Chapter I: Searching For Hope
"This is pointless," Hugh said taking a seat on the cold stone steps of a church, "we've been looking and searching for decades and we're no closer to answers then the day we started our quest."
"He has a point," Nathan replied taking a seat next to him, "why can't we stop looking and just wait until his return? If he even comes back at all."
Serenity sighed and gazed out over the barren village. She had lost track of how many times this discussion had happened over the course of the past century. It began with Hugh, and somewhere between then and now Nathan had joined in his thoughts. It was always the same argument between them and Serenity. If they stopped their search they could train harder and be more prepared when and if Dracula returned, however if they stopped searching for answers the next time they faced Dracula he could very well kill them all.
"We can't stop," Serenity said turning to them, "something is out there for us to find, something that we're missing. I can feel it, I just don't know where we need to go."
Nathan stood and grasped his sister's shoulder, "We've been all over Europe looking for answers. We've backtracked everywhere. Serenity I want answers as much as you do, but the fact is we're stuck. If we don't start preparing…"
"I know," Serenity cut him off.
This time she could not argue with him. The truth was she was tired, they all were. They had gone against the odds the way it was when they decided to take a stand against Dracula and his legions. There was nothing left to do but wait and hope that he would not return. What kind of life was that to wait and hope their death was not around the corner?
"It's settled then," Hugh said, "we'll find a place away from any villages and set up a post for ourselves. At least then we won't be out in the open any more."
Nodding Serenity followed her brother and friend out of the village. As the three walked into the woods near the village they could not get over the feeling that what they were being watched.
"Will this do?" Hugh stated in awe looking up at an enormous building.
"If it doesn't we may as well just move into a castle," Nathan replied staring with wide eyes.
The next night the three had happened upon an abandoned church in the middle of the woods. The sheer size made it hard to believe that it was indeed a church; however as they neared the door they saw a stone plaque engraved with words stating that the building they were gazing at was once called St. Dabius Church.
"What is a church this size doing all the way out here?" Serenity questioned as her fingers traced the words on the stone.
"I have no idea," Nathan replied, "what ever it's doing out here, do you think it's safe?"
Serenity considered this for a moment before answering, "Yes, with the right kind of protection it will be. It's far enough away from any villages, and there has not been any human activity here for at least a decade."
Hugh and Nathan nodded with approval. Serenity pried off the wood planks blocking the door with little effort, and soon they stood in the main hall.
"It will take a little redecorating, but once I'm finished with it then it will look like a real hunter's post," Hugh said with a smile.
"Once you're finished with it huh," Nathan laughed, "we've been on the road for a hundred years. Don't think I'm going to let you have all the fun!"
Serenity laughed at the two, even after all this time they still acted like rivals with each other. They went to look through the church together. Each found a room to their liking on the main floor, and they were constantly naming off ideas for what to put where and who would get to piece together each room.
"Do you really think we can be a functioning organization with just the three of us?" Serenity said as they walked into the main prayer room.
"Of course," Hugh said braving to take a seat on one of the benches, "my father's branch only had five people so I don't see why we can't make it work with three."
"Still," Nathan stated looking up at a large cross suspended over the alter, "we might want to consider adding at least one or two other people."
At this Hugh broke out in laughter, "Don't be crazy Nathan, who on earth would want to be in a hunter's organization with three vampires?"
He said it before he could stop himself, and after he heard the words leave his lips he immediately looked down. It was true they had each other, and over the years they had all grown quite close, but they still felt alone. When ever they passed through a village darkness came with them, and the villagers could sense it. It did not matter if they passed through without a word, or saved them from a monster, they were always feared and avoided.
Thankfully each of them had surpassed the urge to feed on blood. They only fed in complete solitude, and only enough to sustain themselves until they needed to feed again. Mercifully none of them had ever killed a person while feeding, however they had come close a few times when they were still "young vampires". Each time they fed they could feel strength return to their dead bodies, and the thought always ran through their mind that if they just took a little more they would be that much more powerful, but strength and power were not what they wanted.
Several days passed in peaceful silence for the three hunters. They trained with each other every now and then, and when they were not training or sleeping they were each remodeling the church in their own special way. By the end of the month the inside of the church was completely different. The two floors of the church now resembled a large house. It was true that there was not much décor, but that would come later Serenity told the men. They had not been awake for more then two hours when a knock came at their door.
Instinctively they all had their weapons in hand a second later as Nathan stared at the door, "What was that?"
"It sounds like someone is knocking on our door," Hugh replied.
"Calm down," Serenity said as she moved silently towards the door, "we have no idea who or what is on the other side. Maybe it's just someone lost in the woods."
Nathan and Hugh nodded as they stepping behind either pillars just before entering the main hall. They would remain unseen as Serenity opened the door. They calmed their nerves instantly, but they kept up their guard. The knock came again on the door before Serenity could answer it; taking a breath she unlocked and opened the door.
A cool night breeze blew her hair away from her face as she looked out into the dark world. Standing a few feet from the door was a tall gentleman dressed in a red coat and a tall black hat.
"Good evening miss," he said with a bow, "might I ask, is this the St. Dabius Church?"
Hardening her eyes she replied sternly, "It used to be. Why are you…"
"Oh marvelous, then I'm in the right place," he interrupted with a smile, "you see I am a wanderer of time, and I am in need of your assistance."
"Why would I…" Serenity began, but was once more interrupted.
"I hope you're not rejecting my plea miss," his smile faded, "helping people in need is in your nature, is it not?"
Taking a breath to steady herself she replied as evenly as she could, "What do you know of my business, sir?"
Something about this man was setting off every internal warning signal inside Serenity. His blue eyes were too gentle, and his smile too sincere beneath his golden mustache.
"I know you are a hunter," he replied smiling again, "and I know," his eyes on hers hardened and his smile vanished, "that you," his hand went to his side while her eyes widened, "are a vampire."
With unworldly speed Serenity drew her sword and slashed at the man. Faster still the man in front of her vanished and appeared by her side.
"Put your weapons down and no harm will come to her, you have my word!" the man shouted staring over his shoulder as Nathan and Hugh began running from their positions.
"As if we'd listen to you!" Hugh shouted, "Let Serenity go!"
"Listen to me," the man started, but this time it was he who was interrupted by Nathan.
"No, you listen! You came into our home blade swinging. Put your weapon down and we'll listen what you have to say!"
The man hesitated for a moment, and then broke out in a fit of laughter, "Well done Nathan and Hugh. I'm a little disappointed in you Serenity, I thought you would be more agile, but then again you haven't had much experience fighting yet."
"Who are you?" Serenity asked in disbelief.