The silence in the forest was uncomfortable. The forest was bathed in the darkness of the night, only the small amounts of moonlight were able to shine through the trees. Even though the moon was covered by the clouds. Snow was already sticking to the ground.

The silence was only broken by the swift of a chase through the forest. There is a hunt going on this night. The thing being chased only stops in the forest clearing where upon looking around they see a pair of golden eyes surrounding them. Then next the feeling of only the cold. Its head was cut clean off by a small woman wielding a large ax.

The small woman walks into the clearing, casting a shadow over the dead body. Her long black dress was now covered in blood. The blood on the axe just drips, pooling into the already large puddle of blood on the snow. She is at peace here, the blood and night are home to her.

Sadly the peace was interrupted by the loud cry of a man, he is screaming for mercy and to be spared. The woman knows who is hunting him. Not a few seconds later she heard the sounds of the snow crunching under someone’s feet. Then she looks up, glowing purple eyes piercing the veil of darkness, perched up in the tree relaxing. Also covered in blood, but more along with the mouth and dripping down the throat.

“Was that the last of them?” the woman asks.

“Pretty much, all cowards they are,” the person in the tree responds.

“Don’t you wonder why these spawns are getting bolder. But on the other hand, you are becoming messy dear, look at yourself. No regard on how you hunt anymore. Stop using your teeth, your nails are sharp enough to tear a throat out.”

“I know they are such strange creatures. And do not mother me Victoria. You yourself are getting slower, and slower means weak,” they lean over the branch they were sitting on. Their face is now clear in the light. 

“At least we are not dead, Beolin,” she taunts.

At that moment their argument was interrupted but the sounds of footsteps crunching on the snow. Out of instinct, Victoria's axe aligned itself with the intruder's neck. Her body not even moving an inch. Beolin only moved a slight bit from their seat.

The person lets out a small scream and then takes a good look at the two people next to them. One small woman and a terrifying person behind her.

“Um, Generals Victoria and Beolin?” They ask with a huge lump in their throat. 

“Who wishes to know?” Victoria leans into the person on the ground, not letting her axe leave its spot.

The terrified person heads her two letters with shaking hands, “It's from the lieutenant.”

Victoria lets down her axe and takes the letters. She looks at the names on the front and the seals on the back. Beolin jumps off their branch and joins Victoria. Their towering figure cast a shadow over the letter carrier. Both take the letter and read it. The poor letter carrier runs away from them after finishing their job

“So we are wanted in Noctius Beo,” Victoria smiles.

“It seems like it Victoria, the place of many of our memories,” Beolin adds.

“Tis also likely we will not be the only ones to be invited.”

“All the more fun for us Victoria,” Beolin gives a sinister smile. “But what shall we do with the bodies?”

“Just leave them, by the time the sun rises they will be dust,” Victoria giggles.

Interrupting Victoria’s joy was the sound of the wind picking up, the sounds much different than before. Its howl is nothing more than music to Beolin’s ears. The smell changes as well, it is sweeter. It smelled sweet until the direction changed into a sinister smell of blood. 

“Victoria," Beolin’s face drops into a look of either anger or concern. “Something has changed.”

“I could smell it too Beo, something new is happening. Something is going to tip the scales.”

“You could say that, but it smells familiar do you smell it too?”

The two Acers look at each other with a look of sinister joy.

“Jessica,” they say together.

With one last smile, the two Acers begin racing. Their movement was faster than the naked eye could see. The only giveaway of their presents is the sound of the snow crackling beneath their feet and the lingering smell of vampire blood.