"The cage is open. We have to move out now! Retreat to our King Estes!"

The captured elves stormed out, except for the two female ones.

While Alucard did not know who Estes, the Elf King, was, one of the elves jumped to him and hugged him tightly in relief. The demon hunter, showing his soft side, hugged back with a smile on his face.

Confused that the two elves he met were females, Alu asked the blonde hugging elf in red that carried a bow on her right hand, while letting her stand on her two feet.

ELVEN ARCHER
"Thank you so much for saving us! Because of you, we can go back to our kingdom to see our King Estes!"

ALUCARD
"By the way, who is 'King Estes'?"

ELVEN ARCHER
"Our king. The King of the Moon Elves."

ALUCARD
"Moon elves... interesting. So you, too, are a moon elf."

The elven archer introduced herself.

ELVEN ARCHER
"Indeed, I'm Miya. And how about you? You are no elf, but how could you save us from these demons earlier?"

ALUCARD
"Well, I just did my job to hunt demons. It's a job that I dedicate my life to, all for the glory of a lost loved one in battle. And by the way, just call me Alucard."

Alucard and Miya shook hands cordially, as the second elf, dressed in dark purple, leaned on her for a while.

MIYA (elven archer)
"It's my pleasure to meet you, Alucard. But there is another elf that also joined us in witnessing your fight earlier. A dark elf, though..."

The dark elf walked towards Miya and took her time speaking in front of the infamous demon hunter.

DARK ELF
"And I'm Karina, one of the dark elves. Traitorous dark elves, rather..."

ALUCARD
"Hold on for a second... First a moon elf, then a dark elf. Are you two related?"

MIYA
"Yes, Alucard, but we're not on the same place where we live."

While Karina and Alucard shook hands, Miya curiously asked him why he hunted demons.

KARINA (dark elf)
"Alucard, my pleasure to meet you. And this archer is right. I came from the Shadow Swamp unlike her from the Lunar Temple. These demons that were slain by your sword actually served Alice, and I knew her master plan since then."

But Alucard remained silent until Miya raised a question.

MIYA
"Anyway, Alucard, why do you choose to hunt demons?"

ALUCARD
"It's a long story; you may be bored listening to what I speak."

MIYA
"Bored? We are even looking forward to listening to your-"

ALUCARD
"It's a sad story that no one dared to hear."

KARINA
"We all have sad stories to tell, Alucard. So why can't you just let us listen?"

MIYA
"Uhm... I think we cannot force this human to tell what we ask for. I can tell his feelings right now. He looks so depressed and grieved, or maybe he was seeking vengeance to these demons just like he said..."

KARINA
"Even I could feel depressed and grieved when I told to King Estes about how we, the dark elves, had been through since the day the rest of my fellow kind betrayed me... Possibly the same for you, Miya."

MIYA
"If that is the case, I guess we have to go back to King Estes right away. But what about Alucard?"

ALUCARD
"Miya, I'm fine, okay? And both of you, just go back to your Lunar Temple first for the sake of safety. I'm pleased seeing you elves safe from these demons, but if you want to meet me again, it would be risky if you would mind. Demons can come for us anytime they want. This is my warning, so go now, there's no time for goodbyes."

Karina and Miya hurriedly left the abandoned castle together and rushed to the Lunar Temple.

The next night...

From his battle in the Abyss, Alucard wandered by the Moniyan Plains and traveled to the Azrya Woodlands, the home to all elves, on foot across the dark, isolated town of Braidwood.

From the woodlands, Miya showed up alone, being invisible for a brief moment to sneak at Alucard.

At the moment that the elven archer re-appeared near Alucard, he was perplexed, stuttering as Miya was still curious about him in the first place.

MIYA
"Another wandering soul, I guess..."

ALUCARD
"Miya? Why are you sneaking me around and following me where I go? It's risky for you to-"

MIYA
"I still made a promise like you did long ago. Have you forgotten, Alucard?"

FLASHBACK
(You can also read Miya's side story "Time of Lunar Eclipse" in MLBB's official website.)

MIYA
"Back when our beloved Lunar Temple was under siege by the blood orcs, you sacrificed your body for us to be saved and be blessed with the moonlight once more. Now, you came back to free us from the same orcs who imprisoned us and assisted the dark elves in their gruesome sacrifices. This is why I trust you, Alucard, so please... give me a chance..."

ALUCARD
"I remember that day, Miya, and it's funny because you were the one guiding me out of the Moonlit Forest and even calling me just 'human'. Now I know where it is, because somebody informed me about a demonic raid. I believe the wandering refugees did... that's why I do remember you. By that, I kept my promise to come back, and I did. I know you elves need demon hunters in dire situations and, lucky for you, you met me twice."

MIYA
"And this is why I'm willing to trust you, Alucard... Besides, I've made a choice to wander around this land, meeting anyone of different races. However, I long for peace in each of our hearts..."

ALUCARD
"But what I'm worried about is that I've read that elves are the favorite prey of these monsters. Plus, the elves have to protect their homeland without human interference."

MIYA
"No, Alucard. We'll debunk that for you. This time, we need help from other races like humans if there is a dire need. Elves won't give in, no matter how much more suffering we'll go through. Believe it for me. The monsters that you hunt are the same monsters that frequently intrude our lands. Demons... they even blend in with us and make a cult following... The most fanatical dark elves are who you can call as 'misguided heretics'. They serve the Abyss and betray our only king for their lust of power..."

ALUCARD
"So they are who I faced earlier along with the orcs... hmmm... I see... but Karina is a dark elf, too, isn't she?"

MIYA
"Karina is the only dark elf who ran to our side after what happened with her sister. Call them as misguided, for most of them are fanatics of the Dark Abyss, but spare her for us, and don't leave her grieving, for the dark elves have a grudge against her. Now these elves become slaves to the Abyss after what happened to the orcs against Alice-"

ALUCARD
"Alice? She's behind the raid, I guess..."

MIYA
"Exactly. She is the same demoness who was defeated by King Estes long ago. Now she plotted her revenge after what happened back then. The enslaved orcs and fanatical dark elves are just the beginning. More demons will invade the lands soon enough."

ALUCARD
"And I won't let that happen. They are the same demons who killed my father. I've already plotted my revenge and it's still going on until now. Until the last of these demons are killed, they will all fall prey to me."

MIYA
"Your father?"

ALUCARD
"Long story if you ask me."

MIYA
"Well, won't we sit for a while and watch the night sky, and won't you tell me your story?"

Miya and Alucard both started to sit on a big rock and watch the clear night sky with a full moon shining in front of them.

ALUCARD
"My father led the Second Regiment of Imperial Chivalric Order. Together, they successfully forced the demons to retreat to the Forsaken Wastes, saving our empire in return. However, his army had a lot of troops disappeared in a once 'glorious' battle due to his lone advance. Even if the knights ultimately won the war, the Second Regiment's surviving troops were not given honor and glory unlike the rest. In spite of the heroic sacrifices and of my father's untimely demise, they were labeled as undisciplined. I considered him as who I looked up to, along with who I once trusted. One of the powerful knights, Tigreal, fought alongside my father, and visited the monastery to find me and talk to me about anything. But in spite of his sheer confidence, his mind was jumbled and his mouth was muted, having completely no idea when I opened up about my father. As Tigreal expressed his guilt abandoning my father and leaving him disappeared in the dark, and remaining silent for the sake of his family's behest, I could not forgive him, but I could not end his life out of my fury, even if I wanted to. The knights of that battle even drove me out of the capital in spite of my purpose of finding the truth about my father's disappearance, and the monks even called me a heretic because of this cursed hand that I bear from a sudden demonic raid. Given my wide knowledge about demons and how they behave, I betrayed the empire to make a name for myself. In the name of my father, I will do anything. I WILL find the truth!"

MIYA
"That's why you're all alone. I thought you called for reinforcements back then, but no human army came to our aid except you."

ALUCARD
"You see, Miya... I didn't open this up in the first place because I completely lost my trust to anyone as I wander around from place to place. Maybe I was just deceived... or maybe I didn't see the true intentions. Maybe I was too blinded to see the light behind my eyes."

MIYA
"I... I deeply apologize, Alucard..."

ALUCARD
"Don't sweat it. There is nothing wrong with you in the beginning. Besides, you have the Elf King and your 'Great Moon Goddess' to protect you and give you a blessing. Don't mind me. We have different beliefs. Or maybe you chose to wander around and look for a new king once he dies, yes?"

Upon hearing Alucard's suggestion of looking for a new king, Miya angrily slapped his face in response.

MIYA
"This isn't what I expected, Alucard! You see, the Moonlit Forest can be consumed by the dark influence of the Abyss! If that Blood Queen comes back and looks for our king, do you think we can protect him with the last rays of vitality that we all have? Of course not!"

ALUCARD
"You can count on me, Miya. Since you said I can go to your homeland anytime, I might as well need some approval from your king-"

MIYA
"There's no need for you to do that. We'd already recognized your courage. I informed King Estes about this!"

ALUCARD
"Are you serious, Miya? Speaking as a 'human', I thought you didn't need human reinforcements back then."

MIYA
"But this time is different, Alucard. Follow me."

ALUCARD
"As you wish."

Miya led Alucard to the Lunar Temple, but several moments later, the confused demon hunter stopped halfway. He doubted if the archer was legitimately inviting him or not.

MIYA
"Alucard? Why are you so hesitant right now? I'm still here."

ALUCARD
"But your king... meeting him face to face makes me awkward..."

MIYA
"King Estes? Why do you doubt yourself? I humbly want you to meet him in person, just as he cordially wants me to invite you."

ALUCARD
"First, Miya, I'm no elf. I'm a human. Next, should your Great Moon Goddess grant a blessing, you elves deserve it, not me. And lastly, I might be perceived by your king as a vampire; or worse, a Blood Demon. You see what I dress and look like, right? You also know my name, right, Miya? I am Alucard... It even makes sense when you spell my name in reverse. I'm no longer a lone warrior dressed in blue like before. I now live up to what my name truly speaks for, no longer who the Imperial Chevaliers fight alongside with. Had the curse in my right hand infected my body, I would be who you could possibly fear..."

MIYA
"I know, Alucard... King Estes may be strict to us, too, but I assure you that he's benevolent. There is no devious intent from me leading you to our homeland. I also promise that my fellow moon elves and our king will also welcome you as well. Again, I told him about your courage to stand up for us, even if your primary intention was just to slay demons. Will you trust me for that, Alucard? I insist."

ALUCARD
"If you say so, Miya, and you mean it, then fine. Lead me there as you please..."

With Alucard being convinced to go to the Lunar Temple while still dressed as a legitimate vampire, Miya continued her quest to lead him to the Elf King.