Apologies for taking ages to update (please don't hunt me down!) but I kind of hit a massive writing block .

And in my story Anna and Dracula survived the ending, so this is what happens after the film.

CHAPTER 2

Upon returning to her village, Anna, Gabriel and Carl were welcomed back as heroes and treated to many lavish gifts and had celebrations thrown in their names(much to carls great delight…and Van Helsing's annoyance).The villagers were overjoyed to finally be rid of the vampires once and for all and looked forward to a happier more safer life for all, the future of the village was certain now.

The celebrations went on for several days; parades through the town, the townsfolk dancing, drinking, singing songs of old, and even though she had enjoyed them, all Anna wanted was to rest and mourn her brother, she wanted some solitude to just rest and think for a while.

Carl was quite happy to be made a fuss of, and was most often found surrounded by several of the local tavern wenches, regaling them with his heroic tales and how he helped defeat the mighty Dracula!Van Helsing could often be heard laughing heartily as he listened on to his friends enthusiastic tales, earning him a sheepish look from Carl.

After a week had passed the festivities had began to die down, the townsfolk were getting back to their normal lives and while a minority still threw impromptu parties and carried on drinking and celebrating, the majority of the town had begun to get their lives back to normal.

The farmers had returned to tending their land and stock, the shopkeepers opened back up for normal business, the children returned to school (much to their disappointment!), the undertaker…well business was now slow for him but that's not really a bad thing is it?

And as for Anna Valerious…well what could she do? She had spent most of her adult life trying to break the curse that was placed on her family. She had spent most of it hunting Dracula and now that he was dead what was there for her?

She was a warrior, a fighter, but she had nothing left to fight against, she had won.

But all she felt was hollow inside, her whole life had been building up to the demise of Dracula, who was now gone…now what?

Lying in her bed she found that no matter what, sleep kept alluding her and she spent hours tossing and turning until sleep finally found her.


The next morning Van Helsing was readying a horse for travelling back to Vatican City, his saddlebag packed and secured and his horse fed and rested well enough to make the exhausting trip back, all that was left was to say goodbye to Carl who had decided to stay in the village with his new love; the young woman he had rescued from the brides.

And to say goodbye to Anna.

It was with a heavy heart that Gabriel had to face the fact that there was nothing between them although he wished dearly there was, he had hoped that after defeating Dracula, Anna would have ran to him flung her arms around his neck and kissed him, but alas that did not happen.

She just wasn't interested in him that way it seemed, so Gabriel choose to leave it at that and to value her friendship highly and lover her from afar.

Checking his bag over one more time he went into the tavern to say his farewell to Carl, who (bless his heart) looked like he was going to start blubbering like a big girl.

Walking towards Anna's house he saw her slowly opening the door and walking out to meet him on the porch.

'So I guess this is goodbye?' she whispered softly.

'I'm afraid so, if I leave now I can make it out of Romania by sundown, then another day or two give or take' Gabriel muttered thoughtfully his eyes stuck unmoving on hers, searching for one last shred of hope that she may actually have feelings of love for him.

'You know you are always welcome here Gabriel never forget that, we owe you so much for what you've done for us'

Anna took a small step closer to him before reaching up and placing a small soft kiss on his cheek.

'Please be safe' Anna said as she moved back away from him as she watched him turn slowly and walk towards his steed.

Van Helsing took one last look over the village and Anna before galloping away into the distance.

He had made it to the Romanian borders just before sundown where he found a little inn to rest for the night, tomorrow his journey home would resume.


Meanwhile unbeknownst to Van Helsing, Anna, Carl and the villagers, an army of truly unbelievable size and strength had set up camp amongst the great Carpathian mountains and forest, using the darkness as camouflage to maintain their stealth.

Their leader looking out over his next addition to his growing empire with bloodlust and dark hope.

Dracula who was still feeling quite weak was keeping to himself again tonight, roaming around the castle, reading by the giant fireplace and just generally trying to fight off boredom.

He had to admit to himself, he was growing more lonelier by the day (well night should I say) , usually his castle would be filled with the shrieks and screams of the brides as they went about their business, but now all he heard was the deafening silence and it was starting to annoy him.

Although on second thought, would he really want his brides back? Even if he had the power to do so he probably wouldn't want to bring them back, they had been merely objects to fill the time when he first turned them all those years ago, love was something he had never felt for either of them, although he knew they had been utterly devoted to him.

Closing the book he had been reading he placed it down on the floor and just stared into the mesmerizing fire crackling away.

He was so hungry but he knew he could last another day before giving in, once he was fully fit he wouldn't have to worry about hiding away or getting spotted, he would be able to do what he wanted again.

He was getting better but guessed it would be another month before he would be back to full strength, the fight with Van Helsing in werewolf form had really taken it out of him, he would just have to bide his time.

Rising from his seat he stalked slowly towards the balcony to look out over the land, the sun would be rising in an hour or so, many people would be at home sleeping now…so what the hell is with all those bonfires???

He was about to walk back inside to read some more when his eye caught something off in the distance; far off amongst the mountains he noticed what looked like a bonfire, then looking harder realised several more dotted all over the mountain. What the hell was going on? He didn't like surprises especially if there was a chance that his cover had been blown and that the villagers were making their way towards the castle to finish him off for good, he was strong but not enough to fend off all of them especially with the sun rising in a mere hour or so.

He had to find out to make sure he was not in danger, spreading his aching wings with a little bit of pain he noted, he took to flight and flew off towards the fires, keeping a reasonably distance high up so as not to be spotted.


'My lord!' called out General Nathra'shan, running into the warlords tent with most haste.

'I apologise for disturbing you my lord but its of the utmost importance!'

Warlord Zeixde'ath turned from the table of tactical plans and maps he was studying to observe his general 'what is so important that you must disturb my planning?'

Taking a calming breath Nathra'shan began 'my lord your battle-mage wishes to speak with you,'

Zeixde'ath had consulted his battle-mage in almost every battle he had ever been in, from mere guidance to requesting his visions and dark magic on the battlefield, he took the wise old mage's advice very seriously.

'Very well, bring him in' Zeixde'ath said before turning back to his maps.

Zeixde'ath and his generals sat around the small fire along with Xerces his mage, he had been right about nearly everything that had happened in battles in the past so he was greatly respected among the Generals.

'Now what is this important news you wish to discuss?' Zeixde'ath begun.

Xerces held in his left hand several small stones, not very impressive looking, they certainly weren't gems or diamonds but Zeixde'ath knew he used them for focussing his visions.

'The dark one approaches our camp' the mage whispered, his eyes turning from one colour to another every few seconds.

This made Nathra'shan sit up, 'what dark one? For whom do you speak of?' clearly getting wound up already with the old magician.

'He has many names, Nosferatu, angel of darkness, the devils son, back in 1456 he was known as 'Vlad the impaler' he was a fearsome warrior whose armies drove off invading Turks out of Romania a long time ago…'

Nathra'shan cut in '1456? Now you really have lost it old man, its 1888,how can a man be around in 1456 and still be around today? Its not possible!'

Zeixde'ath calmed his general down and allowed Xerces to continue.

'He is 'Dracul' part of a secret fraternal order of knights called the 'Order of the Dragon , founded by the king of Hungary, Croatia and Bohemia, and the Holy Roman Empire to uphold Christianity and defend the Empire against the Ottoman Turks. Unfortunately he fell foul and denounced God and Christianity and now walks the Earth as the undead, the son of Satan, a vampire'

When Xerces had finished he looked towards his lord awaiting response.

Zeixde'ath pondered over this news in his head, if he were to capture this so called 'Son of Satan' he could control him and make him a powerful servant and weapon, a nice little addition to his army plus it would be an excellent start to his campaign of taking over Transylvania.

'What's his weakness?'

Xerces consulted his stones once more, they glowed now and again 'It would appear he cannot go out in the direct sunlight, holy water is like poison to him and can only be killed with a stake through his undead heart either silver or werewolf claw.'

'And you say he's making his way to our camp?

'As we speak my Lord'


Dracula flew through the mountains, gliding gracefully in between the peaks before setting down easily on a nearby cliff face.

He had noticed that the bonfires had increased in numbers all over the mountains, that was when he saw the reason why.

There was an army setting up camp amongst the Carpathians, one of incredible size and taking one look at the soldiers told him they were experienced and battle weary.

This does not look good at all Dracula thought to himself, what were they doing here?

His only inclination was that they were an invading army, Romania hadn't had many foreign enemies for a long time, since Dracula was human in fact.

Dracula had to admit he was in no shape to drive them out of his homeland now, he would have to wait till he was better to do it, pick them off one by one then scare them away with his vampire powers, no matter how big and tough a soldier is he will run a mile when he see's a bloodthirsty vampire in flight coming after him.

Looking on once more he guessed there was maybe several thousand soldiers camping out, no sign of the leader though, strange thought Dracula

Oh well some extra meat for me to pick off he thought evilly.

Taking to the air again he decided to return home to his castle, if the soldiers left him alone then he would have no quarrel with them, but cross him and there would be hell to pay.

Upon reaching the balcony of his castle he wondered why he didn't pick off a lone soldier to feast on? He was still hungry and one missing soldier out of thousands would not have been missed.

Now I'm not even thinking straight he thought to himself.

Walking down the stairs from the tower he could have sworn he smelt something different about the castle…it was like…something living?

Something inside the castle? He knew the smell of human blood a mile away so who the hell was stupid enough to trespass here?

He wandered all they down to the main hall where the front door to the castle was, walking down the great staircase looking around, the smell was strongest here but he could not see anyone around.

'Ah, so this is the great Vladislaus Dragulia!'

Dracula turned around and looked in every direction but could see no one, this is it he thought the hunger has finally driven me mad.

Before him three figures appeared as if from nowhere!

He noticed the mage, ah I see dark magic, I should have known.

'Or should I say Count Dracula?' laughed Warlord Zeixde'ath, his General smirking alongside him.

'Call me whatever you wish, it will be your last' replied Dracula trying to act as intimidating as he could, though he knew he did not want to fight these men especially with a mage trained in dark magic on their side, there was no way he would win.

'We are here to make you a very generous offer Count' General Nathra'shan began.

Dracula looked the general up and down uneasily. 'Go on'.

'My master, Warlord Zeixde'ath has command over the most powerful army in all of Eastern Europe, it has smashed through Empires and brought down Kingdoms and now it waits to take control of Romania, the only thing standing in our way is command of Transylvania'.

Dracula did not like where this was going, 'So what has that got to do with me?'

Warlord Zeixde'ath cut in 'You my friend are an incredibly powerful being, you could be an asset to my army, we could take over far more with you and any other vampires on our side, I would make you a general for that is how gracious a leader I am'.

Dracula just stared at the Warlord standing a few feet from him, he was one big son of a bitch! Dracula noted grimly.

'And if I was to say no I refuse?' Dracula asked with venom dripping from his words.

The Warlord was not happy at this refusal, his face turned to one of thunder.

'Then you will serve the same fate as the rest of this pathetic country, you will be made to work in one of our mines, you will be a slave to our Empire! I'm sure we could put those flying skills of yours to good use' snarled Zeixde'ath.

There was no way Dracula was gonna take orders from this fool, or be his pet general!

They had just entered uninvited into his domain and demanded that he complied with what they said?, Dracula was angry.

'All you have to do Count is bow down to me as your master, promise to serve me and do as I command and you will be my general, now bow down! Unless you want to spend the rest of eternity as a pit dog!' raged the fearsome warlord.

'And which one of you fools is going to make me?' said Dracula with rage filling every fibre of his being.

'Me!' shouted Xerces as he threw a small crystal at Dracula's feet which smashed instantly upon impact with the ground and sent shards of glass up into Dracula's face and chest, the crystal was coated in what appeared to be holy water, so the small bits of glass cutting into Dracula's skin hurt like hell but not enough to kill him, just drop him to his knees.

'NOW!' screamed General Nathra'shan, as soldiers appeared from out of the shadows and surrounded Dracula and dropped a net laced with silver amongst the rope fibres onto the vampire's shaking body.

Dracula tried to fight his way out of the net but it was useless, the silver in the net was draining his power and the soldiers were raining in blow after blow to his body, he slumped defeated to the ground before the darkness surrounded him.


'What now my Lord?' asked General Nathra'shan, after they had taken Dracula away chained and shackled.

'We need more slaves for the mines, that pathetic creature was just the beginning, tomorrow we head for that village' Warlord Zeixde'ath commanded as he pointed just over the horizon.

Meanwhile in the home of Anna Valerious.

Anna was still fast asleep, the sun had only just begun to rise and she had had an awful nights sleep, she kept having strange dreams all night.

She was blissfully unaware that within a matter of hours, those nightmares would become real.

To be continued

I used some references from Bram Stokers Dracula to try to explain some of the counts past, plus I watched the film at the weekend so I had it stuck in my head!

I also read up a bit on Dracula and the historical references to Vlad 111 Dracula of Wallachia or Vlad the impaler as he's also known, who reigned 1456-1462.