CHAPTER 2

Night had never been so bitterly cold than this fateful summer night. Alucard, Negi, and Kotarô spent this time patrolling the grounds. Alucard claimed that now, more than ever, an attack was possible. Apparently, a group that rivaled his own tried to stop the Genesai by murdering their clients. On top of that, they rescued the worst of the worst, the scum of the universe(s?). The Rukavi. Supposedly, the Rukavi was an organization similar to that called "the Akatsuki", whatever that was, that desired power and domination over all. They had come and claimed Fate already and left, though they may return to stop Alucard. To kill them all.

Alucard grew more frustrated with every passing hour that held no sign of Nekane or Anya. "DAMN! What is taking so long? We open the portal in six hours, and we can't leave without them! Argh!" He drew his sword and felled several trees.

Perhaps frustrated wasn't the right word.

xXxXxXx

"My deepest apologies, Master. The little one insisted on repeatedly stopping to use a restroom." The creature bowed low in Alucard's presence. It was small with a very dark green skin. Hairless, its nails were untrimmed and its eyes were black as night. Protruding from its back were two petite bat-like wings. It wore only a dirtied loincloth. "It doesn't matter. I still have time to open the portal. I bid you leave." The creature bowed deeply again. "Thank you, Master. I shall see you on the other side." The creature burst into flames, and vanished into smoke. "Goblins, So highly effective, yet so bad at remaining on task." Alucard turned towards the ladies and bowed himself. "You beautiful young ladies must be Nekane Springfield and Anya Cocolova. I am Alucard Tepes, your escort. It is an honor to be at your service.

Nekane thanked him, but Anya scoffed. "'Bout damn time someone around here learns to use their manners. Negi could learn something from him. Where's the food? I'm starving." Anya wandered off, looking for food. "Don't worry. She knows her way around Mahora. So, Mr...Tepes, was it? I can only assume that, judging from your garb and accent, that you are the son of the infamous Count Vald 'Dracula' Tepes?" Alucard, still bowing, sputtered. "I am, milady. Is the resemblance honestly so striking?"

"It is. I hope that you don't betray my trust." She hesitated. "How long are you going to bow to me?" The reply was simple. "I will not betray your trust, and I will remain like this until you give me permission to rise. It's the Code."

"oh, please. There's no need to be so formal. It looks like we're all going to become very good friends." Alucard stood up straight and gazed upon her. He felt his heart skip beats. Such beauty had he never gazed upon before, not even Maria. Surely, she must be a goddess condemned to live a mortal life. So beautiful...

She giggled. "You're blushing." She was being playfully cute on purpose. It didn't help. "Please, Ms. Springfield. I will escort you to the temporary barracks. Please try to get some sleep, as we leave at daybreak." Nekane thanked him for his hospitality, but declined his offer. She wanted to go visit Negi, and Alucard would be able to begin his ritual, as Negi was just in sight. Alucard bid her good night and called Anya back to stay with Nekane. Alucard bid them good night again, and rushed off towards the World Tree.

xXxXxXx

Magic manifested itself, spiraling up the World Tree and disappearing into the skies above. Winds whipped around, agitated by the nearby disturbance. Alucard stood in the middle of this hellish maelstrom, palms outward, reciting a chant in a long decease language. The spatial fabric twisted and contorted violently before him. Ripples formed and were demolished by the waves in the dimensional fabric. Space itself was being torn asunder, as was Alucard's heart. Maria...She was special. No one could ever be anything she ever was. But Nekane...She was something else. She was the first person to not fear him, even slightly, upon learning who he was. WHAT he was. Who his father was. Not even Maria could claim that. Nekane trusted him, as only Maria had done. Maria trusted him to rescue her best friend, Richter, and stop Alucard's own father. Nekane trusted him to not only to save her and all of 3-A, but everyone. Why? What grounds did she have to trust him?

The disruptions in the spatial fabric intensified, forcing Alucard to concentrate. It was only a matter of time now. He looked upon the blood red sky above. There was a fissure.

The race was on.

xXxXxXx

Chairs pushed aside, a campfire burned brightly in the middle of the food court. Gathered around were the survivors of 3-A. At least, those who were leaving. Ayaka sat staring blankly into the fire, a blanket and Asuna's arm around her. Ayaka leaned on her. Nodoka lay asleep, head in Kazumi's lap, which Kazumi absent-mindedly stroked. Konoka and Setsuna had long since disappeared, as to why was anyone's guess. They preferred not to.

Nobody said a word, they just looked at the fire. A gentle sadness filled the room. Nobody turned to look as the doors opened and in trudged Negi and Kotarô, followed by Anya and Nekane. Kotarô sat down next to Chizuru, who laid her head on his shoulder and quickly fell asleep. He blushed. Negi and Anya quietly sat down in a corner, hand in hand. Nobody was surprised, nobody cared. Nekane was content to just stand and stare out the window, wondering about the future. One question drifted endlessly in everybody's mind: Is this all really happening?

Ayaka began to gently sob into Asuna's shoulder. "Hey, now. What's the matter?" Asuna tenderly asked, but Ayaka shook her head. "I-It's nothing. I just... I just can't believe that I'm never going to see my family again. Isn't there anything we can do?" She began to sob again, and nobody said a word, all sympathizing. "At least you'll still have me."

A shock wave tore throughout the ruins of Mahora, shattering windows and collapsing unstable structures. Even the once proud World Tree shuddered under this power. The portal is open! Everyone-to the World Tree ASAP! Time is short! The voice resonated inside their minds. Alucard. Everybody clamored to their feet and grabbed their bags (packed several hours earlier). Negi and Anya brushed past, closely followed by his sister. Everyone ran as fast as they could, as Alucard seemed frantic, and there was only one reason he'd be that frantic. Time was up.

During the half-mile dash, Mahora was hit with another earthquake. The sky split and shattered. Fragments of sky rained down and pelted earth, disintegrating of impact. 3-A decided to haul ass. The survivors ran as fast as their legs would carry them, dodging the falling sky as they ran. Awaiting them beneath the World Tree were Konoka, Setsuna, and Alucard, submerged in one of his safety bubbles. Inside was another white orb and a swirling vortex with strings of black energy leading to the tips of Alucard's fingers. His arms were held out to the side, supporting the vortex. He looked like a puppeteer operating his marionette. No sooner than the last student stepped foot into the sphere did the ground split and swallow the remains of the World Tree whole.

"So you're leaving?" Everyone except Alucard turned to look, but even he looked back over his shoulder. Konoka couldn't help but burst out in tears. "Grandpa! You're alive! Please, come with us! There's still room!" She made to help him in, but he stopped her with a single motion of his hand. "I cannot, Konoka. I'm so sorry." He turned to Alucard. "You have made wise choices. Eva and Chachamaru, Ayase-san, Asuna-san and Ayaka-san. Konoka, Setsuna, Nodoka-san and Asakura-san. Kū Fei, Sasaki-san, and Naba-san. You even have Kotarô-kun, Anya, and Nekane. I never even expected Nagase-san to accompany you...Listen. Do not lie to me, please. Tell me the truth, as a last request. I know of your plan. Do you intend to get these young ones involved?"

Alucard was silent for a moment, as everything collapsed into nothingness around them. "No. I don't think I ever did, Headmaster. Not if they didn't want to. I understand that they have the power, but..." Headmaster Konoe sighed deeply. "That's a relief. I bid you all farewell, then. Please, grant me just one more request: Please. Take care of my granddaughter for me." Alucard looked back at the portal. "Of course. I will raise her as if she were my own."

White tendrils of light pierced out from the inner orb and punctured the students. "Grandpa! Please!" He was already gone, lost to the Void. "Konoka-san! Please do not move, if any of us were to move now, they would be lost to the Void as well. I am going to temporarily make us a hive being, of single thought, with myself in control." The portal began to swirl more viciously, as the Void attempted to consume it, along with those about to enter. "Wait! Haruna's not here yet! I know she's coming! Please! Wait one more minute!" Yue was severely panicked, and unable to think clearly. "Ayase-san! No! There's no time! In another minute, we'll all be as good as dead!" She turned to run as Alucard pulled his arms back and submerged the spheres in the portal. Pressure closed in on all sides, threatening to strangle them all. Knowledge of all passed before their eyes as they picked up more speed through the wormhole.

Ayase Yue was not among them.