Desperate Circumstances

Valves' anger burned like a hot flame. He refused to believe that he had allowed himself to fall for such a cheap trick. The Luna Bane's fragrance that Avic had released had cut his strength in half. He could easily feel how much weaker he had become.

However, Avic collapsed before Valves could even attack in his anger. It was already a miracle that he was able to resist the foreign Hemo Energy inside his body so well. But he could no longer tolerate it. Fortunately, he had already accomplished his mission.

Valves looked down at him in anger. He was annoyed that Avic had fallen unconscious before he could punish his actions.

"Inconceivable! He collapses right after pulling off such a cheap trick. He's lucky that I already marked him or he would have been dead by now," cursed Valves before turning back toward Eliisabet. "Well, no matter. I'm finally alone with you, my dear Regina."

Eliisabet held tightly onto her yari. She didn't know what to do. Her eyes moved around in her head as she looked at both Custos and Avic who laid unconscious on the ground.

"Don't come near me!" She screamed.

"Regina, you mustn't be like that. You should know better than anyone else that it's not a good idea to defy me."

Valves then knocked the yari from her hand before encasing her in his bat-like wing. This was when he dragged the half-melted mask from his face, revealing his true identity. He had long golden-blonde hair that fluttered from side to side. His eyes were a gorgeous red like the soft petals of a rose. His smile was princely, barely hiding his vampiric fangs at the sides of his mouth.

Carefully, Valves then moved the back of his hand across the side of Eliisabet's cheeks. He looked her in the eyes like a cat trying to seduce a mouse. Eliisabet trembled with fear. Her situation seemed beyond helpless. Even tears began to flood her eyes as seeing Valves' real face brought back bad memories that she wished she could forget.

"I don't want you near me... You're a monster!" She shouted.

"Half monster is the correct term. Is it that you hate me, Regina? Do you hold a grudge for me deep inside your heart for the things I did to your family in the past? Hmm..?"

Eliisabet did not answer. She continued to tremble with fear and defiance in her eyes. She was afraid her answer would enrage him.

"Why is it that you don't speak? You do know that I have a genuine love for you, don't you? My heart belongs to no one else but you. Or is that your heart belongs to someone else?"

Valves then released Eliisabet before turning back toward Custos and Avic.

"Are you in love with one of them?"

"No! Just leave them alone! Please!"

"Maybe it's Custos. He's been with you since you were children, hasn't he? It wouldn't be a surprise if you fell for him during the time you were together."

"Please... I'm begging you not to hurt them..."

"Not to worry. Harming them would only make you hate me more. I wouldn't want my future bride to be upset with me."

Just then, a barrage of sharp knives came raining down on Valves. This forced him to jump away from Eliisabet to prevent himself from being hit. It wouldn't be good if he allowed himself to be injured in his weakened state.

Jumping down from above were a dozen elite students from the Knight's Faction. They were all armed with different weapons, prepared to engage Valves.

Eliisabet looked up at them in shock. She felt a slight sense of relief flowing through her body. She had been saved.

"Valves! By the authority of the Knights Of Regnum, we order you to surrender yourself and come with us peacefully!" Ordered one of the knights.

"It's a shame that we're the first unit to arrive here. I'm not sure if we can take him on without the help of the others," said another.

"Don't be afraid! The signal was sent which means that Valves should be weakened! We can hold him off until the others arrive here!"

Valves stared at the knights with eyes deadly enough to give an elephant a heart attack. His bloodlust and uncontrollable rage could be felt in the air. He had no intention of letting any of the knights leave alive.

"Why is it that every time I'm reunited with my dear Regina, someone has to come along and ruin the moment? I'm done tolerating this. Not a single one of you will leave here alive!"

"You're all no match for him! Don't throw away your lives like this! Just run!" Pleaded Eliisabet.

To Eliisabet's surprise, the knights stood before her in her defense. They got their weapons ready for battle and a few of them even brought Custos and Avic back to her side.

"Don't worry about us. As Knights Of Regnum, it is our duty to expel threats like Valves. As for you, you're still a rookie Sicarius so you should take your two friends and leave this place immediately," encouraged one of the knights.

Eliisabet knew the knight was right. This could be her only chance to escape with Custos and Avic. If she didn't take the opportunity, then there was no guarantee that she'd be given such a perfect chance again.

Due to this, she gave a thankful nod to the knights before doing her best to slump Avic and Custos over her shoulders. The weight held her back tremendously as she felt as if she could collapse at any moment. However, for Avic's and Custos' sake, she persevered.

She powered through with sheer willpower and ran off with them to a safe distance. It was just the beginning of the days of suffering that awaited them ahead.