Castlevania Nocturne: A Guardian's Tale (Part 2)

Liberation

Emma and Lafayette caught up with Vance and the humans, passing several vampire corpses brutalized by sabers, fangs, claws, and knives to the heart. "My wife knows a thing or two about killing vampires." Lafayette said proudly.

"It's an imperative skill when you're born of normal blood."  Adrienne wiped the blood off her dagger on the curtains. "Vampires consider us a delicacy."

"Then lets hurry out of here before the dessert bell rings." Vance warned, eyes widening seeing Emma's tired state. "Are you all right?"

Emma mustered her strength and courage. "I'll be fine."  She looked over at Thyme, leaning listlessly against the wall.  "She's terribly weak." Adrienne said. "Bathory nearly drained her dry."

I don't think she'll make it, Em. Vance warned. Her heartbeat is very faint." He touched a claw to her shoulder. "But we'll all escape. I have no doubt about that."

Despite her own wavering strength Emma carried the girl bridal style, holding her fiercely against her heart with her sword at her belt. "Cover for me." Emma told her companions. "I can't wield my sword."

"You've drained your magic." Vance's eyes widened shocked.

"Shaft did." Emma grunted, keeping pace with the fleeing company. They found themselves in the ballroom, where moments before vampires danced and celebrated in a glorious masquerade. Now it was dark and deserted, shriveled corpses littered the floor from Emma's flash attack.

Emma gestured them to the garden entrance, but  when they ran they were surrounded by a wall of black flame. Thyme whimpered piteously in Emma's arms, Vance bore his teeth. The Lafayettes bore their blades despite the terror clawing their hearts.  Shaft  stepped stoically  onto the balcony where he oversaw the masquerade, no worse for wear save for a slight bruise where Lafayette's gunshots passed. Below him Erzsebet's branded disciples surrounded the flames.

Do not kill the half-blood. Shaft telepathically ordered the vampires, remembering Erzsebet's command. Her Holiness wants her alive. He extinguished the ring of black flames, leaving his quarry to their mercy.

Emma thought it was the end when she felt a hand touching her shoulder in comfort, her mana and magic surging back like a wave.  I'm always here for you, little sister. You know what to do. Emma gasped at the surge in her glyphs and her guardian angel's voice.

Thanks  Val.

Emma opened her shining eyes and levitated  her sword above her, channeling her power into the blade. 

A divine light  blinded all inside the ballroom, vaporizing the vampires instantly as their screams vanished to dust. Vance shrieked, able to withstand the Heaven's Light, and the humans covered their eyes.  When the light dissipated, the only vampires left standing were Vance and Shaft. The dark mage rightly shielded himself, as if instinctively understanding the nature of the attack. By the time he collected himself the escapees had fled. He lost his chance.

Vance curled his lips in a ragged snarl and left, his billowing cape stirred the dust of his disciples.

"Praise the light." A voice murmured amused from the shadows.  Olrox appeared from his concealed mist, watching Emma and her companions flee to the shores. He eagerly awaited their reunion.

                                                                  ....

They reached the marshy shores without further hindrance. Emma collapsed to her knees carrying Thyme in her arms. Her mother was right, Valerius came to aid her when she desperately needed it, and in doing so saved them all.