Chapter 52

Wade was holding strong in his fight against the ferals, but there were too many to halt. The shield wall was breached as chaos erupted. They were trying to wound, not kill the soldiers, but the ones that were proving too difficult to detain were killed to avoid more casualties.

This was the only advantage they had in the fight as they cut down a few more vampires. Most of their men got pinned down. Only Wade and two royal guards remained standing. They slowly backed up to they were against the wall.

A few ferals charged in to attack as the ground beneath them erupted with spikes. The ferals were impaled as Zack landed in front of them.

"Gather your breath, and prepare to save the others," Zack told Wade as he called forth his armor.

Wade recognized the savior standing before them. Wade would frequently see him visit the throne room, and knew he was respected by their king. Wade never saw him fight before but heard commander Miles sing his praises. Right now he would accept any assistance, but he thought his effort would be in vain. How could one man help upset the difference?

The ferals were struggling to shatter the spikes as Zack beheaded them swiftly. The vampires froze seeing this trying to figure out what happened. They saw a flash of blue, but it was gone before they could identify it.

Zack placed his hand out gathering powerful winds as a cyclone was formed by the gate dissipating the mist. The vampires began dodging the storm while the mystics undid his spell. One of the ferals lifted a soldier's head up by his hair placing his claws against his throat.

"Stand down or.."

Zack sped forward kicking the feral in the face as he was launched backward. One of his comrades dashed in aiming a thrust of Zack's chest but his wrist was caught. Zack exerted force crushing the feral's wrist before pulling his arm clean off. As the feral jumped back in pain a small fireball launched into its chest rendering the feral to ashes.

Two more ferals rushed in as Zack eluded the incoming attacks. With a gesture of his hand, the earth shot up securing their legs. The ferals tried to shatter it, but it enveloped their bodies quickly. He clenched his hand crushing them to a paste. As the earth returned to its natural state puddles of blood, and guts were left on the floor.

Seeing how easily Zack took them down some vampires began to walk back in fear. How could a human be this powerful? The two mystics who formed the mist launched two large balls of lightning. Both blasts swirled around combining as they flew forward at immense speeds.

Zack halted them with his hands as mana swelled around him. Knowing what was coming he called his helmet and covered the soldiers behind a wall of earth. The wall barely made it up as a series of lightning bolts ensued around him.

The wall protecting Wade's group was shattered from the impact. When the dust cleared lightning could be seen flickering on Zack's armor, but he was unscathed. Zack was expecting some damage to repair, but it held up perfectly.

'This armor truly is extraordinary.'

Zack devoted time every day to increasing his physical strength, and magic cultivation. As his grace started returning he realized how effective the training had been. The armor allowed him to call forth his power easier, but it consumed it faster. Zack spent the last two weeks storing mana so he had the reserves to cover it.

Zack could recognize the ferals by the stench of death and showed them no mercy. Marcus was acting of a justified vengeance, but the others simply wanted to kill. Zack dissipated his helmet and walked forward giving off a strong killing intent.

The vampires could feel chills trickling down their spine, but didn't know why. His magic was impressive, but what puzzled them was why they couldn't sense his aura. Zack raised his voice letting it ring through the area.

"Your vengeance has been served! Leave now, and there won't be further retaliation! If you come at me I'll show no mercy!"

"Get back, and reform your defense. Stay away from the wall though." Zack ordered Wade as he ran off.

Vampires charged Zack attacking from all sides. He placed his hand outwards creating a shockwave pushing them back. Seeing their focus on him he pushed farther towards the gate. Doing this caused Zack to be surrounded. An orb of pure mana appeared behind Zack as he called it to his hand. The orb shined brightly as it flew into the dirt.

The vampires charged in causing Zack to form his blade. He gave them a clear warning and didn't want a repeat of Modestus. With this in mind, he turned himself cold cutting down anyone who attacked. A few strikes were starting to hit Zack, but they couldn't break his armor. Only cracks would appear, but they would seal from mana.

While they were clashing the trap wall was shattered. Walking through it was Ren, Vicente, and some members of Cerebus. Witnessing their trap shattered the vampires panicked as they swarmed their meal ticket.

Ren stepped in front of the soldiers as she slammed her club into the ground. The earth shattered destroying the ferals footing. While they were recovering Ren swung her club again as it glowed. Its overall length and spikes rapidly extended stabbing into their shoulders. The force from the blow sent them flying from the safe zone as they burned to ashes. Seeing the artifact in her hand, and her immense strength they kept a distance.

"Your welcome to test your might anytime!" Ren taunted with a smirk.

The club returned to its normal length as she threw her club over her shoulder. Noticing Zack surrounded didn't concern Ren one bit. She witnessed his increased strength recently and knew he would be fine.

Ren's duty was to protect the weakened soldiers no matter what. A few more vampires bravely charged forward, but she pulverized their bodies with ease. One of the ferals was strong enough to halt her club as the spikes extended rotating the end of the club violently. Bones and blood flew everywhere as the feral was mincemeat.

'Can't let her have all the fun.'

Vicente called out two swords charging forward with his men. A vampire charged towards him as his body faded into darkness, and the smell of sulfur appeared behind the feral. Before the vampire could react its head went flying. A mystic launched a beam of concentrated mana at Vicente as he crossed his swords.

The beam halted at the blades as they began to output a ringing noise. The mystic was struggling to maintain the stream as Vicente faded again. He appeared next to the mystic as his swords were engulfed in mana. With ease, Vicente cut off his arms stopping the spell.

A band of ferals was jumping down from the wall as Vicente slashed his blades in an X as pure mana eviscerated their bodies. Wade saw how powerful the two were, but noticed the other Cerbeus members barely matching their enemies.

"Let's go!" Wade ordered chasing to help them.

"Kill him before the others get close!" A feral demanded lunging at Zack.

The ground beneath them began to rumble, and the vampires recalled the orb from before leaping away to avoid the attack. The feral who lunged didn't halt as his body was clasped between a dragon's mouth. The feral struggled to shatter the earth forming but his body was incinerated.

From the ground rose a dragon of earth coiling around him. Some of the vampires tried to charge in, but its mouth opened spewing flames. Once it incinerated the ferals it roared sending a series of large spikes towards the gate. The vampires dodged, but the result was the gate being shattered.

Witnessing this level of magic, and the new fighters made them uneasy. They were trying to get an easy win, and reserve strength, but with the gate down that was no longer possible. The vampires on the wall discussed their next move.

"That man is impressive. Never seen my men with fear before." Aleister stated observing from the wall.

"Let me go down I can handle him." Madison declared.

"No, stay put. Arthur go grab the princess from her room. She seems to fight less around you." Marcus ordered.

Arthur nodded before dashing off. Arthur was the only son of Marcus but wasn't much of a fighter. He had exceptional physical strength, but not the hardened resolve of a warrior. As far as the clan was concerned he was too soft for his age and bloodline. If he wasn't Marcus's son the clan would've shunned him. They lived peacefully compared to the ferals but still believed vampires should be powerful.

"That may halt the fight, but by the time he gets back our numbers will take a serious hit," Madison protested.

"I'll test his strength personally." Marcus declared.