Author's Note: Wow! I never thought I'd get this many reviews after only two chapters! Thanks everyone! Well, this is my third chapter, obviously, and I'm really excited about how this is going so far!

Disclaimer: All original Van Helsing characters belong to Stephen Sommers, Universal Studios and Universal Pictures.

Dracula's Symphony

Chapter Three: Adventuring East

            With a brown pack filled with several weeks for of food slung over her shoulder, he belt with weapons, bandages, and other accessories, and another pack with clothing, she raced down the stairs, boots stomping, filled with rage.

            Running out of the now empty inn, she stood in the middle of the village, the toes of her boots gleaming in the sun. The villagers were also there, searching the bodies for loved ones.

            "Will anyone go with me?" Adriana asked, and immediately everyone looked up. She knew she would never get anyone to go, all of them but simple villagers, so seeing no responses from any of them, walked out of the village.

            Heading east, she quickly went through the forest, chopping away at any bushes or plants that get in her way with her silver sword. Many days had passed, and she was in quite the rush.

            Adriana almost made it to the next village over, when another werewolf appeared.

            "I have no time for you!" she held her sword behind her with both hands, running straight at it. At the last minute she pushed it forward, stabbing the werewolf in the stomach, the sword going almost all the way through. Pulling it out again and stepping back, the werewolf's stomach was sizzling and smoking. The blood on her sword was going the same, but it as it smoked; the blood came off, cleaning the sword.

            The werewolf fell to its knees, then died. Glaring at the corpse, she ran right by it, too angry and in a rush to do anything about it.

            Finally through the forest, Adriana reached the next village, and again, there were the villagers, mourning over the dead bodies lying in the center of their little lives. She stopped and stared as the other people stared right back at her. She had been traveling for almost a weak now, and her food supply was almost half empty. Walking to the place that looked like it might sell food, although no one was there, she took several fruits and vegetables, pulled out her sack of coins and bills, put some there, and continued on. Before she left, she said a few words.

            "I will find out who did this to your village. The same beast did it to mine."

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            At least a month had passed since she first began, and now she was camping in the woods, almost out of food, weak, tired, and dirty. She refused to sleep much, on a count of the werewolves and other beasts in the forests. Her bag of clothes had acted as a pillow, meager and uncomfortable as it was.

            Close to her destination, she laid her head on the bag. The ground was rough and also uncomfortable, but she had gotten used to it. A fire cracked and flickered to her side as she looked up at the stars, the tiny glowing dots were the only thing that reminded her of her dead loved ones. Knowing that they were up there somewhere had calmed her and comforted her through all the years.

            A dark figure flew overhead, covering the stars and flying past. Adriana thought for a moment. Werewolf visits were practically regular when in the woods, but that was no werewolf. Thinking harder, it hit her.

            That was the beast that had killed the villagers in hers, and other, villages.

            Jumping to her feet, she stomped out the fire reluctantly and grabbed the rest of her belongings. Running after the monster's silhouette, she dodged trees, ran through bushes, trudged through a river, and squeezed through more dense forest. Unfortunately, she lost the creature, still a bit unsure if it was him. Again she settled down.

            Searching her bag, she dumped out everything, then sighed. She would have to sleep in the cold, her matches left back where she originally was.

            Damn it all to hell. She thought to herself, pounding a rock into the ground.

            Morning came and as Adriana woke, she slowly pulled herself together and continued on.

            About three hours later, she sighed with joy, and sat. Looking down at the city, she scanned it over, looking for the Cathedral. Finding it, not to far from where she sat, she got up again and walked on.

            Turning corners, walking along sidewalks, and asking for directions was a great change from the forest. People stared at her as she went, but it didn't bother her. Then, looking straight up and smiling, she walked into the Cathedral.

            Inside, the Cathedral was empty, which was quite unusual. There was usually at least one person inside praying, but she didn't think about it. Dropping her stuff, she admired the large arches, stained glass windows, and stone structure. The great organ pipes were against the main wall, but nothing played.

            Slowly walking towards the confession box, she stopped and opened the door the Cardinal went in to. Finding the small lever she knew only the Cardinal was supposed to know about, she pulled it, the stone wall behind her opening and revealing a secret passage, where people busied themselves down the stone staircase.

            Walking down, and entering the large lab-like room, she searched for the Cardinal. His red and white robes were finally spotted, and she found her way over to him.

            "Cardinal, sir," Adriana said. As he turned around he gasped and jumped back, nearly mixing two very unstable chemicals.

            "Adriana! Wha-what are you doing here?! And why are you so dirty? And how did you know where to find the Holy Order's Headquarters?!" he stumbled with his words, too surprised to see her.

            "I picked up a tip from someone way far back, when I was young," she gave a wryly smile, "but I need your help. No, I need the Order's help."

            "Well, since you already know where we are, I'll get you your help. But first, would you like to clean up?" There was sympathy in his voice and Adriana smiled.

            No less than a half hour later Adriana was back down in the Order's Headquarters, cleanly bathed, clothed, and no longer hungry.

            "Sir, I have reason to believe that there is something more horrible than we've ever faced. I don't know who it is or where it lives, all I know is that it was the most grotesque and hideous vampire I have ever seen. It nearly killed everyone in Katorez, not to mention many other little villages." The Cardinal looked at her in disbelief and astonishment.

            "It can't be…"

            "Can't be what?"

            "No, it's impossible. He was killed several months ago."

            "Would you tell me what we're dealing with?!" Adriana had become quite infuriated that the Cardinal knew something and wasn't telling her.

            "We?! You shall not deal with this beast. You will go back to Katorez and live like you did, as a minor monster slayer. Destroy what is in your own area. I will alert the proper person," the Cardinal said in an angry tone, "I will have a carriage bring you back."

            "Back where?!" Adriana screamed at him and parts of the Order's Headquarters fell silent.

            "My parents are dead! They've been dead for almost twenty years now! Leo, the only other guardian I have now is dead! What else do I have to live for back there?!?! I want to fight whatever killed Leo!!" her eyes were tearing up although she tried to hide it.

            "My child, you will have your revenge, Leo will be avenged, everything will be alright," the Cardinal tried to sooth her.

            "No, you're wrong, nothing will be right until I avenge him myself," Adriana turned sharply on a pivot, leaving the Holy Order, the Cardinal, and anything else they were going to do about it behind. Sure, she would take their carriage ride home, but it wouldn't be how they wanted it.

            If anyone is going to do anything, I'm going to have to do this myself.

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Author's End Note: Ok, so, the middle of this chapter, well, actually most of it, turned out horribly, HORRIBLY written. Not as good as I planned it to be, but you know what?! I'm not very good at writing long, adventury kinda stuff. Oh well. Still no sign of Van Helsing yet, but do not fear! For all Van Helsing fans (like my friend who I know is probably going to kill me for not having him in yet) he shall enter soon! Vadaboosh!
I just always wanted to say/do that… Now, enjoy some more and be pissed off about lack of more updating soon-ness!!!