These Dark Streets

Dominic surveys the area, taking in the darkness and the coming storm. The smell of the approaching rain is damp and earthy, with a hint of ozone, like dew that's been sitting on grass through the night. It's a damp, earthy scent, like a refreshing scent of possibility, of new beginnings that can come with the rain. Dominic shivers as it is also cooling, with a hint of humidity.
He notices a small alleyway between two buildings nearby and uses it as cover. He crouches down, barely visible in the shadows, and plots his next move.
"Okay, Damian, take it slow. As your dad would say, be the shadow and the darkness that is beyond silence."
His eyes darted around the city, looking for any sign of weakness among the vampires in the city that he can exploit. Aa lone vampire stood dressed in black on an elevated platform with his back turned towards Dominic. The realization dawns on him. Surprise attack? I think so.
Damian took out an ancient crossbow given to him by his father, who got it from his father. It was already preloaded with bold blessed from a priest he save a few towns before. He set up a spot a few yards away from where the vampire stood, making sure that he had a line of sight with his target. He drew back the string of his crossbow. A bolt loaded itself and pointed it directly at the unsuspecting vampire. As he does so, another vampire appears next to the other.
The second vampire notices Dominic and calls out a warning to his comrade. "Brother, something is not right here. It seems we have a guest. Someone who isn't from here," he says in a deep, commanding voice.
His gaze fell upon Dominic and he sensed the danger the second vampire posed to him. The other vampire quickly turned around, his eyes wide with surprise. He reached for a blade hidden beneath his jacket and growls menacingly at Dominic.
Dominic knows that to survive this confrontation, then he must act fast. Be the shadow. He took aim at the first vampire and let loose the bolt from his crossbow. Damian's target was the monster's heart. But before it can make contact, the first vampire throws out his arm, catching the projectile in mid-flight.
Both vampires now move in unison toward Dominic. Their movements were graceful, like predators on the hunt. With their blades drawn, they closed in on him. Their looks told Damian that they wanted to bring an end to what they saw was an intruder in their domain.
Dominic knew fighting both vampire at the same time would prove challenging. His only chance was to engage them one at a time. Like the other will stand around waiting his turn! He drew his sword and charged toward the first vampire. He wanted to make the most of this opportunity. The sound of steel clashing against steel echoed through the night as Dominic and the vampire fight in a fierce sword battle.
Dominic dodge and parried each of the vampire's attacks with incredible skill. Be the shadow and the darkness that is beyond silence strike fast like lightning and walk away as the dust of their bodies hits the ground. He gains an advantage over his opponent and lands a fierce blow. The other kicks out, sending him flying backwards into the darkness. The second vampire entered the fight, not waiting for his turn. Dominic waste no time engaging him as the clash of steel and the grunts of the combatants echoed in the night.
The two continued their deadly duel for what Dominic consider hours. It seems the fight became a stalemate. Neither side gave way and Dominic wasn't about to give up, even though he panted heavily. Sweat dripped from his brow, and Dominic looked into the eyes of his opponents. He now recognizing them for who and what they truly were/ The monsters that killed his family.
"Slayer," one hisses, "We know of your kind and family. It's a shame your father died by our hands."
"He died fighting as someday I will go. At least if I die tonight, I'll go with honor and not like a coward," he said.
Dominic knew they wanted to kil him. For centuries, his family had proven a thorn in the vampire's side. They recognized him as not only a slayer, but a son to the man who has had more body counts than any in history. They sought retribution for the death of their kind because of his father.
"Your blood is strong and will make us powerful," said the vampire on the left.
"It's a shame you won't get a taste. Sorry, boys, but I'm not on the menu," Dominic said.
He took a deep breath, steadied himself for one last clash with the vampires. He knew this fight must end in victory or else he will join his father in death. With each swing of his sword, he channeling all the rage and grief he has felt since his father's passed into every strike. The vampires fought in desperation as Dominic pressed forward hard and fast. After a thrust, Dominic impaled one and used the dead vampire's blade to impale the other.
Both crumble to dust and Dominic turned and walked away to claim his crossbow and other equipment. Once there, a beautiful woman who reminded Dominic of his mother stood on the platform where he first spotted the vampires. She watched him with a gentle smile on her lips. It was Annika, an old friend of his father's. Dominic never expected to see her again after the funeral.
"It's been too long," she said, stepping down to meet him. "I heard what happened and I've been traveling ever since, tracking down those who kill your family and my friends."
"It's been a few years, Annika. I honestly…" Dominic said, trying to choke back some tears as seeing her this close brought back too many painful memories.
"I know, Dominic. Life is funny that way."
She paused and turned her gaze toward the spot where Dominic slayed the vampires. She dressed in a jet black body suit that conformed to every curve of her body. Any vampire who considered her old died shortly afterward. Annika may have been his father's age, but she was far from old or weak. If anyone had Dominic's father's back, it was Annika. There were times Dominic wondered if she loved him for more than a friend.
"Vampires have their own motivations and grievances that even they themselves cannot explain." She looked back at Dominic and smiled sadly. "But you know as well as anyone that vengeance never brings true justice - only more death."
"Death is part of our lives. To ignore that is detrimental to our health. It's what we do and finding a morality in what we do goes against our motivations. We are killers, even if we can't fully explain why," Dominic said.
Annika smiled widely. "Dom, now you sound like your father."

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