A/N: Hmmm…it took me a lot longer than I wanted it to. I just couldn't seem to get into the right mind set for writing a really good fight scene, and I'm far too much of a perfectionist to allow myself to settle for mediocre spew. Anyways, Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukah, Joyful Kwanza, and any thing else I missed. Enjoy the new year every one!
mrs.Sora-sparrow- Glad it all made sense for you. Enjoy the new chapter.
Tomboi13-Good to know you enjoyed the story so much. I just love splicing reality and fantasy.
MeatwaD9021-I certainly hope it shows up on your e-mail too. As for the ending...well I haven't decided exactly what will happen, but Catherine isn't scheduled for death or moving in with Arucard. We'll just have to wait and see.
Alucard's little sister- First of all, thanks for not bringing up the spelling of his name. Thank You, Thank You, Thank You, Thank You. And I hope I don't disappoint your expectations of me…it's been awhile since I wrote a fight scene.
Chapter 7
Dedicated to Kouta Hirano
For Creating Hellsing
Catherine twisted her head back and forth trying to find the best angle to watch from, but only catching pained glimpses of the two men facing off.
"So, this is just a matter of petty revenge?" Arucard asked softly a hint of a laugh in his words.
"You think love is petty?! I shall take years of delight in killing you!" Adonai had grabbed up a bottle from his alchemy table. "Centuries have passed while I waited for this chance. So many preparations..." He threw the glass vessel at Arucard, but it fell short smashing to the floor at his feet. Tendrils of silver gray smoke wafted up quickly surrounding him. "It is a simple, yet highly effective, paralyzing potion."
Arucard tried to open his mouth, struggled to speak the words that would unleash his full power, but it was an ultimately futile effort. "Did you think I was bluffing?" Adonai asked with a laugh. "Oh, don't bother answering, I know you can't speak quite yet. Give it a few more minutes." He turned away and approached the stone slab where Catherine lay shackled. "Even though I made you with a different face, another form, and an attitude centuries from her life, I can still see Elisabeta in your eyes." His voice was softer as he brushed his fingers against her cheek.
After a moment he seemed to realize what he was doing and with a shake of his head became cold and mocking once more. "First things first," he turned back to Arucard, "I must have proper restraints for you. Just because I can match you as a true vampire doesn't mean I wish to waste the energy in fighting you."
From a hidden pocket he drew a leather pouch and began pouring the powdery contents onto the floor forming a circle around his paralyzed foe. Once the circle was complete, he proceeded to draw a pentagram within it in his own blood. For a moment he considered his handiwork then continued pulling another pouch and taking pinches of the white powder it held to draw symbols on Arucard's forehead, cheeks, and chin.
"Yes, that should do quite nicely." With a snap of his fingers Catherine's restraints disintegrated. "Come here girl." His voice carried an enchanted quality and Catherine's eyes grew distant as she obeyed the command. "Excellent." Slowly Adonai swept the soft brown locks of hair from her right shoulder. "Delicious looking isn't she Arucard?" Chuckling he lowered his head leisurely inhaling her scent before the spell bound vampire. "Tell me, how does she taste? I've yet to sample her blood. I wonder how much sweeter it might be if taken during an act of love-making…" He smiled tauntingly lips brushing the smooth skin of her neck.
"You…will…never…know." Arucard fought to get each syllable past his near petrified lips. Adonai pulled back from Catherine's neck the stunned expression on his face turning to a look of alarm as Arucard smiled and continued, the words coming more easily. "Situation A…Releasing…control art…restriction…to level one."
"Stop! You can't speak! How are you doing this?" Panicking Adonai turned and raced back to his table fumbling through the many bottles, vials, and test tubes that stood there.
Arucard continued relishing the words as he spoke them. "The Cromwell approval is now in effect. Hold power release until target is silenced." A blackness like ink began to swallow hi right arm shifting, flowing, growing larger until it formed a large dog's head with numerous red eyes. "Turn around and face me alchemist!"
Adonai stopped shuffling through potions, a self deprecating smile on his lips. "Even with all my centuries of preparations…I still under estimated you." He turned around, in his hand he held a single bottle filled with pitch black liquid that seemed alive, that moved even when his hand was still. "Well, then, I'll just have to settle for watching you die tonight!" Pulling the cork from the mouth of the bottle he aimed the opening at Arucard. The blackness inside launched itself forward. "Wake."
Catherine took a sudden surprised breath her thoughts foggy. Before she could begin to gather her thoughts, the liquid shadow struck her back and began spreading quickly. She opened her mouth to scream, but the potion flooded inside her vanishing. Falling to her knees Catherine began to wretch, shaking uncontrollably, until finally she fell back eyes closed, body still.
Arucard banished the dog demon with a thought regaining his normal form as he fell to his knees beside her. "Catherine? Can you hear me?" He brushed the hair from her face and patted her cheek gently. His gaze leapt to Adonai, rage seething within him. "What did you do?" Even as he spoke the words the limp body in his arms began to move. "Catherine…"
Her eyes opened revealing a startling change; her whites, irises, and pupils had been replaced by a solid shifting black. "I'm fine Arucard. Never better." Her voice remained normal and she reached a hand up to brush his face.
Again he glared at Adonai. "What have you done to her?" Slender fingers gripped his throat with demonic force as Catherine rose slowly to her feet. She continued to squeeze, crushing his throat. Overall it was a harmless attack. Arucard didn't actually need to breath, but without air he couldn't speak.
"She is possessed by a demon. I think you'll find it quite impossible to remove without the antidote, or…killing her. Of course I happen to have the antidote, but then," he gestured to the table, "you'll never be able to find it on your own, and I'm certainly not going to give it to her before you're dead."
Arucard pried Catherine's hands loose holding them so she couldn't latch back on. His throat healed quickly. "Do you want me to kill her? Your most prized creation?"
Adonai looked on thoughtfully for a long moment, then shrugged. "The real Elisabeta died centuries ago, and I can always make another creature should I desire a servant or a companion. No, Arucard I don't care if you kill her, but more importantly do you care?" His cruel laughter filled the room.
Scowling Arucard released Catherine's hands. When she began to attack him her fingers passed through the red mist swiftly replacing his body. Before she could pull back the crimson vapor began flowing in through her mouth and nose. An unearthly scream ripped its way from her throat as Catherine collapsed again to the floor falling suddenly silent. Adonai watched intently for a long minute. Finally a red mist began flowing out slowly coalescing into the form of Arucard. Black liquid dripped from her closed eyes pooling on the floor.
"Incredible…" At the sound of Adonai's voice Arucard looked up at him. When their gazes met, Adonai knew true terror. "W-wait…"
"I no longer find you amusing Adonai." Arucard spoke in a cold steady voice. "In fact, you've made me quite angry." As he spoke darkness gathered in the room, but Arucard began to glow with power. "Before you die your true death Adonai Danesti, know this, I will capture your soul as it tries to flee from the mortal world, and if Catherine does not recover, I will feed your soul one piece at a time to the demons of the nether world." Blinding light flashed, a bolt of pure energy that incinerated Adonai before he could even begin to consider the fate he'd just been promised.
A/N: Well…It wasn't exactly what I was hoping to write, but at least I got it all done before Christmas, and over all I'm rather satisfied with this chapter. Next time we'll find out how everything ends. I've got a start on the epilogue, but don't hold your breath, it probably won't be up for two or three weeks, but I'll try and have it up before Valentine's Day at the latest.