Author's Note: Again, so sorry that I am taking so long to update. I have been a bit tied up in computers, karate and art. Okay, now the League will be meeting with the Professor.
He rode his horse to the manor; it was a large house about three stories high, painted black with dirty stained glass windows. As he approached the doors he dismounted and another member of the Cult took the horse to the stable at the back. He opened the large, wooden door and entered the main hall.
At the base of the stairs, stood the Cult leader with two bodyguards, one standing on each side. They wore black uniform robes of the Cult that concealed their bodies. The bodyguards gazed with their eerie bright eyes.
"What happened?" hissed the Cult leader.
"Our spy tried to fight them himself," the henchman replied. "I had that fool silenced for what he did."
"Excellent. This "League" will enter the town by nightfall; we shall pay them a visit. Have the others ready."
"Yes, master." The henchman bowed and left to follow out his task.
It was nightfall when the League arrived, the coach stopped at the outer gate and a sentry approached.
"Who might you folks be?" asked the sentry as he came to the window of the coach. He held his lantern up, casting a glow on the weary faces of the League members.
"We are friends of the Professor," said Mina, "he sent a message for us to meet him here. Our team may be able to help in the investigations."
"Alright," said the sentry, glancing at the other members. "Move along then."
The gates were opened and the coach, followed by crewmen on horseback, entered the town. When it stopped near a stable, everyone got out of the coach and took their bags. The crewmen dismounted and their horses and took them into the stable.
They walked to the church where there was group of men talking with each other. Mina noticed that the tall man with iron gray hair, clad in gray coat and trousers, speaking was Professor Abraham Van Helsing.
"Professor Van Helsing," she called out, catching the Van Helsing's attention.
"Mrs. Harker," said Van Helsing, approaching the League. "So good that you and the boy made it. I see you brought a team with you."
"Yes, I happen to be part of the League of Extraordinary Gentlemen." Mina indicated to each member. "Captain Nemo, Rodney Skinner, Agent Thomas Sawyer, and Dr. Henry Jekyll."
"Henry," said Van Helsing, glancing at Henry, "I told you that we would meet again." He gently hugged Henry and pat him on the back.
"Good to see you again, Van Helsing," said Henry. He blushed slightly at being hugged in front of everyone.
"I see that you and the doctor must have had a past acquaintance, Professor Van Helsing," said Nemo, raising his dark brows.
"Yes," said Van Helsing, breaking off the hug on Henry, "Henry and I met in Paris years ago."
Mina noticed that Quincey was hugging himself and shivering. "We should talk inside, the air is getting cold."
"Let's get inside the church then." Van Helsing led the League inside the church to continue the discussions.
Across the dark blue sky, over the treetops, dozens of demons flew on great wings. Horrible cries filled the air, frightening the small animals among the trees. On the ground marched the Demon Cult, their robes flowing about their forms with each step.
The Cult leader walked ahead of his followers, with his two bodyguards marching beside him. He laughed with amusement as he watched the demons fly above. The Cult members joined him in wicked laughter.
"Come brothers," the Cult leader said to the others, "we shall be there and give this 'League' the first challenge."
Inside the sanctuary of the church, the League was seated down as Professor Van Helsing explained what happened lately. About the threats and the killing of several men on guard duty.
"These men are of the Demon Cult," Van Helsing explained, "they are bent on summoning the deadliest demons to destroy the world."
"We saw one of the beasts on our way here," said Mina. "It was one of the gargoyle species. I have been doing some research on demonic beings and information on witch cults during the voyage on the Captain's ship."
"Folks in town are being cautious," said Van Helsing, "keeping themselves locked up by nightfall and arming up with any weapons available."
"I have weapons that may prove useful," said Nemo.
Van Helsing nodded at Nemo's comment. "Several men in town volunteered to fight, we require all the help that's available."
"Professor," said Mina, glancing at Quincey, who was looking sleepy, "you wrote that there were matters concerning Quincey and I. Perhaps we can discuss these matters a little later, it was a long travel here and everyone could use some rest."
"Of course, Mrs. Harker. There is a hotel that everyone can stay at and rest in."
Henry cleared his throat to catch Van Helsing's attention. "Professor, there is something I should have told you long ago."
"What is it, my good man?" asked the professor.
"The truth about Edward Hyde..." Henry stared at his shoes, then glanced back at Van Helsing's hard features. "He's my alter ego, my darker side, a part of me. We share the same body."
"It's alright, Henry," said Van Helsing softly, placing his broad hands in his coat pockets. "I discovered that long ago, I went to England to find some background information on Hyde and his connections to you. A friend of yours kept your confession, when I read the confession myself; it was a rather amusing discovery. Interesting that you found some way to create another personality with the evils of your nature, but it was rather dangerous for you to do that."
"I know," said Henry, "Hyde has been getting more difficult, he's grown a lot since he was created."
"Mr. Hyde has become a valuable member of the League as well," said Mina. "It was Allan Quatermain and Agent Tom Sawyer who captured Hyde. All the members of the League know that Dr. Jekyll is trying his best to deal with Hyde and it's a struggle, but at least the doctor won't feel outcast like he had been before his recruitment."
Henry shyly smiled at Mina for her support, then glanced back at Van Helsing. "What would you have done to me if I told the truth the day we met?"
"Killing you would not have been an option," answered Van Helsing, "killing would only be the last resort. Helping you to find a cure to Hyde may have been something I could have done. A curse such as yours is not easy to cure, it would take a long time to discover the reverse of the formula that separated you and Hyde in the first place."
"That makes a lot of sense," said Skinner. "My invisibility can't be reversed unless I died. The man who created the formula for invisibility couldn't create an antidote."
"We all have curses that can't be so easily cured," said Nemo. "I try not to think about my own and continue with life."
Quincey listened to most of the conversation, as his tired ears would allow him. Weariness was forcing down Quincey's eyelids, but he still listened. It was interesting that members of the League had these curses to deal with. He wondered what curses he and his mother had to deal with. Quincey had been distant from other boys his age; maybe that was his curse. He was just not sure.
A number of loud shrieks outside broke Quincey's train of thought. The sounds caused everyone to jump out of their seats.
"Did you hear that?" asked Skinner.
"We heard," answered Tom.
"Sounded similar to the demon we encountered," said Mina, "only that it sounded as if there is dozens of them."
"Let's go and see," said Van Helsing. "Have your weapons ready." He took out a revolver from the inside of his coat.
Mina placed both of her hands on her son's shoulders. "Quincey, please stay here where it's safe. If you are in trouble, shout out and I'll come."
"I will," said Quincey.
The League, Van Helsing and some of the volunteering men, ran onto the streets. Citizens who were outside fled indoors with panic. Above, there were many gargoyle creatures flying, flapping their wings and shrieking. Marching towards the group outside the church were men wearing black robes hoods drawn up to hide their faces in shadow. The robed men stopped several paces from the League.
"Greetings, professor," said the leader of the robed men. "I see you called for this 'League' to help stop us, the Demon Cult. Well, I don't see a reason not to challenge the members."
"How did you enter here?" asked Van Helsing.
"We got the gargoyles to take out the men on guard."
"Monsters," cursed Nemo at the Cult leader. The Indian's hand grasped the hilt of his sword.
The Cult leader laughed. "Monsters? Oh not us, sir, but we do call upon creatures that are monsters."
Mina felt her blood lust surfacing; her slender hands clutched the daggers she kept deep in her coat pockets. She frowned at the robed Cult members; they were men using the dark forces of Hell to destroy the world, no better than the Count. Red was bleeding into the blue of her eyes, Mina swore she would never use her abilities for evil, but use them to fight evil. Now she was about to do so, she wanted to feed.
Tom drew out his pistols, ready to fire at anything that came at him. He was not going to fail, he promised himself not to let anyone down. At least Quincy was safe inside the church, away from the Cult and those creatures; Tom felt relief that he did not have to worry that much about another's safety. The American glared with hazel eyes at the Cult leader, to stop the Cult; Tom would go to fighting the leader with bare hands.
He reached into his pocket for the vial of elixir. Henry could hear Hyde grunting to be released. Lately Hyde had bothered him, now the inner beast can take pleasure of killing something. The Cult, the demons, a fight that Hyde had been waiting for. His slate colored eyes gazed upon the numbers of robed men; there was only a small party of Cult members, but many demons. Edward Hyde will be satisfied after this battle.
"So," the Cult leader said, "let the fight begin!"
The members of the Demon Cult sprang forth drawing out their daggers. Men of the town who used axes, knives and guns countered them. They stabbed, slashed and shot at each other. On both sides, several fell and others injured.
Henry quickly drew out his elixir and drank it down. The transformation was painful, tearing up Henry's clothes with bulging muscles, but it lasted for several seconds. Edward Hyde charged into the party of Cult members. He grabbed at one man and broke the neck with a twist. Using his large fists, Hyde packed several punches that sent men flying back.
Professor Van Helsing had watched the transformation from Jekyll to Hyde, it was disturbing. The Dutch professor quickly forgot about the transformation and fired several rounds of his revolver into one robed man approaching.
Mina drew out he daggers and fought with one man armed with one long knife. She blocked the Cult member's attack making an 'X' cross with her daggers to catch the long knife before it could stab her. With a sweep of her arm, she plunged one dagger into the man's gut, staining the black robe with gushing blood. Her eyes bled scarlet, hair came loose and curled, she sank her fangs into the man's throat to drink him dry.
Nemo's sword was dripping blood of Cult members he fought previously. He fought with another, using his techniques of grabs, punches and kicks. The Indian kicked the man in the stomach and sent his sword into the chest. The Nautilus crewmen fought by their captain's side, firing their guns on the Cult members and the creatures that flew above.
Tom fired his pistols, the bullets striking Cult members dead. The American placed his pistols back in their holsters. Using his Winchester, he shot several gargoyles circling above the battle. The creatures shrieked in pain as they were struck and they fell to the ground.
"Come on!" Tom shouted at the creatures. "I ain't afraid of you!"
"You should be," said a cold voice behind him. A knife came up to Tom's throat.
Worried that he would have his throat cut, Tom felt the body behind him go limp. The knife fell away. Tom turned around to see that the Cult member was stabbed in the back by a knife.
"Are you alright?" asked Skinner's voice. The thief must have shed his coat and paint to become invisible.
"Yeah," said Tom. "Thank you, again."
"No problem, I wasn't set on fire this time."
Quincey sat in the church, listening to the battle outside. The only comfort to the boy was the soft light of the lanterns that illuminated the inside of the building. He curled up on the bench, waiting for the fight to be over.
He heard the doors bang open. Quincey quickly dropped to the floor, keeping quiet in the shadows. Someone entered the church; it was a man in a black robe. The man stopped, as he was several paces away from Quincey's position.
"Get up boy," the man barked in a harsh voice.
Quincey did as he was told; not wanting to do anything that would get him killed. The robed man approached and grabbed Quincey by the arm.
"Finally, I've got a little hostage." There was a grin seen under the man's hood.
He felt these strange forces take over him, Quincey did not understand what they were, but they were powerful. He glared coldly at the man. "I suggest you unhand me, sir. You shouldn't really provoke me..." Quincey felt his top canine teeth extend from his gums. The next thing he did was bite into the man's neck, tasting warm, salty blood.
Hyde was pleasuring himself. Several of the gargoyles battled with him, scratching at his tough skin, but he broke their wings and crushed their skulls. As he snapped the neck of another beast, he grinned at the sight of the gargoyle die in his clutches. It felt so good to be killing something, whether it was human or not.
She had satisfied her blood lust, draining life from the men who attempted to attack her. Mina was locked in battle with a demon; she quickly slashed the creature's throat and stabbed it through the chest. Several had scratched her, but her abilities allowed her to heal rapidly.
"Enough!" cried out the Cult leader, tired of killing some of the townsmen while his bodyguards fought off other attackers. The remaining demons scattered and flew away. The remaining members of the Demon Cult's party stopped fighting. The League stopped as well.
"You may have won this round," shouted the Cult leader, "but you won't be lucky next time!" He ran to the outskirts of town, followed by his bodyguards and the remaining members of his party.
Van Helsing placed his revolver away into his coat. He saw that the Cult had sent in a challenge, the next fight would be worse. Either the Cult or the demons had killed several townsmen. "Gather the dead," he said to one man, "I'll tend to the wounded."
After the Cult had fled, Hyde turned back into lanky Dr. Jekyll. Henry grabbed the rim of his outstretched trousers before they fell; he shivered as the breeze touched him. He noticed Skinner placing his coat and hat back on and Tom wiping away his sweat.
"Is everything alright, doctor?" asked Van Helsing softly, concerned about Henry.
"Yes," said Henry, "I'm just cold."
Nemo and his crewmen gathered the corpses of the Demon Cult members and gargoyles. "We'll have to dispose of these," said Nemo, "the Cult may return to collect them."
"Mother!" cried Quincey's voice.
"Quincey," said Mina calmly as she saw her frightened son run up to her. Quincey had tears flowing from his eyes, blood smeared on his lips and chin. Mina brought out a handkerchief and gently wiped the blood away. Everyone gathered around Mina and Quincey to see what was wrong.
"What happened?" asked Tom. He saw that Quincey was in some sort of shock and the American was curious to find out the cause.
"I'm a monster!" said Quincey. "I killed a man with my teeth."
"Hush dear," said Mina, placing a hand on Quincey's cheek, reassuring the boy. "You only inherited my abilities."
"What?"
End Note: Sorry to leave everyone there. Yeah, you have to wait for the next chapter for Mina to explain everything.