Disclaimer: Hey, you know the rules, I don't own anyone other then slightly
to Julian, whom is my friend's character. Now the plot finally thickens a
bit, and if it weren't for all you cool reviewers, I would have forgotten
this story a while ago XD Well, I hope you like this one, and tell me what
you all think. Don't worry, I won't cut it off, I have a surprise for you
all down the road with this little 'novel' I have running. And without
further adieu~~
Chapter 3 "Faith in me."
If there could be anything worse then death, betting for your life just might be it. The panel of the stage was grotesque, filled with ashes, blood, and what might seem to be random appendages thrown about the arena. There were walls of barbed wire and sheet jagged metal that would prevent anyone from escaping their fate. The destiny of the dying. The crowds above head were roaring in anticipation. They didn't care if you or anyone else died, as long as they got their gore and money's worth.
And you think this wasn't sickening for Ceras?
Her stomach couldn't help but lurch somewhat as she stood alone on the mangled plane.. her head bowed amongst the howling and tired grimy hands still holding tight to the useless gun in her gun in her hands. She didn't. want to be here. She wanted to be back in England. Whether or not it was to aimlessly wander, or to serve the Hellsing organization, it was still better.
.Better then this.
"Whores and Gentlemen~!" A voice that boomed from an announcer speaker called out through the air with a chilling boast, "Welcome to the first Games of the season! As you can see, we didn't clean up much from before." And a horrendous morbid laughter filled the high rise tower.. and if Victoria was capable of it.. she'd feel her skin beginning to prickle up with goose bumps. Though she didn't have much time to think considering the loud hovering voice rung out once again, " But that makes more the fun for all of you! Remember to place your bets at the head booths, and if you loose yer money-Tough shit! Now our first contender-"
It was when all of the spiraling spot lights finally crashed down and beamed at Ceras. Her eyes clamped shut and her teeth grit, she if not held up the gun to shade some of the massive light pouring down on her.
"As you can see, one of our heads had picked a rather odd choice. But don't be fooled by her thin fragile figure.. because rumor has it she worked for Hellsing!" And on cue, all of those in the stands shrieked and screamed and if not threw random articles down into the pit. Though it wasn't like anything hit her.. she was far too small compared to the mass of the tower.
"A---nd our second contender-" Despite the strong lights.. the sight of a massive figure had begun to crawl up and out from the hole gape on the other side of the arena. Ceras's eyes widened somewhat., taking note of the scars, the chains, and the vicious tattoo's stretching over hic clad frame. This was your average Meat-puppet, and this one was wielding a wide and very large blade that seemed to have a hilt that was half of it's size, "Aciexp!"
Again, the crowd hollered, but in a more positive manner this time around.
"We remember this one from last time, whom seemed to take a bit -too- much damage to the performing stage. I hope his owner bought that maul on him, otherwise Hellsing just might have a bite taken out of crime!" That instant, the muscle sweat dripping kindred slowly retracted his thick lips to reveal fangs that did not seem normal. They were metallic in a way and far more thick then any other she's seen. He didn't appear like a freak vampire, but it was still unsettling. To a point where she was frozen in place.. her eyes shivering and the grip on her gun wavering from a clench to a shaky loose hold.
"H..How on earth.. am I going to be able to defeat that..?" She muttered amongst the shrieking crowds, her throat clamping down to take a bit of saliva from her mouth. This fight seemed terribly unfair, but then again, in America. things were turning up to always be unfair.
"Now-to ensure there won't be any running -out- of the ring-" Odd, Ceras could have almost felt the eyes of the announcer glaring down onto her, "There will be a securely placed gate outside each of the exit ways-Now.. let the -games- commence!"
The crowds went roaring at that moment, and the mammoth of a vampire came charging forward, "Cm'ere!" By the sound of his grammar, his teeth must have been in the way of his own speech, but that didn't seem to matter now. This wasn't a spelling b, unless b was the word 'blood' or 'beat'. Though there wasn't much time to consider anything, as the massive broad sword was swung up over his head and struck for the girl. She had just enough time to having rolled out of the way, her eyes looking in a panic and her shoulders quivering. What could she do with an -empty- gun!? Well.. for starters-
"Oh! It seems Aciexp took a blow to the ankle! But wait.. is he.. grinning!?"
And that was the look on the monster's face after the butt end of the gun had been swung for his massive booted ankle. No affect for him, but Ceras had just enough time to realize she just bit her upper lip as she went flying back onto the bloody stage. She had just gotten a terrible blow to her jaw by his knee, and looked a bit disoriented, but otherwise begrudgingly got up.
"Talk about a woman who can take her beatings! It looks like our Dirty British whore isn't going to give up yet!"
Give up? It's not like the massive vampire would stop, give her a pat on the head and hand out a consolation prize! Unless it was handing her the gift of death. There had been plenty of times where Victoria could have died, and she considered this not to be one of them, no matter what the cause or whom may want to have her head. But as she noted her 'gun' to the side.. she made a quick run to catch it up, but it was farther away then it looked.
"Go on, Ceras.. Show them what it means to be an ex vampire hunter." Julian spoke quietly from his own more 'glamorous table, blood wine at the side of his hand while in the other was a cigarette. His silvery hair past his gaze somewhat with determination.. and then, he winced.
"Talk about your hits! Or should I say -slices-! I think Ms.Hellsing should be lucky she just lost her arm instead of her head!"
By then, there was Victoria crumpled on the ground.. holding onto her right shoulder that used to hold the bone of where her right -arm- would have been. While having tried to reach for her 'gun', the behemoth vampire had pitched out his sword like a gargantuan spear, and had landed right on its mark. She could hardly move now. She's had things pushed through her.. shot into her, and perhaps even burned.. but nothing actually -removed-. On this instant she remembered seeing her 'master' obliterated for the first time before she had become a kindred, it looked over by the mass of body parts and blood thrown everywhere.. but regenerated back as a whole and acted like nothing ever happened. Sure, he was a vampire that had lived for centuries, but such a trick should have to be learned by all vampires.
He just never had the time to teach her.
"D..Damnit-" She spat out a bit of blood from her mouth.. trying to coil onto her knee's while scampering away from Aciexp's pounding steps . Her heart was lodged in her throat and her muscles were clamping once again, it felt like mortal death all over again, only that she was feeling as if death was truly going to befall her.
"It's definitely over folks! Aciexp is going in for the kill! Get your camera's boys and girls.. because I'm -sure- you'll want to bring these pictures back to mom when you get home!" The announcer's voice was the gloomed voice of Satan at this point, as the horrifying cheers seemed to be the scampering demons in their pitted home of eternal flames, she could hardly hear anything out straight, the massive taunts of the vampire above her, or even her own shaken breaths as large crimson eyes looked up at the towering creature. He was lowering a hand to her.. and she felt frozen, like the very appendages to crush her to nothing more then a bloody and bony mass. This was making her no different from any vampire she's seen die. Luke and Yan, Helena, to Incognito. She would be nothing more then a distant memory if she let this happen.
"N..No-Stop it-" She pleaded as she felt the hand grasp around her middle and pull her up from the blinding lights.. she could see the metal gleam in the vampire's teeth has his hole of a mouth spread wide. She was going to bite her.. take her neck out.. remove what -made- her a vampire, the very mark that -he- placed. She struggled against the hollering voices and seemed near ready to cry, until she heard something of a voice, something that loomed over the merged static like a voice of a tainted saint.
"Ceras.. Stop toying with him and go for the kill."
Her eyes suddenly went wide.. and iris's retracted to a mere speckle.
Then, everything and the world in it went red.
By time everything had come back into place, the world was no longer red. It had it's dark hue's and slender greys and whites, but above all, the sound in the air was silent, like in the sheer presence of death. Though Ceras was not dead. Not completely anyway. Her eyes were dilated once more and appearing rather tired.. her hair was scruffy but clean, and the pain in her arm was no more. Actually.. she felt the urge to move her right side.
"W. What.. but how?" She spoke on having to move what seemed to be her right arm and hand up from a mass of covers, and idly waving her fingers in front of her face like a small infant would do in just discovering they -had- hands. It was like a wonder she could not explain, much let alone explain the good feel of those sheets she was laying in, "S..Satin..? How, did I get here.?" And with a strain, she pulled herself up into a seated position and peeked around the room. It seemed to be of a rich classical style, filled with paintings, a fire place and marble floors. It seemed all too familiar from a hallucination she had from before, and her eyes couldn't help but slant.
"Master-Are you here!?" And she flew from the bed then.. only to peek down at herself. What on -Gods- unholy creation was she wearing!? It seemed more like a bodice with frills and bows then an actual form of -attire-! Her arms instantly covered around herself and blood red iris's slanted, but she still went at a fast pace to the nearest door to the left. "Master! Explain yourself!" She sounded nearly irritated by this all, and by time she busted the door open, she found herself in a bathroom, filled with candles a dragons blood incense burners. On the far end of the room seemed to be a Jacuzzi tub filled with water, and someone in it as well. There was Julian, as bare as the day he was born.. arms held up over his head while his somewhat damp grey hair laid limply over his relaxed features.
"You know.. I thought you would have burned off your attitude for the night, Ceras." And carefully, a golden eye slipped open from his passive expression, and finally tipping a grin, "You gave me quite the scare back then. Good job."
Though Victoria could only look appalled, her arms further coming over her body and eyes slanting a bit more. It would have been one thing if Arucard was standing there instead of this.. this vampire! It almost ruined her idle hope that she would see him again, even if it would have been a dream.
"So who's this..Master? It's not me, I hope."
"Why am I dressed like this? And what happened?" She only changed the subject on instant.. having found a small 'couch' on the opposite end of the room and slowly went to seat herself, that is. after she grabbed a towel to pull around herself.
Julian however only crooked a brow, yet only left one eye open, "Your rather forgetful, aren't you? Well, all I can say is that you finally stopped playing around and got serious. You must have been taught well.. that trick you did with your body.. I wish -I- could do that, and I'm sure I am much, -much- older then you are." He slowly came to lower his arms from his head then.. and flicked a few droplets of water out from the tub, "Remarkable.. even more remarkable on how happy you seemed after you melted through him and reformed. With your arm intact no less! You English chicks really are a surprise. In more ways then one."
That only made the red head's brow suddenly give a drastic twitch. He was talking.. nonsense.. she could no such thing on what he just said, "What are you talking about? I didn't do that! I don't even know how to regenerate my body at will!" All she got in response was a loud laugh, full of real potential to annoy the girl further.
"You -are- kidding me, right? If you don't remember, then I'll tell you. You literally -melted- onto that meat-head! It was like your blood was acid or something-You burned right through him.. and reformed right on top of his own bloody heap! It was enough to make the crowds love you!" And he then stood up, water dripping from his pale body.. which was simply to put as 'nude'. Though it didn't remain that way for long as he only went to pick at his towel and wrap it about his middle, however by this point, Ceras was already looking away.. her eyes clamped shut. Not just because of the sudden 'sight' that was given to her.. but probably because of her lack of memory.. she.. killed him? Like something not even her master has done? She swallowed hard and bowed her head.. if not bringing her knee's up to her chest. She looked towards Julian as he made his way to the door, and simply repeated one of her previous questions, "Why. Am I wearing this?"
"Well if you don't remember that, then I'm afraid I feel bad for all the good memories you missed out on. Don't worry, I'm sure we'll make more." And as he closed the door behind him, Ceras closed her eyes once more and gritted her teeth.
It wasn't long until afterwards that she screamed.
Chapter 3 "Faith in me."
If there could be anything worse then death, betting for your life just might be it. The panel of the stage was grotesque, filled with ashes, blood, and what might seem to be random appendages thrown about the arena. There were walls of barbed wire and sheet jagged metal that would prevent anyone from escaping their fate. The destiny of the dying. The crowds above head were roaring in anticipation. They didn't care if you or anyone else died, as long as they got their gore and money's worth.
And you think this wasn't sickening for Ceras?
Her stomach couldn't help but lurch somewhat as she stood alone on the mangled plane.. her head bowed amongst the howling and tired grimy hands still holding tight to the useless gun in her gun in her hands. She didn't. want to be here. She wanted to be back in England. Whether or not it was to aimlessly wander, or to serve the Hellsing organization, it was still better.
.Better then this.
"Whores and Gentlemen~!" A voice that boomed from an announcer speaker called out through the air with a chilling boast, "Welcome to the first Games of the season! As you can see, we didn't clean up much from before." And a horrendous morbid laughter filled the high rise tower.. and if Victoria was capable of it.. she'd feel her skin beginning to prickle up with goose bumps. Though she didn't have much time to think considering the loud hovering voice rung out once again, " But that makes more the fun for all of you! Remember to place your bets at the head booths, and if you loose yer money-Tough shit! Now our first contender-"
It was when all of the spiraling spot lights finally crashed down and beamed at Ceras. Her eyes clamped shut and her teeth grit, she if not held up the gun to shade some of the massive light pouring down on her.
"As you can see, one of our heads had picked a rather odd choice. But don't be fooled by her thin fragile figure.. because rumor has it she worked for Hellsing!" And on cue, all of those in the stands shrieked and screamed and if not threw random articles down into the pit. Though it wasn't like anything hit her.. she was far too small compared to the mass of the tower.
"A---nd our second contender-" Despite the strong lights.. the sight of a massive figure had begun to crawl up and out from the hole gape on the other side of the arena. Ceras's eyes widened somewhat., taking note of the scars, the chains, and the vicious tattoo's stretching over hic clad frame. This was your average Meat-puppet, and this one was wielding a wide and very large blade that seemed to have a hilt that was half of it's size, "Aciexp!"
Again, the crowd hollered, but in a more positive manner this time around.
"We remember this one from last time, whom seemed to take a bit -too- much damage to the performing stage. I hope his owner bought that maul on him, otherwise Hellsing just might have a bite taken out of crime!" That instant, the muscle sweat dripping kindred slowly retracted his thick lips to reveal fangs that did not seem normal. They were metallic in a way and far more thick then any other she's seen. He didn't appear like a freak vampire, but it was still unsettling. To a point where she was frozen in place.. her eyes shivering and the grip on her gun wavering from a clench to a shaky loose hold.
"H..How on earth.. am I going to be able to defeat that..?" She muttered amongst the shrieking crowds, her throat clamping down to take a bit of saliva from her mouth. This fight seemed terribly unfair, but then again, in America. things were turning up to always be unfair.
"Now-to ensure there won't be any running -out- of the ring-" Odd, Ceras could have almost felt the eyes of the announcer glaring down onto her, "There will be a securely placed gate outside each of the exit ways-Now.. let the -games- commence!"
The crowds went roaring at that moment, and the mammoth of a vampire came charging forward, "Cm'ere!" By the sound of his grammar, his teeth must have been in the way of his own speech, but that didn't seem to matter now. This wasn't a spelling b, unless b was the word 'blood' or 'beat'. Though there wasn't much time to consider anything, as the massive broad sword was swung up over his head and struck for the girl. She had just enough time to having rolled out of the way, her eyes looking in a panic and her shoulders quivering. What could she do with an -empty- gun!? Well.. for starters-
"Oh! It seems Aciexp took a blow to the ankle! But wait.. is he.. grinning!?"
And that was the look on the monster's face after the butt end of the gun had been swung for his massive booted ankle. No affect for him, but Ceras had just enough time to realize she just bit her upper lip as she went flying back onto the bloody stage. She had just gotten a terrible blow to her jaw by his knee, and looked a bit disoriented, but otherwise begrudgingly got up.
"Talk about a woman who can take her beatings! It looks like our Dirty British whore isn't going to give up yet!"
Give up? It's not like the massive vampire would stop, give her a pat on the head and hand out a consolation prize! Unless it was handing her the gift of death. There had been plenty of times where Victoria could have died, and she considered this not to be one of them, no matter what the cause or whom may want to have her head. But as she noted her 'gun' to the side.. she made a quick run to catch it up, but it was farther away then it looked.
"Go on, Ceras.. Show them what it means to be an ex vampire hunter." Julian spoke quietly from his own more 'glamorous table, blood wine at the side of his hand while in the other was a cigarette. His silvery hair past his gaze somewhat with determination.. and then, he winced.
"Talk about your hits! Or should I say -slices-! I think Ms.Hellsing should be lucky she just lost her arm instead of her head!"
By then, there was Victoria crumpled on the ground.. holding onto her right shoulder that used to hold the bone of where her right -arm- would have been. While having tried to reach for her 'gun', the behemoth vampire had pitched out his sword like a gargantuan spear, and had landed right on its mark. She could hardly move now. She's had things pushed through her.. shot into her, and perhaps even burned.. but nothing actually -removed-. On this instant she remembered seeing her 'master' obliterated for the first time before she had become a kindred, it looked over by the mass of body parts and blood thrown everywhere.. but regenerated back as a whole and acted like nothing ever happened. Sure, he was a vampire that had lived for centuries, but such a trick should have to be learned by all vampires.
He just never had the time to teach her.
"D..Damnit-" She spat out a bit of blood from her mouth.. trying to coil onto her knee's while scampering away from Aciexp's pounding steps . Her heart was lodged in her throat and her muscles were clamping once again, it felt like mortal death all over again, only that she was feeling as if death was truly going to befall her.
"It's definitely over folks! Aciexp is going in for the kill! Get your camera's boys and girls.. because I'm -sure- you'll want to bring these pictures back to mom when you get home!" The announcer's voice was the gloomed voice of Satan at this point, as the horrifying cheers seemed to be the scampering demons in their pitted home of eternal flames, she could hardly hear anything out straight, the massive taunts of the vampire above her, or even her own shaken breaths as large crimson eyes looked up at the towering creature. He was lowering a hand to her.. and she felt frozen, like the very appendages to crush her to nothing more then a bloody and bony mass. This was making her no different from any vampire she's seen die. Luke and Yan, Helena, to Incognito. She would be nothing more then a distant memory if she let this happen.
"N..No-Stop it-" She pleaded as she felt the hand grasp around her middle and pull her up from the blinding lights.. she could see the metal gleam in the vampire's teeth has his hole of a mouth spread wide. She was going to bite her.. take her neck out.. remove what -made- her a vampire, the very mark that -he- placed. She struggled against the hollering voices and seemed near ready to cry, until she heard something of a voice, something that loomed over the merged static like a voice of a tainted saint.
"Ceras.. Stop toying with him and go for the kill."
Her eyes suddenly went wide.. and iris's retracted to a mere speckle.
Then, everything and the world in it went red.
By time everything had come back into place, the world was no longer red. It had it's dark hue's and slender greys and whites, but above all, the sound in the air was silent, like in the sheer presence of death. Though Ceras was not dead. Not completely anyway. Her eyes were dilated once more and appearing rather tired.. her hair was scruffy but clean, and the pain in her arm was no more. Actually.. she felt the urge to move her right side.
"W. What.. but how?" She spoke on having to move what seemed to be her right arm and hand up from a mass of covers, and idly waving her fingers in front of her face like a small infant would do in just discovering they -had- hands. It was like a wonder she could not explain, much let alone explain the good feel of those sheets she was laying in, "S..Satin..? How, did I get here.?" And with a strain, she pulled herself up into a seated position and peeked around the room. It seemed to be of a rich classical style, filled with paintings, a fire place and marble floors. It seemed all too familiar from a hallucination she had from before, and her eyes couldn't help but slant.
"Master-Are you here!?" And she flew from the bed then.. only to peek down at herself. What on -Gods- unholy creation was she wearing!? It seemed more like a bodice with frills and bows then an actual form of -attire-! Her arms instantly covered around herself and blood red iris's slanted, but she still went at a fast pace to the nearest door to the left. "Master! Explain yourself!" She sounded nearly irritated by this all, and by time she busted the door open, she found herself in a bathroom, filled with candles a dragons blood incense burners. On the far end of the room seemed to be a Jacuzzi tub filled with water, and someone in it as well. There was Julian, as bare as the day he was born.. arms held up over his head while his somewhat damp grey hair laid limply over his relaxed features.
"You know.. I thought you would have burned off your attitude for the night, Ceras." And carefully, a golden eye slipped open from his passive expression, and finally tipping a grin, "You gave me quite the scare back then. Good job."
Though Victoria could only look appalled, her arms further coming over her body and eyes slanting a bit more. It would have been one thing if Arucard was standing there instead of this.. this vampire! It almost ruined her idle hope that she would see him again, even if it would have been a dream.
"So who's this..Master? It's not me, I hope."
"Why am I dressed like this? And what happened?" She only changed the subject on instant.. having found a small 'couch' on the opposite end of the room and slowly went to seat herself, that is. after she grabbed a towel to pull around herself.
Julian however only crooked a brow, yet only left one eye open, "Your rather forgetful, aren't you? Well, all I can say is that you finally stopped playing around and got serious. You must have been taught well.. that trick you did with your body.. I wish -I- could do that, and I'm sure I am much, -much- older then you are." He slowly came to lower his arms from his head then.. and flicked a few droplets of water out from the tub, "Remarkable.. even more remarkable on how happy you seemed after you melted through him and reformed. With your arm intact no less! You English chicks really are a surprise. In more ways then one."
That only made the red head's brow suddenly give a drastic twitch. He was talking.. nonsense.. she could no such thing on what he just said, "What are you talking about? I didn't do that! I don't even know how to regenerate my body at will!" All she got in response was a loud laugh, full of real potential to annoy the girl further.
"You -are- kidding me, right? If you don't remember, then I'll tell you. You literally -melted- onto that meat-head! It was like your blood was acid or something-You burned right through him.. and reformed right on top of his own bloody heap! It was enough to make the crowds love you!" And he then stood up, water dripping from his pale body.. which was simply to put as 'nude'. Though it didn't remain that way for long as he only went to pick at his towel and wrap it about his middle, however by this point, Ceras was already looking away.. her eyes clamped shut. Not just because of the sudden 'sight' that was given to her.. but probably because of her lack of memory.. she.. killed him? Like something not even her master has done? She swallowed hard and bowed her head.. if not bringing her knee's up to her chest. She looked towards Julian as he made his way to the door, and simply repeated one of her previous questions, "Why. Am I wearing this?"
"Well if you don't remember that, then I'm afraid I feel bad for all the good memories you missed out on. Don't worry, I'm sure we'll make more." And as he closed the door behind him, Ceras closed her eyes once more and gritted her teeth.
It wasn't long until afterwards that she screamed.