Gazing out from the forest, Duke now observed the small army assembled outside the Tepes Manor. "How many are there," Sasha asked. "I count close to a hundred," Duke replied, the dhamphir furrowing his brow. "This isn't going to be easy. These cybernetic monstrosities are stronger than typical vampires."
"But not as strong as us."
Duke glanced upwards, seeing the stern visage of his great grandfather Vlad Dracula. It still seemed beyond comprehension that the mythic vampire lord was alive, let alone willing to help. Then again, Duke had not expected to team up with his half brother or his long lost aunt Hanako Ashida-Tepes. Seeing the Asian woman's yellow eyes glow beneath her red hood made the dhamphir shudder. She may hate Dracula, but she appeared to have no problems with him. "Everyone understand the plan," Duke asked.
"Your plan wasn't very difficult to follow brother," Wyatt scoffed. "Kill the vampires and storm the manor. After that overthrow Vanessa."
"Its important that we draw as many of Vanessa's forces outside as possible," Duke stated. "Our role allows the others to rescue your family. Once they're safe, then we can deal with Vanessa."
"I will be the one dealing with her," Dracula interrupted, his voice deep and foreboding. "She is still my wife." Duke nodded, turning to Sasha. "And that's where you come in Sasha," he said. "Are you sure you can do this?"
"In theory yeah," Sasha shrugged. "I mean I've never done this before but I checked with Merlin before we left. He said that I have the power to do that. It would help if I had something that was personal to Lisa." Dracula now took off his wedding ring, gently placing it into Sashas hand. "Take this," he said. "This is my wedding ring. It bound our souls to one another. It should strengthen your spell in returning Lisa's soul."
"Thanks," Sasha said. "Still, I'm going to be pretty open while I'm completing the spell. Probably need someone to act as a bodyguard." "I'll send Nat or one of the others after they free the hostages," Duke stated. Sasha nodded, wishing the group good luck. "Duke," Hanako said softly as she stood before the dhamphir. "If what you say is true. If the Mad Queen is indeed Lisa Tepes then I want to free her. But know this, if we can't. If she's too far gone and tries to destroy you. I am going to have to put her out of her misery."
"I understand," Duke replied. "And thank you. This isn't going to be easy. I'm thankful for your help." Hanako smiled, and now Duke could see a kindness in her face that reminded him very much of himself. "You're family Duke," she said kindly. "More so than him. I see alot of my own father in you. He would have loved meeting you." Duke grinned, thanking his aunt as the Tepes family now prepared to attack.
Let's begin.
With a yell the Tepes clan now darted from their hiding place, charging forward towards the cybernetic vampires with a boisterous war cry. Gaining the attention of every vampire, both Wyatt and Duke showed off the skills Dracula had taught them.
Duke's lessons had taught him that he could tap into his vampiric powers without consuming blood. The young dhampir’s eyes now glowed a brilliant magenta. Sprinting so fast that he appeared to teleport, the dhamphir slammed into the closest group of vampires, unleashing a series of crushing blows before tearing out their cybernetic hearts. As impressive as Duke was, Wyatt showed how impressive a vampiric Tepes could be.
Wyatt now began to transform. Dracula had taken the time to show Wyatt that the Tepes family was able to assume demonic forms. In Wyatts case, the young vampire began to assume the form of a demonic bat. Massive wings now erupted from Wyatts back, the vampires body bulging with muscle as his face began to shift. Wyatts mouth grew wide, his ears elongated into points. The vampires fangs grew longer, his mouth pushing outwards like a muzzle. A screech like an unworldly creature of the night echoed across the grounds, causing the cybernetic vampires to cover their ears. Wyatt now soared into the air, his fingernails elongated into claws as he dove upon a group of vampires. Out of the corner of his eye, Duke watched as his tore his enemies to pieces with his bare hands.
As both Duke and Wyatt attacked, Hanako and Vlad moved to engage. Vlad watched as Hanako moved at supernatural speeds, wielding her estoc like a master swordsman. Obviously Alucard had trained her well as the dhamphir cut her way through her enemies. A small smile of pride now cracked along the vampire lords face as he watched his descendents decimate their enemies. Perhaps when this was over, when Lisa was safe, he could begin to make amends.
For now though the ancient vampire had other concerns. Whoever these monsters were before they did not know who he was. Several blows to the mighty vampire made him raise an eyebrow in surprise. These creatures were stronger and much faster than typical vampires, Vlad actually feeling the impact of one of their punches. Blocking a second attack, Vlad now punched through its chest tearing out it cybernetic heart and crushing it into a bloody, metallic paste.
The chaos of battle was on full display as the Tepes family now fought their way through the cybernetic vampires. As powerful as they were though, their enemies were proving to be more difficult than they anticipated. Vlad, who was never the most patient, began to grow frustrated at the slow progress the group was making. "Enough of this," he bellowed. "Stand back!" Hanako, Duke, and Wyatt paused, glancing backwards as Vlad began to conjure a spell. The trio watched in wide eyed horror as the vampire lord now conjured a massive fireball, releasing it with explosive force at his attackers. Dodging out of the way they watched as a massive explosion now engulfed their attackers. As the spell dissipated, all they could see was the burnt, twisted metallic and bone skeletons of their enemies. "Was that necessary," Hanako scowled. "You nearly hit us!"
"But I didn't," Vlad replied, his voice dismissive of Hanako's concerns. "This was but the opening skirmish. The true battle lies within." With a nod, the Tepes clan now entered the manor in search of the Mad Queen.