Sometimes Alexei would ask himself why he had to suffer through this life. What made it all worth while and why didn't he kill himself earlier? Because he was afraid to die. He could now sympathize with those he had killed and... he could do the same for his father.

In truth it had been only about a year since he was turned. It was an embarrassment, and if his family ever found out he would be dead for sure. And now he had someone to live for or should that be plural?

He watched Ana sleeping. She had grown a lot in recent travels. She had been there for him in all of the recurring failures. Two more cities had been burnt to a crisp and they still had not found the culprit. In a few of the smaller towns where the refugees had fled, there were rumors MANY rumors. Some said that a new vampire had come into power, others said the gods were about to bring war upon them, others said that the elementals had returned. Nothing could be confirmed so Alexei did not bother with most of the information. The new vampire thing was interesting.

So had Yamabuki, that monster, fallen out of power? He was one of the most powerful vampires for as long as anyone could remember. Then after he had bitten Alexei he seemingly dropped of the face of the earth.

'He should not have been able to get that far.' Alexei growled inside his head. The cross on his forehead, his birthmark, was supposed to be on of the most powerful wards. Theoretically Alexei had to be stabbed and then turned, but it didn't work that way! He also had to drink that freaks blood as well and he did not remember doing that.

The young man closed his eyes tight. If he did not hunt soon he would lose himself. 

***

Alexei awoke with a start. Three people were in his room and yelling all at the same time. With his eyes half closed he sat up and was greeted by three "ALEXEI!"'s.

He ignored it for a bit and looked around for Anastasia. Did she wander off again or--Oh wow. 

He was looking directly into the fuzzy dragons cream colored face. Over night she had grown into a Shrape. A terran at that!

"Ana! You're amazing!" He cried and huggled her around the neck.

*I'm so happy you like it! I think it's quite stunning myself.* She giggled.

"I really hate to interrupt the happiness and joy, but like I've been trying to tell you there's a major situation down at the opposite end of the village." It was Hosanna speaking and she was barely dressed. Her hair was also ruffled and it looked like she had been smacked around a few times.

Pictor and Ziven were also there. They both looked like something that had been dragged through mud for miles. They apparently had come from another part of the little town as well.

Pictor leaned on the foot of Alexei's bed, "Buddy. We've got all sorts of vampires and ghouls at the west part of town. I did my best to get the people out, but... some didn't make it."

Ziven squeaked. "These things are powerful! You have to stop them Mister Slayer!"

Alexei held out his hand. "Wait. Wait. You expect me to destroy these things when you were having problems yourself?"

"You're a great vampire hunter!" Pictor hissed.

"You didn't." Alexei hissed back. How dare Pictor! How DARE he!

Doushi barged into the room panting. "More! Vampires are at the east gate! All of you magic users better do something or we're doomed!" He slipped to the floor with a soft thud.

*Alexei. I told all of them... I really don't know why either.*

Alexei's anger suddenly subsided. He had forgotten that Ana could easily read his mind, and he never thought she would tell anyone about that. They may have guessed by his last name, but there was probably more than one Crux family. At least he hoped that was true.

"All right. Could you all just let me get dressed and get my gear. Oh, and don't think you aren't helping." He waited until everyone but Ana left to get out of bed and suit up.

*You seem happy, even with hoards of vampires knocking at your door.*

Alexei snorted. "You have no idea what it's like to be a hunter in the first place. You couldn't understand and even if you could you could not understand what its like to be stuck like this."

*You're right on both accounts...* Ana suddenly 'Fweed.' *I'm going to help you today! I still have the cross you gave me and I have a brand new set of claws. They may be met for digging but I'm sure that won't matter if you're in trouble.*

"Don't get ahead of yourself." Alexei smiled as he grabbed his crossbow. It was time to show the world what the Crux family could do.

***

"Twenty-seven." Alexei said as he staked another vampire. This one was especially nice looking, with dark brown hair and simple brown eyes. She would have made a great girl friend if she was not a vampire. However she was and she had died for that.

Hosanna finished staking another vampire with her wooden umbrella. "How many more are there? This is a nightmare!"

"Well, since the majority ran away when I staked the leader I'd say only about twenty more to go. Each that is." Alexei decapitated one as he spoke.

Hosanna whimpered. 

Ana tackled an unsuspecting vampire who was about to attack Hos. *Watch your back, silly!*

"Thanks." Hosanna sighed as she staked another vampire. The number one reason why she wanted to be a priestess was to avoid things like this, but of course her holy magic was no bloody use at the most important time.

Pictor was doing his best along side Zi. Together they had taken out about forty vampires. Not without a few bruises, and scratches mind you. Despite there skills they were trying along with Hosanna.

Why did Alexei and Anastasia seem to have endless energy?

"Thirty-One...." Ziven said in disbelief at the amount of slaying Alexei was doing. 

*Fwee! Look at Alexei save those villagers!* 

"No kidding. What is he at now? Forty?" Pictor was collapsed on the ground trying his best to breath.

*Yep. He's really going fast. I wonder if that's healthy.*

"He just took out four with his crossbow!" Hosanna looked on wide eyed. Either that bow was extremely powerful for Alexei was extremely well trained. Or maybe both.

It did not matter. Most of the vampires and other creepy crawlies were leaving. In fact now, all of them were at least trying to get away. Alexei grabbed a vampire by the back of the coat and put him in a headlock.

The vampire whimpered, "I'll do anything! Just let me live!"

"Anything?" Alexei whispered dangerously in his would be victim's ear.

"Yes! Anything!"

"Tell me who sent you." 

"I..."

Alexei squeezed the man's neck lightly. "I could pop it off like a daisy."

"I don't know her by name. I only know that she's taken over Agari Yamabuki. He's disappeared and the other vampires wanted a leader, so they elected her. It was said that the Crux family member Alexei had shattered Agari. She claims she saw it with her own eyes! That's all I know!" The vampire pleaded to be let free.

 He could not understand. He could not have defeated Agari since he had lost. It was impossible. Alexei had been the one who was shattered NOT Agari. "Well then, you'll be happy to know that I'm Alexei Crux."

The vampire stopped his pleading. Now, he knew he was doomed.

*Alexei....* Ana's through projected in the back of his mind as he was drawing back his crossbow string.

He sighed. "Leave vampire. Tell your new mistress that Alexei Crux is back."

Without hesitation the vampire scurried away. Leaving Alexei empty handed. The white haired man turned back to his party and walked towards them. "How many?" He asked.

"Fifty!" Ziven exclaimed. "It was amazing!"

"Not my best." Alexei said as he quickly walked past them. His clothing was almost tattered to bits, there were some blood spots, but still he remained impressive. "Shall we get cleaned up before we head out."

Everyone but Anastasia groaned.

Let the games begin.