This was their final stand.
Raphael and his men marched towards the gothic-looking castle on top of the gentle rolling hill. He gripped the wooden stake as the muscles in his arms tightened.
"Sir." One of his men jogged up right beside him. "It's too quiet."
Raphael surveyed the forest; the sun was breaking through the horizon and masked the thin wispy clouds and trees with a gentle orange sheen. Normally, he would expect to hear the birds greeting the brand-new day, but today, not a single sound of life made its morning call.
"Stay on guard. These bastards are probably hiding from the sun," Raphael said.
The soldier nodded and fell back to join the group.
The vampires were indeed weaker during the day, but they were still faster and stronger than the average human. This was a testament to their sheer monstrous strength during nightfall.
Raphael gritted his teeth. He hoped that these vampires didn't notice their surprise attack.
They received a tip from a local villager that the Vampire Queen was seen visiting the village, and it was taking refuge at the abandoned castle that once belonged to the La Fay family.
A small voice whispered in his head. 'This is a trap.'
He tightened his grip on the wooden stake. Even if this were a trap, if there were even a tiny chance that the Vampire Queen resided in this castle, it would be well worth checking.
As long as the Vampire Queen was alive, vampires would continue to walk on this earth.
Despite the advantages of fighting during the day, Raphael knew that some, if not all, of his men, may not return home today. So perhaps today would be his last day as well.
The tail of his lip quirked up. 'Before I die, I'll make sure to take down as many as I can.'
With his resolve burning brighter than before, he and his men continued to march forward to the final boss's lair.
The moment they exited the forest, the air cooled, chilling their bodies right down to their bones.
Raphael's eyes darted around. His years of hunting vampires were being put to the test.
Up ahead was the dilapidated wall surrounding the castle – no – the soon-to-be vampires' graveyard.
Blood boiled under his skin, and his heart leapt in joy. He could sense these foul wretched creatures observing them. He swallowed down his laughter. If the vampires were here, then the chance of their Queen also residing in this castle just doubled.
"Men!" Raphael called out. "Stay alert. It looks like we've got company."
A sickening squelch followed by something warm and wet splattered across his cheeks.
"AHHHH!" One of his men screamed.
Raphael whipped around, and his eyes widened.
One of his soldiers dropped to their knees before collapsing in their pool of blood.
Their head was missing.
"Calm down!" Raphael barked out his order. "Stay in formation!"
He bent his knees; his eyes scanned the surrounding, the shadows from the destroyed wall danced under the rising sun as if they were alive.
His nose scrunched. A sharp rotten smell perforated the air. He threw the wooden stake at one of the growing shadows, and with a dull thud, a body dropped.
Raphael approached the dead body and kicked the side to turn the body over.
Its eyes were wide open, presenting its unnatural crimson eyes and slit-like pupils. Its skin was white as bare bones, and its mouth parted to showcase its unnaturally long canines.
He scrunched his nose. 'Disgusting vermin.'
Facing his man, Raphael presented the dead body.
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"We have nothing to fear. The sun is on our side." He met the eyes of each of his men. Some grew brave while others shrunk in fear.
"Don't forget our mission. You..." He cleared his throat and squared his shoulder. "We are humanity's last hope. When we kill the Queen, no longer will we fear the night."
"Yes, sir!" One of his vice-captains stepped forward and placed his right hand over his heart.
A sign of respect and servitude.
His men followed suit and placed their hands over their hearts one by one.
Raphael looked down at one of his fallen men with a curt nod.
He knelt next to the headless body.
He closed his eyes and performed the sign of the cross.
'I promise you, Frank. I will give you a proper send-off after I destroy the Queen's heart. Your death will not be in vain.' Raphael silently prayed.
"Rest in peace, Frank," Raphael said as he stood up. He turned back to the abandoned castle. His rage was quietly burning in his heart. "Let's go." He commanded.
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
The giant wooden door opened with a groan.
Only their footsteps clicked against the broken ceramic tiles of the main foyer.
A flash caught the stream of sunlight from the cracked window.
Raphael swung his short sword and deflected something with a clang.
A small dagger clattered against the floor.
Instantly, a black cloaked figure appeared in front of Raphael. Its sharp teeth aimed for his throat.
"Ugh!" He brought his sword up to protect his neck, but the force was strong enough to push him across the room.
"Captain!"
A cacophony of screams broke out.
More and more black cloaked figures emerged from the shadows. A pale arm with sharp nails jutted out from the cloak, ripping and tearing his men apart.
Raphael had no time to waste. He needed to quickly dispose of the vampire and find the Queen before she attempted to escape.
"AUGH!" He swung his sword with all his might to push the creature of the night off him. Then, with his other hand, he brought out another wooden stake.
He brought the stake down, aiming for its heart.
The vampire dodged the strike and swung its sharpened claws towards his eyes.
Raphael took a small step back, barely dodging the strike.
"Kekeke," the vampire tittered. "Your blood...it smells ...divine."
The hood slipped off its head, revealing greasy dark green hair that hung over its face in fat clumps. It smiled, revealing its sharp canines.
Raphael's stomach churned; the scent of rot radiated from this vampire's body.
"How..." He gripped the stake, the wooden weapon giving slightly from the force of his handling. "How many did you kill?"
The vampire snorted, barely covering his glee with its hands. "Do you recall how many animals you consume on a daily?"
Raphael saw red.
He would make sure this bastard dies an excruciating death.