The narrative unfolds 12,000 years into the future, in a world shaped by a devastating nuclear war, where vampires have risen from the ruins of civilization, emerging as the ruling class known as Nobles. These creatures employ their unique magical technology and a grotesque army of inhuman beings to dominate the remnants of humanity. However, as time passes, the allure of decadence leads the Nobles to their decline, ultimately granting humanity an opportunity to reclaim their freedom.
The story kicks off with the young maiden, Charlotte Elbourne, who is kidnapped by the ruthless Noble Meier Link. In desperation, Charlotte's family enlists the help of two notorious bounty hunters to rescue her, ideally alive but accepting the grim alternative if she's transformed into a vampire. One bounty hunter group is represented by the Marcus Brothers, known for their mercilessness, while the other is the enigmatic D, a dhampir—a hybrid of human and vampire—who hunts vampires with a magical, talking parasite residing in his left hand, all while maintaining an impressive stoic demeanor.
As D crosses paths with the Marcus Brothers, the group comprises:
- Borgoff, the formidable leader
- Kyle, who wields knives with deadly precision
- Nolt, the hulking hammer-wielder
- Grove, who, despite his psychic abilities, is left mortally weakened
- Leila, their determined adopted stepsister.
Though the Marcus clan has a considerable head start, D’s magical left hand allows him to track down Meier to a rest stop. However, Borgoff plots to let D handle the heavy lifting before seizing the opportunity to take Charlotte for himself. In an intense moment, D confronts Meier, but halts when Charlotte calls out for him, complicating the encounter. Soon, Leila arrives only to be injured during the confrontation, which leads D to care for her wound, earning her disdain.
The search brings D to the Barbarois, a treacherous community of monstrous entities that have been subservient to vampires for ages. Here, D faces formidable guardians set by Meier, including Benge, a shadow-being; Mashira, a fearsome werewolf; and another Charlotte, who can manipulate her hair as deadly tendrils. In a tragic turn, their confrontation results in the death of Nolt, but he warns his brothers before meeting his fate. This prompts Grove to exhaust his remaining strength to obliterate numerous Barbarois.
As D pursues Meier’s carriage through fierce battles and strategic encounters, he discovers Charlotte's feelings for Meier and her unwillingness to return home. This revelation ignites a fire of rage within Leila, who swiftly captures her. Amidst escalating chaos involving ambushes and betrayals, Leila's anger towards vampires enters a fierce climax when more familiar allies turn against her, prompting unexpected alliances among former enemies.
Through encounters with mystical storms and moments of shared histories, Leila and D’s relationship evolves; they forge a pact that they will honor each other's graves if one should fall. Their journeys intertwine as they pursue the same objective, although for vastly differing reasons. The quest leads them to confront Carmilla, who harbors her own ambitions for the future of vampires.
Carmilla’s manipulation introduces layers of illusion and danger, driving both D and the Marcus Brothers into a final showdown for their respective motives. Despite the harrowing challenges culminating in devastating losses, love binds Meier and Charlotte for their last moments. In an emotional farewell, D and Leila watch as Meier embarks on a new journey, cradling the essence of Charlotte within him—but not before D lays claim to her ring as proof of her passing for her family.
As the narrative comes to a bittersweet close, decades later, Leila's legacy is commemorated in a family funeral, hinting at reconciliation and the growth of humanity's understanding of vampires. With a hopeful glance towards a possible future, D rides away, having kept his vow to an old friend, all while grasping the transformative power of love, loss, and the potential for a new beginning, signifying times have indeed changed.
