Novels2Search
Silver and Crimson
Chapter 16 : Trapped

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.

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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 –

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…