The Vampire Princess of the Apocalypse

Chapter 4: The Blood Moon's Power

"Damn it!" Helpless rage tore from Zhou Lan. He punched the wall behind him, leaving a shallow crater.

Hearing the girl he loved cry for help had settled his choice, but pain left him too weak to stand. Seeing his condition, the surrounding mutants grew bolder and closed in.

"Great. As if things weren't bad enough." Zhou Lan cursed inwardly as they stirred.

One suddenly charged and swung a fist. Zhou Lan barely raised his blood blade in time, but the blow hurled him several yards. He crashed heavily to the floor.

He had no strength left to lift himself. Flat on his back, all he could do was wait for death.

"Looks like this is really it." Around him came screams, Yan Xin's pleas, even the pounding of his own heart and pulse. Countless sounds tangled together, flooding him with emotions he could not name.

He glanced at the mutant that had sent him flying. Frustration, regret, and fear surged through him.

His previous wounds had barely begun to heal before the new blow landed. Not even a vampire body could endure it. His vision blurred, the crimson in his eyes washing out like ink beneath water.

Zhou Lan forced himself to stay conscious. The mutant entered the edge of his vision, and terror struck his soul. Driven by survival instinct, he dragged himself backward with the only hand he could still move. It was nowhere near enough.

"Guh—" The mutant lunged and punched a palm through Zhou Lan's chest. Blood sprayed from his mouth.

He no longer had the strength to raise his head. Empty of hope, he could only stare at the sky.

The Blood Moon glowed red overhead, occasionally rippling with a bewitching crimson shimmer. Even at the edge of death, the impossible sight held him captive.

Then an answering light flashed through his bloodred eyes. His pupils resonated with the Blood Moon, pulsing at the same frequency. If not for their difference in size, the two might have overlapped perfectly.

An enchanting beam of moonlight descended upon Zhou Lan. Vast energy flooded his body, repairing his wounds and strengthening him.

The mutant caught in that same light was far less fortunate. Its flesh began to rot, then dissolved into a pool of blood.

Within seconds, Zhou Lan's injuries vanished. The image of a blade appeared on the back of his right hand, and knowledge of his ability entered his mind.

He leaped up. At a single thought, a crimson katana materialized in his right hand. Silver-white and bloodred intertwined along the blade, which pulsed like living blood and radiated a sinister pressure.

A smile curled Zhou Lan's lips as power surged through him. Right now, he felt capable of killing anything.

There was no time to savor it. Zhou Lan raised the sword and charged toward Yan Xin.

Before that katana, the mutants' strength meant nothing. One surrounding Yan Xin tried to block with its arm. Zhou Lan severed the limb as easily as a fine blade slicing through wet clay.

The other mutants recoiled in fear and halted their attack.

Zhou Lan did not linger. He swept Yan Xin into his arms and rushed for the rear door. He had already mapped the route. Few mutants blocked the way, and those foolish enough to try died beneath his blade.

Once outside, Zhou Lan slammed the rear door shut, cutting off pursuit. Without looking back, he raced toward the stairs, intending to descend.

But one floor down, the scene before him stopped him cold...