Phalanx observed the vampire queen as she drifted down and stood before them. She was changed. She stood even taller than before, her eyes were fully golden instead of the bright hazel green. On her skin were patches of gold and crimson dragon scales, from her back had sprouted two full size dragon wings and a tail with a vicious barbed tip. Her claws were no longer just crimson tipped, her whole hands were covered in dragon scale that was flecked with gold as if pieces of gold ingot had been melted into her skin. Phalanx took a cautious step forward; Darra are you alright? Her gaze switched to him before a slow tentative smile lit her face, "Yes old friend, I am well." Before he could say another word, the dire alpha kneeled before her, I tried to keep him from entering but it seems he has a few tricks of his own. Forgive me. She smiled and kneeled down, "There is nothing to forgive, he was concerned for my wellbeing. I doubt anything, short of death, would have kept him from this cave." Suddenly she was back on her feet and staring out the entrance to the cave. It was apparent to Phalanx and the dire alpha that she was listening to something that neither of them could hear. She turned back to them and said, "It appears we've run out of time. My sister is nearly to the castle gates. As the Dires alpha you have the right to take revenge for the pack members stolen from you. Will you honor me by fighting at my side?" With a gleam in his eye the alpha howled, loud and long before lowering his muzzle again. It would be my honor, Dragon Queen! Darra's eyes widened in shock before she smiled, "Dragon Queen? I think I like the sound of that." As the three of them raced out of the cavern and toward the entrance Phalanx' voice filled her mind. You'll have to fill me in on just what transpired in there. "Long story short? I met my father. The rest I'll tell you on the way," she chuckled.
Garrick, the vampires and the wolf army stood ready at the gates. Raven stood by his side with Aiden standing on the opposite side. Mathus came forward, "The army is ready sire, the vampires are approaching." Garrick watched the approach of the vampire army and prepared himself for the oncoming battle. Raven was the first to feel the change, a charge in the air. She and the ancient vampires turned toward the forest expecting an attack. Suddenly a roar filled the clearing, it shook the ground and battlements. Raven's eyes widened, "she's returned!" A wall of dire wolves broke through the brush at a run, beside them was Phalanx keeping stride easily. But it was the appearance of Darra that left everyone in shock. She stopped and surveyed the clearing, both armies on either side and let out another roar. Garrick stared in awe at his mate. She was striding forward but in midair, her wings flared open and the sun glinting off their brilliance. The dire wolves formed a line in front, Phalanx at their side but Darra floated in midair directly between the two armies. All fell silent when her voice suddenly rung out into the clearing, every man, woman and child could hear her clearly. "This is your final warning, return from where you've come. Anyone who remains will surely die." Everyone under the sound of her voice felt those words as if they'd come from within. They echoed within their chests. The would-be vampire queen screeched, "KILL HER!" The vampire army knocked their bows and aimed. Garrick howled; all wolves answered in response. "ATTACK," he roared. Darra smiled a horrific and bloodthirsty smile soaring higher into the air before wrapping her wings around herself and diving toward the ground right in the middle of the vampire army. Slamming into the ground she caused a shockwave of power and a crater. Those vampires still standing were greeted with a quick and untimely death by losing their heads. The wolves met her in the middle making quick work of those vampires who were left. The only vampires left were the small contingent of personal guards and the would-be queen herself. They were completely surrounded by the dire wolves, the army of werewolves, Gregori and his contingent of special guards and the ancient vampires. Mathus, Garrick and Aiden came to stand by Darra's side. "It's over Marra, go home," Darra called out, crossing her arms over her chest. Marra shoved past her personal guard and sneered, "Perfect little princess, all you had to do was die! Look at you, an abomination. You can't even call yourself a vampire anymore. Our mother..." "Our mother would weep if she could see us now," Darra said cutting her off, "what are you going to do Marra? It's over." Marra's eyes turned bright crimson, baring her fangs she snarled, "I'll kill you with my bare hands!" Darra sighed sadly and started to move forward to intercept her. Out of the corner of her eye she saw a blur move past her skidding to a stop right behind her sister. They all stared in shock as Aiden sheathed his scimitars and turned to face them. Darra's eyes jumped to her sisters seeing the shocked horror frozen across her features before her head toppled from her body and she crumpled to the ground. She stared at Aiden in shock and horrified sadness, "Aiden, what have you done?" "I'm protecting you, as you've protected me. You would've never survived having to kill your sister, that's not you. That's never been you," he hugged her hard, "I'm sorry Darra." She wrapped her arms around him, "Oh Aiden, I never wanted this for you," she whispered. After a few minutes he stepped back and looked up at her, "It's time for you to leave, isn't it?" She smiled sadly, "That it is." With a wave of her hand, she opened a portal. At first you could only see a kind of fog through the portal but then through the fog you could see glimpses of the vampires' castle and kingdom. The ancients went through first, then Gregori and his contingent with the captured remaining personal guard of Marra. Turning to the dire alpha, "I thank you for the honor of fighting by your side. You and yours are always welcome in the kingdom." He howled before respectfully bowing, the other dire wolves bowing as well. With a huff they turned and started back into the forest from where they'd come.
