Chapter 204

Vorbuk ran across the temple's stone wall. The figure of a wolf could be seen from outside the temple as he felt the gaze of Aoki amidst the distance observing his movements. Prince Leo was beside him as they ran. Ready to carry out their plan to trap the executioner.

They were heading for the temple's gateway while drawing in Aoki's attention. This was to buy a slight opening for them to open the gate without Aoki directly rushing at them. When the gate opened Prince Leo and Vorbuk did not intend to be the first ones to leave. The first ones to leave would be at risk of facing Aoki's direct attack as soon as they showed up.

As the gateway to the temple opened Bredret darted out towards the battlefield. From behind him Ashley was at his heels pulling out his blood scythe.

Booommm! Boom! Boommm!

At their sides magic from the temple's mages exploded from all around. Clearing the pathway for them from any enemy knights that dared to stray in the direction of them.

Johan Lovette tried to help them in what way he could. Though he could not waste all his man power on their plan because it would give an opening for the enemy to break through their defenses. Main concern being the survival of the temple and his people. Using what aid he could assist with he had his men in the area clear their path from the sides even if the job was not perfect it was a major difference when it came to the safety of the ones personally on the battlefield.

With a flash in his golden eyes Bredret gave a rumbling growl from his throat. It was deep and fierce like angry thunder. After returning Bredret still had a lot of pent of emotions that he could use a way to release. That was why Bredret did not consider the time nor place before he snapped with his target in sight. If it was not for the voice coming from behind him he might have really turned into his dragon form and swept everything away in a fiery sea.

"Bredret, we can't kill him." Ashley reminded him from behind even though he would gladly tear Aoki to shreds if he was given the order. He could feel the killing intent pouring off the dragon in front of him.

"I wasn't going to kill him." Bredret scoffed at the thought that someone was doubting his self control. He was a proud dragon, he could never loose his self control that easily!

"I was only reminding you that he needs to remain breathing~!" Ashley smiled brightly while his words contradicted his intention.

No, the one that Bredret was angry with was not Aoki. His anger was just being projected outwardly onto the enemy. The one he was angry with was someone else entirely. He could not let go of the heavy feeling in his heart. If it was not for Celeste's wish for him to help the others he would have already left them all behind. Bredret was living on for her sake while inside he already felt empty.

While all those pent up emotions churned inside of Bredret they neared Aoki. The executioner was already heading straight for the dragon from the moment he noticed a source of food had left the temple's safety.

Seeing the incoming dagger Aoki was wielding in his hand the dragon did not flinch. The same wound would have no affect on him since he was not a vampire. At the same time the vampire could not easily kill Bredret with such a weapon on his own. Idiot. That was the only word that flashed in his mind as he saw someone coming at him with such a weapon.

Fffssshhh...

A golden hue enveloped Bredret as fire burned forth from his eyes. He was holding back his desire to morph and tear the vampire apart. Reaching out his hand and grasping hold of the dagger in mid swing.

"You-" Aoki did not have time to complete his outward thought.

"Hello, again~!" Ashley said smiling brightly as his body flashed forward.

Shhiinnggg!

Ashley's blood scythe swept through the air. The swift movement forcing Aoki to move backwards. Confusion, anger, and desperation in Aoki's eyes as he grit his teeth.

CLANG! CLANG!

Ashley's scythe repeatedly blocked incoming strikes from the executioner.

"Don't play around." Bredret frowned as he felt like Ashley was trying to act showy.

"You really need to learn to loosen up or you're going to die of stress one of these days." While wearing a smile as he fought against Aoki's blade, Ashley's words again cut the conversation as if contradictory. On one hand they sounded caring while at the same time they were insulting the dragon.

"Take care of the task at hand and stop talking." Bredret scolded him.

Not feeling interested in talking to Ashley the dragon moved. In the blink of an eye his body lowered as he shot forward. Moving at a height that allowed him to move from below Ashley's scythe.

Aoki did not have time to react as he felt the dragon's fist slamming into his stomach from below his stand off against the scythe of Ashley. The impact felt like his body had been plowed into by a runaway train. A dragon's strength could not be underestimated.

The vampire was sent tumbling backwards against the ground. With a lack of food for so long his wounds would not heal properly causing the pain in his body to linger. His body trembling from the vibrations the impact had done causing his body to feel a sense of numbness.

Shaking that numbness and pain away he jumped back to his feet almost as quickly as he tumbled. Glaring down the two of them as he bared his fangs.

"They should be finished soon." Bredret whispered to Ashley as he glanced back in the direction of the temple. His only role was a temporary tank to entice Aoki. Drawing his attention and desperation. In the distance he could see Prince Leo and the wolf running out of the temple.

"Are you ready?" Ashley smiled in the direction of his master as he asked Bredret the question.

"Let's go." Bredret was not in the mood to delay his task given. If there was something to be done he preferred to take care of it quickly so that it could be considered done with.

"Go? Aren't we supposed to wait for them here?" Ashley thought they were going to wait for his master to get closer before they lured the vampire into the temple.

"That is what they said prior to this. That won't be necessary though." Bredret confirmed that Ashley did not hear his master's plan wrongly. Because they are too slow. He felt like they would waste too much energy on leading the vampire inside themselves if he waited til they came all the way to where they were fighting right now.

"Then what are you-?" Ashley started to talk but he suddenly felt the dragon step closer and grab him by the back of his clothes.

"You son of a-!!!" Ashley was suddenly being lifted by Bredret. "Put me down!"

Ashley did not like the fact that the dragon was carrying him like a sack of luggage in his arm. Turning in the direction of the temple Bredret ran. He could feel the cold gaze of Aoki behind him. Listening to his surroundings carefully as his senses observed the movements of the vampire to assure himself that the vampire was following him from behind.

Closing in on them as they ran the vampire could tell they were heading for the others that were leaving the temple. He could recall the warm taste of Vorbuk's blood and it enticed him even more to chase the dragon. They were heading towards the one he already hungered for. After tasting the wolf's blood once it was difficult for him to ignore his desire for it once more. For the starved vampire it was as if his meal had just started to increase in numbers. His rationality was falling again due to his desperation.