Eterna

~Chapter 27~ Sacrifice

We had no time to recuperate. The crimson harpie landed in the center of the bricked courtyard ground, a wicked smile gracing her rose-colored lips. Her snow white locks sat gently on her shoulders, only bringing out her red irises more.

I could no longer hesitate. I charged toward her, my fingers wrapped tightly around the hilt of my blade as I thrust it into her gut. I felt the suction of her innards as I pushed deeper into her belly.

First, a look of dismay, followed by an even more wicked grin than before.

"That's right, fool. Bleed me. That is the source of the power which will end you!"

I watched as her blood seeped into the cracks in the ground, before struggling to remove my blade from her gut. She held onto it with uncanny strength.

"My other sisters couldn't quite handle you, Lady Crowe, but I'm all about second chances. Wouldn't you agree?"

I felt the pressure of a bullet, whiz by my ear. I watched as it lodged itself into Skarlet's shoulder, sending her back and allowing me to free my blade.

"Roxy, no! The more she bleeds, the more powerful she becomes!"

As I yelled back toward my companions, I watched the bodies of both Delize and Victorya rise from the blood which had formed from Skarlet's wounds.

"Look out!"I screamed.

Fighting one of these sisters was bad enough, but all three? I gritted my teeth, thanking the divines I had my companions with me.

The newly resurrected Delize dove straight for Harley.

"You're the bitch who killed me, eh? Well, my back was turned. I guarantee, it won't happen again!" She swung her blade downward, only to be met by Reuben's claws.

"Oh, no you don't! You'll have a much harder time making witty remarks with me around, missy." He smirked, slashing forward with his talons extended.

"Be careful, Reuben! She's quick!" I yelled back to him.

"Don't worry, that's why I'm here..." Roxy shot three bullets at the emerald harpie, two of which connected.

Taking advantage of my distracted state, Skarlet cracked her whip at me, causing me to jump back.

"Shit."

"That's right, Lady Crowe. You've never fought me before. Come, let's have some fun, shall we?"

I felt the breezes from each and every crack and swipe of her whip. The force she was exerting would surely break my bones if contact was made. I used my speed and agility to keep a safe distance, but being in a constant defensive state made the fight more difficult than I'd anticipated.

"Evelyn!" Payne growled, charging forward with Cupid extended. She sent wave after wave of energy toward Skarlet, matching her range with pure force.

"What do we have here? How curious." Skarlet cackled, her white fangs gleaming with each flash of green lightning.

"I'm with you." Payne breathed, glancing at me.

I nodded, charging forward with her by my side.

Sera was fending off the attacks from Victorya, realizing her spent energy was in vain.

"Nothing's working. My spells aren't affecting her the same way as before!"

"I've become stronger in death, darling. You'll have to do better than that." Victorya chuckled, summoning her scythe as she glared down at the trio from above. Devon, Sera and Isaiah stared up at her with anxious eyes.