"They say that one will always return to where there heart lies, but where does one go when they have no heart left?"
Heavy rain beat down on the blades as they rotated. Thunder roared and lightning shattered the night sky a hundred times as men rushed across the drenched air field. They shouted over the rain and engines; rushing large protective containers through the storm and into the helicopters. The tears from the sky fell harder and harder till it felt like small rocks pelting their backs.
"We can't fly in this!" A pilot shouted.
Men at the rear of the helicopter moved to haul a large metal box into the back of the aircraft. All around them other aircraft where taking flight with their precious cargo.
"You have to!" A man shouted back. "The cargo must arrive in Arcsven to be secured. Every second you stall puts us all at a bigger risk than any storm. So you can either fly or we can get another pilot! Either way the demon must not be allowed to escape!"
The pilot shook his head and turned to his aircraft. He slid into the seat and raised the cargo door. With the last of the cargo strapped in the helicopter lifted off and headed straight into the lion's den.
Metal groaned as powerful winds pounded its hull. Hands gripped the steering as the aircraft shook. He fought against the storm for control over his flying hunk of metal. Both he and the co-pilot shared a grim glance. In the cargo hold the stock crew clung tightly to their safety gear. Everything went silent and in an instant and the crew and pilots knew what was next.
Lightning shot across the sky; seeming to race straight for the tail of the aircraft. Gears spun and alarms blared as the helicopter spun rattling the crew before it clipped a tall pine and rolled over. The blades slashed through the pine as the helicopter rolled catching the rest of the tree as its tail came around and the entire aircraft fell from grace.
Screams of men were drowned out by the screeching of steel and roaring of the night sky. Mud and tree debris lodged in the rotors clogging the blades as the aircraft slid along the ground. By the time the helicopter was finally at rest it was no more than scattered sheet metal. The contents of the craft were strewn about the forest floor; most were hidden having been covered in muck.
Slowly the crew emerged from a breach in the belly. They staggered about doing their best not to slide down. Many of them clutched their sides, arms, or head, and it wasn't uncommon to see blood pelting their faces. The pilots were not as lucky as the five man crew; the face of the craft was completely crushed.
"Check the cargo!" Someone barked.
Those that could hear him and walk straight rushed about collecting the lost items. One crewman rushed to inspect the body sized cargo box that was lagged in the mud. He ran his injured hands along the brackets and lid.
"There's a breach!" He shouted. "The container has been breached!"
Immediately three other men rushed to aid him while the captain did his best to report the situation on the rear surviving radio.
"Mayday, mayday!" He shouted into the speaker. "Aircraft 77531 is down! The container has been breached! I repeat: The container had been breached!"
As much as he tried all he got in return was static. He fought the urge to smash the device as the other four men inspected the damaged container. Slowly the lid was lifted to reveal the shattered box within. It was a simple box made of crude wood that had been hastily nailed together.
The men eyed each other; none of them wanted to be the one to inspect the contents of the plywood box.
Arcsven was a massive city. Integra could only describe it as a futuristic Roman city by the architecture of the columns, bridges, and buildings. It was quite lively during the noon hours as they proceeded, by military car, to the section 12 district of Arcsven.
Manto informed her that unlike Dragozen which is a Monarchy ruled by their king and their aristocrats, Arcsven is ruled and governed by the church. Where Dragomen's military consists of the Royal Guard (police) and the Hellsing Organization (Army), Arcsven's military is separated into 13 different branches along with the city itself.
Currently they were headed to the 12th branch in charge of the flow of information, storage, Archives, and sealing. Integra looked out the window as they drove past. The streets were bricked and water ways were dug along the roads. Trees swayed in the breeze and mostly humans, horses, and various normal creatures roamed the streets. Though she wouldn't say it aloud she would guess that a country ruled by the church didn't take well the supernatural.
The 12th distract building was pristine and very advanced. It made the Hell castle and the spire look like a child's play house when compared. Manto merely shrugged and sighed having been here before while Integra couldn't help but silently gawk at the structure.
Once inside Takaso removed his protective face mask. As what Integra considered a weak vampire he had to wear a sun warding suit so he could step out of the plane. Akaska had been left locked in the plane as war dogs weren't allowed in the building anyways.
"Welcome." Came a male voice. "I assume you're the ones from Dragozen?"
They all turned to the priest garbed man. He was average height with stiff shoulders, blonde hair, and a rather mocking smile on his face.
"We are researchers from Dragozen. I am Manto Varen, that is Integra Helios and this it Bikas Takaso." He gestured to each of them. "We have come to request a bit of information and perhaps a glance at your archives."
"I see."
Integra saw the man's eyes narrow as he kept his forced smile.
"Very well then. What information are you requesting?"
"Anything regarding a fire in London, England on April 7th 2124."
Manto and the priest bowed before he left to gather everything. They were all left to wait in the lobby for what seemed like hours. Not soon enough, and when everyone was starting to get frustrated and after Takaso fell asleep sever times, the priest finally returned.
He held a small device similar to the one Manto use for researching previously. Manto and Integra stood as he approached.
"According to our records there was indeed a fire in London on that date. An abandoned mansion burned completely to the ground."
"Yes it was the Hellsing estate." Manto added.
"It was owned by the late Integra Hellsing and burned approximately 30 years after her passing."
"We are aware of this, but what we want to know is if anything was removed from the premises."
The priest glared up from his device.
"Are you implying that Iscariot stole something?"
"Iscariot?" Integra took the moment to corner the man. "So Iscariot was there?"
Immediately he stiffened and moved his gaze back the small screen in his hands.
"Of course." He swallowed hard. "The early Hellsing Organization and Iscariot had a mutual 'involvement' with each other seeing as they both preformed the same line of work. So it was only natural that they investigate the cause of the fire."
"That's interesting." Manto scratched his chin. "According to our records they arrived in London just days before the fire started. Where they holding an investigation before too?"
Bingo. The former Hellsing leader smiled. He was now caught in the trap. Just before it looked as though he might wet himself a set of feet steps echoed down the hall.
"It's alright Talcon. I'll handle things from here on."
Talcon let out the breath he was holding with a silent 'thank god' before he bolted for the door. The new comer was a taller man with a fiercer disposition and a long cloak thrown over his shoulders. His brown hair was cut shorter on one side than the other giving it an almost rooster look.
"I am Archbishop Delven."
His voice was perfectly even and smooth; while his eyes expressed indifference.
"What brings the Archbishop to us?" Manto stated.
"When I heard that the Hellsing Organization had finally started snooping for information regarding the fire on April 7th in London I wanted to personally inform them of the unfortunate news."
"Oh-and what might that be?" Integra butted in.
"I'll start by saying that we did not set fire to your precious estate." He looked directly at Integra.
Manto and Integra shared a gasp, but before she could question he continued.
"When you entered the airport and your face was automatically scanned and run through the system for possible matches. And yes we do keep records of the deceased because as you know the dead don't always stay dead."
He smiled as Manto frowned and Integra ground her teeth together, but she noticed that as she looked closer at his eyes he seemed almost inhuman. It wasn't that his gazed was golden like a vampire or red like a demon, but rather 'wolfish'.
"Now from what I understand you are looking for an 'item' that we retrieved from the estate, yes?"
"Yes…"
"Then I must inform you that said 'item' it no longer in Vatican custody."
"What do you-" Integra started to question but was cut off as the Archbishop held is hand up. Silencing her.
"When our 'items' were being moved from the former section 12 to the new distract in Arcsven on July 22nd 2645 a storm caused the carrier 77531 to crash and was never recovered. Given the advancement of the Phantoms at the time a recovery was too risky and the craft and cargo were abandoned."
"And what of the crew?!"
"They perished at the claws of the Phantoms."
Integra bit her lip and stared at the floor. If what the man said was true then recovering the cargo would be almost impossible. She turned back to the man.
"If you acquired one vampire from the estate then what of the other? You said Iscariot recovered an 'item' I assume you are speaking of a coffin, right? Then what of the other vampire that was there?"
"Other?" He tilted his head. "You are mistaken. Iscariot did not recover another vampire. According to our records a female vampire was sealed and boxed there before being moved to Vatican City."
"But no coffin?"
"No. Though the sublevels were searched, another coffin was never located."
Integra paused in thought. 'Could Seras have freed Alucard after her death? It shouldn't have been possible since where his coffin rested was behind very powerful barriers? Were they damaged?'
Even if the fire itself had damaged the barriers Alucard still would have needed blood to actually awaken, unless this man was lying. Integra boldly turned to the Archbishop.
"Why are you giving away all this information to us?"
"Because he wants us to go chasing after the cargo and potentially fall prey to the Phantoms in the process." Manto interrupted. "Whether we investigate the Hellsing estate or the wreckage we'll be in active Phantom territory."
The elderly wizard held a dark gaze over the Archbishop.
"Isn't that right."
"Indeed."
Takaso marched back and forth along the Count. Integra sat in a chair wishing she could smoke while Manto looked over a digital map. Akaska sat in a chair behind Integra while watching Takaso pace.
"This is crazy." Takaso blurted, having stopped his pacing. "South of Arcsven is crawling with thousands of Phantoms. How do we know if this Seras vampire survived?"
"We can't be sure unless we check…"
It didn't take long for the plane to arrive at the marked location. Luckily for them it was a smooth meadow with a few pine trees doting the clearing. Through the dirt, part of the crafts hull could still be seen as well as the container. Smoothly the plane landed in the clear patch. Takaso was the first one out clad in his sun warding gear. Akaska was next followed by Integra. Not being a warrior, Manto remained on the plane.
Quickly they went to where the container breached the soil. Effortlessly Takaso pulled the box out. They assumed the top had been lost during the crash and peered inside. A rotted and badly damaged body sized box laid inside. It was not a coffin. Takaso leaned over the side of the container. His hand grasped the lid of the box inside and with one fell swoop he ripped the top right off, though it mostly crumbled in his hand.
The one brave soul peered into the damaged wooden box. Inside laid a dry corpse. The crewmen sighed in relief. Apparently the crash had only breached the container, damaged the box, and tossed the body on about.
"Damage repot." The leader ordered.
"The monster is still dead, Sir."
"Good. Let's keep it that way. Reseal it and let's get the rest of the cargo."
"Sir!" One of the men called.
"What?!"
The man fumbled with the wooden lid.
"There appears to be a piece of shrapnel sticking out of the chest and I can't get the lid on straight…"
"So pull it out!" The leader barked.
The crewman gulped; the last thing he wanted to do was put his hand within reach of the monsters fangs. The others gathered around as he slowly grasped the shrapnel in the chest. He gave it a yank but it refused to budge. The young man tried again, this time a little harder, but it refuse to move.
Out of frustration the man wiped his bloody face before he grasped the stick with both hands and tugged with all his might. It gave and he fell back with it in hand.
"Got it!" He declared as the others gave him a mocking cheer.
That was before they realized that a piece of metal was attached to the end.
"Looks like an… arrow head?" One of them blurted.
They all stiffened upon realization.
"Put it back! Put it back!"
The young man held the arrow in hand and prepared to strike the monster's heart once more. As he drew his hand back they could all see as the body began to restore. Thin grey hair became bright golden blonde, and dry flesh became rejuvenated. Quickly he aimed for the chest with all his strength.
The metal tip was mere inches away from its target when the man's hand came to a halt. A smaller more delicate looking hand held his wrist in its grasp. Everyone froze. They may have survived the crash but were now likely to die at the hands of a monster.
The arrow fell from the man's grasp as he jerked his hand away and the crewmen fled. Slowly and with a bit of difficulty the red clad monster pulled herself from the container. She snarled. Both she and the ground were soaked in the constant rain, but that didn't stop her from knowing that the men fled to their broken aircraft. A strained grin spread across her face as she heard the unmistakable chorus of weapons being armed.
Takaso kicked the side of the container denting it. It was empty! All that work for nothing! He had half mind to take the box and toss it across the clearing too, but a feral growl snapped him out of his thoughts. The vampire turned to see Akaska in a low crouch and snarling.
His gaze turned to the sky. The sun was setting and once it was completely gone the Phantoms could enter the clearing. For now he could see them biding their time in the shadows of the surrounding trees. The side door of the plane was open and Manto was yelling at them to return.
"Run!" He shouted.
It didn't take long for Integra to respond as she started for the plane as fast as her legs could carry her. It had already began to lift of the ground and the co-pilot was waiting at the door to pull them in. A shadow passed the Hellsing woman and she realized that the sun had passed beyond the trees. Though it had not set the rays could no longer reach the meadow.
Dusk became still as the Phantoms charged. Integra could not see them in the dimming light but she could feel them.
"You're too slow!" Takaso shouted at her.
Currently he was easily matching her speed and running at her side. Integra was about to state that it was obvious because he wasn't human but he caught her off guard when he grabbed her, pulling her close and throwing her over his shoulder.
Now they were covering more ground, but it wasn't fast enough. Integra's poor eyesight could see the Phantoms right behind Akaska and closing at their sides. The plane was now hovering slightly higher as the co-pilot provided cover fire for them.
Takaso grunted. They weren't going to make it. The distance and the number of Phantoms were just too great. Even now he could see one as it dove for him and Integra. His eyes saw everything as if time had slowed. The Phantom was headed straight for them and there was nothing he could do to avoid or stop it.
His ears picked up on heavy foot falls. Considering the sound the animal must have been at least the size of an elephant or bigger. For a fleeting moment he thought it might have been one of the bigger Phantoms, but that didn't make any sense considering larger Phantoms can't move nearly as fast and didn't have such a smooth gait.
When he heard Integra gasp he glanced over his shoulder. Takaso's golden eyes went wide as he looked straight into the jaws of an animal as it lunged for them. He struggled as he and Integra were swallowed up in its massive mouth, but surprisingly unharmed.
"It's…!"
The massive wolf moved smoothly along the clearing with the pair safely tucked in its teeth. Its black fur was as dark as the night with white on the chest to the back of the neck and muzzle. A black mask started at the nose running along the bridge of the snout and across the face to the back of the neck. The fur just under the eyes were white giving the wolf's mask a skull like appearance.
The beast was much broader that a wolf at the chest with a less hairy tail and body, large paws, a long narrow snout, cropped ears, and wider jaws. Small earrings dotted the ears, a few rings covered the front paws, ring bracelets jingled at the rear ankles, and three dog tags also jingled on the thick leather collar.
It ignored the Phantoms as they slashed at its legs and neck. Her speed remained constant even as her feet trampled the smaller creatures. As the wolf made it to the hovering heli-plane she slid her feet through the grass and jumped straight for the open doorway.
Manto and the co-pilot dove out of the way as the wolf passed the door way. Integra and Takaso were slung onto a row of chairs as they came out of the beast's mouth. Akaska fell over them, though they were relieved when she didn't land on them as a massive wolf.