Miki stared at the looming structure that would be Cerberus' new base of operations. They had only just arrived and rain was pouring down from the heavens towards her, getting her completely soaked. She paid it no mind, however, as it was simply good to finally be out of that cursed carriage.

"Let's go inside, Miki. I have an important job for you."

She nodded and followed Cerberus inside the place. It was dimly lit and she saw a couple familiar faces when they entered the front door. Apparently, the others must have gotten here faster than they had. She ran her hand through her fairly short silver hair, which was now completely soaked and wondered where she would be sleeping tonight.

The place wasn't as huge as the previous manor, but it was more than acceptable. Miki remembered a time when she was very little when she would have considered either of these places small; that was before she had spent some time on the streets with her sister, and then some more time in a shit hole orphanage.

It had been a long time since she had thought of her sister. She wondered why it popped in her head now. Maybe because she was once again moving to somewhere new? She dismissed the thought. The truth was, she hated Megumi. It had been her fault that they ended up in that orphanage. And it had been Megumi who was too weak to protect her when she was beaten, nearly to death, for something trivial at the orphanage. Her sister had merely cried and screamed for the matron to stop until she was dragged away while Miki had continued to be beaten. Miki clenched her fist and only wished that her sister was alive now, just so that she could kill her herself. Alas, when she had awoken after her severe beating, Cerberus had told her that he was only able to rescue her. Megumi had been taken out and beaten to death before he could save her. Megumi had been weak, far too weak and she had died because of it. Weakness was death, and Miki had vowed when she left that orphanage that she would never be weak again.

"Where am I to sleep?" she asked.

"Damned if I care, girl. Sleep anywhere you want. Get cleaned up and meet me in the study." He pointed to a room on the right which was obviously a study.

"Fine."

She took her leave and went up the stairs to the third floor. She picked the room furthest back at the end of a long hallway. It was incredibly dark in the room, and she saw an unlit oil lamp on a desk. Raindrops pounded against the ceiling above her and she closed her eyes, taking in the sound. It was soothing.

She turned and looked out the large window that overlooked the expansive grounds for a moment. It was nearly dusk and the sky was getting darker by the minute. Miki wondered where the old wives tale about vampires being unable to walk in the sunlight had come from. She had no such weakness and was glad of it. Before Cerberus granted her the power of being a child of the night, she had feared that she would never again be able to go out into the sun.

All in all, there were no downsides to her condition, other than the fact that she now exclusively craved blood, that is. She saw that only as a minor downside, however compared to the enhanced speed, strength and raw magical power that being a vampire afforded her. It didn't hurt that she would never age a second beyond when she had been turned.

A tall mirror stood next to the dresser and she stepped over to it and had a look at herself. Cerberus had refused to turn her into a vampire until recently, and so she looked only a little younger than her actual age. She supposed that it would do her some good to get into some clean clothing.

She pulled off her gloves one at a time, which ran from her fingertips all the way up beyond her elbows. She tended to cover her arms to hide what was beneath. Rows of runes that had been carved into her skin covered the tops of both forearms. Miki was a Runemage, and by placing these special symbols into her body, she had gained various powers.

The things were disturbing to others, but she found them beautiful. They were symbols of strength, an embodiment of an ideal that she sought for herself; to be the strongest. She stripped off the rest of her clothes, and looked at the scars that covered her whole body. They were beautiful. A sign of what she had gone through to get where she was now.

Miki knew that her mind was somewhat unhinged, but what did that matter? She had endured more than anyone her age should have had to, and she survived. Miki was little more than a weapon, and she loved to be used like one. She closed her eyes for a moment thinking about the time she had returned to that orphanage so long ago and slaughtered every single person with her bare hands.

Blood had been everywhere. She had only been seven years old when Cerberus allowed her to do it. It was her rite of passage, and afterwards she had become a Runemage. The symbols were not something one could carve upon themselves, but rather they burned themselves into the user's skin when they unlocked more power.

Miki had gained runes for each of the four elements as well as ones increasing her physical stats. She reached into her bag and threw on some dry clothes before heading downstairs. Maybe she would be allowed to cut loose again soon. It would be wonderful.

She shivered at the thought of all the blood she would rend from her victims. The study had a lamp lit and Cerberus sat waiting for her when she entered.

"What took you so long?"

"Apologies. What task do you have for me?" She stood in front of him with her hands crossed beneath her breasts. Miki was a lot of things, but patient was not one of them. If there was a job to do, she wanted to get to it already.

"I've kept you close to me all these years and now it's time to make our move. I want you to go to Yelevair and dispatch Magnus."

"We move against the council?"

"It has served its purpose. I will not move openly, but I have faith that you can accomplish this task. You are not yet strong enough to stand against one of the council, you are free to do as you wish along your journey."

"I'll leave in the morning. Is there anything else you need of me for tonight?"

Cerberus shook his head and she stepped out of the study. Finally. Finally, I'll be able to do things my way. She climbed the stairs to her room with a skip in her step. She hadn't been this elated in ages. She actually couldn't remember a time where she was more excited about something.

She was not being sent after some small fish, either. She was being fired like a crossbow bolt straight for Magnus', the master of the sands, heart. This was exciting. This was what living was all about.

The next morning, Miki gathered supplies and took one of the horses from the stables. A large black stallion that she had named Midnight. She climbed up into the saddle and took one final glance at the manor before having the horse begin to move. Yelevair was not anywhere close to where they now stood. It wasn't even on the same continent.

Miki looked forward to the journey. She wondered why the old man had decided to make a move on that particular council member. If it were merely bad blood, she would have thought he would send her after Thera. It didn't really matter to her though, she wasn't one to question orders. She was his weapon, and she would cut down whoever she was ordered to without any remorse and never any mercy given.

The grasslands swayed around her in the powerful winds that gusted now and again. She had been riding for the better part of the day and according to her map, would be reaching Asheborne soon. A few trees popped into existence alongside the muddy road as she made her way around a small rolling hill.

There, in the middle of the road stood a dozen armed bandits. Great. I haven't had a bite to eat in days now.

She pulled to a stop a few dozen feet away from the men who were leering at her from a distance. She stifled a smile and just sat atop Midnight waiting for them to say something or make a move. It would be more fun for her that way. The best prey thought that they were in fact the predator.

Two of the bandits had bows out and arrows nocked. She ignored them as their leader stepped forward with a bit of a swagger. "A long ways from civilization to be out here alone, milady."

Her clothes were of fine quality, so it was easy to make that assumption. She supposed she was a lady, however, or at least she had been when she had been a child. She decided to play the part. "If you know what's good for you, then you will step aside and allow me to pass, ruffian!"

The dirty man sneered at her and then spat to the side. He was filthy and she could smell him all the way from where she sat. It wouldn't be fine dining, but what could she expect from a meal on go while on the road? The man continued moving slowly towards her and she calmly held her position. It wouldn't do to have them all run away.

"Tell you what, milady, you look to be a little lost. As good citizens, we would be more than happy to point you in the right direction. It also looks like you're a little overburdened, we'll help you out with that as well. Don't try to run, cooperate, and hop down from there peacefully to give me and the boys each a good ride, and we'll see you on your merry way."

He grinned at her showing his teeth, which were black and rotting. Several were missing as well. She didn't understand how commoners couldn't at least take care of basic hygiene. She wondered about his threat about not running and turned her head so that she could see behind her. Sure enough, there were a few more of the bandits behind her on the road now as well.

"I-If you mean to harm me⁠—"

"Naw. Who said anything about hurting you? We just like to help lost travelers on their way. It would be terrible to see anything bad happen to anyone. Come down from there, let me and the boys show you a good time before you go on your way."

The man was more than vile. He was repugnant. That was a good word for it. She didn't need to feed so much as she wanted to feel the rush of energy that fresh blood provided her. It was said to be like a drug. She couldn't disagree and loved how it enhanced her abilities even further for a short while. She watched as all the leering men closed in on her now and were less than a dozen feet from her now.

She was completely boxed in, and that's just how she wanted it. They were close, and wouldn't be getting away. Miki swung her leg out of the saddle and climbed down slowly. The man who had been speaking to her had a surprised look on his face as she sat down. Clearly, they had thought she would try to bolt, forcing her horse to run right through them.

"I guess since you boys said you'll show me a good time. I don't mind a small delay." She gave them her cutest smile and took off her overcoat, putting it over her saddle. Beneath, she wore a short sleeved shirt that allowed her to move easily. Besides, she didn't want to get blood all over her nice, clean, coat.

Miki reached around the back of her neck and undid the pendant that she always wore. It was a memento that her mother had always wore. The pendant was a single diamond cut in the shape of a small teardrop. She put the necklace atop her coat and stepped away from the horse. Midnight wouldn't run, he was used to battle.

"That's a mighty fine necklace you have there, milady. We'll be taking that, and the horse as well. I'm sure you knew that already. Since you've cooperated though, we'll let you leave. Once we've had our fun with you though."

He stepped towards her and caressed her cheek with his grimy hand. She remained impassive. She closed her eyes at his touch and could literally smell his blood. She could hear his heart pumping the delicious substance even from a foot away. The man trailed his hand downward ever so slightly to the nape of her neck and that was when she shot her hand out like a viper and ripped out the man's windpipe.

Blood. Sweet. Warm. Blood.

It splattered her face and the man dropped to the ground like a rock. Stunned faces looked at her as she raised her index and middle finger and licked her fingertips. Energy filled her and she didn't have to look into a mirror to know that her purple eyes had changed color and were now glowing a deep red. She grinned wickedly, showing her fangs.

"Didn't you say that you were going to show me a good time? I think I'll take you up on that offer. Thanks."

She stepped over the corpse and the other bandits looked at her nervously. It was clear they weren't sure whether they should run or if they should overwhelm her with their advanced numbers. Another man stepped forward and slashed at her with a knife. She caught his wrist with her lightning reflexes and then effortlessly snapped his wrist.

The man screamed in sweet agony and fell to the ground clutching his hand. That was when the rest of the bandits decided to attack. Miki activated her Strength and Speed runes, causing the fabric on her long gloves to glow from underneath. The world slowed around her, just a little bit, and she moved like the wind.

The helpless fools who had thought to rob her fell left and right as she tore out their windpipes one by one while dodging arrows, daggers, and swords. She loved destroying the vein in peoples' neck. It released so much blood. It was wonderful. She relished the screams of agony and the pools of blood that were soaking into the earth around her.

Mere moments had passed, and she had dispatched over half of the enemies. Those who remained decided that it was past time to flee and turned to run. Miki activated her magical rune, Flame, and felt the air around her arm ignite. The magical energy burned the red of blood, not of flame, and she charged towards the fleeing enemies, lighting them on fire as she pounded them with her fists.

Silence filled the plains around her once more as the last corpse fell to the ground, a smoking heap that was a charred corpse. She smiled to herself for a job well done and went back over to Midnight. She patted the horse on the head with one of her blood covered hands and then leaned down to pick up the leader.

He had been bleeding all over the ground, but there was still blood to be had there. She leaned in and placed her mouth over the hole she had made, downing the warm liquid as it continued to weakly spurt. Satisfied with her meal, she dropped the corpse to the ground and retrieved a water skin from her magical bag.

Once she had rinsed herself off a little, she put her pendant and overcoat back on before continuing on her way. She smiled to herself as the town of Asheborne came into view a half hour later. The town was beginning to light up as dusk had now approached. It was good to be free from supervision. She was going to have so much fun.

Spoiler: Miki's Stats Name Miki Level 037 (121,487/130,580 EXP to next Level) Class Runemage HP 3200/3200 MP 1560/1560 TP 0 Villain Rank A Attributes Vitality 128 Magic 105 Endurance 133 Magic Resistance 187 Strength 149 Luck 58 Agility 152 Dexterity 147 Passive Skills

• Strength Rune - Level 5 (+25 Strength)

• Blood Rage - Level 1 (+25 to all stats for 10 minutes after feeding. [Vampire racial skill])

• Speed Rune - Level 5 (+25 Agility)

• Endurance Rune - Level 5 (+25 Endurance)

• Elemental Resistance Rune - Level 4 (+20% Resistance to all elemental magics.)

Rune Magic • Flame Rune - Level 4 (Channel energy through the rune to conjure flames around your arms. Duration: 2 minutes.)

• Ice Rune - Level 3 (Channel energy through this rune to conjure frost around your arms. Impacts upon enemies will freeze upon impact. 18% chance of ice to spread and freeze victim completely. Duration: 1 Minute 30 Seconds.)

Wind Rune - Level 2 (Channel energy through this rune to conjure blades of wind along the edges of your arms to cut down your enemies. Duration: 1 Minute)

• Earth Rune - Level 8 (Channel energy through this rune to harden your skin like rock. Mobility reduced by 50%. Duration: 5 minutes)