The Vampire Hunter

Prologue

In the heart of a vast and ancient forest stood a solitary wooden cabin, nestled amidst towering pines and whispering oaks. 

The moon cast a gentle glow upon the earth, painting the surroundings with a silvery hue. A soft breeze rustled through the leaves, creating a soothing melody that danced through the air. 

It was a night where tranquility reigned supreme, where the troubles of the world seemed to fade away in the embrace of nature's embrace. Within the cozy cabin, a warm hearth crackled, casting flickering shadows on the walls, as if telling secrets only the night could hear. 

The scent of pine mingled with the scent of a distant campfire, inviting all who approached to find solace within its humble walls. And so, on this peaceful night, the wooden cabin stand as a sanctuary, a refuge from the chaos of the outside world, beckoning those who sought respite and a moment of serenity. 

Little did they know, within those walls, a tale was about to unfold, where the quiet forest would become witness to a sinister, dark, and evil entity about to emerge. 

High above the forest floor, nestled amidst the branches of a towering oak, stood a watchtower like no other. Its wooden structure, weathered and aged by the passing of time, harmonized with the surrounding wilderness. There, on the watchtower, two guards can be seen.

The moonlight bathed the scene in an ethereal glow as the two men stood atop the watchtower, their eyes scanning the surrounding forest. The first man, a figure adorned in weathered leather armor and sturdy steel shoulder pads, gripped his crossbow tightly, his voice cutting through the silence.

"Quite the night, eh?" he remarked, a glint of excitement in his eyes.

The second man, his countenance shrouded in shadows, responded with a voice devoid of emotion. "I don't find solace in peaceful nights," he muttered, his gaze never faltering as he surveyed their surroundings. "Our duty demands unwavering vigilance. We cannot afford complacency in the face of tranquility."

Undeterred, the first man dismissed his companion's somber tone with a wave of his hand. "Bah, enough with your brooding," he retorted, a mischievous grin playing on his lips. "Tonight calls for a moment of respite. Join me, won't you? Let's partake in some mead or ale to pass the time." With a swift motion, he retrieved a hidden flask from his trusty rucksack, already embracing the warmth and camaraderie that only a shared drink could bring.

The second man's voice trembled with concern as he watched the first man indulge in the drink. "What are you doing?" he questioned, his eyes narrowing with a mix of caution and disbelief. "If vampires were to launch an assault on our hall, it would be our own fault for neglecting our duty!"

A chuckle escaped the first man's lips as he took a long swig from his flask, his carefree demeanor contrasting sharply with his companion's apprehension. "Quit worrying, my friend," he retorted, a glimmer of amusement dancing in his eyes. "You're being overly paranoid, that's what. Besides, it's been a decade since the last vampire sighting. They're likely extinct by now, for all I care." His words were punctuated by another gulp of mead, the liquid cascading down his throat, momentarily drowning out the weight of their responsibilities.

The stillness of the night was broken by the faint rustling of thick brush, instantly catching the attention of the vigilant second man. Swiftly, he snatched his crossbow, his eyes narrowing as he aimed at the source of the sound, ready to defend their post.

A smirk tugged at the corners of the first man's lips as he observed his companion's cautious response. "Oh, come on, really?" he jeered, his voice laced with playful mockery. "A mere rustling of leaves in the bushes has you reaching for your crossbow? It's probably just squirrels or rabbits or whatever harmless creatures reside there." With a dismissive gesture, he continued to drown his senses in another swig of mead, oblivious to the impending danger.

"Quiet! Shut up!" The second man hissed, his gaze darting around the area surrounding the bushes, his brows furrowed in a mixture of concentration and concern. However, his searching eyes found nothing, leaving him perplexed.

"See? I told you it was nothing," the first man began to say, his voice trailing off. Yet, before he could complete his sentence, an invisible force seized the second man, pulling him away in a blur of motion too swift for the eye to capture, leaving only a bewildered expression in his wake.

"Shit! Sound the alar—" The first man's words were cut short as he, too, was swiftly snatched away by an unseen entity, leaving the watchtower devoid of human presence.

With the peaceful night yielding to the encroaching darkness, the cabin became encircled by the sinister presence of vampires, emerging from the shadows to claim their long-awaited goal: to travel into the mortal realm.