Chapter 1: The Beginning of a Long Lasting Friendship
It was ghastly, revolting and utterly humiliating. Would he live the rest of his life like? A slave to this so called sultan, his half-wit of a brother already condemning himself as a servant of this fool disgusted him, almost to the point of revulsion and utter hate. But yet the young prince bared it all. His faith would not be shaken by a few mishaps, this man may have taken the few precious things he had held close to him but he refused to back down. His eyes glowering at the sultan patiently waiting for his fun to finish and when he was done as usual he would be thrown to the floor, limp and numb. It was the same every night, but he wouldn't let it continue for the rest of his life. He swore to himself to bring God to their level and he would forsake everything for his Lord. But for now he would bear with this humiliation.
Gathering his clothes once more he quickly dashed away from the room, reeking of sex and sweat his ran towards his own private chambers dousing himself in cold water. Scrubbing himself repeatedly as is trying to erase all the filth the sultan put on him. He continued scrubbing away the stench until his skin was welting up in scratched and a bright red. Coughing out in revulsion he began spit with whatever was left in his mouth. Finally after a long hour of cleansing he finally gave out a long sigh, his features contorting into an ugly grimace. The sultan was still regularly calling for him, however he knew he was growing older and soon the sultan would grow bored of him, and that was what he was waiting for. In the darkness of his room he let out a hollow laugh as his eyes glistened against the moonlight. He would study hard, train vigorously and slowly but surely over throw this blasphemous fool. He only had himself and that was all he needed, be gone with his brother, truly a fool. Vlad Dracula would gain his power and glory by himself and no-one else.
His long days would only consist of this, whether it be enduring the long nights by himself or with the sultan he soon fell into a smooth pattern which he maintained in order to keep a small semblance of his sanity. But as each day came it broke away small pieces off it and he would often fall deeper into the reaches of insanity. He realised that it would be like this for years to come and this began to have noticeable effects on him.
The longer he stayed within the castle he began to see things. Whether it was his delusions from being trapped within this wretched fortress by the perverse sultan with his dirty desires for young boys, or the fact his faith in the mystics and the Lord, the young prince began seeing strange oddities swarm around the castle. Always lurking in the shadows, teasing the servants and playing tricks on the soldiers. Always going unnoticed though and never found, they were such strange creatures, with deformities and clawed fingers and grotesque features. He soon learned how to ignore them though, but the funny thing was that they never bothered him. But one of them was a young woman within the castle walls always disappearing from his sight and ghosting around the halls. It was not that fact that there was a female within the castle but the fact that no-one else noticed her presence. Always found within the darkness of the night and the lone solitude of the library, the prince began to think he was insane, he could understand why the strange creatures were not noticed but a fully grown woman? The young woman with such soft features not of from this land and bright blue eyes which sparkled in such a mysterious way mesmerised him. Hair which shone like gold, silk like threads which swayed from her shoulders and always such a sombre expression she would wander around the castle unbeknownst to all; but the young Wallachian prince who would catch glimpses of her. Always disappearing out of sight.
After realising that no-one else saw her but him he began to believe that she was merely an illusion that he had created from his socially deprived mind. And he did not mind it at all, but there was always a nagging feeling that was truly something else. But he ignored it, he had other issues to deal with and he couldn't bother to investigate about a foreign woman wandering around the castle. Simply a waste of time he surmised.
Several years passed like this, but Vlad soon realised that the young woman he would see within the night started to show herself in the daytime or the early mornings when the servants were just starting to rouse from their slumber. He began to mentally take down some notes about his illusion that started appearing more frequently in the castle and courtyards, but of course out of sight of others. She was of a gentle character, often murmuring things to the birds who would perch on her shoulder but she didn't like the sunshine much, preferring to stay the shades of the trees. She had a peculiar habit of biting her fingernails when she was deep in thought and sometimes when there was nothing for her to do she would merely watch the sunset and quietly disappear into the shadows of the fast approaching darkness. There was one time that Vlad was close enough to the woman that he heard her sigh, it was such a breathy sigh which was laced with boredom. Not only that but he was able to get a better look of her, her skin was so fair and creamy white, unlike the tanned skin of the females of the Turkish lands and she was quite curvaceous woman. An enigma in his eyes, but as if she knew he was watching her, she would disappear without a trace of her left.
His sole entertainment had disappeared so his only choice was to continue his studies or return his own chambers. The sultan had thankfully been out that day so he was free at night, but now he didn't feel like doing anything. Opting to get an early rest he slowly returned to room hoping to catch a small glimpse of the elusive woman. He let out a lonesome sigh when he sat down on the edge of his bed, his mind tracing back to his studies. He must never forget his training and the knowledge he had acquired. Everything was essential to his growth as a ruler. He would bring God down their feet, God will come down if his people cries out to him and brings him conquest. Nothing else will gain God's favour. God will not grant the answers for the weak who cannot fend for themselves, the weak will die as it the law of the world. Only the strong will survive and rule.
"One day, everything will be in my reach", his eyes echoing the desolate room, his arm reaching out into the darkness. The candle flickered for a moment, his brow raising in question. The windows were closed and none of the doors were open. Perhaps the draft of the wind he thought but as shadowy figure emerged from behind the curtains his thought changed. Springing up to his feet he reached for his sword but as soon a familiar mop of golden hair and pale skin he immediately relaxed.
It was her, the ghost of the castle. Her eyes blinking in the darkness as she watched him, her blue orbs glowing eerily in the black of the room. His shoulders squared as a reflex and he slowly began reaching for his sword once more. She tilted her head to one side as if in question, it was an innocent act but even so Vlad couldn't take away the feeling of fear. This woman…was unknown to him. She was something beyond him and he knew she was fully aware of it as well.
"…Little Vlad, the soon to be king…" The woman murmured softly. Vlad widened his eyes in shock, never in the three years of being here had had he heard her voice. It was soft and mellow, it was melodious in a way and he felt the tension in his shoulders slowly dissipate.
His eyes narrowed at the words she had muttered, the soon to be king? Was this a foretelling of the future? After a moment of silence the woman began to turn away walking towards the double doors, her cloak trailing against the floor. Vlad suddenly felt a jab panic fearing that he may never talk to the strange woman ever again so he blurted out what came first to his mind to draw her back. "Your hair is beautiful…" His voice slowly dying down as he slowly realised what he just said. She turned her head to peer at the young prince, a wry smile dancing on her lips.
"How very nice of you to say that", she replied she turned around fully facing him. "I am rather envious of your raven hair. It such a mysterious colour", a small smile gracing her lips as she peered down at him. Her eyes shifting slightly in colour, from the sky blue it turned into a deep sea blue, Vlad stared right at them. How beautiful they were, he would spare an entire day just to look into them. Her hand reached down, fingers twirling around a black lock of his, he noticed how thin and slender her fingers were and how pale they were in comparison to his sun-kissed skin. For a strange reason he did not stray away from her touch but rather leaned into it, her palms was warm and her skin was soft to the touch. But as soon as he did that the woman quickly drew back her hand, his eyes flashed open as he watched the blonde headed female clutch onto her hand as if she had touched fire.
His brows twisting in confusion, did he do something wrong. But more importantly, what was he doing being so rather intimate with this utter stranger who quite possibly a ghost or simple an illusion created from his mind. He shook his head in denial, whatever she may be, she was evidently intruding in his own personal area. But another part of him he couldn't help feel that if it was her he would not mind. But pushing the thoughts aside he commanded the woman to leave.
"Leave. This is not your room, it is mine. So leave", Vlad said sharply. Pointing to the door he stared hard at the female. She looked at the door and then back to him, without saying another word she bowed and she soon melted right through the door. Vlad still not believing what he saw blinked his eyes a couple times to confirm what he saw, staring down at the spot where she just stood he almost had the urge to kneel down and touch the spot where her bare feet were. Just to confirm that she was actually warm and that was not just his mind playing tricks on him. He did finally give in and to his surprise it was actually warm, and her scent seem to linger around his room. It was the faint smell of apples and peaches.
Afraid that he had merely imagined it all he quickly called a servant over, ordering the servant to bend down and touch the floor, it was strange enough but he couldn't care less. He needed some sort of confirmation to know that he wasn't going insane, despite knowing that he was already halfway there.
"My lord, there is a slight warmth in the rug and the faint smell of fruit…" The servant slowly said, his brows furrowed in confusion in the request of such a strange task. But he didn't protest.
"Very well, you may leave", the prince quickly waved the servant away who simply bowed and left quickly. Leaving the premises as soon as possible.
The prince collapsed onto his bed in exhaustion, she was real. She wasn't a delusion of his mind and neither was she a fragment of imagination. She was real person who had the warmth of a human being but the powers of a mystic. It made him shudder in fear but slightly relieved, but why though. He wanted to know why but his young mind couldn't understand why, only curiosity could quell his urge to find her once more. He finally succumbed into a restless slumber filled with strange and women dancing around him shouting at him with a strange tongue. He awoke early the next day with an unclear mind and a dry tongue.
After his studies and after immersing himself in vigorous sword fighting he sought to find the woman. There were just too many questions, what was she; what was she doing here, where did she come from, what is her purpose of being here. There were just too many questions that he wanted answers to. After thoroughly exploring the palace grounds he finally found her. Deep within the palace inner gardens where only servants dare venture because of the rumoured poisonous snakes that dwelled there was where she hid away from unwanted eyes.
There she sat on a fallen tree talking to a bird her back facing him with her spikey hair tumbling down her back. The bird chirped back but as soon as it saw Vlad it quickly fluttered off in a frantic flurry. The woman let out a sad sigh as she watched a small flock of birds fly off into the sky leaving only her and the young prince. Now having no one to talk to the woman turned her attention to the one who intruded her privacy.
"Lovely afternoon is it not?" The woman said absentmindedly as she stroked the leaves of the tree that she sat underneath. Her eyes never leaving his, refusing to look away he stared right back but as he looked deeper and deeper into her eyes he became dazed and entranced by some sort of unseen force.
"Don't look into them for too long", she turned away looking up at the setting sky. The sun was dipping down below the horizon and the birds were cawing in the deep blood orange sky, the night was soon approaching. She let out a tired sigh as she watched the slowly disappear from sight leaving them the darkness of the night. Vlad blinked his eyes in surprise for a moment, not knowing what happened he merely nodded his head in a daze.
Following her gaze he saw watched the moon arise from the darkness of the night, glowing brightly it signalled the beginning of the night. Vlad didn't like the Turkish sun, it was too harsh and unforgiving; spending the shortest amount of time in the dry deserts could leave a man half delirious and slightly mad. The moon however was cool and constant unlike the sun which could easily disappear on a cloudy day. The moon would never leave and would always be there, a constant companion of the sky.
"Your name", Vlad said out of the blue referring to her. He stared hard at her waiting for her answer. He knew she was not delusion of his mind, and he knew she was not a human but if he knew one thing though was that she would be here for some time. And if he were to constantly see her and bump into her he would rather know of her name. Referring to her would be hard if he didn't even know who she was.
Her eyes lazily looked to her side, the colours shifting once more, this time into a deep shade of indigo. She pursed her lips in question and after a long awkward pause she relented her name. "Seras", she turned away once more and continued to watch the stars appear one by one.
Vlad mouthed her name, it sounded so strange. He had never heard such a name before, was it a European name? He did not know her names origin but he knew her name at least. It was progress in his mind.
"And yours, little prince?" She said off-handily as she leaned back against the trunk of a tree, her back bristling slightly at the rough texture of the bark. She now fully faced him, her sole attention on him.
Vlad straightened out his back and stood a little taller. "Vlad III, Prince of Wallachia", his voice strong and proud, never did it waver as he pronounced his name in his native tongue. He watched her expression change slightly, from her bored eyes to the small glint of mischievousness and interest. He may be young but he could easily understand what that meant. She tilted her head to one side still observing him, her mouth twisting into a smirk.
"I know, little prince. I was just wondering if you knew your name", her eyes twinkling. "After all, it is all you have left. So keep it close to you, or will surely lose it. Just like your brother", her mouth contorted into a small grimace but it quickly disappeared as it came. Unbeknownst to Vlad it was a foretelling of the imminent future.
And then something snapped in Vlad's mind, without thinking twice he lashed out at her. "Do not mock me! I know where my allegiance lies with! I will become great and I will rise to power! One day I will rule all and God will acknowledge me!" His voice roared at her, his eyes widening substantially as his grey eyes glared right at her. His breath coming in short bursts, he was soon panting harshly as he seethed at the golden haired female.
Seras blinked her eyes in surprise for a moment as she peered down at the prince. A small bubble of laughter erupted from her throat, breaking Vlad from his crazed reverie. He continued to glare at her with a deep hatred but she paid no mind to him.
"Good! Very good, prince! Keep that attitude of yours, a fiery passion which knows no bounds! It will surely help you gain the favour of the people. You will truly be a great king!" Her laughter dying down as she gained back her breath. Breathy sighs passed her lips, her gaze softening as she looked right at the prince. It was a strange look, it was not a look of a lover nor a happy one; it was simply relieved. She leaned forward her eyes dead straight forward, "I give you my faith, that I will never abandon you", she stood up, her robes falling down onto the ground. She sauntered up to him, and once reaching to his chest she bent down and kneeled in front of him. She gently raised one of his sandaled feet kissing it lightly, "My King", she murmured as she looked up at him a deep set blue pair of eyes.
Vlad gazed down at her, she would never abandon him? He had gained his first follower and he didn't even know her more than her first name. But for a fourteen year old this was truly a step forward for him, she was the first of the many that would soon follow. It would truly be a long process though and he would not know the end of it, but he vowed that he would make it become reality. He would not allow himself to be stepping in someone else's shadow for his the rest of his life.
"You will follow me?" His voice full of doubt, his eyes sceptical of what he just saw and heard as he took a step back. She was a woman, she could easily abandon him in a second glance. Women were deceitful and horrid liars. How could he even trust her when she had never gained his trust in the first place?
"For no other reason than that you will become great, my King", Seras said her voice clear like a bell in the clear night. Her eyes never leaving his, "I have placed my bets on you and the dice has already been rolled. I will remain by your side", she said with a lilting smile. She held onto his hands, Vlad silently relished in the feeling of her soft hands and hoped that she wouldn't let go of them too soon.
"Very well, Seras of the Shadows. I pronounce you as my subordinate you will refer to me as your liege", he commanded, pulling his hands away from hers. His voice holding the air superiority and authority and for a moment he didn't look like a young boy but a fully grown man, a king.
She gave him a small but cherished smile, "Yes, my King".
The beginning of everything.
Disclaimer: Hellsing belongs to Hirano Kouta.
Decided to write this because my other fanfiction (Chaotic World) a Drifters fanfiction manga takes too long to update so I'm writing this to pass my time. Drifters is the new manga which Kouta has written, the anime is supposed to come out this year or next year, I don't know.
Ok whatever, hope you guys enjoy to first chapter. I'll upload the next chapter as soon as possible.
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