Helicopters flew through the air attacking any ship and Paragon monster they could find. A few others went straight for the castle, bombarding it with missiles and guns.
In the ocean, gunboats tore through the waves, firing anti-vampire guns or other heavy weaponry at anyone not affiliated with Helsing. Like gasoline poured onto an open flame, Helsing's arrival merely ignited the chaos beyond what already existed.
"Damn!" Ai snarled as she killed a Darkcaller that dove at her from above, only to be met with a hail of gunfire from a helicopter. Righting herself, Ai summoned flames in her hands and flung them toward the offending aircraft. The helicopter veered away from the flames, leaving it open to an attack from the queen herself as she sliced off the tail rotor.
"It's just one thing after another…" Ai growled as she looked toward the source of all these attacks. "And where the hell did they even get a carrier like that!?" The carrier in question seemed to be a heavily modified vessel. A large landing pad made up the majority of its upper deck, with a cavernous hold right below that seemed to accommodate smaller naval craft while gun turrets and cannons upon the deck fired upon their fleet and Bloodspire castle. It disturbed Ai that terrorists were able to acquire such equipment.
"Sister!" Ren called from her earpiece. "Helsing is completely disrupting our forces! We may not be able to commit to holding the docks at this point!"
Ai racked her brain for solutions. It was impossible for them to maintain a siege with another enemy force right beside them, especially one that seemed so indiscriminate with violence.
And yet, perhaps there was still a silver lining. "Gather half of our air support to cover the landing teams we have left! The rest will attack the helicopter pads as planned!" Ai issued orders quickly in response to the changing situation. "Don't bother capturing the helicopter pads if there is too much interference! Simply commandeer them from inside if you need to!"
"Katarina, prioritise your team's landing now!" Ai continued as she fought unabated. "All support vessels must see to it that she lands safely!"
"And what do we do?" Ren asked over the clamor.
"Ren, we will prioritise putting that ship out of commission!" Ai responded. "Akira, Anju, maintain your air cover of the landing teams! It is imperative that they reach the island!"
"Roger!" The two replied.
Ai now swooped down, Diana flashing as she bisected Darkcallers all around. Beneath her, Ren was already making her way to the carrier in a hijacked Helsing gunboat, thorns lashing out at the Paragon beasts around her or any of Helsing's gunboats, flinging them into the air as she passed by them.
She now focussed on the large ship, noticing various helicopters lifting off as well with some carrying ground vehicles like tanks. Their landing teams huh. She surmised. No doubt heading to the main island to deal with the Kraven clan directly, along with any vampire they could find.
"I truly hope our young knights are able to handle themselves." Ai said as she flew toward another attack helicopter, swiftly slicing through its underside as she charged toward the Helsing vessel.
Emi huffed as she ran up the slopes, sending icy blades at any foe she saw. With Helsing's sudden interference it became more important to ensure that the landing areas were secured for the next assault force.
Thus, she reverted to her plan: clearing and defending the landing zone. Emi spun, flourishing her blade and launching waves of ice at the encroaching crowd of Paragon monsters, freezing them in their tracks. It worked well enough that the ice walls she had raised only allowed the enemy forces to attack from the front, but the high towers overlooking the bay was still a problem.
"Come on! Lay down some covering fire for Lady Emi!" A soldier yelled. "We need to buy time for her to shore up our defences!" Rifles were cocked and machine guns were assembled. Gunfire erupted as her landing party unloaded ammunition into the encroaching horde. Emi took the reprieve to reinforce her ice walls, allowing them to recover against the assault from the towers.
Still not a permanent solution… Emi gritted her teeth as she felt another massive explosion rock the wall on the left. We need to do something about those towers, and fast!
"Is there any air support we have available?" Shinji asked.
"No sir!" A soldier replied. "Air teams are preoccupied with either taking the helicopter pads or fending off Helsing's attacks! Maybe if the landing teams get here then…"
"We might not have enough till then!" Emi said as she glanced back toward the ocean. While it was comforting to know that there were many boats on the way, the combination of both Paragon beasts and Helsing terrorists had already stretched the remaining aerial teams.
As if to prove her right, a Helsing attack helicopter flew into view, firing its minigun at a group of boats. Despite their evasive action, one was struck directly, exploding into flame.
"Damn it, we simply don't have enough to cover everyone!" Emi gritted her teeth as the pounding of her ice barrier intensified.
Then, from the corner of her vision, she saw a dark shape flying through the air. It went directly at a helicopter, and instantly the fuselage was sheared apart. It continued on through a flock of Paragon monsters, Darkcallers and Nightfiends falling with holes through their bodies.
"Is that…" Emi frowned.
"Anju?" Shinji blinked as the shape now dove toward one of the towers. "Hang on, is she going to…"
Everyone watched as the shape struck the tower, blasting through the parapet effortlessly. An explosion erupted through the sky, as if the figure had ignited the ammunition stored there.
"Perforation, right?" Emi said.
"Yeah." Shinji replied. "Something I don't want to be in the way of."
"Yikes…" Misaki gaped as she saw Anju dove through another tower from above, causing it to collapse downward.
"Geez, that kid is crazy as hell." Rodin gulped. "But at least she is clearing out the defences."
"The two rulers have their hands full dealing with those Helsing asshats." Serenity replied. "So I put it into her head that she could use her abilities to deal with the surrounding defences. Didn't think she'd turn herself into a living torpedo though."
"What about Akira?" Misaki asked.
"Covering the other landing teams." Serenity said. "Once they have landed, he will join the ground teams in clearing the castle. We have no choice considering the manpower we have left."
"Then we'd best make sure we take the helicopter pads ASAP." Misaki nodded as she looked out of the helicopter. One of the pads was already in view, and she could see plenty of vampires on it, plus two helicopters.
"Okay, any way we get through that?" Misaki asked.
"Just one." Rodin huffed as he flexed his deformed arm. "Pilot, full speed ahead!"
"But sir-?" The pilot answered.
"That wasn't a suggestion!" Rodin said. "Pedal to the medal!"
With a sigh, the pilot charged in, heading straight for the helicopter pad. Rodin now unfastened the seat belt and moved to the outside of the aircraft.
"When I say so, turn left, hard." Rodin said to the pilot.
"Hold on, are you going to do what I think you're going to do?" Misaki frowned.
"Just get ready to dive in once it goes off." Rodin huffed. "Get ready… NOW!"
The pilot did as he was told, at as soon as the helicopter veered off, Rodin used all his strength to fling himself toward the helicopter pad, smashing through one of the docked helicopters and causing the gathered enemies to scatter.
"Guess that it our cue!" Misaki said. "Get us in, now!"
"On it!" The pilot nodded as he veered back to the landing pad. Misaki pulled her cloak tighter as they approached, able to see Rodin brawling through the guards effortlessly. Once she was directly above, Misaki leapt off, rolling as she hit the floor. Quickly, she activated the magic in her cloak, causing her to vanish and close in on the nearest vampire, uncloaking while swinging the blade.
As she swung, she saw the sigils upon it glow. Effortlessly it went through the vampire's neck, his shocked face falling away from the corner of her vision. She now spotted another vampire aim a rifle at her, and quickly she threw the knife at him, striking him in his head.
As she broke off, the glove glowed, and the knife wrenched itself free from the dead vampire's head and flew right back to her hand, just in time for her to strike down another. Once again, she threw the knife, impaling a head before the blade flew back toward her gloved hand, arming her in time to deal with another opponent.
"Wow…" Misaki gasped as she looked at the knife.
"Hey kid, just picked up a magic spike from Rebound. You managing okay?" Came Serenity's voice from her earpiece.
"Whoa!" Misaki cried out in surprise. "Hang on, how are you monitoring everything from where you are on the ships?"
"Tools of the trade kid." Serenity replied. "I made tracking sigils over your weapons and found a way to hook them up to various measuring instruments. Been able to see just how efficient they've been in using all that magic they've got in them and how they function. Seems yours is looking all good, meaning I didn't screw it up."
"So that returning to me thing…" Misaki asked. "Is that why I was supposed to hold it for that long?"
"Right on kid." Serenity replied. "Had to make sure the knife was keyed to you and only you. Otherwise any shithead could just yank the glove off and use it for themselves. And now that I've seen how it works, I can make more for you in the days ahead. And with the old functions you tested before, I'm certain I have plenty of fun things to try. Maybe I'll test it to the next person who pisses me off."
"Uh-huh…" Misaki half laughed. "Whatever makes you happy I guess…" She now made a mental note to never cross her.
"Oh chill out kid. So long as you don't turn into a butthead like Rodin, I'll do you plenty of good things." Serenity assured. "For now though, stay alive. Think you can do that much?"
"Yeah." Misaki nodded as more helicopters landed. "I can do that."
With the main landing teams finally reaching the shore, Katarina took command and led them through the castle. As planned, their priority targets were the laboratories underneath and the main armoury. Capturing these would certainly stem the tide of Mortis's might.
"Ganju and Henry, head towards the labs." Katarina commanded. "Ichigo, go for the armoury. I will do what I can to clear a path toward the throne room, no doubt where my grandfather is. But if you need support, sound off and I will redirect forces to you as needed."
"Understood." Ganju nodded. "We'll do our best to be careful and take no risks."
"Just make sure you don't get yourself killed." Ichigo said as he split off the main group, a small number of vampire knights following behind him. Dealing with various enemies he met along the way using the assault rifle he took from the ship, Ichigo showed little signs of stopping. Katarina has explained how important it was to deal with the armoury. The less of Mortis's troops he had to deal with the better. Once his task was done, he'd head back down to the labs to take out whatever Paragon monsters remained. He knew he couldn't stop right now
Guttural snarls echoed through the hallway beyond. Two Wretchlings now emerged, charging toward him as a Darkcaller flew in from behind. Ichigo fired his assault rifle at the Darkcaller. The flying beast attempted to dodge, but two bullets went through its wings, causing it to falter. Ichigo now drew Wither and Havoc, the guns now marked with green and red marks respectively. Ichigo had already seen the improvements Serenity had made, ones that he hoped would be put to good use.
Quickly he fired, Wither's round now instantly decaying through the Wretchlings as Havoc's rounds detonated as soon as they hit the Darkcaller. Ichigo ran forward, not bothering with the dying monsters.
"Hey kid, be careful with what you've got on you." Serenity's voice echoed in his head. "I have plenty of ammo for you, but right now it remains to be seen how I can resupply should you go out. I suggest you shoot sparingly, and don't miss."
"Roger that." Ichigo said. "How is that carrier from Helsing faring?"
"Hahaha…" Serenity chortled as she looked out the window of her cabin. "I really don't wanna be in their shoes right now."
Serenity had known about the carrier, especially its specifications. It was more than capable of holding myriad helicopters, assault boats and ground vehicles to complement the small army it could hold within itself. The vessel was also armed heavily, with cannons and missile launchers for assaulting large targets and various machine gun nests and short range rockets for defense. It was practically a small sea fortress.
And yet, Serenity was reminded that very few things could stand up to the Kuran sisters when they fought together, especially with their new weapons…
…and especially with how vengeful they were against Helsing.
With the evidence that Ai's husband was killed by the terrorist group, it was no secret that Ai and Ren had Helsing near the top of their priority targets. There wasn't much sympathy the two sisters had for the terrorist group, and that was on full view today.
Metal thorns rampaged on the top of the deck, smashing apart cannons and helicopters whilst swatting away soldiers on the deck. The thorns themselves burrowed through the decks, splintering metal and causing the ship's structure to buckle.
Amidst that chaos, a lithe figure raced across the deck, dual scythe flashing and cutting apart Helsing troops all around. As the turrets turned toward her, Ai gathered flames in her hands and threw them into the barrel, causing the turret to explode from inside. Anyone attempting to flank her was suddenly swarmed by shadowy butterflies.
"Shit… Hell hath no fury." Serenity almost chuckled. "All the same kiddos, best watch out for the Executors. I noticed a couple of helos and boats heading to the island as they were causing chaos with their arrival. Best you all stay ready."
"Roger that Serenity." Rodin nodded. "We'll keep an eye for them up here."
He now terminated the link, looking up to see groups of soldiers now landing on the captured helipads. "Alright boys, remember our job is to now go and support the ground teams. Watch your backs in there, no telling how many of those Paragon monsters or Helsing troops you will find!"
"Yes sir!" The soldiers replied.
"So, think we'll run into any of those Executors?" Misaki asked.
"Well, if my luck is as good as I expect, most likely." Rodin breathed.
"So, any advice if we run into them?" She said as she followed him down the hallways.
"Don't fight one without me." Rodin answered. "They will kill you quicker than you can throw that knife."
"Duly noted." Misaki replied. "Let's just focus on our mission for now yeah?"
"Sure thing kid. Now, as we agreed, go to the rest of the landing pads with the others. We have to secure them pronto." Rodin said. "Then when you are done, head toward the lower levels and back up the ground teams. We are on a strict timetable right now, every move counts."
"Got it." Misaki nodded and ran up again.
Rodin half-chuckled as he watched her go off. Spunky kid. Reminds me a lot of myself in the day. He now moved to follow, before suddenly his arm pulsed.
Rodin looked to his clawed limb first, before his senses flared. It was always something he had since he became an Executor of Helsing, as if he possessed a powerful sense that alerted him to various dangers that were about to take place. He wasn't sure if it was due to his Bloodbane weapon fusing to him, or if it was just some innate sense he always had; perhaps it was both.
Either way, it always alerted him to when tragedy would strike. "MISAKI!" He shouted, diving forward. The teenager barely stopped before the entire hallway in front of her was blown apart.
"What the hell was that!?" Emi gasped as she looked toward the direction of the most recent explosion, which had apparently caved in a huge section of the castle wall, close to the landing pad Misaki had just cleared.
"Misaki?!" Emi called. "Talk to me! What happened?"
"Incoming!" A soldier cried. Emi now turned to see something now clouding the sky. A close inspection then revealed red dots upon them, like eyes in the dark. Immediately realising the danger, Emi stabbed her rapier into the ground and created walls of ice all around the troops gathered on the beach.
The storm of swords now stabbed all around. While a majority of the troops were able to find cover, others were not so lucky, the blade slicing through and impaling them. Blood sprayed from open wounds, or some turned to ash and left behind a very sinister looking estoc in the ground, one with a pulsing red eye in the hilt.
Oh crap… Emi gulped as she looked to the distance, where the swords had originated from, and sure enough, there she was.
"Ahahahaha!" Celestine laughed. "How wonderful to see you again Emi Aidou! Let's have some fun today, shall we?"
Author's Note:
Hello everyone! It has been a while! If you are still reading this, thank you so much for your dedication and patience.
It has been getting harder and harder to write lately. I've had to prioritize various things lately and sadly, there were more important things to attend to in my life than having to write fanfics, though that has not stopped me in pursuing the end of this story.
Thus, I hope you will continue to read and be patient for newer chapters. Fear not, as I truly intend to finish this story that has gone on for this long. I owe it and you all that much.
Jdbl00d