1. Chapter 1 (1/2)

it was just an ordinary job like any other, it shouldn't have been difficult at all. just a few average-level vampires that had gotten a bit too big for their

itches and decided to raid the nearest town and kidnap all its young women. but how could d have predicted the complications that would soon ensue?

shavira, a small village oasis in the punishing, scorching heat of the desert that surrounded it. it was barely a blip on the map and d was simply passing through, as usual. as he strode in on his black cyborg horse, he noted the abysmal state some of the village's buildings were in. he saw townspeople carrying tools and planks of wood, trying to fix the damage.

left hand chuckled, "ooh, heheh. looks like some village got ransacked. i smell a job, don't you, d?"

d remained silent, choosing to ignore his partner's callous remark. he noted that every able-bodied individual was working to repair the town, young and old, man and woman. but he also noted the conspicuous lack of young women helping. he saw middle-aged and even a few older women but no young women.

as d passed, people could not help but turn their heads to gawk. he stood out greatly against the desert sands, a black figure on a black stallion yet his skin was pale as snow. naturally, the villagers regarded him with suspicion, staring warily at him. some appeared frightened, while others seemed to glare.

suddenly one man spoke up, "who are you? are you another one of them vampires? your kind ain't welcome here! the last thing we need is more of those blood-sucking freaks!"

"daddy, no! don't provoke him!" a little girl ran to the gruff man's side, hugging his leg.

d gave the man but a moment's thought, then continued on towards the town tavern. he dismounted, and as soon as he walked in many suspicious eyes turned accusingly in his direction.

the tavern owner looked at him and shook his head, "sorry, we don't serve your kind here. you'll have to go someplace else."

d looked at the man, turned around, and left.

"ugh, but the nearest town is miles away! and that desert sun can't be good for you, d! you're gonna get sunlight syndrome!" complained left hand.

d looked down, "hush, we can't force them to let us stay here. we'll just go to the next village."

as d once again mounted his horse and began to leave, a voice from out of nowhere called to him.

"wait, wait!" a hefty man with a moustache came running towards him, "i know what you are! you're a vampire hunter, aren't ya? you have to help us!"

d paused, turning around.

the pudgy man huffed and puffed as he leaned over next to d's horse, "i'm glad i caught ya! my sincerest apologies, our village recently suffered a vampire attack and we ain't used ta strangers like yourself so you'll have to excuse my people's rudeness! they're really not all bad. they're just scared, decent, people! i'm the mayor, by the way."

"tell me more about this attack," d said.

"so you'll consider taking the job? alright! let's discuss this further in my office!"

not too long later, d was standing in the mayor's office in front of his desk. the mayor sat in a big, swivelling chair behind it. the office itself was rather small and humble, but at the same time nothing to sneeze at.

"you see," began the mayor, "a few nights ago these vampires descended on our town, destroying our buildings! they stole our cattle and food, among other things, but worst of all they kidnapped all our young women! i fear they may be planning to use them as food, or to em

ace them!"

"i see," replied d, "do you know where these vampires came from?"

"i think they had a hideout in a cave not far from here. they seemed to keep mostly to themselves until recently. that's probably where they're keeping those poor girls! please, vampire hunter, won't you save them?"

"very well then, i'll do it."

"yes! thank you, kind sir, thank you so much!"

"...for a price."

the mayor's face dropped, "o-oh… yes, of course. how much?"

d thought about it, "a million dollars. also, i can't guarantee anything. if they have already been turned, i will have to kill them."

"f-fair enough…" the mayor sighed, "i'm sure i can convince the townspeople to scrape together the funds, if you'll only

ing the girls back safely and show them you're not a threat."

"...i can't promise anything," d turned and left.

"hah… please let them be okay… please let my dear nancy be okay…" the mayor muttered under his

eath.

"well then, looks like we've gotta job! hmm? but don't you think it would be wise to rest for a bit before heading out? maybe wait until nightfall? i don't want you over-extending yourself in the sun again!" left hand warned.

"it will be fine, don't worry."

"you always say that…" left hand sighed as d gave a little kick to his horse, setting off into the desert.

not long after the two left, a young lady rode up beside him on her own horse. she wore armor and had a crucifix and crossbow, meaning she must be a hunter.

"hey! i'm rita! so you're a hunter, too, eh? i was told another hunter had been sent out on this expedition already, but i wasn't expecting a dhampyr! well, just because you accepted the job first, don't think i'll go easy on you or share the prize money when i rescue those women first!"

d glanced at the woman riding beside him. she had pretty blond hair, tied back in a ponytail. her hazel eyes seemed to shine with life, and ruddy, freckled skin. he could smell the sweetness of her virgin blood. his heart skipped a beat.

"well, see ya there! hyah!" rita gave her horse a kick and sped off.

"hey, i know she's a cutie, but are you gonna let her show you up like that?!" left hand yelled.

d gave his horse a small kick in turn, and galloped after her.

the cave was further than d had thought, because it had been hours since they first set out. or perhaps it just felt that way, it didn't help that the sun was mercilessly beating down on the pair and there were virtually no landmarks to keep track of their progress. it felt almost as though the desert would just go on forever, but fortunately d could finally see the cave in the distance. rita charged on ahead, recklessly riding into the cave with no hesitation.

"wait!" d tried to warn her, but she was already gone. besides, he didn't have time to worry about her. a large, hulking figure appeared from beneath the ground, a mutant.

"who dares to enter my masters' lair?" it shouted in a loud, booming voice.

"i do," said d.

"intruder! you must die!" it cried, swiping at him with its massive hand.

d effortlessly dodged the attack, leaping off his horse. he drew his sword, ramming it into the belly of the mutant. the creature howled in pain, swiping again at d, this time hitting him.

"ngh!" d was thrown a few feet away.

however he quickly recovered, retrieving his sword and once again stabbing it into the beast. it retaliated, and this went on for a few minutes before d made short work of it.

once the mutant lay motionless on the ground, d poked it with his sword to ensure it was dead. satisfied, he turned to enter the cave but suddenly a sharp pain shot through his body.

"ugh!" d cried, clutching his head.

"huh?! d, what's wrong?!" left hand yelled.

d could feel the sunlight burning his skin, sapping away all his energy. a sudden drowsiness over took him, and he began to feel extremely warm. d fell to one knee.

"oh no… oh no no no! don't do this to me, now! come on, d get up! dammit, i told you we should rest!"

d groaned and tried to stand up, but immediately fell to his knees again.

"shit… hurry and dig a hole for yourself, d, or you'll be a goner!"

but just then a piercing scream came from the cave. it sounded like rita. d summoned all his strength and charged in.

"no, no d! forget her, worry about yourself!" left hand protested.

but d wouldn't listen. he arrived there to find rita in the grasp of a male vampire, baring his fangs, about to bite her.

d threw his sword, impaling the vampire before it could even scathe her skin. the sword landed and stuck in the other side's cave wall.