The Church Ultimate Edition

Verse 9 : Crimson Descent

---

Holly and Amanda had just started to get up as they witnessed April on the floor in a pool of her own blood. "I forgot how fragile most humans are," the vampire said in a smooth, mocking tone.

"APRIL! " Amanda screamed out as she burst out of the rubble and ran toward it in a fit of rage. Her technique was sloppy, and every attack she threw was effortlessly blocked by the Vampire's finger, further frustrating her.

Holly watched the battle unfold and slapped herself mentally. "Come on, what am I doing?" she scolded herself as she got her guns out and started to shoot at Vampire. "Futile," he said, as all the bullets were deflected effortlessly.

Meanwhile, back at the church, Daniel and Shawn were anxiously waiting. The team hadn't come back, and their com links were unreachable, they tried reaching Bishop Michael without success, "Where are they? Is Holly Okay?" Daniel paced back and forth. "We can't just sit here and wait damn it," Damien added "April and the others might be in danger" he said as he throw his towel at the wall. Shawn, tried to keep a level head. "They can handle themselves, but we should be ready to act if something's wrong," he suggested.

As the battle raged on in Berwick, Holly and Amanda found themselves outmatched by the vampire. Amanda's fury was met with the Vampires calm and composed demeanor. "Your anger is quite entertaining," he said as every attempt to land a blow was met with swift and effortless parries. "I won't be defeated like this," Amanda gritted her teeth, pushing herself passed her limit. Holly focused her mind, looking to find a weakness in the vampire's defenses. She tried to analyze his moves, but his presence was so overwhelming that it was like trying to predict the wind.

Amanda determined to keep fighting despite the odds stacked against her. "You think you're invincible, but I'll find a way to bring you down!" she shouted, her emotions running wild.

Holly took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. Her mind raced, As Amanda's attacks continued to be effortlessly parried, The Vampire's attention shifted to Holly. "Ah, the one with the guns. A futile effort, my dear," he said, a smirk playing on his face. Holly's heart pounded in her chest as she tried to maintain her composure. "There has to be a way to beat him," she thought.

Amanda's attacks were not creating any distractions or opening for Holly to get a good shot. "To hell with waiting for the right moment" She fired her guns with precision, but the vampire blocked every shot with grace and ease. Holly and Amanda's strength was waning. They were on the verge of exhaustion, their efforts futile against the superior vampire. The vampire then grabbed Amanda's hand and threw her with a force that sent her straight onto Holly.

Holly and Amanda layed on the ground, battered and bruised, their bodies exhausted. Holly tried to muster the strength to get up, but her body refused to cooperate. She could only watch as his blood-red eyes bore into her soul.

Amanda, equally battered, managed to let out a defiant laugh. "HAHAHAHA You may have defeated us, but we won't rest until you're nothing more than dust in the wind."

He smiled, amused by their tenacity. "I admire your spirit, but it will be of no use in the end. Humans are such resilient creatures. It's almost a pity that your lives have to end so soon."

As he raised his hand to kill them, In a surprising turn of events, Another Vampire arrived on the scene, holding Sophia hostage. "Master Giovanni, I have taken care of the survivors from the helicopter," he reported. Giovanni turned to him, his eyes alight with curiosity. "Ah, excellent work, Edward," he said. "Sophia. A delightful addition to our little encounter, Michael must be losing it let a precious asset like you come" Giovanni said as Sophia was bound and gagged, her eyes filled with terror. "Rest assured, I have no desire to kill you at this moment Sophia Lord Valentine has use for you" Giovanni said. "For now you live, with the knowledge you have it be a waste to kill you"

As they conversed, seeing the opportunity, Holly and Amanda decided to seize it. While Giovanni was distracted, they mustered every ounce of strength they had left and crawled behind a pile of debris to hide. "I have to do something," Amanda whispered to Holly, her voice trembling. "I can't let him take Sophia too." "We can't let him get away with this. We have to save her." Holly responded. Holly and Amanda waited for the right moment to strike. But as Edward stood by Giovanni's side, their hearts sank. As they both realized that they were no match for the vampires in their current state.

"I know you're still here, I can hear your heart beats," Giovanni called out. "Come out, and I might consider sparing your lives."

Holly and Amanda exchanged fearful glances. "Sophia's life hangs in the balance" Amanda thought, but they were paralyzed with fear.. Just then, another vampire appeared, stepping out of the shadows. She was a tall, elegant figure with striking features and long, flowing Black hair. "Giovanni, I found it," she said, with excitement. Giovanni's attention turned to the new arrival, his eyes softening. "Isabella, my loyal companion. Excellent work."

Isabella, smirked "You two are quite resourceful to have survived this long," she yelled out. "Giovanni, why don't we let them live for now? After all, I believe I've found what we were looking for."

Giovanni considered her words. "Very well. For now, you may live," he said.

As the Vampires left with Sophia in tow, Holly and Amanda emerged from their hiding place. Their hearts were heavy with grief for their fallen friends and a sense of helplessness. "We couldn't do anything we let them take her" Amanda said as she hit the wall "There's nothing we could do" Holly replied "Cowards is what we are" Amanda yelled at Holly "look Amanda if we came out we would have been killed what's the point of pilling tragedy over tragedy" Holly said as she hugged Amanda.

"We need to get April and head back to the church," Amanda said. "There's nothing more we can do here." Holly agreed, and together, they found April lying unconscious nearby. Gently, they lifted her and carried her with them as they made their way through the desolate town.

In the distance, they spotted Beatrice, emerging from the rubble like a lone survivor from a mountain of corpses. Her eyes held a haunted look, and her face was streaked with dirt and blood. Sister Agnes arrived in bad shape as her left hand was gone.

"I'm so sorry, Agnes," Holly said, tears streaming down her cheeks. "We couldn't save them." Agnes looked at Holly and Amanda with sorrow as she wiped there tears. "We will mourn our fallen comrades later," she said firmly. "For now, we must get back to the church and regroup." The group started the long journey back to the Eastern Church branch, carrying April with them.

09:12Pm

Back at the church, Daniel, Damien and Shawn remained worried for their friends' safety. Their concern grew with every passing minute of silence. "We can't just sit here," Damien said, his anxiety for April gnawing at him.

"We need to find them. We can't leave them out there," Daniel insisted, his fear for Holly pushing him to take action.

Shawn shared their worries. He knew they needed to act quickly to save their friends.