"I guess keeping it, with that elf was a pretty good idea". Dianne smiled. It was already night time but to a few elves surprise, the old woman didn't seem to be in any haste in the search for lodging.
She just kept on walking through the empty streets, apparently oblivious to the many eyes that stared out from ancient windows.
On reaching a crossroad, Dianne looked to her left and right as though searching for something before her old legs continued on the right path which would eventually lead to Magnitia.
Unfortunately for the old woman, she had captured the eyes of some very bad elves who had their eyes glued on whatever laid beneath the black box that she had strapped to her back.
"I think we've hit the jackpot boys" one of the elves smiled, running his tongue against a silver blade in weird excitement.
"I agree but how are we going to get rid of the body" one of the bandits; a short fellow with shaggy brown hair, asked.
Their boss raised the small lantern, illuminating his dark hair and features as he gave a reply.
"That is a valid point, after all if word gets out we might have warriors from the Bark hot on our tail".
"SO! The leader exposed jagged teeth in a wicked grin. "We'll kill the old bitch and bury her body in a place that not even a mage can find".
The remaining five gang members all smiled in agreement and started the attack.
"It will soon be dawn". Dianne frowned. "I guess I'll have to hurry up".
The old woman quickened her footsteps inwardly smiling when she could see the first bend that would lead towards the outskirts of Elyria.
A swift arrow coming from the trees to her left however, made sure that she wasn't going to get anywhere.
"AHH! Dianne cried out. "Somebody help me". groaning she wrapped her fingers around the arrow sticking from her heel and struggled frantically in a vain effort to remove it.
"I wouldn't do that if I was you". A voice from behind snickered.
Dianne strained her neck and turned around to observe the five silhouettes approaching her from all directions.
"Those arrows are barbed you see". The tall dark one with the earrings and lantern added. For extra emphasis the b*stard waved one of the wicked arrows in front of her face.
"Hugo, go fetch" the elf ordered.
A small whine was heard from the short human who bent down to remove the box from Dianne.
"Don't" Dianne pleaded.
A frightening crunch was heard but to the bandit's surprise, no groan of pain followed.
"You're really getting strong boss". Hugo complemented. "Took out the old hag with one stomp".
Their boss stared at the woman's broken nose and his bloody boots. "There's a reason why the Bark haven't been able to lay so much as a finger on me".
"Now, Hugo what do we have in there".
Hugo smiled and dropped the box in the center of the circle that they had just formed. Normally the group would have carried the loot to their hideout first but the ease with which they had completed this heist had gotten to their heads and so instead they decided to check out what was inside it right now.
"Here we go" the short shaggy elf smiled, when Hugo with a bow lifted of the ancient lid.
A flash of gold was seen as a lantern from the Boss peered into the darkness below.
Not wasting any time, he hurriedly grabbed the object.
"F*CK!
Their boss reeled back in pain sucking on his severely cut hand.
"Have this boss" Hugo said, offering the injured elf a dirty cloth.
Their leader accepted it with an annoyed expression. "All this packaging for what? A bloody Knife".
Another painful stomp landed on the old woman's face.
"Don't fret its pure gold" one bandit comforted him. "It will probably cost a fortune in the black market".
"Must be some kind of heirloom" the shaggy elf commented, raising the golden blade to his face and squinting his eyes to study its inscriptions under the faint lantern light.
Their leader nodded in agreement, momentarily releasing the pressure on his hand thus allowing the blood from his cut to drop down in one giant globule that splashed on the old woman's face.
"BLOOOD!!!!
The group of five immediately turned their attention to the old woman who was now standing.
Slowly, their blades came out of their sheaths ready for action but for some reason none of them could move forward to lay the first strike.
"So sweet! Dianne laughed, licking of the blood from her face with a pale long tongue.
"You all are such bad kids" she smiled, before continuing in a scary and yet blissful tone.
"NO respect for the elderly, but at least it seems that I won't have to continue this journey on an empty belly".
"IMPOSSIBLE!!
The bandit leader roared in pain; it being the only thing he can do since for some reason the rest of his body refused to follow any commands. " You're a Vampire!
"Yes child". Dianne leaned closer into his shivering face. "If I remember correctly, you are the one who kicked me right?
The bandit leader wasn't even able to feel the pain from the attack.
"I guess I used way too much force, but that's what happens when you disrespect your elders.
"Now, who's next? The old woman asked.
The rest of the bandits all cried for mercy while in front of them their boss's body laid still; it's head splattered like a fruit, into a mix of brain matter and blood.
"Is this how I'm going to die? The shaggy elf cried, sniffling loudly with a shivering hand that unknowingly still clenched the blade.
"I think you have what belongs to me, and I will be more than happy to take it back".
"AHHH!
Shaggy's scream pierced the quiet of the night, waking up hundreds of elves far off who shivered in fear.
"I'm afraid I'll have to wrap this up" Dianne smiled; her voice sounding like the old woman' of before.
She removed the golden knife from Shaggy's twitching hand and with one swift swipe, decapitated his head in a torrent of blood.
The rest of the bandits had more lackluster deaths, eventually leaving a shivering Hugo behind.
"Don't worry my dear child" Dianne brushed the boy's blonde hair away like a caring mother holding an infant. "I promise you won't feel a thing".
Dianne's thin lips opened wide giving room for two needle like fangs that sunk into a pulsing neck.
A few seconds later and Diane dropped Hugo's pale body onto the ground. The sound of approaching footsteps grew louder leaving the vampire with no choice but to flee…
"What in Elhyr's name just happened? One of the soldiers shivered. "GO and gather the warriors, a magical beast is on the loose".
The soldier next to him quickly left after a salute, meanwhile the villagers all stared in shock at the sight before them.
"This is not what I even find scary". An elf sighed.
"Then what could possibly be scarier than these mutilated corpses". His wife asked.
"The real scary thing is how none of these poor souls were able to put up a fight".