She was a tall woman. Her long hair and focused eyes a shade of ink-black, as if all light was drained from them leaving only an endless void, Both were equally intense and cold, as much as her very gaze. She had a presence that commanded attention, and a voice that made any who heard it tremble. Dressed in a pristine military uniform, she walked with purpose, her boots clicking against the cement floor.
A pin adorned her uniform, that of a beautiful rose. One that signified the highest position in the last settlement, in Sanctuary: General.
The door in front of her opened as she narrowed her eyes, walking inside with a confidant stride. She looked down at the group, a collection of eight officers sitting at a table, though not for long. The moment that she had entered, they all stood, saluting her with respect in their eyes.
"At ease." She spoke quickly, staring at the seven in front of her. Six of them were her colonels, many of the most esteemed officers at her command. Each wore a pin, an insignia of a snake, indicating their status and the rank.
The seventh, however, was different. He wore a pin as well, but not one of a snake. A badge, an image of a dagger. He was an enforcer, a specialist. Unlike the colonels, he didn't wear a uniform. He wore a trench coat, one that was unbuttoned, revealing a dark shirt underneath, and a loose pair of cargo pants. His hands were covered with fingerless gloves, and his feet were protected by steel toe boots, spiked at the heel and toe.
The eighth and final person wore a pin depicting a bird. A lieutenant, the lowest rank man there but, still, he held an aura of power and intellect. A custom silver revolver was on his side at all times. He kept it close, always in a similarly silver plated holster.
"Lieutenant Ramirez, your report, if you will. I trust things have gone well in my absence?"
"Yes, General. We've dealt with the threat. All three vampires have been taken care of."
"Very good. The hunters have been contacted, I presume?"
"Of course. The samples were collected and purified.”
"And what of the soldiers? Were there any casualties?"
"None of the soldiers killed... however, I would like to report the death of the Hunter assigned to us." He spoke hesitantly, his typically steady eyes avoiding contact with the General.
"As I heard. Your confirmation still raises questions, however," She raised an eyebrow, her tone changing, "How, exactly.”
"I was informed after the mission had been completed. He stopped responding, so we sent a team to his last known location. There, we found the final True Blood... and the Hunter. Both were dead."
"A shame, but it can't be helped. I assume that's not all you have to say."
"The Hunter's body was drained of all blood at the scene-- However, testing done on the True Blood he killed showed that they never once bit or even got close to Hunter Asher. It was a different vampire that killed him. A stronger one."
"... And so you failed to account for the chance of a fourth True Blood," She paused, letting out a sigh, "This is a failure of the highest regard, Lieutenant. I expect a full investigation and subsequent report.."
"I... understand, General. It is already underway…" Ramirez paused for a moment, "There was one other thing we found, however."
"Oh?"
"We discovered a strange symbol present on the True Blood Asher killed before his own untimely demise... A brand, just like the one that was found on the True Blood from four months ago. What's more, they both had neck scars as if they were simply Turned…”
"... I see. Make sure to include this in your written reports, Ramirez." She narrowed his eyes at the man, "If there are more vampires in the area with this mark... I want them captured alive. Am I understood? Send this order to the other Lieutenants. Any soldier that knowingly kills a marked True Blood will be punished."
"Yes, General. It will be done."
One of the colonels intervened, a woman with a stern look and a scar across her cheek, "Captured? With all due respect, General, I don't think it would be wise to have a True Blood vampire alive anywhere near us, especially this time of year where the night is long–"
"Colonel Arrington, if there is the smallest chance that there is a being capable of creating True Bloods we must eliminate it as soon as possible. No matter the cost. Understand the stakes."
"But if something were to go wrong, then there's no way to control the situation. It could be a catastrophic failure!"
"Our best Hunters, Enforcers and security detail will be placed on standby at all times. I expect you not to question my orders again, understood?"
Arrington nodded, though couldn’t hide the animosity she felt, "...I apologize, ma'am. It was… not my intention to be disrespectful."
"Good. Ramirez, you're dismissed. Take any men you think necessary and start your investigation."
"Yes, General."
Ramirez saluted before exiting the room while the rest of the officers took a seat, though one still stood.
"Dear General, I would like to ask you to allow me the pleasure of hunting down this rogue Vampire. I find myself... intrigued," The man in the trench coat spoke, the specialist.
"Enforcer Quincy Vesper, I understand you must feel distraught over the death of your brother, but you cannot allow your feelings to interfere with your work."
"Yes, I understand. However, this is not an act of revenge or sorrow. I truly am... interested. I want to know more about this abnormality… Most of all, I want to see it for myself. "
"... You are excused, Quincy. Go do what you will. I'll trust you'll return if we find something."
"Why, of course. My utmost thanks...You have my word that I will not fail.I am an enforcer, after all." Quincy smiled, bowing, before turning and walking away.
The general let out a sigh, sitting down at the chair and taking a pen. She looked down at the paperwork with a less than excited look on her
Looking back at the group, she spoke once more, "remaining Colonels, I'd like to hear your reports from the past month."
--
Quincy Vesper sat alone, his head leaned back against the wall of the building, and a lit cigarette between his lips. He let out a puff of smoke, watching the gray wisps disappear into the foggy air.
He took the cigarette from his mouth, a faint smile forming on his face.
"Brother... did you die happy, at least?"
He spoke to himself, chuckling softly.
"No, probably not... I'm sure your death was painful. Haha… hahaha! That is your punishment, I suppose…”
As the fire embers spread across the cigarette, it began to dwindle.
"Hunter... To need the power of a Vampire to fight one... It's truly so pathetic..."
"Goodbye, Brother. Hah, good luck in Hell… you’ll need it. The Devil isn’t kind to Hunters."
With a flick, his cigarette fell, landing on the concrete floor. In but a few moments, it flickered away into nothing.
A sound. Quiet footsteps echoed across the large hall. They approached slowly, like as if the person dreaded reaching their destination. Quincy knew who those footsteps belonged to.
“Hm? That wouldn’t happen to be… The General’s daughter herself?” He spoke, staring at the approaching woman with a somewhat frightening smile on his face, “It’s been far too long. I suppose you’re here for yet another meeting with your mother? Aha… I do not pity you, child.”
The woman flinched as she was addressed, stopping a few meters away from Quincy.
Her appearance was quite the opposite of her mother, who had a strong, imposing figure, she had a much more delicate and fragile frame, though her military training was not for nothing, her body still formed with hints of muscle. Her short black hair fell just below her neck, bangs covering most of her forehead. Rosa Varano, that was her name.
She looked up at the tall man, stopping in her tracks with a suspicious stare, “I’m… sorry? Do I know you, sir?”
“Oh, no. But I know you. Where are my manners? Quincy Vesper, Enforcer working directly under your mother. It’s a pleasure to meet your acquaintance. Or, perhaps, have a second chance at a first meeting, is that right, Miss Rosa? I can remember you being just a little girl, following after her mother like a lost puppy. It would seem you haven't grown out of that habit, have you?"
Rosa looked away, a bit of a flustered look on her face, "I suppose not... It's nice to meet you, Mr. Vesper, Sir, but..."
She trailed off, pausing for a moment, "Do... Do you know where my mother is? I was hoping to speak with her."
"Yes, in the room at the end of the hall, speaking with her Colonels, if I remember correctly. However, I'm afraid she's asked for absolute privacy… Ah, here’s an idea. Let's talk for a while, you and I, until she's finished. We've both got time, don't we?"
"Ah... Alright. If that's what she said..."
"How old are you now, Miss Rosa? In your twenties now, correct? It's been so long, I'm afraid my memory is starting to fail me."
"... Yes. I'm Twenty one. Since March," She hid the uncomfortable feeling welling up inside of her, "How long have you been working for my mother, Mr. Vesper?"
"Hmm... 20 years, now. Give or take a few, but it's been far longer than I had hoped. But, alas, such is my duty. And, I imagine, yours as well. You want to help people, yes? That is why you chose the military, not because you wished to follow in the footsteps of your mother, correct?"
"Of course..." She lied through her teeth, forcing a gentle smile to spread across her face, "It sounds silly… but I really want to help people, save people. Make them know it’s going to be okay.”
"A noble goal. You'd fit in nicely with the Hunters... but no. You're better off here. Trust me."
"Oh, but... My mother says Hunters are the correct path for me… I'd be stronger there, right? That's what she always says..." She looked away for a moment, a hint of confusion on her face.
"You misunderstand, Rosa. Hunters are not strong." His tone intensified, his lighthearted attitude nearly completely disappearing, "They take the venom of Vampires to emulate their strength. To become fakes. A mockery of Humans and Vampires. A pathetic display of all that is right in this world.”
She looked back, her eyes widened just a tad as she tried to get a word in, "I didn't mean to--"
"But humans are not weak, Rosa Varano. We do not need their filthy power. We are strong on our own, without the assistance of a monster's corruption– With my hand and my humanity alone,I have killed hundreds of True Blood, Miss Rosa. What would take a Hunter becoming a beast, I did pure. Thus… a Hunter... They are no human. Not anymore. Not in the slightest."
"... I... I'm sorry. I didn't mean to offend you." She stared at the ground,
Quincy let out a laugh, returning to his cheerful self in an instant.
"Not offended, merely correcting. You can't be blamed for not knowing! It's hard to find a soldier who doesn't want to be part of the Hunter core. Truly, a shame, they're not human. They've lost sight of their true selves."
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"... So... if you don't mind me asking, Mr. Vesper... why are you an Enforcer, then?" She tilted her head.
"Hmm? Before I answer, allow me to ask you a question, Miss Rosa. Just what does an Enforcer do?"
"Aha... I don't really know, actually... They're an elite group of specialists, right? The ones who work outside the standard rules?"
"Correct, though not the entire truth. You see, an Enforcer does many things. We hunt, we kill, we destroy. We are the strongest of the military. That is why, when a vampire is spotted in a populated city, we are sent. Hunters are... messy. We are clean. They take months to deal with a threat, we can do it in minutes. You see, Rosa, when a Hunter fails... people die. When an Enforcer fails, nothing happens. Do you want to know why?"
"... Why?"
"Because Enforcer's don't fail. They never have, and they never will."
"But... how can you be so sure? There's so many different things that can happen, even if you train, you're still human, aren't you?"
"Hah! That is where you're wrong, Rosa. You see, the Hunters have forgotten their place. They take the blood, the venom, they become something else through their rudimentary consumption. But we? We do not change, not in the slightest. That is due to the simple fact we use the power Vampires are so desperate to steal from us… ... Our Aura."
He smirked, making hand gestures as he spoke to exemplify his point. He seemed to be a man of theatrics.
"The Aura, the energy that fills every living thing. Humans, beasts, and even plants in a lesser regard. That is the basis of everything. Vampires, however, do not possess an Aura. After all, they are not truly living. But still, Vampires are able to control their stolen Aura. How do you think this is possible, Dear Rosa?"
"I don't know…?" At the point they were at now, Rosa was starting to suspect this man might be the slightest bit delusional.
"Simple. Through blood. By consuming the blood of their victims, the Vampires can control the Aura that has been left behind. Of course, it is diluted, and they are far weaker than what they were... but it accumulates. Very simply, the more humans a Vampire kills, the more Aura it obtains. The more Power it obtains. And, why, Vampires are ravenous! Most need to drink a full human's worth of blood per week! If not, they will slowly begin to degrade mentally and physically, their sanity and power waning."
"So, by taking their blood, a Hunter is absorbing the Aura, right? But you can use that without becoming a vampire…? How?"
"Very simple. We use our own Aura-- Our pure life force. The Aura a Vampire takes is tainted, but if a human has trained, and trained their body to the highest level, their aura will be stronger than a Vampire. That is how an Enforcer does the impossible. That is how we Humans, with only our pure and true power, can kill a True Blood… and more."
"I see... But, Mr. Vesper, can you actually prove that?"
"My, you wish for a demonstration? How interesting... You've got guts..."
"Sorry... I guess that was a rude question."
"Not at all, not at all. You have no reason to believe me, after all. Our practice is not widely spoken about! But, considering who your mother is, I suppose I can allow you a short show."
Quincy stood, dusting off his trench coat and cracking his knuckles. He turned, facing the wall.
"Step back. This won't take long."
Rosa took a step back, watching curiously.
Quincy stared at the wall, and for a while, that is all he did. However, he moved as if holding something large, eventually slamming this invisible object against the wall. Silence, and then suddenly, there was a loud crunch. The wall crumbled, as if an invisible hammer had struck it. Debris scattered across the room, leaving a hole the size of a doorway with Quincy still standing there smiling.
"W-what?! Did you... how?!"
Rosa took a step back in surprise, looking up at the man with eyebrows raised.
"Yet another simple question. It all comes back to Aura. You see, our Aura, once refined and focused, can be controlled as a force. An energy. It can be used to enhance our bodies, and in the case of a skilled manipulator, use it as a weapon, a blade of pure life force. Though, that is just one of many ways to use one's Aura. We call this particular trick a phantom weapon. To you, it would appear as if I was swinging nothing, but to those who are able to control their Aura, they would see my weapon in truth! Isn't it simply amazing?"
Rosa stared, wide-eyed, shocked. Shocked mostly at the fact this man wasn’t saying complete nonsense before.
"This is why we do not fail. Our power is true, and unwavering."
"That's... incredible..."
"It is, isn't it?"
"... But, Mr. Vesper”
"Aha, yes?"
"... You just severely damaged military property and possibly ruined the integrity of this hallway."
"Well... yes, I suppose I did! Haha, I completely forgot! Now, I better run before a janitor yells at me again!" He began to walk away, waving goodbye to Rosa.
"Wait--"
"Toodaloo! Good luck talking with your mother, and good luck becoming a strong Enforcer, Rosa. I'll be waiting for the day we meet again, hm?"
Rosa sighed, standing there for a few silent, lonely moments.
"... I never even said I wanted to be an Enforcer…”
--
It was only a short time until the General was alone. She'd left for her office. It was quiet. Silent. How she preferred.
She sat in her chair, letting out a sigh and closing her eyes. "Idiots. They're all idiots... A simple mission and it fails so horribly."
She pulled out a pack of cigarettes, grabbing one and placing it between her lips. Lighting the cigarette, she took a long drag. She held the smoke inside her mouth, before slowly letting it seep out.
Her gaze then fell to her right arm. Her sleeve had moved up a bit, a large scar visible underneath the tattered cloth. Her eye twitched, before she looked back down at the paperwork, picking up a pen.
"
As she was about to begin her writing, a knock resonated across the door.
"Ah... Come in, Colonel."
"... I... am not a Colonel." A much younger voice replied then what she expected.
General Varano let out a sigh, answering, "Come in, private. I suppose you have some more information for me, yes?"
The door opened, and the figure walked inside.
Rosa stared at her, a small frown on her face.
"Would it kill you to call me Rosa, mom?"
"General. It's General while I'm working. We've been over this, Private."
"But--"
"I won't repeat myself. Tell me, why are you here?"
"I... well, I wanted to talk to you. Like you said we would, remember? Last month, you told me you'd find some time..."
"I've been busy."
"I know, but, can't we just have lunch or something? Together? It's been ages since I've actually seen you..."
"Rosa, you're a grown woman. Don't act like a child. You can understand why I have to work, right? We're in the middle of a crisis. You've heard the news. Another massacre at the border. That's not even bringing up the complete disaster that was the Kachikov mission just a few days ago... You were part of that platoon, weren't you?"
"Yeah, I was. But--"
"Then why are you talking back to me? You know what happened. A Hunter dead. One of the best that the Hunter Core stationed here. That's not even to mention the rookies injured– Ramirez may be to blame for the poor strategy, but an incident like this still paints the military in a horrid light. If the people knew we could not even control the threat within our borders, what would that make us? We're here to protect them. Protect us. I'm not just doing this for my own benefit, Rosa. Don’t you understand?"
"I know that, mom... I understand, okay? I--"
She stood, her chair clawing at the floor with a light screech. "It's General. Now, get out. I have important matters to get to."
"... Yes, ma'am," She nodded, her eyes falling to the ground beneath her, "... Are you at least going to be home soon? Dad's been wanting to have a family dinner… Like we used to."
"No.” She replied with just that one word, and it was enough. Rosa knew she had said all she needed to in that conversation.
Rosa lingered near the door, her hand paused on the handle, "... Love you."
"..." Her eyes narrowed as she sat back down, looking to the left, "Goodbye."
With a click, Rosa closed the door. She clenched her fist, taking a deep breath as she stood on the other side of the door.
"It's... okay. It's okay."
Her eyes stung with tears, though none would fall.
"I can... make it. I will make it. For her. She wants me to be strong... So that's what I'll do. No matter what."
Her hand trembled as she let out a slow breath. She held her own hand, steadying it, trying to relax to the best of her ability. To stop herself from being weak.
It wasn't enough.
For a moment, she almost wished her mother's office wasn't so well soundproofed. She wished that her mother may hear her quiet sobs in that even quieter hall. Then, she might have cared. Even for just a moment, she would worry about her daughter. She might walk out these solid doors and hold her, and tell her it was alright. Tell her that she did okay.
No matter how much she told herself she just wanted to live up to her mother's expectations, she knew she only did it for the small chance her mother would care for her again. Just once.
Rosa walked down the hall. As she went, a soldier passed her, and they exchanged a single glance. Rosa looked away, wiping her eyes. The soldier stopped, staring for a moment. They didn't say anything else, both continuing forward on their own paths.
When she had finally left the military compound, snow had begun to fall. She tugged her coat closer, staring up to the sky above.
"... I'll do it, mom. I'll become strong. Even if you don't care... even if it means nothing to you… I'll make you proud. That’s why I’m doing all of this… after all.”
She closed her eyes, taking a step forward. Her boots crunched against the snow, and a forced smile formed on her face.
--
Night. It was this dreary period of time that no human wanted to be caught outside in. A time where monsters lurked. A time when vampires could roam free without the risk of turning to ash.
But, in central city, the capital of one of the last remaining human settlements, it was not so dangerous. Not at night. The walls were strong, and the military was even stronger. Even with the Vampire's wings, they could not get past these impenetrable walls due to a simple fact.
Vampires could not withstand the sunlight, and Humans were smart. Ultraviolet light was constantly pumped from the top of the walls, a bright, white glow that blinded any vampire that got too close. It was a perfect system.
Inside the walls, there were no threats. There were no monsters. But, still, the times where this was untrue still controlled humanity's minds. The fear of Vampires never disappeared. Never faded.
The city was always quiet. A vampire's sense of hearing is said to be ten fold that of a human's, able to hear even the faintest of sounds. When there were no walls, people might be drained from just coughing a bit too loud. It was a horrifying thought.
Thus, it was no wonder that music was so rare in human society. Even a quiet song could be heard from miles away, and if a vampire were to hear, they would come running. It was a simple fact that was taken advantage of. That is not even to mention Vampire's love of music, of art in general. And, that which a Vampire enjoyed was that which a Human must avoid. From a young age this was instilled into a human's mind.
In the center of the city was a tower, a massive structure that towered over everything else. Military HQ, the heart of the capital's defenses, and where the second of the city's weapons against Vampire's stood. A machine, a weapon unlike anything else. The Tower Cannon, a giant flood light capable of firing a beam of ultraviolet light strong enough to instantaneously turn even a True Blood into nothing more than a memory. A memory no Human would want to remember.
Just as the following days would be ones no one would want to remember. Neither Human or Vampire.
Upon a nearby mountain, three figures stood. One leaned against a nearby tree, one sitting upon a well placed stone, and the last standing at the edge of the cliff.
"... How are the thralls?" The man standing near the cliff spoke in a stern voice, his sharp fangs revealed as he opened his mouth.
"Just as obedient as always! ... Ehe... I can't wait. It'll truly be fun..." The woman sitting upon the rock replied, a smirk on her face and silver eyes glinting in the moonlight.
The man didn't look back to her, putting his arms behind his back, "That will have to suffice. What did you tell them again? That you would turn them if they did as we said? Pathetic of them, truly. But, it did work... A fine idea from you."
"Heehee, isn't it wonderful? Even these City Humans can be persuaded despite all the false ideas put into their little minds..." She twirled her long hair, "I wonder, though. Once we've broken through, will they try to run? Or will they just stay and submit to their new masters, hehe."
"We shall see, though, I am sure you have a preferred ending."
"You know me so well...~" She let out a toothy grin, "I want to hunt. Watch them run in fear as I chase them down… The look of terror in their eyes as they realize they can't escape is just so... delectable. It'll just be so much fun!"
"Of course I know you well. Serving as your loyal butler for two hundred years did not go to waste, after all... Still, there is one whose loyalty I still doubt..." The man finally turned around, his intense gaze falling upon the one leaning against the tree.
"... Enough. As long as my side of the deal is fulfilled, I will not work against you. After? You'll have to wait and see." A man with not a fang or silver eye in sight replied, his face shadowed by his hood.
The Vampire woman stood, approaching as she spoke, "Oh~, you'll get what you want, Human… And perhaps more, if you wish to become something better than you are now…”
She opened her mouth playfully, letting her sharpened fangs approach his neck.
"Move one inch closer and you won't have a head to bite me with, disgusting Vampire." The man drew a blade from his hip, holding the sharpened end at the woman's throat.
An aggravated grimace replaced the expression on the male Vampire's face as he watched, "Even scratch her and I'll end you, blood bag. Your life is mine, and the only reason you're not dead already is because of her wishes. Know your place."
"I don't take orders from a monster." The human narrowed his dark eyes.
"Well, you do now, ehe~!" She backed up, though made it clear she did not fear for a moment that the Human would harm her. Or, perhaps she knew the human couldn't even if he tried.
"Until our deal is over. The moment it's done, I'll turn both of you to puddles of blood.” The man returned his blade to its scabbard. “Be thankful that your little servant follows your order so willfully, or I'd have killed him a long time ago. I'm not fond of the company."
"Oh? Want to be alone with me…? Well, I’m afraid you’d have better luck if you weren’t the drab creature you happen to be! And, I just so happen to have an adorable human I’m looking forward to seeing again… Ehehe…”
The woman spoke, chuckling after.
The man, however, didn't respond, simply staring at the Vampire with violent rage in his eyes.
"... Enough. You have a job to do, Human. Leave us. Go, do your task before I break one of your puny limbs.”
"I thought you'd never ask." With a single movement, he turned and began to walk into the mountainous forest standing tall right by them.
The two remaining stood, completely silent.
"I wanted to play with him a bit longer... That look of absolute hatred is so funny! Those Hunters really do hate us, mmm?”
"Thinking upon the primitive thoughts of humans will have to wait. Her Majesty expects results, and I will not have your position jeopardized. Not again."
"Ahh, that old bat will get over it... But, fine, whatever. I’ll focus on this for the time being… There is fun to be had, after all…”
A horrific smirk spread across her lips as she continued, "I simply can't wait to watch this city be painted red."