Carpathian 16 - Dark Demon

movement.
    Vikirnoff forced his body to move. It took every ounce of discipline he possessed, every bit of strength of will to overcome the gripping paralysis in order to bring his arm up and wave it in the air. It only lasted a few seconds and the arm flopped lifelessly across his chest, but the warrior turned immediately toward him, drawn by the movement.
    The shadow glided with astonishing speed, sword whistling toward Vikirnoff. Natalya deflected the strike and answered, a blur of motion, her hair crackling, the color going as black as midnight and her eyes burning a bright blue, as she spun around the warrior, sword slicing completely through the shadow at least three times.
    This isn't working. He's worse than good old Freddie. Think, Natalya, you're good at this sort of thing. Think of what to do , she admonished herself.
    He's gaining strength with the enemy. Do you feel it?
    There has to be a way to defeat them. I refuse to believe they're invincible . She would not believe it. There had to be a way. In truth, she hadn't felt the growing power in the warrior, she was too busy trying to keep Vikirnoff alive. The shadow warrior wasn't trying to kill her. It merely saw her as a nuisance in its way. She continually intercepted the warrior's killing blows, preventing him from destroying Vikirnoff. The hunter was right, though. As the swords came together, her arm and body nearly went completely numb from the force he was generating.
    You cannot kill what is already dead.
    What did the legends say, Vikirnoff ? She stepped in front of the bed again, fending off the flashing sword.
    This time when the blades met, she stumbled under the sheer vigor of the blow.

    Stop all movement.
    If I stop, this father of all Freddies kills you. That's unacceptable. And before you get too excited by that and think I don't want you dead, I just plain hate losing.
    It is too many hours before sunset. I cannot aid you with physical fighting.
    Natalya parried another blow and took several slices at the armor-plated warrior. Her blade moved through smoke. Physical fighting . The words repeated over and over in her head. It was impossible to fight a shadow warrior and win.
    What are they made of? Vikirnoff, hurry! What are they made of?
    They have no substance. They are like Carpathians when we turn to mist. Small molecules, vapor, air. Even water. Dust. Whatever is around to form the particles is used.
    But he is dead, Natalya. Already dead. You cannot kill him.
    It has to be more than that. It has life, essence. A spirit . Natalya parried another blow and sliced futilely through gray and black smoke.
    The spirit of a lost warrior, taken from the grave without permission and forced to obedience without rest. That's what a shadow warrior is, right ? she asked.
    Vikirnoff again made a supreme effort to redirect the shadow warrior's attention back to him and away from Natalya. If it slays me, remain absolutely still. It will ignore you and leave .
    Natalya deflected the blade of the shadow warrior from Vikirnoff's throat and sliced through the transparent body once again, whirling away from the bed so that the warrior tracked her across the room away from the hunter. Stop being so noble. You set my teeth on edge. This thing is really making me angry. Trust me, that is not a good thing. They're already dead. Think, Natalya. Call on your skills . She continued to instruct herself, staying very focused on the warrior.
    I'm telling you it feeds off energy. The more you move, the more emotion you give it, the stronger the thing becomes. It's growing in stature, but not form.
    I have a plan. Close your eyes and keep them closed. You'll have to trust me.
    Vikirnoff immediately merged his mind with hers as she spun in a graceful circle, a blur of motion as she kept the warrior's attention fully focused on her. Even in the dire circumstances, Vikirnoff found her a beautiful, deadly combination. Grace and power, perfectly balanced, she moved with blurring speed, spinning in circles across the room, blade flying as she gained the covered balcony door. Her gaze shifted once to him, even as she parried another blow from the warrior. Vikirnoff saw her entire body vibrate with the force of the shadow warrior's strike.

    Your eyes ! It was the only warning Natalya was going to give him. If Vikirnoff wouldn't listen to her, even in the midst of a dangerous situation, that was on him. She gritted her teeth and caught at the drape, jerking the heavy