1. Macabre Marmalade (COMPLETED; EDITING)

XL (18.1)

Todor stared at the pile of ashes at his feet with bizarre fascination. He was expecting a battle, a tough opponent with thousands of years of experience. But it was over in mere minutes. Something is not right here, Todor thought still alert. He spread his awareness tentacles around again, cranking up sensors on his coat and slowly looking around with mark one eyeballs just for good measure.

He wished he was wrong, that vampire mage was truly dead. Even experts in their fields make mistakes and White Branch underestimated Todor's awareness. But deep down in his bones, he knew he wasn't so lucky. So he waited, his stance in fool's guard, best stance for conserving energy. The sword drank his mana, consuming the amount his sword stole from the perceived vampire. But he would rather wait a week for it to replenish than to die at this moment by hands of a hemmomencer.

At that moment father Smiles chose to show up. He saw Todor standing there with sword faintly glowing, wisps of red smoke swirling around him. That made old priest stop in his track. A faint shimmering of air moved towards the old man and Todor jumped with his magically enhanced speed and strength, sword thrusting forward. Instead of biting into vampires flash sparks flew as his sword got parried. White Branch appeared in front of him again, red eyes flashing with anger. He held a straight, single-edged sword in front himself in a strange stance Todor never seen before.

"It seems I will have some fun with you after all," Vampire said, fangs barring in challenge.

Priest gasped and took a step back once he saw bald vampire appearing not a few steps from him.

"Father, run. You can't help me with this creature." Father blessedly nodded and turned around in a sprint. Rather spry for his age, Ezezu said in Todor's mind.

"You are right. No one can help you at the moment," Vampire taunted than he lunged at him imposable fast. Todor had barely enough time to parry the trust before his enemy struck again, and again. Todor fended him off, but even if Todor had more power to his attacks, the vampire was faster and using unusual angles of attack that caused Todors enhanced speed to feel inadequate. A seed of panic managed to go through his rage and fury.

Ugh, Ezezu, I don't think I can match his speed for much longer, he confessed jumping backward to avoid a sweep of creatures blade. Is there a spell that can make me go faster? The dead girl frantically searched her memory, pages flattering inside of Todor's brain. I can't ... I don't know. My father and me just used strength enhancing one, it always gave us enough speed, she sounded as she always did, but Todor could feel her anger, fear and powerless rage at the situation. He wasn't ready for this, not even by a long shot.

He roared at the vampire striking at his wrist. The nick almost cut off the creatures hand but White Branch just switched the sword to his other hand. Vampire took a step backward and said few words really fast. The spilled blood from the man Todor killed flew towards the creature swirling around his injury. A moment later his pale skin was unharmed once again. The creature grinned at Todor and mockingly saluted with his blade.

You showed me a text where it says we can create new spells, Todor suggested. That takes time, a lot of time. You can't just conjure new spell without knowing what you want, how you want to achieve your goal and so many other things. Todor grunted as the White Branch attacked again, swinging the sword swiftly towards Todor's face. I know what I want, damn it. I want to be faster! Ezezu shrunk back into his mind, still searching the database of spells. I don't know, try it. Try anything, I am not ready to die again.

I am not ready to die yet, either. He jumped from the creature and shot at him three times with the Jolt special. At Todor's amazement vampire managed to block the first bullet with a blade and totally evade other two. That didn't do much to hurt his nemesis but it made him more careful, less reckless in his charge. If Todor could fire a shot from point-blank range he might have a chance.