Chapter Two
- Fallen Babylon

She had not spoken to him during the trip towards London. Integral Hellsing was absorbed by whatever was displayed on the flat screen of her laptop almost with the same concentration that matched the former priest's intense stare from his seat, separate from hers by the aisle.

The jet they were travelling in was small but not deprived of luxuries. The seats were smooth and comfortable, wrapped in red velvet - there was space for shifting them into a 'bed' for the purpose of resting. The background music was a soft classical Mozart tune and the food delivery was privileged. Anderson was offered caviar, wine, champagne and expensive pastries every time the stewardess passed over. He had taken a bite or two, still wary of what he was tasting, then felt guilty for falling into gluttony and vanity. She had declined the offerings, every single one of them and requested instead a simple cup of tea; refusing the other items as they would distract the Hellsing leader from her idle typing.

She has cut her hair, Anderson thought, noting the slight change of length in her blonde strands. She used to have it past her hips and now it only reaches her waist. As soon as those musings appeared in his mind, he was self-lectured by his own thoughts. Since when was her hair was an issue? And when did he pay enough attention to the length of it? He remembered when. She was nowhere as neatly groomed nor healthy. Even though, he recalled her in that moment more vividly than ever – face bloodied, hair ruffled, suit stained and alone, wielding a mere sword in challenge to an enemy that outnumbered her. Anderson would never forget that image of her: the absolutely fearless Protestant that he had vowed to defeat someday.

But now that promise was moot, she had destroyed him in a way. She had provoked his downfall. He had turned his back to Maxwell for her sake, the chief he had followed to battle against the minions of Mars only to find out he had lied and they were killing the civilians, who heretics or not were innocent.

Enrico had cowered and hid in his own car when surrounded, the opposite what the woman did. And Anderson's reaction was also the opposite. While he deemed her worthy to be saved - shielding her body with his own; he judged Maxwell deserving of dead - throwing a bayonet to break the glass and handling him to Alucard's minions.

Judas Priest. The monster's moniker suited him perfectly.

"If you can't defeat them, join them." The saying applied to his current situation. He was not certain if he could truly join her side completely, but for now, he could watch and try to guess her intentions.

"Mr. Anderson, please buckle your seatbelt," the stewardess advised, placing herself in the way - blocking his sight of Integral. "We are landing in a few minutes." He grunted in response and inclined his head before he complied. The woman moved herself out of the way; Hellsing had already closed her laptop and prepared herself for the plane's descending.

"Anderson," she suddenly addressed him. He pretended to just notice her presence, as if he had not watched her for the entire flight, and waited a second to answer.

"Yes, Sir Hellsing?"

"Once we are down," Integral said in a serious tone, "Hold me close to you and leave your luggage behind. The suitcases shall be delivered shortly to the Manor."

Anderson blinked, not quite understanding her point. To pick her up? Hold her as in embrace the woman? What is her game now?

"Unfortunately we are landing in the international airport and not my own pit, it is still under reconstruction," she continued, pausing as the turbulence from the wheels made contact with the ground below and shook her slightly. "I told Captain Victoria to pick us up before it's too late."

Too late? He limited his answer to a nod, still not quite understanding the meaning of her words. "All right."

The Protestant knight did not add anything further to her speech; her lips however, pursed up in one of her trademark half smirks. He felt slightly nervous for a reason; he was told to hold her close, to touch her. The prospect was strangely pleasant and that was what caught his attention. He was not nervous; he was anxious and waiting for the jet to finish the procedures before it stilled completely to allow them to descend.

"Thank you for choosing our crew for your flight, Sir Hellsing," the stewardess said as the door was being opened and the stairs were placed upon the threshold. "It was an honour to have you among us. In the name of the pilot and co pilot, we wish you and Mr. Anderson a nice day."

"Likewise," Integral replied courtly, leaving her laptop and suitcase on the seat as she rose. "Everything should be delivered right away. I won't tolerate delays, Miss. Come on, Anderson. Remember what I said."

"Aye, I do, Sir Hellsing," Anderson stood, bowing to the stewardess in thanks and adjusting his shirt. The lack of a priestly collar bothered him. So many years they had spent together, to be deprived of it, he had grown more than attached. He was nude without it.

Anderson walked behind Integral towards the exit, she hesitated before stepping outside. "After you," he gestured, courteous. She was a lady and he a gentleman, it was proper.

"You are not making this easier…" Integral uttered, a resigned sigh escaped her lips before exiting. He came after her and immediately he put his right foot over the first stair; they were greeted with thousands of flashes and hundred of questions said aloud:

"Sir Hellsing, what was your purpose with your trip to the Vatican?"

"Sir Hellsing, is that the rumoured ally who betrayed the Catholic Church, Alexander Anderson, to your side? Where is his priestly collar?"

"Sir Hellsing, did the Vatican push you for the treaty of Midian? Did we need their aid for solving the infestation of the city?"

"Sir Hellsing, what about those rumours you are carrying a dhampire child? Where is the father, where is Dracula?"

"Sir Hellsing, smile for the camera!"

"Dhampire baby?" Anderson managed to utter, dazzled by the constant flashes, his poor eyes started to see the bright lights everywhere. His urge to slice the hellish machines and their owners was increasing at an incredible rate.

"No comments," Integral replied, even if her tone concealed her emotions, Anderson noted by the slight trembling of her shoulders that she was upset. He almost hoped she was angry enough to allow him to cut a thing or two.

"What about your supposedly lesbian relationship with the female vampire?" another one insisted; they were gathered around the stairs, blocking the exit. So this was what she meant to warn him about?

"I said no comments, gentlemen. And if you excuse us," Integral mockingly apologized, rising her gaze towards the darkening sky. Anderson could spot something moving across the horizon to a great speed, through the pile of smoke and the clouds. A reddish black lightening was heading towards them: Seras Victoria. "Our transportation has arrived."

My cue. God be with me even if I cannot be with Him anymore, Anderson thought wrapping an arm around Integral, bringing her body closer to his. She was fragile beneath those suits and he could distinguish her hidden feminine shape by the tight contact. A cold hand reached for his left arm, he glanced and saw Draculina grinning toothily and lifting both with ease, her shadow wing batted, fluttered.

"Evenin' Anderson. Sorry about the delay, Sir Integral," Seras greeted, leaving the dumbfounded reporters behind, the insistent flashes no longer hurt his eyes.

"Damn those paparazzi, that damned yellow press is getting on my nerves" Integral sneered, "I will find out how they get my confidential schedule about my trips one day."

"The price of fame, Sir Integral," Seras commented and Anderson agreed. Integral Hellsing was a hero of war, an icon and her popularity was only increasing. "Hold my chief, Anderson. I am going to fly faster now."

"Be quick, Draculina," Anderson snarled, bringing the Protestant knight closer, eliminating the few inches that used to separate them. Her hair was on his face, blocking his sight, he was grateful that he was not aware of the height at which they were flying over the city, and aside of that, her clean smell of shampoo was a welcome change from the rotten dungeon. It calmed his urge to stab the Midian that was carrying them, not because of his wish but the insane mechanism that ruled his existence.

"There is no better way to flight," Draculina pointed out as she flew faster; he opened his mouth to complain but the pressure of the wind made Integral's hair slide inside his oral cavity, silencing him. Fuming, he spat the hair out and kept his lips tightly together.

Divine punishment, Anderson thought sourly, his finger absently gripped around Integral's body, causing her to flitch inwardly. The wind became less violent and the ground was getting closer and closer to them. The landing was more pleasant than the flight but it left a swirling sensation in his stomach and head. He dropped his eyelids, attempting to regain his balance.

"Here we are, mon ami," Draculina patted his shoulder, her accent shifted inwardly to French. "You may let my chief go now."

Anderson released Integral reluctantly; she seemed more unwell than himself. But she did a great job to keep her stoic face of 'I am fine' around them. "Seras… why don't you go to check about our luggage."

"Roger, Sir," Seras saluted and left. Anderson scrutinized the garden, the flowers and plants were untouched by the battle; they were neatly attended and blooming. They were fortunate.

"The assault to the quarters was in the front perimeter," Integral informed him, probably guessing what he was looking at. "Follow me; I am certain you might have guessed the reasons for your stay here."

Anderson turned around and let Integral lead him, her balance was still affected by the flight; she was not walking in a straight line. He briefly paid attention to the surroundings. So this is the Hellsing Organisation, he thought, watching the mix of Edwardian and Gothic structure of the parts that were not blow into pieces. He still thought the Holy See was more beautiful, less mundane, but the building had its own charm.

"You haven't answered me," Integral pointed out, opening a door to a sitting room that was unscathed from the attack. "In fact, you are unusually quiet, Anderson. Normally, you cannot stop talking or quoting verses of the Bible."

Anderson frowned slightly, "I was without company for a while, Sir Hellsing. The guards were given orders not to speak to me. I need to adapt to being around people again."

"I see…" Integral gestured for him to sit on a coach as she sat on one in front of his.

"Where is your vampire?" Anderson inquired, glancing around the room, attempting to discern his sinister presence in the shadows. Nothing. The place was clean.

"Seras Victoria is taking care of our luggage. Without Walter, she's my more trustworthy subordinate."

"The other vampire. Where is the Devil? Where is Alucard?"

Integral made a long pause, not replying to him right away. She stood and walked towards the table, picking up a pile of newspapers that were over it. "He is gone."

"Gone? He cannot die," Anderson's frown deepened, an idea crossed his mind, the mere thought dreaded his spine. "Is it true about the dhampire baby that the man asked about?"

"Of course not," the Hellsing glared at him briefly before starting to laugh. She returned to her seat and lounged on it. "The tabloid reporters love to invent the most peculiar theories. The other day they published a special report about Seras' nymphomaniac hobbies with the male staff of this organisation."

"She is a vampire, I saw the flames of hell reflected on her eyes. The press might be right, they are lascivious little things."

"Ridiculous. Seras Victoria is complete," Integral stated firmly, "She and Pip Bernadette found peace by sharing her body. She doesn't need anyone else and Bernadette is certainly not attracted to members of the same gender. Trust me in this Anderson, I have never seen her so happy since the war ended, honestly content, no longer confused and hesitant…"

Anderson tilted his head, not quite understanding how vampires had a soul; let alone how two souls could share a body without enslaving each other; nor the intimacy of their bound and love. He did not give much thought either. "You said your pet is gone."

"He is," Integral nodded, her expression turned blank. "I rejected his advances and offerings. After that, Alucard simply left to give me space and time to think. I was surprised he took it well, according to him, he respects me too much to make the same mistake he did with Mina." There was a note of sadness at the end of her explanation. "He seems more sane now, the war sated him and he retired to Romania."

"So he is really free," Anderson placed a hand over his chin, repressing a shudder to think of the power Alucard possessed in the war. An entire army of enslaved souls to his command. The Devil reigned in Hell, but he was alone. At least he was not completely victorious.

"Alucard is none of your concern," Integral assured him, "I have monitored some of his activities and so far, despite how secretive he is, his behaviour is exceptional. Hellsing is ready to answer to everything he might attempt."

"This is where I enter? That is why you need me?" Anderson inquired, crossing his arms, intrigued to what she had to say.

Integral shook her head, "No, as I said, he is none of your concern. You can't slay Alucard; only I know how to destroy him. This is the reason why he never gets testy with me aside of his respect," she explained. "You really were oblivious to the world all those months, weren't you?"

"I didn't have cable in my cell, not even television," Anderson snapped, pointing with his finger to the small TV set behind her.

"Treated so poorly after so many years of faithful service," Integral said with a voice between honest indignity and a taunt. He waited for her to continue, refraining to speak further about his trial and excommunication. "You are here because I always pay my debts," she said, "And I owe you my life. And because… there is a situation that has gotten out of control in London." She passed him the newspapers, they were ordered by date.

Anderson took them and proceeded to read the headlines: "Sudden multiple heart attacks caused deaths on a train to Piccadilly." "The 'Haunted Houses' denounces are increasing." "Horror in London!" "Orphanage girl claims her dead family wants her to join them." He stopped, looking at Integral, words lost to him.

"Indeed," Integral nodded, reaching for the remote control of the TV set, turning it on. The screen showed images of a documentary about current London. Before Anderson's eyes, he saw apparitions popped out and vanished, objects moving by themselves and falling into people's heads, the moans and angry cries of pain.

"We have a plague of ghosts and poltergeists, Anderson," Integral explained, turning off the machine as her gaze met his. "The people who died in the recent war somehow had their trip to afterlife interrupted. They have stayed, restless and swearing revenge on the living. Their killing increases their ranks and they are starting to spread outside the city. Hellsing can't deal with this menace - that is why I need you to exorcise them."

Anderson could not help but cackle mirthlessly, without breaking eye contact with her. The New Babylon has fallen. With the noise of the war, I should have missed the trumpets.


Author's Notes: Thanks to kelles for editing this and for the feedback and reviews of all. I have revised this and the first chapter according to the events that happened in last chapter of the manga (Anderson helping to kill Maxwell, the minions impaled the archbishop (by Alucard&Integral's orders). Feedback is welcome.