Pip sighed, desperately trying to refocus on the task of mapping the terrain around Alucard's castle. They left London three days ago and had arrived at this military airbase twenty kilometres from the city of Prague to refuel and to rest. It was most convenient that the commander of the airbase was an old acquaintance of Walter's, with an intimate knowledge of Tirgoviste and its surroundings.
Walter and Seras had been working non-stop for the past few nights, trying to figure out a plan to rescue Sir Integra while he had been charged with the duty of mapping out the area around Alucard's stronghold. Pip had studied the maps within the commander's possession and was amazed by the manner in which the castle was constructed.
"Despite being from so far back, he's quite the militarist; you have to give it to him," thought Pip aridly. Considering the powers that Alucard had already exhibited even when under Hellsing control, it was unwise to attempt a direct clash now.
Any attempt to sneak into the castle was fraught with difficulties. The castle was perched upon a sheer cliff made of solid granite and it was surrounded on all sides by steep valleys. It would be impossible to scale the cliffs. For another, even if they were foolhardy enough to challenge the mountain, they could not have done so without being noticed by the castle's inhabitants. That left them only one road up to the castle and it was through a small village some distance away from Tirgoviste. Although this in turn permitted them the option of trying to mingle into the castle as one of the villagers, the possibility that they would be recognised as strangers was quite high – coupled with the villagers' possible loyalty to their liege, the risk simply outweighed the attractiveness of the idea could have otherwise afforded.
There had been a route by the other side of the mountain - it was through a forest and across the Arges river. Unfortunately, the only bridge across the river had been broken a week back, leaving the raging river impassable.
"I would have preferred to drop a whole bloody army platoon on him from the skies but even then, who knows whether we can overpower him."
Putting down his map, Pip rubbed his eyes irritably as he felt a headache creeping up. The three of them had been under tremendous stress over the last few days. Perhaps he should have taken Walter's advice. The butler had urged him to get a quick nap before excusing himself to catch up with his old friend. Unfortunately, as exhausted as his mind was, the adrenaline in Pip's body was stubbornly keeping him awake.
Idly, he looked across the room at the corner where Seras' coffin lay. Despite his fatigue, Pip could not help but recall with amusement the young vampire's surprised reaction the last time Alucard playfully sealed her within her coffin. The older vampire had offered the prank as a solution the last time the Hellsing organisation had to deal with the problem of how to ship Seras off to Brazil.
In his short time in Sir Hellsing's service, Pip was amazed and impressed by the growth in maturity Seras exhibited. When they first met, she was but an extremely shy woman/vampire; unsure of and even frightened by her own powers. In but a matter of months, the very same little girl had become an efficient soldier, earning her place amongst the elite of the Hellsing organisation.
"Man, look at the time," thought Pip adjusting the strap of his watch as he examined it. "We are scheduled to leave tonight. I need to begin packing." Sifting through the mess of maps on the table, he was surprised to come across a thin bound journal.
"What's this?" he thought as he idly leafed through its pages. He recognised the neat handwriting as that belonging to Seras. A quiet little voice inside his head tried to remind him that Seras would probably not be too happy if she caught him nosing through her journal. This was however, quickly drowned out by the other louder voice of curiosity.
------------------
April 7
We will leave London later this morning. We have not taken many things with us, just my coffin, the Hellsing journals by Lord Abraham on Master and some weapons.
I argued last night that we should have taken a small army with us but on retrospect, I think Walter's reasoning is right. This mission would be jeopardised if anyone outside the three of us even remotely suspected Sir Integra's disappearance. Our priority is to locate Sir Integra and Walter has expressed his opinion that if we are to secure her freedom, it will be by guile and not by force.
Master is much too powerful to fight directly. He is more powerful than any of us can imagine. More so now that the seal on him has been broken. However, I would find myself less nervous if I had two Halcyons, no - make that three.
I will keep this journal until the end of this mission. Records never hurt.
------------------
April 8
We have arrived at a military airbase in the Czech Republic. I have always wanted to visit the scenic city of Praha but not under these circumstances. Walter has begun his research on the journals by Lord Abraham van Helsing. The castle is not as one expects - smack in the middle of Transylvania as all those Dracula movies would have you believe. Instead, it is located near Tirgoviste in Wallachia.
I wonder what Master has in plan for Sir Integra. I am nervous that he may be reading my mind but Walter assures me that the bottle of blessed water in my uniform pocket will prevent him from detecting my presence. He swears that he has done the same with much success when he has had need for his own privacy. I wonder what Walter means.
We have spent the whole night researching the journals while Pip is working on mapping the terrain of the castle. It is not going to be easy finding a way into the castle. Nevertheless, I pray Pip will be able to find something. We also have yet to find out how Master was subdued the first time, something we will probably need to repeat to rescue Sir Integra.
I have asked Walter to rest. He is worn out with fatigue and worry for Sir Integra. I will read the records a little more myself – it is at least another four hours before dawn. Pip has fallen asleep. He looks like a child in his sleep.
Note to self: I must be very careful not to break that bottle when I sit or lie down.
------------------
April 9
They are all exhausted and Walter is more frantic with worry for her Lordship's life as the days pass. I know. I can sense it even though he does not say so. A cloud of weariness and hopelessness is upon us. I must do my best to remain hopeful.
We will leave for Tirgoviste tomorrow night. In the last two days I keep having dreams of Sir Integra. The one last night was of her being tied up against a tree, screaming as a phantom in black residing amongst its branches chuckled malevolently. The dream broke off suddenly. I fear for her safety. Something tells me that this is no mere nightmare.
I have informed Walter of my dreams of Sir Integra, although for his sake, I have omitted too detailed a summary on their content. I have asked him if I am going mad. He assures me I should be still sane and believes that I am merely experiencing some of her Lordship's dreams. He postulates that, having taken her blood recently, I am connected telepathically to her Lordship. Apparently some vampires can gain momentary telepathic links with persons whose blood they have consumed – this is provided that the aforesaid person has not been turned into a ghoul by the contact. This might explain my recent visions of Sir Integra. They are so vivid that I almost expect her to appear in front of us any moment.
There are so many things to learn about my new life or lack of. I know so little of vampires, of that I am now. I too know so little of the one who sired me. I only know that Master had been bound to the servitude of the Hellsing family by their blood. I wonder what has gone through his mind all these years.
Does he hate them? He could have. Has that emotion remained unchanged? I wonder if he reads Sir Integra's thoughts? I wonder if she can read his?
I've checked. The bottle of holy water is still safe in my pocket.
----------
"Ahem ..."
Pip jumped, startled to find one rather annoyed Seras Victoria standing behind him.
"And what are you doing with my diary?" asked Seras.
"Diary?" smiled Pip weakly. "I though it was a military record," he stammered.
"Very funny, Pip. The next time I catch you, you're a dead mercenary," answered Seras, snatching the journal out of his hands.
----------
Integra screamed, her terror increasing by the moment as her mind fought to comprehend what had just happened.
"Integra ..." said Alucard, approaching her. Was she mistaken or was his expression one of concern?
"No," she sobbed. She did not know why she was crying but it felt as if as she would never be happy again. "Don't come near."
"Integra ..."
"You did this to me," she yelled and with a strength and speed that surprised her, she realised that she had slammed him against the wall.
"What is happening to me?" she cried, confused. "Tell me," she begged.
"He has awoken from his slumber and is seeking his Valkyries," replied Alucard cryptically.
"What rot is this? Who is this person you are referring to? Why is there blood in my mouth? What have you fed me?" she demanded hysterically.
"You know what happened. He was here wasn't he? Even in my sleep I felt his presence," answered Alucard. "He sought you and he has found you."
"What?"
"He was here. Damn him!"
Still pinning him against the wall, she shook Alucard and when he made no attempt to say anything more, she punched him. It was strangely satisfying to see the marks that she could now make on his otherwise invulnerable face.
She continued pummeling him as she screamed. "You did this to me! Stop trying to get away with this ridiculous talk of Valkyries and such. I'll kill you and then myself!"
This time he yelled, his voice barely restrained with fury as he grabbed her arms, "You saw her didn't you? His dark emissary!"
Integra stared in surprise at the torrent of emotions that had suddenly erupted from Alucard. Her mind was filled with his thoughts and the intensity of it all sent her reeling back from him. In all her years, she had never seen his eyes so wild with hate.
Slowly, Alucard released her wrists. Staggering backwards, she held onto the nearest piece of furniture.
"What are you talking about? Explain yourself immediately!" she commanded, attempting to assert her authority even as she held onto the chair for support.
Alucard continued as if as he did not hear her. "I have sworn for these years that I would seek out the bastard and finish what I should have done all those years ago."
Integra stared, confused as her vision began swirling. What was Alucard rambling about? Were they under threat from an ancient vampire? How was Hellsing to deal with such a monster at this time, especially if it had its hands already full with a renegade one?
"I did not know until I tasted her blood that she was ..."
"Rip?" asked Integra, fighting the nausea that was threatening to overwhelm her.
It was then Alucard noticed the increasing trembling of her knees. Moving towards her, he attempted to steady her. However, in her troubled state of mind and without realizing what she was doing, Integra instinctively grabbed onto Alucard's scarf even as she fell into his arms. He sighed. He now could not move without hurting her but she was forcing him into an awkward position against her body.
Alucard sought to read her mind and regretted it almost immediately. The screams resounding in her head were deafening.
'Was Rip really created from mother?
What monster was this, to have the gall to desecrate mother's body?
What is going on now?
God help me ... what is happening to me?'
"I didn't know that they had taken her. I only found out after I killed her that she was ..."
"Why didn't you tell me?" she screeched, jolting back into the present even as she tightened her grip on his scarf.
"Would it have done any good?" he questioned - his voice was strained with a strange emotion she could not quite identify. "Would you have spared her?"
"But ..." she stared at him, aghast.
"You refused my blood all these years only to have his forced upon you," spat Alucard almost savagely.
Integra stared at Alucard fearfully. "You mean I am ... like ... one of ..."
Alucard said nothing as he melted into the shadows of the wall, but for a brief moment, Integra thought she saw a look of pity upon his face.
----------
Walter paced the room nervously. They had entered Romania by plane and had taken a 2-day journey by car from the airport to this little village by the foot of the mountains. It was fortunate Josef had his contacts within Romania. Too many questions would have been asked if they had tried to ask for a vehicle with all the windows sealed up on their own.
The villagers had regarded them with suspicion at their arrival three nights ago. It would appear that strangers were rare, few visiting the village save for the odd Dracula enthusiast.
He had tried to visit the castle earlier but was prevented by a few men who had blocked his path. When he had tried to explain that he was really a tourist, he had been told that the castle was off-limits for renovations.
As he had turned to leave, he caught one of them saying to the other in their native Romanian dialect, "... the master of the castle has returned."
Since then, he had studied the watch for the last two nights. The foot of the mountain path up to the castle was guarded constantly by a patrol of two men save for a brief 3-minute interval around midnight during the change of guards. It was tempting to take out the guards and charge up but for this rescue mission to succeed, they would have to be as quiet as possible until they had secured her exact position.
It would thus appear any attempt to reach the castle would have to be done during those three minutes despite the risks should they meet Alucard then before locating Sir Integra. Walter glanced up from his papers. The sun was setting and Seras would be waking soon.
Just then, a soft knock was heard on the door.
"Pip is that you?" asked Walter warily.
There was no reply, only another weak knock.
Rushing to the door, Walter opened it, surprised to find a woman with long white hair fainted on the floor. Lifting her up and brushing her hair aside, he was surprised to recognise the stranger.
"Sir Integra," he cried in hushed tones as he cradled her limp body in his arms.
------------------
April 15
Sir Integra has returned today. Walter found her collapsed by the door. She looks pale but we have found no evidence that Alucard has attacked her in any way. Walter is extremely concerned about her condition. Her hair is all white as if she had been subjected to extreme stress in the last few days.
The village doctor assures us she is fine. He has urged us to flee the village but refuses to say anymore. I am confused. The villagers – are they for Alucard or against? This is however, all moot at this point. Our priority is to get Sir Integra back to England as soon as it is safe to move her. Sir Integra has been sleeping since we found her outside the inn door. The innkeeper was initially reluctant to let us take her in but Pip's stash of cigarettes appears to have convinced him otherwise.
She tosses in her sleep as if suffering from violent nightmares. The strange link between our minds has been broken since our arrival to the village. I do not understand why this is so. I should be relieved but I have a foreboding feeling about this.
The innkeeper's daughter visited Sir Integra with her mother this afternoon. The middle-aged woman left a little rosary on Sir Integra's bed before making a strange sign towards Sir Integra's sleeping figure and towards me. The older lady refused to enter the room but stood at the door praying the whole time. They seem afraid of us. And yet, it appears that they pity us at the same time.
I wonder if this is of any significance but I cannot find Sir Integra's glasses. I wonder how she had made her way down without them. I doubt Master carried her down. If this is so, I wonder why Master had not prevented her from leaving. Surely he would not have taken her so far just to let her go?
------------------
April 16
Sir Integra still does not awaken. She has developed a fever last night. The doctor has given her antibiotics but the temperature persists.
The villagers seem unusually tense – more so than yesterday. What has happened?
------------------
April 17
A strange and horrible thing has happened! I was, in a bid to bring down her temperature, sponging her Lordship's feverish body when I accidentally broke the bottle of holy water upon me. As a drop of the blessed water fell upon her Lordship's breast, I was horrified to see it leave a light brown mark.
I have told Walter. He is nearly mad with anger. We have examined her teeth but they are not elongated nor showing the signs of one embraced. We too found no other signs of vampirism on her. We do not understand what has happened. What has Master done?
Walter has given me a new bottle and bids me to take more care with it. He assures me it will leave more than a brown mark since I'm a confirmed undead.
------------------
April 18
Pip who had left for the nearest town two nights ago has managed to contact Commander Josef's friend. He will pick us up tomorrow evening. We should be in Praha in 2 days if all goes well. After that, we should be in England within a day. I know this is silly of me but I have an overwhelming urge to see English soil again. It is almost as if I believe that everything will be alright once we get home.
The mark on Sir Integra has not gone away, but the light brown scar across her chest has turned lighter somewhat. We fear the worst. Her signs are not dissimilar to that which has been recorded to have been experienced by Madam Mina Harker before Lord van Helsing's capture of Master. Yet, Sir Integra's symptoms do not match Madam Harker's in some aspects. I need more information but that is all sitting in Hellsing mansion.
Has Master fed Sir Integra his blood against her will? The records we are carrying have thankfully shed some light on what could possibly have happened to Sir Integra. In the absence of freak chips, only truly powerful vampires can sire other vampires. This is done by first draining the victim of all his or her blood, bringing the victim's heart close to arrest. To complete the embrace, the vampire feeds his own blood to the victim just before the heart stops completely. Extremely old and powerful vampires can however, cause their victim vampiric poisoning by merely feeding the victim their blood. Although still human, should the affected victim consume blood, the embrace will be completed and the victim will die, only to rise again as a vampire himself.
In addition, there are comments by Lord Abraham on other ways of changing a person into an undead. It would appear that there are more forms of vampires other than the nosferatu – which I suppose what master and I are. But regardless of the vampire's identity, the only way to break the spell is the same - to defeat the vampire responsible before the victim gives into his or her bloodlust.
We will have to confront him to learn the truth. There is no doubt about that. If he is responsible for this, even I will not forgive him.
I have decided. Regardless of the outcome, I will protect Sir Integra with all my life. Truly, I cannot explain this incredible bond I now feel for her. Perhaps it is because no one has treated me with such kindness other than my parents – even if she pretends that I am just a vampire she has to nanny.
----------
Walter sighed worriedly as he took her temperature. Although the fever had subsided late last night, Integra had not awoken since they had found her collapsed on the floor last week.
They had flown her to the military airbase in Prague and were awaiting the arrival of Doctor Trevor. In his usual discreet manner, Josef had asked no questions but had quietly arranged for living quarters for them at his private residence off the base.
Carefully, Walter examined his charge. The mark left by the blessed water had faded slightly but was still distinctly visible. This was not a good sign. What had Alucard done to her? Why could they not wake her?
The old man knelt down wearily by her bed. "Dear God, please let her be alright. Preserve her immortal soul for blessed Amelia's sake ..." he prayed. "If it is your will, take my life instead."
As he went to get her medicine, he could not help but notice the raven outside the window.
----------
Integra awoke, somehow she must have managed to escape her imprisonment as she was upon the road down to the village. Two strangers were quite close. One was what appeared to be a knight in black armour with his visor down. The other was a lady who wore a long fluttering dress of dazzling red.
"Who are you?" Integra cried out in confusion at the figure dressed in red before her. Was it her imagination or did Integra see her own likeness in the woman's face even though her hair was white and her eyes red? The knight stood silently beside his lady.
The woman said nothing but merely gestured for Integra to follow her as she turned to leave. Just then, Integra heard a familiar voice cry out behind her, "No, Integra, it is a trap."
Looking behind her shoulder, Integra saw that it was Seras who had called to her. Relieved, Integra turned towards the young vampire. However, she had barely taken two steps, when she found herself strangely unable to move any further towards Seras - just as Seras too appeared to be prevented from advancing further towards Integra.
Integra became painfully aware of the fact that while Seras was trying to tell her something, she could not hear what the young vampire was trying to say. It was almost as if a thick glass wall had been erected between them just as she was about to reach Seras.
"Seras?" she cried, straining her eyes to decipher what the young vampire was trying to tell her as she pounded desperately against the invisible barrier between them.
"I can't hear you," Integra yelled, "there's something here ..."
Before she could finish her sentence, Seras had vanished: just as suddenly as she appeared. Integra could not help but gasp in panic.
"Why do you not follow? Why did you turn back?"
Integra turned to see the strange woman in front of her. She held out her hand beckoningly. "Come Integra, you must follow me."
As she deliberated whether she should take the strange woman's hand or run, Integra felt icy cold fingers grab her wrist. Before she could figure out what was happening, she realised that she had somehow been teleported into a richly decorated room. How this came to be she did not know. However, looking around, Integra recognised herself to be alone in one of the rooms in the Hellsing manor - even though the furniture looked slightly different.
"Sweet mercies," she cried. "Am I still stuck in these horrible illusions?"
She ran toward the doors, but just as she was about to approach them, she found herself back in the middle of the room. Angrily, she screamed – but at whom she herself did not know.
"Who are you? Show yourself at once or leave me be. Damn you and these horrible dreams!"
"Horrible dreams?" chuckled the sweet quiet voice behind her. "What dreams dear Integra?"
Integra turned to find the strange lady smiling sweetly at her. A very sweet and drowsy smell seemed to come from the woman making it harder and harder to think.
The strange woman began to speak. "There are no dreams Integra, merely memories. Why do you seek me?"
"Seek you?" asked Integra drowsily. "I didn't seek anyone. I was ..."
"You were?" prompted the lady sweetly. The strange woman was beautiful and young and yet if you looked at her closely, you would have felt that there was something that was not quite so right about her. "Do you know who you are? Have you not yet discovered the things which they have hidden from you?" the woman asked.
"I am ..." With her last thread of self-control, Integra turned her back to the woman, holding her hands to her face. She slapped her cheeks in a desperate bid to sober herself from the stupor that was threatening to overcome her. "You are all a nightmare, this is not real. I shall awaken and will be in England dictating the next mission to Alucard ... this is all not real!" she said, almost shouting by now.
The strange woman laughed: the richest most musical laugh imaginable. "Well, sweet thing," she said as she walked forward and wrapped her arms around Integra's body. "I am Horror. You have found me and you shall have what you must learn."
"I did not seek you," replied Integra indignantly as she tried to push Horror away. "And what is this which I must learn?" she mouthed weakly.
"That which you must learn," repeated Horror softly and solemnly as she ran her hands over Integra's body.
Suppressing a moan and fighting the strange feelings that were threatening to overcome her, Integra was about to protest. She stopped as she realised that someone was coming into the room. Involuntarily, she held her breath, as part of her sensed that she was about to be shown something very important.
The door opened and two men stepped into the room. Integra bit her lip to stop herself from crying aloud as she recognised the older gentleman. The younger man looked familiar but she was not quite so sure that he was whom she supposed he was.
"Don't worry, they can't hear us," she heard Horror whisper into her ear. "We don't exist in their time no more than they in ours."
Integra fought to keep her mind clear even as Horror continued her "ministrations".
"Adam," said the older man sternly.
"Adam?" thought Integra. She had recognised the older gentleman as her great grandfather Abraham van Helsing (before her grandfather had anglicised their family name). She had memorized every detail from his portraits since she had been a little girl. How she had idolised him. Was the younger man Adam Hellsing, her grandfather?
"Father what is it you wished to speak to me about?" asked the younger Hellsing, clearly nervous. Adam was a handsome man in his late thirties but his boyish face lacked the distinguished features of his father.
Abraham scowled. "And what are you planning to do about the girl?"
"The girl, father? Of whom are you speaking?" replied Adam, his face a little flushed.
"You know of whom I am speaking," said Abraham angrily. "You think that I am still in the dark as to the foolish charade you have set up with Evelyn?"
Adam said nothing, his face deathly pale.
"Surely you do not forget your marriage vows to your wife? To remain faithful to her unto death?" bellowed the old man. "You think it possible I would not find out that you have had a daughter with another woman?"
"I ..." stammered Adam.
"Do not think I am in the dark as to what you have been up to during your time as your cousin-in-law's assistant in India. Your cousin has confessed that Amelia is not merely the child of a faithful servant, adopted by her and Henry. The mother had died in childbirth, deserted by you. In her decency, your cousin would not let you leave your flesh and blood alone in India, unable to fend for herself."
Adam Hellsing said nothing but merely looked at the floor, as if wishing it could swallow him and hide him from his father's wrath.
"What have I raised you to be?" said the elder Hellsing. "Your mother would turn in her grave if she knew. I had consented to you joining Henry during his stint as governor of India hoping that you would learn to do something useful with your life. Instead, I find that you have been fooling around in India. Have you no fear of God before whom you swore fidelity to Minerva? More unbelievable is the fact you had deserted the poor woman even though she was pregnant with your child!"
Abraham Helsing was livid as he continued with his tirade. "We are knighted by her Majesty to protect great England and all her people from the undead. We are sanctioned by the church to defend its people from the forces of darkness. I have served my country but failed my conscience. I fight evil but what do I find in my own household? Adultery, cruelty and my only son behaving like some common heathen!"
Integra gasped ashen faced. Amelia actually her grandfather's daughter? But would that not make her father and mother siblings? Was she ...
"Father, I ..."
"Shut up. The wrong has been done to that poor woman and the child. We cannot right it but we cannot create a second wrong. You must never let your wife Minerva learn of this. The delicate creature would die of a broken heart if she knew. Evelyn and Henry shall continue to raise Amelia as the child they adopted from India. No one must ever know of this disgraceful state of affairs except for the four of us, do you understand?" admonished the elder Helsing, his voice a mix of anger and sadness.
"Yes father," replied Adam, his hands shaking.
"Now go before I change my mind and kill you."
Integra gasped as her surroundings suddenly melted away, leaving her and Horror standing in the middle of the manor's gardens.
"So Integra, the Hellsing closet has more skeletons than one can imagine ..." mocked Horror.
"Fiend," Integra snarled, finally pulling herself loose of the base embrace. "Who are you? Are you too his harbinger of doom? What is your master's name?" she demanded savagely.
"Shh ... patience. There is more you have yet to learn of," laughed Horror as she pointed towards the bushes in front of them. "He will reveal himself to you when he is ready. Behold, your parents approach ..."
"What do you mean," asked Integra before realising that Horror had disappeared. In her place stood the knight. As he had been from the beginning, he remained eerily silent, saying nothing but merely raising a black gauntlet, pointing silently at the lovers entering the garden.
"Mother and ..." mouthed Integra in disbelief, her face drained of all color. "My father is ... is ..."
