Louis doesn't react. He simply looked away weighing the words of his beloved. He was questioning himself what was right? What he shall do? Is that right to give pain to whom he want to protect? His mind was not ready to understand the situation. It only insist on loving Elena and keeping her safe without making her suffer even a bit. But his life was demanding evidence or proof of his love. How can he deny her? It was the first time she wanted something from him on her own. He was in turmoil. Then he realized vampires had killed almost all the feral this was time to act not to think. But how can he in this worn out condition? He looked at Elena and there was fear in her round black eyes. She turned to look at him with pleading eyes. There was no another way. He simply can't let fear overcome to her. The fear, the pain, the suffering these all were the emotions he wanted to protect her from. He remembered that she was here in trust. She trusted him. He took his decision firmly but unwillingly. Before causing the pain to her his own eyes filled with it- pain, sorrow, and guilt. Louis's eyes were wet with tears but he won't let them drop. Elena could saw his sufferings very well. She put her palm on his cheek and what she saw was like Louis was burning inside. She wanted to calm him down but unable to choose the words for it. Seeing his condition, she felt his divine love for her. She was considering herself the luckiest woman of universe who was loved by such a lover.
She broke out her day dreaming and caught him by shoulders giving a stern expression. As he slowly put her hairs back and leaned closer, he whispered;
"Sorry."
Then what she felt was that pain again and he felt like a beast slaying a girl. He quickly gulped the blood he want and as soon as possible healed the wounds. Then he realized how dizzy Elena was? She was not in complete senses. She was already in a bad condition and now, after losing blood she can hardly open her eyes. She murmured in half wake condition;
"This is not your fault. Make them pay for this." She points her fingers to the vampires coming towards them after killing all the feral.
With her words Louis eyes filled with rage and her face now burning with fury. The sorrow or pain got converted into anger and frustration. He was different now. This time he was not a lover but really a monster, a beast slayer who wants revenge for this condition of his love. His eyes were bloody red, mouth opened as fangs descended, he tilted his face with much enrage. He was fuming, outraged, and infuriated. He was ready to cut them through his wrath and resentment. He attacked them with such aggression that made them put their foot backwards in first time. They hardly overcame and the counterblow begins.
They were in large number but Louis aggression was much harder. A 200 year old vampire whose power knows no limits, a lover who had caused harm to his beloved himself because of them, also a kind soul who wanted to save mankind. He started with rage, and ended them all with cruelty showing no mercy. He fought with such fury that they are not capable of either clashing or retreating back.
Within five minutes it all ended.
He calmed himself and slowly turned to Elena. He tried to persuade her to open her eyes. Then he carries her in his arms to a riverside and sprinkle water on her. He made her drink water and arranges some fruits also to eat. He cared for her some time and she admired him lovingly.
That night, the moon reflects like a pearl on river water. She saw her face in it too like a mirror and her knight beside her now looking calm seeing her well. He sat down leaned to a tree and she too adjusted and put her head on his shoulder. He put his hand on her waist through back and embraced tightly to never let her go. Both closed their eyes and they rest for a while.
They continued the journey once again being more protective than before. After taking some steps or passing through different huts and cottages, she finally showed him the house pointing towards it. It was a big house well painted and with a roof at top. He also noticed some guards around it. So he asked her to stay and started alone. She nodded but followed him. He stared to her and said in a hoarse tone;
"I told you to stay. Haven't you listened?"
Her breath fastened and she gestures towards her hand. He saw his grip on her wrist as she said complaining;
"Firstly leave my hand and then I will not follow."
He felt embarrassed for a moment as he really doesn't realize it. He felt her like a part of his body. He left his hand and saw her staring at him angrily. He chuckled at her cute expression.
"I am really sorry. Forgive me."
After apologizing he teased her;
"Please don't amuse me with such looks. It is very hard to leave such innocence behind."
She was watching him with more anger than before. Realizing that his words and chuckling were irritating her more he started making a musical sound calling for something. She saw him in doubt. In a second, a parrot came flying there and sat on Louis's fist. Her eyes widened and she looked at it in awe. A smile spread through her lips. He caresses the parrot and then looked to her who was taking a sight of it with a wonder in her eyes and a broad smile on lips. He admired a bit and then introduced her;
"Meet my friend, Charlie. Do you want to hold him?"
"Yes, I mean only if he allows." Elena replied gleefully.
"Charlie meet my love, Elena. I have to leave her for some time. Can you accompany her till I came back?" He asked.
Charlie flew over her two to three times while she saw amused and confused. Then came back to Louis and said;
"Your love, my love."
And he flew to Elena's shoulder. She laughed loudly at Louis's left out reaction. He looked at her for some time and turned back. As he was about to move she said;
"Take care."
He turned back and exclaimed;
"I will. You too take care and my friend don't impress her much with your charm."
"I think harm had already done. You are jealous?" she taunted.
"I am very possessive you can say. Have a nice time with him because when I came back I will never allow him flew over you next time. And remember to not get angry and sad. You look sweet with angry face but adorable while laughing with all your heart. Bye."
He warned and started moving. She murmured to herself;
"Miss you."
And Charlie repeated her words loudly;
"Miss you, miss you."
When Louis heard he stopped and his gaze shifted to Elena who was nervously trying to stop Charlie. Their eyes meet and she suddenly shifted her eyes to earth with anxiety. He smirked and went forward with a loving grin.
As he came closer to the house he was stopped by a man there. He at once understand that he was not normal. He was a vampire man and even all the guards around the house were same. He appreciated the idea of not letting Elena here. Now he can easily pretend to be one of them. He showed his vampiric features and the guard simply nodded and allowed him to go inside. As he went inside he saw two adults with their children- a man, a woman, a girl of about 6-7 years and a boy of 12 years. The decoration was in a messy condition now that had done for that party. Flower garlands on floor, footsteps of people tracking outside, blood stains on walls and floor, and dust spread all over. It was a scene of disastrous ruin of a splendid function. One can easily assume how several humans got injured in the stampede for the exits or many were attacked and killed by feral or them.
The four of them trembled when he opened the door and set a foot inside. The kids ran to their mother who hold them close and tried to calm them down. The man shivering with fear came to him and said;
"You guys planned folly. These feral are never going to end. They are large in number and we are lacking humans here. What if all got finished? What will you all do? I know you kill us then. We should not trust your kind in the first place. We had done a big mistake. Come with me. There are some left till now, you don't need to suck my family's blood. Don't look at them."
The man started and Louis followed him to understand the matter properly. He understood that much that this family somehow relates with the vampires and hence they protect this house. The man led him to a big room that looks more like a hall. There were some humans wearing fashionable clothes but in miserable condition. He quickly got reminded of Elena and her pitiful condition when he took her first sight. They were also the guests of that trap in form of an occasion. His eyes filled with rage and he hardly overcame it. The man pointed towards the humans and asked him to choose his prey. He left the room after that.
All the mortals started pleading to him and Louis got disheartened as they beg for mercy. He explained to them that he was here to save and untie them one by one. They all thanked him and rushed outside to murder the family as they were the reason of so many deaths. When Louis tried to stop them they explained;
"These people invited many people including us to attend the party so they can trap us here in Woodsow for the monsters to suck our blood. They are reason of such chaos and our pitiful condition. They prepared this night to serve us as food to the vampires. They don't deserve sympathy. They are a stain on mankind. We should kill them before they call their friends to kill all of us."
As they start to attack Louis eyes reddened and fangs descended. They all feared and took their steps back. Seen that they shivered Louis said;
"Don't fear me. I am here for your help. But this time this family needs my protection. If you kill them, you also be one of this family's kinds. What's the difference left? We should have asked them the reason of their deeds. What if they were under some pressure?"
All goes silent for some time. Louis turned to the man. He looked with anger in his red eyes and asked him in threatening voice;
"Yes I am a vampire but I am not your friend. I can easily murder you and your family right here and no one is going to protect. Also I can leave you on your mankind's mercy. They also are filled with so much rage that they are going to cut you in pieces. Now, tell me why have you done all this with your own people? You have betrayed your own community. Why have you invited mortals here when you know how dangerous Woodsow can be for them? You know quite well there is no escape. Didn't you? Answer me." He increases the pitch.
The man got nervous and went on his knees. He replied;
"Pl...pl...….please don't kill my family. My kids are innocent. This is all my fault. I am ready to tell you everything but you alone can't stop them."
"Everyone in Woodsow is afraid of night. They knew the consequences very well. Some people daily were found out dead in morning that includes the wanderers of night or the unlucky persons whose houses were attacked by feral or vampires. But foolish me! I am not ready to believe in it. I went out one night to prove it to my wife that there were no such things exist. She tried hard to stop but I never listened. I am sorry darling I wish I had listened to you. When I was confidently walking on the street a mob of vampires attacked me. I beg for their mercy and in order to protect myself my tongue slipped and I offered them that I can arrange prey for them if they leave me tonight. Suddenly they stopped and took me to more. They narrated their plan to me. They were planning this terrible night to kill all the feral so to rule Woodsow without their interference and end the enmity once and for all. Feral don't have mind hence they just need a blow to hurt and gain their attention. Also, they need energy for which humans in Woodsow are not enough. They threatened me to invite as much humans as possible to Woodsow and serve them. I had done this all to save myself and my family as they started guarding us in our house so even a thought of betraying them never crosses my mind. I haven't done this willingly. I knew very well that if they realized the need they never hesitate to suck my family's blood too. I am not a betrayer of mankind I am also just a prey of them. They warned me so many times. If I have to keep my family sound I have to serve them blood. You are a savior my lord. Please save me and my family."
"Your explanation doesn't approve your deeds. You shouldn't have done this. You are a betrayer and there is no such forgiveness exists in this world that is meant for you. But your family is innocent. Everyone needs to be protected here. As their plan feral are now less but they still need blood. This is surely a foolish plan but disastrous and terrible. We need to get out of here."Louis explained.
"But how? They are around the passage." The man asked.
"I have to make a secret way. Remember after getting out you all have to reach the famous grand mansion of Woodsow at the street of hawl. Just get inside carefully and you all will be safe." He instructed.
He crushed the back wall and makes the way. They ran outside and for not arousing doubt Louis returns from the front door peacefully nodding at the guard.
Meanwhile, after Louis departure Elena have fun with Charlie for some time. She enjoyed its chatting, admired his beauty or taught him some new words. But after some time she reminded of Louis and the dangers of the city. Also she knew Louis mission very well. She got worried for him and talked to Charlie about it.
When Louis approached she was telling Charlie;
"I am not well Charlie. I am worried. You know, your friend is a brave knight, a savior. But he is alone, I am scared. In just one night so many things happened, first time in life I got to know that vampires, feral or supernatural elements really exist. I hated them, I am in terror of them, I am running to get rid of them and now I care for one of them and I think I am also in lov....." She immediately stopped at Louis's arrival.
She took a sigh of relief and quickly ran to him and also hugged him. She complained to him of being late and his only reply was;
"Miss you too." He smiled.
Charlie leave flied over them chanting the words;
"Miss you, miss you."
Suddenly, Louis grip tightened over Elena's back as he listened some hustling behind trees or bushes. He whispered in her ears a command to run. She doesn't understand much but followed. The vampire guards realized everything when they went inside the house in need of blood. They searched for Louis and founded him. They hid behind bushes to attack at perfect time. But he realized and made Elena ran away. Seeing this some attacked Louis while others chase Elena. Life took a u turn again. As always, Louis fought bravely and Elena ran with all her might.
One thing was different this time that instead of a mob; they were attacked by all the vampires of Woodsow as they failed their plan. Feral were less but they also reached there chasing vampires.
A deadly war began, in which around 150 feral were attacked by more than 300 vampires, Louis was fighting gallantly alone with over 100 of vampires and others were chasing Elena. Before anyone caught her she hid herself in a hut. The hut is made up of bamboo and palm leaves that scratched her hand. Over 50 of huts resided there. It was difficult to find one. She was trembling with fear and breathing heavily. In this traumatic condition also, she was thinking of Louis's whereabouts. She burst into tears remembering her moments with him. She doesn't know whether she will be able to see him again or not. She thought that she lost him forever. She was crying when she listened to a knock at the door. She immediately became alert and shivered at the moment realizing the danger. Then she heard a sweet slow voice;
"It's me. Open the door."
In an instinct a smile with a name appeared on her lips;
"Louis." She quickly opened the door and when he came inside hurriedly caught him in arms. She complained, cried and rested there for a while. Louis smelled something and realized that the hut was burning. The vampires were unable to found Elena's hut hence decided to burn them all. Louis took Elena out without making any noise and being in anyone's eyes. They make their way to peace where they caught breath. They were slowly walking towards the mansion hand to hand when they bumped to some feral in their front. Louis moved Elena back and fought keeping her away. While attacking a feral he listened to a much loud scream of Elena. He turned back to see Elena was surrounded by many vampires. He took a step forward but caught by the feral. With his angry blows he turned them all into ashes. Meanwhile, vampires caught Elena. They looked to her with hunger in eyes. One of them came forward, grabbed her hairs and started sucking her blood. In few seconds he collapsed to ground receiving a deadliest blow of Louis and turned to ash. He does the same with all other. After that he looked for Elena only to found her lying half-conscious on earth. It looks like she had suffered a lot and now it's time to rest. Worriedly, he went down and put Elena's head in his lap. He shook her two times and called her name. She slowly opened her eyes hardly resisting them to shut. She was looking at him lovingly with a pure smile on her face.
"Elena, look at me. I am here beside you. I will take you home. Nothing had happened to you. Y…you will be fine soon. Don't close your eyes. Just...do…don't."
Louis words spluttered with a sorrow realization in his eyes. His eyes were all wet. He tried to carry Elena but she stopped him saying;
"No Louis. I don't have much time. I want to say something to you before I…." Louis stops her.
"Hey, don't say anything. We will talk later."
She replied as a tear fell through her left eye;
"Don't be stupid Louis. This time is so precious. Don't waste it wandering around. You will remember it even centuries later. Don't forget me please. But do find a more beautiful vampire woman who will be brave, humanly and caring."
Tears escaped Louis eyes and kissed his cheek.
Elena wiped his tear with shaking palm and then rested it on his cheek;
"I know you think that I am attracted to you due to your special ability to charm humans. I don't know all this as a normal person. I just know that before I have even saw you I claim you as my knight in shining armor. And when I saw you first I felt my heart skips a beat, I lost my senses, even when I got to know about your reality I dreamt of you looking lovingly into my eyes. I don't want you to suck my blood instead I want you to love me. I am very lucky to have you in my life although for some time. The moments we spend together were the most blissful time of my whole life. You had said before your heart doesn't beats. I want to tell you Louis it is beating…. Beating within me. Your heart is within me. Now it's going to stop. I know you are brave and strong but I also knew about your feelings very well. You felt lonely sometimes. I am sorry Louis…..sighs... please forgive me for not being with you anymore."
She tried to catch breath as she said;
"I love you Louis...… I love you. I want to be with you. I want to heal you from your hollowness. But I can't. This is mortal's fate which I had to accept. Look at me Louis I am not scared anymore. You made me strong. Your Elena isn't afraid to die. I am happy Louis..... I am happy to die in your arms looking at you. Everyone doesn't have that luck to die in their lover's caring embrace. I wish I will take another birth to meet you again. You have humanity, extreme care, charm, bravery, and so much love and now pain in your eyes for me. Indeed, I am feeling like a most beautiful and fateful fairy who is loved by such an angel purely annn....aaaand t...tttttru….truthfully. But fairies…have ...to go…Louis." She gasped.
Her hand slips from Louis cheek on his lap. And her eyes which she was trying hardly to keep open were now wide open without any movement and the smile on her lips faded. Louis sudden realization made his teeth spluttering. He tried to wake her up and then cried loudly screaming her name.
After sometime he kissed her on forehead and closed her eyes with his fingers forever. Charlie came there flying and sat on Louis shoulder. He repeated the words as Louis said;
"Come back, Elena."
"Come back, come back."