CHAPTER THREE
Dark Alliance
It was much too quiet for the city of Transylvania as the vampire hunter trotted in during that following evening. The sound of the night life was dead; no hooting of owls, no chirping of crickets, no howling of wolves, not even the squeaks of bats could be heard. Silence was everywhere and not a single creature appeared anywhere down the avenue that he traveled into. But the sense was there, a sense of danger and hatred filled the air. Pulling the reins, D glanced around his surroundings.
Halting in the middle of the avenue, on either side of the rider and horse, were strong, bricked, two floored houses. It was a cool night, so it didn't bother the dunpeal that all the doors and windows were shut but not a single light was illuminated at any of the windows and every shade in those widows were drawn. Even though the avenue seemed deserted, D knew he was surrounded.
Slowly rising, the innocent move caused an explosive reaction. Several windows burst open and many figures rolled into the front and rear cross sections of the avenue. With toned, vampiric strength, the dunpeal sprung off the horse long before the first window opened. The bound took him to the nearest building roof, protecting him from the onslaught. His cybernetic horse wasn't so lucky.
From every angle down the avenue, shots ran out, bombarding the beast with a hundred and more bullets. Waves of shots continued to pierce the horse's flesh. The beast tried to cry out but several bullets torn into its throat, causing it to gag on its own blood. Once the assailants noticed the rider wasn't on the horse, the shots ceased, leaving nothing remaining of the beautiful beast.
"What the hell is going on? Hold you fucking fire!" screamed a lone figure that D wasn't willing to risk a glance over his hidden area to see who it was.
The speaker walked into the middle of the street, shaking his head at the poor beast on the ground. A month ago, he sent word out to the best vampire hunter that he wanted to hire for five million dalas and now it seemed—if the hunter would still be interested in being hired—that it would cost him more to replace the rare stallion that his people carelessly destroyed. The legendary vampire hunter regrettably answered his call, even though their may not be a vampire to hunt.
"Vampire Hunter D," the man called, "I apologize for what my people have done. We have been plagued by a demon and now their trust is little when it comes to newcomers, especially ones that look like vampires."
"That's understandable," a gentle reply came from the side.
Standing off in the shadows, between two buildings, the hunter stared at the spokesman and obviously the mayor of the city. Returning the stare, the middle aged man squinted his eyes to see if it was the hunter that addressed him. There was no moon out this evening and so only half of D's face could be seen from the nose down to his chin. Petting though his thick mustache, the mayor didn't exactly know how to continue the conversation. Instead, he waited for the vampire hunter to be the first to speak. D didn't move, didn't make a sound.
"Another vampire!" screamed a villager. All crosshairs focused on the two incoming individuals.
"For the love of God, hold your fucking fire!" the mayor crudely commanded. "Look, he's carrying a villager, the blacksmith Cole, I believe."
D swiftly glided out of the shadows and stood beside the mayor to get a better look at the vampire. Even from a distance, D could feel the light haired man's power and knew immediately that it must be the dunpeal from the fields. He was impressed by the speed Alucard used to get to the city, only minutes behind him. The mayor, too, recognized the dunpeal but not from a personal meeting.
"Dante, Dorian, please take Cole home," the mayor instructed. Reluctantly they agreed.
Gently handing the man over to the Transylvanians, Alucard walked briskly over the remaining distance to the man in charged. Within ten feet, the scent of familiar blood entered his nostrils. If it wasn't for the eternity of sadness in his life, he would've smiled. A memory, more like a recollection of a movie, came to Alucard, one of a beautiful woman with milky skin and honey blonde hair. The memory faded as quickly as it came.
"I don't believe it, Alucard?" the mayor asked, not quite sure if he should extend a hand to the man that approached him.
"I am and you must be of the Renard clan," the dunpeal stated.
"We should talk elsewhere," D declared as he looked from window to window.
"Yes. Please, D, Alucard this way."
It wasn't what the hunter expected. In the letter addressed to him, the mayor needed D to get to Tranylvania with haste and meet him in the mayor's manor. Something must have happened recently, no surprise, but what reason they assembled inside the barracks eluded him. What bothered D even more; it seems a powerful force, likely fate, guided two powerful dunpeals together to stop a great enemy. He didn't like how this was unfolding. Alucard was the first to speak.
"Where are the Belmonts?"
"Right to the point. That's fine. I'm afraid the Belmont clan died out five thousand years ago, where they entrusted the hunt for vampires to the Hellsing family and the security of Vladamir's relics were past down to my family. A hundred years ago, someone had the Hellsings eradicated. The only thing that is stopping Dracula's next resurrection was my family," he paused to glance from Alucard to D and back again. "Sadly, I got word a month ago that someone stole the Tooth of Vlad from a fellow guardian of the ancient relic. He informed me that two other items, the Ring and Rib of Vlad were taken as well."
Neither dunpeal flinched. Alucard knew his awakening had to do with his father and D was well aware that his mission may require a battle with Vladimir Trepes. Only one thing bothered them. Why did this man seem so hurt for something he had no control over? A revelation came to D then.
"What relic were you guarding?" the vampire hunter asked softly. A wince from the mayor told him that he hit the mark.
"I… failed as well. A witness saw a beautiful demon woman flying away from my house with a box in tow. She lit my house ablaze with my wife and son still inside," the mayor stopped again, choking back his sorrow and rage. "I apologize, Vampire Hunter D. I feel the demon left an evil plague behind, which has already began to cripple and kill my citizens. I will pay you whatever you want… but you must stop the resurrection of Vladimir Trepes!"
The hunter remained silent for many moments after the mayor's plead. He had no interest in combating Dracula but as it stands, the demon had only four of the five relics. Even if she collects them all, it would take time for the resurrection to become complete. Defeating a simple demon would be worth his troubles.
Alucard knew not what was running through the vampire hunter's mind. Too apathetic was D's face. Was he afraid? Was he playing a waiting game to up his prize? D's beautiful, emotionless features only added to Alucard's curiousity. What drives this one? Alucard thought.
"I'll take up the hunt for the relics. Another million should—"
"Done!"
"—and another cybernetic horse."
"I'm afraid we don't have any here."
"Then the price goes up another million."
"That's it," Alucard snapped. "I'll get whoever took the relics without payment."
"Alucard," a soft voice beckoned.
The dark prince felt a tug from his name. Turning to the hunter, whom seemed to have closed the distance by inches, they began to gaze in the other's eyes. Both saw a kindred spirit within the other. Alucard still wouldn't budge and D felt drawn to his fellow dunpeal. Fate wouldn't let them part and the vampire hunter needed to see how their roles would play out.
"I will take my original payment if he joins me," D spoke gently, dipping his head down so the brim of his hat blocked Alucard's view of his eyes.
The mayor glanced back and forth from the one legendary dunpeal to the other. Both seemed determined to take on this mission for the sake of humanity but they may get into the other's way. Then again, they may be able to defeat this hidden foe more easily as a team. Shaking his head, he didn't know what to do.
"It's Alucard's choice," the mayor stated.
Indeed, thought Alucard. Deep inside his heart, the dark prince knew the vampire hunter was up to something but he couldn't deny the fact that they could find this demon and return the relics quickly if they were together. The sooner he could return to sleep the better. Whatever the vampire hunter plans were, he'll take care of it once the time came.
"Agreed," the prince said with a nod.
The mayor watched the duo leave without a handshake or word to him. A grin spread across his face. The murderers of his family would pay dearly with the team that was after them. Rushing out to get a glimpse of the dunpeals, he wasn't surprised or disappointed when neither could be found. The dark alliance that was formed this night gave the mayor the peace of mind he direly needed.
