Disclaimers: Hellsing is property of its owner/s.

Author's Note: Pardon for taking a long time to write again. Basically the first chapter was a teaser. Not much elaboration and incidence. I hope this would try to expound more. Please be warned that this story does not place well in the original anime storyline. I decided to take this as autonomous from the actual timeline.

False Prophesy Part II: Undead Fear by Blue Flame Burn

Celas just sat on the corner of her bed. The images of the dancing blades in the night were enough to paralyze her. She knew the bite of those blades and its memory still lingered in her memory. She thought about it as she rubbed the back of her neck.

"Freezing during critical situations? Better get ready for that old man's lecture. They pride in efficiency, you know," Alucard said as he stood at the corner of Celas' room.

Celas continued to stare blankly.

"Hmmn. I understand. The feeling of his steel in your flesh troubled you. Even though I've given you the gift of darkness you fear still fear like a human. Deal with it." Alucard faded through the dark part of the room.

Celas finally moved her eyes. She stared at the spot where Alucard disappeared. Gift?

***

Fergusson stood in attention in front of Integra's desk. He knew he would be up to some curt remarks from his superior. Walter, the steward, stood by the desk's side and poured Integra some tea.

"Mission debriefing, Fergusson. Make it quick. I don't want to think of things right, now. And don't tell me of any failures now," Integra said with haste.

"Mission successful. Eight troopers in the unit including the new blood, no casualties." Fergusson reported.

"And." Integra quickly followed Fergusson's statement.

Fergusson knew immediately that something happened. Perhaps some bureaucracy thing informed her. "We took out six, that damned Iscariot finished off the ghouls."

"That's all I need to hear, Fergusson. Dismissed!" Integra commanded as she sipped her tea.

Fergusson saluted his superior, turned around with military precision and walked out towards the door.

"Next time, finish them off before that damned Iscariot meddles again!" Integra said as a parting message to her trusted field commander.

Fergusson heard it but commented none. He closed the door thus bringing up the barrier between him and the place he loathed to be in during such a time. He knew that his men were no match compared to the undead like Celas or Alucard and that Catholic regenerator. At least Integra did not make him an audience to her ramblings. He pitied Walter. For some reason, Fergusson was thankful being the field commander than being the steward of House Hellsing.

"Where is Alucard, Walter?" Integra asked the attentive butler.

"Perhaps in Ms. Celas' chamber." Walter said as he picked up the tea tray and started to walk towards the door.

The moonlight shone through the clouds and made its way through the drapes. Its light randomly reflected on Integra's silver cross. It made the room pulse with light. Integra had a lot in her mind now yet somehow, she yearned for Alucard's smirk to ease her mind off these pressing matters.

*** The tall figure in a priest's garment gently walked in the dark alleyways of downtown London. Ghouls and pseudo-vampires were definitely trash compared to his ability. When the Vatican decided to assert its influence in England, he volunteered for the job. He definitely wanted to take down that arrogant vampire pet of that equally arrogant Protestant "witch".

He was Alexander Anderson, prized member of the Iscariots, 13th Division of the Pope's Special Task Force. Vatican was famous for its diplomatic power and influence. What the whole world does not know is it does need force. Humans are easy to quell through the religious and political persuasion. Vampires are not. Then again who believes in vampires?

Alucard's existence was never taken lightly by the Iscariots. They considered him one of the vilest creatures to have disgraced the earth and it was their duty to slay him. However, their jurisdiction only covered Catholic countries. Thanks to that "idiot" Luther, almost all of the Western European countries are not purely Catholic and imposition of their powers became limited. They knew that England was technically beyond their operation, however, a few talks here and there, they were finally able to force at least one of them inside the Anglican domain.

Anderson wanted Alucard. He has taken it as his duty to slay all the vampires but it was a special case for Alucard. Killing Alucard could be the ultimate prize for him as an Iscariot. Probably it was his zeal for his duty that made Maxwell, their leader, to pick him for this supposedly covert mission. Yet both he and Maxwell did not want this to be covert. By now, that Hellsing "witch" should have known of his presence and she should be contacting every damned bureaucrat to get him out of the British Isles.

But that would not be easy. The Iscariots have widened their network now and even the Royal Protestant Knights would have a hell of a lot of problem to send him back to Rome.

Anderson took out one of his bayonets, examined it in the moonlight and put it back under his cloak. With that blade, he swore to kill Alucard, the hound from hell.

***

A day passed after the incident with Anderson. The Hellsing soldiers present that night witnessed a fine spectacle of blade wielding and that was about the best that they can actually see. Not one of them could even be half at par with the wielding of those over-sized bayonets. Yet they were dedicated to train. And train they did.

Fergusson stood in front of a unit formation, barking orders as usual. He was a really dedicated military man who required nothing but discipline, determination and lots of guts. He was well respected by all, even by Integra herself.

Celas watched from the window somewhere inside the mansion. The sun was hiding behind some clouds. It was not too hurting for her eyes to look at her fellow Hellsing troopers march and run through the obstacle course. She used to do that while starting out as an officer. Somehow, she was still a operating in the same lines, but everything seemed so different after being converted by Alucard.

She knew she did not need any ordinary training. She had abilities far beyond the full physical potential of any trooper in the Hellsing regiment. She knew comparisons need not be made, for she was now totally different from the rest. She was a vampire. However, what happened last night was different. Somehow, she still felt like a human, capable of choking and breaking down during critical situations. Physically she knew she was a vampire but she still felt more like a human.

Celas turned around and was surprised to see the Institution's leader standing there, as if Integra had watched her deep in her thought.

"I have read what happened last night," Integra said in a curt yet calm manner.

Fergusson probably mentioned the incident in his report. Celas just looked down. She could not look at Integra's eyes. She knew she blundered last night and she was aware of Integra's distaste for anything that went amiss.

"I do not blame you," Integra added, turning around to look at a collection of rifles and guns hung on the wall. "You were human. Comparing you to your master would be like comparing a flint-lock pistol to a modern one. You have not harnessed the full potential of you being now. Remember that you have changed. But its full realization has not probably sunk in to you yet."

Celas was lost for words. This was only the first time, Integra Hellsing, spoke to her at significant length. She was also struck by the truth in the other's words.

"Human emotion. That is what makes you unique. You now have all of a vampire yet you have not lost the link to your former mortality. Fear is one. You still fear despite the fact that you should be the one to be feared. You feared the blade of that swine, didn't you?"

Celas was just able to nod.

"Do you thirst?" Integra asked Celas, almost out of context from her last question.

Celas nodded again. But she was able to add, "But medical blood satisfies it."

Integra nodded her head in approval. "That is what a human fears the most from a vampire, the bite." Integra put back the old 17th century musket she was examining. "By the way, where is your master?"

For Celas, these were puzzling words from Integra. As for the question, she was too bewildered to answer. This "shock" she was experiencing now differed from the trivial paralysis she experienced last night. It was fear back there in the field. This was more of more of trepidation. Then she also wondered of her master's whereabouts.

Integra, with quiet steps, turned around and walked down the hall leaving Celas still standing there.

Celas looked outside the window. It was dark outside and the moon had already risen.

***

Alucard stood on the roof of Hellsing castle. His silhouette was resplendent in the moonlight. The pale yellow light outlined the red cloth of his garments. The sheen of his gun was reflected by this same soft radiance.

It was a night to prowl. And that was his intent.

To be continued.