Alrighty, so this is my very first fanfiction, make sure to review and let me know how I did. I'm pretty proud of this. It's a pretty small chapter I know, but things pick up quick in our next chapter. - Lady Noctis


The manor was silent. A heavy blanket of mourning rested upon it's halls. Everywhere felt so cold, so unfriendly. No longer did soldiers linger in the halls, their rude banter and joyful laughter filling the manor with sound and life. They had all left months ago, dismissed by Sir Integra Fairbrook Wingates Hellsing. Only three remained, for Walter was long since gone, Alucard, Seras, and the Iron Maiden herself. The chill in the air only grew thicker the closer to her private quarters you ventured. This terrible soul chilling cold came to be after she returned from the hospital to spend her final days with her only companions. The smell of sickness was apparent at the door, and inside, it was almost nauseating.

Seras lay kneeled at her bedridden Master's side, her head propped up on the side of the bed. Alucard resided in a corner, sadness apparent in his usually insanely joyful features. There was no happiness, no warmth to be found in this room. Integra's breath rattled in her chest as the lay under the sheet, her eyes still as sharp as ever, even in her state. Seras flinched badly, whimpering and Alucard tensed when Integra fell into another coughing fit.

"Oh stop it, Seras. We both knew this day would come," Integra gasped, blood flecking her lips from her fit. Seras sniffled, wiping the blood away.

"I-I told you to stop smoking, sir. I told you," tears filled her eyes as Integra's eyes softened.

"I know, girl, I know. I'm a stubborn woman, and I'll do what I want even if-"

"Even if it means a slow painful death by cancer," Alucard finished for her, staring out a window. He shifted slightly, recrossing his arms. His mind was in a storm of madness, more so than usual at his mixed emotions, his excitement at the prospect of freedom so close, and his grief at the loss of such a beautiful proud being. He stood silent once more, his mind a tempest.

"Yes. I have one thing to ask of each of you." The Police Girl stared at her, awaiting her order eagerly, whilst Alucard looked over with only a slight amount of compassion showing within the bloody red depths of his eyes.

"Seras. I want you to take care of it. You know of what I speak. And Alucard, I want you to guard her with your life. Let no misfortune befall her."

"Of course, my master." Integra nods firmly, a smile playing about her lips.

"Well, I have nothing more to say or do. Goodbye my pets, my friends. Your freedom is finally at hand. I'm so tired. I think I'll take a little . . . nap." With a final ragged breath and bloody cough, her eyes closed and her fragile heartbeat stopped. Seras' howl of mourning echoes across the estate. The iron maiden is dead. Seras sobbed relentlessly over the body. Alucard walked to the edge of the bed, looming over them both. With a now bare hand he stroked her still warm cheek.

"Fierce and beautiful until the very end. The world will miss you dearly. Cease your mourning, Police Girl. The seal is broken and we have little time. We must leave now. It's a rough road from here on out. We have much to do and little time to do it in." His shadows collected on the wall, creating a dense portal. He leaned how and pulled the broken hearted girl to her feet, holding her hand, he walked her through the shadows into freedom.

"Where are we?"

"Home."