Chapter X

The Final Showdown

Zaltian growled and stood up. "Wait here, Celia."

The white dragon walked over to the tunnel with the other dragons that sensed the danger. A loud crash was heard and then a huge explosion. Celia watched in horror as vampires met the dragons head on from the tunnel. Another explosion was heard. Celia whipped her head around to look at the far side of the canyon where an entire part of the wall had collapsed. Celia stood up in a rush as vampires walked through, more than fifty.

Uh-oh. Half the vampire army is over there! We're boxed in! Why the heck are they here anyway?

The vampire's spotted her and ran towards her, giving her the answer that confirmed her fears.

Celia searched the ground for something, anything to fight them off for awhile. It seemed stupid but that was the best chance she had. The ground wasn't much help. Who would look on the ground for a weapon to fight vampires? Where was a shop when you needed one? Sandarac and Duraz appeared beside her.

"Great. We didn't miss out on the action." Sandarac muttered smiling down at her.

"Where the hell were you two!" She snapped irritably. It wasn't her fault that she was so upset.

Kerion had joined the second group to get away from Volante for once.

"Why if it isn't Sandarac and Duraz," he said curtly and bowed from the waist to Celia. "Hello."

Celia glared daggers at him. "Go to hell."

All the vampires laughed at that, except Sandarac and Duraz. What's the deal?

"Been there, done that." Kerion countered simply.

"Enough of the theatrics," Duraz was immediately prepared to sacrifice his life for Celia. Sandarac for once copied his elder and got into an offensive stance.

"So be it." Kerion growled and leapt toward Duraz. The other vampires knew what to do; they sprang around the fighting pair to come in front of Sandarac who was standing in front of Celia.

"Stand aside." One said.

"No." Sandarac snapped and bared his fangs. He may have been a lot younger than some of those vampires but he was a pure and not one to be trifled with.

Celia gasped as Sandarac leapt forward and started to fight with at least five of the vampires but still stopping the others from going around.

"Run, Celia! Find Vincent or the others! Call him!"

Celia tried to reach their connection but it had been severed again. Was he crazy?

Knowing all too well if she stood her ground like an idiot it wouldn't lead to heroics; she turned on her heel and sprinted towards the dragons.

"Zaltian!" She cried. She could hear the vampires catching up behind her. The white dragon turned and his blue eyes flared in anger. He spread his wings and flew over to her, dropping down in front of the young woman and growled at the vampires who stopped in their head long chase to stare up at him with wide eyes. They knew what he could do since Volante's dragon had been able to do the same thing.

Zaltian bared his fangs at them and crouched down so that Celia could climb of the steps of the armour he was wearing.

There was another huge explosion that rocked even the ground. Celia steadied herself against Zaltian as the canyon walls tumbled down. The cave was now just a pile of rocks; luckily the hatchery was still intact. Maria and two other dragons were getting the eggs out with their talons and put them in a safe position.

It was chaos everywhere. More vampires had come in and Celia could see Vincent…at least she thought it was Vincent. Who had red wings? They were surrounded by the battle and were greatly outnumbered. This was the day of the battle so where were their reinforcements?

Zaltian swiped at the vampires who tried to approach Celia, fatally injuring some of them. Celia could see Tim fighting the vampires! What was going on? His aura was dark green and Samoda's was pure white.

The Dragon Lord glanced at her and smiled encouragingly. A new ally? Well that's one.

"Protecting this mortal is stupid, dragon." A vampire hissed as it dodged Zaltian's powerful talons.

Zaltian breathed in and opened his jaws wide as flames shot out at the vampires before him. Their screeches of pain were horrible. Celia gagged on the smell of rotting flesh and hid her face against Zaltian's chest.

Maria and her two companions were fighting off the vampires that tried to destroy the unhatched dragons. Duraz was giving Kerion the beating of his life. Kerion jumped up into the air to try and jump over him but Duraz caught his ankle and sank his claws into the exposed flesh, stopping him in midair.

Kerion hissed in pain and tried to kick him off but it was futile.

"You aren't going anywhere." Duraz growled and threw him into a nearby tree that broke in half on impact.

Amery was suddenly into the action, confronting Volante. Celia screamed at her, not to go near him but she didn't hear her and approached the vampire King, sword ready. Celia ran toward them, ignoring Zaltian's cry of worry. Amery raised her sword and swung it. It was supposed to be a killing blow but Volante reacted fast and brought his sword up.

"Volante!" Celia screamed in an attempt to distract him. "Get away from her!"

They both looked at her. Volante smirked. "Good afternoon, Celia. Such a lovely day, isn't it?"

The darkness above them boomed and rain started to pour down onto the battle field. Celia shook her head. "She's your sister!"

Volante started and stared at the female vampire. "What?"

Amery nodded slowly. "Yes, I am your sister, half vampire and half human."

The vampire King lowered his sword and Amery did so as well. "Come with me, sister, if that is what you are. You will be loyal to your elder brother."

Celia watched in horror as Amery stepped towards him and dropped her sword, reaching for his outstretched hand. She had been alone for so long. She wanted her brothers to be with her. It didn't matter which one.

"Don't do it, Amery! He's evil!" Celia yelled.

Volante laughed softly. "Don't listen to her. Come with me."

Amery grabbed his hand and he pulled her to him, placing a small kiss on her forehead. She wrapped her arms around him and buried her face into his shoulder. Volante smirked at Celia. "I'm not going to abandon my little sister, Celia." He pulled Amery back so he could look into her eyes. "Sister, look over there." He pointed to Valanki, the red wings making him easy to see. "He is no brother to you, he seeks to kill me. Kill him for me."

Amery nodded and picked her sword back up and ran over to the vampire. Celia tried to run after her but Volante was suddenly blocking her path. Celia looked around and saw a dead vampire. Swallowing the lump in her throat she took the long steel sword and held it ready in front of her. It was much heavier than she thought it was.

"Get out of my way." She said in a quiet voice. Volante, to her, looked very intimidating in his armour and she tried her best not to show him her fear. But being a vampire he could already smell waves of fear radiating off of her.

"Are you challenging me?" He grinned, revealing his fangs and held his sword ready.

Celia shuddered and glared at him. "Well, if you're blind and deaf then yes, I am."

Volante smirked at her attitude and approached, holding his sword in one hand, whereas she had to use both of hers to keep the sword up.

"I am very surprised to say the least." Volante started conversationally, still coming towards her with slow deliberate steps. "I never would have thought that Vincent would allow Valanki to come out to save you."

Celia stopped walking backwards and gave him a look of utter confusion. Volante smirked again. "So, he never told you? Well look over there."

Celia followed his gaze to Vincent where Amery was now confronting him. His aura was blood red, his wings were elegant and the flaming sword was ready to spill blood.

Volante continued to explain. "That is not Vincent. It is his body but it is his darker side, Valanki. Valanki is a vampire, also a dark angel. That's why he has wings."

Celia gaped at the winged vampire as he started to fight with Amery. One thing was very obvious; with wings he was even hotter. Celia looked back at Volante and smiled. "I think he's cute."

"You would."

"Shut up! I'm going to kill you!"

Volante chuckled and sheathed his sword and crooked his index finger. "Come to me then." He purred seductively. "Let's play."

Celia sucked in a deep breath and ran forward. She swung at his shoulder but he wasn't there, he was right beside her. The sword hit the ground with a dull thud. Celia shuddered as she felt his cold breath against the shell of her ear. "Come on. You can do better than that."

Growling, she lifted the sword up again and twisted around. She managed to come in contact with his armoured stomach. The sword rang and she let it drop.

The vampire King threw his head back into the rain and laughed. Celia stared dumbly at him.

Volante abruptly stopped laughing and faced her. "Enough. You are to come with me."

Celia jumped back from his outstretched hand. "The hell I'm not! Go get someone else!"

Volante sighed in agitation. "Please don't make me hurt you."

"Why would you care anyway?"

"I don't see any reason to corrupt your beauty."

"You're a suck up, you know that?"

"No, I just speak my mind."

"Get lost."

"No."

Celia ran in the opposite direction, back toward Zaltian who was fighting off the vampires. He had a very nasty cut along his neck but it wasn't fatal. Once again Volante was in front of her and he slapped her right across the face. It made her stagger back. Tears fell down her cheeks; that hurt like all hell. Luckily his nails hadn't been used.

"I warned you." He said quietly. "Don't make me do something worse."

Celia ignored him and tried to run back to Vince but was blocked again. This time his foot collided with her stomach, sending her flying backwards.

Celia cried out as she landed in a pile of rocks, right next to the lake. Duraz and Kerion stopped in their fight.

"Celia!" Duraz said and tried to get over to her but Kerion kept him busy. Celia gasped as Volante was suddenly standing over her.

"It's over, Celia. Your side is losing-"

The vampire's words were cut off as a gigantic cat jumped onto him and sent him into the lake with a powerful swing of her tail.

"Marika!" Celia cried. Relief swept through her as she heard the dreadful howling of the werewolves. Marika helped her up and hissed at Volante who was standing in the water.

"That suits you." Celia spat at him. She climbed onto Marika's back and the fire demon jumped away to where the dragons and werewolves were gathering. All the fighters reluctantly withdrew from one another to gather in their ranks.

Duraz and Sandarac were scratched and bruised but nothing too serious. Samoda was unscathed, checking over his dragons to see if all of them were all right.

Zadorian and his shades materialized next to the already large group.

Zaltian nuzzled Celia and she cringed. The rocks had bruised her pretty badly.

"That stupid vampire hurt you." Zaltian hissed angrily, small flames coming out of his mouth as he spoke.

"Save it for the battle." Marika said quietly but smirked. She couldn't wait to get her claws into the evil vampires.

"There aren't any serious casualties. We should be all right." Samoda said. Tim stood beside him and spotted Celia. She hid behind Zaltian's foreleg as the shape shifter approached.

"Do not be afraid of me, Celia," he said softly. She stepped out of her cover and eyed him curiously as he spoke. "I was under Volante's spell. I was weak when my family and friends were slain. It gave him the opportunity to control me."

Celia couldn't help but smile. She believed him. There was no lie in his words. She leapt toward him and wrapped her arms around his waist. "I knew you were good!"

Tim smiled warmly down at her and embraced her. A low growl was heard and Tim stepped away hastily. He may be powerful but he was no match for an over protective dark side. Celia stared at Vincent as he approached or Valanki as Volante called him. The sword disappeared from his hand but the wings stayed, still Valanki.

Celia ran over to him, not caring that he was very dangerous. His arms wrapped around her.

"Hi," she said shyly, looking up into his red eyes.

"Hello."

The voice was very creepy but still sexy. "So you're Valanki, right?"

"Yes, I am. I'm still essentially Vincent but his darker side."

"Cool. Where is Vincent?"

"He's here as well."

The wings disappeared and the red aura faded. The red eyes were no longer cold but warm and affectionate.

"Ele'mina." Vincent said softly and pulled her even closer, his lips descended on hers and they stayed like that until they both had to breathe.

"This is a war, may we continue?" Zadorian asked.

Vincent, Samoda, Zadorian, Aleukia and Celia came to the middle of the battle field. Five feet away were Volante, Kerion, Amery and two vampires to make the meeting even.

"Back down now and no one gets hurt." Volante said calmly.

"Does that include Celia?" Samoda snapped.

Volante smirked. "I guess that's a no then?"

"I swear you're going deaf. Yes, it's a no." Vincent muttered but his brother heard. Volante snarled and stepped away. Everyone walked back to their armies and got ready for the final showdown. The old gang, Duraz, Haiti, Vincent, Samoda, Celia, Zaltian and Sandarac stood together for the last time.

"What is there to say?" Sandarac muttered quietly. "I guess it was fun."

"Yes, Sandarac, it's been a hell of a rollercoaster." Haiti hugged him fiercely and uttered something in his ear.

Sandarac froze. "Are you serious?"

Haiti nodded once, smiling down at the younger vampire. Sandarac threw his arms around him and all could hear the quiet sobs.

Celia raised an eyebrow in question and Samoda leaned over to her. "Haiti is his father."

Celia gaped and then grinned. Good for them. Duraz spoke next and Haiti and Sandarac payed attention, still locked in their father and son embrace.

"Well," Duraz folded his arms, "there's not much to say really. Celia, it's been fun, a pleasure knowing you and for the rest of you rats I hope we get through this so we can go clubbing."

All of them laughed, despite the fact that it was a sad moment. Celia laughed with them, tears glittering in her eyes. Haiti cleared his throat. "It's been an absolute honour to meet the saviour and hang out with you people. But if I get through this I'm retiring and going on a vacation with my son."

Sandarac smiled. "I'll agree with that."

Samoda stepped forward slightly so that he could look at all of them. "Let me just say this. I've never met a more fabulous group of people. Sure some of you can be complete pains in the backside-"

"Ha! Vincent!" Sandarac taunted. Vincent smirked and cuffed him one.

"-but not once did I ever regret spending time with you all. I hope we all get through this."

Everyone clapped and Celia had to wipe away the tears forming in her eyes. Zaltian, unable to clap nudged his King with his snout. "You guys are the best friends for Celia. I thank you for bringing her to me. I hope you all survive this battle."

More clapping and then it was Vincent's turn. "I've never been one to make speeches but since this might be the last time I am able, I'm going to do my best to make it memorable." Celia smiled at him and he continued, "Not once in my three-hundred and twenty-six years did I ever think to find such loyal and caring friends or the love of my life." He looked at Celia and she blushed. "I guess you could say that I am one of the luckiest vampire's to walk the shadows."

Sandarac, Haiti and Duraz laughed. Zaltian and Celia looked at Samoda for an explanation. "It's a vampire joke. Don't worry about it."

"Thank you," Vincent continued, smiling at them all in turn, "for keeping Celia safe and being some damn good friends!"

All of them cheered. Zaltian roared in approval and the other dragons followed his note. The werewolves joined in too and the shades gave their battle cries. Celia gasped as everyone got into rank around her.

"Wait!" Celia interrupted and all eyes turned to her. She blushed. "Um, well. I'd just like to thank each and every one of you for being there when I needed you. Haiti, Duraz and Sandarac," the three looked at her with smiles, "it's been fun, and watching you argue together has definitely been one of the many highlights of this journey." The three vampires grinned at her. "Samoda," The Dragon Lord raised an eyebrow and before he had a chance to avoid the oncoming teenager, she launched herself at him and hugged him as tightly as she possibly could. "You're just awesome."

"Oh, I know." He gave her a quick kiss as she moved to Zaltian.

The big Skylanfri looked down at her with sparkling blue eyes and lowered his head so they were level. "I love you, Zaltian. Thank you so much."

His tongue flicked out to lick her all the way from the bottom of her neck to her forehead. There were several amused laughs as she wiped the saliva off her face with a smile before turning to her mate.

"Vincent, I love you with everything I have, and I am so grateful to be your mate. Thank you for everything."

Vincent came to her and kissed her passionately. "Thank you, Celia. I love you, too. Never forget that."

Celia smiled, her eyes filled with tears. "Never,"

They separated and Celia clambered onto Zaltian's back. She'd been given a light Katana; easy to wield and strike with. Zaltian started to walk towards the opposing army with the other dragons beside him and the shades, werewolves and their friends walking out in front of them. Zaltian lifted his head and stood up on his hind legs. He was a magnificent sight in his black and gold armour and with the saviour on his back added to the grand sight. Zaltian roared and the other dragons copied him, rising on their hind legs and sending their defiance to the evil vampires. And then they were running towards the opposing side. The vampires met them head on. As soon as the two sides came in contact lightning crackled in the sky and the rain came down anew.

The war had begun.

Celia used the katana whenever she had the chance to but since she was situated on Zaltian's back the whole time it made it kind of difficult. The rain poured down around them. It was hard to see three feet away. The vampires were all around them but bigger dragons stayed beside them, as it is, safety in numbers. Some very game vampires ventured to climb onto Zaltian's back to get to Celia but she wasn't going to be taken advantage of so easily.

"Oi! Get off my dragon!" She kicked the nearest vampire trying to climb up and he fell, soon getting crushed by one of Haiku's large claws. Marika was jumping around Zaltian, trying to keep the vampires away and she was doing well.

"You go, Marika!" Celia shouted down to her.

Marika flashed her fangs in a cat like grin. "They're all child's play."

Celia jumped as she heard an agonizing roar and then Samoda's voice filled with rage and utter despair. "MARIA!"

Celia tired to peer into the rain but couldn't see what was happening. One thing was for sure that Maria had either been hurt or…slain. Even if she didn't know what had happened as of yet tears slid down Celia's cheeks. Zaltian roared in fury and Celia had to hold on tight as he opened his wings and stood up on his hind legs to try and find his mother. Celia couldn't see but Zaltian could and he was flying in minutes to land in a pool of blood and dirt.

Celia could see Maria's large red body slumped on the ground. Blood was everywhere. Samoda was kneeling by her head. Even in the rain Celia could distinctly see the tears running down Samoda's face.

"Samoda," Celia called down to him, her voice weak.

The Dragon Lord looked up at them and gave an anguished cry as Maria's eyes went blank. Volante could be seen holding a blood stained sword a few feet away. Zaltian snarled and rose up on his hind legs. The lightning came down very fast. It illuminated the canyon so that the whole battle could be seen. The lightning did take out a few vampires but not enough to increase their chances of winning. Samoda stood up. "Go. I will deal with that vampire."

Zaltian didn't disobey him and flew away, taking one last look at his mother. Celia wiped at the tears and rain on her face. She was drenched and her clothes were bloody from where she had slashed a vampire's throat.

The rain was like ice to them both and Zaltian had to land before he was blinded by the hail stones that had suddenly started to come down on them. Celia had no choice but to get off his back and shelter under one of his wings against the golf-ball sized ice. Haiku, Duraz, Haiti and Sandarac, luckily enough were fighting where they landed.

"Duraz!"

"Celia!" He ran over to them. He was breathing hard and his sword was dripping with black blood.

"Where is Vincent?"

"I don't know." He admitted and swung around to block the attack of a vampire that had come up behind him. Zaltian used his tail and whipped the vampire, sending him flying into the rain.

"He might be fighting Kerion." Duraz managed to say over the roar of the dragons and the continuous thunder.

"Be careful out there." She said to him.

Duraz smiled. "Don't worry about me. Make sure you survive this."

"No problem." Celia hugged him, further getting blood on her clothes since he was almost drenched in it but she didn't care. Duraz ran back out into the rain, seeming to dodge the large hail stones.

Celia could see that there were a lot of scratches on Zaltian's belly where the armour was only slight.

"You doing ok, Zaltian!" She called up to him. Zaltian snaked his head underneath his wing to speak face to face with her.

"Not so good. My wings are starting to hurt. They aren't protected by the armour."

Celia gasped in horror to see blood running off his wings. "Don't worry about shielding me from the hail stones, Zaltian! You're going to ruin your wings."

Zaltian tried to argue with her but he was forced to close his wings. Luckily the hail stopped. Now the battle could be seen clearly. The werewolves were scary, very scary; they were tearing the vampires to pieces! The shades were deadly with their accurate aims, cutting limbs off any vampire that dared to approach them. Celia cried out. Including Maria's at least four other huge bodies were lifeless on the bloodied ground.

"Zaltian, we have to do something!" Celia said urgently and climbed back onto his back.

"What can we do?"

"We have to get to Volante and kill him."

"I have no problem with that." He opened his bloodied wings and heaved himself into the air, hovering for a bit to locate the vampire King. "There! By the lakeside,"

Zaltian flew toward the lake and dropped down a few metres away from where Samoda was fighting a group of vampires, trying to get past them to Volante.

Celia jumped off Zaltian's back and ran towards the fight, slipping clumsily in the mud and blood that covered every square inch of the ground. Marika ran ahead of them and jumped onto a vampire's back that was preparing to strike Samoda. Zaltian and Celia slid to a halt as a white dragon was suddenly blocking their path.

"Wasn't he dead!" Celia whispered. The huge white dragon was definitely alive.

"I was dead," the white dragon rumbled, "but I was brought back to life a short time after."

Zaltian snarled. "Move aside."

"No, learn your place!" The huge white dragon ran forward, the ground shook with the weight of his movements. Because of his size he was handicapped. He made a wrong step and slipped in the mud, falling onto his side. Marika came back to them and Celia got onto her back. "Be careful, Zaltian."

Zaltian snorted and nuzzled her. "I'm immortal, remember?"

Celia grinned and held on tight as Marika sprang away and around the fallen dragon.

Samoda was still dealing with the vampires. He was faring well so far. Marika stopped and Celia slid off her back and sighed in annoyance. Kerion was standing in front of them.

"Hello, Celia. Marika." He nodded to both of them and raised his sword. "Shall we?"

Celia knew that he wouldn't hesitate to kill her on the first chance he got; now she would fight for her life.

Marika sprang forward and swiped at his head and missed by a hairs breath. Kerion leapt to the side and then towards Celia, sword raised. She blocked it but the force of the attack made her arm ache.

"Did that hurt?" He taunted and went forward again, trying to cut her in half by the looks of things. Celia blocked that as well.

"No!"

Marika came back and swung around so that her long tail slammed into the vampire sending him tumbling sideways. He landed on his arse and got up again, wiping the blood and dirt off his armour.

"A round of applause for the feline," he said mockingly as Marika landed beside Celia, her wings locked at her sides.

"Do you ever shut up?" Celia snapped.

"Do you?" he countered and came forward again. Celia and Marika dodged his attack but the human wasn't fast enough to get out of the way again. His armoured foot came in contact with her stomach and she skidded across the ground.

Celia cried out and tried to get up again but he was suddenly standing over her again and put his foot on her chest, nearly stopping her breathing.

"Enough of this!" He hissed and swung his sword as Marika came at him, the sword caught her in the right flank and she was flung aside, roaring in pain.

"Marika!" Celia screamed.

"I'd be more worried about yourself right now. Prepare to die-" his words were cut short. Celia watched in muted horror as his mouth opened in a silent scream and he tumbled sideways, dead, onto the ground. Vincent was standing there, the flaming sword in his hand with a slight ting of black on the end.

The vampire helped her up. "Are you insane?"

Celia smiled. "I guess so."

Vincent sighed angrily and kissed her. "Please try to be more careful."

Celia nodded and then hurried over to the fallen fire demon. "Marika!" She kneeled by the cat's side. Vincent followed her and gazed down at the cat in sympathy.

Marika's eyes were closed but they opened at the sound of Celia's voice, the fire around her ankles was still burning brightly. "Are you ok?"

"Am I ok! What about you? Are you ok?" Celia stroked her soft fur and received a purr in return.

"I'll live." Marika stood up again and the wound on her flank disappeared. "I have some sort of power that heals me whenever I get injured."

Celia grinned. "I wish I had that." Marika purred again and rubbed her head against Celia's shoulder and bounded away to where Samoda was still fighting the vampires.

"Did you kill Kerion?"

Vincent and Celia turned around to see Volante; a very pissed off Volante standing next to his fallen comrade.

"How could you kill your cousin, Vincent?" Volante hissed.

"How could you kill our parents, you blood thirsty maniac!" Vincent snapped back. Celia watched in fascination as the two vampires advanced on each other. Volante's aura flared around him, cyan against red. Fire against ice. All the battle's seemed to stop for a fraction of a second to see the two powerful beings reveal their true potential and then everything was working in double time. Celia looked away for a few seconds to see Amery fall to the ground as Haiti and Sandarac ran the other way to engage more vampires. Celia could only stare as wings erupted out of Vincent's back and the red aura flared brighter. Volante's sword was surrounded by ice and sleet. This didn't look good. The finale of all battles.

They both sprang forward, their swords inter-locked in a fantastic display of golden sparks. It looked as though the swords were fighting a battle of their own.

"I wonder what mother would say to see us fighting like rivals." Volante was deliberately provoking him.

Vincent snarled and knocked Volante's sword aside. "Don't you dare bring mother into this. At no mistake we are rivals!"

Their swords clashed together again and Celia stood back to not get in the way.

"We don't have to be." Volante jumped away into the air and his wings appeared, dark blue in colour. "We could be allies."

"Never!"

Vincent jumped up into the air as well. Volante conjured a ball of ice and sent it in his direction. The Prince blocked it with the flaming sword and sent it flying towards the ground where it hit a group of vampires.

"Come now, little brother." Volante landed back on the ground and leapt aside as the Prince prepared to spilt his head open. "Stop this."

"When you're dead,"

The last of Vincent disappeared and the aura went completely black. Volante was very cautious now and didn't get too close.

"Am I that scary brother?" Valanki taunted and ran over to him, the flaming sword missing his throat by a few inches.

"Hardly. I wonder if father is proud of you. You're trying to kill your own brother."

"He gave us his power for a reason."

Volante snarled and fixed his gaze on Celia. "So be it. If the only way to defeat you is to kill what you hold dear then that's what I will do."

It was painstaking slow; Volante swung his sword around and threw it straight at Celia. The sword zoomed straight pass Valanki as he tried to grab it. Celia screamed as the sword flew towards her. This was the end. No one could save her this time.

All her friends shouted, "CELIA!"

What was death exactly? A place to forget? To live on in peace? To do what?

To Celia death was a pitch black void with no ending apart from the heavy sorrow that littered the black abyss. It was heaven to some, hell to others. With vampires as friends you rarely experienced it since they don't let you die. Instead you end up becoming one of them and spending an eternity with them. But, Celia was a pure soul; it was hard to tell when her death would come or if it ever would. This time she would be let back into the light to ensure the survival of the human race. So decided was I to let her go, and so I did.

Live on in peace.

Enjoy your life because there will be a lot more to come of it.

Do not grieve for the loss of friends, if any.

Continue with your quest, saviour.

There are a lot of people who still need you.

Now is not your time.

Go in peace.

Make a difference on the world around you.

Take care of your loved ones.

I hope you enjoy my gift since it is the only way I could let you come back.

The prophecy won't be effected by this gift so do not worry.

Farewell, saviour, we will never meet again.

Death out.

Celia opened her eyes to see the dark sky over head. Death's speech still ran through her mind and she couldn't help but like him for letting her come back. The sword was still embedded in her stomach and she pulled it out. The wound healed and the blood disappeared. She stood up slowly and held the sword at arm's length. The two vampires were staring at her. Valanki was in complete shock and Volante was no different. The others, even the evil vampires were staring at her.

Celia felt very different, extremely. She wanted blood? She could hear the slightest sounds and smell the blood more clearly than before. It was then she bit her lip and cried out as blood rushed into her mouth. She had fangs! She looked down at her hands to see sharp nails and milky white skin.

Oh, my God! I'm a vampire! So that's what the gift is? And it hasn't affected the prophecy? Wow! That is so cool!

The new Celia smiled slowly. "Death let me come back."

"You met Death?" Volante muttered. He was holding Valanki's wrist that was wrapped around his throat. Neither of them were looking at each other.

"No, he just spoke to me."

Celia dropped the sword onto the ground as the ice swirled faster around it. Volante elbowed Valanki and held his hand out. The sword flew off the ground and he caught it, turning just in time to block Valanki's attack. The battle went back into motion. Celia could see that they were winning. Only a few vampires remained but they had suffered a lot of losses.

Duraz was nowhere in sight and Celia immediately feared the worst. She started running; the environment was just a blur of colour as she moved around the canyon looking for any sign of the older vampire.

"Duraz!" She called, the worry flooded into her voice.

"Celia…" there was a quiet reply somewhere to her left. She looked around, trying to spot movement in the mass of bodies littering the ground. She didn't need to see where he was. She could smell fresh blood. She followed the scent and came to Duraz who was lying on the ground.

"Duraz," she whispered and sank down to her knees in the blood. He was badly injured; a sword with a rather cruel looking blade was embedded in his chest.

Duraz looked up at her. "Is that you, Celia? That doesn't look like you. You're a vampire…wait…what!"

Celia shook her head and tears filled her eyes. Of all the vampires, she had to be the one that could cry. "Don't worry. It will be explained."

"I don't think I'll last that long." He smiled gently and hissed in pain. Blood ran down his chin and he coughed harshly.

Celia shook her head more fiercely. "Don't you dare die!"

Duraz smiled and reached up to touch her cheek. She held his hand to her face. "Death is just another adventure."

"No! Please don't die!" She begged pathetically.

"I'm afraid that I have been poisoned." He said quietly. "There is no chance of survival for me this time, Celia."

"I WON'T LET YOU DIE!" Celia screamed and a white light consumed Duraz. Celia watched in silence as the light faded and Duraz sat up, completely fine. "How did I do that?"

"How did you do that?" He agreed and fell back down on the ground as she threw her arms around him.

"We've still got a vampire to fight. Come on!" She got up and grinned at him. Duraz leapt to his feet and grinned back. For once that felt completely normal and not absolutely terrifying.

The shades, werewolves and dragons were still finishing off the vampires while the gang dealt with the King.

Volante dodged the attacks thrown at him from every individual but he was tiring. Vincent was now back, fighting for revenge with Samoda right beside him. Haiti, Duraz and Sandarac leapt in to land a few hard kicks or punches but other than that there was no room.

Volante laughed as he blocked both Samoda's and Vincent's swords. "It is impossible to beat me!"

"Nothing is impossible!" Samoda snapped and smirked as he aimed an over head cut. Volante blocked it but he was too slow to block Tim's attack. The shape shifters revolver shot at least three rounds into his side.

"Ha! How pathetic," Volante looked down at the holes in his armour. "Nothing can kill me."

"Oh, really?" The voice came from behind him and he spun around. Vincent's flaming sword drove straight into his heart. Volante gaped at him as his brother leaned in closer.

"Never underestimate the power of good against evil and furthermore," Vincent twisted the sword slightly and Volante screeched in pain, "don't underestimate me. This is for Celia!"

With that Vincent drove the sword straight through and out of his back. He pulled the sword out in a fast movement and swiped at Volante's waist. His body went limp and he fell to the ground in two pieces.

The flaming sword disappeared and Vincent's aura went back to normal just before the cheering started.

Zaltian nearly knocked Celia over as he stopped beside her, nuzzling her. Everyone was celebrating; even the shades and werewolves were jumping around like idiots.

Samoda was as still as a statue further off, staring at the red heap that was Maria. Marika jumped around everyone, mewing and talking with them.

Soon after, the shades and werewolves cleared out. All of them promised to keep the alliance with the dragons and pure vampires. Zadorian was unusually friendly and gave Celia an affectionate hug before he left.

"That is for getting through this far. You've impressed me mortal…I mean vampire." Is what he had said.

The canyon was empty, save for the four dragons left that had survived the battle. The other Skylanfri was a bloodied mess next to the lake. It was a very big loss to see how many dragons had been killed. Zaltian, Haiku, Mira a Caspian and Shinzu an Intaiely were the only dragons left.

"Well at least we survived." Sandarac tried to cheer up the mood and succeeded, in a way.

"Yes, that's the main thing." Haiti agreed and hugged him. Duraz nodded in agreement and let out a sigh of relief. It was all over.

Samoda hadn't moved an inch. Celia walked over to him, silently and stood by his side. "I feel your pain."

The Dragon Lord looked at her and she couldn't help the small gasp. Tears were falling down his cheeks.

"Thank you." He looked away. "She was more than a dragon to me. She was a dear friend. I'm glad that Zaltian is still here and you...he almost lost you today. Unfortunately Maria was not an immortal dragon. That privilege is for a few of the Skylanfri's."

Celia took his hand shyly and he looked down at her. "Just think, Samoda. Wherever she is, I'm sure she is happy."

Samoda gazed at the vampire for a long time and then looked towards the sun, a brilliant red in the blackened sky. "Yes, I'm sure she is."

It was activity everywhere. The last of the dragons were digging holes for their allies and burning the bodies of their enemies. The dragon's eggs were being guarded by Mira, a two year old with shiny dark green scales.

Celia walked over to her. "How are the eggs?"

"Fine. We didn't lose any."

"That's great! We should start searching for potential masters."

"Yes, they need to be hatched as soon as possible."

Celia smiled and walked away. There was nothing for her to do. It was killing her. She was now a vampire and the panic had finally set in. She would see her own parents and friends pass away. She hadn't talked to Vincent at all since the battle but he was very busy. He was now the King but he didn't want to be. He'd said he would be back in an hour or two.

Celia paced around in a circle, trying to resist the temptation of blood flooding her system but she wasn't faring well. Duraz, Haiti and Sandarac saw what she was doing and came over.

"Now you know how we feel on a daily basis." Sandarac teased.

"That's not funny," she huffed.

"No, I guess not." Sandarac sighed and then his good humour returned. "I'm starving. Let's take Celia to hunt."

Haiti and Duraz nodded which surprised Celia. Did she have to start this soon? They answered her confused look. "If we don't get you used to preying on animals then you will be compelled to attack humans. Since this is not possible, you need to get used to the available food source."

They had ventured into a forest next to the ruined canyon where it was supposed to be littered with wild life. Celia could only stare at the other three as they stepped in and out of the shadows like ghosts. They didn't rustle the leaves - never made a sound as they looked for potential prey. She on the other hand, not being used to being quiet and moving around like a vampire, was making enough noise to actually sound like four people.

"Sssh." Duraz whispered to her, coming silently to walk beside her. "You must relax. Trust your senses."

Celia tried that and she immediately made no sound. If this was all vampires needed to do then it must be pretty easy to learn how to be one. Celia growled as she snapped a twig in the undergrowth. She could have sworn she could hear the other three laughing.

"Shut up! I'm new at this!" She hissed into the darkness. They came to a clearing that was occupied by a herd of deer.

Duraz drew her away from the other two as they completely faded into the shadows. "Now, watch what they do. Your turn will come and it's a lot harder than it looks," he whispered into her ear. Celia concentrated on the two vampires as they weaved through the shadows; they crouched down right at the edge of the clearing, waiting for the right moment to spring. A stag raised his head and stomped. The herd scattered. The two vampires leapt into action. When Celia had been human she wouldn't have been able to see their movements but now she could see all too clearly. Haiti knew exactly what he was doing as he hissed and drove the deer towards Sandarac. The younger vampire had the hardest job.

Sandarac jumped at a deer coming straight for him and leapt onto its back, sinking his fangs into its neck. Celia looked on in interest as Sandarac brought it down and drained the last of its blood. He stood up, licking his lips. "I bet that was fun to watch?"

Celia didn't disagree. It had been interesting to watch. "Hell yeah,"

Duraz smirked at her. "Well let's find another group so that you can have a go."

They led her through the forest and in a matter of minutes came to the same group of deer, by a small stream. They looked very nervous, not eating in one spot for too long. Haiti and Sandarac sat down. "Have fun."

Celia glared at them as they grinned and turned to Duraz as he gestured for her to follow him. He led them through the shadows and crouched down as close to the deer as possible.

"Now," he said as she crouched down beside him. The feeling felt weird but adrenaline was pulsing through her veins. "I will drive them toward you. Make sure you move in front of them as soon as I get them in order. Choose your target wisely. Sandarac didn't just leap onto that deer's back for the fun of it; it was a young deer with not very much experience."

"You mean that some deer know how to handle vampires?" she asked completely baffled.

"Yes, even we have to watch out for them. It's mainly the stag but there have been a few females that get hard to handle. Sandarac found that out the hard way when we taught him."

Celia snickered. She could just imagine the vampire running around, screaming bloody murder as a deer chased him.

Duraz smiled and flicked his head. "Be ready." He disappeared from her side and went around to the other side of the herd where he jumped out of the shadows. The deer's bounded straight for where Celia was hidden. She jumped out and tried to look for something weak. A doe with a weak hind leg was running on the side of the herd. Celia got ready as the doe came past and leapt up onto her back. The doe stopped in her head long gallop and bucked her hind legs skywards, throwing Celia off and then rushed off after the herd. Celia groaned and then sighed as she heard Sandarac and Haiti laughing. Duraz came over and helped her up.

"What! I tried didn't I?" She said in exasperation.

"Yes, you tried but you chose the oldest female with a lot of experience."

"Oh, great. Can't you give me a hint as to what deer to go for?"

"Don't you dare!" Sandarac shouted, coming towards them with an amused Haiti beside him. "I wasn't given that luxury!"

Celia tried again many times and almost managed before she lost her grip on the deer's soft pelt. The three vampires sighed; she was very hard to teach.

"We will wait for Vincent to come back, and then we will hunt as a group." Duraz concluded as they arrived back in the canyon.

"I suck as a vampire." Celia muttered.

"No, you're just very hard to teach." Haiti said. "What the..."

Everyone looked towards the-would-be entrance to the canyon. Three figures walked towards them, one was Vincent. The next was a male slightly taller than him. His hair was as black as midnight, his eyes as red as they came. He was wearing some sort of black kimono. It may not have been from this era but it definitely suited him. The next was a female with long burgundy hair, red eyes and was wearing a black satin dress. The two strangers had one arm around Vincent.

Haiti, Duraz and Sandarac bowed. Samoda inclined his head and Zaltian and the other dragons copied Samoda. Celia didn't know what was going on and then she remembered the ghost like figure of Vincent's father. This was Vince's father and his mother, brought back from the dead. His mother must have been turned into a vampire when she was brought back.

"Celia, welcome to the family." Shamrock embraced her warmly and kissed either cheek.

Celia blushed and smiled. "Thank you, your Majesty."

Shamrock waved a hand. "No, I hate being called that. Call me Shamrock."

Celia struggled to comprehend what was happening but nothing came to her. The Queen stepped forward and embraced her as well, doing exactly as Shamrock had done.

"I am so glad that Vincent found you, dear. Welcome to the family."

Celia smiled. "Thanks…err."

What was her name?

The Queen laughed. "Sorry, my name is Brenda."

"Thanks, Brenda. It's nice to finally meet both of you…in the flesh."

Everyone laughed at the joke but Celia thought it was offensive and relaxed as they continued to find it hilarious.

Vincent's arm snaked around her waist and his lips captured hers in a searing kiss.

Vincent took her away from the group to a quiet spot next to the lake where there was no blood, just flowers.

"I'm quiet angry at Death. He changed you without my permission."

"Yes, but if he hadn't I'd be dead right now."

Vincent sighed. "Celia?"

"Yeah?"

The Prince wrapped his arms around her waist and they both looked up at the moon. "How do you like being a vampire?"

"It's cool."

"Everyone says that. You get bored of being one over time. After the novelty of limitless power and life wares off,"

"I won't."

"Why is that?"

"Because I get to spend the rest of my life with you," she said smiling up at him. He grinned back and kissed her forehead. Celia sighed and leaned against his chest. "What now, Vincent? Your parents are back, you're a Prince again and there aren't any bad guys left."

"That's a hard question to answer, Celia. I guess all we can do is look ahead. There will definitely be more adventures for you and I."

The two, Vincent Malta, heir to the throne and Celia, his mate would have many more adventures to come. Some life threatening and some exceedingly stupid but the next hurdle to jump would be the life growing in Celia's womb.

"Oh, and Celia," Vincent uttered quietly.

She hummed in question and raised an eyebrow.

"You're pregnant."

"WHAT!"