《Silver and Crimson》 Landen Landen has always been humanity''s symbol of last hope. Home of the vampire hunting association, the founding place of industrial technology, Landen is seen as the representation of human perseverance through nature''s cruel challenges. Ironically, it is also the front concerning the ongoing Hunt: since most of the humans reside in Landen, it is a vulnerable city concerning vampire attacks, and its effects are well shown. In the trains, the tramways, the shops, all the papers have but one headliner: "Vampire attack". Be it a simple bite, a swarm of hungry imps chomping on unsuspecting bypassers, or even a small group of vampires having caused a few murders, each one sets a good amount of fear and despair inside the people''s hearts. Around Landen''s central train station, connecting with every other city on the continent (not that the vampires left many), one young man sits outside the large steel gate separating Landen and the inside. Standing on the white marble steps, wearing a noticeable attire consisting of a white buttoned shirt with suspenders, a black denim jean, shoes and overshirt, and a top hat. While a lot would immediately think of a gravedigger or a funeral office manager, one thing makes the distinction between them and... Random kid: Look Mom, a vampire hunter!! Mother: Goodness Mathieu don''t just blurt stuff out! People can hear! Random kid: But Mom, look how cool he looks! He even has a silver pendant, like in the books!! The silver pendant, just as the kid said, while the young man looks annoyed with the fact other people notice he exists. Silver pendants are a vampire hunter''s prize possession, indicating their status and bringing hope to the traumatized victims. The young man is tall and fairly built. With his light brown hair cut like a wolf, and some small scars resting on his face, he could be a middle-class dweller. However, these rather handsome characteristics go to waste. His posture leads nothing to be desired, standing like a crooked tree waiting to fall and his expression only shouts one thing... "Why am I here?" Flashback to a few hours ago, the young man is "conversing" (rather getting hammered on) by a hulking man with orange hair, dressed like an adventurer would: cloth armor except the right hand and a brown cape covering his left side. His right hand is saved for holding an iron flask full of any alcohol he can fit at that moment...Inside the room, the names "Aaron" for the young man and "Shroud" for the old Hulk can be heard... Aaron: Is it necessary for me to get another teammate? Url''s just fine, we get along great!! Shroud: Of course, you do, you''ve known ''im since trainin''. The thing is, Aaron, you guys are the worst at cooperatin''... Aaron: The hell you are talking about, we never fight! Shroud: Correction, URL never fights!! He stays at home patching you up while you go taking on patrols and missions requiring three people and then some!! Aaron: Aaaandd I always manage! Shroud: while half-losing your life in the process, putting victims'' lives at stake and destroying property. Which means my sorry ass has to stop relaxing and drinking to do paperwork!!! You need another partner, someone to keep you on your toes. How does Url even manage to live wit'' ya... Aaron: guess I''m not as awful as you think, Shroud... Shroud throws a piece of paper that he takes off his hidden bag, indicating where to pick up the new arrival. We return to our current setting... Aaron: So.. I''m looking for a 19-year-old Japanese prince with a topknot...How stereotypical... Aaron sulks for a moment... Aaron: What the hell does a prince from the Asian empire want to do by playing vampire hunting? God, he''s gonna step on my fuckin''- While Aaron is lost in a vicious cycle of negative thoughts, the train has already arrived. As the doors open, a figure steps out with two suitcases. With two katanas on his side, the figure sports a white top/black bottom kimono, clad in small armor plates. With black raven hair, tied in a topknot, the man seems stern but quite approachable. Aaron notices the topknot and slowly approaches him... Aaron: Are... you mister... Akira Suiga? The man salutes and bows immediately... SUIGA:My deepest apologies for any type of inconvenience my arrival has posed!!! My name is Akira Suiga , son of the Akira family, vampire hunter. Pleased to make your acquaintance!! And what could your name be?! Aaron: (I stumbled upon a chatterbox, huh...) My name is Aaron Willheart, your... highness. I''m a vampire hunter too. You are my new partner. Suiga: Aah, wonderful news, that is. Please take care of me, I will try my best to not be a hindrance... Aaron: (You being here is already a hindrance). Just focus on the job and everything''s going to go smoothly...Shall I help with the luggage- Before finishing, Suiga picks up all his luggage and rests them on his shoulder. Suiga: No worries, my friend. I said I wouldn''t be a hindrance to my new senpai!! Aaron: (Ohhh no...) Eeeh, senpai? SUIGA:Yes, my senior, to say. Landen is at the forefront of the Hunt against the vampires, I can only suppose you have the most experience in this team. Aaron: Ohh ok, let''s calm down here, we are pretty much on same level the both of us. And don''t call me senior, it sounds like I''m 30... Suiga : Then chief? Aaron: No Suiga : Commander? Aaron: Uh, no? Suiga: Leader of our merry band? Aaron:The hell''s with you and authority!? Partner, I ain''t no one''s leader. Suiga: Very well, partner it is. Aaron: Great. Now let''s go to the hideout, I''ll explain our situation down the road. As they prepare to leave, sounds of panic can be heard towards the east corner of the station... A crowd is seen forming around a group of people with wooden panels, and a woman screaming... Woman: This cannot go on any longer. Saint-Louis first, which area''s next?? Vampires are going wild in our poor neighborhood, victims are only rising every week, and our hunters aren''t doing a thing!!! Three months since we heard about a vampire killing that''s not from the already failures of expeditions in the old forests!! Tell me, how long!! Half of the crowd screams along, while the rest stay neutral, but concerned... Suiga: What is she saying?? Aaron: Uh, leave it alone...It''s been a few rough weeks... As they start their route, Suiga notices a lot of interesting elements in the cloudy city. People rather prefer transport instead of walking, a lot of horns sitting ready on electrical poles, and mysterious amounts of blood sprayed on various walls. Aaron starts talking... Aaron: So, as you already know, our job is to chase vampires. We either take cases of continuous, unexplained attacks and sightings around the city, patrol some nights, and/or MAYBE an expedition or two. Right now, most of our forces have left for an expedition in the south, so we are short-staffed, which is already troublesome since vampire hunting isn''t a profession that pulls a lot of candidates. Suiga: I see, that''s why my application procedure was that fast. Is this cut on forces related to what we heard earlier? Aaron: Pretty much...The expedition was sudden because Saint-Louis has been a hotspot for vampire attacks lately. The higher-ups decided to send some people down south to see if any cult has set camp, but because of that, the last weeks have taken a large toll on our performance... SUIGA:How many hunters are there in the city, right now? Aaron: Well... you, me, and the other guy who''s with us, Url... SUIGA:Everybody else left? Aaron: Well, I mean, most of them are already on other expeditions, so there weren''t enough to begin with. My senior already left to rejoin the south, so we only had three hunters and what was left of the general army to patrol at night. Suiga: Sounds somehow dangerous. But that must mean that you and this Url must be amazing to hold on by yourselves like that!! Aaron: (Shouldn''t tell him about our team''s lose streak, establish dominance) Exactly why I didn''t need another partner!! You came here for nothing!!! Suiga: Oh, well, I''m sorry about my inconvenience... Aaron: Aaah, I didn''t mean it like that! You just wanted to Suiga: As punishment, I shall now and here, commit seppuku to restore my- Aaron: Nooo suicides!!! (Aaron tries to take the knife out to of Suiga ''s hands). Aaron: (Uuh, why am I paying for this?) Welp, here we are. Your new home and my favorite place. The boys stare at a small pub, blinders closed, door locked. Suiga grabs his partner''s shoulder... Suiga: A hidden watering hole, to drown one''s troubles away in the joy of alcohol. I now understand this city''s situation- Aaron:I''M NOT A DRUNKARD, IT''S JUST THE BUILDING!!!!!! As Aaron unlocks the heavy wooden door with a large key, the boys enter a salon filled with wooden barstools, a large table, and lots of accessories. Maps, schemes, potions, barrels full of aging alcohol. Candles and low-quality lightbulbs provide some light. The wooden floor cracks as they walk towards the main bar, where our Suiga is interested in a certain accessory. The statue of a plague doctor, mask cloak and all, standing behind the bar. If you come across this story on Amazon, it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it. Suiga: Amazing taste, Aaron. He looks quite lifelike. Statue:And I am!! Suiga stumbles from fear and falls to the floor. He quickly backs up and draws his sword, a katana made of polished silver. Suiga: Aaron, behind me. A vampire has used spell craft on this poor piece of art. Aaron stops him from attacking. Aaron: No, no, no, you got it all wrong... Url, goddamit, stop scaring the fuck out of people like that!!! URL: Sorry, but the setting and context were just an opportunity not to miss! Suiga: This is our other teammate?! Aaron: Uuuhh, Suiga , meet Url Schellinger. He''s our other partner, and now ironically this team''s doctor. He''s pranking people cause staying hours cooped up in here turns people mad. He''s not mean, just maladjusted. URL: The recruit I see. Sorry for this small piece of amusement, Your Highness, the last few weeks have been rough for us. I hope this doesn''t encourage you to leave us earlier than expected, considering the first Landenian you had to speak to was Aaron. Aaron: Who''s cooking your food and housing your creepy bird ass, again? Suiga: Aaah, no worries, my friend. And it''s Suiga, no highness with me. I hope we can get along just like this if it means bringing you joy. URL: Oh, a weird one. Sounds like you Aaron. Did he meet Shroud? Aaron: No, not yet. Luck favors him. URL: And did you fill him in on our little situation? Aaron: Yes Url starts taking out a bunch of plans and schemes from under the counter. He leaves them on the grand table and calls his allies around to look at what he just brought... URL: So, since Suiga ''s caught up, I can explain today''s case- SUIGA:Eeeh, excuse me sir Url, but shouldn''t you- URL: Take off my mask to see better? No worries, I am well adjusted to reading and conversing with this. Suiga: How did you- Aaron: Not the first and not the last to ask this question, topknot. URL: Getting off topic...One of our bigger problems the past week has been imp sightings. I don''t know if they''ve been present in the empire, Suiga. Suiga: Oh, you are talking about the lesser vamplings. Disgusting little creatures, thank the Sun Lord we don''t have many of them. URL: Well, today''s mission is sort of a blessing and a curse. These little scamps have been seen scouring the city during the nights by homeless people in parks. We managed to trace their paths and apparently... they''re stealing graveyards. Aaron: Huh? Like, bones and stuff? URL: Specifically, bones. They even managed to break the seals of the mausoleums. We have no idea why, but the higher-ups are afraid this might be some preparation for a spell. Suiga: But vampires don''t use bones for spells. What could they need them for? Aaron: You''ll be surprised by what vampires can consider "useful" from us humans. Probably statues to pray to that bat god they love... URL: Well, whatever it is, it must end today. We must follow them from the graveyard, up to whatever lair they lead us to. And of course, by us, I mean you two. Suiga: You are not joining us? Aaron: Url''s our doctor, can''t have him dying on us. Central Vampire Hunter Hospital services are usually crowded with vampire victims and other stuff, so we best keep him safe. URL: I do, however, have a new batch of potions for you to replenish your supplies. No idea what you will encounter... Aaron: Well, best start preparing soon, the night''s approaching. Aaaah, finally after weeks, we get a chance to cut some bat head. Suiga: My first mission, I shall not mess this up!! As night approaches, the two boys move to the graveyard. While awaiting the arrival of the imps to start their mission, they notice a figure already in hiding... Aaron: Well, well, well... Look what we have here... Suiga: Is that the woman from the manifestation earlier today? The woman is hiding inside the bushes surrounding the graves. She notices the hunters approaching her but pays no attention... Aaron: Uuh, excuse me? Hi, vampire hunters, are you somehow authorized to be here? Woman: Oh, screw me, silver head! I''m taking matters into my own hands! Useless... Suiga : Excuse me, Aaron. Miss, we happened to come across your speech earlier today. I understand Landen has been in some sort of predicament the past few weeks, and you are more than justified to live in fear, but this is a dangerous situation that you are not equipped to deal with... Woman: Oh, are you? It took you three weeks to narrow down that a bunch of imps were stealing bones from a graveyard, without any reason or cause. All that, while vampires have been sucking our people dry every other Tuesday!! Aaron: We... are trying our BEST, miss. I''m sorry that our troops have been lacking because of- Woman: Let me guess, the expeditions?! The free trips our people have been paying from taxes just so you can go suicide by vampire out of our sights, but first do some sightseeing of the Alban Forest Trees? Aaron: (Kill, kill, kill) Uuuuuh... Woman: Exactly. And don''t worry, I saw you earlier. Looking at me like I''m spouting off nonsense when you know damn well, I know the truth. You vampire hunters are nothing more than sorry decorations that this city has put in to ease our minds while we await the GRAND BITE- Suiga: Miss, please calm down! The imps will hear us! Aaron: Speak of the devil, they are here!! Get out of here, we can''t have a civilian tailing us! Woman: Never, I''m not letting my future to two 19-year-olds!!! As there''s no time, the woman is forced to join them. The imps arrive. Disgusting creatures, lesser vampires, around 1.20m, grey skin, black eyeballs, and rotten, prickly skin. They have zero to little conscience, mostly working by instinct, but they follow a vampire''s command by the book and are dangerous in numbers. The imps start digging and stealing...No jewelry or artifacts, but bones, hair, and leftover flesh. They start leaving one by one through a broken opening in the iron fences of the graveyard... Aaron: Uh, never going to get over the smell... Suiga: We truly must follow them, I guess... The boys quickly start the chase once they notice the strange woman has outpaced them...The opening leads to a small forest behind the graveyard. Given the graveyard''s location to the outskirts of town, the forest trees are tall, with dark leaves that spread out enough to cover the forest from the light of the moon... As they reach farther into the forest, the imps start splitting to sides, using their small stature to enter the bushes and lose the hunters... Aaron: Wait... Stop! Suiga: Hah... A problem? Woman: We almost had them!! What gives?! Aaron: Zip it! We are walking into a trap. See how the Imps split? Woman: Of course, I did, since instead of cutting their heads off, you are playing chase!! Suiga: Miss, please have some respect for my senior here. An alcoholic he might be, he is still- Aaron: Both of you zip it! We kill them, but we never find the bat behind their plan. They didn''t just split, they divided with coordination. Imps can''t even shit by themselves. Woman: We already know someone gave them orders, hunter!! Suiga: I think what my SENIOR wants to say, is that someone is probably commanding them as we speak, thus leading us into a trap!! Aaron: Exactly, topknot!! Wait, why am I celebrating, take out your weapon, dammit!! As they prepare, circling the woman for protection, they start hearing a laugh. While the woman looks to the sides for some sort of figure, the two hunters know to look up at the night sky. One figure, two wide bat wings spread out, descends upon a boulder in front of the group. Tall, pale, chestnut hair in a wolf cut, two fangs, and a pair of crimson eyes staring down at the lost humans. Dressed in a blue coat, he smiles at his enemies... Vampire: Well, well, well, after so many weeks too... I honestly thought vampire hunters were getting sloppy... Aaron: OK freak, show''s over. Before we INEVITABLY chop your head off your neck, how about you tell us why the hell you robbin'' graves? Vampire: Honestly, THIS HERE is why I hate humans. No suspense, no patience, have a little chat...straight to the bloodshed with you... Aaron: I don''t think anyone would want to have a chat with you and your teeth all over their necks... Suiga: Aaron, some of the imps have gathered around him...We should prepare for a fight. Vampire: Hmm? Oh, and you even brought me a snack!! Not even a minute passed, and the vampire flew next to the woman and lifted her the ground... Aaron: Hey!!! Woman: Let me go you freak!!! Vampire: Honestly, I can''t believe you imbeciles. You know we can''t drink putrid hunter blood, so you brought me something to fill my stomach after I toy around with your corpses... Woman: Don''t you worry about them! I''m the one you should look out for! The woman manages to pull out a small, silver knife. She tries to stab the vampire, but to her surprise, even though the knife pierces the skin, the vampire barely moves, just looking at her with pity... Vampire: I hope that was not expensive... You humans are so na?ve like cutlery would kill me... He grabs her with his two hands over her cheeks, and slowly approaches her neck, his cold yet dense breath grazing her shoulders. She violently tries to escape, with little success. He whispers... Vampire: So vibrant, so strong for your age... And just when I was searching for a new blood bag... Woman: Huh? No, no, no... Vampire: Oh well, why one more dependent would hurt? I''ll just tell everyone else that they can use it during my work hours!! As the vampire shows his fangs, ready to turn the woman to his kind, he feels something coming. He pushes her away and dodges a slash from Suiga, who manages to reach their height with Aaron''s help...The vampire retreats to the boulder, and Aaron grabs the woman. Suiga: No human will turn into another slave for you, freak!! Aaron, allow me to handle him. Aaron: Starting to like you, topknot. I''ll take the imps, then I''m coming to you. Suiga: Deal! As Suiga starts reaching for the vampire, the latter tries to send his imps on him. Aaron pulls out a flask filled with a slimy bleak fluid. He throws it to the ground. As the flask breaks, a gas is released from the fluid that surrounds the imps. They suddenly leave the samurai to chase after the fluid... Aaron: Url was right, they''ll chase it like madmen... Woman: What... is that?... Aaron: Imp "seductive". It simulates human and animal blood. The scent from the fluid is powerful enough to overcome any control from a vampire because it "stimulates an imp''s archaic sensory cortex" or something. Damn Url''s a nerd... Aaron takes out his amulet... Aaron: Look, miss. As much as I want to agree with you, you got it wrong. You just saw what these freaks are capable of, and for how little they will do it. And you are right, we probably lost the ball the past three months. We are not strong, we are not fast, we are not supernatural beings that can cast spells from hell... But hunters have one thing in common...They are all mad enough to go and chase these vamps out of our lives... Aaron starts chanting: "Oh Lord of the Sun, bestow upon me thy strength of the wolf to punish the demons: Wolfsbane!" The amulet glows white. The silver starts to liquify and grow, thus transforming the amulet into an engraved greatsword. Aaron holds it by his two hands, grips firmly, and rushes to the pile of enraged imps, slashing upwards violently to chop as many as he can. He manages to get them in one full sweep, sending their limbs and gore all over the bushes. Woman: He... killed them... Aaron: You need stronger silver than that butter knife if you are going to stab a bat, miss... In the meanwhile, Suiga has engaged his opponent. He swiftly dodges the vampire''s aerial kicks but remains on the defensive. The vampire taunts him... Vampire: Honestly, you just had to put your nose in our business. Damned hunters... Suiga: "Your" business? Who else is there? Did "they" receive the bones you stole? Vampire: Hehe, quite indeed!! Seems like you are risking your life for nothing. Suiga: Not necessarily. Once I cut you down, it will be one bat less in our world! The vampire manages to land a strong kick to Suiga ''s guts. His armor prevents a lethal hit, but he still gets pushed back and stunned... Vampire: You think you can kill us, don''t you?? He repeatedly tries to hit him again. Suiga barely manages to dodge... Vampire: Let me tell you something...You think just because your God gave you his silver and his light, you can somehow manage to kill the US!! We are stronger, we are faster, and we can wield magic like its cheap parlor tricks that your kind wouldn''t even DREAM of achieving. So, WE are the superior beings! So, when I want to eat a human, you should bow down and beg for mercy instead of trying to cut me down. Why? Cause livestock and toys, DON''T FIGHT BACK!!! As the vampire tries to land a sweep, Suiga quickly dashes and slashes off his leg. The vampire loses balance and falls back, his wings retracting. Suiga must have feigned his injury to lead the vampire on. Suiga: Shout all you want about strength, magic, and whatnot, freak. But do believe me when I say, that just because you are blessed by life, it doesn''t give you the right to torture others!!! He slashes the other leg and keeps the bat at bay... Suiga: I noticed earlier... You wouldn''t need some imps to handle us, no vampire would ever admit he can''t handle humans without help. You tried to eat the woman to gain your strength back...It''s safe to say then that these legs won''t be regenerating soon enough if we keep you starved until support arrives... Vampire: You brat!! Aaron and the woman arrive... Aaron: Nice job, topknot!! You good? Suiga: Like this starved bat could ever hope to slay me...So, what is next? Our captive just said the bones have already gone to his associates... Aaron: Well, he better spit out their names before I choke out whatever vampires live off of... Vampire: You fools... Aaron: Huh? Vampire: You have no idea what plot is afoot. My death is but trivial in front of what is to come in a few weeks... SUIGA: A few weeks? What are you planning? Aaron: More importantly, us chopping off your head is okay with you. Great!!! Vampire: Know this, humans! You can struggle all you want, fight us till your bones turn to dust. In the end, my masters shall prevail in this game. Vampires will always be on the top of the food chain, and humans will always be putrid, lowly, live-- Aaron pierces his head before the sentence is finished... Aaron: Well, we weren''t gonna get anything from him. And hearing the word livestock one more time...We''ll give his body to support, maybe they''ll figure something out... The woman approaches the two hunters... Woman: ...I''m...deeply sorry... I- Aaron: We get it. We can always be better. Until these freaks disappear... Suiga: We''ll keep fighting! The woman smiles... Suiga : Um, Sir Aaron? Aaron: Mate, I told you, we are the same age- Suiga: If I remember correctly, weren''t we supposed to deliver him alive to Salazar Prison for further questioning? Aaron freaks out. Aaron: SHIT!!!! WHAT THE HELL AM I GOING TO DO NOW!!!!??? SHROUD''S GONNA KILL ME!!! Suiga: It is my fault for getting caught up in the moment. I shall now commit seppuku! Aaron: DON''T ADD SUICIDE TO THE REPORT, TOPKNOT!!!!! Chapter 2 : Doctors Orders Vampire Hunting is a difficult and dangerous profession. The job requires rigorous preparation, consisting of a long training period, numerous experimentations, and tests on the mind and body alike. All so the hunters can have even a remote chance against the vampires. After a while, it became logical that a school for vampire hunting should be established at every main human region. In Landen¡¯s school of vampire hunting, one class decides to use today¡¯s lesson to learn about incantations¡­ Teacher: Well class, what is the difference between incantations and spellcraft? No one raises a hand, except one small girl in the middle¡­ Teacher: Yes, once again, Maya¡­ Maya: Spellcraft is used by vampires because they have what they call ¡°magicka¡±, which we have defined as a malevolent ethereal substance with reality-altering capacities. Incantations are not spells, because they do not rely on ¡°magicka¡± to cast, but on prayers from the book of the Sun God. Teacher: Very nice!! But what distinct these two is a lot more complex¡­ The class starts to gain interest¡­ Teacher: What Maya said is true. Vampires and humans rely on two different sources to cast ¡°spells¡±. But this difference itself develops the advantages and disadvantages in a fight. Because ¡°magicka¡± itself is reality-altering, a vampire only needs to create a ritualistic medium, such as a seal, etc to cast. So they have complete freedom as to what they can do. We can only chant the incantations given in the book. Student: One more way the bats outdo us¡­ Teacher: Now, now¡­ While that¡¯s true, what did we see in chapter seven of ¡°Vampire Anatomy¡±? The class raises no hands¡­Except one¡­ Teacher: Uuuhh, Maya? Male student: Actually, it¡¯s Vic? Teacher: Oh, Victor! Weird that you have an answer on a theoretical lesson. Victor: Well, ¡°Magicka¡± is limited. If used, it takes a while to replenish their pool. This probably means, that since we only need to endure the mental fatigue from the incantation¡¯s power, we can cast as many times as we want. Teacher : (Finally, I can boast to the teacher¡¯s lounge that TWO students participated in class today!)Well done, Vic!! Everyone, you should follow his and Maya¡¯s example and open a book occasionally!! So, as I was saying¡­ Returning to our heroes at the pub. After the last mission, the boys deployed the body at the nearest support center for hunters. Their job would be to search the body up and down for any clues about the gravedigging. Once they returned, Url patched them up and sent them to bed. This morning, the boys woke up to a mildly sunny day. In Landen, it is customary for people to wake up late, take their morning routine as slowly as possible, and have a peaceful, calm breakfast¡­ SUIGA: GOOD MORNING TO EVERYONE!!! I HOPE WE HAVE A WONDERFUL DAY!!! Landenians, of course¡­ Suiga wakes up early, prepares himself, and loudly descends the wooden stairs on the right of the pub, connecting the first floor and lobby. Url awaits him with breakfast¡­ URL: WELL HELLO THERE SUIGA. WOULD YOU CARE FOR SOME EGGS?? SUIGA: I WOULD DO, THANK YOU VERY MUCH!! URL: WELL THEN, REST ON THE GRAND TABLE AND I SHALL SERVE YOU WITH THE BEST EGGS YOU HAVE EVER- Aaron: SHUT IT OR YOU ARE ALL EVICTED, YOU FUCKS!!! Aaron, wearing his wrinkly common clothes, descends slowly and begrudgingly down to the lobby. Dark eye circles down his eyes, messy hair, that can only mean a rude awakening¡­ URL: Oh Aaron, you are awake. Aaron : OH REAALLLLYYYY??? SUIGA: Are you well rested, chief? Aaron: Don¡¯t call me chief, and yes until two foreigners decide to make my life miserable again¡­At least breakfast¡¯s ready¡­ As Aaron sits and eats, last night falls into the conversation¡­ URL: So, about the mission, I heard. Congratulations, you broke the losing streak!!! This ought to give the people some peace of mind. Aaron: Should have seen topknot. He diced that fucker like butter. He moves pretty well. SUIGA: I shall guard this comment deep in my heart, chief¡­ Aaron: No, you shan¡¯t. And your potion worked just fine, Url. The imps fell on the stuff like Shroud on Smoked Rum. URL: I¡¯m glad it did¡­Now about your careless beheading¡­ Aaron : (SHIT) Uuuhh¡­ URL: I shall not say a thing. Shroud, on the other hand, has sent a message overnight¡­ Url takes out of his pocket two completely black sheets of paper¡­ Aaron: What the hell happened? URL: Shroud wrote to us, but the post office had to censor the letter. Excess profanity and abusive words were used¡­ Aaron: THAT¡¯S THE CENSORING????!!! SUIGA: This Shroud sounds aggressive¡­ URL: He¡¯s our senior, after all. He can be a brute, but he means well¡­ Url puts the papers back¡­ URL: Aaand on the subject of bad news¡­ Aaron: No, we are out of rotisserie chicken sauce!! I knew I should¡¯ve run out to¡­ URL: Listen to me well when I say that because of you, WE ARE NEVER RUNNING OUT OF THAT STUFF. No, it has to do with your medical results¡­ Aaron: The fuck¡¯s this all about? URL: Aaron, I might need to take Suiga to Central today. I¡¯m worried about that vampire and the kick he landed on his gut. There might be a dislocated bone my potions can¡¯t fix. SUIGA: You managed to confirm that with just a general exam?? You are sure an amazing doctor!! Aaron: Even more reason he should be treated here. You¡¯ve patched up worse than this! URL: I¡¯m afraid we are also out of supplies. I miscounted my resources¡­ Aaron: Well, I can take him then, no need for you to Url slowly approaches Aaron, and rests his hand on his shoulder¡­ URL: I N E E D T O G E T O U T. Aaron: Understandable, I¡¯ll stay and recover. URL: Great!! Suiga, get ready to see Central!! SUIGA: With pleasure!! But are these injuries that- URL: Let¡¯s leave now!!! The boys get ready and abandon Aaron as they depart for Central. The route to the institution is quite short, but Suiga takes it as a chance to witness what the city has to offer. To his expectations, Landen is truly the mechanical haven that most outsiders hear. Factories all over the place, and tramways fill both ground and aerial space as they ensure safe transport for the citizens. Electrical apparel is less common since the technology was recently developed, but you can easily notice the new automated stop signs and the hidden generators that power the numerous decorations for every little shop occupying Central Square. The people have seemed to adapt to this complicated lifestyle, establishing an anxious and energetic personality to cope with this challenging environment¡­ The boys arrive at Central. A large building in front of an avenue. Historic, since the association was founded long ago. The architecture is a mixture of the original gothic foundation of the building when it was first conceived, along with the industrial modifications made to accommodate today¡¯s hunters. The gates are always open. An old rule of the office, to signify the availability of the association concerning civilians, and to indicate that the Hunt is a day and night occupation. Once inside, the boys reach for the lobby. They are greeted by the secretary, a kind, brunette woman¡­ Recep. : Well, well, if it isn¡¯t Landen¡¯s favorite plague doctor! URL: Hi, Patricia. Favorite because I¡¯m the only one, I assume? Recep. : Uuh, that humbleness of yours¡­Wish more of your colleagues could be like you¡­ URL: Ooh, our diversity only makes us more unique¡­ Recep.: You know, all those words would sound even better if you took off that horrid mask¡­Let that face shine¡­ URL: Nice try, Patricia. Should I expect the same from the nurses? Recep.: Oh, come on, we have to watch like 30 ugly old mugs per day- Patricia notices Suiga¡­ Recep.: On second thought, you can keep that mask, if that cute fellow is with you at ALL your visits ever¡­ URL: Depending on the visits, today we are here for the hospital wing. Would not want to see Suiga there every time we are here¡­ Recep.: True, true¡­The hospital¡¯s calm for now, but the nurses are just coming back from lunch, you¡¯ll have to wait a second. In the meantime, where is the annoying stack of muscle that you carry around for no reason? URL: I told Aaron to stay home today. I told him Suiga might have a fractured bone, but honestly¡­ Both Suiga and Patricia approach¡­Seems Url might have some complaining to do¡­ URL: Yeah, he was supposed to show Suiga around central, but knowing him he would do half the job, then go eat. So, I needed an excuse to change seats¡­ SUIGA: So I am just fine? Are no bones fractured? Patricia: Your Highness, the man before you is no simple doctor. He relocates your dumb partner¡¯s shoulders during combat like that! Suiga seems amazed by his silent partner¡¯s feats¡­ URL: Well that¡¯s enough about me. Any gossip around the house, maybe about the ¡°expedition¡±? Patricia: You sure are a sly one¡­ uh nothing new yet. Right now, Shroud is leading, cause the other two seniors had to leave for Pirout. No vampires other than some scavengers and imps. Word is that they will be coming home by the end of the week. URL: Hmm, ok. Patricia: Given what you told us yesterday, Higher-ups think there might be a cult inside the city. They scoffed it off eventually, but honestly, they just wanted to keep it low to avoid a freakout¡­ URL: Sounds like our association, alright. Patricia: Uuuh the thought of vampires lurking around us, waiting to bite me¡­ Ugh, save me Url¡­ URL: Would you look at that, the nurses are back. Let¡¯s start the tour Suiga!! As they abandon a disappointed Patricia, the boys tour the association. Url explains about the building¡¯s formation. VHC has multiple wings, a hospital wing, connected to the research wing, a church wing, and a main administration wing. They manage to pass from every wing, arriving at the hospital for last. A spacious wing, it has multiple individual rooms for the hunters and large common rooms for the civilians with well-separated beds¡­ URL: So, once again, the hospital takes in hunters and vampirification victims. So, it is usually crowded. Research wing in charge of studying vampires, silver, hunting weapons, etc. The church isn¡¯t used as much, but it becomes crowded on events and when some mass incantation is necessary (let us hope it never comes to that). SUIGA: So this is truly the center of the Hunt¡­ Amazing¡­ URL: So, let me just talk to the nurses, sweet talk my way into some extra drugs so Aaron won¡¯t ask why- A trembling, almost screaming voice can be heard from one of the common beds. The attending nurse seems to have fallen back in fear of the patient¡¯s behavior. Url and Suiga rush to see what is happening. They see a disturbed, skinny woman, holding herself in a curled position¡­ SUIGA: Oh, that is¡­ URL: Vampirification alright. And from what I see, this one¡¯s been distanced from her assailant for a while¡­ Nurse: I was just trying to change her plate, did not talk or look at her. She suddenly flips out and screams¡­ Patient: ¡­.Blood¡­ URL: Huh? Patient: Wh-whe-where is it? Where is he?! Where¡¯s my Jack!!!??? WHERE DID YOU PUT HIM YOU ANIMALS????!!!! As she starts flailing even more violently, Url wastes no second and quickly hits her on the head with a hand chop. She immediately falls ¡­ Nurse: ARE YA NUTS????!!!! URL: Calm down, miss. Vampirification victims in this stage have severe withdrawal symptoms. No amount of sedative will keep them calm¡­ Nurse: And what would you do, bird freak? Suiga, knowing Url¡¯s mask might be a sensitive subject, gets ready to intervene. But Url already responds¡­ URL: Change the silver-based sedatives to something more relaxing, rather than restorative. Have a nun from the church wing apply ¡°Sooth¡± and ¡°Purify¡± every two hours or so¡­ Nurse: Ha! Like she needs special treatment. Why don¡¯t we call the whole church for every- Url approaches her slowly¡­ URL: I will be frank. Vampirification is already a dangerous disease and is difficult to get rid of. Not a lot of people keep this in mind, but once delusions start to set in and the patient begins externalizing his symptoms, it is already late. This woman is on the verge of turning, I give her at least two days before her genetic code changes and she shows teeth and pupils. THAT IS if some nurse chooses to not follow a bird freak¡¯s friendly advice and ask for help from the nuns. I¡¯m sure one more death on your hands won¡¯t weigh on your conscience¡­ Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings. The nurse stays silent and embarrassed. She excuses herself and leaves for the church wing. Suiga stays amazed¡­ SUIGA:You¡­ handled that well¡­ URL: Uuh I didn¡¯t want to be so aggressive, but this has been the case for a lot of years. People think the cure for becoming a vampire is either one incantation or two sedatives and a small rest. This is why I love working as a hunter¡­ SUIGA: You did well, Url. This poor woman though¡­ URL: Hmm, she did help us though¡­ SUIGA: Huh? How? URL: ¡°Where¡¯s my Jack?¡± Delusional she may be, at this stage dependents already remember their captor¡¯s name. So, we are in search of a certain Jack. And since last night¡¯s vampire isn¡¯t named Jack, thanks to the autopsy¡­ SUIGA:¡­There¡¯s a chance it¡¯s one of his teammates. We have a lead!!! We must inform Aaron imm- URL: No, no, no. My plan needs two people maximum. Instead, I¡¯ll have Patricia call him if we need backup¡­ SUIGA: You¡­must need time away from him¡­ URL: You are the first other person I¡¯ve talked to, don¡¯t take this away from me¡­ So, we could have the research department connect the dots with our findings yesterday, but I think we are losing precious time. How about we stay here the night and see if her captor comes to rip his sows? SUIGA: You believe the vampire will come to recuperate a dependent? Seems kind of a freak like them¡­ URL: Maybe, but she seems to remember his name. That is a sign that she did have some sort of relationship with him, so right when she¡¯s ready to turn, it would seem like a good opportunity to get her back¡­ SUIGA: That¡­ sounds pretty logical. Such smart thinking¡­ URL: All speculations though! We should still inform the administration later¡­But for now, let¡¯s prepare for the outcome until nightfall¡­ The boys start discussing tactics and polish their armaments throughout the day¡­ As Url prepares potions, he notices Suiga¡¯s silver sword¡­ URL: Nice blade SUIGA: Oh, why thank you, my friend. Enhanced silver, from our royal blacksmith¡­ URL: Haaah, you might have to send me a recommendation then. My saw blades are a bit tired from the chopping¡­ Url¡¯s saw blades. Two medium-length serrated blades half covered in bandages. They rest alongside a small apothecary table, where Url makes his potions¡­ SUIGA: They do seem like they¡¯ve been places. Which reminds me¡­Url, you are a medic but still a hunter, where is your Holy Armament? Is it that mask? URL: Ooh, you thought¡­Hahahahah!! SUIGA: Excuse me!!! Suiga becomes red from embarrassment¡­ A passing nurse, overhearing the conversation, approaches them with a shy look¡­ Nurse: Excuse me¡­I heard you talk about Holy Armanents¡­ URL: Well, yes of course. Here, have my mask, apparently it¡¯s ominous enough to look like one. SUIGA: Sir Url!!! URL: Just joking, my friend!! Do you have a question, miss? Nurse: Yes¡­what are Holy Armaments exactly? The two boys look at each other confused¡­ SUIGA:¡­You don¡¯t know what they are? Nurse: Well, we did read about them in school, but I never really understood how they work¡­ But I remember from my father¡¯s stories that they are amazing to look at¡­ URL: Well, miss, do you have some time to hear a small lecture? Nurse: Yes!! I¡¯m done with my duties!! URL: Well then! Back in the war against Dracula, his spellcraft and unique magic that controls blood seemed too strong for a normal human to face. However, a clever craftsman found out that silver hurts vampires, because of its affinity with the Lord¡¯s Light. So, he sat, with his whole school, throughout the war, and they made arms that could give as much power as possible to the humans, anything to have them outdo the vampires in a fight. Not everyone could master those arms because of their crazy design, but the ones that did are hailed as heroes and registered in the books. The thing is, because of their feats, the Lord decided to grant those arms his blessing, to achieve what the craftsmen and the heroes wanted: Godly weapons for vampire slaughter. Thus came the Holy Armaments. Nurse: Hmm, but¡­ how do you get them? URL: The selection depends on a lot of factors. Each weapon has its own conditions. Some are passed down to the next of kin, others are transferrable, and some just pick their master based on¡­ I don¡¯t know, personality? Url brings forward his apothecary table¡­ URL: To answer your previous question, Suiga, this is my armament. Apothecary¡¯s Table of Wonders, ¡°Delirium¡±. It pretty much allows me to craft potions and other stuff faster, easier, and with more potent results. SUIGA: That potion Aaron used¡­ You made it yourself, didn¡¯t you? I never heard of a potion that attracts imps that successfully! URL: Well, I don¡¯t like taking credit but¡­By the way, how about yours, Suiga? SUIGA: Huh? Nurse: Oh, I heard the Asian hunters have a long history of beautiful armaments. I would love to see one up close!! Suiga starts shying away¡­He instinctively holds his sword¡­ SUIGA: Well, mine is kind of¡­non-majestful¡­ Nurse: Oh, it¡¯s alright if you are not comfortable sharing¡­You never know when a vampire is watching!! Suiga smiles to skip over the uncomfortable situation he manifested¡­Url notices and tries to change the subject¡­ URL: Oh, my lady! Since nightfall is approaching fast, could you inform the admin wing¡¯s receptionist that we will be staking out a patient? Nurse: Yes, of course!! URL: Aaand you should probably leave as quickly as possible. We have no idea what our assailant will resort to so he can get his ¡°property¡± back¡­ The nurse starts running for the admin wing. As the moon shines throughout the room, our wary hunters notice the patient getting out of her bed and leaving for the hallway leading to the main door connecting the wings ¡­ The boys, weapons in hand, follow silently. They lock the door behind them, to protect the patients. The hallway is large in height and wide enough to hold a small conference. Large windows to the left side let the moon¡¯s dim light shine throughout the cold room. The boys continue following the deranged woman, who slowly walks towards the next door. Suddenly¡­she stops. SUIGA: How come? She is that close to the exit¡­ URL: Doesn¡¯t seem like she noticed us¡­ And no vampire in sight¡­ The woman stays locked in place. After a few moments pass, her head starts taking a left turn, around 180 degrees to the back. Her neck seems stretched out, blood flowing through the tears. She doesn¡¯t seem to mind. Her eyes stay fixated on the boys¡­ Her pupils'' color slowly turns into a glowing red. SUIGA: Oh Lord¡­ URL: She¡¯s far gone. The woman, head locked in place, lets out a harrowing scream that travels throughout the room, almost smashing the windows. The hunters, trained to resist a vampire¡¯s disorienting screech, seem almost unfazed. The woman then chooses to reposition herself in a minute, starting to rush like a limbless zombie against the boys¡­ URL: Suiga, her genetic code is probably altered enough to affect her physical capacities. She is a vampire now! SUIGA: We should then take cover and- At a moment¡¯s notice, as the boys prepare to dodge the dependent¡¯s rush, a large crush is heard from the left side of the hall. A window is smashed to smithereens as a winged figure rushes through, landing on the boys. He manages to push the off to the side and land himself correctly. He retracts his wings as he dusts himself off. A tall, muscular vampire with spiky, beige hair and sporting the same clothes as yesterday¡¯s foe. The woman stops her rush and jumps onto the vampire¡­ Woman: My lord!!! My beautiful lord!!! I was sure that you would be back!! She falls slowly to her knees, kissing and sobbing on his legs while trying to hold on to him with her trembling, famished hands... Woman: My, my Jack, I knew you¡¯d-d-d c-c-come. E-e-every ni-i¡ªight I shook and shhoook but¡­the huuungeerr wouldn¡¯t s-s-s-t-toooopp¡­ She can barely speak¡­The vampire looks down at her. No expression in his gaze, it¡¯s as if he¡¯s staring down a beggar pleading for a few coins¡­ He raises his right hand. He pulls out a knife with his left and slashes his wrist. The blood from his arm starts flowing down the floor¡­ Vampire: Here¡­ The woman wastes no second. She lashes at the puddle of blood, slurping whatever her now master threw at the floor, like a starving dog¡­ The boys, lift themselves and observe in pity and disgust¡­ SUIGA:This¡­poor woman¡­ URL: That¡¯s the dependency for you¡­Fully turned dependents will act like dogs when it comes to their master¡­ The vampire¡¯s wound closes as fast as it was made. He turns his attention to the pair as he leaves his dependent behind. SUIGA: How dare you treat her like that?! Vampire: are you talking about the livestock? I see no other way to feed a dog¡­ URL: Well, at least now we don¡¯t have any reservations about killing you. But first of all, Jack right? Vampire:...Maybe¡­what¡¯s asking? URL: She was screaming your name. In agonizing pain. And you chose to come for her. Seems too close for a relationship with livestock¡­ Vampire: Even a farmer takes care of his animals since they provide him with food. SUIGA: Farmers don¡¯t torture their animals. Vampire: But they do kill them. Otherwise, they¡¯ll starve and die. It is only a natural law of the food chain. The vampire bends over and starts dashing to Suiga, going for a haymaker¡­ Vampire: So filthy humans shouldn¡¯t lecture us on food!! While Suiga prepares to dodge, Url throws two small flasks over the vampire¡¯s face. They explode mid-air, stopping the bat in its tracks¡­ URL: Suiga!! This will stun him for a little bit. Take a position and try to poke him while I cover you. SUIGA: Understood! Suiga engages in a duel with the now-recuperated vampire. Contrary to yesterday''s fight, Suiga is a lot more on the defensive, dodging relentlessly the brutish bat¡¯s punches and swipes that could visibly send someone flying. He tries to slash him occasionally, but even the polished silver sword isn¡¯t enough to pierce this vampire¡¯s skin¡­ SUIGA:(Of course. I must remember, this one¡¯s well fed and battle-ready, I must have my guard up. But if my sword can¡¯t pierce his skin, that means he¡¯s well stronger than his comrade. I must either search for a weak point or make one by persisting in hitting on one place¡­) URL: Suiga, hit only one place repeatedly, he has no weak points!! SUIGA: How did he- never mind. Let¡¯s try this out¡­ Url pulls out a long trail of encrypted bandages and throws them at the vampire¡¯s arm, wrapping it enough to halt his movement. As he tries to free himself, the encryptions start shining, and his arm burns¡­ Url throws more on his other limbs... URL: Now Suiga!! The samurai prepares to slash the hand. He chooses to attack relentlessly with a flurry of straightforward kendo strikes, slowly chopping it. The vampire does nothing, as more movement results in more damage anyway. As Suiga takes out his arm, while writhing in pain, he manages to move one of his legs to kick the hunter away. Url rushes to stop the vampire with two more flasks, but the vampire dodges back and throws his arm on the flasks, triggering the explosion farther away¡­ Vampire: VANESSA!!!! The dependent, who barely saw what happened, now rushes to his side. The vampire picks her up, freed from the binds, and bites her neck violently, drawing out large amounts of blood. His hand starts regenerating and his wound closes¡­ URL: Good lord no¡­ Finished, he drops the woman¡¯s trembling body to the ground and rushes to Url. URL: You fuck!! She¡¯s not some potion!! The vampire engages the doctor in a fight. He successfully overwhelms him since Url is much less mobile with all of his equipment. As Url lies on the ground, he is picked up by the vampire in a similar manner to the lady. Suiga tries to save him, but to his surprise, the vampire quickly swipes his feet, knocking him to the ground. He picks Suiga up, and slams him to his teammate, letting them both fall once again. He returns to his dependent¡­ Vanessa: Jack¡­ Jack:¡­The info¡­ Vanessa: ¡­Hmm? Jack: Vanessa, I send you here to infiltrate the administration wing. I need the hunter¡¯s patrol schedule¡­ Vanessa: My Lord¡­I was¡­too weak to walk¡­ Jack stares at her coldly for two seconds, before he starts kicking her around¡­ Jack: Worthless scum¡­ I give you the gift of being among my kind¡­and you waste it!!! The woman starts screaming and coughing. No sound nor blood comes out. She is already at her limit¡­ Jack: The rest at the hideout won¡¯t be too happy with this¡­Guess I¡¯ll just have to grab the info myself¡­ I¡¯ll just torture the hunters here...Once I¡¯m done, I¡¯ll steer away from any other hunter lurking around¡­ Jack picks up Vanessa, and moves towards the struggling hunters¡­ Jack: Look at you. Groveling on the floor, for some dog woman who would rather be my blood bag than thank you for your services¡­ SUIGA:(He¡¯s too strong to draw out a fight with him¡­ at this rate, if don¡¯t get up with a solid plan quickly¡­there¡¯s no security, he¡¯ll murder everyone in this building!!) Jack: Rat catch your tongue? SUIGA: Why would you come here? You don¡¯t even see this woman as anything other than food, why go out of your way and break into a vampire hunter institution? Jack: I told you¡­Some farmers provide for their cattle because it provides them with food. And now, I¡¯m about to rip my sows¡­ Jack lifts Vanessa from her hands and feet. He begins to pull, slowly starting to tear her apart¡­ SUIGA: Stop¡­ Jack: Wait, it needs some more force- SUIGA: STOP IT!!! The woman barely makes a sound, a living corpse at this moment¡­ Jack: Once I eat her, I¡¯ll pass my time making sure you two don¡¯t move an inch. Then I¡¯ll smash the door, turn the patients inside my livestock, and I¡¯ll just do it repeatedly¡­Until you tell me what I want¡­ SUIGA: And Url¡¯s knocked out¡­What do I do¡­ Jack: Tell me¡­ What do you know about the bones?... SUIGA: Huh? Jack: Don¡¯t toy with me¡­You could never know what we are planning¡­But I need to make sure¡­ Jack starts pulling again, further tearing apart the woman¡­ Suiga; STOP!! We know nothing!!! Jack: Good¡­Patrol schedules. Where do I find them? SUIGA:Like I¡¯d¡­reception desk, main hall¡­ Jack: And last¡­ are there any other hunters here? SUIGA: No, just us two¡­Now, let her go!!! Jack: Alright¡­ Jack drops her. The woman doesn¡¯t flinch. One could say she was a wasted bargain¡­ URL: ... Why? Jack: Hah? The bird¡¯s awake¡­ URL: That woman was screaming for you. She didn¡¯t choose any of this. How can you just look at her and treat her like trash? How can you have no remorse for your actions? Why would you put her through such a fate instead of ending it?! Jack scratches his chin for a while¡­ Jack: Hmmm¡­I don¡¯t see your reasoning. Thanks to me, she¡¯ll recover as quickly as tomorrow. In the end, I see no other reason for existence other than delicious blood¡­ Jack picks up Suiga, who tries to struggle out of his grasp. His blade holds no effect on the vampire¡¯s hard skin¡­ Jack: Now, the feet or the hands? That is truly the question¡­ URL: Guess we can agree on one thing¡­ Url raises his hand, forming a sign with two lifted fingers. He whispers ¡°Bless¡±. Suddenly, Jack¡¯s feet start to spasm, and the muscle slowly turns to atrophied mush. His grip softens, allowing a quick escape for Suiga¡­ Jack: Hell did you do!!!??? URL: Take better care of your food, Jack. It might have salmonella¡­ Jack¡¯s feet have crumbled. He retracts his wings, but Url cuts them off with his saws before he takes flight. The vampire has strangely lost his strength that he was so boasting¡­ URL: Remember when you drank all the poor woman¡¯s blood to recuperate? Well, I might have injected your dependent with large amounts of a muscle-atrophying silver virus. The woman¡¯s so fond of you, I chatted her up so she can describe you¡­ Jack: Atrophy virus? How- URL: My beautiful Apothecary¡¯s table does more than simple potions¡­And all I had to do was use ¡°Bless¡± to activate the silver agents inside your system. Started with legs, since you liked to swipe us all over the floor. There was no way me or Suiga could just cut you down without risking any casualties¡­ Jack: Damn you- Suiga¡¯s sword quickly cuts Jack¡¯s temper short. As the samurai threatens to cut off his head, Url tries to make a deal¡­ URL: Suiga, wait. Unlike some brutes, we don¡¯t cut people without getting any info¡­ Jack: Good luck with that. Like any dim-witted ape could even understand what my kind is going to URL: Alright, let me try it this way: Thanks to the agents, I control the virus¡¯ spread around your body. The only reason you get to speak is because I need you to spit out why you and your friends have decided to wreak havoc the past few weeks. Url raises his fingers once again in the same sign¡­ URL: Now, Suiga make sure you don¡¯t pull any spells or shout at your companion to attack us. I will ask some questions. You don¡¯t answer¡­¡± Bless¡± ¡­ The vampire¡¯s left rib starts deteriorating¡­Shocked, he writhes in pain¡­ URL: I take you out part by part. If you answer, I¡¯ll consider taking you prisoner¡­ Jack, writhing in pain, reluctantly accepts¡­ Jack: (Filthy livestock¡­but I must survive¡­I must remain for the upcoming plan¡­even if I have to lay some information to the enemy¡­) Alright¡­ URL: Great! Why did your associate steal bones by using imps? Jack: They are necessary for a ritual¡­ URL: What ritual? Jack: That I have no idea, I swear to my Lord Dracula¡­ URL: (That means he is only a subordinate) Who¡¯s giving you the orders? Jack:¡­My chieftain, Jack¡­ SUIGA: Isn¡¯t your name¡­Jack? Jack: That¡­I am not allowed to answer¡­even if I tried, I assure you that the consequences will be dire¡­ URL:...Alright, how many are there with you? Jack:¡­no idea, I- Url whispers ¡°Bless¡±. The vampire loses his right forearm¡­ Jack: Aaaah!!! Seven, or even eight!! We communicate by spellcraft, I only talk with my chieftain!!! URL: Last question then¡­What is the next target in your opinion? Jack: What? URL: You are left in the dark considering your chief¡¯s plan¡­so, what do YOU believe he will plan next? Jack: Like I¡¯d betray my chief so easily¡­ URL: ¡°Bless¡± Jack loses his other forearm, and he barely stands¡­ Url ducks and raises the bat¡¯s head¡­ URL: Let me make myself clear¡­The same way you made that woman suffer for your plan, the same way your chief¡¯s making you suffer now for his¡­So instead of being your chief¡¯s dependent slave, take a look at who¡¯s trying to show you mercy and answer my questions, cause you don¡¯t have a lot of limbs left, and I¡¯ll start getting creative¡­ Url might wear a mask, but everyone in the room could imagine the cold piercing gaze in his eyes¡­ Even Suiga was getting anxious, seeing his happy, calming teammate starting to resemble the ominous mask he constantly wears¡­The vampire, out of pride showed no fear, but he more than well understood that the plague doctor was holding the string of his lifespan, and the scissors to cut it¡­ Jack¡­A factory¡­ SUIGA: A factory? Which one? Jack: I don¡¯t know¡­But we have the materials for the ritual, so the chief ordered someone to find some testing grounds for a trial¡­I heard him mention a factory or something¡­That¡¯s all I know¡­ Url raises the bat and puts it in an upright position¡­ URL: See, was that so hard? Well, a promise is a promise, I¡¯ll have you detained¡­ SUIGA: Sir Url, he almost managed to infiltrate the admin wing. Is it safe to send him to prison with others of his kind? URL: Of course not! That¡¯s why I¡¯ll do this! Url casts ¡°Bless¡± once again. Everything, other than the vampire''s head turns to mush¡­ The vampire is tormented in pain by the mass of his flesh¡­ Jack¡­YOU SAID YOU¡¯D- URL: Precautions for making sure you won¡¯t pull anything to the guards. Oh, and don¡¯t try regenerating¡­ or do, I have no idea what could happen...Serves you right for torturing that poor woman¡­ The doors burst open¡­ Multiple soldiers fill out the room and canvas the area in a matter of minutes¡­ After an hour, we see a carriage transferring the mass of bat flesh in prison¡­Aaron has arrived, called by Patricia to wait as backup, and is caught up on the situation that just transpired¡­ Aaron: And the woman? URL: Dead, I¡¯m afraid. She had turned, but the regeneration system of a new dependent is far weaker than a vampire¡¯s. She couldn¡¯t survive being a blood bag, much less the starvation inside the hospital¡­ SUIGA: That monster¡­And I was too weak to lay waste to him faster- URL: You were NOT weak, Suiga. That one was a strong bat we took on. Honestly, I felt like I was fighting with Aaron on my side, only this time he listens¡­ Aaron: Bed and breakfast, Url, I give you those. Suiga; Thank you, Url. URL: No sweat. and hey, can we please forget my little outburst back there? I felt you were kind of freaked out¡­ SUIGA: He well deserved it!! You really should have seen it, Aaron! He was- Aaron: Yeah, yeah, I¡¯ve seen him interrogate, he gets all psycho on the vamps¡­Oh, Suiga, could you go to support and make today¡¯s report? We don¡¯t want them leaving and having Shroud shout about missing paperwork... Suiga; Of course!! Suiga leaves excited. The boys look to their new teammate¡­ Aaron: So, did he spill anything? URL: We just got out of a dangerous situation, THAT is the only thing on your mind right now? Aaron: I know what you can do. I¡¯ve seen what he can do. And I was on standby. I wasn¡¯t worrying. URL: Uuuh¡­No, not a word. He got defensive when we asked about it. Could it be he has no Holy Armament? I didn¡¯t feel anything special about his sword¡­ Aaron: Shroud told me to watch out for it, but he couldn¡¯t tell me what it was. But he compensates for it with raw skill, so I won¡¯t pry¡­ I mean, I don¡¯t bother you about that mask. URL: And I don¡¯t bother you about your last name¡­But hey, look at you, praising the newcomer. Leading role¡¯s starting to sit huh? Aaron: I ain¡¯t no leader. URL: Oh well. One last thing I wanted to talk about, but we must let Suiga and Shroud know. If we tell the higher-ups, this might blow up back in our faces¡­ Aaron: What¡¯s wrong? URL: That vampire¡¯s name was Jack. The chief¡¯s name was Jack too. See where I¡¯m getting with this? Aaron¡¯s expression turns shocked. He calmly hides his emotion from the surrounding infantry¡­ Aaron: He¡¯s back, isn¡¯t he? URL: Yes, the Ripper¡­same pattern too¡­We might be looking at another disaster like 10 years ago¡­ Chapter 3 : Winds of Pirout Same class as yesterday. Victor doesn¡¯t seem to mind today¡¯s subject, instead choosing to daydream while gazing outside the window. Maya stares at him for a while, disappointed. She quickly turns around to follow the course¡­ Teacher: And that¡¯s on Holy Armaments. Now, most of you are probably going to pick something other than Hunter, so I get why today¡¯s class can seem quite¡­ unnecessary. The class agrees. Teacher: It is important, though. Researchers are still trying to decrypt how holy armaments manifest, and how they even work. And remember, we have a pretty short list regarding known armaments and their abilities. Can anyone tell me why?? Kid: Because they manifest with unknown conditions, we have little information throughout history. Also, some hunters die before they reach their peak, so they never get to use them at their full potential! Teacher: (They are on FIRE) Exactly. Maya raises her hand¡­ Teacher: Maya with a question? Now that¡¯s rare¡­ Maya: Sir, what about the trick abilities? Teacher: Hmm, that is interesting. They can vary with each weapon. Some have innate abilities so there is no trick. Others do have, but as made clear, we have little documentation on each ability. We do know that most of them require incantation to activate, but they have massive drawbacks. So be careful. If you ever, and I hope not, ever come across a situation where such a choice needs to be taken, make sure you know the risks¡­ Kid: Do you remember any? Teacher: Yes, but I won¡¯t say¡­They are your homework for next week¡¯s presentation¡­ The class disagrees¡­ Back to our hunters. After two days of simple patrols and small requests, the hunters manage to recuperate from the two intense fights of the week. However, something seems afoot. Inside the pub, the fellas sit at the grand table around what appears to be an open letter of Shroud. While Url and Suiga seem fine, Aaron seems desperate¡­ Aaron: Again¡­ Url: It won¡¯t change the outcome¡­ Aaron: Again¡­ Suiga: Aaron, I must agree with Url. Maybe this is a good thing Aaron: AGAIN GODDAMIT!!! Url reads the letter: ¡°Shroud hir¡¯. Hey young¡¯uns, how¡¯s it hangin¡¯? Sorry for the last letter, yer chief¡¯s antics made my blood boil again. So first of all, to our newcomer prince. How¡¯s Landen, hope the smell hasn¡¯t melted yer nostrils yet! I¡¯ll be there next week ta¡¯ see yer face and make sure ma boys have you well installed. Then Url. Hope Aaron has taken you out of that pub so ya¡¯ can get some fresh air. Sent a letter to the gal at admin fawning all over ya¡¯ face (take that mask out already, will ya¡¯). Ya¡¯ won¡¯t have to rush every damn second to the infirmary for new supplies. Take your vitamins, late nights can kill ya¡¯, take it from me. And last, ma boi¡¯, ma man, the stick up my arse, Aaron. Now that my blood levels are back to normal (meaning dead bad), I sincerely hope you are doing well. I know that you hate having responsibilities¡­That¡¯s exactly why I sent you Suiga. Judging from the last few day¡¯s you guys are killin¡¯ it. Guess havin¡¯ another hand isn¡¯t so bad after all? So, big news: I¡¯m sendin¡¯ ya one more. Another royalty. Pirouette this time. She¡¯s the Lecourt scion, so make sur¡¯ you show a good image, these guys have cash. She¡¯s arriving Friday, which is pretty much the time this letter will arrive. See ya¡¯.¡± Aaron knocks his head on the old but sturdy table¡­ Suiga: I have to say, for a senior, this man¡¯s writing is a mix of grammatical errors and foul vocabulary. Url: Yes, Shroud is kind of self-taught¡­ Aaron: Another one¡­we are already packed¡­my head is still ringing from topknots morning jingles¡­ Suiga: I adore my homeland¡¯s songs. And Url said the space next to your room has great acoustics¡­ Url: So, any info on this new girl? Suiga: I have heard Lecourts are master hunters. They take the craft seriously and have multiple branches beneath them. The head, Fran?ois, has had regular meetings with my father. He is a stern individual, but immensely powerful¡­ URL: Well, Suiga, we might have to count on your royalty to break the ice with the princess. We hope you can help. Suiga: I shall be on my best behavior!! Aaron: Uuh, might as well get on with it. It¡¯s not like I can kick her out of Landen, she¡¯s a DAMN LECOURT!!! The boys return to the train station, this time a little late. They search desperately for the princess who is awaiting their arrival. As they search, Suiga notices a lot of posters showing a man with a large mustache, and the phrase ¡°Landen needs you now!¡±. Suiga: What are all these posters here? Is there some sort of event? Aaron: Aah yeah, that¡¯s Wutsworth. He¡¯s managing the tramways around Landen. He¡¯s peculiar, but his trams are what made Landenians go around town in the evening. Guess they might be hiring¡­ Aaron notices a sweets shop. A short girl stares at the candy by the window, while savoring some herself. Black hair with blue highlights in pigtails, wearing plated women¡¯s armor with the crest of the Lecourt¡¯s on the left shoulder: two rapiers crossed in front of a sparrow. They immediately recognize their new teammate¡­ Aaron: OK, Suiga, I¡¯ll lead the conversation. You chime in when you see that my language starts to¡­turn poor man¡¯s. Suiga: I fear you won¡¯t be needing my help, chief. Your words inspire me every single day of the- Aaron: HELLO MISS!!! The girl turns around to witness her new teammates. She looks¡­disappointed. Girl: Uuuh¡­Once more, my father chose to torment his only scion and talent of the family in the name of ¡°discipline¡±, by sending me to this dirty metropolis to be greeted by a brute with not an ounce of linguistical finesse¡­ Aaron:¡­Excuse me? Girl: Well, knave, I shall do you a favor and start. My name is Lau Lecourt. Scion of the Lecourt house, second princess of Pirout. I am here as a recruit for Landen¡¯s front and as a complementary back-up since two of your seniors chose to visit us. Suiga: (I remember the receptionist mentioned the visit yesterday¡­) Aaron: (Kill meter rising) I¡¯m sorry for the abrupt welcome , my lady¡­We received a late notice from my senior. We only learned of your arrival this mor- Lau: Sweat thy apologies, knave. While you were sleeping like a peasant after a night out, I was wasting my time around this¡­station¡­trying to figure out what numbskulls I would have to work with. Aaron: You were eating sweets when we arrived. Lau: Aaah, candy. The royalty¡¯s comfort food when disappointed by the world. Peasants like you could never AFFORD to understand the taste and texture of a watermelon jawbreaker. Aaron: Ooooh, listen here you- Suiga: My friend was trying to say, we excuse our late arrival. It is not customary for a princess to be the one waiting for the caretakers. We shan¡¯t repeat it, I hope you can look past this. Aaron: Damn, Suiga knows how to sweet talk. Maybe he can take her on¡­ Lau eats another jawbreaker from her brown paper bag¡­ Lau: Aaaand you are? Suiga: Akira Suiga, prince of the Asian Empire. As my father, I took on the path of the Hunt, and now cruise with my comrade and senpai, Aaron Willheart Lau looks confused. But once again, disappointed¡­ Lau: Really, how can a prince reduce himself to calling a peasant ¡°senior¡±? Noting that your ¡°comrade¡± certainly looks less than capable of doing his job. Maybe he¡¯s rubbing off on you¡­ Suiga pulls out his sword slowly¡­ Suiga: You little shrimp, how about I cut those pigtails before you- Aaron holds Suiga before he commits manslaughter¡­ Lau: Well, I wasn¡¯t expecting anything more than this. Now since you two arrived late, I suppose you¡¯ll take care of my luggage. Lau packed around 8 large suitcases¡­ Aaron: The devil¡­ The boys separate the suitcases into two groups of 4. Struggling, they somehow manage to return home, angrily throwing away the suitcases at one corner of the salon¡­ Aaron: Next life, I¡¯m joining the vampires¡­ No man should be subjected to such torture¡­ Lau: Oh please, my suitcases shouldn¡¯t be that heavy! The train staff had no problem handling my luggage. Suiga: They probably thought it belonged to a group of 10¡­ Url quickly comes down the stairs. His mask hides his expression, but his troubled, urging movements indicate that he needs to say something important¡­ Url: Everyone¡¯s here! Aaron, quick, we have a mission!! Aaron: Can¡¯t we just have a break instead?! Lau startles and starts flailing her rapier around the room. The two boys desperately try to avoid her¡­ Lau: GHOOOSTTT!!!MY FATHER SENT ME TO A BLASTED HAUNTED HOUSEEEEEE!!!!! Suiga swiftly takes position and smacks her head with a hand chop to stop her assaults. Suiga: Ehem¡­Miss Lau, this is our medic, Url Schellinger¡­ Url: Stop your nonsense for a second and listen! This is a huge one¡­ Url lays out some open files on the grand table¡­ Photos of Wutsworth, the poster man from before, are shown in the files along with some photos of his train factories and its staff. The crew gathers around¡­ Suiga: That¡¯s Wutsworth!! Lau: Uuughh, the mustache is most unflattering, are all Landenians just ugly? Aaron: You brat¡­ Url: I present to everyone Sir Franklin Wutsworth, entrepreneur, and 44th President of Wutsworth Industries, one of few organizations that handle train manufacturing, means of transportation etc, etc. He grabs photos of his staff and points forcefully¡­ Url: For the past few weeks, employees have been complaining about strange phenomena inside the east factory¡­ Aaron: Like? Url: Kidnappings. 14 employees have been missing from Factory 4. Suiga: Vampires¡­ first bones, then our information, this time it¡¯s humans? Url: Yes, and we can¡¯t just narrow it down to a few rogues searching for food. This is organized and carefully at that¡­No traces, no witnesses, no sightings¡­ Aaron: Lau, you might want to stay out of this. Might be a ghost¡­ Lau kicks Aaron to the shin, pouting in response to his mockery Suiga: What is our course of action? Url: Sir Wutsworth wants this to be dealt with under the table. We go to the factory today, lay out an investigation, and figure out what is going on. This definitely has to do with Jack¡¯s cult, he said himself that a factory might be the next target. Url notices Lau looking at the files¡­ Url: Miss Lau, were you informed about- Lau: I already know about your last two encounters from that drunkard¡¯s letter. I know about ¡°Jack¡± too¡­ Url: Then we won¡¯t have to waste time explaining why this is so important. Now everyone let us- Aaron: What? Hell no, you¡¯re staying here! Not after the shit you pulled last Tuesday!! Everyone¡¯s ready? It¡¯s the 3 of us today, Url has some ¡°fractured¡± paperwork he needs to attend to¡­ Url sulks in a corner far away¡­ Suiga: Guess payback is a rather unfair woman after all¡­ The 3 depart. The factory is on the east side of the neighborhood. Ironically, in the spirit of today¡¯s mission, the group takes a tram instead of walking. The tramways are a convenient way for humans to travel around the city, especially around at night. The stations have overnight support groups from the VHC to look out for any suspicious behavior. Passengers are required to have their pupils checked for any unfavorable discoloration, and mouths for any changes in teeth. They can sound the alarms for the nearest hunters if they find any trespassers searching for prey. The inside is filled with sun-powered lighting to weaken any vampire that could escape security. These trams travel around town, and thanks to Wutsworth¡¯s use of reinforced steel railways, the trams can travel mid-air, allowing for shortcuts between regions that could take hours to reach by foot. Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site.This only shows how important Wutsworth Industries have been for Landen¡¯s safety and progress despite the vampire blight. Wutsworth is a respected household name around the city, so Aaron realizes how dangerous a hit would be in one of the factories. He tries to hide his stress, but his shaky hands hold together to tell his teammates otherwise¡­ Suiga holds his shoulder firmly, and looks over his chief confidently¡­ Lau: Shall I leave the room? I don¡¯t do well with crybaby couples¡­ They arrive in front of the factory. From the automated steel tram doors, Lau is thrown out violently into a nearby garbage can. The other two walk off before the doors close, Suiga holding Aaron back¡­ Suiga: Aaron, she doesn¡¯t matter!! We are going to get punished for this!! Aaron: So be it, I don¡¯t have time for brats. Lau gets out, annoyed and flustered. Luckily the can was empty, so she only shakes off leftover dust¡­ Lau: You brute!! Who do you think you are throwing like luggage!! Didn¡¯t your parents- Aaron picks her up, much easier than the 4 suitcases he had to carry earlier. He puts her over his shoulder, while she struggles to escape¡­ Aaron: Let¡¯s go. Lau: Unhand me!! Suiga: We are going to lose our license for this won¡¯t we¡­ Aaron lets her off just as they knock on the gate. A big factory, they stand in front of a tall steel fence. They move to the right side, where they encounter a metal box with a button and a speaker phone. Aaron presses the button, sounding a small ringing bell. After a few seconds, a high tone, loud voice. Voice: HELLO!! WELCOME TO WUTSWORTH INDUSTRIES FACTORY 4!! COULD THE KIND HUNTERS PLEASE REPORT IMMEDIATELY TO MY OFFICE ONCE YOU ENTER THE FACILITIES??? Suiga: How does he know we are the hunters? Lau: Never seen a factory, country bum prince? He¡¯s probably inside that small office on the highest part of the brick building, looking over us from the window. Suiga: Offence wasn¡¯t needed, but you are unfortunately right. Aaron: Plus, he¡¯s the client. This is a personal request, so they know what time we will arrive at the scene. Oh, look the door¡¯s opening¡­ The fences slowly separate into two parts as they retract to leave an opening for our group. They enter and stumble upon an entire factory full of warehouses. Hundreds of workers can be seen coming in and out of the gates, carrying anything from notepads to large steel rails. To the right side of the factory, between two warehouses stands out a large brick building. Our hunters enter and immediately ask around for Wutsworth. They are guided to a spiral staircase, up to Wutsworth¡¯s office. They kindly enter. Before them, a tall, slender man with long brown hair and a large mustache greets them. Wutsworth: Hello my hunters!! I am Franklin Wutsworth, president of this beautiful enterprise. Please sit down, there¡¯s much to discuss. Aaron: Soo, we heard the details. Apparently, there have been some¡­ ¡°layoffs¡± in the past few weeks. Wutsworth: Direct and under the covers. Just what I asked for¡­ Aaron and Suiga shiver at that last sentence as Wutsworth shrugs his fuzzy mustache in a slightly perverted manner¡­Lau stares at them confused¡­ Wutsworth: Oh excuse me, my manners. Yes, these layoffs have been frequent for the past few weeks, ironically after the debut of this expedition from the VHC. Aaron: Has anyone noticed anything out of the ordinary? Drawings, maybe coworkers acting weird¡­ Wutsworth: If you are talking about vampire spellcraft, my cleaning crew has noticed nothing of the sort. Even if they didn¡¯t have any idea, any graffiti or tag was reported to me immediately. As for my workers, I¡¯ve been to this factory since the first kidnapping. I know my workers, none of them have been acting out of the ordinary. Aaron: So really no traces¡­ What about you? What¡¯s your take on this? Wutsworth gets up and stares over the factory by the window of his office. Hands tied together behind, he sulks¡­ Wutsworth: Nothing. Years of security, posing as humanity¡¯s biggest counter against the vampire blight by allowing citizens to travel without any worries inside the city. And this happens¡­ Worst of all, the families are here today¡­ Suiga: Hmm? Are they searching for the workers? Wutsworth: Aaah yes, I wasn¡¯t going to let them do it, but honestly, after a few weeks of begging, wallowing, and sad children¡¯s eyes, I let them scatter around the factory for anything valuable left from the victims¡­ Aaron stares down the floor for a few seconds¡­He lifts his face. Aaron: Sir Wutsworth, we might need some time to gather our thoughts on this. Can we maybe check out the site, and talk to a few family members or coworkers? Anything could be of help. Wutsworth: Oh dear, of course, you can! Search all you like!! Suiga: We¡¯ll make sure we are finished by sunset. Wutsworth: Actually, you can take your time!! Today¡¯s the weekly feast for the workers. We have the families too, give them some consolation for¡­ well, possible losses, I hope. Aaron: We¡¯ll do our best. The crew exits the building¡­ Aaron: Hmm, what do you guys think? Lau: Definitely a vampire at work. But I don¡¯t believe any of the victims are alive. Can¡¯t see why a vampire would want a bunch of sweaty workers as dependents. Suiga: A little respect for the victims!!! They are neither dead nor dependents, nor sweaty!!! Aaron: As much as I hate agreeing with the shrimp, she¡¯s right. If we talk to anyone, don¡¯t raise any hopes¡­ Suiga: Is it really this serious? Aaron: Security¡¯s tight, the place is filled with sunlight panels, and a vampire hunter would be here in a matter of seconds if the alarm were to be sound. Whoever did this is probably a smartass¡­ Suiga: Hmm¡­Jack said they needed a factory for a trial¡­ for a ritual. Lau raises her finger¡­ Lau: IF I could shed some light on my two poor juniors- Aaron: We are older than you. Lau: The ritual is probably large. Could be that they are searching for dependents to help with the chant and preparations. A logical use considering they are workers! Aaron: Well sure, but vampirification is a long process. And vamps can¡¯t just go a turn everyone into their own, they have a cooldown. Suiga: Aah yes, Url was explaining it to me the other day. The gene-altering fluid in their fangs reproduces within a certain timeframe. Lau: Hmm, can¡¯t disagree, it seems¡­ Aaron: Anyways, let¡¯s scour the place for any signs they might have missed. Url, Lau, you guys talk to the families, I¡¯ll talk to the workers. Lau: I don¡¯t want to spend my time talking to peasants, especially with the samurai next to me!!! Suiga: Silence, shrimp!!! You WILL be following me!!! Suiga pulls a nagging Lau away. Aaron sulks and moves for the workers. As he converses with them, he notices much. Everyone¡¯s delighted to work here, Wutsworth is a pleasure to have as a boss, and the occurring kidnappings have been a stress factor to point out. No one has been able to see anything, their coworkers were just as normal as every other day. Aaron checks out the sites where the workers were last seen. No traces, as if the Lord had lifted them off the Earth and into Heaven¡¯s Gates. He scratches his head trying to figure out how everything could connect¡­ Suiga and Lau on the other hand talk to the families. Cries and begs for help can be heard from their desperate faces. While Lau has the boldness to avoid any reassuring, Suiga¡¯s faint heart can¡¯t take on the fact that there might be no hope for the victims. He does not reassure them, but the tears on the children¡¯s faces are not something he¡¯ll easily shrug off his head. However, no information was found from the families either. Same as the workers, Wutsworth is a proud and wonderful man, who veils on his employees and even sees to it that their families are well taken care of¡­ Around sunset, the crew gathers around¡­The feast Wutsworth mentioned has started. Everyone dances around, eats, and drinks to their hearts'' content¡­The crew looks from the distance¡­ Aaron: No luck either, huh¡­ Lau: Other than hearing how much of a good boss this mustache man is, no¡­ I have to admit, that he is a capable leader. Suiga: To the point where even in this crisis, he can make his employees and friends dance around the courtyard¡­They must admire him. Aaron: You guys need to understand, this place is where humans can say ¡°suck it¡± to vampires. Even we can¡¯t give that kind of safety to them. And it¡¯s all thanks to him and the workers. Suiga: The workers that we¡­can¡¯t find after a day of searching around¡­The families¡­They¡¯ll be- Lau: Oh Lord, stop sulking!!! The boys stare at the princess¡­ Lau: It¡¯s only been a day!! We can¡¯t give them any hope, but that doesn''t mean we should lose it either!!! We are vampire hunters for lord¡¯s sake!!! We¡¯ll find them!! The boys agree with her. Hope is not lost just yet¡­ Aaron: Shrimps right? Guess talking to the peasants opened that rock inside her chest¡­ Suiga: Were the crying kids the softening blow, or the begging mothers, huh? Lau kicks the boys to the shin after their attempt at mockery¡­However, instead of pouting, she notices something in the corner of her eye. A figure, at the far end of a warehouse, quickly trying to hide away. Lau: Hey, brutes!! We have a runner!! Behind the warehouse!! Aaron: Run after him! Don¡¯t alert anyone or this could go sideways really fast!! The trio tries to catch up to the intruder, but after countless turns, sprints, and checks, they don¡¯t manage to find him. The warehouses seem infinite in number, and the minutes pass as they look out for the runner. Suiga: Chief, I believe we should return quickly to the feast. This could be a diversion. Lau: The place is filled with alarms, if they showed up to the staff, we would know by now! Aaron: No, Suiga¡¯s right. This guy¡¯s a snake, he could find a way to attack under our noses¡­ The trio returns to the feast. What awaits them is a horrid sight of blood and gore: A pile of dirty corpses, children women, and men, now mixed up in a putrid hill with one vampire sitting at the top¡­ The sight is enough to freeze the hunters in place, shocked that in a mere matter of minutes, a peaceful feast became a vampire hunting ground¡­Speechless, they can only stare at the vampire munching on a worker¡¯s hand. As he raises his head, the thick, fuzzy mustache the hunters knew is now dripping with human blood. Wutsworth looks at them once and starts smiling to the tip of his ears, his gritty fangs glowing in the dark¡­ Wutsworth: Welcome, hunters¡­to Wutsworth Industries!!! Chapter 3 : Winds of Pirout, Part 2 Franklin Wutsworth has been called a lot of things in his life : Leader, entrepreneur, visionary, evolutionary, Revolutionary. But one title had stuck with his persona: Eccentric. Ever since he took over the family business, Wutsworth had been nothing but a saint for his employees, a large deviation from his predecessors. Helping their families, organizing feasts, even working in the warehouses from time to time¡­ His factory was full of old, tired, and smudgy smiles whenever he entered the room. No complaints, strikes, or early retirements on his watch. This could be the reason no one suspected him. Why would our boss order a feast during a crisis? No one pondered the question, their heads, the boss just wanted to cheer them up. Because he loved them. That delusion quickly crumbled. The laughs, the crazy stories, the reminiscing of the victims, all stopped once everyone caught a glimpse of Wutsworth silently, but non-discreetly, ravaging the neck of one of the missing worker¡¯s women. No one could speak, or move. One could say that even their thoughts had come to a stop, as Wutsworth suddenly stops, dropped his victim¡¯s now dried-out, bitten corpse, as he hastily wipes the murky blood of his mouth and says : Wutsworth : Oh, I¡¯m sorry, I just couldn¡¯t help myself. No words. But now everyone starts to tremble silently¡­ Wutsworth : Oh, so no comments on¡­ well this¡­ I guess I can now explain myself. A woman breaks the silence with a harrowing shout. Wutsworth swiftly grabs her by the shoulder and pierces through her sternum with his hand, holding all sorts of gore from the other side as the woman silently coughs out blood like a faulty faucet. He throws her body down, shrugs off the gore and continues monologuing. Wutsworth : Now that there¡¯s an example of what could happen shall you interrupt me, I should explain myself. My dear employees...friends, comrades, teammates or whatever other nonsense I spouted the last few years¡­ In the ten years of my tenure, and the multiple years of each and everyone¡¯s service in this factory, we shall embark on a brand-new project. Something that will collectively give everyone here a new, correct sense of purpose. Worker : Tell me this is a lie¡­ Wutsworth: Quite not, my friend!! I will admit, that it has been unpleasant working with humans for the past decade. Working next to food, hungry as a wolf, and not being able to take a bite¡­ Woman: Mister Wutsworth, please stop¡­ Wutsworth: A nuisance, I say!! Smelling your sweat, watching you struggle every day for a bit of coin, drink yourselves to stupor for the pettiest of reasons. Humans truly are the lowest trash in the bin. But alas, my redemption arrived. A vampire called Jack approached me one day, right before the Salazar Prison Break. Like an angel from the heavens, a devil from Hell, a knight in shining armor, he offered my tormented soul a chance at liberation from the shackles of the human body. One bite, an eternal life of glory under his command¡­ Not a bad deal, right? Wutsworth continues his monologue while calmly walking among the frozen attendees. Only faint cries of children can be heard, but Wutsworth pays them no attention as he continues talking¡­ Wutsworth: Now, for our grand finale, your early retirement as I would say¡­ He claps his hands. From the shadows, around 14 new vampires appear to surround the victims. The faces, they sure are familiar to the crowd¡­ Woman: DAAAAVIIIIIDD!!!! The woman breaks into tears and throws herself onto her husband, now a vampire under Wutsworth¡¯s command. The bat, stone like a statue, pays no attention to the wallowing woman grabbing him and claiming to be his wife¡­ Wutsworth: Uuuh, don¡¯t bother. David was my first. He was such a caring man, always talking about finally affording a place in the inner city to take care of you and whatever blasted kid you¡¯d ever sprout out. Thankfully, my vision allowed me to see the grim future in store for him, and the potential that would be wasted had I not bit him on the way home¡­ Another woman just tries to shake her brother to his senses. But vampires have much more force than a mere human¡­ Wutsworth: Oh, Hernest¡­ Always punctual, always on point, always perfect. This industry wouldn¡¯t have reached this point had it not been for your perfectionism, and the skills to back it up¡­ After years of watching you, I always wondered what was holding you back. And in the end, it was the human body dragging us down both¡­ The crowd slowly starts panicking. Their minds now deep in fear for their lives, they lay waste on the emotions of their former saint, now the vampire that¡¯s about to kill them¡­They shout, they scream, they try to pass through, but the dependents make sure they stay put. Wutsworth lays out a harrowing screech, silencing the crowd¡­ Wutsworth: All of this, I did it for us. For our future, for our progress. Humanity is not an option, my poor friends. But Jack has a plan. If this works, we shall embark on a brand-new era!! Wutsworth spreads his wings and quickly flies above the crowd. Wutsworth: However there is some bad news I have to announce. Since the company¡¯s undergoing a restructuring, I will have to lay some of you off. My dependents are quite hungry after all¡­ The dependents slowly approach the crowd¡­ Wutsworth: And that¡¯s how I¡¯m standing on this pile!!! The hunters, arms in hand, try to process the information laid on them. In a matter of minutes, a feast full of smiles became a site of horror and blood for 15 vampires¡­ Aaron: You damn bastard¡­ What the fuck???!!! Wutsworth: Uuuh, your use of foul language irritates my ears. My lord cusses better¡­ Lau: These people trusted you¡­ YOUR people trusted- Wutsworth: And I delivered. I handpicked my best, and the rest can now help me proceed with the next phase of my plan¡­ The vampires lay out some bones, the bones from the graveyard, in a large circular scheme around the hunters and Wutsworth¡­ Suiga: What are you planning?! Wutsworth: I won¡¯t enter into a lot of details, don¡¯t want to spoil the fun! We need to test out an old spell from our beloved Dracula, and this is the perfect testing site. Lau: Like we¡¯ll let you desecrate this place any longer!! You won¡¯t even clap your hands before we- Wutsworth: Exactly why you are here!!! I needed guinea pigs to see if we¡¯ll need any more materials for a stronger effect. However, you only ARRIVED at the testing site. You are going to have to fill out the application for participating¡­ Wutsworth orders his vampires on the hunters¡­ Aaron: Alright, Lau, you and Su- Lau: I have this in the bag, brute!!! Lau ignores her teammate¡¯s pleas and dashes to the vampires¡­ Lecourts are some of the best vampire hunters in the human race. Trained from a young age, they specify in swordsmanship and have a reputation for being ruthless against vampires, yet elegant while fighting. So it¡¯s not a surprise Lau would rush in a fight, effortlessly swinging her silver rapier around, this time with a form so sound, controlled, and elegant, she manages to pierce through 3 of the vampires¡¯ tendons without receiving even a strike. The vampires stumble and fall, but quickly rise once they regenerate. Their rebound is however short-lived, as Aaron''s large greatsword cleaves their torsos apart while they remain in confusion¡­ 3 vampires are down¡­ Aaron: Damn it, Lecourt, don¡¯t run off like that!! Lau: I don¡¯t need any help, brute!! Watch out!! Two vampires try to attack Aaron. Lau engages the right, swiftly knocking him off his feet with a leg swipe. He stands back up and tries to rush her. However, full of openings, Lau makes quick work of him as she pierces his body all over with her rapier, ending her flurry with a slash in the neck that knocks the bat dead. Aaron chooses a more simple approach, and slightly ducks to push the vampire in the chest with his palm. As the bat folds back, he simply lifts the sword over his body, dropping its sheer weight onto the opponent and slashing his left side clean. Aaron: Damn, I thought your workers were better than this. You are a bad boss!! Wutsworth: These weren¡¯t even my best¡­ Suiga takes on Hernest and David. The vampires prove a better batch, as they manage to confuse the hunter with a quick combo of jabs. He loses his posture, and takes a few blows that throw him to the wall of the warehouse¡­ Lau: Your Holy Armament, dumbass!!! Suiga gets up, as the vampires slowly approach him, silently laughing at him. Almost unconsciously, he raises his right arm to the side. He quickly notices and retakes his kendo posture¡­ Suiga: (No¡­ not this one) The vampires try out the combo once more. To their surprise, Suiga drops three small pellets to the ground, casting a smoke cloud that disorients the duo¡­ Lau: Is he dumb? They can hear him, they¡¯re bats!!! The vampires, descendants of bats, easily process his footsteps and follow him to a pile of metal that he tries to hide. To their surprise though once again, he¡¯s not there. He had hit a shard of steel on the pile to confuse the vampires. He swiftly appears from behind and cuts down David limb to limb before he makes a move. Hernest floats back with his wings. He picks up two shards of metal from another pile and throws them at high speed onto the samurai. He manages to dodge, but the shard does not graze him enough. The vampire floats still and uses his speed to quickly throw shards at Suiga from different positions. Shards fly through the air like bullets, some manage to strike him. Theo still managing with the other vampires, chooses to pull out two small silver kunais. He pulls through the assault, enough to bait Hernest into attacking him head-first with a bite. He throws one kunai, managing to send one to his left eye and stop him in his tracks for a few seconds. With enough force, he grabs his sword like a machete, backward and jumps on the vampire that tries to float away; His weight is enough to stall his flight. He pulls out another kunai, and starts violently stabbing the vampire, despite it biting the hunter to no avail¡­ Hernest falls, and Suiga manages to stand back up. He takes out one of Url¡¯s vials, a small healing agent that manages to restore some of his wounds and put him back in the fight. Aaron, even though busy himself, is still amazed by his teammates. Lau might be disobedient, but her swift swordsmanship lets her lay waste to the vampires trying to level her with every blunt object they can grab at first sight, without a scratch. Suiga¡¯s perseverance inspires him, along with the skills to back it. However, his question regarding the samurai¡¯s armament remains¡­ As they clear the vampires, they gather in front of the grand pile, in front of the vampire boss¡­ Lau: Your persistence in not using your armament confuses me¡­ Suiga: I choose to hide my weapons for the right occasion¡­ The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation. Aaron: Well, you better pull it out now, I don¡¯t think this one¡¯s going to be fodder¡­ Wutsworth: You did well¡­you earned your seats in the trial¡­ Wutsworth stands up and claps his hands. The bones in the exterior start to glow red and tremble. A violent tornado starts to surround the vampire, covering him and a glowing mass of bones, gore, and blood. The hunters cover themselves as Wutsworth loses himself in the chaos¡­ Wutsworth: Witness¡­ Lord Dracula¡¯s Marvel!!!!! After the storm, a grotesque, malformed Wutsworth appears. A hulking brute, Only his facial features remain slightly unchanged from the spell. Aaron: So you ravaged Landen for 4 weeks just so you can get yourself a makeover?? Suiga: He just sacrificed his entire staff¡­His dependents too¡­ Lau: Truly a vampire¡­ Wutsworth (altered voice): This, is our legacy, spanning over a thousand years!! My Lord Jack can now rest assured that this spell shall help him with his plan. Aaron: Not that we are letting any of this happen, but what is Jack the Ripper planning to do with a damn beast? The hunters are gonna make quick work of anything like this!! Wutsworth: Unfortunately, I am tasked with disposing of you before you warn anyone. And don¡¯t try to sound the alarms¡­ The electrician¡¯s layed off¡­ Wutsworth tries to jump on Suiga with a downward punch. Suiga dodges, but the vampire¡¯s size is enough to break the ground, forcing the group to scatter. Aaron: This one¡¯s going to be a hard fight. Lau, go ri- Lau: LEFT!! Lau disobeys her teammate once more, shortening his fuse. She tries to impale the vampire¡¯s leg with a flurry of stabs, but his enhanced flesh is thick enough to withstand the strong silver blade. Unfazed, he swipes Lau over to a nearby Lau with his left arm. Aaron : Damn it Lecourt!!! Wutsworth approaches Aaron slowly, his mind racing with excitement and curiosity for his new form¡­ Wutsworth: Pitiful leader. Your subordinates can¡¯t even hear your orders¡­ Aaron: At least I don¡¯t sacrifice them to turn into a monster. Ten years of trust, all thrown into the garbage bin!! Wutsworth: You keep saying this¡­ Wutsworth grunts and rushes Aaron, trying to step on the hero with his enlarged leg. As Aaron sidesteps to dodge, he follows with a series of slow, but heavy fists. He manages to play a feint and land a hit on the hunter. Aaron¡¯s reflexes hit quickly because he lays his sword on the left side to block the hit. To the bat¡¯s surprise, Aaron isn¡¯t thrown to a wall but rather brushed off a few steps. Wutsworth: You are tougher than I thought! Aaron: Then those muscles must have fixed your head too!! Aaron rushes, following with a series of slow slashes himself. Wutsworth playfully dodges, confident the sword won¡¯t hit. He gets tired, so he attempts to stop the sword with his hand. But to his surprise again, Aaron strengthens his grip, and violently swings his claymore, managing to pierce his flesh and slash off some of his fingers. Wutsworth, shocked, tries to grab Aaron, but the hunter quickly reacts by swinging his blade once more, timed just enough to cut the bat¡¯s hand at the moment his balance is shaken. Aaron: Suiga! Go! The samurai, forgotten by the vampire, quickly rushes and climbs onto the bat¡¯s arm. Suiga tries to slash off as much of his neck as possible, but Aaron notices the bat¡¯s fingers have regenerated at a fast pace, so he warns Suiga to abandon. Suiga swiftly jumps off the hulk, but not without slashing his eyes before the hulk tries to grab him off his shoulder. Wutsworth is dazed, but he quickly regenerates his lost pupils. He takes a look and notices the group trying to help the fallen Lau. Staring at them with a menacing smile, he grabs a fallen metal pipe nearby and chews it whole like gum. Mouthful of metal, he forcefully spits out a shower of shards onto the group. Aaron: FUCK!! The shower is enough to raise dust from the field. Once clear, Wutsworth gazes upon a beaten Aaron, shaking from the number of shards covering his body as he shields his teammates from most of the bullets. Wutsworth: Tough¡­but foolish leader¡­ Suiga : AARON!!! Aaron: Suiga¡­ Lau stares at the shaking hunter in disbelief. As she feels a hint of shame for her actions¡­ Wutsworth: I would just throw one of my workers in front! This is why I hate humanity. Too foolish and attached to notice the true potential you could reach; But relations, friendships, camaraderie that will only last a decade, how can these be more important for you!!??? TELL ME!!! Aaron: And you are a boss¡­ Don¡¯t make me laugh. Aaron shakes off some of the shards that couldn¡¯t fully pierce his flesh. As he talks, he lifts his sword on his shoulders, pointing at Wutsworth¡­ Aaron: Ten years of trust, and you threw it down the drain so you can be better fodder for the Ripper! Those guys loved you!! They couldn¡¯t stop talking about you!!! That¡¯s what I hate about bat freaks!! It¡¯s your shitty nature to see other people as tools!! I would rather die than use my teammates to live!!! Suiga and Lau stare at the bloody hunter with amazement, carefully listening to his speech¡­ Wutsworth: Then a corpse you can be. Allow me to help you with that¡­ Wutsworth rushes to them, preparing a smash with his two hands. Suiga quickly gets up and throws two more of his pellets to the ground, creating a black smokecloud. He grabs Lau and with Aaron, attempts to hide inside the warehouse. Wutsworth tries to detect them, but Suiga throws all of his last kunai and some blunt objects on the metal machines, blocking their footsteps and covering their tracks. The hunters assess the situation, using a speech incantation to avoid the bat¡¯s echolocation by covering their voices. Aaron: Shit. Suiga you got any of those stimulants Url gave you? Suiga passes one to Aaron. The hunter drinks it and has some of the wounds healed. Aaron: Much better¡­ Suiga: That was my last, I gave the other to Lau. Aaron: Hey, shrimp! Mind explaining why you can¡¯t hear a word I shout to you!! Lau: I told you, peasant! I don¡¯t need your- Aaron: You got sent to the wall like a fly!! I thought Lecourts knew how to fight¡­ Lau: Take that back¡­ Lau instinctively raises her rapier on Aaron¡¯s neck. Suiga tries to stop her, but Aaron halts him. He grabs the rapier, further bleeding in his hand¡­ Lau: What are you- Aaron: I don¡¯t give two shits if you want to act like a brat if you hate my clothes, my eyes, or whatnot! But you ain¡¯t going to die on my watch!! Lau starts to lessen her grip¡­ Aaron: You wanna prove to your father you are Lecourt material?? You better stay alive to do it, cause corpses can¡¯t talk!! Lau finally puts away her weapon¡­ Lau:¡­You are right¡­I¡¯m sorry¡­ Suiga sighs out of relief¡­ Lau: This vampire¡­He just¡­ pisses me off!! Aaron: And I¡¯m sure there¡¯s a good reason behind that, but character development can wait. We need a plan, this guy is strong and dumb enough to raise the whole factory to kill us. Suiga: I don¡¯t think so. He¡¯ll probably search around quietly, too much noise could alert nearby support from VHC¡­ Lau: So, he won¡¯t find us fast, but we have no backup. Great! Aaron: We don¡¯t need backup. Look, his skin¡¯s probably too thick for your swords to cut. He regenerates too fast to drag out a fight, and he¡¯s as tough as those machines smashing metal. We have to take him out with stronger stuff¡­ Lau: You mean, our armaments? Suiga flinches, but the duo doesn¡¯t notice¡­ Aaron: Yes. It puts a strain, but it¡¯s time. Lau: My rapier can make me control the winds, but not in like hurricanes and stuff¡­ Aaron: Good. You and Suiga are faster than me, you can try to give me an opening so I can chop him off. My claymore can charge with light. It gets heavier, but the next ¡°move¡± I make turns stronger. I have to charge every time though, so you¡¯ll have to cover me¡­ Suiga slightly trembles¡­ Suiga: I¡­ my¡­ Lau: Finally!! Aaron: Suiga can¡¯t use it!!! He used it Tuesday and he still has drawbacks from it. Suiga stays shocked by his leader¡¯s cover. He smiles as he¡¯s assured his partner trusts him. Lau:, topknot, you could just admit from the start that you were weak!!! Suiga: Watch it, shrimp. I don¡¯t need an armament to lay waste upon you!! Aaron: Great everyone¡¯s back to their game. Lau: Just for the record, I don¡¯t admit you guys are better now or acknowledge you and stuff!!! Suiga: You shall respect sir Aaron with all your might, Lecourt!!! He is our senior, our lead- Aaron: A little too relaxed, I see¡­ The gang gets out of the hideout. Wutsworth is still searching the warehouse, lifting machines and rails to look underneath¡­ Lau: Is he¡­ dumb? There are like 30 rooms in here alone!!! Suiga: You know, his movements are getting a little brutish, and his combat style reminds me more of a giant rather than a vampire¡­ Could it be the transformation rendered his mind moot¡­ Aaron: I wish. He can still speak, and use combos¡­ This is arrogance. And we are going to use it. Wutsworth notices the group staring at him, arms at hand, ready for a second attempt to take his head¡­ Wutsworth: Aaaahhh, there you are!! Are you ready to learn why you are such a weak leader, or hunter?? Aaron: I¡¯m no one¡¯s leader. But I don¡¯t mind showing you why you are a freak boss before I cut your head off. Wutsworth: Do not make me laugh. I¡¯ll turn your horrid flesh to dog food, and use your weapons as decorations for the office before you even reach my head. Aaron: Don¡¯t underestimate us. But before I reach your head, you¡¯re gonna tell me what the hell you are planning with a hulk-turning spell¡­ The hulking bat wonders for a moment¡­ Wutsworth: Foolish human. If you want to know that badly¡­ Wutsworth picks up a large rail. He throws it and smashes it mid-air with his kick, sending large shards all over the group. Wutsworth: Then you better come closer and find out¡­ Aaron: SCATTER!!! The gang scatters and dodges the shards. Suiga and Lau engage the bat from his two sides. Suiga sidesteps to the vampire¡¯s thick fists and grabs, and tries to slash his way to his hamstrings. But the bat¡¯s thick skin still prevails¡­. Lau holds her sword in her two hands. As she prays, a gust of turquoise wind lightly engulfs her¡­ Lau : My Lord. Hear your child¡¯s prayers. Bestow upon your humble servant the blessings of your winds and guide me through battle. Winds of Pirout Lau, now engulfed by an aura of wind, engages the vampire. Wutsworth tries to trap her by feigning a combo on Suiga, but to his surprise, the huntress does not rest trapped in his grasp. Lau appears behind him and taunts him verbally. The vampire starts focusing on Lau, whose winds have made her a fast sprite, appearing and disappearing into thin air. Once she disorients him enough to make him misstep, leaving a huge opening to his hamstring, Lau lays another flurry of stabs, only this time, she hastily stabs him more than 20 times, with the final one strong enough to open a tear to the leg and stagger him. Suiga follows and slices the weakened leg off. In his glorious feeling, he misses Wutsworth''s fast regeneration and gets pushed back by his sprouting limb. Lau manages to stop his fall. They re-engage him, now trying to stall enough time by dodging his attacks as Aaron slowly prays¡­ Aaron dips his sword to the ground¡­ Holy Lord. Hear my prayer. Release your blade¡¯s mighty howl upon your foes and guide me to battle. Wolf¡¯s Bane The greatsword slowly vibrates, glowing with white light as the ground beneath it starts to crack from the rising weight¡­ Aaron: I¡¯ll show you who¡¯s boss now¡­ Aaron slowly walks towards the fight. The bat has picked up a metal rail and tries to squash the hunters, to no avail. Lau¡¯s winds guide her through the attacks leaving her unscathed and free to slash and stab. Suiga acrobatically dodges his swipes. They notice their teammate arriving determined, so they drive the vampire closer to him. As Wutsworth angrily rushes them, he fails to see Aaron, who parries his last strike, staggering him. Before the bat recuperates and rushes the boy, Aaron uses the momentum from the parry to grab Eisenwald, blessed by the Lord and now heavier and charged with holy light, with his two hands¡­ Aaron: From the Industries new Union¡­ FUCK YOU!!! He slams the sword to the ground with all his might. A downward slash, so clean and strong that cleaves through the monster¡¯s thick skin like imp flesh, slicing him into two lumps of flesh, leaving one side with the head intact. The force is enough to even smash the ground and scatter the body parts away. The other two hunters stare in awe, seeing their teammate slashing clean the same hulk they couldn¡¯t even graze without giving it their all¡­ Aaron: ¡­Huh¡­You¡­fucks GET HIS HEAD BEFORE HE REGENERATES!!! Vampire regeneration is quite a hurdle to pass. Hunters count on the silver to slash through the vampire¡¯s skin, but they can¡¯t do a lot for their regenerative capacities. To kill a vampire, one must make sure he deals enough damage to stop his regenerative factor¡­. Lau and Suiga quickly cut away the head before Wutsworth regenerates the rest of his body. The group gathers around, as they threaten Wutsworth unless he pauses his sprouting limbs and talks¡­ Wutsworth: Fine, Fine!!! My master wants to burst a hole through Salazar¡­ Aaron: AGAIN??? Suiga: The Ripper has done this before?! Lau: Salazar Prison Break, 10 years ago. Even my father came to Landen with help¡­ Wutsworth: I do not know the specifics, but he will unleash the behemoths inside the city as a distraction before the expedition team returns. He will then re-open a hole in Salazar. Lau: Pretty ironic of you, though to betray your boss at the last moment. Not even a hint of respect to your employees¡­ Wutsworth: Do not make a fool out of me, brat!!! The only reason I¡¯m telling you this is because there is absolutely nothing you can do to stop him. And don¡¯t talk of my employees like you knew them¡­ Suiga: We know they trusted you. And you destroyed their lives. Wutsworth: They didn¡¯t know!!! They preferred to walk around with the putrid hide that is human flesh, ignoring their true purpose!!! They served me right, my master!!!! How could a bunch of humans ever think of- Lau and Suiga slash his head, ending the bat¡¯s rumble and ending the fight¡­ Lau: Rot in bat hell, you bastard¡­ Aaron, looks at them proudly, smirking as the sunrise arrives¡­ Aaron: We got a lot of work to prepare for¡­ But there¡¯s one thing I have to tell you Suiga: Praise from Aaron!!?? My chief, I- Lau: Of course you do. Apologize for ever speaking against my better, superior judgment, bru- Aaron: YOU FUCKERS KILLED HIM, WE ARE SUPPOSED TO HOLD HIM FOR SALAZAR ASSHOLES!!!!!!!! Chapter 4 : The Nightingale Vampire hunting is a simple job. Train rigorously with a senior, subject your body and mind to ruthless experiments, receive a random armament from an ever-loving God and start killing vampires. Of course, that¡¯s just the summary of the job. Vampire hunters kill vampires, yes, but the gang¡¯s patrols and small requests aren¡¯t the only place they get to practice their craft. Expeditions are a rare, but important aspect of the Hunt, where vampire hunters and support army band together to reclaim lost land from the crimson-eyed freaks. From large forests to barren wastelands, expeditions are held to expand humanity¡¯s reach to outer villages and clear vampire cults torturing the weak. Of course, no one now¡¯s what vampire horror the hunters may face, so it is only reasonable that the elite of the elite can join. The hardest hunters, seasoned from years of fighting, reaching the distinguished rank of senior, risking their lives in the worst of conditions- Shroud: WHO OF YA¡¯ FUCKS FINISHED MY DAMNED RUM??? In the fields of outer Landen, the grey sky complimenting the wavy, naked trees, a large camp hosts the hunters currently on an expedition to search for any troubling cult behind the occurrences in the city. One of the main figures, the hulking senior that guides Aaron and Url, Shroud, shouts as the scared soldiers try to find his lost rum¡­In the sides, a slender man with black hair, adorned with silver hunter armour (dark blue leggings, silver plating, black shirt), sits with his legs crossed and rested on a small wooden table, sighing at the mess in front of him¡­ Man: Shroud, could you be less¡­beast and more man? It¡¯s three in the afternoon. Shroud: Oh, I¡¯m sorry, Luca your highness!! I forgot yer ass still has sticks up to it!! Loosen up, wil¡¯ ya¡¯? The man Shroud addresses to is Luca. A senior hunter, he is renowned for sending dozens of vampires to their graves along with Shroud during their tenure as hunters. Well respected by their peers, no one intervenes on their discussion¡­ Luca: Until Saturday, just hold until Saturday, and I¡¯ll be back home sipping tea far far away from your stinking breath¡­ Shroud: Hell ya¡¯ talking ¡®bout? We gonna be binging them barrels at Aaron¡¯s place the minit¡¯ we are back!!!! Luca: Haven¡¯t you tortured the kid enough??? Sending him people to take care of when you know he hates taking responsibilities that aren¡¯t his. Shroud: Kid needs ta learn that life ain¡¯t all ¡®bout ¡®scaping work and killing time slacking off!!! What would his mother say? Luca: ¡°Shroud leave my kid alone¡± Shroud: Doesn¡¯t mean anything, I¡¯m still right!! I would reward myself with a sip, but Imma outa luck here¡­ Luca: Speaking of Aaron, how¡¯s the kid faring? Shroud: Great, higher-ups couldn¡¯t be happier! Two bats dead and one captive!!! Even the bird boy got out ta play!!! Luca: Three vampires down¡­ Makes our expedition seem useless¡­ Shroud: And the rookies seem to be most behind this. I knew bringing a Lecourt would shake things up! Luca: What about the prince from A.E.? Read in the reports he¡¯s fighting pretty good¡­ Shroud: Hah!! My other best decision!! Kid is starting to make Aaron see this whole ¡°leader¡± thingy pretty great! He¡¯s got moves, he listens¡­ As Shroud goes on, he flashes back to a time where he was reading Suiga¡¯s file¡­ a large, red word can be seen on the second page: CLASSIFIED : HOLY ARMAMENT. Holy armaments are a hunter¡¯s extension, his personal weapon against the bats. It is a long, customary etiquette to not pry on a hunter¡¯s armament, especially if releasing info could reach the vampires¡­ Luca: That¡¯s it? Finally, the brain got shut¡­ Shroud: (I can¡¯t tell you that, Aaron boy. Ya gonna have ta see this yerself¡­) ¡­. Back to Landen then. The shock of last night¡¯s revelation took no time to spread and lay chaos among the people. With the head of the top rail manufacturing industry out and shunned as a vampire, the tramway system quickly found itself shut until the Wutsworth family can negotiate for a new head, of course after the vampire hunting association rules them out as human¡­ The death of a vampire doesn¡¯t always bring peace in a human¡¯s mind these days. The group, worried with Wutsworth¡¯s interrogation, try to match the dots in the vampiric plan afoot, around the grand table of the inn¡­ Url : Alright, let¡¯s get this straight : A vampire named Jack, COINCIDENTALLY I hope named like the Ripper, has send members of his cult to 1)gather bones for a ritual 2) steal hunter patrol schemes to figure out when and where to do the ritual and 3) use humans to perform it. The ritual consists of turning a vampire into a 4 feet tall hulk capable of chewing metal like gum¡­ Aaron: Sounds about right. Not really freaky when you summarize it like that. Lau: Why would a bum like the Ripper come back after 10 years? Suiga seems confused. Being an Asian, he has missed a few events key to Landen¡¯s recent history¡­ Aaron: Oh, we should explain to Suiga, he probably doesn¡¯t know the details to the incident¡­ Lau: Uuughhh, don¡¯t they have newspapers in Asia? Suiga: I use them to smash insects. Could really use one right one with you. Aaron: Cool it. Ten years ago, the Ripper was a creep serial killer that killed off random people in the street and gutted them off for¡­well we don¡¯t know. Suiga: Hence the name ¡°Ripper¡± ¡­ Aaron: Yep. Guy had a killing streak, and no one could find him because there was no evidence, no witnesses and he could fit any description when the cops took testimonies. Anyways, suddenly, he left a message saying he left us a goodbye gift and vanished of the face of Landen. Url: You could say heee¡­ ripped himself of the face of Landen! No one gives attention to Url¡¯s awful attempt at lightening the mood¡­ Aaron: The goodbye gift: A giant hole through the walls of Salazar Prison Centre. Every shitty vampire we had for questioning just managed to take off and start picking humans for snack. Lau: My own father, who rarely leaves Pirout alone, chose to take his vanguard and help out with the assault. He said it was a disgusting sight¡­ Suiga remains calm, despite the clear horror in his face¡­ Suiga: I heard of the incident, but I never thought that it was such a tragedy¡­ Aaron: Well, that¡¯s why this situation¡¯s so risky. So, what do we do? We are looking for a guy without even knowing how he looks like. Worst of all, trains are down, so no moving around the city like kings¡­ Lau: Your understanding of royal leisure is either pitiful or condescending¡­Why don¡¯t we just go torture that head the doctor here captured last time? Url: A coincidence really, we were asked to go interrogate him! A real peach, he offered to cough up a few stuffs on his cult in exchange for killing him¡­ Suiga: (Considering that freak was screaming the entire time, death sounds more pleasing than sir Url¡¯s torture)¡­ Aaron: You really are a psychopath, Url, but that¡¯s what we love about you. We go together or do we split? Url: We split. We three stay here, you go. Lau: Huh? Aaron: Excuse me? Url: Yes, I forgot to tell you. He apparently will only speak to my chief¡­ Suiga: Sir Aaron, an opportunity arises to cement yourself as leader of this ragtag group. You must at all- Aaron: I ain¡¯t no freaking leader!!! Ugh, fine, since I have to. Url : Oh and pass by the VHC first, Patricia has your access slip. Aaron: (Work,work,work) Yeah sure, I¡¯ll leave now so I can join you on the patrol early¡­ Url: Great. I¡¯ll show the lads where we patrol today. Make sure you get as much info on our killer as possible. Suiga: Good luck, Aaron. We will be waiting. Lau: Sad that I won¡¯t be partaking in the interrogation, but I guess rookies need a few tries too¡­ Aaron leaves immediately, walking towards the VHC. Suiga quickly asks a question¡­ Suiga: May I ask something? Aaron is clearly the head during our missions, why does he deny his leadership all the time? Lau: Watch it, fangirl!! I bow to no one, especially that brute. But yes, his lack of spine considering leadership role does seem like a sign of weakness¡­ Url: Umm, before Lau starts badmouthing his whole existence, Aaron is¡­ well he slacks a lot. A LOT. Suiga: I find it hard to believe. Url: Believe me, you two being here has given him a sort of¡­drive. However, it¡¯s his very nature to deny responsibility, he just finds it- Cut to Aaron and Patricia talking¡­ Aaron: Tiring!!!! Every day I have topknot chanting anthems like he¡¯s giving a charity concert. Url¡¯s experiments are getting out of hand, and now I have to deal with a Lecourt snob that can¡¯t ride tramways!!! Patricia: Boohoo, the well chiselled and hot Aaron HAS friends. Aaron: I don¡¯t know why Shroud wants me to lead a group or whatnot. I hate having people on my back. The author''s content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. Patricia: Doesn¡¯t sound like it. I think you are happy with more people. You¡¯d be complaining about their skills or how they mess up fights if you were really pissed off¡­ Aaron: Uuhh¡­ I just want a break¡­ My sword¡¯s be feeling heavier ever since this whole thing with ¡°you-know-who¡± started¡­ Suddenly, a cloaked figure approaches them. Standing silent, it lays on the table a pouch of coins¡­ Patricia: Uuuhh¡­can I help you??? Figure: Access slip. Salazar. I was called for an interrogation¡­ Patricia: And while this pile of cash does seem interesting, I just need your information to get you one. Aaron: (They goin¡¯ to Salazar too? Huh, might interrogate along with them). Figure: Hunter number: MT87 Patricia ducks and looks around the files under her desk. She pulls out two paper slips, indicating access to Salazar¡­ Patricia: You lucky individuals just won a free trip to Landen¡¯s most depressing tourist sight!!!Yayyyy!!! The figure just exits the building with no comment or salutation¡­ Aaron: Well, they¡¯re rude! Patricia: Uuuhhhh, he¡¯s an outer city hunter. He recently came in and every time he completes a mission, he just barges in and throws vampire heads on our desks. We told him a thousand times, you call support!!! Nothing¡­ Aaron: Damn, I wish my partners had his silence¡­ Patricia: Aaron, zip it, you have it too good! Stuck with those Adonises 24/7 and a Lecourt princess¡­ Aaron: Don¡¯t you have a job to do instead of drooling all over us? Anyways, I¡¯m off, hope that bat starts talking quick¡­ Patricia: Be careful, we don¡¯t know what the cult might pull now that transport is out of order¡­ VHC ordered a carriage for our hunter since Salazar is on the sea crossing the borders of the city. As mentioned, many times by our characters, Salazar Prison Centre is Landen¡¯s most feared tourist attraction¡­ mostly because it is not an attraction anymore. Created by Hunter Association President Bane Salazar, he re-innovated the 415ft large, destroyed lighthouse into a spacious, impenetrable prison to detain vampires with information to cults. Standing tall and separated from the land by a large bridge, the tower¡¯s most distinctive trait is the large hole left by Jack the Ripper when he chose to end his killing streak by abandoning Landen, leaving behind a prison break of hundreds of tortured vampires, bathing the city in blood for one horrid night. Aaron gazes upon the wall from his carriage¡¯s window. A mellow feeling of sadness fills his eyes as images of the night flash through his mind. Small kids running for their lives, men and women torn to shreds as starving vampires run amok, sinking their teeth in every bare neck they can find. Blood spilling everywhere, sidewalks covered by corpses, the hunters barely made it that night. Aaron remembers Shroud and Luca hiding him in the bar¡¯s cellar. He screams for them to let him come, worried that they won¡¯t be back the next morning. The hunters reassure him that they will make it and lock the cellar door shut. The prison break lasted until the morning, when Pirout¡¯s back up arrived to even the odds against the raging bats. The hunter clenches his fist. An indication of willpower, or a burst of hatred? When it comes to Aaron, it¡¯s probably both. As the carriage arrives through the prison gates, he descends and is greeted by the guards. As he gazes the prison lobby, he notices a second carriage, and the figure from before exiting the vehicle. He can hear the hunter¡¯s deep voice as he communicates with the other guards. The sudden call them to approach¡­ Aaron: Hello, I¡¯m here for a prisoner named Jack? He¡¯s a¡­ vampire head¡­ Guard 1: Aaaah, yes, the talking blob of flesh you brought us. Who the hell did that to him?? Aaron: My partner messed him up. He¡¯s a peach, but his mood turns awry when he¡¯s pissed off with someone¡­ Guard 1: Remind me to never get on his nerves. Damn bat really chooses death right now. I would keep him like this, but he¡¯s got info on this ¡°cult¡± that¡¯s been killing Landen the past weeks. The guard signals the others to open the gates. He takes the two hunters and leads them to the interrogation room. As they cross the prison halls, numerous vampires are seen grasping the silver bars on their cells, regardless of the burn on their flesh as they hold onto them. They¡¯ve been tortured a lot more than that¡­ Despite the slurs and screams, the two hunters rest unfazed. Guard 1: So, since this bastard¡¯s going to die anyways, you guys can give him any treatment, any tactic you want. Go nuts, the guards could take a hint or two. They arrive in the interrogation room. Jack, resting on a tall stool, gazes upon the hunters, anxious to start. Guard 1: I¡¯ll leave you three alone¡­ Aaron: So, pal, are ya going first or¡­? Figure: I shall start the interrogation. I will call upon you should require any assistance. Aaron: (Call upon me, what the hell?) Ah, yeah sure¡­ The figure approaches the vampire. Taking off her cloak, she appears to be a red hair woman, sporting a large braid down her waist. Wearing typical black huntress gear, she stares coldly down the head¡­ Jack: Who the hell are you, now? I¡¯ll only speak to the bird face¡¯s leader. Figure: Pick your words carefully, vampire. SHE is not one you¡¯d like to expand upon your already prolonged torture. Jack: Who is she? Figure: You shall find out soon enough. Now, to our questions. Where is your Lord? Jack: I already told you. I have no idea on that matter. He made sure of that. Figure: Quite secretive for someone who wanted to confess in exchange for death. Jack: I can only tell you what I know of. It¡¯s not my fault if you¡¯re asking the wrong questions. Figure: Maybe you¡¯re right. Let me ask this another way: Why are you the only vampire who knows nothing of your Lord¡¯s hideout in the city? Jack rests confused. A smear of shock distorts his grimace. Aaron is somehow impressed. Jack: Your bluffs fall short, Huntress. There is no way- Figure: I followed one of your comrades the other day. I beheaded her as quickly as she noticed me. She was trying to enter a sewer vault in the north part of the city. She was shouting for your Lord before I took her life. Jack: I¡­have no idea about the sewer¡­ Figure: So, either your Lord abandoned you like trash, or you are hiding something from us. She takes out a silver knife from her belt, and stabs the blob of flesh barely holding the bat together¡­Jack writhes in a surge of pain¡­ Figure: Tell me how to open the vault. I tried twice, it wouldn¡¯t budge. Jack: I don¡¯t know¡­ She plunges her knife down the blob once again. Jack: Spell craft!! Only my Lord can open that gate!! But there¡¯s a hidden passageway we made for the imps. If you can dig your way through, you can enter the vault, he won¡¯t notice!!! She cleans and sheaths her knife. Aaron remains impressed by the girl¡¯s quick interrogation and ruthlessness. Figure: For creatures boasting superiority, you are quite the lap dogs. Jack: Screw you, huntress!! You think now that you know where to strike, you¡¯ll manage to kill my Lord? Figure: I don¡¯t just know, bat! I WILL kill him. Aaron: (Shit, forget what Patricia said. I want her on my team. She¡¯s smart, she¡¯s tough, she only talks when she needs to. Only weird thing is this way she talks, I wonder why.) Jack: Who the hell do you think you are? She starts posing. Aaron¡¯s smug of excitement slowly turns into a frown of confusion and a hint of despair¡­ Jack: What are you- Cassandra: The Huntress under the Moonlight Sky, the Slayer of all Vampires, The Black Warhorse of Landen, Incarnation of Van Helsing, the one and only, Nightingale!!! Cassandra Mergrove!!! Aaron¡¯s expression reaches the depths of despair and disappointment. The delusions of a perfect partner shatter before him as the woman dares to continue and pose in front of him. Jack: ¡­ Cassandra: Now, my questions are over. This signals your imminent death. Prepare to die. Jack: Anything other than this clear torture¡­ Aaron: HOLD UP, I HAVEN¡¯T FINISHED YET!!! Aaron approaches the bat. Cassandra, confused, backs off. Jack: So, you are the bird freak¡¯s leader. Aaron: Partner. If you want to complain about your situation, you shouldn¡¯t have turned a poor woman into your blood bag. Jack: She should¡¯ve been glad. I gave her a role in her mundane life. Aaron: Sounds like something your chief would say. Jack: If you are saying that my Lord discarded me, you are most wrong, Hunter. Aaron: Seems like it. His vampires are getting chopped left and right before his big event, and he doesn¡¯t pick his ass up to save them. Jack: Watch your words, brat!! Cassandra: (What is he doing?) Aaron: I¡¯m just saying what I see in front of me. And you keep lying for him like some early-stage dependent. Jack: I told you what I know- Aaron: You lied about the sewer vault. God, even in your last minutes, you¡¯ll still suck his dick, won¡¯t you? Jack: Shut up, Hunter!!! Aaron: Then tell me!! Why is that fucker back? Didn¡¯t he put Landen through enough? Why does he want to destroy Landen? Jack: Terror!! Aaron startles. His ranting stops. Aaron: What- Jack: Terror, bloodshed, despair. There¡¯s nothing in Landen for my Lord other than humans that deserve to be eaten and slaughtered. He will kill because he wants to, he will destroy Landen just because he wants to. And if playing bait is what I have to do for this man¡¯s desire to become true¡­I might as well even use my last painful minutes on this planet¡­ Aaron: You freaks¡­You think we¡¯ll- Cassandra: Halt, hunter. I sense a trap in his speech. Aaron: What? Jack: She doesn¡¯t know what she¡¯s talking about. Cassandra: You said you must be a bait for your Lord. Aaron: Can¡¯t see him be any type of bait looking like that. Cassandra: We could be baited. In the search for information, we focus our gaze on a miserable head while a plot is afoot. Jack: ¡­ Aaron: What did you do? Jack starts smirking. Aaron plunges his fist into the blob of flesh, writhing the bat in immeasurable pain once again¡­ Jack: (What is this strength!!! Her knife hurt a lot less!!!) Aaron: Tell me what you did. Or I¡¯ll start tearing this mush apart piece by piece!! Jack: My last gift to the Ripper¡¯s design. Two hunters baited to Salazar, the rest baited to the open vault¡­ Aaron realizes. There was nothing left for them to discover. His comrades are being led to the Ripper¡¯s lair without him. Should something go wrong, Landen might be left without hunters¡­ Aaron: You shithead. Cassandra suddenly shrugs Aaron, and sits the vampire¡¯s throat, leaving him to bleed to death. Cassandra : You shall pay for your crimes. Not even your death will be a peaceful one, freak. Aaron: What did you- Cassandra: No time for questions. Any more interrogating would be useless. Patrols have started hours ago. She pulls out a small map. An X is crossed on what seems to be a large sewer pipe close to Salazar¡¯s bridge. Cassandra: Thankfully the gate¡¯s close. We can only hope the hunters haven¡¯t reached deep into the sewer. Aaron: North¡­ Cassandra: Excuse me? Aaron: I saw it on Url¡¯s file today¡­They were stationed north¡­ Aaron grabs Cassandra¡¯s shoulders firmly¡­ Cassandra: Huuh??? Aaron: Look, you might have some screws lose, but you know where the gate is. Can you help me? My comrades are- Cassandra quickly backs off and wipes her clothes, slightly blushing from embarrassment¡­ Cassandra: Ahem. The nightingale usually rides alone, but she shall never ignore a call to arms by a fellow hunter. SHE shall assist you in this sudden search and rescue. Aaron: I¡¯m not calling you nightingale or SHE, or whatever those names were. Is Cassie good? Cassie: ¡­ Cassie¡¯s ok. Aaron: Great, let¡¯s go. Cassie: Wait, not so fast!!! The ride to the sewer gate is short. Upon the emergency, the carriage rider orders the horses to gallop rapidly through the streets. However, once they reach the rusty, old sewer gate, the notice two twin female vampires scoffing at the two hunters. Twin1: They really thought it would be that easy to enter. Wait ¡®till they find out how we shut the imp gate with rocks. Twin2: Oh, sister, watch your tone. They might have not heard you. Cassie: I suggest you make this easy for all of us and open the gates before we slaughter you two. Twin2: Oh, a lively one, I see. I sure love hunters who think they stand a chance. Twin1: Oh, like that samurai earlier. He really entered the vault all gusto and macho. I wonder if there¡¯s any left of him now. Aaron: Shit, they¡¯re inside. The twins get up and spread their wings. They each fly and spin in different directions, to disorient the hunters¡­ Aaron: Great, this is going to take forever. Cassie: Do not underestimate the nightingale with cheap parlor tricks, freaks. Cassie pulls out a locket, similar to Aaron¡¯s. Only this one, a silver bow is connected to the chain. She begins to pray. ¡°Oh Lord of all that is holy, gift your humble servant with strength and lend upon me your judgemental arrows. Come forth, Nightingale¡±. The locket turns into a silver war bow with blade edges, a single black jewel on the centre of the handle. Aaron: (She named herself after her fucking weapon??!!!) The vampires prepare to attack by slowly teasing the defensive hunters. Cassie spreads her palm. Out of nowhere, two silver arrows start to conjure on it as her eyes glow white. She swiftly draws one with her bow and shoots it at one of the incoming vampires, stopping her right in front of Aaron. Cassie: Now, kill her!! Aaron quickly slashes the stunned vampire in two. The other twin, in her rage, starts flying rapidly around Cassie, in an attempt to hinder her focus. As she dives in for an attack, Cassie takes her arrow off her bow and stabs the vampire in the eye, then sidesteps to topple her with her bow. She finishes the bat with three strikes from her bow edge in the face. Aaron rests impressed by the girl¡¯s efficiency with targets. Aaron: Nice shooting! Cassie: A mild challenge for the Nightingale, my arrows never miss, swift as an eagle, steel as- Aaron: Stop talking, we are losing time!!! Before the duo starts searching the hidden passage, the vault suddenly opens. To the alarmed duo¡¯s surprise, no one is behind the door. Aaron: Huh, guess the host approved of our arrival. Cassie: Why would he just open the gate? Aaron: There¡¯s him wanting to leave Landen unguarded, it could also be because he has a trap ready¡­but¡­ Cassie: Hmm? Aaron: He just wants to play. He¡¯s either that sure he¡¯ll win, either that itching to fight, or both. Cassie: Can we really enter? What about the city? Aaron: Support knows about the emergency, so they¡¯ll be on guard. And VHC knows we are here, so they¡¯ll send back up to storm the place once the patrols are over¡­and¡­ Cassie: Hmm? Aaron: We won¡¯t need any of it. We¡¯ll get in, we¡¯ll rescue everyone, we¡¯ll butcher the Ripper ¡®till he cries for help and get out by sunlight. Chapter 5 : Dungeon Dwellers Mere hours before Aaron and Cassandra¡¯s arrival at the Ripper¡¯s lair, patrols have started and our trio of Url, Suiga, and Lau stroll around the northern block. No vampires in sight for the time being, so the two newcomers assault Url with all sorts of questions. Lau: Why do you wear that mask? Url: Personal reasons, but mostly out of style and hygiene. Suiga: How long have you known Aaron? Url: I¡¯ve known him since I was 16. Lau: Why do you smell too good for your looks? Url: I bathe every day. Suiga: Are you and Aaron some sort of ¡°brothers from another mother¡± deal? Url: A concerning question, no, I adore him, but we aren¡¯t related. Lau: On another note, why is that brute always grumpy? Url: I hope it¡¯s a rhetorical question, cause even I don¡¯t know that answer. Suiga: Shut your mouth Lecourt, you know nothing of sir Aaron. Lau: Great, fangirls all riled up. Url sighs as the two start hair-pulling and pinching each other. In his moment of despair, he comes up with a rather interesting question. As he looks at the moon, then the mess next to him¡­ Url: Hey guys, why did you become hunters? The duo stops fighting. Confused, they try to find a logical answer¡­ Lau: I mean, it¡¯s our job?! Url: And I want to know the reason behind it. Your REAL reason for being here, tonight¡­ Suiga, after a few seconds of thought, finds an answer. Suiga: Help as many people as I can, stop as many vampires as possible. My sword lives for justice! Url: Hmm, nice! The hero route, I see. Was hoping for something darker, but I¡¯m just as pleased. Suiga: Uuh, I don¡¯t know if I should feel grateful or worried, haha. Lau: Weak reason, prince boy! I aim to slay every bat I see on sight and uphold the Lecourt name! The scion of the Lecourt household should only strive for perfection, even if it means working with a bunch of homeless-looking lunatics. Suiga: Big talk from someone who was crying for some humble workers¡­ Lau: SHUT IT!!! The embarrassed Lau starts lightly hitting Suiga again. Url sighs once again as their scuffles seem inevitable in nature. However, in the whole mess, his ears do catch a faint, persistent sound in the background. He signals the duo to stop. He tries to focus on the sound, slowly realizing that what he hears is a muffled cry. Like someone has been gagged and kept in a basement for more than 2 months. He chooses to follow the muffled cry, the other two in tow. Swiftly walking the street, they end up noticing a man in a small dark alley. A man in a cradled position, his muffled cry now resembles more of a persistent humming as he cradles on and on next to a garbage bin. No other people in sight thanks to the patrol alarm and the curfew put by VHC since Wutsworth¡¯s incident, the hunters are free to explore this strange phenomenon. Url: Might be a bat. Lau: Uuuhh, this is definitely a bat. Definitely¡­ Suiga: Scared, shrimp? Lecourts shouldn¡¯t be so cowards. Lau: Not the time, topknot, not the time!!! Suiga: Url, how should we proceed? Url: Ah, Suiga could you go front? You are the toughest fighter here, we¡¯ll cover you if that guy shows fangs. Suiga: Do not worry. I¡¯m on it. Suiga slowly approaches the humming man. He tries calling out to him but to no avail. Too focused on humming away, Suiga puts his hand on his shoulder instead of shaking him up. Suiga: Sir, are you alright? Sir? The man rests unresponsive, cradling and humming away. As Suiga keeps shaking, he notices blood on the man¡¯s clothes. On further inspection, the blood is fresh and drips from the center of the man¡¯s body. Suiga: Sir, you are injured, we have to take you to As Suiga tries to move the man, he startles and backs off. The fresh blood came off of a dead cat, its neck bitten and shredded like a chicken rotisserie. The man, still humming, but now loud and clear, his bloodied mouth now free of the cat¡¯s flesh. Lau: It was definitely a vampire! Lau quickly tries to attack the cat killer, but the homeless vampire dodges her attacks. Hissing at them, blood droplets all over the floor, he spreads his wings and flies on the rooftop, from which he then starts to run. Url: Damn it, he¡¯s getting away!! Suiga: I¡¯m on it!! Suiga notices some bricks missing on the walls. He firmly climbs the wall and gives chase to the bat. Suiga: He¡¯s going east!! Meet me there!! He¡¯s giving chase. The bat¡¯s wings seem shattered, so he only uses them to boost his jumps and glide through lower rooftops. Suiga manages to follow through. Despite his kunai proficiency, he fails to strike the already damaged wings. Url and Lau in tow, they all follow the bat in front of a sewer gate on an isolated part of the city port, gazing at Salazar prison. The vampire tries to open the gate scarcely, ignoring his broken fingers. His attempt bore fruit, as Lau pierces his skull from behind with her rapier, downing him. Lau: Damn¡­ That was a sweaty run! Url: Guess extra bathing in for tomorrow. What the hell is this though? The gate is large, rusty, and seemingly impossible to open, even for a vampire. Our heroes rest confused. Suiga: Guess this must be some sort of hideout. What horrors could this hide inside? Url: Then we should call support. We have no idea what the bats cooked up behind door number 3. Lau: What a bunch of cowards!! My father would have kicked this door down and chased the first bat he saw!! Suiga: Oh, then please!! Be our guest! Url: While I¡¯m itching to see what¡¯s inside, Suiga¡¯s right Lau. We should at least wait for Aaron to finish up so we can search this thing together. What if this is the Ripper¡¯s hideout? Lau: Exactly! But the brute might finish in three hours if the bats know we are behind the gate, they could leave at any moment!! Jack: She¡¯s right you know, you guys are sitting on a gold mine here. Url: She has a point, yes, but we have to consider-¡­ Who said that? Suiga: Uuh, the gate¡¯s glowing red signs? The gate was indeed glowing red signs. Vampire spell craft, the gate is emitting the hollow sound of a young man. Jack: Yep, it¡¯s me, the Ripper. This is weird, I never had hunters for the smart sort to figure out where I live. Lau: What is this¡­ Url: Well, it¡¯s DEFINITELY a vampire, but how can we know this is the Ripper¡­ Jack: A nice question, bird face!!! Url: Mind reading?? Jack: Correct! And it seems you chose to kill poor Adam. He didn¡¯t even like humans. Damn hunters, you¡¯ll even kill our deviant members of society, won¡¯t you? Suiga: When they quietly eat cats while humming like lunatics, we will. Url: What are you playing at, Ripper? Jack: A lot of stuff, honestly. But right now, I want to play with you people. Lau: Where is he going with this¡­ Jack: So, long story short, I have a bunch of humans ready to become blood bags here. Around five, I think? Unless the others stole from my stash¡­Anyways, I¡¯ll open the door for you to come and try to save them. However,¡­ The group stays focused, waiting anxiously for the Ripper¡¯s next words¡­ Jack: This sewer¡¯s pretty huge. Could take hours to arrive at the lair. Enough for me to just order an attack on VHC. But I guess you have enough hunters to guard it well, right? The group tries to block their thoughts, hoping the vampire won¡¯t probe any information about the VHC¡¯s lack of personnel¡­ Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original. Jack: So, you either come here, risk your lives for a bunch of humans, or you stay, wait for support, and hope we don¡¯t get hungry. Lau and Suiga: Damn asshole!!! Url stays hesitant. There sure is a lot at stake. The safety of the city and his teammates, or the lives of innocent people, and an opportunity to grasp the Ripper. Jack: Let me help¡­shake the dice. The muffled screams of a child can be heard. The boy starts crying for help from the hunters, but his screams come to a slow stop as the vampire seemingly bites through his neck and dries him out of any blood he has in his system. Helplessly gasping for air, the boy is heard falling to the ground. Jack: Aaah, 4 more then! I¡¯ll leave the door open for about 2 minutes. That way support won¡¯t even arrive in time. See you inside!! As the rusty door opens, the trio stares at each other. Filled with a raging determination, they decide to engage the bat in its own domain. As they walk through, the gate is sealed and locked once again¡­ The sewers are old. Dating from Landen¡¯s foundation, they¡¯ve seen a lot of eras, a lot of damage, a lot of reconstruction. While they are maintained, an outer part sewer region like this one has clearly been left alone for a while. Rusty pipes, stone walls painted a vomiting green from the moss, and water holding all sorts of nonsense running down the system. A few additions can be noted in this hall, though. Blood, vampiric drawings, and some restored bulbs give our heroes some vision in the dark. They press further and further inside the sewer passage, following the amounts of drawings in vampiric language that increase the deeper they go and the further they leave the gate. Url discreetly leaves bandage pieces around, as checkmarks for reference when they escape¡­ Lau: I¡¯m really hoping this will be the last ¡°sewer vampire¡± I¡¯ll ever face (holding her nose) Suiga: I have to agree with the shrimp. For a prolific murderer, this bat is really putrid in living arrangements. Url: It is the perfect place to have a hideout. Lau: Oh please, Wutsworth fooled you for 10 years and his office wasn¡¯t in any stinking sewer pipe!!! Url: Because Wutsworth wasn¡¯t a renowned killer revered by all of Landen. This place is on the outskirts of town, no one would think of entering a sewer vault next to the biggest vampire prison on the continent, it¡¯s genius. Lau: Are you really giving him praise? He KILLED a CHILD!! Suiga: That¡¯s sir Url for you, never on the spot with the atmosphere. Url: Hey, give credit where it¡¯s due. I was present at the disaster, too. I can¡¯t wait to torture this asshole. But still, this place is the perfect hideout. Suiga: Some open windows could be of use¡­ Lau: Hey, home designers, door on our way! The trio stumbles upon a peculiar door. Steel and halfway opened, a lot of arrows drawn on the walls point at it, along with a huge ¡°What took ya¡¯ so long?¡±. Lau: They really think they can mock us like that? Suiga: What a weird language. Most of the bats we saw don¡¯t speak like that. Url: Yeah¡­ Url stares at the rudely written note for a while. He then ignores it and nods at the others to follow as he passes through¡­ Deeper within the sewer, we notice a few cloaked vampires in a spacious section, looking out at waterfalls of sewer waste falling into the abyss. Three males, one female. They kneel in front of one more. With thick, short curly orange hair, and a small earring for each earlobe, this vampire looks younger than the rest. Wearing a khaki long fur jacket, a white shirt, and brown jeans, he moves his ring-adorned hands as he orders around his subordinates with pride¡­ Vampire Leader: What¡¯s the name? Vampires: Jack the Ripper! Jack: And what is our job today? Vampire: Kill the damn hunters! Jack: Fucking perfect! Now, since I¡¯m in a darn good mood, I¡¯ll leave you guys to handle how you are going to kill them. Male 1 : (Stern voice) I want the samurai. He could prove an adequate foe to practice my blade. Jack: Great, he¡¯s yours. Male 2: Let me handle the bird freak. I want to see the man who managed to kill Jack. Jack: Sure, go at ¡®im!! Male 3: I¡¯ll take the young lass, I love killing noble human trash. Jack: Gladly! The female rests disappointed¡­Jack approaches her, his hand gently squishing her cheeks¡­ Jack: Hey, hey, hey no tears today!! This is a special evening for our little cult. Today we get rid of the hunter stick that¡¯s been up our arse the past week. Female: But, sire. Our sources tell us there are two more hunters in the city. Jack: That¡¯s why I send them to the half-alive bait, dumbass!!! He pushes her away on the ground¡­ Jack: See, it¡¯s questions like these that make you lot my servants. How are we supposed to screw our hunters if you can¡¯t even fucking remember what I FUCKING TOLD YOU YESTERDAY??? Jack¡¯s wings spread as he violently slams the sewer walls, scaring his subordinate cold. She cries and begs for forgiveness as she holds his feet with fear¡­He calms down and reassures his subordinate of his understanding. Jack: Uuh, look, just¡­get your damn twin and go guard the door. The other two fucks might catch up early. The vampire is filled with joy and leaves immediately to fulfill her orders. Jack: The rest of you, go chase down your shitty targets. Vampires: Sir, yes, sir!!! Jack: And remember. What¡¯s the name? Vampires: Jack the Ripper!! Jack the Ripper. A prolific killer, a violent, ruthless vampire. Other than the horror he left on every Landenian¡¯s soul, his most distinctive mark was¡­ His lack of identity. No one ever saw the murders. No one ever saw who blew up the hole in Salazar. No one knew who the gut-loving bat really was. A 40-year-old man? A 24-year-old woman? A bunch of children? No traces and no witnesses mean pretty much no suspect. Honestly, it wouldn¡¯t be weird if someone just came up and said: ¡°What if the Ripper was a lot of people all at once?¡± That¡¯s what it is, apparently. That¡¯s what the trio thought once they encountered the three vampire servants on their way to the lair, as they all chanted ¡°I¡¯m Jack the Ripper¡± simultaneously, smiles on their faces and hands trembling with excitement. Url: You have to be kidding me. Suiga: I don¡¯t think it matters anyway. We¡¯ll just kill them all. Lau: I¡¯ll agree with the fangirl. Even if they are lying, once they¡¯re all dead, the Ripper is gone for good. The vampires giggle condescendingly. Jack: Honestly, the poor hunters don¡¯t know what¡¯s coming for them. Jack: Should we tell them? Jack: Might as well. They¡¯ll be dead in a few hours anyway¡­ Suiga: What are you lot scheming? Jack: You see, there are three Jacks here. Now, one could be the true Ripper. Or it could be all three of us. The thing is, the one named Jack is also the one who can send an order around the lair to begin the assault on Landen using the hostages as sacrifice for the hulking spell. The hunters have a slight panic surge. Landen is almost defenseless. A bunch of ravaging hulks laying waste on the streets is more than just trouble for the VHC. Lau: You shitty¡­ Url: Hold it, Lau. There¡¯s a catch. Or these asshats would have begun the assault the minute the vault locked. Jack: Guess one of the trash is smart. But don¡¯t flatter yourself. I did say I wanted to play with you¡­ The vampires suddenly release smoke from their cloaks, engulfing the whole room. Once it dissipates, they are nowhere to be seen. Jack: Come get me, hunters!! I might just send the order now!!! Jack: Get over here!!! Jack: I¡¯ll slaughter ya¡¯ dead!!! The corridors fill with maniacal laughter, echoing through the iron pipes. Url: Great. To make matters worse, now we have to split up. Lau: What!? The hell are you leaving me in this nasty sewer alone! Suiga: The fate of the city rests on the palm of three deranged bat freaks. I¡¯m sure a Lecourt can handle some dirt. Lau: You are asking for it, fangirl. Url: Calm down! Uh, unfortunately, if we kill one altogether, the other might have time to start up the assault. Suiga: Do you really think they will do it? Url: It¡¯s the Ripper we are talking about. Right now, all logic is thrown down the drain. Url poses his hand in front of them, preparing for a pat down. Url: I really don¡¯t want to leave you guys, but we¡¯ll have to split up and take them out as soon as possible. If things get tough, just bolt it and hide away until you find help. Lau: Like hell, I¡¯m running away! The Ripper¡¯s throat will bleed from my blade today. Suiga: We also have to rescue the hostages before they turn into Wutsworths. They pose their hands too. They depart further into the sewer, where they start splitting into different corridors each¡­ Back to our villain, he goes to sit on a bone-adorned throne right before the sewer waterfalls. Posing his left fist to rest his head, he dwells in thoughts¡­ Jack: The three pieces of trash I send will at least stall the hunters for a bit, and even if they make it here, they¡¯ll be weak enough to kill them in seconds. And then¡­ The vampire starts frowning, his tense bitten lips and fists showing a sign of anger¡­ Jack: That hunter¡­Willheart¡­ He looks at his right arm. Forearm in sight, we see something rare in vampires: Scars. While one would believe eternal life and regeneration beyond human capacity would get rid of such a nuisance, vampires can, for a few reasons, bear scars from otherwise fatal hits, deadly concoctions, or other phenomena the hunters could use against them. And to a being craving perfection, believing it its birthright, such a mark could be a nuisance they¡¯ll hardly forget. Jack: Willheart. You don¡¯t remember me, but this hand does. Come, you bastard¡­ He clenches his fist¡­ Jack: I¡¯ll spill your guts all over the floor¡­ Suiga arrives in a small corridor, filled with imps guarding one of the Jacks. As he takes out his cloak, a pale blonde man with glasses looks him in the eye, preparing his blade¡­ Jack: As I was promised. Take out your blade, samurai. I want you to witness true swordsmanship before you fall. Suiga takes out his sword, readying for battle¡­ Suiga: Bring out whatever you want, I¡¯ll never fall! Lau arrives in another room. From the carpets, tables, bedrolls, and humans chained to the wall, this is probably the lounge¡­An old-looking vampire, similar to a man in his mid-60s, white mustache, and beard, he takes out his own rapier and points out at Lau. Jack: Lecourt! Your kind shouldn¡¯t dwell in this city! I¡¯ll make sure your crest is painted red with blood. Lau: (Seems like they were informed of our backgrounds. They wanted us to come here, surely). I¡¯ll make sure you want to live to regret your words¡­ She takes out her rapier and lashes out at the bat¡­ Url instead arrives at some kind of storage room, filled with enough shelves to make it a labyrinth of sorts. He notices a young male vampire walking around slowly¡­ Url: Really? The smart one has to fight the ¡°labyrinth floor¡± type of thing? Jack: Don¡¯t flatter yourself, plague doctor. You are not even smart or strong enough for me to consider this a ¡°fight¡±. Url: Before I shove that phrase down your throat, I have to ask. Is all this really a necessity? Jack: What? Url: You can just flick your fingers right now, and all of Landen will go to hell within minutes because a bunch of Wutsworths will spawn out of nowhere and no one upstairs will be able to do a thing. Why stall? Jack: If only you knew¡­ Jack starts smiling¡­ Suddenly, more and more of him start appearing in front of Url¡¯s eyes Jack: Take out your weapon hunter. You have neither the time nor the luxury of asking any more questions¡­ The three hunters steel their will. Determined, they rush at their opponents¡­ Chapter 6 : Touch茅 A scion is one of the top representatives of its household. As the product of the Lecourt clan, Lau sees to it that she upholds the highly esteemed title every day of the week. Be it in her elegant fencing style, her choice of battle armor, or even the savoir-vivre code that sends her rather brutish comrades (yes, Suiga included) to shame, she is constantly emitting the Lecourt noble aura she was born and raised with. As such, an insult to that name, the name she so desperately tries to uphold, is enough to send her on the offensive, against anyone and anything, even a vampire she barely took the time to assess. The hostages look in awe as the vampire effortlessly parries her strikes. Even with her speed, she fails to land a hit on the killer. In an attempt to feint a leg slash, but instead opt for an upper swipe on the bat¡¯s eyes, her opponent sees through the tactic, dodges, and takes advantage of her advance to pommel her head with his hilt, staggering her. He backsteps, then goes in for a forceful stab. Our Lau manages to recuperate quickly enough to escape, but not without a graze in her belly and forearms. She backsteps and patiently waits for the vampire for the next bout. Lau: (Hell is with this guy? The vampires we faced in the factory were nothing like this¡­) Another exchange of small strikes, with Lau backstepping again to stop his assault. She starts assessing her opponent, her nerves slowly calming down¡­ Lau : (He¡¯s sturdy. Normal butler clothes, no armor. He must be confident. He¡¯s skilled with a blade, nay, trained enough to parry me like it¡¯s nothing.) Another exchange, this time both parties back off quickly. Sparks flying around from the friction of iron and silver¡­ Lau: (And his strength. Typical vampire. He¡¯s well-fed, not like the others. He knows. A few of his strikes are enough to shoot my rapier out of my hand. I hate to admit it, but I must be cautious against this old bat). Jack: Typical noble trash. Lau: Huh? Jack: Talking big, looking down on everyone around you. And yet, when the time for action comes, your performance is delectable at best, and repugnant at worst. Lau: You haven¡¯t seen anything yet, vampire. My Lecourt swordsmanship is nothing to be scoffed at. Jack: And yet, you fail to land a single strike against me¡­ The bat goes on the offensive. Striking in all directions, Lau is overwhelmed by the attack, parrying everything she can. He notices her legs, and sends his rapier to her left knee, counting on his enhanced force to take it out. Suddenly, Lau sidesteps, and swings behind his back. His sword momentarily stuck on the ground, she takes the opportunity and activates her armament, once again blessed by the winds of her rapier. A flurry of multiple, fast strikes to his back not only damaged him but sent him to a nearby wall. She tries to follow up, but she stops instead, better knowing her opponent¡¯s skill and his vampiric regeneration. Truly enough, the bat gets up quickly. His wounds half regenerated. He wipes off some of the dust from his clothes. Jack: Guess this trash has some value in it¡­ Lau: What is your problem with nobles, bat? I thought your kind saw itself as the superior royal type. Jack: Your lot is a despicable kind of human. In my lifetime, of all the humans I encountered, the nobility was the one that left a sour taste on my tongue. I remember vividly, a man of noble cloth crossed my path a few ages ago. Itching for a fight, he continuously mocked me until I drew my blade. I left his corpse stranded on the stone road, his blood was not even worth my tongue. Lau: So, you killed a random royal just because he pissed you off? I still can¡¯t see why you hate nobles that much¡­ Jack: Your arrogance, brat. Your constant need to uphold your fake standards despite your lack of the skill to justify them. And the worst thing in a human besides its very nature¡­ He taps his sword three times on the ground. Third, he dashes and grazes the ground as he reaches for Lau, managing to irritate her hearing and divert her attention¡­ Jack: It¡¯s the audacity to act as if the same as my own kin!! Even Lau¡¯s speed isn¡¯t enough to protect her from this feint. She tries to dodge the attack, but the bat feints the upward strike, and instead swings around and advances forward, slashing down the unsuspecting Lau. He then kicks her, sending her front and down on the ground. Jack: Speed won¡¯t save you against tactics. I¡¯ve seen your fighting style. You think your swift strikes and moves let you slice around your foes carelessly¡­ He tries to strike her, but Lau parries him and backs up. Jack: But it only proves your naivet¨¦. Your denial to show your opponent respect. Strikes her again. She parries. The bat has clearly the upper hand. The slash is enough to have Lau on the ground, trying to recuperate. But with Jack on the hunt, she has no time¡­ Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. The hostages look in shock, desperately trying to uplift the huntresses¡¯ spirits in hopes that she will come to¡­ Jack: You lot, be quiet! You are about to witness the reason why humans should never call themselves ¡°nobility¡±. Now, Lecourt. Your end is nigh. He gathers his strength. Attempting to stab her with enough force to pierce through her defenses, he goes in for the kill. Lau: Like hell, I would show respect to a disgusting bat like you!!! Once again, Lau catches the bat off guard and swipes him off his feet, spinning on the floor and standing up again. Blessed by the winds she stands on one of the tables and stares down the bat. Lau: You are the one looking down on humans, freak. I¡¯m the scion of the Lecourts. And I¡¯ve gone through hell to reach the level I¡¯m now. She steps down and points her sword at the bat, who¡¯s slowly getting up. Lau: No old bat will come up and say that I¡¯m some fraud. It¡¯s stuff like this that just pisses me off! Jack stays confused. He was sure that those two blows would at least leave the huntress immobile. And yet, the lass managed to topple him and disengage in a matter of seconds¡­ Jack: (Those winds. Her strikes are faster, she moves like a swallow¡­but it¡¯s not just that¡­) Lau: So, how about you pick yourself up and we finish this like we should: With my sword down your eye sockets!! Jack: (I will need further testing¡­) Jack rushes with a flurry of strikes. This time, the tables turn. Lau blocks every strike effortlessly and even manages to lightly stab the vampire. She toys with him, the winds sending her around the room, the vampire tires itself mentally trying to strike the huntress¡­ Jack: (It¡¯s not just speed. The winds favor her. They move her where she wants, they protect her from my strikes. Those stabs before, not only were they fast, but the sheer wind force was also enough to send me back.) Lau¡¯s Holy Armament is the Valiant Sword. A beautifully ornated rapier. An old Pirou scion used to hold it. The Lord had blessed it with the winds of Pirou in a violent fight with a bat. The vampire had the largest wings and flew circles around the hunter. The Lord blessed it with the winds, and the hunter managed to outmaneuver the fiend. The Winds of Pirou grant the hunter base elevation in his speed and reflexes. However, the main attraction is the aura of wind. Entirely in her control, Lau can command these winds to lift her throughout the area, protect her and her allies from attacks, and even force her rapier to attack an enemy an enormous number of times more than normal. A drawback in mental resources caused by the connection with the lord¡¯s holy energy, the user does not have control over the wind in general, such as the creation of hurricanes per se. Blessed by the winds, Lau is faster than the vampires. Jack: (It¡¯s like the sprites appeared to protect her from me. But no matter¡­) Jack gathers his strength once again and taps the ground with his rapier, the faint clanking sound of his blade worrying the onlookers. But, Lau¡­ remains calm and assured¡­ Jack: (Your royal-borne arrogance won¡¯t save you here, brat. Like before, I¡¯ll feint, only this time I¡¯ll keep with my original attack and bait her into leaving an opening. She¡¯ll never notice. These scumbag royals never notice, never respect their opponent!! They¡¯re only talk, and I¡¯ll shut them all up!!!) Jack follows with his plan. He drags the blade right and left to confuse the huntress. Seemingly, she falls for the trick and tries to block her right. Jack is confident and goes in for an upward slash to her left, his vampiric might backing up the rising sword. Jack: Now fall, human trash!!! Lau stomps the ground and chants: Lau: ¡°Lecourt Sword style: Wind Parry¡±!!! The aura of wind rapidly spins around our heroine. The vampire¡¯s mighty strike, strong as it is, is flawlessly parried and even leaves the tired sword broken into shards. The vampire staggers, leaving an opening for Lau to start a second flurry of stabs that send the vampire bleeding and flying away. The aura dissipates¡­ Lau: (Damn it! I can¡¯t handle more than this! But without his blade¡­) Jack tries to get up. His regeneration starts to falter. Lau kicks his broken hilt to him. Lau: Get up. I¡¯ll make you regret ever underestimating my household. He angrily lunges at her, spreading his wings to speed up his attack. Lau sees through and skillfully disarms the bat as she dodges his assault. He tries to battle her unarmed, but each of his swipes proves mistakes as she blocks and violently stabs his attacking limbs, leaving him immobile and kneeling¡­ Jack: (Shit! I need blood to counter the silver blade¡¯s strike and heal!) He spreads his wings again and tries to lunge himself at one of the hostages. Failing of course because Lau had already slashed his wings in her flurry. Jack: Damn you, wrench!!! She turns around the lying bat to face him¡­ Lau: You talk a lot about nobles disrespecting you when you do the same. The only reason you fell from my blade, is because you never thought it could happen. That¡¯s your ¡°vampire¡± nature¡­ She stabs his eyes, and then firmly pierces her sword on his throat, killing him slowly¡­ Lau: I don¡¯t know who you fought, but I back up my words, bat. I AM stronger than you. The hostages scream with joy. The tired Lau undoes their chains and directs them to safety, informing them of Url¡¯s bandages. She strengthens her will and chants the silencing incantation, hoping the bats won¡¯t perceive them. She then rests for a while on the ground¡­ Lau: I did it, father. I protected our honor once again! She flashes back. Images gather, of her father, and her family, training her rigorously. But one image persists longer. A woman, similar to her, caresses her as she falls asleep on the training grounds. She then remembers her teammate¡¯s question : ¡°Url: What¡¯s your real reason for being here?¡± Lau: B¨¦atrice, sis. I¡¯ll make sure you¡¯re proud of the scion I¡¯ll be¡­ The bat¡¯s body starts to disintegrate¡­Assured of her victory, she drinks one of Url¡¯s recuperation potions, and walks off the rest of her injuries, searching for her teammates¡­ Chapter 7 : The Plague Doctor Plague doctors were famous for a while around Landen. Originating from a nearby city called Barelan, their craft consisted of using unorthodox methods to treat illnesses and diseases of all sorts. There is even a myth that a plague doctor was the one who found the cure for early and weak cases of vampirification, even if it has never been proven. A scary but necessary trade indeed. Ironically enough, Barelan was destroyed ages ago in a disaster involving one of Dracula¡¯s descendants. The bat was never slayed, the city was ruined, and it¡¯s a story old enough for any detailed archive to exist. Of course, nearly every plague doctor was slaughtered that day. Well, nearly everyone¡­
Jack: Honestly, I never knew plague doctors still existed. Url: My parents managed to escape your feast. Sadly, they are dead and won¡¯t be taking any revenge tonight. Jack: My non-sincere at all apologies, bird. Your creed wanted to play gods and mess with our dependants. The destruction was inevitable. Url: And wiping the town off the face of the Earth was your course of action? Jack: Cry me a river, bird, you¡¯d do the same in their place¡­Hmm, should I tell you how it happened, perhaps? Url: Wouldn¡¯t change the outcome. You¡¯re still monsters, and we¡¯ll still kill you. Jack: And here I was hoping to make light conversation with the trashcan¡­
One of the bats lashes at Url. Saws in hand, he slashes the attacker, only for it to dissipate in mist¡­
Url: Illusions, really? The fight is THAT clich¨¦?
The bats start lashing out in turns. Url slashes the illusions away. One of them escapes though. He tries to give chase but instead stops.
Url: (Wait.)
He patiently waits. Suddenly, he slashes backward. His sawblade hits a bat¡¯s head. Not an illusion, Url continues to slash it in the face before it manages to counter. The corpse falling, the hunter breathes heavily¡­
Url: (No¡­)
A surprise attack. One more dropkicks him, sending him onto one of the shelves. The bat then hides away.
Url: (Not just illusions, but clones too?)
A hand comes out of the shelves, pushing stuff away to grab Url by the throat. As he chokes, he drops his blades and tries to pull away the strangling hand. Another Jack appears, slowly walking towards him¡­
Jack: Do not underestimate illusory tactics, doctor. They can prove quite a hard tumor to get rid of¡­
He taunts the hunter. He prepares his hand to send it through his guts. Url struggles more and more to stay conscious and escape¡­
Jack: No. I love watching my victims cry in despair. Before I spill your blood all over the floor, let me see that face¡­
Url finally retaliates. He calls out one of his blades and tries to chop the hand holding him. To his shock, the hand dissipates into mist before the blade even touches him. He falls from the confusion. As he raises his head, the other vampire is nowhere near him.
Url: What? How real were those illusions? Had that hand stayed there, I would have chopped my face off¡­ He gets up, picking up his saws. Jack: Honestly hunter, I heard what you did to that vampire. Even your teammate stood afraid of you, torturing that freak like you weren¡¯t one and the same. Url: The hell are you talking about? Jack: I know how you felt, plague doctor. Acting all nice and distinguished to your pals, because if they knew what passes from your mind every time you see a bat, they would toss you out like trash!!
Url stays silent and walks around the library¡­
Jack: How dare you act like a savior of humans, when your methods even compare to those you treat as enemies! Hypocrite!!!
Two bats jump from the top of the shelves. Url backsteps and attacks one. An illusion, the other one pushes him onto the shelf and tries to bite him. It dissipates again.
Jack: Tell me, hunter¡­or should I call you, bat? Url: ENOUGH!!!
Url slashes around the shelves, throwing stuff on the ground¡­In his anger, he fails to notice the vampire behind him kicking him away and fleeing. Url: (Calm down, Url. FOCUS. He¡¯s only trying to get in your head)
He gets up. Slowly, other vampires arrive to circle him. Url: (Think. None of the illusions are actually real, but some take longer to disappear, and they even manage to attack me¡­) Two illusions lunge at him. He dodges the attacks and slashes them, turning them into mist. Url: (Considering the illusions started when I entered the room, the vampire¡¯s technique must be an area of effect type) One lashes again. This one is real. He punches the blocking Url around the shelves Url: (No spellcraft around, I would have felt the effect. That means one thing)
Before the bat tries to strike again, Url throws a bandage around his leg and topples him. He follows up and bashes his head. The others disappear. The one he killed follows suit. Url: (I must have ingested something. But my mask eliminates all foreign entities. How did he manage to) Url flashes back to the first assault. The mist scattered around¡­He quickly notices that the room is entirely filled with mist. If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.Url: (The mist. It must have managed to bypass my defenses. I should use my stimulant to¡­Or not.
Two vampires appear from the back. He disengages, but the bats give chase. As he evades them, he takes a syringe and pulls out some of his own blood. He throws another long bandage and pulls down one of the shelves, stalling the bats. He quickly casts out his Apothecary¡¯s Table and starts creating a concoction with his blood. The bats try to stop him, but he gives in to the illusions and throws stuff at them. They start dissipating, and the ones who persist fall quickly from his slashes.
Url: Exactly. They¡¯ll disappear once I manage to land an ¡°attack¡±. Url finishes his concoction, in the form of a syringe. The table disappears once again. He calls out the bat. Url: Hey, I figured out your parlor trick!! Jack: Nonsense, there¡¯s no cure against vampiric spellcraft. Url: Don¡¯t underestimate a plague doctor, nay, plague hunter!! Vampires appear once again. He skillfully rids off the illusions, except for one. That one, he throws an item from the shelf. The illusion persists, and Url quickly throws the syringe at him. Pumping his chest with strange liquid, the bat throws the syringe away. Url stays put¡­ Jack: So, what¡¯s your plan, bird. The mist persists, and my illusions still torment you!
Another number of illusions start to appear, watching carefully at the duo.
Url: You know, I¡¯ve been thinking, you might be right. I am a bit deranged as an individual. My friends will freak out once they find out what I thought to get rid of you. He slowly walks forward¡­ Url: And that¡¯s why my thoughts are only for myself. How did your sorry excuse manage to find out what I was thinking? How do your illusions manage to be tangible and intangible at your command? The illusions stay put¡­ Url: Your mist sure is potent. You used spellcraft to cast out a few illusions and spread enough mist on the first attacks to pass through my filters, and then all you had to do was swap places with your illusions every time I chose to attack you relentlessly. Jack: Nicely done, bird. You understood vampling magic. Url: Thank you. And for this beautiful lesson, I¡¯ll send you off with a gift. Jack calls out to his illusions to assault Url all at once. However, they start gazing at him instead. Jack: What? Url: Yeah, I could make an antidote and resistance in less than a minute thanks to my table. But, as you would say, where¡¯s the fun in that? The optic tricks start descending and approaching the bat. Jack shoves them off, filling himself with his own mist. Jack: Fool! You¡¯d really think I would fall from a vampiric spell? You must be more of an imbecile than I thought!! Url: You wouldn¡¯t fall¡­You WILL fall¡­ Url lashes out at the vampire. The latter somersaults and then swipes the hunter with his leg. To his shock, he dissipates into mist¡­ Jack: What!! The syringe, what did he- Url: You told me I was no different than you freaks. Well, deranged freak as I am¡­
Multiple Urls assault the bat. Some of them disappear with a single strike, and others manage to bash the bat before he rids them. One of the Urls entangles Jack¡¯s hand with his bandage from the other side of a shelf and pulls him to it. Another falls from the top to chop him, but it disappears as the bat screams against the falling blades. He gets up, bandages nowhere near his hand.
Jack: Did he really reverse my spell? Url: Yep!
Sounds of items crashing down scare the bat. He tries to bust the door to the hallway down, but his punches seem futile. The door barely moves¡­
Url: Deranged as I am, at least I¡¯m good at heart. You don¡¯t see me planning to raise a city just because I woke up feeling nasty. Jack: Don¡¯t talk about¡­my ambitions like that, brat!! Url: Stutter. Guess you are not the Jack we are looking for. Jack: I am Jack: I am the Ripper!! And you are not in any way coming out of this alive, boy!! I¡¯ll spill your guts to the floor, and I¡¯ll smash your mask to smithereens, the same way your ancestors were dealt with!!
Another flock of Urls starts surrounding the vampire. He desperately tries to take out all of them at once, hoping his strikes might knock out the real Url. Suddenly, one of his arms is chopped off, knocking him off balance.
Jack: Damn you!!
He gets up, but an Url kicks him down once again. They swarm at him and hold him tightly. Despite his natural strength, the vampire can¡¯t seem to escape.
Jack: What¡¯s this! His syringe is more potent. All the illusions feel real¡­All of these people are real¡­
His voice quivers as the Urls start swarming him. They bash him with the sawblades bit by bit. He screams in agony and begs for mercy.
Url: Call me a freak, call me a lunatic for being such a psycho¡­
One of the Urls takes out his mask. A normal, 19-year-old boy. Bowl-cut black hair, blue eyes, and beautiful bone structure show a mixture of androgynous nature. Anyone would fall for such a kind, handsome face staring down at them¡­if it was accompanied by the most creepy, defiling, deranged smile human nor vampire has ever gazed upon.
Url: But don¡¯t you ever dare call me one of you, filth.
He chops and chops and chops until the vampire''s screams come to an abrupt end. The mist dissipates. The illusions are long gone. A messy room, a dead vampire, and a bloody Url calming himself down.
Url: Phew. Had I not figured that the poison was inside the mist, I wouldn¡¯t have replicated it in silver agents and stuck it to the bat.
Apothecary¡¯s table has a strange armament. Belonging to the first alchemist to ever counter the vampires with Van Helsing, the table was blessed by the Lord to help any user with the skills and knowledge to forge potions beyond human comprehension. Using holy light to manipulate the contraption, the user can make more potent creations than the common alchemist. But, the table doesn¡¯t stop there. With enough knowledge, the user can create new concoctions with the most varying effects, from essences alluring to imps to gene-altering liquids. Of course, along with the usual armament drawback, the more complex the concoction, the more the resources, the more the holy light toll. Url wipes away the blood. He stares down his opponent, deep in thought.
Url: My creed might have been ominous, but they only did everything to protect their kind. Barelan and my parents never deserved your shitshow¡­ He starts to leave. To find his teammates¡­ Url: And I¡¯ll never let that happen to Landen, no matter what I have to do¡­ Chapter 8 : Doubts set aflame The Emperor of Assia, Akira Hanshiro, has had a lot of titles concerning his misadventures: Blade of the East, for being the top swordsman in Assia, Breeder of Females, for being a major playboy but the most infamous is the Silverborne Leader, in taste of his Holy Armament and his leading role in the Hunt. Alongside numerous heroes like Shroud the Bat Butcher, Luca the Dancing Swordman, Fran?ois Lecourt, and Abraham Lincoln the Human Dracula, he made strides in his hunting days before posing the mantle to handle the hunt on an administrative level. A man of his caliber is highly regarded as one of the symbols of hope, of justice against the vampires. So, it is only natural, that his only heir, the prince of Assia, is expected to reach the same heights, and even surpass¡­A lot of stress for one 19-year-old boy¡­ Suiga fairs well against the Imps. The vampire¡¯s commands turn moot, and no imp follows him. Suiga had oiled his blade with Url¡¯s imp sedative, leading them to their doom one by one. Jack: Apparently, I was not the only one prepared. Suiga: Have you finished stroking your blade, freak? You really thought letting loose a bunch of imps would turn the tide. Jack: These were the warmup, human. I can¡¯t feel complete if my prey¡¯s blood doesn¡¯t run hot in battle. The vampire throws his cloak. Long beige hair, typical glasses, and padded armor. He holds an iron scimitar, and after a few swings, points it at his adversary, who has finished slaying his imps. Jack: I pity you, hunter. Suiga: How so, really? Jack: Your head will roll before you ever be of any significant contribution to your team, your country, or your kind. The vampire slowly approaches Suiga¡­ Jack: You are different from the other hunters, samurai. I¡¯ve seen you. Suiga: What are you getting at¡­ Jack: The plague doctor, he acts nice, and collected, but his morality falls out the window at a moment''s notice. The noblegirl will slay anything in her path to prove her worth to her clan. Your chief, a brooding brute who¡¯ll lose his cognition in the face of a vampire. All of them, have this grit, this¡­ unhinged side in their fight He stops halfway¡­ Jack: And yet you¡­have none Suiga: If you are calling my teammates psychopaths, I¡¯ll assure you they are nothing compared to what you monsters have achieved the past week. Jack: This! This is what I¡¯m talking about! I¡¯ve seen all your fights. Coordinated, resourceful, truly something unexpected of a human¡­and yet no grit. No pulse, no desire to put everything on the line to decimate your foe. Suiga: You have no idea what you are talking about, bat. Jack: Don¡¯t I, samurai? Out of all your comrades, you have yet to show your true ace up your sleeve. No royal swordsmanship or training can amount to what you avoid releasing¡­ Suiga now knows. Two drops of cold sweat run down his nape when he realizes the bat is referring to his Holy Armament. The weapon assigned to him that he so fears to use¡­ Suiga: I still find no connection to your words. Jack: You are unpolished, hunter. I told you that I want my prey at its best before I lay waste upon it. He takes a stance and prepares to strike¡­ Jack: I chose so. Before I destroy Landen again, I¡¯ll have my fun with you. I¡¯ll polish you for your last battle, and then I shall kill you. If you manage to please me enough¡­ Jack lunges at the samurai. Their swords meet. Jack: I¡¯ll turn you into my subordinate Suiga: I¡¯d rather have my corpse eaten than live to service you! They both back off. A brief eye lock, and they clash once again. The hunter and the samurai appear even as they each strike their opponent viciously, every slash parried, every stab dodged. Sparks fly all over the room as iron and silver meet with every attack. Suiga tries to find an opening. He sidesteps to the vampire¡¯s backline and strikes, Jack spreads his wings and floats to avoid the attack. The vampire turns and dives sword first at the hunter, Suiga quickly rolls forward and dodges the piercing attack. He wastes no second and throws two kunai at the bat. His wings prove hard to pierce, as the kunai only get stuck. They fall as the bat retracts his wings, and the clash continues similarly. Jack punches Suiga in the gut in an unfortunate opening and tries to slice him downwards using his vampiric strength for a lethal attack. Suiga uses his weakened state to fall on the ground and side-roll his way out of the attack. The vampire quickly rebounds and chases the hunter with relentless slashes from his scimitar. Now the tables turned, Suiga receives a fair beating from the vampire. He fails to dodge a few strikes, and he is slashed in his arms, legs, and ribs. The vampire manages to stay on the offensive but makes no attempt at any other lethal strikes. Jack: Come on, samurai! Show it to me! Allow me to show you the potential you so yearn to hide!! The assault continues. Even with some attacks blocked, the vampire manages to overpower our hero all around the room¡­ Jack: Accept my charity, hunter!! Consider this my extension of gratitude for being my punch bag before the grand finale!!! The fight could make any human sweat from the fear of death. A fight-starved vampire lashes at you, his strikes feeling like being hit with a jackhammer, his wings blowing all dust up your face, the instance of death pervading every second of your clash. And yet, Suiga is not afraid of it. He manages to find an opening. He takes off another kunai, slices the bat¡¯s chin by fair chance, and pushes through him to disengage from the assault. His breath was out of rhythm, his heart pounding non-stop. He stares at the vampire. Time goes slow in his head as he¡¯s thinking about his next move¡­ Suiga: This bat, he¡¯s too good. His attacks feel like a lead rod against my katana. His technique, he definitely trained, and he matches the shrimp in skill. That attack was the only one I landed, and it¡¯s no lie that he probably let it land. He¡¯s toying with me¡­ Suiga stares at his trembling right hand¡­ Suiga: If I drag this out, I might not make it alive. We are equal in skill, but his unnatural strength and speed are just¡­ Is this the gap in our skills without my armament¡­ The boy¡¯s face turns desperate as he realizes the only way out of this might actually be using his weapon. Before he even dares to think about it, Jack attacks him once again. Suiga tries to block the attacks and land a strike, but the bat¡¯s strength proves an unsurmountable wall to the weakened Suiga. After a few hits, he kicks Suiga away and taunts him¡­ Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings. Jack: Really!? I refuse to believe that you have no ace up your sleeve! He contemplates the situation as Suiga chooses to lash at him once again, silver sword in hand¡­ Jack: Could it be¡­ you are rather ashamed? He effortlessly parries the hunter¡¯s strike and pushes him away once more. Jack: You are in a tight spot, so you¡¯d be a fool to reserve your weapon up until now. It¡¯s not fear because you¡¯ve used more than questionable tactics in your fight with Wutsworth¡­ Another lunge, another parry, another kick to the hunter¡¯s guts that pushes him back¡­ Jack: So it¡¯s a shame. But what weapon could be so weak, or so disgusting, or so idiotic that a hunter would prefer to suffer through a fight and get mocked by his peers just to hide it away¡­ Suiga tries to get up, bruised and bleeding. He looks down as the vampire¡¯s slander strikes his heart head-on. The hunter is ashamed of his weapon¡­ Jack: None the matter, you are obliged to take it out. Want to know why, hunter? Jack wipes off the blood from his scimitar and swings it a few times as he strolls around the room, waiting for Suiga¡¯s next assault. Jack: You are going to die, samurai. No matter the outcome. But if you don¡¯t weaken me, I¡¯ll hunt down your unfortunate friends, and do I promise you their fates will be a lot more gruesome than yours...So choose, will you die knowing your shame brought your teammates downfall, or you will die, a small contribution to your kind, but a contribution, nonetheless. Suiga¡¯s eyes widen out. The threat of his comrade¡¯s lives starts looming over his head. Throughout the fight with Wutsworth, throughout the fight in VHC, his choice to avoid his strongest tool has brought the team mostly misfortune and difficulty. As he gets up, he stares at the vampire taunting him. His pupils have reduced in size, and his muscles are tensed to a breaking point. He raises his right arm to the side and opens his palm. Jack: Interesting. A smart choice, human. Suiga: You call me a fool or avoider for choosing to not resort to this¡­but you are a fool yourself, bat. Jack: What is this now, a sudden surge of arrogance? Suiga: Not arrogance. Pity. The air is void. Other than the two foe¡¯s voices, nothing disrupts the empty room. Suddenly, the hunter¡¯s bare open palm starts is slowly set aflame. The cinders encircling it are black and orange, resembling a soul from the hells sprouting and clawing its way out. Jack: (Awkward. Hunter armaments emanate holy light and are silver in nature¡­)What would you feel pity about in all of this? You are about to die as my warmup event to the destruction of Landen! Suiga: You had one chance to kill me. But your arrogance and curiosity will get the better of you now. The flames get stronger and stronger as they burn. Suiga¡¯s palm rests intact. Suiga: You are right. I am ashamed of this monstrosity. I¡¯m the only hunter alive who has to use this. But this is not the only reason I never pull this trick against you¡­ Suiga starts praying¡­ He flashes back to the empire, during his training as a teen with his father. The courtyard is filled with burns and destroyed dummies. Suiga and his father, a much larger, muscular, and more rugged adult version of him look down on the hunter in training as they lay down, surrounded by chaos. Hanshiro: Suiga, remember this fondly. This thing you wield is going to make some people afraid. Hell, our people already hate you for this!! Suiga: But father, it¡¯s not my f- Hanshiro: You think I don¡¯t know that!? I would have cut your arm clean off if that wasn¡¯t true!! He gets up¡­ Hanshiro: Never be ashamed of it. No matter what this is, it¡¯s going to save you from the bats. It¡¯s going to save others from the bats. Your weapon doesn¡¯t define you, Suiga. Bare it with pride. Suiga looks over his father, amazed by the man¡¯s stature, and now reassured by his words¡­ Hanshiro: Just¡­no one should be close to you when you use it. Behind the man¡¯s large back, violent burning slash wounds melt his body. He struggles to hold back his pain and screams¡­ Hanshiro: Wouldn¡¯t want anyone on your team getting hit like this¡­ Back to the present, Suiga prays¡­ Oh Lord of the Sun. You who have cursed your soldier with the worst of misfortunes. You who bestowed upon your hunter the blight of vampires. Strengthen my blade once again. Curse my hand with the arsonist¡¯s berserker flames. The flames expand to the side, and from the cinders form a black katana. Suiga drops his tired silver blade and grasps the molting black blade, all while holding his gaze upon the confused vampire. Jack: (A new blade. Typical of a samurai, I suppose. But those flames. No sign of the Sun bastard¡¯s essence. And that is silver, but why is it black¡­) Suiga keeps staring at the bat. Jack: (Black flames, black flames¡­no¡­) The vampire freezes. His stature of pride and confidence starts to falter as he continues to gaze upon the ominous cinders falling out of the blade¡­ Jack: Kunishiro the Arsonist. Those hellish flames could only be his¡­ Jack prepares to strike, but he stays more cautious. Whatever he recognized, it must be terrifying enough to shake a vampire¡¯s confidence. Suiga: Where¡¯s your tongue, asshole?! I got tired of hearing you prattle on and on¡­ Suiga approaches him. The bruises don¡¯t concern him, the bleeding keeps on, but he doesn¡¯t care. He doesn¡¯t take a stance, he holds his katana like a butchering cleaver. Jack holds his ground and prepares for another clash. Jack: You hypocrite. You call yourself a hunter!! How dare you hold my kin¡¯s blighted soul! You were right to be ashamed of this! This is nothing to be proud of!!! You disgusting monster!! Instead of waiting, Jack lashes at the hunter. Jack: (I don¡¯t care if he has a blight! I¡¯ll end this here and now before he gets a chance to use it!!) You are still warm up to me, scumbag!!! I¡¯ll slice your entrails off and then- Jack strikes. The hunter parries his attack flawlessly. The force is enough to push both of them back. Suiga keeps on and slashes the bat¡¯s exposed chest. Blighted flames engulf the blade and push the bat away as he¡¯s sliced in the chest. Agonizing pain as the burning wound fails to close. The flames keep tearing away his flesh. The fire on Suiga¡¯s blade gets stronger, and his gaze turns more void of any doubts. Suiga: Come on. Entertain me, freak. Suiga slashes again. The whirlwind pushes a crescent shape of flames on the fleeing vampire and strikes him on the legs. He tries to flee by flight, but another flying slash burns his wings. The more the vampire burns, the more the hunter¡¯s blade turns stronger. Jack: (Kunishiro¡¯s flames. The more they burned, the stronger he got¡­) Jack takes out a flask of blood. He chugs it down. His wound somehow managed to heal at half capacity. He grabs his scimitar and starts an assault of slices on the hunter. A few failed attacks parried strikes from the hunter, and the vampire is sliced three times. The flaming blade violently cuts through the bat''s flesh, each time leaving him in agonizing pain. His regeneration fails him, and he falls back to the ground as the hunter prepares a final strike. Suiga: I pity you, vampire. Jack: You bastard!! Do you think killing me will make you a hunter!!? Remember this, samurai! That blade will always be a vampire!! You¡¯ll walk on this Earth knowing you are relying on your sworn enemy to survive!! Suiga: I don¡¯t care. As long as my friends live, as long as I can save people¡­as long as I can keep slaying you like I please¡­ Suiga cuts the vampire¡¯s head with all his might, sending the charred head flying and leaving the beheaded body spurting out blood. Suiga: I don¡¯t mind relying on this freak¡­ The samurai gasps. The blight strikes both vampire and human flesh harder than anything in the world. He counts on his fingers¡­ Suiga: 15 minutes. I have to end this quickly or I won¡¯t be able to control the blade¡­ The cinders calm down as the burning wounds on the corpse cool off¡­ Suiga recuperates with one of Url¡¯s potions and departs for the next room, hoping he¡¯ll find his teammates before anything happens to them¡­ Suiga: I can¡¯t avoid this for now. I must hope the others won¡¯t discard me¡­ Aaron saving him from Lau¡¯s questions during the fight with Wutsworth comes to his mind, along with Url¡¯s daily kind acts and Lau¡¯s shouting. He bites his lips and keeps on walking¡­ Chapter 9 : The Face of the Ripper Url and Lau managed to catch up earlier. The young doctor takes a quick look at Lau¡¯s injuries. With a few bandages, some potions, the word ¡°Bless¡±, and Lau¡¯s wounds get a lot better¡­ Lau: For a weird bird face, you sure are a good doctor. Url: I¡¯ll try to take that as a compliment. Lau: Good lord, Suiga¡¯s not here yet¡­ Url: We should move out and find him. Without an armament, he¡¯ll be in a lot more trouble if his foe is the same level as ours- The duo hears screams. Screams of vampires writhing in pain. They trace the source to another hall. Small bursts of light sprout from the corners. A creeping feeling of heat envelops them the more they approach. They make a turn. Url: Huh, guess we found him? Suiga butchers running imps and vampires. Either trying to escape or attack the hunter in a last-ditch effort, they¡¯ll either fall to his flaming blade, the fire whirlwinds, or the burning aftermath wounds painfully tearing away at their flesh. Lau: Is that¡­his armament? Url: ... Some vampires notice the two hunters waiting. They lash at them with haste. Lau: Let¡¯s go help him! Url: Lau, no!! Url pulls Lau away and steps back. The weakened vampires burn away as violent whirlwinds of Suiga¡¯s attack land on them. The vampires die slowly as the wounds burn away their backs. Url: Do you feel it? The black essence in the fire. Blight. Lau: He has ONE armament and it is dark flames?! How more edgy and stereotypical can this man get beside the topknot and get up?! Suiga finishes them off. He notices his teammates. His sword¡¯s cinders are now twice the size of what they were before¡­ Url: Suiga! It¡¯s us! No slashes over here! Lau: Wow, topknot. You sure hit the lottery with that thing. How can you stand the stench of a burning corpse, though? Suiga doesn¡¯t respond. Url: Uuh, buddy? This isn¡¯t one of those ¡°corrupted sword spirit possesses owner¡± moments, huh? Lau: I swear, if he¡¯s a ghost, I¡¯ll stick my rapier up his- Suiga: We need to move. The two hunters stumbled. Suiga only said four words, yet the tone, the expression, and the air he pulled out with those words showed the samurai¡¯s killing intent, focused on the pale monsters¡­ Url: Are you gonna need any healing? You look like a battered rag, pal. Suiga: No. I¡¯m okay. Don¡¯t worry about me. Let¡¯s find that Ripper bastard. Url: Alrighty!! The two hunters avoid chatting more with the samurai. To them, his last fight must have been too much, especially for him to end up pulling out a blight weapon¡­ Url: (Blight, huh? That must be why he didn¡¯t want to talk about it. Can¡¯t say I¡¯m not intrigued, but I should let that rest for later. We have a bat to kill.) As they walk, more vampires try to attack them. Lau and Url push forward as their fellow samurai cuts down the vampires. The swordswoman Lau notes Suiga¡¯s change in stance, in style: No longer using the royal techniques he was taught, he simply flails the sword around in brute, slow, and unpredictable chaotic patterns. If a vampire tries to leave, he¡¯ll chase it and chop it until it stays down for good. Url keeps noting his changing personality. While focused and determined as always, a growing anger has engulfed him along with the flames. He screams, he gasps, and he brandishes his foes full of wounds. The smell of charred flesh fills the room¡­ They stumble upon a large, open doorway. From their side of the door, they notice large sewer waterfalls on the other side of the room. Url: Well, we haven¡¯t checked this room yet. Suiga: Let¡¯s go- Url holds Suiga¡¯s shoulder before he passes through the door¡­ Url: Suiga, if there¡¯s another Ripper and he¡¯s in there, we might not be ready to face him. We are still pretty weak. We should come up with a plan to - Suiga: The Ripper is right there, Url! We don¡¯t have time for tactics, let¡¯s move! Lau: Why are YOU in a rush? You¡¯d be following the doc¡¯s ass right now if it wasn¡¯t for- Suiga: What?! Lau keeps her words inside as soon as Suiga firmly grips his sword at the sound of her voice¡­ Lau: Tss, nothing. Url: Suiga, we aren¡¯t going to help anyone if we just go and die! If the Ripper is still alive, he¡¯s still toying with us¡­ Suiga grips his sword. He bites his lip. His gaze starts to turn away¡­ Url: That¡¯s not the way down your heroic path now, isn¡¯t it? The hunter starts to ease up. While the flames don¡¯t falter, his attitude does change for the better¡­ Suiga: Tss, I¡¯m¡­ sorry. You are right. But I have one condition. Lau: Who are you to pose conditions? Suiga: If my sword goes rampant, let me go. I¡¯ll take the Ripper with me, I don¡¯t need to have your deaths on my back. Url...Heheheh... Suiga: What is it? Url: That was the most Aaron-like statement I¡¯ve ever heard. He did rub off on you guys, too. Lau: Like I¡¯d let that brute¡¯s poor man vibes kill my noble status! She turns to Suiga, pressing her finger down his chest¡­ Lau: And you! I don¡¯t get what¡¯s the deal with that firecracker you are waving around, but don''t take me for some weakling! I¡¯m fighting next to you!! Suiga brushes her hand away¡­ Suiga: Don¡¯t call my armament a firecracker, shrimp! Url: Aaand we are back to normal¡­Can we think of a strategy now? Suiga: I have around 5 more minutes on my sword. More than that, it¡¯s going to go rampant and then leave me unconscious. Lau: I can use my Winds again, and these wounds aren¡¯t going to be a problem¡­ Url: Huh¡­Ok, Suiga go on the front, you are the most durable anyway. Lau will guard our backline. I¡¯ll cover you both. If we see the Ripper, we don¡¯t engage immediately. He might have set a trap, and we can¡¯t waste any more energy. Suiga: Times like these make me wonder where Aaron is. Lau: Like we need the brute! Where¡¯s that shitty attitude from before, fangirl? Suiga: Waiting to end this thing so it can drop you down the sewer waste, Lecourt!! Url: You are right Suiga, time¡¯s up, let¡¯s move!!! They cross the doorway. Before them lies a somber, spacious throne room. Behind the only seat in the room, a stone fence separates the floor from the precipice, where the waste waterfalls find ground and rush as a river outside the sewer. The throne looks over a small balcony, full of tables and weapons. As the hunters walk cautiously, the leader of the cult calls out to them as he munches on an apple. Jack: You can stop with the ¡°hunter protocol¡± shit, I¡¯m right here!! Surprised, the group turns up and notices the vampire spreading his wings and flying over to his seat. He calmly sits down, legs crossed, head rested on his fist. Suiga: Was that entrance a smart move?? Jack: Well of course it was! Like I¡¯d need to backstab you guys to take you out. Suiga: Well, you are about to find out why you should have done that instead- Lau: Topknot, hold it!! Suiga halts at Lau¡¯s plead. Url stays silent. He stares the bat up and down. Inside his mask, his kind face seems confused¡­ with a pinch of distress¡­ Jack: So, you took out my lads. I saw it coming, but I thought you¡¯d be here more quickly. Suiga: So, are you the real Ripper, or do I have to kill every vampire in Landen to get him?! Lau: Let¡¯s hope it¡¯s you, this arc has dragged on long enough. The vampire finishes his apple. Once he swallows the last piece, he starts laughing¡­ Suiga: Hell¡¯s so funny? Jack: If you want an answer to that question, you better ask your doctor over there. He seems to be figuring it out! Url: No¡­but why¡­ Lau: What¡¯s the doc got to do with you?! Url: This can¡¯t be¡­You¡­You are not the Ripper. The other two stay confused. The answering machine they depend on for everything is jammed. Url starts trembling¡­ Url: Danno¡­That vampire Aaron was talking about¡­ Danno: Took ya long enough! And you are supposed to be the smartass in your team. Suiga: Url, what is he talking about?! Don¡¯t fall for any of his tricks! Url: I thought you died¡­ I thought Aaron killed all of you¡­ Danno: We thought so too. Death would be better though. Seeing that fuck¡¯s mug more than one day was torture enough. Danno stands up. He slowly approaches the group, rolling up his sleeves to reveal his veiny forearms. Danno: But the Ripper saved me. He broke me out. He gave me my cult. He promised me that if I help him with his little plan, I¡¯ll get to kill Aaron¡­ Suiga: Soo¡­You are behind all of this¡­just because you want Aaron?! Danno: Oh, so you haven¡¯t told them about me and Aaron, huh? Well, guess it¡¯s time before you decide to make any move¡­ Danno takes off his upper clothes. On his pale white body, scars and body marks cover him whole¡­. This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon. Danno: You see, I knew your friend when we were still brats. He made my life miserable. He would torture and torture me every day of the week, for hours on end. Me and my pals tried to escape, we tried to fight back. But guess what happened once Aaron got the upper hand? Url: You really are going to make Aaron a villain in your story? You were the ones torturing him!! Danno: Shut up!! That asshole could have just let us be, but he had to play the guard on us to make his drunkard dad proud! Lau: I have no idea what you are talking about, but the brute wouldn¡¯t torture bats without a good reason. Lau takes out her rapier, and casts her Winds of Pirou¡­ Lau: I¡¯m sure you did something to deserve it, other than just talking and being there. Danno puts his clothes back on¡­ Danno: Go on, try to protect the bastard. But I won¡¯t kill you. You need to see Aaron dead before you go! Suiga¡¯s grip on the black katana hardens, and his cinders start expanding¡­ Suiga: I don¡¯t care about your sob story, bat! You aren¡¯t touching Aaron because you won¡¯t even go through us!! Url takes out his saw cleavers¡­ Url: I¡¯ll agree with my friends here, Danno. You wanting revenge doesn¡¯t mean shit to us. Danno lips start forming a most creepy smile, and his eyes clench in satisfaction while he is staring at his enemies¡­ Danno: Well¡­we¡¯ll see about that¡­ To our other group, Aaron and Cassandra are coursing through the old sewer catacombs, desperate to find the lair and save their comrades. Faint sounds of footsteps are heard from the other side of a corridor, startling the nightingale¡­ Cassie: Bossman! Hold up!! She rushes ahead of the hunter and conjures three arrows. She rests them on the bowstring and tightly pulls, ready to shoot. Cassie: They might be assailants aware of our arrival. I¡¯ll shower them with arrows, you jump ahead and slay them once I shoot! The hunters prepare for combat. To their surprise, however, the group of hostages appears, hasting towards the exit. Cassie draws her arrows. Cassie: HALT, dependents!!! None shall pass!!! Aaron: Wait wait, don¡¯t shoot!! The hostages hurdle up behind one man, who¡¯s trying to cover them and explain the situation to the hunters. Hostage: Please, don¡¯t shoot!! We are human, we were hostages for the Ripper¡¯s plans. One of your comrades let us out, a short girl with a rapier? Aaron: Lau!? Is she ok?! Hostage: The vampire gave her a hard time, but she managed. She let us out after she killed him and stayed in the lair. She told us to follow these white bandage strips to find the exit¡­ The man shows Aaron his doctor¡¯s bandage strips. Aaron recognises Url¡¯s tools at first glance¡­ Aaron: That¡¯s Url¡¯s, alright. He always thinks ahead. Is the lair close to here? Hostage: Yes, two turns to the left, you¡¯ll find a painted door with slang written in blood. In there, it¡¯s another labyrinth, but the hunters have taken out almost every bat. Cassie: Have they encountered the Ripper? Hostage: No. He tricked them and sent three of his trusted guards to pose as him, so the hunters would have to kill them all to make sure he was not alive to start the ritual. Aaron: Sounds like him. Wait¡­ won¡¯t he need you guys to start it? And you don¡¯t seem that many to kickstart it, to begin with. Hostage: We are not the only ones. This is not the only ritual site. He has set up a ritual site inside Salazar. He will send a signal to the vampires there when he wants to start. Cassie: Aaron, the place is full of guards. They will end up as sacrifices for the spell! Aaron rests confused¡­ Everyone stares at him with curiosity¡­ Hostage: Sir Hunter. Are you alright? Aaron: How did he manage to break in again¡­None of the guards have been bitten, and none of the vampires have seen anyone from outside¡­ Cassie: That does not matter to us now! Your comrades are in grave danger, they won¡¯t have the strength to take him on!! Aaron: You are right, let¡¯s go! Cassie: But first!!! How do we know you aren¡¯t some elaborate trap to stall us? Hostage: Ma¡¯am, we are not vampires, we don¡¯t even have the teeth to show! Aaron: Wait, let me handle this¡­ Aaron grabs Cassandra¡¯s knife from her pocket before she even reacts. He lifts his forearm and cuts it, letting blood drip on the floor. Aaron: If the Ripper was holding them, I¡¯m sure he wouldn¡¯t be feeding them well. Is anyone up for grabs? The hostages do not react, only slightly gasping at the hunter¡¯s approach¡­ Aaron: Did that solve your suspicion? Cassie: Hm, yes. Cassie casts away her arms¡­ Aaron: Before you guys leave, does anyone live close to the VHC? Some people raise their hands¡­ Aaron: Well, go there immediately, and give them a status report. If this holds up, Salazar won¡¯t be able to take the hit this time. Hostage: Before we go, this might not be important, but it might help you. As I was suffering from blood loss, I once faintly heard the Ripper shout a name across the room. Like he wanted to hurt this person with everything he had¡­ Cassie: Huh? A vendetta? Seems too excessive to raise a whole city for that. Aaron: What was the name? Hostage: I was fainting, but the Ripper¡¯s voice was unlike anything I¡¯ve ever heard coming out from his fouled mouth. Trembling, angry, and full of the intent to kill¡­ he was shouting ¡°Willheart, I¡¯ll tear you apart!!¡± Aaron¡¯s irises shorten in size at the sound of his surname. He detaches for a short moment before relapsing to reality¡­ Hostage: It made my bones shiver, and this is a monster that tortured us for weeks on end. I¡¯m afraid this might be some vendetta against Willheart. Cassie: Is he talking about Florence Willheart? She was one hell of a hunter, but she is long gone from this world! What would the Ripper want with a dead woman? Aaron: I¡­don¡¯t know¡­But we¡¯ll find out once we see him. I¡¯ll make sure he spills everything before I take the fucker¡¯s head. Aaron tries to hide his distress from the crowd. Only Cassandra manages to sniff a hint of the boy¡¯s confusion before he completely changes his expression. Hostage: Hunters, please. This man is as nut as the tales would tell. He¡¯ll do anything to this city without any reason at all. Our lives are at stake here! We know we can¡¯t do anything, so please, help us!! Aaron: Stop your crying, man. That¡¯s why we are here, isn¡¯t it? Cassie: The nightingale will never turn her back to the pleas of the victim! The 4 kids along with the hostages smile from joy. Their cracked lips open as they look up at the black-dressed saviors with awe. Hostages: We wish you the best of luck! We¡¯ll leave you to handle this!! The hostages haste towards the exit. Aaron and Cassie now follow the bandage strips up to the gate. They cross the doorway and pass through the blood-stained halls. They startle at the charred slashes and burn victims from Suiga¡¯s blighted sword, but the time frame is too short to investigate. They neglect the scene, leaving only with a sentiment of confusion and anxiety as to what the group¡¯s fate is. Cassie stares at her anguished teammate as they run¡­ Cassie: Bossman¡­Bossman¡­Bossman!! Aaron:¡­Hah? Why the hell are ya callin¡¯ me bossman?! Cassie: You have clearly taken charge during this mission, so it¡¯s only logical I address you as such. The nightingale is nothing but humble, she recognizes the skill and potential of leadership when one possesses them, and she shan¡¯t pointlessly fi- Aaron: Like hell I¡¯m your bossman!! Cassie: But only a bossman would be that pointlessly anxious for his teammates. Aaron: What are you talking about?! Cassie: Your stress will tamper with your performance, bossman. You must have trust in your comrades. I¡¯m sure they¡¯ll be fine. We are at their rescue. Aaron: Heh, you¡¯re really looking at the bright side, huh? Cassie: The huntress of Landen doesn¡¯t worry about a thing. It¡¯s not like there¡¯s something to worry about. It¡¯s just another bat. Aaron slowly detaches again. Something seems to bother him. A rising suspicion about the Ripper¡¯s identity, about the vampire they¡¯re about to encounter, bugs his mind at the smallest mention. Cassie: Bossman!! Aaron: I¡¯m here, I¡¯m here!! They stumble across the throne¡¯s room doorway. The sounds of clashing blades, struggling grunts, and a maniacal, coughing laugh are heard from the other side. Aaron and Cassie enter quickly. They stumble upon a most unpleasant scene. Danno: Wow, my guys really did a number on you, huh? The team is beat. Lau and Url struggle to get off the ground. Bruised and tattered, they can only stare as Suiga desperately tries to land a hit on the vampire as fast as possible, before he hits the time limit on his sword. The vampire, taking advantage of the hunter¡¯s fatigued, weak state and the difficulty of controlling the rampant flames, easily runs circles around him, giving him a slow and painful beatdown before ending it with a punch in the guts. As Suiga squirms and the sword dissipates along with the flames, Danno approaches his ear¡­ Danno: That blade won¡¯t save you this time¡­ He throws Suiga forward. Not having noticed the new arrivals, he approaches the samurai, who desperately tries to stand up. He clenches his fist as hard as possible and attempts to strike him. Danno: Let¡¯s start making Aaron¡¯s surprise gift!! I¡¯ll start with his sidekick!! Mustering all his strength, he drops his fist. But it never lands. Aaron¡¯s hand grips the vampire¡¯s fist. Danno doesn¡¯t startle. He knows whose hand is stopping him from killing the samurai. Suiga, on the other hand, stares next to him. He watches in shock as his comrade is effortlessly holding back a vampire¡¯s hand, a feat even hunters can¡¯t achieve. Cassie: Is Bossman¡­holding that bat¡¯s hand by himself? Lau and Url barely manage to stand up, still encumbered by the vampire¡¯s beat-up. Their wounds from the last fights have relapsed, but they are strong enough to witness Aaron¡¯s retaliation¡­ Lau: Is he really that of a brute?...Doc you have a lot of explaining to do¡­ Url gazes at the duo, desperately trying to hold up¡­ Url: Aaron¡­That¡¯s Dan- Aaron: Yeah, I noticed. Suiga sees an opportunity, and calls out his sword once again, attempting a surprise attack with his last seconds on the time frame. Danno quickly pulls his hand away and escapes by floating backward with his wings. Suiga tries to follow, but the blade starts to erupt, engulfing his arm in painful flames. He tries to work through the pain, but the sword starts running out of control. Aaron: Suiga¡­ Suiga: Everyone, run!! I¡¯ll take him down with me!! Danno: The sidekick got some left in him, after all, huh!? Aaron rushes and hits Suiga in the nape with a chop. The force is strong enough to knock him out and disable the armament. The flames and the sword disappear once again. Aaron picks up Suiga and rests him on his shoulder. Aaron: I said no suicides on my watch, dumbass. Rest up, you¡¯re doing too good. Danno rests immobile, smiling at his foe¡¯s arrival. He joyfully looks as the hunter delivers his teammate to Url. Aaron: Cassie. Take the rest of these dumbasses and drive them out. Go help VHC, we don¡¯t know if Danno has started the assault. Cassie: Bossman, you are clearly out of your mind if you think I¡¯d let you alone with that vampire! Url: Listen to him¡­(Cough) He¡¯ll be more than fine¡­ Blood droplets come out of Url¡¯s broken mask as he coughs throughout the sentence. He and Lau pop some last rejuvenating potions to barely struggle through the run back outside. Lau: I don¡¯t know why the crazy lady calls you bossman, but she¡¯s right. We might be weakened from before, but that guy¡¯s trouble. Look, he barely cares if we are talking right now. Aaron: Url¡¯s potions won¡¯t fully heal you. You¡¯ll be back on the ground before you know it. And Suiga¡¯s out for the count. I¡¯m much better alone, right now. Lau: Who do you think you are, you- Aaron raises his hand in front of Lau¡¯s head. A stone comes in his way, hitting his wrist. Lau stays shocked¡­ Lau: When was that- Aaron: The Lau I know would have already blocked it if you were not with one foot on the grave right now. Danno: Sorry, I was just worried you¡¯d have forgotten about me!! Aaron stays stone-cold throughout the verbal exchange. The team gets the feeling that the hunter should probably take this on by himself¡­ Url: Aaron, me, and Lau can carry Suiga out by ourselves. Let the huntress help you¡­Danno¡¯s a lot stronger than you think¡­ Aaron: I want to say yes¡­ He turns his cold gaze towards the sarcastic vampire¡­ Aaron: But I don¡¯t want to make him think I¡¯ll need help killing him. I¡¯ll be fine, Cassie might be pissed though. Cassie: Your recklessness brings the nightingale an ambivalent sentiment of admiration and annoyance. As agreed, though, I shall escort your comrades away from this place and complete the ¡°rescue¡± part of this adventure. She taps on Aaron¡¯s chest with her fist and smiles¡­ Cassie: You better make sure you complete the ¡°kill¡± part of this mission, bossman. Aaron: You might be a weirdo, but stuff like this makes me fired up. Lau: I¡¯ll step back and keep watch over these guys, brute. You better not make me regret this decision!! Aaron: Zip it shrimp. I¡¯ll be back to throw you in a trashcan in no time. Url: Be cautious. He hands a needle to Aaron, filled with a greenish fluid¡­ Url: I snatched material from VHC and made this while you were fighting Wutsworth. Please don¡¯t overdo it like last time (Loud cough). Aaron: Yeah, don¡¯t worry. Just go!! The team leaves. The room stays quiet. One hunter and one vampire. Aaron slowly walks forward. Danno trembles from excitement at the sight of his foe. Danno: 5 years. 5 years I¡¯ve waited for this, Willheart. Aaron: ¡­ Danno: You know, I almost forgot about you when that samurai started fighting. Too bad my servant had his fill before me. But, now I¡¯m ready for the main event. Danno slowly approaches. The two stand at 10 meters distance from each other. Aaron: Before I start pummelling you through the floor, how about you tell me why you are posing as a serial killer? Danno: You¡¯d like that, wouldn¡¯t you. The Ripper¡¯s left, he¡¯s the one who¡¯s gonna order the ritual. You are stuck with me now. Aaron: I sure am not the luckiest of bastards¡­ Danno¡¯s smile twitches, creepily staring down the hunter. As if a kid was looking at the gift he desperately cried for to his parents for days on end. Danno: I can¡¯t believe this day has arrived. I finally get payback, Willheart!! For Salazar¡¯s juvenile detention center, and every poor vampire you tortured!! Chapter 10 : Jailer Inside Salazar, a 14-year-old Aaron walks down the rusty, swirling iron stairs with his senior, Shroud, leading to a dark secluded section of the prison: The juvenile detention center. Host to groups of vamplings detained for interrogation before beheading, the guards spare less of their time tending to the young vampires in fear of their more rabid, aggressive nature. One would say that surviving even a night in there would be a miracle, and not for the faint of heart. But Shroud had other stuff in mind. Aaron¡¯s Eisenwald is one of the heaviest armaments on the roster. Knowing the kid wouldn¡¯t fare even against an imp without the proper training, he made a hard decision for the young hunter¡¯s near future. They reach a caged, shut steel door. Sending a signal to the guards inside from a reinforced window to the left, steam is released as the door unlocks and the cell bars retract. Aaron: Is this really the only way I can train? Shroud: Honestly, kiddo¡­It¡¯s the only, it¡¯s the best and it¡¯s the one I don¡¯t want but have to give ya¡¯¡­ Aaron: But Beryl didn¡¯t have to fight bats when you trained him. Why do I get to? Shroud: Beryl and you ain¡¯t the same¡­ Aaron sulks. Fear runs through his veins as screams and screams of young vampires are heard from the other end of the doorway. Shroud: I¡¯ll be back to get ya in the evenin¡¯. Damn, when I did this, at least I had yer dad coverin¡¯ for me¡­ Aaron: Yeah, I guess it was a peach and a half¡­ Shroud looks over the sulking Aaron. He hands him a top hat, the same he wears today¡­ Aaron: Is that- Shroud: Yer father¡¯s. Might not be the same thing as another hunter, but he¡¯ll be with ya¡¯ somehow through all this¡­ Shroud turns back and leaves. Shroud: I¡¯ll pick ya¡¯ up in the evenin¡¯! Aaron: How do you know I won¡¯t be dead, you drunk!? Shroud¡­ Nah, you¡¯re his son. You¡¯ll manage. Images flash away. In dark corridors, in a damaged mess hall, and in dirty toilets, Aaron is sometimes beaten, other times he¡¯s kicked around, assaulted with rains of pebbles, stones, and any other object the bats can find around. But as the pictures progress, Aaron starts planning. He adapts to the assaults. He figures out their moves, dodges their strikes, and escapes their plans. Arriving at one fatal noon, where 17-year-old Aaron is surrounded by bruised vampires. Eisenwald sits idle, pierced through a dead vampling¡¯s chest. Covered in blood, he breathes in and out, seemingly detached from his surroundings. One vampire, Danno, is lying in front of the hunter, beaten, bruised, and scared out of his life. Eyes trembling with fear, he silently whines as the boy regains consciousness and walks away¡­ Aaron relapses to reality again. He stares at Danno, whose smile has reached his ears, his teeth grit from the rush. Danno: You sure are one motherfucker, Willheart. Aaron: Huh?! Danno: Acting like you are a hero to your comrades. The magnificent Aaron, our chief would never torture a vampire. You have them for fools¡­ Aaron: Again, spouting nonsense. Danno: What nonsense!!?? After years and years of your fists up my teeth, I couldn¡¯t wait for death to come and get me!! Remember how you beat us up, because we didn¡¯t want to eat your shitty rations that wouldn¡¯t fill a rat? Aaron: I remember beating you up because you spat the rations back at me as I was leaving. Danno: The day you woke us up by beating the cell bars with a metal bat?! Aaron: You mean after the night you tried to bite a guard because he wanted to give you better rations? Danno: How about when you screwed us over and left open the sunlight windows for a whole day in every room!? Aaron: Because you beat up a passing nun who wanted to treat the dependent group. The ones YOU made! Danno: And let¡¯s not forget. The mess hall!! When you choose to show your filthy, human side. When you chose to just kill us like roaches in a sewer pipe! All because we tried to fight back- Aaron: Do you even listen to the shit that¡¯s coming out of your mouth??!! The bat startles. Aaron¡¯s eyes clench with anger as he presses on¡­ Aaron: I didn¡¯t want this. I never wanted to watch your mugs for 3 years straight! But you guys tortured me! You beat me, you spat on me, you drank me dry before I¡¯d leave for home. And you¡¯d laugh at me for trying to get out, for trying to hit you. And when I started fighting back, you thought you were the victims!? Aaron picks up his sword with one hand and dips it in the ground in anger. Aaron: I should have known it was you, fuck. Every bat we chopped, the ones that killed and turned people for you and the Ripper, they had the same shitty excuse you have now: They did nothing wrong. He lifts his sword and puts it over his shoulders. Danno: You are still the same brat that murdered my pals. I¡¯m glad I survived because now I get to take my just revenge!!! Aaron: Come over, you fuck!! I¡¯ll get your head before I chop the Ripper!!! Danno rolls his sleeves once again. He pumps his fists together. Electricity starts running through his forearms as they transform into a veiny, more muscular, reddish form. Aaron: When did a bum like you learn spellcraft?! Danno: The Ripper showed me a few tricks. He showed me my lineage¡¯s true power, Willheart. This cult, my role in all of this¡­You are about to see the power of an aristocrat!! Aaron: You?! A noble?! Guess humor really is a great cope for death scenarios¡­ The two clash. Aaron lunges with a downward swing, gripping his sword as hard as possible to cleave the vampire with all of his might. Danno protracts his wings for support and blocks the attack by holding back the blade. The silver burns his skin but doesn¡¯t cut through the flesh. Danno smiles throughout the whole ordeal, announcing to his foe that the next fight will not be over as fast as he wishes. As they struggle for control, Danno grabs the blade¡¯s edges. Ignoring the bleeding, he dips his legs in and smashes the floor. Aaron is lifted up in the air and thrown with Eisenwald away to a nearby wall when Danno swings them around, laughing maniacally. Danno: I¡¯ll never cry at your expense ever again, you fuck!!! Surprisingly, Aaron falls from the wall, unscathed. Other than a few tattered clothes, he seems to have tanked the hit. However, the fight isn¡¯t over. Danno tries to corner him, and Aaron pushes forward to avoid a disadvantageous spot. He swings left and right and uses the sword¡¯s length to put a distance between the two of them, allowing him to dodge through his fists and change positions, no longer fearing a trap in the wall. Danno, however, manages to sneak in a punch to the kidney as Aaron tries to get back in the fighting position. While the punch itself hurts, what hurts Aaron more is a sudden surge of electricity running from the monster¡¯s fist to his skin and then his nerves. Staggering him, Danno takes the opportunity to hit him with a flurry of fists, each one sending surges of lightning to the hunter¡¯s body. Danno: See this, hunter?! This is my noble blood¡¯s power. My ¡°Virtue¡±!!! Aaron: (Aaaah!!, What the fuck?!) Danno kicks him back a few meters, and Aaron dips his sword to the ground to remain standing. Danno jumps forward, aided by his wings to reach a longer height, and lunges down at the hunter with a pummeling fist full of lightning. Aaron rolls sideways, barely dodging the hammering smite. Danno: You could say I¡¯m smiting you, Willheart. ¡°You are getting your due punishment!!¡± like that nun you brought us said!! Aaron gets up. He lapses back into a fighting position, sword at the front, waiting for Danno¡¯s next move. Danno: What was her name again¡­Aah yeah, Vanessa!! I met her once I got out again. Had my lackey turn her over and starve her away until she went to the hospital. She sure was tasty¡­ Aaron: You fuck¡­ Aaron charges once again. Swinging his sword left, blocking the bat¡¯s fists on the right, sidestepping back, and stabbing him forward, Eisenwald goes all directions to find contact with the vampire¡¯s limbs, lifting up dust and pebbles along the way. Only slightly grazing him, the vampire sees through a move and tries to hit the hunter¡¯s open face. Aaron: Got you!! He grabs the vampire¡¯s arm once again. But this time, Danno laughs¡­ Danno: Idiot!! Smiling with a smug, Aaron is electrified again. The shock from the surge breaks down his posture, allowing Danno to punch him hard enough in the face and send him rolling back. Danno: Like my ¡°Virtue¡±, Willheart? The reddish skin in my arms produces lightning currents, and I transfer them to everything I touch, at will. Aaron shakes his head to get a grip. He quickly stands back up. Danno: Leading to stuff like this!! He plunges his palms to the ground. Lightning starts running through the ground, violently surging through the stone floor to Aaron, shocking him again. Danno flies quickly to him and lunges with another fist¡­ Briefly checking on the escaping party, Cassie and Lau batter Url with questions¡­ Lau: How did the brute manage to block that punch? No hunter I know can do that! Cassie: Given the bossman¡¯s strange relationship with the vampire, I¡¯m obliged to believe in a ¡°half-vampire hunter¡± scenario. Will killing bossman be necessary? Url: Let¡¯s not rush to murder, now! Aaron¡¯s a Titan¡­ The girls gasp in shock¡­ Cassie and Lau: Titan?!! Lau: That forgotten project to make bat-strong hunters?! I thought it was scrapped because 1 to 5 people could barely survive the training! Url: Scrapped, not forbidden. Shroud¡¯s a Titan, so he had to teach Aaron the only way he knew¡­ The Titan project. At the cost of a lesser connection with the Sun Lord¡¯s grace, and thus delayed development in incantations, Titans are submitted to more drug trials and hellish resistance training, in the hopes of surpassing the limit on a hunter¡¯s physical capacity, allowing the Titan to engage vampires in more physically demanding combat than usual. As of today, it is unknown how many Titans are left. Most of the subjects couldn¡¯t survive the trials. Even though a hunter can manage a close-quarter fight against a bat, Titans can fight them like almost regular humans. Lau: That¡¯s why the brute has that much strength in him¡­ Url: Miss Nightingale. When I told you Aaron can handle him¡­I really meant it¡­ To Danno¡¯s surprise, Aaron powers through and manages to slug him in his tracks before the attack lands, sending him sideways to the floor, while our hunter kneels once again, sword in hand for support. Danno stands up, spitting out a few teeth that quickly regenerate. Even if the punch was strong enough, only silver and the Lord¡¯s light can kill a vampire¡­ Danno: I¡¯d always remember those hooks. Swung them left and right without a care in the world¡­ Aaron: They were going right at you, fuck. Of course, I didn¡¯t care¡­ They get up and clash once again. Getting the hang of the fight, Aaron manages to dodge some of Danno¡¯s hits and returns the favor with a few slashes of his own. Fist and blade clash, each one looking to kill the other. Danno¡¯s eyes, filled with a rush of anger and excitement, stare at the enraged hunter, once trying to find an opening through his tough guard, and once enjoying the sight of the human he so longs to kill, struggling to gain the advantage of the fight. Aaron¡¯s swings turn more violent, more reckless, as he swings and swings with anguish and hatred, slowly realizing that the entire misadventure of the past week has been the doing of one vampire, and that vampire is right in front of him. Danno: You think swinging around that lump of silver will do you any good now?! The vampire steps through some swings and throws a fist flurry up Aaron¡¯s torso. Like jellyfish, the stinging punches irritate Aaron enough to break his stance. Danno wants to pursue an even more violent combo but notices Aaron¡¯s ready fist in case that happens. He instead takes the opportunity to disengage. He sprouts his wings and flies back to the small balcony. Up that compartment, the vampire has stacked away spears, knives, swords, and all kinds of blade weapons, sitting idle for someone to use them¡­ Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there. Aaron: Get back here, you coward!!! Danno: Who are you calling a coward?! I¡¯m just giving myself a handicap! I don¡¯t have a weapon like you!! Danno picks up a knife. The lightning surge starts from his forearms and quickly reaches up to the knife¡¯s edge, vibrating the blade. He strengthens his arm and throws it at the hunter with force. The dagger flies at high speeds, making a horrid vibrating sound as it grazes Aaron¡¯s skin, but manages to smash a part of the floor once it reaches the ground, leaving only its shards and the floor¡¯s pebbles¡­ Aaron: What was that!? Danno: A miss¡­Remember dodgeball, fuckass?! How about we play it one last time!! Danno starts throwing every weapon his arm can grab in the same brutal manner. Aaron barely evades the rocket-like projectiles raining from above¡­ Aaron: Why are these things flying that fast!? And they do way too much damage!! A knife manages to strike the hunter, piercing through the flesh of his left arm and pushing him back. The hunter writhes in pain¡­ Danno: Do you like it, Willheart!? My vampiric strength and the force accumulated from the electric surge make these weapons fly like bullets! Aaron tries to push forward, hoping to close the distance between the vampire and him. But with no means of getting upstairs, the hunter only walks in a hail of railgun knives and swords shredding through his skin. Danno: I can¡¯t believe it! You are really going to die because you CAN¡¯T get up?! The vampire laughs at the human¡¯s most pitiful situation. In a struggle for perseverance, Aaron tries to stand straight and not succumb to his injuries. He tries to use one of Url¡¯s stimulants, but Danno¡¯s knife shoots his hand, knocking out the vial and shredding his palm. Aaron: (That fucking coward!! I have to get to him fast, or he¡¯ll turn me to cheese with those attacks!!) Aaron takes the opportunity at the vampire¡¯s pause to gloat over his upcoming victory. He desperately looks around for stairs, ladders, faulty pillars, anything to bring down Danno from the height he¡¯s put himself onto. Aaron: (Think, Aaron, think! Damn, if Url was here, he would have already thought of a plan to bring him down. Lau would dash through the knives like it was nothing. And Suiga would have probably already cut him down before he flew up the balcony¡­) Aaron starts sulking. The thought of his comrade¡¯s possible performances starts to weigh down on him as he realizes his current weakness¡­ Aaron: (Who am I kidding¡­) Danno: What¡¯s wrong, Willheart?! Do you think the fight¡¯s over, yet?! Aaron snaps out of the thought cycle once he hears the crackling sound of a sword being ejected towards him. He barely escapes the impact. Danno: You are weak, hunter!! You thought I¡¯d be the same weak vampire you picked on!!! Another sword flies away, and Aaron gets grazed¡­ Aaron: (I¡¯m not cut out for this¡­) Danno: Give up and die, fuckass!!! Danno throws a whole spear. Aaron barely blocks it, being pushed back further away by the impact¡­ Aaron: (Why the fuck am I dealing with this, with him¡­) Danno: Once I¡¯m finished with you, I¡¯ll go upstairs and kill that plague doctor. I¡¯ll hang his corpse in Barelan with the rest of his disgusting kin. Another spear flies away, Aaron rolls over but the weapon shreds through his skin once again¡­ Danno: The noble girl, I¡¯ll skewer her alive with her rapier, and send her sacked up body to the Lecourt scum. A flurry of knives shoots through Aaron¡¯s limbs as they catch him unexpectedly and leave him grasping on his sword for assistance. Danno: The samurai¡­I¡¯ll make Jack turn him into a vampire, and train him to be my guard¡­ One final spear manages to pierce a recovering Aaron¡¯s leg, locking him in place¡­ Aaron: (No¡­now I remember¡­) Danno: I don¡¯t know what I¡¯ll do with the weirdo girl¡­Maybe I¡¯ll make her my dependent wife after I choke her with her own bowstring! Aaron¡¯s sulking face slowly turns into one of relief. Like he figured out a solution to all his problems all at once¡­ Danno: Why are you relieved? Never had you for the death accepting one. Aaron: I accept death when it¡¯s the vampire¡¯s I¡¯m hunting¡­ Danno starts laughing¡­ Danno: Seriously!? Do you still think you are going to win?! Aaron: You are still shit-for-brains if you thought at any point that I¡¯m ¡°losing¡±. Danno¡¯s lighting starts going rampant from his rage¡­ Aaron: (If I avoid the lightning strikes, I can give him a good beatdown¡­ but I have to bring him down if I want to win¡­) He grabs the hot spear and manages to rip it out of his leg. The blood gushing out of the wound reflects Aaron¡¯s surge of emotion as he stares up at the sarcastic bat looking down at him¡­ Aaron: You talk about killing me, but you don¡¯t even have the guts to come stab me yourself. Ever since the prison, even now, you always hide behind others who¡¯ll do the dirty job for you! Danno: What was that, fuck?! Aaron: Took me one punch to send you hiding in a balcony, throwing me refined cutlery like some old hag!! Danno: You¡¯re really going to talk while bleeding your guts out by the second? You got one foot in the grave, Willheart!! The boy reaches out to the last stimulant in his belt, next to the mysterious syringe handed by Url. The medicine manages to close the wound for the remainder of the fight¡­ Aaron: I wonder what that killer freak saw in you. Must have thought no better pawn than some whining bat still crying cause a human beat his ass day and night. Danno: Shut up¡­ Aaron: And in the end, like master like a student, both of you hide behind your lackeys because you don¡¯t have the balls to come up close to a hunter! Danno: I almost killed ya¡¯, fuckhead!! Aaron: And yet I¡¯m still here!! So how about you cut the crap and try to kill me like a true vampire!!?? Show me you really are a noble piece of crap!!! The bat grabs a spear and sends a constant electrical surge from tip to base. It descends to the ground and attacks the hunter viciously¡­ Danno: Shut up!! Shut up!! You don¡¯t get to talk, bastard!!! The words can¡¯t seem to take form. Danno¡¯s irritation has reached its limits. The spear clashes with Aaron¡¯s sword¡­ Sparks fly out and about, and screams of the vampires fill out the room. He violently assaults the hunter with flurries of lightning-fused strikes. Aaron: You got an upgrade?! I can do that too, fucker!! The hunter blocks a charging rush from the flying adversary with his sword dipped in the ground. He chants out the prayer, and his sword is infused with the Lord¡¯s grace¡­ Danno: You think your bastard god is gonna help you against ME?! Aaron: Don¡¯t need to¡­ Danno charges the spear with all his might, screaming his guts out trying to push through the sword with the same force he mastered before. Eisenwald has the secret enchantement, Wolf¡¯s Bane. Famed to be a werewolf as an excuse for his mysterious strength, the first user was able to amass great strength in times of despair. Cleaving a horde of vampires in one sweep, piercing through clusters of imps, the sword was said to grant the power of the beast to its owner for one decisive attack, as a gift for every fool who thought of trying to hold up the giant mass of silver¡­ Wolf¡¯s Bane gives Aaron the ability to make one enhanced move, stronger and enhanced with the Lord¡¯s holy light. The drawback, other than the occasional prayer for every moveset, is the augmented weight¡­ Aaron: I just want him to have first-row seat to me beating you¡­ The hunter¡¯s enchanted sword has enough weight and resilience to withstand the forcing spear¡¯s push. Aaron waits patiently, then pulls the sword out with all of his might. Using the weight, he swings sideways, letting the vampire pass through and fall to a wall. Aaron: Dumbass. Danno¡¯s spear rests damaged and stuck to the stone wall. He pulls out the broken edge and holds it like a knife. As he turns around, he watches Aaron swing his sword. A slash of light flies to the vampire, which he barely dodges, slicing clean part of his right wing and arm¡­ Danno: Damn it!! Glad I have this¡­ Danno pulls out a severed hand from his jacket. Munching, his limbs sprout back in no time¡­ The hunter follows with his assault, now slicing left and right with his lighter sword. Danno now tries to dodge, but without the spear, he rests on the defensive. He charges the broken edge. Flapping his winds, he staggers the hunter with the dusty wind and dives for a backstab kill. Aaron: Wolf¡¯s Bane!! His broken edge seems to strike Eisenwald once again as the smoke clears. The enchantment falters as it sends the blade back in pieces. The boy turns around, swinging the greatsword and acrobatically spinning towards Danno. With each acrobatic spin, each swing is ambiguous, managing to find its way to the confused monster¡¯s body and chop off pieces of its flesh and wings. Aaron: Thank you, Danno,: For reminding me why fucks like you are the reason I carry around this stupid sword! Danno: Screw you, Willheart!! Danno charges his fist and hits Aaron, staggering him with electricity and escaping his assault. His wounds recuperate, but the silver has rendered the regeneration slow and faulty, meaning Aaron¡¯s hits have started to bring him closer to victory¡­ Danno: See Willheart!!? Even that silver isn¡¯t enough to stop a noble!! Aaron: (He starts falling¡­But he¡¯s right. As slow as it is, he can fix up his wounds. I don¡¯t have any other stimulants¡­And his regeneration¡¯s a lot stronger than the other starved bats¡­) Danno slowly approaches, clouded by rage and irritation¡­ Aaron: Guess I¡¯ll have to chop him down with one hit¡­ Danno¡¯s fists cast out enormous amounts of lightning¡­Aaron takes out the last syringe and plunges it into his right arm. The limb starts growing, gaining mass, and turning into a vascular, muscular human hand¡­ Danno: More strength. That¡¯s all you¡¯ll ever amount to, trashcan!! Every trouble you find, you try to punch your way through it! Aaron: Hey, it¡¯s gotten me this far!!! Danno¡¯s patience runs dry. Clouded with emotion, he notices the hunter isn¡¯t moving an inch¡­ Aaron: What?! Afraid to come close!! Go hide on that balcony if you wanna kill me! Like you did with your friends back in the mess hall¡­ Danno: SHUT UP!!!!!!! The vampire rushes, flying towards the hunter. Aaron prepares to land a haymaker. The monster halts his dash and touches the ground, sending large amounts of lightning to the young boy. Aaron writhes in pain¡­ Danno flies again, and lifts Aaron from behind, taking advantage of his opening. The beast flies and smashes the hunter into walls, floors, fences, and thrones out of anger, screaming and screaming¡­ Danno: I¡¯m not a coward!! I¡¯m not a coward!!! I didn¡¯t hide from you!! I didn¡¯t hide behind them!!! It¡¯s your fault, you bastard!!! The vampire continues with the assault, finishing on the stone fences of the balcony. He grabs the hunter and lands him on the table. He grabs one remaining knife and charges it with lightning. He trembles as he holds the knife¡¯s edge to the hunter¡¯s beaten throat. Aaron, despite the beatdown, remains calm and powers through the pain¡­ Danno: What about now?! Huh?! I won! I won! You¡¯ll die, Willheart!! You¡¯ll die!! Who¡¯s stronger than you now!!!? Who¡¯s stronger than- Suddenly, the vampire¡¯s knife is grappled by an enlarged arm. Too shocked to react, Aaron grabs the knife in the vampire¡¯s confusion and throws it away, then grabs the bat¡¯s throat¡­ Aaron:¡­ He slowly gets up, trying to save his remaining strength for the last attack. He pushes Danno back before he tries to stagger him with his virtue again. He takes advantage of the granted strength and swiftly chops away the bat¡¯s hands and wings, while keeping him on his toes with fists and kicks to stop him from regenerating. He then rushes and punches the helpless Danno off the balcony. As Danno falls, he sees one thing, helpless and unable to dodge. Aaron chants Wolf¡¯s Bane, and jumps after him, preparing to drop down a large swing, backed down by the sword¡¯s weight, the Lord¡¯s grace flowing through the blade, and all the hunter¡¯s might¡­ Aaron: Wolf¡¯s Bane: White Cleaver!! The hunter slashes through the vampire, now with enough power to destroy the vampire¡¯s natural defenses and land a clean, fatal hit. The two smash down the stone floor. Smoke clearing up, a barely standing Aaron looks down at a cut, bleeding, dying Danno, who struggles to regenerate the left part of his body¡­ Danno: No¡­not like this¡­ Aaron: It wasn¡¯t going to be any prettier, freak¡­You deserve even worse¡­ He pulls out the blade, blood gushing out the vampire¡¯s wound. The halt of his regeneration means that the hit has landed fatal damage¡­ Danno: I let you win¡­Fuckass¡­ Aaron: Shut up!! Shut up!! Even in your last minutes, you still wanna talk smack with me!!?? You don¡¯t deserve to win, Danno!! Aaron¡¯s face turns red, and the veins on his forehead pop out as he pushes out screams in the bat¡¯s bloody face. The vampire¡¯s innate superiority complex is the driving point behind a hunter¡¯s disdain for the species¡­ Aaron: You think I wanted to be your day guard, Danno?! You think I wanted to be stuck every day of my life, looking out for knives in my back?! For teeth on my neck!!?? You think my dream was to rush through a shitty sewer, to worry about a bunch of asshats I just met??!! The vampire remains silent, though his angry disagreement is well noticed. An aristocrat¡¯s body is much more durable, so he¡¯s forced to listen through the hunter¡¯s rant as his body waits to be put out like cattle on celebration days¡­ Aaron: But it¡¯s you¡­I hated every second of Salazar, I hate that Shroud put me in charge of a bunch of nutsacks, I hate this sword, I hate this job, I hate this life!!! But there¡¯s nothing more I hate most than shitty vampires like you!! And if all these help me kill every one of you, then I¡¯ll gladly suffer!!! Danno: You miserable fuck!! The Ripper will come for you!!! Do you think he¡¯ll let this slide!!! Just try to stop him!! I dare you!!! Vampires will win in the end, hunter!!! You human fucks will kneel to the- Aaron starts pummeling Eisenwald¡¯s tip inside Danno¡¯s half-dead body dozens of times, slowly gushing out his rage as he screams and screams over the vampire¡¯s pleas for help¡­Blood covers Eisenwald and spills onto the boy¡¯s face. He stares down at his creation, a bloody, diced, and chopped vampire corpse, innard remains flowing out with the blood and fluids down the rumble¡­ Aaron: Hah¡­Hah¡­I¡¯ll suffer, so no other kid ever will¡­ He tries to wipe off the blood, but his clothes are soaked and dirty enough to add more to his rough texture. The vampire¡¯s lifeless, mangled body looks up at the dusty ceiling. The crimson eye that would project his burning hatred on the hunter now rests emotionless. His vascular, red arm starts to falter, and the surges of lightning turn weaker and weaker as whatever twisted soul was hosting the bat¡¯s body dissipates¡­ Aaron stares at his enlarged arm. Faltering all the same, he struggles to move it around¡­ Aaron: (Url¡¯s steroid blasts. Last time I used them, my hand almost burst from the transformation. Still, he¡¯s gonna be pissed my arm¡¯s like this.) As soon as his comrade¡¯s name comes up, he flashes on his breakdown during the fight. The hate and disdain of his life as a hunter runs through his mind, Shroud putting him through hell, vampires chasing him, his heavy sword weighing him down with every swing, his comrade¡¯s shortcomings, all of it. Just before he breaks down once again, before shouts escape his busted lips, his comrades flash before his eyes¡­ Cassandra calling him bossman and offering to help him find his teammates. Lau teasing him during their meetings Url serving him breakfast, laughing through his dirty, ominous mask¡­ Suiga comforting him before Wutsworth¡­ A scene then plays out in his head. After his final day in Salazar, Shroud takes him out of the prison. Tired, right after finally laying waste upon his tormentors, he barely walks. Instead, he sluggishly moves forward while looking down the bridge¡¯s stone floor. Eyes full open and bloodshot. Shroud notices this and picks the kid up. For the hulking Titan, lifting a 17-year-old like a burlap sack is no hard feat¡­He continues to walk, and the boy starts drifting off as his body realizes no other movement is longer needed¡­ Shroud: Proud of ya¡¯, kid. I told ya ya¡¯d manage¡­ His eyes drop a few tears. He wipes them off, again soiling his face with vampire blood. Aaron: (Heh¡­Like I¡¯d feel that sa-) A sudden, brief, painful sting on the hunter¡¯s nape shocks him. Vision blurs fast, his hasty thoughts silence themselves as he falls. His ears being the last instrument to fall, he hears hasty footsteps coming from the entrance to the room¡­The drawbacks of excess use of the Lord¡¯s Grace in a fight¡­ Aaron rests on the ground, next to the rotting vampire corpse¡­ Chapter 11 : The Cavalry has arrived. Our group has managed to get out of the sewers. Suiga has recuperated, and stares left and right, trying to figure out what happened¡­ Url: Rise and shine, samurai. Lau: Is he going to curse at us and attack?! Should we chain him? Cassie: A hostile hunter? A vampirification perhaps. Will disposal be necessary then? Url: No disposals needed, nightingale. Suiga : What¡­what happened¡­ His first reflex is to check his right arm. Long, red burn scars fill out his palm. He struggles to move his fingers¡­ Suiga: (It calmed down¡­But I won¡¯t be able to use it for a few days¡­) Looking at his palm, the previous events flash before his eyes. Insulting his comrades, toyed around by Danno, only saved by his leader¡¯s quick reflexes. He bites his lips in anger¡­ Url ducks down, and rests his palm on the samurai¡¯s shoulder¡­ Url: Calm down, Suiga. You did well. Me and Lau would be dead if it weren¡¯t for you taking him head-on¡­ Lau: Huh? I didn¡¯t rely on topknot at all!! Stop lying!!! As Lau assaults Url with light-hearted punches, the samurai¡¯s face slightly brightens. His failure against the blade now seems unimportant, next to his comrades'' safety guaranteed¡­ Suiga: I have to ask¡­who is the huntress accompanying us? Url: I barely have any idea. She just came to help us along with Aaron. Cassandra poses once again, surprising the gang¡­ Cassie: The Huntress under the Moonlight Sky, the Slayer of all Vampires, The Black Warhorse of Landen, Incarnation of Van Helsing, the one and only, Nightingale!!! Cassandra Mergrove!!! Lau: I was right, she¡¯s crazy. Suiga: I had no idea Landen had such an esteemed huntress within its ranks!! Url: Believe me Url, the most esteemed hunters in our ranks are drunkards our sarcastic swearers. Cassie: I have taken upon the role of bossman¡¯s temporary partner for this search and rescue mission. While my duties can be considered ¡°done¡±, I feel a raging sensation to remain alongside you to observe the rest of this story¡¯s plot unfold. Url: Uuh¡­I guess you can?... (What¡¯s with her language?) Suiga: We¡¯d be lucky to have you. Thank you for helping our chief and escorting us¡­ Suiga slowly stands up¡­ Suiga: But I believe we should re-enter. We can¡¯t let Aaron take this one by himself, no matter his physical advantage. Lau: You heard that? How long were you really asleep? Url: Was I carrying you for nothing? Suiga: None the matter, you should return and prepare for the assault. I¡¯ll go fetch our captain. Url: You must be nuts if you think you¡¯ll go. Especially after your surprise with the blight. Hearing that last word, the samurai freezes in fear¡­ Url: You think I¡¯d let that slide?... He approaches the hunter. Suiga¡¯s pulse rises higher and higher. He wants to react, and defend himself should the plague doctor try to hurt him. But his guilt holds down all movement¡­ Url: I won¡¯t let you go die with that muscle freak while we stay here like chickens. I¡¯ll go. Suiga¡¯s body calms down as he relieves himself of any worries. Url starts coughing blood out of his mask¡­ Lau: None of you weaklings will go search the brute. I¡¯ll fetch the brute. And I¡¯ll take out that vampire while I¡¯m- A sudden crack in her knee makes her fall down, in an attempt to walk forward. A result of continuous running and dodging¡­ Suiga: Seems the shrimp can¡¯t back up her words. How would you be of use to our captain? Lau: Shut up!! He¡¯s not my captain!! Url: You did defend him when Danno was insulting him, though¡­ Suiga: Explain that, shrimp¡­ Cassandra smiles as she observes the group¡¯s light-hearted argument¡­ Cassie: You¡¯d be a foul to not worry about a group like them¡­ She approaches the crowd¡­ Cassie: As this temporary group¡¯s sole healthy warrior, I¡¯ll take on this secondary rescue mission! I¡¯m sure there¡¯ll be no shortcomings in my way¡­ A few moments pass after Cassandra¡¯s departure. The group helped Url prepare for treatment. Their heads turn as they notice a struggling Cassandra trying to pull Aaron¡¯s bloodied body from the floor. The face is red, and her eyes and veins are almost ready to pop out from the excess pressure¡­ Cassie: Help¡­me¡­ Suiga rushes to her aid¡­ Url: And to think she¡¯s lucky Eisenwald was called out¡­ Suiga: Good Lord!!! He¡¯s a heavy lad, ain¡¯t he? Url: Bring him over here, on top of the blanket. They rush him onto the blanket. Having taken out his table, Url begins treating Aaron¡¯s wounds. A few stitches to the pierced limbs, a few ointments on to the bruises, and a lot of syringes full of stimulants. Work that would take doctors days to finish, Url does it in a matter of minutes. His precision, his swiftness, and efficiency manage to grasp his teammate¡¯s amazement¡­ As Url finishes, Aaron¡¯s eyelids start to flutter. He slowly wakes up. He stares quietly as his comrades welcome him back to the waking world¡­ Suiga: Captain!!!! You are (snotty sobbing) back!! Lau: You¡¯re back, you brute? I¡¯m hoping you killed the bat before taking your sweet nap! Url: How many times have I told you to not overdo it with the steroid blast?! How am I going to explain this to Shroud?! Cassie: For a young man, your weight has managed to even fall the nightingale¡­ His teammates continue to shout with excitement. Their beloved chief has finally returned. Nonetheless¡­ Aaron: Will you guys ever SHUT UP!!??? Up and about like he slept a hundred naps, he starts chastising his worrying teammates, who care not for the screams as long as they come out of their comrade¡¯s alive body¡­ Cassie: While this reunion is indeed a blessing, I believe we must hurry for Salazar. The ritual sites are still intact, and the Ripper is still at large. Aaron: Damn it!! I forgot!! Guys, we have to A large burst is heard from Salazar¡¯s walls. Having a good view of the tower, they don¡¯t notice any strange phenomena. Nonetheless, their worries are enough to have them pack up and leave immediately. Coursing with all their might through the city streets, they notice people out of their windows, shouting and staring over at the prison. Citizens in the streets run in the opposite direction, but no one seems particularly worried. A second break-in Salazar might be afoot, and yet the Landenians take this like another daily vampire hunt? The group arrives at the start of the bridge. To their surprise, vampires have broken out. Hulks are running amok throughout the bridge. However¡­ Shroud: Ya motherfucker¡¯s better be ready!!! The expedition team has arrived at the scene. The support army has set a few swivel guns to shoot down escaping vampires in mid-air. In the center of the bridge, a group of hunters are chopping the hulk left and right. Shroud swings around his ginormous axe, adorned with a drawn-on teething smiling face. The axe¡¯s blade forcefully chops the hulk¡¯s limbs like butter. Not even one manages to touch Shroud. A few steps further, Luca dances. He dances through dozens of vampire attacks, complementing his recital with sets of slashes from two swords, both fashioned like silver crosses. Limbs, blood, and gore fly up and away in his path. Behind them, three younger hunters are fighting a hulk. Around the ages of 25-27, the group consists of a large man, dressed in black army clothes, using a set of silver knuckles with ingots attached to them, hitting hard on the Hulk¡¯s legs. The other, a white-haired, slender individual, wearing what seems to be a set of pajamas, throws silver cards at the monster. He manages to strike the eyes, blinding the bat. The third, dark-skinned, with long black hair, dressed like an official in the admin wing, with a charismatic black suit, waived around a silver spear. He jumps on top of the hulk through his staggered limbs and pierces his neck multiple times over. The hulk falls. The first guy climbs on top of him, and finishes the beast with a series of hard punches¡­ Our group remains stunned. A disaster they risked their lives to prevent, is now dealt with within a matter of minutes¡­ Suiga: Who are these people¡­ Cassie: I see Sir Shroud and Sir Luca. An honor for the nightingale to partake in this hunt with them¡­ Url: The expedition must have finished early. Lau: I can¡¯t believe we rushed over here for nothing. We need to go for the other sites!! A support soldier approaches them¡­ Soldier: That won¡¯t be necessary. The expedition team has sent people over, this is the last site. Lau: WHAT!? Url: Hey, at least we took out Danno, right? Aaron remains silent. He watches his seniors destroy the vampires and along with that Danno¡¯s dreams of destruction¡­ Aaron: Took ya long enough, dumbass¡­ Shroud turns around and notices his student observing the fight¡­ Shroud: Dammit, Aaron, I didn¡¯t bring ya the kids so ya could slack even more!!! Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there. Aaron: Shut up!!! The hunters finish up with the bridge¡­The fight is finally over. Years of planning, setting, waiting, down the drain. Landen cheers away as the hunters march to VHC, gloating in all the glory¡­ A few days pass¡­Back at the bar, our hunters take a much longer, needed rest. Their wounds still healing, and they take advantage of the expedition team¡¯s return to recuperate and strategize over the next steps. Shroud chooses to keep a cool head after weeks of drinking, opting for only anything his flask has. Luca drinks his tea, chastising the hulk for his poor choices. The group talks around the grand table¡­ Shroud: And then, bam!! Eisenwal¡¯ falls out of his hands and almost kills Luca!! Lau: He was that weak?! Shroud: Telling ya¡¯, I told him ¡°Grip hard!!¡±, I don¡¯t know what that kid was hearing. Luca: Maybe if you weren¡¯t shouting over my advice, he¡¯d be better at it. Cassie: These stories are pretty entertaining, indeed. Suiga: Little Aaron, Little Aaron, Little- Aaron: Enough about me, aren¡¯t we supposed to talk about what you guys found out in the ruins? Shroud: Pooper. Luca: Well, since you filled us in, it¡¯s time we told you of our misadventures. Luca pulls out maps, drawings, and small trinkets from a large bag next to his chair. Luca: Apparently, Danno being a noble was legitimate info. The cult he led was residing inside the ruins we found. They must have left when they heard of Danno¡¯s prison break. Url: I suppose the Ripper had set up this reunion. But to think of Danno, an aristocrat¡­ Shroud: Ya stood lucky he was a weak one, Aaron. He didn¡¯t even know he had a Virtue before the Ripper told ¡®im. On one of the papers laid by Luca, a description of aristocratic vampires is written in detail. Aristocrats are direct descendants of the vampire ¡°Dracula¡±. Other than superior traits to the commoners, an aristocrat has what they call a ¡°Virtue¡±. The lore indicates that in an almost fatal battle with a human, the weak Dracula was gifted by Camazotz, the god of bats, a spell that only he could ever use and master. His fabled ¡°hemomancy¡±, is in fact his Virtue, a primordial spell unique for each aristocrat. A counterpart to a hunter¡¯s Holy Armament, but the Virtue differs in the fact that vampires have no drawbacks in using them. An extension of their selves, using a Virtue can sound the death for a lot of opposing hunters, if the aristocrat is strong of course. Luca: But we haven¡¯t seen aristocrats inside Landen for years¡­How come one just popped up and happened to work with the Ripper too? Url: That does not sound like a coincidence, sir. I also don¡¯t believe the Ripper is over. He wasn¡¯t trying to relieve his glory days. He must have an agenda¡­ Shroud: We got a plan put in place to lure ¡®im in. We haven¡¯t worked out the small stuff, but we¡¯ll tell ya when the time¡¯s good. Shroud gets up, and stretches his large arms¡­ Shroud: Now¡¯s the time for bed. G¡¯night, everyone! Luca: Jesus, Shroud it¡¯s still evening! Shroud: And in a little bit it¡¯ll be night. Who says more sleep is bad? They notice Cassandra packing away her affairs¡­ Shroud: Hey, Mergrove gal!! Where ya¡¯ headin¡¯? Cassie: Considering my mission as the bossman¡¯s, or now Aaron¡¯s, partner is fulfilled, the nightingale shall follow her solitary path down the Hunt. My master would be most unpleased if she heard I dilly-dally with my brethren instead of focusing on the mission at hand. Shroud rests confused hearing Cassie¡¯s complex speech¡­ Cassie: I salute you, my comrades. Aaron, your partnership was most interesting. I shall always cherish my brief torture of carrying your heavy carcass out the sewers, your constant witty sarcasm, your reckless nature, your brutish- Aaron: Goodbye weirdo, you won¡¯t be missed. Cassie: And thus, the nightingale, DEPARTS!! Cassie slowly walks towards the door. Real slowly. The group stares awkwardly as she approaches the door in slow motion¡­ Aaron: Could you be more quick with this? Suiga might start telling you to stay. Suiga: It¡¯s true, I do love meeting new people. Aaron: Come on, on with it!! Cassie: Aaron, you fool! A departure such as this requires great mental fortitude!! It is only logical for me to find this separation so tiring and difficult!! Aaron: WE¡¯VE ONLY KNOWN YOU FOR THREE DAYS!!! Url: She did stay with us in the bar though. Lau: Don¡¯t you know me and topknot for around the same time? Aaron: Stop talking!! We don¡¯t need another weirdo in this bunch!! Cassie: I helped you. I picked you up at your lowest- Aaron: I¡¯m not fat. Cassie: I saved your friends. I allowed you a front-row seat in the nightingale¡¯s misadventures. A slight trial in allowing me to stay as a courtesy is not a problem at all. Aaron: I DON¡¯T WANT YOU HERE!!! Aaron tries to kick her out. Still weakened he struggles to push her out the door. Cassandra blushes as she struggles herself to push through the hunter¡¯s torso to get back in¡­ Cassie: I¡¯ll be a most valuable asset!! I¡¯m flexible, I¡¯m oriented, a team player- Aaron: Whatever happened to the ¡°solitary path¡±? Cassie: Solitude amounts to nothing against rotisserie chicken!! Aaron: LIKE HELL YOU ARE TAKING THAT AWAY FROM ME!!! Cassie: Please let me in!!! Luca stares at the ridiculous fight, deep in thought¡­ Luca: Shroud? Shroud: Huh? Luca: Isn¡¯t the Mergrove girl Sarah¡¯s student? Shroud: Yep. Luca: Didn¡¯t Sarah send us a letter a few nights ago, telling us that her student has to join some sort of hunter group to comply with VHC protocol? Because she was ¡°badly adjusted¡± to the hunting community¡¯s new standards? Shroud: ¡­Dammit. Aaron boy, stop!! As soon as Shroud explains the situation, Aaron¡¯s lips form a most sulking frown of despair. Cassandra hops around from enjoyment, hugging everyone in the room and rushing to her bedroom to set her stuff away¡­ Aaron: Not just any weirdo¡­the queen of weirdos¡­my chicken rotisserie¡­ Lau: Crazy lady¡¯s right, watching Aaron sulk is indeed a beautiful sight. Suiga: No worries, Aaron. With the nightingale on our side, your ragtag group is sure to achieve the greatest of heights! I shall prepare new morning hymns for her addition to the team. Url: A sharpshooter in our midst wouldn¡¯t be so bad. And she seems to like Aaron, which rarely happens. Aaron: You fucks really are messing with me¡­ Cassandra reappears¡­ Cassie: Bossman, The Huntress under the Moonlight Sky, the Slayer of all Vampires, The Black Warhorse of Landen, Incarnation of Van Helsing, the one and only, Nightingale!!! Cassandra Mergrove!!! At your service!!! Under my master¡¯s orders, I shall aid you in the Hunt, as your new teammate. Suiga: Lady Cassandra, may I partake in your name-calling habit of our captain as ¡°bossman¡±? He seems to reject my other titles. Cassie: Of course you can, my foreign friend!! Let us admire our bossman together!! Aaron: Continue with the bossman routine, and the nightingale will sleep in the trash today. As the group gathers around to congratulate Cassandra¡¯s addition to the team, Shroud and Luca look in awe¡­. Shroud: Do ya remember when Aaron¡¯s pop first told us we¡¯ll be going along with him? Luca: How could I forget. Only at the time, we were the ones that didn¡¯t want to be with him. Through Aaron¡¯s annoyed expressions, his raised eyebrows, his shouting, and brief seconds of him smiling are noticed by the veterans, at the sight of his teammates talking around him¡­ Luca: But we came around. We ended up almost dying for that guy. Shroud: Too bad the tables were turned¡­He¡¯d be happy to see this¡­ Luca: Let¡¯s be honest, he¡¯d be right there with them, pissing the hell off our boy¡­ Shroud: Heh¡­So, time for lights out. Guess we start with the plans tomorrow. Let them have their fun for now. Luca: They really aren¡¯t ready for this¡­ The veterans leave. One by one, the members of the bar depart for their chambers. Before Suiga enters his room, he glances at his captain for a moment. As their eyes meet, Aaron immediately realizes what Suiga could be thinking. Aaron: Don¡¯t worry. I hate my sword too. You did well, Suiga. He smiles in relief. Quite the corridor. The night passes away. The returning hunters jump from rooftop to rooftop, slaying escaping vampires and disposing of imps. After days full of blood and fighting, our hunters get to have a full night¡¯s rest¡­ The next morning, everyone wakes up to a nice surprise. Shroud and Luca are waiting for the youth with news of the VHC¡¯s new strategy¡­ Luca: Rise and shine, rookies. Time for a morning debrief on the situation. Aaron: Oh, come on aren¡¯t we over this whole Ripper situation? He hasn¡¯t pulled a move for three days, who are we to- Shroud ejects a pebble on the young hunter¡¯s forehead, leaving scrubbing the area in tears¡­ Luca: As I was saying, the Ripper is still at large. For the last three days, your seniors have been cleaning the streets of escapees non-stop. Some of them, for reasons unknown, chose to head for Landen¡¯s Third Monetary Safehouse. Url: The bank? What would a vampire want from there? Suiga: Well, considering it¡¯s a safe house, items of value such as vampiric artifacts could be hidden¡­ Lau: Why would anyone put a vampire trinket in the bank? Cassie: I¡¯ll have to agree, every trinket is registered to the VHC. Luca: Not if no one knew the trinket¡¯s magic¡­ From his bag, he pulls out large schematics of the bank¡¯s interior. Written in old paper, the bank appears to have a multitude of layers going downwards¡­The last one is marked in red circles¡­ Luca: This is the last floor. Every trinket dating back to Dracula¡¯s era, human and non-human is there. If these vampires are searching for something, it must be there. Aaron: Great, let¡¯s set up a trap and- Shroud: Hold it there, boy! There¡¯s still more. Luca: We will be setting traps. Hunter Beril will be on guard duty at the end of the week, and we will let the bats enter on purpose to see what they could be planning¡­ Shroud: So, yer plan for the week is ta¡¯ follow us seniors around and pick up whatever mess the escapees have left, while we concentrate on the heist. Aaron: Didn¡¯t Beryl and the others already finish with the escapes? Luca: A lot of bats managed to get out of Salazar. The Ripper must have planned this out, with Danno coordinating them. Some of them are still hiding inside the city. Shroud: We¡¯ll assign ya¡¯ wit the mid-rankers. Wit mor¡¯ hunters in tha¡¯ city, mor¡¯ ground are covered! Suiga: Sirs!! I wish to partner up with Aaron!! As runner-up in the team, it is ideal for me to spend more time with my captain!! Aaron: Oh, yeah, Suiga-wait, runner-what now? Luca: While I really was expecting to see you two together in a fight, I¡¯ll be taking Suiga with me. He needs a senior yet, and I want to look at that blight blade while I¡¯m at it. Suiga: The Blade dancer? My senior? I¡¯m honoured!! Suiga clenches his fist, now healed from the burning wounds the flames had brought on in their rampage¡­ Aaron: Huh, that¡¯s ok. So it¡¯s Url- Shroud: Speakin¡¯ of seniors: Url! Ya¡¯ goin¡¯ to Huckleberry¡¯s for the week! Url: Excuse me? Luca: Yeah, we tried negotiating, but apparently our new findings have ¡°titillated his entire existence¡± and he believes sharing this with you might be training enough. Plus, he¡¯s head of the research department and your legal senior, so- Lau: Bird Doc¡¯s senior is the research head!? No wonder he¡¯s that good of a doctor. Url: Don¡¯t flatter me. The man¡¯s a creep. Lau: You¡¯re really not allowed to say that. Aaron: Especially since you join him willingly in the first few seconds you enter the department. Huh, I never thought I¡¯d say this, but Lau- Luca: And Lecourt, I¡¯ll assign you to¡­ Lau: Do not bother! The only senior I¡¯d ever follow is Florence Willheart!! Suiga and Cassie hear the name and glance at Aaron, who shares the same surname as the renowned deceased huntress Luca: And I¡¯m sure she¡¯d be willing to reject you if she was still alive. You¡¯re with me and Suiga. Shroud is too keen on napping to even join us. Shroud: (Dozing off) Wait, who? Aaron: Wait, then that means¡­ The boy stares next to the smiling, excited, creeping Mergrove¡­ Aaron: (To what extent did I anger Him¡­) Shroud: You and the Mergrove girl are wit¡¯ me! We¡¯ll go help Beryl wit¡¯ som¡¯ of his stuff! Aaron: Well, with Beryl around, Cassie might become sufferable¡­ Shroud: Great! Everyone¡¯s happy with the picking?! Aaron: No. Shroud: Glad everyone¡¯s on board! We start right now!! Aaron: What, I haven¡¯t even- Shroud punches Aaron in the gut. The hulk then grabs the half-incapacitated boy and picks him up. Looking over the Mergrove huntress with a terrifying glare, she trembles and follows him like a duckling out of the building¡­ Suiga: Sir Shroud is not a man of words, huh? Luca: Not even his grunting can be considered literate. Come on you two, Url: Well then, guess I should be on my way to see my senior¡­ Luca: Say hi to Sammy for me!! Everyone leaves, each taking a different direction towards the city¡¯s numerous parts. As Url marches towards VHC, Luca and the two rookies make their way for the intersection to the right, leading to the eastern part of the city. Shroud and his group begin for the western part. Chapter 12 : Jewel of Landen While Landen¡¯s texture is the same mix of archaic buildings from the old era, decorated with the steampunk accommodations that the people use and enjoy daily, each part of the city has its own special trait. Its personal, distinct miasma, is exposed through its peculiarities that distinguish it from the others. The northern part is home to Salazar, an old, rundown sewage. East, home to the factories, is considered the heart of Landen, and its large technological advancement far surpasses the other districts. South is the beginning of the town¡¯s outskirts. Avoided by people, only hunters ever venture into those parts when there¡¯s an expedition. While the center of Landen is where most of the hunters reside and network, the Western part is Landen¡¯s jewel. Most of the humans reside in the West, enjoying all of Landen¡¯s faculties while receiving the most protection from the hunting community. Clean streets, lighted alleyways, and buildings erected by humanity¡¯s top architects (well, the ones that weren¡¯t eaten). Walking through the West, even as a Landenian, is an experience evoking first-time sentiments over and over again. Even the grumpy Aaron can¡¯t deny the district¡¯s beauty. The crystal moss in the cobblestone walls, the colorful patterned pavement, and the number of shops full of humans chatting their troubles away were all adorned with the newest advancements on the restarting railways. Cassandra is Landenian, and even she is enamored with the district¡­ Cassie: A wonder indeed¡­ Aaron looks over at her, intrigued by the girl¡¯s fascination with the streets despite her Landenian origins¡­ Aaron: What, you¡¯ve never been here before? Cassie: The nightingale is of humble origin, unfortunately. Thus, the fabled sights of the western streets are a first for her¡­ Aaron: Ow¡­ Shroud gives a subtle elbow bash to Aaron while Cassie¡¯s gaze is averted¡­ Shroud: Nice going, dumbass. Cassie: Speaking of beautiful sights. Bossman, your surname is Willheart? Aaron: Can¡¯t see how that¡¯s relevant, but yeah. Cassie: Bossman, this surname could even reek of the word ¡°beauty¡± when you utter it. Are you related to Florence Willheart? Shroud: ¡­ Aaron: Ugh, yeah, she was my ma¡­ Cassandra¡¯s gaze turns from curiosity to confusion¡­ Cassie: That is odd. Lady Florence never sired a child, as we know by now¡­ Shroud: Adoption. He was an orphan when she found ¡®im. She lent ¡®im to me before she bit the dust, the poor lass¡­ Cassie: So you are both related to the Florence Willheart!? She was an inspiration to us all, everyone looks up to her!! How I wish I could meet her!! She jumps onto Aaron, latching and not letting go, despite the boy¡¯s attempts to pull her away¡­ Cassie: At least now, I have the chance to work with the byproduct, bask in the grace of her creation, and earn her favor from the heavens!! An opportunity of the Lord¡¯s design destined for the nightin- Aaron: Get the hell off me, you freak!!! Shroud We¡¯re here!! Stopping in the middle of a small plaza, in front of its lapis lazuli-adorned fountain, the two rookies look around. A beautiful violin concert by a quartet accompanies the area¡¯s beauty¡­Confused with Shroud¡¯s action, they ask¡­ Aaron: What are we going to do here? Savoir-faire? Shroud: I tried once with you, but it didn¡¯t work. And Mergrove being Sarah¡¯s student, I don¡¯t believe there¡¯s any development there either. Cassie: Mentor¡¯s skills with cutlery are not suited for dining, yes. Aaron: And where¡¯s Beryl? Don¡¯t tell me he is waiting for Beryl: A SHOWMAN¡¯S INTRODUCTION!!! On top of the fountain, without a care for his wet leggings, the army-style hunter jumps and lands with a somersault on the ground. Quickly regaining stance, he stands at attention and greets the trio with a high voice. Beryl: Beryl Grut!! Hunter at VHC for almost 7 years!! Trained under Shroud the Butcher, I stand before you, ready for work!! Aaron: Always a loudmouth, huh? Shroud: Dammit, Beryl, ya could¡¯ve just come from behind. Did ya¡¯ hav¡¯ta sprinkle water all over us?! Beryl: I excuse myself for this choice of entrance. But this sort of reunion, junior and senior, has gotten me excited! Beryl and Aaron shake hands, palms tightened, and smiles teethy and big¡­ Aaron: Couldn¡¯t have said it better. Beryl: I heard of your adventures, Aaron. So, you a leader now? Aaron: Not a chance in hell. But I got myself some new partners¡­ Beryl: I see. And this must be one of them. Sarah¡¯s kid, right? Cassandra Mergrove! I heard about you too! Cassie: Mentor spoke of me? Beryl: She wouldn¡¯t shut up about you! From what I hear, you and she are like peas in a pod! Cassandra smiles with the information, content of her mentor¡¯s delight¡­ Shroud: So, Beryl, ready for today¡¯s gig? Beryl: I prepared myself accordingly, sir! Aaron: What are we doing today? Beryl: Hunting!! Aaron: Yeah, and? Beryl: That¡¯s it. The two rookies rest confused¡­ Cassie: I fail to understand, why are we here by afternoon then? Shroud: The bat you guys are chasin¡¯ is hiding somewhere here. Aaron: Huh? In the most guarded district in the city? Why the hell aren¡¯t the rest of the bats just jolting for south and out? Beryl: They do. That¡¯s why we were stationed south the past 3 days, killing every vampire on site. Whoever chose to stay here must be affiliated with the Ripper, or so dangerous that he¡¯s confident enough to remain within city grounds¡­ Cassie: Then I can only imagine that any vampire choosing to hide amongst hunters is dangerous and confident enough¡­ Aaron: Well, no bat is gonna squat in heaven for long without taking a few victims. How many? Beryl: None! That¡¯s what baffles me!! I need your help to ask around for any sightings or anything out of the ordinary. Three heads are better than one, as they say!! Cassie: Isn¡¯t sir Shroud going to help? Aaron: ¡°Sir¡± Shroud has left the vicinity and has shut himself in the pub just ahead. I think he¡¯s entering the cellar¡­ Beryl: Oh well, this is our mission anyway. So, my lovely juniors, I wish you good luck. I¡¯ll take the south, you take the north. The three separate. The plaza is filled with people grabbing their afternoon coffee¡­ Aaron and Cassie try their best. Hitting from the coffee shops to random bypassers in the street, none of the locals seem to be able to provide decent information. Some of the drinkers seem too relaxed and aloof to even remember anything noticeable. Mothers playing with their children suddenly seem too busy and preoccupied with their children to even pay attention to the hunters. The elderly doze off mid-conversation, even under the afternoon sunlight through the clouds showering the plaza¡­ Feeling exhausted all of a sudden, the pair sit on the fountain¡¯s edge, gazing around the plaza¡­ Aaron: No one could answer. Do they even live here?! Cassie: Their attitude does strike me surprised. It is like¡­they do not even mind the fact that a vampire might live among them¡­Could we be dealing with a dependent plaza? Aaron:¡­I¡¯ve checked for dependents. Though that would clear things up¡­ Cassie: Is the security in this district really that efficient? Ignorance truly is bliss¡­ The hunter remembers Cassandra¡¯s unfamiliarity with the western district¡¯s reputation¡­ Aaron: Ugh, seems logical when you are in paradise. No one living here has probably seen a bat for the past 5 years¡­ Cassie: Our security is THAT good? Aaron: Figure of speech, idiot. But¡­yeah. This place is Landen¡¯s prize jewel. Beryl told me once, even in Pirou, Assia, and Afreeka, they think of West Landen as some sort of ¡°safe haven¡± ¡­ Kids play throughout the plaza, under their mothers¡¯ watchful eyes. Elderly couples sarcastically bicker while taking their daily walk in the adorned streets. Officials, workers, and teachers gather in the pubs and shops, laughing and smiling as they browse, consume, and chat¡­ Aaron: This is a paradise for some people. What the hunters strive to achieve¡­ Cassie rests amazed by her partner¡¯s description¡­ Cassie: Intriguing. The southern district holds no candle against this¡­ Aaron: You¡¯re¡­ from down south? Cassie: Huh? Oh, yes. The Mergrove clan finds its origins in the sorrowful outskirts of the city. Not a lot of people other than farmers live there, so I was the only huntress working there, along with my senior¡­ Aaron: So this is your first time here¡­ (That explains those rumors about the heads) Cassie: Yes. And now that I¡¯ve witnessed Landen¡¯s jewel, I¡¯m even more excited to pursue my goal as the nightingale¡­ She stands up, posing as the heroine once again, much to Aaron¡¯s dismay¡­ Cassie: The south is my home. The Mergrove¡¯s home. One day, I¡¯ll kill every vampire in Orbia, and make the south Landen¡¯s new jewel!! Aaron: That¡¯s gonna take a while. You can barely cook by yourself, you almost burned down the kitchen yesterday. Cassie: Culinary skills have nothing to do with vampire hunting, bossman. She points to Aaron¡¯s nose, dramatically, much to his dismay¡­ Cassie: And I¡¯ll certainly need your help in this!! Aaron: Calm down, weirdo! We can¡¯t even do an investigation today! Beryl: That is by no means your own fault!!! Beryl jumps from the fountain¡¯s top down to the ground once again¡­ Aaron: Shit!!! Where did you come from!?? Cassie: I barely noticed him¡­ Beryl approaches the two rookies. Standing tall and proud, he looks around the plaza, smiling proudly at Landenians¡¯ achievement, cruising through daily life regardless of the vampire threat¡­ Beryl: Sounds like your search has been rather fruitless, my juniors!! Cassie: A true disappointment for the nightingale¡¯s journal, Beryl¡­The locals seem somehow¡­ignorant of the situation. Beryl: Well, you can¡¯t blame them. Who wouldn¡¯t want to be ignorant in this place? Aaron: How¡¯s your part going? Beryl: I¡¯ve amassed enough information! But let¡¯s give another try to your section of the plaza. I¡¯m still not sure about something¡­ Cassie: Have you figured out the hiding location?! Where is it?! Beryl: Patience, young huntress. You¡¯ll notice soon enough¡­ Beryl starts approaching the locals. To Cassie¡¯s surprise, Beryl seems to be more than just familiar with them. Children run around him in excitement, which he happily picks up and lifts in the air with his large arms. Mothers joke around with him, instead of politely apologizing for their children¡¯s behaviour. The elderly hug him, compliment his form and manners, and chat away with him for a variety of idle matters, which he patiently listens to. The rest of the locals beg him to sit down and have a coffee with them, which he politely declines but reassures them that next time he will accompany them with pleasure¡­ Cassie: Is¡­this man some sort of folk god in here?! Aaron: Oh yeah, Beryl has been guarding West Landen for a while before I started officially hunting. Makes sense they would warm up to him faster¡­ Cassie: I feel foolish and incompetent¡­ Beryl returns to the duo¡­ Aaron: Any luck, showman? Beryl: Quite enough, Aaron! Cassie: Sir Beryl, how did those locals warm up to you like this? Beryl: Well, 5 years guarding this place has its merits. Most of these people were cold to at me first too¡­ Cassie: But, in a matter of seconds¡­Aaron knows the plague doctor long enough too, and yet he fails to have him take off his mask¡­ Aaron: And that¡¯s how it going to stay. Cassie: Nevertheless, they sure admire you a lot, Beryl!! Beryl: Pish posh¡­I would just be some shmuck if it wasn¡¯t for their love and support, hell I still am! He points at one of the elderly couples¡­ Beryl: Those two have been patching my outfit fight after fight with the bats. A great seamstress and an amazing tailor. I saved them from a vampire hiding in the mannequin storage east¡­ He changes his direction to a mother and her daughter playing¡­ Beryl: That kid¡­After I saved her support soldier father in a cave during an expedition, she¡¯s been giving me hugs and roses ever since. Couldn¡¯t feel more glad I¡¯m a hunter¡­ Lastly, a well-dressed man sipping tea¡­ Beryl: That guy vouched for my seat in the last expedition. Said VHC would be nuts to leave me hanging around here¡­ Aaron: I don¡¯t think that was vouching¡­ Beryl: Each one of them has been a bedrock to my foundation as a hunter, and a standing proof that the Landenian jewel really is a safe haven to look out for¡­ He poses with his arms against his waist, chest forward, shoulders back¡­ Beryl: So do not frown on a little drawback my juniors!! Through perseverance and effort, we find results!!! Cassie¡¯s frown turns upside down¡­ Cassie: Sir, yes Sir!!! Aaron: Sure, but did you find anything helpful? Beryl: Not at all!! We¡¯re stumped!! The rookies sit down again, falling in despair¡­ Beryl: Despite their ecstatic nature, most of the locals have been pretty clueless regarding the intruder. The only thing of notice is some strange, out-of-pocket singing they hear at night¡­ Aaron: Huh? Beryl: ¡°Like a fair maiden singing her woes throughout the night.¡± People thought it was a bat, but support found nothing, and no one has been complaining about anything strange, so they left it alone, thinking it might be some lonely musician''s soul¡­ Cassie: So, our only lead is¡­(yawning) some midnight mystery entertainer¡­ Aaron: Damn, what¡¯s up with you? I feel tired too, but not that tired, it¡¯s still¡­(looks at his watch) Huh, that¡¯s strange¡­ Beryl: What? Aaron: Well, normally it should be around 3 o¡¯clock. Watch says it¡¯s like 5 and a half¡­ Beryl: Probably unwinded¡­Try moving it around¡­ Aaron: I had it fixed yesterday¡­ Beryl¡¯s mind races through thoughts and insights, igniting with a spark of shock¡­ Beryl: Aaron. How much did it take you to finish the interrogations? Aaron: Huh¡­Around an hour? But now that I think about it¡­it kind of felt like a lot more¡­ Cassie: Yeah¡­ How can one hour feel so¡­ long and tiring? Beryl: Intriguing¡­ Aaron: Beryl, if you¡¯ve got some extreme theory in your head, send it to Url. Me and weirdo girl here aren¡¯t the brightest tools in the shed to- Beryl: We¡¯re stuck in a trap. Aaron: That was simple. Cassie: A trap? When? Beryl: Allow me to explain. Beryl points to the pub senior Shroud frequented at the start of the mission¡­ Beryl: The pub. Aaron: Yeah, Shroud¡¯s favorite hideout. Beryl: I¡¯ve been 5 years in this place, I¡¯ve never seen it there. Cassie: Not to be the devil¡¯s advocate, but they could have opened recently. Beryl: I thought so, so I asked around, but no one really remembers it ever being constructed. The rookies start to follow Beryl¡¯s thoughts¡­ Cassie: Huh¡­ Beryl: That¡¯s one. Secondly, the confusion concerning the hours. You are right, we haven¡¯t been here for long, and yet we feel the exhaustion of three days in a row¡­ And then, the hunter looks around at his acquaintances¡­ Beryl: The locals are what gave it away. Even in their excitement, 5 years of conversations and trust, and for the first time, they¡¯ve been avoiding the subject of the vampire¡­but it¡¯s weird¡­it¡¯s not as if they want to¡­ Cassie: Actually, it is. I think the problem is, they don¡¯t realize it. Aaron: God, this is burning me up, where¡¯s the pub? Cassie: When me and bossman were searching for info, the locals seemed confused. It¡¯s like they knew they had info, they wanted to give it at first, but in a matter of seconds, they either forgot, or they were too busy to talk¡­ Beryl: I see¡­It fits¡­ Aaron: So, if I got this straight, we are under some hypnotic spell and at the mercy of some coward bat? Beryl: Seems like it. But if it¡¯s the mystery singer, how did they manage to The violins playing loudly in the plaza when the hunters arrived come to Cassie¡¯s mind¡­ Cassie: The violins¡­ Beryl: Huh? Cassie: What if they hid their voice through the instruments when we first arrived?! Beryl: Could be a possibility¡­No, it¡¯s our best shot¡­ Aaron: Why would they shut us inside the plaza? Beryl: That¡¯s what scares me. I¡¯m worried about the residents though¡­ Cassie: Hmm? Beryl: This vampire can make people ignore major events of the day through some unknown spell¡­So it wouldn¡¯t be illogical to think they could be torturing the citizens daily and making them forget¡­Oh my god¡­ Aaron: Calm down man, they seem ok physically, at least¡­We can worry about that right after we figure out how to break the spell. Which means we should find that vampire as soon as possible. Cassie: It must be hiding somewhere dark enough to protect itself from sunlight¡­I say we burst inside the darkest-looking apartment!!! Aaron: Now you¡¯re talking my language!! Beryl holds the two running hunters with little effort from their clothes before they commit vandalism in one of the city¡¯s richest plazas¡­ Beryl: Maybe we should think this through before we rush into any reckless behavior¡­ Cassie: But the bat could be anywhere! Beryl: And if it¡¯s smart enough to pull this elaborate defense mechanism, it¡¯s probably smart enough to not hide in the most obvious place for a hunter to start looking¡­No, we must search better¡­ Aaron: Can¡¯t see a better place to hide in the sunlight-filled plaza. The army man looks around the plaza, noting every single detail that could be amiss¡­Raising his arm to point at the violin players¡­ Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel. Beryl: Let¡¯s start with the violin players. Cassie: Sounds fair, but I can¡¯t think of a vampire willing to play the violin under the hot sunlight¡­ Beryl: No, but it¡¯s the only type of music playing right now, so the only possible source of the spell. So, Aaron, go talk to ¡®em. Aaron: Huh? Why me?! Beryl: You¡¯ve been squatting away on your ass for the past 20 minutes, seems enough to regain your strength!! And Cassandra¡¯s the sharpshooter, she needs to stay in the backline!! Cassie: Go, Bossman!! Through grunting and grimaces our hunter gets up and walks over to the quartet of white-shirt violin players, humbly toying away with their instruments and producing a calm, innovative sound for the residents to hear¡­They notice the youth approaching, so one of them steps forward to greet him, still playing the instrument unbothered¡­ Violin Player: Excuse me, good hunter!! What could I do to assist you, today?! Aaron: Oh, friendly! A nice change of pace here¡­so listen! Have you guys¡¯ been hearing any strange sounds the past few days? Like any singing or¡­ Violin Player: Hmm, well there has been this midnight mystery singer. We tried to locate them to have them join our quartet, but they¡¯re almost impossible to find!! Aaron: Yeah, almost like he just¡­flies away once the night ends, huh¡­ Violin Player: You couldn¡¯t be implying they¡¯re¡­ a vampire? The violin players overhear the conversation. They snicker at the mere thought of a vampire hiding away on the rich rooftops of the west¡­ Violin Player: Sir, I¡¯ve been playing here for two years, bringing calm entertainment to the residents and visitors of this beautiful plaza. I can assure you, I haven¡¯t seen a vampire since the time I went to the north district. There¡¯s nothing to worry about here!!! Aaron: Oh well, better safe than sorry. I mean, wouldn¡¯t you worry if some nutjob was singing at 1 o¡¯clock midnight? Violin Player: Worry? The word worry does not exist in the western district¡¯s vocabulary!! This is paradise!! As the violins play away, the people laugh, greet, drink, and eat to their heart¡¯s content, not a care in the world when surrounded by the safe, adorned walls of the plaza¡­ Violin Player: I would advise you to leave behind your business preoccupations when strutting through these here streets. We have no time to worry about the vampires, we are too busy indulging in the Lord¡¯s gift of haven. Aaron: I see¡­Ok then, thanks for the help. Oh, your shirt¡¯s a bit messy¡­ Violin Player: Oh, this!!? Happens when I play nonstop! Aaron: Lemme help¡­ The boy shakes off the white shirt, tucks it properly, and makes sure to fix the turtle neck, all while the musician keeps on playing¡­ Violin Player: Amazing¡­ Aaron: My ma taught me how¡­Anyway, thanks for the heads-up!! Violin Player: My pleasure!! The young hunter walks back to his group, who have approached the quartet¡¯s proximity¡­ Aaron: Beryl, all clear. Go. Beryl:¡­ The army man, with a small smile on his face, approaches the quartet. Despite the man¡¯s friendliness, Beryl suddenly strikes him hard in the face with his silver knuckles, planting him on the ground and knocking away the violin¡­The music stops¡­ Cassie: Huh?! What are they- Aaron: Look! Pointing at the bleeding musician, they notice vampiric traits, like pointy ears, a clean set of canine teeth, pale skin¡­Turtleneck again messy, Cassie¡¯s eyesight notices a bite mark on the player¡¯s nape¡­ Cassie: Dependent! Aaron: Had he just avoided the subject like the rest of them, I wouldn¡¯t have checked for bite marks¡­ The other three violin players start whispering while avoiding the tall, army man who just knocked out their comrade¡­ Beryl: Now, to kill the rest of you so we can get out of this mind spell¡­ Suddenly, cracks in the air appear. The sky breaks in shambles ass if a glass dome shatters away, revealing a dark, starry plaza under the moonlight¡­ Aaron: That was unexpected¡­ Beryl: (So, the spell wasn¡¯t some hypnosis, but an illusion? No, no, the effects on the citizens were apparent! So, this could mean that these guys were taking care of the illusion spell to make us think we still day, and thus reject the idea of a bat out in the sun¡­) The violin players spread their wings and float away from Beryl. Flying in the sky in circles, they taunt the hunters with a cacophony of rampant screeching and awfully executed violin notes¡­ Unbothered by the screeching, the hunters look around the transformed environment. The adorned cobblestone walls were now sprayed with blood, cracks on the floor, broken chairs, smashed windows¡­and not one of the happy citizens on site¡­ Cassie: Eeh...what happened here¡­ The lovely plaza, one part of the Landenian jewel, was now a compromised crime scene from hell¡­ Beryl looks distraught. The blood all over the scene and the disappearance of the residents do not add up well to his already worried mind¡­ Beryl: Where are they¡­ Aaron: Beryl, don¡¯t go there. We still don¡¯t know if¡­ Beryl: Where are they, bats!!? The vampires abruptly stop their chant¡­ Vampire: Silverhead¡¯s probably talking about the squatters¡­ Beryl: Huh? Vampire: Yes, the squatters, yes¡­ Vampire: Got what they deserved, they sure did¡­ Cassie: What are they talking about¡­ The vampires change tunes. Their violins pull out slow, grim notes signaling sadness, grief¡­despair¡­ Vampire: This plaza, the jewel of Landen¡­ Vampires: Jewel of Landen, yes¡­ Vampire: Home to the human¡¯s luxuries and pleasures¡­ Vampires: Luxuries and pleasures, yes¡­ Vampire: And yet, by what right does a human deserve to bathe himself in such luxuries and pleasures? Vampires: Unjust, unfair¡­ Vampire: What is a jewel worth, resting on a man¡¯s dirty paw? What makes it ¡°just¡± that a vampire rots away in a stone prison and livestock indulges in riches beyond its own value? Vampires: Illogical, incomprehensible¡­ The music¡¯s pace hastens, the tone of the notes slowly rises¡­ Vampire: So, we took action. Free of our bonds did we recover a part of our life stolen by us and punished the evildoers along the way!! Beryl: You¡­killed them? The vampire stares at the army hunter kneeling in despair¡­ Vampire: Isn¡¯t¡­that the hunter rumored to protect this plaza? Vampire: And here I was thinking this place was too easy to breach. Happy he won¡¯t be when he finds out about the rest of them¡­ Vampire: About the elderly couple we killed to hide in their apartment? The violin turns even more violent¡­ Vampire: Their noble we tortured for information? More and more grim¡­ Vampire: The woman we fed upon in front of the child? The grim, violent notes, accompanied by the cold, unfeeling words of the vampires make Beryl¡¯s head spin around. He tries to hold on. A hunter as disciplined as him should be able to keep himself focused¡­But something is afoot¡­as if his mind is forcefully pushed through despair at an alarming rate¡­ Despite the duo¡¯s effort to reach out, Beryl rests kneeled and distressed, unable to tune out the bats¡­ Aaron: Shit!! It¡¯s the violins!!! They¡¯re egging on in his grief!!! Cassie: I¡¯ll shoot them down then!! Cassie draws out her bow, while Aaron tries to call out his comrade¡­Cassie¡¯s focus is abruptly distraught. Slightly dizzy and slightly jumpy, she misses three of her shots, leaving the flying bats unscathed¡­ Aaron: Anytime now, Mergrove!! Cassie: I¡­I feel¡­weird¡­ Aaron: (Shit!! They got her too? How strong are these guys?!!) The deaths of residents run through Beryl¡¯s mind. Unable to get a grip on reality, a figure is seen walking towards him from behind, surprising Aaron¡­ Shroud: Move. The boy wastes no second and leaves the hunter for his job. Shroud steps in front of the kneeling Beryl, smoking a cigarette, and ignoring the vampires slowly approaching while avoiding Cassie¡¯s shots¡­ Shroud: Oh, Beryl¡­What the heck are ya¡¯ doin¡¯, eh?! Beryl: ¡­ Shroud: Since when did ya¡¯ let the bat haters get ta¡¯ ya head? These guys could just be mublin¡¯ fer all we know! Beryl: ¡­ Shroud: Never the less¡­If the people here are cooked¡­.it ain¡¯t gonna be you wailing down like some hussy that¡¯s gonna avenge ¡®em, now is it?! He picks up the slowly returning hunter, and helps him up¡­ Shroud: Now go there and hunt!!! Beryl: Sir Shroud¡­You are right!!! The hunter¡¯s back at his feet, to Aaron¡¯s amazement¡­ Aaron: What happened?! Shroud: Must be that hypno spell you guys were talkin¡¯ ¡®bout! The Beryl I know would never let anything like two bats talking down to him tamper with his job¡­ Aaron: But how did you escape? Can¡¯t be a ¡°friendship transcends all barriers¡± shit¡­ Beryl: I don¡¯t have a grasp on it yet, but I think the spell isn¡¯t strong enough to capture every person¡¯s mind in little to no effort¡­ Nevertheless, our job right now is to knock these three out for information!! Shroud: Couldn¡¯t agree more!! Shitstains¡¯ must have finished the whole brewery ¡®cause I found nothin¡¯ in the deposits!! Aaron: That¡¯s your reason for fighting!!? A vampire escapes Cassie¡¯s hold and rushes for the trio. Before the young react, Shroud calls out his axe, a humongous, silver, one-handed axe with drawings of teeth and a menacing red eye on the blade. The bat¡¯s kick lands on the axe protecting them, barely shoving the hunter back¡­ Vampire: (What is this¡­) The vampire flies back, but not without receiving a few shots from Cassie, who still struggles with some minor confusion¡­ Vampire: Tch! I¡¯d advise you a lot to either leave us be or take those arms and chop your heads off immediately!! Aaron: Like we¡¯d let you go after the mess you¡¯ve done here!! Cassie: You¡¯ll pay for what you did to these folks!! Despite Cassie¡¯s disability, the bats still find difficulty in securing an assault. They instead fly further above, their wings flapping away¡­ Beryl: (Those wings¡­More developed than other body parts¡­They¡¯ll probably specialize in air combat¡­Which only means¡­) The bats start playing once again, now high, slow notes, heard throughout the plaza¡­From the broken windows, and smashed shops, come out hordes of imps, accompanied by no other than the rest of the citizens, now turned to vampire underlings¡­ Aaron: Guess this solves the disappearances¡­but who turned them¡­ Shroud: Probably the guy behind turning our brains to mush for the past couple of hours¡­Who cares anyway, now the fight can finally- All of a sudden, a mellow, calming voice is heard along the violins, chanting indistinct nonsense to the human ears¡­Shroud starts getting dizzy, and immediately falls unconscious, face all red¡­ Aaron: NOW¡¯S NOT THE TIME TO GET DRUNK!!! Beryl: I bet the spellcaster made it so that Shroud would remain sound and conscious, probably to avoid having him realize the trick by accident¡­Now, he¡¯s just useless¡­ The vampires slowly approach, while the violin trio remain mid-air, playing away their instruments, and encouraging their comrades to attack¡­ Beryl: Aaron, lock Shroud in the brewery, it¡¯s the only place without bats!! I¡¯ll cover ya¡¯! Cassandra, just keep firing!! Aaron and Cassie: Yeah!!! While Aaron picks up his senior to safety, Beryl calls out his pair of silver knuckles, with the words ¡°Heavy Hitter¡± engraved in the silver ingots on the edge of the weapons¡­The army man grits his teeth, and smashes the knuckles together, creating a white, glowing effect on both ingots¡­ Imps start piling up. Facing a small wave, Beryl concentrates, and readies his right fist for a haymaker¡­ Beryl : (Right is¡­¡±Blow¡±¡­Left is¡­¡±Disintegrate¡±¡­) As the wave approaches, imps baring little fangs and little claws ready to slash away at the hunter¡¯s skin, the man smashes the first vampling before him¡­ Beryl: ¡°Blow!!¡± Along with the imp¡¯s face being smashed by the silver ingot, a strong, violent wind shot is ejected from the ingot, sending most of the imps back a few feet, while the rest of the wave disperses, leaving the hunter unharmed¡­ Beryl: ¡°Seems like my luck starts turning for the better¡­¡± Beryl¡¯s Holy Weapon, ¡°Heavy Hitter¡±. By smashing the silver ingots together, the knuckles become enchanted, allowing the owner to activate one random incantation from the Lord of the Sun¡¯s Bible. An interesting armament, requiring rather adapting skills than actual training to counter the randomization disadvantage¡­ Beryl : (I should be careful with my enchantments. The more I use the weapon, the more I risk mental fatigue¡­) Anyone up for some more!!!?? One of the violin players plays a different tune¡­The imps then start encircling the hunter, and each attacks him from different corners, but weirdly aiming for Beryl¡¯s left fist¡­ Beryl : (She must be ordering them to waste their bodies against my other enchantment¡­) One of the imps latches onto the right arm, carelessly biting it, in hopes that the hunter will punch it away¡­However, Beryl just falls to his side and crushes the imp. He finishes it off with his right fist, then barely rolls away from following attacks to regain his stance¡­ Beryl: (Which means that once the enchantment¡¯s off, a dependent will lunge at me¡­) Finishing off the imps with his right arm, he notices a resident lunging at him. He uses his left fist, shouting away as he punches him repeatedly, not letting him move an inch to regenerate or even react. The bat dies, and Beryl rests cold and shocked at his former friend¡¯s wounded face¡­ From behind, another resident confidently tries to attack him. Beryl, notices and turns around, punching with his left once again. Beryl: ¡°Disintegrate!!¡± From the ingot spreads a wave of light, engulfing the dependent¡¯s body and leaving him burning on the ground. Beryl lunges forward and keeps on attacking, striking away at his opponents¡­ Aaron locks Shroud in the brewery. Calling out Eisenwald, he starts chopping imps left and right until he notices Cassie struggling to shoot at the violin players while avoiding the ground foes¡­ One of the dependents starts throwing imps over her way, hoping to somehow stop her in her tracks and allow for an opening. The imps latch onto her bow and cape, almost overpowering her¡­ Cassie: Ugh!! The girl¡¯s ongoing confusion barely allows her to fight back adequately. Before the imps completely overpower her, Aaron rushes in and pulls them away. He then grabs Cassie, rests her on his shoulder, and starts running around, imps and bats in chase under an aggressive, hasty violin tune¡­ Cassie: Bossman!!! I don¡¯t know what¡¯s happening!! I can¡¯t see straight!!! Aaron: Must be the spellcaster!!! Look, I¡¯ve got a plan, You just try to shoot anything trying to follow us, whittle their numbers!! As Aaron runs around nonstop, Cassie manages to land a few shots on some imps and vampires following. He notices Beryl and calls out to him¡­ Aaron: Beryl!! Let¡¯s do the ¡°Wall¡±!! The hunter nods in agreement. Finished with his group, he rushes towards Aaron, smashing his ingots together again¡­ Once close, Aaron jumps over the hunter, and continues his path¡­Beryl rushes to the horde, and proceeds to smash the ground before him¡­ Beryl: ¡°Shield!!¡± A broad wall of white light forms in front of the hunter. The horde finds no time to react and falls on the wall. The construct fades away¡­Some other dependents chose to attack the open hunter¡­However, Beryl hits his left fist on the ground again, once every bat comes close¡­ Beryl: ¡°Searing Lights!!!¡± Up from the ground, thick pillars of light pierce through the monsters, leaving them on the floor bleeding. Before they even think of regenerating, Beryl disposes of them, tears falling from his eyes¡­ Beryl: (I¡¯m sorry¡­I¡¯m sorry¡­) The violin players gaze in fear¡­ Vampire: An entire squad¡­ Vampire: What are we going to do¡­ Vampire: Send out the rest of the opera¡­ Vampire: But they aren¡¯t ready yet- Vampire: I said now!! We must protect Lady Tragoedia!!! It¡¯s our duty as aristocrats!!! The violins play another aggressive, hasty tune¡­From the upper windows, fly away another horde of bats¡­Beryl watches their arrival, realizing some of them are the residents he was talking to earlier¡­ Beryl: Those bastards¡­They even took the elders¡­ Aaron rests his hand on Beryl¡¯s shoulder¡­ Aaron: Remember Beryl. There¡¯s no going back for them now. Hospice can¡¯t do anything at this stage¡­Let¡¯s at least give them a rightful death¡­ Beryl shakes off his shock¡­The other vampires pull out violins¡­ Vampire: Hear us, oh humans bathed in luxuries!!! This plaza is now rightfully recovered by Lady Tragoedia and her personal opera guard!!! Aaron: Tragoedia? Does it ring any bells to you? Beryl: No¡­but judging from the timeline of events, she must be another aristocrat locked in Salazar, reunited with her cult¡­ Playing their instruments, the horde dives towards the hunters. The melee hunters struggle to fight back, failing to land a hit mid-air, while Cassie¡¯s confusion still prevails¡­ The vampires attack in turns, flapping their wings and using cacophonic music to disorient the hunters with small illusory clones. Kicked around and beaten relentlessly, Beryl punches a vampire that tried to grab Aaron from Cassie, with his right fist ¡­ Beryl: ¡°Flash!!¡± A bright flash, accompanied by a crippling sound, stuns the swarm and allows some time for the group to disengage. The horde flies back up, once again, to regain their perception¡­ Aaron: Ugh¡­We ain¡¯t gonna win like this¡­ Beryl: Cassandra, how¡¯s your eyesight¡­ Cassie: It¡¯s like¡­anytime I try to shoot¡­some feeling of dizziness disrupts my vision¡­and a cold sensation all over my arm, telling me not to shoot¡­ Beryl: Can¡¯t think of any way to cure that. We should have stocked up on meds¡­ Thinking back to Shroud¡¯s speech, Aaron¡¯s mind cooks up a plan¡­ Aaron: Maybe we don¡¯t need meds¡­at least not for this particular problem, weirdo¡¯s head is filled with a lot of nonsense¡­that¡¯s about to save us¡­ Beryl: What do you have in mind?! Aaron: I wanna try something¡­I might be able to wake weirdo up from her troubles¡­ He grabs Cassie¡¯s shoulders, much to her embarrassment¡­ Cassie : Eeh, bossman ? Aaron: Nightingale!! Cassie: Huh?! Beryl: Huh?! Aaron: When I took you in, I thought I¡¯d have the Mistress of the Night to fight alongside me in trials such as this! Where is the nightingale you¡¯re so fond of recounting, time and time again!? Cassie: What are you¡­I don¡¯t know¡­ Beryl: Aaron, what are you¡­ Aaron: Tell me, Mergrove!! Is this how your family¡¯s line ends?! In the Western plaza, under the mercy of some servant vampires??!! Answer me!! Cassie: Aaron, I¡­No, of cour- Aaron: Then show me something better than this sorry excuse of showmanship!! The Huntress under the Moonlight Sky, the Slayer of all Vampires, The Black Warhorse of Landen, Incarnation of Van Helsing, the one and only, Nightingale!!! Cassandra Mergrove!!! Show me Her!! Cassie¡¯s smile starts to grow uncontrollably, her eyes tearing away at the sound of her teammate¡¯s repeated use of her self-appointed honorifics¡­She poses once again¡­ Cassie: I, nightingale, from this point on, shall not fail you anymore!! My bow is now yours to command!!! Assuming the spellcaster won¡¯t use any more tricks¡­ Aaron: That¡¯s why I got a nice failsafe for you¡­And a way for us to take out these fuckers once and for all¡­Beryl, rest here and try to recover¡­ The hunter suddenly picks up Cassie again¡­He runs a few steps away, then stares upon the flying bats, who start to regain their eyesight and hearing¡­ Aaron: Ready, nightingale?! Cassie: While I¡¯m over the moon with you admitting my title, I still don¡¯t understand your plan. My bow could still be under the influence of the spellcaster¡­ Aaron: Well, you almost got one part of it right¡­ you are over the moon¡­ Aaron lifts Cassie and starts spinning her relentlessly around, despite her scared screams pleading for help¡­ Aaron: Now fly, nightingale!!! Soar through the skies and take out our enemies plaguing this plaza!!! Beryl: Huh?! Cassie: Bossman!!!! The boy throws our huntress up, his enhanced strength being enough to send her over the bats¡¯ heads¡­She gazes upon the night sky. Mesmerized, she looks down on the violin opera, who appears ready to attack her as she descends¡­ Cassie: (This plaza¡­denied of so many beautiful moons, by these bloodsucking ruffians¡­Yes, bossman, the nightingale shall exterminate these abominations!!) As Cassie slowly glides thanks to her large cape, she conjures small, sliver arrows¡­Weak to kill, but fast in the air, she quickly draws and shoots at the vampires¡¯ eyes, blinding them enough to send them off their tracks and crashing into walls, rooftops, and windows. Her keen eyesight and huntress instincts make the illusory tricks obsolete. Climbing on top of others by impaling them with the blade edges of her bow, she shoots normal arrows, managing to even kill a few before she is grabbed by Aaron on her fall¡­ Beryl finishes off the rest that crashed¡­One woman remains, trembling on the hunter¡¯s sight¡­ Vampire: Please, understand!! Our lady¡¯s health was at stake!! It¡¯s our noble duty to Beryl: I don¡¯t give two shits about your duties!! Feeding your lady didn¡¯t require killing every resident here and calling this place your own!! The vampire bites her lips¡­ Vampire: Humans like you should have never had gifts such as these to yourselves!! Do you know what your prisoners had to endure just to live!!? Do you know what my Lady had to witness?!! How dare you lecture- Beryl: How dare you lecture me on justice and what¡¯s fair!!? These people fight hard, we fight hard so this place can remain a paradise for the human race!! You belong in Salazar, you belong in Hell because you¡¯ve never been even a spec of kind in your long life!! Beryl prepares to kill her¡­ Vampire: ¡­Lady Tragoedia!!! Please hear me!!! Save me from this brute!! Save me from him, please!!! I don¡¯t want to die!!! Beryl: Like you beasts to beg for mercy¡­ Before Beryl even raises his fist, a sudden feeling of¡­sleepiness, of a coming slumber engulfs him¡­He rests unable to walk forward, only hearing a mellow voice singing him goodnight¡­ Vampire: Hah¡­hahahah¡­my lady¡¯s voice¡­She has managed to entrap you once again!!! Beryl: (What¡­is this¡­) Aaron tries to help, but his head is governed by the same sudden feeling¡­Cassie tries to draw her arrows, but her head is struck by sudden pain instead¡­ Cassie: Shit!! I must have used too many arrows!! Did my regaining control divert the spellcaster¡¯s target to them?! The vampire smiles, and creepingly grabs the violin¡¯s bow, lunging with bare fangs onto Beryl¡­ Vampire: I¡¯ll kill you!! Do you think this paradise belongs to you?!! No human trash should ever have the right to witness a life worthy of a vampire!!! Before she assaults him, a giant axe flies towards her side, crashing her¡­She tries to lift it and kickstart her regenerative factor, but Shroud picks it up and chops whatever remains of her, unfazed by her gasping cries for help¡­ He then walks up to the two hunters, and slaps them awake¡­ Shroud: Ain¡¯t no time for naps!!! Aaron: YOU WERE SLEEPING THE ENTIRE FIGHT!!! 2 hours later, the whole plaza has been canvassed. Scotch and fences surround the area, support soldiers collect blood and remains, and our hunters gather around to discuss the next steps to take¡­ Shroud: So this whole thing was somma¡¯ witch bat¡¯s magic singing?! Beryl: She must have been hiding her voice behind her cult¡¯s violin players. Do we know of any cults following some aristocrat named Tragoedia? Shroud: Tss, none that I know of¡­ Cassie: Didn¡¯t know we had so many aristocrats in Landen¡­ Beryl: Aristocrat sightings are extremely rare in our era. After Dracula¡¯s fall, they slowly started disappearing¡­ Aaron: And why the hell are they starting to group up NOW of all times? Beryl: That Ripper wasn¡¯t just trying to whip up another fright night in Landen¡­He¡¯s searching for something, and he needs the chaos and the brawn to find it¡­ Beryl''s eyes start to weaken. Small tears slowly fall from his chestnut eyes and down his cheek. His tired, weary arms are shaking, no matter how he¡¯s clenching them, visibly holding his feelings on a leash¡­ Beryl: And because of that¡­And because of me¡­ all of them had to die¡­ Aaron looks around. The plaza he once regarded as a jewel, is now the gravesite for its poor residents. Through the cracks in the floor, the blood sprayed on the walls, now covering the beautiful moss decorations, Aaron hears and sees the smiles of children and laughs of the denizens, slaughtered over the vampire¡¯s jealousy and complex¡­ Cassandra firmly grabs the sulking army hunter¡¯s delts, and looks into his teary eyes with determination¡­ Cassie: No one¡¯s to blame for this, Beryl!! Especially you!! You were the first to figure out what was happening with the plaza!! It was thanks to you we managed to take revenge for the poor victims of this place!! Beryl: But, we couldn¡¯t save anyone¡­And that is- Cassie: Sad, yes!! I can¡¯t say, I¡¯m also devastated by this night¡¯s results!! But, had we not slayed these bats tonight, had we not found out their nest, they would¡¯ve kept on torturing and squatting on the prize jewel of Landen¡­ Beryl: It¡¯s just a plaza¡­ Cassie: Not the plaza, Beryl!! The poor residents. The ones that had to suffer through torture and witchcraft to sate the vampire¡¯s needs!!!The ones the bats tortured because they were living the lives we all hope to have!! The lives we deserve to have!!! We might not have saved their bodies, but at least their souls are in peace now¡­ Beryl¡¯s tears stop¡­A soldier calls out to them from afar, approaching with a group of kids in tattered clothes and bruises¡­ Soldier: Sir Shroud!!! We found these kiddos hiding out in the brewery¡¯s cellar!! No bites, no weird traps!! Seems like the residents hid them before the bats turned them into slaves¡­ The kid¡¯s eyes and Beryl¡¯s meet. Through their beaten bodies, they gasp in excitement and relief, and rush to the man¡¯s open arms, crying his name in chaos¡­ Cassie: Guess we saved someone today too, huh¡­ Aaron: So, wait, Shroud was so blackout drunk, that he didn¡¯t notice a bunch of kids hiding out in the brewery with him? Shroud: They must¡¯ve been the ones that woke me up¡­bet they were¡¯ too scared ta¡¯ talk ta¡¯ me, or else one of dem¡¯ bats could¡¯ve found dem¡¯ out¡­ He looks around on the rooftops¡­ Shroud: Still, tha¡¯ question remains¡­Who¡¯s the noble crap that got out of our palms dis¡¯ time? Cassie: Let us keep ¡°Tragoedia¡± and her ability to mind control people through her voice. Aaron: If Danno¡¯s an example, that must have been her Virtue¡­We should look out for any other aristocrats popping around¡­ Shroud: Well, that¡¯s fer¡¯ tomorrow to think over! You kids did well today, go and rest, we called over a carriage to take ya¡¯ home. I¡¯ll stay with Beryl, help him pick up the mess¡­ The youngsters leave their seniors. Beryl thanks them for their help, and salutes them with his signature army salute, showing the duo he¡¯s not done yet¡­ Aaron: God that guy¡­He¡¯s always the same tough nut¡­ Cassie: You too, bossman!! I see from where you get it! Aaron: Huh? Cassie: In the sewers, when we were chasing Danno¡­ I could see you were worried for your crew¡­but you kept your cool, and didn¡¯t let that stop you or hold you back¡­ Aaron: Ts¡­I was only worried because they could have gotten lost or something¡­ Cassie: Nevertheless, I see his influence in you¡­and Lady Willheart¡¯s!! You really are her son!! Aaron: Huh¡­thanks¡­ Cassie: Of course, your decrepit work ethic and unnecessary sarcasm are far from what these individuals seem to portray, I have no idea where that popped up from. Aaron: You damn- Cassie: But, to the matter at hand¡­Something of great importance has popped into my mind, bossman¡­ The young man¡¯s eyes meet with Cassandra¡¯s. She ducks and grabs ahold of his tired hands, gripping them firmly, and staring into his silver eyes¡­ Cassie: You have finally acknowledged me as the nightingale!!!! Does this mean I have officially gained your approval to join your team!!? Aaron: Huh?! That was just to wake you up from the spell!!! Don¡¯t go all weirdo on- Cassie: But you said it yourself!!! (Poses inside the carriage, shaking the box) ¡°Then show me something better than this sorry excuse of showmanship!! The Huntress under the Moonlight Sky, the Slayer of all Vampires, The Black Warhorse of Landen, Incarnation of Van Helsing, the one and only, Nightingale!!! Cassandra Mergrove!!! Show me Her!!¡± That was you!!! You are finally acknowledging the Nightingale!!! Let us celebrate!!! Aaron: SIT DOWN, YOU¡¯LL KNOCK OVER THE CARRIAGE!!! DON¡¯T GO OUT THE DAMN WINDOW!!!! The carriage drifts away as Cassandra screams her titles out the window, while her bossman desperately tries to pull her inside¡­ From a random rooftop, a figure looks at the bloodied plaza. A female, red-haired vampire, wearing a long, white, nightgown and a golden dance ball eye mask, holds her hands together as if she was praying¡­ Vampire: My dear guard¡­I beg for your forgiveness¡­Thy sacrifices shan¡¯t be in vain¡­But our treasure was not here¡­ She departs, spreading her wings and making sure she flies away from the hunter¡¯s watchful sights¡­ Tragoedia: I wonder if the rest have found what Lord Ripper is searching for¡­I hope brother is faring well too¡­ Chapter 13 : Shaka and Finn The eastern district is considered the city¡¯s soul. Every lantern, every pipe, every alarm, every technological advancement the city thrives through, the east is its birthplace, through the efforts of hard-working citizens. A marvel to gloat at, a scenery to be lost in Lau: A disgusting, smelly, steam hole!!! Even the mustache guy¡¯s factory had some style!!! Suiga: You already omitted his name¡­ To two noble scions from the most pristine hunter families, a worker¡¯s quarter would be far from a dream destination. To Lau, the steam bursting from the pipes, the sight of sweaty workers smitting away at meta, and the wrenching sound of grinders at work, is enough to have her throwing fits¡­ Lau: I, a Lecourt, the scion of the esteemed hunter family, is forced to stroll through this backwater poor man¡¯s- Suiga: I beg you, please don¡¯t finish the sentence. Lau: Shut it, topknot!! The brute and the crazy lady have the time of their lives in Landen¡¯s jewel, and I must suffer through this steam hell with you!! Suiga: Was that an insult, shrimp?! I couldn¡¯t hear you grouching from all the way down there!! They bicker and bicker. Suddenly, they both feel a quick, flow of air graze them. Hair starts falling out from both hunter¡¯s heads¡­ Luca: Keep bickering and the workers won¡¯t need any new coal for firestarters¡­ They tremble at the hunter¡¯s threat¡­ Lau: Such speed¡­when did he even¡­ Suiga: Draw his sword, was that Iaijutsu? Or is he just moving at the speed of light, and we can¡¯t perceive it? Luca stops walking, and turns around to look at the bickering duo¡­ Suiga: Have we arrived yet? Luca: Pretty much¡­ Our group stands in front of a factory. More steam, smoke, and grinding sounds come out of the bronze industrial complex out of every structure in the district. The steel fence gates retract like the ones in Wutsworth¡¯s as if they were awaiting the new arrivals. Luca: Finn and Shaka must know we are here. So let me explain how this is gonna play out. They walk inside the factory. Instead of a large complex of warehouses, the group travels through a maze of pipes, compressors, hydraulic machinery, and electrical wires attached in a spacious oval corridor¡­ Suiga: The train factory was nothing like this¡­ What is this place? Luca: Landen¡¯s main power source. Pretty much everything you use finds its power here. Lau: So, these guys here are to blame for my mirror lanterns flickering? Suiga: I would say the excessive number of lanterns you use is at fault. I can¡¯t see why this would be a good training ground though. Luca: Trust me, after this, you¡¯ll be begging to train here¡­Aah, your teachers are here!! From the other end of the corridor, Finn and Shaka approach the group. Two opposites. The well-dressed, groomed, stylish, and official Shaka, walked through the workers, shoulders back, chest forward, whistling and waving around the factory. His bright, emerald eyes compliment his dark skin and brown-orange dreads¡­ Next to him, was the sluggish, sleepy, and jittery Finn. Slouched back, hands in pockets, wearing a set of pale blue pyjama-like clothes, he tries to avoid any contact with the rest of his environment, shying away from any attempts at waving. Black circles hang from his blue eyes. The extreme opposite of his partner¡­. Luca: Always on time, you two! Shaka: Your student wanted to sleep a few extra hours. Finn: We¡¯ve been working non-stop; I think extra sleeping is expected¡­ Luca: Well, now you are here! I want you to meet the rookies we¡¯ll be looking out for, Miss Lau Lecourt and Mister Akira Suiga. Shaka takes a glance at the Assian Prince, amazed by his attire and natural posture¡­ Shaka: It is my pleasure to meet two scions of the top hunter families in our generation. I¡¯ve been an avid follower of Akira Hanshiro¡¯s feats, my lord. Suiga: Oh, no need for honorifics!! In the Hunt, I¡¯m your junior, so if anything, I¡¯m just Suiga here! Uuum, the pleasure is also mine-and-and- Lau: Good Lord, you are a clutz at this! You embarrass me!! Finn observes the young Lecourt chastising the Assian prince¡­ Finn: Excuse me¡­You are the Lecourt princess, right? Lau: Alas, another man falls for the Pirouettan beauty that is, of course, myself. You are permitted to serve, gloat, and- Finn: Ugh, actually, I¡¯m Finn Balecq. Of branch house Balecq. I¡¯m half Landenian, half-Pirouettan, and I follow your uncle, David. Lau: Wait-uncle David? Finn: Yeah. He and your dad told me to look out for you in case you¡­god how did he tell it¡­aah ¡°make a scene and be an encumberment to everything around her¡±. Lau blushes from embarrassment and anger¡­ Suiga: Good Lord, she sure does embarrass me!! Lau: Shut up!! And what does ¡°be an encumberment¡± even mean?! If anything, the encumberment stands next to me wearing a bathrobe!! Suiga: Be careful Lecourt, I just got a new katana today and I haven¡¯t tested it out yet¡­ Luca: And now that introductions have been made, who¡¯ll announce today¡¯s mission? Finn: Shaka¡­? Shaka: Ts ts ts¡­Today we are hunting bats. Lau: Newsflash. Shaka: Not exactly. Here, we know where the bats are. Suiga: You have already found the targets? Shaka: More like they found us¡­A few days ago, some bats for Salazar found their way inside the factory. They squatted in one of the power rooms and turned it into their nest. About 15 workers were turned, and the other 20 who were inside were eaten. Suiga: That¡¯s horrible¡­ Lau: Wutsworth all over again¡­ Finn: The smell of guts still churns my stomach¡­ Shaka: We¡¯ve been holding them back since yesterday, but weirdly¡­we can¡¯t push past¡¯em¡­ Suiga: Why weirdly? Finn: We get violently slashed by gusts of wind coming out of nowhere. Suiga and Lau: Huh? Maybe it¡¯s senior Lu- Luca: Let¡¯s have them see for themselves, shall we?! The group marches towards the branch power room. Separated from the rest of the factory by only a steel arch with the words ¡°Power Room 4¡± engraved on it. Dimly lit and spacious, it is filled with large mechanical pillars, pumping machinery, and large cables on the ground allowing electricity to course through the building and out to the city¡­ Luca: Here, I¡¯ll enter. The senior passes through. Anxiously, everyone awaits the strange phenomenon, while preparing to intervene in case the situation turns ugly. A long cut appears on the hunter¡¯s cheek. Quickly, he¡¯s swallowed by a flurry of whirlwinds, playfully cutting through his clothes and skin. He disengages before he bleeds to death¡­ Luca: Huh, that was fun. Suiga: Are you alright?! Shaka: Captain¡¯s tougher than that. But yeah, walking in this room is quite the bitch. Finn: The bats can pass through just fine, so we are stuck in the hallway trying to block off their advances. Suiga thinks. Analyzing the slashing effect in his thoughts, he looks over to Lau¡­ Suiga: Lecourt¡­ Lau: Huh? Suiga: What if you use that wind wall with your rapier to pass through? Lau: The Wind Parry isn¡¯t some wind wall! It¡¯s a delicate, intricate technique requiring concentration, strength, and precision. Reducing such a complex technique to a wind wall would be Finn: I think I remember your father crying about it. ¡°How come my daughter can¡¯t make the winds turn around after 2 weeks?¡± ¡®It¡¯s too easy!!¡¯. The samurai smugly looks at her, trying to hide her embarrassment¡­ Lau:¡­Even if I cast it, how could I cover everyone? I¡¯m not that strong! Suiga: A pity to the Lecourt line¡­ Luca: Fascinating. This will be your training then!! Lau: Huh? Luca: Pass everyone over the first pillar. The whirlwinds stop there, anyway. Lau: How could my mind suffer through that? Finn: Excessive armament use does lead to evolution in Lau: SHUT UP!!! Shaka: Great. But what will Suiga do as training? Luca: I¡¯ll let you decide that, Shaka. Anyways, I¡¯ll stay behind in case things go sideways, to protect the workers. Shaka: You¡¯re just trying to avoid work are- The senior dashes away, disengaging from the conversation. Shaka: Of course. So, Lau, ready?! Lau: Well, I¡¯m carrying three people through some slasher ghost scenario, so I must be. Suiga: Silence Lecourt. The very name of your lineage, your family, and your entire dignity are hanging in the balance. A single cut on me, Finn, or Shaka, and word to your father goes about how 5 years of training still aren¡¯t enough to compliment your failing- Lau: I SEE THE SMILE, STOP ENJOYING THIS!!! The group hurdles. Lau casts her Winds. She chants the Wind Parry, and engulfs the quartet in a spinning wall of wind¡­ Pacing through the room to the first pillar, the slashing flurry starts. Sounds of small blades clashing with the rampant winds tear through their ears. Nonetheless, they carry on¡­ Suiga: Uh, Finn? Shaka?? Finn: Shaka, answer! Shaka: Huh? Suiga: How come the workers were so unbothered by the whole ordeal? Aren¡¯t they afraid?! Shaka: Oh, they¡¯re scared shitless! They were ready to close the factory down when we first arrived!! Suiga: What changed their minds?! Shaka: Me and Finn! We promised them no one would pass through the arch as long as we were there. Yesterday, they tried to riot through the room, but we cut down their numbers!!! Finn: It was an exhausting ordeal indeed¡­ Suiga: Huh¡­Wish we could have done the same for the families in Wutsworth¡¯s factory¡­. Lau overhears her fellow hunter¡¯s comment, sulking equally at their failure¡­ Shaka: I heard what happened. Avenging them was the best you could do. Don¡¯t beat yourselves up. Hell, can¡¯t count how many times me and Finn have sulked over victims¡¯ deaths!! Finn: Feels a little weird using human deaths as a motivational tool¡­ Shaka: The point is, we know how that feels! But we can¡¯t let that drag us down on this mission!! Lau¡¯s wall starts falling apart. She struggles with the mental exhaustion and the overgrowing number of slashes¡­Shaka notices a larger attack winding up in the front¡­ Shaka: Finn! Finn: Empower!!! The sleepy hunter raised his palm and pointed towards the Lecourt. Glowing with the Lord¡¯s light for a brief moment, the wind wall grows once again and flawlessly parries the attack. Shaka: We have to keep our wits sharp, if we wanna prevent any more of these happening again! The group makes it past the first pillar, and the attacks stop¡­ Suiga: Amazing coordination!! Finn: That was stressful¡­ Suiga: How did you manage to foresee that slash? Finn: Shaka¡¯s armament¡­has some foresight crap¡­I don¡¯t get it¡­Hah¡­ The Lecourt¡¯s blessing dissipates. Shaka helps her up¡­ Shaka: You did well, kid. Lau: I¡¯m never covering for any of you again. Finn: What if we happen to stand behind you during the Lau: NEVER AGAIN!!! Suiga: And that incantation. It¡¯s much stronger than when we use it. Shaka: That¡¯s Finn¡¯s armament. Plus, he¡¯s an expert in incantations. Lau: Like Uncle David¡­ Screeching and wings flapping are heard throughout the spacious power room. The vampires must be having a feast, confident of their stalwart defense. The hunters approach the nest by crouching, to not alert the bats. With Finn casting the ¡°Silence¡± chant, their presence is blocked by the vampiric echolocation. In front of them, the main power source, a large construction of pumping machinery and electric circuits. The machine, now dead, serves as an entertainment unit and mess hall for the vampire squatters. Blood spilled everywhere. Gore hanging from the inactive pumps, human remains either left mangled on the ground or used as decoration for the gruesome scenery. Some dependents are humiliated by the vampires, who are drunk on blood and filled with flesh. On the left, a group of victims is forced to dance with the remaining skeletons. The bats throw mangled flesh at them, booing for better performance. On the right, dependents fight each other ruthlessly. The vampires bet on them, promising false hopes of better treatment, such as frequent feeding, or less abuse. Both groups have one thing similar. The dependents suffer through all the torture with a large smile on their face. As if it¡¯s their life purpose to fulfill their captor¡¯s sadistic desires, in false promises of blood and acknowledgment. ¡°For you, master!!¡±. ¡°I dedicate this dance to you, beloved!!¡±. The bats mercilessly laugh with their cries¡­ From the hunter group, the two rookies grip their swords with anger¡­ Finn: This is worse than I thought¡­ Shaka: This is weird¡­ Lau: What are you two talking about?! Let¡¯s go and end the torture!! Shaka: Something doesn¡¯t sit right. Look at them, they¡¯re drunk as hell. Lau: Seems like an advantageous situation to me! Shaka: Yeah, but that whirlwind. Who¡¯s behind it? I haven¡¯t seen a spell like it. And there ain¡¯t no way one of those drunk fucks is casting it¡­ Suiga: A great observation. The culprit could be waiting in the shadows to backstab us¡­ Lau: And what does that mean!? Are we just gonna let them toy around with their servants?! Shaka: Of course not, Lecourt. But if we dive in like that, we just asking to get killed. Finn: You got any plans, Shaka? Shaka: Hmm¡­ He looks over the samurai, focusing on his newly healed hand¡­ Shaka: Suiga¡­ Suiga: Yes? Shaka: That¡¯s a nice sword ya got there! Suiga: Oh! This? It¡¯s just a polished katana¡­ Shaka: I¡¯m not talking about that toothpick¡­ Lau:¡­No, NO! Finn: I forgot, we have the blight guy with us¡­ The samurai discreetly takes note of his comrades¡¯ fears regarding the black blade¡­ Suiga: Uh, Shaka, I don¡¯t think that¡¯s a good idea¡­ Shaka: Let me tell you something about good ideas¡­ The senior reaches close to Suiga. Swiftly disarming him of his ¡°toothpick¡±, he then pushes the poor boy in front of the drunken nest¡­ Shaka: Every idea¡¯s good as long as you can make it work!!! If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it. Lau: He¡¯ll run amok again!! Are you serious!!? Shaka: Don¡¯t worry, we got a contingency plan! Finn? Finn: Ugh, yes¡­ The vampires screech and laugh like hyenas, turning around the alarmed hunter¡­ Vampire: Shit, I didn¡¯t know the workers started delivering new toys!! Vampire: I was getting bored anyway¡­Wait, zat a hunter?!! Vampire: Nah, who¡¯s hunting with that getup? Wher¡¯s bosz anyway?! Vampire: I got no idea!! But screw ¡®im for leafing like zat!!! Suiga: Ugh, compared to the stench and language, the sword sounds better now¡­ He stares at his trembling right hand. Clenching it, he steels his resolve¡­ Suiga: If I don¡¯t use it again, the workers in the rest of the factory are next in line for this charade¡­I made a promise, I would stop avoiding this nightmare¡­ The vampires jump on the hunter. He casts out the blazing blade, and swipes them away from him, leaving them with burning wounds that only serve as food for his blade¡¯s power¡­ Suiga: For my team, for this factory¡­I¡¯ll shoulder this once again¡­ The others break the Silence chant. Shaka calls out his armament. Praying to the Lord, a thick, silver mask resembling a stone statue forms on his face¡­ Shaka: Grace me with the Mad Tactician¡¯s insight, show me the path to victory against the vampiric nightmare¡­Mask of Doku!!! Finn only prepares the stack of silver cards he normally uses. On Lau¡¯s further inspection, the cards are regular, but heavily protected with a sharp silver casing¡­ Lau: That¡¯s your weapon?! Cards!? Finn: Nope. But it¡¯s easier to carry than swords and spears¡­ The two rush into battle to help their comrade. Shaka deploys the rookies onto the dancing group, while he and Finn take on the fight pit. Shaka¡¯s vision through the mask is changed¡­ He views everything in dark figures, with white outlines to separate the environment from the object or body. Three bats take no second to even imagine how someone would watch from such a thick-face ornament and decide to use it to their advantage. They fly and silently try to attack from Shaka¡¯s behind. To his plain of sight, two bright flashes appear on the edges of his peripheral vision. He turns around and backsteps in a swift manner, avoiding the sneak attack. Regaining the advantage, he misses no chance and takes out his long spear, rampaging the assailants in a coordinated flurry of stabs and slashes with the tip of his blade. Facing the other two, they approach him. They try to attack him, withholding to gain the element of surprise. Unbeknownst to them, in Shaka¡¯s eyes, the figures representing them sprout glowing, light lines that lead to Shaka. Reading the trajectory, he dashes through the attacks and slashes the vampires with his spear¡¯s edge¡­ Two other beasts attack the caster. Finn performs an intricate hand sign. He chants ¡°Shield¡± ¡­ Vampire: He¡¯s raising that light wall!! Get around him!! The bats see through his trick. Knowing the Shield chant is a straight-up light wall, they fly around the hunter, and hastily dash to attack him from the sides before he reacts¡­ To their surprise, the hunter not only survives the hits, but the attacks trigger a glowing effect on his body, leaving him still and standing from what would be two devastating blows for any defenseless hunter¡­ Finn pulls two cards and throws them to his shocked foes¡¯ eyes. Blinding them for a few seconds before their wounds regenerate, he backsteps and performs another hand sign, then raises his palms towards the bats¡­ Finn: ¡°Blow¡± From his palms eject two strong airwaves, similar to the one Beryl used, and blow away the vampires before they react. Shaka quickly disposes of the prone opponents and Finn moves towards him to aid with the rest of the group. The vampires in the fighting group seem to be more capable in a brawl. Even Suiga¡¯s berserker flames aren¡¯t an advantage against them. His brutal swings are dangerous, but the bats manage to see through his crude fighting style. Disregarding his misgivings, he continues, forcing Lau to stand beside him and guard his openings from every attempt at a sneak attack¡­ Lau: Topknot, get a grip already!!! Suiga: I¡¯m trying, Lecourt, it ain¡¯t easy!! After Lau manages to trick a bat into attacking an opening, she relentlessly stabs her, taking her out. Suiga keeps attacking at his whim, influenced by the enhanced blight¡¯s negative essence. Suiga: (I can¡¯t control it¡­It drives me to go¡­And the blade¡¯s too heavy¡­it¡¯s like a rabid wolf stuck to the edge, barking and biting¡­) Drawn back to a pillar, without Lau by his side, he struggles to keep his guard up with the rabid sword, and three vampires prepare to jump him, waiting for a chance where his weapon will fail him. An impatient one though, brushes them off and lashes out at the samurai¡­ Finn: ¡°Purify!!¡± An essence of holy light engulfs the sword, calming the flames and returning the blade to its normal state. Suiga is surprised but doesn¡¯t waste a minute. Noticing the blight backing off his conscience, he waits for the bat to approach by faking to fall¡­ Once the vampire comes to his proximity, he slashes upwards, giving the monster a large burning scar. He kicks him back to regain his ground. The bats strike him one by one, attempting to somehow overpower him. But with Suiga¡¯s consciousness to some level of stability, he easily slashes through them and moves to Lau, stabbing a vampire she was dueling with. Lau: What¡¯s up with you?! Suiga: Sir Finn did something. The blade still screams like a maniac, but I could control it for a moment there¡­ Lau: Well, until you start rampaging again, let¡¯s take them out!!! Hurry up!! Suiga: Don¡¯t order me around shrimp!!! And these guys are tougher than it seems¡­ Lau: I don¡¯t want to admit it, but they know their stuff. Who taught them to fight like that¡­ Suiga: None of our concerns. What if we tried that thing you did before? You¡¯ll draw them in, I¡¯ll finish them with the blade! Lau: Like I¡¯ll let you take all the glory for killing the group!! I¡¯m not like a sleepy head there!! Suiga: I wish you were like sleepy head over there!!! Without realizing it, the vampires rush at them with flurries of blows. Incapable of defending, even with Lau¡¯s dextrous parrying, they receive an awful beat down that pushes them to a nearby pillar, struggling to get up¡­ The vampires gather around, drunk and laughing, cracking their fists and gritting their fangs¡­ Lau: Damn it, topknot. Where¡¯s that sword of yours now!? Suiga: Oh, now you want me to go insane!? A small spear flies to a vampire¡¯s head. Unable to pierce through, the bat pulls it out of its skull. Looking at it, it sees an incantation glowing¡­ Finn: ¡°Silence¡± A simple blast of light shocks the five bats. They soon realize they can¡¯t hear anything. A flurry of cards flies toward them, striking their throats, chests, and anything they can land on. The shocked vampires can¡¯t find where they are coming from, and their echolocation is rendered moot. Suiga helps Lau up and they try to sneak away, but the vampires grab them and shout out loud that they will kill them if the other two hunters don¡¯t show up¡­ Shaka appears from a pillar. He signs to the bats to initiate a fight with him, after they let the kids go¡­ Vampire: Like I¡¯ll let them run around!! I¡¯ll fight, you guys hold¡¯em tight!!! The vampire challenger, a tough-looking, tall, bald individual wearing tattered worker clothes, approaches the hunter. Vampire: I might not be able to hear, but I can still see you good enough to pound you, hunter!! Shaka: Courtesy of Hanshiro, bat. Shaka takes out two smoke pellets. Having stolen them from Suiga when he threw him to the nest, he lunges towards the bat and smashes them to the ground. Now both blind and deaf, the vampire angrily lashes around, hitting air since Shaka sees through every movement he makes with his mask, stabbing him with every dodge he successfully pulls off¡­ Two of the other vampires move forward, using their wings to blow away the smoke¡­ The fight now returns to equal footing¡­ But as the other bats join the fight, Finn sneaks up to the last two opponents and slices their hamstrings with his cards. Swiftly, he grabs their heads¡­ Finn: ¡°Disintegrate!!¡± Like Beryl¡¯s knuckles, a veil of light runs through the bats, burning them as if they were standing in sunlight¡­ The rookies break free and slash the vampires to death, while Finn kneels to his fatigue¡­ Suiga: Finn, don¡¯t overdo it!! Finn: I¡¯m¡­fine. Don¡¯t worry. Help Shaka¡­ The hunter fairs well when it comes to dodging his foes¡¯ assaults. He rather struggles to lay a hit, since one bat covers for the other. That ends when the rookies sneak up and kill two of the vampires. Shaka grabs his spear and ruthlessly attacks the last vampire standing, staggering him in a series of blows¡­ Shaka: Keep him alive! His boss is still somewhere around here!!! Lau: How¡¯s that possible? He¡¯ll heal up and attack us again!! The vampire¡¯s regeneration hits up quickly¡­ Again preparing for a clash, Suiga¡¯s mind flashes with an idea¡­ Suiga: (I shouldn¡¯t do this¡­) Shrimp!! Trust me!! Follow my plan!! Lau: Ts, fine!! She draws the bat in a duel with her¡­ Shaka covers for her weak spots, stabbing the vampire from the sides whenever it tries to grapple the huntress¡­ Suiga makes a sheathing movement. The cinders in the blade start to grow ablaze once again¡­ Finn: ¡°Puri- Suiga: Sir Finn! I got this !! Shaka: Let¡¯s trust him, buddy!! The caster stands down. Lau draws him in, and Suiga takes her place in a last-minute switch. He swipes his sword but to everyone¡¯s surprise, the blade has disappeared¡­ Vampire: Heh, ehehahahahaahahh!!!! You dumbass, run out of fuel!??? The vampire tries to strike the hunter¡­ Suiga: ¡°Arson Rampage¡± As if Suiga had stopped time his, a dozen flaming slashes violently rain down on the vampire¡¯s torso and face, opening wounds to his body and burning him relentlessly¡­ After a brief stagger, he floats away, trying to regenerate¡­ Lau: He¡¯s leaving!! Suiga: Like hell, I¡¯d let ¡®im!!! Suiga raises his sword¡¯s hilt. The bat¡¯s wounds burst in violent flames once again, writhing in pain and falling down¡­ Suiga; I got this idea from my comrade, Url. Lau: Figures, only the doc could have cooked this tactic up¡­ Shaka: Seems like he¡¯ll stick to one place. Finn! The caster rejoins them¡­ Shaka: Purify him if the blade starts going awry on him¡­ They approach the vampire, who desperately tries to wash off the flames with blood and other fluids spilled on the ground¡­ Shaka: I¡¯ll make this short. Tell us where your boss is. Vampire: Screw you, silverass!!! Suiga strengthens the flames once more¡­ Vampire: You fucking blight user!!! Ya¡¯ feel big now!!? Lau looks over to the focused samurai, who tries to hold his thoughts together¡­ Shaka: Tell us where he went, and maybe we won¡¯t let you burn slowly to death¡­ Vampire: The hell ya¡¯ askin¡¯ me for?! Didn¡¯t ya see him when ya came in?! Aaah!! Suiga keeps burning the bat, turning more and more aggressive¡­ Lau: Samur- Suiga: Listen here, asshole! We ain¡¯t got all day to listen to you lying and stalling!! Start talking, or I¡¯ll make sure the flames scorch you up from the inside and out!! The more aggressive Suiga turns, the more the burning wounds on the bat grow and bring him closer to death. Each look in the other¡¯s eyes, the samurai gazing towards his hellish, flaming self inside the vampire¡¯s crimson eyes. The vampires sees that exact self in front of him, ready to engulf him in Hell¡¯s flames¡­ Suiga: You tortured the workers enough!! Now ta- Finn: ¡°Purify¡± Once again, the glowing spell calms down the blade, making the flames dissipate¡­Finn collapses, but is picked up by Lau¡­ Shaka: Nice one, buddy! Suiga: (Damn it!! I let myself go again!!) The hunter kills the vampire before his regeneration kicks in¡­ Finn: Shaka¡­ Shaka: What? Finn: The boss¡­what if we already met him¡­ at the entrance¡­ Shaka: The whirlwind¡­No that¡¯s impossible¡­ Suiga: No¡­that last attack. The one sir Finn helped to block! It seemed like it was planned! Lau: So you are saying the guy could just be waiting like a hawk to kill us when we are at our low?! Shaka: No¡­something worse. We just left Luca and the factory alone and defenseless. We need to hurry back!! The team departs. Shaka grabs Suiga¡¯s shoulder¡­ Shaka: Keep it up, mate. Remember, don¡¯t let one event determine the rest¡­ Reassured, the samurai charges forward¡­ Back at the gate, they notice people are missing¡­ Lau: No whirlwinds, no people¡­this is a much sad sign¡­ Finn: Don¡¯t tell me it got to them¡­ Shaka: Calm down. Luca¡¯s there, he must have found him before us. Despite their high hopes, the more they pass through the corridors and into the grand entrance hall, the more corpses they find. Slashed, opened up, and cut from limb to limb in a horrid fashion, the hunters rest shocked¡­Before them, rests a bloody scenery, rivaling both the nests of Danno and Wutsworth¡­ Finn: ¡­ Suiga: That monster. Shaka: ¡­ Lau: It¡¯s like Wutsworth all over again¡­ How did that creep¡­ Shaka: He was the whirlwind. That wasn¡¯t spellcraft. He was flying around the room, attacking everything he could find¡­ Suiga: At that speed? If he¡¯s that fast, even sir Luca-Where is he?... Gusts of wind pass through the hunters, leaving them with cuts on their faces¡­ Behind them, a vampire floats and lands on the inside of the power room. A tall vampire, skin paler than his kin, black spiky hair, dark paint around his eyes, lips blacker than night, wearing a tight black leather outfit¡­The only thing that¡¯s not dark is his grey stone chain around his neck, and his crimson eyes, staring right towards the vampire hunters with excitement¡­ Vampire: Oh, I was wondering when you guys would show up¡­ The hunters stay speechless¡­. Vampire: Cat ate your tongue or something?! Again speechless¡­ Vampire: Maybe I should try introducing myself. That bowl-cut freak said so too¡­ He dramatically bows to the group¡­ Edward: Scissors Edward, my friends. But you can call me Edward! Not that you¡¯ll need to, anyway, corpses don¡¯t talk¡­at least the ones I leave around¡­ Suiga: (That speed. Even the Lecourt with her rapier can¡¯t surpass this¡­) Shaka: You fuckass. What the hell¡¯s your problem!!? Edward:¡­I fail to see through your phrase¡­ Finn: What did those poor workers do to deserve this!!? The vampire scratches his head, pondering at the impromptu interrogation¡­ Edward: Hmm¡­I don¡¯t know. Lau: Doesn¡¯t surprise me¡­ Edward: Honestly, it¡¯s been a while since I could cut through something that wasn¡¯t a guard. When Jackie blew a hole in Salazar, he didn¡¯t tell me where to go, so I flew and flew until I crashed through the windows in here¡­ Suiga: (He knows the Ripper? How old are these guys?) Edward: I wanted to get out and go find him, but¡­ come on, it¡¯s been so long, I was cooped up in that stone shack, getting beaten up by livestock!! I wanted a change. I wanted to cut people up¡­ Suiga: And innocent workers were the first thing in your mind¡­ Edward: Exactly!! See, you get it!! I found the others had shacked up already, so after a few talks, and a few beatdowns, they decided to make me their boss!!! Lau: He kicked around those bats by himself!!? Edward: Stuff was getting pretty fired up until you two came along with that bowl cut. Had to find a way to get to Jackie, so I waited and lured you in. Worked wonders until I found a bowl cut waiting for me at the door¡­ Suiga: Luca must be alive then. He seemed to be in a rush when he got here¡­ Edward: Anyways, I need to hide out again before that fuck catches up to me. For a skinny folk, he sure is slow¡­ Shaka: Finn¡­ Finn: Got it¡­ Both hunters stare angrily at the vampire. Finn chants ¡°Empower¡± in Shaka¡¯s spear. The latter engages him in a duel. Weirdly, his mask shows no signs of assault patterns. The figure representing the monster stands still¡­ Shaka: Guess I¡¯ll just stab you full of holes!! Attacking the bat, it spreads its wings. Four thin, long wings, flapping at high speeds, make the vampire float. He speedily dodges the strike, and stands behind the hunter¡­ Edward: That won¡¯t work¡­ He attacks again, failing¡­ Edward: Neither that will¡­ Again and again, he strikes him and fails to deliver a real hit. The enchantment falters¡­ Edward: Let me show you how a real hit should be done¡­ The vampire raises his open palms. Growing from the edges of his fingers are small, iron blades. He clanks them together, making creepy, metallic sounds¡­ Edward: Here I come¡­ Blinking forward, he slices through the hunter, who only notices a bright flash. Finn casts Shield just in time to spare him some of the damage he could have been dealt¡­ Edward: Oh¡­that doesn¡¯t seem to be fair. He dashes to the frail hunter. Still, down from the mental drawback of incantations, he fearfully blocks and hopes for the best¡­ Lau casts her Winds and performs her Wind Parry just in time to save Finn. However, both moves seem too strong, and the clash blows both parties back. Edward quickly stands back up floating, and tries to attack the downed Lau¡­ Edward: Now that¡¯s something worth cutting up!!! Get up girlie!! Lau stares down the danger coming at her at full speed. She prepares to parry again, knowing her technique won¡¯t be enough to block him¡­ Suiga throws him off track before he reaches Lau. Edward uses his blade edges to grab the sword, but the flames are enough to render the idea moot¡­ Edward: Blight?! Seriously, what¡¯s wrong with you?! Suiga: After that scenery, I could ask you the same thing!! Shaka joins the frame. Tired, wounded, and anxious, they struggle on and try to keep up with the energetic Edward, who playfully runs circles around them, cutting them from head to toe¡­ Edward: Come on!! Don¡¯t tell me those guys tired you out!!! I want to cut you at your best!! Show me a good fight!! Suiga drags his heavy sword and parries the beast, staggering him¡­ Suiga : ¡°Arson Rampage¡± Once again, he tries to assault the vampire with that spell. However, Edward notices the lapse in time behind the surprise slashes and dodges the attack. He appears behind the hunter, kicks a tired Shaka away, and prepares to rain havoc behind Suiga¡¯s back¡­ Edward: That¡¯s more like it!!! Before he starts, his ears pick something up. A rushing figure ready to strike. He floats away before Luca swipes him down with his swords¡­ Edward: You just had to ruin my fun!!! Luca: You find it fun picking on weakened prey? Edward: I asked them to put up a fight!!! It¡¯s not my fault!!! Shaka: Luca!!! Edward notices Suiga¡¯s flames growing, Shaka regaining focus, Lau and Finn approaching¡­ Edward: That¡¯s not fair¡­ He dashes through the crowd and tries to attack Lau once again. She successfully parries his strike, engaging in a fast exchange of strikes with her, raising dust all over the place¡­ Edward: At least I¡¯ll cut you up before I leave, strong girlie!!! Lau: Bold words for a creep with bad makeup!! Edward strikes faster, rendering Lau on the defensive. He takes the chance and tries to land a strong strike while he grabs her rapier¡­ Suiga, Luca, and Shaka, all block him from attacking. Luca charges in and tries to take the bat¡¯s head in one strike, but the latter flees immediately¡­ Shaka: Get back here you coward!!! Edward: I would love to. But Jackie¡¯ll get mad if I drag this on and don¡¯t find him. He points out the two rookies¡­ Edward: Blazes was weak now, I¡¯ll get him when he¡¯s all hot and bothered. Girlie, next time I see you¡­ He creepingly smiles and screams out of excitement¡­ Edward: I¡¯ll cut you up!!! He flees again, passing as a gust of sharp wind through the crowd and disappearing¡­ Shaka: We have to catch him!! The other workers will- Luca: I evacuated the building before I found him, just in case. But the ones that stayed¡­ Shaka: What about them?... Luca: They wouldn¡¯t listen. They wanted to see you come back. Hear you say this whole thing is now over¡­ Both Finn and Shaka sulk in despair. Their promise was now moot. To them, Edward passing through was what they had to make sure wouldn¡¯t happen¡­ Luca: Don¡¯t sulk you asshats¡­You did what you could. None of us could have seen that thing, even when it was right under our noses¡­You got rid of him, though¡­ at least now, that¡¯s what matters¡­ A few hours later, support cases the whole building, making sure no bats would be left wandering. The remaining workers congratulate the two hunters, thanking them for their service. However, some folks still stay hesitant about the results. Vampires are dead, but at what cost. And another aristocrat on the loose only puts fear in people''s hearts¡­ Suiga: Not everyone stays happy, I guess¡­ Luca: Can¡¯t do anything about that¡­Suiga, how did Finn¡¯s chant suit you? Suiga¡¯s mind lapses back to the torture scene. He shakes in fear of what could have been had he let his anger get the better of him¡­ Suiga: It helped me in the fight a lot¡­but without it, I fear I¡¯m still a wild card¡­ Luca: I don¡¯t expect you both to keep doing that in fights. Especially you, Finn¡¯s a special case, but a normal hunter would collapse from using that chant¡­But that¡¯s not what¡¯s important here¡­ Suiga:? Luca: The flames have two drawbacks. They make your sword harder to use, and they mess with your cognitive functions. You become reckless, furious, and uncooperative. ¡°Purify¡± is a good solution for keeping the flames from going berserk and giving you an advantage in fights, but¡­ He grabs the samurai¡¯s shoulder¡­ Luca: It wasn¡¯t ¡°Purify¡± that helped you that much today¡­ Suiga ponders these words. He looks over at Lau, who helps support him through the screening¡­ Luca: Purify might have given you some space to regain your focus, but she was looking out for you and had your back when needed¡­ Suiga: Even in the prison, it was her and Url that managed to calm me down¡­ Luca: Look at Shaka and Finn. When they first met, they were a mess. Shaka couldn¡¯t stand Finn¡¯s whining, and Finn couldn¡¯t keep up with Shaka¡¯s recklessness. Same period they couldn¡¯t figure out how their weapons worked¡­ Suiga: But they seem so- Luca: Pals? After 6 months, they started tolerating each other. They learned from each other¡¯s mistakes and successes because they managed to accept each other as teammates¡­Lau might be a bother¡­but I think you owe her a thank you¡­ Suiga sulks as he realizes the reasoning behind¡­ Luca: Open up to your teammates. Don¡¯t let that sword stop you from doing your job. You¡¯re still human¡­ Luca leaves. The samurai approaches the lonesome Lau¡­ Suiga: ¡­Lau Lau: If you wanna sulk, go join the couple over there. We got too much to do- Suiga: Thanks¡­for today¡­ Lau: Huh?! Suiga: You could have just chastised me for messing up... But you had my back. You get on my nerves, but I have to give this to you¡­ She slightly blushes¡­ She looks away and continues scanning the area¡­ Lau: You¡­ Suiga: Huh?! Lau: You remind me of my sister. Suiga: What about her? Surely better adjusted than this scion we are- Lau: She was elegant. Nice to everyone, perfect at her job, beautiful to the eyes of men and women. And she held on, no matter what was dragging her down¡­Like you and the sword¡­ Suiga: Oh¡­my condolences¡­she sounds amazing, I¡¯m¡­glad you see me as such¡­ Lau: Relax, topknot. I said remind, not spitting image! Like some fangirling goody, two shoes would be anything like my sweet sister!! Suiga: Definitely better adjusted than this excuse of a scion we have. The duo starts bickering again¡­ Chapter 14 : Vampire 101 Rooms full of bookshelves, dusty almanacs, surgery tables, bloody scalpels, alchemy flasks hosting all kinds of fluids and experimental concoctions¡­ Such is the atmosphere of the research wing. Filled with intellectuals who couldn¡¯t bear the intense life of the Hunt, neither as hunter nor as support soldier, but were dedicated enough to the cause, the wing houses dozens of scientists experimenting on vampiric phenomena. ¡°Searching for vampirification cures? Discovering new Holy Armaments? Leading the encryption of vampiric artifacts and scribes? The research wing will do it for you!¡± written on many posters around town¡­ So how did the progeny of a plague doctor end up as a hunter? That is the question of every resident as they see Url marching down to the heavy door before Huckleberry¡¯s office and laboratory. Unlike before, Url walks around the halls without his signature mask. That one rests on his utility belt. The sight of the raven-haired model draws the attention of passing researchers, hesitant to look even more. For a plague doctor who wears his mask day and night, who adores nothing else more than dipping his cleavers on vampire skin, and testing out his dangerous concoctions on them without remorse for his morality, such a nice-looking face is not expected. Blue eyes, raven hair, facial features that would make a sculptor¡¯s jaw fall to the floor¡­ The hunter knocks on the heavy wooden door with its golden handle. A few seconds later, it slowly opens by itself. Url: Ugh¡­Sir Samuel!! I¡¯m here!! Url enters the office. The door abruptly shuts itself. Inside, a spacious room full of dusty encyclopedias, tables, flasks, and severed vampire limbs, all around an elevated oval office desk on the right wall, where the senior is patiently sitting on his red swirling leather chair. Behind him, a giant painting of an orange-haired man in armor¡­ Url: Seems like the decorations are untouched. Samuel: Like I¡¯d dare to remove Van Helsing from the VHC¡¯s walls. Chief would kill me¡­ The man stands up and moves to greet Url. Spiky, onyx hair, glasses ornated with small golden palettes. A slim, tall man wearing a white coat with the association¡¯s initials written in big red letters¡­ Samuel: Oh, my sweet student it¡¯s been a while!! He touches his face and body, without any regard for the young man¡¯s borders. Samuel: Are you hurt!? Are there still any scars?! Are you still seeing hallucinations since last time?! Url: No, and some room would be perfectly fine, too, thank you. He backs off quickly, awkwardly rubbing off the dust from both of their cloaks¡­ The senior Samuel Huckleberry. Youngest senior hunter in the association, smartest human alive (self-proclaimed), a leading figure in the technical advancement of the Hunt, responsible for a lot of improvements on cures, weapons, fighting strategies, and the list goes on¡­But also, neurotic, obsessed, and quirky. Rumors run around that his recluse in the research wing wasn¡¯t exactly a solitary decision¡­ Samuel: So, how¡¯s the outside world? How was the Ripper hunt for you? Url: It was¡­intense. I¡¯m glad you guys asked for other rookies to join us. Samuel: Well, it sure wasn¡¯t easy. Hunters are already a rare sight, and get two noble clans to leave their scions to us? I still don¡¯t get how we pulled it off¡­ Url: We still haven¡¯t found the Ripper yet. Luca says he wants something from the city¡¯s deposit. Samuel: Yes, we did speak about that. Considering the chaotic pattern this whole plot has chosen to take, the Ripper could be trying to steal some artifact under our noses¡­ The scientist starts picking up a bunch of files, prepping and placing them in a leather satchel hanging on his office chair¡­He then picks the bag up¡­ Samuel: Oh well, we got a whole week to worry about that. Today, we have bigger problems to attend to¡­ Url: Problem at the lab? Vampire body too complex to dissect? A new concoction to try out on rats? Bring it to me!! A small, gentle bell ring chimes in the office¡­Samuel starts heading for the door, urging Url to follow¡­ Samuel: No, you have to help me with my class today¡­ Url: Huh?! Hasting through the corridors, ignoring assistants and officials, they head for a grand, grey wooden door to the auditorium for the hunting classes¡­ Url: Wait a minute, everyone gets to run around town killing vampires, and I have to help you clean up your job¡¯s messes? Samuel: First of all, there¡¯s no mess! Teacher of the month 3 TIMES STRAIGHT!! Secondly, this assignment is just as exciting and important as whatever Luca and Shroud have got going!! Url looks fixedly at the golden tablet next to the door: ¡°Vampire 101¡± engraved on the plaque¡­ Url: And teaching a bunch of teenagers about vampire guts is the same as killing them? Samuel: Please, you know they won¡¯t allow me to get out until the end of the week¡­ Url: Ugh, fine¡­What are we doing then? Samuel: We aren¡¯t teaching anyone¡­Today¡¯s the division entrance exams¡­ Url: And you screwed them over with some impossible test that you¡¯ve barely prepared them for. Aah, my youth¡­ Samuel: Teacher of the year!! The problem with these classes is that most of these guys wanna join the research wing or the church wing. The exam is divided into two parts, theoretical for the administrator, research and church wings, all allocated to suit each wing''s requirements and practical for the hunting division. Guess which one everyone picked¡­ Url: Can¡¯t see the problem. Who would want to be a hunter when studying and sitting in an office is their dream job? Samuel: Everyone¡­except two of my students. They want to become hunters. Url: Well, it is the vampire hunter school. I still don¡¯t- Samuel: Could you please stop it with the bland sarcasm!! This school project only recently started, and barely anyone¡¯s come out as a hunter. If these two fail the exam, the whole teacher¡¯s lounge is going to be reprimanded and punished. Url: Honestly, other than your ¡°timeout¡±- Samuel: Temporary suspension. Url: Because you were annoying the other seniors with your experiments- Samuel: Difference in professional opinions and methodology. Url: I can¡¯t figure out anything worse. The senior hunter pulls out a letter from his satchel. Engraved with the official seal of the VHC, Url takes a detailed look at it¡­ Url: ¡°In light of recent events, and after revision of last year¡¯s graduation statistics, the administration wing has come to the conclusion that the educational team has put no effort in encouraging or preparing students for the prospects of the hunting department. As such, it has been decided that :
  1. Should, during this year¡¯s wing entrance exams, be noted that none of the 30 current students has chosen the hunting division exam, the educational team shall receive a month¡¯s suspension in all other VHC-related activities.
  2. Should, during this year¡¯s hunting division entrance exams, none of the candidates pass, the educational team shall receive the aforementioned punishment, extended to 2 years, with an additional obligation of fulfilling sir Luca Cearrach¡¯s paperwork during the said suspension.
Url carefully rolls the paper. He hands it over to Samuel, whose glasses cover the tears ready to fall from his eyes down the cheeks¡­ Samuel: The punishment- Url: They made it specifically for you, yeah. Samuel: The previous teacher was a wad. Thank God these two stuck to their desires and chose to take the exam. But I need to make sure these guys pass, or I¡¯ll be stuck in my office until the end of the Hunt!!! Please Url, you gotta- After shaking the junior back and forth, Url breaks free of his master¡¯s hands and consoles him¡­ Url: Do you have a plan? Samuel: Yeah, I do¡­Fortunately, I have complete control of how the exam¡¯s gonna rule out¡­I just need you to help out with one tiny detail¡­ Url: What is it¡­ Samuel:¡­Surprise for when the time comes¡­ They enter the auditorium. As expected, small but spacious enough to hold a class of 30, with oak wood seats in the center surrounded by dusty bookcases and paintings. Two students are sitting in the front row seats... Vic and Maya¡­ Samuel: Fellas!! How are we doing? Maya: Good morning, professor. When is the test going to start? Samuel: Right to the point, huh? I still have some stuff to prepare. Now tell me, anxious? Maya: Of course not. I know I¡¯ll succeed in this without any effort. Vic has drifted off to a nearby window, staring outside in the courtyard, a nice, grassy square circled by mossy stone fences¡­ Samuel: For Vic to have drifted off, means he¡¯s not stressed¡­So, since VHC STILL doesn¡¯t believe I¡¯ve managed to gather not one, but two students for the hunter wing exam, I¡¯m obliged to ask: Why do you want to join the hunter¡¯s wing anyways? Vic¡¯s attention is drawn towards the talking group. The two students are confused by the teacher¡¯s question. Url silently stands by, listening¡­ Maya: Is it any less obvious? To kill vampires, sir. Vic: Yeah, is it that weird? Samuel¡¯s kind smile fades away, to a bland, mundane expression at the sound of these answers. He turns back and slowly paces around the room between the professor¡¯s desk and the class seats. Url remains still¡­ The mad scientist stops walking. After quickly picking at his lips, he asks¡­ Samuel: Let me tell you guys something about the hunting division¡­48 of this year¡¯s students chose to avoid this exam. 20 are trying for the administrator¡¯s wing, hoping to help as either an official or join the support army. 16 have chosen to join the church wing and help with the dependent healing program or whatnot. 12 will try their luck with the research wing. When they were asked why they did it, what do you think were their answers? He slowly paces again, only now managing to retain his students¡¯ gazes¡­ Samuel: ¡°Sounds better than dying from a bat¡±. Most of the answers round-up at that. None of the other students had anything with the division. But no one had the mood to join in. And who could blame them? Hunters die left and right. And if they don¡¯t, they¡¯ll definitely lose a limb, get pummeled, shredded, bitten, or end up as a toy for some vampire¡¯s playtime until they do. Who¡¯ll say no to the research wing''s safety behind walls when they hear stories of hunters going to the woods and never coming back¡­alive or whole¡­ Maya: Is this¡­supposed to encourage us¡­ Samuel: Thing is, Maya¡­There¡¯s a saying about hunters. No one ends up in this division unless they have a death wish, they¡¯re revenge-driven nuts or complete basket cases. That goes for me, it goes for my junior over here, it goes for every hunter you¡¯ll ever meet¡­and it must go for you two¡­ Maya: I¡­I don¡¯t have any¡­ Samuel¡¯s cold, focused look manages to break Maya¡¯s guard. It is obvious to the teacher that she has an agenda, and she definitely can¡¯t hide it any longer¡­ Maya:¡­Mother¡­My mother died as a support soldier during the Salazar break-in¡­ Url¡¯s raised eyebrows show his diverted attention to the girl¡¯s tragic origin story¡­He focuses on her words¡­ Maya: I saw the vampire who killed her. Right in front of me. She had just pushed me inside the escape carriage that drifted to the south of the city. Before she even looked back¡­It pinned her down from behind¡­And sunk its bare teeth inside her neck¡­The last thing I saw was her kicking and screaming for help¡­Her team arrived too late¡­ She stands up, puts her palm up on her chest, stares directly at the teacher¡¯s intrigued eyes¡­ Maya: If it''s revenge that drives me to the Hunt, then so be it¡­I don¡¯t care what they say, I¡¯ll avenge my mother and continue her work. Url : (Revenge driven, huh. Most of us are like that¡­) Samuel lightly nods his head¡­Appalled by the girl¡¯s surprising openness and her clear bravery, he moves on to Vic¡­ Samuel: Vic, you gonna follow up? Vic: Hmm¡­No, I don¡¯t feel like it. Samuel: Understandable, it¡¯s gonna be a hard day, skip it off champ. Vic: Thanks, sir. Maya: Huh?! No fair!! Samuel: Hahah, just wanted to see your resolve, Maya, that¡¯s all! Vic barely ever tells us anything credible about himself, so I¡¯ll just write down ¡°family obligation¡± anyway. Vic stares down for a moment¡­ Vic: Wait..; If I don¡¯t pile in, the geek won¡¯t shut up in the exam¡­ Samuel and Maya: I¡¯m not a geek!! Url: I don¡¯t think he meant you, sir. Samuel: Sorry, force of habit. What¡¯s up, Vic? Vic:¡­I don¡¯t care about the rumors, which wing is better, or any of that crap. The longer these bats fly around at night, the more my sister and my grandpops aren¡¯t at home. Might as well give a hand in planting those creeps to the ground, if it means my family are safe and sound¡­ Url: ( He¡¯s got family in the division? Wonder if I met¡¯em¡­Thing is¡­) Url¡¯s eyes twitch at the sight of Vic. He stares at his lazy posture, his sleepy, uninterested eyes. His tilted head rested on the support of his fist. His barely raised voice, the minimum effort he puts in joining the conversation¡­ Url: (That little shit reminds me of Aaron too much¡­) Samuel: Anything to add, Url? Url: Nothing at all!! Maya: And what test have you prepared for us, sir? Samuel: Hmm¡­normally candidates were tasked with killing an original vampire on their own, for the senior to judge if they¡¯re ready to start hunting solo¡­But with the break-in, that¡¯s gonna be hard to prepare now¡­ He moves towards his junior, and grabs him tight by the shoulder, puffing his chest out with gusto¡­ Samuel: That¡¯s where Url comes in!!! Url: Please tell me I¡¯m not the vampire¡­ Samuel: Hahah! A good idea for next time, but today I have cooked up something for our two juniors¡­Follow me to the courtyard!!! Arriving in the courtyard, Samuel makes some distance between his students and himself. He pulls out from his pocket, a silver amulet with an embezzled blue jewel in the center¡­ Samuel: Oh Holy Lord. Bestow upon your soldier thy essence and strength. Drop your silver tear for him to taste. Give me the mold to create weapons that will slay the god of bats¡­ Alongside Samuel¡¯s prayer, droplets of thick silver drop to the ground. Pouring more and more, they amass into a large, wobbly blob of liquid silver¡­ Samuel: My beauty, ¡°Idea of Silver¡±!!! Url: I thought the weapon¡¯s name was ¡°Unknown Silver Entity 11X19¡±. Vic: What ¡°weapon¡±, that thing looks like it holds peace summits. Maya: My apologies sir, but that thing looks sad and disgusting. Is it alive? Are sure it¡¯s not suffering now? Url: Anything with a pulse and a conscience would suffer if it knew it looked like that. Sir, for the exam¡¯s smooth running, I propose you get rid of it and we never speak of it again- Samuel: SHUT UP YOU ASSHOLES!!! IT¡¯S BEAUTIFUL!!! AND IT¡¯S ¡°IDEA OF SILVER¡±!!! Url: You mean ¡°Unknown Silver Enti- Samuel: ¡°IDEA OF SILV¡±- Nevermind¡­ The grudging professor pulls out two strange vials from his satchel. On Url¡¯s further inspection, he notices a bordeau, thick liquid inside the two vials¡­ Url: (Blood? No, that¡¯s¡­) Samuel: Stupid students, calling my weapon sad and disgusting¡­ Despite his mood, Samuel pours the liquid all over the blob. The red color is quickly absorbed¡­ Twitch. Left and right. The blob starts vibrating, and twitches in all directions in shock¡­Stretching up, it starts taking form. Sprouting limbs, teeth, eyes, and a pair of luscious silver hair¡­ Before the students, the blob took the form of a generic, slender vampire, teeth and all¡­ Maya: Sir¡­I thought experimentation on vampire cloning was the reason you were put on a timeo- Samuel: Temporary suspension!!! And this isn¡¯t a vampire!!! Behold my armament¡¯s ability, to change its properties based on what I mix it with. I toyed around with dependent blood and managed to make this makeshift vampire DNA copy. It¡¯s not anything like the real deal, but the essence should be enough for 11X19 to absorb the essential information, and¡­ tada!!! Url: We really are playing with VHC regulations here, are we¡­ Samuel: It¡¯s ingenious!! The blob doesn¡¯t have a mind of its own, so logically you¡¯ll be fighting ¡°me¡±. Now, for the exam¡­ Once again from his satchel bag, the teacher pulls out a checklist on a notepad with Vic and Maya¡¯s names divided into two polls¡­ Samuel: The exam is pretty simple. Fight the doll. Assessment is based on time taken, combat performance, and application of theory learned during the class. Vic: Shouldn¡¯t combat advisors be here for this? Samuel: Sir Luca and Shroud are too busy cleaning the city of escapees. But don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll make sure my notes pass from their eyes during correction¡­Now, each one gets one turn. Who¡¯s going to start? Maya: We chose beforehand, I¡¯ll start¡­ Samuel: Great. Let¡¯s get started then!! Pick a weapon from the stack I¡¯ve laid out to the left¡­ Maya moves to the weapon rack. Observing her choices, she returns to the doll empty-handed¡­ Samuel: Uuh.. Maya: I¡¯ll fight with incantations. I don¡¯t need the silver¡­ Url: (Huh, bold¡­That¡¯s interesting¡­) Samuel: Your funeral¡­Ready? Go!! The doll sprouts a pair of wings and floats aggressively towards Maya. The young girl dashes to bait the doll in attacking her, but ducks and slides right under it in the last minute. Spinning around, she points her palm to the doll¡¯s back and casts ¡°Blow¡±. The resulting wind blast pushes back the construction and knocks it off the air and onto the floor. She gets up, brushes herself off, and takes three deep breaths. The doll rushes again in a zig-zag pattern to confuse the girl¡¯s aim¡­Attacking from the right, Maya waits till the last moment to raise a ¡°Shield¡± and manages to parry the blow. She then turns to the staggered vampire doll and points her two fingers at it¡­ Maya: ¡°Sear¡± A blast of light pierces the doll. She shouts ¡°Sear¡± three more times. Like bullets, the light shreds through all over its body. Maya: That should be enough¡­Now, to hit it hard¡­ The young girl pushes forward and tries to touch the downed doll¡­Fast as lightning, it tightly grabs the girl¡¯s forearm as the wound holes close¡­Its grip is strong, hurting her the more she pulls away¡­ Url: (The biggest problem with vampires is their regeneration¡­You can¡¯t hope to go all out on a bat right at the start of the fight, no matter how good you are¡­) It lifts the girl in the air, then pounds her gut with its palm, sending her meters back to the ground¡­ Maya: Aah¡­ The doll sprouts its wings and uses the flap to jump high, then dive right on top of the girl. Maya notices and quickly rolls away, barely escaping the hit¡­ She rebounds, takes 3 quick breaths, and rushes towards the doll. It covers itself with the wings, then opens them back to push the girl¡­ Instead, it finds Maya pointing at it¡­ Maya: ¡°Sear¡± She shoots again. Light flashes violently as the lasers shred the doll¡¯s torso full of holes. Maya pushes forward with every shot, and manages to touch the doll in the punctured chest before it closes¡­ Vic: (Is she dumb? He¡¯ll just grab her again!! ¡°Disintegrate won¡¯t work in time-) Maya is grappled by the doll. But before it even acts¡­ Maya: ¡°Blow¡±!!! The violent blast of wind blows both of them back, but its force is enough to destroy the punctured torso to pieces, dismantling the doll in the process¡­ Url and Vic¡¯s eyes grow with surprise, while Samuel stays unfazed¡­ Url : (Smart¡­ ¡°Disintegrate¡± takes longer to set up and start. And it works easier with weaker vampires not accustomed to pain¡­¡± Blow¡± is a faster incantation, and she tricked Samuel by setting up for ¡°Disintegrate¡±¡­She¡¯s got smarts on her¡­) Rebounding, Maya repeatedly breathes in and out¡­Samuel approaches, handing her a flask of water¡­ Samuel: Nice job¡­Vic, you¡¯re up!! Maya sits beside Url as he checks her for injuries¡­Vic picks out a shortsword and a 5-bullet pistol from the rack. Samuel fixes up the doll again¡­ Samuel: Ready? Go!! Closing in, the vampire tries to surprise Vic and floats right up. The boy plunges his blade on the vampire¡¯s thigh, and in mid-air, points his pistol right to his face. He shoots two times, the bullets smash through the head and have the vampire flying around¡­The blade slides out of the flesh, throwing Vic to the ground¡­ The wounds close quickly, and the vampire jumps him, engaging in close-quarters combat. Its large swipes and risky haymakers have the boy put on the spot. He slices through the clear openings, but the wounds close as fast as he cuts them. The bat doll grabs his shirt in one of his attacks and pulls him close. He knees him in the gut, then a few punches left and right to send him packing to the ground¡­ Vic: Damn it!! You don¡¯t pull any punches, do you¡­ He rebounds, but the vampire engages him again¡­ Url: (He¡¯s good. He¡¯s got the technique right, but he¡¯s too aggressive¡­) The boy grabs his revolver tight and whispers the word ¡°Empower¡±. The silver gun glows with light¡­ He investigates every move. He carefully steps aside every haymaker, every kick, every attempt to bite. Samuel takes note and makes the doll suddenly duck down, preparing a devastating uppercut¡­ Url: (He¡¯s finished¡­) Vic notices flips his sword in the air to grab it like a knife, and starts plunging it down the vampire¡¯s face. Stunning the doll, he jumps over it and cuts out one of its wings before the doll recuperates and pushes him back¡­ Url: (He knew about the uppercut?) Vic: (Wings, eyes. These are the two weak points of a vampire. Wings don¡¯t regenerate easily when cut from the root, and eyes cause an ugly stagger to normal bats when hit¡­) And now that he can¡¯t fly¡­ The boy engages the bat. Without the full aid of his wings, he¡¯s grounded and unable to outmaneuver the kid with its mid-air movements. Vic¡¯s attacks land more easily. Enough deep slashes through the doll¡¯s attacks to start wearing down its defenses. Vic notices the sluggish wounds. Tricking the doll, he sidesteps on one of his punches, turns to its back, slices his hamstrings, and pulls out the wing¡­ Maya: (He wore it down¡­) Vic turns to the front again and places the revolver up to the bat¡¯s forehead¡­ Vic: Eat this!! Once to the head, twice to the heart¡­He waits for the smoke to appear¡­To his surprise, the bat lunges forward, wounds still fresh. Vic falls down, but plunges his sword to its torso, pushes it to the side, and plunges it down multiple times until the bat stops moving¡­ Samuel: Guess that does it¡­Nice one, Vic, take a breather!! Url tends to his wounds¡­After a while, the two hunters greet the students goodbye for the end of the exam, outside the VHC gates¡­ Samuel: That was good from both of you¡­Unfortunately, I¡¯ll have to run this by my colleagues, so I can¡¯t really give you any answers. But, stuff seems pretty positive for now¡­ Vic: Whatever, can we go now? My pops is in town and I haven¡¯t seen him in a while! Maya: Regardless of my classmate¡¯s disinterest, I must bolt too. Sir Samuel, do you have any remarks for today? Samuel: Hmm¡­well, Maya, your choice of incantation-style fighting surprised me today. Didn¡¯t have you for a nun, I¡¯ll be honest. Just look out for mental fatigue after multiple uses, a lot of hunters have met their end for that¡­ The author''s tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. His eyes then meet Vic¡¯s¡­ Samuel: As for you. Aggression is great in vampire combat but remember: It¡¯s because they are reckless and aggressive that we get to find openings. You don¡¯t wanna lose your only advantage as a human. Vic: Yeah¡­I¡¯ll keep that in mind¡­ Samuel: Other than that, nothing. Url¡¯s gonna help me correct this and the theoretical. For now, take a breather, and relax. I¡¯ll have your results in¡­4-5 days. The students leave to their own devices¡­Samuel takes a long gasp and stares up to the sky¡­ Samuel: Man, it¡¯s been a while since I¡¯ve ¡°fought¡± ¡­Sure takes a lot out of you¡­ Url: Believe me, after this week, fighting¡¯s the last thing I want to do¡­ The teacher looks at Url, but stays silent¡­Something in the boy¡¯s words seems to bother him¡­ Samuel:¡­Url¡­I wanted to talk to you about the report you¡¯ve brought¡­ Url: If it¡¯s about how we got beat up by Danno, I don¡¯t need the consoling, the nuns already provided- Samuel: His subordinate¡­The one you killed¡­ Url¡¯s eyes grow with shock. Remembering the awful ordeal, hearing echoes of the vampire¡¯s taunts, his hands tremble in fear¡­ Samuel: Is this why you haven¡¯t worn your mask today? Url: Sir¡­I¡­ Samuel: If you don¡¯t want to talk about it¡­I¡¯m good. But honestly, you should never be ashamed of what you are¡­You did what you had to do¡­even if you had to result in taking that mask off¡­ Url: I could have just killed him¡­I could have just fixed a cure¡­instead I¡­tortured him¡­I let myself become like¡­like those- His teacher slaps him. Url is too shocked to react. He just raises his hand to caress his red cheek, while staring at his senior in confusion¡­ Samuel:¡­Aaron said it¡­Shroud said it, I said it¡­and if we ask them, I¡¯m sure your friends will tell you the same thing¡­ Grabbing the young man by his shoulders, he stares into his eyes intensively¡­ Samuel: You are not like them¡­The good you¡¯ve done, the people you¡¯ve helped ever since you picked that table up¡­You are not like those vampires¡­especially the Barelan¡­ Taking his arms off him, he turns again, spinning them around to stretch¡­ Samuel: Anyways, that psychopathic outbreak of yours might be needed today (hopefully not)¡­ Url: Seems a bit too much for an evaluation, doesn¡¯t it? Samuel: Exam¡¯s not over, Url¡­Let¡¯s go prepare¡­We¡¯ll meet the kids at night¡­ Url: Huh? What are you- Samuel turns around and closes Url¡¯s lips with his finger¡­ Samuel: Questions are to be withdrawn until the end of the presentation¡­ Url:...Some...boundaries, PLEASE!!!!!!! While the clouds remain stagnant and still, the bright sun sets in Landen, leaving its seat for the grand moon to shine throughout the city streets¡­ Midnight is closing in, and everyone¡¯s preparing for sleep. Only the hunters patrolling the rooftops of Landen remain, while the rest of the folks jump in their gowns and hug their fluffy pillows as their bodies are consumed by the deep mattresses of their beds¡­The windows turn from yellow to black with every lamp turned off, every candle blown, every blinder set. No citizen would ever dare stay out late. If a vampire comes close to killing them, it should at least be in the comfort of their own home¡­Well, not everyone thinks that way¡­ Maya: Are you insane?! We are going to get in trouble for this!!! Vic: Lord, you are annoying, why are you even here?! It¡¯s not like I called you!! Maya: Your stupid actions will affect the jury¡¯s opinion on getting new hunters from the school. You doing THIS means I don¡¯t get to enter the hunting division!! Vic: And you not getting any action against a real bat will get you dead¡­ The two students parade around the central district, close to the grand depository¡­ A rather large, square building, contrary to its neighbors. It resembles an ancient temple, with its eggshell columns holding the large, pyramid-shaped bronze rooftop and its beautiful goat-themed tops. The metopes of the building depict the history of Landen from right to left: The birth of Dracula, his advent as the vampire king, his terrifying reign, the birth of Abraham Van Helsing, his first kill as a hunter, his creation of a small city away from the Dracula¡¯s clutches, a safe haven for those willing to go against the abomination¡¯s wishes to enslave the human race, and turn it to its livestock for all eternity. The story ends with a scheme of Van Helsing shouting ¡°Landen¡± in front of a miniature, shining town, symbolizing its very foundation¡­ Maya: Never had you for the historian¡­ Vic: I don¡¯t give two shits about the paintings on the wall. I¡¯m here for something else¡­Come on, let¡¯s go¡­ The boy walks up the white marble stairs. Approaching the steel fence gate, he notices a dent between two bars¡­He sneaks inside¡­ Vic: Get in. Maya: This is trespassing. You do realize you are also getting in trouble with the police- Vic: Look, I¡¯ll ignore the nagging ¡®cause you surely get why I¡¯m doing this. Huckleberry went soft on us today. He probably just wanted to have us pass so the teachers wouldn¡¯t get it from the higher-ups. Maya:¡­Well, that doesn¡¯t mean- Vic: We are going to fight vampires. REAL ones. If I¡¯m going to be putting my life on the line every night, I should at least know what I¡¯m facing. Now you with me or not? Maya:¡­And what do you plan to do in the depository? It¡¯s probably full of hunters and soldiers¡­ Vic: Get in and I¡¯ll tell ya. Reluctantly, the young girl goes through the dent. Walking through a large corridor, Maya is amazed by the marble floor, the clean white walls with the bronze beams holding the building together, the golden statues and encased jewels set for decoration¡­The depository was really the place of all wealth in Landen¡­ Vic: My pops came into town today. Before he left, he told me that some vampires had been hounding this place ever since the Salazar event. Maya: All the more reason to put a bunch of hunters in here. Vic: That¡¯s the funny thing. This place is empty. Maya: Huh? Vic: They are gonna lay some trap and they need the bats to think this place is unprotected. That dent we went through? It wasn¡¯t there this morning¡­ Maya: So to summarize¡­You put us inside Landen¡¯s largest safety box, which has been the target AND CURRENTLY victim of break-ins by thirsty vampire prisoners, without ANY vampire hunter to help us? The boy turns to her, with the most assured, brave, confident, straight face one could ever hope to pull¡­ Vic: Yes. Maya: I¡¯ll kill you!!! I¡¯ll kill you before the bat does!!! Vic: Calm down will ya¡¯? We won¡¯t fight that thing, all I need is to see it up close¡­ Maya: Hope you do!! We don¡¯t even have Armaments yet!! They hear a sudden sound like an object fell over its counter. Hiding behind a statue, Vic tries to stare over the corner leading to another corridor, but his eyes don¡¯t catch anything¡­ Maya: Vic, this is nuts! You remember these guys are bats right? They probably already know we are here! Vic: And why haven¡¯t they sucked us dry already? Bats ain¡¯t gonna use echolocation 24/7. They don¡¯t even know we are here! Vampire: Actually, I¡¯ve known about you two ever since you stopped outside the building. Blood freezes. Their eyes are ready to gouge out of their sockets. Slowly turning their heads to the back, they stumble upon a young-looking vampire. The pale skin accentuates his strange, camo-coloured tattoos drawn around the eyes like teeth and claws...His cyan, long messy hair and yellow tips differ from what is normally expected of a vampire. That and the vampiric black and purple attire, resembling some sort of illusionist playing parlor tricks¡­ Both parties scream, the kids in fear, the vampire in laughs¡­ They back off to get some distance in between, but their adversary calmly stands up and moves to the center of the corridor¡­ Vampire: Humans and their hospitality really. They won¡¯t open their services to you, they won¡¯t tell you where they left your stuff, and they scream right in your face¡­ Maya: You satisfied? Did you take a good look at him? This might be your last! Vampire: You should listen to the girl, kid. You¡¯re probably dead from this point on anyway, so you might as well get a good look at the goods¡­ Vic: Hell are ya¡¯ searching here, dirtbag? Vampire: Hey, hey dirtbag sounds a little too much? My name¡¯s Leuto. Use this instead of insulting the otherwise superior, would you? The two students are stunned. Numerous courses, stories of hunters encountering vampires barely muttering words from their hunger, biting and clawing away at their flesh until they can sate their bellies with human blood¡­ And yet, before them stands the same species, joking around and insulting them like some regular Joe. But maybe that¡¯s the source of their fear¡­That the monster they¡¯ve built in their heads is finally standing a few meters away¡­ And he calmly states that he¡¯ll kill them tonight. Leuto: Look. Let¡¯s be less like¡­well, you guys, and try to be reasonable here. You can¡¯t kill me. I already know that you came sneaking here without any weapons, and even if you did, I fail to see how two 15-year-olds would come at me and hope to live to tell the tale. Vic: Well, we can surprise you¡­ Maya: Don¡¯t¡­get too cocky¡­ The cyan-haired vampire tries to hold his laughs¡­He takes a deep breath, then lets out a shriek that travels through the floor. Slowly, a swarm of black bats starts gathering from the other side of the corner, surrounding the kids and floating around their summoner¡­The kids try to fight, but the swarm covers them and has them bound and afloat in front of their foe¡­ Leuto: Alright, look. I would waste no second in ripping off your shirts and sinking my teeth inside your vibrant, young arteries, sucking anything I can get my mouth in until I finish it off with a bite on your fresh shoulder, then moving on to the still-beating chest, and keeping the limbs for rations. But I¡¯m already sated, and I need to work here¡­ Maya: (Work¡­He¡¯s under orders?) Leuto: I¡¯m not telling anything about my benefactors, but let¡¯s just say they need something from this vault, and they need it now. So, you guys got two choices :
  1. You refuse to help out, I kill you, cut you in half, hang your bottoms over the marble pillars, and use the top half to feed and nest my babies.
  2. Or, you act logically, help me out, and you live. Cause there¡¯s no way in hell you¡¯d even understand what I¡¯m planning.
As Vic prepares to answer crudely, Maya blurbs off her response¡­ Maya: We¡¯ll help!! Don¡¯t listen to my comrade!! Vic: Maya are you serious?! She throws him a strange look. Anyone would think Maya is scared to her bones, falling for her captor¡¯s terrifying threats¡­But Vic understood. Maya¡¯s too dedicated to the Hunt to be afraid now. She wants information¡­ Leuto: Honestly, dude, you need to appreciate your friend¡¯s brains¡­So, I¡¯m looking for a trinket some of my ancestors left here some hundreds of years ago¡­ Maya: Trinket¡­but¡­this is a human- Leuto: If you guys think your security¡¯s that tight, think of tonight. Anyways, this thing is supposed to hold something important to my benefactor, but I can¡¯t find it anywhere in this goddamn labyrinth¡­ Maya: What does he need the chest for? Leuto: Huh? I just told you, I have no idea! Maya: But if we knew what it¡¯s used for, we could find where they hid it¡­ Leuto: Some sort of ritual, that¡¯s all he¡¯s spatting on about. Said it¡¯s going to be ¡°revolutionary¡± for our kind¡­ Maya: Anything else? What¡¯s inside? Did it belong to a big figure? Is there any- The bats holding Maya start biting her all over her body, slightly munching away at her skin...The vampire brings her closer to him and squeezes her cheeks as he looks her right in the eyes with his scarlet pupils¡­ Leuto: You think I¡¯m dumb, girl?! Like I¡¯d spill my plans to a hunter!! He slaps her, sending out blood from her mouth and tears from her eyes that she tries to pull back¡­ Leuto: Are you gonna tell me where¡¯s the chest or do I have to start biting myself? Vic: Stop!!... What does the chest look like? Leuto: You cruising for a beating too? Vic: No, you dumbass!! How are we gonna help you if we don¡¯t know what the chest looks like?! Now leave her alone!! Leuto: I¡¯ll decide who¡¯s left alone or not! Hmm¡­ Maya spits out the rest of the droplets. Breathing non-stop, Vic stares at her in guilt¡­ Vic: Shit¡­I¡¯m sorry¡­ Leuto: Yep! I remember. Black, gold ornated, with glasses and bat wings symbol in the front. It¡¯s a small one, like a loaf of bread¡­ Maya, through her painful gasps, tries to figure out what is running around Vic¡¯s head¡­ Vic:¡­Have you tried the bottom floor? All the ancient trinkets are stored there, but no one ever goes down¡­ Shocked, she coughs. The boy is telling the truth¡­ Leuto: Hah, the girl¡¯s gasping means you¡¯re right! Maya: Vic, you idiot!! What are you- Vic: Door¡¯s closed though. No one knows what¡¯s down there, so only bankers and the trinkets¡¯ owners have a key¡­ Leuto: No problem. I¡¯ll just smash the door- Vic: And get sliced and diced by hundreds of silver traps the hunter has on display? You¡¯ll get turned to the next exhibition for when the hunters come tomorrow¡­ Leuto: And what do you suggest we do? I wait for your backup and ask them nicely¡­ Vic looks over to Maya once again¡­ Vic: Let my friend go¡­I have a key for the vault. Leuto: Heh? Maya: Vic don¡¯t! Vic: I¡¯ll open the gate for you¡­just let her go¡­ The vampire princes around¡­He suddenly claps his hands. The bats scatter and drop the kids on the ground, then retreat like flies under the caster¡¯s coat¡­ Leuto: How do I know you¡¯re not lying? Vic: Here¡¯s the key dumbass!! And why would I think of tricking you, you¡¯d kill me in a hurry anyway¡­Just let her go¡­ Leuto: You don¡¯t care about yourself? I could do whatever I wanted after I got the chest¡­ Vic: Are you gonna keep talking or are we going over there?! Let¡¯s get this over with¡­ The beast ponders the chances. What would entail trusting the young boy and letting the girl go as a reward¡­Without uttering a word, he steps in front of the girl¡­ Leuto: You have a deal¡­ He grabs her hair, clears out her neck, and prepares his fangs to sink in. The teeth emit a bizarre green substance dropping onto her neck¡­ Vic: What are you doing?! Leuto: Just in case she doesn¡¯t alert any silver bastard. Thankfully I¡¯m a royal, so this should be done pretty quickly¡­ Vic tries to stop him, but he effortlessly pushes him away, then sends another swarm of bats from his cloak to restrain him to a wall¡­ Leuto: Should have prepared, boy! Now, let¡¯s dig in¡­ The girl tries to attack the vampire¡¯s neck, but he holds back her hand¡­ Leuto: Leave it alone, girl. It¡¯s a cruel world we live in¡­ Maya: Tss¡­you¡¯re right¡­¡±Blow¡±! Having opened her palm and targeted his neck at point-blank range, the incantation¡¯s holy wind blast sends the vampire and Maya back before he manages to bite her¡­ She breathes, gets up, and dusts off her clothes, then rushes to Vic¡¯s aid. To no avail, she tries to get rid of the bats¡­ Vic: Maya, go!! He¡¯s gonna get up!!! Go hit the alarms!! Maya: Like I¡¯d leave you here with that thing!!! Leuto: I said my name is Leuto!!! To their surprise, the vampire has stood up. Slowly reattaching his head, the missing flesh rebirths anew as veins, arteries, and skin grow and reattach to rebuild the hole¡­ Leuto: I knew humans were impossible to bargain with¡­Now, since you managed to piss me off, how would you like to die?! Maya: That didn¡¯t even¡­But I put all my strength into that ¡°Blow¡±. Leuto : (The girl¡¯s obviously skilled with the Light Lord¡¯s incantational power. She probably can¡¯t hold it for long, though¡­) He calls the bats off of Vic and gathers them around him¡­ Leuto: New plan! I¡¯ll kill you both, take the key, retrieve the chest, and mutilate your corpses for the other to look at¡­Great? Let¡¯s get this over with. Vic: Maya, look out! Flying at high speeds like missiles, the bats try to attack the defenseless girl. She prepares to cast Shield and repel most of them. Right before the bats encircle her, each one is impaled and killed by silver spikes passing through the huntress. Maya: Huh?... Vic: Who¡¯s that? Samuel: Evidently that was me! Do you even read about your seniors? Arriving from the darkness, Url and Samuel approach the battlefield. The spikes meltdown and gather back to the entity following Samuel¡­ Samuel: Atom reconstruction fluid, High heat coefficient, Iron supplement, a bit of stretching, and tada!! Silver spikes for bat missiles¡­ Leuto: My babies¡­ Samuel: Had to be careful with my aim though, or else our poor Maya would be shish kebab¡­or Maya kebab, am I right?! Url: Please stop¡­ Maya: Sir Huckleberry!! Vic: Sir Samuel¡­ Samuel: That¡¯s right! Your beloved teacher, sir Samuel Huckleberry to the rescue, along with my ¡°IDEA OF SILV- Url: It¡¯s an awful name and you know it! Leuto: Who the hell are you two?! And how did you find us here?! Samuel pulls a small notebook out of his satchel¡­He opens it and starts reading out loud its contents¡­ Samuel: ¡°Day 115: While my two candidates excel in class, I¡¯m afraid Vic might be planning some scheme to get first-hand experience in vampire hunting¡­Knowing Maya¡¯s concern for Vic hidden by her cynical nature, she¡¯ll follow suit, so I might have to keep an eye out on both of them after the exams¡­¡± Vic: He knew?¡­ Samuel: I¡¯m a teacher Vic, and the smartest hunter to ever exist¡­Of course, I knew¡­ Leuto: Smartest is kinda farfetched. Smart people would avoid coming here- Samuel: Before we start kicking your ass, maybe you should withhold talking between me and my students, thank you? Kids, gather around!! Leuto sends out another swarm of bats to the running kids. Url rushes in the front and throws down a flask, realizing a strange gas in the air. Then, he casts Shield, trapping the bats in the cloud before they pass through¡­The wing flapping slows down, their eyes drift off, and they fall to the ground asleep¡­No matter the whistling and shrieks, the bats don¡¯t comply¡­ Samuel: Leave it alone. That gas is enough to knock out a cluster of imps. My student makes the best concoctions¡­ Kneeling, he looks over the kid¡¯s injuries, bringing out supplies from his satchel bag¡­ Vic: Sir, it¡¯s all my fault, I- Maya: No, sir, I¡¯m to blame, I didn¡¯t stop him and I gave in to Samuel: Both of you can zip it. If you knew what me and my comrades did at your age, you¡¯d be stunned. I have a friend who spent 2 years keeping an eye on Salazar inmates as training. And it¡¯s my fault I didn¡¯t arrive sooner¡­ Maya: We¡¯ll be fine, sir Samuel. Can¡¯t you just go help the poor hunter? Samuel: No. Truth is, I need you guys to do one last thing for your exams¡­ Vic and Maya: Huh?! Samuel: The boy I¡¯ve sent out. Watch him fight. From start to finish¡­ Maya: The plague doctor? But¡­can he even fight?... They turn around. Url and Leuto slowly walk in circles, waiting for a chance to engage in combat. The vampire has his bats surrounding him, while Url tends to his saw blades¡­ Leuto: And who are you supposed to be? Url: Url Schellinger. The guy who¡¯ll see you in half today¡­ Leuto: How can such a beautiful face be wasted on a human¡­It¡¯s a miracle trash could breed this sort of magnificent¡­ Managing to divert his attention from Url¡¯s well-built face, his eyes are drawn to the bird mask hanging from his belt¡­ Leuto: Wait a minute¡­No¡­I know that mask. You¡¯re a plague doctor. You¡¯re one of those heretics in Barelan! Url: I wouldn¡¯t call us heretics¡­ Leuto: I thought you all went kaboom when my kind turned the town into a livestock stable!! Url: Some of us managed to escape, I guess¡­ Leuto: Really? I remember the story. Some dumbass leader of the docs¡¯ chose to bring in a vampire without knowing it, and after 2 years of research, the vampire turned everyone into their spawns and had them massacre the town and blow it to the ground! Vic: Is what he¡¯s saying true? Maya: Obviously you¡¯ve been sleeping in modern history class¡­ Barelan was decimated by one strange vampire that blew itself up along with the city¡­ Leuto: Damn, never had it for my kind to do mediocre work¡­Oh well, that aside, I do remember something good about you guys¡­ Url: And that is?... The bats simmer down as the vampire¡¯s excitement arises along with his smile¡­ Leuto: Is it true plague doctors are fucking basket cases?! They¡¯d come up with the worst of tortures for my kind? The bats pull back as if they are mounted on a slingshot, and a strange red pentagram glows in the back¡­ Leuto: I¡¯d love to avenge some of my kindred spirits¡­ Five bats, sending them off in every direction imaginable towards Url, the boy barely dodges the hits. The bats crash onto the walls and blow up in small explosions¡­ Url: (Bat bombs?) The vampire takes off his gloves, revealing the rest of the tattoo in his eyes is spread to other parts of his body. The claws and teeth glow in a strange camo light¡­ Leuto: This is a Virtue, bird doctor. I can control bats as I please¡­ Url: A little stereotypical don¡¯t you think? Leuto: There¡¯s a difference between taking care of a pet¡­ Spreading his arms and cloak, dozens of small bats come out and fill the corridor. Samuel stabs the entity with some syringes and covers himself and the kids in a transparent sphere¡­ Leuto: And breeding my children¡­My Virtue, ¡°Breeder¡± transmits my DNA inside every bat I spawn, so it can control them like my own arms. Url: (God what¡¯s up with naming today¡­) So, something like an ant queen. But I¡¯ve never heard of a queen sending her children to death¡­ Leuto: Any death to my name is a death worth doing¡­ 15 batlings glow a blue pentagram to their backs. Their bites manage to stun Url for a full ten seconds. Enough for Leuto to order more exploding bats on the clear target. Url receives the blows and falls back¡­ Url: (Shit¡­Some of these bats have ritual signs on their back so he can use them as weapons¡­I have to be careful¡­However, that also means that most of these guys are normal¡­He must have prepared the spell bats in advance. Thankfully, I¡¯ve also come prepared¡­) He pulls out another, yellow flask. He runs around the vampire, prompting him to send out another wave of bats. Url stays on the defensive and tries to shave them off. Watching his successful dodges, the vampire sends out even more of his bats, remaining with only four big ones that encircle him like a ring¡­ Even though Url is surrounded by them, he doesn¡¯t budge. He throws the flask upwards, then points his two fingers at it like a pistol. Url: ¡°Sear¡±! Blasting the flask, it releases a large yellow cloud. The bats move around for a bit but remain in the air. However, their ritual signs start glowing, each their respective color, with an ounce of white¡­ Url : (Holy Light-induced reaction gas¡­The table allows me to pour enough holy light into the gas used for clearing out vampire glyphs. It reacts with the magicka in the ritual signs, and reveals hidden traps¡­) Counting the bats, he sees many spell-prepared creatures in the mix¡­ Url: That¡¯s all you got for me?! (Now for the other thing¡­) Leuto: Heh, it¡¯s enough to kill you!!! He makes the bat spiral around him, closing in more and more¡­ Maya: Url¡­ Vic: He¡¯s not gonna make it out of- The more the bats close in on the hunter, the more blood spews out, the more explosions set off, the more spells fire out¡­The laughing Leuto sends out two of his 4 bats to finish off the hunter inside the debris cloud¡­ Leuto: You¡¯re finished, brat- The cloud dissipates. Standing on and covered in bat gore, he¡¯s found sinking his saw blades onto one of the bats, while the other is impaled by two large, sharp edges of silver¡­Url takes his blades and dissects the crying bat, unfazed by its shrieks¡­ Leuto: What!? How?! Url: Did you forget?! I have my senior with me! Samuel: I sent out half of the transparent entity to Url before he got decimated by that cluster. I turned it to two sharp edges and had it spin around him like a shield¡­ The entity dissipates and returns as liquid to its original blob... Leuto: You cheater¡­ Url: Who are you calling a cheater!? You¡¯re fighting with your family! Leuto: Shut up, hunter. How about you stop being a coward and come fight me face to face?! Url: If you ever take the step front, yeah sure¡­ Taunting the vampire, he rushes towards it. Engaging in combat, Leuto combines a vampire¡¯s typical risky strikes with follow-ups from his last remaining bats. Url gets outmaneuvered and receives a beatdown. Every kick he tries to dodge, he gets punished with a bat bite. Every time he tries to strike, a bat either holds his hands back or takes the hit. And even if he lands a hit, the vampire¡¯s royal blood is enough to get him back up and running¡­ He takes out a pale green syringe and tries to impale his foe, but Leuto¡¯s noble physique manages to block the needle from even entering the skin¡­ Grabbing his chance, he kicks Url to the shin, kneels him, and orders his bats to hold him. He playfully whales on him with slaps¡­ Leuto: Come on!! Where¡¯s the freak show!!? Where¡¯s the plague doctor that had vampires hiding in holes?! Maya: Sir Samuel, we have to Samuel: No¡­Watch¡­ Refusing to open the shield, they helplessly watch as Url is taunted and tortured¡­ Leuto: I heard about your kind. Nuts even for humans. No one would even touch them unless they were bitten by us. How does it feel, bird doc?! Huh!? How does it feel having to hide your psychotic face from your friends under that mask?! Vic: What is he talking about? Url was so kind to us in the exam¡­He could never what that freak was calling him¡­ Samuel: You probably weren¡¯t born that period¡­Some plague doctors had to become hunters to find out what was causing the vampirification and find the cure¡­But given their ¡°bizarre¡± nature¡­They would end up torturing vampires during fights¡­ Making signs with his hand, Leuto¡¯s attention turns to Url¡¯s fingers. He grabs them violently¡­ Leuto: Trying another trick, huh? How about I break one or two fingers, huh? Will the psycho come out if I do that? Url: Probably¡­¡±Flash¡± A bright flash blinds Leuto for a moment but sends the bats in disarray. Pulling out another green flask, he cries out to Samuel : Url: Sir, now!! Samuel drops his shield, and sends the entity to dash to the vampire¡­ Url throws the flask and blasts it with "Sear" in front of the blinded bat, releasing a pale green cloud¡­The entity arrives and covers Leuto in a transparent, smaller sphere¡­ Leuto: Sniff, sniff¡­what the hell is this?! Where am I? Url closes in, and smacks on the sphere a couple times with his blades¡­ Leuto: I warn you, hunter! This cage won¡¯t hold me back! He smacks again and again¡­ Leuto: Stop it!! What is this? Who¡¯s inside ?! Where are you!!! I can¡¯t see a damn thing!!! Catching some eye contact, Url makes a move, as if he¡¯ll attack the vampire. From Leuto¡¯s point of view, Url is meters bigger, and is ready to lay his giant blade onto his miniscule body¡­ Leuto: Leave me alone, you trash!!! He starts sending out bats, more than the sphere can hold, to counter the "attack". The bats inhale some of the gas¡­They slowly start to panic too, and like the spiral before, start attacking each other, shredding through Leuto¡¯s skin in the process¡­ Url: A little gift from your friend the Ripper...( I couldn''t manage to replicate the whole illusion-swapping technique, but I can recreate the intense hallucinations that got me hitting thin air against that bat in the sewers...) Leuto is too anxious to control the bats, and hits on the sphere begging for the torture to stop¡­ Leuto: Let me out!!! They¡¯re killing me!!! Please!!! Url: You said you wanted to see if the psycho will come out¡­ Placing his palm on the sphere, he ducks to see the vampire straight in the eye. His piercing, cold blue eyes, against the terrified, twitching red eyes of his adversary¡­ Url: Well, here he is. Samuel: Doctors would sometimes go overboard¡­That¡¯s when they made a pact. When a plague doctor over-tortures his vampire opponent¡­He¡¯ll take off his mask. Because they¡¯ve surpassed even the limits of their creed¡­ Cries of excruciating pain make the kids shudder in fear¡­But what ticks their needs the most isn¡¯t the painful torture that no hunter would ever dare to come up with. It¡¯s the torturer¡¯s cold-blooded expression. His open irises unstuck from the victim¡¯s cage and the trial he released upon him. The riled bats eat through his regenerating skin over and over, while he hits the floors and walls, begging for release, he watches it all, as some sort of¡­art¡­a sculpture he just made¡­even for the younger hunters, it is a gruesome sight Maya: (Is¡­this what a hunter has to do?...Are vampires that dangerous?...) Url: He¡¯s too strong to take him on right now. Let him in there for 5 minutes and then release him. We can question him- Url backs off and tries to approach the group. Samuel notices vibrations from inside the moving bubble¡­ Samuel: He¡¯s trying to make the bubble blow up with more bats!! Url, back off I can¡¯t hold it for any lon- Bursting from the bubble, hundreds of bats swarm the room¡­Then, like a hurricane before the storm, the amass around the injured vampire, who¡¯s holding his palms together and chanting in vampiric¡­ The same spell as Wutsworth. The bat flesh molds with each other and starts to morph into a strange, large, beast resembling a bat¡­Starting to recuperate, the beast picks Leuto up and puts him on its back¡­ Leuto: I¡¯ll kill you, hunter!! This will take you out!! You think your cheap illusions are gonna work on a noble!!! Url : (Thought so¡­guess the table¡¯s not enough to go against the noble¡¯s defenses¡­) Vic: Url, get out of there!!! He¡¯s gonna kill you!!! Url: Like hell, I¡¯ll let this monster walk out of here! Not after what he¡¯s done!! The kids beg Url to run¡­However, the hunter remains to his ground, preparing his saw blades¡­Before the beast''s fangs decimate him, Samuel¡¯s entity manages to form into large spikes to hold back the beast¡­ Samuel: That¡¯s my last straw!! Fall back, or your precious baby gets kebab¡¯d right here!!! The more Leuto urges it to push forward, the more the spikes enter through its body¡­ Leuto: Shit¡­Shit, shit, shit!!!! I¡¯ll be back, hunters!!! You can bet on that!!! He backs off¡­The beast turns into large clouds of black smoke along with Leuto, and they both disappear from the corridor¡­ Url kneels. He breathes in and out like crazy¡­His teacher and the students rush to his aid¡­ A few hours later, after handing in their report to the support soldiers, Samuel walks everyone to the VHC¡­ Samuel: Phew! That was a close one!! Vic: Sir; why didn¡¯t you pound him with that blob!! You could create everything you want!! Maya: It did seem like you were holding back, professor¡­ Samuel: I was out of vials to turn 11X19 into something more combat-oriented. I never imagined there would be a noble. Even with 11X19 pinning him down, I could feel he would still fight back¡­ Url: It¡®s my fault¡­ I should have finished him before he made that creature¡­But his attacks¡­that was coordinated¡­thought out¡­trained¡­I couldn¡¯t even deal decent damage¡­ Vic and Maya slap him¡­ Vic: Are you kidding me? You had him in the gutter for a while there! He was begging for help!! Maya: Strength aside, you did manage to outsmart him¡­ Url: It was also thanks to Sir Samuel¡­I didn¡¯t think I would have survived some of that without him¡­ The smug doctor smirks and raises his glasses¡­ Samuel: Well, how about we let Url cool down for a bit? Url, go back to the bar. I bet your friends are worried about you¡­ Url: Oh yes, I should¡­Oh well- Samuel: And hey!... Try and keep the mask on that belt for a while huh? They deserve to know¡­ He smiles at his teacher¡¯s remark. Saluting everyone, he departs¡­ Vic: Sir, if we fail, I want to say that Maya doesn¡¯t deserve to Maya: Now, we went together, we¡¯ll fail together. Samuel: Both of you passed. Vic: Huh? Samuel: Kids, when you saw Url fight, what did you notice?... Maya:¡­He¡¯s smart¡­He¡¯s a good fighter despite being a doctor¡­and¡­ Pictures of the hunter¡¯s cold gaze and merciless torture come to mind¡­ Vic: He was vicious¡­almost nuts¡­ Samuel: A lot of people will say that Url¡¯s a hidden psychopath. And they are right. But what did I tell you this morning? Maya: Only revenge-driven nuts and basketcases make it out in this wing¡­ Samuel: You can be smart, you can be prepared, you can be brave, you can be a fighting god¡­But there¡¯s one thing my friend had said that stands correct even now, for every hunter¡­¡±The most important thing in the Hunt¡­is grit.¡± Samuel: I normally thought I would just find you inside the bank because rumors have been going around of the ongoing investigation. I would ambush you in there and have Url play the role of a vampire¡­But once I heard your cries, we rushed in as fast as we could¡­But now, now that you¡¯ve seen how a hunter should fight¡­no backing out, no fear¡­no remorse for what these monsters deserve to get¡­Do you still want to join the hunter¡¯s wing? Looking at each other, they both agree to follow the path of a hunter¡­ Chapter 15 : Big Day Tomorrow Three days of patrolling go by¡­From Monday to Wednesday, the western district vampires have met the other end of Beryl¡¯s avenging fists. Pounds of silver smashing their teeth and a hulking man with a death glare are the last thing they are ever going to see before the soul departs to whatever the vampires consider the afterlife¡­Despite his lingering grief, he puts on a brave face, and forbids himself from ever straying away from the path of principles and ethics a hunter has to follow: Civilians first, vampires second. As his fame prescribes, he remains a generous, strict, upstanding young hunter who helps anyone in need. More and more people get to know him outside the plaza, and they all adore him. Every senior says it : ¡°Beryl is what Landen needs right now. A hunter that, despite his failures, despite his deep personal drives, he displays an unwavering belief in the hunter¡¯s creed.¡± The eastern district has been under surveillance too. Shaka and Finn have been working non-stop to pick up the pieces of their last fight. Desperately searching for the vampire that massacred the Power Factory. However, despite all their efforts, he seems to have disappeared from the face of the town¡­ As for our heroes, their days have been spent following their assigned seniors. Searching for evidence, running errands, then hunting at night. Mornings are missed, and brunch has become the new breakfast¡­ Thus, one could say that this active, stressful environment could bear fruit in some unfortunate situations- Suiga: I feel as light as a feather!! This is pretty weird considering we¡¯ve been working non-stop for the past few days¡­ Cassie: My experience out in the fields tells me that low fatigue despite strenuous work is the result of vampirification. Would you want me to dispose of you NOW? Suiga: I never thought of such a possibility!! You are correct once again, Lady Cass!! I¡¯ll commit seppuku, you make sure you take care of anything that comes after me!! Aaron: STOP THIS, FOR LORD¡¯S SAKE!!! Kicking Suiga away, who has opened his robe to prepare for a stomach slashing, he then chases Cassie around, until he grabs her makeshift bow and pounds her in the head with it multiple times¡­ Url: Look, I understand no one has been pretty gun-ho about these back-to-back missions, but it''s for the good of the community! We have to find the bastards that escaped Salazar, especially now that we know that some of them are aristocrats. Suiga: Ugh, of course, we know¡­ Scissor sounds and blood spatter course through Suiga¡¯s mind. Vivid images of the leather jacket creep, his deranged eyes, his cackling screams¡­and the cold air treading along his violent attacks¡­ Suiga: And like I¡¯d ever let someone like that throttle around Landen. Url has opened his Apothecary¡¯s Table, fiddling around with remains and potions gifted by his mentor for the wonderful job he did. Lau is sitting on the grand table, sipping on some caramel-flavored tea, along with two small biscuits, completely countering the alcoholic atmosphere of the bar¡­ Lau: I won¡¯t lose again to that freak. He¡¯ll breathe his last air out of my rapier¡¯s holes next time I cross blades with it. Url: Well, first we have to find them. Apparently, prisoner records go way back in Salazar, so even the guards don¡¯t remember who¡¯s who. Suiga: Well, there must be some way to find some identity¡­ Lau: Aren¡¯t there any papers, or stones, or whatever they wrote the records on at that age? Url: Well, normally Aaron is supposed to-For Lord¡¯s sake Aaron, she¡¯s had enough!!! The young man stops pounding on the girl¡¯s head. Dropping away the wooden bow, he shamingly approaches the group¡­ Aaron: Uh, yeah. Shroud told me yesterday that they managed to find some files on prisoners dating a few years back. Photos and all. Might be worthwhile to look, so he¡¯ll bring it along with Luca and Samuel¡­ Url:...SirSamuel? Is out? With Shroud and Luca? Aaron:¡­ Ugh, yeah¡­ Suiga: Is something the matter? I thought Sir Huckleberry was a good man. Cassie: Would the senior professor require disposal by the nightingale? Url: Yes to Suiga, Hell no to Cassie, even though I wish I could say yes¡­It¡¯s nothing, just some old stuff¡­ Cassie: Albeit, it is bizarre. You do not see three seniors on an errand very often¡­I wonder if¡­ Lau: Come on crazy lady, don¡¯t let us hang like that! Cassie: There has been word around VHC that a lot of seniors are coming back from their expeditions this week. My senior for example, she¡¯ll be coming back tomorrow or the day after¡­I wonder if it¡¯s because of the grand scheme the Blade Dancer was talking about¡­ Lau: I hope not!! I don¡¯t need my father here to chastise me!! Aaron: Suiga, remind me to ask Shroud to send a letter to Fran?ois Lecourt¡­ Url: That is an excellent point, Cassie. I also heard the Saintess will be returning today, along with the Chief Hunter, Eliakim Sheridan. Lau: The Chief will be here?! Suiga: He was with my father for the past week. I suspect the meeting would have ended sooner had my father not proposed drinks¡­ Aaron: A lot of the big wigs are coming huh? Then we best get our asses to work and stop attempting suicides like Transylvania slaves. Bursting through the door, three figures enter the bar. Luca, Samuel, and Shroud, carrying a bunch of files in a wooden case¡­ Samuel: Shredding through the dark trenches, the temple grasses, the barren deserts¡­Once again, the fateful trio that guards over Landen¡¯s beauties¡­Blade Dancer, Butcher, and me, Smartest Man Ali- Shroud: Try the geekiest chopstick still standing. Picking him up like a sheet, he brings Samuel to the table. He drops the wooden case for the kids to open and look¡­ Luca: Found you something. We¡¯ll debrief you on the vampires you saw, at least the ones we could figure out¡­ And then, we¡¯ll prepare for tomorrow¡­ Cassie: What is tomorrow, Sir Blade Dancer? Shroud: We moved the planned date up. Can¡¯t wait till the end of the week to make a move in the bank now that we know what the bats are looking for¡­ Url: But that Leuto only said about a chest¡­ Luca: We¡¯ll explain everything¡­but first¡­Open the crate. Our pals are there¡­ Skimming through the papers, they notice captured moments of the vampire¡¯s heads¡­Clear as day, the faces of Leuto and Edward, along with Danno and his gang of followers¡­Another head appears too¡­¡± Tragoedia¡± says the name next to the picture¡­ Aaron: Aaand, who are these guys¡­ Luca: Let¡¯s start with the lady. ¡°Tragoedia¡± was the name she gave the guards when some hunter brought her in a few decades ago¡­No one knows where she comes from, but Hunter Evan¡¯s notes say that he¡¯s been chasing her family for years. She has some sort of opera guard blindly protecting her¡­Virtue case seems to be blank, except for ¡°auditory transmission¡±¡­The next is pretty much scribble¡­figures¡­ Cassie: That must be the vampire responsible for the tragedy at the plaza!! Her spells worked through the voice disguised under her guards¡¯ violins!!! But why are there scribbles?? Aaron: Maybe she made him erase the rest¡­ Luca: Oh no. Hunter Evans retired rather early. Around the same time he started having mood swings, sending assault threats¡­eventually going mad and killing himself¡­ Shocked by the revelation, Aaron and Cassie observe the picture. How could such a kind-looking creature push a man to the brink of insanity and death, read their faces¡­ Luca: Next, we have Edward Scissors. Detained a few years ago by Hunter Eckel but has escaped Salazar many times. One hunter was on to him: a Lecourt¡­ Lau: Huh? Is that why he was so obsessed with me? Luca: Can¡¯t say. The hunter was from 200 years ago. But Edwards has shown a deranged personality, even for a vampire. His Virtue has some sort of way of creating iron from his body and using it as makeshift blade edges. In addition, according to Samuel, his wings have a special schematic that allows him to fly at amazing speeds. Suiga; That¡¯s why he could make that whirlwind effect¡­I¡¯ll make note of this and burn his wings up to the roots¡­ Luca: Lastly, Leuto. Detained recently. Virtue has to do with bats¡­ Samuel: If I may¡­The bats have some sort of DNA connection with him. He can control them like extensions of himself. Thus, it¡¯s also safe to say he does not bother with magicka consumption. That¡¯s why he was able to cast the same type of spell as Wutsworth. Even for a noble, that could be difficult to pull¡­ As Aaron moves through the files he notices two other vampires¡­Spiky, white hair, bloodshot red eyes with purple blood bags right under¡­The other has paler, slick beige hair, pointy elf-like ears, an earring to the right¡­ Aaron: Who are these guys? Cassie: Hmm, I see no name in the tags¡­ Lau: If there are no names, then they must be nobodies. Shroud: Huh? Hmm, never seen these two¡­Says here they escaped months ago¡­ Samuel: Could it be these are the two that hooked the Ripper up with the rest of the prisoners? Out of the prison, right to the only person that could save their buddies. Luca: Sounds¡­logical¡­But they haven¡¯t made any appearances until now¡­We should be cautious in case they come out¡­Which brings us to tomorrow¡¯s plan!! Deploying a large schematic of the bank¡¯s last floor once again, everyone pays attention as Luca explains the plan in great detail¡­ Luca: Now, thanks to the nerd man and bird doctor here, we now know that the vampires going for the depository are searching for a black chest. We pulled in some favors, and managed to find the chest they were looking for¡­ Lau: Great!! Can¡¯t we just pull it out of there and hide it? It would be best to play it safe. Luca: That¡¯s what we thought. Hide it either in VHC or one of the other cities, so it will be well guarded by the best senior hunters, like Pirou¡¯s Fran?ois, or the Akira Syndicate¡­Thing is¡­ Shroud: We can¡¯t lift it. The youngster¡¯s silence indicates an air of confusion. The chest seemingly appears to be the size of a small drawer¡­ Suiga:¡­The chest? Luca: Correct. Aaron: The one in the picture? Shroud: Ya. Url: The one that was described as ¡°ideal for granny ornaments¡±, as written? Samuel: That might have been an exaggeration, but yes, the very one. Lau¡¯s snickering hardly escapes the ears of the three embarrassed seniors¡­ Luca: Any remarks, Lecourt? Lau: I¡¯m sorry, but I can¡¯t wrap this around my head. The THREE of you, especially the Butcher, couldn¡¯t lift the chest I used to put my jewelry inside? Oh, are hunters of Landen such weaklings¡­ Lau¡¯s snickering attitude is cut short to a tremble of terror with Luca¡¯s lightning-fast blade grazing her cheek¡­ Luca: Need I remind you Lecourt, you had your ass handed by some leather jacket vampire whose weapon was ¡°scissors¡±. Maybe we should call your father for that ¡°nuisance to the group¡± thing he was- Lau: And what sorcery was the reason you couldn¡¯t lift the chest? Humbly reprising her seat, Luca sheaths his cross blade¡­ Samuel: I used Url¡¯s augmented gas, and found no ritual sign at play. The chest definitely isn¡¯t bolted to the casing, so either someone really powerful made it, or Shroud¡¯s beer regime has made him softer than usual¡­ Pound! Samuel goes up and down as Shroud¡¯s fist bonks his head and has him like a bobblehead in the central train¡¯s station gift shop¡­ Shroud: What nerd hir¡¯s tryin¡¯ ta¡¯ say, we got squat. We hafta leave the chest where it is and lure in tha bats¡­ Url: That might prove quite difficult. Even Sir Samuel had difficulty retaining Leuto¡¯s beast. Nothing can guarantee these bats won¡¯t destroy the whole building and us along with it if we lure them inside. Samuel: While that¡¯s true, I also had you and the kids to look out for¡­What we are planning is kind of different¡­ Luca: Hunter Beryl will be situated in the chest room beforehand. We¡¯ll lure in any vampire already looking to score the treasure while keeping out any company looking to join¡­ It¡¯ll end up being three versus one¡­We don¡¯t kill him, just detain him for information to the chest¡­ Lau: I hope that scissors freak the one trying to enter¡­ Suiga: I¡¯ll agree to that¡­ Aaron: (Edward must have left his mark on them...Hope it doesn¡¯t end up like me and Danno¡­) Cassie: On the contrary, I hope I won¡¯t have to face Tragoedia again¡­Whatever she did that day, it did not seem normal¡­ Url: I¡¯ll try to look at the other Virtues until tomorrow¡­Best be prepared¡­ Luca: Keep that for night homework. Today we have another thing to do¡­Aaron, Suiga, we need you two today¡­ Aaron: Huh? On which mission? Shroud: Tis a secret. Suiga: Are the others not needed? Any help is- Luca: You two are just enough for today. The rest of you, take the day off. Url: Really? Cassie: Is this true? No plot afoot? Lau: Hah!! Serves you right for wanting to play captains!! I¡¯ll help myself to the bar¡¯s well-deserved sweets while you two sweat away in hard-working la- Shoving Lau inside the bar¡¯s empty trash bin, the duo preps up and follows the seniors to VHC. Cassie and Url are left trying to pull Lau away from the door¡­ Arriving at the establishment they are greeted by the receptionist¡­ Patricia: Holy Lord, prayers are answered¡­Oh Suiga, welcome to Shroud: Cool it, broad. Prince Charming¡¯s hir fer work. Aaron and Samuel: Yeah, what about us? Luca: Cool it, boys. The woman¡¯s working. Shroud: Patricia, we gonna need da court fer a few tests. Is anyone on it? Patricia: Lemme check¡­Ugh, yeah¡­and I don¡¯t think you are going to like it, sir Shroud¡­ Shroud: Go on, tell me it¡¯s Sarah. I should¡¯ve filled up on the rum before¡­ Patricia: Oh Lady Sarah hasn¡¯t reached town yet. She¡¯ll be here tomorrow. You are in the clear for that. It¡¯s the Chief you should look out for¡­ Samuel: Wait, Eliakim is back?! I thought the trains to Assia were suspended! Patricia: Guess being the Chief of the department gives you a few extra rights, huh¡­And, yeah, he was searching for you guys¡­Something about ¡°the rookies my dumbass employees chose to bring in¡±¡­ Shivers down the senior¡¯s spine with that last comment. Given what the Chief has shown as attitude towards his subordinates, what could be his opinion now¡­ Suiga: Excuse me, are we in trouble? Luca: Not you, us. I guess risking the lives of two scions by bringing them to the battlefield was a weird choice¡­ Samuel: Not only that but the fact that the rookie team was charged with preventing a second prison break and defeating a cult¡­ Shroud: Old man¡¯s gonna kill us¡­Hah, better see what he¡¯s up to. Thanks, Patricia, we¡¯ll see you later¡­ Patricia: Oh before you go, there was someone with him¡­ Aaron: (Not another rookie, not another rookie¡­) Patricia: He seemed old, in his 60s¡­Long grey beard, tall, but kept mostly to himself¡­Dresses like Lady Sarah, but WAY darker. Had that smoldering, hot grandfather vibe¡­ Aaron: OK then, how about we leave before this turns Rated M¡­ Arriving at the courtyard, they notice the old guy figure walking past them. As described, he keeps to himself, only nodding the hunters from courtesy, then continuing¡­ Aaron: Ya¡¯ guys know him? Luca:¡­No¡­I don¡¯t think so at least¡­ Shroud: Let¡¯s ask the old man right after he kills us. Hey, Chief!!! To the center of the courtyard, there stands a humongous, big-boned but no less muscular than the rest of the hunters, the elder man. With dark skin and dark beard, thicker than a bush, and a slash scar hiding his lost left eye, he wears a brown jacket, a white-collar shirt with a black tie, dark blue jeans, and a silver belt buckle. As he turns around to greet, the kids notice his right arm is not there. Instead, a large, silver machinery resembling a swivel gun rests in place of his forearm¡­ Suiga: Is that¡­Eliakim Sheridan? Samuel: Exactly. 14th Chief of Hunters, President of the VHC, the Tornado of War¡­Eliakim ¡°The Bullet Storm¡± Sheridan¡­ Aaron: Sir Samuel, have you been hanging out with Cassie lately? Approaching the group, his steps resemble stomps. The resounding tremor reaches the hearts of the stressed youth, who¡¯ve never seen the Chief up close¡­ Before greeting the two rookies, Eliakim salutes his subordinates. Everyone in turn, as fast as lightning, kneels and presses on their chest with their palms¡­ Eliakim: At ease, soldiers. I see you searched for me¡­ Shroud: Eh, of course, sir. Our deepest apologies fer¡¯ the retard. Luca: Tomorrow¡¯s plans have been quite stressful to prepare. Samuel: However, we heard you called for some important task to give us¡­ Breathing in, breathing out. From the giant¡¯s expelled air, the group sniffs the residual smoke of his cigarettes¡­ Eliakim: Yeah¡­I just wanted to meet the new arrivals. Why have you all got those sticks up your asses? Chill! From their kneels to the ground gasping for air, the seniors are somehow terrified but glad nothing worse was coming to them¡­ Eliakim shakes both the rookies¡¯ hands. Even for the Titan Aaron, the man¡¯s handshake is firm, strong even. Either the strength or the man¡¯s imposing aura weighing down on the kid¡­ Aaron: It¡­It is an honor, sir¡­ If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it. Eliakim: You¡¯re Shroud¡¯s kid. Willheart¡¯s adopted son from the South¡­I can see your mother in those silver eyes, kiddo¡­And from what I read, I can probably see her in that sword too¡­ Aaron: Hahah¡­I try to uphold her name with every mission, sir! Eliakim: Good luck, she was also a huge worrywart¡­ Especially when your father was out, having a good time with your friends here¡­ Suiga: (Aaron¡¯s parents again¡­From what Cassandra told us, I gather he was adopted by Willheart and the hunter she was seeing¡­) Eliakim: And you¡­Your old man¡¯s sending his regards!! Have to say you look exactly like him, minus the drinking, the huge muscles, and the middle-age wrinkles¡­ Suiga: My thanks for the comments¡­I¡¯m afraid my father¡¯s skills as a hunter put us quite apart though¡­ Eliakim: From what I read? I think your old man trained you a little too well, my friend¡­Keep up the good work, you¡¯ll be a lot of help around here. Suiga: Eh, yes sir!! Eliakim: Now, you three! Where¡¯s the little Lecourt her father has been egging me to look at? Luca: Aaah, we left her back at her house, sir. The following days have been somewhat stressful for some of the rookies. Aaron : (He can¡¯t say that Lau would be a pain up our-) Eliakim: Run me through that again¡­ Luca: We¡¯ll lure the bats into the safe and try to apprehend them inside while attempting to discover what in the hells that blasted chest is. Samuel: We thought letting the bats give us the answers would be easier than interrogating them through myriads of obvious lies¡­ Eliakim: Have you taken any precautions? If every hunter in the city is in on this, who¡¯s going to protect the citizens? Shroud: Dat¡¯s why only Hunter Grut will stay inside with tha¡¯ chest. Someone will lure a vamp¡¯ inside and turn de¡¯ tables when we choose ta¡¯ take them out. The rest will be on patrol around the corners¡­ Eliakim: God, Shroud, your breath¡¯s stink tramps my cigarette smoke¡­Anyways, keep me updated on this whole shindig. Whatever that chest is hiding, is enough to have a bunch of aristocrats riled up. Luca: Regarding that, we are afraid the nobles are acting under the Ripper. Could you think of any connection? The giant brushes his chin in thought, rubbing his thick beard hair with his meaty, rugged hand full of burns and scars¡­ Eliakim: Nothing that comes to mind, except¡­Have you asshats tried to search for the chest¡¯s owner? Samuel: Huh? I thought it was a national treasure. Eliakim: Yeah, but all items have belonged to someone in the past¡­If I remember correctly, the chest became a depository-owned item a long time ago, but it was definitely found in some abandoned abode¡­Could be some of the big wig bats that¡¯ve gone missing¡­ Samuel: Alright¡­I¡¯ll take a look at that tonight. Thanks a lot, sir. Eliakim: It¡¯s ma job, squirts. Anyways, I¡¯m residing in the office. Anxious to file in your fines for the last expedition¡­ Shroud: Huh? What fines? Scrouching through his deep pockets, he pulls out a long, crumbled paper list. From his other pocket, comes out a monocle for his healthy eye¡­ Eliakim: Shroud : Damages to the association¡¯s expedition resources such as tents, carriages, support soldier weapons, support soldier tents, support soldiers¡­ Shroud: Ah, that¡¯s alright I- Eliakim : Rage, drunken stupor, drunken rage. This also brings us to, fines for extensive alcohol consumption, having emptied numerous supplies, including the ones for medical purposes¡­ Aaron: Good god and you have the nerve to lay it on me for slouching and half-assing jobs?! Luca: A fine example, indeed¡­ Eliakim: Luca Cearrach: Emotional abuse, threats, verbal abuse, physical abuse, all directed to support soldiers, hunters, nuns¡­ Luca: If they were of any use, I wouldn¡¯t- Eliakim: Not to mention, collateral resource damage from ¡°friendly¡± fights with Sir Shroud, extensive consumption of tea reserves¡­ Suiga: Guess all seniors have their quirks, huh¡­ Samuel: Thankfully, I¡¯M the only squeaky-clean candidate¡­ Eliakim: Samuel Huckleberry: Ignorance of personal boundaries, endangerment of VHC students, endangerment of VHC associates in the spirit of experimentation¡­ Putting away the list, he intently pulls off his monocle slightly; staring at the trio with a gaze of judgment¡­ Eliakim: Need I go on? Seniors: No sir¡­ Eliakim: Kids, one advice. Take your time, kill your bats, just don¡¯t turn out like these three¡­Anyways, I¡¯m off. Dismissed!!! Departing for the office, the group is left at its own devices¡­ Luca: Well that was¡­a nice way to waste time¡­ Suiga: So this is the Chief of Hunters. I could feel it in his grip, he is a strong man indeed¡­ Shroud: He might be a stick up our asses, but this guy has vouched for us more than once. And he was a hell of a fighter back in the day¡­ Aaron: Could guess from that giant machine gun for an arm. Besides that, what the hell were we supposed to do here? Luca: That was it. We knew the boss came early, so we wanted to make the meetup happen¡­ Samuel: Well, I better get started on that search. I¡¯ll pull in those files the depository offered us just in case. Luca: That was 3 towering piles. Tch, guess I¡¯ll come help, nerd¡­ Samuel: I never asked for Luca: Shroud!! Wanna join?! Shroud: Hell yeah! It¡¯s gonna be like camping, just the way we did back then!! Samuel: You mean with me handling all the work and you guys fighting in the background? Luca, Shroud: Yes!! Dispirited and desperate, the teacher allows his two colleagues to follow him to his chambers, already dreading the following hours of chaos to erupt. The two juniors are left wandering around the halls. Corridors filled with antique weapons, stone heads of numerous fable beasts, and portraits of every hunter registered in the VHC. From Abraham Van Helsing, the orange-haired lad who took to arms and took on the vampire count by himself, opening the way for the centuries-old Hunt. To Akira Hanshiro, the Blade of the East, famous for keeping Assia safe from vampiric threats, to Abraham Lincoln, the Human Dracula and famous sadistic hunter. Out of all the pictures, the kids chose to observe the painting of a paladin-dressed huntress, bearing a heavy set of silver armor despite her small stature, her noble looks, or her princess rave, blue hair. Under the painting, engraved in gold plating : ¡°Florence Willheart: The Lordling Huntress¡± Suiga: Lordling. Her armament¡¯s ability to nullify magicka was considered a direct gift from the Lord of Light, and with her clerical background, the title of ¡°Lord¡¯s Child¡± was as easy as well deserved to be tagged on her¡­ Turns to Aaron. The boy stares at the painting as if he just saw his mother yesterday: Amazed, clearly loving, but all and all unfazed¡­ Suiga: I guess being a Willheart, you aren¡¯t impressed by any of this, huh¡­ Aaron: Huh? Oh, yeah, Lordling and stuff, I got it¡­ The boy tries to hide his¡­disappointed-like grimace, with large failure. Suiga: Oh, I¡¯m¡­sorry. I forgot it could be that tough on someone¡­ Aaron: No, no¡­It¡¯s just¡­Every time I look at her, I keep remembering who she was, what she was, what she did¡­And then I remember who am I, and what¡¯s my name¡­and who I have to represent¡­ He caresses the picture, like a small kid searching desperately for his mother¡¯s embrace¡­ Aaron: Damn it¡­why the hell you left me with all this baggage¡­ Suiga wants to comfort his comrade. But his hands stay put. Observing the hunter¡¯s hand resting on the picture yet is enough to remind him that he is still in deep thought¡­ Aaron: Oh, shit, I turned this whole thing upside down. Quick, Suiga, say something creepy. Suiga: Oh, eh well¡­Ugh, I¡¯m sorry, Aaron. Aaron: Not a problem, topknot. Suiga:¡­If I may ask¡­how was she? Aaron: Hmm? Suiga: As a mother. From what you can remember, how were you two? Aaron: Well¡­I only had her ¡®till nine¡­But I remember her always in bed, because of her injury¡­But she would read me stories of her and my pops, she would tell me stuff about Shroud too. She was¡­kind and¡­so calm¡­ Again, looking at the picture, the boy fixates on the woman¡¯s silver eyes. Her calm, yet proud gaze towards the front¡­ Aaron: But when she died, the Willheart name fell on to me. She never went public about my adoption, and the VHC made moves to hide our relationship¡­but with the name ¡°Willheart¡± came¡­responsibility¡­ Suiga: Hmm? Aaron: The paladin huntress. A staple to the Bat God. She is loved and adored by every Landenian, and even more outside. I can feel it, every mission, every vampire I have to beat¡­The weight of her ambitions tiring me down¡­ Suiga now understands. The laziness Url was referring to was deeper rooted than one would think when hearing Aaron whining¡­He takes the liberty, and rests his hand on the boy¡¯s shoulder¡­ Suiga: I¡­understand¡­I don¡¯t want to compare our upbringings, but if it¡¯s any consolation, I¡¯ve had my fair share of dumped-on obligations, and the stress of completing them right along with it¡­ Suiga moves his hands and reaches for his father¡¯s portrait. A painting demonstrating the Assian Giant¡­ Suiga: Being a blighted hunter put my father under duress. Not a lot of people took it lightly that the prince was the owner of the Arsonist¡¯s Flames. He had to make sure I was ready for the world once I got out¡­ He grasps his right hand, the source of his current bane¡­The more it trembles, the more voices of hatred and disdain, shouting away at the blade fill his ears¡­ Suiga: If only I could change this with everything else in the world¡­ Beryl: That is unacceptable here, soldiers!!! The army hunter surprises the kids once again. Aaron: Damn it, stop doing that on intimate occasions!! Beryl: If I announced my entrance, I wouldn¡¯t have heard of your troubles, lads. No, excuse me while I introduce myself to what I heard is your ¡°vice-captain¡±. Aaron: (Damn it, Cassie!) I¡¯m not a cap- Suiga: Akira Suiga, Prince of Assia and Vice-Captain of the Newly Established Landen Junior Hunter Corps. Beryl: Nice to meet you, Suiga. I¡¯m Beryl Grut. I¡¯ve heard a lot about you from Luca, Cassie, and Aaron. Suiga: Likewise. Aaron and Cassie have been filling us in on your misadventures. They did not do you justice though, you look amazing!! Beryl: Flattery won¡¯t get you anywhere, rookie, but it is most appreciated. Anyways, I¡¯ve heard about your troubles, mind if I give away some personal short-term advice? Aaron: At this point, it doesn¡¯t feel like we got anything better. The army hunter orients the kids to a nearby marble bench. With his tall, rigid stature he looks down on his juniors, arms crossed and mouth ready to spill knowledge. Beryl: You guys are right, life sucks ass. Suiga: That was relatively quick. Beryl: Stay with me. I understand things might seem a bit stressful right now. You are rookies, in a profession where rarely anyone enters without a tragedy-ridden backstory. And in already your second-year solo, you had to take out a cult of a renowned serial killer vampire and face off against aristocrats. So you are right to feel like your life baggage has been unreasonably heavy¡­ He turns to the pictures. He touches the portrait of Van Helsing. Beryl: So did he. Abraham was a runt, and the one tortured by vampires in his village. But he took the challenge. He knew the only way out was in. He mastered his strength and was gifted the weapon to kill Dracula. He moves on to the Lincoln portrait, capturing the kid¡¯s attention. Beryl: Despite his nature, his red eyes, and all the discrimination he faced, the Human Dracula took on the Hunt. Trained his ass and made it his life purpose to protect the species that would try to push him to his demise. Moves on to Hanshiro¡­ Beryl: Emperor, rules an entire country while making sure the rest of the world is safe from vampires. Moves to Florence¡­ Beryl: Lord of Light bestowed her with the gift to fight, even though she was a weak nun at first. What I¡¯m trying to tell you is¡­ Suiga: We should stop complaining about our problems because some other older people have it worse. Aaron: Or in better terms, ¡°stop bitching about your problems because at your age they had it worse?¡± Beryl: You¡¯d love it, but no. I¡¯m saying it¡¯s reasonable. That everyone has it worse here. But it¡¯s by learning to accept the situation and acknowledging that only by hard work and conviction you ever get out of the hole you¡¯ve fallen into. Make the best out of every situation, good or bad. Aaron, you complain about leadership and responsibilities, yet look at the friend it brought you to have stood by. Aaron hesitates to agree with an excited, smiling Suiga to his side¡­ Beryl: And Akira, your sword might have been a staple to your childhood, and we can all understand that. But it has also been the reason you¡¯ve won your fights up ¡®till now, that and your developed skill as a hunter. Shunning it won¡¯t resolve anything¡­ Suiga: Sir Beryl¡­Amazing¡­ Aaron: Can¡¯t stay bitching about something if Beryl tells you it¡¯s not worth it¡­ Beryl: You should¡¯ve seen us at your age. Stressing left and right about everything. That¡¯s why we are here, lads. Suiga: I¡¯m suddenly filled with a sudden rush of adrenaline¡­ Aaron: That¡¯s the Grut effect. One good speech and he¡¯ll lift your spirits. Beryl: Thank the Lord. I¡¯m glad your mood is up. Anyway, I have some errands to run, so I¡¯ll leave you two to- Suiga: Oh, Beryl. We have the day off, would you like some help? Aaron: Hah? Oh, come on, I don¡¯t wanna run around the office! Beryl: Great idea, Akira. I can see why you are the vice-captain. Aaron: Once again, we¡¯re not a- Aaron¡¯s cries for mercy rest unheard, covered by the two pompous individuals¡¯ chatter¡­Back at the bar, Lau and Cassie help Url out as he prepares for tomorrow. Small flashes of holy light behind the Table¡¯s counter, the doctor carefully processes through his potions and syringes¡­ Url: Ok, that¡¯s it for the stimulants. Everyone should have three for tomorrow. I should start on the steroid blasts¡­ Lau: Won¡¯t you cook up one of those ¡°viruses¡± the samurai was freaking out about? Url: Well, yeah, but even with my AT, the concoctions still have to measure up against an aristocrat¡¯s heightened defenses. Leuto got rid of my ¡°illusion syringe¡± in a matter of minutes. Cassie: And the steroid blast. How do we use them? Url: Pump inside the limb of your choice. Three minutes of enhanced performance, and then it just deflates and numbs itself for a day. Lau: This will go well when I slice that creep¡¯s fingers off his hands¡­ A small silence follows¡­Url fixates on the Lecourt¡¯s anguished polishing of her silver blade¡­ Url: Was Scissors really that strong?... Lau: Eh? Url: For the great Lau to be that annoyed, he must have left a bad taste¡­ She stops the polishing. Putting away the rapier, she joins in on the doctor¡¯s manufacturing, preparing his vials before they receive their substances¡­ Lau: That rat bastard insulted my entire pride as a scion. He should have stayed back and fallen in battle¡­ Url: You can¡¯t know if he would lose¡­ Lau: Yes he would!!! Slowly cracking the vial, the shards in her palm do not manage to divert her rage. Cassie panicky drops her affairs and tries to aid the princess with her injury¡­ Lau: Ouch!! Cassie: Shard injuries are no joke, Miss Lecourt! And as a heroine, I must foresee what ails you¡­ Lau: Yes, but don¡¯t take out my hand with it!! Url: Let me try¡­ He grabs her hand. Gently enough, he applies a numbing cream and slowly plucks out the glass from her palm. He then sprays a stimulant liquid and covers the hand with bandages¡­ Url: This should be fine in a couple of hours. But she what rage does to you? Lau: Tch! None the matter. I won¡¯t lose again¡­I can¡¯t afford another loss¡­ Url: Hmm¡­Is this about your father? Lau:¡­Yes¡­ Cassie: Aah, yes, the renown Fran?ois Lecourt. I have the honor of being a reader of his hunting guides. He is truly a hunter worthy of the Nightingale¡¯s praise. Lau: Worthy hunter and strict father. I wonder if he learned about Scissors and the factory¡­What will become of me if he finds out I screwed up and failed to save the workers?... The doctor¡¯s observing eyes notice her hands trembling¡­Caressing the girl¡¯s shoulder, he then offers a glass of water from the nearby tap¡­ Cassie: Lady Lecourt, I can see your frustration, but I think you have it all wrong. I heard of your exploits and fights while in Landen. You managed to save a lot of people!! Your father would be nothing but proud! Url: I know the two numbskulls don¡¯t say it often, but you¡¯ve been a huge addition to the team¡­can¡¯t see why the fear¡­ Lau: Ugh¡­it¡¯s noble troubles, my lad and lass¡­A scion¡¯s role has more to it than beauty, unparalleled skill, and money¡­ Url: You are broke and got shoved into a trash can a few hours ago. Lau: When I came here¡­every time I have to attend a hunt¡­I always have to uphold my family¡¯s values and fame¡­The Lecourt scion cannot afford to lose to a mere street vampire. I am raised to the bone as a hunter, and it¡¯s my job to put vampires to rest¡­ As Lau rants away, the more Url sees through her pompous, pretentious fa?ade. Her preoccupations seem to have a much-rooted role in her haughty personality¡­ Url: I guess that¡¯s why perfection is such a die-hard rule for you¡­ Cassie: But Lady Lecourt¡­Perfection isn¡¯t something you should chase over. There¡¯s no rockier and harder path than the road to flawlessness, almost impossible¡­ The girl looks down on her toes. Searching the pockets in the satchel bag next to her chair, she pulls out a blue medallion. Opening it, the others see a watch and the picture of a young girl resembling their comrade, smiling in the distance¡­ Lau:¡­She would take that road¡­ Cassie: Who is¡­this? Lau: B¨¦atrice Lecourt. My late sis-sis¡­ Url: My apolo- Lau: Little late to the party, doc. She¡¯s been dead for years¡­She was perfect. Scion, next in line, and the best huntress I¡¯ve seen. I wouldn¡¯t have joined if it wasn¡¯t for her¡­ Cassie: Sound like a good person¡­ Lau: Some vampire killed her in action¡­Ever since, I took upon the title of scion, and worked myself to the bone to reach the heights she left me¡­But with what happened in the factory¡­I feel like I have been lacking lately¡­ Cassie: I knew my info was right¡­An esteemed Lecourt found bled and unalived in the Pirout beaches¡­From what I heard, she was beautiful and had so much potential¡­ Url: Nevertheless, I¡¯m not sure how your sister would feel if she knew you were beating yourself up for this¡­We¡¯ll find the guy, but let¡¯s remember: we have an important mission ahead of us. Lau: Tch¡­obviously I don¡¯t neglect my duties, like the brute we house and look after! Cassie: Speaking of Bossman, how come he doesn¡¯t talk about his family? Url: Honestly Cassie, other than Lau and Suiga¡¯s circumstances, no one has ever really spoken about their family matters here. Cassie: Nonsense. I love talking about the Mergrove line. Esteemed South Landenian hunters, spanning over years and years along the Hunt. Lau: Are the Mergroves the ¡°Lecourts¡± of Landen? Do you own a castle? Cassie: Of course! Any self-respecting heroine would have a proper abode on the side for rest days¡­ Url: Cassie, before us, Aaron told us that you were nearly homeless. Lau: I¡¯ve never heard of the Mergrove line. That must explain your title as the heroine of the South, ¡°Nightingale¡±. A humble girl from the South being a noble¡­My apologies, scion of the Mergroves. Cassie: No apologies needed, Lady Lecourt. I am just glad to be found next to such exquisite company¡­ Url: (Both have either largely misread this interaction, or I¡¯ve been smelling these potions for quite a while¡­) Cassie: Now that Lady Lecourt¡¯s mood has been fixed, is there anything we can help you with, doc? Lau: I hope it¡¯s not vampire heads. I owe you, but not that much. Url: You can start by labeling these. Yesterday Suiga mistook one of my illusory syringes as a steroid blast. Shroud was ready to slug him a few to wake him up¡­ Cassie: Speaking of the samurai, aren¡¯t he and Bossman late today? Lau: Considering their trip to VHC, the particularly sunny weather, and Topknot¡¯s affection towards the brute, I would be inclined to suggest that they are- Url: For God¡¯s sake, I spent 3 hours explaining it to Patricia. IT¡¯S NOT LIKE THA- Cassie: Bonding over their shared troubles¡­ Lau: But the first isn¡¯t a faraway possibility. Interesting enough. Doc, you''ve known Bossman longer than everyone here, shouldn¡¯t you be afraid of Suiga¡¯s stealing your partner in crime? Url: Huh? Please, take him away, I waited too long for this! Cassie: That is¡­rude¡­ Url: Ugh, don¡¯t misunderstand. Aaron¡¯s my closest friend, but he can be insufferable sometimes when he¡¯s whining¡­or slacking¡­or just outright exist- Lau: I¡¯m feeling this doesn¡¯t have a but- Url: BUT¡­Suiga has¡­I don¡¯t know¡­he¡¯s like lentil soup. Lau: Huh? What? Cassie: Oh do I yearn for my grandmom¡¯s lentil soup now¡­ Url: I mean¡­He¡¯s anything Aaron would hate to have, but in other ways, he¡¯s everything Aaron needs. And weirdly, I think we take something from him too¡­ Lau: Tch! Like I¡¯d learn anything from the stuck-up or the slob! I should¡¯ve been chief here! Cassie: While Bossman is quite the delight, I¡¯d love to follow your commands Lady Lecourt. Lau: Please, Cassandra. We¡¯re two equals in this room. Call me Lau. The two girls giggle and laugh, ignoring Url who just happily sighs and re-focuses on his potions¡­ The night falls. The chief and vice-chief return to their abode, happily greeted by their comrades. Shroud and Luca join in later. The three other young hunters return to the barracks of VHC, to rest for the next day after a last patrol¡­ The crescent moon shines on the starry sky. South of Landen, a few buildings right after the city ends, a large, thick forest begins expanding. Other than some villages protected regularly by the cities, no human dares to step into the lands between human civilization. The best hideout for vampires, it would be considered suicide to take a stroll under the large oak trees and into the dark forestation, where your cries would be left unheard, and your body lost¡­ From an elevated region, there lies a vantage point looking over Landen, with a large stone in the middle. Carved to the stone, a bizarre, red symbol¡­ From the forest, a figure pops out to graze the stone and look for the symbol. The vampire midnight singer, Tragoedia, is shy enough to look at every corner for onlookers of her actions¡­ Right to be afraid, because the vampire Edward Scissors spooks her from behind¡­ Scissors: Tragoedia, you silly bat!! You always fall for that!!! Tragoedia: Edward¡­You are alive¡­ Scissors: You thought I¡¯d be a dead rat by now¡­That¡¯s not very nice, Tragoedia¡­I may have to- Leuto: Don¡¯t go carving up our strongest weapon, please? Scissors: Look who¡¯s here! Bat boy! Heard you fucked up the heist you planned! Leuto: Had someone chosen to accompany me instead of drinking from the spawns in the next village, this would have gone better¡­ Scissors: Really, Leuto¡­Since when do nobles need help against humans¡­ Leuto: If I recall, didn¡¯t you leave with your tail between your legs because that bowl-cut hunter chased you out? Tragoedia: You two¡­please don¡¯t fight¡­ Her voice, serene, calm, mellow¡­The animosity between the two vampires disappears almost immediately, in favor of the shy attendant¡­ Leuto: Damn you, Tragoedia¡­Can¡¯t say no to you now, can we? Scissors: Anyways, where¡¯s Jackie?! I¡¯ve been flying all around Landen for his ass! Tragoedia: Lord Ripper told us¡­¡±Come where the Symbol of my house appears¡±¡­ Leuto: Calm your horses, fools. He¡¯s bringing in the rest¡­We have a mission to do before going home¡­ Scissors: The rest? There are others? Tragoedia: If I¡¯m right¡­Claus and Cain¡­are with him¡­ Scissors: Like he wouldn¡¯t bring those two¡­And what¡¯s up with the mission? What would the Sadist Lord want with some fancy chest? Leuto: He did not explain¡­He just told me it¡¯s of high importance to the species¡­Then started just¡­mumbling¡­ Tragoedia: Lord Ripper¡­he¡¯s peculiar¡­the last few days¡­ Leuto: I swear that guy has been weird the past couple of days. Always talking to himself, obsessed over the ¡°grand plan¡±¡­Where¡¯s the old Ripper, who would race us to the city gates to catch up to the fleeing humans? Edward: Oh don¡¯t go riling me up!! Have to save something for tomorrow! Tragoedia: Tomorrow?...Leuto¡­You haven¡¯t told ¡®im¡­ Edward: Huh?! Leuto: Scissors, we¡¯re done here. Cain and Claus will take it from here. We have to help with the escape route. Edward: WHAT!? Bullshit!! I¡¯m not going to- The female vampire¡¯s serene voice calms the black-haired terror once again¡­ Edward: Tragoedia, you are really not pissing me off here¡­ Tragoedia:¡­Yes¡­That¡¯s the point¡­ Leuto: Come now¡­We have to finish up with those dependents we left¡­That should cheer you up¡­ Chapter 16 : Trapped A calm evening in the center of Landen. Only the sound of trams grinding on the railway system and the few horse carriages running around town¡­ In the office of Chief Sherridan, Eliakim sits in his comfy swivel chair, surrounded by paperwork in a brown, wooden old room full of wardrobes, bookcases, and only one large window looking out the city center¡­ The large man, cigar in one hand, pen in another, rushes through leftover paperwork with concentration and care¡­His streak halts as he stumbles on the rookie sheets¡­ Tipping the ashes off his cigar, he takes a puff, and observes the numerous details of the five rookies in Landen¡­ Eliakim : (I still haven¡¯t met the other three¡­And it¡¯s been a while since I spent a minute with the older ones¡­Shaka and Finn are probably stuck together like always¡­and Beryl, man that kid needs to take it down a notch¡­) He continues, writing, signing, checking, smoking¡­ Eliakim: (Tonight¡¯s mission¡­I hope these kids are ready to fight aristocrats¡­) A knock through the wooden door. Three, gentle hits on the handle from the outside. Eliakim shouts to let them in as he takes out his cigar and opens the window slightly to air out the smell¡­ As the door opens, Patricia¡¯s head pops out quickly¡­ Patricia: Chief! The Saintess is here to see you! Eliakim: Huh?! Thought the lass was taking care of some church business. Let ¡®er in! As Patricia¡¯s head backs off, the door opens wide for a beautiful, female figure to enter the room. Contrary to the office¡¯s crumbling wood furniture, its grim-looking floor, and the tired weapons hanging on the wall, Eliakim¡¯s visitor is much akin to the setting sun seen from the window¡­ Tall with light blond, long puffy hair. A woman with the softest white skin, tender lips, small nose, and golden eyes sits in front of the gigantesque man, dressed in the church¡¯s official gowns for their Saintess: A large, sleeveless white gown with gold vertical lines on the sides running from top to bottom. Not even her big, white hat with the church¡¯s insignia, and a gold bejewelled sword piercing down through a gold sun, can cover the luscious hair falling on her shoulders and upper back. Yet, her calm footsteps and horizontal stature keep it from falling off. Taking off her white gloves she greets the Chief of Hunters, with the most serene, pleasant, ear-mellowing voice only the singing vampire could ever hope to surpass¡­ Saintess: Chief, I¡¯m so sorry for my most unexpected visit to your offices¡­ Eliakim: Dammit Philomena, I¡¯ve told you hundreds of times, you¡¯re welcome as long as I haven¡¯t brought any broads in the room. How are ya¡¯, what¡¯s wrong? Philomena Rosamund Grace. Current Head Saintess of the Sun Lord¡¯s Church and Huntress. Taking time off her hunting duties, she has plunged herself into the holy tasks bestowed by the Sun Lord¡¯s Bible. Heading the church, she makes sure she teaches and leads the nuns in the daily prayers, the caring of victims, and the study of incantations. A revered beauty, many in Landen forget she is associated with the horrors of the Hunt and the VHC¡­ Philomena: Chief, it is only common etiquette that I excuse myself when one has made the mistake of not announcing their arrival beforehand. However, I had long finished my daily chores before the decision even came to me. Eliakim: So, you just barged in to hang out? Philomena:¡­It would be a wise and most accurate assumption¡­ Eliakim: No problem, lass. But I thought you¡¯d barge in the other senior¡¯s affairs before seeing my office again! I mean, we were on each other¡¯s path every day in Assia. Philomena: That is true. But I chose to pass by their territory a little later. Before they commence their plan. I would love to give these kids a prayer of luck¡­ Eliakim: Believe me, Philomena, these kids will need more than luck¡­Now that you¡¯ve said it, how¡¯s the preparation for that thing going? Philomena: As I¡¯ve been informed, support armies started patrol hours ago in the other districts except Central. South units will welcome Lady Sarah¡¯s arrival so that she can easily deploy herself in the rear guard while the others are occupied in the deposit room. No threat of vampiric assault has been identified as of now. Should something worse happen, some of the rookies will depart through carriages to the attack sites to offer support. Eliakim: Excellent. What about the deposit room? Philomena: Luca said to me that Hunter Beryl will remain inside as a safeguard for the artifact. Two hunters will try to find any vampire lurking outside the building, and try to draw him to the room. Eliakim: Three versus one huh¡­That should be enough, as long as nothing unexpectedly strong comes around¡­But what if no one shows up¡­ Philomena: To quote Sir Huckleberry: ¡°My calculations suggest that the vampires would risk a lot if they let us even examine the chest for a second. Someone will have to come and grab it before we find out what its purpose is¡­¡± Eliakim: That brat and his calculations- Anyways! Hmm, what¡¯s this? In the last stack of papers, Eliakim notices a fun-looking, bright poster¡­ Eliakim: ¡°Boulevard Bazaar. In the grand boulevard, the night of 15/03. Great food, Great prices.¡± When was this made up? Philomena: Oh, yes. This has been on the city walls for a while. Some people prepared it as a fundraiser for the passing of the last few weeks. To send out to the families¡­ Eliakim: Guess people aren¡¯t too fond of the church¡¯s aids huh¡­ The chief¡¯s pupils escape from Philomena¡¯s presence, taking a detour from the festival¡¯s address and right into his daily schedule, which happens to be open... Philomena: Something the matter, chief? Eliakim: Hmm...Oi, Philomena...Want to take a small trip to the festival after the lads? Philomena: The festival? That¡¯s awfully strange for you sir! Eliakim: What?! I¡¯m not some old bore digging his nose through paperwork from morning to night! Philomena: That I know of sir. But participating in events like these... In the chief¡¯s mind, Philomena had a reason, a good one too. Any type of these events is bound to have an anti-hunter propaganda. Like the woman Aaron and Suiga saved. Despite the church¡¯s influence and the Hunting Association¡¯s fame, there are still a lot of people whose hope gradually decreases with every incident...If the church was not invited to such an event, it¡¯s pretty clear that individuals of that sort would not be allowed... Philomena: Don¡¯t you think we are out to stay out of this? Eliakim: As much as I want to agree, this will prove their point. People need to see that the VHC and the church have the hearts of Landen in their conscience at all moments. We are not just vampire killers. We are the guardians of this town and humanity along with that. Staying out of their way gives them enough of an excuse to go after us as irresponsible and incompetent... The Saintess hides her coy smile and little laugh with her closed palm...Eliakim cleans up his office, takes out his large brown coat from one of the wardrobes, and assists the Saintess out of the office and out of the VHC... The first stop is the depository. Passing through the marble corridors and stone staircases, they descend until they stumble across a large, metal door with a giant, brass, vault lock. Eliakim approaches, and raises his minigun arm, tapping on the vault with its tip lock to make a bell-like, resonating sound... Eliakim: OPEN UP!!! YOU HAVE VISITORS! Philomena: Sir! You could be more kind to them! Eliakim: How long has it been since you¡¯ve seen them, lass? The moment I turn soft or my eyes away, they turn to monsters. Philomena: Please, sir. They¡¯ve been at it for weeks at a time. I hardly believe our hunters would take this important mission with any less seriousness. The door opens wide, to reveal a scene out of a circus. Luca chases a half-drunk Shroud throughout the field with his swords, knocking over priceless artifacts. Aaron and Shaka try to beat Beryl in arm-wrestling, desperately pushing his stable arm down the ground. Suiga, Lau, and Cassie shoot and slice whatever Samuel thinks to throw at them while screaming chants and heroic phrases like 8-year-old boys and girls. The only ones who tried to open the door at the chief¡¯s command, Url and Finn, choose to remain¡­ Finn and Url stand side by side, in front of the open door. Eyelids are twitching, hair is half pulled, and frustration is visibly risen. Eliakim: You damn fucks-THE HELL IS THIS? Despite the saintess¡¯s protests, the chief raises his minigun arm and starts shooting from left to right at every hunter he views on sight. Bullets fly throughout the room in his raging fit. The shenanigans come to a halt and everyone besides Url and Finn is running for their lives. Finn: I hope those bullets kill me¡­ Url: I¡¯m not running either. Ordering a lineup, Eliakim takes turns personally shouting to every participant of the mayhem, leaving faces distraught and pale white¡­ Url: Look at that, a vampire line-up¡­ Luca: Sir, we excuse ourselves for this, but Shroud- Shroud: Just how every phrase starts in your mouth, huh? Samuel: Guys, stop fighting! Luca and Shroud: Shut up! Eliakim: All of you shut up!! This mission is crucial to catching that bastard Jack and the rest of the aristocrats and you idiots treat it like a playdate!! Through the chief¡¯s rage, Beryl manages to raise his arm, unfearing Eliakim¡¯s earlier bulletstorm. Eliakim : Hunter Grut, what is it?! Beryl: Excuse us, sir. But we finished preparing for the upcoming trap a few minutes ago. Our success led us astray and confident enough to have us fool around for a while! My deepest apologies! The chief¡¯s gritting teeth loosen, his crackling lips bend and form a large smile¡­ Eliakim: Oh! That¡¯s a relief then¡­Nice work Beryl! Shroud: We were going to Eliakim: Shroud, you drunk mess, zip it!! Kneel down and prostate so I can shove this turret all up your- Philomena: Isn¡¯t that great? The lads managed to prepare in advance! Amongst every black rag, all the silver weaponry, and the scarred, battered faces of the hunters present, the Saintess stands out like a sunflower in a field of wheat. The minute her voice escapes her lips, all eyes fall on her¡­ Philomena : Oh, Lord. Did I say something nasty? Eliakim: No, it¡¯s just that none of these idiots know how to behave socially. You three morons say hello to your friend !! The three seniors step out of their line and hug the Saintess tightly¡­ Shroud: How are ya¡¯, Grace ?! It¡¯s been a while. Philomena: Shroud, Luca, Samuel. I hope you¡¯ve been well. I see you brought the youth to help you with today¡¯s mission¡­ Shroud: That is correct, dear. Hey !! You !! Kneel in front of the Saintess !! Stunned by her presence, they kneel in response to her steps approaching calmly and slowly. Philomena: Stand up, you dolt! Haha, there¡¯s no need to kneel before a fellow huntress. Suiga : (That is right ! I forgot that Lady Philomena is an official senior huntress¡­) Standing up, Beryl approaches first and greets the Huntress with a firm salute ¡­ Beryl: Lady Philomena. I hope your trip with the chief was rewarding and your return has been going well. Philomena: Always the upstanding one, Beryl. Thank you. It was a great experience, and the train has developed a lot in the past two years. Where are the rest of your teammates? Shaka moves next to Beryl. Shaka. Lady Grace, happy to see you here !! Philomena: Oh dear Shaka, how are you? Is your family faring well? It¡¯s been a while since I¡¯ve talked with your mother¡­ Shaka: All¡¯s well back at home. Finn¡¯s here too, hey Finn! Out of nowhere, at the sound of his name, the Saintess spins around to see the blond sleeper shaking and trying to hide his face from her¡­ Finn: Lady Grace¡­ Philomena: Oh, my cute little junior how are you !! Running to him, she hugs him tight enough to have the hunter beg for air and mercy. Finn: Please¡­help¡­ Despite her slim size, she has no difficulty spinning the boy around¡­ Aaron: Is that¡­ Titan strength? Shaka: No, that¡¯s elder sister strength. She sees Finn as her little bro, even though he¡¯s 25. Lau: A similar relationship as me and the brute. Aaron: Try to lift me, shrimp, I dare you. Philomena: How have you been? Are you eating properly? Any new friends? Have you been treating the boys we- Finn: Lady Grace, you¡¯ve been gone for only a week, so please !! Philomena: Oh, I¡¯m sorry, I¡¯m sorry¡­Don¡¯t want to embarrass you in front of your friends. Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original. Leaving the poor boy alone, she approaches the rookies. Philomena: Ah, our youth. I hope the boys aren¡¯t making you work hard now, huh? The 5 of them remain silent, in awe¡­ Aaron : Miss¡­please stay forever¡­ Lau: We are mistreated in ways no human could- Luca: Oh, zip it! Lau pushes Aaron away to greet the woman. Despite the height difference, Lau stands proud and extends her hand¡­ Lau: Lady Grace. My name is Lau Lecourt, Scion of the Lecourt house. It is an honor to make your acquaintance. Philomena : OH, the Lecourt princess. I¡¯ve heard so much about you, from Sir David¡¯s letters. You are quite an extraordinary woman, and you¡¯ve made a lot of people proud. It is rather¡­ honor to make your acquaintance. Taking her hand, the saintess gently kisses it and sends it away. Lau stares at her hand intensively and falls back¡­ Finn: The new scions really are something these days¡­ Aaron gently approaches the holy woman, afraid of her pure nature and stunning radiance¡­ Philomena: Do not be afraid, Willheart. Your parents and I were quite acquainted, especially your mother¡­ Aaron: I-I know. Her sister from another mother, she used to say¡­ Philomena chuckles. She gives Aaron a brief, tight hug. Soft arms, but strong grip, her face rests on his shoulder. She caresses the back of his head. The boy¡¯s heart rate rises, stunned to be embraced by the Lord¡¯s highest messenger¡­ Philomena: A well-grown young man, indeed. They would be happy¡­ Aaron: Ugh¡­Thanks¡­Oh, these are the rest of the rookies. You remember Url, and these two are Suiga and Cassandra. Cassie: Cassandra maybe my birth given name, but my true identity lies in the entity known as the nightin- Aaron: Not with the saintess, you jackass !!! Philomena: Cassandra Mergrove¡­I¡¯ve heard that name before¡­You must be the south huntress, right? What you¡¯ve done for the poor villagers has not been ignored, my lady. The church nuns have been fond of you, as have I. Aaron: So, we¡¯ll completely ignore the heads delivered on the reception table. Alright. Cassie¡¯s eyes blur from tears running down her cheeks¡­She hangs onto the saintess¡¯ gown¡­ Cassie: Thank you so much !! You are the best !!! I knew my sweaty efforts had their worth somewhere out there!! Please have the kindness to adop- Like a rag, Aaron pulls her away from the fair lady¡­ Philomena: And you two must be¡­Url and Suiga¡­Url I know¡­ Url: Informed as always¡­I hope the trip has been a success, Lady Grace¡­ Philomena : It has, Url. Has Samuel been bothering you, dear? I heard he made you teach his class¡­Should he be disciplined for his slacking behavior? Url: Nothing I can¡¯t handle my lady. No need for any discipline. This is Suiga whose father you¡¯ve met¡­ Suiga: My honor to make your acquaintance my lady. Has my father been a satisfying host? I know he can be¡­overbearing¡­ Philomena: I would say rather ¡­easy-going. Extroverted. He was wonderful. And from what I hear, the apple doesn¡¯t fall far from the tree. Suiga blushes. The prince¡¯s defenses fall against the huntresses¡¯ natural charm¡­ Cassie: I see no male nor female is immune to this creature¡¯s essence¡­ Lau: Hey! Control yourself !! Suiga: Zip it, shrimp! You flatter me, Lady Grace. Thank you for this visit¡­ Eliakim: All right now, all of you. Me and the Lady here are visiting that little fun fair in the Grand Boulevard. If anything comes up, sound the alarms, I¡¯ll be rushing over¡­ Samuel: Sir, given your condition I don¡¯t think you should be fighting¡­ Eliakim: What condition? You callin¡¯ me old, stick ?! Samuel: Eeh¡­ Philomena : (Samuel, honestly¡­) Luca: Sir, your wounds still haven¡¯t healed. Sammy might be right, take it easy. Not that we¡¯ll need you, anyway. Things are covered. Shroud: Yeah, go stretch out those old rags inside the crowd¡­ Eliakim :Tch¡­Very well. But we¡¯ll be on the lookout, that I promise ya¡¯¡­Philo, stop hugging Finn, and let¡¯s move¡­ Philomena: Yes, chief. Goodbye, everyone, I will be praying for your well-being¡­ They depart. The door closes behind them¡­ Luca: Very well. Now, let¡¯s go over the plan once again. Samuel? Samuel: Beryl stays here with the chest. He remains hidden along with the rest of the traps we set up. We remain on the outside and try to lure in any of the vampires approaching the depository. We lure him in, and he thinks the chest is his, we jump them and send them off to Salazar for questioning. Url: Any backup that might arrive, the rest of us will make sure they steer away from the group. Luca: Great. Does anyone have any news on Lady Sarah¡¯s arrival? Shroud: Nothing yet, but they must be near the city gates by now. Luca: Great. Even better, because Sarah¡¯s back from Pirout, so she probably has some munitions with her and some units to spare¡­ Cassie : (Mentor¡­) Samuel: Since everything¡¯s so chill right now, can¡¯t we just join in the chief and Philo at the festival? I mean- Shroud: No one cares about your dick, Sammy. Focus on the mission. Silence in the room¡­ Shaka: Excuse me? Suiga: Was that¡­ Lau: The glasses nerd likes the saintess¡­ Laughs are heard from every corner of the room¡­ Luca: Oh, thought you guys knew¡­Sammy¡¯s not the best at hiding his feelings on stuff, especially when they look like Philomena- Samuel: Oh please, like I¡¯m that exaggerating¡­ Url: The poems you made me help you write for your almanac aren¡¯t helping on this¡­ Samuel: Url, you said you wouldn¡¯t tell¡­ Shroud: Great, now that ya¡¯re humbled, and I¡¯m sober, let¡¯s roll. Everyone, take seats. Beryl, stay put. We¡¯ll bring you a bat on a silver platter tonight¡­ Beryl: I¡¯ll do my best !!! The rest of the team departs. Outside of the depository, sitting on roofs, three teams: Luca with Suiga and Cassie, Samuel with Shaka Finn and Url, Shroud with Aaron and Lau¡­ Aaron: Why do we keep mixing the groups, and why am I stuck with the shrimp? Lau: Boohoo, I¡¯m stuck with the brute and the drunkard. Shroud: It¡¯s fer team building, and I¡¯m stuck with my slacker junior and his nagging familiar¡­ Lau: How dare you !! I¡¯m gonna- No matter Lau¡¯s kicks, the hulk¡¯s massive body barely budges, or even notices the irritation¡­Lau ends up caressing her swollen toes, while Aaron and Shroud look over the other buildings in vigilance¡­ Shroud: Wha do ya¡¯ tink the chest¡¯s for, boy? Aaron: I¡¯m betting on a pendant, Url bet 20 coins on locks of hair. Shroud: Fucking creep, that kid. Hey, Lecourt! What¡¯s your bet on the box? Lau: Ugh...Some scroll with bat jimble on it...I hope it¡¯s not some blight ghost... Shroud: Well whatever it is, let¡¯s hope some bats come to pick it up. The later I go see Sarah, the better... Lau: The hell is wrong with you and Lady Sarah? I¡¯ve heard wonderful things about that huntress... Aaron: Lady Sarah¡¯s...peculiar... Shroud: Take the Mergrove, and add ten liters of extra annoying in it... Aaron: More like take off... Lau: Unbelievable... Next building to the right, Luca Suiga and Cassie... Cassie: Scouting from the city¡¯s elevations, hunters on the prowl, none shall slip away from the nightingale¡¯s eye of vengeance. Readying my arrow, drawing my bow, I shoot, I kill, I collect. I am the Huntress of ¨C Luca: Mergrove, we¡¯ve been here for an hour, calm down. God, she does remind me of Sarah, that one... Suiga: Is she that ecstatic? Luca: That...peculiar...you¡¯ll see for yourself...Now keep sparring, those openings are what¡¯s gonna kill you in a solo fight... Suiga: I have to say, your tips have been a large aid, sir... Luca: Cool your horses, princeling. You have seen nothing yet. And we still need to figure a roundabout on that sword... Suiga: No worries about that. I¡¯m hopeful... Luca: Huh...What¡¯s changed suddenly... Suiga: Beryl¡¯s words reached out to me...I¡¯ll master this blade no matter the trials... Cassie: Inspired by the man¡¯s word, huh...I have been the subject of such motivation before... Luca: That kid really knows how to cheer people up... The other building, Url, Samuel, Shaka and Fin... Samuel: And that fellas, is how a meager, lonely scientist, fell in love with the world¡¯s most beautiful woman... Shaka: Hah...No offense here, sir Samuel, but don¡¯t you think you should just be more upfront with your feelings? Samuel: I know, I know. But it is scaring me to death to even act out my desires!! Her reaction, her response, and everything I do will determine the future of our already cemented relationship!! Shaka: Do not be like that!! Love is not something to hate or fear. You aren¡¯t ruining anything! You have every right to love her and she has every right to know!! Samuel: Thank you so much!! Url: Guys, you¡¯ve been talking for 4 hours, every vampire possible has probably left. Finn is even crying!!! Shaka: Oh, no, he just looks like that. Finn: It¡¯s true... Samuel: Url, you have to calm down. This isn¡¯t your first patrol. You know things like this can take a few hours... Hours pass, and the night arrives. The last of the clouds dissipate to reveal the full moon over the sky of Landen...A group of four soldiers run quickly through the streets and call out to the three seniors awaiting their prey, anguished and stressed... Shroud: Huh...What¡¯s the matter, now? Luca: This can¡¯t be good. Descending quickly from the rooftops, they greet the four, sweaty and tattered soldiers... Shroud: At ease, lads! The hell¡¯s the wrong wit¡¯ ya¡¯?! The soldiers can barely get out any words. Samuel notices blood dripping out of their clothes...Most of them collapse to the ground... Samuel: Damn it! Get Url here! They¡¯re hurt! Samuel rushes to give first aid...As the hunter gives it his all, Luca¡¯s eyes catch sudden movements around the group... In a flash, the hunter swipes his sword around the air. To their surprise, he slices clean a vampire dependent who tried to lash at them in mid-air... Luca: Guess we found the culprit... Url arrives along with Finn...Quick enough to administer his aid, the female soldier gains enough strength to inform the hunters... Soldier: Hunters...please...troubles... Shroud: Huh? The bats found out about the trap? Soldier: No...festival...Vampires have taken over the boulevard...Aah!! Url: Hold still, miss. Samuel: The boulevard? How many are there? Soldier: Two...or three...nobles all of them... Luca¡¯s body shakes in shock. Luca: Three of them...Oh fuck...Chief and the Saintess are there!! Soldier: Both of them are in different parts of the boulevard, they are trying to protect the citizens... Shroud: Where the hell is Sarah!? She¡¯s supposed to hold the ground until we send someone ov- Soldier: She¡¯s trapped! Another soldier rebounds, coughing out blood from his scarred mouth... Url: Stop shouting, your wounds just got stitched!! Luca: The hell do you mean trapped? Soldier: Lady Sarah¡¯s group hasn¡¯t arrived. I¡¯m with the South Border Guard. Lady Sarah sent a letter with a sparrow. Something is keeping them from entering the city grounds...She said it¡¯s a whirlwind-like trap... Luca shakes in shock once again... Luca: Scissors!! Damn it, this must be planned out!! Samuel: The hell are we going to do now?! Shroud: Split up. If Sarah¡¯s in trouble, letting the rookies go at this alone is too risky. You and Sammy should go to the boulevard, I¡¯ll go take care of Scissors, I know the South border better...The kids should be able to pull this one off on their own... Soldier: Sirs... there are too many in the boulevard...They¡¯ve brought dependents with them...we¡¯ve been getting reports that outskirt villages have been losing young men...And they¡¯ve taken hostages... Large crashes are heard throughout the streets...The screams of people in fear manage to travel to the hunter¡¯s ears... Luca: Let¡¯s leave Aaron and Suiga here. We¡¯ll need the mask boy for recon. Shroud: I¡¯ll take the Lecourt, she managed to fight off Scissors last time. And Schellinger along with me, you guys have Philo to heal the injured. Samuel: Then we¡¯ll also grab Mergrove and Balecq. But what if the vampires coming for the chest are more than what the other three can handle?! Shroud: Tch...Guess we¡¯ll have ta¡¯ make sure we com¡¯ back as fast as possible...Call the brats over. With everyone rushing down to see what¡¯s happening, Luca orders them in a line... Luca: Listen up! There¡¯s an active assault in the grand boulevard...From what we know, 2 to 3 nobles have taken over the festival and hold humans captive. Some of you will go with Shroud and Samuel to clear this out. Lecourt and Schellinger, you¡¯re coming with me... Lau: Where? Luca: South Landen. Lady Sarah¡¯s in some kind of predicament herself and I might need your help with clearing out that trap... Url: (Did they know we had this whole thing planned out...) Shaka: Who¡¯s staying with Beryl? Shroud: Aaron and Suiga will. You two! You¡¯ll follow whatever Beryl says! He¡¯s the man of the mission, his word is your command! Clear enough? Aaron: Got it! Url: Before we leave...Here guys. Three stimulants each and one steroid blast each. DON¡¯T MIX THEM U- Suiga: Url, It happened one time!!! Luca: Listen. Taking care of this as fast as possible is crucial. We can¡¯t let the three hunters here alone for long. We don¡¯t know who¡¯s coming out for the chest, so no fooling around in the fight...Now, let¡¯s set out before they start taking out people! Luca: Fellas, go join Beryl and tell him the news. The rest, let¡¯s scram!! Picking up the soldiers, everyone scurries away to their respective destinations. Samuel takes the west side of the boulevard with Cassandra and Finn, and Luca goes with Shaka. Sceneries out of a horror house. Lights dripping blood, decapitated corpses spawning left and right, and vampires chasing their prey as they please. The screams of thousands barely annoy the villainous beasts... The festival is spanned throughout the starting roads of the boulevard. In the west intersection, Luca notices a vampire holding two ripped-out skulls and dancing in the center of the intersection, amidst the chaotic bloodfest... Shaka: That must be our guy... Luca: Where¡¯s the leader and Philo though... Eliakim: Luca!!! Over here!!! Eliakim is holding his grounds with what little ammunition he has, trying to protect a group of surviving civilians from rushing dependents. Luca takes out his swords. In the speed of an eye¡¯s blink, the SwordDancer lashes at the attacking vampires and slices them all off... Luca: Shaka! I¡¯ll take care of the fodder, you take on the noble and I¡¯ll join you!! Shaka: Already on it, Luca! To the east, 2 vampires stand on a built stage and shoot at the running civilians... One holds a musket, and the other shoots pebbles at high speeds, smashing through skulls and bones ... Samuel notices Philomena raising Shield to protect any civilian managing to escape... Samuel: OK, guys. Let¡¯s do this. Finn, go help Philomena, Me and Cassie will take care of those two... The vampire greets Shaka. A short, snow-white young lady with long blonde hair dressed in a short black dress with pink roses on the extremities and around the belt area... Vampire: Erylis Grey...You are allowed to bow, human. Shaka: I¡¯d rather sit on my spear, bat. He takes out his spear and calls out his silver mask... Shaka: So, was this farce planned out, or did you just wake up a scumbag? Erylis: Foul-mouthed and aggressive. Hunters like you, I like them a lot... As she strengthens her grip, the skulls in her hands quickly turn to smithereens. She cracks her knuckles and sprouts her small wings... Shaka: Not gonna answer with words yet, will you... Erylis: I don¡¯t know what you are talking about, but I guess in a few seconds it won¡¯t matter... She lashes at the hunter... Cassandra jumps to a balcony and tries to shoot at her foes. The tall, brown-haired, musket-wielding vampire notices and shoots two ominous-looking bullets from his chamber. The arrows clash and everything is destroyed in a flurry of sparks... Vampire: Tch...Ezra, hunters. Next to him, a female vampire of medium height, with beige short hair contrasting her pale skin... Ezra: Tchk...Do I really have to put in effort now? I was having fun! Samuel calls out his armament. Stabbing the blob with a few vials, he sends out silver spikes from it to the two assailants, that choose to float away from the swarm... Samuel: Fuck. Ezra: They really think we are blind and deaf, huh Oscar? Oscar: These are the humans for you, Ezra. Hey, let¡¯s take them out together, no lollygagging. Remember what the others said- Ezra: I know what those two said!! Cain and Claus think they have the upper hand on every outing we get to do!! Oscar: Well, they did save the three prisoners. And are officially in charge of this mission. Ezra: I don¡¯t care!! Just keep shooting at them!! Every hunter prepares to fight¡­ Chapter 17 : Boulevard Massacre Beryl welcomes the two rookies in his assigned chamber... Aaron: And that¡¯s how stuff rolled out... Suiga: I¡¯m getting worried. This definitely sounds like a trap... Beryl: This is most definitely a trap, prince. This whole thing smells conspiracy and unfortunately, unless lives are thrown we can¡¯t be for sure...Nevertheless, that does not mean we are going to fail this mission. I trust that both of you can handle yourselves at least, right? The two rookies raise their eyebrows at his last statement, in a stray of confusion...and annoyance? Aaron: Eh...excuse me? Suiga: Is sir Beryl practicing reverse psychology? Enhance our potential performance by engaging our need for approval with feelings of distrust and underestimation? Aaron: Or in slang words, are you looking down on us? Suiga: Not exactly what I said, but yes. Beryl: Of course not! I¡¯m just worried this mission might not be easy, and you might not be up for it! There¡¯s no shame in backing out! I can probably handle this on my own. Aaron: Screw you, asshat! Suiga, let¡¯s move! The next bat that comes in here is gonna get fucked! Suiga: The word use might be dirty, but yes, they have no idea what¡¯s coming for them. Beryl: I¡¯ll be wishing for your success!!! Aaron and Suiga: Yeah, right!!! The hunters leave. Beryl smiles while gazing at their backs, proud of his rookies and their motivation...He turns away to look at the ornated chest, standing on a marble podium in plain sight...Black scaly coating, golden handles, and an insignia of a pair of glasses. He tries to crack it open, but nothing budges the chest... Beryl: What could it be...Sir Huckleberry¡¯s studies have shown nothing yet. And no one remembers where the chest was found...What could the vampires have hidden in here... Back to the boulevard...Wearing the silver mask, Shaka dances around the young girl¡¯s strikes with ease, using the butt of his spear to outmaneuver her with mocking somersaults and spinning dodges. Luca liberates the remaining survivors of their attackers. The chief can barely walk, kneeling from the gushing pain of his current wounds. Citizens close to him help him up, a quintet of able men for one large wardrobe of a man. One man though stands out from the crowd, slowly cleaning a battered silver blade on his tattered white clothes from the corpse of a soldier¡­ Luca: Everyone, listen to me!! Me and my junior are going to take care of the bat. Run as fast as you can to the VHC and take shelter. Eliakim: Like hell I¡¯m leaving you two alone! This bitch¡¯s a- Luca: Sir, you can barely walk! And that gun barely has any ammunition left, you¡¯ll just be a burden! Eliakim: Who the fuck are you callin¡¯ a-aAaah!! Holding the hun downwards to the ground like a cane, it¡¯s the only thing protecting his head from crashing to the old pavement¡­The men and the soldiers who came with Luca took to the stands Luca: You guys. Make sure he¡¯s at the hospital wing the minute he steps foot in the VHC. Soldiers: Sir, yes sir! Lone man:¡­Like they¡¯ll help with anything¡­ The lone man obscurely observes the silver blade. Moving his head upwards, he then stares at the small vampire clashing with the young hunter¡­ Luca: Hey, you good? You have to leave now. Lone man: Why should we listen to you¡­ The words barely come out of his mouth, and his bloodshot eyes are ready to pop out from looking at the ongoing fight¡­ Luca: Look, dude, you can either stay here and die or- Lone man: I¡¯d rather die a human fighting against those freaks than wait in a corner and die while you fail to keep us safe!! Luca: Huh? Hey, buddy ¨C Lone man: Shut up! Look at all this! Blood everywhere!! Guts are spilling from that kid¡¯s clothes!! Do you know how many died in this festival tonight?! Me neither!! Cause I only got 10 fucking fingers to count, and their deaths are triple that!! He approaches the chief hunter. No fear runs through his head, despite the swordancer¡¯s fame for his skills and aggression! Lone man: Fuck you! The moment a hunter stepped into this feast everything went to shit! Shit!! You drew them here! And you couldn¡¯t even put in the effort to save us!! Half the festival is dead because the hunters are shit at their jobs. But guess that¡¯s expected when their top head is a useless crippl- Luca¡¯s sword blinks from its hilt in the back to the neck of the shouting man, halting his rant in a flash¡­Their eyes meet, both bloodshot from rage ¡­ Luca: The only reason you¡¯re still able to say this is because he risked his ass for you, you ungrateful piece of shit! Eliakim: Luca!! Stand down!! The hunter sheaths his blade. The vampire listens to the argument and ditches Shaka to go hunt the human ¡­ Luca: Look out! Lone man: Shit! Die, you fucking monster!! Erylis quick reflexes kick the blade out of his hand. Opened, she tries to plunge her arm inside his chest. But she soon views the limb chopped and sent flying, by the swordancer¡¯s draw¡­ She flies back after sensing Shaka¡¯s footsteps approaching for a chance stab with his spear¡­Her hand sprouts back as fast as it was cut¡­ Shaka: Shit! Not fast enough! Luca: You still need practice, kiddo. Now, let¡¯s keep her busy while the rest of them get out of here. Including you chief!!! Eliakim: Shit¡­You come back dead, and I¡¯m pissing on both of your corpses!! Shaka: That really sounds inspiring¡­ The group leaves along with the frightened man, who scurries as quickly as possible¡­ Erylis: As happy as that was, I can¡¯t actually let them leave¡­ She claps her hands. Four, monstrous hulks bust out of the nearby buildings and into the boulevard. Without a moment¡¯s waste, they hurry to the survivors¡­ Luca: Shaka, I¡¯ll take care of them, you keep her busy until I arrive! Shaka: Got it!! The sword dancer runs to taunt the hulks¡­Shaka prepares to clash once again with the girl¡­ Erylis: (The spear doesn¡¯t seem to have any special trick¡­If he can predict my attacks, it must be because of that weird mask¡­) Shaka: (If I keep this up, she¡¯ll pull out a Virtue¡­I should lock in and see what she¡¯s gonna do¡­) To Shaka¡¯s eyes, the world has two views. The normal one, the bloody battlefield left over the vampire¡¯s rampage. The dissected corpses, the smashed bones, the crying children and women trying to escape the hulks. The other is through his mask¡­A flashback to earlier times¡­ Shaka and Beryl are talking to each other in the VHC corridors. Young hunters, just starting out. Clearly, their arms and hides haven¡¯t yet met the blood of a vampire¡­ Beryl: Man, Heavy Hitter is really annoying. I never get what I want, so I always have to scrap my way into fights. Shaka: Hey, at least you HAVE a weapon! I just prance around in this beauty mask. Who the hell is intimidated by THIS!? Beryl: Now that you brought it up, I never really got how this thing works? You like, see everything that¡¯s gonna happen? Shaka: Hmm, no. I wish. The mask shows me what vampires are going to do next. It feeds off vampire magicka inside their bodies and uses it to create trajectories of their movements¡­ On a good day, I can see what¡¯s going to attack me from behind¡­ Beryl: Shut up!! That¡¯s way too overpowered!! Why are you complaining!! Shaka: Because it¡¯s just a damn silver mask!! How will the girls I save notice my clean mug if it¡¯s covered by this!! Beryl: Well, one solution would be to just wear it all the time, that way everyone will only know you like this. Shaka: Shut up, asshole¡­ The Doku Mask. Named from the Mad Tactician Doku, his mask was a congratulatory trinket for saving Afreeka from a vampire dictator. Renowned for his mad but genius tactical skill and his ¡°premonitions¡± guiding him through enemy attacks, the Lord decides to preserve this skill for the generations to come¡­ The mask uses the light to see through magicka inside a vampire. Translating its fluctuations, it creates a visual representation of its trajectories, thus allowing the owner of the mask to view vampiric movement during and before it happens¡­Back to the fight¡­ Erylis: Human. Shaka: Hm? Erylis: You fight exceptionally well for a hunter. Your name. Shaka: (She¡¯s praising me?) Shaka Doku. Erylis: Doku¡­That crazy human that shook off Marquess Lilith in the Afreeka peninsula¡­ Shaka: Generations, a lot of generations after, but yeah. Why does that matter? Erylis: I have a proposition. How about instead of Doku, you become Grey? Shaka¡¯s rejection sits on the tip of his tongue. But letting the bat spout her nonsense leaves him enough time to wait for Luca to finish up, or find out what the bat¡¯s planning¡­ Shaka: You joking? Erylis: Let us be honest, there¡¯s nothing left in the boulevard for you to save. My associates are probably finished from the depository, and your allies might or might not be hanging by the walls with their guts spilled all over the floor, as we speak¡­If you ask me, that does not seem enough to risk a fight with me¡­ She opens her mouth and licks her fangs, wiping off the pale green, gene altering fluid dropping off the tips of her teeth¡­ Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon. Erylis: Join me now as my soldier, and I promise you only victories to come ahead. Shaka: Nice offer. But If I¡¯m laying down my life for a woman it will either be the Saintess or Lady Sarah. I don¡¯t just quit for any random offer¡­ Erylis''s smile slowly fades as the hunter rejects her pompous proposal¡­ Shaka: And like hell my pals are gonna die from this. My partner is probably kicking ass on the other side of the boulevard, and my buddy in the bank is probably tying up your friends for Salazar. After a few spins, he points the silver spear towards his opponent¡­ Shaka: So like hell, I¡¯m giving up now that everyone¡¯s heated as hell!! Erylis: (Scissors wasn¡¯t wrong¡­hunters are too stubborn for their own good¡­) You just dug your won grave, Doku¡­ The girl lunges at him once again. The specters in his mask show him every move she plans to make. Her left hooks, the upwards spinning kicks, the real attacks hidden behind the feints, the left and right sidesteps she takes to outmaneuver him. The hunter dances around her attacks. With his classy, black-tie attire, onlookers could think he¡¯s waltzing with Erylis¡­ Spinning his spear right after finding himself behind her, back wide open, he pushes forward and strikes for the first time in the fight. Erylis: Your defense might be impeccable¡­ To his surprise, the spear doesn¡¯t just remain outside her skin, it bounces off as if it hit a brick wall, staggering him from the recoil¡­ Shaka: Huh?! Erylis: But when it comes to attack, you will find yourself lacking. Floating quickly, she approaches his open torso and hits him multiple times before he even reacts. The hunter gasps for air and lets out sighs of pain as the vampire¡¯s hard fists smash around his body. She finishes her combo by jumping, grappling his head with her feet, then using her wings to spin mid-air and send the hunter flying to a nearby stand, crushing it along with him¡­ Delicately landing, she dusts off her dress and slowly steps towards the rebounding hunter¡­ Shaka: What the fuck¡­How tough is she¡­ Erylis: Spears and blades won¡¯t be enough to kill me, Doku. This is the benefit of being a Grey noble¡­ Shaka: If you are still pitching for your house, I¡¯m not interested. As she approaches slowly, he tries to scan every single thing on her. Hair, clothes, eyes, mouth, arms and legs¡­What made the hunter fail that simple strike¡­Even for a noble, how is a small vampire girl like her able to take on a spear... Shaka: (There must be something like armor under that dress¡­But she must have done this on purpose, letting me strike her so I can see for myself that she¡¯s not going to fall down quick¡­no¡­that she¡¯s not losing¡­) That said¡­ Shooting a stimulant, he rebounds and goes for the offensive. Erylis does not have the same advantage as our hunter, but her vampiric body grants her the reflexes to avoid most of Shaka¡¯s swipes and forward stabs, no matter the boy¡¯s impressive speed and maneuver¡­ Erylis: (Scissors undersold him, he¡¯s faring well for a human. His use of this spear is immaculate, like spinning one¡¯s own arms and legs around. Footwork is great, he¡¯s visibly fit, and that mask is too troublesome. I can¡¯t land even one strike now that he went on the offensive¡­) One of his downward strikes lands on her torso, bouncing off once again¡­ Erylis: No matter¡­ Diving in, she tries to assault him again, this time preparing her fangs and strengthening her limbs to deliver a much more fatal combination. However, her attempt to grapple the hunter by his shirt is foreseen. He pulls out his smaller spear, smashes his foot down to stand ground, and pierces the girl¡¯s forearm. Like a stake, the spear goes all the way through her arm¡­He tries to pull it out, but the woman puts in all her strength and spins the hunter around throwing him away, using the spear as a hook. She takes it out and quickly recovers¡­ Erylis: (A feint¡­He did that on purpose¡­) Shaka: Guess you forgot to cover your arms with whatever armor you have on, huh? Erylis: Matters not¡­It¡¯s not my arm that shall get me killed, now is it¡­ Shaka: No, but it¡¯s a start¡­ Smuggingly smiling, the girl brings her palms together. Whispering, she chants something in vampiric¡­ Shaka: Huh? Erylis : (Cover my carcass, keep me from the light away, your blood crystal carapace...) The upper part of her dress slowly tears away, while her body is covered in a dark, cherry-colored crystal carapace, from the torso to the arms, legs, and chin, leaving only her face and hair intact. Despite its thickness, her stretching reveals she can freely move around her arms without restrictions¡­ Erylis: Shaka Doku¡­refusing my offer shall be the last mistake you¡¯ll ever make¡­ Shaka: You really can¡¯t handle rejection, huh? While Luca tries to kill the hulks chasing the surviving humans, Shaka engages Erylis in combat once again¡­ In the other part of the boulevard, Cassie and Samuel face off the two vampires sending their army of imps and dependents to destroy Philomena¡¯s large Shield. Vampires trying to fly over her are shot down by Finn¡¯s Sear incantations¡­ Cassie: What were these bullets? They destroyed my arrows in seconds! Samuel: Guess we are about to find out. Cover! Oscar prepares to shoot. His musket is a horror for every unlucky eye on the road. Ominous, dark colors of the flesh canister, the evil-looking, sharp, iron extremities on the handles and supports. As if the maker had butchered humans and animals alike to create this blood-dripping monstrosity¡­ Oscar: Let¡¯s go for the archer first¡­ After a bright flash of red energy flows from the chamber up to the tip, two ominous, flesh bullets fly out of the canister at high speeds aiming for Cassie. Samuel quickly orders his blob to cover Cassie as a hardened silver shield¡­ Ezra: Hey, don¡¯t go having all the fun now!! After breathing in, the vampire lets out a harrowing scream. But unlike the other bats, her scream has a lower pitch, and a monstrous tone, rather than the high-pitched scream they use to stun humans. The force of it sends out a sound blast that knocks Samuel back¡­ Cassie: Sir Huckleberry!! Samuel: Fuck! Don¡¯t worry I¡¯m fine. Keep your eyes on them all the time!! We can¡¯t let them pass through!! Oscar: The fact you think you can achieve that is concerning¡­ Cassie: Shut up, creep!! One that uses flesh arms in a fight is much more concerning!! Oscar: Use what you can find, right? Now that you reminded me though¡­ He reaches out for one of the victims still breathing on the staging ground¡­Slashes it open, blood still flowing out like a flood¡­Opening his chamber he slams in pieces of flesh and organs from the body, all while the man lies down and watches¡­ Cassie: What the-leave him alone!!! Oscar: Like he¡¯s complaining. One foot in the grave, he can¡¯t even scream in pain¡­ Cassie shoots two silver arrows, but the vampire just floats away and avoids them. He prepares to shoot¡­ Oscar: Stomach bullet V2¡­ The bullets fly at a distance of a few meters in between. The blob takes on a bullet, but the crash releases a bizarre liquid on its coating, slowly tearing a hole in the blob, that the second bullet passes through and hits Cassie¡¯s shoulder. Likewise, the acidic liquid burns her clothes and skin¡­ Cassie: Fuck! What is this?! Oscar: Never heard of stomach acid, weirdo? This is floating around in your belly. Quickly administering a stimulant, she heals the vile wound. Ezra on the other hand, tries to attack with another sound blast, but Samuel¡¯s blob reacts faster than earlier. Larger in size and more buoyant, the sound blast disperses inside the blob through violent vibrations¡­ Cassie: Huh? Samuel: Made sure the impact of the physical air attack just disperses inside a proper surface. But this isn¡¯t suited for battle now, is it¡­ Ejecting a few more syringes, the blob starts transforming into a humanoid, faceless, muscular doll. Samuel: ¡°Fighter¡±. This should keep them busy. Cassie, could you follow my lead, we are gonna put these folks to rest and give Philomena a break¡­ Cassie: The nightingale is at the ready! The doll attacks Oscar. Changing quickly from buoyant to hardened and buoyant again, he bounces to the stage and has Oscar on the defensive with the same techniques he showed his two students days ago. Oscar: This crapbag copies our moves¡­Stomach bullet V2 The bullets fly and tear through the blob, but this time, it regenerates twice as fast as the wound opens¡­ Samuel: (Fascinating¡­He uses human body parts to create bullets with effects. I wonder what other stuff he can use¡­) Oscar carries a long backpack with him. From it he pulls out fingers, that he feeds the musket with¡­ Oscar: Finger Bullet V7 Gathering a red aura to the tip of the horror musket, the bullets fly at higher speeds, almost the same as the chief¡¯s machine gun. With their velocity, they restrict the doll from approaching, while Ezra flies and lands a continuous sound wave from above. With the blob vibrating but stunned, Oscar pulls a leg from his backpack and feeds it to the musket, watching it getting devoured in pieces by the abomination¡­ Oscar: Leg Bullet V1 The musket prepares to shoot a large bullet, enough to destroy the blob now that its defenses are weak. However, Samuel orders the blob to clap its hands. The vibrations travel to the tip of the blob¡¯s arms. The concentrated force sends out a piece of its silver body shooting at Oscar before he pulls a killer move. Cassandra shoots Ezra away before she dodges one of her retaliation blasts. Oscar: You damn ¡­Erza, take the girl! I¡¯ll handle glasses! Ezra: Fine! I¡¯ll stick those arrows up her ass! Cassie: You gonna have to come closer for that!! Samuel: That was not a good response, Cassie¡­ The nightingale shoots small speed arrows like a maniac, barely letting the girl approach her as they separate from the other two¡­ Cassie: And that, I won¡¯t let you do! Oscar: (These arrows are a lot faster. She must be changing their foundation every time she casts one. And that blob¡­Glasses gives it new powers with every syringe and potion. But there must be a limit¡­) Oscar prepares to shoot while Samuel regathers the humanoid doll. His leg bullet is powerful enough to push back the vampire and have Samuel turn the blob into another shield, that is easily destroyed, thus turning the blob even smaller¡­ Oscar: Let¡¯s see how you¡¯ll fight with a baby over there¡­ Samuel: Shit¡­ A flurry of arrows along with blasts of sound exchange around the battlefield. The girl struggles to approach the huntress without receiving less than five arrows in her limbs. Even from above, from behind, Cassandra manages to shoot her artillery fire quicker than the vampire can react. While it seems alright, Cassandra knows she can¡¯t land a good shot while dodging Ezra¡¯s disastrous sound blasts. Stronger than what Samuel took on, they crush the pavement with ease. Cassie¡¯s body could receive quite the damage if she took it head-on, no matter the enhancements of a hunter¡­ Cassie: I could keep shredding away with the speed arrows, but she will just restore everything in a second. And the more I drag this on the faster I¡¯ll collapse¡­ Ezra: This bitch¡­I¡¯m sick and tired of screaming at you!!! Cassie: Then let me silence you once and for all! Fear all over the streets. Survivors running with their hands on the neck, blood gushing out of busted arteries and open wounds. Soldiers running around like idiots trying to fix the newest vampire mess hall. Nuns outside the VHC are ready to accept any lucky human to not collapse or turn on the gate. The city center is in chaos¡­The cries of human victims are heard all the way down south¡­ Shroud: Of all the fucking days¡­We made sure no feasts were goin¡¯ on today!!! The south border gates. Large, grey stone walls cover the city from the rest of the dense forest expanding to the edges of Outer Landen, hiding away villages, ruins, and other nearly forgotten constructions¡­ Url: Apparently this was a last-minute decision, but without the chief handling paperwork, nothing was reported in VHC. Lau: This is truly a disaster, the bats have probably killed everyone before the others have arrived! WW should be there to help them!! Shroud: The others are just fine. The chief can handle himself for a few minutes and Philo¡¯s a huntress. With Sam and Luca, I think we gave them too much firepower already¡­ Lau: What about the three in the bank? Grut seems like a good fellow, but the two dolts won¡¯t be too much of a help for him!! Shroud hits the noble in the head with a chop¡­ Shroud: Zip it, shrimp. If you don¡¯t have faith in yer comrades, how¡¯re ya¡¯ gonna finish up what¡¯s in front of ya¡¯ right now? With Lau calming herself, they have a chance to notice what lies in front of the extended, large iron gates guarding the south border from the rest of the dense, forest region. Separated by a large open grass field, Shroud looks onward to the large group led by Lady Sarah. Shroud: Guess they¡¯re there. Now why the hell can¡¯t they just- Moving his hand forward, the cyclone spares no second. It starts violently shredding the Titan¡¯s arm from the top of his flesh and slowly but painfully aiming for the bone¡­ The hulk pulls his hand away before the cyclone chops it off¡­ Lau: (This¡­We would¡¯ve been chopped to mince meat if it wasn¡¯t for my wind wall!! How strong is this guy?!) Shroud: Now I get why Sarah can¡¯t move her ass over here¡­ Lau: This¡­this Scissors¡­Drunkard, let me have at him!!! Shroud: Did I hit ya too hard? The hell you talkin¡¯ ¡®bout?! Lau: This creep slaughtered an entire factory because he just had nothing to do!! I¡¯ll avenge the victims I failed to save and restore my honor as a noble here and now!! Shroud notices the noblegirl¡¯s hand shaking in fear while attempting to draw her sword¡­Lau¡¯s mind plays the scene of Scissors flying around the corpses of his wake, toying with Shaka and Suiga with just his fingers¡­and her clash with him¡­the unhinged stare he gave her as he was maniacally chasing for her sword¡­ Shroud: Tch¡­I chose the worst huntress to follow me around¡­Let¡¯s do this, shrimp! Url: While I admire your motivation, entering that cyclone will probably result in our heads flying around like sliced watermelons. If you could just allow me some seconds¡­I think I still have some¡­ Lau: What you got cooking there, doc? Url: If that¡¯s really a vampire behind the cyclone, I have something that will stop him¡­ Chapter 18: Boulevard Chaos Part 2 The previous night, just next to a cliff looking over Landen, six young vampires sat inside the dense forest, pleasuring their stomachs with leftover flesh from the sacking of a nearby village¡­ Scissors. A tall, thin vampire, paler than most but dressed in the darkest leather gear one can find. Spiky black hair, iron piercings following his eyebrows and hanging from his ears, devoured arms and spilt blood all over his seating, earning the disgust of his brethren¡­ Leuto. Slightly shorter, the tattooed vampire fed not just himself, but also some of his bats with leftover fingers¡­ Tragoedia is rather shy, and nibbled at her given flesh, trying to delicately wipe off the blood from her mouth without drawing any eyes¡­ Erylis delicately sucked the blood of corpses, not opting for flesh and bones. Without remorse, she threw away her stock for the next corpse¡­ Oscar wasn¡¯t hungry. Instead, he picked off at some remaining bodies, cutting off limbs and organs and packing them in his backpack¡­ Ezra: Where¡¯s the Lord Ripper? He told us to be here at this exact hour! Leuto: He left somewhere else with Cain and Claus. Said to me to deliver the plan for tomorrow¡­ Ezra: Screw him!! And why the hell are those two always behind his tail, huh? Aren¡¯t we good enough for his ¡°Grace¡¯s¡± plans?! Tragoedia: But¡­Cain and Claus are his¡­stewards¡­ The small vampire turned to Tragoedia, startling her with her grunting mouth and cold gaze¡­ Ezra: And what the fuck does that mean!? We don¡¯t deserve any special treatment because we follow other Lords?! That what you sayin¡¯, Tragoedia?! Tragoedia: Eh¡­I¡­ Ezra: Come on, talk! Sing to us whatever stupid excuse you got thinking in that shit brain of your- Oscar: Ezra!! Stop scaring Lady Tragoedia, and watch how you¡¯re talking about the Sadist Lord¡­Unless you want to end up like the livestock in the village¡­You do remember what he did, right¡­ Ezra:¡­Tchk¡­ Scissors: Come on, Ezra!! Chill your pants! It¡¯s been so long since we¡¯ve seen the outside!! Here, eat some!!! With flesh flying out of his filled mouth, he handed to her the munched-up arm, or well, whatever was left of it¡­ Ezra: Tchk¡­ Leuto: Speaking off Lord Jacob¡­Have you fellas noticed anything bizzare about him the past few days? Ezra: Like what? The man has been a nutcase ever since I was out my mother¡¯s womb. Erylis: Ezra ¡®s right. Anything about the Ripper is bizzare, that is his core personality trait. Leuto: Like the constant mumbling? The moving in his sleep? The self-conversations when no one is looking ? Scissors: Hmm¡­Nah, I do that too, said the vampire with his finger on the lips, like an innocent little boy¡­ Leuto: Yes, but you are also an out of this world creep. Scissors: Correct. Oscar: Hmm¡­The mumbling and self-talk has been excessive, even for him¡­ The sharpshooter packs up his ammunition, and starts tinkering on the horrid musket he uses as an armament¡­. Erylis: Have you folks asked for Cain or Klaus? They know him best¡­ Leuto: That¡¯s why I¡¯m asking. They¡¯ve been worried about him ever since they reunited. Ezra: Hah? Those two are capable of worrying? I thought empathy was inexistent for Cain and Klaus¡­ Throwing away the bones, everyone stands up and starts marching towards the cliff¡­ Leuto: Anyways, keep your eyes out for anything strange. Now about tomorrow¡­ Back to the southern gates, Url pulled out his Apothecary Table, slamming it into the ground as he starts searching for ingredients and flasks¡­ Shroud: Oy, bird-boy!! Happy you got that head a¡¯ yers working¡¯ but we need to be filled in! Flower petals, animal hides, vampiric teeth, anything came out of that piece of furniture¡¯s wooden closets. Smack, bam, pow go the drawers as the boy set his utilities and started brewing, with a glow of light spreading from the plague doctor sprayed out of his mask¡¯s eye sockets¡­ Url: Moondust. A sleeping gas¡­ Silence. Not a word came out of the other two hunters¡¯ mouths. But their disappointment was well noted¡­ Url: What? Seems perfect for the occasion. Lau: Isn¡¯t Moondust for like¡­imps and bats? What will that thing do to a vampire? Url: Vampires can fall asleep too, Lau. Why do you think we parade around in the middle of the day? Lau: Cause their skin will burn to dust? Url:...Correct... Shroud: I agree with the lass, shit like this won¡¯t do against Scissors. Unbothered, Url keeps on prepping his sleeping gas¡­ Url : The plan isn¡¯t to knock him out. Moondust enters the brain and forces the body to fall asleep by speed running the process. So while on bats it works in a matter of seconds¡­ The other hunters rested confused at Url¡¯s obvious try to have them finish his sentence¡­ Url: It will only slwo him down. I nibbled on the trick thanks to Cassie¡¯s experience with mind jamming. Lau: So the freak starts wobbling, and then we jump him? Url: Exactly. And this time we are more than prepared, so I expect us to give more of a fight. Lau: Forget the fight. I¡¯ll kill him the moment he steps foot on soil. Shroud : Nice thinking, Url ma boy! How much will this thing take? Url: Should be about five minutes¡­Wait what was that? Shrieks of bats travelled through the air to the hunters¡¯ sharp ears. Turning around, they get a full view of a bat armada heading towards them, unbothered by the cyclone¡¯s violent spree. Three large bat creatures lead the way to the gates¡­ Url: Leuto!! He¡¯s the one that can conjure these things!!! Shroud: Guess it really was a trap. Bird boy, finish the gas, we¡¯ll keep you guarded!!! Lau: Fodder like this will be enough of a warm-up!! With Lau activating her Winds of Pirout, she dashes to the plethora of foes, slicing each little bat with ease. Url: Lau watch out!! Some of them are tricked with runes!! Lau: No trap can outsmart the Lecourt scion!! And indeed she was right. The few stun bats with the blue rune symbol tried to freeze the huntress in her tracks. But the speed of the Winds granted her a quick defense, killing them with pentagram ordered, precise slices of her sword before they manage to bite her as she passes through. Continuing her spree, one of the larger bats choses to engage her in a fight, with cherry colored runes . Lau tries to stab the bat with her wind empowered sword in its left arm, but the sword¡¯s tip bounces back¡­Her staggered stance allows the creature to slash at her with its claws¡­ Lau: Shit!! What was that?! Stepping backwards to recover her ground, she noticed the bat had a crystalline carapace, similar to Grey¡¯s¡­ Lau: So, bats can make jewelry now? Nevertheless, my sword won¡¯t go through that¡­And it must have come from that rune¡­ With a quick look, she saw runes on its forehead, arms, legs and wings. Lau: So the eyes are what I¡¯ll go for¡­ Violently coming her way, a cluster of whirlwinds clashed with her quick parry¡­ Scissors: Hello there, Lecourt¡­ Lau: Ugh, creepy¡­ Shroud : Lecourt girl!!! You alright!!? Lau: Yeah! Seems Scissors is helping out his buddy! Shroud: I¡¯ll make sure there¡¯s no one to help now¡­ Swinging his gargantuan axe, the wake of its teethy blade ripped apart clusters of bats. A group of stun type bats managed to pass through, and with a few bites, stunned the rampaging hulk enough to let the other two leaders strike him¡­ Shroud: Shit¡­I got too cocky¡­Lau, take care of that thing, I¡¯ll handle these two!!! Lau: Right!!! Let¡¯s do this!!! Url: Scissors is probably keeping the whirlwind up to block Lady Sarah from entering. I must make sure this gas comes out as strong as possible¡­However¡­ To the boulevard, Erylis was kicking poor Shaka around with her crystal kicks and punches. Luca was having a hard time killing his hulks, who then had the same type of armor¡­ Shaka: Shit¡­This won¡¯t go well¡­ Luca: So her Virtue is covering with that crystal whatever she chooses¡­Judging from Shaka¡¯s fight, I bet she can¡¯t use her spell offensively. That¡¯s good, at least. But I won¡¯t be able to slash through that armor with just the swords, huh¡­ Shrieking, the hulks shouted their battle cries at the sword-dancer¡­Unfazed, he started hopping in place and spinning his dual swords¡­ Luca: A nice challenge for a change¡­Something new I can¡¯t cut¡­yet¡­ Erylis was on the offensive. Not even needing to dodge, she just took Shaka¡¯s angsty spear head-on, helping herself to his staggered, vulnerable stance by kicking, punching and throwing around the boy like a sack of potatoes. Battered from the girl vampire¡¯s hardened strikes, his clothes torn and his wounds bleeding, his breath as fast as train¡¯s steam engine¡­Shaka¡¯s mask could see every strike, but it was only a warning for the inevitable beat down he received, as offense was not an option with his spear against that impenetrable armor¡­ Erylis: You should probably tag in with your partner over there. He seems much more able to continue¡­ Shaka: Screw you, freak. I¡¯ll have you running for help in a few minutes¡­ Erylis: Oh my poor lad¡­I don¡¯t think you are in any condition to have me running¡­Now, before I keep pounding you to death, and while your master is busy protecting the escapees¡­how about you answer some of my questions, yes? Shaka: Huh? What the hell could you want to know¡­ Erylis: Just some personal inquiries¡­A week ago, I lost a dear friend¡­A red haired little brat named Danno¡­ Shaka: (Aaron¡¯s bat?) Erylis: I will guess by that enlarged, twitching eyebrow that you are confused¡­but in the know! Did I get it right?! Shaka: So what? You out for revenge¡­Yeah, I killed him¡­ Erylis: Oh, my dear, you sure do wish, huh? But I know who did it, nice try covering for your friend¡­ She slowly approached Shaka, and grabbed his battered chin to lift his eyes her way¡­His gaze met her smug, condescending look of pity¡­ Erylis: Danno was annoying¡­a brat who wanted to play with the grown-ups¡­I won¡¯t blame the hunter for killing him¡­But he was the brother of a really important acquaintance of mine¡­So how about you tell me where are the hunters that took out my friend¡¯s progeny? Shaka:¡­Screw¡­you¡­ Erylis: Tchk¡­Stubborn to the end¡­ As she prepared to pierce through Shaka¡¯s torso with her crystal covered arm, she lowered her head to get a better view¡­ Shaka¡¯s mask still worked, despite the dents and tatters. It showed Shaka how the vampire would move, what position she was going to take, where she was going to strike¡­ Which was more than enough information for the hunter to time his strike and plunge one of Url¡¯s steroid blasts down her left eye while she was distracted, with all the strength his broken arm could master¡­ Writhing in pain, she kicked him away and tried to block out the growing muscle tissue, that turned to a violent tumor ready to burst¡­ Erylis: WHAT IS THIS!!!??? Shaka: Steroid blast. It doesn¡¯t have any silver in it, so the vampire body won¡¯t consider this poison¡­ Erylis: It¡¯s growing!! It¡¯s growing!!! Stop it!!! It hurts!!! The hunter plunged his two last stimulants down his thighs, clearing out a large portion of his injuries for the time being... Shaka: Had to take all that beating because, how the hell could I have known you wouldn¡¯t have covered your eyes at the last minute¡­ Erylis: Tch-ii-aAAAAAA!!!!! Shaka: Hurts huh? Steroid blasts boost the body parts muscle tissue to grow double its size. Our doc¡¯s syringes can triple that amount, and the effect lasts just a little longer¡­ Erylis¡¯s desperately attacked the hunter, in high hopes that his demise would end her torture. But with her tumor growing, her movements were more than simple child¡¯s play to avoid¡­ Erylis: (I have to stop this!!Kill him!!! Kill him somehow!!) Shaka: Oh, the doc told me to try something else too¡­ Shaka span around his spear and stabbed the tumor between one of his fancy dodges. Like a bubble, the thing burst into fireworks of gore. Obviously, the girl¡¯s head was half-destroyed, and her body laid lifeless in the ground, with the armor shattering to pieces¡­ If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation. The hunter dusted off the leftover blood and stood aside the corpse, watching its diagram still awkwardly moving around¡­ Shaka: I know that thing won¡¯t kill you yet¡­show me what aristocrats are made off¡­ Stepping afar, the hunter avoided the girl sprouting her head in horror and shock, while simultaneously trying to claw at Shaka with her leftover shards in her fingers¡­ Erylis: KILL YOU!!!! I¡¯ll KILL YOU!!! Shaka: (So the doc was right¡­) Flashback to the rooftop four hunters were sharing as a hideout¡­ Shaka: So¡­Virtues aren¡¯t spells¡­ Samuel: Not exactly¡­They are spells, but instead of using ritual signs and the like, a Virtue is imprinted on a vampire since birth. Shaka: So it¡¯s biological. So they can be destroyed!! Samuel: Definitely not destroyed, since the bats can regenerate¡­But I think that if the region responsible for activating virtues is damaged, it can be halted for a while¡­As long as it remains damaged that is¡­ Shaka: And which region is that exactly? Samuel: Hmm¡­No idea. Finn: A dead end, huh¡­ Url: Well, I mean¡­we do have test subjects now, don¡¯t we? Back to the fight¡­Shaka realised the blast must have send her restorative factor back a few degrees¡­Her armor too, only builds itself in smudges¡­ Shaka: If she could give those hulks armor too, that must mean the virtue point is somewhere in the brain or the arms¡­Guess I was lucky¡­ Erylis: My limbs and carapace shall grow very soon, Doku!! Forget my offer!! I will make your grave in this spot!!! Shaka: That sounds lovely¡­but my superior might have another opinion. Erylis tried to grow her armor up to her limbs. As she turned around to look at her surroundings, her gaze stopped to the sword dancer, and the pile of hulk corpses lying behind him , covering the cowering survivors. Luca: Nicely played, Shaka. I¡¯ll take it from here. Eliakim rounded up the survivors, having slightly recuperated from his wounds. Eliakim: Luca¡¯s¡­Everyone, out now!!! Soldier: You heard the chief, everyone run to the center!!! One boy followed the chief quickly, despite his torn-up shoes hindering his steps all the way. Bothered yet, he still tried to get ahold of the chief¡¯s attention¡­ Boy: Sir!! Why are we running from the hunter?!! Shouldn¡¯t we help him?!! That vampire is going to kill him. Erylis: (What is that one doing? Never mind, the mask brat¡¯s trick has ended its course. In two seconds, my armor will grow back anew and both of them will sleep under my feet!!) The crowd was still conscious enough to follow up on the kid¡¯s rather logical way of thinking, asking too many questions¡­ Soldier: Hey, less talking more running! Luca started hopping. Swords in hand, two beautiful, silver blades, fashioned like two crosses. The soles of his shoes briefly tapped on the stone floor, with each hop, filling in the void background with the unsettling taps. He hopped back and forth, left and right, slightly waving his blades in rhythm. His bloody hair covered his eyes but both Shaka and Erylis could notice from the brief openings that his pupils had fixed themselves on the vampire¡¯s limbs¡­ Eliakim: Kid, you¡¯ve got guts. Ever seen a senior fight a vampire? The kid thinks hard, but he comes up empty¡­ Eliakim: Lemme answer that for ya¡¯, ¡°never¡±. And wanna know why that is? Both the blades and Luca glowed white the more his pace started growing faster and faster. Upsetting the vampire, she shifted her attention from Shaka entirely¡­ Shaka: Boss, straight line, left hook, right spinning leg!! Luca: Affirmative¡­ Before Erylis could act, trying to rush in and assault the hunter physically¡­ Erylis : Huh?? The hunter was no longer in front of her. Rather, he was kneeling far behind, seathing his blades and looking over his junior, with a strange feeling of lightness governing her thoughts.,.. Erylis:What did he¡­ One curious look to her surroundings, and she saw her limbs flying away, hands and legs uncovered by the carapace, while her wings lied on the ground, chopped to the very root¡­ Erylis: When did he¡­ One second more. Then, myriad of slashes followed to the direction of the sword-dancer¡¯s wake that dragged the vampire¡¯s corpse through the air, skewering her body and stopping her regeneration in its tracks¡­The aftermath of her flesh lied half-dead on the ground. Gasping for breath like a maniac, while the blood wouldn¡¯t cease to pour out of her wounds in liters¡­ She struggled to sprout her limbs once again, but to no avail, only furthering her woes¡­ Luca: Shaka, go secure her body before she dies of bleeding. I have a lot to ask of her tomorrow¡­ The young man practically skipped. Stimulants can be life-savers in a battle, but their effects are limited. He reached to the vampire¡¯s body. Casting ¡°Disintegrate¡±, he burned her wounds, then used some of Url¡¯s gauzes to cover them¡­A technique every hunter has to learn in his training days, how to safely secure a dying vampire for questioning¡­ Erylis: I¡¯ll¡­kill you¡­these binds won¡¯t hold me down for long¡­ Shaka: The binds have a regeneration halting charm. Even a kid can take you to Salazar now¡­ Support soldiers storm the boulevard...They arrive right before Shaka succumbs to his wounds¡­ On the other side, Cassandra still fights her battle valiantly. An exchange of arrows and screams as Ezra tries to knock down the heroine. Cassie¡¯s adventurous spirit translated to her fighting style. Using the empty rails, the stages, stands and even the balconies as footing, she jumped around the boulevard like a circus girl, all while shooting her small arrows to poke at the vampire¡¯s shorter body. Ezra¡¯s veins start to pop. Blood boiling from frustration, she spreads her wings and floats up to the air¡­ Cassie: Now!! One good shot should knock her down!! She let out her arm, to conjure a larger, thicker arrow. Resting on a railway, like a crow awaiting its prey she slowly drew it with Nightingale. Its weight has her breathing in and out to focus on the vampire that charges its next blast¡­ Ezra sucks in all the air her lungs can carry¡­Cheeks like balloons, she fixes her gaze at the huntress. In a sudden split of a second, she spins forward, and blows her blast backwards. A vampire cannonball, she¡¯s too fast for the nightingale to react, sending her arrow astray and destroying the rail she stands on as they both fall on the ground¡­ Ezra got ahold of her, bow cast away and thus vulnerable. She started hitting her, blowing away fists in her face¡­ Erza: Like that?! Huh!!? Come on!! Shoot me!!! I said fight back!!! The vampire relentlessly beat her¡­In a moment of pause, Cassie spat out blood and a tooth¡­She stared up at her assailant, cracking a wicked smile despite her busted lips and black eyes¡­ Cassie: Is that why you shout in fights? Cause you can¡¯t even hit a little girl like me?... Fuming, she pulled her two hands together and prepared to pummel her face to the ground¡­ Ezra: (Is she serious? Did she really fucking say I¡¯m weak?!! I¡¯ll turn her pretty head to minced meat!!) Cassie: You can go ahead and try¡­but you should know¡­I already won¡­ Ezra: What?! How¡¯s that!? You still talking!!? Before she brought down her arm hammer, the hands were pulled away by a gelatine like silver entity. Ezra: Glasses?! When did he- As she is pulled to the scientist¡¯s blob, larger than before, she notices it also holding the beaten Oscar like a rag doll¡­ Samuel: I have to thank Cassandra for this¡­ You guys took out way too much of its silver, and I forgot to make refilling vials¡­ Ezra: (Silver? Why would he need¡­The arrows¡­) You fool¡­ The realisation hit. Cassie wasn¡¯t on the defensive. She wasn¡¯t poking at her with the dart arrows. She was buying time and feeding her senior with ammunition to refill his beaten blob¡­ Samuel: A silver blob is made of silver after all¡­ She prepared to shoot, but Cassie¡¯s strong arrow stopped her at her tracks, smashing through her mouth before she attempted to strike Huckleberry¡­ The scientist ordered his blob to cover her mouth with silver, that hardens as he gagged her like a dog¡­ Samuel : Try to shout, the shock is probably going to come back at that pretty face¡­Can¡¯t imagine regen is going to fix that¡­ Muffling away, he threw her to the ground with two silver made cuffs from the blob¡­ Distracted as they were, Oscar faintly opened his mouth. Cassie noticed a small flesh item coming out of his tongue. Bursting with red energy, it exploded on the blob, freeing his damaged body and allowing him to fly away¡­ Finn and Cassie tried to shoot him down, but the vampire proved himself a sharpshooter even with half a head, countering their projectiles with the last of his own as he faints to the rooftops away¡­ Philomena ran to them, with a silver adorned book in hand¡­Samuel¡¯s blob returns to his locket in the quickest fashion¡­ Samuel: Uhh, Philo!! I didn¡¯t know, you were here¡­ Finn: We literally rushed to her aid the moment we stepped in the boulevard. Samuel: Yeah, I mean¡­Like Finn said, we came as soon as we could¡­sorry for not helping you out better¡­ Philomena: Nonsense!! You did a wonderful job! Samuel: Really?! Cassie: Sir Huckleberry, I think that¡¯s the least of our worries¡­ Samuel: Oh shit!! That¡¯s right! Can you heal Cassie while I take care of that nuisance over there? Philomena: What about your wounds? Samuel: I mean, that¡¯s nothing. Remember a few months ago, when I made that- Finn: For God¡¯s sake, the woman is still bleeding!!! And yet again, back to the gates¡­Lau naturally outmanoeuvred the creature, slashing and stabbing with wind enhanced strikes at its unprotected weak points, while taunting it to open its already messy guard. Drawing back her sword, she ordered the wind to push her forward. Lau: Lecourt Arts : Stern Touch ! Before the beast¡¯s ¡°remains¡± tried to escape, she marched forward in the blink of an eye, and destroyed the standing corpse with one fell attack drawing the winds forward with her¡­ However, her skirmish is not left unpunished, as the creature left her open to Scissor¡¯s teasing strikes at her arms and legs¡­ Lau: This coward!! Come over here and fight me like a man!! Scissors: I¡¯d rather sit this one through¡­Can¡¯t have Lady Cowboy ruining our fun now! Url finished the gas¡­But his trembling hands and constant headache seemed to have halted him from delivering it where it is needed¡­ Url: I used the table too much¡­Guess this is the price for not taking a break when my seniors tell me to¡­ A cluster of bats find him struggling, and decide to assault him all at once. Url tried to guard himself, but the only thing that reached him was the splatter of their corpses as Shroud spun his large axe and shredded their tiny bodies like cheese¡­ Url: What¡­ Shroud: I¡¯ll take that. You take a nap¡­ The hulk hit the doctor and knocked him out. Grabbing the gas flask and putting him aside, he rushed to the battlefield, threw it away, and once its glass seal broke, the cloud of Moondust expanded in seconds¡­ As predicted, the gas stopped the vampire in its tracks¡­But¡­ Lau: Huh¡­This¡­That isn¡¯t him¡­ Standing at a foot larger than what was expected, slim, dressed in a suit of black olive colored fabric. His face, sideburns big and messy as his dark brown hair, blood dripping form the sides of his mouth. His crimson eyes, red as his floating tie, turned to see the Lecourt, standing her ground shocked and confused¡­ Vampire: Boasting colors of your stupid sigil all over, more than a 100 years you¡¯re still snobby bastards¡­ Lau: Who¡­are you¡­ It wasn¡¯t his height. Scissors was tall too. It wasn¡¯t the blood dripping from his mouth and arms, every vampire has some before they meet her blade¡¯s end. It wasn¡¯t the pupils of his eyeballs fixated on her, nor his raspy, heavy voice that pierced her ear drums through his short moments of breath¡­ It was just his presence. A vampire like all the rest, and yet for some bizarre, inexplicable reason, the Lecourt couldn¡¯t shake off a feeling of¡­terror¡­ Vampire: Oh, well¡­I don¡¯t know what that fool tried to gas me with, but it pissed me off¡­ Turning his body around, he bend down like a leopard ready to jump, and spread his wings from his back. Four large, dark bat wings extended from his shoulder blades and scapula as he rushed at high speeds towards the scion, holding his right arm up to pierce through her skin and bones¡­ Vampire: You pissed me off, I¡¯ll rip you apart now¡­ Lau understood. Before her stood a vampire stronger than what she has had to face up until now. Shaking, her eyes would wonder around, trying to look for a place to hide, to jump, to escape the monster¡¯s fatal strike¡­ Lau: No¡­She wouldn¡¯t bow away from this¡­Beatrice would have held her ground¡­I¡¯m sure she did¡­ Her sister¡¯s memory, and a brief flashback of the times her teammates stood their ground despite the danger they faced, were enough for her to steel her nerves, gather the winds of Pirou to prepare for impact by having them spin around her like a shield, and stare down the blinking figure of her foe coming at her with every intent to massacre her hide¡­ Lau: Lecourts boast their colors out of pride!!! I won¡¯t back away from you while I wear my house¡¯s sigil!! Never!! Vampire: Then you are another fool to join the fodder. Impact. The whirlwinds raised clouds of smoke. As the field cleared, the vampire had dipped his feet to the ground and tried to plunge his hand inside the Lecourt¡¯s torso¡­ Shroud: Guess you weren¡¯t just some pampered shrimp, were ya¡¯? Lau : Hah?! The field cleared of dust. The monster¡¯s hand never did reach Lau. Shroud arrived just in time and had plunged his humongous axe on the ground. It¡¯s heavy, thick blade was enough to take on the freak¡¯s strike. His hand was smashed to bits on the blade¡¯s side, while the force of the impact transferred to a split wave that destroyed the ground behind Lau¡­ She starred at the consequences of the skirmish, trembling at both the hulk¡¯s and the vampire¡¯s strength¡­ Shroud: You should probably back off, I just sobered up¡­ Flying away before Lau even thinks of attacking him, he looks at his deformed hand. In split seconds, he restores it to its former state¡­ Vampire: That axe¡­And the balls to take on my fist and live to tell the tale¡­You are the Butcher¡­Roderick-something¡­ Shroud: Ya herd¡¯a me? Nevr knew I ha¡¯a reputation among da freaks¡­ Vampire: You¡¯ve been slaughtering my kindred ever since you stopped suckling on your mother¡¯s tit! I¡¯ve heard of you from my men¡­ Shroud: And yet I¡¯ve nevr heard of you! To which lord, marquish, erl, er other dumb title ya¡¯ bats call yaselves do we owe dis¡¯ courtesy now? Vampire:¡­You don¡¯t recognise me, do you¡­ Shroud: I don¡¯t remember any bat I¡¯ve took the head off¡­ Before the vampire introduces himself, he starts grabbing his head and spinning around, visibly in discomfort of his sudden affliction¡­ Vampire: Urgh!!! No, let me tell ¡®im!!! Come on!!! Like it¡¯ll make any difference!!! Shroud: Lau, Lady Sarah¡¯s just ahead. Go help her reach the gates, there are still a few bats flying around¡­ She barely listens to the hulk. He snaps her out of the fugue¡­ Shroud: Now!! Lau: Uh, yes sir!!! With her winds, she dashes away, fleeing the mad vampire¡¯s gaze¡­ Vampire: No one will find out about you!!! Let me hold my body just once for now!!!...Fine, fine!!! Shroud: Alright ovr there? I fill bad killing a cripple¡­ He stops spinning around, again regaining his composure¡­ Vampire: Ugh¡­This guy¡­Where were we¡­ Shroud: You were going to- Vampire: Kill you, yes!!! Dashing to him, the monster approached the hulk in a matter of seconds. Their skirmish crushed the ground beneath them, as Shroud¡¯s axe and his large, and the tall stick¡¯s strikes would create small craters whenever they missed their target¡­ Shroud: You are pretty string fer a stick!! Vampire: You are pretty fast for a hulk! The vampire manages to stick his arm inside the butcher¡¯s right pec, piercing through muscle and crushing bones until Shroud starts spitting out blood¡­ Grabbing at his enlarged thorax, he tries to rip it out in one fell swoop, but the hulk¡¯s grip at his forearm doesn¡¯t let him finish the job¡­ Vampire: (A Titan¡­) Shit¡­ Shroud: Ya musta herd of someone else¡­don¡¯t you know why I¡¯mma called the butcher!? Crushing his forearm until he lets go of his bones, he pulled away the hand from his torso, then brought down his axe with a single slash to rip away at the beast¡¯s body¡­ The vampire cut of the rest of his arm and flew back with only a scratch from the axe¡¯s tip¡­His wounds healed in a matter of seconds once again¡­ Shroud: You are different from da rest of dem¡¯¡­You are a hole lotta stronger aren¡¯t ya¡¯? Vampire: I can barely make a word out of your mouth, but yeah¡­ Shroud: Well, unfortunately, for you, you aren¡¯t strong enough to kill all of us¡­ Vampire: Heheh¡­ Veins started popping off his forearms and his head, and his irises shortened the more Shroud¡¯s smug smile grew in contrast¡­ Vampire: You¡­really think you got the best of me have you¡­ Even though he seemed to have the upper hand, Shroud knows. The bat before him was probably a menace far bigger than what they could predict¡­His brave fa?ade was only a trick to hid his stress from the beast¡¯s nose, even if that vampire already knew that he has turned the tables¡­ Their stare down was put to a stop by two bullets flying past Shroud¡¯s opponent. Turning his attention, he saw a dark-skinned lady, dressed in brown leather cowboy attire, pointing her blazing silver guns at him¡­ Beside her, a whole army readying their weapons and Lau at her last of her Winds of Lecourt¡­ Once again, a feint headache had him grippling his forehead¡­ Vampire: Ugh¡­Alright, ALRIGHT!!!! Shroud: Ya¡¯ might wanna stop havin¡¯ periods evry three minutes of tha¡¯ fight. Shroud¡¯s rushing side slash was easily stopped by the vampire¡¯s hand, to his surprise. He stepped back quickly as the beast pushed off his blade¡­ Sarah: Shoot him!!! She shouted with gusto, and every soldier started sending their ammunition towards the monster¡­ Unbothered, he spread his wings, startling Shroud, and flew upwards, evading every bullet¡­ Vampire: Remember this, Butcher! Today, I won¡¯t send you back to Landen in a coffin!! Next time¡­we¡¯ll follow this through¡­ Shroud: You sur¡¯ bout¡¯ that? Never met a bat looking forward to die¡­ Chuckling at his comment, with a hint of pity, he flew off¡­Shroud stared away as his figure got lost in the moon¡¯s light, while his pectoral muscle bled away, and the army rushed at his side¡­ Shroud: Who was that¡­I hope the kids are safe¡­ Chapter 19 : The Heist While the three fronts were taken care of, Aaron and Suiga strolled around the corridor, awaiting the vampire charged with bringing home the strange black chest peacefully gathering dust on its podium inside the bank. Fiddling with the artifacts in display... Aaron: Suiga? Suiga: Yes, chief? Aaron: It¡¯s not chief, and I was wondering... Suiga: You were wondering, yes... Aaron: The plan was to bait a vampire inside right? Suiga: I believe so, yes. Aaron: Thus to do that, one would need a so-called ¡°bait¡±, right? Suiga: I agree wholeheartedly. Aaron: So, did, by any chance, our seniors tell us HOW EXACTLY ARE WE SUPPOSED TO BRING A BAT INSIDE THE DAMN BANK??!!! Throwing artifacts around, he screams and huffs while Suiga tries to clean up the mess of his wake... Suiga: Ugh, I was in thought about this too. We can¡¯t really bait anyone while we¡¯re stuck in here. Aaron: And going outside would leave the corridor empty, and let a bat slip away... Suiga: Thus, we await... Aaron: I¡¯ll die of boredom. Or hunger. Or both. Suiga: Now that we brought this to the table, I do have some provisions in my bag... Aaron: Does a rotisserie chicken happen to be somewhere along those provisions? Suiga: Chief, I can¡¯t decide if your preference for that food stems from addiction or lack of diversity in taste buds. Aaron: You can say that all you want, but I remember two assholes last night finishing the last four in the pantry. Suiga: Lady Cassandra sure does have an appetite... Aaron: And what are these provisions you¡¯ve brought? With a small beat in his steps, he goes and brings his leather bag. Opening wide, he reveals a vast assortissement of foods, from rice balls to crackers, to condiments and garlic bread... The hungry Landenian rests dumb-founded with his partner¡¯s innovation... Aaron: The hell is this?! That¡¯s 2 times our pantry!! Suiga: I go to the market after all of our morning runs!! As his eyes wandered along the food-colored universe of Suiga¡¯s bag, one detail did not leave him indifferent. Small rotisserie chicken wings, nicely cooked, golden brown, and perfectly packed away so that the hunter¡¯s drools don¡¯t reach their skin... Suiga: Everything alright? Aaron: Where the hell did you find that... Suiga: Just next to the rotisserie chicken? Aaron: So you do admit you like it? Suiga: Well it¡¯s not my favorite food, but I don¡¯t deny its satisfactory taste- Aaron: Satisfactory?! Juicy, tender, and enriched by the mixture of spices and condiments that bring about the golden coloring of its chewy skin!! Suiga: Chief, your vocabulary has enrichened all of a sudden. Aaron: It is divine!! How are your crackers and pig roasts better than that!!? Suiga: I just happen to find more love in pork!! Aaron: Well, I devour a pig roast too, but come on!! Suiga: Pig roast burger is the epitome of culinary perfection, I stand by it!! Aaron: Oh, you really- Bursting from a nearby window, flew two individuals. Spreading their wings, they glided slowly through the falling debris and onto the marble floor. As the soles of their boots crushed the glass, Aaron and Suiga quickly had their hands ready to draw. One of the vampires, dressed in a tight black overshirt and a white button shirt, well stuck onto his defined physique. The buttons were all the way gold, until the engraved button of his purple small cape. With a leather jean and boots to fill out the ensemble, his hair was a slightly red, spiky, and slick back. Unlike other vampires, his teeth were well-shown outside his upper lip... Vampire: Will you shut up??!!! You make me wanna pull my ears off !!! He screamed with the most brutish, cackling voice the boys have heard yet. Young looking, yet the mannerisms of a 45-year-old man, scratching his back and belly and picking his teeth while talking¡­ Vampire: Name¡¯s Cain! Now where¡¯s the thing? Aaron: The what? Cain: The black chest thingy that holds- His partner, a vampire with slick grey hair, dressed like some sort of forest adventurer, with brown leather armor and a dark green cape, pulled out a sword from his hilt and smacked him on the head with its handle. Vampire: Don¡¯t go revealing our secrets, numbskull Cain: Oy, Klaus! Who asked you to talk !? Klaus: Will you please withdraw from opening your mouth like that before you start talking? It¡¯s wildly disgusting. Cain: Like I give a shit! Wait, you just told me not to talk ever!! Klaus: Shits are the only thing you give¡­ Cain: What wassat? Two kunai coming their way, each intended for one. Klaus quickly blocked with his sword while Cain let it stick to his forearm, then pulled it out like a toothpick¡­ Suiga: Guess I got their attention¡­ Klaus: What my partner would like to know, as do I, is where our property is being hidden away. Aaron: Your property? Klaus: Yes, I believe your livestock kin is more than familiar with that term, right? Now, just let us inside, we¡¯ll grab the chest and be on our way. Aaron looked at Suiga quickly. Both saw this as their chance. Aaron: Aren''t you going to kill us? Cain: Aren¡¯t we? Klaus: No! Cain¡­Master told us to be quick about this, remember? Cain: You¡¯ve talked to him, lately? You think the Ripper would ever agree to letting a human go? Klaus: I don¡¯t care. Now, can we avoid any useless fights and just grab that thing and leave? Suiga: What do you think chief? Aaron: Hmm¡­Tell us what¡¯s inside that chest. Cain : Huh ? No way !! Klaus : That¡¯s absurd ? Suiga : You said the Ripper was your master. He¡¯s been causing havoc for the past few weeks so that chest must be pretty important to him. What¡¯s inside ? Cain : Let¡¯s just tell¡¯em, like they¡¯d know anything about it ! Klaus : Hmm¡­Alright, then. Shocked by how well this stupid plan was working out, the boys spread their ears to listen in¡­ Klaus : It¡¯s Ripper¡¯s last family heirloom. A pair of glasses. You probably know how important trinkets are to the vampiric race¡­ The two ponder at the chances that the last weeks of chaos were in the name of a simple trinket¡­ Klaus : So, please. Enough useless blood was splattered. We¡¯re tired too. Can we just grab this and go ? Aaron : Hmm¡­Alright, follow us. Suiga : Leader !!! Aaron : Come on, he¡¯s right ! Do you really want us to risk our lives here while the bosses are out drinking ?! Let¡¯s just give him the chest. Worst case we get suspended ! Suiga :¡­. Aaron : Stop playing the nice boy and live a little !! Suiga : Hah¡­Fine. Aaron signals the two to follow him. With their back turned the two boys reach for the first door leading to the stairs down¡­ Inside the silence of the corridor, with only their own footsteps to hear, the boys suddenly turned around. Aaron drew his sword and blocked the two vampires flying towards them leg first¡¯, ready to pounce on the hunters with all they¡¯ve got¡­ Aaron : Shit, these two are strong, huh ? Backing, they dusted off their clothes and prepared for another strike¡­ Aaron : Like I¡¯ll ever hear a vampire letting humans go. Klaus : That was the most disgusting 5 minutes of conversation I ever had to play out¡­ Aaron : Well, that acting left a lot to be desired. Suiga : Aren¡¯t you here for a chest ? What will our own lives help you achieve ? Klaus held his silence. Cain started to point and laugh with one hand caressing his tight abdomen, at his opponents, despite their confused looks¡­ Cain : Fuck ! Didn¡¯t you hear us? The Ripper¡¯s disciples !!! Have your lightning ray through my veins!!! Surges of velvet purple lightning ran their courses throughout his forearms, which took a veiny, muscular form with the same color skin. The gushing blood from the bite wounds stopped dropping to the ground and traveled on his flesh, darkening more and more as it formed into a malevolent tattoo¡­ Suiga : Aaron, that¡¯s- Aaron: Yeah¡­I did not expect that¡­ Claus only drew his sword with his right, uncovered hand, a light, long greatsword with a dark gold hilt resembling some sort of church shotel¡­ Klaus : Do me a huge favor, don¡¯t mess this place up. Cain : Why do you care?! Aaron: Guess we can¡¯t wait on that fight, now can we? Suiga : Bring it on, bats! I¡¯ve got a new katana brought in just for this occasion- Suiga tried to draw out a nodachi brought in from the VHC¡¯s personal forge, now armed with the Wutsworth leftover machinery. The katana he ordered, along with Beryl¡¯s charismatic negotiations and Luca¡¯s insightful tips was tailored to adapt to Suiga¡¯s precise, strict swordsmanship, preferring patient, strategic parrying and precise, firm counterstrikes, the results of training under the Akira elder ways with the sword¡­ Cain:¡­I¡¯m not a judge of blades, but isn¡¯t there supposed to be a blade attached to that hilt? The beautiful, long nodachi, made to give our hero access to his usual old battle style, was nowhere to be seen. The lightness of the draw and the absence of the silver armament in the clear air reminded Suiga of his sparring with Luca before this predicament, especially those moments where the sword dancer¡¯s movements would be too fast for the samurai to witness with a naked eye and his refined reflexes¡­ Suiga: That tea-drinking assh- Aaron: Stand back!!! Time slowed down for Aaron bringing his enhanced glowing Eisenwald in front of the two foes lunging themselves onto them. Suiga tried to follow, forced to draw out the black katana. Cain : I¡¯m gonna make this more interesting!!! Smashing the marble floor with his lightning fists, the hunters fell down with a rumble to the second floor, while the vampires glided down peacefully. Suiga¡¯s dexterity allowed him to jump off some of the rubble and finely tumble down the ground with neglecting damage, while Aaron just landed down with his knee on the ground and Eisenwald smashing the floor. The second floor was less long, yet much more wide, a somber square room with only a few wall chandeliers spewing out flames of purple, held by gargoyles, to light the space, that and the large manhole Cain chose to make. Other than that, the room looked a lot like the West District after Tragoedia¡¯s visit, minus the blood and gore of tens of victims¡­ Aaron dusted off his clothes as he stood up, greatsword in hand, spinning it around like a sack of potatoes¡­ Aaron: Suiga, how do we play this? Suiga: I believe you want to have a chat with that Danno copycat? Aaron: You sure read my mind. Suiga: I¡¯ll hold off the other for you. Klaus: Seems they are going for a divide and conquer. Cain, we should probably stick together and- Cain: Screw you!!! Let¡¯s fucking do this!!!! The hot-headed youth ran to his clash with Aaron¡¯s blade while Claus rested disappointed, although not for long, with Suiga at his tail. Aaron waved his sword around, while Cain dodged and escaped the heavy strikes of Eisenwald. One lucky sidestep and Cain stopped the weapon in its tracks with his two palms, not without difficulty though¡­ Cain: You like my trap, now? Before Cain followed his original source and coursed his electric current to Aaron through the blade, the hunter pushed his sword forward¡­ Aaron : Wolf¡¯s Bane : White Pounce!! Even if Cain¡¯s reflexes let him backstep and avoid the sword¡¯s edge, the following wave of piercing light was fast enough to hit him and strong enough to knock him back screaming in pain¡­ Aaron rushed to continue his assault with a downward slash, but the vampire spread its wings and rolled sideways, then floated in mid-air. Aaron : (I¡¯ll activate Wolf¡¯s bane and throw a slash at him-) Cain: Thunder Bullet!!! Clapping his velvet, veiny palms, a small condensed orb of lightning formed and flew out of the tip of his conjoined fingers pointing at the hunter. Aaron¡¯s shoulder was hit and the resulting pain from it was enough of a window for Cain to dive in and land of a few knockback hits on the hunter, punches, and a finishing kick¡­ The boy stood his ground and used his sword to halt the pushback, like always. But something was different¡­ Aaron: (The fuck!! That lightning¡¯s 4-no-5 times stronger than Danno¡¯s!!!) Cain stepped on the floor, wings still flapping away, and clapped at the hunter¡¯s efforts, each clap stroking out a cluster of thunder¡­ Cain: Congrats! Never seen a rookie silverhead stand up after my punches, like this! Aaron: I had my fair share of thunder up my flesh¡­ The vampire¡¯s crimson eyes squinted at his last remark¡­Cain¡¯s brain seemed rather slow, but it was well developed to start putting the dots together¡­ Aaron: Hey, tell me! You know a bat named Danno? Cain: You are kidding me; you are the one who killed him?! Aaron: Lemme guess, you¡¯re the big brother who¡¯s out for blood, huh? A fair statement, a fair reasoning. Yet, Cain did not express an ounce of anger¡­ Cain: Out for what? For that little piece of shit?! I¡¯d rather eat goat shit! Talking it out with a vampire is a classic. Playing on their superiority complex, their arrogant nature, and the resulting conviction that fights do not require any ounce of concentration or even effort, so why not hear out what the livestock can spew with its mouth. Hunters would do that to recuperate and think of their next tactic¡­ Cain : Like that fourth-rate noble would be my brother. He was some uncle¡¯s far-forgotten seed, sprouted on the wrong side of history. Aaron: You sure are a good relative. Cain: Danno was a prick. Almost makes me puke that I share Virtue with that dead vampire¡­But still... Velvet purple and meaty as a bull¡¯s legs, his forearms would have volts of lightning gush out of his skin while he put his arms in a fighting stance... Cain: Whoever killed him must be worth the fight!! Aaron: Then you don¡¯t really value those breaths of yours... To the other side of the room, Suiga has drawn out the ominous blade, while Klaus¡¯s remains sheathed... Opposite to their hot-headed partners, they hadn¡¯t initiated further contact yet. They instead chose to stare each other down, waiting for one side to commit the grave mistake of starting the fight... If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it. Suiga: Awfully calm, aren¡¯t you? Klaus : Disappointed at my partner¡¯s bloodlust...I was hoping to avoid bloodshed today... Suiga: The moment you stepped inside the building, you dug your own grave. The only blood that will be spilled in these halls, is yours. Klaus: God, you¡¯re hopeless... The calm vampire draws out his long, thick blade, and dashes to the samurai. While Suiga could manage to stand his ground, the bat¡¯s swordsmanship took him by surprise. Even better than the vampires claiming to be sons of swordsmen hailed by the world, Klaus actually had skill with the sword, surpassing even Danno¡¯s subordinate. The vampire had a strange combination of elegant, peaceful strikes, waiving the sword around with his right hand, while keeping the rest of his body at a distance. If he found an opening, he would calmly dash in the rhythm of his strike, using the weight of his moving body to attack and position himself at the same time. Thanks to that flexibility, the samurai could not rely on his parrying to land a hit. Suiga would try to take advantage of those opportunistic dashes, trying to back sideways to then slash away on Klau¡¯s exposed back, but the vampire proved fast enough to catch up to him. One try ended in Klaus timing his sword block to parry Suiga¡¯s heavy hit, staggering him long enough for the bat to dash and pierce the samurai¡¯s shoulder with all of his might, then slide out his sword, spin and kick away Suiga in a spontaneous combination of strikes... Suiga got up quickly, rolling away from Klau¡¯s attempt to plunge his blade into his torso. Then, calling out flames, he sent a wobbling whirlwind slash that failed to hit the vampire at all, but gave the boy enough time to rebound into a defensive stance again... Klaus : Blight... Suiga was distraught. Klaus was definitely trained, and probably had enough experience to incorporate foreign movements to his style. Klaus chose to retaliate. He chased the hunter around, waiving around the shotel-like blade like an adventurer, cutting away the leaves in his path with a machete in search of the hidden temple. The blade was long, yet just thick enough to have Suiga going for dodges instead of blocking. One hit was enough for him to get a grasp of the blade¡¯s weight and potential damage... Klaus would waive the sword around, yet even those risky slashes would be coordinated. Suiga saw a lot of openings. Open armpits in his upward slashes, exposed back after every push, and legs in the open after a jump. Suiga: He¡¯s baiting me. Yet the samurai had not lost his reason just yet. Enough lessons in swordsmanship helped him discover the opponent¡¯s attempt at drawing him in. One attempt to attack through, and Suiga would be receiving beatings worse than the one before... As his shoulder was bleeding, Suiga thought to himself. About the vampire before him, the exact opposite of its partner, whose strikes couldn¡¯t have been less instinctive, bound by force and luck... Cain : Shock Jab! A fist full of lighting landed on the greatsword¡¯s blade. Cain: Shock Cross! A harder fist full of lightning landed on the blade. Cain : Shock Haymaker! An even harder fist full of- Aaron: For God¡¯s sake, stop naming everything!!! Aaron struggled through the shock of each hit, and brought Eisenwald down on the vampire, only to hit the stone floor as his foe sidestepped and hit him more than twice before retreating... Suiga : Maybe if I help Aaron... Klaus: You won¡¯t be doing that, now... Engaging him once again, Klaus became slightly more aggressive, barely letting the boy breathe between clashes of their swords...Suiga ate some of the shotel blade hits, slowly faltering... Klaus : Good, I can finally finish this... Bringing down his blade on the samurai, Suiga grit his teeth, grabbed the blade as hard as possible, calling out the maximum amount of fire he could at the moment, and blocked the sword strike while his wound bled out... Then, between the vampire¡¯s stagger, he spun around, and dashed aside, while slashing the vampire with his flaming blade, ripping at his torso... He tried to follow with another slash at his back, but his wounds stopped him and let Klaus retreat... The vampire squinted his eyes while the flames ate at his flesh...Dipping his sword down the ground, he grabbed human remains out of his pocket. His flaming wounds drifted away as he munched on the fingers and eyes... Suiga: Disgusting. Klaus: Look who¡¯s talking...Waiving my own kin right in my face¡­ Suiga: Then look who¡¯s talking¡­ Cain took a peak at the samurai¡¯s flames growing stronger... Cain: Hah!! Now there¡¯s something worth fighting!! As the vampire tried to lunge, Aaron grabbed his forearm and held it tight. Cain tried to shock him, but Aaron remained unfazed by his attempt... Cain : Huh?! Aaron: I¡¯ve been fighting lightning freaks for too long... Pulling him, he brought the vampire¡¯s carcass down to the ground, then dipped Eisenwald with force on his leg... Aaron : Matter of time before I become thunder resistant... Cain: Danno lost to you, huh... Preparing another Thunder Bullet, he brought his palms and fingers together as more and more lightning coursed from his forearms to the tip of his fingers. Aaron : Nice try, fuck. Cain: Not what you¡¯d think!! He opened his palms, and instead of a bullet, came out a current of lightning as large as a small man. Aaron quickly chanted the sacred words and blocked the strike, but its sheer force was enough to send him back... Cain floated up and stared as the hunter picked up Eisenwald and came at him again... Cain: I¡¯m insulted, really. Aaron: Don¡¯t care. Aaron rushed and hacked away in all directions, with his greatsword smashing the air while chasing the fleeing vampire¡¯s flesh with hunger... Cain : You can¡¯t mean you took out Danno while fighting like this! Aaron : If it¡¯s enough to kill you, I¡¯m just fine! Cain : You¡¯re a wuss!!! He toyed with Aaron¡¯s slashes, barely taking them seriously, all the while beating him with his fists full of thunder... Cain : You haven¡¯t really come at me, now, have ya? That¡¯s not how you killed Danno. And that brat didn¡¯t even deserve your best. He flew over Aaron, grabbed his fists together and smashed him in the head. Cain : So come on!! I dare ya!! Come at me like you mean it!!! Aaron : You fuck... Cain: You are gonna die if you don¡¯t, you know...Your partner ain¡¯t gonna save ya this time... Aaron: I don¡¯t...need him...to get you. Cain: Huh? Can¡¯t hear ya, through the crying- Aaron gritted his teeth and turned around, sending a white light slash towards Cain as he scratched the floor and raised his sword in the air along with rubble and dust¡­ Cain: The hell is this? Did ya¡¯ run outta fuel that quick- The attack was weak, but the resulting dust was enough to cover Aaron¡¯s movements. Cain knew where it was coming from, hearing steps and vibrations in the air, but yet he couldn¡¯t avoid the flying greatsword stabbing his shoulder and pinning him to the nearest wall¡­ He tried to pull out the humongous blade off his shoulder, to no avail, because the hunter had already approached and plunged it further inside his flesh. And the more he struggled, the more he grew wary of the hunter¡¯s hidden strength. He tried to shock him, but the brat powered through the forceful sparks. He held the bat in place by punching his head violently against the wall before he could rip himself out of the sword. Klaus could hear the stone walls crumbling from the impacts, but could bear no attention to the fight, as Suiga¡¯s sword had grown in strength and could rival his blade¡­ Aaron : Now, what the hell¡¯s inside that chest?! Cain: Phht! Screw ya!! Aaron: You want more, asshole?!! It¡¯s not like you are getting out of here alive, might as well start spitting it out!! Klaus : Don¡¯t say a word- Suiga : Keep your eyes on me!!! Suiga finally parried the bat and slashed his belly in retaliation. Cain: Go suck a cock , assface!! I ain¡¯t spitting anything!! Aaron wailed on him again and again¡­ Aaron : You know, I killed Danno the same way I have you right now. Do you wanna meet the same fate as that loser? Cain couldn¡¯t budge an inch, but wouldn¡¯t stop resisting against the hunter¡¯s hold. The fists weren¡¯t enough to destroy his skin, but the sheer force behind the blows was more than enough to keep him immobilized. He slowly pushed his palms against the floor, sacrificing moments of pain from the blade¡¯s edge entering the flesh. With all his might, he let floods of lightning run through the floor¡­ Cain : I¡¯m not weak, fuckface !!! The hunter¡¯s hate was large, yet not enough to dull his reflexes. Pulling out the great sword, he jumped up and backward before the vampire blasted the whole area, only escaping with a few scratches¡­ Cain on the other hand, slowly regenerated from his own suicidal escape attempt, while twitching from the volts of electric aura damaging his body¡­ Aaron : You need a minute ? Cain : To rip out your guts ?! Less ! Cain chased the vampire hunter, finally engaging in an equal exchange of slashes and pounds, with Aaron waiving around Eisenwald while sidestepping around Cain ¡®s flailing thunder punches¡­ Klaus¡¯s unpredictable combinations could not break through the samurai anymore. He started defending himself, with every cinder grazing his eye, also tensing his muscles and drawing out his fear¡­ Klaus : To use blight against me¡­what sort of weak hunter are you? Suiga: Watch the fight, freak!! I¡¯m not as weak as you claim!! Noticing Suiga¡¯s left was open, he spun his sword around and prepared to crouch and dash to him with a horizontal slash. Last minute, he sprouted his wings and gained momentum, almost blinking away from the samurai¡¯s vision¡­ He slashed, aiming to devastate the boy¡¯s ribs and then continue assaulting him, he thought to himself. But Suiga would not bat an eye. Not a reaction to his assailant, he brushed him aside at the last minute, as if he knew what the vampire would do, and rushed to his teammate¡¯s aide. Cain was too focused on the fight, waiving his thunder fists as fast and as hard as possible on the hunter. Hooks, crosses, haymakers, combined with an enormous amount of sudden, mid-air body twists and somersaults to evade the greatsword¡¯s humongous blade and give an oompf of strength behind his strikes¡­ All this time, he would look right down Aaron¡¯s eyes, fixating on the silver pupils staring down his own¡­ Enough to not notice Suiga bringing in his own, large, flaming sword from the left. The samurai ground the sharp tip of his blade on the ground while moving towards the floating Cain, as Klaus was still behind ¡­ The more the tip ground on the stone floor, the sparks would mix with the hellish cinders, and create a chaotic, fire cloud engulfing the sword and almost Suiga himself¡­ Suiga : ¡°Berserker Uproar!!¡± Once close, he screamed at Aaron to back off, formalities off the table, and send off from the weapon a fiery hell, a demon jumping upwards like a fish, opening its horned mouth for the upcoming feast, and towards the unsuspecting vampire, devouring him whole, sending him off the air and into a nearby wall to burn¡­ The flames would spread farther away, hitting even Aaron¡­ Aaron: Damn it Suiga, watch it!! Suiga: We got ¡®im!! Keep attacking!!! Aaron : (So that¡¯s the blight¡­) Aaron would look over his teammate while the burns would eat away at his flesh. The Suiga before would have prostrated, even demanded suicide. But the sword was slowly sealing those actions away the more its flames would feast upon flesh, vampire or human¡­ Suiga kept on attacking. The fire was strong, but not enough to have Cain kneel just yet. He soldiered through and changed his target to the samurai¡­Suiga accepted the challenge with no hesitation, slashing away while the sword emitted black and red fire in its wake to contrast Cain¡¯s velvet thunder¡­. Aaron¡¯s burns subsided. To the corner of his eye, he noticed Klaus approaching Suiga, who just as his opponent, barely noticed the vampire ready to backstab him and end the fight. He rushed in, pushed Suiga and slammed his sword to the ground, parrying Klau¡¯s strike. Unfortunately, that move had its repercussions, as Suiga halted his combo and left both the boys open for Cain to send two bullets their way, stunning them and letting him and Klaus give them a combined beatdown of punches, kicks and sword slashes¡­ The prince bit his lip and tried to rush in again, only for Aaron to stop him in his tracks. Aaron: The hell are you doing?! Suiga: Tchk! Leave me!! Don¡¯t wear me down!! Suiga tried to move, but Aaron¡¯s hand on his shoulder was more than enough to put him in place, at least physically¡­ Aaron: I thought I said no suicides on my watch. Suiga: I said beat it!! Pound!!! Aaron¡¯s fist ran through his jaw like butter before he could finish his insult. Sword or not, Suiga suddenly came back to some of his senses¡­ Aaron: Watch it, prince. Don¡¯t make me kill two bats and a jackass today¡­ Suiga :...Aaron... The two bats fly around them like vultures in the desert¡­ Suiga touched his cheek, red and swelling from the impact¡­ Aaron: Suiga, keep your wits, they still ain¡¯t down- Aaron¡¯s rough body was sliced from torso to collarbone, by a sudden black lash that sent him back and rolling on the floor. He tried to get up, and wasted a healing syringe to prevent the aftermath of the black flames¡­ As he struggled with the needle piercing his skin, his squinty eyes witnessed Suiga¡¯s sword, like a painting from the old times, with the old stone walls and the prince¡¯s traditional attire, almost engulfing him in a hellish fire. The vampires dared not approach just yet. They only chose to look as Suiga would stare around in the unknown, his pupils running up and down, right and left¡­ Klaus: Cain, don¡¯t try and- Cain: I ain¡¯t that stupid, Klaus! Brat¡¯s blighted¡­ Klaus: We might have to evacuate¡­ Cain: What?! Are you kidding me?! This is our chance! Klaus: Are you nuts?- Cain: Do you trust me?! Klaus would grit his teeth to hold back his anger towards Cain¡­but that moment of withdrawal was enough to have him convinced of Cain¡¯s stubborn decision¡­ Klaus: Tchk! What do you want!? Cain: You saw that brat can¡¯t move good when his sword gets all flame-like!! Find an opening, strike him with all we got, then kill the Titan while he¡¯s down!!! Klaus:¡­You first. Cain smiled. Pounding his fists, thunder gushed out of his forearms. He rushed to go fight the brat before he managed to take ahold of his sword¡­ Suiga : (Stop¡­I didn¡¯t want to do that¡­Aaron I¡¯m sorry¡­Stop¡­Stop, please stop¡­) All the noise in the world was shut away. Suiga could only hear the raging cinders burning around him¡­And between those sparks, small screeches could be made out, if listened carefully without any other distraction. Small, distinct screeches, of women, men, children, cats and dogs, as if they were being tortured, boiled in the deepest, hottest cauldrons of Hell. A choir of suffering, hidden between the flames of the Arsonist bat¡­ The more Suiga listened, the more the monstrous fire would start taking the forms of those people¡­running, falling, dispersing into nothingness and restarting that cycle over and over, as the flames grew stronger, the screeches grew louder, and Cain¡¯s lightning fists approached him¡­ The bat¡¯s attack prepared to land, and one last voice could be heard, rising from a faint whisper to an alerting siren¡­ Aaron: Suiga, get the hell out of there!!! The samurai¡¯s eyes dilated. Snapping out of the cycle, he backstepped away from the hit. Then, without an ounce of technique, simply as if he was saluting a friend from afar, like a morning stretch, he raised the sword towards the two vampires¡­ Along with it, a ravaging wall of flames rose from the ground and engulfed parts of the room, hitting rubble, smashing lanterns and pictures, and hitting the vampires as they obliged to dodge away¡­ Aaron rolled over, and struggled through as he chased Suiga¡­ Aaron: (I have to calm him down, or he¡¯ll kill us along with them!!) Suiga : Get back here, you dog. Suiga gave pursuit, attacking both Cain and Klaus. The two tried to overcome his assaults, but the enlarged hellfire proved too much of a blockade and a dangerous risk for both. Even Suiga couldn¡¯t see where he was attacking¡­ Not that he cared¡­Inside his head, Cain and Klau¡¯s heads floated, bleeding from below along with the rest of their burned, cut limbs¡­ Cain: You think that torch you got is all ya gonna need?! That comment backfired, as Cain¡¯s hands were the first to be touched by the blade¡¯s wrath. Cain screamed in pain¡­ Klaus: Watch it, you dumb- His words halted, as he crossed swords with the samurai when the latter grabbed his weapon with both hands and tried to bring it down the vampire with all of his might¡­ Klaus looked into his eyes, void of any thought or reason, other than the growing feeling of hate¡­ Klaus: That¡¯s the Arsonist¡¯s blaze, then¡­ Suiga: You called me weak¡­but your head is all I see rolling down the floor¡­ Klaus spread his wings, despite the fact they caught fire from the surrounding hell. He fell flat to the ground, bringing Suiga off balance, then kicked him to the belly and up in the air¡­ Klaus : Cain, now!! The other bat grabbed the samurai and dunked him to the ground. He started whaling on him, while his partner tried to recover from his wounds¡­ Cain: Huh?! How you like that!!? Can¡¯t burn us now, can we?! He punched and punched, hurting Suiga before he could even act. But the blade would only grow bigger and bigger¡­ Cain: Wanna know something nice about this?! That flame belonged to a nasty bat, Kunishiro!! And just like you, he burned! He¡¯d burn men, women, even his own if it meant getting what he wanted!!! Your country wouldn¡¯t be here if that hunter hadn¡¯t done ¡®im in!!! Cain grabbed his fists together and prepared to smash the poor samurai¡¯s face into smithereens!! Cain : He was a ruthless bastard!!! And you carrying that sword doesn¡¯t make you any better!!! So you can just go and die!!! The two fists broke up before the attack could even land. Aaron¡¯s charging fist smashed the bat¡¯s face and sent him backward¡­ Klaus lifted his partner , and then rushed to attack the hunter, but the difference in their sword¡¯s weight and size was too big. Klaus would jump around, trying to slice the hunter where the sword couldn¡¯t find its way, but his proficiency with that slump of silver was enough for him to block most of the strikes, then cut his left arm with an upward slash when Klaus tried to grab ahold of the boy¡¯s cloak and maneuver his way closer to the chest¡­ The bat flew back to his partner. Aaron helped his teammate up¡­ Suiga would not utter a word, no matter how Aaron looked at him¡­Except for a few words¡­ Suiga: Weak¡­the flames¡­I can¡¯t beat them¡­ Aaron slapped his teammate¡­Then grabbed him by the shirt and brought their foreheads together¡­ Aaron: You remember what Beryl said?! You remember those words right!? Is ¡°weak and can¡¯t beat them¡± what you¡¯re gonna say to him when all of this is over!!? Hah!? Suiga¡¯s flames would slowly calm¡­Clapping of the palms was heard from across the room¡­ Cain : Nice sob story, but tell me, Willheart! When are ya¡¯ really gonna ditch the weakling!!? Aaron:¡­What? The vampire walked but did not approach¡­ Cain was stubborn, but he knew better than to take both a Titan¡¯s fist and Kunishiro¡¯s flames head-on together¡­ Cain: He¡¯s weak. Those flames are all his got, and he can¡¯t even keep those in check! He almost did the job for us and did you in! Aaron:¡­ Cain : I¡¯d kill this shit in a second if he ever kept me back! Hell, I¡¯d even kill my master, my father, anyone who¡¯d had the balls for brains to stand in my way! You are good, Willheart! You don¡¯t wanna show it, but you got a killer in ya¡¯! So, shove a knife down that corpse¡¯s throat, and let¡¯s finish up our match like man and livestock!! Aaron looked over his opponent, his elated, smug smile, his rubbing palms, his charred scars and cuts still feeding Suiga¡¯s blade with power¡­ Aaron : You said you ain¡¯t like Danno. Yet you have one good thing in common Cain : Huh? Aaron: I hate you both. The boy searched in his pockets, grabbed one last syringe, and shoved it down Suiga¡¯s flesh, slowly healing a chunk of his injuries¡­ Aaron : I didn¡¯t ask for this guy, I admit it. But he¡¯s been having my back ever since he stepped out of that train. He, and the rest of the assholes I have to look out for¡­ He raised his great sword and pointed it toward the two bats¡­ Aaron: Unlike blood-sucking freaks, I don¡¯t throw my comrades down the trashcan!! Klaus: My heart almost puked. Let¡¯s finish them off, before Kunishiro¡¯s spawn starts burning the room again!! Cain: Right behind you on that!!! The vampires rushed at high speed. Just as they attempted to plunge their claws down the hunter¡¯s flesh, a spiral of flames rose from the stone floor to crisp their already burnt limbs¡­ They backed off in caution, as they saw the samurai spinning his heavy katana and taking his usual fighting stance, protecting his partner¡­ Suiga: You saved me once again¡­I AM weak¡­ Aaron : And I¡¯ll keep doing it¡­unless you keep calling yourself that, where then I¡¯ll just let that sword eat you alive¡­ Suiga: And about that trashcan thing, Lecourt wouldn¡¯t agree that much¡­ Aaron : Well, the shrimp ain¡¯t here, now, is she? Klaus: Fuck. The burns won¡¯t heal¡­ Cain : Let¡¯s just wait it out, he¡¯ll go berserk again! Suiga: I don¡¯t plan on doing that. Your heads rolling down the floor as you fail is a memory that¡¯ll I cherish¡­ Klaus: Hunters like you¡­God I hate them¡­ Suiga: Hmm¡­ Klaus: Righteous, glorified, self-called heroes¡­You think cutting down vampires will ever make up for that abomination in your right arm? You think killing us makes you some warrior of justice? Suiga : No. The bat was thrown off, awaiting a vicious ¡°yes¡±, rather than a bizarre agreement to his own statement. Aaron was confused too, but chose to listen out to his comrade¡­ Suiga : No, cutting down vampires won¡¯t make up for the danger I put myself, and so many others, including my own teammates, and neither will it make me some sort of hero. But that¡¯s not what I¡¯m doing. He spun his sword again, twisting the flames around and then pointing it at the bats¡­ Suiga: Killing freaks who want to hurt my own kin, that¡¯s what I¡¯m doing, and that¡¯s what makes me a hunter. I don¡¯t hunt vampires because I want to. I hunt them because I have to. And if Kunishiro¡¯s flames help me, then I don¡¯t mind being called a ruthless monster. Klaus gritted his sharpened teeth while clenching the hilt of his sword as hard as his inhumane body let him¡­ Klaus: Cain¡­When we are done with them, leave the blight guy to me¡­ Cain: Fine, I¡¯ll skin the Titan and make his hide my punching bag!! Aaron: Bold words from two bats that had their asses handed by a blight torch and a muscle ball¡­ Suiga: The fight isn¡¯t over, but it¡¯s about to be. Klaus: On that account, you are right, blighted¡­ A faint, ringing, constant noise hit both the hunters before they could even move an inch, let alone realize what was happening. With blood gushing out of their back as a hand ripped apart their lower backs, they fell to the ground, losing all consciousness as they stared into each other, begging for help¡­ Cain: Took ya long enough! Klaus: We thought you were already dead. Cain: Like he¡¯d be dead!! He¡¯s master, now isn¡¯t he?... Huh, oh yeah he¡¯s still inside? Let¡¯s wait for ¡®im then¡­ Eyelids shut down, and only the slow steps against the bloody stone floor could be heard, direction unknown¡­ Chapter 20 : A Hunters Fight Battles raged on, in the boulevard, in the deposit, to the south, all for the vampires to steal enough time for their heist¡­ Once again, the vampires consult over their plans, but Cain and Klaus have joined them¡­ Klaus: Erylis will take on the west. Take a few hulks with you just in case, they might send in seniors. Erylis: Leave a poor lady alone? Why hasn¡¯t Lord Cain volunteered to accompany me I wonder¡­.? Her snide comment went unnoticed by the vampire youth pickin¡¯ his teeth in deep thought¡­ Klaus: Oscar, Ezra, you¡¯ll take the east. Make sure you make a good commotion, this will be for naught if the old hunters don¡¯t join in. Leuto and Edward. You guys keep the reinforcements arriving busy. Don¡¯t let ¡®em get inside the city¡­ While Leuto nodded in agreement, Edward hopped in excitement, licking his lips at the thought of all the blood spilling. Oscar agreed in his position, but Ezra just started looking around in distaste of her comrade¡¯s orders¡­ Klaus: Problem? The shrimp of a bat made a few noises, before scratching the back of her head and turning her attention to Klaus¡­ Ezra: Eh, you see¡­I ain¡¯t doin¡¯ none of that. Klaus: And what exactly does your loud ass wants to do? This is our Lord¡¯s orders, need I- Ezra : YOUR Lord''s orders¡­And I didn¡¯t waste ten years inside four stone walls so I¡¯d be some decoy !! While everyone exchanges looks of confusion, Klaus already pinches his eyes nervously, gasping with exasperation at what is to come¡­ Klaus : (God, can¡¯t believe I have to do this) Look, It¡¯s the Lord¡¯s plan, we follow it to the last detail unless everyone here wants to find themselves hanged and gutted. Ezra: And I¡¯m telling you¡­ She opened her mouth and screeched like a madman. The pitch was high enough to have the vampires kneeling in pain¡­ At that moment, she dashed to Klaus and grabbed ahold of his neck¡­ Ezra: I¡¯m not sitting around like some third-ate dependent to waste on the silver heads while you two go and get all the glory !!! Especially by some orphan lordling like you !! The bats were ready to jump her, Oscar pointing his musket, Erylis and Edward ready to plunge their hands down her back, while Leuto had his bats hiding between the dark green tree leaves¡­Cain remained ignorant of the situation, gaze averted¡­ But Klaus halted their assault. He stared down Ezra¡¯s veiny eyes and her gritty teeth. Even with her hand ready to crush his neck, her breath grazing his visage, or her insults meant to break his focus¡­ Klaus: You sure can¡¯t keep your mouth shut, can you Erza¡­ All it took was a split second, and Ezra¡¯s hold on the vampire felt much lighter, almost fading from existence. It was too late when she saw her limb cut in half, as Klaus quickly made a spin and kicked the girl back to a rock¡­ Her back smashed on the stone, and she could barely get up afterward¡­ Ezra : (What is this ? When did he-) Klaus: Erza. I don¡¯t give two shits who¡¯ll get the job done. But Lord Jacob gave us these orders, so that¡¯s how we are gonna care this out. Approaching her, he pointed the tip of his sword between her eyes as she tried to get up¡­ Klaus: Waste any more of our time, and the Ripper won¡¯t have anything left of you to punish¡­ That was enough to shut the bratty girl up¡­ Edward and Cain snickered, while the rest remained silent¡­ Suddenly, through the trees, a bat rushed to Leuto, holding a small paper note¡­ Leuto: What is it? Huh? It¡¯s from the Ripper! Klaus: Already? What is that man¡¯s problem? Leuto rolled open the note¡­His wide stare meant the letter was holding surprising news¡­ Leuto: There¡¯s a small change of plans, apparently¡­ With Leuto and the estranged vampire taking care of the South, and the boulevard in chaos, the deposit of a battlefield, only remained Beryl and the chest room¡­ And its new visitor¡­The scissor vampire, Edward¡­ Beryl budged not from his position. Up straight, hands crossed, chest out, shoulders back, legs wide, he entered the staring match against the hunch back, towering vampire snickering at his opponent, hands in pocket¡­ Beryl : (As I suspected¡­He¡¯s the only one fast enough to sneak in¡­That means someone else is at the south gates, and they knew we would recognize Scissors immediately¡­That trap they played well, so we would never guess he would be the one to come for the chest¡­I don¡¯t see blood on his hands and from the sounds upstairs¡­He must have sneaked past while the other vampires kept Aaron and Suiga occupied. I guess all the traps had no effect on him either¡­) Edward: So, you are the guard¡­ Beryl: And you must be the scissor vampire I heard so much about¡­Why scissors though¡­ Edward: Hmmm¡­ Accepting the question, Edward pulled out his right palm. Making a two-finger peace sign, iron blades extended from his fingers¡­ Edward: Snip ¨C snip. Get it? Beryl: And you hope to get through me with that? You must be getting more arrogant by the day¡­ Edward: Or bloodbags are too weak?¡­ Tell me hunter¡­are you weak? Will I just need these two fingers to slit your throat tonight? As he pulled out his other arms, he filled his fingers with iron blades, along with two long blades out of the elbows¡­ Edward : Or did I come to the right place ? I¡¯ve been itching for a fight since that factory... Beryl had to stay calm¡­He stood still, unaverred by the vampire¡¯s attempt at threat, with his creepy, harrowing voice that would make children run in fear¡­ Edward : Impressed¡­and satisfied. Killing you wouldn¡¯t be fun without a little fight, now would it ? Beryl : Kill me first, then talk about fun ! Edward dashed in the blink of an eye to reach Beryl¡¯s throat. His attempt to slash the guy¡¯s neck open failed. Beryl simply remained in place and bent over right as the vampire¡¯s hand swiped the air. With his belly exposed, Beryl maneuvered to change his stance into a squat, and brought a full-force uppercut up the vampire¡¯s torso, enough to send him up flying¡­ He then clapped his silver fist cuffs. The clunking sound and the white glow alerted the vampire, who quickly spread his small, flapping wings and fled to the back as Beryl brought his cuffs together and shouted Blow, escaping the double wind attack... The vampire made a U-turn and attempted another assault, only this time opting to use his speed to attack the hunter from multiple sides, spinning around him to aim for unguarded points. But Beryl proved quite the match. Some of Scissors'' hits landed, but most of them would miss their target, cause Beryl would carefully dodge the strikes in continuous movement, and others he would send back with his cuffs¡­ The sound of his blades clashing with Beryl¡¯s cuffs, the rush of the wind grazing his ears, and all the close calls had his timing been a second split late, a centimeter to the front, an attack not seen, a fist underestimated¡­ Beryl remained stoic and focused, but Edward was ellated with the fight, tongue out, screaming and gushing with pleasure¡­ Edward : Now that¡¯s what I call a fucking fighter !!! Beryl: Keep this charade up and you¡¯ll be calling me a victor. Edward missed. He tried to trick the hunter by staying upside down afloat and taunting him into opening his guard for a haymaker. That, in his demented mind, would allow him to fly right under his legs , cutting them away and then annihilating his back as he kneeled in place¡­ Beryl saw through the tactic and instead stepped backward to hit his cuffs once again. Edward quickly rebounded and tried to take his chances, assaulting the hunter while in preparation. Beryl seemed unsatisfied with the winnings of his gamble¡­ Edward : Problem in paradise, hunter ?! I¡¯ll carve a smile for ya¡¯ !! Beryl drew in the bat and brought the cuffs together before him, chanting shield. Evidently, Scissors¡¯ blades found no flesh, but rather a light blockade protecting the hunter. Beryl then tried to follow up with an assault of hooks, but could only land two or three before Edward spun around in fast movement and sliced through his arms and torso¡­ Both of them stepped back to regain their guard, but made sure not to lose a moment of the fight¡­ Edward : (Strong, firm, and well trained. Not one of his moves goes to waste¡­This man is something else¡­) Beryl : ( The lads were right, he¡¯s as fast as the sword dancer, and those blades aren¡¯t something to be trifled with. His wings and build allow him to make swift movements and drift around the field, having me spin around without a moment¡¯s rest¡­) Edward : Boy!!! Beryl: Huh ? Edward : Your name! What is your name ? Beryl : Why would you care ? You said you were gonna kill me anyway. Edward : I respect anyone lasting alone more than 5 minutes with me¡­I find meat tastes better when I know the name¡­ Beryl :¡­Beryl¡­Beryl Grut¡­ Edward : Beryl¡­you¡¯ve got skill, for a guy using Heavy Hitter¡­ Beryl : !? You know what this is ?! Edward : You think vampires live as little as you ? I¡¯ve fought someone a long time ago using that thing¡­ Beryl :¡­ Edward : Silly folk, he was. Waving those cuffs around, shouting ? Heavy Hitter ? every time he called it out¡­Thought he was the talk of the town because he did in two of my kin¡­ Beryl : Sound to me like he was¡­ Edward : Probably¡­before I snipped his fingers off¡­ The lad was silent, but Edward¡¯s creeping smile could still send shivers down his spine¡­ Edward : Snipped them off right after I shredded his skin, I stabbed every organ he had, then hanged his crippled corpse on the town gate with his fingers tied like a necklace around his throat !! Beryl : Why ? Why all that violence ? What did he do to you ? Edward stopped talking¡­ This novel is published on a different platform. Support the original author by finding the official source. Edward : Hm ? What do you mean ? Beryl : If revenge was what you wanted, or to fill your belly, you could have just killed him . No pain, no torture, nothing at all¡­What reason did he give you to make him suffer like that ? Edward : ¡­Reason ? Why would I need a reason ? Beryl could not understand the freak¡¯s attraction to violence. At the sound of empathy, Edward¡¯s elated state came to a halt. Beryl : I''m human. I get hungry, so I kill animals to eat. I¡¯m scared of vampires, so I kill them when they attack me to protect myself. But none of those times, did I result to anything more than the necessary¡­ Edward : Well, then you are a fool. Beryl : ?! Edward : I don¡¯t need a reason to hurt humans. I like it, it brings me joy. It brings me joy watching you lose a limb, bleed, cry, and cry as you watch me tear apart your flesh with my teeth and claws¡­ Beryl :¡­ Edward : But you can¡¯t tell me you¡¯ve never felt it, now, have you¡­ Beryl : What ? Edward : She told me you know¡­Tragoedia¡­ The young hunter¡¯s eyebrows rose in suspicion¡­ Edward : How you were ready to kill that bat¡­show her what you wanted to do for revenge¡­ Beryl : I was never going to- Edward : But you still wanted, right ? She killed the entire plaza, her and her asshole friends did. They killed the locals, they butchered them, and then they ate them. Those people. YOUR people. The cuffs trembled inside Bery¡¯ls rough, sweaty fingers¡­A week¡¯s worth of slumbering hatred and rage would boil over minutes of Edward reminding him of the horror Tragoedia¡¯s guard had laid upon the plaza¡­ Edward : There. No killing my ass, you want it. Even now, I come in, take that chest, and plan to raise hell all along this city full of bloodbags, you want to kill me¡­ Beryl :¡­ Edward : With those cuffs, land your fist right down my jaw, and smash it till it turns all soft and bloody!!! Beryl : Stop it, you disgust me- Titillating, elated with his own words, Edward grabbed his head by the cheeks, slashing it with his own claws as he spun around smiling and screaming while drops of blood fell to the floor¡­ Edward : Yes!! You will!! You¡¯ll do that!!! All the bloodbags end up doing it!! You¡¯ll hit me and hit me, and then once you¡¯re done and tired, I¡¯ll get angry and slice you!!! I¡¯ll slice you up nice and dead!!! Beryl remained speechless, but still trembling, a little out of fear, a little out of anger¡­but all of it came from Edward losing his tongue in his madness¡­ Edward : I¡¯ll slice you up!!! Break your bones from the outside!! Then I¡¯ll hang ya¡¯ from the robes!! I¡¯ll cut your pits in half, then snip snip go your balls, and let your blood drool onto the floor!!! As Beryl kept his ground, he went back in time, to a meeting with his peers during the preparations for the upcoming anti-heist. Shaka and Finn had arrived much earlier, so Beryl had some time to discuss the current events with his comrades¡­ Beryl: So, none of us had it easy with the aristocrats, huh? Finn: I swear, all three of them sound monsters, and we survived only one of them¡­ Shaka: That freak was easy prey, he just caught us beaten and surprised! Beryl: Still, these three don¡¯t sound like average bats we kill on a night¡¯s patrol. The three pondered over their experiences¡­ Finn:¡­Do you guys ever wonder why? Shaka: Hm? Finn:¡­I know it sounds stupid, but¡­ Beryl: Out with it, buddy! Finn:¡­These three made a mess of the districts¡­Edward carved up a whole factory, Tragoedia made a plaza her feeding nest¡­And I won¡¯t talk about Danno and his gang¡­ Shaka: Yeah, they¡¯re bats, alright, they can¡¯t do anything else. Finn: But why?... Shaka: ¡­Food is one reason¡­ Beryl: You can¡¯t tell me Scissors did all that because he was just hungry Shaka: Well¡­hell no¡­ Finn: It¡¯s just¡­I always wonder¡­why vampires look down on humans that much¡­ Shaka: You ask the big questions when you open that mouth, Balecq¡­ Finn: Oh well¡­we¡¯ll never find out¡­ As Edward ran amok in his own sadomasochistic thoughts of gore, Beryl had started to crack Finn¡¯s question¡­He was nowhere near the final answer, but the exam sheet was starting to fill up¡­ Beryl : ( No, Finn¡­each of them has their reasons, for sure¡­but the one thing they have in common, is that none of those reasons will ever be right¡­They are just evil monsters¡­) Edward: Come fight me, oh Beryl the Just!!! Edward blinked to thin air, then dashed like a humanoid bullet to the hunter, blasting dust all up in the air as he traveled like a carriage with a thousand war horses, claws at the ready¡­ Beryl: And that¡¯s why I can¡¯t afford to let myself drown in these vile thoughts¡­The more I let my anger consume me¡­ The hunter hit his cuffs as hard as possible¡­ A brighter light engulfed the weapons, and with that, Bryl prepared for his foe¡¯s next move. Beryl: The more I let myself become one of you¡­A deluded, blood-starved, freak!! Edward managed to plunge a part of his makeshift lance out of his palm and inside Beryl¡¯s gut¡­But soldiering through like a Titan, and timing his downward pound just right, he chanted Blow as Beryl¡¯s left silver cuff smashed through Scissor¡¯s skull, not only smashing his face down the stone floor but also sending him up and down from the impact like a vampire spring in release¡­ Chasing him, he engaged in a skirmish where blade and fist would clash in almost perfect harmony. Rushing movements, blades grazing skin, silver hitting bones, Edward¡¯s bloodshot crimson eyes would meet Beryl¡¯s brown pupils within every end of their exchanges, running, jumping, dodging through every spot of the room, while the chest remained seated and untouched¡­ Edward: Carve you!!! Carve you!! Carve you up!!! Beryl: Is that all you are going to say!!!??? Edward: What is there to say?! I¡¯ll murder you, here in these halls!! And then once I¡¯m done, I¡¯ll kill the rest of you!! I¡¯ll paint the town red with hunter blood!!! Despite Edward¡¯s deranged state, he proved Beryl¡¯s equal match. The hunter couldn¡¯t believe in his eyes, that butchering beast that could barely speak was able to fight like a hundred swordsmen¡­ Edward: Because I fucking love cutting humans apart!!! He clawed away; at speeds the hunter couldn¡¯t reach. Whirlwinds of his slashes would graze his clothes and even tear through his defenses¡­His small, buzzing wings and slender build let him pull out moves only a ragdoll could do, spinning mid-air and plunging spikes out of his feet and into the hunter¡¯s shoulders from the most bizarre positions. And yet it worked¡­ Beryl though didn¡¯t falter¡­Despite the damage, his training had turned him into a close-quarters monster. He endured, kept his calm, and did not let a single moment go in the monster¡¯s favor¡­He kept kicking, punching, each time enchanting the cuffs to give himself the advantage of variety and keep the bat on his toes while pouring down all of the Lord¡¯s biblical incantations onto him¡­the more this kept on¡­ Beryl : (I need to fall back¡­The more I use the cuffs, the more I¡¯ll reach mental fatigue¡­That¡¯s when he¡¯ll kill me¡­I¡¯ll take my chances and let him strike, then just backstep and regain my guard while I recover¡­) Edward: Out of breath, now, are we?!! He extended his arm, and took out a large, curved iron blade out of his joint and from the long of his arm, then brought it onto Beryl with all of his might¡­ Edward: Watch your step!!! Beryl: That I¡¯ll do!! He backstepped. Easy as a peach. Until now, the bat would have tired out the hunter with small upfront strikes, then try to outmaneuver him to an opening so he could plunge his larger blades down his torso¡­ But Beryl stood lucky. He didn¡¯t even question it. It might have been the mental fatigue. It might have been his own optimism. He just took the chance and dodged his blade¡­ And he pondered over his options, as the messy, painful feeling of an arm piercing through his open gut wound from behind would have him question the whole skirmish¡­ Beryl: (¡­What) Cain: God, Edward, you are too slow¡­ It took Beryl a few seconds to realize what was happening. But once he saw the edge of Cain¡¯s arm piercing through his rib; he quickly stopped and pulled away, despite further opening his wound¡­Blood started gushing out¡­ Cain: I suppose you have some of those syringes. Try these out already, I just started hating drawing out fights¡­ Beryl tried to pick them out of his pockets, but nothing could be found¡­Edward appeared with the two syringes in his hand, crushing them with a smile on his face¡­ Beryl : (He wasn¡¯t just toying with me¡­) Edward: Cain, aren¡¯t you supposed to be with Klaus?! Cain: He¡¯s coming in a minute, he¡¯s sending the departure signal to the others¡­But none of that matters if this one doesn¡¯t kick the bucket¡­ Edward: Well, don¡¯t just stand there, let¡¯s help him down the grave!! Beryl couldn¡¯t figure it out. When did Scissors steal his syringes? When did Cain sneak inside the room? How did he let that attack hit him? Does that mean Aaron and Suiga are dead? What happened to the rest of the team? Is Landen doomed? Cain: Did you break him or something? He¡¯s barely moving! Edward: Oh, he does that! But don¡¯t worry, he¡¯s the bold type of hunter! Beryl shook his head. He clunked his cuffs, despite the headache it brought him, the nausea and dizziness clawing their way through his body¡­ Beryl: (I can¡¯t fall now¡­If that chest falls to their hands¡­) Cain: Tchk. Let¡¯s kill him now¡­ Edward: Loved our clash, Beryl Grut! Any last words? Beryl''s husky, blood-filled laugh confused the bats¡­He coughed and coughed as the open wound would slowly dry him out of fuel¡­ Beryl:¡­That chest¡­ Cain: Huh? Beryl:¡­Why go through all this trouble¡­for this one thing¡­ Cain:¡­Why do you think it even matters to you, human?! You¡¯ll die¡­ Beryl grit his teeth, even if that can¡¯t stop the blood from gushing out of his mouth¡­ Beryl:¡­Typical¡­Can¡¯t even give a man the answer he¡¯s worth before his death¡­ Cain:¡­That chest¡­that and the other ones¡­will bring our empire back¡­ Bloodshot were his eyes, but they would still open after the vampire¡¯s sudden revelation¡­ Cain: I don¡¯t know what they¡¯ve got inside, and I don¡¯t give two craps¡­but if we get them¡­they promised us a world just like the old¡­an empire lasting years, where vampires will stand atop the hills¡­and humans in the stables, where they always belonged¡­ Beryl laughed again, through coughs of blood and ounces of pain¡­ Beryl:¡­What a¡­joke¡­A funny¡­j-j-joke¡­ Cain:¡­What about it? Beryl: Humans¡­will never bow to vampires¡­we aren¡¯t blood bags, nor livestock, nor toys for you to¡­needlessly torture!¡­ Humans deserve to live, and if your kin can¡¯t get that through their heads, then every hunter in the world won¡¯t rest until you¡¯ve learned that lesson, head by head, bat by bat!!! You hear me!!!??? Edward and Klaus rushed at him, blades at the ready. Beryl ran in response, his boots stomping against the bloody floor¡­ Beryl: Torture us, eat us, kill us. A hunter won¡¯t back down, he¡¯ll fight and fight until every one of you lies to the dirt, dead ten feet under!!! Clashing away, the more time spent during the fight, the more the sound of blades carving up against the skin, lightning sparks hitting the walls, the deranged laughs coming out of Scissor¡¯s and Cain¡¯s mouths, and the loud, desperate battle screams of Beryl would be heard from across the room¡­ 5 minutes pass¡­Cain enters the room, to witness Edward and Klaus, drenched in blood, limbs in disarray slowly healing, eyes missing¡­ Ahead of them, a standing corpse, with its maimed, charred fist raised towards the vampires¡­ Klaus: Symbolical, one would say¡­A fool¡¯s trial to go against the superior¡­How did you two manage to get beat up like that¡­ Cain: I was tired!!! Willheart and that blight fucker got to us good! Next time, I¡¯m- Klaus: There isn¡¯t a next time, we¡¯re leaving! The gunslinger senior is back in town, 4 old hunters up our asses are too much, even if Lord Jacob comes to help¡­ Edward: What?!! When will I get to see the Lecourt girl?! Klaus: Keep your family squabbles out of the mission, Scissors. You¡¯ll get your chance, but we¡¯ve got to grab the chest and get out of here¡­ Cain: Still, crap bastard still had a few left in him, you sure ya tired ¡®im out Edward?! Edward: Heard he was the Butcher¡¯s boy, like your Willheart kid. He didn¡¯t fail to deliver¡­With a bit more time, he could¡¯ve been a senior¡­Nice thinking there, Klaus! Klaus: Well, humans shouldn¡¯t think we play fair¡­ Cain kept looking at the charred, bloody corpse¡­ Cain:¡­Edward, help me out. Edward: Huh? Klaus: We got no time for. Cain: Willheart and the blight fuck pissed me off! Can¡¯t leave the city without a goodbye letter now huh?! Edward: Oooh, now I get it¡­ Klaus sighs, and goes to pick up the chest, which he lifts with ease, all while Edward and Cain fiddle with the corpse¡­Beryl¡¯s cuff lay somewhere far, slowly fading away¡­ Comes tomorrow. The depository is canvassed. Tape all around, military guarding the place like it¡¯s the holy church visited by the Lord himself. People sit around in anguish, staring at the beaten hunters trying to get in¡­ Shaka and Finn try to push through, failing to overcome the soldiers who¡¯ve taken orders from the Chief and Shroud to keep anyone out¡­Url tends to Lau and Cassie, especially the latter whose injuries were much more severe¡­ Inside the room, Shroud, Eliakim, Luca, and Samuel look upwards in shock, to the direction of the missing chest¡¯s podium¡­ None utter a word. Sitting still, they can only gaze¡­ Fast footsteps are heard from behind¡­ Aaron and Suiga¡­With bandages all around them, Philomena can¡¯t hold them back before they enter the room in total anguish¡­ What happened? Did they win? Did they get to capture another vampire? What happened to the chest? Did we figure out the noble¡¯s plan? All of those questions would remain unanswered¡­cause the moment these two entered the room, it didn¡¯t take long to lay their sights upon what Cain and Edward left for them¡­ Hanged by the arms with his own entrails, his hardened torso now carved open, with the organs still attached and dangling in the air, eye sockets blasted open, blood and gore covering almost everything¡­ The only thing clear enough for them to comprehend out of this horror was what clearly Cain and Klaus had written for those two, and probably the rest of the hunters, on the only place not carved, too charred, or brutalized¡­ ¡°It¡¯s all yer fault, Willyheart, and Akiller¡± Both kneeled. The old hunters couldn¡¯t bother to help them, at least not until the screams started covering the rest of the rooms¡­ Chapter 21 : Funeral Years ago, our hero was still a young trainee, he would swing his greatsword in a small courtyard of the VHC, day and night. Eisenwald was known to be a heavy sword for anyone wielding it. So adequate strength needed to be built from the get-go. Aaron would train to fail until he could lift that sword like a Lecourt knight... Clearly, this would not go ideally... The boy, 13 years old then, would fuss and try to kick it away in his frustration, but to have his leg crushed by its thick blade... This went on for several days. Once, an older boy, around 19 years old, approached him in the courtyard... He pointed at the blasted sword. Aaron grunted and approached its silver, spiral hilt... The stranger looked over the boy and his sword...Silver eyes, messy chestnut hair, and some light scars on his face and forearms... The Aaron could do no better to hide his confusion. He wanted to reply, sarcastically to vent out. But something in Beryl¡¯s unwavering, serious gaze in his eyes told him that he might just be right... He grabbed the hilt with his own two arms. Summoning all of his strength, he almost tore off his arms trying to pull the blade away from the ground... He let go of his grip and fell to the ground... Beryl asked the boy to step aside. He grasped the hilt with his own two arms and lifted the blade up with a good amount of effort and grunting... Aaron looked in awe, with a slight hint of jealousy. After Beryl put the blade down, Aaron rushed and held onto the camo-coloured cloth on his forearm... The boy looked into his eyes, again. Beryl¡¯s words had the power to draw him in with every try... He clenched his fist... Aaron remained silent. No combination of words could ever be enough to act as a valid reaction to what Beryl was spouting¡­ Both hunters kept their silence for a minute. Aaron couldn¡¯t utter a word between Beryl¡¯s heart-out description... A week passes...With the seniors patrolling the streets nights in a row, the city restlessly recovered from the damage dealt during the boulevard horror. From the moment Shroud walked outside the bank halls, with Beryl¡¯s mutilated corpse in his arms, it took no more than a day to spread the news of the hunter¡¯s horrific death. A hunter¡¯s death is common. It¡¯s a risky job, and neither the hunters nor the citizens ignore the mortal threat standing aside the silver heads at every step of the path. Most would be used to reading the obituary, and seeing it full of hunter names that they would pray for one minute, then send to the back of their heads to deal with for another time... The casket is traditionally carried by seniors and juniors if the hunter had any¡­Shroud carried it by himself, all in silence, on one hand¡­ The ceremony took a while. A lot of people had stuff to say¡­ He took a blue handkerchief out of his pocket, and slowly wiped away his tears¡­ But Beryl was steps ahead of me. While I was busy laying waste, the Titan they made me bring was saving surviving victims from every bat that could swipe right beneath me¡­Worst of all, he didn¡¯t even call for help. ¡°Keep going, Shaka, I got ¡®em!¡±¡¯. Shaka lifted his silver mask up in the air¡­ And our heroes were there, with Url and Lau caressing the tearful Cassandra¡­ Although, with everything looking grim, Url was still hung up on one important issue¡­ A few days ago, right outside the southern gates¡­ Whispered the boy as he was angrily walking towards the dense dark forest¡­ Just as the two seniors were ready to throw arms, Suiga popped up from behind with a suggestion¡­ Shroud pulled back and grunted for a while¡­ Suddenly he grabbed the samurai one-handed and lifted him up¡­ He threw him over the gates and outside the city, much to his partner¡¯s shock¡­ Patricia walked around handing beverages to the people attending from an iron rack on wheels, making small screechy sounds as she pushed it delicately around the table¡­ Beside him was an iron ashtray, its top hidden by smushed, burned cigar buts... The dark hooded individual that none could place the other day had joined them, but from a distance, deciding to sit further from the rest... The chief saw through his rusty monocle, Shroud¡¯s fist clenching on the edges of his steel-enforced chair...Luca worked up his words, while Samuel started shivering in fear... With people in shock, Eliakim pulled away his cigar and kept his gaze counter to Shroud¡¯s, as he slowly set himself up... Luca and Shroud snicker¡­ Lady Sarah, with her legs up on the table, thumb on brown, gold embroidered cowboy hat shadowing her face from the rest of the group¡­ Too much talking. Eliakim saw his cigar¡¯s cinder fainting away, so he grabbed his zippo lighter to ignite its burned end and take a nice, deep puff¡­ Affright and delighted was the scientist after the priestess sent a generous, bright smile his way¡­ Four sets of eyes other than Philomena¡¯s showered him with derision¡­ The dark-hooded man came forward and slammed his palm on the oak table. The sound of tough, metal armor under the oversized black hood crashing on the old oak set off the seniors¡­ A short lapse of seconds after Eliakim¡¯s puff, the individual slowly lifted off the top of his hood¡­Shock conquered the hunters once again¡­ He puts the hood back and leaves immediately¡­ Later in the evening, while the sun prepares to set¡­ Somewhere close to the city outskirts, was a small opening inside the dense forest where the moon would leave its light for the few rocks and ponds it held host to¡­ Said the calm samurai, in the most generous, mellowing tone he could at the moment, always avoidant of Aaron¡¯s gaze¡­ Aaron did not respond. His gaze was lost in the ashen aftermath of yesterday¡¯s fire¡­ If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. Inside the crude re-telling of Beryl Grut¡¯s death, Suiga connected the dots and figured out how Aaron was jointly calling out his own pain¡­A kid forced to be a hunter¡­and no other option than to like it¡­ The samurai did not struggle¡­As if the Titan could have easily choked him to death¡­he took on the guilt and accepted his fate, slowly drawing back his own tears¡­ Even with his eyes open, Suiga felt and sounded like a ghost weeping for love¡­ Suiga took one last glance, at his fallen comrade staring into the empty abyss...His figure fainted away as he walked forth between the trees¡­ Whispers...and...some grunting... monstrous in nature... One good look over their necks and he saw the distinctive twin marks of a dependent... His arm stopped in time once he froze from Url¡¯s horrid plague mask... Through the old mask Url watched over Suiga¡¯s swollen eyes...He placed his palm upon his comrade¡¯s battered shoulder... The old man¡¯s squinty eyes opened in shock, as he couldn¡¯t realize when he was in danger and when the hunters even arrived¡­Url approached him gently¡­ He turned to see the old man smiling¡­ Hours later¡­Aaron¡¯s daydreaming walks through the forest brought him to the same spot¡­ Little splashes of blood, disintegrating and charred pieces of vampire around the field¡­ Weirdly, the Titan felt a hint of concern with the corpses¡­ He kneeled around the grass and searched for clues¡­ He threw away the corpse and got up to dust off his clothes and be on his way¡­ Fear in the shape of a cold, quick wind up his skin conquered Aaron¡¯s primal senses¡­ Louis threw a trinket Aaron¡¯s way. Dropping on the ground, he runs to see what his senior tossed him. A lock of Cassie¡¯s braid¡­given her red hair, he had to turn it around a few times to notice the blood sticking on his glove, and drooping on the soil¡­ 5 seconds of cold, void terror, 2 seconds for Aaron to throw the lock and rush toward Louis with Eisenwald in hand, fueling his rage with every step¡­ He smashed another pillar, but Louis just jumped down, just like a little girl playing jump rope in the schoolyard¡­ The man was similar to an older version of Shroud, with just enough hints of the Human Dracula¡¯s face. Along with a combat stance mirroring the Sword Dancer, to remind the boy of the three most menacing hunters he¡¯s ever heard or met... His cloak also opened from the front, letting Aaron¡¯s eyes notice the black armor he was donning¡­In particular, the black chest plate embroidered with the sigil of a muscular warhorse¡­ Aaron''s hope was lost when Louis knocked him over and stomped on his chest with the sole of his metal boot... Aaron¡¯s efforts to lift the hunter¡¯s foot off his pecs proved as hard as pulling a sword from a thousand-year-old mountain¡­The old man was oozing with the strength of a god... The silver-eye hunter weakened his grip. In response, Louis slowly pulled his foot off the boy, sure of his obedience now that he established superiority in strength¡­ Louis kept on pushing his foot on Aaron¡¯s chest¡­ Raising the gauntlet of his left arm, he succeeded in blocking a slash of black fire coming right at him¡­ Suiga came out rushing from the woods, blade at the ready¡­ Louis took off his sole from Aaron¡¯s chest and left him to bleed, as he approached the samurai¡­ The young hunter tried to get every word out, but the blood from his lungs would catch up to him¡­ Suiga dared not take his stare away from Louis. With a still, calm expression, he gripped his sword and observed the hunter all while engaging in his conversation¡­ Louis, unfazed, waited until the Lecourt reached him just enough to stop moving at high speed, and blocked her wind-enhanced stab with a single grasp of the sword¡¯s blade¡­ He staggered, tried to disperse the flames away, but that left him unguarded and open to the Lecourt flying head first onto his chest¡­ As he walked towards them he lifted his arm. Lau rebounded and rushed towards his lower body. The myriad stabs with which she could poke through vampire flesh and paralyze even nobles had no effect on his black metal plates... The wind strike raised quite the dust and grass. But Louis remained still and proud, holding back the sword from his chest with his one arm... Frustrated, she tried to call out her winds and float away before the hunter¡¯s grasp on her sword got firmer... Three quick, desperate blasts later, she was staggered by mental shock... Louis almost seemed disappointed. He pulled by the sword, slammed her twice to the ground, then threw her away... He pulled, and kicked Suiga to the gut, then punched him to the ground with one strike... Pulling Suiga from his leg, he threw him towards Lau. Approaching slowly, he pointed his fist to the two downed juniors... Click. The sound of a gun being loaded with ammunition came out of the hunter¡¯s gauntlet as the canisters sprung out and in... Opening his eyes in confusion, he felt no pain, neither anguish from hot bullets piercing his flesh... The beaten, bruised, bleeding Willheart stood in his own, half-rippled feet, and grabbed Louis¡¯s arm before he sent his friends to the infirmary and who knows what else... His silver eyes emitted a wave of hatred. Of bloodlust and anger that fueled his body to stand up and pull away the arm, despite his ribcage shattered like broken glass¡­ Aaron summoned all of his strength and punched Louis hard enough to knock out a few of his teeth and slam him to the ground. Suiga and Lau quickly got up and jammed their swords close to Louis¡¯s throat¡­ As Louis got up, he dusted off his cloak, but Aaron¡¯s hands had other plans. He grabbed the hunter¡¯s chest plate and rocked him back and forth... To the railway dumping site, Url and Cassie sit in wait for the rest of the hunters to arrive¡­ Cassie ran after them, throwing herself with punches onto Aaron, further smashing his broken ribcage¡­ As Aaron twitched from the doctor¡¯s masterful needle application, he tried to look at his teammates¡­ Hours earlier, in the same area, the group was sitting around a beaten old vampire, who had dressed as a harmless farmer... She pointed her finger high at Cassandra¡¯s dumb-founded smile... Fidgeting her fingers, and blushing bright red, she twirls the end of her boot against the gravel ground... A white note. Scribbled as if a maniac had gone wild with the pen, someone had written about the hunter¡¯s positions and reasons for strolling out in the dense southern woods and given them to the vampire lurking... Url just stood there, humming in thought... Aaron rested dumb-founded, but mostly ashamed, hearing his comrades were ready to risk their lives for a person who had treated them like garbage for the past three days... He stood up, grabbed the huntress like a ragdoll and turned her around every direction, searching for her crimson colored braid... The moment his words entered her ears, the red spots on Cassie''s cheeks expanded to the entirety of her face, all while Aaron still spun her around... !!! Apparently, her own reddish rash was contagious for the frustrated hulk, more so when he lost control of Cassie and she managed to hook herself onto his body for a bear hug that even he couldn''t get himself out off... Url: Well, guess someone''s mood is finally lifted. Aaron: Ugh...I''ll show how much I hate you now if you don''t get off of me, how are you so strong!!??? Cassie stopped caressing her chief when she noticed his eyes had left her and changed their focus to Suiga, who was just calmly shying away from the commotion, eyes toward the ground... Still hurting from the stitches. He walked towards Suiga¡­ Aaron¡¯s open, rugged palm slammed against Suiga¡¯s cheek so hard, it left a physical imprint aligned to his lifelong eye scar¡­He grabbed the back of his head and pressed his forehead against his own... Url tries to hold Aaron and Suiga with his bandages while Lau mocks them from behind Cassie¡¯s cape¡­ Chapter 22 : Siblings Waking up from a deep slumber...the princess of Pirout would spent an hour of her day caring for her attire before she¡¯d step out of the bedroom door... From combing her raven hair, to polishing the armor plates of her outfit, to neatly re-attaching her house¡¯s brooch on the right side of her waist. Every little task, she did it with a small smile on her face. Every time she was done, one look in the enormous half-wall mirror she had Aaron install (under threats of telling her father), she patted herself on the cheeks... She got out of her room. Gracefully descending the creaking, wooden staircase, she greeted her teammates with words of love and adoration... Lau: Halt to whatever meaningless task you have going on. Good morning, my subordinates... Other than Cassie bending her way over to kneel in front of the Lecourt princess, Aaron and Suiga¡¯s derisive looks were enough to show their disinterest in Lau¡¯s arrival... Lau: Hm? Well, I guess that will change with a few tries...Thank you, Cassandra Mergrove. I wish you good fortune today. Cassie: The pleasure is all mine, my lady... Url: Good morning Lau. I have your benedicts ready, with coffee and a cookie. Lau: I would fall flat on my back and float to the clouds had you not offered me my breakfast with that disgusting mask on your beautiful face... Url: Then I¡¯m glad I¡¯m still wearing it, wouldn¡¯t want to lose you now! He said with a thumb sarcastically raised. Handing her the exquisite plate, she sat along with the lads. A smudge of disgust appeared on her mouth, as she was granted a point blank view of Aaron tearing apart three slices of the thickest, juiciest bacon a butcher could carve. She covered her breakfast from the drops of lard, but it was quite hard to do , while Suiga stuffed himself with little hot cross buns filled with chicken bits, chewing the... Suiga: I have to say, chief, chicken isn¡¯t so bad with this recipe. Aaron: Pork is pretty fatty, but I guess that¡¯s what gives it this amazing flavor... Lau: Could you please?! You¡¯re in the presence of a lady!!! Aaron was left dumbfounded... Aaron: Oh, yes...Napkin? Lau: Take your own advice!!! Cassie took her breakfast, a bowl of pumpkin soup along with two slices of toasted bread, and sat between Aaron and Lau... Cassie: No worries my lady! I can withstand bossman¡¯s crude table manners, he much reminds me of my brother and my pops! Lau: Do not put yourself next to that beast, he¡¯ll devour you! Suiga: Will you cool it, we¡¯ve had a hard week. Url : And it doesn¡¯t seem it¡¯ll get any better... Joining along between the other two with his vegetable variety, dipped in strangely delicious juices and colourful sauces, he slammed a newspaper, along with some documents from the VHC, signed by the Chief... Aaron grabbed the newspaper, and read out the first, grand title... Aaron : Down the VHA : why should the hunting system be reconfi_reconfisc-recontur- Lau angrily grabs the newspaper out of his hands... Aaron: Rude... Lau: Why should the hunting system be reconfigured from the sorry state it has left itself drown in...Huh? Url: People are pissed. Wutsworth Industries is dead, the chest is long gone, massacres all around town, and the last of the escapees have fled to the southern outskirts...The festival was pretty much the tipping point. Lau: But we saved them! It¡¯s not our fault they chose to host a festival without supervision! Url: You and I see that, the seniors see that, but none of the citizens do. They think the hunters aren¡¯t doing their job. None of them are safe. Lau: Load of bol-...liars... Aaron took a quick stare as Lau pouted... Url: Anyways, since Doku and Balecq are on guard and interrogation duty, and the seniors are taking charge of the city patrols, we are tasked with... Aaron : Please don¡¯t say ¡°outskirt patrol¡±, please don¡¯t say outskirt patrol Cassie: Come on, ¡°outskirts patrol¡±. Url: Outskirt... Cassie: YES!!! Aaron: Fuck!!! Url: hunting!! Aaron/Cassie: Huh? Suiga: What is the difference? Url: Well, Suiga, we only managed to chase away the escapees, so most of them are on the run inside the forest settlements... Aaron: So now we have to run through every backwater ruin to hunt for bats...Great... Cassie: Exactly, bossman! Great! Who knows we might even get to meet the Black Steed! Shivers run down through Aaron¡¯s, Suiga¡¯s and Lau¡¯s spines when his name is mentioned... Aaron : Mergrove, I SINCERELY hope we do not cross paths with that freak again. Cassie pouted... Suiga: Chief... Aaron: ¡®Sup? Suiga: Should we venture in the southern outskirts...there is a chance...we meet them again... Aaron:... None of the others uttered a word... Aaron: Cool. This time we¡¯ll send them to the dirt. Both of us... Suiga: Yes... Url: Before you do any of that, you¡¯ll each wash your dish. We¡¯re leaving in an hour. Aaron: What!? Cassie: I¡¯ll go prepare!! Lau: A trip through the poor villages. Witness the little backbone of society through my higher heels. This should be entertaining... As hours pass...in Huckleberry¡¯s cramped office, the scientist drowned himself in notes and scrolls... Samuel: The man himself, Samuel Huckleberry. Smartest hunter alive, co-creator of the anti-vampirification model number 4, youngest senior hunter in Landen and IN the world...and yet I still can¡¯t find a way to get you two out of my office. Shroud: Just quit already. Samuel: GET OUT!!! Samuel was quite literally drowned in work. Shroud and Luca dumped their workload of notes from the past few weeks for the sicentist to check, under the guise of ¡°team project¡±. Luca: You know me and Shroud can¡¯t do any paperwork. It¡¯d be wasted muscle. Samuel: I get the paperwork dumping, but why are you still here? The hulk pressed his body against Samuel¡¯s, bringing his stinking breath full of smoked rum inside the intellect¡¯s nostrils... Shroud: You sayin¡¯ we ain¡¯t good company, Sammy? Samuel: No...it¡¯s just...Oh lord, who drinks this in 2 the afternoon?! Shroud: Ya know Sammy, maybe that¡¯s why Philo won¡¯t stroke your pale-ass little worm. She doesn¡¯t dig stuck ups who don¡¯t (burp) drink and chill out with their friends... Samuel: Ah, I...you...what are you saying?! Luca: Not to give the drunk a stool to stand on, but yeah you are kind of a major loser, Sammy. We¡¯re here keeping you company under perilous times, and you just kick us out? Samuel: It¡¯s ¡°Samuel¡± and you know it...And all you¡¯ve been doing is throwing my books on the floor and-Shroud you¡¯re crushing me! Shroud: Fer gots sake, how will you ever fuck? Samuel: Not with you on top of me, that¡¯s sure! The two bullies shared a good laugh...Shroud took his hide off the poor Samuel, who was quick to recapture the air squeezed out of his lungs... Shroud: Relax, we just messing wit ¡®ya... Luca: You don¡¯t have to do all that paperwork today. Samuel: Huh? Then why is it here, drowning my desk? Luca: Too much clutter for our offices. Samuel: You don¡¯t have offices!!!! Shroud: Whatever...Talked to the Steed after he gave us back our students... Samuel: Shouldn¡¯t we have a word with that guy?! He put my poor Url in danger, and not to mention, gave a nice beating on your students! Shroud: Twas¡¯ Aaron¡¯s punishment for talking to me like that. Luca: Suiga needed the tough love. Samuel: Un...Unbelievable... Having brought a leather satchel with him, Luca pulled out a new set of old scrolls and dropped them in the only spot on Huckleberry¡¯s desk that was not filled to the brim... One look through his ornated glasses, and Samuel was in shock by the old letters and ominous pictures inscribed... Samuel: This...is really old vampiric language...where did he find it?! Luca: He told us somewhere between the Old Castle and East of the Jakar strip, around... 3-4 months ago? Samuel : So... Luca: Yeah, he didn¡¯t tell us. Samuel: Doesn¡¯t matter...The fact he found it then and there...And we have the Ripper banging on our doors a few months after... Luca: Yeah I could make the connection too, Sammy- Samuel : Yeah, but could you figure out that these were coordinates? Luca: Huh? Shroud: What¡¯s ammacallit¡¯? Samuel: Look over here... Raising his finger, he pointed out the similarities of each design : A chest with ornated spectacles... Alongside, myriads of illigible letters to the human eye, that would take months to decipher... Luca: How did you figure that out just now? Samuel: Look closely to the way the chests are positioned...when you ignore the letters and replace them with land, it really reminds you of the Landenian map, outskirts and city combined! Luca: Hmm...fuck. Samuel: It¡¯s meant to trick human deciphers...but it¡¯s too intricate to help any other vampire...only close confidants could figure out such a trick...someone who knows how it works... Shroud: Enough wit the dick sucking, yeah you¡¯re a genius. So there are other boxes?! Samuel: Yes...and if I can decipher the letters, they¡¯ll probably explain what every chest is used for...I can already figure out some words... Shroud:...Yeah, you¡¯re a genius... Samuel : But I¡¯m warning you, it¡¯s only estimates of the locations, we still have to search every nook and cranny... Luca : Well we already have the depository...There, in the northern district! Shroud: Table¡¯s start turning... As the 5 heroes left the city premises, they took a walk on the large stone path leading to the outskirt settlements, while the chilly breeze moved the grass and leaves around¡­ The south of Landen. Extending throughout miles, a dense forest area, inhabited by villagers choosing to domesticate the leftover ruins of Earth and farm their way into life. Url, mask worn, held up the documents given to him this morning, reading with extreme caution¡­ Lau: How can you read inside of that thing? Url: Special lenses. Lau: But they¡¯re pitch black! Url: That¡¯s why they¡¯re special. It¡¯s a see through glass that is only panned from the outside to filter moisture and debris while allowing one to observe with no distruction¡­For example, I just read the details to our next mission. Aaron: Anything about warm fireplaces and blankets? Url: ...missing people... Aaron: Huh? Url: Apparently the support army that scouted the areas only marked this little settlement 10 minutes from here. The rest are still under investigation but this one¡¯s a priority because it hasn¡¯t stopped three days after the break out¡­ Suiga: Missing people? Could it be our vampires? Url: Nothing for sure, but we can keep our eyes out... Aaron: Great, more dirt. And we just got these from the dry cleaner! The minutes pass, and there they are inside the village. Nothing too special. Some stone houses, puffing out grey clouds of smoke from their small chimneys. Not as scary as depicted by west Landenians, but the uncomfortable sensation of silence, with only the burning charcoal and the chickens plucking at each other to be heard, set off our heroes whose ears were used to the city¡¯s hustle¡­Almost all of them¡­ Cassie: Why are we home? The cosy houses and green terrain weren¡¯t enough to prevent everyone from turning their heads clockwise when Cassie acquainted herself with the environment¡­ Lau:¡­Home? Cassie: Well yes, my Lady. This is my previous and original abode. The Mergrove house is but a 2 minute walk from here. Aaron: The bat devil played me this trick¡­ Url: Now that you mention it, yeah, Mergrove residence, right here! Aaron didn¡¯t you say she was homeless? Aaron: She looked the part! I don¡¯t believe this, I gave this chick my chicken- Cassie: Oh Goodie!!! My teammates getting to see where my journey started!!! What more could I have asked for!!! Url: Well, before we drift off, maybe we should start by announcing we just arrived? The black and white group of young hunters couldn¡¯t possibly match with the plural color palette of the flower patches in front of every house on this outback village¡­ Grey-colored brick houses and stables or run-down forges, with either sawn-on hay or brick roofs on every side, with smoke puffing from the stone chimneys on top¡­ A cobblestone path to guide the hunters inside , extending all until a large land of short wheat where farmers had gathered to collect¡­ The commotion outside was heard by an old woman of short stature, dressed in a brown patched coat and a velvet hood, coming out of the wooden door of her house¡­ Old woman : Who¡¯s there?! Aaron: Oh shit. Eh, hello miss! We are from the Vampire Hunting Assocation! You asked for help? Said the boy tipping his hat, with a coy, nervous little smile to lower the elderly¡¯s guard. Old woman: And they decided to bring us the baby deers instead of anyone capable? For Lord¡¯s Sake, the south is ruined. Cassie: Miss Albert!! Old woman: Who¡¯ssat¡¯?...Cassie?! The old woman, who was shaking on the fence of her patio, suddenly burst with joy and energy when Cassie ran to hug her¡­ Miss Albert : You little runt, it¡¯s Sophie fer you!! And when did you grow up like that?! Cassie: I only left for some months, Sophie. I made it big in the city! Sophie: And these are? Cassie: Oh!! Let me show you, my friends and teammates! Aaron: And then discuss the reward for bringing you back home. Url/Lau: Be nice!!! Cassie: Here is Url Schellinger! Our medic! Don¡¯t take off his mask, you might get a heart attack! The old woman spent a good couple of seconds looking., from Url¡¯s heavy boots , to his oversized cloak giving him the impression of a church hunchback, to the fabled crow mask. Url appeared at ease, but beneath, he was still concerned. Wearing his mask proudly but still afraid of what the old woman would have to say about a plague doctor parading in her village¡­ Sophie:¡­Too many clothes! It ain¡¯t that cold, Schellinger! Url: Ugh¡­Well, easier to hide the vials¡­ Sophie: Hey plague doctor, while you are here, fix my husband¡¯s back will ya¡¯? He still thinks he¡¯s 25, and his back thinks he¡¯s already under the damn dirt. Url: Oh¡­sure, I¡¯d be glad too!!! Cassie: And this is Princess Lau Lecourt! Make sure to bow! Sophie: Haven¡¯t seen a Lecourt since that parade they made 5 years ago. The princess is as beautiful as they say. Lau:¡­Oh please¡­You must be talking about my late sister, Beatrice¡­ Sophie: The woman¡¯s beauty almost made girls in my village turn the leaf! But no eyes forgot about the bundle of joy Lady Vivienne carried on her lap on the carriage that day¡­ Lau fell on her back, blushing and rolling in embarrassment¡­The old lady moved along to greet the estranged samurai, gasping at the sight of his clear white robe, the traditional dark long grey bottoms with combat sandals and some small armor plates, decorated by the sigil of house Akira, a drawn-on red sun¡­ Sophie: Lemme guess. This one¡¯s from the East! Suiga: Prince Akira Suiga, son of Akira Hanshiro. Pleased to be making your acquaintance! Sophie: Heh. Never thought that man would have made anything but a daughter after all his cosorts¡­How many sisters now, prince boy? Suiga: Heheh¡­50¡­ Cassie: And the last one is my boss, Aaron Willheart!! Like the late, magnificent, fantastic Florence!! She introduced while dramatically spinning and showing off the pissed hunter on every adjective for his mother. The old woman ignored the rest of the hunter¡¯s muscular physique and casual/black tie attire, but stared into his silver eyes long enough for Aaron to slightly blush¡­ Aaron: Em¡­ Sophie: His spittin¡¯ image¡­ Aaron: What? Sophie: Nothing, lad! Just like yer mother! She came here once for a hunt! Nice one Cassie, you locked yourself a good one. Url/Suiga/Lau: Eeeh¡­ Cassie: All in a day¡¯s work for the nightingale! But in regard to your current plight, how can we help?! Sophie tilted her head. What was the young huntress referring to? Sophie: Plight? What nonsense are you spouting out of that mouth, girl? Cassie: The missing people? You called for some kidnappings after the support army came through your village? Aaron/Url:¡­ Sophie: Ugh, those runts you have helping you are just a bunch of slack-offs like your brother! We send someone! The lads came back a while ago!! No need for saving!! Url: (A while ago? I was at Central the past few days, I never heard anything about envoys from Crooked Grove¡­) With Sophie growing wary of Url¡¯s skepticism, Suiga noticed her fading patience, so he jumped in front, with a smile as charismatic as any exotic prince would have¡­ Suiga: My apologies, my lady. It is possible the administration wing is in a state of chaos for the past few days¡­There is a chance our esteemed chief ignored your request to ensure the suburbs had some security over their shoulders? Sophie:¡­You know how to ease an old lady¡¯s heart now, don¡¯t you¡­ Suiga: Only doing my assigned job, ma¡¯am. Lau: Kissass¡­ With Suiga¡¯s combat sandal shoved on Lau¡¯s shin, room was left for Url to press on his comrade¡¯s diversion¡­ Url: That does seem like a plausible explanation¡­ Sophie: I didn¡¯t expect your fat chief to send any help towards these here lands¡­ Url: And exactly how did these kidnappings happen? Sophie: It wasn¡¯t a kidnapping! Two lads from our farmers went missing for a day after gatherin¡¯, and they left without a word! Hours of panic, just for them to come back and say that they were napping it off under the old tree! Aaron: The old tree? Crooked Grove? Isn¡¯t that thing long gone? Cassie: Crooked Grove still has its remains, but the roots¡­wait, were the slackers- Sophie: Your two usuals, Emmett and his walking dog, Kevin!! I swear, the only two good hands in this old bone festival , and they choose to go sleep it off under that damn graveyard of a tree!! Url: Well¡­then I guess there¡¯s not a lot to do¡­but escapees from Salazar still roam the woods these days¡­ Sophie: Lemme guess, you gonna squat the fences for two nights, piss off every fella sleepin¡¯ in these here cabins, and then leave! Sorry, bird face, but we¡¯ve got no need fer yer- Url gently took off his mask, earning the old lady¡¯s undivided attention¡­He moved his mouth, slightly turning his accent to a Barelans¡¯ more harsh, elegant baritone¡­ Url: I understand, truly¡­but no doctor of my creed could ever leave this village knowing vampire filth roams its grass and molds its soils¡­Please, milady, allow this ragtag group of young hunters to service you in place of our much absent seniors¡­You do deserve it¡­ The rattling, raspy, soft use of Landenian vocabulary, accompanied by a face even vampires could adore¡­ Sophie:¡­Tch, I guess you can stay¡­ Aaron: Did we just whore out our doc- Url: The pleasure is all mine, milady¡­I¡¯ll make sure we behave¡­Now, to investigate the woods¡­ Sophie : Wop!!! Almost forgot!! None of you pretty faces are out of this village without tasting the pecan pie I just made!! Cassie drools for this¡­ Aaron: Miss, it¡¯d be a pleasure but we are already- Cassie: Food!!? Yes!! Pecan Pie!! Not even Aaron¡¯s iron grip could hold the acrobat huntress from attacking the outside oven¡­ Suiga: I suggest we follow suit, my stomach has been complaining for a few minutes¡­ Url: Yeah, I could go for a snack¡­ Lau: Sweets? Count this princess in! With rears placed on chairs and steps of the balcony, the crew demolished one of the three pans of pecan pie prepared in Sophie¡¯s outside stone oven¡­ Cassie ate and simultaneously greeted farmers arriving from the fields. The joy in her eyes as they spat out stories and anecdotes of every single thing that happened ever since she left could not be conceived by the group, even for Cassandra, who¡¯s happy with anything¡­ Url: Our nightingale sure is popular¡­ Sophie: The heroine of the southern suburbs¡­Ever since that cowgirl gunslinger gave her the green light, she would go from village to village and shoot down vampires like duck hunting! Suiga: Lady Cassandra was all on her own? Sophie: Well, her senior had to leave for days when your fatso chief called her in for expeditions¡­But like that would ever bother Cassie¡­ Lau: I had no idea Lady Mergrove was in charge of a whole area¡­ Url: Hmm, really puts into perspective how valuable she is to this team, especially to those who would be indifferent to her contributions , for petty little reasons, right? Lau: I completely agree¡­ Aaron suddenly shook his eyes off the pecan pie¡­ Aaron:¡­Excuse me? Sophie: Hahah, I can see why the girl can be a handful, Willheart! She and her brother were rascals under my care, while her parents bit the dust and her granpop took off for months on end!!! Aaron: He took off? Where? Sophie: Some carpentry business, makes stuff for big shots in every corner of the planet that still has a few humans¡­Man loves his grankids, but can¡¯t stay put for one second! Url: Hmm, so you took on the role of grandmother for them? Is our granpop that a catch? Sophie: Hah! You¡¯d wish! But shouldn¡¯t say stuff like that, my gal pal down under might wake up and start a rumble! Lau: Gal pal? Sophie: Sorry, my lady. My best friend, and their actual granmother¡­Radiant, like our girl here. Too bad the ol¡¯ gal took a wrong turn at night and¡­well you kids should already know¡­ Url:... Suiga: Oh¡­we¡¯re sorry¡­ Sophie: Oh well¡­happens doesn¡¯t it¡­ With that sorrowful mention, Sophie''s brows dropped, while her head faced over the farm, where the woods were denser¡­ Sophie: When they told us the blasted vampire came over here, none of us thought we would make the next morning¡­Yer elder colleagues came in¡­said lock the doors¡­and if you hear anyone from the other houses asking for help¡­don¡¯t you dare open¡­ Aaron:¡­ Sophie: But those screams¡­black night and still heard people shouting as if the sun still shun away¡­The screams¡­It¡¯s as if I could still hear¡­ Suiga:¡­ Sophie: ¡­It¡¯d be mighty foolish of me to think of it¡­but you here, looking for vampires¡­ Suiga and Lau, kneeled in front of the old lady, holding her wrinkled, tired hands with care, facing towards her hopeless face¡­ Their one shared memory of two young hunters guiding them through a bloody factory, and their hopes up while the walls bled crimson¡­ Suiga: Be assured my Lady, no harm shall come to this village¡­ Lau: You¡¯ll be safe under our guard, we promise you that!! Url accompanied their efforts with his sincere smile, while Aaron was left surprised from his comrades¡¯ assertiveness¡­ Sophie:¡­Oh well!! You might have convinced me, but I don¡¯t think you¡¯ll be getting anything out of the others!! Especially the two brothers that brought this on!!! Url: Well , I mean, give us a shot first! We do have the fabled nightingale with us!! Cassie returned with smiles written all over her country girl face¡­ Sophie: Happy!! They¡¯ve been dying to see ya¡¯!! Almost ate yer brother alive when he came fer a visit!! Cassie: He visited?! I thought he was still at school? Sophie: He is! The moment he finished his little nap, he left!! Damn brat¡¯s too fancy for the dorms!! Suiga: Aw, we¡¯d love to meet the little nightingale-assuming he took his sister¡¯s path. Cassie: Oh, he¡¯s not that- Sophie: Only thing that sloth brat could hunt is rotisserie chicken , and not by moving out of a chair, that¡¯s for sure!! Url: Oh, he¡¯s¡­ Sophie: A lazy brat! Can¡¯t see how Cassie¡¯s related to that slob!! Lau: Almost reminds me of someone¡­ Aaron: (Munching)¡­Excuse me? Url: Anyways, Cassie, your impressions? Anything useful? She posed, hand in forehead, other hand open and faced towards everyone¡­ Cassie: The nightingale searched hard and wide while cheering on her former neighbours! And!...she found nothing! Url: What? Cassie: Nothing at all! No one here seems to have had any issues regarding bats. Some ladies asked for your civil status though, oh doctor. Url: For God¡¯s sake (puts mask back on) ¡­ Aaron: Hey!! Mask off!! We aint¡¯ quitting just yet. We should start off with the two culprits first! See what they gonna tell us about their little old crimes. Url: Perfect, which house Cassie? Cassie: Oh, doc, well¡­ Url: ? Confused at Cassandra¡¯s avoidant glare, they could not find a way to pull out the truth¡­ Sophie: Dammit, Cassie, it¡¯s a known deal, no need to hide it! Cassie: It is by no means a pleasant subject! Aaron: Out with it, Cassie. I have no more pie to tolerate the stench from the horses! Cassie: Well¡­I mean¡­ Sophie: Emmet¡¯s been sick for¡­ well ever since he started working in the fields¡­ Suiga: Oh, the old farmer¡¯s ache¡­My grandparents have seen their fair share of it¡­ Sophie: I bet not like the brat¡¯s. Cassie was still under the Gunslinger when this thing started¡­ had us all in fear before we figured out it¡¯s not contagious! The pains were manageable, bu when the spots came out- Url: (Spots¡­haven¡¯t heard of a similar symptom) Hmm¡­if he can¡¯t move then why go all the way to Crooked Grove¡­ Sophie: Beats me¡­Although¡­ Cassie: Hm? Sophie: ¡­ Aaron: ¡­Lady Sophie? Sophie: Oh! Yes, I remember!! My husband put Emmett in charge of helping him with the inventory for the farmwork!! Crooked Grove isn¡¯t that far from there!! Url: ¡­Well¡­can¡¯t connect the dots yet¡­ Sophie: Hey! I¡¯m just an old woman, not a detective! Url: Oh!! I didn¡¯t- Sophie: Just messing wit¡¯ ya, bird doctor!! Ya¡¯ll can find Kevin in the stables now, and Emmett closed up in his house!! Cassie¡¯ll show ya¡¯!! Although watch out for Kevin. He¡¯s an itty bitchy angry when Emmet¡¯s involved! Aaron: Well, we could always split. I¡¯ll talk to the stable boy, you guys- Url: You know, I¡¯d rather avoid the paperwork for whatever damage you and an angry stable boy will cause. Me and Suiga could talk to Kevin. Aaron: And what will I- oh hell no!! Cassie: To chat along with the seeked upon farm prince, the nightingale and the titan boss embark on an adventure of eloquence. She sings ballads of hope to prepare for the sensational theme of this encounter¡¯s- Aaron: You start chanting for the next walk, you¡¯ll see the sun from up close this time! Url: Lau, your call to choose who to follow. Suiga: Like the princess would choose hard labor to the horse¡¯s house¡­ They patiently waited while Lau lost herself in space. Suiga: Hey! You can think of how to rid the farm stench later, choose! Aaron: Wake up, Lecourt! Lau: Zip it!!...I¡¯ll join the doc and fangirl¡­I had enough of Willheart¡¯s munching for today¡­ The three departed right after Cassie gave the directions for Kevin¡¯s stables¡­ Aaron: Damn what¡¯s up her ass¡­ Cassie: Oh did they step!...For the prince in distreeeesss- Aaron: Walk!!! Taking the straight route, Aaron couldn¡¯t help but notice how much the farmers smiled at the sight of the nightingale. How her strange, over the top mannerisms could only bring joy and laughter to their hearts. Nothing in comparison to their previous mission¡­ He did agree that had Beryl still lived, he would be delighted by this sight¡­ And without even a quarter passed, they reached Emmett¡¯s hut¡­ Not unlike the others, a humble little house with hay roofs, grey brick walls, a chimney full of smoke¡­ And a slender, blond, young man working on his loom with sheep wool¡­ Through the edges of his clothes, the hunters noticed pale, sickly skin, riddled with small, blackish spots and marks¡­ Aaron: (Damn, that¡¯s no regular farmer¡¯s ache¡­) Cassie : Emmett!! Goodness, and people say I¡¯ve grown a bunch. Emmett: Cassie¡­Good lord, you look like your mother an¡¯ gramma¡¯ by the day¡­ With gloomy blonde hair, blueish eyes, and a skinny, disease-ridden body, he hugged the huntress in his farmer¡¯s leather outfit, gently, as if something had tired him out from the night before¡­ Emmett: Ya¡¯ll have to excuse mine behavior¡­I¡¯m not the most energetic person these past few days¡­ Cassie: What could be wrong, Emmett? Sophie having you two do the hay lifting? Emmett: Thankfully, she left that at Kevin, who just loves anything non brainy¡­No, I¡¯m just tired from the stock counting. Cassie: Oh, Ollie has started giving you the job? Emmett: Years of begging, and finally he chooses to let it go once the farm starts growing velvet grass again¡­ Cassie: Well, finally your chance to shine!!! I¡¯m sure in a matter of days you¡¯ll kick the old man out of his seat and rule as the farm leader in no time!!! Emmett: Hahah¡­yeah, in the near future¡­ Aaron could see what Cassie¡¯s ignorant eyes avoided. The man, even though with a build most people would envy, was clearly sick, and clearly stressed enough to gropw fear in thought of the future¡­ His distinct rubbing of the wrist, his averting gaze, searching all over the house for a place to hide, his discreet little shaking over the hardwood floor¡­ Cassie: What!? Did I say something weird? Aaron: Hey! Weirdo! Didn¡¯t they teach you ¨C Emmett: Oh, no¡­It¡¯s fine really¡­Cassie¡­I¡¯m sorry, I¡¯m just a little- The huntress hugged him tightly once again, even the boy himself was impressed by how his little ¡°sister¡± had matured to reach his height and hold him whole in her arms¡­ She then took one good look in his blue eyes, filling his pupils with her warm, affectionate spirit¡­ Cassie: It will all be well¡­Your nightingale says so¡­ The gentle boy couldn''t restrain his lips. He cracked a smile, brighter and more distinct than the rest of his sickly fa?ade, enough for Aaron to be swept along with the flow as he remembered how motivating the nightingale was back at Landen¡¯s Plaza¡­ Cassie: But still!! We heard some interesting news about you and your older brother!!This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there. Emmett: The Crooked Grove thing!? I thought we sent a letter saying everything¡¯s- Aaron: Still, with all the bats running around, it¡¯s best we don¡¯t continue what happened a few days ago¡­ Emmett: You¡¯re right, and I¡¯m more than just sorry about the trouble me and Kevin caused¡­ Cassie: But why Crooked Grove though? Aaron: I suppose it¡¯s not about its extreme renown restorative capabilities. Emmett: Ugh¡­well¡­I can¡¯t really explain it¡­ The youth surprised his visitors by slowly taking off his shirt¡­ Under the white cloth and brown suspenders, a pale skin with the black clots and sickly yellow marks covering most of his back and torso¡­ Aaron: Yeah, that¡¯s not just farmer¡¯s ache¡­ Cassie: My god, Emmett, has anyone seen this!!? Emmett: The best in Landen came and none could figure it out¡­It presents like farmer¡¯s ache at the start but¡­ Cassie:¡­Well, bossman, maybe our doctor could take a look at it!! He¡¯s a medical genius¡­ Emmet: Oh! Well, I mean- Aaron:¡­Yeah¡­yeah he could¡­I can¡¯t guarantee anything, but¡­I mean, are you alright getting checked by a plague doctor? Emmett: Heheh¡­At this point, a damn bat god could take care of me and I wouldn¡¯t say a thing¡­but, that¡¯s not the point¡­ Aaron : Hm? Emmett: This has been going on for a few years¡­I¡¯ve managed to handle it somehow but¡­the past weeks have been the worst I¡¯ve seen concerning fatigue and pain¡­It¡¯s like I¡¯m walking with a thousand horses on my back¡­ Cassie: Oh, Emmett¡­ Emmett: And watching everyone pick up after me¡­try to clean my messes¡­especially my own brother¡­ Before he could even fall, Aaron noticed how Emmet¡¯s chest started moving erratically¡­ He caught and supported the frail boy, let him breathe it out with Cassie while resting on his broad shoulder¡­ Aaron:¡­Crooked Grove¡¯s your happy place¡­ Emmett:¡­ Cassie: Happy place¡­? Aaron:¡­I get it, I would want to just get out the door and go find someplace where nothing matters¡­somewhere I¡¯m not sick, or hounded by responsibilities¡­ Cassie:¡­ Aaron: But lemme tell ya¡¯, sometime¡¯s it¡¯s just better ta¡¯ count on your folks. Less the trouble, right? Emmett: Heh¡­wish I could tell you I see it that way¡­ Aaron : Believe me, pal. I¡¯m just starting to see it too¡­ He helped him up once Emmett came to his senses¡­Emmett slowly pulled his clothes back on, hiding his shame away¡­ Aaron: But pal, maybe leave Crooked Grove alone for a while? At least until we are finished with the investigation. Make sure no Rippers are hiding nearby? Emmett:¡­Alright. Aaron: Huh? That was fast. Emmett: If a whole hunting party AND our nightingale came to help, this must be a bigger deal¡­We¡¯ll steer away¡­ Cassie: Oh, Emmett. I¡¯ll make sure it¡¯s extra safe before we leave!!! Aaron : Really appreciate it, mate¡­ With some extra care, he firmly shook his hand. Emmett let out a small, sincere snicker that caught the hunter¡¯s eye¡­ Emmett:¡­I¡¯m sorry¡­You just really remind me of my brother¡­ Aaron: Huh? Emmett: He¡¯s kind of a walking grouch, to be honest¡­but when it matters most, he¡¯s the most sincere, selfless person you can find in this village¡­and we are talking about a lot of them!! Cassie: That sounds exactly like bossman!! A hardened slacker outside, a soft cutiepie on the inside!! Much like Sophie¡¯s pecan pie! Emmett: Heheh...you seem to have taken a liking to your bossman. Even for you, that¡¯s a lot! Cassie: As worried as he makes me with his recklessness, there¡¯s no one I wouldn¡¯t blindly follow. Although, his denial to explore his own emotions is quite the encumbrance. Aaron: Kicking caped charlatans that steal my food is an emotion I¡¯d love to explore¡­ His strength diminished, but he still kept his eyes up to watch over their reactions¡­ Emmett: Hm¡­Well, glad to have met the man to inspire my lil¡¯ sis as much! Man, never have I or Kevin ever motivated her like this¡­ Cassie: Hoping to have him talk to Victor soon!! Emmett: Heheh¡­Yeah, good luck with that. Aaron: Tch, guess we are empty-handed. We should go find the doctor for this boy here. Emmet: Oh, don¡¯t you worry about me. I can handle myself for now, don¡¯t keep the man off of his important work¡­ Aaron : But, really now¡­Crooked Grove? There are so many better places to go chill out! Emmett: Hahah¡­well¡­it might not seem¡­but that place has some sort of¡­calmness¡­as if nothing matters when you stand under that old tree¡­It offers some momentary salvation¡­ Aaron:¡­Tch, well, at least let us finish with our check-up today before you two bolt it again¡­ Emmet: Hehe, thank you, It¡¯s an old crooked stump, but my head hasn¡¯t felt a better resting spot, and I¡¯ve got a custom-made sheep wool pillow Cassie: Heheh, we should be careful then that THIS one deosn¡¯t end up falling asleep until next harvest! She said while pushing her elbow in his ribs. Titan he was, his mental capacity too a nice hit, enough for the hunter to grab her arm and gently twist her wrist, unexpressive and unbothered by her screams¡­ Emmet: Heheh¡­I think Aaron might have to be more cautious here¡­Cassie does adore the trees, you know¡­ The hunter remained confused for a good minute as Emmett sneaked him a mischievous little smile under Cassie¡¯s eyes¡­ Aaron:¡­ Cassie: That is true, that¡¯s why I always- Aaron: Damn it, alright! Out of here for us!! We¡¯ll be back to tell you if something¡¯s changed, Emmett!! Emmett : Well, if it helps, me and Kevin haven¡¯t heard anything vampire like from Crooked Grove! Cassie: Thanks for the help! Bossman, why are we leaving just yet!? Aaron: We got ALL the answers we need¡­ Emmett saluted them, with a devilish little grin on his face¡­ To a nearby horse shack, a larger, dark haired man is moving rolls of hay around and preparing them for the steeds to eat under Url, Suiga and Lau¡¯s observation¡­ Url: So who starts with the hot-head? Lau: I¡¯ll abstain from this, the stench is unbelievable! Suiga: Then why not join the others, if you are going to be a pain in the ass? Lau: Well, maybe being a pain in your ass is a task I take great pleasure in! Url: Suiga, how about you!? You can be the friendliest person a human can meet! The prince blushed while Url grinned all the way through that compliment¡­ Suiga: Oh...alright I guess¡­ They approached the grunting stable man, who turned his head right as soon as he heard Suiga¡¯s salute¡­ Kevin: Aaah, the hunters! They told us you¡¯d be coming, a few days ago!! Can I help ya goons with anytin¡¯, other than the road back?! Suiga: Hello kind sir! Nothing in particular, really. Just doing some follow-up of our colleague¡¯s last visit here! Kevin: Well, as we told ya with the letter, nothing¡¯s afoot!! Na¡¯ get yer asses outta here!!! I¡¯ll be late with the horses!! Url : (Letter?) Suiga: Well, it will only take us a minute! I swear! Kevin: One minute is enough to throw me off balance! Now scram!! Url: Oh god¡­ Suiga looked around. Following the stable boy, he took off his robe, shaped the upper part around the waist like a belt, and started feeding the horses alongside Kevin in the long corridor full of horses ready to munch¡­ Kevin: Hey!! What¡¯ya- Suiga: This way you¡¯re not out of schedule AND you owe me! Kevin: Screw that!! Leave that on the the ground, you got no idea what yer- With Suiga already feeding horses, surprisingly without any trouble, Kevin kept his anger in check and followed through¡­ Kevin: Tch!! Trying to outdo me in my own work!? Who ya silver head fucks think I am?! Url: Um¡­I want to say¡­oh god¡­ Url just observed as the two hot heads fed every horse in the stable¡­ Suiga swept his sweat away while Kevin stood tall in a mixture of condescension, covering a small bit of awe¡­ Kevin: I know frail little girls who¡¯ve done better than this¡­ Suiga: I suppose Lady Cassandra¡¯s work history far outweighs anyone¡¯s on the team¡­ Kevin:¡­Who¡¯dya say? Suiga: Cassandra Mergrove¡­we¡¯re with her¡­ Url: Will you listen to us now, before you kill my teammate from over exhaustion? Kevin: Should¡¯ve said sooner!! But why didn¡¯t she come over, and left a bird doctor and his nurses to come talk to me? Url: Hurtful. But Cassie¡¯s over at your brother¡¯s. Kevin: Hah?! You fucks, no one¡¯s- Suiga: We¡¯re sorry!! But Cassie really needed to see him!! Url: Also, our other partner isn¡¯t the type to handle any talk, I¡¯m afraid we were the better option here¡­ Kevin:¡­My brother¡¯s- Url: Sick, we¡¯ve heard. We¡¯ve also heard of you two visiting Crooked Grove for a few nights. Kevin: That¡¯s none of your business! His anger rised by the second, through his flaring, bull-like nostrils, his popping veins¡­ Suiga: No one¡¯s here to blame anyone!! Please, we are just here to see if any vampires from the city have passed through!! And make sure no villagers are hurt!!! Could you please listen to us? Kevin:¡­You are lucky Cassie¡¯s with you¡­ Url : (You are lucky my captain didn¡¯t choose to come here¡­) Kevin cooled down¡­He offered a few wooden seats to the team, even though Lau declined in order to take a look around the stables¡­ Kevin:¡­She alright? Suiga: Don¡¯t open that can of worms¡­ Url: Agreed¡­Anyways, Kevin, all we just want to know is if you¡¯ve heard anything while at Crooked Grove¡­and also, know why you chose that tree to go hide? Kevin: My brother¡¯s been a hell lotta worse this week¡­Mumps, clots, marks you name it. Crooked Grove is nothing compared what he¡¯s going through¡­ Url: Farmer¡¯s ache doesn¡¯t sound like that at all¡­ With all the xepressions accompanying the eotion of anger, he stared shouting with his stable boy accent¡­ Kevin: Farmer¡¯s ache? FARMER¡¯S ACHE? I¡¯m sure those other asshats told you that when they were complaining about Emmet¡¯s leftover work!! Suiga: Uhm¡­the other farmers? Kevin: Who else? Like those old bags never complained about joint pains and broken bones¡­ Url: ( A small exaggeration?) Have they complained about your visits to Crooked Grove? Kevin: Heh, apparently they called a hunter squadron to search for us, too!! So yeah, they are complaining!! Suiga: Not that you don¡¯t have your reasons, but¡­ Kevin : To save ya the trouble, Emmett¡¯s been loving it there! Says he feels¡­calm¡­like the mumps and clots don¡¯t hurt him no more¡­ I got no idea why but¡­ Url: Hmm¡­I doubt that place has any healing properties¡­ Kevin: Hey, what do I know?! Url: Oh, no! I¡¯ve heard of places with restorative capabilities! Maybe Crooked Grove has such an effect!...I wouldn¡¯t mind taking a look at your brother¡¯s condition, if you don¡¯t mind, of course¡­ Kevin: Heh¡­doctors and nuns come and go, from city to our house, and they all say the same damn thing¡­ He angrily threw away a chunk of hay he was fiddling at with his hands¡­ Kevin: No fucking clue¡­we can only try and wait¡­ Suiga:¡­I¡¯m so sorry¡­ Kevin: In the meantime, my brother rots away in the house, hearing the old bastards complain about him every other day from his window!! I¡¯d like to see if those asshats would- Url: Kevin, calm down! Kevin: How ya want me ta calm down?! My brother¡¯s dyi- A quick slap from the samurai halted his anger. Suiga grabbed his tired face from the fatty cheeks before he could even react with a fist full of hay¡­ Suiga: He¡¯s still here isn¡¯t he??!! Then throw that word out of your mind!!! Kevin: Tchk!!!...Get your hands off- Suiga: Sit down, and then I¡¯ll take my hands off!!! Kevin:¡­ The stable boy sat back down to his wooden chair, all while rubbing his head in anguish¡­ Kevin:¡­I¡¯ve seen no bats in there¡­ Url:¡­? Kevin: We just go there for him to¡­feel alive again¡­I¡¯m just trying to help him¡­ Url: And that¡¯s what you¡¯ll keep on doing. But making yourselves vampire prey is not the answer. I¡¯ll take a look at the tree today, and your brother tonight. Can you do me a favor and stay away from Crooked Grove while I do that? He huffed, he puffed, and threw most of his frustration away¡­ Kevin: ¡­Fine¡­ Suiga: Kevin¡­thank you¡­ Kevin: Just get going! The old bags won¡¯t let ya fiddle around the farm, try to find anything you need before they kick you out¡­Not that you will¡­ Url: Thanks, Kevin. I promise I¡¯ll do my best. Lau, let¡¯s go!!! With the hunters left , Kevin kept on feeding hay to his horses¡­ Walking back to the village center¡­ Suiga : He seemed¡­lovely. Url: Ugh, Cassie did say Kevin was the hardest to talk to¡­ Suiga: I really do want to believe them. I mean, to anyone, it seems a normal story¡­ Url:¡­ Suiga:¡­But who¡¯d take his sickly brother out of the house with vampires close by¡­Oy, shrimp, what are your thoughts on this¡­ With a tilt of their heads, they found Lau following in body but absent of mind, daydreaming as she saw Kevin fixing up an old photo of him and Emmett before they left¡­ Lau:¡­ Suiga: And it has the nerve of calling our chief ¡°lazy¡± and ¡°aloof¡±. Lau: Huh?...Sh-shut up!! Ever heard of silent thinking? Url: Haven¡¯t heard of any other type of thinking. Lau:¡­ Suiga: Couldn¡¯t you be more active when he was ready to kick us out with his own legs? Lau: I prefer to collect my thoughts before talking! Suiga: Doesn¡¯t seem to be the case the past few weeks! Url: I want to say Aaron¡¯s lucky, but I can¡¯t think of him smiling with Cassie right now¡­ From the other end of the central pathway, walked Cassandra and Aaron¡­ Aaron: Won¡¯t be getting anything out of him¡­ Cassie: Bossman, I really do believe Emmett and Kevin were just searching for a place to relax¡­Maybe leave them alone with a little warning? Aaron: Tchk¡­I can¡¯t say, their story sounds too solid¡­ Cassie: Of course! Emmett and Kevin have been with me for years!! Aaron: Really? Cassie: They started taking care of me and ma brother and we were just two kids left by their grandfather while he was away at work!! They made sure trouble never found us, and taught us everything we needed to know about Landen!! Aaron: Emmett does seem like the caring type¡­Still¡­I wouldn¡¯t be going anywhere out of that house unless I lost those mumps and clots¡­Can¡¯t say they¡¯re out of the woods yet¡­ Cassie: Hmm¡­ He stared at Cassie, who began to question her own instincts the more Aaron pressured¡­ Aaron: ¡­You must really trust them. Cassie: Huh? Aaron: They are the primary suspects, and you haven¡¯t questioned them yet¡­ Cassie: I¡­I don¡¯t- Aaron: So they must be some pretty great folks if you are ready to protect them like that¡­ Cassie: Well¡­most of the village has been my home and parent for my childhood¡­Emmett and Kevin were like two big brothers, the protective and the caring one, always to look after me and my lil bro¡­ Aaron: (Beryl¡­)¡­Huh¡­ Cassie¡¯s head wandered around the village houses. Greeting the kids running around the kindergarden, the old folks leaving for farm work, the ladies looming on their respective balconies¡­ Cassie: They have been loyal, caring, and they are the reason yours truly has been on the heroine¡¯s path for so long¡­Is it that much of a sin for one to care for her kin? The hunter stood speechless. He saw a sincere, calm, light shine over the black clad, grim dressed huntress¡­ Aaron: ¡­ And his own, impressed, satisfied face shook her back into delusion¡­ Cassie:¡­Ehm, I mean, as the nightingale too! It is my duty as this village¡¯s grim heroine to veil over their safety!!! Aaron: (She went and ruined it)Tchk¡­No worries, braids¡­ Cassie: (New nickname?!) Aaron: You told me you wanna keep the south alive, right? That¡¯s what we¡¯re gonna make sure of. Cassie: Oh¡­ Aaron: But still¡­Emmett and Kevin can¡¯t be going out like that¡­ Cassie: I don¡¯t believe they¡¯ll be making any more escapades¡­however¡­ Aaron: ? Cassie: ¡­I have no desire to soil their integrity¡­But I wouldn¡¯t be a true huntress if I left my own feelings cloud my judgement¡­Their behavior has been slightly strange¡­Especially since¡­ Url: Since what? Aaron/Cassie: Aaah!!! Suiga: Url, you really need to stop doing this! Url: But it¡¯s way too fun! Now, what were you two talking about? Aaron: About the brothers¡­You believe their story? Url: I so want to, so we can go home and do some actual work, but unfortunately my conscience won¡¯t let me¡­ Cassie: Did Kevin throw any clues? Url: He definitely threw stuff¡­ Suiga: I don¡¯t believe any more interrogation will do us any good¡­ Aaron: Actually, Url could take a look at Emmett¡¯s disease. Try to find out what is going on¡­Although he didn¡¯t seem eager for someone ridden with mumps. Url: Oh, that¡¯s right. The body does tell more than words. Cassie: His house ain¡¯t even that far! Let¡¯s go! Back to the hut, Cassie banged on the door with excitement¡­ Aaron: You dumbass, he¡¯s a walking stick, you cant¡¯ have him opening the door like a damn machine!! Cassie: But I can¡¯t wait! Url¡¯s the best doctor I¡¯ve seen! He¡¯ll make quick work of whatever¡¯s ailing Emmett!! Url: Well, maybe he doesn¡¯t have to die from exhaustion first? Aaron: God, I won¡¯t be paying any new doors now! While Aaron tried to pull Cassie away, Lau wandered again¡­ She stumbled upon a few stacks of hay¡­the same ones Kevin was using to feed the horses¡­ Lau:¡­ She quickly warned the others, to crouch and silently investigate the back of the house¡­ Cassie: But wait¡­that¡¯s Emmett and Kevin! Aaron: Will you keep it down!! Suiga : ¡°Silence¡±. Url: No need to whisper, I guess. What are they doing, Kevin was still working when we left! Suiga: Maybe he finished early? Lau: Well, you DID do half his work. Cassie: Still¡­there¡¯s no way we wouldn¡¯t notice him. You have to pass from the central pathway to reach their house from the stable¡­ Aaron:¡­Hey shrimp!! Lau: What? Aaron: Take Cassie and tail¡¯em. Cassie: Huh? Lau: You out of your mind? Topknot sold his body to gain the stable boy¡¯s trust! Aaron: Why are you and Url whoring yourselves- you know what I can¡¯t take this. Just try to see what they are planning!! Suiga: What about us? Aaron:¡­Something about that tree doesn¡¯t sit right with me¡­ Url: I¡¯d like to take a look at that thing too¡­ Kevin said it makes Emmett feel alive again¡­ Cassie: So¡­we are tailing them¡­ Aaron noticed the doubt in her frowny expression¡­ Aaron: Try not to creep them out braids. Emmet¡¯s been through enough already¡­ Cassie: Aah¡­yeah, I won¡¯t!!! And with the girls tailing the brothers, the boys took off for Crooked Grove¡­ Just next to the hollowed husk of the dead tree, a wheat farm full of villagers hard at work¡­ One tall , slim, old man stood out, with notepad and pen, typical white and brown farmer¡¯s outfit, leading the farmwork and counting every wheat and flower picked and planted¡­ Ollie: 50 kilograms of wheat in stock, 10 kg picked¡­velvetgrass 10 in stock, 5 picked¡­damn bats¡­ Aaron: ¡®Xcuse us! Ollie: Hm? Huh? What are the silver heads doin¡¯ her¡¯? Aaron: Uhm¡­you called us¡­ Ollie: Don¡¯t remember havin¡¯ any trouble lately with the freaks. Off you go now, you¡¯ll step on the wheat! Url: Uhm, sir¡­you called for a missing person¡¯s case? Ollie tilted his head... Ollie: Missing persons?...Oh the two lads! We already sent an envoy! Nothing important, just two boys slacking off work! Url: (Again with the envoy¡­) Oh...well, a small patrol wouldn¡¯t hurt though, right? We still have escapees on the lose... Olie: Look, plague doctor. We have no time let you tramp around our precious stock with vampire infested boots¡­Now scram, my prot¨¦g¨¦ forgot to write down- Url: We are with Cassandra Mergrove, if that clears things out¡­ Ollie:Hah!? The little nightingale¡¯s back in town?!...I suppose we could let you look around¡­ Suiga : You are acquainted with her? Ollie: Is the sun bright? Of course, I raised that gal and her snot of a brother while their pops took off for the foreign lands! I pray she¡¯s been more than a blessing for you folks¡­ Aaron: I can add to- Url/Suiga: She¡¯s been great!!! Ollie:¡­Dammit alright! But I can¡¯t promise you any fanged freaks around...Crooked Grove hasn¡¯t seen a vampire ever since Cassie hanged those imp heads outside her house as warnings! Aaron: I let that freak enter my house... Url: Concerning memories aside, we ¡®d love to help. It¡¯s a good chance to help our foreign visitors get acquainted with the land, too! Ollie: Suit yerselves! Have ya tried talking to the culprits first? Url: Yes and¡­well we can see they¡¯ve been troubled a lot¡­ Ollie: Gosh, it¡¯s been hell for them the past few weeks¡­I can see why that tree brings them solace¡­ Aaron: Solace or not, it¡¯s not the best idea while hungry bats roam around the woods¡­ Ollie: Hah! Try telling them that!...Anyways, just watch out for the wheats and flowers. And don¡¯t bother Crooked Grove that much. I¡¯m sure he¡¯s had enough visitors¡­ With the old man out of their feet, the boys looked around. Conversing with the farmers, and helping out in any way they can. When it came to Emmett and Kevin, no complaint could be heard. The two culprits that alerted the hunters, and no villager held a grudge for them. From Emmet¡¯s kindness that knew no bounds, to Kevin¡¯s hard work ethic that held the farm together, it was loud and clear to the boys that the village adored that couple¡­ Not to mention the love for Cassandra, the only huntress that took care of them, the girl that made sure no neck fell victim to a vampire¡¯s mouth, the heroine of Crooked Grove¡­ Aaron: Nothing! Suiga: Could it really be¡­are we running circles over nothing? Url:¡­I¡¯d like to try something¡­ Two quick looks. No one took notice of Url stealing velvetgrass from one of the patches¡­ A purple colored, thin plant¡­driving the kids behind Crooked Grove, he pulled out the table and started brewing a bizarre potion¡­ Suiga: Another concoction? Aaron: Uhm, buddy, I don¡¯t think Cassie¡¯s name¡¯s gonna get us out of theft¡­ Url: Suiga¡­Kevin told us the farmers have been nagging at Emmett for the work he¡¯s been missing, right? Suiga:¡­Oh, that¡¯s right. But, all they¡¯ve been saying- Url: Exactly. Aaron: Couldn¡¯t they just be sucking up to us? Url: That much?! An entire village?! Aaron:¡­Tch¡­ Url: Not to mention, it¡¯s been three weeks they are under surveillance¡­They know Jack¡¯s crew is hiding in the woods¡­and yet they refuse help from 5 hunters, and one of them their own personal guard¡­ Mixing, adding, stirring over a hot fire place placed on the wooden table. The liquid boiled and the ingredients combined¡­ Url: Plot holes everywhere¡­Kevin says everyone hates him and Emmett¡­ Aaron: Wow¡­ Url: Aaron¡­Doesn¡¯t it remind you of something¡­ Aaron:¡­Fuck no¡­ Suiga: You aren¡¯t talking about¡­ Url: I don¡¯t want to alert Cassie¡­so I want to be extra sure for this¡­Now, follow my lead¡­when I spray this, I want you to observe Ollie with deadlock attention. Suiga: I don¡¯t know how I feel about experimenting on Cassie¡¯s benefactor¡­ Aaron: Drugging old dudes, we¡¯re those guys now¡­ They made a move to live, but Suiga felt his ankle wrapped around the tree¡¯s weak roots¡­ Url: Trouble? Suiga: Nothing I can¡¯t handle. Although using the blade would be a scary sight for the people. Url: Not to mention a fire hazard, here take my knife. With Url¡¯s little knife, he shred the wilting, hardened exterior of the plant entrapping him¡­ But as the blade cut deeper and deeper with every pull and push, the samurai couldn¡¯t shake off a tingling sensation. As if something was¡­calling him¡­but he felt¡­distant from it¡­as if even if the boy was inches away, the tree was calling him from the other side of the world¡­ He finally managed to cut it. Aaron: All¡¯s alright? Suiga: Uh¡­yeah, just¡­this tree¡¯s creeping me out¡­ Approaching the old man¡­ Ollie: You fellas finished?! Url: All done! Nothing out of the ordinary, although we do want to place some defensive traps around the farm. It won¡¯t touch the crops, and you can do your farm work as usual¡­ Ollie:¡­Tchk, you can do that tonight! Url: Ooof course. By the way, do you happen to be Sophie¡¯s husband? Ollie: Husband or punching bag? I¡¯ve lost the difference between the two¡­ Url: Hahah¡­well, she did say that you¡¯ve been having some trouble with your back. Ollie: You a plague doctor, right? You got any ailment that can give my back 25 years more on its contract? Url: Hmm¡­well, I do have this¡­It¡¯s a sniffing spray that can repair broken bones and give muscle nerves a little kick¡­Although, I have to warn- Ollie: Then what are ya waitin¡¯ for? Come on, I wanna blow that hag¡¯s mind out!! Suiga: Ugh¡­ Ollie: What¡¯s wrong, Assian? Can¡¯t handle an old man loving his wife? Suiga: Loving¡­ Url takes out the potion, put in a spraying vial. One puff, and a moist cloud of purple droplets invaded Ollie¡¯s face and nostrils¡­ Ollie: Huh¡­Oh¡­ Url: It will take a while, and sorry for the smell¡­Oh, by the way, I wanted to excuse us , in behalf of the VHC, for not taking care of your envoy¡¯s request¡­ Ollie: Huh? What envoy? We sent a letter! Damn, ya silver heads too busy chopping bats instead of looking over yer people. I wish more of ye were like Cassie¡­ Url: We sure do too¡­But you know¡­I don¡¯t think anything¡¯s going to happen¡­I mean¡­Crooked Grove is pretty safe, from my point of view¡­ Ollie: Well¡­if ya count out the boys singing like crazy in front of Crooked Grove, and all the commotion there¡­yeah sure¡­It¡­of course it¡¯s safe! There are no bats here! Aaron and Suiga did their best to hide their shock after the old man changed moods in the span of seconds¡­ Ollie:¡­Hey¡­this is working! Url: I also put in a little¡­incentive¡­maybe lady Sophie might be more intrigued to witness your new found physicality! Ollie: Before ya leave this place, yer giving me ten of these! I hafta find Emmett!! I gave him my old suspenders to fix!! See ya!!! He said as he left a smoky figure of his body behind¡­ Aaron: Another day I¡¯m glad this association doesn¡¯t have a human resources department. Suiga: What was that? A truth serum? Url: Nope. That was moondust. Aaron: The spray you use to sneak out ritual seals? Url: Yep. To be more specific, the silver particles in the cloud disrupt the flow of magicka in a given area, thus nullifying the spell for a while. Suiga: So, Mister Ollie¡¯s behavioral change¡­ Url: He said they sent an envoy, now he¡¯s adamant they sent a letter¡­and what about that nightly commotion and singing¡­ Aaron could barely hold back his anger, settling for the tightening of his fist and bite of the lips¡­ Aaron: That bitch again¡­I¡¯ll rip her chords out myself¡­ Suiga: But they all cooperated once we convinced them¡­wouldn¡¯t that go against her plans? Url: That does raise more questions¡­Although¡­ Suiga:? Url:¡­Last time, Beryl managed to find out because his citizens were acting way out of proportion when Aaron and Cassie asked about Tragoedia¡­ Suiga: She altered her effect to have us running in circles¡­Good thing we have you, Url¡­ Aaron: How the fuck we gonna tell braids¡­ Url: Hmm¡­let us meet at her house first¡­We can discuss what we will do with the info we gathered here¡­ Suiga: This place means a lot to Lady Cassie¡­let us not fail¡­ As for the girls¡­ Their own spy mission proved fruitless. With no mention of Crooked Grove, of vampires, Kevin left Emmett back at the house while he ran errands¡­ A heart-warming thing truly. Their eyes mellowed while Kevin helped his fellow villagers with housework¡­ Roof repairs, carrying, fixing old steps, a rare handy-man indeed. And the villagers could only stand by and praise him. Questions about Emmett¡¯s health did not miss from their chats. Any house he visited, the old people asked about the frail brother as if he was lands afar, as if they hadn¡¯t seen him just this morning on his balcony, taking care of Ollie¡¯s inventory work and maintaining his house at the best of his abilities¡­ Kevin, while hot-headed and stubborn, still made sure the villagers received his brother¡¯s greetings. They gifted him with herbs, medicine, anything that could prove helpful for his suffering brother¡­ Lau: He is a capable person¡­ Cassie: He learned all that after their parents passed away¡­An older brother has to take care of his little siblings¡­ Lau:¡­ Cassie: Does it remind of your sister? Lau: Huh? Cassie: That¡¯s what has been eating your mind today, right? Lau:¡­How did you- Cassie: Our rooms are stuck next to each other¡­you have quite the cute ritual¡­ Lau: Ugh¡­ Cassie:¡­I¡¯m sor- Lau: Don¡¯t be¡­I suppose my sister did share the same sentiment with me¡­ The nightingale cracked a smile as Lau opened up¡­ Lau: That¡¯s why¡­I sincerely hope they have not found any trouble¡­ Cassie:¡­I hope so too¡­ Villager: So Kevin! Back at usual place, today!? Lau: Huh? Kevin: Heh? What ya talkin¡¯ bout? Villager: C¡¯mon!! Ya know what I¡¯m talkin¡¯ bout¡¯!! Can¡¯t have ¡®em new visitors know!! Kevin:¡­ Villager: Jokin¡¯!!! Like ya¡¯d do that when Cassie¡¯s home!!! You gonna visit?! Kevin: She¡¯s got her own company¡­Maybe another time, if she stays¡­ Village: Alright, take care now!! Lau: Hm, what was that about¡­ Cassie:¡­ Lau:¡­Cassandra! Cassie: Huh?! Lau: That sounded fishy. You got anything? Cassie:¡­I think we might have to stalk a little more tonight¡­I¡¯ll explain later¡­we can go at my old house¡­ Lau:¡­Let¡¯s find the others¡­ Regrouping, they march to the nightingale¡¯s abode... Medium in size, two roofs, and connected to a small watchtower, the house is dressed in brown oakwood and dark green leaves...No one currently resides, so Cassie blandly opened the door with her kick... Url¡¯s observant eye wasn¡¯t needed to notice the small cracks in the walls, the accumulated dust, the bent steps of the staircase, the makeshift security bolts... Lau and Url looked at Aaron with dissapointment, as he himself tried to hide his own guilt... Cassie: I welcome thee to mine humble abode. The place it all began. The crib where the black nightmare of the vampire kind took its first bite of flesh. Her first step to the hunter¡¯s path. Suiga carefully grabbed one of the miniature ships in a bottle sitting on the center fireplace. The top horizontal half was broken, so he made sure he held it with the utmost precision... Suiga: Lady Cassandra, I see your bottle was broken. If you need, I can have my grandparents send you some from their own collection. Caasie: Oh, it¡¯s not ¡°broken¡±! My grandfather couldn¡¯t afford the new ones, so he found a miniature ship alone, cracked one of his rum bottles and made it look like that. We haven¡¯t touched it since. Lau and Url¡¯s derision to their bad-mouthing chief continued to grow... Suiga moved to the carpets. Bear, deer, racoon, all sorts of animals covered the wooden floor... Suiga: I see you hunted more than vampires! Cassie : Of course! Hunting is in Mergrove blood. Also, it helps because we have a lot of pests coming in and out. My pops and I hunted down these animals in the woods and used our own pest repellant on the carpets so the rats wouldn¡¯ttenter through the cracks! Growing and Growing, Aaron¡¯s face turned vermillion red... Suiga: Well, the house sure is built on the shoulders of two able individuals. Cassie: My pops mostly. I just helped as much as I could since our parents died young and my brother was just a kid. Duty of a big sis and grandaughter!! Url grabbed his chief¡¯s shoulder and brought his bird mask close to his ear...Lau came up from the other side, looking up to him with a freaky smile ¡®till the ears... Url:...She gets half your chicken for every dinner... Lau: A beautiful suggestion, doctor! Don¡¯t you think, oh captain?! Aaron : Alright with the guided tour! Let¡¯s plan for tonight!!! Cleaning up quickly while Cassie guides Suiga and Lau through the house, they all finally sit on the bear carpet of the living room, map and drawings to the center... Url: Is that so¡­you believe the two of them will visit the tree tonight? Cassie: That¡¯s right¡­Kevin was always stubborn when it came to Emmett¡­even if nothing is going on¡­we should tail them. They are in grave danger under that tree¡­ Url: ¡­As for that¡­we found something¡­ Cassie: ? Aaron:¡­ Suiga: Cassie¡­there is a possibility your village is under the singer vampire¡¯s spell. Cassie cocked her head in bewildered worry, with a weak smile to cover it all¡­ Cassie: Hm? Wh-what is it you are saying, Suiga? Url: We met Ollie today¡­There were a lot of holes in his story combined with the others, so I figured if none of the villagers are turned, they might be under a similar situation as the plaza¡­ Cassie: But¡­it¡¯s just a theory¡­ Url: We used Moondust on Ollie. There is clearly an effect at play¡­ Suiga: He also mentioned a commotion every time Emmett and Kevin leave for Crooked Grove¡­alongside their singing¡­ The nightingale¡¯s face slowly crumbled to bits¡­Lau held her tight¡­ Cassie: Emmett¡­Kevin, no¡­ Lau: Hey, dumbasses, I hope for your own good this isn¡¯t a joke! Suiga: It¡¯s no joke, shrimp! We need a plan! Cassie: I¡­ugh¡­yes, tonight¡­ Lau: Maybe wait a little? She¡¯s under a lot of stress. Url: Take it easy, Cassie. Don¡¯t worry. Cassie: Sophie¡­Ollie¡­everyone in the village is¡­like them¡­ Aaron:¡­ Suiga: Nothing is going to happen to them, Cassie. We¡¯ll get to the bottom of this, unscathed even. Lau: Not sure about the prince, but this princess won¡¯t let any vampire get out alive after this. Suiga: I¡¯d love to see you trying. After all, the Steed did give you a pretty nice beating. Lau: Look who¡¯s talking! Url: He gave you both a good beating, along with our captain, who¡¯s remained pretty silent during all of this¡­ Everyone tilted their eyes to look at Aaron, resting with his eyes closed. Url had his mask out, looking with indifference. Suiga with some forced excitement, Cassie with her eyes ready to pour rain¡­Lau held a judgemental gaze¡­ Aaron:¡­Told braids already, we¡¯ll make sure this place stays safe¡­ Cassie: Sniff¡­I do have worries though¡­The villagers might not react quickly if this turns to a large scale fight... Suiga: I have my Blight still...Should anything happen, consider taking the villagers away and let me go berserk against her¡­ Url: An amusing idea, and great way to lose you. If anyone¡¯s up for the suicide option it should be the man who knows how to make bombs. Cassie: The medic is the last person to be making this decision. You¡¯ll stay far behind where it¡¯s safe. Suiga: We¡¯re not letting our doctor meters close to her. Lau: As the only one capable of escaping quick, I¡¯ll step up to that plate. Not like suicide will be my option, either... Suiga: Pretty sure of yourself. Lau: Bravery comes naturally when one has to take care of her subordinates, especially the goody two shoes. Cassie: Hahah¡­I¡¯m sorry, but I¡¯ll be the heroic sacrifice. Princesses this serene shouldn¡¯t be risking their lives. It would be the perfect final chapter for the Nightingale¡¯s story as the heroine who saved her comrades in the time of need, when duty called she answered the- The more they bickered over combat matters, Aaron stood in silence, observing his friend¡¯s passion on self sacrifice... Aaron:...Why are you guys so sure we will lose? Those 9 words closed mouths and turned gazes towards the aloof Titan once again... Suiga:...I...honestly don¡¯t know... Lau: No one said we¡¯d lose¡­ Aaron: Then why the hell are you assholes discussing your own funerals? No one could give an actual answer, instead they chose to fry their minds trying to search for a reasoning... Url:...I guess the last week hasn¡¯t been that fruitful for motivation, has it? Aaron: ...Look guys, I don¡¯t know what the hell that singing fuck¡¯s planning, but one thing¡¯s for sure : I¡¯m not letting anyone out of this house with this kind of mood tonight! Suiga: But preparing for the worst should be reasonable. Aaron: And going at it like it¡¯s already a dead end is why we¡¯ll fail... With Beryl on his mind and Louis¡¯s gauntlets dripping with his blood, he clenched his fist... Aaron: Trust me on that...If we are going to fight anything, no one¡¯s allowed to think we are going to lose. Lau: ¡­And who are you to decide that? Every gaze then turned over to Lau, who stood up on her feet and posed herself against the lied over Titan... Suiga : Hey, shrim- Lau: Zip it, topknot! Who are you to decide how I¡¯ll approach my mission, Aaron Willheart? She outed to Aaron, with his eyes fixed on the ceiling, as if he was ignoring her complaints. Url knew though, as to why he wasn¡¯t tense like Cassie and Suiga. The hunter was listening... Lau: I¡¯ll admit it, you have fight in you . And you¡¯ve saved us numerous times. But your negligence of your own responsibilities is horrible! You left off like we didn¡¯t even exist. We tried to talk to you but you shut us off. So why should I, daughter of Pirout¡¯s top hunter, listen to a senseless slob?! The hunter got up. Towering over the little fearless princess, he looked down to meet her unwavering, saphirre eyes... Aaron: Cause I¡¯m your leader. And like it or not, you know damn well I¡¯m right... After a few still seconds, Lau backed off... Lau: Fine. If that¡¯s the role you chose to take on... Url:...Well, if that¡¯s that, we should move ahead already, nightfall¡¯s about to start... Picking everything up in agreed upon silence, they avoid each other stares and focus to the task ahead... Hours in preparation, Url and Suiga prepare small wire traps for every layer of untouched land, should Tragoedia choose to dwell in the wheats... Url: Should anyone get caught, it¡¯s silver wire knots and a injection of a silver dampener...Took me hours to make, but the effect should be high enough for one noble... Suiga: What will it do? Url: The silver will bypass the immunity barriers of a vampire. Coursing through veins, it will slow down muscle movement and the afflicted won¡¯t put up much of a fight... With Apothecary¡¯s Table, the dampener should last for an hour or two, depending on the vampire. Suiga: Hmm...good... The bird doc saw Suiga¡¯s teeth clenching through his mask, which then lead to observing his twitching, tightened fingers, struggling with the wires... Url: You¡¯ll cut yourself. Suiga: Huh? Oh, I¡¯m fine. Url: The blood on that wire doesn¡¯t tell that story. Suiga: Oh, shi- He grasped his fingers. With a green vial out of his pocket , he poured the stinging liquid to cure the wound away... Suiga: Tchk!! Url: Serves you for ignoring our boss¡¯s orders... Suiga: Excuse me? Url : ¡°Right mindset for the mission¡±. Remember? Suiga: Ugh...I¡¯m just... Url:... She had to tell it, you know... Suiga: ...He lost his older brother figure... Url: And I lost my parents. Cassie lost hers. And she lost her own sister. Suiga: Exactly! Shouldn¡¯t she know how that feels? Url: That¡¯s exactly why she told Aaron off. Lau might be annoying, but her resilience is...phenomenal. And Aaron needs to know that life goes on. Beryl would have said the exact same thing, minus the insults. I like Aaron as much as you , which might not even be possible, but he needs us to keep him grounded... Suiga: ...You are correct... Url: Of course I am. Now let¡¯s finish this before Lau starts telling you off. Lau: Prince of Assia and he can¡¯t get simple traps done! Unbelievable!!! Suiga: I pray the tree eats her alive¡­ Hours passed, and the moon shined upon Crooked Grove¡­ Crumbled, beaten and broken, a large bark, of a sickly brown colour, stood on the ground a few feet next to the wheat farm¡­ Thick and round enough to look like a druid¡¯s house. The shade made from the moon¡¯s light cast on the ground, resembled a monster ready to devour Emmett and Kevin, who awaited on its foot for the other arrival¡­ Our hunters, with the Silence spell cast upon themselves, hid behind a few bushes right in front of the thick forest mass expanding to the rest of the suburbs¡­ Aaron: Tch¡­that thing is giving me the creeps¡­ Cassie: Worry not, bossman! I¡¯ll hug you tight should the fear stop you from fighting!! Aaron: Do not even - Lau: Grown men can¡¯t handle one little dead tree¡­ Suiga: Says the woman afraid of ghosts¡­ Lau: Shouldn¡¯t you be feeding horses?! Suiga: Oh, so you were watching? Lau: Watching you fail? Loud and laughing! Aaron: Hey, numbskulls, it¡¯s a silence spell, not a cover your flailing arms spell. Cassie: Isn¡¯t that what the bushes are for? Url: You fail to account for the fact that most of us are above average height and Aaron¡¯s wardrobe build. Aaron: Dude, I¡¯ve been commiting to the diet, alright? Suiga: What is concerning, is how a shrimp of 150 centimeters is hiding behind bushes and still be the less discreet one. Lau: Maybe it¡¯s because they¡¯ll first notice your towering topknot. Cassie: Um¡­ Suiga: At least my topknot knows when to shut up and when to run its mouth¡­ Cassie: Everyone- Lau: You¡®d really like to see my sword up your ass, do you?! Suiga: Depends, can you even manage- Aaron: Zip it, both of you!!! Vampire!!! Like an angel from the sky, but with a devil¡¯s bat wings spread wide, descended a vampire in front of the couple¡­ Aaron and Cassie saw the short, bright red hair, the bizzare mask divided into two pitch black visors connected with a golden circlet, the white night gown, the cutesy teeth sprouting out of her upper lip¡­ Cassie: Oh¡­ Aaron: You¡­ Not a moment to waste, Url bound his comrade¡¯s brawny arms before he could rush to the field in cold blood¡­ Aaron: Url!! Url: Don¡¯t you dare get out. We need to see what she¡¯s planning first¡­ Aaron: Tchk!... Url: I know she¡¯s a monster, but we should get to the bottom of this before we cut off her head¡­ Aaron:¡­ Cassie:¡­He¡¯s right, bossman¡­ Said Cassie, while holding tight his broad shoulder¡­Aaron learned from his previous acts, and listened to his comrades, kneeled down and waited¡­ From the forest, approached a group of dependents, villagers the Ripper had his fun with. Bitten all over, clearly drained from blood and soul daily, they marched slowly towards the vampire and her attendants¡­ Cassie: Emmett¡­Kevin what have you done¡­? Url: ¡­that seems like Tragoedia¡¯s doing¡­ Cassie: We should save them¡­Bossman did it once with me and Beryl, we can do it again! Url: Patience, Cassie. We will, but I¡¯m sure she¡¯s taken precautions since last time¡­But what are these guys bringing now? Along the servants marching, three short individuals, two girls in plain, brown dresses and one boy in clean farmer¡¯s clothes. Heads covered with black duffel bags and arms bound with heavy rope¡­ They are thrown in front once the group reaches the vampire¡­ Emmett: My lady¡­are these¡­ Tragoedia:¡­Sacrifices¡­today, three youngs shall be made¡­the tree will be pleased¡­an audience, it shall grant¡­ Kevin: For us? For real?! Emmett, finally- Tragoedia: But first¡­rite¡­will you sing along with me¡­ With hesitation in their hearts¡­ Kevin:¡­Of course, my lady¡­ Emmett: Anything for our saviors¡­ Beginning the chant, she sang the entirety of the song in high, melodious notes while the two assisted with their deep baritone voices¡­ A text in vampiric¡­Started slow, calm and steady, but went deeply into a more menacing, spontaneous, vile rhythm as Emmett¡¯s and Kevin¡¯s necks glowed with a red seal and tremors started around the old tree bark¡­ Tragoedia :¡­Bags¡­take them off¡­ Off with the head covers, one blonde girl with emerald eyes, bushy eyebrows and chubby cheekbones, visibly scared¡­ The other two caught Url¡¯s eyes the moment the girl¡¯s long purple hair and the boy¡¯s messy orange hairdo popped out¡­ Url: Oh god no¡­ Maya looked around, distraught but still calm enough to assess her surroundings¡­ Vic had no time¡­he stared with shock and disgust at Emmett and Kevin, whose eyes, wide-opened, looked back into his with indifference and apathy¡­ Vic:¡­You¡­why- Emmett:¡­Is this the sacrifice¡­? Tragoedia: For a miracle to come be¡­a tragedy is the price to pay¡­Are you¡­not in accord¡­? Kevin took his eyes off the boy and looked over Emmett¡­He couldn¡¯t hold himself from hugging him tightly with his one arm¡­ Kevin: Emmett¡­he¡¯s the most important thing in my life¡­My lady¡­ Emmett:¡­If it needs be¡­then they will suffice¡­ Maya: Vic, do you know them? Vic: You bitch!!! The hell did you do to them?!! Tragoedia: ¡­I did not¡­ Tremors once again¡­Cassie¡¯s eyes were diverted from the number of lackeys and finally reached Vic¡¯s fire orange head¡­ Cassie:¡­Victor?! Url: You know them? Out of the ground, smashing through the thick soil, sprouted dozens of thick, long vines, color even darker and even more ominous, with slight yellow lights inside the stretched tears¡­ Tragoedia: You shall now meet the lord¡­to his choice you¡¯ll succumb¡­ Maya: Vic, Poppy, brace yourselves!! Vic : I ain¡¯t giving up now!! I¡¯ll smash your fucking face in!!! Emmett, Kevin, wake up!!! With Vic struggling to get out of his binds, the young couple of brothers indifferent to the chaos around them, none of the hunters noticed Cassie sprinting to action until they saw her cape floating in the wind¡­ Aaron: Cassie!! Url: Wait! Cassie: Keep your vile claws of my brother!!!! And along with her rushed everyone, while the tremors got stronger and stronger¡­ Vines sprout and destroyed the ground beneath, dragging everyone of the humans along with them¡­ In the chaos of the skirmish, Cassie got dragged along with Suiga, Url and the kids¡­ Aaron tried to pull them away, but his body reacted on its own when he saw a vine try to thrash the Lecourt¡¯s back¡­ Dropped to the underground. The vines retracted as the soil closed¡­