Mutual Hunters Reaching Across

20261005

Prompt from DailyPrompt.com

“Ah. Welcome.” The vampire said, his voice a chilling whisper, resting his sharp chin on interlaced bony fingers and closely watching the heavily armoured figure striding down the hall.
“Do not waste my time, leech.” The Hunter spat, her expression wary and contemptuous. “Why did you dare summon me?”
“Tsk. Is that how you treat prospective clients?”
“Don’t push me!” She jabbed a finger, the silver of her glove bright under the wisps slumbering within ancient sconces. “And do not think that declaring yourself king of a mountain means anything! I was raised to hunt your kind, not fall to my knees before you.”
The vampire sighed. An unpleasantly dry, leathery sound. “So dramatic. And I will have you know that I purchased this land legally. I did not ‘declare’ myself anything.”
“Speak. Your. Piece.” The Hunter growled. Her right hand still gripping her sword hilt.
“Very well. Does your experience ‘disposing’ of undead include animated skeletons?”
“Naturally.” Her tone was brisk, but her eyes had narrowed.
“Excellent. How much to deal with an… infestation in my… let us call it a basement.”
The Hunter looked around. Taking in the details of the room. Certainly far older than even the vampire, and from the finish she suspected it had been manually carved out of the rock rather than spelled. She didn’t recognise the style of the decorations.
Turning back to the… prospective client… she asked “Do you know what era these skeletons are from?”
“Oh, the skeletons themselves are very recent.” The vampire said, with utmost confidence. “The individuals in question died… hmmmm… seven moons ago.”
The Hunter glowered. “Aha. You invaded this place, murdered the inhabitants, and now seek to escape their revenge.”
“You really are dreadfully dramatic.” The vampire rolled his eyes. “Besides, I thought you people hold that it’s not ‘murder’ when the individuals in question are trying to end the world?”
“What?”
“Doomsday cult. Trying to awaken an ancient, imprisoned god of destruction. I know, I know, people never learn…”
The Hunter’s eyes narrowed. Dubious but uneasy. “Which god?”
“The one imprisoned in my basement.”
“Your…?” Her mouth fell open.
The vampire smiled. A wide, sharp, gleeful expression. “Why do you think I chose to buy such a desolate strip of land? In truth I only needed this complex, but you know how it is. Can't buy half a lot. And it was well worth the price to have endless blood on tap.”
“On ta- you’re drinking from it???”
“Naturally. Which is, you’ll be happy to hear, not only halting it from gathering strength but weakening it. There is now no risk of it eventually overcoming its bindings. You’re welcome.”
A long, conflicted pause stretched out, the Hunter chewing her upper lip and digesting these claims. Then she squared her shoulders and declared “I need to see this ‘god’.”
“Very well. But, to reach it safely, you will need to deal with those pesky cultists I contacted you about. Terribly sore losers. And… well…” The vampire shrugged. His expression faintly rueful. “Being a creature of blood magic as I am…”
“Ah.” The corner of her mouth twitched.
“Indeed. And, while my instincts are to hunt your kind, not grovel before you…” The vampire raised one hairless brow, his tone gently mocking, and she snorted. “I must concede your expertise. If you deal with these pests for me, you are welcome to loot the lower floors of the complex. Just don’t do anything that might adversely affect the magics. The god has not been that weakened.”
“Humph.” The Hunter scowled, but nodded. “Fine. I’ll dispel these cultists - but if I find out you’re lying, and they were innocents…”
“Oh, feel free to investigate.” The vampire drawled sardonically. “I recommend you start with the big pit of baby skeletons. Be warned, they’re whiny things. Harmless, but whiny. I would appreciate you dealing with them while you’re at it.”
“…Where were they even getting babies, all the way out here?”
The vampire gave a thin smile. “Ah. Poke around the dungeon. And draw your own conclusions. It was the first time anyone has begged me to kill them. An interesting experience.”
“Mother Moon…!” The Hunter shook her head. “Fine. Apparently you managed to find even greater monsters than you. But don’t think this changes what you are.”
The vampire rolled his eyes and wearily scoffed “Currently I am a chartered landowner who is complying with the law - including not murdering anyone. So not your problem. And, for as long as I’m minding my own business here, you don’t have to deal with whatever god of destruction is chained in my basement. Surely that peace of mind is worth a little amnesty?”
“We’ll see.” The Hunter lifted her chin. “Where’s this ‘basement’ of yours? And stay where I can see you, leech.”
“Mutual, mortal.” The vampire grumbled, rising with unnatural grace. “Follow me.”

Prompt was “I was raised to hunt your kind, not fall to my knees before you.”