Nathan slowly opened his eyes, he sat up carefully. He contemplated his life as he looked at the ground around him.
In another place far from that incident, inside a dark room Elise stood before her was a dark menacing figure with a lit cigar that hung from his mouth.
"Here is the proof." Elise said calmly as she placed the little boy's head on his desk.
The figure sighed, as he glanced at the little boy's head. Disappointed by the sight.
"They called the reinforcements for That? What a waste..." he sighed as he rubbed his temple.
"Get this filthy thing away from my desk." He waved his hand away from his desk. Before Elise exited the room he spoke once more.
"Well done Elise you've truly proven yourself, we'll be in contact." He said as he smirked and Elise shut the door.
Elise walked far away from the building, towards an abandoned construction site at the edge of the city. She kneeled down as she dug a small hole on a pile of sand.
"I hope you will forgive me for this..." she said to herself as she placed the head inside the hole.
"Truth is... I… never wanted to kill you, you were just at the wrong place, at the wrong time..." she retorts as her eyes begin to tear up. She wipes it quickly with her hands. Her knees fall weak as she is overwhelmed by the emotions she has been suppressing.
"I-im sorry." Elise repeatedly said it as she broke down more and more. She cried, She looked at evidence of the crime she had committed. She felt an immeasurable amount of guilt for being the monster that took his life. She screamed to herself, as she took one of her own needles and placed it a few inches away from her neck.
She then remembered the reason she's fighting for, she snapped back to reality and calmed down, she needed to put an end to the relentless bloodshed once and for all.
"May you rest in peace... I hope I didn't cause you too much pain. I made it as painless as possible" She slowly filled the hole back with sand. After which she held her hand together to recite a prayer.
She tapped the device in her ear. A beep indicated it connected to someone on the other side.
"Yes, I've infiltrated the organization. We may proceed." She said to the other person. She walked away slowly from the site. From the darkness and back into the gleaming lights of this sleepless city.
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On the outskirts of Sector five's slums…
Nathan walked through the slums of the city with a body covered by a white rag on his shoulder and a black body bag in his right hand. He endlessly tortured himself with the thought of what could've gone differently. His breath got heavier and more labored as he continued to walk through the city, neon lights at every street sign began to sting his eyes as he passed by them.
When he finally arrived at the pharmacy, he got straight to the elevator without sparing a second to greet the receptionist. At the Extraction zone, He placed the body bag and Jack's body on the drop point. The overseer walked towards him, she looked at the white rag and sighs.
"Looks like we lost another hunter today huh? What a shame..." The overseer sadly crossed something on her digital clipboard. Nathan explained the details of what happened. He identified the vampire known as Elise, now known as "The Red Menace". A bounty has been placed on her as she has garnered a kill to one of the hunters.
"Good work Nathan. Here is the pay for this mission, this is for the both of you." She handed him a large pouch that contained two gold coins and several silver coins.
Nathan took the pouch and nodded to the overseer. He left the Extraction zone in a hurry and got back into the elevator. He bought some painkillers at the pharmacy before he headed out towards the outer slums of the city. He went from house to house trying to find the one Jack mentioned. Not long after, he finally found the house that matched the description. He stood at the door and yet He couldn't bring himself to tell Jack's parents about his passing. He knocked on their door, placed the pouch on their doorstep, And walked away.
Nathan arrived at his house, a barely lit square hut with nothing inside it. The furniture-less room welcomed Nathan as he laid down on the cold concrete floor, defeated, he stared endlessly at the dull, empty wall, unable to forget what had just happened. He clenched his hand, before he slammed his hand to the floor, feeling frustrated.
'What am I doing this for?' He questioned the purpose of his actions, unable to find peace within himself. His eyes started to feel heavier by the second. The sun rose as he closed his eyes, it was the start of a new day, yet he slumbered.
In the intersection between sector five and four, a figure exited the train. A long case on his back and two pistols on his belt. He tapped his wristband, it opened a hologram of his target. His style indicated he's not from here.
'Could someone that strong really be here?' he thought to himself. He was a religious man, he held the cross necklace he had as he walked through the slums of this city. The lives of the people here rely on the black market. Drug dealers can be seen operating in day time since the police can't handle all the crime that happens everywhere all at once. Order is somewhat maintained by local gangs and organized crime syndicates. Survival of the fittest is the way of life here.
Everywhere he glanced, he would find people in the street as they struggled amongst themselves for food or overdosing on drugs. He threw a few coins into the empty cup of a nearby beggar as he maintained his way downtown. 'How horrible...' he thought to himself as he entered a pharmacy and went into the elevator, the jingle it played was relaxing in contrast to the outside world. As he went deeper and deeper underground. The elevator door opened, he went through the hallways, into The Extraction Zone. His arrival was greeted by the Overseer.
"Ah Xavier. Fancy seeing you here, to what do I owe the pleasure?" The overseer nodded her head down before she looked at him.
"I'm looking for Info on the vampire Elise." He told The Overseer, he showed her the hologram of Elise.
"Ah, I am afraid that we don't have much information about that. But You may ask one of the witnesses." The Overseer retorts, she showed him a hologram of Nathan.
"And who exactly is this guy?" Xavier raised an eyebrow at the hologram, a bit hesitant to take advice from a rugged, hobo-looking fellow. He scratched his head, deep in thought.
"Oh trust me, he is the best of the best, I think he'll even be a good partner for you." The Overseer assured him with a playful smirk. Xavier finally gives in and thanked The Overseer as he exited The Extraction Zone. Above at the Pharmacy he said goodbye to the receptionist at the desk before he continued his way to the inner part of the slums. He walked on foot, the wind blew dust and pollution to his face, dirtying his glasses.
"Fuck!" He exclaimed as he took off his dirty glasses and dust got into his eye. He wiped the lenses, now cautious about his surroundings for any incoming dust and pollution. He arrived at the address The Overseer gave him. The door was already opened a little. He cautiously entered the house to find Nathan, lying on the floor as he slept peacefully on the now heated concrete.
"Hey, wake up-" Just as Xavier came and poked his shoulder, he instinctively gripped what he thought was his dagger, he held it up to Xavier's neck. Xavier was confused for a second, before he slapped his empty hand away.
"Hmmm?" Nathan said in his half-asleep state. He rubbed his cheek, not bothered by Xavier's slap.
"Wake up!" Xavier yelled as he kicked Nathan's body with the heel of his boot.
"!" Nathan was surprised as he slowly opened his eyes. He looked at the towering figure that stood behind him. His calculating gaze showed his experience and knowledge.
"Who are you..." Nathan says, suspicious of Xavier.
"I just want information on the Vampire Elise. I believe you've met her?" He tapped on his wrist and he showed a hologram of her.
Nathan began to recall the horrors he witnessed last night. He remembered that elegant figure... her red dress and lips, her shining blond hair. Revoked a deep hatred inside of him. He gritted his teeth and clenched his fist as he answered Xavier.
"Yes. I've met her." He said with hatred in his voice.
"Good, How about we talk over coffee. I'll pay." He said to Nathan invitingly.
Nathan hesitated for a moment. Before giving in as he hears his own stomach growl in hunger. He followed behind Xavier as they went to a cafe near the train station. As soon as they entered the cafe, the atmosphere changed from a gloomy morning in the city filled with pollution to a warm lovely cabin. This feeling shocked Nathan and Xavier as it is completely different from outside, it's like they've entered a whole new world. As they sat on a table they were greeted by a waitress.
"Hello! My name is Alice, what would it be sir?" She asked in an enthusiastic tone, her cheerful voice and her tidy appearance, with her hair in a bun and her lovable smile was definitely nice on the eyes and ears.
"We'll have coffee. And he will get a shortcake." Xavier said as he placed one silver coin on the table.
"Excellent choice sir! Coming right up." The waitress took the silver coin and went to the back. Not long after the waitress came back with their order and placed it on the table.
"Here you go sir, Anything else?" She asked with her cheerful smile that revealed her braces.
"No, That's all for now, thank you." Nathan responded as he grabbed his cup of coffee. Alice bowed and quickly goes away to greet another customer.
"My name is Xavier, I'm a Hunter from Sector 4. I'm guessing you had a rough time with The Red Menace?" Xavier said, he smirked as he sipped his coffee.
"You think?" Nathan replies as he takes a bite of his cake.
“I need to know the Organization she's working for." Xavier looked at Nathan, his menacing gaze created a cold atmosphere that contrasted the warm surrounding.
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"I don't know." Nathan calmly responded as he ate his cake, unfazed by Xavier's attempt to intimidate him. Xavier was surprised by Nathan's calm demeanor, and he returned to his usual neutral expression
"Well, that's fine. Does she have any abilities that she used when you fought her?" Xavier turned on the voice recording function on his wrist band.
"Nothing, just pure strength... that fucking corpse ..." Nathan shamefully admits as he scratched his head in distress.
Xavier saw the defeat in his eyes, he tapped on his wristband, it opened a hologram that contained the info given by the overseer. He read the displayed information on the holograms, it displayed Nathan's background and history.
"Nathaniel J. Redford... Huh, didn't know that old guy adopted a kid." He chuckled as he stirred the coffee in his cup.
"Just, Call me, Nathan." Nathan replied as his eyebrows furrowed in annoyance.
"Geez, why the long face? He's a prominent figure in the Hunter's Association. Didn't think he'd spend his last few years raising a kid." He explained.
Nathan would notice the cross on Xavier's Neck, feeling intrigued by the man's faith.
"So you believe in god?" He asks, his finger pointed to the cross he has on his necklace.
"God? Why yes, I believe in god. I believe it was man's destiny to conquer the stars. The world wasn't made for corpses." He said, faithful to his beliefs as he took another sip of coffee.
"Why do you hate Jeremy Redford? He was a great Aid during the Hunter group golden age." He asked Nathan.
"I don't hate him, He was a guy whose life was just about killing corpses. He was a bad father, Nothing to be proud about." Nathan looked to the side disinterestedly as he took another bite of his shortcake.
"Haha ain't that the truth. He doesn't seem like the compassionate type… I heard The Red Menace killed someone last night. Did she use any specific methods?" Xavier continued to question Nathan. Intrigued by his experience and seemingly unfazed appearance.
Trying to recall what happened the night before felt like a thousand needles running through Nathan's mind. He clenched his fist, as he remembered what happened.
"She... beheaded him." He looked emptily at his plate, his mind filled with endless thoughts of regret and anger.
The audio of distant chatter amongst the people seems muted as Xavier begins to focus on the information he has gathered.
'A corpse that beheads people? That's odd... they usually toy with their victims...' Xavier thought to himself. He realized something was strange about how Elise had done her killings. He finished his coffee with one final gulp as Nathan finished his cake.
An awkward silence ensued as the two stared at each other. Nathan would put down his spoon, and said.
"So... where will you go after this?" Nathan looked at Xavier.
"I'm gonna gather more Intel on this." He replied.
"I'm coming with you." He replied, determined and with revenge on his mind.
"No." Xavier readjust his glasses before continuing.
"I don't do partners, and frankly... I don't trust you." He retorted as he stood up.
"I'm not gonna sit here and do nothing. I'm coming with you."
Xavier sighed as he looked at Nathan.
"And what exactly do you bring to the table? Because what I'm seeing is a burden and a liability." He raised an eyebrow.
"but I'm your only lead to her." He rebutted.
Xavier thought about his proposal for a while before he looked back at Nathan.
"Fine, you can come with me. But only as an informant. Nothing else." Nathan nods, as he stands up from his chair. As Xavier stepped foot outside the cafe, Nathan followed him a few steps behind. Their journey starts as They trace it back towards where it all happened. The warehouse at the edge of town.
The car ride to the warehouse was filled with the daily scenery of Sector 5, with thick smog covering the sky and people laying on the sidewalk, their eyes red and their body twitching. The usual sighting of drug overdose running rampant amongst the slums of Sector 5.
They arrived at the Warehouse, Xavier paid the driver as Nathan went ahead inside the Warehouse. Xavier followed him looking at the bloody mess from what happened last night.
"Interesting..." Xavier exclaimed as he looked around the warehouse. Something in the corner caught his attention. He knelt down on one knee, picking up a piece of paper. It was a letter.
"Found anything?" Nathan asked as he got closer to Xavier. Xavier begins to read the letter. Noticing the signature.
"The letter was signed by someone named V." They looked at each other and exclaimed at the same time
"Who's V?"
Xavier looked at Nathan,
"If I knew that... we wouldn't be here."
"I'm just asking." Nathan looked away, stepping away from Xavier. Xavier stood up and continued his search for another clue. After a while, he came across a few boxes. Nathan noticed that it's the same boxes from last night. Nathan and Xavier gathered around the pile of boxes, he rummaged for any documents or information they could come across.
The boxes contained clothes, dolls, and canned blood. It's as if the vampires from before are trying to camp here. Xavier is shocked by this discovery. This is nothing like he has ever seen before.
'Why would they need to camp out here?' Xavier thought to himself. Nathan looked around and found Jack's axe laying on the floor. He picked it up, he stared blankly at it before Xavier's voice snapped him out of his trance.
"Nathan! Snap out of it will you? we're not here to zone off." Xavier continued to analyze the contents of the boxes, low and behold he found another letter.
Nathan would bring the axe with him as he followed Xavier. They searched the back part of the warehouse.
Xavier would find more letters signed by V,
'This V person is probably a big shot in the organization I'm looking for ' he said to himself as he flipped from letter to letter. He noticed that a few letters were encrypted in some sort of runic language.
As Xavier continued to analyze the different letters, Nathan would find a door in the back part of the warehouse, he tried to open it but it was sealed shut. He tried to pry it open with the end of Jack's axe. The noise was heard by Xavier who went to investigate.
"What are you doing?" Xavier asked, he stood behind him, his arms crossed.
"Trying... To... get...this...Open!" Nathan pried the door of its hinges as he turned around to face Xavier.
"After you." he remarks looking at Xavier.
Xavier pushed the door as it creaked open slowly, he walked into the dark room as Nathan followed.
"It's too dark to see anythi-" a lightbulb would turn on as Nathan flipped the switch on the wall.
"What the..." Nathan remarked as he saw the contents of the room.
"Jackpot." Xavier exclaimed as he smirked, he looked around the room that was filled with stacks of documents that were scattered everywhere, a picture on the wall depicted a man that sat on a throne, and a single folder that was badly damaged placed on a table in the middle of the room.
Xavier would walk around the room as he read the documents. Nathan stared at the giant picture on the wall.
"Who the hell is that?" Nathan would say to himself out loud.
"Victor Von Vainglory." Xavier replied as he read the documents.
"Victor von who?" Nathan remarked as he looked at Xavier in confusion.
"He's the crime lord of this city that made headlines a couple of months ago. You live here and you don't even know that?" Xavier looked at Nathan with a raised eyebrow.
"I don't really care about that kind of stuff... I just do what I need to survive, that's it." Nathan said as he looked back at the picture.
"Heh, Don't we all?" Xavier retorts as he continues to look through the documents.
Nathan walked to the folder in the middle of the room and picked it up, he flipped through the first few pages.
"Xavier... you might wanna take a look at this..." Nathan handed the folder to Xavier who started to flip through the pages.
"These are… Bank Statements..." Xavier continued to flip the pages.
"And all of it is going to one person," Nathan said, as he looked at Xavier.
"V." Xavier concluded, he flipped through the pages on the folder a few more times to be sure.
"What are the chances that V is Victor?" Nathan said as he looked back at the picture on the wall.
Xavier pauses for a moment before he looked back at Nathan,
"That has to be the smartest thing that has came out of your mouth"
Having heard that made Nathan somewhat proud as Xavier began to connect the dots. Now they're looking for clues that may lead them to uncover more information about Exses. Xavier scanned the encrypted letters into his wrist band.
"Let's go, this sector should have a library where we can analyze these letters." They exited the warehouse and walked back into the streets. Filled with determination to uncover the information behind those letters.
They arrived at the library, as they stepped foot into the library. It was quiet, not a lot of people in this sector are literate. Nathan wasn't even aware of this building's existence and purpose.
"Have you ever been to a library?" Xavier inquires as he looks at Nathan who is disinterested by the towering amounts of books In Front of him. Nathan shook his head as Xavier looked at him in disappointment. Stored in chrome shelves, the books themselves are rather dusty in contrast to the shelves that housed them. The lone librarian tended to the books as she greeted the visitors.
As Nathan inspected the shelves he was reminded of Jack, and his interest in visiting the library.
"Welcome to Sector 5 public library, please don't make any noise." She said as she left the visitors alone and went away towards the computers.
Nathan's face was dull, in contrast to the confusion he felt as he looked at his surroundings.
They sat down at the Public Library network. Connecting the device into the computer to analyze the Letters. After a while, an error popped up [Access Denied]. Once they saw the error both of them eye the Librarian with suspicion. The possibility of her involvement with the Exses Crime Syndicate was forming in their mind.
"Excuse me, Miss... Luna, we need to ask a few questions." Xavier looked at her nametag before he urged her to come with him.
She was a bit startled by the sight of two tall men In front of her. She took a step back anxiously as she finally spoke.
"Y-Yes? Is there a problem?" her eyes darted everywhere, not she didn't dare to look the man in the eyes.
They took her to the Library's rest area, they sat around a round table and faced each other.
"So... Are you familiar with… Vampiric Symbols?" He tapped his wristband and activated the voice recording feature as he slid an encrypted letter her way.
"Sy-Symbols? What are you talking about?" The librarian answered nervously, her glassy eyes showed her fear.
"Just answer the damn question." Nathan sternly said to her, with annoyance in his tone.
The librarian yelped, she grabbed the letter nervously, Her eyes widened. From the moment she looked at it she knew that the symbols Xavier talked about are the ancient language vampires write messages with.
"T-These aren't Symbols... it's an ancient language… C-Called Sanguinius. How did you get these?" The librarian looked puzzled as she saw some unfamiliar symbols on the letter. The style indicated a higher, more sophisticated vocabulary.
"That's confidential. I don't want to drag any Outsiders into this matter." He denied her any further inquiries about the matter.
"Can you help us or not?" Nathan added.
"Y-Yes. With a little bit of time, I could translate the letter..." She timidly answers. They nodded and followed her back to the computers. She entered the passcode and opened the translation program.
"Come to think of it... why is it restricted to research on Sanguinius?" Xavier asked in suspicion.
"W-Well... the library has only one computer with the program... and I use the program to translate poems and uh… c-certain literature..." She answered meekly, She's clearly anxious by the tone of her voice.
They raised an eyebrow at her antics, they ignored her odd quirks, translating those letters takes higher priority right now.