*His temperature has gone down, ... that's good. If this continues, he'll make a full recovery*, Valeria murmured, her voice soft and gentle, filled with the care she had for every patient.

Valeria was a striking figure in the village—her silver hair framed a face bright with kindness, her emerald eyes catching the light with a serene glow. Standing on the shorter side, she wore a black pullover beneath her pristine white coat, and comfortable, warm pants. Her leather bag hung at her hip, packed with every kind of herb, tincture, and potion she could need. It was a testament to her dedication, a symbol of her role as the healer of Ever Green.

Ever Green was a quiet village at the edge of the kingdom, and Valeria's warmth made her beloved by all who knew her. Her gentle optimism touched every soul in the village, and in return, they cherished her.

*That's wonderful!,* a young woman exclaimed, her face lighting up with relief and joy. *Do you hear that Father you're going to be fine.*

Her voice was filled with a happiness that brought a smile to Valeria's face. Moments like these made every exhausting day worthwhile, seeing hope restored in the hearts of families. Valeria gently placed a reassuring hand on the young woman's shoulder, her own expression reflecting the shared joy.

* How could we ever repay you?* the elderly man asked, his voice roughened with age, his face lined with deep wrinkles that spoke of a life lived through countless seasons.

*You don't have to repay me. It's my job,* Valeria replied warmly, her tone gentle yet firm.

Father and daughter simply smiled, exchanging a glance. They both knew that no matter how they tried, Valeria would refuse any form of payment, as she always did. Her kindness was as boundless as her dedication.

A few minutes later, Valeria stepped out of their cozy home and into the cool night air. She pulled her coat closer, her mind focused on gathering the herbs she needed. Despite the lateness of the hour and the forest growing darker, she was undeterred. She knew every path and clearing like the back of her hand, and she was determined to be prepared for anything. What if someone else fell ill and required that specific herb? The thought urged her forward, deeper into the moonlit forest.

As Valeria made her way through the familiar paths, the forest felt different under the cloak of night. The usual comforting rustle of leaves seemed sharper, more pronounced, and shadows stretched longer under the pale light of the moon. She couldn't shake a slight chill that crept up her spine, though she told herself it was just the late hour playing tricks on her mind.

The gentle glow of her lantern bobbed along, casting fleeting beams on the forest floor. Every so often, she would stop to gather a sprig of herb or a flowering plant, storing each with care in her satchel. But then, as she crouched down to pluck a few delicate leaves, a distant crack echoed through the silence, a heavy branch snapping underfoot, though far too loud to be a mere animal.

Valeria froze, her heartbeat quickening. She lifted her lantern and scanned the darkness around her. For a moment, everything was still, the silence thick and almost stifling. But then... there it was again, the subtle crunch of footsteps approaching from somewhere behind her.

She spun around quickly, her eyes darting through the shadows... only to land on a figure barely illuminated by the faint glow of her lantern. Standing there was a girl with raven-black hair cascading down her shoulders, her face ghostly pale, framed by two elegantly crafted blades at her waist. But what drew Valeria's attention most, what made her breath hitch and her heart pound, was the deep, bleeding wound on the girl's abdomen. Blood soaked her tunic, dripping steadily onto the forest floor.

Without thinking, Valeria's healer instincts took over, her demeanor shifting from startled to resolute in an instant. She stepped closer, cautiously but determinedly, her gaze fixed on the injury that oozed an unsettling shade of red in the dim light.

Just as the girl crumpled to the ground, weakened from blood loss, Valeria sprang into action, her mind racing to assess the severity of the wound. Without a moment's hesitation, she took the girl's wrist, channeling her healing skill, "Health Appraisal." A soft glow emanated from her hand, illuminating the damage in stark detail, torn muscle tissue, a punctured stomach, and ... Valeria's heart sank, traces of silver embedded deep within.

A sudden realization hit her like a cold wave. She glanced up at the girl's mouth, looking for confirmation of what she already suspected. There, faintly visible behind pale lips, were sharp, unmistakable fangs. This girl was a vampire, and that meant the silver wasn't just stopping her healing, it was actively poisoning her, keeping her on the brink of death.

But Valeria pushed aside her surprise, allowing her healer's instincts to take control. She pressed down firmly on the wound to stem the bleeding, her hands steady as she worked to purify the injury. Each motion was swift and precise, first cleaning the silver's taint from the wound, then easing the damaged tissue into a state where it could begin to heal.

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*Hold on,* she murmured softly, her voice steady as she applied more pressure to keep the girl stable. Her patient's breath was faint, but it was still there, enough to give Valeria hope as she continued, determined not to let her slip away.

Just as Valeria pressed her hands against the wound, the vampire's body trembled beneath her, a low gasp escaping pale lips. Time felt as if it were stretching, the night air thick with tension as she concentrated, her heart pounding in sync with the weakening pulse beneath her fingers. Hold on, she urged silently, her focus narrowing to the task at hand.

Yet, the more she worked to purify the injury, the more apparent it became that the silver was stubborn, as if clinging to the very essence of the girl's being. Valeria could feel the energy draining from her, a coldness seeping into her own veins as she struggled against the growing panic in her chest. She had healed many, but never had she faced a situation quite like this, one where life and death hung in such precarious balance.

The vampire's breath grew shallower, her body twitching involuntarily as if fighting against the encroaching darkness. Valeria's hands, slick with blood, trembled ever so slightly as she prepared to channel her magic again. This time, she drew deeper from her well of energy, summoning a wave of radiant warmth that enveloped the wound in a soft glow.

*Stay with me!* Valeria urged, her voice rising above the night's silence, desperation threading through her tone. I can't lose you, she thought fiercely, the world around her fading into insignificance as she poured her magic into the girl, infusing her with life, determination, and hope.

The vampire's body convulsed, her red eyes flickering open for a brief moment, confusion mingling with pain. Valeria met her gaze, willing strength into the girl through the connection they shared.

*You're stronger than this,* she whispered, gripping the girl's wrist tightly. *Fight! You have to fight!*

With a final surge of will, Valeria pressed her hands against the wound with renewed fervor, as if she were trying to push the darkness away herself. The glow intensified, a brilliant light erupting from her palms as she felt the resistance of the silver begin to wane. Just when she thought it was all for naught, the vampire gasped, her body stilling for a moment before a shuddering breath filled her lungs.

Valeria's heart soared with renewed hope. She could feel the tide turning, the warmth of her magic flushing the pallor from the girl's cheeks, the silver's grip loosening. It was a battle of wills, but Valeria refused to give in. She would see this girl live, no matter the cost.

Finally, with one last effort, she felt the silver dislodge, the dark poison expelled as the girl's body began to heal. Valeria collapsed back on her heels, panting, as she watched the girl's breathing steady. She had done it, against all odds, she had saved her.

*...Why would... why would you help me? I am a vampire. You shouldn't,* the vampire girl murmured, her voice barely more than a whisper, laced with confusion yet eerily calm and monotone. She looked at Valeria with a mixture of exhaustion and disbelief, clearly struggling to grasp the notion that anyone would show her kindness.

*Shut up,* Valeria interrupted, her words sharp but softened by the warmth in her voice. *I am a healer. I swore to help anyone who needs it, no matter who they are, where they come from, or what they've done.* Her tone was steady, unwavering, a quiet conviction emanating from every word.

The vampire girl stared at her, visibly taken aback. Those ancient, hardened eyes—eyes that had likely seen centuries of cruelty and mistrust, now flickered with something new, something vulnerable. It was as if this simple act of compassion had cracked open a wall within her, a wall built from a lifetime of betrayal and bitterness.

*You know, I could just kill you...* the vampire replied, a ghost of a smirk tugging at her lips as she continued, *...drain you dry without a second thought. You're either a foolish girl, or you're incredibly brave. So why would you even think-*

Valeria cut her off, her voice strong and filled with undeniable warmth. *I don't care about what could happen to me,* she replied, her eyes shining with determination. *Maybe I am foolish. But if I were to die saving someone else... I'd be more than happy to offer up my life.*

For a moment, the two locked eyes, the silence heavy with words left unsaid. Valeria's unwavering gaze held a sincerity that seemed to strike the vampire to her very core. No one had ever spoken to her like this, no one had shown her this kind of selfless courage, and it left her momentarily speechless, trapped between awe and bewilderment.

Without another word, the vampire girl rose to her feet, her twin blades catching the silver glow of the moonlight. She turned away, her silhouette blending with the shadows as she started to leave. Just as Valeria found her voice to ask where she was going, the girl spoke, her tone icy and even, yet carrying an undertone of gratitude.

*My name is Aria... remember it well, human, because one day I will repay the debt I owe you—the debt of my life.*

Valeria opened her mouth to say she didn't need repayment, that helping was enough, but Aria had already disappeared into the darkness, swallowed by the night. Valeria stood there, the quiet of the forest pressing in around her, a satisfied smile slowly blooming on her face. She had saved another life, against all odds.

As relief and exhaustion washed over her, she felt her knees weaken. Her body swayed, nearly collapsing from the magical drain she'd put herself through. She chuckled softly, steadying herself with one hand against a nearby tree.

*Maybe... I should rest up first,* she murmured, fatigue lacing her voice. Yet the smile didn't waver, her heart lightened by the knowledge that she'd made a difference, even if only for a moment.