Fifty treasure hunters formed a brave group, venturing on an expedition to the accursed city of Frostholm.
Their mission was given to them by a noble from the Frostwyn Duchy, who had provided them with a promising lead.
Whispers within the guild hinted at a hidden trove of thousands of gold coins, precious gems, and the rare raw mana stones concealed deep within the depths of Frostholm.
Within the ranks of the treasure hunters, a pair of young mysterious twins caught many hunter's attention, each twin possessing their own captivating allure.
One twin possessed a mesmerizing mane of obsidian black hair that was styled into twin tails, her piercing green eyes seemed to hold hidden depths.
The other twin boasted flowing locks of golden hair that framed captivating red eyes, sparkling with an enigmatic allure.
Both twins had matching twin tails which added to their charm.
Dressed in meticulously crafted leather armor that accentuated their agility and speed, they exuded an air of mystery, their intense gazes only deepening the intrigue that surrounded them.
Despite their appearances, the twins maintained an aura of quiet reserve, never engaging in conversation with their fellow hunters.
Only when their leader addressed them did they break their silence, their words carrying an accent unfamiliar to the ears of the other hunters.
Thalia, the blonde twin, cast a concerned gaze at her sister and voiced her unease. "Xanthe, something feels off about this."
Xanthe, the twin with lustrous black hair, responded calmly, "We are not alone, Thalia. There are forty-eight other hunters accompanying us, and if rumors are true the Duke has enlisted more hunters who arrived ahead of us."
As they traversed the winding path, their voices intertwined in a quiet conversation.
Suddenly, their gaze was drawn to a castle on the horizon, its grandeur standing like a beacon of warmth in the frigid northern expanse.
The mighty Shadowflow River originated in the desolate lands in the far north, stretching all the way down to the Central Duchy.
Along the path to the castle, the constant movement of carriages traveling to and from kept the guard's work busy.
The twins rode their horses until they reached the entrance. There, their leader Karia, a formidable woman with strong muscles, short white hair, and piercing blue eyes, dismounted and approached a group of men.
Thalia and Xanthe trailed behind, drawing nearer as Karia paused and exchanged greetings with the men.
"Velor, when shall we set out on our journey to the north? The 50 hunters I brought are brimming with excitement and are ready." She inquired.
A tall man with dark blue hair locked eyes with Karia, his lips curving into a smile as he responded. "As always, Karia, forever ready to leap into the jaws of the beast at a moment's notice."
At that moment, his gaze shifted to the young twins standing behind her, their presence was like silent statues.
His smile widened when he saw their beauty, and Karia couldn't help but anticipate what was about to unfold.
Recognizing the man's intentions, she offered a quick warning, out of professional courtesy.
"I wouldn't, Runo. They are not your average girls."
Undeterred, he approached Thalia, who observed him with her captivating red eyes.
The man came to a sudden stop in front of her. His face, adorned with a beard, twisted into a cunning grin as he spoke in a lecherous voice.
"Wow, you're a stunning little girl. How about we get to know each other better after the hunt?"
In a flash, Xanthe disappeared from view and reappeared beside the man, launching a swift punch that connected with his jaw.
The force of the impact sent him flying to the side, caught off guard and staggering from the strike.
Laughter filled the air among the other hunters, entertained by the unexpected turn of events that had befallen the man.
Xanthe marched forward, her steps deliberate and purposeful, until she stood right above the man.
In a detached tone, she conveyed her message as she firmly pressed her boot against his face, applying pressure.
"Do not gaze upon my sister in such a vile manner again. If you do, death will be your only fate. Do you understand?"
The man struggled to nod his head under the weight of Xanthe's boot pressing down on him. Sensing his compliance, she lifted her foot and returned to her sister's side.
Kalia shook her head with a chuckle, accustomed to witnessing numerous failed attempts of people trying to court the two sisters. They always ended up put in their rightful place.
The older woman and the twins began their work, dedicating an hour to their preparations before setting off toward the Frostholm Wall.
Moving away from the castle, they continued their journey toward the north, eventually reaching the wall a couple of days later, marking the culmination of their travels.
However, what awaited them outside left them stunned.
The number of soldiers had tripled, bustling about the area. Spellfire Mortars sat on the wall ready to be fired, and to their astonishment, the legendary Dreadnought Battalion was present.
These warriors were highly esteemed by the Empire for their towering height of eight feet, bulging muscles, and notorious reputation for wreaking havoc on the battlefield.
Though quiet by nature, they relished the thrill of combat and spilling the blood of the Empire's enemies.
The treasure hunters came to a halt when a man donning an officer's uniform stepped forward, raising his hand to signal their attention.
''Stop, what's your business here?''
Kalia dismounted her horse and approached the man, coming to a stop in front of him. She retrieved a piece of paper from her pocket and handed it to him.
He took it and proceeded to read through its contents. After a few minutes, he gestured for them to continue on.
The group of 50 treasure hunters entered the perimeter of the wall. Xanthe and Thalia followed Kalia into the expansive courtyard.
There, they encountered a variety of buildings that housed extra soldiers, blacksmiths, and shops tailored to the needs of the army and hunters.
They were instructed to wait until all the hunters were gathered before entering the Dreadvale, the name given to the valley after the Doom of Frostholm.
The group had to wait for a day, using that time to rest and gather any remaining essential equipment.
Having bought the supplies they needed, they gathered extra food and potions. With their needs fulfilled, the hunters decided to rest until the hour arrived.
Eventually, a man approached and notified them that they were now granted permission to enter.
With their preparations complete, they approached the imposing barrier of metal that prevented the beasts and creatures from the Hollow from venturing south.
A strange sight awaited them, hundreds of hunters from all corners of Pluoria had assembled.
Thalia turned to her sister, a sense of unease creeping over her.
"Xanthe, something doesn't feel right. There are loads of other hunters here. I doubt any survivors will gain much from the treasure."
Xanthe regarded her cautious sister, nodding in agreement. "We must remain vigilant and keep a close watch on Miss Kalia."
They fell silent, their attention fixed on the multitude of hunters assembled by the gate.
A sizable gathering of 2000 treasure hunters, joined together in their pursuit of gold and priceless treasures hidden within the accursed city.
After an hour of patient anticipation, the afternoon sun descended, its golden rays casting breathtaking colors over the wall.
All the treasure hunters had assembled, led by the renowned guild known as The Seekers of Fortune. They held a prominent position among the hunter guilds of Pluoria.
Kalia's group had been designated as the vanguard for the upcoming expedition, and they would depart soon, accompanied by another 400 hunters.
As the plans were being finalized, the vigilant twins kept a watchful eye on their surroundings, becoming aware of the numerous lecherous gazes directed their way.
Turning to her sister, Thalia expressed her disdain.
"Humans disgust me. They all act the same when attractive women are present. And it's not as if we are the only ones. There are over a hundred women here, yet they still stare at us."
Xanthe regarded her sister, who despised the lewd attention they received and agreed with her perspective.
"Sister, they are mere animals. Animals are driven by instinct when they encounter beings of higher standing. It is in their nature to look."
Kalia listened to the conversation and couldn't help but roll her eyes. She was aware that the two girls belonged to a prestigious vampire lineage in the Bloodmoon Empire.
However, what puzzled her was that they appeared to be ordinary teenage girls, indistinguishable from humans.
Suddenly, a shout echoed through the air. "Hunters, prepare to enter the Dreadvale! The bridge is descending."
The group gathered near the deep moat, a defensive trench dug to protect the wall for years. The twins watched intently as the massive wooden bridge slowly lowered.
With a resounding thud, it slammed into the ground. A man approached Kalia and engaged her in conversation.
"Kalia, you and your hunters must leave now. We'll follow up soon after. Some of our members are currently occupied." He said, sporting a cocky grin.
Thalia turned to her sister and whispered. "See how lecherous these animals are? Father was right about them. They're probably exploiting some poor farm girl from a nearby town."
Xanthe responded with an impassive expression. "Thalia, remember our goal of exploring the world? We'll encounter all sorts of individuals on our journey."
Thalia stubbornly nodded and they set off toward their horses. The vanguard made their way across the bridge, accompanied by three wagons loaded with their provisions.
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