Bound By The Blood Moon

The arrows flew through the air, aiming for Siestri's head, heart, and abdomen. The curve that Maydriyn had created was aided by the strong winds, which boosted the speed of the arrows. 

Unfazed by these changes, Siestri erected a smaller but stronger shield than the one he had used earlier, blocking all the arrows. Maydriyn had already anticipated this, as two arrows were ready to be fired in the next instant. 

She didn't give Siestri any time to switch the situation as she continuously attacked while moving around the battlefield. She never stayed in a place long enough for Siestri to prepare a counterattack.

Looking at Siestri, knots were beginning to form on his forehead. He didn't like the headache that Maydriyn was causing him. He was already annoyed that he had to watch as members of the Triform lost their lives to these demons, and now she was pestering him with her annoying attacks.

With a slight whisper that the wind could not carry, his staff gave off a dark glow. In seconds, his robe hardened over his body and turned into a complete set of dark armour.

"Maydriyn, I have grown tired of this game of yours. I'd best end this now."

This time, Siestri planted his feet firmly on the ground, and his staff became noticeably longer, striking a large contrast with his body frame. 

He took a step forward and began walking towards Maydriyn, making no moves to dodge the arrows she kept sending his way. With every step he took, a cape slowly materialized on his back as it grew longer and longer.

"This armour was one I crafted out of a living metal, enforced with a million runes drawn with my blood," he hit an arrow away with his staff as he kept talking, "with its major function being the enhancement of my defence and mana recharge. I don this armour now to end this battle swiftly, as your stubbornness and needless struggle against the inevitable has ticked me off endlessly."

Maydriyn watched with horror written all over her face as the clouds above turned a bright white against the midnight black clouds that blocked nearly all forms of light. In haste, she nocked her strongest arrow, aiming for the space between his brows.

"It is pointless, child."

As she let the arrow loose, she looked up to see the blinding light that the white clouds tried to contain. Sighing in her heart, she knew this was her end. She could not outrun the light beam nor shield herself well enough to survive. 

Falling to her knees, she whispered some words in the demon tongue right before the light beam turned her to ashes.

***

Taiwo and Kehinde had been fighting hard against Guildmane, who now wielded his two sickles. There were multiple gashes on the twins' bodies, and even with Kehinde's skill to read attack patterns, it barely helped them as Guildmane's attacks were ever-changing. 

But Guildmane wasn't left unscathed. His armour had turned to shredded garments, and there was even a deep gash along his left thigh that didn't stop bleeding. The twins would have been like him if vampires didn't have fast healing.

Taking a staggering step back, Guildmane balanced himself while taking time to assess the situation. He was outnumbered but not out-skilled, and only his skills and experience had kept him alive this long.

The chains connecting his sickles still glowed in the night and it hummed with the sound of death lingering around. The battle was now at a standstill with both sides standing across from each other, weapons ever ready. This would be the last bout and would decide who lives or dies.

Taiwo was the first to move. Charging for Guildmane, he hopped into the air three steps away to reveal Kehinde who was running right behind him. She raised one of her daggers to chest level as she went in for a stab.

Guildmane, caught in the surprise attack, remained unfaltered. He had years of experience and he charged forward to meet Kehinde head-on. Confronting her daggers, he managed to block nearly ten strikes before Taiwo came running back. 

Sliding across the ground, he slashed Guildmane's ankles before tumbling back up just in front of his sister. Kehinde had stepped back, leaving the frontal confrontation to her brother. 

Assessing her arms, they shook from the force of Guildmane's blows. It looked like she was the one suppressing him but in fact, she barely managed to keep her daggers in her hands.

Taiwo and Guildmane went at it again. 

No one gave a chance to the other as the light of their clashing blades brightened up the scene like an exploding star. It would have been a beautiful dance if the sound of death wasn't the music they danced to. Guildmane could feel his energy fleeting and Taiwo didn't look like he was going to let up anytime soon.

Guildmane scrambled his brain for a way out but it was all bleak. Taiwo covered all his angles, with no space for a hidden stab or slash. With reverse motion, he pressed down on Guildmane and his swords seemed to have gotten longer. A weight that Guildmane had not felt before pressed down on his arms.

A resolute look crept unto Guildmane's stern face and he did the unexpected. He let go of one of his blades and stabbed the hand into his chest. Taiwo plunged a sword into Guildmane's arm, sending pain all over his body. With rapid moves, Guildmane pulled a rib out and infused it with demon energy, making it as sharp as an assassin's needle.

Shock swept over Taiwo's face as he now understood what Guildmane's plan was. Unfortunately, it was too late. 

The moment he let go of his swords and aimed to grab at Guildmane's arm, the rib was thrown forward. Making no curves in its path, it struck Kehinde right in the heart with the force sending her crashing to the ground.

Rage burned in Taiwo's heart as his energy surged. He had activated the forbidden technique, burning his blood and vitality for a massive increase in strength, speed and agility. At this point, it was over for Guildmane but it was also over for Taiwo.

It didn't take him long to stab the demon's heart and slice his head off with a crosscut using his swords. As he walked over to Kehinde's side, his hair had all but turned to dust, with his skin looking pale.

He lay right beside his sister, lacing his fingers with hers. She still had a few breaths left but they were too far away to get any help.

He could see a tear run down her cheek as she tried to form a smile. The last words they both said confirmed their love for each other.