Chapter 11

For the next six months, Miranda spent her days with Iris and her father, Mr. Barnes. It came to surprise to hear that they were residing at the rebuilt town of Randell, which Miranda recalled was destroyed by a vampiric attack five years ago. "The location's nice, it was just outside the forest, and there's a large stream flowing by, we could easily plant crops as well as gather wood here." That was what Iris believed when Miranda questioned her. "My father and I moved in just after the town was rebuilt." She added.

At Miranda's insistence, she had learned the arts of housekeeping from Iris. She did not want to be a freeloader, offering any help she could to the Barnes. Iris was a very able girl herself, just only one year older than Miranda, her housekeeping skills were top notch, and Miranda was always in awe looking at Iris doing the cleaning.

"You learned fast," Iris remarked, referring to Miranda with her newly acquired cleaning skills. Miranda was flattered by the compliment, she was actually a pretty fast learner herself, most evident during her time with Alberto, where it did not take her too long to learn the majority of vampire hunting skills her former mentor taught her.

Speaking of vampire hunting, Miranda gradually opened herself up and offered her services to the local vampire hunting guild. Many recognized her when she brought up her knives, and those who didn't would surely recognize the name of her master. Every time Miranda mentioned his name, she gritted her teeth. That foul man…

The attacks often came in biweekly, with the hunters stationed just after the river, facing the woods, protecting the town from the filthy beings by exterminating them outside. Miranda equipped herself with the usual arsenal – straps and belts to slot in as many daggers as she could fit, at this point she could hold twenty of them. They were given for free by the local townsfolk after recognizing her skills, as during every onslaught, she would often be the one contributing the most, killing off many vampires from afar with her deadly accuracy, as well as her superb agility in rushing into the masses and hacked them into pieces. She had developed what it seemed to be a cult following among the younger children in town, as well as great respect from the older residents.

One night, Iris summoned her, pulling her hand mischievously as she dragged Miranda and brought her to the outskirts of the forest.

"Come with me!"

"Wait!"

Joy and laughter filled up the short trip from Randell to the unknown destination Iris was bringing her to. The new life was considered stable, although they had to be vigilant about the vampiric attacks, nevertheless Miranda had settled down and was able to enjoy life.

"There they are!" Iris exclaimed as she pointed at a field of blue flowers. Upon arriving, they knelt down to appreciate the beautiful flowers. They were quite numerous, covering a significant area of the field. Its flower was dazzlingly blue, radiating the moonlight rays from the equally magnificent full moon tonight.

"These flowers are called 'irises', they were my mother's favorite," mentioned Iris as she stuck her nose near to the flowers and lightly inhale to enjoy the light yet pleasant aroma of them.

"Were?" Miranda noticed the usage of a part term.

"She's no longer here since seven years ago," added Iris, her eyes showed a hint of sadness, "she was the most beautiful person in this world."

"I am sorry…"

"My father said I was named after this flower, and every now and then, we would bring them to visit my mother."

Miranda went to caress the petals of the blue-shaded flower. Not one to enjoy flowers often, but perhaps her ladyhood had gradually grown into her as she was able to marvel at the flower's beauty.

Then, it happened.

The town of Randell was encased by a gigantic red wave, shaped like a cross. Cries and outbursts could be heard clearly from the town, "what!?" Miranda noticed the danger coming from the town, and rushed back.

"Miranda, wait!" Iris immediately followed.

It was a horrid scene to witness at the town of Randell. Multitudes of corpses piled together as they looked to be shriveled, as if being sucked dry. The buildings were all in blazes once again, a scene Miranda was very familiar with.

Iris was left in shock and despair, "nooooo!" her legs falling over as she closed her ears and bawled. Her father, her home, her friends, all seemingly had become a lost cause.

Miranda was much calmer, scanning the area as fast as she could, looking for the perpetrator.

"I've been waiting for you." A voice emanating clearly from the rooftop. She was rather far away, but her voice loud and clear. Her calling hastily directed Miranda's gaze onto the mysterious being, which suddenly vanished, appeared again to another rooftop on a nearer building, vanished again, and materialized again, this time just on top the building where Miranda and Iris were looking from below.

"Did… you do this?" Miranda asked, teeth clenching and fist shaking, anger boiling up inside her.

"That is correct. I burned down all the houses, killed all the townsfolk, and sucked them dry." The female-like creature licked her thumb of blood as she spoke. She was no taller than Iris or Miranda, with the physical appearance of a ten-year old. Her dress was white but soiled with the bloody color of red all over. Her most interesting feature, however, was the mysterious pair of black wings protruding from her back. "So, what are you going to do now?" Her voice intimidating.

"You… you!" Miranda pulled a dagger out, having brought her arsenal with her tonight, and flung it with utmost anger at the taunting of the enigmatic foe. It was deadly accurate, but hit only a dark mist, as the enemy vanished again in front of her own eyes.

"Impressive accuracy," the voice coming from behind this time, as the unknown enemy appeared right at her back and caressed her long silvery hair, "beautiful hair…"

This further infuriated Miranda as she pulled two more daggers out and turned around to attack, wailing her knives around hoping to hit the target. The opponent dodged effortlessly at every single attempt. Having enough, she returned one single attack, which clawed into Miranda's right shoulder, halting her barrages and causing her to close up the wound with her left hand.

The wound was deep and stinging, blood gushing from it. The sight of blood caused the mysterious foe to lick the edge of her lips, "do not worry," she suddenly spoke, "I do not seek for your blood, but…" immediately she fired what seemed to be red needle projectiles at the defenseless Iris, filling her entire frontal body with them, causing blood to burst out of her mouth.

"Noooo!" Miranda exclaimed, but her shoulder prevented her from providing any relevant resistance, as she looked onward to Iris's limber body being held up by some mysterious power used by the foe. Waving her fingers, Iris was quickly drained of blood from her dying body and the blood was transferred to the conjuror through unknown means.

With not a single drop of blood spared, the wilted carcass of Iris was thrown beside Miranda, who immediately examined her precious friend. No signs of life were present.

"You… you!" Miranda bellowed with tears as she held up her unmoving friend, eyes glaring at the amused enemy. She wanted to avenge for Iris, but the underlying sensation of fear against this terrifying foe prevented her, and she felt hopeless.

"My name is Remilia Scarlet, the Scarlet Devil." Remilia curtsied as she introduced herself mockingly, "I am a vampire." She added.

The revelation that this very enemy was a vampire further enraged Miranda, as it was well known that her specialty was in fact, hunting these monsters down. How was it that, this vampire was so remarkably different than the previous ones?

"Remember my words, Miranda Rose. I will take away everything you hold dear." After Remilia had said that, she turned into a swarm of bats and flew off into the sky, laughing maniacally as she left the grief-stricken Miranda with no other survivors in the burning town of Randell.

How… how did she know my name? The rain began to pour down, extinguishing the burning houses of Randell, yet the anger inside Miranda did not die down, as she slammed the ground with her fist, vowing to hunt down the so-called vampire for good.