SPELLBOUND

The half-bloods instinctively stepped back. Their expressions had changed, especially Gallas'. His haughty look was now gone, being replaced by incredulity and shock. He had been prepared to expect many things from this traitorous prince, but this was not one of the possibilities that he had imagined ever happening. At all. Leon who rarely shows any emotions was also showing a wary look on his face and very clearly had his guard up.

Their purple eyes had gone bloody red. Time seemed to have come to a standstill and the suffocating air that enveloped them thickened even further. It was as if they were mired in a bog and not only their breathing was being smothered, but the movements of their limbs were also slowed down, like invisible strong chains were weighing them down and pulling them back.

The next moment, a flash of something whisked out from the direction of the rubble and struck at one of them. The half-blood called Leon had speedy reflexes and managed to block the unexpected strike, but he was still flung back many strides away and crashed into the imperial army, killing on impact those who were hit head on.

Gallas's eyes widened in disbelief. That startling flash was like a bolt of black lightning. No, it was not even close to calling it lightning. He knew it was the traitor prince' strike – and it was faster than lightning! And judging by how far it had sent Leon flying, the strike was way stronger than the hit he landed on him a while ago. What in the blue blazes?

Something was strange. Gallas could feel a strength and power from the prince he could not even begin to fathom. Was this an illusion? Whatever it was that he was emitting was something he and the rest of the half-bloods had never seen before. It felt like something that is not supposed to belong to this world. No! This had to be an illusion! There was no one stronger than half-bloods in this whole land!

Roaring, Gallas attacked. In his firm grasp, he slashed his sword at Gavriel but only to slice at air. The huge half-blooded vampire took a bone-shattering blow instead that came from out of nowhere.

Gallas bellowed in outrage and swung around him wildly, not caring the least that he looked as if he was attacking mindlessly. But his sword continued slicing away at nothing. His opponent's movements were beyond what his eyes could follow. How could that be? The half-blood was incensed, unable to accept that someone – a non-half-blood, at that – was faster than him. It was incomprehensible that he, a half-blood, could no longer land a blow on this useless traitor prince.

As time seconds passed, desperation welled in him like an ever-growing wave, threatening to consume his sanity. His breathing became unsteady and there was a hint of what looked like franticness in his originally haughty eyes. But the half-blood refused to admit he was subpar to this traitor prince and he went berserk.

He went after Gavriel with all he had, his swing became faster, more powerful than ever before, offering Gavriel no opportunity to dodge and leap away.

However, it was as though Gavriel had seen and experienced that sort of attack and power a thousand times before, Gallas' attack was rendered useless in front of him. Each and every strike was easily repelled and blocked as if they were playful hits coming from a little child. Gallas was too caught up in his own attacks to notice the mocking and almost bored smirk on Gavriel's face.

Leon who was looking on from the side however, noticed it as his speed and abilities were above Gallas' and wondered how much power this prince is still holding back. Was this not the extent of his full capabilities yet? He could not suppress a slight shudder at that thought and turned his eyes back to the fight. What monster had they accidentally unleashed by going up against Prince Gavriel?

...

Gavriel took a deep breath, focussed his mind, and closed his eyes. That big lug of a half-blood is now just a large red bullseye to him. He felt every single cell engage and activate. That hidden ability and prowess only able to be tapped by the true vampire royalty sparked. The power deep within surged forcefully through him. As his eyes snapped open, a crimson ruby red radiance gleamed forth as he pinned his knifelike gaze on Gallas. The air around his body warped at the overwhelming aura leaking from him.

"You don't know you're already a walking corpse." Gavriel taunted Gallas and smirked, giving a small scoff.

Gallas rocketed himself at Gavriel, sword slashing down at his prey. The crown princes' army roaring at him in encouragement. Gallas felt his blood surging through his veins. He could not help but be stirred up by such a strong opponent.

Gavriel lazily avoided the downward slash. Eyes mocking the half-blood. He swiped his hand out, sending a silvery arc speeding right at Gallas' face. Gallas retreated a few steps, quickly bending backwards. Sweat poured down his face together with a small trickle of blood between his eyes. That silver arc would have sliced his head in half had he reacted a second later!

Standing back up, he saw Gavriel continue advancing with steady steps. Both men narrowed their eyes. A clap sounding like thunder sent a shockwave to the armies around. They saw Gallas counter Gavriel's next slash down. To the onlooker's surprise, Gallas was bent slightly backwards just blocking this deceptively simple move.

The half-blood was then forced to use both hands to push back, sending his opponent flying back. Gavriel smoothly flipped over and landed nimbly on his feet.

"Is that all you've got?" Gavriel sneered. He then casually combed his bangs back, showing obvious contempt and clearly snubbing the half-blood. "So weak…"

Gallas bellowed, livid at his taunts. He whipped out another weapon. Now, one hand clutched a long sword, and the other a sharp curved dagger – both glinting with razor-sharpness. He disappeared from sight and suddenly appeared before Gavriel, both his weapons flashing and slashing with fearsome speed. Both men flashed around the cleared-up area. Only glimpses of them could be seen, appearing from place to place, accompanied by echoes of blades swishing, swords clanging, and slashes of flesh being cut up.

Gallas was then seen toppling over to the right, into the soldiers who were watching on.