“Hunters and Hunted”
The darkness screamed.
Gabriel heard the echo of his own breath, the rush of blood in his veins. His fingers tightened around the hilt of his sword as he twisted to the side at the last moment.
A shadow shot past him—too fast to catch.
These creatures were different.
No blind snarling, no aimless striking. They glided through the mist like silent predators—unnatural, precise, deadly.
A cold breath brushed against Gabriel's cheek. Claws, barely a hand's width from his throat.
"Michael, right!" he called.
Michael reacted instantly. His blades flicked upward, striking—but the enemy slipped away, as if it had no solid form.
Raphael thrust his lance forward, divine light crackling through the darkness. A tormented scream as one of the vampires recoiled—but it didn't fall.
They were tough.
Too tough.
The Hunters' Tactic
Raphael felt the ground tremble beneath him as another vampire leaped from the shadows.
He spun, yanking his lance upward—but the enemy dodged, grabbing for his weapon.
"Damn it!"
Michael was there in an instant, his blades flashing. He severed the vampire's fingers, and a horrific scream echoed through the crumbling walls.
Gabriel saw it now.
They had a strategy.
One lured them in, the other struck from the blind spot. They hunted—like a pack.
And they had no intention of losing this fight.
Bloody Seconds
Gabriel saw one of the vampires latch onto Michael, trying to control his movements.
He lunged forward, his blade flashing. Flesh tore, blood sprayed—a severed arm hit the ground.
Another snarl—then a burst of blood.
Michael wrenched himself free, breathing heavily.
"They're different."
Gabriel nodded.
He knew it.
They all knew it.
Isaac Watches – and Falters
Isaac still stood outside the building, his dark eyes locked on the fight.
They were surviving.
But it was raw. Unrefined.
They fought because they had to—but they weren't hunting yet.
A dull pressure returned to his chest. His vision flickered—for just a second.
Not now.
He closed his eyes briefly, steadying himself.
His time was running out—but not today.
The Turning Point
Raphael gasped as a vampire dragged him to the ground.
Fangs flashed.
Gabriel yanked his sword up, slamming the pommel into the vampire's skull—a hard impact.
Michael spun in after him, his blades dancing—then it was over.
The last creature stiffened—then fell, lifeless.
Breathing heavily, the brothers stood surrounded by blood and ash.
Then: silence.
Gabriel slowly lifted his gaze.
Their first real hunt.
And they had survived.