Return of the Valkyrie

Chapter Three The Rise of Gluttony

Our staring match seems to last far longer than necessary. Liam pushes at my mind and I decide to play along. I let my body begin to go slack relaxing my muscles and lowering my eyelids partially. I unclench my fingers from the hilt and release my sword as my lips part slightly.
"I knew she wouldn't be able to resis—" the female I had heard earlier starts.
My sword cuts her off. I drop low one knee scraping roughly against the ground as I swipe my sword mid-air. I lunge at the female arcing my blade and easily severing her head from her body. I watch as her eyes widen momentarily before her head topples to the side. Her body crumbles turning to ash in time with her head bouncing onto the floor.
The two men look shocked unable to believe the swiftness in which I've lessened their clan once again. The blond vampire hasn't moved from his spot behind me, he's pressed firmly to the back wall his fear pouring off him in waves. Liam stands eerily still watching me as I return to my fighting stance opposite him. His shock has recovered some and a smirk plays on his lips. A small tilt of his head sends the other vampire hurdling towards me at full speed.
'He must be the guard dog.' I think preparing myself for the impact. I could outmaneuver him even with his speed. My body was built for battle.
I turn my head slightly dodging the massive left fist coming toward my face while the other hand heads toward my ribs. A dagger appears in it as it approaches its landing. Using the vampire's momentum against him I jump upwards my right foot landing on his dagger-wielding hand as I flip backward using my left foot to place a well-timed kick to his chin. I land flawlessly my right foot sliding back when my left hits the ground. I'm already crouched low ready to launch into the fight.
The vampire's head comes forward his chin lowering to its original position and his glowing red eyes illuminate the space in their red haze. A snarl rips through his throat as he readies for his second attack. With his dagger having skid to a stop near the wall he has no hopes of retrieving the weapon. He too seems to realize this quickly balling his hands into fists.
My crouched fighting stance provides extra protection for my body and face while allowing me to deal powerful blows. My sword hovers in front of my body while my left-hand blocks my face leveled near my chin. That's one thing I love about my sword I can wield it with one hand or both. Being about to wield it with one lets me dual-wield it with another sword.
My opponent's fangs protrude digging into his bottom lip in his anger and he lunges driving his foot toward my right shoulder with a powerful kick aiming to relieve me of my weapon. Too bad my fighting style encompasses all known techniques and a few I have configured on my own. Sliding lower I sweep my left leg out knocking his remaining foot off the ground as his leg sails over my head. He hits the floor with a thud. Wasting no time I jump on top of him driving my blade through his already dead heart.
'Two to go' I think lifting my head to turn my smirk on the leader while the vampire beneath me dissolves into ash. His sly smirk no longer greets me. A small vein throbs along his forehead and his jaw twitches almost imperceptibly. I've managed to hit a nerve. I return to my feet wiping the blood coating my blade along my forearm.
Liam takes advantage of my pause and dashes for the dagger his partner dropped. I intercept him as he reaches the weapon my foot crashing down on his hand when it tightens around the hilt. I hear a sickening crunch of bones much to my delight.
The vampire at my rear takes my distraction as his cue to sneak out the window. "Tsk tsk, not so fast," I taunt removing my own dagger from its stealth and slinging it across the room with deadly accuracy. The blade hits its mark and slams into his chest up to the hilt. The blond vamp's eyes widen and his mouth opens his fingers digging at his chest in vain. Wells of blood seep between them as he too turns to ash.
Liam tries to pull his hand from beneath my foot and I greet his effort with my knee crashing into his nose. The force knocks him back without the dagger. He stumbles a few feet managing to avoid landing on his ass as he scrambles to regain his footing. Wiping the blood from his upper lip he allows his tongue to dart out tasting the red liquid.
"Looks like you're the only one left," I say facing my enemy.
An ugly sneer crosses his handsome features. The dead red gleam in his eyes reminds me of his nature. "I might be the last of this clan 'hunter' but there are many more and he will never let you win." Liam spits throwing himself onto my sword as the last word leaves his mouth.
I had not expected that turn of events. His hands wrap around mine drawing the blade to its hilt and he smirks. The pressure around my hands alleviates when he turns to dust leaving me standing in shock.
The humans began nervously chattering amongst one another drawing my attention back to them now that the threat is gone. I walk to the far wall ripping my danger from the drywall and turn to them.
"Can all of you walk?" I ask eying the disheveled-looking group. They all start nodding while avoiding eye contact with me. "I'm going to make sure it's safe and I will come back to lead you out," I inform them slipping into the hallway.
The hall is dark and I slink across the path the vampires had taken. I take my time to open each door as I go in case one of the leeches are hiding. None pop out. The hall ends at a less dangerous set of stairs and I make it to the bottom without problems. When I step into the connecting room I'm immediately assaulted by the smell of decay and the buzz of flies. Trying to ignore my growing suspicions I check the pathway to the exit and return upstairs.
"Follow me and stay close together," I tell the humans motioning for them to exit the room behind me. I move slowly giving them time to adjust to the low lighting as I lead them out of the warehouse and back into the main streets of the city. Turning to walk away the girl from the bar grabs my wrist "thank you," she whispers hoarsely.
I glide into the shadows returning to the warehouse. If my gut is right all of the decay and horseflies can only mean one thing. Gluttony has been reborn. Pulling my phone from the interior pocket of my jacket I turn on the flashlight. The light travels across the floor with my movement showcasing black scorch marks and burnt-out candles in its wake.
Liam's cryptic message makes a lot more sense now. He sacrificed himself because he had already resurrected his deadly sin and he was sure I stood no chance against him.