"Hoooooly shit…" Misaki breathed as she looked at the gaping hole where the hallway used to be. Were it not for Rodin's warning, she likely would have been pieces by now.
"Geez…" Rodin panted as he got off his back. "Guess I can count on them always ruining the day no matter what."
"So, who do you think is the culprit of that?" Misaki asked as she straightened up.
"Richard." Rodin answered. "Most likely went into Blood Drive already. It also means the others will be following in soon enough."
"So what exactly is our plan for the most dangerous madmen in Helsing?" Misaki frowned before looking back to the massive hole before her. "And more importantly, where do we go from here? I don't want to be around when another shot like that hits this place."
"Fair enough point." Rodin said as he pressed at his earpiece. "Serenity, tell the queen we have a change of plans. The soldiers who have managed to land are to work their way down to the labs after they scuttle the landing pads. Get them deeper into the castle until Richard has been dealt with."
"Roger that. I'm getting word to the queen and grandmaster knight now." Serenity replied. "What about you two?"
"I'm going to head off whichever Executor I can find." Rodin said. "I'll take Misaki and have her regroup with some of the ground forces readying to take the castle."
"Just don't pick off more than you can chew." Serenity warned. "I trust you don't need me to tell you Arthur is beyond you."
"I'm not in a habit of picking fights where I make no difference in." Rodin said. "But every second we leave those guys alone our chances of failure rises and our life expectancy shortens."
"Just don't die you numbskull." Serenity said as she cut off.
"Not in my plans." Rodin replied. "Okay Misaki, better hold on tight."
"Why?" Misaki frowned, now uncertain of what was about to happen.
"Because we need to move fast while being shot at." Rodin explained as he flexed his clawed arm. "And honestly? I can only move really quick with both hands free."
"Okay then…" Misaki frowned. "Might I ask exactly what is our exit plan?"
"Well, I'm not so sure if I got anyone in that shot." Richard frowned, the black splotches on his face pulsing as he aimed again, the lengthened pistol attached to his arm glowing in the process as he fired again. The force of the shot blasted away the rocks around him as the round struck a tower, demolishing it completely.
"You disparage your aim Richard?!" Sergei arched an eyebrow. "Don't tell me you are getting cold feet? This is only start of battle."
"Be quiet Sergei." Richard replied in a low but threatening tone that seemed to carry over the din of the fighting. "Don't forget who outranks you here."
"We can always take this time to see which of us is stronger now!" Sergei growled in return. "We took enough of the blood solutions to keep Blood Drive up for a long time!"
"Mon amie, I do wish you'd be a bit more patient." Hugo said as he twirled his lance. "There is plenty of fighting to do, plenty of vampires to kill. Once this is over, then it would be a good chance to prove your strength against Richard."
Sergei huffed, still unhappy, but accepting the current situation. "Very well. I intend to kill the stone warrior. Do not come for my prey when the fighting begins."
"Oui. Same goes for between me and the one with the dual katanas. He seemed very capable. I will see him dead, and his weapons mounted on my wall as the newest trophies." Hugo stated.
"Stay focussed you lot." Hagan growled as he approached. "I already planned for that ship to be bait for those two Kuran siblings. The least you can do is follow the plan as much as possible so it isn't all for naught."
"You really sure? Those two siblings are ripping apart the ship faster than anticipated." Lance frowned as he walked up. "Will it really hold them off enough?"
"Our remaining troops know their roles." Hagan nodded. "And I also ordered for them to abandon ship once they have lured those two on board it enough. I don't expect them to kill the Kuran sisters, just to stall them. So for now, complete your objectives quickly, won't you?"
"Already done." Richard said as he fired another round, blowing apart another tower. "Thanks to the vamps, most of the defences have been destroyed. You two should be able to head toward the labs that are believed to be underground."
"Well, I suppose now is the time to act." Hagan nodded. "Remember Hugo and Sergei, you will need to focus on those Paragon beasts. We cannot allow them to proceed any further with the development of those things. Kill anyone that gets in your way."
"Finally!" Sergei roared as he charged forward, yelling a battlecry as he charged across the field.
"Well, at least he will be happy." Hugo hummed as he joined Sergei, swiftly striding across the warzone.
"Not going to mention Celestine is already doing whatever she wants?" Richard frowned.
"Please, when that madwoman senses something that incites her interest and pleasure, even I cannot control her." Hagan sighed. "Subdue her maybe, but it just leaves a mess. Honestly, how she has maintained self-control over these years I'll never know."
"And yet, she serves as an impressive warrior for us." Came a cold voice. They turned to see a man with silver hair approach them. "So please Hagan, don't be too harsh on her."
"Arthur, I sometimes wish you weren't so lenient." Hagan sighed. "She usually acts like a child who has gotten too many new toys, which she breaks far too quickly mind you."
"Fret not Hagan." Arthur smiled. "Celestine knows better than to overstep her boundaries. Haven't I assured you of that at least?" To this, Hagan cleared his throat, a sign of reluctant agreement.
"Now then, let us continue with our plans." Arthur nodded. "Where else must we focus ourselves?"
Hagan moved to answer before suddenly, a shadow obscured their vision. All of them turned now to see a huge piece of the castle wall blown apart by Richard flying toward them, about to crush them.
Hagan sighed in annoyance as he reached into his cloak and pulled out the gigantic scythe he had kept hidden, whose blade was adorned with what resembled a bloodied maw. With a flourish, he swung and sliced apart the castle wall without effort, splitting it in half.
Arthur and Richard regarded the scene matter-of-factly as Hagan rested the scythe, frowning as he did so. "Rodin. I recognise that reckless abandon anywhere."
"Are you going to deal with him?" Arthur frowned.
"Allow me." Lance said as he walked up. "You all have other matters to attend to. I will deal with the former number Four. Besides, we still have to settle our duel from Kuran town."
"As planned then." Hagan nodded. "Make sure that this time, you kill him."
"Of course." Lance nodded as he hefted his swords. "What other option is there?"
"Well then, now is the time we went to our respective targets." Arthur nodded, his silver hair billowing. "Into the Eternal Hunt."
"Guess I got their attention." Rodin nodded. "And judging by what is going to happen, I guess Lance will be coming for me now. Hope the kid got away safe. Actually, what the hell am I thinking? She went off after her vampire friend the minute I landed from the tower. Seriously, why are all these kids crazy?"
"Like you are one to talk." Serenity huffed in his ear. "Tell me again who thought it was a good idea to run onto a plane while it was taxiing?"
"Well, at the very least, let this old man do the heavy lifting that he's got to do." Rodin panted as he flexed his clawed arm.
"You really want to go that far man?" Serenity replied.
"We are already in the thick of it all." Rodin huffed. "Go big or go home as they say. Though in our situation, if we don't go all out, we really aren't going home."
"Shit, I hate it when you are right…" Serenity grumbled. "But hey, keep an eye on yourself. Even you aren't immune to going completely berserk out there due to a need for blood."
"Well, good thing I have your stims ready for us." Rodin said as he reached into his jacket and dumped out several syringes of the solution, quickly uncapping the needles.
"Whoa whoa!" Serenity said. "Where the fuck did you get that many? Did you go through my fucking stash?!"
"I'll apologise later." Rodin said. "Right now, it seems I have incoming."
"That's not the point you shithead!" Serenity yelled. "A single vial could sustain a vampire for weeks and help in healing the most grievous wounds! Sure it is one hell of a nutrition source, but bottom line is that it is still a drug! I am counting fucking twenty syringes on you! You jack that much into yourself, let's just say OD is an understatement!"
"No time Serenity." Rodin said as he took five in his hand and stabbed them right through his jugular vein. Instantly he felt the raw power from the blood solution. His body trembled, feeling the full brunt of the serum as if his cells were being lit on fire. Then, his arm twitched, convulsed and ultimately entered into a full blown spasm, as if it were experiencing a seizure. Rodin gritted his teeth as the Bloodbane weapon fused to his body began to devour his blood hungrily without restraint. He felt his breath grow ragged, yet increase in frequency. He continued again, injecting himself with the serum until he was out of syringes. As he did, his body began to convulse in agony.
"GRRRRRRRRGGGGHHHHAAAARRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGHHH!" An animalistic roar escaped Rodin's lips as red lines spread across his skin. The left side of his face now went black, his eye taking on an inhuman red colour as his hand twisted and cracked into razor sharp claws. Spines now erupted from the back of his hand and travelled up to his elbow as red veins appeared all over.
"You crazy son of a bitch! What the hell did I just say!?" Serenity yelled into his ear.
"Oh shut up." Rodin growled, sounding less human by the minute. "Stop yelling and just keep talking sense to me so I don't lose it. Lance is coming and this time I can't let him go from this."
Serenity groaned over the earpiece. "Okay fine! But you better not go overboard you hear me? You don't have much left on you, so hurry up and destroy that freak."
"Don't have to tell me twice." Rodin answered as he now charged forward, enhanced strength propelling him across the field as he charged the Fourth Executor, who had also entered Blood Drive and raised his swords to parry. Their clash caused a shockwave to burst apart the ground beneath them as Lance felt himself get pushed back effortlessly by Rodin's charge.
"So this is the real you." Lance said as black marks spread across his face. "I hope you don't disappoint this time."
"Be careful what you wish for." Rodin growled.
Emi panted as she deflected wave after wave of swords, buying time for the soldiers around to retreat. Still, even if most of them were now out of harm's way, Celestine was still a dangerous opponent. She could spare little in counterattacks and had no choice but to focus on defending herself.
And even that was no simple task. Already she had been nicked plenty of times, her white dress now stained with blood from wounds that weren't healing well.
"Ah, I see Serenity outfitted you with something nice!" Celestine smiled, eyeing the rapier Emi held. "Honestly, you are doing soooo much better than before in Kuran town! What a fun time then!"
"But then, that human bitch had to step in!" Celestine snapped sharply, causing Emi to raise her eyebrows. "She went in and marred my beautiful skin! You know how hard it takes to get this figure looking the way it does!? I swear, I will kill her the minute I lay my eyes on her!"
Not on my watch! Emi bared her teeth as she pushed herself harder, creating more ice blades and walls around her, doing her utmost to give herself breathing room. Since they started preparations weeks before, she had done much when it came to using the new weapon Serenity had provided. However, it's most crucial function was one that still needed a large amount of focus, focus that wasn't quite available right now.
"Oh come now! You surely have more to give me than just a small defensive play, do you?" Celestine crowed as she multiplied her swords more and more, sending them at Emi, who erected a wall in defense. Celestine now dashed forward, slashing at the ice wall Emi put up and shattering it immediately. Emi was sent flying to the ground. As she tried to recover, Celestine rushed up and planted her foot on the vampire's stomach. "I want more from my favourite little vampire! Entertain me!"
"I'm not some toy for you to play with, you insane bitch." Emi growled as she tried to remove the foot pinning her.
"But you are!" Celestine smiled madly. "You vampires love getting a pleasure out of humans, don't you? How does our blood taste? Does it excite you, when you feed off us?" Celestine now stabbed the blade into Emi's shoulder, drawing blood and causing purple lines to creep up Emi's shoulder. Emi gritted her teeth against the pain, feeling the Bloodbane weapon corrode her own flesh.
"Hehehe." Celestine giggled. "What a good look you have! I wonder what other expressions I can make you show me?" She raised the sword again, the tip now pointed at Emi's abdomen.
Suddenly, something flew by and knocked Celestine's sword off course, causing it to stab into the ground. Emi took the chance to kick at Celestine and roll away to safety.
"Who?" Celestine frowned as she looked around. From the corner of her eye, she saw a strange dagger fly away from her, and as soon as she saw who it returned to, an intense sense of frustration and fury.
"Stay the hell away from my friend you sick freak!" Misaki yelled as she charged in to challenge the Executor.
"Misaki no!" Emi cried as she got to her feet. "You are no match for her!"
"I can buy you time!" Misaki said as she threw the knife again. Celestine deflected it immediately and sent a swarm of blades right at Misaki. Misaki went invisible, quickly dodging the blades and reappearing closer to the Executor, summoning Rebound back to her hand and swinging at Celestine.
"You just love to ruin my fun, don't you!?" Celestine snarled as she parried. The Executor now kicked at Misaki, forcing the young girl back as she conjured up more swords again. Misaki immediately turned invisible, running as fast as she can as the swords came her way, barely outrunning them.
"Quit scampering like a little rodent!" Celestine raged as she this time fanned the swords out, firing them in all directions and forcing Misaki to parry them. Emi watched on as her friend battled an opponent that was completely out of her league. Doubts began to plague the vampire's mind as she considered the only option left.
Blood Drive. It was definitely the only thing that would give her an edge. However despite all her practices, Emi wasn't sure if she could pull it off as timely as she should. If she were too slow, it would be Misaki who'd pay the price first. Celestine was as merciless as they'd come, and since their episode in Roseland, Celestine would be more than happy to torture and kill her once she was done.
And so, it seems I need to succeed here. Emi breathed as she twirled, encasing herself in a multi-layered cocoon of ice. Holding Diamond Edge up to her face, she did as Rodin had instructed her all those weeks before…
Weeks ago, Castle Kuran
Emi held the blade up to her eyes, concentrating as hard as she could. She focused on the magic within the sword letting it course through her. As she did, she felt the sword thrum in her hands as it began to absorb her very blood.
Emi grunted as she felt her hand tremble, like a fire spreading up her wrist. Something painful now spread through her skin, causing her to grit her teeth.
Something shifted behind her, Emi's eyes snapped open as Rodin threw a punch her way, missing her temple and sifting through her white hair. Emi flipped away again, gaining distance from him as he withdrew his outstretched arm.
"No good." Rodin grunted. "You are still taking too long."
"It isn't exactly easy." Emi said as she looked at the rapier. "It feels far more uncomfortable than I'd like."
"That's kind of the point kid." Serenity said. "I made it so that those things augment your own powers with the nifty magic in them alongside the blood from Anju that serves as fuel, and that's how I managed to replicate Blood Drive without the weapon eating you alive like it does to Rodin. It isn't convenient, but it's the only thing that will give you a leg up on an Executor, or those Paragon beasts for that matter."
"Especially Celestine. She seems to like me." Emi frowned.
"Ha!" Serenity laughed sarcastically. "Like a cat loves pawing at a mouse. Seriously, that crazy bitch treats everything like a game, even murder. Hell, I wouldn't put it past her to get turned on by the fucked up shit she does."
"Ooookay…" Emi shuddered. "That is an idea I ought to get rid of from my head."
"That may have been pretty extreme for a teenager like you." Serenity nodded. "But seriously, don't get this done properly like Anju, and it's going to be more than just you on her torture rack. I'm more than certain she's got something in store for your friend too."
"Well, maybe we should look at a contingency." Rodin suggested. "You could always find a way to buy time for yourself to muster up Blood Drive in the thick of battle."
Emi straightened up, staring at her blade. "Well, I guess I've got my work cut out for me. Wonder if I could do it in time…"
"That depends. How much are you willing to endure?"
Emi's head shot up at the familiar voice. "Father? Why are you here? Shouldn't you be at the hospital?"
"Her Majesty asked for me to come and analyse the different serums and tools created by Ms Serenity. She hopes it will benefit medical treatment of vampires moving forward." Hanabusa Aidou walked in, leaving his suit on a nearby chair. "But seeing your own predicament, I decided it would be a good time to check in on you as well, get some understanding of these 'Banedrinker' weapons that have been made."
"Again, shitty name." Serenity sighed.
"Well, I suppose data can wait a little." Hanabusa said as he stalked forward, an unnatural chill permeating the air. "I understand you require training?"
"Well, what did you have in mind?" Emi frowned.
"Simple." Hanabusa nodded as the air around him got colder. Suddenly, with a flourish, a cage of ice was erected instantly around Emi
"Father!?" Emi shouted as the cage formed sharp spikes pointing toward her.
"We are going to train how you manage under pressure." Hanabusa nodded, yet a cold look remained in his eyes. "Consider this a way to push you. The cage will continue to press against you. Keep the spikes from touching you as much as possible while trying to activate this Blood Drive."
"Father, I don't know if this is truly necessary!" Emi frowned as the cage began to advance upon her.
"Necessity isn't the issue now daughter." Hanabusa answered. "If you want to protect those you hold near and dear, then you will need to give more now than what you have given your whole life."
Emi swallowed. While her father did train her initially in the use of her powers, it was never as Spartan as this. Her most difficult training came from the senior knights who mentored her. Despite it all, she could feel the power slumbering within her father. How much had he been holding back all this time? Exactly what could he be capable of? She didn't know, but one thing still stood true. If she wanted to protect those she cared for and the world as a whole, she could not back down here.
"En garde then, Father." Emi said as she readied her sword, freezing the very air around her.
Celestine fired another sword at the ice prison Emi had encased herself in. While the sword embedded itself deeply into the ice, the prison itself had held. Celestine frowned, obviously taken aback by how powerful the barrier was.
Perhaps… the Executor thought. This is when she has focused her full power into a single move. Still, she was not deterred. Celestine summoned more swords, sending an endless barrage against the icy barrier, which now began to crack.
Misaki now appeared to the Executor's left, her left leg lashing out at Celestine's head. Despite her boot connected with Celestine's temple, the woman didn't appear fazed, instead deciding to grab Misaki's ankle and throwing her aside. As Misaki was thrown however, she flung Rebound at Celestine, the electricity running through the blade as it flew toward Celestine.
The Executor ducked, a look of apprehension crossing her face as the knife whizzed by. Misaki now stretched her arm out again, causing the knife to immediately fly back to her, the spinning blade now cutting into the Executor's cheek, drawing blood.
Celestine bared her teeth as rage flashed on her face, abandoning her attack on Emi and now summoning a second sword before charging at Misaki.
"Accursed brat!" She screeched, swords flashing as she attacked the young hunter. Misaki deftly blocked and avoided her blows, though it left no room for counterattacking. And despite her bravado, it wasn't enough to deal with the enhanced speed and strength of the Executor.
It wasn't long till she was finally overpowered, a single blow smacking her arm away and leaving her shoulder open to a thrust from Celestine.
Emi concentrated, feeling the thrum of power from Diamond Edge. Despite the barrage of blades from outside, her defences held, all thanks to the training from her father. Still, it was hard to keep up the focus; Celestine indeed struck harder than her father.
And then Misaki got stabbed, and that made things more complex. Despite the ice wall, Emi was more than capable of hearing her friend's pained screams, and that was most distracting of all. It was enough that Emi nearly lost her hold on the energies within the weapon, only maintain her grip at the last minute.
Come on, come on! Emi screamed internally. What Serenity said was now coming true, Celestine indeed had decided to go after Misaki. This made it more abundant that Celestine truly cared about killing alone, vampire or no. The thought reviled her to a degree she never thought imaginable.
Something stirred within her, an icy cold vice closing around her chest. As it did, a thrum of power pulsed. Emi's eyes snapped open as she felt it, rapidly directing her focus to that sensation. While she had indeed succeeded in activating Blood Drive outside of combat, she hadn't succeeded whilst being pressured, even against her father.
But now, there was no room for failure. Emi channelled all her strength, mind and emotions toward that cold feeling. A cold anger crept through her as she did, and at once, she saw the blade glow blood red.
"Whoa…" Serenity blinked. "These readings… no way!"
"Arrrgh!" Misaki screamed as the sword went through her thigh. Thankfully, the decaying properties wouldn't activate against her, but it did not make it any less painful.
"Poor thing…" Celestine purred as she licked her sword. "But don't worry, I'll be sure to let you and your friend enjoy our quality time together!"
"No thanks… you freak." Misaki gritted her teeth against the pain. The retort earned her another painful stab into her shoulder. Misaki screamed as blood spurted from the wound.
"That's no way to talk to a lady little brat." Celestine growled. "And for the record, I still have to pay you back for that time back in Kuran town. You thoroughly humiliated me and scratched my beautiful body, so this is payback." Celestine now raised the sword above Misaki's abdomen, ready to slice down.
Then something thrummed from inside the icy prison. Celestine now turned to see the ice glow red, the white masking the colour like bloodstained ice. Instantly the ice exploded, showering the field in small ice crystals, forcing Celestine and Misaki to shield their eyes. The Executor then brushed the ice off her, noticing that bloodstains remained when they melted.
The two of them now turned to look at Emi, and Misaki gasped at what she saw.
Emi's blonde hair was now whiter than snow could have been while her skin appeared to have a sheen of alabaster. Then, she noticed red shades appearing upon various spots on her skin and hair, like bloodied snow. The deepest shade of red however was in her eyes, a greater shade of scarlet compared to her usual self. The sword in her hand was now purely made of ice, red glows pulsing beneath its lattices. Ice itself also appeared upon her body before shattering away into tiny crystals. The very ground around her started to freeze as subzero temperatures kicked in.
"A Blood Drive?" Celestine blinked.
"Not going to lie." Emi said, every word punctuated with a thawed breath. "This really feels good."
Celestine immediately conjured another storm of swords and sent them at Emi. Emi waved her hand, and instantly an equal number of bloodstained ice swords appeared in the air, parrying every single sword from Celestine. Caught of guard, Celestine did not see Emi dash toward her at frightening speed, the icy rapier now slicing toward her exposed stomach.
The Executor now dashed back, distancing herself from Emi. Celestine now looked incredulously at the small cut on her side that was now encased in ice and marked by frozen blood.
"You hurt my friend." Emi said, her eyes colder than the very air around her. "So now, you will pay the price."
Author's Notes:
Happy Easter everyone! Again, I am grateful to have gotten this chapter out! Would have liked it to be sooner, but once again, adult responsibilities and the need to focus on some of my interpersonal relationships needed to take priority, and it doesn't help when you have to re-look and re-write some things to make sure they make sense.
However, by my estimate, we are down to about 5 chapters left in this series! Once again, I hope for your patience as I aim to finish this story, and stay tuned to the next one!
Jdbl00d
