"Rest in peace friend". Hilda bowed, leaving behind a small grave stone; the only way she could honor Dianne, her last true friend.
"Maybe it is time I also take a rest from all this".
The elderly matriarch continued down the forest, taking slow careful steps as she remembered their first meeting all those centuries ago.
(Five hundred years ago)
"That's the last one". A tall lanky mage smiled, cleaning off beads of sweet as the raging inferno engulfed its target. "How many did you get?
A young woman with silver hair and bright golden eyes sighed in reply "A hundred and five"
"That's if we're also counting the ones that committed suicide".
Tap
An elderly hand rested on her shoulder cheering her up a little "You all did well and the people of Nactia shall never forget your valor".
The young mage's face brightened up a little. "You honor me Matriarch Hilda".
Hilda only ruffled her hair and with a frown turned towards the wolf like corpses littered around them.
"Ash!
The tall lanky mage with grey hair bowed. "I am here Matriarch Dianne".
Hilda cleared her throat before giving the order "Ride to the capital and inform his highness that the mutts have been dealt with".
"Shall I tell the alliance leaders to gather their forces? Ash asked, head still bowed.
"Hmm" Hilda rubbed her chin in thought before stopping to take a look at the jagged mountain toward the east where a mighty obsidian castle stood out among the barren castle
"Yes" the Matriarch smirked. "The alliance can assemble their forces; the eastern werewolf pack has been dealt with".
Ash stood at his full height now and with a nod disappeared in a golden light.
"The forces await your order Matriarch" The young female crossed her hands.
Matilda rolled her eyes and with one sudden movement, a glowing right hand rose up; illuminating the multitudes below in a beautiful light.
"VICTORY!!!
A dark skinned elf roared in triumph, removing his long sword from a white wolf's body before he too joined the many others, raising a right hand and illuminating the entire mountains with a blinding light.
A light so bright that it covered the entire mountain up till the far off east where a dark castle watched with seething rage…
"Damn it all! A pale skinned man dressed in a dark cloak hissed.
"Take it easy Vlad" a comforting voice purred behind him. "It is not yet over".
"What makes you say that? Vlad asked.
Two slender hands tested on his chest.
"We still have enough forces to win this".
"Forces? Vlad scoffed.
"Even the werewolves, our natural enemies weren't able to defeat this 'alliance'".
"What makes you think us vampires will fare differently?
"We still have a weapon". The hands left his chest and low clicking sounds echoed through the dark room until the figure slowly came into view
"One so powerful that even gods will fear us".
"And what might that be? Vlad rolled his eyes.
"That will be me!
Pulch
The hand was so swift that not even Vlad, king of the vampires could comprehend what exactly had killed him.
"Coward" his killer smiled, removing her hand slowly from the hollowed chest of what used to be a mighty king.
"It's time for the humans to know what a real vampire ruler is".
A loud snap shattered the silence and soon enough the throne room became bathed in the light of hundreds of candles.
"She really did a number on me, didn't she? The beautiful vampire shook her head, touching her delicate face as she stared into the beautiful golden mirror.
An angelic face stared back, crimson locks tumbling unto her shoulders while two red eyes stared back.
None of this concerned her, the only problem and blemish she saw on this beautiful face was that horrendous scar that ran from her lower chin all the way to her right eye.
A scar so deep that it never healed despite all the healers she had met.
"Never again will I be so weak" she smiled, lightly touching the scar before walking out of the room.
"Dianne!
Her melodious voice travelled through the empty passage. She didn't have to wait long before her trusted maid answered the call.
"My queen, you called me" the maid bowed, the black veil on her face hiding the beauty beaming beneath.
"Yes" The vampire queen smiled. "GO and assemble the council".
"Tell them that a new ruler has just been crowned".
"And what of if they refuse to bow down to you? A sadistic smile slowly began to form on Dianne's young face.
The queen chuckled. "Then send them to join their King.
"Your wish is my command". Dianne disappeared in a dark blur leaving behind a ruler that cemented her reign in blood.
The blood of vampires and all those foolish enough to cross her path…
"It's really been some time hasn't it? Dianne smiled. All of the guards at the castle immediately stomped their feet in greeting, opening the massive gates as they welcomed the 'healer' in.
She exchanged a few pleasantries with the royal adviser Gerald; a chubby man with spectacles so thick that it made her wonder how he even managed to raise his head up.
"It is an honor to meet you, immortal Hilda" Gerald bowed,
Dianne curtsied in appreciation and followed the adviser on a brief tour of the castle before he left her to continue with the Sun's 'research' in the dwarven stone tower.
"Finally" Dianne heaved a sigh of relief, happy that the talkative had finally gone. She did stop every now and then to greet the workers rebuilding the rest of the castle and after a frustrating banter with some guards that had insisted they accompany her.
The great Matriarch was finally alone in the great dwarvenstone tower.
Not being able to contain her excitement, she simply phased through the ancient stone until she was finally face to face with the lab of a woman who she once respected and adored.
"That's interesting". Hilda smiled, tapping the massive chest in front of her a few times. "Now let's see what secrets you have been hiding Mother?