Chapter 1 - Unfinished Business
Normal POV
"Forgive me, Father, for I have-" Van Helsing did not get the chance to finish his plea before the Father of the Church answered irritably.
"Sinned, I know. You demolished the Holy Statue. 10th century, priceless, and a symbol of hope for many people. When," he snapped, turning around in a rare moment of unveiled fury, "will you learn that despite the creature you face, you must stop this senseless destruction?" Turning back around, the Father winced, coughing harshly. Van Helsing had only enough time to lay his hand on the man's back before the Father brushed him off and strode briskly towards the underground branch of the Church of Rome's services.
"You will travel with Carl to Transylvania, Paris, and Italy. Your target is likely to be in one of those countries." Van Helsing quirked an eyebrow at the uncertain implication of the information. Seeing the dubious look, the Father sighed. "This one is... different. Treacherous." He grimaced, adjusting his cap and clutching his rosary as if to ward off evil spirits. Van Helsing noticed.
"That bad, hmm? What is he this time, warlock, werewolf, snow-beast, water beast, what?" The Father looked away, avoiding the hunter's eyes as he replied.
"Vampire."
It took Van Helsing a second to process what was said before he stepped in front of the Father, forcing him to meet his steely gaze. "I thought that all vampires created by Dracula, including this one, would have died when he was killed. What makes this one different? He should have died as well when the Count took his last breath."
The Father began walking again, leaving Van Helsing/Gabriel little choice but to follow. "We have sent four hunters, excluding you, after this vampire, but none of them have come back alive. Rather... well, they return in pieces. All of them were almost as skilled as you, but... it did not aid them in their quest for their quarry." He sighed, murmuring a quick prayer. Gabriel watched the spirits of the four hunters stir restlessly with the prayer before slowly disappearing. Blinking, he looked back at the Father. "This vampire... was not created by Dracula. That is why it did not die when he met his end. This one is significantly more dangerous than Dracula, as you can see from the men we sent." Motioning Carl over, the Father started up the projector. "Born 1422, murdered 1450. She is... Vladislaus Dracula's twin sister."
It took Gabriel a moment to process the information, but he had no choice but to remain silent as pictures and clips flashed across the screen. "She was not prominent in his family, being female. She was killed before him, and was seemingly content to remain so. Little is known about why that would be, but rumor has it that she and Dracula were meant to be the same child. Their spirit did not have the same plan, as it split into two equal parts of good and evil combined. From a letter sent by our last hunter, Paul, before his imminent demise, her name is Crina."
Turning to regard Gabriel through narrowed eyes, the Father spoke again. "Crina, as we shall call her, was resurrected by her brother's half of their shared spirit when he became the son of Satan. His brides were turned, but she was not. Stories indicate that she may have confronted him, being the 'elder', but they all have different takes on where, why, and what happened afterwards. As such, until reports of missing persons in one area caught our attention, we did not know where she was. As it happens, she is hiding out in Venice, at the Doge Palace." The Father grimaced as Carl hummed in question and Van Helsing's eyebrow rose.
"So... not all vampires prefer freezing climates through hidden gates... no Castle Dracula for her. Her name is... Crina, right?" Carl spoke up, sounding interested. The Father rolled his eyes at Carl's insatiable curiosity, then gestured sharply at Carl. "Oh! Van Helsing, I'm coming with you again, but we need to gather materials first!" Nodding rapidly at Van Helsing, he didn't even flinch when an explosion echoed behind him. Angry shouts came from all around, but he simply waved his hand and called out an apology before turning eagerly back to Gabriel Van Helsing.
"So, as usual, holy water, crossbow, silver stake, garlic ropes, and before you ask, no I can't make another one of that unique gadget from last time... I used up all the element in the world to kill those vampires, I hope you know!" Sighing, Carl shoved most of the things into a bag before turning back to Van Helsing. "So, when are we going?"
A/N: Hello! :D It's me, Atarashii, again. I recently re-watched Van Helsing, and wanted to expand on an idea that I had. :) Dracula's twin sister didn't die when he did, and Van Helsing has been sent after her as well. :) I hope you enjoy it! Please leave a review and tell me how I did!