The first gargoyle swooped in, Fighter raised her gauntlets for protection and braced herself but was knocked to the ground as the creature struck her. With a slight hiss of pain she was back on her feet and prepared herself once again; this time as the creature swooped in, she struck at it with all her might, shattering the creature's face and knocking it to the ground where it broke into several pieces.

"Damn that hurt." Fighter grunted as she gave her hands a quick shake.

Dhampir Hunter rushed toward the Vampire Noble and the two clashed swords, he being calm in his attack while she had a visible scowl on her face. While the fight continued, Wizard Boy attacked his comrade and Harefolk Bowman, the latter trying his best to help Rhea Fighter while trying to deal with the gargoyles but as before, his wood bolts would not hurt the gargoyles.

"Damn…okay, I got six metal bolts, let's see if these can do any better. Got to get over there and help her before her friend kills her." Harefolk Bowman placed the first metal bolt into his crossbow and fire smiling as it hit one of the wings on a creature and it plummeted to the ground.

"Stop this, I don't want to hurt you." Rhea Fighter let out a yelp as Wizard Boy struck at her shield with his staff and claws.

"You stupid fool, you're just like the rest of them! I won't have you look down on me, none of you will!"

Rookie Warrior lay on his back, holding his sword with both hands, as Apprentice Cleric was above him her hands on his sword as will pushing forward with her greater strength.

"I'm going to deeply enjoy this. I've developed quite the taste for your blood, it is truly delicious. Don't fight me any further, let me feed and…" Apprentice Cleric smiled as she straddled his waist, every now and moving her hips. "…I'll make sure you enjoy your last few moments."

This little diversion had the desired effect as the more nervous Rookie Warrior waivered in his defense and Apprentice Cleric pushed closer, hissing as she prepared to bite her friend. Rookie Warrior gave a final grunted rolled to his right knocking Apprentice Cleric off of him and now allowing him to get back to his feet. With sword and shield in hand, he prepared to defend himself as the angered Apprentice Cleric too get to her feet and hissed as she attacked. He refused to use his sword to hurt her and did his best to use his shield to block her clawed attacks.

Elsewhere Priestess let out a small scream as she rolled to the ground as a gargoyle swooped in from above, she used her staff to strike at one of the creature's but the motion of hitting the stone creature made her hands hurt. Half-Demon Thief wished to help her friend but found her hands full with the odd human who stood between her and Priestess.

"Get the hell out of the way!"

"I'm afraid I can't do that." The Attendant was calm in his demeanor much like Dhampir Hunter, but this human was very polite. "You and the others have become quite bothersome to my mistress, so I would ask that you please lay down your life and die."

"Like hell we will! You and your vampire master have done enough damage and we're going to put an end to it right now."

"How troublesome. Then I have no choice but to deal with you myself."

"I'd like to see you try!" Half-Demon Thief stood ready with her twin daggers, her right blade held with a forward grip position while the blade her left hand was held with a reverse grip, the blade toward her enemy. "I don't like it; I don't see any visible weapon and he looks very confident in the face of my daggers. Maybe a magic user, have to strike quick before he has a chance to cast his spell."

Half-Demon Thief rushed in and with grace of a dancer, used her blades to strike at him but the Attendant would simply dodge to the side or move backwards to avoid her strikes. She would not let up, the moment he was able to chant a spell it would spell her doom, she then swiped upward with her left blade determined to cut his throat. The Attendant struck her blade with his right wrist, knocking her strike back with as a metallic clang much to the surprise of Half-Demon Thief.

"Metal bracers!"

The Attendant grunted as he then slammed his right fist into the young demon's left side, for her the wind was knocked out of her and she felt as well as heard the sound of something cracking. Half-Demon Thief painfully gasped as she hit the ground, she dropped her blades as she used her arms to clutch as her injured side.

"It would seem that you have chainmail under your outer clothing, a wise decision, it left you with only cracked ribs rather than broken ones." The Attendant was ever calm in his reply as he walked towards her. "As you probably guessed, I use no weapon, just these bracers to protect against blades. What I am is a well-versed martial artist, I can easily read your movements and plan to counter them…thief."

The Attendant calmly reached down and took hold of the young demon by her hair with his right hand and raised her up. Half-Demon Thief screamed as she reached up to grasp the man's wrist with her hands in a futile attempt to break free; even as all this was happening the bland expression on his face never changed. The Attendant then slammed his left fist into her stomach, her eyes wide from the shock and the pain then he delivered two more blows, once again forcing her to gasp in pain before he threw her aside.

"How utterly boring." The Attendant then held out his right hand to the side to stop the sounding rod from striking him, he turned his gaze to the young blonde woman. "I would advise against such foolish tactics."

"Get away from her." Priestess, though scared, would not stand idly by and watch her friend be beaten by this man. "I won't let you hurt her. O Earth Mother, abounding in…"

"I would prefer you not do that young lady." The Attendant still tightly gripping the sounding staff gave it a violent toss knocking Priestess to the ground with a slight yell. "If you insist on getting in the way, then I shall kill you first."

Priestess hissed in pain but was shocked as she watched the man calmly stride over toward her clenching his fists as he prepared to beat her.

"You bastard! Get the hell away from her!"

The Attendant paused and turned his attention back toward the young demon and found her back on her feet, blades in hand once again, despite her taking quick shallow breaths to avoid hurting her ribs any further.

"We're not done yet. So until you've killed me, I'm still your opponent."

"Very well. Let us continue."

While the young adventurers continued to fight their battles, Dhampir Hunter and Noble Vampire also continued with their sword battle. The anger across the Noble's face was evident as she struck with all her might while Dhampir Hunter was calm, never showing more emotion than necessary.

"There you see! This is the skill of a Noble! You can't even touch me!"

"I am carefully gaging your abilities. I have no intention of foolishly charging in without knowing what you are truly capable of." Dhampir Hunter then pushed in bring his blade close to her face. "Your skills are not too bad for a false Noble."

"Damn you mongrel! How dare you look down on me!" The initial shock of him getting close enough to nearly attack her was replaced with pure rage. "I AM A NOBLE!"

Dhampir Hunter stared at the woman with a neutral voice, he then glanced upward and with a quick swipe of his sword destroyed the approaching gargoyle as it hit the ground shattering into several pieces. He once again looked toward the woman, her gaze made only more intense by the fact that her eyes were glowing.

"Tell me, who are you trying to convince of your heritage, me or yourself?"

"I WILL KILL YOU!"

xxxx

More than three hundred years ago, the landscape was far different from what it was now. The forces of good and evil waged war in a battle for supremacy, those just trying to live their lives in peace found themselves trapped in the middle of this war. One such was a young woman, whose family had been slaughtered by the minions of a vampire lord. She and other women and children of the village had been taken captive to serve the Nobility in some form or fashion. The children had been used as food for the Nobles of the castle while she and the other women were transformed into creatures of the night. Unlike the other women, she grew to love this change, her sense of superiority over others filled her with joy. Her Master and the others of the Nobility were always quick to remind her of her position as nothing more than a concubine, but she would always tell herself she was just as equal to any of them.

Fifty years had passed since she had been taken and changed, her beauty had never faded and she found herself living quite the life of luxury, minus the times she was required to service her lords. Others had killed themselves or had been killed by the Nobles, she had managed to survive, all that changed the day he came into the castle. No one knew how he entered or where he came from, but a hinter arrived in the castle, using the element of surprised her made quick work of many of the Nobles. She herself had hidden away and only when the time was right did she run to save herself. She never got a good look at the hunter, she was not foolish enough to go head first and attack him, but she had seen a figure in a long black coat with a wide brimmed hat and long sword split one of the other vampires in two.

Over the next two hundred years she moved around, sometimes acting as a servant to a stronger person other times being the one in charge. That is until she just so happened to save a particular adventurer, she hadn't meant to save him or rather intended to have him for her meal, but this man swore his loyalty to her that he and his descendants would serve her loyally. It was only in the last fifty years that she finally built up her power to take over this castle and cast her influence over the creatures in the area.

xxxx

"You mongrel…I worked to achieve my status! I won't be looked down upon anymore!" Vampire Noble screamed as she charged once again using her sword and bolts of fire from her hands to push him back further away from her. "Die you miserable piece of shit!"

Harefolk Bowman had fired his last metal bolt but only managed to take three of them due to their speed. He was forced to go back to his wooden bolts and saw Rhea Fighter struggling to keep her comrade away. The vampiric Wizard Boy took hold of her arm and flung her across the roof, as she struggled to get back up another gargoyle swooped in and clawed at her arm. He immediately raised his crossbow but remembered these wooden bolts would do nothing against the stone creatures, then his eyes feel back on the Dhampir Hunter avoiding the bolts of fire coming from the Noble.

"If I can kill her, all this ends. It will stop the Wizard and Cleric from attacking and might stop these damn gargoyles." Harefolk Bowman turned his crossbow toward the Noble. "Just one shot…all I need is one shot."

Noble Vampire angrily hissed at the Dhampir, the fight had been going on too long for her own liking and once again raised her left arm to fire another firebolt when suddenly struck her chest. The Vampire Noble Screamed in pain as she looked down and saw the wooden bolt in the left side of her chest, all eyes fell upon her and for a brief moment her Attendant was worried by the sight of her injured.

"Got her." Harefolk Bowman had a smile on his face, but this brief moment of joy would not last long.

Noble Vampire angrily hissed as she took hold of the bolt and tore it out of her chest, his bolt had missed her heart by only a couple inches.

"You damn son of a bitch!" Noble Vampire turned her attention towards the young Harefolk, if her expression could kill he would have been dead already.

She screamed once again as she flung the bolt back at him with incredible speed. The bolt struck him in his left shoulder, easily tearing through his flesh and through his bone. He screamed as he hit the ground, dropping his crossbow as he struggled to reach up to pull the bolt out of his shoulder but even the simple act of touching it sent a surge of pain through his body.

"No!" Rhea Fighter could only scream as she watched her colleague fall to the ground with the bolt in his shoulder.

"You should be focusing on me this is not time for distraction!"

Wizard Boy struck at her once again, knocking her to the ground where he then pounced on her ready to bite her neck. Rhea Fighter finally had enough, seeing him act this way and now Harefolk Bowman injured while trying to help had infuriated her. She screamed as she swung her shield away from her and struck Wizard Boy across the face. He rolled to the side surprised by the strike and as he prepared to attack she now tackled him, pressing her shield tightly against his throat and pressing her sword against his chest above his heart, he looked up surprised to see her so angry.

"I've had enough your stupidity! I've been the only one defending your petty behavior, but no more!"

"Don't you dare look down on…"

"You shut your damn mouth! You've been worried about others looking down on you or speaking badly of your sister but from what I've seen, you're the one tarnishing her legacy!" Rhea Fighter was so angry that tears ran down her face as she looked at the surprised face her of her comrade. "You do nothing but act like a petulant child who did not get his way! Because of you, one of our colleagues has been injured! If your sister was still alive, I'm sure she'd be ashamed of what you've become! If you want to do something that will make her proud, then get your head out of your ass and start acting like an adult!"

Wizard Boy could only look at her with wide eyes as he heard her scream at him, this was the only person who had always been smiling at him, even during their most difficult quests. Now though, she was no longer smiling and to hear everything she said, basically scolding him for everything they had endured was quite sobering. While all of this was happening, Rookie Warrior too was struggling to keep his friend at bay as she continued to slash as him and his shield; Fighter was struck by one of the gargoyles and unable to go and help her comrades.

"You got to break free of her control, you stronger than this." Rookie Warrior continued to back away struggling to avoid using his sword against his friend.

"Shut up and give me your blood! Let me feed!"

Rookie Warrior was pushed back once again towards the ledge, a quick glance over his shoulder not only showed him how high up they were, but around much of the castle were dozens of pikes acting as a pit of spikes to land upon. Though brief he was able to make out several skeletal figures impaled on the pikes and if he was not careful, he would end up joining them. He turned his attention back to the front and saw Apprentice Cleric hiss before charging at him, his instinct told him to move and he did as he rolled to his left as slashed at the area he had been and her momentum carried her over the edge.

"No!" Rookie Warrior from his crouching position leapt forward, extending his left arm and managed to catch her wrist before she fell.

Apprentice Cleric tightly gripped his wrist as she became aware of the situation and looked below to see the pit of spikes she would have landed on if not for him. She looked up and even though the mistress's command told her to attack and to feed, she watched him struggle to maintain his grip.

"You…you saved me."

"I got you…I won't let you fall." Rookie Warrior grunted as he attempted to pull her up only to cry out in pain.

One of the gargoyles swooped in and tore at his back, even cutting through his chainmail. Rookie Warrior grunted through the pain as he maintained his grip on her wrist, he looked up to see three of the gargoyles circling around.

"Let go of me. They'll kill you." Apprentice Cleric looked up to see the gargoyles and was worried for her comrade.

"No way…in hell am I letting go." Rookie Warrior continued to maintain his grip with his left hand as he wildly swung his right arm with sword to try and keep the gargoyles away.

He then saw one of the creatures coming in from his right and another from his left, there was no way to stop them both, a decision needed to be made. He flung his sword to the right, watching as the blade smashed through the gargoyle's wing as both fell to the ground. The second gargoyle swooped in and tore at his back again, but now he was able to grip her arm with both hands despite the pain.

"Your…your sword. You got from the Lich Queen's castle…you've treated it like it was a priceless treasure. Why would you do something so stupid?" Apprentice Cleric looked up at him with a worried look as the gargoyles continued to circle. "You idiot, let me go! They're kill you, save yourself!"

"I…I refuse to let you drop. You've always…been looking out for me, so now…it's my turn." Rookie Warrior hissed as he felt the blood running from his wounds but tightened his grip on her wrist. "No matter what happens, you and me…were in this to the end!"

Apprentice Cleric was at a loss for words as she heard him, tears ran down her face as she gave his wrist a gentle squeeze as she watched two more of the gargoyles preparing to attack. She worried this next attack would be the last and they would both go over the side, she needed to say what was on her mind if this was to be the last attack made by the enemy.

"I need to tell you that I…"

"Carbunculus…Crescunt…Iacta!"

A ball of fire flew overhead, instantly destroying the gargoyles; the two adventurers could feel the heat above them but looking back up they saw the gargoyles were gone. Suddenly, a new set of hands reached over the side near Rookie Warrior as Fighter reached down and took hold of Apprentice Cleric's other hand.

"I got you, ok together…pull!" Fighter grunted as she and Rookie Warrior, though tried and injured, pulled Apprentice Cleric back to the top of the ledge.

Once back on top the worried Apprentice Cleric was relieved to see her two comrades and further back saw Wizard Boy had destroyed the gargoyles with his staff while Rhea Fighter helped support Harefolk Bowman.

"What…what were you going to tell me?" Rookie Warrior panted heavily as he looked back toward her comrade.

Apprentice Cleric looked toward him, tears still present in her eyes as she quickly leaned in and hugged him tightly.

"Thank you…thank you so much." Apprentice Cleric knew that right now was not the best moment but would make it a point to tell him the truth once this was all done. "I'm going to tell him the truth."

Priestess was struck by the back of Attendant's right fist as she hit the ground, a small trail of blood running down her chin. She struggled to push herself back up, though not a fighter like her comrade, she would not allow him to approach Half-Demon Thief who lay motionless on the ground.

"You…why are you doing this? Why help her?"

"Because it is my duty young one. My father has faithfully served her and his father before him, we have sworn loyalty to our mistress."

"Your father but…what of your mother?" Priestess had gotten back to her feet using her sounding staff to support her.

"Sacrificed to my mistress."

His comment caught Priestess by surprise as she heard this, the shock was only intensified by his calm emotionless face and neutral tone.

"Your mother…was sacrificed? And you are fine with that? It doesn't bother you at all that she is gone!" Priestess was both angry and terrified by how casually he spoke about those of his family.

"It is our destiny to serve the mistress."

"What…what kind of destiny is that?"

Priestess and the Attendant turned their attention to see Half-Demon Thief slowly getting back to her feet, she spit the blood from her mouth as she angrily glared at the Attendant.

"So…you'd find a wife…and use her just to produce a child then get rid of her?" Half-Demon Thief struggled to walk toward him with her blades in hand.

"When I find someone worthy of bearing my child, she too shall be sacrificed, all for my mistress."

"You damn monster!" Half-Demon Thief had a look of disgust on her face as she stared at this man. "What you and your family are doing…I'd same it's just as bad as what the goblins do to their captives. In fact, you're no different than them in my eyes!"

The Attendant had a slightly frown on his face as he heard this, he then rushed over and once again slammed his fist into her stomach. While she struggled with the pain in her stomach, he then struck her across the face with enough force to knock her to the ground, then raised his foot and brought it down hard upon her left shoulder. Half-Demon Thief screamed as he twisted his foot in place as he continued to step on her body.

"Apologies…I lost my temper there for a moment." Attendant reached down, gripping the girl by her throat and raised her up until they were face to face where he proceeded to squeeze. "Soon, you won't have to suffer any further."

Half-Demon Thief struggled to catch her breath as he squeezed tighter and tighter and despite the pain in her body she reached out with her right arm and placed her right hand on his throat and started to squeeze, this action brought out a small chuckle from the Attendant.

"How foolish your struggles are. You lack the strength to strangle me with just one hand…Thief I believe is what I heard you were called?"

"I…I'm not just a thief…but an assassin as well." Half-Demon Thief had a smile on her face as she looked at him.

She suddenly extended her right index finger outward, what he could not see was a small metal ring around her finger and attached to the ring was string connected to her gauntlet. The moment the string was pulled a hidden blade extended from the bottom of her gauntlet stabbing through his neck and emerging out the other side. There was a sudden look of surprise on his face as the blood ran from the entry and exit wound; with the momentary surprise Half-Demon Thief violent turned her wrist as the blade broke off her gauntlet and remained within his neck. Attendant released her as he moved both hands towards his throat in an attempt to stop the bleeding. Half-Demon Thief hit the ground hard but had a small smile on her face as she watched the Attendant stumble around, blood running from his neck and mouth as he gurgled on his blood. With a final pained look on his face, he dropped to his knees before toppling over onto his side still clutching at his neck as he bled out.

"Fortunate for you…I kill goblins." Half-Demon Thief slumped to the ground completely exhausted from the fight. "That…that was a hell of a tough fight."

"Are you okay?" Priestess rushed to her friend's side to slowly help her back up. "What was that?"

"Hidden blade in my gauntlet…something my brother taught me." Half-Demon Thief struggled to catch her breath, though everything seemed to hurt her, she quickly retrieved her blades. "Get me a healing potion from my pack. Let's finish this fight."

Noble Vampire found her sword broken as she was knocked back by the Dhampir Hunter. She tossed aside her broken weapons and raised her arm to fire her firebolt once again when she heard the shriek from above, a hysteric smile broke across her face as the last of her gargoyles swooped in to attack.

"Lord of Judgement, sword-prince, scale-bearer, display here your power…Holy Smite!"

A bolt of lightning flew forward and struck the nearest gargoyle and then arched outward toward the other gargoyles, they shrieked before falling to the ground shattering upon impact. Noble Vampire looked on with surprise at this sight then looked back toward the Dhampir Hunter now to see the other adventurers by his side, including the two infected with vampirism. A quick glance to the side and she saw her Attendant lying motionless on the floor a pool of blood around his body.

"How dare you…HOW DARE YOU!" Noble Vampire composure long gone now devolved into hysteria as she quickly looked toward all these adventurers. "ALL OF YOU ARE BENEATH ME! HOW DARE YOU SEEK TO BE MY EQUAL!"

"It is over vampire. You minions have fallen, you are all alone now…it is time for you to perish." Dhampir Hunter raised his sword high and took hold of the grip with both hands.

"BEGONE FROM MY SIGHT!" Noble Vampire raised her hands to attack the adventurers but would not get the chance even launch one firebolt.

"O Earth Mother, abounding in mercy, grant your sacred light to we who are lost in darkness…Holy Light!"

A bright light filled the area behind the adventurers, Noble Vampire screamed as she brought her hands up to shield her eyes, her exposed flesh burning from the light that shone as bright as the sun. She moved her hands to away to attempt to see what was happening only to see a figure shroud in darkness rushing toward her. Her eyes were wide as she saw a figure in a long coat, with a wide-brimmed hat and long sword in hand charging forward, his eyes glowing blue in the darkness. The figure brought his sword down, cutting her diagonally from her left shoulder to her stomach. Once again she screamed as blood erupted from her wound and the two halves of her body fell apart from each other. Holy Light had subsided and Dhampir Hunter gave his sword a quick shake as the vampire's blood splatted against the ground.

"It…it was you…those centuries ago…it was you." Noble Vampire struggled to speak as she looked toward Dhampir Hunter cursing herself for not realizing it sooner. "You…came to finish me off…didn't you? To finish…what you started?"

"I don't know who you are, nor do I care. I am a vampire hunter and you are a vampire, that is all I need to know." Dhampir Hunter was cold in his reply as he sheathed his sword and casually walked over toward the other adventurers.

Noble Vampire let out one final gasp before she finally died, within an instant her body began to shrivel up before turning into dust. Apprentice Cleric and Wizard Boy gasped as they suddenly felt different, they turned to their comrades who confirmed that they no longer had the elongated fangs, the curse had been broken.

"That was me…wasn't it?" Wizard Boy had a visible frown on his face as he looked toward the ground. "That attitude of hers, I was showing the same thing to you all. I'm sorry, I don't know how to make this up to you all."

He then felt a hand on his shoulder and turned to see the bruised Rhea Fighter smiling at him.

"The fact that you can recognize it, is the first step towards bettering yourself. If you are able to use this as a learning experience, then I'm sure your sister will be proud of your accomplishments." Rhea Fighter as the elder of the group knew now was the time to be calm in her delivery.

Wizard Boy smiled, then he and his comrade turned to see Fighter taking hold of the wooden bolt in Harefolk Bowman's arm, having him bight down on a cloth before she yanked it out. Even with the cloth in his mouth there was an audible groan from him, thankfully Apprentice Cleric was there to use heal to tend to his wound.

"Gods, does that hurt." Harefolk Bowman breathed a final sigh of relief before looking toward the adventurers and smiling. "Thank you…the vampire is dealt with so peace should return to my village."

"You should really be thanking the Dhampir, he slew the vampire." Half-Demon Thief smiled as she motioned toward Dhampir Hunter.

"No thanks are needed. I was merely hunting my prey."

"You really are just like him, and on that note, let's get out of here and back to Goblin Slayer." Half-Demon Thief turned toward Priestess and placed a hand on her shoulder.

"Yes. We have quite the story to tell when we return."

"What will you do now?" Rhea Fighter brought the crossbow to Harefolk Bowman who finished setting him arm in a sling.

"I imagine I'll head back to my village. Though this adventure was difficult, it was certainly exciting." Harefolk Bowman slung his cross bow over his good shoulder.

"Then…would you join our party?" Rhea Fighter had a slight blush on her face as she looked toward him.

"You…you want me to join?" Harefolk Bowman was surprised by the offer, he had planned on eventually becoming an adventurer, he then turned his attention towards Wizard Boy.

"We'd be very fortunate to have your skills on our group. I know I would have been saved if not for your assistance." Wizard Boy now practicing his humility nodded his head toward Harefolk Bowman.

"Then, I shall accept. I'll let my father know when we return."

"Good. This way I'll have someone to carry me through the rivers and swamps." Rhea Fighter smiled as she felt the blush on her face intensify.

"I can tell this is going to be an interesting group." Harefolk Bowman chuckled as he looked toward Rhea Fighter and Wizard Boy with a smile.

"We did it. We managed to see this quest through." Rookie Warrior stood towards the edge of the castle looking out at the forest as the sun began to break over the horizon.

"It was certainly a difficult quest for sure. Though perhaps the next one we take should be a little easier." Apprentice Cleric smiled as she stood beside her comrade.

"Yeah, if all the quests you two take on are going to be like this, then I'm sure how long I'll be able to last." Fighter chuckled as she joined the two to look out over the horizon.

"Oh come on, yeah it was challenging and we each got injured in some form or another, but surely this beats chasing down rats in the sewer." Rookie Warrior smiled as he though about how far they had come in nearly two years at the Guild.

Fighter and Apprentice Cleric thought about what he said and after a few moments smiled as they too agreed that they had come far. Out in the forest a large creature emerged through the treetops, it was a massive butterfly in its legs was a large deer bleating as the winged creature flew off in the distance with its meal. Everyone, save Dhampir Hunter, looked at the sight of this butterfly, several times larger than the others fly away and their smiles quickly faded.

"Oh second thought, this adventure was terrible. Let's get the hell out of this forest." Rookie Warrior now without his sword felt very vulnerable.

"Agreed." Apprentice Cleric and Fighter nodded their heads as they too wished to be back in Frontier Town as soon as possible.

xxxx

Traveling through the castle, Harefolk Bowman made the unfortunate discovery that the villagers who had been taken that night had been slain by the vampire as they were used to feed her and serve as mindless monsters. Upon exiting the castle, something nearby was shining in the sun light, Rookie Warrior looked over and was surprised to find his blade now stuck in the dirt. He quickly rushed over to retrieve his sword, but as he sheathed it wondered how it had ended up on this side of the castle. Where he had through it, it should have been lost somewhere in the woods or in the spike pit off to the side of the castle, in fact the gargoyle body was nowhere to be found.

"I don't get it." Rookie Warrior shook his head as he tried to figure out how this had happened.

"This may be a gift from the Supreme God, your sacrifice to save another has been rewarded." Apprentice Cleric offered her answer though she too had no definite way to prove this had happened.

The trip back to the Harefolk village was less perilous that before, following Harefolk Bowman's marking and remembering to avoid the lily pads and quicksand, they had reached the intersection in the roads within three days.

"This is where we part ways then." Dhampir Hunter calmly turned toward his left but gave the group a final nod before his departure.

"Why not come with us?" Priestess had a slight frown as she watched him walk away, worried about him going off on his own.

"Remember, I not an adventurer." Dhampir Hunter stopped in his tracks and brought his index finger and thumb to his mouth and whistled.

His whistle echoed in the forest and after a few moments the group heard the heavy footsteps of something approaching, it almost sounded like that of a horse. From within the forest they caught sight of something glowing, surrounded in blue flames with red eyes as it galloped toward Dhampir Hunter.

"Your horse…but I thought you had killed it." Half-Demon Thief was surprised by the sight of this massive beast alive and well.

"He is a demonic beast, even if he dies he'll respawn after a few days." Dhampir Hunter mounted the massive horse before looking toward the group and smiling. "It was a pleasure to work with you. Take care of yourselves."

With a shout he and his steed took off down the opposite road, the adventurers were indeed surprised but too smiled as they waved toward him even if he couldn't see them anymore. The group continued down the other road and by dusk they had reached the Harefolk village. Though upset about the loss of their people, the rest of the village was delighted to see them back and overjoyed to hear that the threat to their village had been destroyed. There was a small celebration to honor the adventurers and it was decided that they would stay the night and then depart in the morning.

Off in one of the guest rooms, Apprentice Cleric was using a small mirror to look at her teeth, carefully checking to see that her teeth had returned to normal.

"They don't longer so I guess that means I'm fully human again. No more desire for blood anyway." Apprentice Cleric moved her fingers away from her mouth when she suddenly heard a knock at the door. "Come in."

"Hey, you alright?" Rookie Warrior entered the room and closed the door behind him.

"Oh hello. Just checking to make sure my teeth weren't fangs anymore." Apprentice Cleric had a small blush on her face as she set the mirror down. "I…I really want to thank you for all you've done for me."

"Of course, what kind of friend would I be if I tried to hurt you or left you to that curse?"

"What you said at the castle, how you and I were in this to the end, it was really cool." Apprentice Cleric smiled as she looked towards him. "Supreme God give me courage."

"Oh uh…thanks." Rookie Warrior sheepishly rubbed the back of his head. "I mean…you're always watching over me so…I thought I should carry my weight too. I…I should let you get some sleep, it's been a long week."

He turned to exit the room when Apprentice Cleric reached out and took hold of his hand.

"Wait. Would you…would you stay the night with me?"

"Uh…oh, you're still worried about all that happened. Not to worry, I'll be here to keep you safe." Rookie Warrior completely oblivious to what was being asked of him smiled brightly.

"You can be so dense sometimes." Apprentice Cleric sighed as she felt her heart racing then took both his hands in hers and looked up at him. "I'm asking that you stay the night, here…with me, and not just tonight but every night."

Rookie Warrior looked at her with wide eyes as he realized what she was saying and calmly pulled her towards him where he embraced her and she him.

"I'm not good with this, but like I said, you and I are stuck on this journey together…for better or worse, I have you and you have me." Rookie Warrior though nervous stared at his friend with a smile.

She in turn looked toward him and smiled before the two brought their lips together. What the next day would bring, none of them could predict but for tonight they would enjoy each other's company.

xxxx

"Master, the hydra have been released into the sewers, it will only be a matter of time before they make their way to main canals."

Necromancer frowned as he looked over his notes, the kraken eggs had taken well to the elixir and were able to move through the water with ease. He was nearly ready to begin his massive experiment on the countryside and the capital, but there was still one big problem he had to consider.

"How to deliver the elixir to the people?"

"Master?" The Faceless Man by his side curiously looked toward his master.

"The enhanced rats and roaches patrol the sewers to dissuade anyone foolish enough to try and seek out our laboratory. The Hellhounds, Brutes, and Abominations are loaded up on carts ready to be dispersed through the countryside, but how to spread the gift. How rude of us to keep this miracle to ourselves, but I can't just force every person to drink it…they must do it willingly. But how?"

"Perhaps some wine will help you clear your mind." The Faceless Man poured a goblet full of the liquid and brought it to the Necromancer. "You have done so much to help these people by creating this formula. Surely once they have seen the wonders it can create, they will be eager to join you."

"Perhaps. I am deeply appreciative of all the support you have given…wait." Necromancer looked toward the goblet of wine when a sudden thought popped into his head. "Heh, heh. You are quite wise yourself, I think the wine has given me a creative idea."

Necromancer looked around the sewer and to his delight spotted a small rat scurrying about the floor. He calmly walked toward the rats and spilled a small amount of the wine on the floor then from within his coat pulled out a small vial of the elixir and added a couple drops to the spilled wine. He took a few steps back, returning the vial to his coat and holding his goblet as he waited patiently for his experiment to commence. The rat, eventually caught the smell of the wine and ran over to begin drinking the liquid after nearly a minute, the rat began to shriek painfully as it began to grow in size, it teeth becoming razor sharp fangs and small spikes appear on its back.

"Magnificent, even when diluted it still has such effectiveness." Necromancer quickly finished his wine before kneeling down to call the rat. "Come to me little one. Come to your master."

The rat hissed but then ran over carefully placing itself in the Necromancer's hand, who was smiling as he stood and brought the mutation towards his face. He chuckled to himself before throwing the rat off to the right into one of the cages where the Hellhounds were being kept who eagerly devoured the small creature.

"Magnificent, simple magnificent." Necromancer began to chuckle in a sinister manner before breaking into hysterical laughter. "We are ready to begin! We shall spread the gift to every village around the countryside and when the King has seen the wonders I have shared with the world, then the Capital shall receive its own reward. For the Miracle of Life!"

Author's Note: Since the end of the Time Paradox Arc I've been hinting at his appearance, in every arc he or his minions have been present in some shape or form now…it's time for him to take center stage. The Necromancer Arc is here!