Page 99 of Red Queen

Eleanna grits her teeth, her ravens circling, at the ready, and rebuffs each blow with practiced ease, waiting for an opening to present itself. Then Eleanna pivots and overtakes Catarina with a swift, precise movement that’s almost too quick to follow. Eleanna uses her superior agility to sidestep a vicious strike from Catarina, creating just the space she needs. In that sliver of time, as Catarina drops her guard, Eleanna counterattacks with a ferocity that mirrors the wild, untamed essence of her spirit.

The struggle of their power reverberates through the air while the fierce battle of wills unfurls. Eleanna, with the support of her ravens circling overhead, channels her resolve.

Moros, Erebos, and Nyx swoop down, their red eyes gleaming, distracting Catarina for the crucial moment Eleanna needs. It’s not just a physical battle but a war of endurance, wit, and heart.

The moment Eleanna gains the upper hand, she locks eyes with Catarina, her gaze as sharp as the blade she wields. There’s a moment, brief and buzzing with unspoken truths, where the weight of their shared history, of the bloodshed and loss, hangs between them. Then, with a decisive motion, Eleanna disarms Catarina. The sound of the weapon clattering to the ground echoes like the final note of a somber melody.

Catarina, now defenseless, staggers back, her expression one of disbelief and dawning fear.

Eleanna advances, not with triumph, but a solemn acknowledgment of what this victory costs. “How the mighty have fallen, Catarina,” she declares, her voice steady.

The surrounding battle halts as all eyes turn to them, witnessing the final act of a long-fought war. With Catarina’s defeat, Eleanna doesn’t just win a battle; she wins the future, one where her rule is secured, not by the might of her powers alone but by the strength of her character and the unyielding support of those who stand with her, including me, watching from afar, my heart swelling with pride and love for the vampire queen who has claimed victory today.

Eleanna stands triumphant, her opponent kneeling defeated before her.

“Catarina, surrender now, and your life will be spared,” Eleanna declares, the strength in her voice belying the exertion of battle.

Catarina narrows her eyes, a venomous smile playing at the corners of her mouth despite her precarious position. “Spare me? How magnanimous of you, Eleanna.” She spits out the name like a curse. “But we both know this isn’t about mercy. It’s about power.”

I step forward, instinctively reaching for my sword, ready to defend my queen at a moment’s notice. Eleanna’s gaze flickers to me briefly, a silent command to hold my position.

She turns back to Catarina, her voice low and dangerous. “Power? No, Catarina. This is about justice. For all the lives you’ve taken, for all the suffering you’ve caused.”

Catarina laughs, a harsh, grating sound that sends a chill down my spine. “Justice? Don’t delude yourself, little Queen. We’re vampires. We take what we want, and the strong rule over the weak. That’s the only law that matters.”

Eleanna’s jaw feathers as she clenches it, her grip tightening on her sword. “You’re wrong. Strength isn’t just about brute force or cruelty. It’s about the courage to do what’s right, to protect those who cannot protect themselves.”

Catarina sneers, her fangs glinting in the fading light. “Pretty words, Eleanna. But they won’t save you when I tear out your throat.”

In a blur of motion, Catarina lunges, a hidden dagger in her hand. But Eleanna is faster, sidestepping the attack.

The dagger clatters to the ground as Eleanna twists Catarina’s arm behind her back.

Catarina hisses in pain, her eyes burning with hatred. “You think you’ve won, don’t you? That your little display of mercy will somehow make you a better ruler?”

Eleanna tightens her grip, her voice a menacing whisper. “I am a better ruler, Catarina. Not because of mercy but because I understand the true meaning of strength. Something you never will.”

Catarina struggles against Eleanna’s hold, her words dripping with venom. “Strength? You’re nothing but a weak, pathetic girl playing at being queen. When I break free, I’ll show you what real strength looks like as I rip your heart from your chest.”

Eleanna’s eyes flash dangerously, a hint of her growing power swirling within their depths. “You’ll never get the chance.”

With a swift motion, Eleanna plunges her sword through Catarina’s back, the blade erupting from her chest in a spray of crimson. Catarina’s eyes widen in shock, a gurgling sound escaping her lips as she slumps forward, her lifeblood pooling on the ground.

Eleanna stands over Catarina’s body, her face a mask of grim determination. She turns to me, her voice steady despite the weight of her actions. “It’s done, Alexandru. The threat to our realms is no more.”

I nod, my heart swelling with pride and relief. “You did what needed to be done, my Queen. Your strength and courage have saved us all.”

Eleanna’s gaze softens for a moment, a flicker of vulnerability passing over her features. “Not all. And at what cost? I never wanted it to come to this.”

I step closer and gently cup her cheek. “You bore the burden that no one else could, Eleanna. That is the mark of a true leader. And I will stand by your side, always.”

With Catarina’s death, the effect is immediate; Catarina’s army begins to disperse, some fleeing, others throwing down their weapons in surrender. It’s a collapse not just of a ruler but of an era marked by fear and cruelty.

“Cease the battle! Take prisoners, show them the mercy they were denied under Catarina’s rule,” I command, my voice carrying across the battlefield.

With her death, Catarina’s downfall is complete, and with it, a new dawn approaches—one filled with hope and the promise of peace.

“General Amanar, what are your orders?” Ivan asks, his sword dripping with the blood of our enemies.

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