HELLSING WITCH HUNTER 1616
SAPPHIREWYREN
Ch. 30: The Broken Blade
Disclaimer: I do not own Hellsing.
The next day Seras headed towards the orphanage. She was surprised by the warm greetings; she received from the nuns, caretakers, children, and Anderson. When Seras and Father Anderson had a private moment, she asked, "Don't you guys read newspapers?"
"Of course" answered the Irishman "Why?"
"They are all saying a ton of good stuff about Integra and they are saying nothing about Sam and me as if we don't exist at all."
"Right now according to the public, Integra is doing everything right; they believe her to be the ideal Hunter."
"Even those rumors of her and His Majesty….they managed to make that look good."
"Well Integra and the King were not doing anything in the first place. But you are in the public eye, so people are watching you."
"That sucks. Sam and I are also working our butts off as well and they want to throw Integra a parade." Seras sank into the nearest chair. By the look on Hunter's face, Anderson could tell that something bad had happened between the two.
"Did Integra do something?"
"To you?"
"Not to me..." Seras told Anderson about the assassin and how he was tortured. She told Anderson how Integra did not attempt to explain or justify her actions, Seras said that she thought that she knew Integra, but now she was disappointed that Integra was not the woman she thought she was. Anderson felt sorry for Seras; the usually cheerful and upbeat young woman was now sad, morose and unsure.
"The sad thing is that we never truly know a person, even those we are close to will have secrets or do something that will surprise you."
"But she does she like torturing people?"
"Integra faults being fanatically loyal, in this case, it's to the king and while it can lead to shocking actions such as this, her loyalty can be a good thing."
"So what do I do? The people think I'm horrible and Sir Integra probably thinks I'm a big baby." What Anderson said next surprised Seras, "Sir Integra did what she thought was right for the country."
"But…."
"As a Hunter and one who wields the demon blade, you will have to get your hands dirtier than most to protect your country. As horrible as it may seem to you, many would agree with Sir Integra. I know this is hard for you to understand, but know that her actions may seem questionable and not everyone will agree with how she does things, but I assure you that Sir Integra is not a sadist."
"Well….it sounds better when it comes from you, Father"
"She tried to explain this to you?"
"No, she didn't say anything at all. It's like Integra didn't think she had to explain anything. She could have at least said something. Umm Father Anderson, would you..."
"Yes, I would do anything to protect the children of this orphanage. The bayonet sword is not just for decoration. If I have to, I will protect these children with my life."
Seras and Father Anderson talked for several more hours before she headed back to the Hunter's Lodge, she had much to think about.
"You're a kind person with a big heart and a gentle soul, Seras. Do not let the actions of others change you not Integra's or even mine. Everyone does what they do for a reason or whatever way they can rationalize it to themselves. There is no reason to fear in telling Integra what and how you feel, no matter how difficult it is."
"But I did…."
"Just with as much conviction, I gather?" The petite blonde nodded, she had stammered and stuttered. Integra probably had found her as amusing as a puppy trying to walk for the first time. "You and Sam are also Hunters, and just as important no matter what any ridiculous newspaper or what the people think it's unfortunate but you must constantly prove yourself to the public."
"That sucks no one perfect."
"Of course not and you will make mistakes or slip up. But don't let discourage you."
"Does Sir Integra make mistakes?"
"She's making a grave are right now, by treating you and Sam the way she is one. Integra should know better. She should know that if she truly wants to protect this country she can't do it by herself."
"But she has the Hellraisers."
"The three demon swords were around much longer than the Hellraisers. It is the three families working together that protected the country, not one person. I think that it is time that Integra shows you and Sam the respect you two deserve."
"She can be snobbish and self -righteous, like all the time." Father Anderson just chuckled. "I try to be nice to her, but she ignores me like I'm some kind of child and that pisses me off"
"Well use that emotion to tell her what you would like her to know."
"She's kind of scary….ummm… can you come with me? I'd feel a lot better... braver." Father Anderson smiled and replied, "Of course."
The Hellsing Estate
As Integra sat her desk and she gave a disgusted sigh as she tossed the letter she had just arrived. Walter, who cleaning various things around the office raised an eyebrow, Integra never treated a letter from His Majesty in that manner. The look the Huntress was giving the stationery, clearly said that she could be in desperate need of toilet paper and she still wouldn't even use the letter as such. "What does the letter say, Sir? You seem upset."
"Read it yourself." The butler picked up the letter:
To the King's Hunters,
His Majesty King Albrecht the Sixth must speak with you at your soonest convenience about a topic most sensitive for the protection of the Great country of England….
"Sensitive? It might have something to do with the attempted assassination" Walter mused.
"It had better be" growled Integra, "The only thing sensitive with those two are their feelings." At first, Walter was confused and then he looked at the letter again. It had been addressed to all three Hunters. At least Albrecht was not paying attention to the crap the newspapers and included all three of the Hunters to go the meeting. Integra did not believe that Sam and Seras should know anything sensitive especially if it had anything to do with the well -being of the country. The King may as well put what he wanted to say to them then it the newspaper so that everyone could read it, but Integra did not say anything.
"Sir, Sam, and Seras are Hunters as well. You should trust the King's judgment if he wants all three of you at the meeting." The heiress sighed again, "Walter, I do not know what you see in those two clowns."
"All three of you are unique. I know you care about them."
Integra scoffed, "I care about this country, I had the unfortunate luck to work with them. I am beginning to question their loyalty to this country."
Walter shook his head, "Be reasonable, Sir Hellsing; Sam and Seras are not traitors to England."
"I am being reasonable" and Integra went to open her office door and nearly bumped into Seras, who looked like she had been there for some time. This, of course, angered Integra, who said, "Girl, the door is not a bloody book! You either walk through it or past, not stare at it!" Seras jumped, "I'm sorry…. However Integra was not finished, "Please don't tell me, I have to explain how doors work!" and she brushed past the petite blond. Seras stood rooted where she was for a few seconds, she then clenched her fists, no, Integra did not get to treat her like last night's rubbish pile! Besides Anderson was with her so she felt a little bit braver. Seras stormed after Integra and when she got closer to her target, Seras said in a loud voice, "Integra, I have something to say!" This stopped the tall woman in her tracks, who said, "Speak your piece, Seras and be quick about it. I…."
"You will face me when you talk to me!"
Integra strode over to Seras "Whatever the hell this is supposed to be, comes at a poor time, His Majesty requested our presence immediately, so save it…."
"No, I will not wait."
"Okay if you are more important..."
"Sir, the letter did not give a specific time. So you can hear out what Miss Seras has to say" said Walter. This earned him a glare from his employer.
"Walter, it said 'nearest convenience' and this is my nearest convenience."
"What letter? This is what I'm talking about..."
"I was talking."
Walter rolled his eyes; he knew that Integra was saying this to piss off Seras. "You don't show us any respect, Integra. And don't tell me it's 'Sir Hellsing', I don't care anymore. Sam and I don't deserve the shitty way; you've been acting towards us! We're supposed to be the King's Hunters. You're supposed to be a King's Hunter, not a fucking pig's cunt!"
Welter's monocle fell out of his eye and Integra stood rigidly like a tight-lipped statue. No one likes being called a pig's cunt. And a fucking one at that. However Seras was not finished, "I did not approve of the way you tortured that man, especially since you have other ways of getting the information. Even if he was an assassin, you have no excuse and I don't want to hear them." Integra was now watching Seras, the same way a cat watches a bird, "I don't care about your 'approval' of my methods. He was shit, so I treated him as such."
"But he's a human!"
"Did Anderson put you up to this?"
"Father Anderson thinks you're making a big mistake by treating us the way you do."
"I can't stop everything I am doing every time you have a mental crisis."
"That's what I'm talking about! You don't care."
"And you're upset that I don't agree with you. We are wasting time with your frail mental health."
Seras sighed, "You don't get it, do you?"
However Integra, instead she had a faraway look on her face, Seras soon found herself being shoved aside and the heiress running down the hall. "Hey! You don't get…."
"Something's wrong," said Walter worriedly. From the look on the butler's face, Seras knew something serious was happening. And soon Walter, Anderson, and Seras were following Integra. When the trio arrived at one of the sparring arenas, shouts could be heard from the ring, but not the usual cheers and jeers of camaraderie, but of concern, almost despair as if someone was in grave danger and all the spectators could do was, well spectate.
Of all the times for something this stupid to happen was when His Majesty requested the Hunters' presence. First Seras had her idiotic rant about wanting respect for her lowly opinion on how information was extracted from a criminal, now this kafuffle if you can call it that. From what Charybdis told Integra, it started as a normal sparring match between Mara and another young Hellraiser - another female. Seemingly Mara's decision to join the demon-hunting group had inspired more women. The two young women's sparring was interrupted when Sam barged in challenging Mara. Of course, Sam had her daggers and Mara only had the training sword-coincidently a rapier, this gave Sam the ammunition to tease the young girl and claim that she was intimidating Integra, and if she like the Hunter had plans to 'try and fuck a man above her station', in Mara's case, Trench. Those watching grew angry, they know of Mara's situation and Trench became a father figure to replace the one that had been killed in the Red Hook bandits' raid of Braddock. And several of the Hellraisers were about to enter the ring but decided against it when Byakko appeared. The tiger demon kept anyone from interfering from the 'sparring match'. Sam's taunting and Byakko's appearance shook poor Mara and led her to make serious mistakes. It only got worse, Sam decided to take it to another level and use had a demon sword, at the moment the sky above the practice ring was turning an ominous gray.
How the hell did end it up like this? What was up with Sam, wasn't she supposed to be a Hunter? Why would she do this? Mara had always thought she would die on one of the numerous demon hunts. But in the dirt with deep... gashes from Sam's blades and a demon tiger glaring at her was not the plan. Mara could only close her eyes tightly and hoped it would be over quick. "Amateratsu Restriction Unlock Level 4"
Mara could only gawk in fear and despair as the bright jagged lightning bolts shot towards the young woman.
Sometimes getting to a place in the nick of time was a matter of life and death. This was what Walter thought when he saw the bolts of lightning nearly hit Mara. Integra had jumped over the fence and with a mere training sword had blocked the attack. He could see the multiple hastily created seals begin to crack under the power of the bolts of lightning, but they held together and soon the lightning disappeared. While Mara scrambled out of the ring, Integra tossed the sword to the side. The two Hunters stared at each other, eyes locked on each other, a silent challenge for one of them to blink or back down first. The onlookers could feel the palpable tension between the two women, if anything, everything would come to a head here. Seras sighed, nothing good was going to come out of this. She was hoping to get Integra to acknowledge that her behavior towards her and Sam was wrong, downright despicable. But the assassin had just made it even more difficult, dangerous even. Integra spoke first, in an even tone, with the smallest amount of threatening malice she could muster, "What is going on here?" Sam shrugged casually, "We were just s sparring. She asked for it."
"Sparring? What I saw did not look like sparring."
"You have one eye and wear glasses; I'm surprised that you can see."
Next to Seras, both Walter and Anderson groaned, however, Integra did not seem fazed by the insult. It was as if she didn't hear it.
"It looked to me that you were using a demon blade against a person who had no defense against it."
"Stop coddling the brat, she's a grown woman."
"I do not have time for this nonsense, His Majesty..."
"He can wait. I owe you an ass whooping Integra."
"You want to waste time now?"
"I know you're in a hurry to see your boyfriend, but I would rather give you your ass beating before you find another excuse to run."
"Sam, we must go, His Majesty…." started Walter.
"I said he can wait. I don't want to have to beat the shit out of Squirt again to get Integra in the ring" Sam gave Mara a sadistic grin. "If I had known that would have done the trick, I would have done it a long time ago."
Integra sighed, "Fine, let's get this over with. I don't believe in the statement 'fashionably' late."
"Fine, quick it is," said Sam as she drew her long daggers and charged towards Integra, who easily dodged. "What are you, some kind of animal, was there no thought in what would happen after that attack?"
"Shut up, bitch! I'm going to enjoy disemboweling you!" Every strike Sam threw, Integra just simply sidestepped out of the way.
"Sam is usually better than this, she looks like..." Seras couldn't even finish the sentence.
Walter shook his head, "She is as the young people would say, pissed. It would seem that she has a deep hatred for Sir Integra now."
"After the way Sir Integra had been treating us, it's no wonder why" answered Seras. "I thought that we were making process." However Trench shook his head, "It isn't as if you two are completely innocent, Sam spreading rumors, while you are being lackadaisical, it's any wonder Sir Hellsing puts up with either one of you at all." Seras turned a deep red as Trench continued, "If you two were in the Hellraisers there would latrine duty for you two for months." Seras was about to respond when Walter said, "Both sides played a part in this." Anderson nodded in agreement.
"Can't you get to them to stop fighting?" Both men shook their heads, while Schrodinger piped up, "Mom's gonna beat the crap out of Sam! Meow!"
Walter glared at the cat-boy and the others bought their attention to the two women, where Sam was getting more frustrated that Integra was evading the attacks and not even making an effort to go on the offensive.
"Fucking fight, you pompous bitch!"
"You didn't say that before, you uncultured piece of horse turd. You said some nonsense about giving me an ass whooping and I'm simply waiting for it."
The bitch had the damn nerve smirk to at her! Sam gave another angry snarl as she lunged again at Integra and her blades once again met air.
She's trying to make you angry said Byakko. And it's working. Try fighting with your brain. Throw her off balance.
Sam took a deep breath, Byakko was right. The arrogant heiress had expected this and she fell for it. Tora had told her that fighting angry led to mistakes; some of which could be fatal And Sam know exactly what would make Integra angry. "I've noticed that you have your son taking swordsmanship lessons, if you want, I can give him some pointers." Sam was satisfied to see the smirk vanished from Integra's face. She took this opportunity to charge towards the Huntress, daggers raised. What happened next stunned everyone, Integra caught the two blades and bright green seals on her gloves began to glow. "Oh Sam, you just made a grave mistake." The daggers' blades were then snapped and Integra added injury to insult by using the broken blades to give Sam two deep gashes on each check. "That was for Mara. You should hope the tramps you bed like scars."
"Damn you. Scars will heal, I just hope you know a good dentist" Sam sneered while unsheathing the large white Katana.
"Good it's time we get serious," said Integra.
"All I did was offer to teach Schrodinger some lessons. He might also need some on how to be a man as well. I know a guy..."
"You keep my son's name out of your filthy mouth!"
Sam smirked, good now Integra was pissed, the broken daggers were just a fluke. Now they will see who's the Demon Blade was stronger, Integra's Alucard or Sam's Byakko.
"Now things are gettin' interesting. Byakko versus Alucard, too bad you already lost. Schrodinger's gonna have to watch to his embarrassment of a mother get a beating."
"You don't know when to shut the bloody fuck up do you ?"
"I could ask the same thing... hey want that sword's, not Alucard."
Integra had drawn the bright silver sword Casull instead, "I'm going to give you a history lesson, you ignorant slag!"
"Oh great, more pompous talking."
"I assure you this won't take long, Walter will fill you in on the blanks. You know this sword as Casull, but it is called by another name."
Seras looked at Walter and asked, "What is she talking about?" The butler, however, said nothing. Sam didn't seem concerned, "and that name is what? 'The-stick-Integra has-up- her ass'?"
"Funny, I'll be sure to name another sword that this sword is also known as the Abysmal Eater."
"The what?"
"The four demons; Alucard, Bahamut, Byakko and Charybdis are known as the four Abysmal Demons. Alucard created a sword that could kill the four demons" stated Walter simply.
"Wait…. What? She can kill the demon's... how?" stammered Seras.
Once against the butler said nothing there would be time later to tell them about the history of Casull and how it came to be. Sam was finished with the lessons and the two swords clashed. The force of the two blades sent up tornado size gusts of wind, blowing many of the spectators off their feet and several yards. Blow after blow sent up a large blast of wind. It seemed as if the two swords were equal until Casull's blade began to glow brightly, etchings that were not visible before now shone bright gold. The katana's blade was now filled with large cracks that were only getting bigger until the entire blade shattered.
The fragments of the broken blade cut Sam's face as they went flying in all directions. It wasn't the cuts that bothered Sam; it was the earsplitting scream that pierced the usually quiet Estate property. Sam looked up to see that Byakko was being pulled from the katana and the process must have been painful because of the scream. Whatever force was at work also stopped the demon of her powers revealing her to be a pale Asian woman with black and white hair "Stop!" yelled Sam. The assassin was not the only one screaming, Walter and Anderson were shouting Integra's name, while Seras was screaming Sam's. Schrodinger opted for covering his eyes with his ears flattened against his head and tail puffed up. The Hellraisers mostly stood in silent awe at the spectacle that was happening. Byakko was then sucked into a sigil with foreign lettering in the shape of an octagon surrounded by twenty-four rapidly spinning circles "Nooo!" screamed Sam. When Byakko was gone, the winds had died down and the air was still. Sam, who now on her knees, looked up at Integra expecting a smirk or look of haughtiness. But there was only a look of anger and disgust. "I'm not finished," said Integra as she raised the Casull again and with one swing, Sam was sent flying with the sharp draught of wind which left deep scores on the earth and the assassin's body. "That was threatening my son." The Huntress sheathed her sword, "Get this cleaned up." The Hellraisers rushed to do follow their boss' order while whispering about they just saw. As Integra walked past, she dropped an object in Seras' hand "Give this to Sam when she wakes up." Seras looked at the object; it was a silver tiger the size of the palm of a hand.
"Where am I? What the hell happened? Am I dead?"
A voice answered You're still at the Estate.
"Byakko?"
No, just 1/3 of Charybdis. Integra sealed Byakko and judging by the power, it could be permanent.
"What?!"
Sam sat up suddenly to see Seras and Walter standing over her. Seras hugged her and sobbed, while Walter looked relieved, "I thought that Sir Integra killed you." Seras handed Sam the silver tiger, "I'm sorry..." The assassin looked at the statuette and gave a sad sigh. Integra's cold voice cut through the air, "Hurry up, His Majesty won't going to wait all day. We've wasted enough time."
The groom bought the horses, "I'm only going to say this one more time and in the nicest way possible: His Majesty is expecting us at our nearest convenience possible, which his nearest convenience."
"But you just..."started Seras.
"Spare me the crying, we do not have all day" and Integra was already in the saddle. Even though she didn't want to go, Sam followed after her along with Seras and Walter. Again they were off to see the king, but what was a Demon Hunter without a Demon sword?
Chapter End
Author's Note: That's a lot of drama and expect more. An origin story and meeting with the Sultan of the Ottoman Empire. But another meeting with the King. How will he react to the loss of Byakko? Will Sam still be a Hunter? And will these three ever get along? Probably on and off again. I hope you enjoyed the chapter. See ya in the next chapter.