"Holy shit…" Lucretia gasped as they observed the battle from the secret hallway used by their family in the instance of an evacuation. She had never been privy to the details of Project Paragon. She had suspected the massive cages she was asked to construct were for something, but never did she think it would be for such monstrosities.
"For once, we agree." Irina nodded. "I knew that Project Paragon was a secret to be told in due time. Never did I imagine it would be this…"
"Damn." Lucretia remarked. "Just… damn."
"Is that remorse I'm sensing from you dear sister?" Irina queried. "Amazing. I never knew you had such a pure side to you. Perhaps I should re-evaluate my perspective of you."
"Stow it…" Lucretia growled. "And for the record, I don't have remorse for those pathetic Vampire Knights and Hunters. I just merely realised that being killed by weapons is much more comparable to being mauled to death by those things."
Irina stared back in shock, a look that annoyed Lucretia even more. "The hell is that look for?"
"No, it's just…" Irina answered. "We have agreed twice now on something else besides Cassandra. I'm truly astonished."
"Huh." Lucretia replied. "Speaking of which, where is the runt anyways?"
"Godammit!" Ichigo growled as he put another round into the creature. However, his anti-vampire bullet simply appeared to anger the creature even more. It screeched as it charged down upon him, thirsting for blood. He fired again and again, but to no avail. Yuki then rushed past him, her scythe blade coming down and decapitating the monster. Behind them, Akira also finished off the other creature that had approached them, removing his sword from the monster's head. However, the young Pureblood had not gotten unscathed, a small cut at his left arm evident.
"At least we know they can be killed." Akira nodded. "But even that was a difficult trial."
"Dammit, my rounds didn't even work!" Ichigo growled. "What in the hell was that?"
"That, is Mortis's goal." Yuki explained a she led them further through the castle.
"Wait; that is Project Paragon?" Akira asked.
"Yes." Yuki nodded, keeping her scythe at bay. "Those monsters are the products of all of Mortis's efforts throughout the past few decades. It is what he has been secretly working towards this whole time."
"What are they anyways?" Ichigo asked. "They don't look like vampires…"
"In a sense, they are." Yuki answered. "But, they are also human."
Akira frowned, confused. "Grandmother, what do you mean?"
"I'm sure you are aware of Mortis abducting humans and vampires worldwide?" Yuki explained. "Those people were being used for a special purpose. Raw materials for Paragon." At this, Yuki's lip curled in disgust. "They were killed, desiccated and dissected. Every strip of flesh, every lump of bone, every drop of blood used; merged together to create a new lifeform comprising both human and vampire DNA."
"Vampire-human hybrids!?" Ichigo exclaimed. "What the hell?"
"No, not hybrids, not like Dhampirs." Yuki said. "These creatures are vampires at the core, but their bodies are spliced and reinforced with a vast mixture of human genetic material. As such, these creatures possess the strength and power of vampires, but still have human blood running through them."
"So that explains why my rounds don't work." Ichigo frowned as Akira looked on in thought.
"Paragon." Akira said. "An individual or object that is the perfect example of a quality. Does Mortis believe he is creating the perfect form of Vampire with this project?"
"Most likely." Yuki nodded. "Even we Purebloods, immune to the ravages of time, are not immortal. Quite an irony it is. Project Paragon appears to be Mortis's answer to our capability to still meet death. He has likely toiled for years in making vampires the dominant race on the planet."
"And it now has taken form in those monstrosities." Akira said, utterly repulsed.
"But wait, forcibly merging human and vampire DNA?" Ichigo said. "That's near impossible!"
"And that's why he needed me." Yuki replied. "As a Pureblood who has experienced the full cycle of being a vampire, being human, and back again, my blood served as the perfect binding agent for those creatures. I am the one who ensured the birth of those abominations."
Ichigo and Akira remained silent as Yuki led them further down the hallways. "So you wish to destroy everything down in those laboratories then?" Akira asked a few seconds later. "You want to remove the source of these creatures."
"If only that were so simple." Yuki answered. "Mortis undoubtedly has hundreds of sites capable of this. That man is as cautious as he is ruthless. He will likely transport all his findings to another secure location."
"Then we are going to see if we can find these locations from their central data drives?" Ichigo asked.
"Hopefully we can." Yuki said. "But that is not the main objective for me right now."
"Then what is?" Ichigo frowned as he kept his eyes on all surroundings, alert for the slightest sign of the creatures.
"Think about it. Why would Mortis want to create a vampire species immune to death?" Yuki questioned. "What is the point of it all? Above all, think about what Cassandra has said time and time again."
"Cassandra…" Akira frowned at the mention of the Kraven heiress's name. His mind thought back to the many statements she had made, ideals placed into her head through the courtesy of her grandfather and her subsequent conversations with Yuki back at Cross Academy.
You want him to finally be well. The words Yuki spoke back then rang through his mind. Slowly but surely, the thoughts ridiculous as it sounded, it was the only logical option to him. "A new body…" Akira muttered.
"Yes." Yuki nodded. "You both have seen the state he is in. Despite still being strong, his power has weakened over the years as much as his body. Project Paragon I believe is just a way for him to construct the perfect body for him to inhabit."
"But how will he do that?" Ichigo asked. "How can he simply transfer a consciousness to… Wait a second. His thralls…"
"Seems like you've caught on." Yuki said. "It appears Mortis has a unique power allowing him to manipulate the minds of everyone around him. He has shown that he is more than capable of projecting his thoughts into another, or perhaps even shredding them out. However, looking at it in that manner, it could also mean…"
"That he could place his very consciousness into another body." Akira surmised. "This hasn't been proven, but if the body in question was not born with a conscience to begin with…"
"He could simply place his damned mind into it." Ichigo concluded. "And in this case, the body in question would be..."
"That is his true goal." Yuki finished. "Project Paragon, the creatures that have been birthed from it. All of them are mere stepping stones to his aim of reviving his power completely. In the process, he wants to also create a body that knows virtually no weaknesses. A true immortal in every aspect and meaning."
"Such a thing would be catastrophic." Akira said. "Vampires are already deterred by the Hunter Association from breaking the laws. But if even the Hunters cannot stop them…"
"The smallest dregs that despise the current society of co-existence will rally around Mortis and his newfound power. Even Purebloods who have been kept at bay by the current laws will start to move, awed by the evolution Mortis would bring. The entire world will be upheaved and a new rule will rise from the ruins. A new age where neither human nor vampire hold dominance. It will be merely Mortis and his monstrous creations." Yuki summarised accordingly.
"God…" Ichigo grimaced. "That's insane…"
"Which is why we must uncover every facet of Project Paragon." Yuki said. "We must see how far his research has progressed and the plans for it all. Even a small sample of blood from one of those creatures would have an incredible value of information, all of which needs to be made known to everyone."
"Alright then." Ichigo nodded. "I guess now it's business as usual."
"Lead on grandmother." Akira said. "And let any who stand in our way know the price of doing so."
The massive creature swiped, roaring in anger as it did. However, before it could pull its massive arm back, a flash of black severed it from the wrist. Angered even more by the pain, it tried to find its prey only before red completely obscured its vision.
Ai leapt off the head of the monster as it fell to the earth, diving downward to strike at the smaller creatures that gathered by it. Diana whistled through the air as its blades cut through the thick flesh of the creatures with ease. With the queen herself leading the charge, the Knights rallied, engaging the monsters as one. Despite their brute strength and ferocity, they appeared to be acting no more than on instinct.
Ai stood up from her latest kills, feeling the rumbling of the earth as two of the smaller creatures attacked her from behind. Instantly however, metallic vines burst forth from the ground, piercing through them in numerous locations throughout their bodies. She turned to see Ren coming forth with the rescued Hunter squads, Night Rose now withdrawing the vines back into the gun's barrel.
Night Rose and Diana, two weapons forged by the Hunter's Association strictly for the two of them. These weapons were special not because they were anti-vampire weapons, but also because they were the incarnations of two other weapons in the past; the ones used by their parents; Artemis and Bloody Rose. And they were every bit as powerful as their parent weapons.
"You've been busy sister." Ren noted, observing the blood stained upon her clothes.
"As have you." Ai responded. "Sir Marcus, how goes it?"
"I've lost many Hunters today." He replied grimly. "These creatures appear immune to our weapons. I've never seen anything like it."
"I agree." Ai said as she studied a monster's corpse. "If I were to guess, we just found the Kraven clan's Project Paragon."
"So they created vampire super-beasts for war." Ford grimaced as he placed more pressure on the wound in his shoulder. "Perfect. Just when the world was already messed up."
"Regardless, we can still kill them." Ai said. "And these monsters appear naught but savage beasts. As long as we…"
Ai barely finished before a piercing screech sounded. She looked up to the castle walls to see another creature had arrived. This one was smaller in size compared to the eyeless monsters, its limbs lankier and thinner than theirs. However, what was different about this was the obvious bat-like face it wore. Beneath the structure of its arms was a wing membrane that enabled it to achieve fight. Despite being further away and less physiologically built than the others, something in Ai told her that this creature was just as deadly as the rest.
At once the winged monster screamed, and the other creatures on the ground turned upwards at the unnatural cry. Ai frowned at their response, crouching low as she braced herself.
Then she watched as one of the large creatures reached and grabbed a rock, hefting it in its hands before flinging it right at her. Ai's eyes widened as she threw up a wall created from myriad butterflies that she summoned from the darkness, grunting as the projectile made impact.
"So, those are the commanders…" Ai said as she observed the creatures now changing tactics. Gone were the savage strikes or the reckless charges. Now they appeared to be watching their chosen targets. Some even threw feints and made false attempts to strike, trying to catch their warriors off-guard.
"We should strike those down." Kidomaru suggested. "They appear to be physically weaker than the others."
"Too bad they can fly." Yumika said as she gestured upwards. More of the winged creatures had now appeared, flapping their arms to stay airborne. A nearby helicopter attempted to shoot them down, but they were too fast for the gunner within. They quickly swarmed over the vehicle, bringing it down along with its pilots. The helicopter crashed among a group of the creatures, a fiery explosion bringing its existence to an end.
"Just when we thought things couldn't be more problematic." Ford grumbled as he loaded his rifle. "First monsters, now monster captains… What the hell is this shit coming to now?"
"Regardless, if we want to survive this, we need to stay on guard." Marcus said. "Queen Ai, I suggest we reform the front lines and ensure we don't get surrounded in the melee. Those monsters will tear us apart instantly."
"Very well." Ai agreed as she turned to her half-sister. "Ren, if you will."
Ren nodded as the vines snaked out of Night Rose and coiled around her own arm. The thorns pierced her skin, drawing blood that now dripped down toward barrel of the gun. The metal grey of the weapon now glowed with eerie red marks, reminiscent of the runes used by the Hunter Association. Placing the muzzle down upon the ground, Ren concentrated all of her spilled blood into the chamber before pulling the trigger.
Instantly, thousands of vines exploded all around the field. They lashed out at the creatures attacking them whilst simultaneously acting as a wall for the knights to get behind.
"There, I've secured a safe zone for us all. We should regroup our forces and focus on destroying the flying ones. Make everything count. I won't be able to hold the ground forces off for long." Ren grunted.
"Very well." Marcus nodded. "I will get my troops to switch to ranged weaponry. Queen Ai, if you could have any knights assist us, it will be appreciated."
"I know of a few who can help us." Ai nodded as her eyes caught the sight of massive icy shards fire into the sky.
The elevator opened up into the lower levels, surprising two Death bringers who were on patrol. They couldn't draw their weapons before the occupants rushed at them.
Akira now drove his sword through the heart of one while Ichigo savagely beat the other onto the ground. He then drew his pistol, putting a single round through his head. The two disintegrated into dust as Yuki strode out of the lift and toward the metallic door; the entrance to the laboratories below. So many times had she seen this door, beyond which were the breeding grounds for the creatures. She raised her hand, the shadows coalescing around her before she drove them toward the door.
The door buckled under the force of her blow. Yuki now led the two of them into the laboratories. Akira and Ichigo's eyes darkened as soon as they saw the abandoned trays laden with gore and blood, no doubt the terrible fate that awaited any the Kraven clan could abduct. Instantly, alarms blared through the laboratories, warning any within of their intrusion.
"Well, I guess the welcoming party will be here shortly." Ichigo nodded as he reloaded.
"Good." Akira nodded. "I'm itching to let off some steam."
"Remember you two, our main objective is information retrieval." Yuki reminded them. "We must gather anything related to Project Paragon." As she said this, a small squad of Death Bringers came out of the door beyond, weapons brandished. Without warning Yuki summoned her creatures, the butterflies now forming her scythe as she rushed forward and slashed at the first few vampires. Akira followed close behind, hacking off the head of another as Ichigo landed a violent kick on the last one.
The final Death Bringer fell, his mask falling away as it did. He turned to face them, shocking Ichigo and Akira as they beheld his wasted face. It wasn't as severe as Mortis's, but there was still evidence of decay and rot around his jaw and nose. He snarled as he charged at them, only for his fury to be replaced with astonishment as Ichigo put a bullet through his head.
"And I thought Mortis was ugly…" Ichigo remarked.
"What could have happened to these vampires?" Akira asked as Yuki tore through the door, opening their way further into the facility.
"I know not." Yuki answered. "But if I were to guess, the culprits would most likely be the group known as Helsing."
"Helsing…" Akira frowned. "Mother will need to know of them once this is over. I understand why humans would fear and even hate vampires. But killing vampires who are innocent makes them no better than the vampires who see humans as nothing but food. They will be found, and they will answer for their crimes before the Senate and the Association."
"I guess that's another reason for Paragon huh?" Ichigo asked. "Mortis wants to strengthen his own followers who suffer the same problems as he does."
"Most likely." Yuki nodded. "Though I doubt he will do it for Cassandra."
"Speaking of which, where is that Blood Siren anyways?" Ichigo asked. "I haven't seen her at all this whole time."
"That is not important." Yuki answered. "We must first do what we came here to do."
Ichigo frowned, but said no more as Yuki led them down into the main laboratories. Ichigo and Akira now stared at the massive cylinders within which the subjects of Project Paragon were incubated. Ichigo observed the creature as it twitched and writhed within the green liquid. At the corner of his eye, he saw a small terminal at the wall. Walking toward it, he pressed the screen. Instantly, the monitor lit up, with a video file being the first thing he saw.
"Hey." He gestured to the others. "Get a look at this." Akira and Yuki walked over to check the computer as Ichigo pressed the play button.
"Entry number 346." Came a voice over the speakers. "Data file on the initial phase of Project Paragon."
"Who is that?" Akira asked as he listened.
"Franklin Lestat." Yuki replied. "He is the head scientist I spoke of, though I doubt that was his original profession." She now nodded at the screen as Lestat's recording came through.
"These initial subjects have 5% of their body fluids comprised of the blood samples taken from Yuki Kuran." Lestat explained further. "The small amount of the Kuran princess's blood served to suitably bind the vampire and human DNA together. However the splicing was crude and coarse. Though successful, it came at the cost of proper physical and intellectual development. These creatures, which I have decided to call Wretchlings, are merely the dregs, inflicted with some sort of eternal rabid rage. I will need to find a way to improve the binding and subsequently their intellect. Perhaps having more of their body fluids made from her blood will lead to greater breakthroughs."
"Wretchlings…" Ichigo repeated as the recording ended. He now looked to the creature that Lestat had named in the tank. "So these small ones are just the starting point?"
"It appears so." Yuki nodded as she turned her eyes to the incubated Wretchling. "And by the looks of it, they have done other things here."
"Well, at least we know what to call them now." Ichigo stated. "We should get moving."
Yuki nodded in agreement as they left the terminal, walking down past the myriad cylinders, most of which were empty. Suddenly, a shrill but familiar voice cut through the air.
"Unhand me you brutes!" Came the cry. Yuki, Akira and Ichigo looked to each other as they dashed to the source of the commotion.
"Let me go!" Beatrice screamed at the Death Bringer holding her by her hair. She then turned her fierce eyes toward the masked vampire in front of her. "I have done nothing wrong Lestat! Unhand me!"
"Oh?" Lestat replied. "Not doing anything wrong? Then why were you trying to sneak away from the castle? What ever happened to your loyalty to Lady Cassandra? Actually, a better question would be where is Lady Cassandra? I have not seen her when her sisters were leaving…"
"I have no obligations to tell you!" Beatrice snarled.
"You are very fierce Beatrice." Lestat chuckled. "But I know better. I know how terrified you can become in the face of danger. Surely you have seen the creations within this laboratory, yes? Tell me, do you know just how terrible they can be?"
Lestat now gestured to the one holding the maid, who threw her down and headed to the console to the left that was connected to another vat, within which a Wretchling lay.
"You see Beatrice, the creatures formed here have no form of thought or reason. They will attack anything that they see, even myself. They know no mercy or remorse, even amidst the dying screams of a very loyal maid. Now if Lady Cassandra were here to exercise her powers perhaps you would be fine. However, it appears she is not…"
"You accursed little-!" Beatrice barely finished before the vat opened, its liquid contents spilling out and covering the maid as Lestat moved out of the way. Beatrice now watched as the Wretchling slowly emerged, its eyeless face now staring at her. Beatrice now shivered, terror washing over her face as the creature neared. The Wretchling now closed its large fingers over her throat, and Beatrice gagged as she choked in the monster's grip.
"As much as I'd like to see the slaughter, I'm afraid I have business to attend to." Lestat grinned as he walked away. "Enjoy your last moments Beatrice. I know the Wretchling will."
Beatrice opened her mouth in a soundless scream as the Wretchling squeezed harder. Its mouth now opened and Beatrice could see its teeth readying to clamp over her head.
Watching all of this, Yuki dashed right in, her scythe flashing across the Wretchling's face. The Paragon monster now screeched, letting the maid go and causing Lestat and his escort to turn around. Without hesitation, Yuki spun and stabbed the scythe into the Wretching's lower jaw and up through its head, immediately pulling it out and splitting the monster's face open.
"Hello Lestat." Yuki smiled as she greeted the masked vampire while Ichigo and Akira caught up to her, providing assistance to the vampire maid. "It's been a while."
"Yuki Kuran!" Lestat exclaimed as he stepped back, drawing his sword as the others did the same.
"Do you really think you can face me Lestat?" Yuki said as she edged closer. "You know, I have yet to pay you back for all our wonderful sessions together. I wonder, how much terror do you feel at the thought of how terrible I can be?"
Lestat's face filled with worry as he stepped back, his form quivering as he did. Instantly, he reached for his pocket and pulled out a small device with a red button. Without hesitation, he pressed it. Alarms blared as all around them, the vats opened, the green liquid spilling across the floor.
"Perhaps I cannot Yuki." Lestat smiled. "But I doubt even you can handle this many of them. Not when you have people you need to protect."
Yuki now turned and focused on the Wretchlings being released from their containment as Akira and Ichigo helped Beatrice to stand. "Get up to the catwalks! Hurry! We need to get out of here and ensure these creatures are locked inside!"
"Come, hurry!" Akira said as he hauled Beatrice up and moved quickly to the staircase, Ichigo following closely behind. The Wretchlings were starting to wake and soon would close in upon them. Yuki took the chance to cripple as many of them as she could, though even she knew that fighting all of them was suicide.
"What are those abominations?" Beatrice asked.
"That is Project Paragon." Akira explained. "Mortis Kraven's attempts at creating vampires spliced with human DNA. Moreover, we believe that is a way for him to acquire a new body to replace the one he is currently ailed with."
"Hideous…" Beatrice grimaced in disgust. "How could anyone condone such monsters…"
"It couldn't be helped." Yuki replied. "Mortis knew this secret of his wouldn't be received well by Cassandra. That's why she was kept in the dark about it."
"Speaking of which, where is she anyways?" Ichigo asked. "The whole time we've been here I have yet to sense her presence."
"I know not." Beatrice said. "She told me to leave this place and nothing more."
"Cassandra has her part to play in this." Yuki said as they ascended the staircase. Once they were at the highest catwalk, she sliced away at the rails, the stairs now collapsing into the gnashing teeth of the creatures below. "Like it or not, she plays a huge part in the survival of everyone outside."
The three vampires frowned at her words. "That's very cryptic coming from you…" Ichigo said.
"I must agree." Akira nodded. "What do you mean grandmother?"
"Yes…" Beatrice nodded, a glare crossing her features. "What do you mean? Lady Cassandra has been seeing you with greater frequency since you've been here. What have you involved her in?"
Yuki stared back. "Yes, I suppose I owe you an explanation on…" She tried to speak, but suddenly she faltered, one knee buckling under her.
"Grandmother!" Akira yelled, rushing forward and attempting to haul her to her feet. "What is wrong?"
"I'll explain later." Yuki replied. "For now, we must escape this lab and ensure the Wretchlings don't follow." She now stood up, pointing to the door at the farthest end of the walkway. "That leads to another lab. We must go before they overwhelm us." As if to prove her point, the metal catwalk shuddered. Akira now looked to see that the Wretchlings were trying to leap up onto the walkway. Even if they could climb upon it, there was no assurance they wouldn't be able to drag them down.
"Very well." Akira nodded, leading the group toward the next laboratory.
Lestat hurried down toward the central office of the laboratories. When she was cooperative, he had thoroughly enjoyed every moment spent with the Kuran princess. However now that she was out and free, not to mention immensely dangerous, he believed that it was in his best interest to not encounter her without a plan.
Still, a more important report needed to be made. As of now most of his staff had evacuated the more sensitive subjects and data of Project Paragon. However, it seemed likely that Yuki Kuran would soon uncover the rest of the encrypted files. Lestat hurried and input a massive data purge, hoping to at least slow down her progress. As the program initiated, he made a call from the phone secured in the room. After a few rings, it answered.
"Lestat?" Came the voice of James Ridley.
"Ridley. Inform Lord Kraven that we have an emergency. Yuki Kuran has entered the labs. I have begun purging our data, but I fear she will retrieve parts of it soon enough. Also, I found Lady Cassandra's maid sneaking around."
"Beatrice?" James replied with surprise. "What would she be doing away from her charge?"
"I know not." Lestat replied. "But although I do not want to jump to conclusions, I am currently unaware of Lady Cassandra's whereabouts. Has it been confirmed that she evacuated?"
"I have sent squads to retrieve her." James answered. "Yet, none have sighted her either… What do you mean by this Lestat?"
Lestat took a breath, realising that what he was about to say could count as utmost slander and insult toward the Kraven family. "I suspect, she may not be as inclined to our current cause as it stands… And I believe the one who convinced her otherwise was Yuki Kuran…"
"What?" Mortis growled as his ears caught Lestat's final message.
"Explain Mr. Lestat." James frowned.
"I have a feeling that Yuki Kuran has done more than converse with Lady Cassandra over these past weeks. I fear that perhaps, Lady Cassandra no longer holds any wish to partake in our current course…"
Mortis's brow furrowed as he took in this information. It was vital that Cassandra remained by his side, for she was the only way to ensure that the Paragon creatures could be directed properly and controlled. Even with his powers, the creatures had no way to be corralled from a raving mess of instinct save for the more advanced versions, and even those had their limitations.
"James. Find Cassandra. Bring her to me." Mortis ordered.
James frowned as he regarded his instructions. "Milord, pardon my impudence in asking, but what if she doesn't want to come?"
Mortis glared back, evidently incensed. "Then wrench her back here by whatever means necessary."
"As you command." James nodded. At once, shadows closed in around him and he disappeared.
"Grandfather?" Mortis turned as Katarina stepped forward. He believed it was fortune that she and her sisters had not heard the recent conversation. "What is wrong?"
"Fret not." Mortis said with a wave of his hand. "There is no problem James shouldn't be able to rectify."
"Shit, that was close…" Ichigo panted as he stood up. Akira now turned and looked within the lab they were in.
"This one is bigger than the other one." He remarked. True enough, the vats located here were much larger. The reason was obvious enough, as one of the vats had a hulking monster still sleeping within.
"There were more?" Beatrice exclaimed.
"Lestat was pretty busy." Yuki panted as she supported her weight upon the railings. "He tried all sorts of designs with Project Paragon."
"For now, we should find a safe place for us to discuss things." Akira said as he went forward and grabbed Yuki by the hand. "There is much you need to explain grandmother. As long as Anju's life is in your hands, I do not intend to leave any stone unturned."
"Very well." Yuki nodded. "I suppose that is only natural."
"Well, there is a pretty big room over there." Ichigo said, pointing to a door at the far end. "Hopefully we can use that."
With everyone in agreement, they approached the door, their gazes only diverting to the creatures that twitched and writhed within the tanks. Akira forced the door open, leading the small group inside.
"Whoa…" Ichigo blinked as he stared at all the computers and paper notes lying about. "This place looks like it was busy."
"It appears we are in one of their record rooms." Yuki frowned as she grabbed a chair and hastily sat down in it. "This is perfect. We should still be able to gather enough information here, but we need to be quick. Lestat will have definitely activated a data purge."
"I guess I'll commit what I can to memory." Ichigo said. "Hey maid, give me a hand in this."
"How vulgar!" Beatrice gaped. "I don't listen to you!"
"Enough!" Yuki gasped. "We must gather what we need quickly before a security force comes and finds us."
Akira now stared as Ichigo and Beatrice got to work. "Grandmother, what is wrong?"
Yuki stared into Akira's eyes. Despite the concern that was reflected in them, she could also see a stern coldness that demanded an answer. "Haa… You remind me so much of your grandfather. I'd say you are almost a spitting image of him…"
"Please don't dodge the question." Akira said.
"Of course." Yuki nodded. "Akira, I believe my power is waning. I won't be able to maintain my existence for long. This may very well be the last day I'll ever be able to manage this."
"The blood transfusions…" Akira muttered. "Of course."
"It's getting harder to manifest the strength I need, between those and keeping Anju mostly pain-free, not to mention all the fighting I've had to do, I guess it's about time to burn out…" Yuki explained.
The three of them looked at her, their expressions inscrutable as they trawled through the many notes and papers sprawled all over. "Hey." Beatrice said. "There is a recorder here."
"Here too." Ichigo frowned. "I'm guessing that these may have been important."
"We can take advantage of their negligence." Akira said. "Play them."
Beatrice played hers first, hearing Lestat's voice from the recorder. "Entry number 575. Owing to the challenges with the Wretchlings, I have decided to use more of Yuki Kuran's blood, increasing it to 10% of their body fluids. Growth accelerated within the first few hours of inoculation, and development increased drastically. Over time, their overall stature, weight and muscle mass increased as well. I have aptly decided to name them Brutes. Despite a much greater improvement to the Wretchlings physically, their brains are still underdeveloped; extending to only a partially-formed limbic system that causes them to act out in immense levels of aggression. Perhaps I should inoculate the Kuran's blood in a different manner…"
"My word…" Akira blinked as Ichigo now began to play his, Lestat's familiar voice reverberating across the room.
"Entry number 651. The cloning of Yuki Kuran's blood from the currently live subjects was a success. I needn't use the primary source anymore. This time, I have chosen to inoculate this sample through the cerebrum, maintaining a 10% body fluid composition. Despite a smaller level of physical development than the Brutes, these still developed well physically. In addition, due to the cerebral inoculation, their brains have developed to a more extensive degree. The first subject suddenly showed apt control over the mindless Wretchlings and Brutes, its screeches somehow being a form of vocal control. This… Darkcaller as I named it, appears to have somehow evolved itself during incubation, the wings adding to the strange manner of control it possesses. Truly fascinating…"
"My god…" Beatrice gasped. "What… what have we allowed to be born here?"
"Monsters, that's what." Ichigo said as he put the recording down.
"And by the sounds of it, they have been able to adapt." Akira said. "This does not bode well."
"If Mortis has hundreds of these things already being created, then we are in deep shit." Ichigo answered. "And who knows what else he is experimenting with."
"Let's see." Akira said as he went through some pieces of paper. "Interesting. I seem to have found a map of this place. It appears we are in laboratory B20. There is a much larger area in laboratory C1, along with what appears to be a small room which I suspect is the central mainframe."
"Lestat could be there to enact his data purge." Ichigo nodded. "Hopefully we can still catch the son of a bitch and make our way out of this hellhole."
"And even if we cannot, we could possibly stop him before he wipes too much information from the disks." Akira said. "It appears we have a new destination."
"Very good." Yuki nodded. "As for you Beatrice, there is another exit to the outside near the entrance to lab B22. Get there and leave this place."
Beatrice stood still as Yuki rose slowly to her feet. As she took a step forward, Beatrice moved and grabbed her arm. "You saved my life from those things. And for that I am grateful. However, lady Cassandra is my charge. If she is in danger, I will not rest until I know that she will be safe from harm. You will not deny me this."
Yuki looked at the maid as Akira and Ichigo checked their weapons one last time. Yuki sighed, knowing that at least she needed to take some responsibility for Cassandra. "Very well. But till we find her, you will do as I tell you."
She watched from the darkness as the guards ran past. They did not see her, considering they were more concerned with evacuating the castle. Cassandra slipped past them, doing her best to keep her footfalls light. Already she had borne witness to the monsters that Project Paragon had birthed. From what she had seen, the monsters were mindless, acting without thought or reason as they cut swathes through the Vampire Knights and Hunters.
And so my voice was needed. Cassandra thought. With her abilities as a Blood Siren, there was no doubt she could control the creatures however she pleased. Another tool for her grandfather to use.
Her mind flashed back to the memories Yuki had shared with her, memories pulled from her very blood. She still couldn't believe how much of a lie her entire life was. The complexity of it all was worth applause were it not for the sick revelation within.
Cassandra now took the stairs leading to the astronomy tower. She was fond of that place the most during her younger days, where she would constantly see the stars and wonder what sort of world awaited her from beyond the castle walls. Now she wondered if her fascination with the outside was because of the darkness that lurked here in the place she believed was her home.
Slowly she edged her way up, ascending the spiral stairs.
"This one feels way different than the rest." Ichigo noted as he opened the door with C1 marked upon it. All agreed as they beheld the laboratory behind. Most of the vats found within were rather empty. Trays were left all around with various test tubes and vials resting on them.
"It seems they were still doing experiments here." Akira said as he kept his sword up for the slightest movement. "Perhaps they were trying to create another abomination to send against us…"
"Well, let's hope they haven't succeeded yet." Ichigo said. "Between just those Wretchlings, I'm already not in the mood for fighting more."
The small group walked down the steel corridors, the silence doing little to comfort the group. They moved on as the laboratory now curved right. Akira now beheld even more vats, some containing still hibernating subjects of Project Paragon. He identified at least 3 Brutes and a Darkcaller among them as he made his way past. "If only there was a kill switch…" He lamented as he observed their current defenceless state.
"What we need is something to communicate with the outside." Yuki said. "No doubt the combined vampire and hunter forces risk being overwhelmed by these beasts."
"Perhaps Lestat has one." Ichigo replied. "I know the Hunter's channel. Just get me a walkie talkie or something and I'll configure it."
"Hopefully, we can find something just as useful." Akira nodded. "The central mainframe is just up ahead. If we are lucky, we can obtain a radio for that task."
"At the very least, we can hopefully count on the outside forces to capture Lestat." Yuki agreed.
"There it is." Akira said, gesturing to a set of metallic double doors up ahead. However, just as he approached the door, a high-pitched whine sounded across the lab.
"I must say, it is quite an achievement that you have made it this far." Came Lestat's voice.
"Lestat…" Beatrice growled.
"Afraid to fight us head on you little shit?" Ichigo yelled. As the group looked around, various screens around them suddenly flashed to life, and Lestat's masked face showed up within seconds.
"Now now, Mr. Kitsuke. I have far too many important business to attend to. Between having to purge the data and then back them up to our reserve sites, dealing with you puts far too much on my plate." Lestat chuckled from the screen. "And besides, I have a much better idea for all of you. While I am not appreciative of how careless the lab staff have been in leaving behind records pertaining to the creatures, I doubt knowing their personal traits does you any good in the long run. However, I require evidence to show to Lord Mortis about my little escapades here. And lucky for me, I have the perfect test subjects."
"We have no intention of being a part of this game Lestat." Akira growled.
"I'm afraid there isn't another choice for you Lord Akira." Lestat grinned. "I require an insight into my creation's power, and you will aid me in it."
At once, a hiss drew their attention to the area of the lab behind them. The four of them turned to watch a segment of the floor open up, a substantially large vat now rising. They beheld the creature within. It wasn't as big as the Brutes, but it was still larger than the average adult. Two wings sprouted out of its back, folding across its body as its bat-like head slumped forward. It was unlike any creature they had seen as of yet.
"I would like to thank you Yuki Kuran. The generous supply of your blood was a massive aid in realising Project Paragon to this extent. And I suppose I will have to thank all the dissected Noble vampires we have collected. They, along with all the other humans have made this specimen's birth possible.
"You wretched fiend…" Akira glared as Lestat pressed an unseen button. The tubes connecting to the vat now popped off, steam hissing as the green liquid now bubbled and drained out. The creature's eyelids snapped open, red eyes staring back with an unnatural fury.
"I call this one the Nightfiend." Lestat beamed as the monitors of the creature's vat blared with ridiculous vital readings. "This is actually the first experiment I used where your blood makes up 15% of its body fluids. I took great care in ensuring they were injected simultaneously through its body and brain. Every other vampiric DNA was based upon solely Noble ranked vampires. Now, I wonder how much of their power it has retained…"
Alarm spread through their faces as the Nightfiend began pounding on the glass. It screeched, a monstrous wail so loud that it forced them to cover their ears. Their eyes now widened as from its mouth, fire burst out while its claws crackled with energy.
"Holy shit." Ichigo cursed. "As if being immune to anti-vampire weapons wasn't bad enough, it has special vampire abilities?"
"Fascinating…" Lestat beamed. "This will make for an incredible amount of data. I wish you all the best of luck in facing this one. And if anything, try not to die too quickly."
"Beatrice, go to the mainframe room." Yuki commanded. "Download as much of Lestat's available data as possible. If you find a radio or anything, get Ichigo to contact the outside."
"I can help fight!" Beatrice said. "You will need everything in your power to stop this thing!"
"You'll only get in the way." Yuki said as butterflies materialised and flew toward the metal doors. "Akira, Ichigo and I will settle this creature. When you are done, get out of here as fast as you can."
Beatrice, seeing no other alternative, grit her teeth and ran to the room that was now being forced open by Yuki's creatures. As soon as she was in, the butterflies returned and materialised Yuki's scythe.
"So Kuran, how bad do you think this would be?" Ichigo asked.
"I'd say this ranked a maximum score on the danger scale." Akira replied.
"I actually think this is higher than max." ichigo said as he loaded his bullets. "Too bad all I have is a pistol. It ain't going to do jack shit."
"Still, it is better than nothing." Yuki said. "Aim for its eyes if nothing else."
They braced themselves as the Nightfiend finally burst out of its vat, its red skin shimmering from the liquid stuck on its body. It unfurled its wings as it beheld its prey, giving a final ear-splitting wail.
Author's Note:
One more chapter before the end of Arc 2! I will try to get this out before Christmas if at all possible as my workload has become somewhat more manageable as of late. Please stay tuned as I conclude this and then proceed to the concluding arc of this whole story!
As always, please read and review.
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