There were indeed two people dead on the floor of the baggage car. One was an older man, the other a young woman. There were two blood stained swords along with a shredded duffle bag.
Yuri knelt beside the woman first. She was dressed entirely in black from head to toe. Yuri opened the long black leather coat to reveal a leather belt with a crossbow clipped to it along with a scabbard full of arrows. There was also a leather sheath with a dagger still in it. Yuri patted her down and felt something underneath her blouse. He opened a few buttons to discover that she was wearing body armor, and had been stabbed just below where it ended. Yuri took his walkie talkie and ordered to have a crime scene team come to the baggage car. He rose to his feet and walked over to the man.
The man was dressed professionally in a suit and overcoat. Yuri knelt down and rolled the man to his side. He patted the man down and removed what appeared to be a leather wallet from the man’s overcoat pocket. But instead, when Captain Brewster opened it and inside there was a police badge. It identified him as Lieutenant Gunderson of the Berlin police department. This was the same Lieutenant Gunderson that had contacted him about the operation to go to Gothica and the Knights of VanHelsing. Captain Brewster glanced back at the woman. He realized now, that the way she was dressed, matched the description Lieutenant Gunderson had given him of a Knight of VanHelsing. Yuri also noticed that Lieutenant Gunderson’s service piece was missing. So he instantly surmised that a third person was involved in this whole mess. Captain Brewster spoke again into his walkie to secure all passengers, including the ones in the sleeping cars. Captain Brewster jumped up and exited the baggage car. He ordered Gunter to come with him.
Yuri and Gunter entered the sleeping car and had just started down the hallway when a man burst out of one of the sleeping compartments.
“That man tried to attack me!” he blurted out with the door open.
“Step aside,” Yuri ordered. He entered the sleeping compartment.
The man on the floor was unconscious and beside him was Lieutenant Gunderson’s missing gun. Yuri knelt down and retrieved the man’s passport. The photo and information identified him as Andrew Knight. This was the man being sought in the death of the police sergeant from the Berlin police.
“May I see your papers please?” Yuri rose and walked over to the man. He gave up the passport. Yuri opened it.
“Exactly what happened here Mister Schultz,” Yuri asked referring to the passport. “Mister Eric Schultz.”
“There was a knock at the door,” he explained. “When I opened it, that man there forced me back inside.”
“How did you subdue him?” Yuri curiously asked.
“He was watching out the window and I hit him over the head,” Eric replied. “I had taken some self-defense classes and, well, used it to knock him out.
“Well,” Yuri said handing him back his passport. “This man is suspected of killing a police officer in Berlin. It was very brave of you, but stupid to take this man on.”
“I never realized that,” Eric answered, wide-eyed.
“We will take him into custody,” Yuri further said. “You are to remain on the train until after everyone is questioned.”
“What happened?” Eric asked.
“Two people were found dead in the baggage car by a Porter,” Yuri explained. He looked down at Andrew. “I suspect that this man was also involved somehow.”
“I need to let my boss know that I will be delayed,” Eric said. “May I text her?”
“By all means,” Yuri answered. “Then I would ask you to move to the passenger cars so that we may question you and the others further.”
“Alright,” Eric replied. He took out his phone as Yuri radioed for assistance.
Blackness. There was nothing but the sound of her breathing. Was there anyone there beyond the dark? Was she all alone? No way to measure time.
Darkness. There was nothing but the sound of her gentle breathing. The last images burned in her mind were of Andrew lying on the ground. Was he still alive?
Abyss. The sound of her breathing grew more labored. Panic had taken over and she felt wetness in the corner of her eyes. Where was she?
Nightshade. Her breathing was grew faster and faster. She couldn’t catch her breath. Her arms and legs were bound with rope. Was any one there?
Ebony. This time there were new sounds. A key being turned in a lock and a heavy sounding door opening. Footsteps drew near with an air of purpose. The door closed. The footsteps stopped. She was not alone.
Nothingness. Her breathing had slowed down. She listened to see what the other person was doing. They were not moving. Were they looking her over? Were they toying with her by remaining silent? She tried to speak but her mouth was bound with tape. Why were they not speaking?
Bleakness. Her breathing was calmer now. She strained to hear what was going on.
“Welcome home, Raven Blade,” an all too familiar woman’s voice spoke from the dark. Suddenly, the darkness had withdrawn and firelight strained her eyes. The tape was stripped from her mouth and the tingling felt like a thousand needles striking at once.
“I no longer go by that name,” Talia replied.
“To me you will always be Raven Blade,” the woman answered. Her hair was black and streaked with stokes of silver gray. The black dress she wore was long and flowing. Flesh, the color of alabaster, peaked out from beneath the accentuated v-neck. “But you have betrayed us to the outsiders.”
“What I did in the name of good was wrong, Anastasia,” Talia answered.
“We purge the world of evil,” Anastasia calmly replied. “As you recall it all started with my great-great grandfather, Abraham VanHelsing.”
“Andrew will come,” Talia suddenly announced defiantly.
“We know,” Anastasia replied. “He won’t last much longer. He is no match for us.”
“He will come,” Talia repeated.
“He will die!” Anastasia answered bluntly.
“Where is Kara?” Talia demanded.
“She is safe,” Anastasia replied. Her phone buzzed. She took it out of her pocket and saw that there was a text message. She smiled and glanced in Talia’s direction. “I just received a text message from Gold Blade.”
“What is it?” Talia asked.
“He just texted me that Andrew Knight has been arrested by the Zwickau police.” Anastasia had a wide grin of satisfaction on her face. “It looks like your so called hero is out of action and won’t be coming to rescue you or Kara.” She texted Gold Blade that she would send a helicopter to pick him up and that she needed his location. Anastasia waited for a reply. He texted his location and that he would be ready. She walked over to the door and opened it. Two knights entered the room and loosened Talia from the chair. They each grabbed her by the arm and escorted Talia out of the room.
Kara bolted straight up. She scanned the room with wild-eyed confusion. Where was she? The room had one single window, no furniture save for a simple desk and chair, along with the bed she was lying on.
The last thing Kara saw was Nick being attacked. She didn’t even know if he were still alive. Kara started to cry, but she quickly scolded herself for being a wimp and stopped. She also realized she was no longer wearing her dress. Someone had changed her into a black jumpsuit and shoes. Kara bounded off the bed and over to the door. She tried the handle, it was locked. She went over to the window. It was tall and narrow without any way to open it. Kara was trapped.
Eric had changed into his knight’s garb and was just strapping on his weaponry. Andrew was still unconscious and had been moved to the bed. Eric heard the helicopter in the distance. He pulled the door open quickly and knocked out the solitary officer standing guard over him and Andrew. He grabbed both suitcases and headed for the exit. He never intended to go to the passenger’s cars as ordered. Eric had to get to Gothica at all costs. He set one case down and opened the door. Eric propped the door open and retrieved the case. He quickly descended the steps and ran towards the open field not far from the train.
Captain Brewster was interviewing a male passenger on the train when he heard what sounded like a helicopter. He stopped to peer out one of the windows. There in the distance was a black helicopter preparing for a landing in the field not far from the train. Yuri was about to turn his attention back to the investigation, but something else caught his eye. There, not far from the train, he saw someone in a Knight’s of VanHelsing uniform running while carrying a suitcase in both hands. Yuri grabbed his walkie and called for the officer standing guard at that location. There was no reply. Yuri immediately started screaming in it for some of his men to stop the person.
Eric felt the rush of the wind from the helicopter blades as he approached it. The door slid open and one of his compatriots in full gear, reached out to give him a hand. Eric tossed up one of the suitcases.
Yuri and several of his men took off in pursuit of Eric. They bounded over the rails and quickly rushed towards the helicopter. Yuri saw the door slide open and someone reach out towards Eric. Yuri drew his gun and fired off several shots.
Eric froze as the dinging of bullets struck the helicopter. They were shooting at him! He tossed in the last suitcase inside and reached for the crossbow. Eric loaded an arrow and fired!
Yuri felt a pressure in his thigh and he tumbled down in the grassy mud. He rolled over and saw the arrow shaft buried in the flesh of his leg. He managed to pull himself up on one foot and fired until his gun was empty.
Eric jumped inside as another volley of shots struck frighteningly close; too close as far as he was concerned.
“Take off now!” Eric barked as he loaded another arrow. He fired again.
Yuri was knocked to the ground from the forced of the arrow as it slammed him in the right shoulder. His gun flew out of his hand and seconds later, landed some distance away from him. He screamed at his men to keep firing, but it had no affect. Yuri watched helplessly as the helicopter disappeared from sight. His men helped Yuri to his feet and helped him back to the train. Yuri grimaced in pain as he hobbled along back to the train.
The glowing red sun was slowly disappearing on the distant horizon as the sound of metal whirling blades filled the still air of the valley. It would be dark soon, and time for Gold Blade to finally come home again.
Gothica castle had been forged out of the very mountains of the Ore Mountain range. With its towering, impenetrable walls, no one dared attempt to challenge it. It stood solitary, forbidding to all who dared enter the valley long forgotten by both man and time.
Kara watched from the window as the helicopter touched down. The door slid open and a solitary figure jumped out. Whoever they were, the person was in full knight’s garb right down to the weapons. The person strode with an air of confidence towards the woman that was waiting for them. Her hair was black and streaked with stokes of silver gray. The black dress she wore was long and flowing. Kara thought for a second and snapped her fingers as she remembered. Of course, the woman was Anastasia VanHelsing, the leader of the Knights of VanHelsing. Kara watched them embrace and soon after, walked together arm in arm inside the castle.
Talia had been staring out the narrow window of her room ever since she was taken there after her interrogation by Anastasia. She was reflecting on the cards life had dealt her. Some were good cards worth holding onto. Others were not so good and Talia wished she could have traded them in for better ones. Talia grew tried and was about to step away from the window, when she saw a helicopter approach the castle. She watched the helicopter land. The side door of the helicopter slid. Talia’s blood ran cold at the sight of a Knight of VanHelsing. Talia also saw Anastasia waiting to greet them.
Gold Blade and Anastasia walked down the long stone hallway and finally stopped at a large metal and wooden door. Anastasia twisted the knob and gave the door a gentle push to open it. She led the way inside and Gold Blade followed. Anastasia closed the door behind them. She locked it.
Anastasia walked over and sat down on the canopy bed. She stretched out her arms invitingly for Gold Blade to join her. He walked over but stopped just short of her reach.
“Please remove your hood,” Anastasia asked.
“Both Silver Blade and Bronze Blade are dead,” Gold Blade sadly informed her.
“How?” Anastasia demanded.
“Silver Blade was killed in the park and Bronze Blade was in a fight with Andrew Knight and some policeman from Berlin,” Eric answered.
“You removed all of their identification, right?” Anastasia asked.
“I know the drill,” Eric shot back.
“At least we have the others,” Anastasia answered instead. ‘And Knight is out of the picture. He will be in a German prison for quite some time.” Anastasia laughed.
“Where are the women?” Gold Blade inquired.
“Safe on the third floor in two of the empty guest rooms,” Anastasia answered.
“Now forget about all that and take off your hood,” Anastasia ordered.
“We both know the rules,” Gold Blade reminded. “Our identity is to remain a secret.” He gestured around the room. “Even within the walls of Gothica, a knight’s face is never to be revealed.”
“I know the laws.” Anastasia was getting upset.
“I will not remove it.” Gold Blade was defiant.
“But we were lovers once and you showed me your face.” Anastasia pouted. “Why not again?” She rose from the bed and walked over to Gold Blade. She slipped her arms around his waist and laid her head on his chest. “Perhaps we could rekindle the passion we once had.” Anastasia drew her glance upon his hooded face. “What happened that night is in the past.”
“Not that far in the past,” Gold Blade grabbed her arms and slipped from her embrace.
“He meant nothing to me,” Anastasia eyes swelled with tears.
“Nothing?” Gold Blade scoffed.
“Do not get upset, Eric,” Anastasia finally said his name. “Please remove your weapons and place them on the table.” Anastasia gestured towards the table not far from the bed. Eric went over and removed his belt. He laid it on the table. Next, he took off the scabbards that held his swords. He laid them also on the table. Then he took off his long leather coat and gently draped it across his things. Eric walked back over to Anastasia.
“Listen Ana.” Eric took hold of her hands.
“You haven’t called me that name in years.” Ana started to cry again. Eric took her in his arms. It was a rhapsody for Ana to final feel Eric’s embrace. “Why now?” Eric lifted the hood just a little. Ana exhaled deeply and her bossom quivered as Eric brushed his lips against the flesh of her neck.
“I’m not the same man as I was before,” Eric whispered. Ana felt a chill from the warmth of his breath.
“What do you mean?” Ana broke free to face him.
Gold Blade finally removed his hood for Ana.
“You!” shrieked Ana. She gave Andrew a shove and ran for the door.
Andrew took off after Ana and reached her as she was about to unlock the door. Andrew grabbed Ana and tossed her aside. Ana rebounded and slammed Andrew with a kick to the chest, but it had no affect because of the body armor he wore. Andrew countered with a spin kick that struck Ana in the midriff. She doubled over and Andrew finished her off with another blow to the head. Ana crumpled to the floor and was out cold. Andrew walked over to the door to make sure it was still locked; it was. Andrew walked over and scooped Ana up into his arms and he carried her over to the bed. He gently laid her down.
Andrew sat next to her and reflected on recent events. Andrew knew that Hannah was not alone on the train. She had to have a backup. So when Andrew left the baggage car he searched for her partner. It was either by luck or whatever, but Andrew located him in the first sleeping cabin he tried. Andrew chuckled as he remembered the shocked look on Eric’s face when he opened the door of the compartment to see Andrew standing there and not Hannah. Even before Eric could react, Andrew knocked him out and pushed him back inside. The idea to switch identities just came to Andrew as he was searching the compartment. Andrew had taken both their passports and with his pocket knife carefully slit open the lamination. Once he had switched their photos, Andrew used a bit of superglue he had found in a drawer in the compartment. When the police arrived, Andrew waited for the right moment to step out of the compartment and put on his act. He knew at first that Captain Brewster was suspicious of him, but when he saw the passports all of that disappeared. In order to convince those at Gothica, Andrew sent the text message. He knew it would be the only way to convince them that he, Andrew, was out of the picture even if only for a little while. Hopefully, and it was, long enough to get inside the castle. Also, Andrew had to conceal his identity, and betting on the fact that none of the other knight’s had seen each others faces, Andrew dressed in the knight’s garb. Andrew felt bad that he had to shoot Captain Brewster, but it was necessary to convince the ones in the helicopter that he was in fact Gold Blade.
Andrew bounded off the bed and over to the dresser. He opened the drawers and searched for something to tie Ana up with. Andrew found a bunch of silk scarves. He tied several together to make them a bit longer. Andrew returned to the bed and secured Ana’s hands and feet together. He further secured Ana to the bed posts. And as a finishing touch Andrew tied a scarf in Ana’s mouth to keep her from calling for help. Once he was satisfied that Ana would be unable to escape, Andrew retrieved the coat and weapons. He strapped the belt back on, put on the leather coat and finished securing both sword scabbards on his back. Andrew slid the hood back on and took one last look at Ana. She was still out. Andrew walked to the door and unlocked it. He opened the door and peered out to see if the coast was clear. Andrew stepped into the hallway, relocked the door and closed it behind him. The sound of the heavy door, closing signaled the beginning of his search for Kara, Talia, and Wyatt.
Andrew crept along the dimly lit hallway of the third floor. Not a soul was in sight and he hoped that was a good thing. Andrew had tried several doors and found them to be unlocked. There were only four doors left to try. Andrew grasped hold of the door knob of the first one and gave it a twist. It was not locked. He tried the next one and it was also unlocked. Andrew quietly crossed over to the other side of the hallway. A sense of disappointed and doubt set in for a second as Andrew reached for the door handle. He gripped it firmly for fear of letting go and gave it a turn. It was locked! Andrew knelt down and reached inside the long coat. Andrew retrieved his lucky lock pick set that he had remembered to take from his duffle bag on the train. Andrew inspected the lock and removed the necessary picks.
Talia was lying in the bed when she heard some sounds coming from the door. She quietly slipped off the bed and over to the door. Someone was about to come inside, so Talia readied herself for an attack. Whoever it was; was going to get the surprise of their life. Talia heard the click in the lock and she poised for her attack.
Andrew slowly opened the door and stepped inside. Out of the corner of his eye, he caught some movement. Andrew immediately dropped to the floor as a fist swung to hit him. Andrew kicked out his foot and knocked the person to the floor. He jumped on them and pinned the person down.
Talia saw the door open. With all her might she swung her fist at the person, but instead, struck only air. The next thing Talia knew she was on the ground and the person had managed to pin her down.
Andrew took off his hood when he saw it was Talia.
“Andrew!” Talia squealed with joy.
Andrew offered Talia his hand. She took it.
Talia threw her arms around Andrew and squeezed him tightly.
“Okay,” Andrew announced that it was enough.
“What? Talia babbled. “How did you get here?”
“I will fill you in later,” Andrew said putting the hood back on. “We need to get Kara.”
They left the room.
Ana woke to find herself bound to her bed. She was pissed. How could a private investigator from Bayport, Wisconsin manage to out wit, out smart and out fight her knights? Apparently she had underestimated Andrew Knight as an adversary. Years ago during a training session Ana had dislocated her right wrist. Now any time she wanted to, Ana could dislocate it. Though it was painful, it was the only way to get out of her bonds. Ana closed her eyes and gave her wrist a sharp twist. She grimaced at the sound of her bones slipping out of place. With her wrist limp, Ana slipped out of her bonds easily and sat up. Now came the part she dreaded, putting her wrist back in place. Ana howled when she snapped her wrist back.
Ana quickly untied her feet and jumped off the bed and over to her walk-in closet. She undressed and immediately put on her knight’s garb. Ana slipped on her long coat and strapped on the scabbards that held her custom made, pearl handled, swords. They were a gift from her father when she took over as leader of the Knights of VanHelsing. Ana strapped on the belt with crossbow and arrows around her waist. Andrew Knight and the others were not going to get away. Ana walked out of the closet and closed the door behind her. She immediately unlocked the door and left her room.
Ana took off in the direction of the third floor to stop Andrew from setting Talia and Kara free.
Kara was lying on the bed when she heard the door open. She didn’t even bother to get up at first.
Finally, Kara sat up. She saw Talia being escorted in the room by one of the Knights.
“What do you want from me now?” Kara demanded.
“For all of us to go home,” Talia answered.
“We’re prisoners,” Kara retorted.
“Do you want to or not?” He removed his hood.
“Andrew!” Kara couldn’t get off the bed fast enough. She jumped on him and they both fell to the floor. Kara smothered Andrew with kisses.
“Okay,” Andrew pushed Kara off. They stood up.
“How?” Kara asked with curious eyes. She looked around. “Where is Nick?”
“We need to find Wyatt and get the hell out of here,” Andrew said. He put the hood back on, “I will explain it all once we get out of here.”
The three companions walked out of the room and went off in search of Wyatt.
The lower floors were quite opposite of the third. There were several Knights about and it made Kara and Talia very nervous. Andrew had come up with the cover story that he was taking them to be interrogated. They must have believed him, for the others left them alone.
As they walked along, one of the Knights followed a few paces behind. Either they did not believe the cover story or it was for another reason. Perhaps they wanted to make sure that Andrew did, in fact, take them to the interrogation room.
Andrew was aware of them being followed. He whispered for the girls to remain calm and just keep on walking. They did as Andrew instructed and remained silent as they walked along. When they reached a side passageway, Andrew told them to head in that direction. Andrew had them press up against the wall when they had gotten to a bend in the passageway. When the Knight that was following them reached the bend, Andrew struck! Within seconds he knocked out the person and had them on the floor. Andrew removed the person’s hood to reveal it was a young man who looked to be no more than seventeen or eighteen.
“That’s Wyatt,” Talia blurted out, but immediately covered her mouth.
“Holy crap,” Kara added. “Now what?”
“He must have recognized Talia and decided to follow us,” Andrew surmised. “Otherwise he had no reason not to believe our cover story.” Andrew said disappointedly. “Unfortuantely the only way out of here is by helicopter, and none of us know how to fly.”
“I know how to fly,” Kara announced. “I have my pilot’s license.”
“You do?” Andrew and Talia said at the same time.
“Like yeah,” Kara repeated with a head bob.
“So how do we get Wyatt and us out of here?” Talia looked to Andrew.
“We make a break for it,” Andrew answered. “Andrew knelt down and lifted Wyatt over his shoulder. “Let’s go.” Talia led the way to the to the helicopter area as the others followed.
The full moon was just peering over the majestic mountains. Ana was getting angrier by the minute. When she got to the third floor, she discovered that Andrew had already freed Talia and Kara. The next person he would search for was Wyatt. Ana smiled that there was no way out of all the knights at Gothica Andrew would be able to locate Wyatt. Ana walked over to the window and cast her gaze upon the moon. She could almost feel the light as it fell upon her. Ana closed her eyes for a moment to draw it in as if it was an elixir for her soul. She opened her eyes again and that’s when Ana saw Andrew and the others on the helicopter pad. Ana cursed and departed the room at a full run. There was no way she was going to let them escape.
Kara opened the door and climbed in the pilot’s seat. She began the preflight sequence. The whine of the rotors coming to life filled the night air. Andrew slid the side door open and put a still unconscious Wyatt inside. Talia stood beside Andrew, keeping watch and soon her fears were realized. A small army of knights were approaching their position with Ana in the lead. Talia shouted at Andrew, but the wind and the noise from the rotors drowned her out. She watched in terror as Ana and the knights loaded their crossbows. Talia gave Andrew a shove and when he turned, Andrew saw the army of knights.
“Get inside!” Andrew tried to push Talia to the open door. She instead spun around and faced Andrew to shield him. As each arrow struck, Talia moaned as her body jerked. When it was over, she lunged forward and Andrew caught her in his arms. Her eyes looked hollow as she stared up at Andrew.
Talia brought up her hands and gently, lovingly and cupped Andrew’s face. She drank in the sadness it showed.
“Do you know what true love is Andrew?”
“No,” Andrew’s answered, tears clouded his eyes.
Talia strained as she rose up. She drew closer. Andrew and Talia’s lips came together in one last, tender, loving kiss.
“Sacrifice,” Talia whispered as their lips drew apart. Talia was gone.
“Andrew!” Kara screamed. “We have to go!”
Andrew ignored her and gently laid Talia down. He finally turned to look at Kara. “Get out of here.” Andrew closed the door as Kara was still screaming at him to get in.
Kara saw Andrew gingerly lay Talia down and let loose the belt and drop it to the ground. Her eyes widened in further disbelief as Kara saw Andrew withdraw the twin swords from their scabbards. Kara kept shouting at Andrew. She couldn’t believe that he was going to take on Ana and her army of knights. They were trained killers! Kara was crying so hard she could barely see the instrument panel. She wiped her eyes and grasp hold of the throttle and the engines roared to full power. She would take off and then circle back to pick up Andrew.
The helicopter started to rise to the heavens. Kara turned the helicopter about and she saw Andrew, who was just about to attack. That’s when Kara also noticed the knights on the parapet above. They were loading wall mounted ballistas! Just as she turned the helicopter, they fired the first volley. Six highly deadly bolts rushed towards the helicopter. Kara forced the helicopter lower and they harmlessly flew by. Kara saw them make adjustments and reload for another volley, so she headed towards the valley and trees below. A second wave screamed towards the defenseless helicopter. Kara felt a sudden violent shudder, pieces of metal and black smoke shot past the side windows. They had hit the rear rotor! The controls went heavy in Kara’s hands. The helicopter was spinning as Kara tried to gain control. The trees and snowy ground drew closer and closer!
Ana couldn’t believe that Andrew was going to charge their position. She ordered her knights to remove their belts and make ready for Andrew’s attack. He was truly a fool to take them on. These were the best of all her knights; her elite guard. Ana let her belt drop as well and drew her own blades.
Andrew gave his battle cry and jumped up into the air. As he came back down, Andrew hit the first two with devastating kicks. Their heads snapped back with a sickening sound and they flew to the ground dead. Andrew landed and with his swords struck two more even before they could raise their own swords in defense. Andrew was in a fight to the death. The anger raging inside Andrew made him strong and unstoppable. The clashing of steel and the sounds of cracking bones echoed across the walls of Gothica. Two more knights charged into the melee. Andrew twirled about and drove his blades into their chests. Blood flowed and covered the grayish stone of Gothica. Andrew smashed and kicked his way amongst Ana’s elite. Finally, the last knight tumbled down and joined the rest of his fallen comrades. Andrew stood tall amongst the bloody and broken heap. He looked up in the sky just in time to see a barrage of steel tipped bolts fly towards the helicopter. Andrew recoiled when one of the bolts slammed into the rear rotor. It exploded, sending pieces of metal flying amongst streams of black smoke. Andrew saw the helicopter plunge towards the forest below.
Ana stood still. She was in shock. Andrew had defeated her knights; her very best! There Andrew stood victorious amongst the bloody heap he had created. Andrew Knight had to die!
Ana readied her pearl handled swords and charged at him. Andrew was distracted and it gave Ana the advantage. She was nearly upon Andrew and flew in the air and smashed into his back. Andrew sprawled to the ground. Ana brought both blades down but Andrew rolled over and blocked with his own. He jumped to his feet and swung at Ana, who blocked and twirled with a spin kick. Andrew blocked and drove his blades at Ana. She blocked with one and attacked with the other. Andrew met each with his own. Ana spun and hit Andrew with a powerful kick to the back. He fell forward, dropped, and rolled to his feet. Ana, with her blades ready to strike, rushed towards him. Andrew was ready. With one sword he slashed through the flesh of Ana’s leg and with the other, thrust it into her shoulder. Ana stumbled and let loose her swords which clattered to the stone ground. She rolled over to see Andrew towering above her.
“The Knights of VanHelsing will live on,” Ana was defiant. She closed her eyes and waited for Andrew to strike her down. Andrew rendered Ana unconscious instead with a blow to the head.
Hours later, after the battle with Ana and her knights, Andrew finally had the courage, and took Talia’s body into his arms. He looked up and searched the parapets. There was no sign of any knights. Andrew carried Talia inside the castle. He ascended the stairs to the third floor of Gothica and looked for a place to lay Talia’s body.
Andrew soon found an unoccupied bedroom chamber. He opened the door and stepped inside the room. There was a beautifully adorned canopy bed. Andrew walked over to the bed and laid Talia on her side. He swallowed hard and grasped hold of the first arrow. Andrew breathed deeply, emotionally for several seconds. His hand trembled, and Andrew closed his eyes as he removed the first arrow. For each arrow Andrew took out of Talia, the anguish and tears built to an emotional crescendo. And as the last arrow was withdrawn, Andrew slumped to the cold, harsh floor. He stared at the bloody object in his hand for a moment, and tossed it away. Andrew pulled himself up and pulled back the covers. He gingerly rolled Talia on her back. Andrew drew up the covers to her waist and folded Talia’s arms across her chest. It looked as if she were only sleeping.
Andrew tenderly kissed Talia’s lips. He would come back for Talia’s body and bring her home. Andrew knew that her knights would search for Kara and Wyatt. Andrew hoped he wasn’t too late.
The passageways of the Gothica were empty. Andrew walked alone, a shadow of his former self.