Thanks seras-kelia for the edition!
Durga
Chapter Nine
- The Hanged Man
Seras hated D-words.
Denial of things related to…
Death of her beloved ones, that brought her the bitter sensation of…
Deja-vu, which was a serial of moments that would falter and repeat over and over again to her displease.
Seras was stunned when she saw the spectacle displayed below her. It was a small circus of horror, full of vampiric creatures feeding off her men. But everything paled in comparison to what she felt when Peter was killed. The connection was severed at once, the link between Master and servant, it was entwined with unspoken feelings.
No, God.
Not again.
Not anymore.
And she screamed, a guttural yelp as she landed on the bloodied remains of her fledgling. No longer was Peter a failed replacement of Pip Bernadette, now he was a deceased son and she was the mother mourning his loss.
Kneeling on where his body dissolved into a pond of blood, Seras started to lap at the liquid, trying to recover a piece of himself for her: To remember in centuries to come, to be aware of not committing the same mistake with another. The Asuras killed him, but she was also responsible. Not bothering never to teach him seriously or release him as a full vampire, believing that if she and Integral were able to do such things by themselves, he could too. Seras had been wrong and Peter paid the ultimate price for her mistake.
Lick.
Swallow.
More blood that Seras obtained, the more of Peter she would acquire.
Lick.
Swallow.
The sequence was a routine of sorts for her, but every trace of her tongue was unique in itself.
Seras had seen so many perished in her existence. Despite all the experience she had in the world, about leading a military squad, nothing was as difficult as telling their relatives what happened. When Peter perished, she could relate why the parents were so disheartened by the notifications.
Fireflies gathered around Peter's clothes, it was like a morbid parade of lights. Seras paused, sensing that were seeking something, but their titling was enthralling and she found it impossible to move.
Lowering her lashes, the police girl came out of suchaspell, taking notice of the circumstances she was in. Two Asuras - a woman and a man - were standing close to her, neither made a move to attack her. Her eyes, moistened with unshed tears, for she would not cry - scanned their faces. They were, in her opinion, quietly waiting for the end of her grieving. Foes they might be, and she loathed them for murdering her fledgling, however they apparently knew the meaning of respect. Unlike Joleen and her troops, unlike the murderers of her parents, the two vampires didn't laugh or mock, their faces were solemn.
It was puzzling to say at least, but Seras could not be bought off for one or two seconds of sympathy. Not when her home had been violated, her people massacred and her fledgling destroyed.
With a snap of her fingers, Seras concentrated her basic telekinesis, lifting her Harkonnens – Vladimir I and Vladimir II- off her chambers and bringing them to herself. She rose, leaping forward to catch the weapons, one in each hand and started her round of non-stop fire. With the impulse of the initial shots, Seras landed on one edge of a balcony, easing her work and accessing to the complete sight of the perimeter. The fact the rest of the vampires didn't have long range weapons also was a benefit. The missiles blasted holes on the ground, blowing up more than one foe each time they met their target.
Seras abandoned the general slaughter and focused her attention on the assassin of her fledgling instead. The black woman with soulless eyes, surrounded by the sparkling insects, had snagged the Soma vial while the Captain had kept herself occupied in wasting ammunition against the lesser Asuras.
Annoyed for such fluke on her part, Seras spun, aiming the rocket launcher to hit the Adze. Zipporah anticipated this, throwing her spear on the barrel of Vladimir II before Seras could pull up the trigger. The velocity of the impact was enough to cause the self-destruction of the massive weapon. Seras jumped out towards the ground, dropping the firearm in the process. The explosion was powerful enough to make the balcony crumbled, pieces of brick hit the Midian's left shoulder, bruising it.
Perhaps, this won't be as easy as I thought, Seras mused, narrowing her eyes as her injured spot healed itself.
Softly, she put Vladimir I down. No one made an attempt to restrain her; they were held by Lin's orders of non-interference. The Asuras were giving a fair fight and she would return the favour. Her duel would be hand-to-hand. Zipporah inclined her head, understanding. She tossed away the bone knives that were holding on her fur robe.
Revenge was not her main objective; it was primordial Seras recover the phial. She knew what it was, Integral had explained to her whilst she assisted her on those wretched experiments the Hellsing forced onto herself.
The elixir of immortality, Soma, was the one that had turned both Alucard and Integral, into true immortals. Only a few drops were left, enough to make the miracle happen once more. Hellsing had not destroyed it immediately after she drunk her part because of Seras. Just in case one day, she changed her mind about taking it.
Zipporah started the attack; she jumped to Seras, hands extended with feral claws. The Captain dodged, stepping to a side and recovering the distance only to be latched off again, tackling her and pinning to the ground. Seras grunted, hitting her head with a rock, but nonetheless she would not lose this challenge. She could not.
Snarling, Seras pushed Zipporah off her body with her leg, throwing the Adze backwards, against a tree. The dark skinned woman's back hit the trunk, shattering several shards of wood. The impact made Zipporah drop the bottle containing Soma. Sensing her chance, Seras lunged to catch it, but she was not fast enough. Zipporah - who was hanging on the branches - captured it with her feet andthen quickly climbed out of the police girl's grasp. Unable to stop herself, Seras bashed her forehead with the trunk. Dazzled, she returned a few steps, monitoring Zipporah's monkey-like grace on the oak.
I cannot move like that, Seras studied, choosing to use another tactic. Tendrils of shadows followed Zipporah to provoke her fall and take the Soma. The Adze grinned, pausing her path to call out light bright enough to disseminate the darkness.
Bloody hell! Seras, upon seeing that didn't work as she hoped it would, started to push the tree. With one mighty tug, the police girl pulled the oak down, taking it out from its roots. Surprised, Zipporah dived along with the branches, morphing into fireflies so she wouldn't harm with fall.
Seras was on the insects within the blink of an eye, snapping the vial from them, sliding it in her uniform front pocket. Zipporah,not wishing to be defeated, recovered her human form. Instantly, her features darkened in pain, Seras' fist had sunk deep inside her chest, coming out the Adze's back. With her free hand, Seras tore apart her opponent, separating her body in two pieces. The portions collapsed to the ground, a silent scream was reflected in Zipporah's eyes, her blood splattered Seras, soaking her clothes and skin.
You have been avenged, Peter. Seras thought, licking her rival's blood out of her face. A mere taste was what it took for the Captain to havea glimpse of the fallen woman's memories.
She saw a distant land with yellow shores and blue skies; a place filled with the wilderness of the savannah. There were people there, dressed in furs and bright colours, skin as dark as the ebony, smiling with ivory teeth.
There was a pause and she saw newcomers of fairer shades, the so called cultured, that brought them the advantages of belonging to the world.
It was a lie.
The happy people did not smile anymore. They were pale and suffering foreign illnesses that their shaman could not heal. Seras recognized the witch doctor, it was Zipporah, undead, and cursing the white devils that brought her kin's ruin.
The last scene that played inher head, was the capture of the healthy ones, forced onto a ship with shackles and chains that would lead them out of the Golden Coast forever - if they were lucky to arrive alive. Seras wrinkled her nose, the place smelled ofurine and decay.
The images hurt Seras as if someone had gutted herShe looked around; taking in the faces of the dead and undead Asuras. There was a gleam in their eyes she knew very well - despair and hatred of unquenched payback.
They are like me…
Her resolution faltered upon that discovery. Unlike Millennium, unlike the trash she had taken care of all these centuries, the Asuras had an ulterior reason: avenge themselves from some wronging. Vampires weren't good and generous beings, but possessive with their peers and lands.
A sickening feeling overcame her. They had experimented on the same rage she was: They invaded their home and killed the people they loved; like herself for their invasion.
The fluttering of wings took her out of her musings. Looking up, Seras was relieved to the sight of white feathers; cranes had arrived to the zone. She could distinguish Integral's form as the birds joined once more.
'Why the hell are you frozen and staring at me, Seras?'
Seras almost laughed out of joy to hear Integral. That meant that somehow, she had come out victorious over Alucard.
Integra! They are only trying to avenge themselves, Seras explained, doubt regarding what action she should take. Nothing was as simple and these vampires were not pure evil.
'And you should mind yours!' Integral's tone borderline fanatic. Seras knew that for her superior, the only thing that mattered was to defend New Britannia at any cost. 'I sense your hesitation, Seras. Remember who are you and where your loyalties lie.'
"Miss." Seras spun to find herself face to face with Lin Tse-hsü, he was holding a single sabre decorated with designs of tigers and cranes. He remained next to her, showing no to indication of aggression.
"Bloody oriental! Seras leave him to me!" Integral screamed, phasing to Seras' side on the midway a barrier blocked her path. A chilling laugh filled Seras' ears, she near swallowed.
Alucard.
Her former Master.
Darn.
"Excellent Integra!" Alucard reformed, dusting his coat. There were no signs of whatever bloody struggle he and Integral were involved. "You won that round."
"Get out of the way, cretin. You gave me your word that if I win, I will be able to return to Hellsing and defend it."
"And I fulfilled the deal," Alucard replied devilishly. "I didn't say anything about stopping my attacks. You can protect your home, Integra. From me!"
Seras rolled her eyes. Alucard had not changed in two hundred years, ever the King of Melodramatic entrances.
'Melodramatic, Seras Victoria? I'm wounded,' Alucard sent a mentalchuckle. 'You have grown in power as well. Impressive.'
Why thank you, Alucard. What's your excuse for being here? I can see theirs, but yours? Her tone was ironic, maintaining diplomacy, to not accuse him of being a traitor.
'My motives are my own.'
Typical. She should not be surprised. I hope Integra kick your sorry arse.
'Tsk, using such words, Police Girl. Fledglings these days, no respect to their Masters.'
Former Master, Alucard. And respect is gained, you taught me that. Seras scoffed at the nickname, I thought we have surpassed the Police Girl stage centuries ago.
Lin cleared his throat. "Miss?"
Seras blinked, remembering that she was in front of an enemy. How careless, she had been engrossed in the mental conversation with Alucard. If Lin was not as honourable, she could be dead by now.
Smooth Seras. Even Peter would have known better.
'Maybe you assimilated his stupidity when you drank his blood.' Alucard's words cut her - the loss lingered inside her.
Shut up, insensible git! He was my fledgling! No one throws to your face how Lucy or the three sisters were slain under your nose! Get out of my head!
Seras did not receive a retort from him. Mayhap was a fool's dream to think Alucard had learnt a lesson of humility and acted like a decent bloodsucker demon of the night. But Seras was not an idiot and figured out the reason was that he and Integral were involved in another brawl.
There was shadow halo circling where both her former Master and her leader had stood. Integral's way to keep the damage to the propriety minimal.
"I'm sorry," Seras uttered to Lin who hiked a thin brow in return.
"For your distraction? I gather the Dragon was to blame." Such affable tone, Seras bit her bottom lip. Did they have to fight?
"No, for everything that happened to you."
"Being sorry won't solve anything, that won't bring back the lives that were loss," Lin's words were softly, almost apologetic. That made the circumstances harder for Seras.
"And more bloodshed will?" It did not make sense. They have changed - for better or worse, New Britannia was not an imperialism nation. But somehow she could not fault them for such acts. Emotions blinded her at times and became brutal as well. "Maim and kill?"
"That's what you did to Zipporah…for the same feeling."
"That's different! It's…" Seras struggled for her defence, not having a good argument. She agreed with him.
Lin smiled to her stuttered speech. "But you're right, miss. Slaughter isn't the way to resolve this. It will originate more conflict. To teach honour and dignity to you and your people once we get the power is. Educate the barbarians and they will become cultured."
Seras meditated for quite some time to find a solution to this problem. Her conscience and heart were thorn. Allegiances wereclashing within herself. Her morals and her duty were on opposite sides. "What's your name?"
"Lin Tse-hsü at your service, Miss Victoria."
Seras pursed her lips into a thin line. Her history lessons were not forgotten; the name was famous. Lin The Clear Sky, the antagonist of the British attempts to bring China to its knees by introducing Opium in order to turn the Cathayans into addicts.
"You want the Soma, Lin Tse-hsü?"
"No. It's for milord, Mahisa."
Her eyes did not leave his, her foe's were not twisted by hatred like the rest of his troupe. A gleam of awareness and compassion could be spotted. Finally, Seras levitated the remaining Harkonnen to her hands. "We have our pride. And I will defend it even if that leads to fight you. No matter how different I wish things to turn out, I won't betray Sir Hellsing and New Britannia. Blame those pesky personal emotions of mine."
"I understand. And it would be an honour to have a duel with you," Lin inclined his head, saluting with his sword as he assumed a more aggressive position. "I would educate you in the Chinese arts. A warning, I am strict with my training."
"I had Alucard as Master, I can take your lessons," Seras remarked, pulling the trigger of her Harkonnen, targeting Lin. He appeared to vanish in the thin air when he only sidestepped and rotated to charge. Everything was fast, but for Seras' senses, happened in slow motion. The Chinese vampire hopped, landing on the barrel of her rocket launcher.
Seras looked at him stunned, What the hell…? I'm trapped in a Bruce Lee film… Lin grinned, slicing the firearm with his sword while spinning on the air. On his swirl, he kicked Seras on her neck, sending her backwards to the ground. She was about to rise when felt Lin's weight on her, his legs pinned hers in a position that made her difficult to move.
"Lesson the first, never lower your guard," Lin lectured as Seras tried to punch him. All her actions were blocked by his sword - the edge slashed her skin superficially. She growled, moving her head to bash his, only to be hit on her forehead and forced back to her previous position. "Tut, tut, none of that."
"I think you just broke the Soma bottle," Seras commented, scolding. Lin's mind swayed away for a nanosecond, not much, as if to corroborate whether ornot she was honest. Captain Victoria lifted the upper part of her body while he was at that. The impulse freed her legs and she escaped his grip without recurring to misting herself or any unfair trick.
Rolling and leaping up to her feet, Seras tossed her hair back and smirked. "What was all that jazz about not lowering the guard?" As soon the words came out of her mouth, she had to move, dodging Lin who approached her while twirling around clockwise. There were small hooks on his shoes that, with the sword made his assault as harmless as the caress of a chainsaw.
Seras ducked, falling to the ground. Stirring her arm, she snagged a fallen branch and threw it towards Lin. The man lost his balance, breaking that fighting stance. To win the upper hand again, Lin strode towards Seras; each movement was a deadly dance of coordinated steps. Hypnotic.
Don't drop the defences!
Her gaze followed every motion as she rushed backwards. The steps suddenly became predictable. Lin repeated them, as someone dancing a waltz. Grinning, she stopped, narrowing her eyes in expectative. When Lin gave the front stab, Seras jumped on his sabre to jolt him by kicking Lin hard on the nose.
Seras saw Lin lost his conscious momentarily, feeling self-satisfied by her feat. Not bad for an Englishwoman, she told herself, bending down to pick the fallen sword. Suddenly, there was a whistling sound on the air followed by a thud. Her vision blurred, becoming red. She coughed blood out of her system. Her eyes rolled up to gaze at the katar that landed four meters away. The dagger through her back, coming out on her left breast with one lung and her heart and took them with it.
"Lin was an idiot to have not kill you right away. Promise or no promise to the Dragon." The voice was smooth, alluring but so filled with loath, contrary to the Chinese man's. Seras fell to her knees; with her heart stabbed she was paralysed. "It's made of blessed silver."
"B-bastard," she muttered, glaring at the teenage looking vampire.
"Give me the Soma," Mahisa demanded, pulling out another katar from his sheath. "Or you'll lose that pretty head of yours."
Integra! Seras called out, feeling the silver steel on her throat.
"Everything will be better if you give me that," Mahisa said with a murmur. Seras' mind started to fog, it was like she wanted to comply with him even though he had harmed her. He was trustworthy, her true leader. Something was definitely wrong. And she did not think it was caused by the fact her organs were laying beneath the knife.
'Seras resist! He's controlling your mind! Don't listen to him!' Integral was agitated but could not do anything. Alucard was keeping her on the Abyss with him. Seras sensed the frustration growing inside her leader and friend as she clashed with Alucard.
Against her commands, the vial was sliding off her pocket. Seras forced it to remain there. She could not move or use a great amount of power but basic telekinesis and grasp shadows those she could access of.
'Seras. Drink the Soma. Fool that idiot in that you'll give it to him and take it. Become a True Immortal!' Alucard suggested with a tone of seduction that would have put the Devil in shame.
So that's why you sic them to me? To become stronger?
'It doesn't matter. Take the Soma - smite Mahisa. Become his Durga!'
Seras gnashed her fangs. He's just a wretched soul. I can't bring myself to kill him. Not after what I saw. I would only feed the hatred. It's a vicious circle.
'Don't be an idiot, Police Girl! Mercy is for the weak, only the strongest survive. This is a war!' Seras winced at the mental roar, she was certain that Alucard would have struck her if he were right there for her insolence. 'If you don't do that, you'll die. I won't allow Integra to aid you. And you don't want to die tonight, or do you?'
I…
Seras contemplated her choice once more. The same one Alucard had forced onto her when he inquired if she was virgin that terrible night centuries ago. His opportunities were blackmailed by death. Naïve in that time, she had thought nothing was worse than the ultimate fate. But if she took the Soma…she would wander the earth forever, losing what she considered human still: her mortality. That frightened Seras even more.
"You had your chance…" Mahisa said as the edge move to cut her throat. "I'll just seek it on your cadaver."
"Wai-," Seras blurted out before her vocal cords were severed the vial levitated from her pocket to the air. Mahisa beheld it enthralled.
"Lord Mahisa! What are you doing?!" Lin demanded, having just recovered from Seras' assault. "We gave our word of not killing her!"
'That's it, Seras…Very good. Do it now while he's distracted.'
Indeed, 'Master'? Seras addressed him with sarcasm, as strength was leaving her. The katar had pierced halfway already. Sorry for not living up to your 'expectations. At least grant me the request - you and Integra won't become enemies over me. I'm tired of so much hatred.
Shadows gathered around the bottle, shattering it, the content lost itself in the endless Abyss. Out of reach.
'Stupid girl! What have you done?!'
Seras tried to smile but didn't find energy to do so. I made a choice. Not everyone will bow to your wishes.
The following minutes were confusing for Seras Victoria. The pain of her neck became more intense also the noises were indistinguishable.
Screams - most of rage and one of deep sorrow.
Her eyes were closed, she could not see anymore. But the sense of touch was still there. Tips were caressing her hair and cheeks, long and slender fingers. Integral was holding her head.
Forgive him. Forgive me.
The world was left behind, her mind was transcending. In those moments she didn't recall all her life as film as many said, rather she was back to her philosophy class. She would always remember the class she failed.
'Call no man happy until he is dead', Herodotus said.
Well, Seras. Let's find out if that applies to vampires as well.