Summary: One week after Anna's funeral, Van Helsing and Carl return to the Vatican and are given a new assignment; protect a clan of elves from a warlock trying to gain power. However, this'll be harder then it sounds, with a feisty elf joining them and the return of a pesky curse.
Disclaimer: Kind of a crap summary there, but oh well. Yep, just the usual here: I don't and NEVER will truly own Van Helsing, except for the soundtrack, the poster, the action figure, the DVD (when it comes out)... ok, basically Steve Sommers and Universal own it, not me. NOT ME. I don't even own the title, Carl says it! (Go Carl!) Ok, so don't sue me. (Btw, italics are thoughts and emphasised words). PLEASE, NO FLAMES.
"Oh my God, you should be terrified!"
Gabriel Van Helsing almost smiled as he entered the Vatican City in Rome. It was truly beautiful, but he was surprised war hadn't ravaged it, as it had done to so many other beautiful cities.
The muttering of Carl brought him out of his thoughts. The small friar was saying something about confessing to all the sins he had committed while out on their journey to get rid of Count Dracula. Gabriel cringed at the thought of the Holy Order finding out that for a few minutes he had lost his humanity completely. And in those moments he had taken an innocent life.
"If they find out I let Frankenstein's Monster live, they'll have my head!" Carl said, nerves clearly in his voice.
"Carl." Gabriel growled, not taking his eyes off the road ahead. Sometimes he wondered why the Holy Order would keep the friar. They took everything so seriously, but Carl was the opposite in everything. The only things he seemed to take seriously were his weapons and gadgets.
Carl looked at his partner and silenced himself. Since Anna's death, his friend's demeanor had changed for the worst. Yes, Van Helsing had always been stoic, but this was unbelievable! He never showed any emotions anymore, except, of course, for the anger that seemingly always coursed through his system.
He knew he felt guilty about her death, but he really needed to move on. It had been a week since they had held her funeral, and all through their journey back to Rome Van Helsing had barely said a word.
"I'm just a little worried, Van Helsing. What happens if they've found out about your little... change?"
"I won't tell if you won't." Gabriel said as he unconsciously touched the werewolf bite. Even though he had been cured of the curse, the wound had remained, and it still looked fresh. He pulled his leather coat around him tighter and took a deep breath as he entered the church.
Van Helsing had tried not to think about the consequences if they had found out about his transformation into the werewolf. They probably would kill him right there and then, but, then again, he was an asset to them. Who else would go out and kill their monsters for them? For as long as he had been there, Gabriel had never seen another Knight of the Holy Order. Never. Not once.
In the distance monks walked through the church, murmuring Latin prayers. Carl stopped by a tapestry and looked at Van Helsing, a somewhat sad expression upon his face. "This is where I disappear. If they don't kill either one of us, I'll see you again later." He threw back the tapestry and was about to walk down the stairs when Gabriel grabbed the friar's shoulder.
"Carl," he said, looking rather uncomfortable. "I should thank you for everything that you did for us in Transylvania. I probably wouldn't be standing here if it weren't for you."
Carl smiled and patted his friend on the back. "And thank you for not killing me."
With that, the friar disappeared down the stairs, leaving the monster hunter to approach the confession booth alone. Van Helsing opened the door and stepped inside, taking a seat on the small bench opposite the window. He bowed his head and crossed himself.
"Bless me Father, for I have sinned." Gabriel began, and an annoyingly familiar voice answered.
"Van Helsing, you need not ask for redemption every time you slay one of the Devil's children." Cardinal Jinette's thick Italian accent came through the window, and Gabriel cringed.
"They were God's children before they were turned to the Devil, so I must ask for redemption Cardinal." Gabriel murmured, and Jinette rolled his eyes.
"I guess it's your choice, Van Helsing," he said, and pressed a button, making the wall retract. "By the way, good work in Transylvania."
Gabriel cringed again as he stood up, and the Cardinal looked at him with an almost knowingly expression on his wrinkled face. "But there were several casualties..."
Cardinal Jinette cut Van Helsing off before he could finish. "We sent you there to destroy Count Dracula and prevent the Valerious family from slipping into purgatory. You did your job, and casualties are a part of that. You can be forgiven."
Jinette began walking down the stairway, and Gabriel followed, feeling uncertain. The Cardinal was rarely like this; Gabriel had taken the remaining two Valerious lives, but Jinette was acting as if he had no idea. Usually the Cardinal knew about everything that went on while Gabriel was on his missions.
Perhaps he doesn't know that I killed them... Gabriel thought as he entered the cavernous room at the base of the stairs. I guess I shouldn't worry; if they found out they'd probably kill me. But it just doesn't make sense! Why wouldn't they know?
Van Helsing followed the Cardinal through the underground chamber, winding his way around the hundreds of people down there with them. They entered a long corridor with many doors situated along the way. The Cardinal abruptly stopped, and Gabriel almost ran into him. Jinette turned to face the hunter.
"We understand you'd be tired from the return to Rome, so you can stay here until you're ready for our new mission." Jinette pushed the door open, revealing a small, shabby room.
"You have a new assignment for me already?" Van Helsing asked in disbelief as he entered the room.
Jinette smiled and said almost sarcastically, "The wicked do not wait for us to heal, Van Helsing. With all your years of experience, I thought you'd know that by now."
With that, the Cardinal left Van Helsing to his poor quality room and his thoughts.
A/N: Well, that's it for chapter one. Did you like? Any thoughts on how I could improve? Any thoughts for my slightly lagging storyline will be much appreciated. I'll say something (thanks, answers to any questions) for all the reviewers at the beginning of the next chapter. Please review!