Chapter One: Enter the Lion's Den

By: Rachel Monroe

I do not own Hellsing.

Years had passed since my father passed away. I was only a child of nine then. I had no siblings, no close relatives, and no mother. Father's only dying wish was for me to take over the organization.

The only person I had was a butler, my families butler. He raised me from then on, for twelve years. He taught me how to control our finances, run our military, and how to be a fearsome leader like my father.

Over these twelve years, he also kept up the tradition my father started. When I was four years old, barely able to spell, he told me my task. Day after day, he would ask me to repeat them. During chores, studies, and combat practice. When I was most tired and most lively, he would say "Repeat it" and I would begin the steps one through seven. Until I was seven, I had to ask for him to remind me about half way through.

Now, though, I find myself repeating them during my work. It has become a habit, and I believe that was what he was aiming for.

Throughout those years, I never knew what he was preparing me for. He would never tell me, no one would. Every time I asked, he just said "One day, the time for you to know will come" and left it at that.

I knew, however, that it was well due time for me to find out. Soon, I would have no choice.

About fifteen years ago, when my father still ran the organization, a new dictator took over Russia. For a few years, no one saw anything out of the ordinary. My father died, things moved on, and then it started.

Timur Kozlov ordered the invasion of France and Germany. Six years passed, and the order was sent to invade the United Kingdom. The country was sent into an uproar. Queen Elizabeth the third, who at the current time was only newly crowned, was taken into hiding to keep her safe. Yet, with the queen safe, none of these things concerned the Hellsing Organization.

Five days ago, a Spy's reports came in that the Russian army was planning an attack on the Hellsing Manor. They wanted to wipe out the last standing force that could hinder their plans. I had great confidence in my soldiers, don't get me wrong, but they could not stop the Russian Military.

That is where this day came in. The fifth day after we learned of their planned strike, but not when it would be executed.

There were gun shots and yelling echoing through the manor. "Creed," I spoke slowly, "What was that?"

Creed, my butler, walked to the door and checked outside before closing it again calmly.

"Miss, the Russian Military is attempting to take the manor. They are breaking through the front doors as we speak" He said, not a hint of worry behind his words.

"What?!" I yelled. He simply asked me to calm down. I started to panic, forgetting all about my training to be the steel leader I was bred to be.

"Miss" He said, pulling me out of my chair. I looked at him. "It is time," He told me, "You were born for this. Do you remember?"

I nodded quickly. There was no possible way I could ever forget. He nodded before getting me to the secret passage way to the dungeon. He handed me a knife off his person, and told me he would hold them off as long as I needed.

"Wait!" I said urgently, he waited. "Take Suru to the panic room. I can't have her going into shock" I told him before heading down the path. I heard his "Yes, Miss" before I got too far for me to hear anymore.

When I made it to solid ground, the steps began to repeat themselves in my head.

"Step one, find cell 236."

I did as my mind commanded and walked past each of the doors. Rumbles and muffled gun shots were all I could hear from the action above ground.

When I found the door, a horrified gasp escaped me before I could contain it. There was the door, with a blood seal covering it. From my studies on seals, I knew this was a powerful one. For a moment, I considered running, not wanting to unleash whatever someone had tried so hard to contain.

Then I mentally slapped myself. Father would be ashamed if he knew what I was thinking. Father had entrusted this to me and only me. If I didn't complete my task, Creed, Suru, all her men, and even myself would be killed. That settled it.

"Step two, cut my palm."

I remembered, as a child, this step always haunted me. At the time, I couldn't bear the thought of hurting myself this way. Now, though, I didn't even flinch as I dug the blade into my palm.

"Step three, smear my blood in a cross on the door."

I heard yelling from upstairs. It was in Russian, but from the little I was taught, I knew that I needed to hurry. I pressed my palm to the door and dragged it down, then across in the same fashion.

"Step four, enter."

My father was always disappointed when I forgot that little step. Deep down, I had been too. Now, I was glad that he drilled it into my brain. I grabbed the handle and push the door open. Immediately I was assaulted by the stench.

It reeked of blood and grime throughout the cage. Not letting that stop me, I descended the stairs. When I finally came to the bottom and my eyes adjusted, I drew in a ragged gasp. There sat the creature I had never believed existed, no matter how many times I had been told it lived underneath her feet. It was bound up, and I briefly wondered how it wasn't dead.

"Step five, remove restraints."

I swallowed roughly before moving quickly to the body. Using the knife, I cut all the ropes and leather that held it there. It just stayed slumped over, not moving.

"Step six, pour my blood on the ground."

Once again, I dug the knife into my hand, needing to reopen the clotting wound. As it pooled around it, I whipped my hand in front on me, splattering my crimson blood all over the ground at it's feet.

As I waited, the last step echoed in my head.

"Step seven, control and unite."

I didn't know what to expect at the point, but when it started moving only to bend forward inhumanly and lap my blood off of the ground, did I begin taking steps away from it. I knew that if I ran now, I could maybe get to the Russians and have them kill me before this thing did.

As if that would be any better.

I could only feel my blood run cold when it finally spoke, it's long hand covering it's face still.

"Who are you to awaken me from my slumber." And with a tilt of it's head, the hair parted and his grinning, terrifying jaws were shown.