Quelling a Vampire

Vampire.

They were a type of undead that harvested their power through the act of sucking the blood from humans and had a wide spread of abilities that made them extremely dangerous and deadly. There was no way of telling how many vampires still existed within this modern day and age as many people considered them a myth, a legend if you will that didn't actually exist. Those who knew better however knew that they existed — that they were simply hiding among humans to blend in. It made sense, vampires weren't exactly the most popular race and they were hunted down just for being what they are by bounty hunters or even exorcists.

There was one vampire however that didn't care for human tradition and openly showed herself without a second thought. Yes, her ego was as frightening as her power as she held the position of ruler of all Vampires once, a title that would make all lesser vampires fear her and prostrate themselves before her incredible might. This person was the Vampire Queen, and her name was...

"Evangeline S. Heartsong?"

That question came from a young man sitting on the edge of a cliff as he turned his head towards two of his companions, one of whom had directly said the name that the man found quite odd. The guild master of the rising independent guild, Dawn Horizon and the legendary user of Thunder Dragon Slayer Magic — Ludius Grande Di Tetsuya was now awaiting a response from one of his guild mates.

"That's right. She's the vampire that's been causing a ruckus in this country and the one we've been searching for" The response came quickly as the taller man who had answered the young man's question responded, his body leaning against a nearby tree and his arms were crossed. His name was Dyson Salvatore, deputy leader of the Dawn Horizon guild and its lead strategist, as well as being previously employed as the bodyguard of the royal princess of the Pergrande Kingdom.

"Hmm..." Tetsuya hummed in interest, his interest in the vampire having grown. They had travelled to this far away country all the way from Fiore, following the rumors of an absurdly powerful vampire that had shown up in these parts and in less than a week, had destroyed several cities and had created a legion of vampires to do her bidding. The Magic Council had dispatched reinforcements as the request of the remaining soldiers of this country to deal with this threat but alas, they're reinforcements would take weeks to arrive. Luckily for them, Dawn Horizon was more than willing to tackle this threat for their own personal interest as a small smirk appeared on Tetsuya's face.

"This should be fun. If she was able to do this much damage to an entire country in such a short amount of time, her power must be extraordinary. We might find ourselves with a real challenge this time" Tetsuya worded without any trace of fear but rather, excitement was what was oozing out of him. A sigh came from Dyson as he observed his battle crazed guild master he worked for.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TrebuchetMS","sans-serif"">"We haven't even met her yet and you're already this excited? Jeez, you'll never change will you?" Dyson may have said that but even he couldn't hide the rush of excitement as well. How could he? He had joined Dawn Horizon with the promise of never having to endure boredom again and he had not been disappointed as there was something crazy going on every day wherever Tetsuya went. Compared to the days of utter boredom he suffered as a bodyguard for that immature princess, trying to recruit a country destroying vampire sounded like an absolute blast.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TrebuchetMS","sans-serif"">"Like you're one to talk" a third voice spoke from above Dyson, who looked up to get a view of a woman who was sitting on a tree branch and observing the destroyed castle in the distance. Wearing an outfit that many would find proactive, consisting of just hot pants and a flame patterned bra, and her legs spread out in fashion un-lady like — Lindsey Fullback was looking through her telescope, trying to spot the target they had been searching for.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TrebuchetMS","sans-serif"">"I bet you're just as excited to fight this vampire as the Boss is"

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TrebuchetMS","sans-serif"">Dyson merely shrugged his shoulders at Lindsey's rather accurate observation and tried to play dumb. "I have no idea what you're talking about"

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TrebuchetMS","sans-serif"">Lindsey snorted at his response "You're such a terrible liar, Dyson"

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TrebuchetMS","sans-serif""> "Am I?" Dyson amusedly tilted his head as if mimicking the act of being deep in thought "I always believed my powers of deception were first class"

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TrebuchetMS","sans-serif"">Lindsey shook her head as she removed her eye from the telescope and jumped down from the tree branch, placing both of her hands on her hips as she sized Dyson up.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TrebuchetMS","sans-serif"">"Your one piece of work, you know that?"

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TrebuchetMS","sans-serif"">Dyson didn't back down as he leaned in and smiled widely at her, something that no doubt ticked off the easily triggered red head. "I'll take that as a compliment"

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TrebuchetMS","sans-serif"">"Enough bickering you two" Tetsuya's voice cut in as Lindsey stuck her tongue out at Dyson while the latter did the same before they huffed away from each other and looked back at their guild master "Lin, did you find anything up there?"

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TrebuchetMS","sans-serif"">Lindsey shook her head as she approached him. "Sorry boss, I wasn't able to find the target. The only thing I was able to confirm was that the castle is filled with legions of vampires that are probably guarding her"

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TrebuchetMS","sans-serif"">"Guarding her? Do you believe she really needs protecting?" Tetsuya found the idea ludicrous before Dyson chimed in this time.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TrebuchetMS","sans-serif"">"Perhaps she is resting? As an after effect of using a substantial amount of her magic decimating those cities and turning those poor victims into her servants"

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TrebuchetMS","sans-serif"">Tetsuya placed his hand on his chin "That makes sense. From what the report said, she's been destroying city after city without a break. She must have finally reached her limit and is using this chance to recover her strength"

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TrebuchetMS","sans-serif"">Lindsey grew excited as she pounded her fist. "Then that's lucky for us right? It'll be the perfect chance for us to get the drop on her if she isn't at her best"

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TrebuchetMS","sans-serif"">Tetsuya nodded his head "Indeed. It does bug me a bit that she won't be at her best when we get to her but since we're dealing with an entire legion of vampires here, I'd say that would make us even"

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TrebuchetMS","sans-serif"">Dyson was a bit more cautious than the other two as he crossed his arms "Let's not underestimate who we're up against here. The last thing we need is for you to get overconfident and end up being turned into one of her servants" <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TrebuchetMS","sans-serif"">A snort came from Lindsey who found that idea laughable. "There's no way that'll happen, the Boss can handle that vampire chick no problem. Right boss?" A look of admiration sparkled from Lindsey's eyes as Dyson face palmed at the girl's naivety. Did she think Tetsuya was superman or something?

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TrebuchetMS","sans-serif"">Of course, Tetsuya was no better about the situation as he patted Lindsey on her head while flashing a confident grin "Leave it to me, I'll show her that the strength of a vampire can't match up to that of a dragon"

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TrebuchetMS","sans-serif"">"Kya!" Lindsey roared with excitment as she playfully punched Tetsuya's arm. "Your too cool boss! I knew joining up with you was the right choice! Let's go kick some vampire butt!"

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TrebuchetMS","sans-serif"">"Right" Tetsuya obliged as he jumped off of the cliff, followed by the excited Lindsey as Dyson reluctantly followed the idiot duo into the forest down below. He already knew how simple minded his guild mates were but they were taking it to a new level with how careless they were being. No matter what kind of condition this vampire was in, the fact still remained that they were up against a being that could destroy numerous cities in such a short amount of time. As incredibly powerful Tetsuya was, even Dyson doubted that he'd quell this vampire easily.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TrebuchetMS","sans-serif"">"Heh, but I guess that's what makes being around him so interesting. You never know what that crazy bastard will do!" Dyson smiled as he followed the duo and the three of them began their trip towards the towering castle in the distance, intent on facing off against and potentially recruiting the Vampire Queen.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TrebuchetMS","sans-serif"">(To Be Continued...)