A War Between Divided Nations

"I should be asking you that!" Jasmine nudged Sitka playfully, but lightly to make sure she didn't cause any pain. "Thank you, Sitka. I really mean it. If you weren't there... I would probably be dead right now." She smiled sadly, but was still grateful. "Many things have been bothering me lately... I hope you don't mind me talking about it all." She started walking again, to the forest. "You know that little teenage Vampire you and I tried to get information out of? I couldn't handle it because of how much he acted like Lyria. My little sister was always afraid, just like that boy. She was even afraid of the dark, and I saw her that day, dead on the battlefield. I don't know what came into me, I actually thought the boy was my sister, just by the way he acted. I imagined how afraid Lyria was of death, just like that Vampire. I...I became so soft, I couldn't stay. Then Palmiro came... That sick, sick Vampire." Her tone changed then, and her eyes blazed in hatred and hidden sadness. "He was my friend back in the day. He usually came to visit me in this camp when I felt lonely. When my father was away. I thought he was a good man, but... How I was betrayed... He used me as a puppet. He just wanted information from me, for one of his "tricks". I didn't change like Fausto did. I fought him back. I didn't want him to ruin my own life. I simply stopped seeing him. Even if he did approach me I ignored him, as if he was my own shadow. He still lingered and chased me. He said I would give in. I didn't, and I was left alone. But... A part of me still thinks he's the friend I knew... Perhaps he was even more than a friend in the past... But now, I can't see him the same again. I feel this hatred as soon as I imagine his face. He betrayed me. So I betrayed him." She sighed, her gaze falling to the ground. "Then there is Shadow. That mystery. He says things he doesn't even remember saying, and he has crows around him all the time... It seems that even he doesn't know why. It makes me frustrated, not knowing what's going on with the Vampires and Werewolves closest to me. Even Jade hasn't been completely normal... I just wish everything would be the same again. That there was no such thing as bad Vampires and Werewolves. Perhaps some wishes are too good to be true." She finished, looking back up at Sitka with sad blue eyes, then gazing around her surroundings. "I used to come here when I was sad. I always liked this area. The sun could fit perfectly between the gap in the canopy, the water is always at its clearest, and the grass is always perfectly green. Its almost as if the land wanted me to be happy when I came here, so it stayed like this." She smiled at the thought, but it was only a small twitch of the lips. "This is also where blood has spilled, and innocent victims were taken back to the Vampire Nation long ago..."
Palmiro smirked, and gradually rose to his feet next to the tree. "What about Snake? Don't you feel the slightest bit ashamed? Heartbroken?"
Jade growled softly, not allowing herself to feed Palmiro with the anger he wanted. "What do you think, Palmiro? Do you think I don't have a heart? That I don't have feelings? That I don't have a mind like you Vampires?" She questioned, her tone serious and almost motherly.
"Perhaps... You are very different to our kind, after all." The Vampire replied, placing a hand on his chin thoughtfully. "What about your family? I heard many stories about them."
"You be quiet now or I will slit your throat." Jade growled, her emerald eyes more wolf-like.
Palmiro smiled, finally receiving the type of response he wanted. "They wanted to change you, right? Because of who you are. An Undesirable. A Werewolf who cannot be accepted in their own Nation. You had to run away with Snake, otherwise you would have been killed. You almost died in the process."
"So? What's your point?" Jade asked and rose to her feet using the only strength she could muster from anger.
"I'm distracting you, Jade. Go back and check on Snake." He grinned, without mirth.
The Werewolf narrowed her eyes, anger and betrayal seeping into her expression. She ran back, draining most of the energy she had left. Jade collapsed halfway there, falling face-first to the ground.
"Do you want me to help you?" Palmiro asked Jade, offering a hand. His face was hidden in shadow, and his tone was hopeful, as if he was one of her best friends.
"Just leave me here. I don't even care anymore. Why should I bother?" She said after she rolled onto her back, her nose bleeding slightly, and her pale skin tinted with red sprinkled with dirt.
Palmiro grabbed her hand and supported most of her weight on his shoulders. He wrapped one of Jade's arm around his neck, allowed her to walk herself, but he had to carry her like that, for Jade could barely move. "What's with that attitude? It would be a bad idea to stay out in the open for long."
Jade couldn't shake herself free. She was as limp as a ragdoll. "You know others are coming, don't you?"
"That's another way to put it." He said and carried her back.
The crows around Shadow were cawing. Loudly. However, as Shadow listened closely, he realized they weren't just caws anymore. There were voices.
"What do you do, Shadow?!"
"You made a pact with a ghost?!"
"You know the consequences, don't you?!"
"How stupid can you be?!"
Shadow groaned, and sat up on his branch slowly. "Shut up! I can hear you guys, you know!"
"Oh, right!"
"I'm sorry, Shadow!"
"He can hear us now because of what he did."
"More like what he said."
"That's not quiet." Shadow mumbled, and hoped off the branch. He decided to go for a little stroll. Perhaps clear his mind. He didn't recall his dream, only the saying: Blood for blood. Whatever that meant.

"You're a Hybrid." Jasmine said, meeting his gaze. "That would be the only reason why you asked that question. I'm glad you told me." She added, and looked at her surroundings once more. "The crows came out earlier than they usually do. Years before they came here at about the same month, the same time. They are out about a month earlier, just to gather around Shadow, it seems." The Vampire shook her head, her expression hidden in shadow. "My sister couldn't protect herself, Sitka. She must have been so afraid..." She sat down then, allowing her feet to touch the little stream that passed by. "I've been becoming so soft lately. I used to be fearless and confident... But now I'm this." Jasmine sighed, and twirled her finger in a patch of green grass to distract herself. "A pathetic warrior who only thinks about her past."
"Palmiro, why are you helping me?" Jade asked him, still limp in his grip.
He turned his head to look at her for a moment, a grin curving up his visage. "Perhaps it's a repayment. Perhaps it's a gift. Perhaps it's nothing at all."
"Perhaps it is one of your tricks." The Werewolf added, narrowing her green eyes.
"Perhaps." He finished, his red eyes twinkling in glee. As soon as he reached the camp, he wasn't surprised to see Shadow around the corner. Palmiro simply set Jade down and ran off, back into the forest. A crow cawed after him, but didn't follow.
"What happened, Jade?" Shadow asked, picking Jade back up like Palmiro did. She was completely limp, Shadow realized, but still breathing.
"Jade saw Palmiro."
"He helped her."
"He brought her back."
"Brought her back here."
The four birds seemed to like chatting, and it annoyed the Vampire entirely. "Shut up and let her speak."
Jade raised an eyebrow at Shadow, for it seemed that he was talking to the crows, which were just cawing loudly and fluttering around him. "Palmiro helped bring me back here. He could have killed me. He said I should check up on Snake."
"Keep her away from him!"
"She would be heartbroken!"
"She wouldn't be able to forgive him!"
"All because of what Snake did!"
"I'm sorry I can't do that." Shadow said, and carried her back to an empty tent.
"What? Why?" Jade almost sounded betrayed and sad. Her green eyes shimmered in suspicion.
Shadow only shook his head, and he walked to Snake's tent. He saw a glimpse of a blonde-haired female Vampire, one he could almost recognize. Shadow walked inside Snake's tent and crossed his arms. "What did you do?" He asked, his eyes lacking most of their color and shine. They almost appeared fake, like a doll's plastic eyes. "Jade was saved by Palmiro. He brought her back here. She had no energy left in her. She can barely move. How would you react if she died out there, Snake? Would you even care?" Anger seeped into his voice, like he was scolding a child. "Of course not. You were too busy with another girl." Shadow spat, and walked away.
"Were those your words, Shadow?"
"Or was that someone else speaking?"
"Was it one of us?"
"Was it the crow's pact?"
He gazed at his shoulder and realized the crow was no longer perched on it. The crow was sitting on his branch, simply watching from afar. "Those were my words, you stupid crows."

Jasmine's eyes widened in surprise, but she stayed calm. "I miss having a beating heart..." She mumbled, her eyes turning blue. "I don't know, Sitka. Probably not a normal poison from a Vampire." The Vampire said, her hand lingering on his chest for a moment longer than intended. Her face reddened slightly, but it faded away quickly. "Most people thought I was born as a Vampire, but I was a fresh, pure human when I was born. I lived near a sea..." She trailed off, struggling to remember. "As soon as I talk about it I seem to forget." Jasmine shook her head, deeply saddened at the thought. "I don't remember who bit me either. I only remember the feeling of emptiness when my heart stopped beating..." She sighed, and tried to smile. "You're lucky. You didn't have to go through the pain I went through. Perhaps you have a different type of poison in your blood. Maybe from a strong Werewolf."
"Stop! What are you doing?! You can't just-!"
"Oh, look who's arguing against us. Your highness, I'm sorry, but this needs to be done."
"Needs to be done, eh? What needs to be done?! This isn't going to solve anything!"
"Fighting back won't solve anything? Look, Efren. What do you see?"
"A bloody war. The Werewolves are still attacking."
"Now, I know you are my second-hand man, but what makes you have the right to object my orders?"
"I exist, Vince."
"You remember my name. My, that's actually threatening."
"It is my role to make sure everything you're doing is right, sir."
"No. You think I'm a joke."
"Vince, did I ever say that?"
"Stop calling me that. No one calls me by my name anymore."
"The grand leader of this entire Nation, I still need to make sure you are not making a fatal mistake."
"What will you do, Efren? Kick me out? Write sneaky orders behind my back? I have eyes behind my head. I know exactly what you're doing."
"Oh? What will I do then?"
"Efren, you need to keep your distance. I've been questioning your services lately."
"What are you trying to accomplish with this? Do you enjoy seeing blood scatter? Do you want the world to be painted red with blood? Do you want bodies to litter the ground? Do you want them to be treated like useless pawns?"
"Ah, you've been playing chess, haven't you?"
"There's a reason why the king cannot move like the queen, Vince."
"Is there really? Or is it because they want the game to be harder and more enjoyable?"
"It's because the king is always doomed to fall. One or the other."
"The king is the most important piece, of course. It is always targeted."
"Do you ever see the king doing all the work? Does the king risk his life, Vince?"
"Efren, I'm tired of this conversation. Just give the orders already."
"Do you know why the queen has the most mobility?"
"Why, your highness?"
"Because the queen is willing to risk her life. She dedicated her life to her husband. Once the queen is taken, she is forgotten."
"Because the queen-less side knows they're going to lose."
"Wrong yet again, Vince. She was just another distraction, formulated from the king's mind. The game still continues without the queen, yes?"
"Where are you going with this?"
"Until the king dies. The game continues on. It doesn't matter how many we take. If two kings are left, then two kings are left. The game continues. It would only be a tango until one gives up. Vince, you need to stop."
"Give the orders or I will fling you out of this window."
"Do it. I'm just a useless queen anyway."
Glass shattered violently in the room, and the Vampire fell out of the massive building. The Vampire knew he would survive the fall, he was a strong man. Being the High Vampire and all, he had to be strong mentally and physically. He fell onto a building, breaking through the ceiling and fracturing a few walls. He cracked his back into place and limped through the house. His body ached, but not as much as his fury burned. All of this was seen in the eyes of a crow.
Shadow was angry. He was frustrated. He was surprised. The crow flew back onto his shoulder, and the four other crows left him alone, still chatting to themselves as they fluttered over to his tent in the trees. "Okay, I get it. The whole "pact" thing. What happened to me, though? Am I insane? Is this all in my head?"
"Why did you accept, Shadow? That is my question."
He shook his head, unsure himself. "I thought it would be the right decision."
The crow ruffled its feathers and gazed at the Vampire. "I will tell you the advantages and disadvantages of this. You have another life, Shadow. If you successfully complete the pact, you will be free from us, and the spirit world entirely. You will be guaranteed a happy afterlife, free from Limbo. However, if you don't complete it, you will be just like me. If someone else kills the Vampire who killed me, you would be stuck with me. If I am hurt, you will be hurt. If you die, I will take over. I cannot die, but you will feel my death."
"I already felt your pain before." Shadow commented, raising an eyebrow.
"That's because of what you did for me when you remembered my names and stories."
Shadow nodded and walked back to camp. He was walking along the border after the dispute with his brother. Deciding he needed some time alone to sort out his confusion. "I don't even know who I need to kill."
"You will find out, Shadow. Especially when you see him."
Shadow found Jade sleeping in the tent he set her in, completely silent. He walked away and sat back on his favorite branch. He saw Fausto in the distance, and he didn't look happy.

"You would know if it happened to you, Sitka. I wish I was weak and vulnerable. I wish I didn't feel hollow." Jasmine said, hugging her sides. "Sure, I may heal quickly and survive a couple of bullets, but it doesn't change how I feel. Most Vampires don't remember what it was like to be a human. I remember very clearly. It was wonderful. Peaceful. I wish I could have stayed that way." She sighed, trying to rid her sadness. "The stupid war changed everything. Humans -as far as I know- are extinct because of the preparations for it. As soon as a human was seen, a Vampire would run and tackle it without thinking twice. I've been told many stories of those days. It was like the many stories my mother told me to stay out of the woods. Only it was all too real." Her gaze fell to the little stream by her feet. She admired the clearness and beauty of it for only a moment. Jasmine's sorrow was simply overpowering. "I guess there are pros and cons about being a Vampire. Mostly cons, in my opinion."
Fausto approached Shadow, a frown deep on his visage. "Shadow, can I talk to you?"
"Sure." He replied and jumped off the branch. "What is it?"
"Is something wrong, Shadow? Are those crows bugging you?" Fausto asked, extremely curious.
"They have always been bugging me." He said gravely, the crow on his shoulder gazing at him with its beady eyes. "Very noisy things."
"Are you going to tell him about your dreams?" Asked the crow, ruffling its feathers.
Fausto crossed his arms and raised an eyebrow, not appearing satisfied with the answer.
Shadow shook his head at the bird and also at Fausto. He wanted to say something like: "I need to go now." or "I don't know what else to say." but instead something entirely different came out of his mouth. "I've been having strange dreams recently, to be completely honest. It's always about these crows around me, but I don't know why..." Shadow covered his mouth to prevent himself from saying anything more. The crow on his shoulder was still staring at him, only this time its eyes gleamed with mirth.
Fausto sighed, his red gaze falling to the ground. "Figures... Why don't you tell us these things?" He paused, already knowing the answer to his question. "Trust, right?"
Shadow didn't want to nod, but he did.
"You know, trust isn't worth that much to me, but it should be worth more to you. I guess I'll talk to you later." Fausto said and walked off, still with the same frown on his face.
"Don't let your sadness control you, Fausto." Shadow replied, only it wasn't his words. He gazed at the bird once Fausto was far enough away. "Why did you do that?!"
"I could and I thought it was for the better."
"He thinks I'm insane!" He protested against the bird, his eyes blazing in anger.
The crow shook its head. "That's not true, and you know that. He was concerned, not afraid."
Shadow couldn't say anything else, his mouth only opened and closed like a fish out of its bowl. Then he finally said: "Fine." and walked back to the tent in the trees.

Jasmine smiled, and this time it lingered on her visage. "Okay." She replied, and stayed where she was, admiring the scenery around her. She enjoyed the silence for once. For a long time there was nothing but constant chatter and arguing. It was nice to get away from that.
Palmiro jumped over a river, knowing Snake was near. "It's a shame, Snake. That me, out of all people saved Jade. I knew she wasn't dead when you told me that lie, but I never even cared. I was just curious if the rumours were true to begin with. I know you see me as an enemy, that much is clear. What about Jade? Who is she to you?" He talked to the water, genuinely wondering if Snake could hear his words. He was rather loud, so it could be possible. "Perhaps you should talk to Shadow about it. He didn't look happy." He finished and ran off, having business to attend to. Chaos was centered around the Vampire Nation, and Palmiro didn't want to miss the spectacular sight. As he ran closer to the heart of the Nation, he collided into Efren, a High Vampire. "Oh, nice to see you!" He said warmly and almost sarcastically.
"I don't want to hear it, Palmiro." He stood back up, still limping slightly as he walked.
"My, what happened to you?" Palmiro asked, still following the Vampire.
Efren glared at Palmiro with red eyes full of anger. "I was thrown out of the main palace, the highest floor. Now shoo. I'm not in the mood."
"I have a feeling we could have been good friends, but you always spoiled my fun."
"Everything happens for a reason, Palmiro. Your definition of "fun" is quite morbid." He replied simply, and continued walking as if Palmiro wasn't even there.
"Where are you going now?"
"Away from you." Efren said and sprinted away as fast as he could with one fully functional leg. Now he was in the slums of the Nation, a place no one wants to go. He was here for a reason. "Sitka's shadow, I need you to pass a message." He said urgently and quietly, making sure no one was around. "It's important."
The crows around Shadow cawed, taking off quickly and loudly in a symphony of flaps. "What's happening?" He asked the crow on his shoulder, raising an eyebrow.
"The war has started again and the Vampire Nation is falling apart. Just see for yourself."
In the eyes of a bird, looking down at the Nation he saw Werewolves and Vampires merging together in one big cluster, he heard the gunshots of many guns and the screams of many victims. Blood was everywhere, making his skin crawl. The vision was much clearer than before, revealing everything in horrifyingly crisp detail. The image slowly vanished, and Shadow could see out of his own eyes again. "They're all Desirables."
"A Vampire there is my killer. He is in extreme danger and will probably die soon if you don't go."

"War has begun. The Werewolves are attacking the heart of the city once more. We no longer have any silver bullets, and I refused to give orders. I'm afraid we have to kill in self-defense, however, it would only make the war far worse. The grand leader of this Nation almost killed me, his closest assistant. He wants war. He's feeding on it as if is a lovely game. I tried to convince him, you see, but I was defenestrated. The army is not cooperating with us, and the best way to come to terms is for the Undesirables to help us. Perhaps it will open the Desirables' eyes, for once. Please, do not miss this opportunity. The Nation will fall apart if we are left alone. The leader wants that." He nodded his thanks to Sitka's shadow and exited the darkness. He was back at the slums. "Hurry." Efren said, and ran off, still limping slightly. He knew exactly what to do. He approached an army of soldiers, and held out his hands. "Stop! All of you! The leader only wants you to risk your lives and die out on the field! If you obey his orders he will only watch you all come to your demise! He wants bloodshed, don't you see?!"
"Efren, I appreciate your alarm, but orders are orders. We cannot simply call it off ourselves." Called one of the guards in a gruff, stern voice.
"Oh, so now you're puppets?! Only the leader can puppeteer your sorry limbs to your own death?! Look, we need to back up our forces. The Werewolves will leave sooner or later. If you really want, you can protect the leader. Although, what has he done for us?"
"Efren, you were defenestrated for a reason. Please, we need to do our jobs."
"This army didn't answer my question!" He hissed, his eyes shining brightly in anger.
"Sir, he has protected our lives! He has given us a home, sir! He has given us money when we needed it most, sir!" He was yelling at Efren, as if he was his commander. The rest of the army agreed.
Efren raised an eyebrow, a frown creasing on his visage. "He has tricked you all, hasn't he? You protected your own lives, men. You always had a home to go to, and you always had the money you needed. So what, exactly, has the leader done for us?"
"Sir, we cannot let this linger any longer! We have to move! Orders are orders, and we cannot disobey!"
"What will one king do to you, eh? It's only ourselves you need to worry about! Think about chess, men. The king can hardly do anything except chase pawns or run away. Even the pawns would win a fight against the king. It's just a matter of teamwork." He glared at each and every soldier, each of them for an equal second. "The king didn't kill me. Not yet. I've seen the battle ahead, men. You aren't needed, there's already enough soldiers in battle."
Shadow didn't know what to do. He didn't want to go without the group, but he didn't see anyone in sight. He ran. He ran as fast as he could. He saw a glimpse of Fausto and Snake for a moment, but he couldn't stop. He simply hoped they would follow.
"Shado-" Fausto was cut off by seeing him sprint by without saying a word. "Wait, what are you doing?!"
Jade finally woke up. She still felt tired and drained, but she could at least move around. The Werewolf walked out of the tent and saw a glimpse of Shadow running into the foliage. She squinted her green eyes to make sure it wasn't an illusion. She wasn't hallucinating. Everything was far too real. She heard Fausto's voice float to her ears, although she didn't quite catch what he said. Jade rubbed her eyes and started to walk into the forest, curiousity getting the best of her.

"What is happening, then?" Jade looked up at Snake, her eyes shimmering in many emotions. "Why is he leaving?"
Fausto shook his head, returning back to Jade and Snake. His gaze lingered on Snake, his expression impassive. "He's up to nothing good. It's better for you to stay here. You look exhausted."
"B-But..." She trailed off, her visage almost appearing hurt. Then it changed and hardened, more focused than before. "I need to know." As soon as those words flew out of her mouth, a crow fluttered over to her shoulder. An image took over her vision. She was high above the scene, almost like looking down from a skyscraper. There were many tiny ants, some Werewolves and Vampires. They were fighting, and the Vampires were struggling. The Vampires started to attack one another in the chaos, biting and tearing their own kind. The Werewolves were bloodthirsty, headstrong. Their forces were unrelenting and fearless, while the Vampires were quite the contrary. It was clear who would lose. The image then vanished, and Jade coughed and sputtered. Once she looked on her shoulder again, the crow was gone. "War... The Werewolves..." She glanced at the Nation, which peeked through the foliage, appearing menacing and vast. Jade could swear she heard the screams of the victims from the war.
Fausto sighed and crossed his arms. "Are you going to tell Jade, Snake?"
"I already know about her..." Jade muttered, her gaze falling to the ground. She felt the pain once more. The internal pain on her heart. It was a dull pain, but it lingered continuously, gradually becoming more and more painful. Was it betrayal? Was it jealousy? The Werewolf didn't know.
"Did I forget to mention we are killing ourselves? Or own kind? We have enough men on the field, only they are too distracted with themselves. Fear and trust are our new enemies. Learn that well. If you want to join them, I won't stop you. I can't stop you. Only you can make the right decision yourself."
"The Undesirables and the Werewolves are our enemies, Efren. We are brave and trustworthy." The same soldier replied to the High Vampire, only slightly less sure of himself.
"Oh really, Greyheart? You believe that? Then go ahead and see for yourself. See the destruction. I can't stop you if that is your verdict."
Greyheart sauntered over to the battlefield, a few others following close behind him. Their eyes widened, deeply terrified of the image. "I-Is this real? T-This can't be real..." He breathed, his mouth slightly open. He shook his head, trying to regain focus. "They need us out there."
"Really? Or are they going to kill you?" Efren asked Greyheart, standing behind him with anger visible in his red eyes.
In front of them remained piles of bodies, scattered throughout the field like sprinkles on a cupcake. Blood and guts were everywhere, and a rotten smell consumed the atmosphere. Even a blind person would run away, already imaging the images far too vividly. The wolves were covered in blood, most of their pelts shiny and flat with thick coats of crimson. Their canines were bared, still dripping with Vampire blood. Every now and then a silence echoed throughout the battle, then a short scream followed, a few wails and bellows, lastly laughter followed. A bone-chilling, sickening laughter. The process was repeated, as if it was a sacred order. The Vampires were wild, some lingering by the sides of fallen comrades, accepting their fate, others still attacking their own kind, biting at their flesh fiercely like an animal. All of the Vampire's eyes were bleak, like mist covered their sight. It appeared they were blind, but in the darkness, the redness of their iris' illuminated their crazed faces brightly. Their fangs were long and red with blood from their own kind, the Werewolves, or both. The two forces were still fighting, but the Vampires were giving up. As Efren said, they were too busy with themselves.
"I-I don't know..." Greyheart shivered, backing away slowly and running into Efren. He turned around swiftly, his expression full of fear.
The High Vampire touched the soldier's face, almost covering Greyheart's head entirely with his thin and lanky hand. "Is that fear I see, Greyheart?"
"N-No!" He shoved the hand off his face, and stomped off into the battlefield. He disappeared in the shadows, and a blood-curdling scream followed.
"Greyheart... You were always such a coward... Now, did you all get the hint?" He asked the army, and quickly realized no one was with him. None of the soldiers ran into the battlefield except Greyheart. Everyone else ran off, full of fear. Fear was good sometimes, Efren noted, because it gives Vampires a sense of logic. However, too much makes a coward, and too little creates a fool. The Vampire didn't know which was worse, nor did he care. His job was done, and he succeeded. That's all that mattered.
Shadow knew exactly where to go, oddly enough. He ran to the heart of the Nation, avoiding the battle as much as possible. As he ran, he had to dodge the Werewolves, and surprisingly, the Vampires as well. None of them were his targets, so he continued looking. Where the battle surrounded was a castle, and Shadow entered it quickly and silently. He had to climb the old bricks and smash a window, but he managed nicely. No guards were in sight, however, he did find Efren (Efren had entered when he found the time after his "mission". He always had keys to the castle). "Efren. You were the one who did nothing while I died. You simply sat and watched." Shadow's eyes narrowed, which were now blazing a cold blue. The Vampire tried to speak his own words, but he felt constricted in a way. Strangled. He couldn't do anything to regain his control.
"The Vampire with many names... What are you doing in his body?" Efren asked, unamused.
"He graciously accepted this fate. I'm honestly quite surprised he cooperated so well. It is such a shame you don't remember my true name."
Efren frowned and crossed his arms. "A couple of decades after you died your name slipped my tongue, and it seemed that you disappeared from my thoughts. It was strange, really. Does this man know who you were?"
Shadow shook his head, only he wasn't controlling it. A much stronger force was. "I can't tell anyone that information anymore. My stories cannot be told using my own voice. Shadow still has his ears. You can tell him."
"You're controlling a living soul? I can't believe that." Efren said, his eyes widening slightly. "You used to be the living ruler of another entirely different Nation. The humans. The Pure-Bloods."
"Sol." Shadow squeaked, his own voice finally coming through.
"Sol." Efren said, almost as if he was tasting the word, judging it by flavor. "Yes, that's his name. Sol's blood was poisoned with a Vampire bite. He slowly died, and lived again with corrupted blood."
Avoid the corruption... Shadow... The thought buzzed in his mind, nagging him in a way.
"You were shamed upon, then. Forced to feed on your own kind. The Corruption was one of your names... The Pure-Blood... The Forgiving... The Betrayed... The Greedy... The Afraid... And so many others." Efren added, in deep thought.
"The Lost. That was one of my most common names. Very few call me Sol, or The Sun. Shadow told my stories. He remembered me long ago. I think he still remembers." Sol said, using Shadow's voice.
"Perhaps. My question is... Why don't you want to kill me? I watched you die, Sol."
"You also helped me live again."

Jasmine gazed at Sitka as he passed, worry shining in her eyes. She stood quickly, pausing for a moment to think. The Vampire ran back to camp, grabbing her father's hunting rifle which was always in his tent. Then, she heard a gunshot nearby. It banged loud in her ears. I need to protect my family... She thought and ran to the noise. "Now, remember, Jaz. Keep your target in sight... Keep your elbows straight... Keep your aim steady... Aim and..." His father's words echoed in her head as she approached a Vampire, who was holding a gun in his hands. Bodies were sprawled underneath him, limp and lifeless. "Fire." She pulled the trigger, and a bullet hit right in the middle of his forehead, tearing his flesh and damaging his brain. The Desirable slowly fell to the ground, his back the first to make impact. His face was disfigured and almost unrecognizable.
"That's my Jaz." Jasmine's father was behind her, holding a new gun in his hands. "For the Nation."
Jasmine nodded as she heard the footsteps of an army approach them. Each of their steps were in perfect unison. "Warn the others. The defenseless need to run, while the armed needs to defend. I will be fine. Return quickly." She said sternly and quietly, her blue eyes focused and determined. Her father ran back and returned with a few more fighters. The rest already ran, luckily. Some were hiding in the trees, others were deep into the forest.
Jade heard two gunshots nearby, and the calls of many Undesirables. "Forget it, Snake. There's something more important to worry about." She said grimly and gazed at her surroundings, looking for the opposition.
Fausto glanced at Snake, almost in sympathy. "She's right. We need to defend the FireWolf Nation."
"I know who you're looking for, Sol. Follow me." Efren said, beckoning for him to follow. He walked up the many stairs, which curled in lovely circles to the very top. He unlocked the massive door after he knocked three times. "Hello. I brought a visitor."
"Who could it possibly be..? Oh, this little fellow?" He laughed when his red gaze fell to Shadow. "Efren, I thought I gave you a hint by throwing you out of the window." The Vampire added, his gaze narrowing and his tone lowering.
"Oh, Vince. How are you doing? Resting in that lovely chair of yours, watching your own men die? What do you see now? They are being assisted by Undesirables, are they not? Doesn't that make you slightly shameful? Doesn't it hurt you in any way?" Sol was questioning, hiding behind Shadow's own voice. "Do you remember me?"
Vince stood, rising slowly to his feet. "The Lost's words. Why are you here?"
Shadow's blue eyes narrowed as he crossed his arms. "What do you think? You poisoned my blood. You killed me. Twice. I still don't have closure. Even if I kill you once, the job won't be done." Shadow tensed as he heard those words, the argument was stifled by Sol's power. The Vampire could only think what he was going to say. You tricked me, Sol.
"Oh, poor man. He will be stuck with you for a while, won't he?" At this Vince grinned, finding it rather humourous. "He should be called The Betrayed, not you."
Efren was tired of Vince's chatter. "We aren't here for a pleasant conversation. We're here for a repayment."
"Blood for blood." Shadow and Sol said in unison, but it still sounded the same.
Vince smiled, sitting back down on his throne, his elbows and hands resting on the table in front of him. "The Lost, you only need to kill this other soul and you will be fine. You will be a genuine Vampire. You will be living again."
"Stop..." Shadow squealed, but Sol regained control once more. "That's not what I want, Vince!"
"He's pretty strong, you know? He can almost speak his own words." The Vampire was so calm he might as well be drinking tea with the two others.
"That's not the point!" Sol hissed, projecting anger through Shadow. "You know why I'm here!"
Vince nodded, his gaze lowering to his hands. "Yes, I do. Go ahead and try with that weak body of yours."
Shadow could feel anger quell up inside of him, it was both his and Sol's. "I was stuck in Limbo because of you! Even death won't free my anger! I need to ask you one question, Vince, before I will kill you. Why me?! Why did you do this to me?!"
Vince grinned. It was a wide grin, spreading from ear to ear. "I thought it was what you wanted."
"You filthy liar." Shadow spat uncontrollably, his blue eyes glowing with rage. "I led a wonderful, peaceful Nation. I never wanted to drink blood from my own kind."
"You did when you turned."
"You destroyed my Nation... Why?"
"I despise humans. That is all."

"Jade, get out of here, now!" Jasmine yelled over her shoulder, her voice loud with fury and adrenaline. She aimed skillfully at approaching Vampires, killing them quickly with one bullet to the head. At times she missed, but she fired again and made contact. "There's more coming, and there's chaos out there!"
Jade spun around to see Jasmine, holding a rifle steadily in her hands. She wanted to object, but she knew Snake and Jasmine were right. She gazed at Snake, sadness shimmering in her green eyes brilliantly. "Be careful, please..." The Werewolf ran off, using the energy she had left. Fausto followed, knowing Jade would need protection if anything decided to attack her.
"Oh, really? Why do you hate them so much?" Sol asked, approaching Vince slowly, leaning onto the table the leader rested his hands on.
Vince shook his head. "They ruined my life. They have beaten me in the streets when I was a little boy. Some days I came home late because of them. When I came home, my father scolded me for my late arrivals. Even he wanted to beat me at times. My mother yelled at me every day for doing something wrong. No matter what it was... So yes, I hate humans. They were terrible creatures." He tried to keep it as brief as possible, making it less hard on himself.
"Everything happens for a reason, Vince." Efren said, standing in the corner of the room, almost completely hidden in shadow. He lingered away from the windows, just for comfort.
The Vampire patted his fingers on the table impatiently. "So I was destined this fate? So I had to be beaten for a reason? I was a little, innocent kid back then. I didn't do anything to them."
Shadow was giving up wasting his energy to regain control, so he allowed Sol to continue without question. "Vince, I'm done with this discussion." He jumped onto the table and grabbed his neck, slowly lifting him from off his chair. Vince struggled in Sol's grip, squirming and gasping for air like a fish out of water.
"Is... this your strength, The Lost, or is... it the Vampire's?" Vince rasped, pausing for air he couldn't get.
"Perhaps it is both of us. Perhaps it is me. Or maybe it is Shadow."
"Shadow... Do you want to... Kill me?" He asked, now scraping Shadow's hands with his nails, trying to pry them open like a canned good.
Shadow was able to regain control for a moment. He simply shook his head, his blue eyes focused on Vince. "I am doing what's necessary." Then his control disappeared, and his grip on the man strengthened slightly.
"You will be stuck with The Lost either way... Killing me... Won't do anything..."
Sol flung him across the room quickly and silently. Vince skidded on the tiled floor, almost like a flat rock on water. First his shoulder hit the ground, cracking a few tiles, then he rolled back into the air, his back hitting a brick wall near the entrance of the room. It was still a loud impact, cracking some bricks, forming dust from the mortar that appeared like a thin mist. Vince's expression was impassive as he gradually stood back on his feet. He cracked his shoulder back into place, swiftly and almost painlessly. He tackled Shadow before he could approach him again; sending him back to his own table. The table broke as if it was only a sheet of paper. Vince grabbed the leg of the table and stabbed Shadow in the chest once before he grabbed it and flung it out of his grasp. "Enough of this!" Sol bellowed, and grabbed Vince once more by the neck when he was able to stand. He slowly walked to the edge of the room, where a broken window remained. Shadow felt weaker, but he was still able to hold Vince by using both hands. The war went on below, and the Vampire's feet were dangling over nothing but air. "Goodbye, Vince." With as much strength he could muster, Shadow threw him downwards, making him hit the ground at an amazing speed. Vince's bones collapsed on themselves, some of his flesh was exposed, and blood surrounded him like an aura. Like an egg, everything inside of Vince was splattered around him, almost making his body completely unrecognizable.
"Are you satisfied, Sol?" Efren asked, now hovering behind Shadow.
"No. He didn't suffer as much as I did. Who is going to take the throne?"
"No one good. His sister."
Shadow shook his head, and pain finally stabbed him. He flinched, holding his wound with his hands. "Are you okay, Efren? You knew Vince rather well." Sol asked, slightly curious.
"He has changed... I don't mind." Efren's eyes were still red as he lowered his gaze. "Are you sure you don't have a quarrel with me?"
Shadow nodded, his blue eyes twinkling with hidden sadness. "I am certain. Your woes even out." He said and started to exit the castle.

"Sitka..." Jasmine muttered, then realization hit her as she saw the silver sword. "Sitka!" He fell to the ground. A rage burned in her. A fiery rage. She let yet another one of her kind fall. Someone she knew. Someone she talked to just a couple of minutes ago. Now he was dead. Truly dead.
"He really meant something to you, didn't he?" Palmiro lingered beside Jasmine, his hand resting on her shoulder.
"Palmiro... Give me one reason why I shouldn't put a bullet through your face."
"You only have one bullet left, Jasmine. Why waste it on me? You can end your misery here. No longer see this war. You won't feel any more pain. Don't you want that?"
Jasmine gazed at Palmiro, but didn't turn her head. The rifle in her hand became heavy, as if she finally realized it was there. She frowned and nodded at Palmiro's question. "I do..." She muttered quietly, almost inaudible to Palmiro's ears. "So don't be sad okay?" Sitka's words echoed through her head, and she looked back at Sitka, who lied on the ground, motionless. Dead. "Okay."
Palmiro backed away as Jasmine raised her gun. He was convinced he actually motivated her to put an end to her own life. However, he was proved wrong when the gun was pointed to his own head.
Jasmine laughed and poked Palmiro's head with the barrel of the gun. "You actually thought I would do it? You actually thought I would kill myself because of all of this?" She motioned to her surroundings, a happy smile on her face. "You're joking. It takes a lot more to convince me."
"So are you going to kill me?" Palmiro asked, almost fearful of Jasmine now.
She shook her head. "I will put this bullet into better use. You can continue suffering." Jasmine said and ran to Sitka. "No... No... You are not dead. You are not dead!" She sat down next to him and shook his shoulders, almost as if she was trying to wake him up from a deep sleep. "Please Sitka..." She gazed around her, noticing a Werewolf about to tackle her. As soon as the wolf jumped, Jasmine swatted it away, using her arm as a bat as if it was baseball. She heard ribs crack, and it scurried away when it was able to get back on its paws. "You can't die like this! Come on..." She placed a hand on his chest, and her eyes widened when she didn't feel his bizarre heartbeat. She kept her hand there, and sadness consumed her. "How can I be happy? You... You are dead..." Jasmine dropped her rifle next to her and placed her free hand on Sitka's cheek. She leaned over his face, a sad smile creeping up her visage. "I'm sorry..." The Vampire said and kissed him very gently and slowly, as if Sitka was as fragile as glass. She sat back up straight, quickly looking at her surroundings. It seemed that the battle dispersed, or moved to a different location. She saw Shadow approaching her, his blue eyes illuminating his emotionless face.
"He's not completely dead yet, Jasmine. He said simply and sat next to her, gazing at Sitka's wounds.
"How do you know that, Shadow?" She asked him, her voice thinning and slowly becoming weaker.
"I'm not Shadow. I'm Sol, and I'm already dead. I can sense when another soul moves on. Shadow has been bothering you a while, yes? He hasn't told you what he has been experiencing?"
Jasmine nodded, locking eyes with Sol. His eyes were different. Bluer than a usual Vampire's eyes. However, she was certain he was one. He couldn't be a Werewolf.
Sol nodded, placing a hand on Sitka's wound. "Shadow has been playing with spirits lately. When he dreams, he is stuck in Limbo. He sees ghosts, and his previous deaths. He needs to cross a bridge to move on, only, it's broken. He made a pact with me, a spirit that can't move on, thinking that he could cross the bridge if he completed the pact. The pact is impossible to complete. I cannot take my revenge on my killer, for he killed me twice, and I can only kill him once. I tricked him, but it was either him or no one. Do you understand?"
"Yes." She said, and looked back at Sitka. "Can you help him?"
"I can prevent his spirit from moving on, which will buy you some time. If his wounds heal fast enough, he might survive."