The residents exited their house to found a pool of blood and dead bodies scattered around the city. Residents that failed to hide themselves at home fails to survive the night. There were also many dead vampire hunters last night for the vampires were very aggressive. Many younglings and folks at their prime age were taken away which also includes Raye and Cynthia. Now the olds and the children are left behind. Al quickly heal both of Miljana's arms, stitching it back with magic and enabling it to move again.
"So…what do we do now?"
A male vampire hunter asked Miljana. Not knowing what to do, she stood up and leave the Everlight party and the surviving vampire hunters alone.
Amethia, Al and Auoun walked up to Will and watches Miljana take her leave.
"Raye's gone…what should we do?"
Amethia asked Will. He look into her eyes that was once filled with hope to despair.
"Is this the end of our party?"
Auoun then asked Will, he also has the same look as Amethia. Despite being in the Everlight party for not too long, he had already grown fond of Raye. Will then looked at Al. His gaze was different from the others, his gaze were as if he knew Will. He knows what Will would do, as if he was depending on him to retrieve Raye back. Will nodded at Al and turns his head to Amethia and Auoun.
"Don't worry, we will get him back, we will retrieve him by tonight,"
"That fast?"
Amethia gasped but she thought to herself, 'better late than never'.
"If we don't, then they all would be dead,"
"Do we go now?"
"No, get some rest, even if we go now, we wouldn't make it out alive, nor I could ensure your survival, for now, it's best to get some rest and comfort someone who deserve it,"
Will looked at the manor which the rest of the Everlight party understood.
A knock sounded from the door. No response. Amethia knocked again yet receive no response. She then twist the knob with it twitch.
"I'm coming in,"
Amethia then opened the door to find Miljana covering herself inside a blanket. The room was dark which Amethia opened the curtains which brightened the room. That made Miljana snuggle up in the blanket even more.
"If you need a talk, I'm right here,"
"…"
Miljana stayed silence, it's like a cat that lost its owner.
"Miss Cynthia is a great person huh,"
This caught Miljana's attention.
"You know, when I first meet her, she gave the impression of someone who is very dependable, I can see why you are fond of her,"
"…she saved me once,"
Miljana finally opened up after a moment of silence.
"It was when I leave my village as an adventurer, during my journey traveling the Kingdom of Ferria, I was attacked by bandits, I could take them on but there were dozens of them, each having a weapon and some of them were mages, that was until Lord Cynthia saved me, she saved my life from this evil bandits, that was when I vowed my life to her, though she just shrugged it off and continue with her journey, I followed her to where she was going which led me here, the 'Dead City',"
--------------------------------
"I noticed your presence from far ago, you had been following me haven't you,"
Cynthia twisted her head and stared at the broke cat. She was hiding behind a tree to avoid being noticed by Cynthia.
"You can't hide from me, what you're doing?"
Cynthia sighed as Miljana step forward from the tree.
"I-I want to repay your kindness,"
"Didn't I said it's alright?"
"But still-!"
Facing the persistent cat, Cynthia then had a brilliant idea that helps improve the Vampire Hunter.
"...,how about you join the vampire hunters?"
"What's that nya?"
"It's a group of people that fought against vampires, we could really use some help..."
"I'll do it!"
Persuasion success! Cynthia thought to herself and invited her in. Then there goes history.
-----------------------------
Amethia was astounded by the backstory of Miljana had with Cynthia.
"Well, it's not too late you know?"
Miljana looked at Amethia who was fiddling her fingers.
"Cynthia's a tough person, I'm sure she would survive even in a despair situation, I'm sure Raye would..."
Miljana stared at Amethia's face. Her cheek was red as she breath out mist for the morning is cold.
"...what's the plan nya?"
"I don't know, but I'm sure Will has a plan, he may be stupidly persistent over silly details and do whatever he wants, but I'm sure he wouldn't hesitate to help a friend in need,"
"That gloomy mage?"
"Yes, he is going to take on the vampires tonight,"
"What!? Is he stupid!?"
"He said they would die if we don't go soon, he said..."
Every year, vampires would held an event where vampires from different regions join together to have a big feast, they would go out and harvest the freshest human of them all and uses their blood for wine, I supposed that this year's host might be the ruler of the vampires we met earlier, he probably didn't attack for days so that the human could stay fresh and before the event only they harvest them. Will thought to himself as he looks from up high in the air to afar, trying to spot the vampire territory.
Go seek help from the vampire hunters, our magic has no effect on vampires, so we need people that are specialized in it to defeat them, the event should have vampires all over the region which tat includes ruler of vampires from other regions too, we alone would not be able to face them. That's what Will told to Amethia and the rest of the Everlight members.
Although I could take them on myself, that would raise too much suspicion. Will then descend onto the ground which Amethia and Miljana came out from the building and catch up with Will.
"So what's the plan?"
"What plan?"
"The plan, to save Raye and Cynthia,"
Amethia asked Will who was confused by Amethia's question.
"..."
"You don't have one do you?"
Will look to the side, avoiding Amethia's gaze. She sighed and continued.
"Miljana has sent troops of vampire hunters in search of the vampire territory, they would report back once they encounter it, by then, what should we do?"
"Get prepared, vampires are no easy enemies, they are basically invincible at night, as long as we can drag the battle up till morning, then victory is secured, we need as many vampire hunters to help fight off the vampires while we take on the ruler of vampires, if we kill the host, then the whole event will be in shambles, although rulers from other territories would try to claimed this territory as their land,"
"Alright, so when we operate?"
Miljana asked Will. He look into her eyes that was filled with determination to get revenge on the vampire that took away someone dear to her.
"Before dusk, the guests should arrive around that time, we will sneak into their territory and hid ourself, then we rescue the kidnapped and we will destroy this event,"
"Was that last part important?"
Amethia thought to herself but Will's eyes are written that he is not joking. Maybe the Shadow Sage wants to have fun? After all, black magic users all have the urge to kill every once a month. Amethia let out an awkward laughter which confused Miljana and Will.
For the next thirty minutes, the Everlight party and Miljana were training and resting. As they were drinking tea, a female vampire hunter barge in the manor and was breathing loudly, as if she ran a whole mile away to here.
"huff huff, we found it, t-the vampire territory!"
Miljana stood up from the sofa and yelled:
"Seek out all remaining troops that are eligible to battle to get ready, we are infiltrating the vampire territory!"
Will who was sitting next to Amethia then spoke, telling them not to act rashly.
"It's best not to act rashly, who knows how the vampires move, but since it's day, they should be dozing off in that nice place of theirs, we need to sneak in before dusk arrives,"
"Then should we go now?"
Miljana asked Will. He looks into her eyes again, staring at the revengeful eyes.
"Do not let your emotion get the best of you, act rashly and you are dead, vampires are brilliant beings even if they aren't a ruler, they will exploit every weakness of yours and they be at advantage,"
"…"
Miljana then went silent for a moment. Will sighed and stood up. He then look at the clock that was hung on the wall and saw that it was 3 o'clock at noon.
"We shall go now, we do not know how long it takes to get there by foot,"
Miljana then lit up and ordered all of the vampire hunters to be prepared. Amethia and Auoun stood up and exited the manor. Then only Al stood up and went outside to have a smoke. Finally, Will walk out and watches all of the vampire hunters marching down the road towards the entrance. Miljana was leading them from the front while Amethia and Auoun waves their hands at Will. Will just let out a faint smile and walk towards them.