Chapter 9

Part 41. Let the duel begin.

It was a bright and sunny Sunday as noon quickly approached. Not Helt’s favourite weather or time of day. The hill behind the amphitheater was mostly empty, a grassy mound with only a few trees. There would be no avoiding the sunlight in today’s duel. Fortunately he was not the kind of vampire who burst into flames. Any exposed skin would suffer a painful sunburn fast and be slow to heal. Sunblock helped avoid the burn, but the light would sap his strength the longer he was out in it.

Under a tree sat Professor Marry Alisa Dellumph, who would be the referee for the duel. An older woman, dressed in Victorian style, she had a butler and tea table with her. To her left was Helt and his supporters. To her right was Natilla and her allies. A group of a dozen spectators stood behind her.

After the butler whispered in the Prof’s ear, she stood up and said “There time is here. Will the conflicting students step forward?” Helt and Natilla took a few steps towards her. “Can this matter be settled by conversation?” she asked formally.

Natilla shook her head. Helt said “I think not.”

“You both know the rules?” the Prof asked.

The cat lady gave a nod. The tall German said “I think yes.”

“Any weapons or abilities are allowed. If you injure a bystander you are disqualified. If you leave my area of view you are disqualified. Ready?” she paused to take a sip of tea. “Begin!”

Helt had no fancy plan today. He had all his combat abilities boosted; speed, strength, toughness, agility and perception. He expected her to fight dirty, while to keep his honour he must fight clean. He had to put her down without ripping her apart.

Like a cat, Natilla crouched low, poised for an attack and slowly began to circle her target. Looking for the right moment, an opening to pounce. She expected him to be tough, that is what made this so much fun. She had never killed a vampire before.

Part 42. I have you now.

Serena, Emma and Helt’s roommate, Yue watched the fight. The American blond yelling encouragements, the other two silent. The action happened fast, a whirlwind of motion. Both fighters made strikes and dodges, but neither seemed to be able to land a solid hit.

Helt had been scratched many times, his shirt ripped to shreds, but no wound was very serious. So why was he slowing down, his movements becoming less clean and crisp? “Poison.” Serena guessed suddenly.

The tall German had come to the same conclusion. He was now diverting much of his energy into healing himself, keeping his mind clear. The result was him dropping back down to normal human levels of speed and strength.

Natilla smiled a sharp toothed grin. The venom on her claws was doing its job, time to start getting serious. She drew one of the several wooden stakes she had strapped to her leg. A quick dash and strike. Narrowly dodged by the damn vampire.

She wanted to grapple and go all in for the killing blow. But that was a huge gamble. If he could muster any super strength then she might be crushed even as she drove the stake into his heart. The poison was slowing him, but she could not count on it to incapacitate him.

Breathing heavy and acting more tired than he was, Helt took a defensive stance, hopping to buy time, hopping she would underestimate him.

In a flash the attack came. A distraction swipe at his face, and the real thrust of the stake at his chest.

He dodged just enough to avoid taking it in the heart. This was an old trick of the immortals, when in a difficult situation, take the hit, control the location so damage was minimal, then retaliate before the opponent can withdraw. It almost always brought the fight to an end.

As the stake sank into his chest, Helt drove a hard punch strait into the cat lady’s sternum. A satisfying crack could be heard as she was thrown back by the force of the blow.

Helt smiled and stepped forward. Then felt a numbness spreading from where the stake had been driven into him. More poison, stronger than before. He pulled the wooden weapon from his body, a gush of blood following it.

Natilla was still smiling although the pain in her chest was horrible. She scrambled back to her feet. Another stake in hand.

Serena looked on, with tears in her eyes. With a scream she could end the fight, but that would be braking a bunch of rules. Should she take action, or have confidence that he would survive? A pain of a different sort filled her chest.

Part 43. An unfair finish.

Helt rushed forward, knowing his time was quickly running out. No more fighting nice.

Natilla stayed cautious, stepping to his injured left side.

Already his left arm was numb and nearly useless. Staggering now and gasping for breath. Not faking it this time. Helt tried to position himself for her inevitable attack. His right hand momentarily clenching at his injured side, his body shivering with an unnatural cold.

The cat lady charged at that moment of weakness. A snarl born of pain and excitement trailing along after her. She was about to win. Then surprisingly something hit her, several things. The flat bang of gunshots registered in her mind a half second after the fact. She blinked as time seemed to stand still. Yes the damn German was holding a smoking pistol in his right hand, aimed at her. Then one more flash from its short muzzle. The world tumbled end over end as the bang sounded far off. Natilla fell to the ground.

Helt growled in as loud a voice as he could “Do you wish to continue?”

After 3 long seconds of silence the Professor called out “This duel is over! Medic, you may go to work.”

One of the spectators, an elder student, quickly walked towards the combatants. But he did not get there before Serena.

The small Filipino has started running as the word ‘over’ left the Prof’s mouth. The embraced the tall German, squeezing him tight. Her cheeks wet with tears, a mix of concern and relief.

“Yea that’s our boy Helt!” Emma was saying “put down that little bitch.”

“Aaa not the most honourable victory.” Yue observed in his quiet way.

“Aint against da rules.” the American shot back.

The medic glanced at Helt on his way to help the fallen cat lady. “Excuse me.” said Serena insistently “He has been poisoned as well as stabbed, do you must have something for it?” the tone in her voice made it impossible for anyone to ignore her.

“I can give him a general anti-toxin, but until we know what kind of poison there is not much to be done.” he said as he opened his bag and prepared an injection. “It will help stabilize him.”

“That is not really necessary.” Helt said, surprising both Serena and the medic. “Im actually felling much better.”

Ignoring the patient, as doctors often do, he gave the injection. “Better to be safe than sorry.” he said with confidence.

Serena looked with amazement at the man she was still tightly holding onto. “You are really very tough.” she murmured. “and very very reckless.”

Helt reached down to wipe away a tear, then licked his finger. “No, I dont think Im responsible for my recovery.” he said with a warm smile.

The small Filipino looked up at him a light of understanding in her eyes. “Yes of course. Its not like I forgot about that.” she said with embarrassment. “I knew all along my tears could save you, if there was any spark of life left.”

“Im happy that legend about mermaids is true.” he whispered. “Very happy.”

Part 44. A rude introduction.

Emma had taken a few photos before the duel started, now she took a few more. In particular she was interested in the reactions of Natilla’s supporters. Most looked shocked, no surprise there. One girl seemed happy that the cat lady had lost. Then there was the Latino guy with the angry glare. He was most likely this Vellenzo that Helt suspected was behind resent events. She had seen the same look in old farmer Bill’s eyes when his prize cock lost an important fight. He cared about that bird, but only so far as it was useful to him.

The ambulance soon arrived. Helt insisted he was fine and just needed rest. The doctor insisted he come to the hospital anyway. Emma and Serena helped push the tall German into the ambulance.

As it drove off the handsome Latino guy walked up to Serena. Without any introduction he said “Your loyalty is misplaced. His kind do not love. He is just using you.”

Before the small Filipino could react her roommate stepped in. “Damn, if that ain't the pot callin the kettle black. Why don't you take your advice and go find yourself a new cock.”

Vellenzo turned his head and spat. Then looked back at Serena “Maybe your American dog will be loyal to you, or maybe she will betray you to gain his favour.”

“You wanna throw down right here?” Emma snapped.

“Thank you for your concern.” Serena said in a calm voice “I think we are dealing with one misunderstanding on top of another. If we all sit down and talk, Im sure we can find a way to move forward without more blood shed.” her tone held a power you could not ignore.

Vellenzo stared at her for a moment. “Maybe later.” he said then walked away.

Under the shade of a tree Professor Marry Alisa Dellumph still sat, sipping her tea, watching. Her duty was not simply to oversee the duel, it was to evaluate all students present. The way Serena was handling herself impressed the old teacher.