COF 34

 Lezard walked a few feet behind Lenneth, his cumbersome wings brushing against the bark of the trees he passed. His eyes were drawn to her, though he kept a careful eye out for any sudden movement, conscious of the wolves that stalked their small party. But mainly he kept an eye on Lenneth, dark gaze boring into her back, watching as her slender form seem to glide forward, feet not making a sound against the dirt floor of the woods. Where others in their party stepped on twigs, tripped over rocks, and just in general gave away their positions by the noise they made, she was silent, a mere ghost of a presence.

Her appearance in the dark didn’t do much to dispel that comparison. Lenneth glowed, a soft, ethereal light that shone off her body, washing her surroundings with a circle of illumination. It was as though she emitted a blazing white fire from deep within, surrounding them in light with a hint of blue flames to it. It allowed the party to travel forward, not fearing molestation from the denizens that haunted the woods around them.

But still the vampires tried, sending their animals forward to attack the small party. Bats shrieked, flapping their leathery wings, plump bodies bobbing up and down in the air. Lenneth calmly gestured in their direction, and the brown creatures twisted, turning into white doves. Startled they took off into the air, wings flapping, feathers falling as they flew off into the night sky.

Eyes glowed golden in the darkness that surrounded Lenneth’s glow, furred shapes stepping forth. Wolves, their bodies almost as big as a man’s, with sharp fangs as long as a finger. The wolves growled, hackles raised as they bared their teeth, bodies tense as they prepared to jump. Lenneth calmly drew her sword, watching the lupine beasts, watching and waiting for them to strike.

As one the pack of wolves leapt forward, more and more appearing out of the darkness, foaming at the mouth as they hungered for divine flesh. Hrist let out a battle cry, twirling her blade, eagerly stepping forward to meet them mid jump. The point of her sword thrusted upwards, impaling deep within a belly, the Dark Valkyrie dragging her blade across it’s flesh. Blood and intestines fell out, but she was already sliding away, avoiding getting the gore on her as she attacked another one of the beasts.

Freya was to the right of him, hands glowing with ether, tiny orbs of golden light that she tossed at the wolves. They whimpered and whined in pain, bits of their bodies being blown to pieces. Out of the corner of his eye, Lezard saw a wolf pacing him, licking it’s chops as it eyed his wings. Lezard thrust his hand out, as though to pet the wolf, whispering, “Fire lance.” Three spears of fire flew out of his hand, coating the wolf’s back, setting the poor beast’s fur aflame. It let out a pitiful whine of pain, body twisting as it ran into the woods, desperate to escape the flames.

“Slanting Bow!” Lucian announced his attack, swinging his sword upwards, causing a wolf to let out a yelp as it dodged backwards, the youth’s blade slicing across it’s muzzle. A growl from it’s mate, the she wolf charging, jaw opened wide as she attempted to sink her teeth down into Lucian’s arm. The wolf got a mouthful of metal, teeth crunching, scraping across his red gauntlets. Lucian calmly picked off the wolf, driving his sword directly between her eyes, piercing her brain. With a look of disgust, he shook the limp wolf free of his arm, sword held up at the ready to defend against the next wolf.

Lenneth was moving forward, barely exterting herself as she drove her Radiance Blade across the throat of a wolf. She swung out her arm in a wide arc, sword sweeping forward to slash at the trio of wolves in front of her. They dodged her blade, jaws snapping as they moved in closer. Lenneth narrowed her eyes, watching and waiting. One growled, and was leaping at her face, Lenneth quickly bringing her blade up, blocking the attack. Teeth closed around her thin blade, trying to yank the sword out of her hand. She brought up her other arm, fingers pointing at the wolf, ether crackling between them like electricity. At her touch, the wolf fell away, mouth slipping open as it screamed in pain, blue ether dancing over it’s body.

The wolf fell down dead at her feet, the other two cautiously nosing at it’s body, soft growls as they looked at Lenneth, considering. She smiled, and they whimpered, turning with their tails between their legs, fleeing. But others quickly took their place, ready to fight to the their deaths if need be.

“Is there no end to these foul creatures?!” demanded Hrist, her blade busy with the beasts. She stabbed downwards, driving her sword into the front paw of one lupine, gritting her teeth in annoyance.

“They are bound to run out of wolves sooner or later…” Freya retorted, hands thrusting forward, ether shooting out of the palms. Wolf bodies lifted off the ground, turning round and round as the ground beneath them exploded with ether. “We’ll just have to be patient.”

“Bah!” scoffed Hrist, lopping off the head of yet another wolf.

The light moved, Lenneth walking forward, calmly impaling wolves on her blade. The other warriors moved, backs to each other, keeping a careful eye on the wolves as they sidled after their leader. The All Mother was determined that the wolves would not stop her, would not keep her from the castle, and slowly her party forced their way forward, marking their progress with bloodied bodies.

“Fire storm!” shouted Lezard, sending fireballs torpedoing towards the trees behind them. The wood easily caught on fire, increasing their range of light. It served duel purposes, urging the einherjar that guarded their flanks a little closer into enemy territory. Bit by bit, Lenneth’s party was forging a path straight towards Brahm’s castle.

Lenneth’s light crept forward ever so slowly, the glow catching up to the vampires that backed away from it. They saw anxious faces, mere glimpses of pale skin before the vampires vanished back into the darkness.

“Cowards!” shouted Hrist, bristling with frustration. She wanted to charge forward, to plunge her sword into undead flesh. The Dark Valkyrie had to settle for burying her blade in the furred back of a wolf. “Come out and face us!”

They heard hisses and snarls, even high pitched giggles as the vampires laughed at them mockingly. Still none dared to approach the light, content to remain hidden in shadows. “Step away from the light Valkyrie.” A voice whispered seductively, urging Hrist nearer. “Then we will see who the real coward is.”

“Hrist don’t.” advised Freya, casting ether in the direction of the voice. Like cockroaches the vampires scattered, screeching and shielding their eyes from the divine energy.

“Do you think me so foolish Freya?” Hrist demanded, scraping her sword against the side of a wolf. It scampered off into the darkness, bleeding heavily. A snarl was heard, a flurry of movement descending towards the injured canine, followed by the horrendous sound of sucking.

“That will be the fate of any who leave the light.” Lenneth said gravely. “Stay close to me.”

“Don’t have to tell me twice.” Lucian murmured, fighting back a shiver.

They hacked and slashed their way forward, the castle looming ever closer. It was a large edifice made of ancient weathered stone, with grand turrets and towers in each of it’s four corners. A curved archway was at the entrance, a large drawbridge sealed up tight before them. As they watched, it lowered to the ground with a thud, kicking up dust in it’s wake.

“It seems we have received an invitation.” Lezard noted, watching as Lenneth paused before the foot of the drawbridge. The portcullis was raised, rusted metal with sharp points protruding downward, the hint of dried blood on the tips of those spikes. Past the portcullis, deeper into the castle, was darkness, only the barest of light could be made from the torches lining the walls. Flames that seemed to flicker, ready to go out at a moment’s notice. Shadowy figures loomed in the darkness, faces appearing in the tower’s windows. Up on the safety of the ramparts, vampires stood, sending down taunts, hurling insults as well as sharp rocks.

“We go forward…” Lenneth said, gliding onto the edge of the draw bridge. Her companions followed, their footsteps pounding loudly on the rotted wood, careful to avoid holes where the wood had been completely eaten away. Rocks landed on the bridge, some bouncing off armored bodies, Hrist and Lucian raising their hands, using their gauntlets to shield their heads. Vampires laughed in delight, pelting the party mercilessly.

“Shield Critical!” Lezard chanted, hands raised to form an invisible shielding of magic over the party. Soft thumps were heard, the stones sliding harmlessly off the wall of air he had constructed. Now the vampires hissed in anger, not liking this obstruction to their fun.

“Ether strike!” Freya called out, a smirk on her face as she lobbed her attack upwards, aiming it towards the ramparts. Screams were heard, bodies falling as they were knocked off the ledge, the Goddess scoring a minor victory against the vampires.

Lenneth passed underneath the portcullis, bending slightly to avoid the spiked tips brushing against the top of her head. She didn’t pause or wait to see if the others followed, striding confidently forward. With an upwards glance at the spikes, Lezard bit back a gulp, hurrying after his beloved. Freya and Hrist soon followed, as did Lucian, the man casting a similar nervous look at the portcullis.

Lucian had just barely passed under the spikes, when with a screeching sound, gears began to move. The portcullis started to fall, Lucian diving to the ground, the party turning to watch as the spikes just missed piercing his feet. With a muted curse, Hrist strode forward, ignoring Lucian, her eyes intent on the lowered portcullis. She gripped the metal bars, trying to force it open, and though her muscles tensed with strain, the Dark Valkyrie could not force it upwards.

“We’re trapped.” Hrist announced plainly, releasing her hold on the gate.

“That may be so.” agreed Freya. “But would it not stand to reason Brahms is also trapped as well?” She saw Hrist smile at that, the Dark Valkyrie liking the thought very much indeed.

Lucian moved, slowly getting to his feet, fighting back a shudder as he thought at how close he had come to losing his feet. “Let’s go.” The blonde suggested. “The sooner we find Brahms, the sooner we can get out of here.”

Lenneth nodded. “I do not want to be here when morning comes.” She wasn’t sure what would happen. Would they remain trapped, dragged along with the castle to it’s other dimension, or would they be cast out, back on the battlefield unharmed? It was a risk she did not want to take.

“What happens when morning comes?” Lezard asked out loud, and saw the others hesitate, uncertainty on their faces.

“You die.” A new voice said, hissing out laughter between clenched teeth. Bodies tensed up, the warrior gripping their weapons more firmly as they gazed past Lenneth, seeing the shadowy figures skirt close to the edge of her light.

“I think you’re confusing us with you!” snarled Hrist, sword twirling in an impressive display of skill. The figures came closer, stepping into the light, pupils wide and blinking from the brightness. They were dressed in form fitting black, gothic finery that coated them from head to toe. Vampires, a dozen or more, confident creatures who did not seem to fear Lenneth’s glow.

“Time to die.” spoke the apparent leader of the vampires, and at her nod, the group rushed forward, advancing on the party. Screams from both sides were heard, challenges being issued as bodies moved. Some of the vampires had weapons, tiny daggers and broadswords, others relying on their fangs and claws. Three rushed Lenneth, falling on top of the Goddess, covering her with their bodies so that her light flickered and faltered.

“Lenneth!” shouted Lezard, even as he cast a spell, finger poking into the chest of a yellow haired vampire. “Explosion!”

With a scream, it’s body tore apart, limbs and internal organs showering both friend and foe alike, causing screams of disgust to be heard. Lezard ignored this, taking an anxious step forward when a fierce yell was heard, Lenneth, voice strong and full of rage. The three vampires were flung off her, Lenneth rising, arms thrust outwards, ether circling her arms.

“Filthy creatures.” She murmured, angered. “How dare you touch me!”

“Oh we’ll do more than touch you…” promised one, getting up to his feet. “We’ll see you dead, nothing more than a feast for our Lord and Master!”

“And where is Brahms?!” demanded Hrist, eyes intent on the opponent she dueled with. Her sword thrusted and parried, a constant flurry of movements. The vampire moved lightning quick, with the unnatural reflexes of the undead, his sword a blur, seeking a chance to slip in between her armor. “Why doesn’t he face us himself?!”

“Our master will not be bothered with the likes of you insects!” came the answer.

“Then we will make him fight us!” retorted Hrist, crossing blades with the vampire. She weaved in close, ducking under his sword, driving home the point of her blade into the undead fiend’s belly. A screech of pain was heard, the vampire dropping his weapon to clutch at his bleeding stomach. A wicked grin was on Hrist’s face as she swung her sword straight across his neck, lopping his head clean off.

Floating several inches off the ground, Freya held back her ether, not liking how the walls crowded them in. These tight quarters were not suitable for lobbing her ether balls, the Goddess knowing her friends could be caught in the backlash of her explosions. The golden haired Goddess was forced to fight hand to hand, trading blows with vampires, floating backwards to avoid the swiping of their claws. Cuts appeared in the lycra that covered her body, the vampire she faced being swift to land attacks on her. Freya growled, and lashed out with her arm, backhanding the vampire across the face.

Lucian was inching past Lenneth, slowly driving back vampires, thrusting his sword into their bodies over and over again. Lenneth twirled her blade, swinging it towards a vampire, her strength splitting the vampire from his torso. Lezard cast fire spells, reaching out to lay his hands on undead flesh, whispering the words that would set them aflame, watching with a smirk as the screaming creatures crashed into their allies, spreading the flames.

Bit by bit, the small party moved forward, forcing the vampires back deeper into the castle. The vampires were reluctant to move, not wanting to allow the Asgadians to gain any ground, but their self preservation was stronger, and soon they began to flee. With a laugh from Hrist, the party followed, running after the vampires, traveling through twisting corridors and passageways until at last they reached the throne room of Brahms.

The heavy stone doors slowly opened, the party hesitating at the threshold, gazing inwards. The room was dimly lit, candles decorated the walls, and they flickered now, their light increasing in intensity. Vampires filled the room, turning towards the party, hands curling into claws, flashing their fangs at the Asgardians. Amidst the sea of undead, across the doorway, a throne was situated. It was empty, it’s master far, far away from here.

“Silmeria!” Hrist shouted, having spotted the crystal that floated behind the empty throne. It was all she got to say before the vampires attacked, wave after wave of blood sucking fiends swarming forward to attack the party. Screams filled the air, angry battle cries as the warriors faced the overwhelming odds head on. They had little choice in the matter, the vampires not giving them room to retreat, surrounding them, forcing them away from the doors.

How long they battled they did not know, for when one row of vampires was vanquished, another ten arose to take their place. Swords were on constant move, Lenneth and her sister using their divine strength to force heads from bodies. Lucian stabbed his blade into the vampires over and over again, his once gleaming sword now dull with blood and ichor.

Freya tried to toss her ether here, finding the room wide enough to risk the explosions. But vampires swarmed her, grabbing at her arms, holding her still. She screamed and kicked out with her legs, striking a man across the chin, knocking teeth loose. “Freya!” Lucian was instantly at her side, sword chopping off the limbs of the vampires that held the Goddess.

“My thanks to you!” Freya said gratefully, and aimed a blast to the left of Lucian, knocking away a vampire who sought to stab the youth in his back.

Lezard let out a scream, finding vampire teeth sinking into his left wing, the creature who bit him letting out a lusty moan. He licked his lips, high on divine blood, and even as he prepared to dive his fangs back into Lezard’s wing, the necromancer was turning, grabbing him by the neck. With a rage fueled shout, he was using his divine strength to crush the windpipe of the one who dared to dine on him.

Vampire causalities were rising, far greater than the amount that had been lost since the start of this war. More and more of them fell to the floor, bodies turning to dust as they screamed. And still they came, faster now, attracted to the wounds that bled out from the small party of determined warriors.

“ENOUGH!!” A gruff, male voice screamed out, commanding in nature. Surprisingly the vampires stilled, dropping to their knees, though those closest to the Asgardians kept their weapons trained on their foes.

“Brahms…” growled out Hrist, still eyeing the vampires nearest to her. She didn’t need to see him to recognize the voice.

“Enough…” repeated the Vampire Lord, and with a wave of his hand the vampires fell away from the party, going to line up against the East and west side walls. At last the party turned towards the voice, finding the vampire master sitting in his throne. He was leaning back lazily in his chair, hand resting on the palm of his hand as he studied Lenneth, eyes traveling up and down her body.

“Lenneth…” His voice was a soft purr, a hint of smile on Brahms’ face. “You appear to me without your armor. Are you really that confident on the outcome of our battle?”

“Brahms…I have little reason to fight you.” Lenneth said, ignoring the angry hiss Hrist let out.

“Oh?” He laughed then, but it was without humor. “You come to me under the guise of war, invade my land, use force in my home, and yet you claim you’re not here to fight?”

“The war wasn’t my idea.” Lenneth replied. “Odin was behind it…Odin was behind everything…”

“And yet here you are…” pointed out the vampire. “If not to finish what that half elf started, then to what?!”

“To talk to you.” Lenneth said, ignoring the laughter that issued out of Brahms and his minions. “I would negotiate the end of this war, and the freeing of Silmeria.”

“You can’t have her, Lenneth.” Brahms snarled. “Silmeria is mine now.”

“She is not an object!” shouted Hrist, pointing her sword at Brahms. “You cannot own her, I won’t allow it!”

“Lenneth, control your sister or I will!” hissed Brahms.

“Hrist…” Freya was touching the dark haired Valkyrie’s shoulder, trying to calm her. “Let Lenneth speak…”

“Bah!” She snorted but fell quiet, one hand on her hip, as she glared at the vampire master.

“Brahms…what will it take to get you to release Silmeria?” asked Lenneth.

“Nothing…” He flashed a toothy smirk at the party. “Nothing you are willing to give up.”

“Try me.” She said.

“Hmmph…” He stroked his chin, pretending to consider. “I think Gungnir would be a nice start…”

“You dare?!” Hrist couldn’t help speaking up, and only Freya’s hand kept her from charging forward.

“No?” Brahms said as Lenneth shook her head. “How about a steady supply of divine blood…?”

More outraged squawks from Hrist, Lenneth speaking over her sister. “We cannot afford to let the vampires become even more powerful…”

“Then I’m afraid you have nothing I want.” Brahms said. “Now what will you do?”

“Brahms!” Hrist had broken away from Freya’s grip, striding forward. “I offer you a bargain! It is divine blood that you want?! You can have mine…”

“Hrist no!” protested Lenneth and Freya.

“Yours?” He was surprised.

“On one condition…” The Dark Valkyrie smiled grimly. “You face me in battle…and win! If you lose…I get my sister back.”

There was a murmur from the crowd of vampires, the undead fiends licking their lips at the thought of tasting Valkyrie blood. They cast anxious eyes at their master, urging him to accept the deal.

“Ha ha ha ha…” Brahms laughed, rising to stand. “I never thought you were the self sacrificing type Hrist. But very well…I accept!”

“Hrist…are you sure about this?” asked Lucian quietly.

“Yes.” A one word answer from the Dark Valkyrie, moving forward to meet Brahms in the center of the room. “No interference from either side.”

“Agreed.” Brahsm nodded. “It will be just you and I…sword against nail. We will at last see who is the strongest.”

“The time for our fated battle is at hand.” replied Hrist, twirling her sword in front of her body. The two foes circled each other, eyes calm as they moved, each waiting for the other to make the first move. Cheers and jaunts came from the gathered vampires, trying to distract the Valkyrie. Hrist paid them no mind, her attention all for Brahms. She smiled, a slow curving of the lips, pure malicious joy in that expression.

Brahms mirrored her expression, flashing fangs briefly before he was on the move, rushing forward, screaming out “Bloody Curse!” Hrist dodged his attempt at an uppercut to her chin, nimble feet keeping her out of reach even as his fist slammed into the ground, sending up three red waves of energy hurtling towards her. The energy hit her dead on, though she bit back her screams, staggering in place from the foul energy that crawled over her body.

Hrist shook her head, trying to shake free the feel of Brahms power, still smiling her cocky smirk. Not one to let a foe get away with landing a blow, the Dark Valkyrie was already moving forward, skirts rustling as she ran. “Yah!” screamed Hrist, leaping into the air, stabbing downwards with her sword. Brahms swore, and crossed his arms up over his head, Hrist’s blade scratching against the gauntlets on his wrists.

With a flexing of his arms, he shoved forward, knocking Hrist away from him. The dark haired woman landed on her feet, knees close to the ground in a crouch, and she brought her sword upwards even as Brahms tried to slash downwards with his claws. He let out a cry, feeling a finger slice cleanly off his hand, and with a hiss was whirling away from Hrist.

Brahms examined his injured hand, wiggling his remaining fingers. “Still want to fight?” asked Hrsit with a smirk. Brahms’ eyes darkened in reply, the vampire lobbing a gob of spit in her direction.

“I’ll take that as a no.” She laughed, and was off running again. Brahms lunged at her, claws slashing across her armor, sharp enough to pierce the metal, leaving deep gouges across her breasts. Hrist gasped in shock, recovering quickly slashing forwards with her sword, driving Brahms away from her before his claws could draw blood. Wary of her weapon, the vampire lord leaped backwards, keeping a careful eye on her sword’s movements.

Hrist ran after him, and dropped to the floor, sliding past him to appear behind him. She went to drive her blade into his unguarded back but Brahms was turning, grabbing hold of her sword, letting the sharp edges cut into his palm. Both their muscles tensed, Hrist trying to push her sword forward, Brahms trying to hold it back. They struggled like this for a few minutes, locked in place, and then with a huff of air, Hrist pulled back. Brahms nearly stumbled forward, catching his footing at the last second. Even as he straightened, the Dark Valkyrie was trying to drive her sword into his neck, wanting to end this fight now.

Brahms leaned to the right, sword passing harmlessly past his throat, though several strands of hair was severed from his scalp. He was raising his arm, back handing Hrist away from him, and she stumbled, sword clattering to the ground. Before she could grab it, he was slamming his foot into her chest, pinning her down. “Give up Hrist!” laughed Brahms, even as she glared up at him defiantly.

“Never!” swore Hrist, and she grabbed his foot with both hands, forcing it to rise, shoving him up off of her. Brahms went flying, landing on his back, even as Hrist kicked out with her legs, snapping back into a standing position. She paused long enough to retrieve her sword, running towards the downed vampire with a wild scream. Brahms was rising, and he let out a startled sound, feeling her sword plunge into his belly.

Blood fell from his lips, the vampire wheezing in shock as he stared at the blade protruding from his gut. Shaking hands reached down to grasp the sword, trying to pull it out, even as Hrist continued to drive it into him, intent on pushing the point on through to his back. With an enraged scream, Brahms slapped her, claws opening up her right cheek, causing her to see red.

Hrist didn’t let go of her sword, ignoring her injuries, continuing to try to fully impale the Vampire Lord. Again and again Brahms punched her, fists pummeling her face, marring her beauty with his claws, desperate to get her off him.

“That’s enough!” shouted Lenneth, and with a blast from her, both parties were knocked away from each other. Brahms landed on his back, sword still in his stomach, the vampire reaching forward to yank it free of his flesh. Hrist turned to look at her sister, growling angrily.

“Lenneth, don’t interfere!” Hrist snarled.

Lenneth let out a sigh, reaching out to touch her sister’s face. At her caress, her cheeks healed, smooth and flawless once more. “It’s over Hrist…you’ve won…”

“No!” Brahms was struggling to stand, torso and legs coated in his own blood. “I can still fight…”

“You can barely stand.” Lenneth pointed out. “Face it Brahms, you’ve lost. Give up Silmeria…”

“Never…” swore Brahms, at a nod from him, his vampires lunged forward, racing towards the two Valkyre sisters.