Disclaimer: I own nothing of Hellsing, the characters, the manga or anime etc. They all belong to their relevant owners and creators. This is a fanfic only and I only lay claim to my own Original characters that I have created myself.
Warnings: Will contain angst/dark tones/smut/action/gore/violence/swear words and scenes of a sexual nature... read with caution.
Notes: The story takes place after the Ultimate universe. Integra is still in charge of Hellsing, but is now older. Alucard has already returned after being away for 30-odd years. This is where my OC comes into the narrative... the story continues...
Enjoy!
-o-o-
"You have not done as I have asked, Josep." The cold sinister voice that spoke echoed throughout the dark cavernous hall like a spectres whisper. "You have failed me, yet again. Your incompetence is beginning to become intolerable."
I watched the spectacle unfold before my eyes, my presence hidden in shadow as I slunked down behind one of the towering marble columns that lined the perimeter of the room. Every tiny sound reverberated to my ears. The cold air sent a shiver rippling down my spine and the thin layer of my shorts and t-shirt could barely garner any warmth to me. My thin arms hugged at my narrow waist, clinging to it for comfort. My dirty bare feet shuffled against the stone floor, trying to ease the biting chill in my toes. Candelabras flickered, casting a gentle glow from the walls around us. I shuffled and the chains that bound me rattled slightly at the small motion. A thick lump of dread settled into my stomach. A sense of foreboding sliced into me like a knife, sharp and unrelenting.
A lithe, male figure lounged upon the throne-like chair at the centre of the room. The vampire's midnight suit clung to his long limbs. His features like granite, pale and angular, reminded me of a bird of prey stalking the skies, on the hunt. Cunning, yet impeccably fair in appearance. A beautiful monster. Hair long and curling like a dolls settled around his wide shoulders like golden silk. Another figure bowed at his feet in reverence.
"Please, my lord," the smaller male rasped. His terror so cloying and thick, I could almost taste it upon my tongue. He was sickly looking, thin and weak – a newly formed fledgling. Another subordinate to my master's will. "I tried to do as you ordered. Truly I did. But we were prevented from completing our task."
"And why is that?" The vampire tilted his head slowly at him. One might have considered the gesture one of intrigue or curiosity.
But I knew my master better than anyone. He wasn't pleased. His fury rested upon the edge of a knife, teetering dangerously, despite his calm demeanour.
"Their vampire... he found us and hunted us down like cattle. Only a few of us survived."
The vampire scoffed dismissively. "Including yourself, I find that rather ironic. No doubt you fled like a coward, hmm?"
The fledgling, Josep, curled further into himself, trying to become as little and harmless as possible. He stretched out a skeletal arm, baring his wrist to the god-like creature above him. A symbol of his submission. His grungy rat-tail hair fell forward, concealing his face.
"Forgive me, my lord. I only-"
The vampire lifted a hand, cutting him off shortly. His long fingers extended, elegant and slender. A sapphire ring glinted upon one of them, catching the light.
"Save your excuses," my master sighed, leaning an elbow against the arm of his chair in a bored fashion. "I gave you your orders, vermin. Kill the Hellsing bitch and bring me her head. Yet you dare return to me empty-handed. It was a simple enough task!"
"But it is not simple, my lord!" Josep argued back suddenly, and I flinched, casting an anxious glance to my master whose gold eyes flared dangerously at his servant's audacity.
A grave error indeed. I knew one thing above all others when it came to my master – show him leniency and respect, or pay the consequences. And never interrupt or talk back to him.
"Your enemy is cunning," Josep explained, his voice shaking, uneven. "Their vampire is powerful. Too powerful for us to comprehend."
Hellsing. I considered the name carefully for a moment. I had heard the stories and tales about this organisation many times. Protectors of England. Loyal subjects to the crown and Queen, her majesty. Defenders of mankind. My master abhorred them above all others. One name in particular always earned his contempt. Integra. A woman said to be as fierce and resilient as winter, or so they say. Bound by duty and a human not lightly to be reckoned with.
And he, her most treasured family pet. The one they feared most of all. The dog that bayed only at the command of its master's will. The vampire, Alucard. His name was uttered in dread and fear. Described only as a force of nature, neither living, nor dead. He could command the very seas and skies. Control the elements and shadows as if he was one with them. Unstoppable. Unkillable. Powerful beyond measure.
"He protects the Hellsing woman fiercely," Josep continued nervously, "There is more to him than meets the eye-"
"I know what he is," my master snapped suddenly, the sound ricocheting around the stone walls eerily. I saw the fledgling flinch, crawling back a pace in a protective movement. "And I also know whom he is. But it matters not, he will be dealt with in due course." He sneered down his hawk-like nose at the quivering creature knelt before him in disdain. "As for you, Josep, I am beginning to find you more of a hindrance than a help. Your uses are starting to become non-existent."
I swallowed back the dryness in my throat, casting a pitying glance at the wretch that was Josep Guivianni. Once he had been a great man of power; a businessman of much wealth and control. Now he was nothing more than a shadow of his former self. A poor creature deserving of pity. I knew the look in my master's eyes and I knew what that cruel sharpness meant within them. There was no mercy in him. Ruthless and callous, he had no value for life; whether it be living or otherwise.
Josep was as good as dead already.
"Oh please, my lord," Josep began to grovel beseechingly. His face twisting in desperation. His eyes tiny pin-points as crimson tears formed within them. "Please, spare me." He reached out a trembling hand, his fingertips hovering a mere inch away from the vampires foot. Imploring. Trying to appease him.
"I'm afraid you are no longer needed. Do forgive me, old friend, but this is where your journey ends."
With a quick glance and a nod, a gathering of shadows stepped from the darkness around them, crowding in closely. The ghouls reached for Josep, red eyes gleaming manically. Thirsty for blood.
"No!" Josep thrashed, kicking out wildly against them, his scream of terror slicing me deep into the pit of my very soul.
Claw-like fingers grasped and tore at him. They surged forward as a unit, pinning him down, attacking him at every angle with razor-sharp teeth. His gurgled cries made bile fly up into my throat. Unable to bear it any longer, I turned my face away from the scene, closing my eyes tightly. I could hear them chewing on his flesh, the bones crunching. I covered my ears with my shaking hands, pulling my knees to my chest.
Stop it. Please, make it stop.
Moments passed and an unsettling silence fell upon us.
"Such a waste," my master spoke quietly. Coldly. "I overestimated the useless pig."
I must have made a noise, a whimper of distress, for his fair head turned to me slowly, his golden eyes finding me in the dimness with ease. He held out a hand to me, beckoning me to his side. His voice light and alluring, cooing gently to me like one would a frightened child.
"Come, ma belle," he urged, his will wrapping around my mind like a vice, refusing to be denied. "Come to my side, I wish to see you."
Unable to refuse him, my legs moved as if of their own accord. I closed the distance between us, my chains clinking noisily as I lowered down beside his legs, leaning against them. The collar around my neck felt tight, restrictive. Numbly I placed my head against my master's knee, staring across to the shredded corpse of Josep Guivianni. Blood stained the floor like bright war paint. Flesh and bits of bone lay scattered in all directions. The ghouls hissed, staring at me hungrily, but they were quickly dismissed by a wave of the vampire's hand.
I sighed in relief as they faded away from sight, stepping back into the shadows. I was safe... for now.
"Nobody has a single shred of loyalty in them any more." The vampire above me growled, clearly annoyed with the situation. "No obedience, and no respect. Not like you, my love."
His hand slid under me, clasping my chin so that he could lift my face up towards him. For a moment I stared at him, stared at the vampire who had become my soul existence and reason for living over the years. His handsome visage hadn't aged a single day since I had first met him.
He, Lucius Corvinus Maxim. Grandmaster vampire, and once the fifth son of the Marquis De La Croix. Once born into a French aristocratic family in a time long since passed.
"You please me above all others." He stroked a thumb against the curve of my cheek, feathery light. His molten eyes softened, peering down at me thoughtfully. "I will not allow this blunder to spoil my plans. The Hellsing dogs will be wiped from the earth and I shall reign supreme, walking the streets of London, powerful and singular. And you, my best beloved one, will stand at my side, as one with me. Mon prix. My prize."
I blinked slowly at him, neither speaking nor agreeing with him. I dared not refuse him, even when every inch of my skin crawled at his nearness. Silently I pulled away, turning my head back down to rest upon his lap.
"Why do you withdraw from me?" he asked coolly. "I remember a time when you would enjoy my company and bask in my affection. What has changed?"
I tensed at his vexed tone and sighed wearily. "I was a child back then and things were different. I was naive and ignorant of the world..." I trailed off, unable to finish my words.
I was ignorant of you and the monster you truly were. I had attached myself blindly to him, seeking love and happiness in the wrong places. And now, I was trapped here, doomed to follow at his side in all things. Alone.
"The world?" Lucius sneered. "The world has abandoned you, just as it did me. Or have you forgotten? It has discarded you, measured your human life and found it worth absolutely nothing. Only death and misery." His cool hand settled upon my long hair, stroking it gently, almost lovingly. "I have spared you of that fate. I shall give you everything and set you above all of them. You will be untouchable. Powerful. No one will ever hurt you again."
I closed my eyes, wishing for a single moment that I was somewhere else. Someone else. Surrounded by a family who loved and wanted me, instead of being treasured by this being who made me doubt every aspect of my existence. I knew his words were lies. He was incapable of love, yet he was skilfully capable of destroying and manipulating others.
"Am I not generous?" he whispered enticingly, his voice like silk. "Do you not trust me?"
I'd heard those very words so many times before. Even back to the very first time I'd ever laid my eyes upon him. They haunted my sleep and mocked me of my reality.
Without a word, I nodded. Unable to do little else.
"Good," he purred, his touch sliding across my shoulder, pulling my locks back to expose the delicate curve of my throat. My skin tingled at the contact, all too aware of what would happen next. "Then show me your gratitude, ma belle. Give me your blood."
I did not get a choice in the matter. White-hot agony flashed through me as he lowered his head and sank his teeth deeply into my neck. I whimpered, but remained still, knowing that if I fought him he would retaliate. I could feel the energy seeping out from me with each long draw of his mouth. Numbly I stared at Josep's corpse upon the ground and wished in that second that it was me there instead.
-o-o-
-o-o-
12 years ago...
-o-o-
Thunder rumbles. A flash of lightning follows, causing me to huddle back against the cupboard. Everything is dark, yet I can hear raised voices coming from outside the door. People are shouting. I can hear them screaming for help.
What is happening?
I hide in the shadows, in the corner of the room by the clothing cabinet. So very afraid. I did not know who to call for or who to run to. I was alone. I hugged Mr. Panda, my bear, to me, hoping he would keep me safe.
I hear footsteps walk into the room. The door is open and I can see a light coming in from beyond the hallway. Everything goes very quiet and I hold my breath. Frightened.
Someone was here.
All of a sudden, he is there, standing over me. I take in his pale skin and glowing yellow eyes. Everything about him tells me he's a bad man, but at the same time I find him interesting. Pretty. The strangest man I have ever seen.
His thin, colourless lips smile at me. "There you are, ma belle. I can smell you even from the other side of the house. Why do you hide?"
The stranger reaches for me and I scrunch further back against the wall. Who is he? Where were the nice ladies who lived with us? Where was everyone?
"Non, do not fear me, little one. I am a friend." His stranger's voice grows gentle and nice. "I have come to help you."
"I-I shouldn't talk to strangers," I whispered, afraid that if I spoke too loudly then the bad people would find us.
The man knelt down, laughing quietly. "But I am not a stranger... not any more. I've come to take you to a safe place, a new home, where there will be lots of toys and games to play. Would you like that?"
What kind of toys? I thought curiously. Slowly, I shuffled forward taking the stranger's outstretched hand. His arms lifted me to him, carrying me against his side. I gasped in surprise, dropping Mr. Panda by accident. The stranger carried me out into the corridor and I stared down with wide eyes at the people lying oddly across the floor. Their own eyes were open, staring at the ceiling. What were they doing? Why weren't they moving?
Anxious, I made a sound. A whimper.
"Hush now," the pretty man cooed gently, "they are only sleeping. We must not wake them, otherwise they will want to come too."
"Okay," I whisper, still staring at them all, unable to look away.
"We are going to have much fun, you and I. I promise," the stranger said, his arms tightening around me, making me feel safe. My new friend. I wrapped my small arms around his neck, holding onto him. His bright eyes stared into me, his lips smiling strangely.
"Do you trust me?"
Uncertain, yet curious, I nodded to him.
