Marvel: Death Knight

The trio of Blade, Daredevil, and Punisher arrived at Hell's Kitchen, only to find that Garus wasn't at his villa.

Standing before the dark, unlit building, Blade remarked, "Matt, looks like we came for nothing."

Sensing Blade's frustration, Daredevil tried to reassure him. "Blade, can't we wait a little longer? Maybe he's just out and will be back soon."

Blade shook his head firmly. "Jacqueline's been infected with vampire venom. She doesn't have much time before she turns. We can't wait. Besides, I know Fess well enough to handle him. With your help, it won't be too difficult."

The Punisher patted Blade on the shoulder. "Let's go. My guns are itching for some action."

As the leader of the vampires, Deacon Fess operated a public-facing corporation in New York. While not the tallest building in the city, his headquarters was among the top in height and prominence.

The security guards at the entrance eyed the approaching trio with suspicion. Resting their hands on their holstered weapons, one of them stepped forward. "Who are you? No invitation, no entry."

The Punisher feigned indignation. "Of course, we have an invitation."

As the guard moved closer to check, the Punisher delivered a swift punch to his head. The force knocked him out cold before he could raise the alarm. The guard collapsed in a heap.

"There's our invitation," the Punisher said with a smirk.

"You're violent as ever," Daredevil quipped with a shrug.

Stepping over the unconscious guard, the trio entered the building.

Night had fallen, and the building was eerily quiet. They encountered no one until they reached the tenth floor, where a handful of guards finally appeared.

"Intruders! Jones, go alert the boss!" one guard shouted as the others charged, wielding batons. Clearly, they hadn't been expecting visitors at this hour.

Blade, Daredevil, and the Punisher were no ordinary fighters. Each of them could rival a Level 10 S.H.I.E.L.D. operative. Against mere security guards—physically stronger than average but untrained for such foes—they were unstoppable. Even against groups of vampires, Blade's blood coagulant injections turned them into piles of ash.

No one could stand in their way as they fought their way to the top floor.

Hearing the gunfire below, Fess turned to one of his subordinates. "What's happening down there?"

A breathless lackey rushed in. "Boss, three people are storming the building. We can't stop them."

"Three?" Fess frowned. "Shouldn't it just be Blade?"

"Did you see the Daywalker?" Fess asked, referring to Blade with his preferred term. He envied Blade's vampire-like powers and immunity to sunlight.

The lackey nodded frantically. "Yes, he's with them."

A smile spread across Fess's face. "Perfect. Lure him into the designated room as planned."

The trio fought their way into a stark white room. Inside, they found a computer and a sleek white cabinet.

"What's this?" The Punisher and Daredevil examined the computer. It contained information on summoning the Blood God's power. The contents seemed absurd, almost laughable. Could such power truly exist?

Blade, however, was fixated on the cabinet. Instinct told him that it held something he had longed for.

As mechanical sounds filled the room, the cabinet opened to reveal a female vampire. Blade's eyes widened in shock as he pulled out an old identification card from his pocket. Comparing it to the woman before him, disbelief spread across his face.

"Blade, who is she?" Daredevil asked, turning to see Blade staring at the woman. His friend's expression was complex.

"Child, aren't you happy to see your mother?" the woman said with a smile, stepping closer to Blade.

"Blade, I thought your mother was dead," Daredevil said, confusion evident in his voice.

Blade's mind raced. He remembered his mother being bitten by a vampire. Perhaps she hadn't died in childbirth after all. Instead, she had turned, her vampire healing abilities saving her.

Blade's mother looked at the other two men, puzzled. "Who are they?"

Reaching out to touch her face, Blade's hand trembled. He knew she was a vampire now and likely an ally of Deacon Fess.

Suddenly, a sharp pain stabbed through his chest. Blade looked down to see a dagger lodged in him. Though not fatal, it sapped much of his strength.

Two grenades rolled toward Daredevil and the Punisher. Distracted by her identity, they had lowered their guard. Daredevil's heightened senses allowed him to push the Punisher aside in time, diving away himself.

BOOM! BOOM!

Shrapnel tore through the air. Both Daredevil and the Punisher were injured, their bodies bloodied. Blade and his mother were also caught in the blast.

Struggling to his feet, Blade leveled his silver stake launcher at his mother. With a look of anguish, he fired. The projectile pierced her, and she disintegrated into ash before his eyes.

"That wasn't my mother anymore," he muttered, his voice heavy with regret. "She was Fess's pawn. My hesitation… it might cost us everything."

Watching through the surveillance monitors, Fess slammed his fist on the console. "Damn it!" He glared at the screen, watching his beloved ally's demise. "Surround them! I want them all captured alive. Especially the Daywalker."

Hordes of vampire thralls and humans hoping to turn swarmed toward the room.

"We're surrounded!" The wounded trio ducked for cover as bullets ricocheted around them.

"We can't hold out like this. There are too many," the Punisher said, clutching his side as blood seeped through his fingers.

They exhausted their ammo trying to break through the encirclement. Injured and outnumbered by vampires with incredible regenerative powers, they were running out of options.

Suddenly, the gunfire outside stopped. A pale figure with sunken eyes strode into the room.

"Daywalker," Fess sneered. "Bringing friends to die alongside you? How considerate."

His gaze shifted to Daredevil and the Punisher. "Well, if it isn't the famous Daredevil and Punisher. Seems even legends have their limits."

Blade whispered to his comrades, "Matt, Frank, I'm sorry. This is my fault. I dragged you into this."

Haunted by his adoptive father's death and his mother's betrayal, Blade felt the weight of his mistakes. He stood, gripping his sword tightly.

"I'll cover you. Get out of here."

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Author's Note: Apologies for the recent lapses in logic and coherence. I'll strive to improve the narrative moving forward.

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