A Banished Land

They fall on us in five to one odds, wielding bows, blades, claws and fangs. Blood flows from our foes in torrents and with every one we kill another either takes his place or wounds us. I take an arrow to the left thigh and eviscerate a vampire that’s rushing me with only a dagger. The smell of blood and death becomes overwhelming and I can feel myself becoming lost in its rhythm.

I slowly begin to forget my sword, moving fluidly with the fray of battle. Blood sprays in my face from a severed artery and I struggle to stay in control of my actions. A dark and powerful hunger seems to move inside me. The dagger jutting from my forearm seems less painful. My body cries out to rend flesh from bone, not with my blade, but with my fangs.

I step around a swordsman and catch his wrist, plunge my blade deep into his stomach as he screams out in pain. A groan goes up from behind me as the gate begins to open. The rest of Haven’s army begins to pour into Citadel like a flood washing over the land. Men clash with beasts and blades sever claws as vampires and werewolves throw themselves against one another.

Simon’s half of the army smashes into the opposite side of Citadel’s army. I catch a glimpse of John facing down a werewolf on his own. He ducks under ferocious swipes of its claws before bringing his blade up, splitting it from stomach to chest with a gut wrenching howl. I manage to fight my way to him and we stand back to back slashing and stabbing at anything that comes too close.

A werewolf claws me across the arm, causing me to drop my sword. With an inhuman roar I rip the dagger from my arm and bury it in the neck of the werewolf, twisting it until hot blood gushes forth. A vampire rushes me, and I punch him in the face so hard that I feel his cheekbone break, as well as two of my fingers. The alien feeling of losing control begins to worm its way into me, moving me where I do not wish to go.

I grip his throat with my good hand and pull him close, sinking my fangs into the soft flesh of his neck. Blood fills my mouth and I shove him away. He staggers back, eyes wild with the realization that his life is slipping between his fingers. Gritting my teeth and reset my broken fingers and they begin to heal as I hurry back to John.

Luna has joined our circle as I pick up my sword and slash out at two vampires in front of me. One leans back, narrowly escaping the hiss of my blade. The other is not so fortunate. Haven’s army has managed to force its way deeper into the city surrounding a large portion of Victor’s thinning army. I hesitate long enough to realize that the men in front of me are allies.

“Ivan, are you well,” Luna asks cautiously.

I hear Luna’s words, but I can’t seem to comprehend them. My body cries out for blood, for the rush of battle. This is nothing like being a berserker when I was human, this is a hunger. Luna steps forward and touches me lightly on the arm. I flinch as a soldier rushes Luna. I push her aside and bat his sword away, tackling him to the ground. I attack him uncontrollably, punching and clawing, sinking my fangs into his wrists as he tries to fight me off. I feel strong hands grip me and pull me off the body.

Suddenly I’m myself again. The sharp smell of smoke burns my nose and the pain of my injuries seem to overpower my senses. I feel lightheaded, as though I could pass out at any moment.

“What just happened,” John asks quietly.

My heart hammers in my chest as I try to take a deep breath. Pain flares up in my chest and I realize that I’ve been clawed across the chest as well. When did that happen?

“I… I don’t know,” I whisper.