the humans!" The countess hissed as she vanishes along with the body of her late wife. "Take care of her and the rest of them, Montreal. Don't fail me! Do it in her honor!" She was gone within a whim, and Montreal turn to us as he evilly grinned, only to see that the other side of the table had been cut loose. Proserpina moved rapidly as she undid our as well, I could feel the warmth of my own blood returning back to my arms as I stretched while Gourry went to go grab one of the swords nearby.

"Here it is-"The silver on that was lend to him gleamed as he pose himself to strike. Amelia had already raced over to where Zelgadis was, who had slowly kneeled to the ground. He was making the attempt to heal him thigh, which the princess had insisted that she do so instead. Gourry had grabbed me as we raced to where the two where.

"He needs to recuperate." I barked at her as she nodded her head in acknowledgement. "You may need to keep him in the side lines at least until Zel is strong enough-"Montreal had already made the first move, as he slashed forward to where Proserpina had once stood. She soared airborne as she landed near where Pokota stood guard with Prince Phil.

"I am glad that you are still on our side!" He praise as he rough patted her shoulder. The pearly woman merely glared at him, which made him nervous. " Erm…My apologizes!' Seriously Phil… He chuckled nervously as Proserpina tilted her head slightly, as if she as concern about the odd behavior. "I wasn't trying to say anything bad, but the way you looked at made feel like I crossed you…" She arched her eyebrow. "Wait…I looked at you in some way? Oh!" She cracked a fanged smile. "I didn't mean to. This is actually rather painfully to experience. These teeth are such a bitch-!" Montreal made another swipe as the three dodge; Pokota grabbed Phil while Proserpina leapt forwards, in a counter attack which caused the vampire beast to fall over. Montreal exploded as he became enraged in raw energy; a crimson aura build up around him, his muscles flexed and increased in size, and his fang extended longer as his jaw open unnaturally wide.

"There is no way in hell!" I heard Pokota curse as Gourry eyes widen, his arm whipped out in front of Amelia and me; the princess continue to chant as the recovery spell even though Zel was fighting the process. It seemed like he wanted to be a part of the action, in spite of his injury. "He is completely transforming! This can't be good… "His voice trailed off over the beast's man's blood thirsty roar, Zelgadis moved more as he too grew more uncomfortable with Montreal' changing.

"Mister Zelgadis! You need to stay still!" Amelia shouted at the frustrated chimera as she continued it. "I'm almost done!-" Montreal flared up even more; his energy raising as he grew more into a beast from hell, looking less human by the minute.

Author's rant (Not this again!): Whoa, I kinda pushed myself there, but I got a three day weekend with nothing but some chores and a bit of a relaxation to go with that, and the opportunity to get a good head start with the next chapter. By the way, Here's a preview:

"There is no way I'm just going to let you have this!" Come on! Make it easy on the rest of us and just give him the darn thing! While Amelia and I were too busy on focusing on the struggle between the two, Pokota was at least paying mind to the rest of the show down. "Bomb Di Wind!" A strong gust of wind that whirled around us, dispelling the collected hazed as the space cleared up. There was a sudden crash; Proserpina was thrown at quite the speed, and slammed into the wall nearby. It cracked and crumbled under her form and she groan as she wiggled herself loose from it. Montreal then proceeds to swing his mighty fist back. The young Prince shouted as a fiery ball was shot from his hands. Sigh, Good ol Fire ball, usually does the trick right? Not in this case at least, it has none effect on the vampire beast man. I swear the basterd gazed at us with this sicken grin, before lodging his fist deep in Proserpina's torso. I heard her faintly moaned as she was buried deeper into the interior. He withdrawn his hand and stare us down as if we were prey. I begun to shake as I could feel his gaze locked onto me!

And that's a wrap for the following chapter! Thank you all again for your views! Till next time! MUAH