Neva's wolf ears perked up. Metal scraped against their lock, pulling her out of a deep sleep. She sat up from the singular bed. The night was dark. A sliver of moonlight seeped from the fast moving clouds above. With her back to the wall, she looked around in confusion. Ada snored horribly on the floor below. Fritz slept silently underneath her. A lingering feeling of wrongness kept her awake as she looked around the room.
The lock clicked. Neva began slowly moving for her sword next to the bed. Faint whispers emanated from behind the door, nearly impossible to hear underneath Ada's symphony of snoring. The door knob began turning. Neva's foot touched the ground gracefully, as the bed underneath creaked. All movement stopped. Each side listened for the other. Neva mastered her breathing. Her attention split in two. Her left side focused on grabbing hold of her magic. Her right side reached towards the hilt of her sword. Her fingers gripped the leather hilt.
Ada snorted softly. Her breathing was briefly interrupted, as she shifted slightly. Fritz let out a deep sigh, as he fell back asleep.
Neva slid her right foot off the bed, and waited. Within a minute, Ada returned to snoring loudly. Neva watched the door like a hawk. The knob turned slowly. Neva felt the call of her inner fire, yet she needed to be careful. The tips of her fingers flicked with the invisible sparks of her magic. The door opened just a crack. A light creak from the wooden door announced the intruders. The world seemed to stand still. Neva felt her heart slow, as she kept her breathing slow and steady.
The door exploded open. Magic sparked from Neva's fingers. Fire enveloped her hand, as cloaked assassin's rushed into the room. Ada drew her sword in one swift movement, as a flaming whip slammed into the rushing enemies.
Neva yelled out a battle cry as she rushed forward. Her sword met the steel dagger's of the assassins. Blood and fire filled the room. Marcelle, pulled fresh from her dreams, screeched in fear and anger. She shrunk back away from the door. Ada jumped up in shock. Flecks of drool dribbled down her chin. She blinked away her shock as she moved into action. Neva's fire illuminated the room. Ada grabbed her sword, the smooth steel ripped out of her scabbard as she joined the fray.
Fritz was the last to act. He scrambled up from the floor throwing away his sheet and pillow. His mind lurched forward as he tried to adjust to the sudden attack.
Neva and Ada dispatched the intruders with ease. Broken teeth and bones, littered the room within. Neva walked over to a slumped over assassin. Their arm had been broken. The bone splintered out at an unnatural angle. Neva reached down to pull back their hood. A pair of fluffy ears appeared. Scars littered his face. A dagger flashed as the defeated man tried one last desperate attack. Neva grabbed his wrist and slammed the dagger into his own thigh. The man screamed in pain.
"Bad idea!" Neva growled. Looking back to her companions she shouted. "We're leaving now!"
"What the hell happened?" Marcelle asked.
"They picked the lock. Tried to kill us." Neva answered quickly. "Grab your stuff, we need to leave."
"Now?"
"Now! This inn is no longer safe." Neva answered. "Get your things, hurry up!" Neva commanded.
Fritz, Ada, and Marcelle scrambled around the room to dress quickly and pack.
"Who the hells are you?" Neva asked the man, as she held his wrist above his head.
"Screw you!" The beastkin growled out.
"Talk, and the pain will stop."
"Ha. You're already dead. The guild's already marked you girls."
"Why?" Ada increased the pressure of her grip. The beastkin tried to pull away from her. "Answer me!" Neva yelled out.
Other patrons within the inn were stirring. The innkeeper was shouting out orders demanding everyone return to their rooms. The beastkin remained silent. Neva clicked her tongue, before slamming the pommel of her sword into the man's skull. He fell to the floor like a bag of jelly.
"How much longer?" Neva demanded from her companions.
"I'm done." Ada answered quickly. Her pack was on the floor. She was already dressed in her daily wear. Fritz was similarly clothed, while Marcelle was scrambling to shove her alchemical equipment into her dimensional storage.
"Marcelle, hurry up!" Neva barked.
"I'm trying!" Marcelle shot back. The sound of pounding boots echoed on the stairway outside their room.
"What the hells is happening?" The innkeeper shouted, as he stormed into Neva's room.
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Outside of the inn, Lilly and Hannah stood nearby. Lilly's onyx rapier was drawn. Her crimson dress fluttered slightly in the night's breeze. Her pale, milky white skin seemed to shimmer in the moonlight. A little down the cobbled street, four necromancer's stood at attention, watching the inn. Blacked runed robes dripped with dark magic. Behind them, standing like statues, was a battalion of cloaked skeletons. In a nearby alley, five ghouls crouched down in the shade. Already, their mouths slobbered in anticipation of the night's feast. Their yellow leathery skin, twitched as they struggled to contain their excitement.
"My lady, it appears the assassins have failed."
"Useless." Lilly von Erwenhest II said. Her voice dripped with venomous anger. Her small hands gripped her rapier tighter. She pointed towards the enchanted onyx rapier towards the inn. "Hannah, drag him out!" She commanded.
"At once, my lady." The veiled wight bowed, before she extended her hand out. Tendrils of dark magic shot towards the inn. They latched onto the wall of the inn. Attached to Hannah's palm, they formed all around Fritz's room. They dug into the second story of the building, piercing the wood and stone with ease. Black lashing secured firmly inside the building. Hannah turned her wrist, the cords of magic tightened together. She held thousands of tendrils, and with unnatural ease pulled back. The tendrils tightened as wood and stone groaned in pain.
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The innkeeper was screaming at them. Fritz had just finished packing his stuff, when he felt the floor move. Gravity shifted. His balance struggled to keep up as he fell. His shoulder hit the wooden wall of the inn. Yet that too seemed unstable. He continued falling, pressed now into that wooden wall. Yet he fell for only a moment, as the second story room hit the ground. Dust and splinters flooded into the air. Fritz's mind barely had the chance to comprehend the situation. He could hear shouting and screaming from somewhere outside of the ruined room. Splintered wooden beams were covering him. He should have felt pain, but all that came was confusion. He could hear Neva screaming.
"Ada! Ada! Marcelle! Fritz! Get ready!" She screamed out.
Pushing hard against the wood, he managed to arise. Bloody and bruised he looked around him. Marcelle's tail lashed out, sending a wooden support beam flying through the air. She sat up. Dirt clung to her long black hair. A scowl of determination wrought itself on her. Coils of fire wrapped themselves around Neva's left fist. She jumped down landing on the jumbled debris. Ada stood up. She moved slowly towards Fritz. Her new steel sword was held at the ready. Beyond them, out in the cobbled streets, death awaited.
Crimson red eyes fixated on Fritz. As the shower of dust cleared, Fritz could see the vampire. Her flared, crimson skirt shifted in the night's air. Her deathly white skin shone in the moonlight of Hueryss. Her lips moved upwards revealing her elongated canines. The city went quiet, waiting for what came next.
"Capture him! Kill the rest!" Lilly commanded.
"Ada protect, Fritz! We need to run!" Neva shouted.
Ghouls with dagger-like maws charged forward like feral beasts. The company of skeletons marched. The dark magic of their master's circulated into them. Clubs, rusting swords, and spears stood at the ready as they advanced. Hannah let forth a volley of dark magic towards Neva. The older wolfkin dodged down as arrows of darkness sailed over her. She shot to her feet, rallying the troops.
"Follow me! We'll fight our way out!" Neva shouted.
The ghouls were upon them, before they could even escape the rubble. Teeth and claws, gnashed and slashed trying to spill their blood. Marcelle searched her dimensional bag for a solution. She quickly grabbed an experimental potion before slinking down and consuming it. Neva whipped flame towards the ghouls driving them back. The skeletons reached the outskirts of the rubble. Ada turned back slightly, as she felt the presence of the skeletons. Sensing an opportunity, a ghoul scrambled forward. It's claw swiped for Ada's leg.
Ada hit the claws with her sword, sending the ghoul reeling. Ada kicked its face. The ghoul flew backwards back into the alley. Its teeth smashed inwards in an ugly funnel. Snarling, it jumped up to its feet, before sprinting back.
The robed skeletons advanced forward. White bones stuck out beneath their robes. Their weapons raised together, as they sprung forward to strike. Dark magic swirled and circulated through their bodies. Their masters huddled together. Their runed robes glittered as they pushed magic into their undead servants. Neva parried and dodged the empowered warriors.
Fritz watched his companions fight. A surge of anger filled him due to his inaction. He needed to act. He needed to help. Conjuring a vial of holy water, he threw it towards an empowered skeleton. The glass shattered as it hit the skeleton's head, knocking back its cowl. The water dripped down its face, hissing like acid. Tendrils of dark magic evaporated from its skull like boiling water. The undead stumbled as its control momentarily faltered. Surging magic kept it upright as it struggled against the water. Ada kicked the pile of bones. The skeleton flew away never to rise again.
Hannah aimed towards her hand towards Neva as spears of dark magic shot forward. The magic pierced the air like a bullet as Neva jumped out of the way. Lilly held out her rapier as she charged towards Fritz. Ada held her shortsword ready as she attempted to defend. Ada grabbed Fritz by the shoulder shoving him backwards. The two met. Steel scraped against the vampire's enchanted blade.
Fritz looked down to Marcelle. The lamia was spasming on the ground. Blood pooled around her lips. Her long robes distorted, as a pair of wings erupted from her back. Fritz felt his stomach lurch as Marcelle screamed in pain. Ghouls pounced towards her. Marcelle shot upright. Her long black hair obscured her panting, bloody face. Her hands had changed. Large steel like claws glittered in the moonlight. She caught an attacking ghoul with her transformed hand. Breathing putrid decaying smog from her distorted mouth, Fritz watched the ghoul's flesh fall away. The other's fell upon her, biting fangs and gnashing claws at her.
"Run! Ignore the minions! Run!" Neva ordered. A flash of magic erupted from her as a crescent of fire exploded towards the robed skeletons. An arrow of dark magic sailed over her head as she ducked down. Running forward, she advanced towards the wight. Fritz and Ada were quick to follow, fighting off their attackers as best as they could. Ada parried Lilly's onyx rapier. The black blade danced like a striking snake. It's sharp tip, pressed towards Ada's throat forcing her on the defensive. Ada was losing ground, soon she would be pushed back into the pile of ghouls and skeleton's. Her eyes fell to the ground. A loose plank of wood caught her eyes. Kicking it up, she grabbed the airborne plank with her free hand, before throwing it towards the blonde vampire. With a graceful pirouette the noblewoman dodged backwards. Sensing the opening, Ada grabbed Fritz's shoulder before rushing after Neva. Marcelle screeched like a dying woman. Her long purple tail slammed into the remaining ghouls forcing them back. Her wings flapped as she ran after the others.
The veiled wight was waiting for them. Her hands fluttered with magic as she aimed dark magic towards them. Danger flooded Fritz's senses as he looked towards the veiled undead. Her face was unreadable, as the magic condensed down. Neva shot bolts of fire towards her, yet they struck uselessly against a barrier of darkness.
"Get down!" Neva yelled out, as she jumped towards the ground. The faintest smile flitted across Hannah's lips. Her magic felt like death itself. In the back of his mind, Fritz knew whatever her magic touched would die. He felt himself stumble forward as Ada threw him to the ground. Behind him, Marcelle jumped, flying into the air. Her new black wings pumped, hovering her in the air.
A shimmer of light appeared next to Hannah, as Brenn teleported into the fight. A crescent shaped axe came for the undead. The sound of shattering glass filled the road, as her barrier collapsed. Hannah turned around, releasing her magic. A blast of dark energy erupted from her hand. Buildings shattered and fell like paper, as a beam of black magic destroyed everything in its path. The city rumbled and shook as dust, timber, and stone fell to the ground.
"Brenn!" Neva shouted, as she shot back to her feet. Lilly laughed as she casually began pursuing her prey.
"It's useless. Hannah, and I will never let you get away! Surrender now!" Lilly taunted.
"Brenn! Answer me Gods dammit!" Neva shouted. Her free hand trembled in panic as she aimed at the wight. A shimmer of light appeared near Neva. Brenn occupied the space instantly.
"Calm down." Brenn huffed. "I'm fine. It'll take more than that to kill me." Fritz and Ada scrambled to their feet, as Marcelle fell to the ground. Her large tail struck the ground. Stone cracked underneath her weight. Marcelle stifled a grunt of pain, as she stood up. Her long black claws clicked together in annoyance.
"What the hells happened to you, girlie? You half dragon?" Brenn asked.
"Experimental. Dangerous. Hurt." Marcelle said through gritted fangs.
Behind them, the undead were re-organizing. The ghouls had reformed their pack. Lilly walked confidently forward. Her rapier was held out before her, as the skeletons moved to support her. The robed necromancer's moved up. The hint of fear showed in their legs.
"We need to push through!" Neva urged.
"The wight is strong." Brenn said dryly. She hefted her axe over her shoulder. Her large circular ears twitched as screams of pain and despair from the ruined houses came into the night. In the distance bells of alarm sounded out. Fritz felt some measure of relief as he heard the bells.
"The guards! They'll save us!" He said.
"They'll be too late." Brenn said. "We need to get away from her." She pointed towards the wight.
"Brenn! Take Fritz and flee." Neva said.
"And leave you behind?" Fritz asked incredulously.
"It's the safest option." Neva said.
"No. We're fighting. I'm with him. We can win." Brenn said confidently.
"Now's not the time. Brenn, please."
"No."
"Enough. This ends now." Lilly shouted. "Hannah! Minions! Advance!"
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The veiled wight bowed slightly, before readying herself. Ghouls and skeletons charged forward scraping against the cobbled streets of Trira. Brenn disappeared, teleporting into range of the wight. The short ratkin, hacked and slashed at the wight. Her crescent axe danced against the dark void magic of the wight.
"Follow me! Brenn and I will hold off the wight. You three run!" Neva urged. She shot a crescent of flame magic behind her, before running to assist Brenn.
They ran. The wight's duel spilled deadly dark magic all around the street. Ada and Fritz ran to one side. Ada spared a quick glance behind her, an onyx blade was running for her throat. Twisting her body, she brought up her sword to deflect the blade. Lilly stepped forward as she tried to grab Fritz by the shoulder. Marcelle's clawed fist swiped down at the vampire. Jumping backwards, Lilly easily dodged the slow swipe.
"Keep running!" Neva urged as she looked back.
"You're too slow!" Ada growled.
"What?" Fritz asked. Ada grabbed him by the waist as he felt the world shift. Ada kicked off the ground, as she started running past the wight. Her veiled face watched the blonde wolfkin, briefly before a flurry of sword and axe pushed her back. Arrows of dark magic, shot towards Ada's running form. Yet the wolfkin was too quick. Marcelle moved to block the vampire.
Lilly clicked her tongue as she watched the mess of black hair blocked her path.
"What are you doing?" The vampire asked.
"Stopping. Zola. Ordered. Me." Marcelle huffed. Her long purple tail whipped around in annoyance. Her clawed hands opened and closed as the army of undead formed up behind her.
"I've no time for you. Kill them. I shall slay the champion." Lilly commanded the others. The vampire jumped forward to pursue Fritz and Ada. Marcelle swiped at the vampire. Yet she missed. Ghouls and skeletons swarmed her. Her black claws hit the lesser undead throwing them back.
"Hold them back. Hannah, I'll end this farce." Lilly barked. Her extreme speed carried her after Fritz and Ada.
"As you wish, my lady." Hannah replied. Marcelle's wings flapped as she tried to jump into the air. Arrows of dark magic forced her to dodge back to the ground. Marcelle slammed back to the ground breaking apart a set of skeletal warriors with ease. Screaming in pain, her tail lashed around her, throwing back her opponents. Dark tendrils emanated from the wight as she grabbed hold of several buildings. Pulling with unnatural strength, Hannah sent a pile of rubble into the street blocking Neva, Brenn and Marcelle from assisting Fritz.
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Fritz and Ada were behind a mass of rubble. Neva looked towards the obstruction. A knot of worry wormed through her as she thought of Ada. The scar on her cheek itched, as she looked towards the wight.
"Come on! Neva no holding back now!" Brenn yelled. "Bring it back! Stop running from your past!"
"I left that life behind!" Neva shot back. "I don't want to go back!"
"It doesn't matter! It's calling you back!" Brenn urged. Her brown eyes were wide, full of excitement. She gripped her crescent axe tighter as her eyes darted to her many opponents.
Behind Brenn and Neva, Marcelle raged. Her large black wings propelled her forward as she slammed into necromancer and skeletons alike. Ghouls with their supernatural sharp claws tried to pierce her unnatural hardened skin. The pride and roar of a false dragon reverberated down the street from Brenn and Neva.
"Come on!" Brenn yelled. "It's do or die! Just like old times!"
"Fuck!" Neva screamed.
"Hurry up. My mistress shall surely finish Freyes' champion within moments. Do not waste my time further." Hannah whispered. Her voice danced on the wind like the winter's breeze. The promise of death drifted upon her words. Brenn levelled her axe towards the wight. Brenn shot an encouraging look towards Neva, before fixating on her prey.
"You stand before Brenn the Flicker Blade! Former fang! Slayer of beasts! Killer of monsters! I've hunted monsters in every corner of this land! I've killed your kind thousands of times! Let's have your name, wight before we slay you!"
"Hannah, though, it is you who shall die tonight." The wight said with a curtsey. "Chief maid of the esteemed Lilly von Erwenhest II. Foremost and closest to death amongst her servants." The two looked over towards Neva.
"Come on!" Brenn urged. "Get back on the saddle!" Neva scowled. Her scars danced as her inner turmoil raged.
"It's stupid!"
"Who cares! Marcelle's hopped up on something! She won't remember! It's just you and me!"
"It's pointless."
"No it isn't! You were meant for something greater! Don't run away from what you were! We need you! We need the real you! Help us! Don't let Ada die!" A floodgate of restraint collapsed within Neva.
"Fine!" Neva yelled. Fire danced up from her left hand. The flames consumed her arm destroying her sleeve as it danced up her arm. Her arm blazed with fury shedding light against into the streets of Hueryss. Neva's steel sword glimmered in the orange light. Flames ran towards her blade, as if the greedy fire desired to consume everything. "I am Neva the blade dancer! First fang and foremost amongst the deadliest warriors of this world!" She yelled. The flames consuming her left arm exploded. Like a half-winged angel Neva stood proud and defiant before the wight. Her shirt burned and melted against the heat. Her blue eyes fixated upon her prey as her sword arm clenched.
"Yes! Yes! Let's get it!" Brenn urged.
"I have slain giants!" Neva yelled. Throwing her blade against the stone streets of Hueryss, the indestructible steel blade bounced upwards. A whip of fire wrapped around the hilt of the blade as it hovered in the air. "I have put the dead to rest!" Her arm shot to the side. The whip of flame's pulled the blade along it's trajectory. Marcelle screamed in rage as a ghoul raked the wings upon her back. A flaming blade shot towards Marcelle. Meter's went by in an instant, as the flaming blade sunk into the ghoul's skull. It's body went slack, as burning steel embedded into it's head. "I have slain my enemies for years!" Neva yelled. Yanking on the whip of flame the blade obeyed her will, retreating from the ghoul it flew by with supernatural speed towards it's master. Marcelle turned around, ready to fight her already slain enemy. Her frantic purple eyes beheld Neva in her full glory.
"And for what? You idiots keep coming!" Neva screamed. She caught her flying sword with practiced ease as she kept it spinning in a slow arc. "You want to see the blade dancer? You wish to see fire and death? You wish to see the true first fang? You who teeters upon death's embrace dare to challenge that which has pushed thousands into true slumber? Wight! I shall show you!"
Neva's spun her blade in a lazy arc. Her free hand gripped the whip of flame lazily. Her eyes glinted with killing intent, as her steel blade slowly spun.
"Such fanfare. Such a shame." The wight responded lazily. "Your kind loves such pointless gestures."
"Brenn. Don't get hit." Neva growled out. The ratkin snorted in response.
"That's what I'm good at. Don't you remember?"
"Just making sure." Neva scowled.
Neva's sword whipped in a horizontal arc. Steel threatened to decapitate the undead in her path. The blazing half-angel yelled as her blood-lust filled the air. Neva's shortsword moved towards Hannah's neck. Dark magic erupted to form layered barriers as the steel bounced off the wight's defenses. Brenn's form flickered. The short ratkin vanished, appearing instantly behind Hannah. Her crescent axe glistened in the light of Neva's flames. The axe fell down like a guillotine.
Hannah was consumed by dark magic. Vanishing instantly, she reposited away from certain death. Brenn's axe fell to the stone streets. Cobbled stone cracked and exploded as Brenn vanished chasing after the wight.
Neva pulled back on her flames. Her sword obeyed as it chased the wight. Across the rooftops of Hueryss, the wight teleported as steel and fang chased her. Neva's sword obeyed her with supernatural command. Brenn chased the rapidly vanishing wight as Neva harried the undead. Half of Neva's attention diverted to Marcelle. The transformed lamia swung her large draconic claws with reckless abandon. Surrounded by skeletons and ghouls they harried her, biting at her tail and wings waiting for any opportunity to slay the lamia. Neva sent her sword flying to aid Marcelle. Sallow flesh and bone parted beneath her blade as it flew through the air.
Hannah teleported before Neva. The wight's pale hands were outstretched. Dark magic coalesced in her grasp ready to unleash killing magic.
"Die." Hannah whispered. Neva scowled. She kicked off the ground. Her knee hit the wight straight in the face sending her flying into a nearby building.
"Were you listening? Tonight you die." Neva growled. Tugging on her whip of flame she sent her enchanted blade towards the destroyed building. The blade hummed as it struck something solid. The wight's barrier held true. The blade returned as Neva pulled on the whip of flame. Grabbing the hilt with both hands, Neva pulled back. Her arms expanded as blood and killing intent filled her. Her sword flew straight and true as it crashed against the wight's barrier. Dark magic cracked, as Hannah's barrier magic gave way.
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Fritz bounced up and down underneath Ada's grip. He was treated like a sack of potatoes. A lingering sense of humiliation filled him. Looking behind him, he felt the rumble of collapsing buildings as the road was blocked by debris. Glinting crimson on the nearby rooftops drew his eye.
"Ada! She's back!" Fritz shouted. Lilly von Erwenhest II's crimson hooped skirt moved up and down, as her heels struck against tiled roof. He felt magic permeating from her direction as she started moving faster. "Ada!"
"I know!" Ada shouted back. Lilly overtook them, jumping down into the street ahead of them.
Lilly flourished her onyx blade at Ada. She moved into a guarded stance, as Ada let Fritz down. Pulling on his magic, Fritz created another vial of holy water. Ada readied her new steel sword.
Fritz tensed his muscles, before throwing the vail at Lilly. Lilly easily deflected the water, throwing it off course. Her blade surged forward towards Ada. The blonde wolfkin was on the defensive. Lilly's rapier danced around her defenses, scoring quick cuts on her hands, wrists, and arms. Ada grunted underneath the assault.
Fritz couldn't stand by. He pulled on his magic again, creating more holy water. Throwing it towards Lilly, he watched her crimson eyes narrow before switching to him. The vail sailed through the air, Lilly turned on her heel as she jumped forward and delivered a thrust towards Ada. The blonde wolfkin moved back to avoid the blade as Lilly struck towards Fritz. The onyx blade clipped his arm. He felt blood leave his wrist as he drew his arm back. Lilly stopped, bringing the blade towards her mouth. Her tongue touched the blade lapping up his blood. She shuddered in pleasure, as her eyes closed. Lilly savored the flavor.
"So intoxicating. Enchanting!" Lilly cooed.
"You bitch! I'm your opponent." Ada growled.
"Watch your tongue dog." Lilly replied.
"Ada. Calm down. We need a plan." Fritz clutched his wrist, letting his fingers roll over the wound.
"The plan's simple. I'm gonna kill her, so stand back." Ada growled. She shifted her stance as she readied her sword.
"Kill me? Your too weak, and I am only getting stronger." Lilly laughed. "Come then." Her fingers curled inward inviting Ada to attack.
Ada surged forward. Her sword slicing into the air, whistling like a flute. Lilly parried, as Ada started her assault. Ada thrust and slashed, yet the onyx blade met her each time. Lilly's lips contorted in a smile. Ada's sword clanged against Lilly's rapier. Her hand shot out, as she jumped forward trying to grapple her opponent. Lilly immediately pivoted, spinning and slashing. Ada's hand missed the vampire, as the rapier ran across her thighs. Ada's blood spilled onto Lilly's blade.
"Ada!" Fritz shouted. His mind scrambled for a solution. His eyes watched the duel barely able to keep up with their movements. Lilly's blade seemed to thrum as it soaked up the blood.
Ada slumped forward, breathing in a deep breath she continued her assault. Her movements were slowing down. She couldn't pin the pale vampire.
"Hahaha, are you slowing down? All that confidence, where did it go?" Lilly taunted. Parrying Ada's slash, she moved her rapier down and forced Ada's shortsword out of her hands. The blade clanged to the ground. Fritz looked on in stunned silence. Lilly sported a smug smile. Ada blinked away her confusion, as Lilly held out her sword in a guarded stance.
"Come on, pick it up." She demanded. Ada jumped to the ground. Rolling to her feet with her sword in her hand. She barely had enough time to bring her sword up. Lilly slashed and hacked her rapier. Steel sparks flew from Ada's sword as she was forced back. Ada ground her teeth in frustration as she retreated. A decisive thrust towards Ada's heart was blocked. Lilly immediately followed up with a slash, Ada raised her sword up. The blades met. Ada's brand new sword snapped in two, as Lilly's rapier moved forward. Ada's instincts kicked into overdrive, as she dived to the ground. Lilly's blade nicked her shoulder slashing across her back. Flicking the blood from her blade, Lilly slammed her heel into Ada's head.
"Know defeat dog!" Lilly slammed her heel back down. "My blade grows stronger from blood. You can never win! You're an inferior animal! Know your place! You will never defeat me!" Lilly kicked Ada in the head. Ada spun on the ground away. "Now, to take my prize."
Lilly spun on her heels. Her crimson eyes fixated on Fritz. She stopped. The two stood watching and waiting. Her smug smile met Fritz's grim determination.
"Ada?" Fritz asked. Ada groaned out in response. "Are you alive?"
"Yeah." She groaned.
"Your blade grows stronger on blood?" Fritz asked.
"Didn't I say?"
"It must be enchanted."
"Obviously." Lilly snorted. "It cries out for you." Lilly brandished her rapier towards Fritz. "You blood tastes amazing. The best I've ever had. My sword hungers for it. It is practically leaping from my hands to kill you! It's a shame, I cannot drink my fill. I shall return to Gris with your head shortly." Lilly smiled at him. Her long canine teeth scraped against her blood red lips.
"Ada, stand up." Fritz commanded. The blonde wolfkin groaned, as her hands pushed her body up.
"Oh? Planning on punching me down? Will I be overwhelmed by your fighting spirit? Are you gonna show my the power of friendship?" Lilly taunted.
"Ada, wait." Fritz commanded.
"Gonna throw more holy water? Gonna create another disgusting scent?" Lilly sneered. "Beware. If you do, my manservant won't play nice any longer!"
"Fritz, what are you planning?" Ada asked.
"Yes, what are you planning champion?" Lilly taunted. "You are defeated. You're too slow. Your too weak. You could never stand before me as an equal! Not without resorting to something underhanded."
"I'm here to give Ada everything she's always wanted." Fritz said defiantly. Lilly tittered. "Ada get ready!"
"Hah! Let us see your last gasp champion! Show me your last pathetic defiance!" Lilly taunted.
Fritz held out his hand. He looked down at the blood on his left wrist. It trickled down, dripping onto the streets below. Lilly watched him with the eyes of a predator. Fritz closed his eyes and breathed in deeply. He focused on the magic at his core. He felt the lingering sensation. It's foreign and alien energy pulsed demanding him to use it. He pulled on his core ever so lightly. He let his magic flow into his hand, as he opened his eyes. He felt the lingering sensation of the blade on his skin. He looked towards the rapier held lightly in Lilly's hand. He saw the dark onyx color tipped in blood. He saw the guard copying the image in his mind. He remembered the pull of magic as the blade cut him. He closed his eyes again. He pulled harder on his mana. He let his power coalesce in his hand. Yet it was not enough. He pushed harder. He opened the channels of his magic. He let it flood out of him. He needed more. He visualized his core, and let it all fall through. Magic flooded his body before screaming out of his veins. His blood boiled as the magical energy barreled through him. He kept the image in his mind the entire time, even as the pain threatened to destroy his focus. His brain burned as he held onto the image. Fiery pain ruptured his veins demanding him to stop. Yet nothing would slow him down.
When Fritz opened his eyes, Lilly's blade was in his hands. The two women looked at him in confusion. Ada blinked, as she whispered something to herself. The world seemed distant. Fritz's hand felt like it was going to explode. His blood felt like it was on fire. He turned the rapier over in his hands. It looked perfect to the rapidly fading man. He grabbed the handle and held it up. The dark onyx black of the blade camouflaged into the void of the night.
"Impressive copy. It almost looks like the original." Lilly laughed. "Now, be a good boy. Come and pass to the other side!"
Fritz smiled sadly to himself. The next part was going to hurt. He was so grateful that everything felt so fuzzy and hazy. He needed to coat the blade. He needed to do it quickly. Fritz shoved the blade through his stomach, just to the left. He prayed that he would miss any major arterial branch. The blade hummed in pleasure as Fritz pushed it through his skin, muscle, and guts. The pain screamed at him to stop, yet he wasn't done. Grabbing the hilt he ripped the sword out.
The black blade glistened with blood. Its onyx exterior thrummed with glee. Ada ran to him, past the confused vampire.
"What are you doing? You are not allowed to end yourself!" Lilly screamed.
Ada held him, as he stumbled. Fritz stared into her gray eyes. His fleeting thoughts ignored her concerns. Behind her he knew the vampire was still there. Fritz grabbed her shirt pulling her closer. He could feel the power within the blade. Soaked in blood it demanded
"Ada." Fritz said softly. "I need you to do something for me."
"Anything, Fritz." Ada replied. Her strong hands held him as he stared defaintly at the vampire before him. A strange madness consumed Fritz. A rush of energy filled him.
"Ada. Kill." Fritz yelled as he pointed towards Lilly. He shoved the blade into her hands, as he fell forwards to the ground. The taste of iron settled on his tongue as blood dribbled out of his mouth. His stomach churned as he threw up. Fritz fell unconscious in his own vomit.
Ada pulled back, brandishing the blade. His blood fueld the enchanted blade. Ada's fingers tensed over the ornate rapier's hilt. Lilly turned to Ada, as the two moved into a guarded stance. Ada felt the power in the blade. It's desire for vengeance and carnage consumed her. Invigorating energy filled her. Intoxicating power begged to be used. A tendril of dark desire touched her mind. It's whispers filled her demanding carnage.
"Kill. Feed." Ada heard the foreign words in her mind.
Lilly was the first to strike. Every thrust was parried instantly by Ada. The onyx blade felt natural in the wolfkin's hands. Her opponent's movements seemed slower, as if the vampire had already run a marathon. Pressing the attack, Ada slashed away a thrust. Lilly's blade wrenched from her hands. The vampire stumbled to pick up her blade. Ada turned her blade over.
"No matter! It's time to end this!" Lilly shouted as she collected her blade. Her body shimmered with red magic. Blood congealed in her muscles, expanding her with profane power. She pressed her attack against Ada. Her blade danced uselessly as Ada defended perfectly. The blade felt like it had a mind of its own. Ada felt its desire leading her in the right direction, lending borrowed strength to the wolfkin.
An opening appeared and Lilly's heart was exposed. The thrill of the hunt overtook Ada. Lilly's eyes went wide, as a scream formed on her lips. Ada pushed off with her back foot. Stone cracked as she thrust forward. Swirling dark magic erupted in front of Ada. Pure blackness enveloped her vision, as her momentum carried her forward. The onyx blade pierced undead flesh. Ada blinked.
Before her Hannah's veiled face looked back. Her chest had been impaled by the onyx blade. Behind her, the tip of the rapier barely pierced Lilly's chest. Underneath the veil her lips moved in apology.
"I'm sorry, my Lady." Hannah whispered. Ada looked on in confusion. "I couldn't let you die here."
"Hannah!" Lilly screamed.
"I promised your mother, nothing would happen to you." Hannah whispered. Her hands fluttered in a strange signal, as black magic enveloped the vampire.
"Hannah, what are you doing?"
"Farewell, Lady. It has been an honor." Hannah whispered. The vampire disappeared in a coffin of darkness. Returning to her senses, Ada pulled on the rapier. Hannah grabbed the blade preventing her from moving it. Her lips moved rapidly as she started chanting.
Ada punched the wight in the face. Yet the undead woman refused to budge. Hannah continued to chant as magic power infused the surrounding area. Hannah grabbed hold of Ada with her other hand. The crushing grip of the wight held the wolfkin in place.
"Let me go!" Ada shouted.
A flicker of light appeared behind the wight. Brenn appeared in the blink of an eye. Her crescent axe swiped towards the wight. Her head fell away from her shoulders. The wight's body went limp. Ada took the opportunity to withdraw her blade and carve the undead in a panic.
"You alright girlie?" Brenn asked, as she stood up. Ada breathed rapidly as she looked behind towards Fritz. A pool of blood trickled out of his stomach, as he lay on the ground motionless.