"Having a crisis of faith?" mocks the Serpent. "How typical of the Church dogs. You swear your lives to the doctrine, yet have you ever saved anyone? Have you ever made the world a better place? You fools can't possibly under -"

Without warning, Vincent drives his sword into the vampire's leg. The Serpent screams loudly in agony, his voice echoing along the cavern.

"This body is weak," he whispers. "And you kept your operation nice and small. Why would the Serpent, who often chooses entities of high magical potential, reincarnate in such a weak host? And why so secretive, suddenly?"

Suddenly, the vampire stops screaming. He looks up at the hunter, then he smiles at him malevolently.

"I already found it," says the Serpent. "The place of legends. Once I return, I will obtain its power. Then, this world and all those beyond it will be mine..."

"Found what?" cries Vincent. "What did you find? Talk, you sick freak!"

The vampire cackles maniacally at them. He tries stabbing at the Serpent several more times, but the vampire only laughs harder. After a few minutes, he gives up and turns his back on the creature.

"Looks like we might have to bring him back alive," says Vincent. "I think we can bind him using -"

"Look out!" cries Chen.

Vincent turns around to see several projectiles flying toward him. He recognizes them immediately as crystallized blood darts. In the next second, he curses himself for falling into the vampire's trap. He doesn't have enough time to dodge this attack. Slowly, he closes his eyes in resignation.

"..."

But the darts never touch his skin. When he opens his eyes, he finds Chen standing in front of him. Her chest is pierced with several of the darts. His eyes widen in horror as he realizes what the girl just did.

"Chen!" cries Vincent as he catches her in his arms. "Why did you -"

"Damn," whispers the Serpent. "I missed..."

With those last words, the vampire lowers his head lifelessly. In a few moments, the body starts turning into ashes. But Vincent could care less about the Serpent right now. He turns back to the girl. Chen coughs violently coughs blood before looking up at him.

"Everything's going to be alright," whispers Vincent soothingly. He can feel tears roll down his cheek, but he manages a small smile.

"Liar," replies Chen.

She lowers her head and looks down at her chest, still impaled with several blood darts.

"T-that looks pretty bad, doesn't it?" says the girl jokingly.

"It's alright!" cries Vincent. "I'll take you to a healer. They will find some way to -"

Chen silences him with her finger. She weakly motions for him to come closer. He reluctantly obeys, knowing that these will be her last words. With the last bit of her strength, she shoves her crossbow into his arms. Her voice is only a whisper when she speaks, but he hears each word clearly.

"Don't cry," she whispers softly. "I am with you. Always."

Then, as the last light of her eyes dim, she smiles at him one last time.

He will never forget that peaceful face.

She was beautiful.

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