Chapter III:
In the Cold Places of the World.
"It's a monster!" Shouted one of the men inspecting the small raft they had discovered afloat in the arctic sea. They had thought it was a stranded shipmate or a castaway of sorts but they found that they were in for a shock as they hauled the behemoth aboard the steamer.
The captain pushed his way through the crowd of sailors that had gathered to look upon the abomination and gasped as he saw what was frozen there in a deep sleep, "We change course now... We are heading to the Adriatic sea... We have to bring this to Rome."
The man stood there looking at the sea worn creature and frowned furrowing his brow knowing very well what the creature was by it's tattered leather coat and sewn together body. The captain was beholding the Frankenstein Monster.
"Gabriel? Oh Gabriel? Hello Gabriel."
The mid aged man woke quickly and let out a slight groan of displeasure. It had been years since the events in Transylvania and Budapest but they still haunted his dreams. Van Helsing sat there in bed with his palms on his face sweating rather heavily. Since then a lot had happened in his life. Carl had left the holy knights feeling that perhaps they were disillusioned when they asked Gabriel to kill the monster.
Gabriel himself did not like the fact that he was bound to the holy order knowing very well that had they discovered his little secret they would have put and end to him as well. He shook his head a bit and looked out the window at the full moon feeling the urge to change and become wild again. Though the cure was indeed a cure for the curse, it was a bit more than he bargained for.
The cure only took away the madness that the curse brought thus destroying the will to kill and destroy at whim as well as making it impossible for him to be influenced by an outside source like the count had done to the werewolves in the past. It didn't, however, get rid of the animal. There were times on a hunt where he would get so upset or stressed that the natural reaction was to change.
It was too dangerous to heed the urge he had inside this night. Changing into a wolfman in the middle of the Vatican would only end in a silver bullet to the heart. He hated what he had become anyway. Though he had to admit the rush it brought sometimes bordered on euphoria it still reminded him of Anna. She was dead because of the creature he had become.
He frowned deeply and figured it best to head down into the depths to see what the minds were up to this time. He always found it amusing to see what the monks would come up with next. Being men of god yet building things so destructive seemed like the biggest irony he could think of.
Adorning a simple shirt and some pants he made his way down into the depths of the cathedral where the monks were at labor as usual on some new invention that would kill this better or take that down faster. It made Helsing's skin crawl at times how tenacious they could be at taking something down as fast as possible.
"Van Helsing! You've done it again!" Shouted the cardinal with a scowl on his face.
Gabriel let out a groan and knew what he was talking about. He had been on a mission in America to take down some witches and ended up causing quite the stir in the townsfolk who were now killing anyone they thought was linked to the real witches. He was going to catch hell for this one just like he did for the others.
"What came over you? You just decided the town square was the best place to burn a few witches? In front of an entire town! I'm sure you know the results. I wish you a week in hell for this." Shouted the father.
"Well in all due respect father the witches were kind of the ones that burned themselves. They used a flame spell of sorts and I had some of the glycerin on my jacket. I had to leave it or I would be the one burning." Said Helsing rather coolly.
"Yes yes I know. You have a bad habit of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Surely a punishment for a past sin." Said the father with a frown.
"What do you want? You never come to me unless you want something so where am I going now?" Said Gabriel with a slight look of annoyance in his eyes.
The man of the cloth smacked Van Helsing on the back of the head with his palm, "You had better control your mouth. Learn this my son. Your arrogance will get you nowhere." Said the father softly.
"I'm sure." Said Gabriel rubbing the back of his head even more annoyed with the cardinal now.
"We need you to go to the east. To the far side of..." Started the Cardinal.
"Romania..." finished Van Helsing.
"Seems like we have had this talk before hmm?"
Gabriel looked perturbed at the Cardinal for even suggesting he go back there. There was more there than just the death of Anna that haunted him. "Why do I need to go back?"
"It seem that a werewolf is running rampant in the woods there and we need to you put its games to an end." Said the Cardinal smoothly, "you can leave tonight. You won't need much equipment so you won't need to go to the monks for anything. We have chartered a ship to take you across the sea to Transylvania."
"And what if I run into trouble with the locals?" Said Gabriel with a bit of a smirk.
"To them you are a hero. You should get a warm welcome." Said the Cardinal with a matching smirk.
This was an assignment Gabriel knew he was going to hate. He wanted to get it over with as soon as possible so he could get right to the part with the nightmares and restless nights. Instead of listening to the Cardinal, however, he decided to go and get himself a few things before he left. The repeating crossbow with silver bolts was one of such things.
He found that no matter what now he took holy water, silver stakes, and a crucifix. He had run into his share of the undead even after Dracula's death. It seemed Dracula was not alone in his dealings with the devil and Gabriel wasn't about to run into a vampire unprepared.
With his things stashed in a sack and his normal attire of his long coat, large brimmed hat, and all the weapons he could fit on his body he headed out for the pier and the ship that waited there. Travel across the seas had become much faster with the introduction of the steamer as a ship Rome had under its control. He would be in Transylvania within a week.
It didn't make him happy in the least bit but it did mean all this would be over sooner and "things being done with" was always high on his priority list. The streets of the Vatican were cold and unforgiving at night. Though it was a state founded on the church it meant nothing to the people. Hypocrisy was heavy in the church and Gabriel was careful in his choice of streets avoiding the darker places and groups. The last thing he wanted was for some street rat to piss him off and make him change into his other half.
He could explain things to the Cardinal but that was definitely something he knew he couldn't squeeze his way out of.
Van Helsing walked down the docks finding the ship with the lamp still lit and boarded rather quickly. The crew was very helpful in directing him to his quarters where he would be staying for the next three days while they crossed the sea. After that it would be a two-day ride to the town. Anna was correct that even a werewolf wasn't faster than a Transylvanian horse.
Gabriel bid the crew a good night and safe journey while he got himself as comfortable as he could finding the washbasin and cupping some of the stale water in his hands and bringing it up to his face to try and wash away the dirt but at the same time somehow cleanse himself in another way.
He looked up into the mirror and uttered a single word, "Samantha..."
Jerico and Shira had made good time heading through the forest quickly trying to get space between them and Storm or whatever plucked him from the river. Jerico wasn't too keen on finding out what it was. He had enough on his mind with Shira's transformation knowing that she was very dangerous to anything but him with the real curse on her.
It wasn't long before they stumbled upon the lonely castle amongst the trees and seeing that it was abandoned deciding to use it as a temporary refuge until these things blew over. Jerico had a feeling that things wouldn't for a while though. Once the creatures find out they had mistaken Storm for himself he was sure they would be quite angry.
They found their place to rest for the day in a rather dark and secluded area of the lofty castle in the forest. It didn't make Jerico comfortable that this thing was unknown to the wolves being that it was in their own forest and in an area they had explored thoroughly. It was like it had just appeared in the past few months.
Shira let out cries of pain as the transformation started to revert her into her regular wolf self and she sat there panting in a pile of fur and discarded skin, "Jerico... what happens now?"
"I don't know Shira... I guess we wait. I think it might be better if you stay here... away from people." Said Jerico softly turning to look her in the eyes.
Shira looked to the ground as if ashamed of what she had become, "Ya..."
Jerico was quick to sit down next to her and hold her comfortingly, "Shira... I'm sorry I didn't mean to hurt you but... Your transformation is different than mine. I was born this way... I had control. You don't."
Shira looked up at him and whimpered softly licking his cheek, "Jerico I'm scared."
"I know... I'm trying to not scare you or anything but this is serious... You could turn into the werewolf at any moment and attack anyone. It's important that you stay down here... away from all that." Said Jerico a bit sadly. He hated seeing Shria like this especially now that they had professed their feelings for one another and had become mates.
Shira rested her head on Jerico's lap softly looking up at him with a loving look, "I love you Jerico."
"I love you to Shira."
She nuzzled his tummy softly trying to invoke the optimism in the both of them though their current situation wasn't the best they would make the best of their accommodations and find a way around the problems. The seasons were changing and soon it would be winter again. It was hard enough to get along in winter as was but with this new problem it was even worse.
The wolfman softly petted the grey femme's head lovingly wishing he were like her. If only he was born a wolf instead of the beast he was. Now his curse was on her and she would have to suffer like he did. Though she would suffer more unable to control her other side making her unpredictable at best and rather violent and savage.
It was almost enough to make him cry for causing this curse to visit upon her. Though it wasn't directly his fault it was a result of his biting Storm. He should have thought more before fighting the alpha and biting him. He was going to hurt Shira though and that was something he couldn't stand. Though his choice was going to cause her more pain.
"Jerico don't worry... now I can be like you. You won't have to be so alone." Said Shira softly nuzzling his cheek and putting her paws on his chest looking him in the eyes.
He let a tear mat the fur under his eyes closing them wishing she only knew the real gravity of what was happening to her. He felt her lick the tear and whimper again putting her nose to his trying to make him feel better if only a little bit. "Jerico I know this isn't good... but if we can find a way for things with me to be like you then things can be better."
A faint clapping sound came from the darkness in front of them and they both turned as the sound became louder and louder and the figure walked out of the shadows in a regal overcoat and his dark hair in a short cropped ponytail behind him. He was of slight build but as the person came close to Jerico he head strange whispers all around him that made him look about trying to find the source.
"A fine performance there. Such a thing that would warm a heart and bring a tear to one's eyes." Said the man with a bit of a smirk.
This was making Jerico nervous. He had never seen a man so brave or stupid as to stand there in front of him completely defenseless and mock him. He growled deeply angered by the arrogance of the man that was quickly joined by Shira's.
"My my aren't we just the lovely couple? Well I suppose introductions are in order. My name is Alucard."
"Van Helsing there's something here you need to see." Came the voice at Gabriel's door after the knock had woken him from his sleep. He knew that ship's crews were a bit jumpy at times but there was real concern in the man's voice so he got himself up out of his cot and opened the door.
"What is it?" Said Gabriel still a bit tired wiping sleep from his eyes.
"It's a ship. It seems dead in the water." Replied the sailor.
"And you called for me why?"
"Well... you just have to see this." Said the crewman a bit nervously.
Helsing followed the man to the deck where he saw the other ship drifting there ominous and dark in the night. The captain approached Gabriel quickly, "we have to search for survivors. I already have men aboard but we heard their cries and everyone that went over there came back... well."
The captain pointed to a man shivering next to some crates looking rather disturbed. Van quirked a brow and walked over to the man squatting down to look him in the eyes. Something had scared him beyond terror.
"What was it?" Said Gabriel rather calm.
"M... Monster." Replied the man stuttering and shivering quite violently. Gabriel put a hand on the man's shoulder patting it a bit before standing back up and nodding to the captain.
"Looks like I got a job to do eh?" said Van Helsing with a bit of a smirk. It was something to break the dullness of the ride ahead.
The captain nodded and had Gabriel in a boat and lowered into the water rather quickly. He went alone as he always did rowing his way to the rather large ship and took out his grapple gun taking careful aim and firing it wrapping the cord around the rail of the ship and hooking the grapple to it allowing him to climb up the line carefully.
The deck of the ship was abandoned. It was almost like no one was ever on the thing. Gabriel had heard stories of ghost ships but he doubted their existence due to the sailor's certain enjoyment in embellishing and making up stories. This still didn't make him any less uneasy about the whole situation.
He found his way to the bridge looking at the navigation equipment and frowning at its condition. It had been absolutely destroyed by the fire axe, which was still embedded in the main controller. He yanked the axe out and quirked a brow with a slight, "Hmm. got a big boy here."
He turned to the back of the bridge dropping the axe and pulling out his revolver carefully opening the hatch and pointing the gun down the dark passage. He let out a bit of a disappointed sigh at the lack of light. He reached into his jacket and produced a flare striking it and illuminating the passage and seeing that it was empty he started into the body of the ship carefully peeking around corners as to not get caught by surprise.
He popped around a corner and quirked a brow at some writing on the wall, "May god have mercy on our souls... well. That's a bit ominous." Said Gabriel with a bit of a smirk. He walked up to the writing and ran one of his gloved fingers over it and tasted it looking rather confused. "Rations?"
He was beginning to think this was a bit more than it seemed. Almost like it was some sort of elaborate prank to get him all jumpy. He frowned and saw another hatch with something written on it in the same material, "To Hell?"
Gabriel had enough. He opened the door and was promptly hit with a pipe and flew back into the wall with a rather painful sounding crash. He quickly stood and shot at the thing moving in the darkness running at it with a scowl on his face. It had the jump on him and that made him annoyed.
The pipe came spinning at him in the darkness and he leapt to the side avoiding the projectile and watching it smash into the wall leaving a notable dent making him cringe at the thought of what it might have done to him had it hit.
Helsing frowned as the flare died out in his hand and he was left in the darkness with the creature. He felt his way along the wall of the ship trying to be as quiet as he could. The creature seemed to have trouble with the dark as well and Van knew just the answer to this situation.
He was quick to throw off the coat and his clothing to one side making the monster think he was somewhere he wasn't and quietly changed into his pitch-black werewolf form being able to see in the dark he saw the thing in a rather large coat covering what it was. He leapt at the thing knocking it down and snarling slightly at it before it spoke, "Please don't hurt me... I just wanted to live."
The voice was familiar but Gabriel had to make sure. He used one of his massive paws to pull back the hood and the room was suddenly illuminated with the electrical light from that green glass on the Frankenstein monster's head. Gabriel wanted to bat him around a bit for hitting him with the pipe but this was his friend and he would be the monster here had he.
He got off and collected his clothing before turning back into his human form still not saying a word. He could hear the monster breathing quite heavily and he shook his head putting his hat on, "You can get up now."
"Van Helsing? I thought you were cured?" replied the monster.
"Ya... so did I Frankie. I though you were avoiding people." Said Gabriel with a bit of a grin, "seems like we both are having problems eh?"
"We have some catching up to do friend." Said Frankie.
"We do indeed."
"It's a monster!" Shouted one of the men inspecting the small raft they had discovered afloat in the arctic sea. They had thought it was a stranded shipmate or a castaway of sorts but they found that they were in for a shock as they hauled the behemoth aboard the steamer.
The captain pushed his way through the crowd of sailors that had gathered to look upon the abomination and gasped as he saw what was frozen there in a deep sleep, "We change course now... We are heading to the Adriatic sea... We have to bring this to Rome."
The man stood there looking at the sea worn creature and frowned furrowing his brow knowing very well what the creature was by it's tattered leather coat and sewn together body. The captain was beholding the Frankenstein Monster.
"Gabriel? Oh Gabriel? Hello Gabriel."
The mid aged man woke quickly and let out a slight groan of displeasure. It had been years since the events in Transylvania and Budapest but they still haunted his dreams. Van Helsing sat there in bed with his palms on his face sweating rather heavily. Since then a lot had happened in his life. Carl had left the holy knights feeling that perhaps they were disillusioned when they asked Gabriel to kill the monster.
Gabriel himself did not like the fact that he was bound to the holy order knowing very well that had they discovered his little secret they would have put and end to him as well. He shook his head a bit and looked out the window at the full moon feeling the urge to change and become wild again. Though the cure was indeed a cure for the curse, it was a bit more than he bargained for.
The cure only took away the madness that the curse brought thus destroying the will to kill and destroy at whim as well as making it impossible for him to be influenced by an outside source like the count had done to the werewolves in the past. It didn't, however, get rid of the animal. There were times on a hunt where he would get so upset or stressed that the natural reaction was to change.
It was too dangerous to heed the urge he had inside this night. Changing into a wolfman in the middle of the Vatican would only end in a silver bullet to the heart. He hated what he had become anyway. Though he had to admit the rush it brought sometimes bordered on euphoria it still reminded him of Anna. She was dead because of the creature he had become.
He frowned deeply and figured it best to head down into the depths to see what the minds were up to this time. He always found it amusing to see what the monks would come up with next. Being men of god yet building things so destructive seemed like the biggest irony he could think of.
Adorning a simple shirt and some pants he made his way down into the depths of the cathedral where the monks were at labor as usual on some new invention that would kill this better or take that down faster. It made Helsing's skin crawl at times how tenacious they could be at taking something down as fast as possible.
"Van Helsing! You've done it again!" Shouted the cardinal with a scowl on his face.
Gabriel let out a groan and knew what he was talking about. He had been on a mission in America to take down some witches and ended up causing quite the stir in the townsfolk who were now killing anyone they thought was linked to the real witches. He was going to catch hell for this one just like he did for the others.
"What came over you? You just decided the town square was the best place to burn a few witches? In front of an entire town! I'm sure you know the results. I wish you a week in hell for this." Shouted the father.
"Well in all due respect father the witches were kind of the ones that burned themselves. They used a flame spell of sorts and I had some of the glycerin on my jacket. I had to leave it or I would be the one burning." Said Helsing rather coolly.
"Yes yes I know. You have a bad habit of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Surely a punishment for a past sin." Said the father with a frown.
"What do you want? You never come to me unless you want something so where am I going now?" Said Gabriel with a slight look of annoyance in his eyes.
The man of the cloth smacked Van Helsing on the back of the head with his palm, "You had better control your mouth. Learn this my son. Your arrogance will get you nowhere." Said the father softly.
"I'm sure." Said Gabriel rubbing the back of his head even more annoyed with the cardinal now.
"We need you to go to the east. To the far side of..." Started the Cardinal.
"Romania..." finished Van Helsing.
"Seems like we have had this talk before hmm?"
Gabriel looked perturbed at the Cardinal for even suggesting he go back there. There was more there than just the death of Anna that haunted him. "Why do I need to go back?"
"It seem that a werewolf is running rampant in the woods there and we need to you put its games to an end." Said the Cardinal smoothly, "you can leave tonight. You won't need much equipment so you won't need to go to the monks for anything. We have chartered a ship to take you across the sea to Transylvania."
"And what if I run into trouble with the locals?" Said Gabriel with a bit of a smirk.
"To them you are a hero. You should get a warm welcome." Said the Cardinal with a matching smirk.
This was an assignment Gabriel knew he was going to hate. He wanted to get it over with as soon as possible so he could get right to the part with the nightmares and restless nights. Instead of listening to the Cardinal, however, he decided to go and get himself a few things before he left. The repeating crossbow with silver bolts was one of such things.
He found that no matter what now he took holy water, silver stakes, and a crucifix. He had run into his share of the undead even after Dracula's death. It seemed Dracula was not alone in his dealings with the devil and Gabriel wasn't about to run into a vampire unprepared.
With his things stashed in a sack and his normal attire of his long coat, large brimmed hat, and all the weapons he could fit on his body he headed out for the pier and the ship that waited there. Travel across the seas had become much faster with the introduction of the steamer as a ship Rome had under its control. He would be in Transylvania within a week.
It didn't make him happy in the least bit but it did mean all this would be over sooner and "things being done with" was always high on his priority list. The streets of the Vatican were cold and unforgiving at night. Though it was a state founded on the church it meant nothing to the people. Hypocrisy was heavy in the church and Gabriel was careful in his choice of streets avoiding the darker places and groups. The last thing he wanted was for some street rat to piss him off and make him change into his other half.
He could explain things to the Cardinal but that was definitely something he knew he couldn't squeeze his way out of.
Van Helsing walked down the docks finding the ship with the lamp still lit and boarded rather quickly. The crew was very helpful in directing him to his quarters where he would be staying for the next three days while they crossed the sea. After that it would be a two-day ride to the town. Anna was correct that even a werewolf wasn't faster than a Transylvanian horse.
Gabriel bid the crew a good night and safe journey while he got himself as comfortable as he could finding the washbasin and cupping some of the stale water in his hands and bringing it up to his face to try and wash away the dirt but at the same time somehow cleanse himself in another way.
He looked up into the mirror and uttered a single word, "Samantha..."
Jerico and Shira had made good time heading through the forest quickly trying to get space between them and Storm or whatever plucked him from the river. Jerico wasn't too keen on finding out what it was. He had enough on his mind with Shira's transformation knowing that she was very dangerous to anything but him with the real curse on her.
It wasn't long before they stumbled upon the lonely castle amongst the trees and seeing that it was abandoned deciding to use it as a temporary refuge until these things blew over. Jerico had a feeling that things wouldn't for a while though. Once the creatures find out they had mistaken Storm for himself he was sure they would be quite angry.
They found their place to rest for the day in a rather dark and secluded area of the lofty castle in the forest. It didn't make Jerico comfortable that this thing was unknown to the wolves being that it was in their own forest and in an area they had explored thoroughly. It was like it had just appeared in the past few months.
Shira let out cries of pain as the transformation started to revert her into her regular wolf self and she sat there panting in a pile of fur and discarded skin, "Jerico... what happens now?"
"I don't know Shira... I guess we wait. I think it might be better if you stay here... away from people." Said Jerico softly turning to look her in the eyes.
Shira looked to the ground as if ashamed of what she had become, "Ya..."
Jerico was quick to sit down next to her and hold her comfortingly, "Shira... I'm sorry I didn't mean to hurt you but... Your transformation is different than mine. I was born this way... I had control. You don't."
Shira looked up at him and whimpered softly licking his cheek, "Jerico I'm scared."
"I know... I'm trying to not scare you or anything but this is serious... You could turn into the werewolf at any moment and attack anyone. It's important that you stay down here... away from all that." Said Jerico a bit sadly. He hated seeing Shria like this especially now that they had professed their feelings for one another and had become mates.
Shira rested her head on Jerico's lap softly looking up at him with a loving look, "I love you Jerico."
"I love you to Shira."
She nuzzled his tummy softly trying to invoke the optimism in the both of them though their current situation wasn't the best they would make the best of their accommodations and find a way around the problems. The seasons were changing and soon it would be winter again. It was hard enough to get along in winter as was but with this new problem it was even worse.
The wolfman softly petted the grey femme's head lovingly wishing he were like her. If only he was born a wolf instead of the beast he was. Now his curse was on her and she would have to suffer like he did. Though she would suffer more unable to control her other side making her unpredictable at best and rather violent and savage.
It was almost enough to make him cry for causing this curse to visit upon her. Though it wasn't directly his fault it was a result of his biting Storm. He should have thought more before fighting the alpha and biting him. He was going to hurt Shira though and that was something he couldn't stand. Though his choice was going to cause her more pain.
"Jerico don't worry... now I can be like you. You won't have to be so alone." Said Shira softly nuzzling his cheek and putting her paws on his chest looking him in the eyes.
He let a tear mat the fur under his eyes closing them wishing she only knew the real gravity of what was happening to her. He felt her lick the tear and whimper again putting her nose to his trying to make him feel better if only a little bit. "Jerico I know this isn't good... but if we can find a way for things with me to be like you then things can be better."
A faint clapping sound came from the darkness in front of them and they both turned as the sound became louder and louder and the figure walked out of the shadows in a regal overcoat and his dark hair in a short cropped ponytail behind him. He was of slight build but as the person came close to Jerico he head strange whispers all around him that made him look about trying to find the source.
"A fine performance there. Such a thing that would warm a heart and bring a tear to one's eyes." Said the man with a bit of a smirk.
This was making Jerico nervous. He had never seen a man so brave or stupid as to stand there in front of him completely defenseless and mock him. He growled deeply angered by the arrogance of the man that was quickly joined by Shira's.
"My my aren't we just the lovely couple? Well I suppose introductions are in order. My name is Alucard."
"Van Helsing there's something here you need to see." Came the voice at Gabriel's door after the knock had woken him from his sleep. He knew that ship's crews were a bit jumpy at times but there was real concern in the man's voice so he got himself up out of his cot and opened the door.
"What is it?" Said Gabriel still a bit tired wiping sleep from his eyes.
"It's a ship. It seems dead in the water." Replied the sailor.
"And you called for me why?"
"Well... you just have to see this." Said the crewman a bit nervously.
Helsing followed the man to the deck where he saw the other ship drifting there ominous and dark in the night. The captain approached Gabriel quickly, "we have to search for survivors. I already have men aboard but we heard their cries and everyone that went over there came back... well."
The captain pointed to a man shivering next to some crates looking rather disturbed. Van quirked a brow and walked over to the man squatting down to look him in the eyes. Something had scared him beyond terror.
"What was it?" Said Gabriel rather calm.
"M... Monster." Replied the man stuttering and shivering quite violently. Gabriel put a hand on the man's shoulder patting it a bit before standing back up and nodding to the captain.
"Looks like I got a job to do eh?" said Van Helsing with a bit of a smirk. It was something to break the dullness of the ride ahead.
The captain nodded and had Gabriel in a boat and lowered into the water rather quickly. He went alone as he always did rowing his way to the rather large ship and took out his grapple gun taking careful aim and firing it wrapping the cord around the rail of the ship and hooking the grapple to it allowing him to climb up the line carefully.
The deck of the ship was abandoned. It was almost like no one was ever on the thing. Gabriel had heard stories of ghost ships but he doubted their existence due to the sailor's certain enjoyment in embellishing and making up stories. This still didn't make him any less uneasy about the whole situation.
He found his way to the bridge looking at the navigation equipment and frowning at its condition. It had been absolutely destroyed by the fire axe, which was still embedded in the main controller. He yanked the axe out and quirked a brow with a slight, "Hmm. got a big boy here."
He turned to the back of the bridge dropping the axe and pulling out his revolver carefully opening the hatch and pointing the gun down the dark passage. He let out a bit of a disappointed sigh at the lack of light. He reached into his jacket and produced a flare striking it and illuminating the passage and seeing that it was empty he started into the body of the ship carefully peeking around corners as to not get caught by surprise.
He popped around a corner and quirked a brow at some writing on the wall, "May god have mercy on our souls... well. That's a bit ominous." Said Gabriel with a bit of a smirk. He walked up to the writing and ran one of his gloved fingers over it and tasted it looking rather confused. "Rations?"
He was beginning to think this was a bit more than it seemed. Almost like it was some sort of elaborate prank to get him all jumpy. He frowned and saw another hatch with something written on it in the same material, "To Hell?"
Gabriel had enough. He opened the door and was promptly hit with a pipe and flew back into the wall with a rather painful sounding crash. He quickly stood and shot at the thing moving in the darkness running at it with a scowl on his face. It had the jump on him and that made him annoyed.
The pipe came spinning at him in the darkness and he leapt to the side avoiding the projectile and watching it smash into the wall leaving a notable dent making him cringe at the thought of what it might have done to him had it hit.
Helsing frowned as the flare died out in his hand and he was left in the darkness with the creature. He felt his way along the wall of the ship trying to be as quiet as he could. The creature seemed to have trouble with the dark as well and Van knew just the answer to this situation.
He was quick to throw off the coat and his clothing to one side making the monster think he was somewhere he wasn't and quietly changed into his pitch-black werewolf form being able to see in the dark he saw the thing in a rather large coat covering what it was. He leapt at the thing knocking it down and snarling slightly at it before it spoke, "Please don't hurt me... I just wanted to live."
The voice was familiar but Gabriel had to make sure. He used one of his massive paws to pull back the hood and the room was suddenly illuminated with the electrical light from that green glass on the Frankenstein monster's head. Gabriel wanted to bat him around a bit for hitting him with the pipe but this was his friend and he would be the monster here had he.
He got off and collected his clothing before turning back into his human form still not saying a word. He could hear the monster breathing quite heavily and he shook his head putting his hat on, "You can get up now."
"Van Helsing? I thought you were cured?" replied the monster.
"Ya... so did I Frankie. I though you were avoiding people." Said Gabriel with a bit of a grin, "seems like we both are having problems eh?"
"We have some catching up to do friend." Said Frankie.
"We do indeed."