1 Chapter 1: Dirge for Leomord

From the moment I opened my eyes, the Witch greeted me. The twisted smile... it had brought me down to my knees... I cannot... I cannot control my body! As I looked up, I knew that my fate was sealed.

"Fear not!" She spoke to me. Her clawed hand caressed my cheek. "I will love you like a pet~!"

Rough... rigid... cold... Her malicious smile seemed soft. Gentle and welcoming, even. But I knew she was evil. Nothing escapes me, the wielder of the Oath Keeper. But, I am at her mercy. I placed my hand to my still heart. Was I... resurrected? I remembered fighting. The twisted Daemonic Orc, Balmond, he had found me. Too soon, I might add. With my falling breath, I fought back, but all was clear who the victor of that skirmish was...

"Now, go, and fight for the Dark Abyss, my Pet Leomord~ Die for Me!" The twisted Necromancer commanded. "What would you say about that?"

I said nothing. I was too afraid of what may come out of my mouth. I, who was resisting her, had no choice in that matter. I lifted my favourite blade and got up to my faithful steed... Barbiel? He was resurrected as well!?

That fiend! That wretched creature! How could she- had she any heart? My poor Barbiel...

My consciousness stayed wide awake through the entire journey, up until we had reached the battlefield. Another battle between the Moniyans and the Dark Abyss, it seemed. And this time, I would be fighting under the name of the Dark Abyss' Twisted Necromancer. It was no use. My body and Barbiel's were shackled to the control of Vexana, who was too busy commandeering her other... Pets... to do her bidding.

The Moniyans had arrived; I had seen familiar faces, in fact. Tigreal, my old friend. The feisty Assassin, Natalia, I believed. And the ever famous Flying Fanny... others, I've only heard of when I was alive. The white haired swordsman... Alucard, was it? Yes, we once crossed paths. Once. Nothing more than mere acquaintances. But that was not what caught my interest... all of them... every single one of my friends- my foes- were alive.

Alive.

But now, I am Undead... an Unlife created to be used as a weapon... how time's not changed- I was once a weapon for the Moniyans before...

The battle began as soon as the war horns sounded. Barbiel moved as soon as he was able, and my arm began to swing wildly at all of my former allies and comrades. They are my enemies now, I guess. But, are they really? Who are my enemies, and who are my friends? I, who am bound by this unlife to the Witch, and have not a single control of my actions, am asking such frivolous questions now that I am in the battlefield? I think... or I believe, that I still have an inkling of my personality when I was alive.

"They will come to a pitiful end!" Vexana shouted from the rear, as she summoned more of those warriors as part of her own personal army. I had no time to even look at her; again, my body moves not from my will, but from hers...

It did not take too long for me to come across one of the Daemon Hunters, Alucard. Funnily enough, as his name is Dracula, the famed Vampire, in reverse. We had exchanged blows. Iron against Iron. Sword against Sword. But, it seemed that my strength, or maybe that of Vexana's, was too overwhelming for that man. He fell down just as fast as he had came to me.

'Please don't,' I thought to myself. I am no killer of innocents! I... I am not to touch my blade to that of an innocent, please, stop me!

But alas, not even my own words can touch this puppet body of mine. In one fell swoop, I thrust my blade downward. But rather than the ooze of blood, there was a spark... a large shield blocked my supposed lethal blow. It was Tigreal. His armour too thick for even the Oath Keeper to pierce, and his shield enough to deflect any and every attack I have, if it had not changed when I was resurrected.

It was then, I saw light. A chance to escape this cruel world! I just hope Tigreal and his blessed swords could release me from this... Despair. I only wish to accept and embrace Death- that of which is lighter than Despair...

"I've come to save you from this nightmare called life..." I spoke out, automatically. I guess even my words were not of my control, only my thoughts.

As Barbiel and I charged towards him, Tigreal looked hesitant. He really does care for me. Comrades, we are. Brothers in all but Blood, and we have kept our promise not to cross swords amidst the battlefield. I know that my Oath means everything to me, and I know that Tigreal respects that philosophy as well, but please, just this once, you damned fool- kill and end me now before I could kill you!

"I am sorry, my old friend," he said, but Barbiel and I halt not. He continued, "but I have come to end you!"

Our swords clashed with each other. My Oath Keeper versus his Holy Sword. Our little skirmish, I thought it would end with a single swipe of the blade, lasted far longer for my taste. I, with my conscience residing this cadaver of mine, felt no need to rest. On the other hand Tigreal was as tired as a near-dead man on the verge of collapse. He paused while I continued to be relentless.

'Move, Tigreal!'

But before I could land a fatal strike, I was thrown off of Barbiel, who too was struck down by my old friend... my gaze fell onto him, his shield. A bitter memory, that shield. Every time someone has the advantage, he always... always use that shield of his.

"Goodbye, Leomord," he said, sombre and full of regret. "i could not save you when you were alive, but I hope that this will put your rightful soul to rest."

In response to Tigreal, raised his sword, I closed my eyes. Oddly enough, it was still not of my bidding.

Finally, I can die in peace...

"Finally, I am Free..." I said, and this time, it was of my own volition.