Emi slashed open a Wretchling's throat as she dove down the stairs into the bowels of the ship. Thankfully, the Wretchlings were a tad too big to fit into the confined space, allowing the landing teams below deck to prepare unabated.
With too much time wasted, Queen Ai had decided for the assault teams to begin launching. Emi was firm that it was the best move. Too long and they would be caught in a battle of attrition.
In the other ships, she was aware of the aerial teams beginning their preparations, with some helicopters already away. Rodin was accompanying Misaki with a sizeable Hunter detachment, so she had no fear for her friend. She merely hoped that taking the target helicopter pads and the docks would not be too costly, though she figured that would depend on her.
In the hangar of the carrier, three specialised landing boats were being prepared. Each was large enough to hold at least twelve men and was also outfitted with a well armoured hull. Emi honestly didn't know where they were able to acquire such vessels, but to pry was to intrude upon the Queen's more clandestine affairs.
Emi now flipped backward onto the first boat, startling the troops that had gathered upon the deck. "Are we ready to go?" She called. Recalling the plan in her head, it was agreed that the first boats would be accompanied by accomplished knights to ensure that the vessels were protected against whatever Mortis's defences could muster at them. As one of the highest ranked warriors present, it naturally fell to Emi and Shinji to take the first one out.
"All set!" The boat's operator said. "Now we just have to hope we make it to the island in one piece!"
"Let the vampires worry about that." Shinji said as he jumped onto another boat. "Just focus on getting to the island at full speed!" Shinji frowned as the hangar began to open, the unloading ramp being readied to launch them. After all, it wasn't unlikely that Bloodspire castle had defensive fortifications. He was already anticipating to be shot at the minute they approached the island.
"Ramp deployment complete in 3… 2… 1…" Came the voice over the radio. Shinji watched as the ramp unfurled completely…
…revealing a huge Paragon monster whose body was adorned with purple scales.
Instantly, he rushed at the beast, electricity running through his body as he drew back the chained sickle, piercing his thumb on the small spike at the handle. His blood now began to coat the blade and chain, glistening with crackling energy as it appeared to congeal and solidify. With a quick slash, the bloodied blade sliced at the Nightfiend's head, impaling itself through its skull as a wave of electricity conducted all the way from Shinji, through the chain and into the beast's flesh. The monster roared as electricity jolted through its flesh. Smoke now rose as its body was electrocuted, its muscles twitching uncontrollably. Now the electricity halted, and the monster slumped into the waves lifelessly.
"Whoa." Shinji marvelled at the power of his new weapon. Before he was merely used to manipulating his own blood as a weapon. Never did he think that it could be reinforced to become stronger or conduct his own electric abilities better
"Just saw that kid." Serenity's voice chuckled through his earpiece. "How does Scarlet Rend feel? Added some nifty functions that could help solidify your blood and also help it conduct more of that electricity going through you."
"Pretty cool." Shinji smiled. "I'm definitely stronger with this."
"Just be careful buddy." Serenity warned. "Loose too much focus and people may end up getting a dollop of electrified blood. Not something they'll thank you for."
"Roger that." Shinji nodded as the boats started to launch. As soon as they hit the water, Shinji bore witness to the literal sea of chaos that erupted all around. Aquatic Nightfiends were already boarding many ships, bringing with them packs of Wretchlings that swarmed the crew. Already a frigate was starting to list with the huge creature's body, the men aboard losing their footing and slowly being preyed upon by Wretchlings.
Immediately, Shinji threw his blade and hooked onto an overhead helicopter, swinging himself toward the frigate. Slicing open his hand, he let the blood gather onto the weighted chain as he spun it around. Once he was within range, he swiped with tremendous force, flinging the gathered blood as he sharpened them into spears. The blood spears impaled the Nightfiend, forcing it to let go and drop into the ocean and giving the frigate's crew time to re-orient and fend off the Wretchlings, Serenity's specially crafted bullets allowing even small arms to fend them off.
Shinji landed on another boat that was launching out, keeping his eyes fixed upon Bloodspire castle. As Katarina described, the spire was like a thin needle breaching toward the sky, protruding from the main castle. Swarms of Darkcallers flew all around it, and if he focussed his eyes, he could just make out the platoons of Mortis's warriors massing on the docks.
"Looks like we have a rough landing ahead of us!" Shinji called to everyone.
"Hope you aren't getting cold feet!" Emi responded. "This is a lot more compared to Kraven castle!"
"At least we are more prepared for Paragon monsters right now." Shinji replied as he flung his blood coated sickle, bisecting a Darkcaller that had charged at them. In a fluid motion, he brought the sickle down, slicing apart the face of a Nightfied that was charging at them. "And I have to admit these weapons work well on the Paragon monsters. Last I checked Nightfiends needed a group of us to take down."
"Don't celebrate yet." Katarina called. "I'm sure there are still plenty of surprises left for us. So keep your eyes peeled."
"Got it." Shinji nodded, readying himself as four more Darkcallers, with Wretchlings in tow, dived at him.
"Geez." Misaki huffed as she got on her assigned helicopter with Rodin. "They really want us to get through that whole flock of Darkcallers huh?"
"No other way kiddo." Rodin replied. "We wait too long and we'll run out of bullets real fast. Katarina is headed to try and stem those monsters right now whilst the Kurans and Anju do their best to keep the fleet safe."
"I watched hundreds of war movies." Misaki breathed. "They were never like this."
"Nothing ever is." Rodin affirmed as he walked to the pilot. "Take us up!"
The pilot nodded. "As soon as our escorts are in the air! We only have one shot at this!"
Rodin nodded in return and headed to his seat. "Okay, remember our main job is to first secure those helipads! Once those are done we go and help whoever needs it!"
Misaki now fingered the coat she wore, checking that it was working properly after Serenity's modifications. She had to admit, it still amazed her what Serenity was able to do with normal equipment and weapons, turning even the most mundane things into incredible tools that no Hunter has been able to replicate.
"Seriously, what did Serenity do to even make things like all this?" Misaki stared at her dagger, the blade slightly longer since Serenity went and upgraded the various functions upon it. She then looked at the new piece of equipment she was given, a red coloured glove with some strange sigils upon it as well. More bewildering though were the instructions she was given; that she had to hold the knife in the glove for at least five hours. She was certain she'd understand the smith's plans in due time though.
"She has plenty of her own secrets." Rodin nodded. "Honestly, I'm sure she'd be a lot happier if she didn't have to invent weapons anymore."
"She did invent a very potent blood solution." Misaki nodded, recalling the powerful cocktail that allowed vampires to regain all their strength with just a few drops. "I'm certain once she no longer needs to commit to war, she can make more of such things."
"Maybe even stop cussing her ass off for good." Rodin chuckled as he felt the helicopter lift off.
"I heard that asshole." Serenity's voice came over their ears.
"Oh come on, it would be good for you." Rodin smiled. "No more wars, maybe handle a nice vacation yourself. "Don't you have plans to go to the Caribbean at least?"
"You can go and do whatever shit fascinates you." Serenity replied. "Provided you actually bring yourself back alive, you dumb shit."
Rodin went silent for a long time. "Huh, I think that's possibly the only words of encouragement you ever gave me. Wonder if that's a good thing…"
"Piss off dickhead." Serenity growled at him. "What the fuck you getting all sentimental on me for? For the record…"
"We are going to win this Serenity." Rodin interrupted. "I know it. We'll stop Helsing too, and destroy every single Bloodbane weapon that ever exists. Then we walk away from all this and live the peaceful lives we want."
Misaki waited as silence stretched between them, broken only by the chaos of the battle around them. Then after what felt like an eternity, Serenity spoke at last.
"Whatever you say." Came Serenity's reply.
"Yeah." Rodin nodded.
"I wanna get some tattoos." Serenity said. "Some cool designs existed that I never knew were there."
"Sure." Rodin nodded.
"And maybe relax on a cruise." She continued. "I need a fucking break."
"Yeah you do." Rodin chuckled.
"And I wanna see what happens when I cut your manhood off for interrupting me." Serenity said.
"Alri- WAIT A MINUTE!" Rodin exclaimed, startling everyone. "Where did that come from!?"
"You interrupted me as I was trying to insult you." She replied. "That's worth at least that much."
"Can't we discuss this!? And does it need to be that excessive!?" Rodin protested as Misaki watched on bemusedly, hoping that at the very least, all of them would survive what came next.
Emi huffed as she directed another swarm of icy swords with Diamond Edge, cutting apart the Paragon beasts that charged at them. With another swirl, she launched ice shards at a hulking Nightfiend that exited the water, piercing its brains.
"There are too many of them!" Emi reported. "And our landing parties are taking a beating!" She thrust forward, firing an icicle at another Nightfiend that was starting to claw apart another boat, impaling it through the throat.
"Just focus on getting yourselves on the docks!" Katarina's voice said as the dying throes of another Paragon beast filled Emi's hearing. "Once we secure those, the landing teams will be able to make their way there!"
"You heard her!" Shinji remarked. "Keep pushing forward!"
"Don't know if we'll live long enough for that!" The boat pilot shouted over the din of the fighting. As if to reinforce this notion, a shrill scream came from overhead. Shinji now watched five Darkcallers diving at him, along with a Nightfiend that sported wings on where its arms and legs should be, its bat-like face illuminated by a pale green light coming from its mouth.
The Nightfiend now opened its jaws and fired green slime at Shinji, who now attempted to deflect it.
Then, a shape came into view, blocking the slimy projectile. Shinji's eyes widened as the figure now charged at the incoming horde, her wings carrying her across the sky.
With a grunt of effort, Anju swung her scythe, bisecting the first two Darkcallers as a shadowy vine lashed out at another, impaling it through the chest. Instantly, a red rose sigil appeared in the vine's path. The vine went through it and emerged from another sigil that appeared next to the last two, striking at their heads.
With the Darkcallers dead, Anju went for the Nightfiend, who merely howled and charged at her. Instantly, Anju's hands sprouted four thorny vines that sliced forward, cutting apart the Nightfiend's wings. The monster howled as it plummeted to the ocean, blood trailing from its severed limbs.
"Keep going." Anju huffed as she readied herself again. "I'll cover you."
Akira slashed apart another Darkcaller as he jumped from one ship to another. With the swarms of Paragon beasts present, it became important that as much cover be provided to the landing teams as necessary, and that wasn't happening if the naval ships were torn apart.
While he was capable of flight, it was only if he had Blood Drive activated, and per Serenity's advice, he had to keep that in reserve. Thus, he had no choice but to resort to using the ships around as his main mode of travel as he defended against the swarms of monsters.
As he charged against another group of monsters, he saw the silhouette of Anju flying overhead, Shadow carrying her effortlessly across the skies as she intercepted Darkcallers all around. Where her scythe couldn't reach, Shadow morphed itself into claws, thorny tendrils and spikes that struck everything around her.
Akira smiled as he left the skies to her, focussing his energies in guarding whatever landing boats he could. He looked up and saw a few Wretchlings being tossed his way by the Darkcallers above. He now channeled his powers on his sword, the blade glowing red as the dark cape formed behind him, feathers scattering from it. Akira raised the sword, and now the feathers hovering around him froze in the air, pointing toward the Wretchlings.
With a flourish, the feathers shot straight at them, slicing through the flesh and ripping their bodies apart. He marvelled at the abilities the sword conferred him, strengthening the entirety of his vampiric powers. It seemed the sword Nightblade was named aptly.
"Glad to see my adjustments are working well." Serenity said.
"It indeed is of great help." Akira nodded.
"Still, remember not to hit the gas too much." Serenity nodded. "Pureblood or no, Blood Drive will still take a lot out of you, and while my artificial blood solutions are much stronger than what is on the market, they aren't an infinite supply."
"Satisfy my curiosity, but how did you create something like that?" Akira asked as he fought.
"Guess its fine to say." Serenity said. "It was during my time in Helsing. I managed to study the cells of many vampires, along with that of a Pureblood's."
"Ah." Akira nodded. "For their Bloodbane weapons."
"You got it." Serenity nodded. "And long story short was I managed to isolate the unique composition of haemoglobin proteins found solely in vampire blood. These proteins are what makes Pureblood blood so intoxicating to the rest of your kind."
"Considering our lack of human ancestry, it would make sense." Akira nodded.
"You really are smart." Serenity said, and Akira was certain she was smiling. "I like that. Well, with a bit of adjusting here, a bit of tweaking there and a lot of chemical modifications later, I managed to make the blood solutions you all know and love."
"I really hope you will share your knowledge with us when this is over." Akira said. "This world would benefit from all you have learned."
"Not all I have learned is good stuff kid." Serenity retorted. "And if you wanted to argue in favour of the blood solutions, just remember that it's basically crack for vampires. Might want to consider how nuts the populace will get if it becomes readily available."
"Fair point." Akira nodded. "Best I let mother discuss this properly first."
"That you ought to do." Serenity nodded. "Anyways, from where I'm sitting, a couple of the boats are already landing. Just keep up the cover for the ones still around as we secure the landing zo… Oh you have got to be shitting me!"
"Ms Serenity?" Akira called out in surprise. "What is going on?"
"Kuran! Brace yourself! We have unwanted guests!"
As soon as her boat landed, Emi jumped upward as high as she could, landing and stabbing Diamond Edge into the ground. Immediately sand and soil was replaced with ice, gigantic stalagmites impaling all Paragon beasts within a six hundred meters.
Quickly, the landing teams followed, swords and guns drawn as they created a defensive position.
Per Katarina's recommendation, this was among the safest docks to capture due to the lack of defensive towers here. However, it was more than made up for with the high cliff walls and the incredulously long and winding trek toward the main structure itself. No doubt Mortis had positioned many powerful Paragon creatures in this area.
As if to prove her point, a pack of Brutes no converged on their position, roaring with a feral hunger for blood. Emi slowly got into her stance, readying herself for the fight as the other soldiers disembarked.
Something whizzed over her head. Emi now watched as a sickle embedded itself into the head of one Brute. Shinji now leapt onto the monster's head. Gripping his weapon, he drew blood around the weighted end. Slowly the blood solidified into spikes as he spun the chain around, smashing apart the surrounding monsters. Any out of his reach were suddenly struck by electrified blood needles flying from the chain, stunning them temporarily, but giving time for Emi to rush in the slice through them with icy blades.
"Easy enough I guess?" Emi huffed.
"It isn't over yet!" Shinji exclaimed. "We still need to trek up the cliffs and into the main fortress with the rest. For now, we need to hold this position and-"
"Bad news kiddos!" Serenity's voice came over their earpieces.
"Ms Serenity?" Emi frowned. "What is going on!"
"It's Helsing! They decided to crash the party!"
"What?" Shinji shouted in shock. "Where are they?"
"Right next to us! The shitheads are attacking the opposite side of the island right now, and by the looks of it, they brought everything they had with them!"
Right on cue, a missile streaked past the air and blew up one of the transport boats. Shinji looked up now to see an attack helicopter making its way past the horde of Paragon beasts, its guns mowing down any that got in its way.
"Great." Shinji growled as he spotted more coming behind, indiscriminately attacking anyone from Mortis's forces to their own. "Absolutely perfect…"
Author's note:
So I know it has been 4 months since my last upload, which is an understandably long time, but do let me explain
Mainly it was because I decided to make a career change recently, which meant I had to focus more time toward preparing for interviews, writing my resume and of course, job hunting.
Add that to preparing for my recent trip to Japan (which I was more than happy for) along with other work stresses more or less took all my time away from writing.
I hope that you will continue to read this story as I truly intend to finish it this year. Please be patient with me despite my packed schedules. I hope at least for more of your patience and understanding as I finish this.
Jdbl00d