The air froze and the film which hung around Isurra, Shendron and Krisda. Tiny cracks appeared in the solid air, white light filtering through the tiny partings, when the air suddenly burst with fragments of solid air flying toward the three, each a demon in their own right. The glassy air vapourised before hitting them and the bright incandecent light flooded into the space around them, slowly receding to the source. Rowen stood still for a while, still glowing. He looked at his two companions and then to his soul-bound demon's brother. Blood dripped from Rowen eyes and the thick black blood seared his face, falling to the ground, hissing on the stones at his feet. His neck extended forward and seemed to detach itself. Fangs pused his teeth out with great violence. His own teeth shot out of his mouth, with bits of bloody gums still attached. His lips retracted, while his eyes grew larger and a film of blood covered them, yet one could sense that he saw through it. His back burst open and a terrible roar crawled out of his throat as wings sliced open his back and pieces of human flesh fell on Isurra's face.
Shendron chanted and his blade came alive in his hands, or seemed to. White flames shot out toward Merrit and Krisda. The blade longed to destroy the fathers of the Vampire race, both here together. Such a thig had not happened in centuries. Rowen's transformation was now complete and the creature standing before them was towering. One could tell that Krisda didn't have the flair for show which his brother obviously had by taking on this form.
Olus appeared, "My brothers, it has been too long." she said, without emotion.
Before she could continue, Isurra had moved at a speed she hadn't used in a long time, because it ripped her muscles and she would take days to recover. She had to take the chance though. She noticed the diverted attention when Olus entered. Without hesitation, she ripped the Rune Blade from Shendron's hand. He only saw it was gone when she was half-way to her target. The flames started consuming her, but her task would be complete before the blade would have that satisfaction. Krisda's headless body fell to the ground, while the head was consumed by the flames. Isurra wanted to throw the weapon away, but it puled her toward the other demons. She couldn't let go, the blade had fused her skin to itself. She flew across the room, almost unwilling, but heeding the call of the blade. The fires no longer burned her, knowing her to be an instrument of doom for the demons. Before anybody could react, it was all over. Olus was dead, her body headless and Merrit was dying slowly, a great wound across his midriff. His intestines were spilling out of the hole. His body shrank, but he was dead before he could change back into Rowen. The body returned to its original size and Rowen was still alive. The thing which had leeched at Rowen had protect him and now he lay unconscious on the floor, with a wound only in his stomach. Still serious, but not fatal if tended to. Isurra fell to the floor. Shendron was at her side in an instant. He was in his human form again. He lay her head down on his leg and inspected the burn wounds. The rune blade had been kind and the burns were only second degree burns and none of the Permanent Fire of the blade had touched her. They would both heal.
Shendron had been tending to them for four and a half day, when Isurra came to. She said nothing, but disappeared to feed. Only when she came back did she thanks Shendron. Rowen took a furhter eight days to recover enough to move around, but the wounds had been dressed well and he was strong.
"We shall leave this castle the day after tomorrow then." Rowen's voice echoed what had been agreed to.
"Yes, if we do not find the Harpy's scroll within that time, we will have no more business here." Shendron said.
"I also agree fully. There may be fouler things here than what we have already seen, even though that seems impossible." Isurra said.
The three stood up, a company again, and set off.
