"The Scribe"
Disclaimer: I have never, and likely will never own Hellsing, or Dracula for that matter. I do, however, claim the idea which spawned of this story. And the words themselves, of course.
"Myth, memory, history-these are three alternative ways to capture and account for an elusive past, each with its own persuasive claim."
--Warren I. Susman
Prologue.
Excerpt from L. Harker's Journal,
March, 1938.
To most of society today, it is a given fact that vampires, or the living dead, do not exist, nor have they ever existed. Superstitions are based off of the inability of mankind to understand the mysteries of nature. Of course.
Another well-known fact within literate, modern society, is that the vampire known as "Count Dracula" perished during some point during the 19th century, as a direct result of his confrontation with one Professor Abraham van Helsing. This, of course, is due to the tantalizing gothic/horror novel published by Abraham "Bram" Stoker during in 1897, as well as of the subsequent play and motion picture. The novel, titled Dracula describes the exploits of perhaps the most famous vampire in the past millennium. Of course, Dracula never existed as a vampire, either. I have no doubt that Dracula is becoming one of the most well known stories across the globe.
However, to a select group of people in England, and a handful of others that dwell abroad, all of the above statements are false. The "No Life King" known as Alucard, exists as the midian servant of the esteemed Hellsing family. This creature at one point answered to the name Dracula. He was defeated and enslaved by one Professor van Helsing, and shaped into the most potent weapon of England. He is the sword we wield in our struggle against the supernatural. Unnatural forces that threaten Queen and country all have fallen before him and the ones that hold his chain. If this fact was known to the general public, and proven beyond doubt to be true.. the world would likely descend into chaos.
It is not surprising that the majority of the modern world has forgotten about the existence of true monsters-- the reasons a human being should be afraid of the night. Only a few pockets of those that know better exists on this day. I have no doubt that this number will diminish as this century progresses. Even now, science, law, and reason replace religion and superstition as mankind's most sacred tenants. However, if vampires began to slip from the memory of mankind, and were regarded as a myth even in the late 1800s, how and why did Dracula's tale become known to Bram Stoker? Why was the myth of the No Life King (the creature's self-styled title) and his demise disseminated throughout the world? Did the van Helsing family arrange it thus to drive away the forces of evil with the knowledge of their great victory? Was it a tactic meant to deceive, and hide the most dangerous weapon controlled by the crown?
Few people, even those that walk in the highest echelons in this country, know the truth of the event.
I am one of them. The following tale was regaled to me by a well-connected childhood friend, one Arthur Hellsing, direct descendant of one Abraham van Helsing (and current reigning leader of the Royal Order of Protestant Knights), after I expressed my interest in the mystery.
Although it is highly unlikely that this journal shall ever see the light of day, (and if it does, I shall be most surprised if I am not labeled a madman.. or an author with a fanciful imagination) I feel the need to record the tale that was relayed to me one evening regarding the story of how Dracula, the novel, came to be, as well as its true purpose. Despite all my knowledge of the secret and most dark underbelly of the world, I am, after all, only an author and historian at heart.
This shall be a "secret history."
I shall do my best to to describe the events in both a chronological and (hopefully) logical order.
So what do you think? I am largely unapologetic in my choice of topic.
Feel free to zing me a review.