The sound of the wind ceased. 

The forest, once full of whispering life, became an annoying silence. The tension between the two warriors was a rope about to break. 

Malak UG stopped a few steps from Axiel, the golden eyes analyzing every trace of his figure. The sacred sword on his back shaking, as if hating axiel even before the paladin himself understood why. 

- You ... It's not human. Said Malak, a serious voice, like the sound of distant thunder. 

Axiel just raised an impassive eyebrow. 

- How quickly in conclusion. 

"There is no way not to realize this cursed aura, undead." I feel your stench of death and chaos. 

- It must be my "alternative lifestyle". 

Loriel landed softly on a stone between the two, smiling with irony. 

- He's a vampire, yes. But already showered today, I swear. 

Malak did not hesitate, nor with the presence of a fairy next to the vampire. 

With a sudden movement, he drew the sacred sword. The blade radiated a blinding golden light, which made Elena's tent swing. The soil trembled around. The air became dense. 

Elves around retreated with fear. Some Elf Knights pulled their weapons, dignified with the three warriors accompanying Malak. Elena, still lying down, struggled to get up, her eyes wide of worry. 

- No! Don't fight here! she shouted. - Evaculate the camp! 

But it was too late. 

Malak advanced. 

Axiel retreated, dodging the first blow. The blade passed millimeters from his face, leaving a trail of light and destroying half a tree with the energy released. The second blow came from above. Axiel blocked the clutches of the costume, but the blade ripped the black energy as if it were silk. 

The two jumped back. 

- Interesting. - Said Axiel, looking at his fingers burned. - Your sword ignores my costume. This will be fun. 

Malak responded with a roar and struck a rapid, accurate, brutal force sequence. The floor cracked under his feet. Trees were cut in half by the trail of the blade. 

Axiel danced between the attacks, his graceful movements like those of a living shadow. He countered with claws, throwing black beams that Malak cut into the air easily. But a beam scraped his flooded shoulder like a hot knife in lard. The shock between sacred light and symbiotic darkness made the forest shake. 

Loriel flying in circles, dodging flying trunks. 

- Can you stop breaking down everything? This is protected forest, you know? Where's environmental surveillance when you need it? 

The fight went to a clearing where the final impact was preparing. 

Malak dug the sword on the floor. A circle of golden runes spread rapidly, burning the earth around. It was a seal of exorcism. Divine energy began to squeeze axiel as an invisible chain. 

Axiel roared, the costume expanding like a cloak of black wings. An explosion of darkness broke the runes for a moment, and he jumped straight against Malak. 

The claws and the sacred blade collided in the air. 

The explosion was violent. 

Black flames and golden light exploded everywhere, destroying what was left of the camp. Trees flew like twigs. Stones broke out. Elena's tent collapsed completely. 

In the center of the crater created, both were panting, standing. 

Malak lifted the sword again. Axiel's costume vibrated, wounded but regenerating. Loriel descended, finally serious, and looked straight into the blade. 

She widened her eyes. 

- ... this sword ... 

The glow of the weapon intensified. 

- SEKHMET ... damn! murmured the fairy. 

Malak turned to her, surprised, seeing the little fairy stopping flight beside him. 

Before he could ask more, the floor under his feet shone. The sword issued a sharp sound like a distorted angels. 

Loriel snapped her fingers. 

- Sorry, big boy. We can't let you kill my pet vampire. 

A flash. 

Malak and the three crusaders were involved in a golden light and sucked into a vortex. 

Teleported out of those domains. 

With a stamped, the silence came back. 

Later, after they saw the damage of the battle, the survivors elves dismantled camp, marching through the hidden trails of the forest, entering the mystical forest, at the borders of the Elificing Kingdom. 

Elena rode injured, being supported by two warriors. She watched Axiel, who walked ahead, the suit adapted as a long black, the cover flush. 

She approached slowly. 

- You saved us again. But I can't ignore what you are. 

Axiel turned his face, really. 

- Do as you like. 

Loriel landed on Elena's shoulder, smiling. 

"He looks cold, but inside it's just a sea of blood ... and sarcasm." 

Elena arched her eyebrow. 

- Are you really a fairy? 

- Yes. And you are about to take this vampire to the Elf capital. What an unusual combination, don't you think? 

Elena sighed. 

- Moon goddess protect us ... 

In the distance, in the mist, the great emerald forest adorned with rivers and small waterfalls the capital of Aeltherion. 

And Axiel took his first step into a kingdom where vampires were never welcome. 

...