"Idiot," an all too familiar voice spoke from behind the broken girl.

She kept her eyes locked on the shiny weapon in her grasp, which was just inches away from making contact with her human body. A human body that was laced with the perfections of a vampire. Will she heal quick enough to have someone save her if she were to strike herself right now? Will she just perish just as the Queen did if she were to pierce her heart?

The figure, soaking wet from the storm that crept up on the entire kingdom extremely quickly, stepped closer and closer to her. She didn't bother to look up for she had known just who it was from his voice. Waiting for a yell or an intimidating yelp to echo in the grand hall, the Princess silently listened. Flashing lights boomed in and out of the entire room, as the loud cracks of the thunder invaded the atmosphere.

Her old best friend inched by her side, before bending down and sitting shoulder to shoulder with her. He just stared at their reflection, noticing how grim and melancholic the entire mood was. His eyes focused in on the knife in her hand. A flood of procedures and actions that he could take raced through his mind. He could get angry. He could just rip it out of her grip. But how will that help? He will just worsen the situation by doing something as insane as that.

Instead, he maintained his calm composure—oddly enough—and simply repeated, "Idiot."

Sophia traced her fingertips along the knife's blade, feeling how shiny and creepily magnetic its pull was to her. "Idiocy doesn't describe what I am supposed to do."

"You're right, it doesn't. Because you're supposed to seek support just as you've supported those around you."

"Support? How have I supported anyone?"

"You never gave up on me, did you? I was one of the most vicious people out there in the world, and you never fully turned your back on me. Simply because you knew that I was capable of something more. You never gave up on your family. You never gave up on the Princes. You certainly never gave up on the BEASTs. You stood as their foundation—"

"And without them, I'm nothing."

"Then why take the foundation of a building away? It will only crumble with time."

She finally looked up at their reflections, noticing how dirty and bloody they both were. The war had taken its toll on both of their bodies and minds. But the impression in hers was far deeper than his. His hazel eyes were focused on the mirror also, intently staring at hers.

"What if the building never needed a foundation?"

"Then the building was doomed to fail from the start."

"Wouldn't it be easier, to just not even have it to begin with?"

"It certainly would have been easier to not have it, or doors, windows, walls, and furniture. But what sort of building will it be without any of those?"

Sophia's eyes began to lose focus as she continued to face her reflection. A stream of water trailed down her face, escaping the confinement of her eyes. The pain continued to stab her heart just as deeply as she could herself with the weapon in her grip.

Damien noticed her tears before wrapping his arm around her shoulders. This caused her to place the knife against her lap before letting go of it all together. Her body felt like a pile of mush, without any support itself.

"Why are you so defeated, Soph?"

"I lost them."

"Lost whom?"

"Everyone."

"You haven't—"

"My mother. My father. Mrs. Moon. The Queen. Jun. Cathy. The kids. All of them died because of me."

He took a deep breath. What he says next can make things better or worse, and he knew that. "You weren't the one who—"

"And then I've lost the Princes. The King. The BEASTs. And you."

"We're still here. We are all still waiting for you, ready to protect you."

"Why would any of you protect someone who brings nothing but death wherever she goes?"

"Because she's worth protecting at all costs."

"Then you are all idiots."

A small grin formed across his face. "I never said we weren't."

Sophia turned slightly, just enough to be able to look at him for a moment. This was the boy who stood by her side from the start. Yet, she couldn't find herself to love him just as he loved her. This pained her whole body a lot more. That fact. That simple, undeniable fact. She can never see herself falling deeply and madly in love with him. He was capable of so much, but was being held back by the one thing he wanted the most: her. This girl wanted him to achieve greatness, yet he would never be able to.

Not as long as he knows her. Not as long as he loves her. Not as long as he remembers her.

Returning to looking at the mirror, Sophia blankly questioned, "Why did they have to die?"

"No one ever has to die. There are just those destined to leave this world before others."

"But why?"

A pause. How does he answer a question like that? It doesn't even have a definite, provne answer. "Because they're preparing paradise for those who are still living, I guess."

"Didn't they deserve more? A full life at least."

"Then live yours for them. Don't do anything stupid."

"At the rate that death is just taking everyone I care for away from me, it'll only be a matter of time before it knocks at my door."

"Combat it."

"What?"

"Just... fight back. It's harder to kill something that's engineered to be...immortal." He took this chance. This had to be his way of utilizing this moment to persuade her to do something she was never okay with.

"You're suggesting I become a... full fledged vampire?" she asked.

"I've already told you to do it before; you're the only one against it."

She glared at him. "Did you ever take into account why I am so against it?"

Damien paused for a moment. That was something that was very true. Everyone had been telling her their opinions on something, only focusing on how it could benefit her without really seeing the negatives. He took a deep breath, awaiting her reason.

She brushed his arm off of her shoulder. "I'm against it because I believe I don't deserve it. Why do I get the opportunity to be around forever when there are those who hadn't even gotten the chance to fully live life? Why am I the one? Why me?"

"Soph..."

"Why am I the fortunate one in every situation? Huh? Why am I the one who walks away without a scratch while everyone else around me is beaten to their death?"

"...Soph. I think—"

"Why is it me?"

And that was when Damien blew up. He had grown tired of her pessimistic views, especially since it wasn't like her at all to be this sad. "Because you're the only one strong enough to keep going! You're the only one who won't sit back and watch your life fall apart! You're the only one capable of handling it! BECAUSE YOU'RE YOU."

Boom.

Flash.

Boom.

Flash.

Sophia turned to push the blade farther from her body. He had slowly convinced her. Just a smidge. It was just enough.

"I'm not that strong anymore. Not after what I've witnessed and what I know."

"It's supposed to strengthen you, not break you down... You have to learn from the past and build towards a better future."

"How is knowing that your parents gave up their lives to make sure you're safe something I'm able to learn from? How is knowing someone with the biggest heart died in your arms because of a war that started due to your presence, supposed to help me? How is knowing that the mother of the boy you love the most sacrificed her life to save yours supposed to save me?"

She focused in on his eyes once more. The pain transferred from her body to his. That was his weak point. Looking into her eyes told a story much deeper than her words ever could. What she couldn't say were expressed in them. That's what made her so special.

The question that truly altered the future will be asked next.

"Why can't I just forget it all?"

Damien was a bit taken aback by her inquisition. A few moments ago she has hell bent on parting with everyone in this life. Yet, now she wants to just forget it all. She wants to turn her back on everything that's happened. Is that the only way she can step forward and continue to live? To forget the reasons, the causes, her past?

"Forgetting it all is just like running away from it."

"Then I'll run. Run as fast as I have to for as long as I have to."

Boom.

Flash.

Boom.

Damien leaned forward to pull the knife closer to him. He touched its cool lining, replaying their entire conversation in his mind. This girl didn't want to lose him. She did the one thing she knew would break him into pieces. She had turned him into a vampire. But why? Wasn't it because she loved him? It had to be. Right?

No. Then why does he have to put in so much effort to try to convince her that her actions will do more harm them good? Why doesn't she believe him?

Right. She just said that she was the reason the mother of the one she loves the most had died.

One of the Princes had really won the ultimate prize.

Her love.

"Then I won't force you anymore Soph," he pocketed the knife before standing up to straighten himself.

Fighting a girl who already set her mind on something was a waste of time. He might as well put his efforts into helping those out in the battlefield. Leaving her behind, the vampire hunter turned vampire started to head off into the heart of the war itself.

During those moments, a race of thoughts formed across Sophia's mind. He was right. She couldn't put everyone's sacrifices to vain just because she feels defeated. She is Sophia Song. The golden child. The girl who sacrificed an education to support a family who took her in with no complaints. She was loved by each person she loved in return.

Sophia.

The Princess of Akore.

She hustled to run after her best friend. Wrapping her arms across him, she pressed her face against his back. He was surprised by her sudden action. Feeling the contours of his muscle tighten from her hug, the Princess took a deep breath.

He was irrevocably, madly in love with her.

Sadly.

But she could help him. And herself. And everyone else out there.

She really could.

But she needed him to do so.

"Turn me," she whispered. A loud booming noise could have covered her sentence. But Damien was too focused on her not to hear it.

"What?"

Once more, she reiterated, "Turn me into a vampire."

Flash.

The seconds after those words were haunting. It was quiet. The entire worse listened in on her words at that moment. Damien processed what she said slowly, trying to pry it apart for reasons and consequences. As she loosened her grip around his waist, he pulled out the knife from his pocket.

This was it.

This moment was theirs. And theirs alone.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes."

Her underlying reasons were only known by her. She knew the factors of becoming a vampire. A full vampire. Not the half mortal, half immortal concoction she was. This girl had it all memorized.

"Since I'm a halfie, I'm not quite sure if just giving me your blood will work. So you have to bite me," she intently ordered him.

It was now his turn to ask a question. "Why me?"

She knew if she answered this incorrectly, her plans would be foiled. Taking a few seconds to find her words, she breathed, "Why not?"

That basically turned his brain into mush. What did she mean by that? What did she have planned? What were her reasons?

Sophia lightly grazed down his arms and reached for the knife in his grip while pull forth the free hand. Carefully, she placed the blade across his palm. And slowly cut across the soft flesh. His blood rushed out into a pool. She can never turn her back once she does this.

But it had to be done.

To save her. Damien. The Princes. Especially... him.

This was what she wanted.

Pressing her other hand across his face, Damien felt the cool imprint of the ring he had given her. The warmth of her touch enthralled his body. This was the girl he had loved from the beginning of his life. This figure in front of him moved his heart in ways he thought was impossible. No matter how angry she or he could get at each other, he always found himself forgiving her. He couldn't help but wonder of their lives together at times. Just to fantasize a future that would never really happen. There was nothing she could do wrong in his eyes. She was already perfect to him.

Had Damien known what her real plan was, he would have never agreed to such a plan. But his weakness was her advantage. Once she asked, she knew that he would never be able to say no. And that's what she hoped for. She hoped that his love for her would drive him to agree.

And then... she'd forget it all. Just as she wished.

Damien turned his head slightly, touching her soft skin with his pink lips. He felt his fangs protrude forward, their sharp ends just waiting to pierce her body. She asked him. Him. And so, he did as she commanded.

A soft bite connected them for a few seconds as the venom penetrated her body quickly.

That moment. That moment alone twisted fate into a way no one could have ever been able to predict.

Sophia felt her body cooling down in an odd fashion. She felt even weaker, as the venom spread throughout every inch of him. It would take some time before she actually dies if she doesn't take Damien's blood right now. Her knees started to weaken from the fear itself.

What if this doesn't work?

No.

It has to work.

It's the only way they can all live life to the fullest of their abilities.

Sophia slowly lifted up Damien's bloody palm and engulfed herself in the red sensation. She felt her body accepting very drop, like it was a drug. Her vampire manifestation welcomed it with open arms. Her heart ran at a faster rate than ever before as it allowed the venom to take over. Her bones transformed their brittle frames into steel like formations. Every part of her upgraded into a better form. Every single part.

In her mind, it seemed as though every single one of her memories flashed before her eyes. This was all she wanted to forget. Right? All of it. Her underlying wish of wanting to just let go of her past took over. She begged to be able to let it all disappear. It was the only way she could ever find herself forgiving the girl who let all those people die. It was her only option.

What the Princess wished for was what she got.

The chance to make it all go away.

When she parted with Damien's palm, a flood of power rushed through her veins. Damien seemed to already be healing. Sophia focused her eyes on the boy in front of her. She wanted to thank him. He was the reason her plan had worked. It really had. But she couldn't find the words to do so. Because she knew the moment she said something to him, he would never understand why.

Without wasting more time, the girl rushed off into the darkness. It was almost sunup. The light was about to engulf the entire kingdom, signaling the start of a day that should be really special to her. But now, this day signaled nothing but death to the Princess. Her birthday meant nothing to her now.

Leaving behind a confused vampire, Sophia just ran. She ran really far. She ran in the direction she had seen that blonde boy run when he killed the Queen. This girl wasn't quite sure about what she was going to do, if anything, but was convinced that something had to be done at all costs.

Vengeance.

When she finally found herself slowing down, that's when she saw them. They were so surprised by the failure of their attack. Why would each member of the Lee family even be here? Was it to enjoy the fruit of their declaration? How dare they? How dare they think that the ancient Moon family would keel over dead and hand their kingdom to them in such a vicious move? How dare they think they'd be able to live another day?

What made this so much easier was the fact that they were defenseless for they launched all of their forces into the kingdom. And only a very small fraction remained to continue breathing. Hunters were out helping survivors escape the massacre. Teams Alpha, Beta, and Gamma were diligently making sure that all injured were taken care of. The BEASTs were leaving nothing to chance and killing each assassin and straggler in their sight. And the Woo family... the Woo family was mourning the loss of their fallen Queen.

Sophia inched closer and closer to the family. She couldn't help but soak in the look of fear in their eyes. If they hadn't known better, she would have been a straggler. Her clothes were so dirty, so bloody, so torn that it was clear she was at the center of the war itself. The anger in her presence engulfed them all in a matter of moments.

"You... You look just like her..." gasped the Queen of the Lee family.

"I do? Don't I?" Sophia menacingly grinned. "Like the old heir to the Akore Kingdom..."

In front of her were each member of the Lee family. Their Queen. Their King. Their Princesses, just three. And lastly, their youngest. Prince Byunghyun himself.

"What are you doing here? We can just as easily kill you," threatened the fearful King.

"You could do that, but what makes you think you're capable of something like that? You're defenseless. You have no way of protecting yourselves from something like me."

"What do you want?" the Queen asked her.

"One thing and one thing only," Sophia readied herself for what was going to happen next, "revenge."

And she raced through the field at a speed that was too fast to even keep up with. First, she struck the King by beheading him then striking his heart for extra measures. His blood sprayed all over once his head was disconnected for her body. Then, the Queen. Only a simple strike to her heart was enough to make her fall forward, not being able to breathe another breath. With each Princess, Sophia made sure to leave large cuts into their bodies, surrounding them as they tried to protect themselves. The shock from the parents' deaths in front of their eyes was starting to take over. They weren't prepared for the destruction of their family. One by one, the Princess of Akore plunged them in their hearts.

She saved the best for last. And yet, she just turned her back on him, dropping the knife in the process.

Prince Byunghyun fell to his knees. She had mutilated his whole family. Right in front of his eyes. Only one question rang through his mind, "Why?! WHY DIDN'T YOU KILL ME?! WHY KEEP ME ALIVE?!"

Sophia stopped in her tracks. She stared at him with not even a single drop of satisfaction in her eyes. The sky was beginning to clear up. A sense of warmth invaded the once foggy kingdom. Destruction was clear and obvious to everyone at this point. Sunlight engulfed all of the bodies, dead and alive.

It was finally over.

"To make you suffer. If you want to join them, just take that knife and kill yourself with it. But now you know the pain you inflicted on me when you killed the Queen."

She turned her back on him once more, before running off into the meadows of the palace. Hoping that no one else had come up injured or dead. Leaving behind a heart broken Prince, mesmerized by her beauty but struck by her violence.

The war. The war had ended. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A bit upset that something had to happen to the website before I could see the results of your voting, for the poll was also erased, along with this chapter. All of the  recent comments are also gone, so please resubmit them for me!

I'm going to go do some work before doing something special for you guys (: