Wolvesburg. A once prosperous mining town in the mountains of Pennsylvania, now partially submerged unders hundreds of feet of water. The derelict mine itself is shrouded in overgrown plant life, while the headframe and coaling tower in the distance loom overhead like the corpses of fallen giants. The network of tunnels below, house a family in the midst of a dispute.
A woman strides down a tunnel, the torchlight giving her jet black hair an eerie glow. A teenage boy sits atop a makeshift throne, twirling a knife in his hand. She snatches the weapon and begins chastising him.
"Your incompetence has put us in jeopardy, Micah. What were you thinking?"
"All of this hiding underground was making me stir crazy. So i decided to get some fresh air."
"Our kind have been put to the sword for merely existing . Do you think it wise to butcher women for sport and leave their bodies to be discovered?
"The police won't know who to search for. I took a different form each time."
Her expression changes to one of indignation. Micah lowers his head and says nothing else.
"Perhaps I've coddled you for too long. Did too much of the hunting for you. Made you feel like I'd always fix your mistakes."
"The only one who gets coddled is Tessa. She's ashamed of what she is."
The woman raises her hand. Micah falls silent again.
"Do not involve your sister. She's not the problem, you are!"
"I'm sorry, Mother."
"Discretion, child, is the only thing keeping us alive. "
"I'll do better."
"Not better. Your best."
He simply nods.
"Retire to your quarters for now. Do not leave them until I send for you, understood?"
"Yes."
"Do not try my patience boy or I will put you to the sword myself."
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A series of grisly murders involving pregnant women has gotten the attention of Blade. On the surface, it appears to be the work of a serial killer, but The Daywalker has suspicions that something more sinister might be involved. Investigating the most recent crime scene, his heightened sense of smell picks up the scent of blood and also coal. He crouches down to inspect the pavement as a young red haired woman, tall and slender, approaches. He speaks without looking up.
"Elsa."
Elsa Bloodstone was an acquaintance of Blade's who specialized in monster hunting. He knew this was no ordinary string of killings now.
"Shouldn't you be staking out a graveyard somewhere, Blade?"
"Obviously not, if you're here. What do you think we're after?"
"We aren't after anything. I'm not sure, yet. Possibly a lamia"
"I was thinking vitala, personally."
"It really is always about vampires with you, isn't?"
Blade ignores her remark and stands up.
"Whatever it is, it's smart enough to keep near the railways for a quick escape."
"I've extrapolated an area where potential lairs could within a hundred mile radius."
"Cross reference that with coal mines, active or abandoned. Bastard reeks."
"Noted."
"I've got a freight train to catch. You coming?
-----------------------
Despite Elsa's initial objection to working together, Blade managed to convince that they'd put a stop to the killings far quicker as a team. The initial few locations bore no fruit, but the duo soon found themselves in the woods near Wolvesburg. Immediately Blade could sense something amiss.
"There's a subtle level of dark magic here. Nothing as strong as a barrier, but this definitely is or was the place we needed to find."
"We should check whatever structures aren't underwater first. I doubt you brought any scuba gear with you."
They approach the dilapidated old buildings, leaping over a crumbled section of stone wall. A tiny spider notices the two and scurries to a web covered bush. The arachnid sends some sort of alert signal through a series of webs deep into the tunnels below.
A spider lowers itself from the ceiling, landing on the raven haired woman's shoulder. She lifts her gaze to the unseen trespassers above ground. A man in his 20s and a pre-teen young girl rush into the room.
"Mother, should I go take care of it?" the man says pointing upwards.
"Yes. Take your brother with you."
"Of course."
She beckons the girl to come close to her.
"Do not fear, my child. We will be fine."
-----------------
Blade and Elsa press onward, being careful not to tread on unstable structures. They within several feet of a tunnel entrance when a large piece of concrete smashes against the wall nearby. Blade curses to himself he rushes behind cover. Elsa readies her rifle and takes aim at their attackers, two seemingly normal young men.
"Don't be shy boys. Come a little closer."
Firing off shot after shot, she just barely misses. Their opponents moving with unnatural speed, being able to avoid the skiller hunter's shots. Blade moves around to flank them, catching the younger boy by surprise as he shoots him in the leg. The boy screams in pain, but manages to flee out of sight.
Elsa cautiously patrols around the room, gun at the ready.
"We're kinda boxed in right now, but we can't let them escape. What do you think, Blade?"
"The tunnels will give them less room to run. We should press forward."
"Right"
Their would be attackers seemed to have vanished as quickly as they came, with Elsa and Blade venturing deeper underground.
Blade picks up the scent of blood and motions for Elsa to follow.
They soon find themselves in a large cavern with a blood soaked altar in the middle. A raven haired woman stands atop the altar chanting in an unknown language.
Blade and Elsa open fire, but a wall of semi solid red liquid stops their bullets from connecting. Blade unsheathes his sword and closes the distance in an instant with Elsa close behind. His sword finds it mark, but not the intended target.
Jacob!! The woman screams as she sees her sons nearly split in half from his neck to his groin.
Jacob gushes blood everywhere as he falls dead on the ground.
Micah blindside tackles Blade to the ground as he attempts to pummel the vampire hunter.
BANG!!!
A single shot rips through his skull, splattering his brain matter onto the cave wall. Blade toss his corpse aside, gun trained on the woman again.
With a pained wail she sends a spell towards the ceiling, causing a cave in. Blade and Elsa struggle to breathe as they find themselves nearly buried alive......to be continued...maybe 🤷🏿♂️
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