Warriors Of The Vampire

Chapter Twelve: The First Great Battle

Hurrying up the path on the right, barely missing the others, James, Misty and Marie found themselves in the prison cell area. And to their great amazement, they saw two Creatures, slain and four cell doors wide open! However, they had suspected something was amiss, because of all the noise echoing through out the castle on their way up.

James stepped out ahead of Misty and Marie, carefully searching the surroundings and grounds. Just a few steps behind him, the girls followed closely, all of them in total silence.

When they reached the first cell, James went in first. To make sure it was clear, and of course it was empty! Upon examining the other three, they found each of them was empty as well.

After stepping back out into the hallway, Misty said, "We must have just missed them?"
"Who do you mean? We don't know who was brought up here." James added.
Marie had her back to them, watching the two entry ways, James turned to her and spoke aloud, "Hey, are you listening?"
She replied unsurely, "Yes..I..what happened here."
He answered her, with a bit of sarcasm and obviousness in his voice, "Who ever broke free, killed the Creatures. And we just missed them."
"That means they didn't head down the entrance we came in through. Maybe they're not far?" Misty suggesting slightly they go to look.
James responded as she stepped in front of him, "This place is like a maze. And what if they're far off?"
"Still, we'd better make sure. It wouldn't hurt to have others with us." She insisted, all the while Marie just standing in stillness.
Taking her shoulders, he faced her to him and said, "Hey!? Are you listening at all?"
She shoved him off, anger brewing in her stare, she dusted off and replied upsetedly, "Yes. I was just thinking that's all."
"Don't keep us in the dark love, tell us, what do you think we should do?" He asked.

Just then, the echo of footsteps in the distance distracted them all. Turning quickly to face the doorway from which they came, they held their breaths, and awaited to hear another sound. Surely enough, they did, they couldn't make it out for sure, but it sounded like soft whispers and heels tapping across the hard stone ground.

With no time to waste, as the sounds drew closer, James replied, "Quick! We've got to hide. For all we know that could be more of those Creatures, or worse!"
Misty pleaded, "But what about the others?"
James took hold of her arm as Marie backed up slowly towards them, "We'll see about them in a minute!" He told her as they headed for the nearest cell. It was the only place to go, but it was not safe, they knew that.

Whoever it was would most likely search the cells and find them. They could only hope that it would be someone on their side, rather then Creatures or Vampires, for they had no weapons, but only their skills to fight and will to survive.

As the noises grew louder with each minute, they huddled together listening quietly until they discovered that whoever it was had entered the room! It was two women, and they were talking. From subject matter, they could tell things were not looking good, but rather grim for them. Because they knew, soon they'd be found out!

Shouting in frustration and chaos, both Nadia and Mena were now struck with fear. How could all of this be happening they wondered? And if the problems were not solved, Robert would surely kill them both, and they knew it. Before it was just one person missing that they knew of, but to have the prisoners free, someone would have to pay. They were afraid it would be them!

They just stood in the halls for a moment. Ready to check in the cells when they heard a noise coming from behind them, and Mena picked up a familiar scent. "Humans." She said.
But Nadia had picked up on the scent when they stepped into the hallway, now neither of them knew where it was coming from. Little did they know, it was coming from the warriors and the escaped sacrifices. But they would never have expected it to be what it was.

Quietly following their scent, down to the passageway they'd entered, Nadia and Mena hid towards the center, between both entrances. Back in the cells, James, Misty and Marie huddled. What to do Marie wondered, in sheer panic. Why weren't they coming to the cells? James just listened carefully, unaware that Chantal and Katlin were headed up the passageway!

The noise of their quiet footsteps could now be heard echoing through out the room, unable to hide it, they moved even slower. Before stopping in the archway. Upon looking around they saw nothing but open doors to what they were sure would be empty cells. Just as Chantal was about to speak, out of no where, appeared Nadia and Mena, relieved to have found the sacrifice that went missing, but shocked to see the other with her!

They screamed and backed away, as James, Misty and Marie heard them, it all clicked for Nadia and Mena.
"We've been followed here! That's what we smelled earlier! Human, I knew it!" Shouted Mena.
Their fangs showing in a sinister grin, backing Chantal and Katlin into a corner. They didn't know what to do, and from what the others hiding could tell, this was not going to be good. They had to do something.

Not much time to think, though James wasn't big on rescue, he decided they would have to move out and help whoever it was out there. Even if it meant blowing their cover, because the people could be fighters, or someone to help them.

However, before they could even take a step, they heard loud shrill cries for help, and the sounds of footsteps, fast and heavy running out of the left entrance, followed by another set.

Misty and James ran out of the cell, only just in time to see two women, being chased after! As they were about to dart out and see what was going on, they noticed that Marie was still in the cell.

Hurrying in after her, Misty quickly said, "Come on Marie! We have to go, now!"
She shook her head as though in a daze, and upon awakening from it she nodded, and the three of them dashed out of the hallway, through the door, following the noises quickly.

All Chantal and Katlin could do was run as fast as they could. All this way and they'd come not to free anyone, but die rather. Not there of course, but be taken back to their chambers and locked away, until it was their time.

Mena and Nadia were gaining on them, and it was easier for them to see down the dark halls, then it was for Katlin and Chantal. Luckily Chantal had remembered a large stair case just to the left around the corner, and as soon as she saw it, she grabbed Katlin's hand and up the stairs they went. Though it through Nadia and Mena off for just seconds, it was better then not losing them at all.

Their legs ached, as the breaths grew deeper and more shallow, climbing each stair as quickly as possible. But it still couldn't have been fast enough for them. The long winding wooden stair case lead them up high, floors it seemed though it couldn't have been. All the while the Vampires nipping at their heels.

Neither of them stopped to realize that James, Misty and Marie were following them close behind. Right now, the sacrifices meant more to Nadia and Mena, more then anything.

Reaching the floor they were hurrying up to finally, Chantal and Katlin only discover it lead no where really. It was like a dead end, and the end for them, or so they thought.

It was just one large room. Completly empty because it was to be the next area fixed up. Very long, very wide and very tall was the room. On all of the four long walls, spaced only inches apart, where tall square windows, some bored up completely, others only a little, allowing blue rays of moonlight to come shining through, it was the only light. Though candle light fixtures had been mounted on the walls, there were no candles.

The floors were covered thick with dust and wooden, but the wood was faded almost a greenish yellow color. The boards looked so old and weak, like they could just give away at any minute.

With no where left to hide, or run, Katlin and Chantal backed away from the stair case several feet as they saw Mena and Nadia coming up for them.

Each board creaked as they stepped back, a cool draft blew through out the large room. Cause a chill to fill the air, and a strange sound like whispers to echo all around them. They were trapped!

As Nadia and Mena came towards them, ready with their fangs and long sharp claw like nails, Katlin coward behind Chantal. Knowing they could not harm the sacrifices, but ready for a struggle, they walked closer, and closer.

Just then, they heard the loud rushed footsteps of what sounded like a group coming up the stairs, shuffling quickly to get up there. It was then they remembered hearing someone coming after them. They turned momentarily distracted, and Katlin ran for the farthest corner of the room. But Chantal just stayed in place, frozen by her fear, and curious to know who was coming up for them.

She had hoped it would be someone to help them, and sure enough Chantal was correct, and relieved. She could tell right away when James, Misty and Marie reached the floor, they were on her side. Just by the way the looked, and how they came towards Nadia and Mena.

"Don't harm the sacrifices." Nadia commanded, then pointed to James, Misty and Marie, "But kill them!"
With no hesitation, Mena launched forward at a speed so quick, she looked as though she were lifting off the ground! It took the fighters by surprise, and they all jumped to miss her, but Marie did not move in time and was knocked to the ground.

Marie took hold of Mena's short red sparkling dress and shoved her off as the others hurried to get up. All the while, Katlin and Chantal just watching, unsure of what to do. Chantal knew she couldn't just sit there forever though.

As soon as James rose, Nadia reached out at him, swinging her claws into the air, coming down on his shoulder. Slicing his flesh deeply, it began to bleed, and again she did it, until so vigorously her body was jerked, that it knocked her long brown hair out of the bands which held it up high before. Clawing him again and again and again, never had he allowed himself to be wounded so, but she was too fast for him.

Trying to rescue him, Misty came for Nadia, but it was to no avail, when Nadia took her other arm and smacked her down hard. And while she was down Mena, came to her, and began kicking her hard and rough all over, so much so the air seemed snatched from her lungs as she gasped to gain it back.

Feeling weak and strange for some reason, Marie barely pulled herself up, and with strength she didn't know she had, hurried to Mena, with her fist balled up, she struck her down with powerful force. Though Mena got up quickly, she was still injured. Blood trickled down her face, as the wound began to heal on it's own. Marie was not surprised as it was often hard to hurt a Vampire good enough to make the wound unhealable.

Still standing there, Misty took this opportunity to strike again at Mena, but it was no use. It was as though she sensed the blows before they happened, and reaching out, she caught Misty fist in air, ready to crush it, her malicious blue eyes never leaving Marie's. Though they didn't have to, because before Misty's hand was crushed, Marie jumped forward, kicking Mena hard in the face. It didn't knock her down, but their was force behind it, and she let Misty go, grunting in pain as she clutched her throbbing and bruised fist.

Doing better then before, James still wasn't doing well enough, and was barely missing the twisted claws of Nadia that swung at him. Backing closer and closer towards a large boarded window, he knew soon he wouldn't be able to dodge Nadia anymore.

With the others busy and Katlin hiding away, Chantal knew she had to help James out somehow. Even if she could just distract Nadia away, she knew she couldn't be killed, and that she could be of some little help.

So, that in mind, she just ran as fast as she could to get to Nadia, and lept forward knocking her down. Both James and Nadia were surprised, but Chantal most of all, because she wasn't sure it would work. Lifting herself off Nadia, Chantal rose hurriedly, only glancing at James for a moment before he got himself prepared.

Misty wasn't able to do much to slow Mena down, but Marie however was doing pretty well. Though they had moved a great deal further back, and now everywhere they stepped felt as though it would cave in on them.

Struggling on what seemed to be a weak rotted out spot on the ground, they couldn't stop not even for a moment to move off it. But Marie just knew too much force would send someone crashing through then falling to the next floor! But the thought didn't stop either of them from fighting.

His right hand jolted into the air, striking Nadia's chin hard and knocking her back as the blood began to seep out from the wound, which would most likely soon heal. Never the less, it was a good blow, and as she was sent back, James took this time to swing his fist into the air once more. This time, it met her dead center in the face, and she was pushed back hard against the boarded window, as it made a loud crash sound on impact.

But Nadia wasn't about to just give up and let him take easy shots. She quickly dodged his next hit, by simply ducking, yet when she came back up, Chantal hit her as hard as she could with the back of her hand. However, she did not have the strength like the others did to hit Nadia, and the instant she pulled her hand away, she felt the throbbing, burning pain, and felt warm blood slide from her knuckles were the skin had been torn, it seemed, away.

Her efforts did manage to distract Nadia momentarily, long enough for James to lift his right leg and kick her hard in the stomach, rising off the ground at this devastating kick, Nadia felt the searing pain that followed, as the boards of the window began to give out!

By now Mena had gotten Misty within her grasp, holding her high off the ground with one arm, she closed her fingers in around her throat, choking the life from her, as Marie rose from a blow she'd taken earlier.

Standing on two feet now, Marie came up behind Mena, feeling weaker by the minute, but she hit her, hard, right in the back. It felt like hitting her that hard, broke Marie's fist, as she clutched it tightly in her other hand, groaning in horrible pain.

Mena dropped Misty immediately to the ground and that was all it took for the floor to give away, not all of it, but a big enough corner to send Misty tumbling through the floor, she frantically reached for anything she could to hold on, and caught hold of the very edge of the floor, swinging her legs in the air, trying to catch her balance.

The floor seemed like it was even weaker now, and at any moment would cave in even more. In raged Mena turned to Marie, ready to kill her, reaching out she got hold of her arms, longing to rip them off in her anger. Looking into each others eyes, Mena, sensed something very strange, she couldn't pick up on it. But it was coming from Marie, whether it was a scent, a look, or body language, she knew something was off, and became not frightened, but shaky about something and loosened her grip.

As soon as she did, that was all Marie needed, and she broke free, but only long enough to see the room spin, and feel her heart beat race, then she collapsed! Clawing her way back up, Misty stood now before Mena as the floor creaked and squealed. It was going to give away, for sure.

Throwing Chantal aside, Nadia had James right in front of her, with her claws ready and at his throat. Taking hold og him, she started to sink her pointed nails into his neck, stinging it with pain.

Without noticing, Chantal got up behind Nadia, and James could see in her eyes, she had an idea. Right now, she was his only hope, though he didn't like to admit the thought to himself. He wouldn't give up without a struggle, so he began to pull at her arms, but they were steady and unshakable it seemed.

Pulling at the boards on the window, Chantal knew they were almost free, and all she had to do was loosen one, and all of them would come undone. So that's what she did, she worked at it, hard, with all of her might. Pulling and tugging, she could hear them shaking and starting to give, but so did Nadia!

All this time, during the fights, Katlin quivered in a corner. In the dark, she feared that though now, it seemed the others had an upper hand, they would still be killed including her. And for some reason, she was frozen with fear, but feeling guilt for not fighting. Deep down, she knew she never could make herself anyway, she was much to afraid, and far to selfish in that way. As long as the Vampires were occupied, they'd leave her alone, that's all she needed. The exit was too far and too close to the Vampires, so all she could do was wait.

Almost backed into the open hole in the floor, Misty looked around for anything that could save her. As Mena came towards her, Misty squatted down on the floor quickly, pulling on some of the loose boards, hoping maybe the floor underneath Mena would give away, not a solid plan, but she was afraid and in panic, it was all she knew to do.

Suddenly, a board popped loose, snapping off into Misty's hand. A sharp wooden point. That was all she needed, without thinking, but going by instinct, she rammed the long piece of wood into Mena's chest, directly over the heart, and at the moment, she heard the floor caving in on her!

Turning to stop whatever Chantal was doing, Nadia reached her just as she pulled the boards on the window loose, ripping them away, leaving a big gaping and open window. James, with a reassuring glance, looked up at Chantal, and she knew what to do.

Moving quickly, James hurdled towards Nadia, hitting her as hard as he could with all his strength, tumbling her over and out the large open window. Screaming in terror all the way down, until her shouts faded with the night.

Grabbing the wood, pierced into her chest, blood gushed and spirted in every direction as Misty hurried of the area of ground she was on. James and Chantal ran towards them to help the unconscious Marie from falling to her death, as the floor caved in.

Uncovering her eyes, seeing it was over, Katlin rose and slowly moved towards everyone. Chantal turned and looked around for her, and when she spotted her, she hurried to her.

James took hold of Marie, and carried her in his arms as Misty, and the others rushed down the stairs. The last thing they saw was Mena's body falling into the ground as it gave away to some unknown part of the castle.

Once they reached the bottom of the stairs, they quickly looked around for Mena's body. But it must have fallen into another room, they knew she was dead and weren't about to go looking for her corpse.

Now Chantal wanted some answers as to just what was going, as James set Marie down she said, "My name is Chantal." Then she pointed to Katlin and introduced her. Misty, told her who everyone else was, then Chantal asked, "Katlin and I are to be sacrifices in some ceremony, or so we've heard. What is it? We'd like some answers."
Staring down at Marie, James said with a curious expression, "So would I...."
Misty knelt down to examine Marie, looking over she could not see anything wrong. But Marie had been acting strange ever since they ran into her.

"Is she alright?" Asked Chantal.
Before they could respond, Marie sat up, groaning and holding her head.
Weakly she asked, "What happened?"
Looking up and around at everyone, she realized she was not where she was before, James said, "The Vampires are dead, we killed them and brought you back down here."
"Are you alright?" Misty asked with a concerned tone to her voice.
She rose carefully, and James helped her up, she answered, "I think so. I feel so strange."

Her head felt very swollen, and her vision was becoming very clear even though it was dark. She could almost see a mile down the dark, dank hallways. A part of her was feeling weak and shaky, but the other part felt slightly stronger then before and more alive.

Katlin, breaking the silence said, "Alright, we need some answers, what's going on and why have we been brought here."
James looked over at her and replied, "Come on, there's no time to waste, we have to go down that other passageway. See if we can find the others who escaped."
Misty added, "I'll explain it all on the way."
With that, they all turned and followed James. Marie lagging behind wondering what was the matter with her.

None of them, could ever imagine what was happening to Marie, not even she herself could remember. But it didn't matter, because in time, she would find out. Sooner then anyone thought!