Point-of-View: Azriel

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"G-get away from me, damn it!" I snarled as I whipped my claws across in desperation, but it was no use.

She effortlessly ducked under the swing of my arm, before driving her claws towards the middle of my body, eliciting a sharp cry of pain from me as her claws plunged into my stomach and burst out my back, as I coughed out blood with an agonized gasp.

I let out a gutteral roar as I drove my claws in towards either side of her head, but she was too fast, grabbing right arm with her tail and slicing off my left arm with her claws, before ripping off my right arm with a violent, powerful pull of her tail.

She then flung me away, sending me barreling through the air before my shoulder hit the ground and I skidded away painfully, coming to a screeching halt across the dirt.

Th-this can’t be happening, I...I can’t die like this!

She destroyed the Magic Item with the bulbs earlier, which would have lit up a bulb on each of the others’ Items...they’ve likely assumed that I’ve been defeated.

Except...a few seconds before she destroyed it, the device began ringing, which it was set to do if and when three bulbs light up. Which means, three of the others have been defeated or killed...and at this rate, I...I’m next!

I...I need to get away! I-I can’t defeat her, she’s too powerful! I-I refuse to die like this, damn it!

As I began to get back on my feet and scramble away, I froze as she came swooping down towards me at a blinding speed, slamming her feet onto the middle of my torso and driving me back down, blood bursting out of my mouth as her feet crushed my flesh and bones, before I stiffened up in pain as she plunged her claws into the middle of my chest.

She narrowed her eyes at me and let out an ominous, bone-chilling growl, before I felt an immense heat in my chest from her hand...n-no, not like this...!

I yelled in excruciating pain as Dragon Fire erupted inside my body, setting my insides ablaze and rapidly turning them to ash, thick streaks of smoke billowing out of my body as I howled in agony.

A violent shudder then erupted across my body as her flames reached my core, steadily burning through it.

N-no...no, no, no, no, NO, NO, NO!!! I...I don’t want to die! I-I can’t die! I am an Elder Vampire, I’m of the most superior beings in the entire world! S-so how...how is it that I’m about to die at the hands of some half-breed!?

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Point-of-View: Argent Stryker

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"Alright, the Contract is formed. How do you feel?" Came Frielektra’s voice from inside my head.

"Great, better than I’ve ever felt. Thank you, Frielektra. You saved my life," I responded gratefully, before adding as I turned my gaze towards Izzy, "Alright...now I need to figure out a way to stop her without getting killed in the process. Any ideas?"

"Sorry, but no...one of the Demons would be able to close her seal, but I’m afraid I don’t have the knowledge or ability to do so," She replied, as Izzy reduced the Elder Vampire to ash, leaving not even a single trace of him in sight.

"Okay, guess I’ve got to do this the hard way, then," I sighed, before tensing up as Izzy turned her attention this way, narrowing her eyes before walking over.

She was growling threateningly, the purple energy flowing out of her right eye ominously as she drew closer, while I warily backed away.

Suddenly, she came to a stop, her eyes widening slightly before her seal began to close up, the purple energy thinning out as the feral look on her face eased. 𝐟𝗿𝐞𝚎𝚠𝐞𝚋𝕟𝐨𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝕔𝕠𝚖

A dazed look appeared on her face as she then stumbled back slightly, lucidity reappearing in her eyes as she stared at me.

"A-Argent? You’re...you’re okay?"

"It seems her power boost has faded on its own. Evidently, seeing you alive and well was all she needed to snap out of it," Remarked Frielektra in surprise.

Yeah, I wasn’t expecting that...but thank goodness, I really didn’t want to fight her.

"Is...is this real? You’re really okay?" Uttered Izzy before she rushed over and leapt towards me, tackling me in a hug and knocking me down.

"Y-yeah, I’m fine, Izzy. And I’m glad you’re okay too...you did great," I replied with a smile.

"Hm...wait, you scent is kinda different."

"Well...I was about to die, but your mother saved me. She formed a Contract with me," I informed her.

"Huh? Really? I...I feel conflicted. I’m really, really happy that you’re alright, but I’ll never see her again. Wait, her consciousness is in you, right? Can she hear me?"

"Mhm, yeah, she can."

"Okay, then...thank you, mother. I’m so grateful...thank you for saving Argent," Smiled Izzy, tearing up with an emotional look on her face.

"May I switch with you? I would like to respond to her directly," Requested Frielektra.

Yeah, of course.

I then let her take control of my body, my consciousness sinking to the back as she took over.

"There is no need to thank me, Izzy. I did what I felt I needed to do, I have no regrets. And it’s not as if I’m gone, I am still here. I will watch over you through the eyes of Argent Stryker, and he will be able to use my powers to protect you," Smiled Frielektra, patting Izzy’s head.

"Thank you, I can’t put it into words how much this means to me. Although, um...it’s kinda weird hearing your speech patterns with Argent’s face and voice," Replied Izzy sheepishly.

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