Chapter 12

Loneliness had beckoned Miranda once more as she wandered aimlessly in search for a new home. This marked the second time her home was reduced to ashes. But this time, it was much more complex and puzzling, as the so-called vampire who reduced Randell into rubble did not fit the description of a vampire she knew at all.

Who is she? What is she? The only answer Miranda could construct was that she was no ordinary being, something she had never met before, something extremely powerful, that at her current state, she stood no chance.

This only meant one solution, she had to become stronger, she must.

The closest town she knew from there was Rudoore, as that was where she decided her next destination would be. Being in the vampire hunting business all these years helped her knowing her geography, she never expected that they would come in handy in such a manner, as she used to travel on carts back then, moving from one town to another to thwart any vampiric attack.

The rain was pouring without showing signs of letting up, the night was dark after all the blaze from Randell had been extinguished from the rain. It was a cold and chilly night, draped in a thick overcoat, Miranda pressed on.

She had nowhere to rest, the path to Rudoore was mostly a straight road down from Randell, the opposite direction from the woods, plains encompassing most of the trip. The weather too extreme to lay down and take a breather.

Just as the sun had begun showing its rays, Rudoore was at sight.

"Who is it?" The guard manning the main gate of the town asked as Miranda presented herself. "Miranda Rose, vampire hunter," she replied with determined eyes.

"You're too young to be one," the guard returned with a snarky remark.

Miranda then pulled a knife out and flung it right onto the cloth hat of the guard, "I am indeed one." The dagger brought the hat all the way up the tip of one of the gate's pillars, and had it positioned there firmly. This caused the lowly guard to cower in fear of Miranda's impressive ability, "y… you may enter…" he opened his hand to the gate, welcoming Miranda. Wise choice.

After what had transpired, Miranda tightened with her guard, eyeing every single walking person with utmost caution. She had to ensure to minimize the mistakes currently, and taking no chances. The Scarlet Devil who called herself "Remilia" could be hiding somewhere, despite the fact that daytime had arrived, and vampires were supposed to no show themselves until night. However, despite claiming to be one, Miranda wasn't buying that Remilia was the same "vampire" as the ones she normally hunt, as such, any characteristics a vampire would have wouldn't be applied to her case.

Ignoring the various gazes from the public, Miranda made her way to the inn of the town to get some much needed rest. She had brought with her some money, mostly given to her by the lads of late Randell for helping out with the vampire sweep.

Securing herself a room, she laid down her equipment and sat on the bed, lightly close her eyes, but her ears were on constant standby, catching any suspicious noise, her nerves were still on their edges despite being in an inn, the rest was hardly deep and recuperative.

Such tension eventually died down after exhaustion had gotten the better of her, as her head immediately sunk onto the comfy pillow and she dozed off to a good sleep.

For the next one year, nothing major happened. Remilia did not return, but the usual attacks from the lesser vampires were still present, and Miranda provided great support to the hunter's guild of Rudoore.

She had gradually warmed up to the townsfolk, becoming very close with the vampire hunter's guild, which called themselves "Black Panthers", dressing themselves up in all-black clothing, their battle style was a stealthy one, as well as being very proficient with vampire hunting, hence Miranda could blend in rather easily. She was already part of the team, just after the very first attack from the vampires, where she caught their attention for her exceptional skills.

"Hey Miranda! Let's go for a drink!" One of her new teammates invited her, it was a man in his early twenties, Alan's the name, who had an exceptional relationship with booze, something Miranda detested earlier due to her sad past with it, but eventually came to terms with it after witnessing the Black Panthers weren't like her old master, booze was drank to celebrate and nothing major happens after that.

"Stop that, Alan, she's underaged, and so am I! Now quit asking us to drink all the time!" Lily retorted, being one of the two female members in the group of six, because of this, she's the closest with Miranda, as the two often shared idle talk and gossips, sometimes talking behind the other members of the group.

She's also Miranda's housemate, as Lily had taken her in to live with her family. Once again, not wanting to be a freeloader, Miranda volunteered to help out with the house chores, and performed them exceptionally.

Led by Barto, Alan, Lily, Marco, Robert and Miranda made up the rest of the team. The group had been one of the more organized guilds of vampire hunters. Their attacks on the vampires were far more efficient than any other groups she met, their teamwork was fluid and so was their relationship. Barto was normally the one giving orders, as well as staying behind to monitor the situation. The remaining five would hop around with great agility and take out the vampires, like panthers mowing down their enemies with great skill and dexterity.

After completing the job, the local tavern would treat them all the food and drinks they could gulp down, all under the house. Rudoore had been quite peaceful thanks to the valiant efforts of the Black Panthers, their townsfolk living happily in peace. At many occasions, Miranda felt like she had found a new home.