Meanwhile Damien was stuck in between a huge swarm of Gorochi's men. They kept coming.
No matter how many soldiers Damien pushed back, cut down, or knocked away, more stepped forward through the trees. Spears flashed. Swords came from all directions. It was like fighting a living tide.
Damien spun with his sai daggers, blocking one strike, ducking another. A soldier lunged at him from the left. Damien sidestepped and slammed the hilt of his dagger into the man's throat. Another came from behind, and Damien twisted just in time, slicing across the soldier's arm.
Still they kept coming. Roneth tried to fight beside him despite the deep wound across his chest. Blood had soaked through his bandages, but he refused to fall. He stood in front of Korran, Felis and Orzen like a wall. Two soldiers charged him together.
Roneth crossed both swords and blocked. Steel screamed. He pushed one back and slashed the second across the shoulder. Another rushed him from the side, and though Roneth stopped the blow, pain flashed across his face.
Damien saw it.
"Roneth, watch your left!"
Too late. A spear grazed Roneth's side.
He staggered. But before the soldier could press further, Skarn leapt forward snarling and drove him back with snapping jaws.
Korran clung to his father.
"They keep coming…" Felis whispered in terror.
Orzen looked at the battlefield and muttered, "We can't survive this much longer…"
Damien heard him. And he knew it too. He pushed away three soldiers with a burst of force, then jumped backward, breathing hard. He was frustrated now. Very frustrated.
"This is ridiculous," he muttered.
Then he shouted across the battlefield.
"Heyy Eamon! We are getting killed out here! Can I go all out and transform?"
His voice echoed over the clash of swords. Eamon stood among flickering flames, Vixterium sword in hand. Haizer stood a few feet from him, eyes cold as death. For a brief moment even the battle seemed to pause. Eamon looked toward Damien.
Then shouted back,
"Do you really need to ask that?"
He pointed his sword toward the soldiers.
"Do whatever it takes to protect Korran's family!"
Damien grinned.
"That's all I needed."
He stepped back. Slowly. The soldiers frowned. Gorochi blinked in confusion.
"What is he doing?" he muttered.
Even Haizer's attention shifted. Damien lowered both daggers. His breathing slowed. Something dark stirred around him.
Then—
His eyes turned crimson. A violent pressure spread through the battlefield. Wind started swirling. Black-red energy rose around Damien like smoke. The soldiers stepped back.
One dropped his spear.
"No…"
Another whispered, trembling.
"It can't be…"
Damien lifted his head. Fangs emerged. His aura exploded.
And in front of everyone—
he unleashed his vampire form. The forest went silent. Then panic. The soldiers screamed.
"Is it a… a vamp… a vampire?!"
"No! No that's impossible!"
"Monster!"
Some stumbled backward. Others fell to their knees in terror. Even Gorochi took several steps back. His face had gone pale. Haizer narrowed his eyes.
For the first time— he looked uncertain.
Damien's voice came deeper now. Almost inhuman.
"You wanted a monster?"
He smiled darkly.
"Here I am."
Before anyone could react—
Damien raised a hand.
"Noctis Shadow Maw."
The ground beneath the soldiers trembled. A huge dark magic circle appeared. Blood and shadow rose together.
Then— A monstrous beast formed.
A giant wolf-like maw made from blood and darkness erupted upward. Its jaws opened wide.
And swallowed nearly fifteen soldiers at once.
Their screams filled the forest. Then vanished. The beast dissolved. Leaving nothing.
Silence. Absolute silence.
The remaining soldiers stared in horror. One dropped his sword. Another turned and ran. Then many started running. Fear had broken them.
But Gorochi screamed from behind.
"Cowards!"
His face was twisted with fury.
"Turn back and fight!"
The soldiers hesitated. "That thing is a vampire—"
"I don't care!" Gorochi roared.
He grabbed one soldier by the collar.
"If you run, I'll kill you myself!"
The terrified men looked between Gorochi and Damien. Death in both directions. Some, trembling, turned back toward Damien. Damien smiled coldly.
"Good."
He rolled his shoulders.
"Come."
While Haizer was distracted watching the vampire— Eamon moved.
Fast. He raised one hand. Flames gathered instantly.
"Arcana Flame Arrow."
A burning arrow shot forward. Haizer turned too late. The flame struck his face. Boom.
He stumbled backward. Smoke rose from his cheek. Part of the right side of his face was burned. Haizer touched the burn. His fingers came away blackened. Eamon pointed his sword at him.
"Where are you looking at, monster?"
His eyes blazed.
"Your enemy is right here."
Haizer slowly lifted his head. Something dark stirred in his expression. Anger. Real anger.
He clenched his sword with both hands. Hard. His knuckles whitened. The air around him felt heavier.
"You burned me…"
His voice was low. Dangerously low. Then he smiled.
Not pleasant. Predatory.
"Now I kill you."
Eamon didn't wait. He extended his hand. Flame bullets formed in dozens. Tiny burning spheres hovered beside him. Then fired.
Like meteors. Haizer ran toward him.
Straight through them. Deflecting each with his sword.
Clang! Slash! Boom!
Each flame bullet exploded against steel or trees. He kept advancing. Fast. Far too fast. Eamon kept firing. One after another. Flames lit the forest. But Haizer tore through them.
Like a beast. His silhouette burst through smoke.
Suddenly— he was in front of Eamon.
Haizer roared and swung his sword sideways. A killing slash. Eamon reacted instantly.
Steel flashed. He pulled out his Vixterium sword—
and blocked the attack.