Bloodspire Castle

Lord Richtor quickly stalked through the halls of the castle that had been his home over the past few months. Before, he enjoyed the loneliness of the empty halls and the eerie silence. Now however, he dreaded every moment he had to spend alone in these halls.

Paragon beasts lined every corridor along with the masked Death Bringers, pacified only by the Darkcallers that constantly flew all over every spire in the castle. Their slobbering, eyeless faces filled him with disgust, which combined with the instinctive dread of him likely being devoured by the beasts made him walk all the faster.

Quickly, he made his way to the main throne room, where the rest of the Purebloods would meet. It was the only place he felt comfortable, as the beasts were no allowed inside it. As the door closed behind him, he dusted his clothes and stood up with poise once more. Unfortunately, his brief lack thereof had not gone unnoticed.

"My my…" Ivanov snickered. "Look at how the great Lord Richtor trembles."

Richtor sighed. He'd bring up how Ivanov wasn't so different in front of Mortis, but he decided not to draw the older one's ire. "Not just me Lord Ivanov. The rest of us aren't able to remain that calm either, not with those monsters now patrolling every hall."

Lady Trevain huffed. "I for one would be glad if those monsters had better manners. Their slobbering almost cost me a dress!"

"Better the dress than being eaten." Galeus replied. "I heard one of his guards was almost mauled by those things. It's only thankful to the screeching flock outside that they aren't doing that."

"Bah!" Ivanov growled. "He promised us more of those Alucard bodies did he not? What in the blazes is taking so long!?"

"The process itself is very delicate." All of them turned to see Mortis enter the room, taking his place in the large chair overlooking them. "The Alucard's very being must be properly spun from the various gene sequences selected for it. Any mistake could set us back days, and thus delay it even longer." Mortis frowned as he finished his explanation.

"That didn't stop you from giving one to your loyal right hand." Ivanov remarked.

"James's body was built with limitations." Mortis nodded. "For example, the distinctly reduced level of Pureblood DNA and genetic material. But on that note, it made the process much easier to conceive. Understand now Ivanov?"

Ivanov gritted his teeth, backing down as the facts filled in. As he did so, Dezel stepped forward. "Lord Mortis, I apologise if I may be overstepping my boundaries, but I believe all of us wish to know the necessity of the current security. Despite your claims that the Paragon beasts are pacified properly, I can't help but feel concerned that we have such monsters servings as guards."

Mortis eyed Dezel for a few seconds before he nodded. "Indeed, the deployment of these creatures is uncalled for. I understand your frustrations. But allow me to assure you the creatures are constantly monitored to do no harm. James himself has his full attention diverted to ensuring so."

The Purebloods before him did not appear convinced, but there was little for them to prove flase Mortis's claims. Therefore Dezel bowed and stepped back. "Very well. I await good news regarding this Paragon body you are preparing."

"You may need to wait longer Dezel, since it takes a while to produce even one." Mortis replied. "But to more pressing matters. I believe that soon we will come under attack. No doubt my traitorous granddaughter will be telling Ai of this place. The only saving grace we have is that Ai will need great preparation to begin a siege. We must use this time to ready a defense plan."

"Focus on defense?" Ivanov frowned. "When you have such incredible power? We should go now and challenge them! Destroy them all before they attack!"

"Whilst that is a palatable plan, it is infeasible." Mortis answered. "We will have to contend with the might of whatever nation she intends to use as a staging ground. And while that will be an eventuality, I'd rather be prepared for a full scale war with the rest of the world. Once our main opposition has been defeated, none shall stand against us. And that is why we will draw them out here into a defensive battle."

"What makes you think they will come?" Ivanov growled.

"Because they have seen the power I possess." Mortis sighed, almost infuriated with Ivanov's surprising lack of foresight. "They know they cannot allow me to spend all the time with developing more bodies like mine. They have no choice."

"So we lead them into a trap, destroy their forces and then emerge into the world." Song commented. "I suppose it is a sensible plan."

"Agreed." Dezel nodded. However Mortis, I assume you will see to our security? The last thing we need is for the Kuran queen to catch us."

"Not to worry." Mortis nodded. "Preparations for more refined security are already underway. Ai's forces shan't reach you."

The Purebloods looked at each other, and Mortis could see the skepticism in most of them. However, soon enough they nodded, seeing no other way to contradict Mortis's claims. Wordlessly, they bowed and filed out of the room. Mortis now sighed as he pinched his nose.

"To what end will I have to deal with their buffoonery…" He grumbled.

"Fret not master." James smiled as he emerged from the darkness. "After all, your newfound strength will ensure their compliance, whether they wish it or not."

"Be careful with your words James." Mortis frowned. "Their cooperation is still necessary at this particular point. It wouldn't do well for us to be consumed with infighting as long as victory is not yet wholly in our grasp."

"You speak truth." James nodded. "And to that end, I believe I shall oversee the castle walls once more."

"Please do." Mortis nodded. James now approached the window, opening it and spreading his four wings, taking to the skies. Mortis quietly sank back into his own thoughts before something knocked on the door again. Mortis looked up as his two granddaughters entered.

"Grandfather, forgive our presence. But we must ask you of various… things…" Irina said as she bowed.

"Firstly, the runt." Lucretia scowled. "Let me at least punch her a few times?"

"Once again Lucretia, no." Mortis snapped. "I need your sister for the time being to be disciplined properly. So cease this questioning." With a grumble, Lucretia went silent.

"Now then, before I was so rudely interrupted…" Irina continued, earning a glare from Lucretia. "What should we do when the battle begins? Unlike you and Mr Ridley, we have little to defend ourselves with."

"Yes of course." Mortis nodded. "When it begins, retreat to the underground bunker. You are to stay there until I say so."

"And what about Katarina?" Irina asked.

"Her?" Mortis frowned. "Fret not. I'll be the one to discipline her thoroughly when I am done."

"All the same grandfather." Lucretia growled. "Katarina is too much for us to handle, and you will likely be required to deal with the Kuran queen. How exactly will you keep us safe from her?"

"Not to worry. I have a solution." Mortis replied. "Will that be all?"

"What if we face defeat?" Irina arched an eyebrow. "What then?" Suddenly, the air rumbled. Irina and Lucretia paled slightly as their grandfather directed a cold glare at them. However, he breathed, calming himself and thus the tension eased.

"Know this, the both of you." Mortis said. "I do not intend to lose. Our power grows and soon the world will see how futile it will be to challenge us. When I crush Ai Kuran and bury her into the dirt, my rule will be cemented in the annals of time. This is what I will accomplish."

"U-understood grandfather…" Irina replied while Lucretia simply nodded.

"Now then, leave me." Mortis said. "I have much to meditate on."

"As you wish." The two of them bowed and left, leaving Mortis in darkness.

Akira breathed as he focused upon the edge of his blade. The weeks of training had been tough and grueling, not to mention life-threatening in cases where Serenity was involved. He could still remember how Ganju and Henry ran for their lives the instant they were introduced to Serenity's Blood Drive training. Just like with Anju, it was extremely ruthless.

As for him now, the moment had arrived to take the test that Serenity had devised for each of them. Standing in the dark room, he kept his breaths steady, waiting for the smith to start.

"Alright Kuran, you'd better be ready, because here it comes." Serenity's voice blared over the speakers.

Alright then. Akira exhaled as he readied himself, angling his sword downward. He stayed alert, ready for even the tiniest whisper.

Suddenly, the whirring of gears echoed through the room. Akira ducked as a hail of bullets soared overhead from a recently activated minigun. Summoning his cloak, Akira draped himself with the darkness, the construct now absorbing the ammunition spat at him. Quickly, he sent shadow ravens at them, obstructing the gun and striking the small sweet spot at the gun's support stand, forcing it to deactivate.

More guns appeared from behind, firing at him. At once, he unfurled the dark cloak into a pair of wings that lifted him into the air and directly behind the guns. With a quick slash, he struck at their designated sweet spots before turning to face another group. Only this time, he was being targeted as well from above him. Akira weaved through the hail of bullets, blocking them with his shadow constructs while striking at them with his blade.

"Not bad Kuran." Serenity commented. "Now, let's try the final part of this. You better be ready."

Akira breathed as at once, over ten guns came out at him, firing simultaneously. Akira had nowhere to run, so all he could do was to create a shadow barrier around himself. However, Serenity had placed failure criteria in this as well. So long as he didn't take offensive actions within 5 seconds, it was an unsuccessful attempt.

Slowly, he focused on the weapon in his hands, feeling its power start to well through him. It made its way through his hands, up into his body and to his scalp. He forced it through quickly, feeling the prickle of his skin and scalp as he eyes flashed red. Instantly, power exploded through him as he once more donned the shadowy cape and garb, immediately leaping into the air. From his cape, hundreds of ravens formed, their eerie red eyes dotting the air around him as they swarmed the guns, blocking the bullets as they came. With a single quick slash, Akira sliced the guns to pieces, tearing them apart as he landed again.

"Nicely done." Serenity smiled from the booth. "Though I doubt your mother is going to be pleased with the damage here."

"I'll apologise as much as it necessary." Akira remarked as he surveyed the wreckage around him. "Still, I fear this test was rather simple."

"Don't lose your pretty head." Serenity nodded. "The last part is coming up."

Akira turned and now saw Rodin walking in, blackened markings on his face and his arm manifested into a nightmarish claw. Akira twirled his sword, holding it firmly. "So this is why her tests were so spaced apart. Are you sure you can manage Mr Rodin?"

"Worry about yourself Kuran." Rodin smiled, flexing his clawed hand. "If you have time to be concerned about my well-being, you have time to be trying to pass this final round."

Akira raised his sword. "Indeed I do."

In another room, Emi and Anju waited, feeling the rumbling of battle coming from the training area. Apprehension crossed their faces as they anticipated what they were going to be up against.

"It's definitely Rodin." Anju nodded. "He trained me almost the same way."

"Yeesh. The guy doesn't hold back huh?" Emi huffed. "Then again, I suppose we'll need to get used to that, especially if we are going up against the Executors again."

Anju looked at the blonde haired vampire. "Expecting Celestine to come for you huh?"

"Naturally." Emi said. "That woman seems to like me. Says I'm her favourite sparring partner, though I suspect it's her way of saying I'm her most beloved toy."

Anju shivered, not liking the idea that an Executor has likely marked Emi for death. "And how is Misaki taking it?"

"About as well as you can imagine." Emi replied. "She isn't thrilled about it either and would rather fight Celestine with me."

"Those Executors are brutal and sadistic." Anju said. "They'll kill anyone who sides with a vampire. Giselle was no different."

"According to Katarina, neither was the one she fought." Emi recounted. "Murdering bastard was willing to harm even a human girl."

"So, where is Katarina now?" Anju asked.

"Playing with Felise." Emi smirked. "Or maybe being forced to play with Felise is a better term. Still, she seems like she is warming up to the idea of coexistence, most probably because of you."

Anju stood up, Shadow fluttering about as she did. "You know, when I decided I would help Akira with human-vampire coexistence, I never thought it'd be like this. Becoming host to an old Pureblood, getting vampire DNA spliced into me, fighting a war…"

"Loads of things have changed." Emi nodded. "Including your single life apparently." This comment caused Anju to blush, snapping toward the blonde haired vampire.

"T-That's not…!" Anju stammered.

"Who would have guessed that the little human girl would end up as our Pureblood prince's girlfriend." Emi teased. "As if it was fated to be. And now the both of you have even gone as far as to drink each other's blood." This comment made Anju bury her face in her hands.

"In all seriousness though…" Emi said. "You will need to think about it all really hard. I'm certain you don't need reminding that relationships can be complicated."

Anju sighed, knowing full well how complex politics could become with Purebloods. "I know. But it's hard right now. We have a battle to prepare for and…"

"Well, I'm not just saying for the politics." Emi smirked again. Anju looked at her quizzically, wondering what she meant.

"I mean, soon enough people are going to ask when you two would… you know?" Emi replied, eliciting a more confused response from Anju. Emi thought hard for a while before throwing her a thumbs up and making a 'pop' sound with her lips. Anju frowned again as she thought of her response. The more she did, the more red her face became.

"But… I…" Anju stuttered, which in turn caused Shadow to ripple as well. "T-That's…! It's too s-s-soon to be thinking of things like that right?"

"I was only fifteen when I decided it would be okay to strip naked in front of Shinji." Emi said nonchalantly, causing Anju to nearly topple to the floor.

"Did you really need to say that!?" Anju exclaimed. "I mean, I get that vampire society will want us to produce an heir but…"

"That's not it." Emi said. "I'm talking about you now. What do you want to do with this relationship? Where do you see this going? That's what is really important now, not the politics. Especially now that, as you have said, we will be going to battle."

Anju went silent, unsure of how to process all that Emi had now told her. Emi now moved, deciding to take some extra time training. "At least think about it for now, and have no regrets." The blonde said as she walked away.

In an open garden within the castle grounds, Felise and Katarina played. Well, perhaps more accurate to say was that Felise was running around while Katarina was dragged along by her.

"Let's keep going Ms Katarina!" Felise laughed as she held Katarina with one and a repaired Mr Scruffy with the other. Katarina remained silent, most likely because she wasn't sure why she wasn't forcing Felise to stop. With her vampiric strength, it would have been all too easy to pull back.

"Now now Felise, you musn't cause trouble for Lady Katarina!" Greta said sternly. "I'm certain she is exhausted."

"N-No." Katarina muttered. "That's not…"

"Do you want to rest Ms Katarina?" The little girl asked.

"No." Katarina answered. "I'm fine."

"Okay then! So, how about hide and seek?" Felise asked.

"Ok…" Katarina frowned. "So, will I be it this time?"

"Sure!" Felise said. "Let me just go find a good spot! Don't forget to count to ten!" With that, the human child ran off, leaving Katarina alone with Greta.

"Lady Katarina, thank you for playing with Felise. I'm still not fully recovered to manage her completely yet." Greta said as she rubbed a section of her back

Katarina sighed. "I never thought human kids were this rambunctious."

"Well, I believe Felise is a different case." Greta replied.

Katarina sighed as she scratched her head. "Can I ask you something Greta? What was it like to become a babysitter for a human?"

Greta looked at her thoughtfully before she answered. "I suppose it was a little surprising. While we vampires have coexisted with the humans here in Roseland for centuries, some humans are still apprehensive about approaching us. But I'd like to think that they aren't so different from us."

"Is that so?" Katarina asked.

"They still need regular meal times." Greta said. "Someone to clean up after their playtimes, make sure they don't just run off somewhere, keep them entertained and make sure they stay out of trouble among other things. So in the end, I suppose I got used to it."

"Hmmm." Katarina frowned as her mind drifted back to her younger days.

'Cassandra! What is this!?'

'Ahahahahaha! You look so funny mother!'

'How dare you draw on my face while I slept!'

'But it's funny!'

'Well, I'm sure you'll be thinking less of that once I take away that pudding treat you wanted!'

'No! Mother, please don't!'

'Maybe that will teach you to not use my face as an art canvas!'

'Mother, please wait! I'm sure Cassandra didn't mean anything bad…'

'Stay out of this Katarina! I must teach your sister manners!"

'Sister! Help!'

"Lady Katarina?" Greta questioned.

"Pay it no heed." Katarina said as she looked skywards. "Just a memory, though one I haven't dwelt upon in a long time."

"I see." Greta nodded. "Was it a happy one?"

"You seem to like prodding into my concerns a lot." Katarina frowned.

"I meant no offense." Greta replied. "It's just something that came with the territory of babysitting. Believe it or not, Felise likes to sneak sweets away when I'm not attentive enough. It is unwise for children her age to indulge too much in them."

"You are sensible." Katarina huffed. "And it seems Felise is quite capable of her own brand of trouble."

"Well, I think that is just one part of little children." Greta nodded. "They always end up making things more complicated than we expect, don't they?"

"I suppose." Katarina breathed.

"But I think that is even more precious with humans." Greta said. "Compared to us, their lives are almost fleeting. But I feel that is why the experience we share with them burns so much more clearly. Don't you feel that way with her?"

Katarina remained silent for a while before speaking. "I'm no babysitter. For centuries I've dedicated myself to battle and war, mostly to rip apart this coexistence that harped on for centuries. To be honest, I'm not sure if I should even see Felise after this whole affair ends."

"Yes, I can see how you'd be concerned by that." Greta nodded, indicating to Katarina what she suspected all along, that Greta may have had a small talk with the queen.

"Even so." Katarina breathed. "I guess looking out for her once in a while wouldn't be so bad."

"Just remember to keep that 'once in a while' to a period of a few months at most." Greta smiled. "Or Felise won't be the same anymore." At this, Katarina snorted, and Greta chuckled in response. "Just do your best to return from battle, Lady Katarina."

Katarina watched as Greta bowed to her. "Yeah." She replied. "I'll do my best. And I'll introduce my sister too."

"Hey!" Came a voice. The two looked and saw Felise standing there, pouting. "How long do you want me to wait? It doesn't take so long to count to ten!"

Katarina blinked. "Um, sorry. I just decided I didn't want to play hide and seek anymore."

"No fair!" Felise stomped her feet, throwing a tantrum.

"Instead…" Katarina turned to Felise and a mischevious – and also uncharacteristic – smile formed on her face. "Let's play catch!" Katarina ran and Felise ran away in response, screaming delightfully as the older vampire chased after her.

"Hmm, perhaps you subscribe to coexistence more than you'd think." Greta nodded, deciding she'd at least keep quiet about this.

"Well, I recognize that dour as shit look anywhere." Serenity mumbled as she picked up a screwdriver and worked on something at her desk.

Ichigo didn't bother answering, his eyes diverting to the mass of instruments all over the room. Besides the workbench Serenity sat at, there were all sorts of scientific flasks, test tubes and apparatuses packed in one corner. Another had what looked like half-done bullets and a partially tailored shirt, which when looked under the cloth was the faint outline of reinforced fibre with a few Hunter sigils etched faintly into the fabric.

"What are you doing?" Ichigo asked.

"Making a couple of modifications to the Kraven Princess's weapon." Serenity said as she took an electric drill and started making adjustments. "But enough about me. What about you? Why're you here?"

"Tell me all you know about Arthur Banel." Ichigo said, which caused Serenity to stop. "When we fought, he said I of all people would understand with Helsing's cause the most. Why? Who or what is he?"

"If you want to know what, that's simple." Serenity said. "He's a psychotic and sadistic fucker with a holier-than-thou attitude to killing vampires. As to why, well that's something I don't know, including who he is. I've rarely met the guy, I've never once spoken to him save for the time the Bloodbane weapons were successful and even then he barely gave me five minutes of his attention. So forgive me if I don't know shit about that jackass."

Ichigo remained silent. "You know, I was thinking just now…"

"Wow, what an achievement." Serenity commented, drawing an annoyed eyebrow from Ichigo. She apparently noticed, for she turned away and said: "Oh, sorry. Didn't know you were such a wallflower and pussy that you couldn't handle a joke."

"I didn't sound like one." Ichigo retorted.

"Well then, good work me." Serenity said.

Ichigo sighed. "I've been thinking, the Executors are like what I would have been if I hadn't had people around me to keep me in check. Anju, Akira, Yuki Kuran, the Chairman, Ford. I keep wondering if that was what I was risking to become. I keep wondering if I was about to head down the path of being some rampant mass murderer…"

"Considering you are a Level E, you might have gotten there either way." Serenity said. "Though I suppose Kuran did give you some blood, so it stopped your urges."

"Even after that, there were times when I wanted nothing more than to kill every vampire I met." Ichigo continued. "But after seeing Helsing, I just thought to myself, what if that was what I was chancing? What if the Executors…" He breathed, tensing up. "What if they were all at one point the way I was, and just went with it?"

Serenity paused, seemingly thinking hard to herself. "Well, have to admit this is some real deep stuff you're dredging up."

"I don't know why, but these guys, that Arthur especially, I'm not sure why, but it's like I kinda relate to them, y'know?" Ichigo said. "Like, I know what it's like to fight with hatred for vampires."

"And that matters why?" Serenity asked.

"It's just something that I can relate to." Ichigo answered. "And that's why I'm going to extinguish it. Even if it took me a while, I learned hating vampires wasn't a way to live. I'm a Hunter, and I hunt only those that deserve to be hunted."

Serenity smiled. "Well, look at you. Finally becoming a hunter worthy of his claws, or I guess in your case its bullets." She now strode over to the side table and tossed him a pistol. Ichigo caught it, frowning as he saw the red marks upon the gun.

"What is this?" Ichigo asked.

"Something I developed for Hunters to fight against Bloodbane weapons." Serenity explained. "Of course, this is unfortunately a prototype, so I need you to run some tests. If you aren't such a big baby to a bit of pain, why don't you help me get started?"

Ichigo cocked the pistol. "Where do you want me?"

"So our main preparations are done?" Ai asked.

"More or less, we have everything secured." Isaya responded. "Of course, this is me being optimistic."

"Such is the burden of war." Ai nodded. "For now, we must gather as quickly as possible. Both Mortis and Helsing will react once they catch wind of our movements."

"Very well." Isaya nodded. I will see to it that security arrangements are not lackluster."

Ai nodded as she cut the call. As she stood up, Ren now moved behind her. "Is it time?"

"Yes." Ai nodded as she turned to a wardrobe at the far corner of her room. Opening it, she revealed a set of silver armour adorned within. "It's time for this war to come to an end."

Author's Note

Well, this came out later than anticipated, owing to Christmas and having loads of new things to do for 2022, especially taking my first milestone as a learner driver. However, I fully intend to finish this story by this year, so I hope at least you'll keep on doing this with me. There are more fanfics that I'm interested in writing, and I'll be damned to not start by this year!

Jdbl00d