The confined space proved to be a disadvantage to the Vlarik. Within a few a few minutes, the dark creatures were lying in a black pile of bodies.
We smashed through the door at the end of the passage and found ourselves in a dimly lit corridor. The walls were decorated with intricate carvings and the floor was made of polished marble.
''I knew they were useless. If only you had the chance to meet the new ones'', sighed a gigantic figure leaning against the wall of the corridor.
I recognized the battle axe strapped to his back. It was Ragnor! The same giant who had fought with Stonearm.
''You survived!''.
''Barely'', he chuckled, as he turned to face me. I gasped in shock. His whole body was covered with stitches, even his face. He was gruesomely disfigured.
''I was almost dead, but I was taken to the Witch and she patched me up. Anyway, I have some important work to do'', he said, reaching for his weapon.
The Wolf King growled and lunged past us. As tall as he was, he only came up to the giant's shoulders. He was still in his human form, except for his hands, which were covered with black fur and had razor sharp claws instead of fingers.
''You!''.
The giant swung his axe, but the Wolf King was too fast. He ducked and grabbed the handle, slashing with his claws. The giant howled in pain, clutching his face.
Just when his hold loosened, the Wolf King pulled the weapon free from his hand and kicked him against the wall.
He spun around, swinging the axe in a wide arc, cutting through bone and sinew with a sickening crunch. The giant's severed head fell on the ground with a loud thud, followed by his torso.
I was still gaping in awe when the Wolf King hefted the bloody axe and said, ''Let's go'', stepping past the giant's body, into the passage beyond.
We soon entered a wide hallway, with many side passages. The only light came from the braziers which were fastened to the walls.
''Which way?'', asked Norman.
''Straight'', answered the Wolf King.
Suddenly, one of the doors burst open and more guards poured into the hallway.
''We will take care of them'', said Thelma, looking at the Wolf King. ''Go!''.
We strode past the mob of soldiers, striking anyone who came in our way, leaving the rest to the Alphas.
We made another turn and found ourselves before a set of huge double doors, made from some kind of black wood, decorated with intricate carvings of gods and monsters.
The two vampire guards barely had time to react when they saw us. I lunged at one of them and sank my fangs into his neck. The blood refreshed my senses and filled me with renewed power.
By the time I pushed away the drained corpse, the other guard was already lying dead, in a pool of blood.
The Wolf King placed his hands on the door and pushed. The doors opened with a loud creak that sent shivers down my spine. I could feel an ominous presence nearby.
''Be ready'', warned the Wolf King.
The throne room was huge and cavernous, illuminated by the dancing light of the torches, which were bracketed to the columns.
But their light was not enough to reach the far walls on either side. The ceiling was supported by circular, black pillars that rose into the darkness above, seamlessly melding with the shadows.
At the far end was a stepped dais on which rested a black throne. Sitting on it was the Emperor himself, clad in red armor. A cold laugh escaped through his lips as he leered at us.
''It has been a long time, old friend'', said Viktor, his voice smooth and sharp like steel. ''And you have brought me a present'', he sneered, looking at me.
The Wolf King growled in anger, and hurled the giant's battle axe straight at the Emperor.
My jaw dropped in surprise as the axe dented the empty throne and dropped to the floor with a loud clanging noise that echoed through the hall. Viktor was standing a few paces in front of us, with an amused expression on his face.
''Where are they?!'', I snarled, gripping the handle of my sword.
''Do not worry about them. You will be dead soon''.
The Wolf King drew his long sword and lunged forward, swinging at Viktor, who parried the blow with his gauntlet. The blade barely dented the steel plates.
''So you two have come to kill me'', he chuckled.
He slashed with the steel claws of his gauntlet, to which the Wolf King jumped back and thrust his sword at Viktor's chest. They clashed with tremendous speed, darting around like lightning, giving me no opening to intervene.
The Wolf King was bigger, and his blows were heavier, whereas, Viktor was quicker.
''You betrayed me'', snarled the Wolf King.
''No. We betrayed the Old King'', chuckled Viktor.
As the Wolf King swung his blade, Viktor caught it with his hand and slashed at his wrist, but the Wolf King held on to his blade, even as his gloves soaked with blood.
''Just how weak do you think I am?'', he laughed.
The Wolf King growled in anger and kicked Viktor's chest. He was thrown back at one of the columns, which cracked under the impact.
I lunged forward, but Viktor was already on his feet. I ducked as he slashed with his claws, driving my sword into his foreleg.
He screamed in agony. I pulled out the blade and jumped out of the way as the Wolf King grabbed his neck and hurled him at another pillar.
As he charged forward, Viktor straightened, a terrible snarl ripping from his throat. He lunged at the Wolf King, feinting an attack and when he raised his sword to parry the blow, Viktor smote his breastplate, which crumpled under the blow.
The Wolf King staggered back, the sword slipping from his hand. A furious growl escaped through his lips.
His hands started growing, sprouting dense black fur and his fingers turned into claws. He raised his head to the ceiling and howled. I flinched as the terrible sound reverberated throughout the hall.
He lunged forward and grabbed Viktor's neck, slamming him against the black pillar. The force of it cracked the stone and sent debris flying in all directions.
''Scarlett! Now!''.
I was ready. I charged forward, my hand tightly gripping Shadowfang. I thrust my sword at Viktor's chest, driving the blade right through his heart. No armor could stop Shadowfang.
As I pulled out the sword, the Emperor stiffened, his whole body going limp. He collapsed to the ground, a shocked expression on his face. I smiled in triumph. It was over!
I looked at the fallen Emperor. Dark red blood poured out of the wound, but he wasn't disintegrating like other vampires did when struck by Shadowfang.
I looked back at the Wolf King and started to ask, ''Why isn't he...''.
''Get back!'', he shouted. His whole body tensed as he braced himself.
I heard a low growl behind me. The sound sent a chill through my spine and I darted towards the shadows.
Viktor slowly began to stir. He opened his eyes, his face contorted with anger and his eyes blazing fiery red.
''Did you really think that I could be killed so easily?'', he rasped.
As he rose to his feet, his armor started falling off and he started to grow. His skin turned leathery gray and from his back, sprouted a set of dark bat like wings.
''I am Viktor Grimm of the Grimoire coven! The first Vampire King'', he roared.
I was rooted to the spot in terror as I looked up at the gigantic monster looming in front of me. It was the same one that had appeared in my dreams. A fearsome growl emanated from between its fangs.
''No....It can't be....'', stammered the Wolf King, his eyes wide with shock. He looked at me and shouted, ''Run! Now!''.
The Wolf King regained his bearings and lunged at the monster, swinging his sword. But it was too fast. It lashed out with its enormous clawed hand and the Wolf King was thrown back with a bone crushing force.
''Now it is your turn to die'', rasped the monster, turning towards me. I wanted to run, but my legs seemed to be out of my control.
&nbs
p; Suddenly, one of alphas darted into the hall and launched itself at the monster. But the werewolf was no match for the creature. It grabbed the Alpha midair and snapped its neck, before hurling it aside.
The monster tensed, staring over my head. I heard a loud growl that made the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end. I saw a black shadow jump over me. It was a gigantic black werewolf, almost as big as the bat like monster itself. The two monsters from my nightmare!
It was bigger than any werewolf I had ever seen. It reared on its hind legs, baring its dagger like fangs. The hall was filled with loud, terrible snarls and roars as the two monsters charged, snapping and clawing at each other.
I had no place in this fight between two ancient creatures. We had underestimated Viktor. He was more powerful than we had thought.
The werewolf seemed to be losing. I charged into the battle and slashed at the monsters leg. The Vampire creature snarled in rage and clawed at me. But I jumped back just in time.
That was the opening the Wolf King needed. The black werewolf slashed with its claws. The monster staggered back and screamed in pain, clutching its face.
It opened its jaws and growled at the werewolf, showing sharp pointed teeth, dripping with venom. Three red lined ran across it's face, where the Wolf King's claws had pierced the skin.
The werewolf lashed out again, but this time the vampire creature was ready. It ducked the blow and grabbed the Wolf King's shoulders, burying its fangs into the werewolf's neck.
It was all over in a flash. As the lifeless body of the Wolf King collapsed to the floor, a lamenting howl rent the air. An alpha mourning the fall of its king.
''Scarlett....Kalypso...'', he groaned, drawing his last breath.
The bat like creature gave a roar of triumph that reverberated throughout the hall. In its bloodstained hand was the heart of Hector Talbot, the Wolf King of Lycaonia.
The creature started shrinking. I stared at the kneeling humanoid figure, clad in a black ragged robe.
Viktor stood up and turned towards me. His face was disfigured by the three red scars that stretched across his face, a reminder of the grim battle. They were not healing.
''You annoy me to no end'', he snarled, as he lunged at me, ready to kill. ''You die now!''.
As I raised my sword, someone jumped in front of me, driving a sword into his chest.
''Not on my watch!''.
It was Alice!
''Run, Scar! Now!''.
''Nooo!'', I shouted, my eyes widening in fear. Viktor looked at the blade protruding from his chest and snarled.
He grabbed her and sank his fangs into her neck. Alice started convulsing, before going still. Viktor dropped her limp body to the ground, running his tongue over his bloody lips.
''A tasty meal'', sneered Viktor.
I looked in dumb disbelief at my fallen friend. Alice was lying on the ground, her empty eyes staring blankly at the ceiling.
As my mind started to comprehend what had just happened, rage started bubbling up inside me. I gripped Shadowfang tightly in my hand and lunged at Viktor's sneering face.
''I will kill you, you vile monster!'', I shouted, raising my sword, even as Viktor charged towards me.
But before I could drive my sword through his evil face, something heavy crashed into me and I was pulled into a void. I struggled to get free, but I couldn't even move. The grip was too strong and my strength was ebbing away from me.
Tears streaked down my cheek as I lost sight of the throne room and my best friend. Alice was gone!
~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~
16. A City Beyond the Mountains
The sun was slowly rising, lighting up the vast blue sky. A light breeze rustled through the leaves overhead. The only sound in the woods was the chirping of birds and the gurgle of a stream nearby.
My hands were chained with sunstone shackles. For the first time, I felt truly vulnerable. Tears flowed down my cheeks, as I remembered what had happened in the Black Castle.
Everyone dear to me were captured or dead because of me. It was all my fault. I tried to hold back the sobs as the grief came crashing down on me. Alice was gone!
''Let me go!'', I shouted. ''I have to save her''.
''You can't. She is dead'', said Ronin, who was leaning against a tree.
I refused to believe that Alice was dead. She was all I had left. She had always been my constant companion. I had to get her back no matter what!
''She is not dead!'', I shouted, glaring at him.
''If you say so'', sighed Ronin. ''She saved your life, so don't go throwing it away''.''.
Why did you bring me here?'', I demanded, angrily.
''Because I was asked to''.
''By whom?!''.
At that moment, I heard a rustling sound in the branches above, and a sleek figure dropped down on the forest floor.
It was a young girl. She was slightly taller than me. She was beautiful, with fierce and sharp features. She had dark hair, streaked with white, which she had tied up in a ponytail. Her eyes were as blue as lightning. She wore a fur overcoat and a silver ornament on her forehead. A sword was slung at her waist.
''Who are you?'', asked Ronin, looking at her suspiciously.
''Artemia frost'', she replied, in a cold voice. ''I have come for Scarlett Ironfang''.
''Where is the hunter?''.
''He had other work'', she replied. ''Here is your payment'', she said, handing him a large bag, which I assumed, was full of gold.
Ronin opened the bag and examined the contents. ''How do I know that you were sent by him?'', he asked, eyeing her with narrowed eyes.
The girl pulled back her furs and showed him the tattoo on her neck. It resembled the letter 'S'.
''I am his apprentice'', she replied.
Ronin looked satisfied. He tossed her the key to my shackles.
''Be careful. The Vlarik are coming for her'', he warned the girl, before disappearing into thin air.
''So, you must me Scarlett Ironfang'', she said, giving me a curious look.
She crouched down beside me and removed my shackles. ''Do not make me regret this''.
I felt my vampire instincts coming back. The thirst was almost unbearable. As soon as I caught her scent, I lost control.
A feral snarl escaped my throat as I lunged at her. But she was quick. In a fraction of that moment, she had me pinned to a tree, her hand clutching my throat. She snarled at me in warning, baring her fangs.
She grabbed a bottle that was strapped to her belt and removed its cork. She released her hold on me, before handing me the bottle. ''Here, drink this''.
I grabbed the bottle and started drinking. Slowly, I felt the thirst fading away and I started regaining control of my senses.
''I am sorry for that'', I apologized.
''Interesting'', she mused, ''Master Silver will be most surprised. A vampire who can feed on vampires''.
''Are you from Atlantis too?'', I asked.
''No'', she replied. ''We have to leave now'', she said, glancing around nervously.
I froze as I caught a strange scent.
''Blast it'', cursed Artemia. ''They are closer than I thought''.
Suddenly, I heard the croak of a raven. It was as if they could sense those dark creatures.
''Is it the Vlarik? We can defeat them'', I said, ''I have fought them before''.
''Not these'', she replied. ''These are different. The Witch has been busy''.
I sensed them closing in from different directions. It was as if the shadows themselves were creeping up on us.
''Run!'', shouted Artemia.
As we started running, I saw a movement with the corner of my eye. A black shadow like creature was closing in on us from the side. Then another. These were as fast as vampires. Artemia cursed and drew her sword, but she did not stop running.
Suddenly, a black dagger shot towards me. I ducked and continued to run. There were more than two. Artemia deflected a dagger with her sword, but she wasn't abl
e to stop the second one which pierced her shoulder.
''Sunstone'', gasped Artemia, as she crashed to the ground and lay still.
I whirled around and snarled. But I was badly outnumbered. There were five of them.
They were nothing like the ones I had encountered in Beachcastle. These were darker and more powerful.
One of them advanced towards me, drawing in a rattling breath. I lunged at the creature, but before I could even touch it, I felt a sharp pain across my back as multiple blades pierced through my leather armor.
I collapsed to the ground and started losing consciousness as all my power drained away from me.
I woke up with a gasp and looked around. We were locked up in a narrow cell. Faint moonlight shone through the barred window that was set high in the wall. My wounds had already healed and I still had my vampire senses.
''So you woke up, huh?''.
Artemia was examining the steel door, looking for a handhold.
''The steel is infused with powdered sunstone'', she muttered.
''Where are we?'', I asked.
''Somewhere near Targantine''.
I leaned against the wall and closed my eyes. Whenever my mind was free of thought, I was overcome with sorrow. I brushed off my tears and stared at the wall. Hours passed by as I tried to clear my mind.
Suddenly, Artemia stirred. ''Do you hear that?'', she asked.
I strained my ears, trying to listen. I heard faint sounds of shouting and screaming from outside. We jumped to our feet and backed against the wall, bracing ourselves for an attack.
The door opened with a loud grating noise. Standing in the doorway was a cloaked figure, hooded and masked.
''Follow me''.
It was a woman. She sounded quite young. Artemia looked at me and shrugged. We followed her into the hallway, which was littered with bodies of soldiers. I even saw a couple of fallen Vlarik, in a pool of black blood.
She led us out of the building. It was a small hold adjoining a watchtower. I was able to see the city lights shining faintly at a distance.
''The Morquendi have gone to hunt'', said the woman who had just saved us. ''Run as fast as you can. Do not stop, even to rest. They will be back soon. Go!''.
Atlantis: The Beginning (The Atlantis Saga Book 1) Page 20