Xain was now trying his hardest to escape whatever this void was, resorting to yelling into the emptiness and maybe thrashing around with his limbs. *Hey! Someone! Anyone! Help!* he thought desperately, but there was only silence in response. *Okay, new plan, I have to try something else,* he pondered before realizing, *I have no other plan!*
Feeling frustrated and confused, Xain couldn't comprehend the nature of this void. However, one thing was certain: he was alive, a realization that should have been apparent when he felt his heartbeat. Yet, Xain wasn't exactly the smartest boy around, especially when dealing with the supernatural. *Ugh, I can't think of anything!* he lamented, only to feel that strange sensation in the void once more.
*Ah, it's that... whatever that is!* Xain thought, the sensation persisting this time. Suddenly, he found himself expelled from the void, disoriented from the abrupt return of all his senses. "Ow, where the heck?" Xain exclaimed, holding his head in pain. As he surveyed his surroundings, he realized he was on the ground, surrounded by dense shadows.
**Back to town central**
Larkin grappled with conflicting emotions, unsure whether to regret or take pride in his decision, as Amara was currently helping them. Why, you may ask? Simple. Amara knew that an evolved vampire would unquestionably bring problems to the plans of her superiors. So, despite the fact that her main target was beside her, she was still attacking Eirisse. Seeing Amara join in the battle, Eirisse knew that she would have to be far more careful now.
"Who's that?" Victoria muttered to herself, briefly questioning the newcomer's identity. However, she quickly redirected her attention to Eirisse, concluding, *Doesn't matter right now; if she's attacking Eirisse, then she's an ally.* Amara declared, "Time to finish what I started," aiming her palm at Eirisse. A spiraling pillar of flame erupted towards the vampire, threatening to engulf her. Eirisse, quick on her feet, evaded the attack by vanishing from her current position. Seizing the opportunity, Victoria mentally invoked *DS Module 2,* sending three small fiery bullets towards Eirisse. Eirisse kept her focus on Amara, knowing that the bullets wouldn't cause too much damage. As they hit her torso, exposing more muscle tissue, Eirisse launched herself towards Amara, ready to slice her to ribbons.
As Eirisse closed in on Amara, she aimed a slashing attack with her left claws. Unfazed, Amara remained still, casually reinforcing her fire shield. When Eirisse's hand entered the shield, it melted near-instantly, prompting Amara to respond with a burst of flame from her left hand. Eirisse swiftly vanished to escape the fiery assault after her left hand had completely melted off.
"Oh, that's a cheap trick," Eirisse scoffed, Eirisse remarked, to which Amara responded with a nonchalant yawn. "Dressed like that, you really shouldn't throw the cheap label around," Amara retorted, pointing her index finger at Eirisse. In the air, a superheated spike materialized, its tip gleaming with intensity. With a swift and fluid motion, Amara propelled the spike forward, sending the scorching projectile hurtling toward the vampire with deadly precision. Eirisse narrowly evaded the spike, leaning to the side to avoid it from piercing her heart, though it left a scratch on her chest.
Amara clicked her tongue. "Tch, just die already," she muttered, unleashing two fireballs toward Eirisse—one aimed to the left, the other to the right. Eirisse promptly vanished from her position, reappearing on the wall of a nearby building as the fireballs exploded harmlessly where she had stood moments ago.
"I already have died. How else do you think one becomes a vampire?" Eirisse retorted, scanning the battlefield for potential sources of sustenance. She considered her options: Victoria, now with her depowered hat, Kaden, weakened by mana exhaustion, and Larkin, who would be the easiest target if not for Amara standing close to him. More fiery bullets from Victoria struck Eirisse, revealing more muscle tissue.
As Eirisse turned her gaze back to Victoria, she noted that the symbols on Victoria's staff were dwindling. *I've made up my mind,* Eirisse decided, launching herself toward the scattered bodies of the militia members she had torn apart. Among the carnage, the three living options—Victoria, Kaden, and Larkin—remained, while numerous dead bodies offered an alternative source of sustenance.
Amara, sensing Eirisse's intentions, swiftly extended her right hand toward the dead militia members. With a focused gaze, she unleashed a spiraling pillar of flame, aiming to incinerate the bodies before Eirisse could reach them. Despite Amara's speed, Eirisse proved herself faster, managing to grab a severed torso, arm, and leg before sprinting away to the wall of another building. Amara's flames consumed the remaining bodies.
"What did you just do!" Victoria yelled at Amara, her anger boiling over at the destruction of her men's bodies. Amara turned to her, annoyed. "I did what was necessary. Now shut up, child, before I burn off your mouth!" she threatened. Victoria, seething with rage, was tempted to attack Amara with her staff. However, their attention was diverted as both of them turned to Eirisse.
Victoria's eyes widened, contorting into a mixture of shock and fury as she witnessed Eirisse further desecrate the bodies of her fallen comrades. Eirisse bit into them, tearing off chunks of flesh, meat, fat, and muscle, consuming them like a rabid animal. The sight fueled Victoria's anger to new heights.
Eirisse, savoring the gruesome act, deliberately chewed louder, relishing the sounds of her feast, making sure Victoria could hear the sickening noise of her consuming the bodies of the fallen militia members. Victoria, overcome with fury, pointed her staff at Eirisse, shouting, "You monster!"
Eirisse, her lips curled into a smile, continued her macabre meal, deliberately drawing out the moment. "A monster? Oh dear, what else did you think I was? Something other than a vampire?" she purred, her tone dripping with a dark amusement. Larkin observed the shift in Eirisse's demeanor, noting, *Her personality is going back to how it used to be.* Uncertain whether this was a good or bad development, he speculated, *She won't be as ferocious, but she'll start using strategy again.*
Within seconds, Eirisse finished her grisly feast, leaving only bones behind. She gracefully descended from the wall, stretching to emphasize her voluptuous figure. Looking at the group, she casually inquired, "Now, how do you all want to die?" Her smile betrayed a newfound confidence, signaling the beginning of round two in this deadly confrontation.