The man's swift recovery affirmed Elena's observations.

His eyes, sharp and focused, pierced through the enveloping darkness. Maya seemed to be the only one unable to glean through their surroundings, but from their stir, she concluded they were being surrounded.

His hand gently seized Maya's shoulder, guiding her to take position behind him, while keeping a wary eye on Elena. It was an unexpected gesture from a stranger she'd just met to place himself as a shield between Maya and the impending danger.

His body was rigid with tension, his hand tightly gripping the hilt of his sword.

Struggling to see past the tall figure of her protector, armed to the teeth and with a crossbow slung across his back, Maya finally noticed the vampires. Bathed in the eerie glow of the moonlight, they were gradually closing in on them, enclosing them, forcing the group with their backs against the stark cliff face.

"What are they waiting for?" Maya asked in a hushed whisper, her eyes darting nervously between the encroaching figures.

"Backup," Elena replied, her voice low and steady, her grip firm on the stake she had retrieved from the ground.

"What for? They outnumber us greatly," Maya countered, her voice laced with confusion and fear.

Their situational ally assessed the threats with a calm, unflinching gaze. His demeanour radiated not fear, but a deliberate caution.

"Quite a number of you are setting out to die tonight," he spoke out. "Should that be alright?"

One of the vampires set out to claim the leading position, grinning menacingly. Although he displayed unshaken confidence, Maya thought she could catch a hint of unsettlement within some of his followers.

"My, isn't this the almighty Bane, caught in a snare?" the vampire taunted, his smile widening. "Doesn't just hearing that strike fear into your bones?"

'Bane? As if Bane of Vampires? Isn't there a Lo Stones song that goes like that…'

"I don't choose what you call me," the man responded, unmoved. "We can avoid bloodshed for tonight. Send your flock away, and you may live another night."

Maya's optimism waned as the stranger issued threats to the vampires. Their position was hardly one of power; they were significantly outnumbered, at least eight against the trio. The situation demanded caution, not arrogance, but he was making it seem as though he was willing to let them go.

The vampire smiled sourly, "And miss this great opportunity to bring my liege your head?" he pointed at the man with a knife in his hand. "I don't think so."

He seemed confident in their victory. Maya was, too. However, the vampire leader's gaze suddenly fell on Elena.

"I don't remember seeing you around, sunshine. Don't tell me you were dragged into something here," he addressed her with an almost sympathetic tone. "Never mind, we'll take you in," he smirked with self-satisfaction.

"Who said I was willing to go with you?" Elena responded, but it seemed no one cared about her opinion.

The vampire continued with a complacent smile, "A prize, a snack and a new girl. Marcellus may even name me his successor and step down when he sees this."

A sardonic smirk played on the stranger's lips. "Dying tonight may be a kinder fate for you, once he hears of your ambitions."

The remark seemed to have struck a chord as a chilling reminder, and the vampire took on an expression of contempt. Maya could only stare in confusion at their exchange.

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Elena sighed as if she was getting bored with the suspenseful situation where no one was making a move. "What's your boss like?"

Her unexpected question made everyone shift their attention to her. Her stance was unclear in this situation, but no one expected her to show interest.

Rolling her eyes, Elena retorted, "If you're going to send me on a blind date, at least tell me more about him."

Her posture became more relaxed, exuding casual confidence. Suddenly, it was as if she were the one in command, looking down at them, no longer viewing the situation as a threat.

"What's he got to offer?"

She began moving, casually eyeing up the vampire and his companions as if they were her offerings.

The stranger tensed up as she did. It seemed straining to track her and a dozen other threats simultaneously. Maya wanted to know if he was devising a plan and how she could assist.

The vampire raised his eyebrows at Elena's sudden shift in demeanour. He crossed his arms in amusement as she faced him.

Elena curiously tilted her head while her finger stroked her chin in a contemplative manner. "Do you think you have what it takes to covet your boss's position, being such a lap dog? Is your first thought bringing prizes to your master?" Elena delivered some harsh criticism. "Your folly seems like such a mess it tempts me to take the reins myself."

The leader erupted into laughter at her audacious claim. "Sunshine, you're as green as you are flat."

Some of his buddies had a small chuckle, but Elena's expression darkened upon hearing his unexpected jab.

"But it's fine," he resumed. "My liege will like your spirit."

"I bet," Elena retorted, curling her lip in a snarl.

As Elena's performance and absurd suggestions distracted the vampires, 'Bane' subtly repositioned his weapon. With a seamless motion, he slid his sword into its sheath at his hip and smoothly reached for the hefty knife concealed at the small of his back.

"You guys look like you'd seen better days," Elena commented on their malnourished appearances. "Last chance," she spread her arms wide, adopting a stance of mock invitation. "Join my side and I may share some of my spoils with you," she proposed, her thumb jerked towards Maya and the stranger behind her.

However, in her other hand, she still held a blood-stained stake, which was making them wary of her true intentions.

Her inquiry met with silence, and a disappointed sigh escaped her lips. "No one? Really?" A vaguely sinister smile appeared on her face. "What's the matter? Is it because I'm a woman? Or maybe it's because I took out some of your comrades earlier?"

She didn't give them a chance to respond to her taunt. Without a warning, she pivoted and lunged at the nearest vampire. Her stake plunged into their abdomen, jolting upwards towards the heart in a swift, lethal motion.

Despite the night's earlier horrors, the ferocity of Elena's assault still jarred Maya. Yet, a greater shock awaited as the stranger seized the moment to act.

With unnerving precision, he hurled the knife. It cut through the air and sank deep into the chest of the vampire leader. The force of the impact toppled the vampire like a tree, leaving him sprawled on the ground.

It looked like he died instantly, his threatening aura extinguished, leaving Maya's mouth agape.

'At such distance…'

The vampires scattered, seething with rage as they launched their attack. The stranger, acting on instinct, seized Maya's hand and propelled them into a desperate sprint. As they moved, he slid the crossbow from his back and, in the same breath, loosed a bolt at an approaching vampire.

The bolt found its mark, embedding itself deeply into the creature's chest. The vampire crumbled, creating a fleeting path for their escape.

Before Maya could begin to worry about how to keep up with him, the vampires closed in on them with unnerving speed. There were three; the others were preoccupied with Elena.

Without missing a beat, the stranger thrust the crossbow into Maya's arms and drew his sword. His actions were precise, fluid, and deadly. He carved through the vampires as easily as a hot knife through butter, dodging their assaults and leaving a trail of fallen foes.

With no unnecessary motion, each of his strikes was methodical, ensuring that, if not lethal, they still served a purpose. In his flawless execution, not a single drop of blood marred his figure.

A mix of awe and fear flickered in Maya's eyes as she watched him in action. Her gaze then drifted to Elena, who was caught in a fierce battle of her own. She had managed to obtain the knife the stranger had thrown earlier, which proved to be fatal to vampires.

But the odds were against her, and she was swiftly overpowered and pinned to the ground. Believing she was subdued, the vampires left a lone guard with her and turned their attention to Maya and the stranger.

As if on cue, he took Maya's hand, and they were once in a frantic run for survival.

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