One Day Later
Weschester was still recovering from the chaos.
The streets were filled with soldiers and reporters.
On every TV channel, headlines flashed nonstop:
"MONSTER ATTACKS IN WESCHESTER – WHAT THE GOVERNMENT HID FOR YEARS NOW COMES TO LIGHT."
"IS THE SUPERNATURAL REAL? AUTHORITIES DENY INVOLVEMENT."
"REPORTS OF CREATURES APPEARING IN CITIES AROUND THE WORLD."
Inside Blood's Bar, everyone watched the news in silence.
Bottles, laughter, and clinking glasses mixed with the soft rock playing from an old radio.
"Well… looks like the world finally woke up," Roberto said, leaning against the counter.
"Yeah… and turns out the nightmare's real," Mandy replied, shaking her head.
Kim just stared quietly, lost in thought.
The pendant around her neck still glowed faintly red.
That same afternoon, Kimberly and Nyra escorted Karmila, weakened and in chains, to the old city port.
There, a circle of light opened — and three hooded women stepped through: The Guardian Witches of the Order of Salem.
The one in the center spoke, her voice deep and commanding:
"Karmila de Vennor… your crimes against the Veil and against magic are undeniable. The Order demands your presence for the Final Judgment."
Karmila laughed weakly, spitting blood.
"You really think you can hold me forever?"
The witch on the left raised her hand, forming a golden seal over Karmila's mouth, silencing her instantly.
Before leaving, the central guardian looked at Kimberly.
"Hunter Kimberly, the Order of Salem owes you a great debt. Your name will be remembered among the protectors of humankind."
"Quite the ceremony," Kimberly said with a short laugh.
The portal closed, and calm returned to the air.
Night fell over Weschester, but inside Blood's Bar, there was only light, laughter, and the scent of food and alcohol. Tory, Ryan, Trent, Roberto, Mandy, Roshi, Valentine, Hector, and Malik celebrated together. Old Preston's bar finally seemed at peace.
Near the counter, Kimberly and Nyra sat with drinks in hand.
"You've got a good team here," Nyra said, sipping her whiskey.
"Yeah… they're great," Kimberly replied, drinking her vodka.
"Your hair's shorter than last time."
"It's more practical. Long hair just gets in the way in a fight — you should know that."
Kim ran a hand through her own hair, smirking.
"So… how did you survive that night?"
Nyra's eyes softened as she stared into her glass.
"Dad told me to run into the woods before everything went up in flames. I did. That night I fought vampires and werewolves on my way out… it was the first time I awakened Kaburami. A few days later, I was captured by black-market traffickers — ended up in Japan. But I was taken in by a hunter order. They trained me, taught me to fight, to control my instincts."
"I'm sorry… that must've been hard."
"Don't be. It was… but I shaped myself. Trained, learned everything I could to get stronger — to master Kaburami."
Nyra glanced at the amulet in Kim's hand.
"That night, I thought everyone was dead… but I was wrong."
Kim smiled faintly, her eyes distant.
"What about Karmila?"
"I was sent to track down a Ghoul that came here. I infiltrated, but she found me first.
She acted kind — promised to help me. You know the rest. She marked me."
Kim nodded silently.
"Well, that's over now. And if you want… there's a place for you here. Blood's Bar's basically home — and the group's always open to skilled hunters."
Nyra smirked.
"Tempting offer… but I've got unfinished business in Japan."
They stepped outside the bar, standing under the red neon sign.
The wind tugged at Nyra's short hair as she held her katana.
"So… you seeing anyone? Boyfriend? Girlfriend?" Kim teased.
Nyra gave a sarcastic grin.
"Don't have time for that."
"Oh really? You mean to tell me you've never wanted someone?"
"It's not about wanting. Relationships would only slow me down from getting stronger."
Kim laughed softly.
"Still the same, huh, sis?"
"And you haven't changed either, little sister," Nyra replied, smirking.
"Take care of yourself, Kim. And don't do anything stupid before I'm back. I still want that rematch… and this time, I'm not losing."
"We'll see," Kim said, grinning.
"Oh — and you taking my number this time, or planning to disappear again?"
Nyra tossed her a small slip of paper.
"Here. What, did you think I live in a cave?"
With a graceful spin of Kaburami, a glowing blue cross-shaped portal opened.
Before stepping through, Nyra looked over her shoulder.
"See you soon."
The portal closed — and the wind carried the echo of her steps away.
Back inside the bar, Roshi approached Kim.
"So… your sister lived. I'm glad for you. But why didn't she stay? Didn't like the bar?"
"Thanks, Roshi. It's not that — she said she had some things to deal with in Japan. Something about a hunter order."
"You're calling me by name? That's rare. Funny though — while you were here in Salt Blake, she ended up in my homeland."
"Yeah… guess now I get why our parents didn't keep us in the same basement," Kim said with a dry laugh, raising her glass.
Roshi raised his too.
"A toast… to the hunter who saved Weschester."
Everyone lifted their glasses.
"To Kimberly!"
Laughter, clinking, cheers.
Ryan and Trent approached next.
"I owe you one, redhead," Ryan said.
"From now on, Steel Fangs will protect those who can't fight back."
Trent nodded with a faint smile. Kim hugged them both — genuine, relieved.
In the corner, Tory was being applauded.
Mandy handed her a jacket with the bar's emblem.
"You're officially one of us, girl."
Tory's eyes welled up as she smiled, hugging everyone.
Moments later, she found Kimberly alone and hugged her tightly.
"Thank you, Kim. If it weren't for you, I'd still be lost."
"No problem, blondie — but did you have to shove your face there?" Kim joked, as Tory realized her face was pressed between the redhead's chest.
Tory gasped and pulled back, blushing furiously.
"Oh crap, I'm so sorry — I got emotional, didn't even notice!"
Kim laughed.
"Relax! Just… ask me out first next time, okay?"
"Stop! You're making me blush even more!" Tory said, turning her head away, cheeks burning.
Kim smiled and hugged her again.
"You did great out there. Thanks for watching over the others for me."
She kissed Tory softly on the cheek, leaving her even redder.
"I'm gonna check on Roberto. See you later, blondie."
Tory smiled faintly as Kim walked away, waving.
That unlikely alliance had become a lasting friendship… but deep down, Tory couldn't deny — Kimberly awakened something more inside her.
Out on the bar's balcony, Roberto stood leaning against the rail, phone in hand, staring into the distance — as if the world had gone quiet just for his thoughts.
Kimberly approached, arms crossed, tilting her head with a teasing smile.
"Hey, don't tell me you're thinking about ordering pizza again," she said, eyebrow raised.
"Because if you are, you know half of it's mine."
Roberto chuckled softly, slipping the phone into his pocket.
"No… no pizza tonight."
He hesitated for a moment before looking up.
"I… I'm going back to Brazil."
Kim's smile faded slightly.
"Back? What do you mean?"
"My mom's sick," he said quietly, though his tone stayed calm.
"It's not serious — at least that's what they say. But I wanna be there, you know? Spend some time with family."
For a moment, the whole bar seemed to fade — the laughter, the music — everything softened to silence.
Kim exhaled slowly.
"I get it," she murmured.
"She'll be happy to have you close."
He smiled gently.
"I'll be back soon, promise."
Kim hesitated, then stepped forward and hugged him tight — a quiet embrace filled with everything they didn't need to say.
She kissed his cheek softly.
"I'll miss you, you know? And text me — even if it's just to complain about airplane food."
Roberto laughed, holding her close.
"Deal… I'll miss you too."
They pulled apart, sharing calm smiles — the kind that already hid the taste of distance.
For a moment, they just stood there, side by side, watching the city lights flicker over the empty bottles, while the night wind carried away every word left unsaid.
A few days later, Kimberly drove alone to the ruins of her family mansion.
The air still smelled of ash and burnt wood.
Her boots echoed through the hollow halls.
Sunlight broke through the cracks, falling over a shattered frame.
She picked it up — an old family photo.
Her parents' faces were burned away, but hers and Nyra's remained intact.
Running her thumb over the glass, she whispered,
"We're still here, Mom… Dad… I'll keep going — for us."
The pendant pulsed red for a brief moment.
Deep beneath the Order of Salem, Karmila stood before the Council.
The three Guardian Witches began the sealing ritual.
"Karmila de Vennor, for crimes against magic and humanity, you are sentenced to eternal imprisonment in the catacombs of Avalon."
Golden sigils wrapped around her arms, binding her completely.
Another seal stitched her mouth shut.
Her eyes burned with hatred.
"One day… I will return…"
Watching silently from the shadows, Valentine, Mandy's aunt, knew that story wasn't over.
Rain fell softly over Stormgrave, the gray coastal city.
Thunder cracked across the dark sky, illuminating the cliffs and the old concrete lab perched at the edge.
Inside, Dr. Viktor Frankenstein adjusted glowing panels as tubes and coils buzzed with blue electricity.
Nearby, Frank, now calm and almost human, cleaned his tools. His stitched body looked stronger, steadier — and his once-wild eyes now carried peace.
"Doctor, the line's ready," Frank said in his deep, steady voice.
Viktor nodded and pressed a button.
A hologram flickered, stabilizing into the image of Kimberly, sitting at Blood's Bar with a glass of whiskey and the Sanguirion resting beside her.
"Dr. Frankenstein," she said with a grin,
"never thought I'd see you on a video call. I figured you were more of a letter-and-raven type."
Viktor chuckled.
"Science advances, my dear. And I must admit… I'd rather see the face of those I owe my gratitude to."
"Gratitude, huh? Sounds fancy coming from the man who almost left me trapped in a lab full of freaks."
"Fair point," he replied, amused.
"But I think we both learned something about monsters… and humanity."
Kim smirked.
"Yeah, guess we did."
Frank stepped into view, his massive figure filling the screen.
"Thank you, little hunter. If not for you, I'd still be a lost beast. Now… I think I finally understand what it means to live."
Kim raised her glass in a toast.
"Glad to hear that, big guy. Just try not to break anything."
"I'll do my best," he said with a faint smile.
Viktor adjusted his glasses.
"Frank and I are starting over here in Stormgrave. We'll use the lab for something new — to rebuild, not destroy. Perhaps one day, science will heal instead of corrupt."
"Coming from you, that actually sounds nice," Kimberly said.
"Good luck with that."
"And good luck to you, Miss Kramer," Viktor replied.
"I hear you've already got a new mission."
Kim glanced at the open contract beside her drink.
"Yeah… there's always another monster out there.
But this time, I've got better reasons to fight."
Viktor smiled, proud.
"Then may the storm carry you toward brighter skies, hunter."
The screen faded.
Before the signal died, Frank waved one last time.
"See you around, Kimberly."
"See you, big guy," she said softly, smiling.
Outside, thunder echoed across the sea.
Frank turned to Viktor.
"Think she'll be alright, doctor?"
Viktor stared out the window at the crashing waves.
"She's got more light inside her than she realizes, Frank.
And light… always finds a way — even in the darkest storm."
And there, between thunder and lightning, a new spark of hope rose over Stormgrave.
Back at the bar, Kimberly prepared for her next contract.
Roshi sharpened his sword while Mandy adjusted a new combat suit.
"Gonna miss Roberto… hope he comes back soon. I suck at the tech stuff," Mandy muttered.
"Relax, you'll manage. It's not that hard," Kimberly said, patting her shoulder as she walked by toward the garage.
"Where's Tory?"
"She's on a mission in San Riverbend. We've got another field hunter now," Mandy said with a grin.
Kim just nodded, starting up her motorcycle and heading out.
In an abandoned house, muffled screams echoed.
Inside, a group of vampires prepared to feed on bound civilians.
Suddenly, the lights flickered.
Metallic footsteps echoed across the wooden floor.
From the shadows stepped Kimberly — red coat, crimson eyes reflecting the moonlight.
She drew her sword — the same one born from the pendant — now pulsing with life in her hands.
The eye on the blade opened, glowing bright red.
"Before we start… anyone wanna walk away?"
The vampires hissed and lunged forward.
Kim just smirked.
She swung her sword — the sound of steel sliced the air.
In an instant, blood met the darkness.
"Bingo," Kimberly whispered, before cutting down the last of them.
Kimberly, the half-vampire hunter, continued her path — ready for the next monster, the next mission, the next story.
And so, between blood, steel, and the twilight glow… a new chapter began.
The End.