Something in Common
By The Unseen Watcher
Chapter 9
----------------------------
The light cast by the last of the phosphorescent green moss afforded the two hunters brief glimpses of their new adversary's shape. Metal that might have been the color of old copper in normal light glinted above them as the unknown creature moved. There was no sense of a life force other than their own anywhere nearby, but the sharp smell of metal hung in the air, almost choking them its taste of rust and oil. Moving back a few cautious feet, D got the chance to reactivate his amulet, throwing a blue glow on the scene that only added to the surreal vision, and revealing their opponent in alarming detail.
Before them loomed a behemoth of plated metal, its bulk taking most of the free space in the cavern, its pointed helmet head nearly brushing the stone ceiling. It was covered in spikes from its' metal boots to head, the protrusions ranging from small nasty looking needle-thin ones to the two large ones, the size of most of the bigger stalactites they had seen, jutting from each shoulder. In both gauntleted fists was a weapon, the right holding a sword as jagged as a saw blade, and the other a double- bladed ax. Each was large enough to take out a regiment with one swing.
All this was taken in with one sweeping glance, the rest of their attention being occupied by dodging the thing's surprisingly fast swings. The floors and walls were soon pocked with large dents and gashes where the monster had swung at them and -thankfully- missed.
The metal giant took up the area in the center of the cavern. Whatever was beyond it was still unknown. Unfortunately, it showed no indication of moving out of the way, its huge feet firmly planted. It looked about as immovable as a mountain. It had not paused in its swordwork, its seemingly tireless swings making it impossible to get close to it in the space available. Even backing off made no difference. It seemed to be programmed to go on until the threat was either eliminated or gone. Preferably both.
Then it unexpectedly paused, moving its arms apart to expose its chest area. D took the opening instantly, darting forward and weaving or just jumping over any obstruction. Alucard was about to follow when a grating sound from above alerted him, and he looked up in time to see the constructs breastplate divide down the middle, revealing several compartments lined with a variety of razor-edged missiles. There was no time for standing there in surprise. Battle instincts taking over, he immediately dove to the side, ignoring the bite of sharp stone and rolling for all he was worth as a veritable shower of shuriken, each easily as large as his head, rained down on where he had been. Where D had been headed.
The white-blonde dhampir made it to the cover of one of the last standing large stalagmites, flattening himself to the ground as a half a dozen blades burrowed into it, some missing him by inches as they sheared cleanly most of the stone spike like it was made of paper. When the hair-raising sounds of metal scraping on stone ended, he risked a look up, his sharp eyes scanning the area for his partner. He couldn't help but feel worry stir in his gut. D had been in the direct path of the majority of the fullisade. Fearing the worst, Alucard focused on the area where he had last seen the older hunter.
What he saw caused him to let out a breath in relief, not realizing until then that he had been holding it. The spot where D /had/ been looked like a collection pile for shrapnel, the stone deeply gouged by impacts. Beyond it stood their opponent, still firmly entrenched in place. It was swinging again, but not at him.
Long weapons are great for keeping your opponents at a distance, but are relatively useless if they're already in close. For perched on one large shoulder, easily keeping his balance as his dangerous perch repeatedly tried to shake him off, was D. The tall hunter was quickly and methodically searching the enormous joints for points of weakness with his sword, using the shoulder spike as both a shield and a brace against the metal golem's counterattacks. Somehow he had managed to clear the missile attack before it had landed, heading for the safest place to be from a long- range attack, in close. The spikes had been no trouble, his dexterous hands and nimble feet using the larger protrusions as leverage to quickly scale up, while avoiding the more dangerous miniature ones.
The golden giant made its first vocal noise, rumbling its displeasure at the insect that had dared attached himself to it. The sound echoed through the stone corridor, hurting sensitive ears.
Alucard winced but ignored the discomfort, instead focusing on how he could help. He wished now that he'd thought to bring a crossbow, or one of those rather large looking guns he had examined with some curiosity in the weapons shop where he had selected his new sword. Not for the first time he wished he had the familiar weight of his family blade in his hands. That sword could have sheared through the two weapons blocking his way, reducing their opponent's long-range advantage drastically. Inwardly he cursed the creature that had taken it from him and denied him his freedom for ten millennia. His being trapped by such a pitiful toady still stung his pride even now as he thought back on it.
****
He had never actually met the vampire before, only overhearing scraps of conversation about him in the halls. He never even got a name. All Alucard knew was that he had been one of the more minor nobles in his father's court, and considered quite slovenly and homely even by human standards. Vampires used much less complimentary terms to describe him. The man hadn't even been viewed as all that bright by some of the higher- class slaves. His father, whom he knew could not abide stupidity, must have held him in the utmost contempt. The only reason the creature had survived as long as he had was because he had just enough sense to stay out of the more powerful nobles' way, and a surprising aptitude at traps and warding spells.
He had come to Alucard while the dhampir was in sleep trance, somehow tracing him to his hiding place. Before the young noble could fully awaken at the sense of an intruder, the Amulet of Holding had been around his neck and he had opened his eyes to the unpleasant sight of a sharp-toothed grin adorning the face of the ugliest vampire he had ever seen. His breath alone was enough to drop bats from their perches. Alucard tried to speak, to move, only to discover that he couldn't so much as twitch his fingers and articulate a word.
His apparent captor only grinned wider, and Alucard's nose wrinkled. (That and blinking was about all he seemed to be able to manage, other than breathing). Vampires really didn't need to bathe, but then again they usually didn't have quite the affinity with mud and farm animals that this one apparently possessed. He could just picture him feeding off a group of pigs and his noble-bred sensibilities cringed back.
"Can't move?" His apparent captor teased, his rough accent only confirming just how low down the status ladder this vampire was. Disgust warred with contempt and outrage in Alucard for the place of dominant emotion. Who was this . . . INSECT and how /dare/ he presume to even try this with him, the son of Dracula?! Unable to articulate what he was thinking, Alucard let his eyes speak for him, glaring coldly up at the maggot hovering beside him.
The thing blinked at the intensity of his gaze, shrinking back in an automatic response at the wrath of someone so obviously high above him in both class and power. Then he seemed to remember just who was in control there, and his smug smirk returned in full force as he leered at his captive audience, leaning closer.
Inwardly bracing himself against both the stench and whatever attack might be coming, all Alucard could do was look on. He had been trying to fight whatever spell held him with his own magic, but couldn't seem to grasp a hold of anything to attack.
The fanged goblin snickered, reaching out to lift something from the dhampir's chest that had most definitely not been there when he had gone to sleep. An amulet with an opaque black stone set in the middle, lined by a gold casing carved with intricate runes winked in the wavery light afforded by a torch set in a sconce the wall by his newly acquired tormentor. One glance at the amulet was enough for Alucard to know that he was in serious trouble. He could easily sense the sheer power of the necklace, now that he knew where to look. He wasn't going anywhere or doing anything on his own so long as he had it around his neck. He was effectively trapped in his own body. His father's dungeons couldn't have held him more securely. It was a masterpiece of magic, and there was no way that the creature currently gloating over him could have made it. He had probably come upon it by accident, or stolen it. Alucard favored the latter, enjoying the brief image of what would happen to the low-grade vampire once its true owner discovered that it was missing. All this flashed through his mind in the matter of a moment, his expression unchanged.
His captor was still looking at him, eagerly seeking some response, some hint of the despair he must be feeling at his seemingly hopeless situation. The pale half-breed flicked his golden eyes at the amulet, and back to him, revealing no emotion other than utter boredom. He had long ago learned to hide his true feelings, and he'd die before giving this worm any satisfaction.
Finally grunting in disappointment, the vampire backed off a little, dropping the amulet back to his captive's chest. Scowling slightly, he was evidently trying to think. Alucard, in a brief moment of humor, wondered if he might hurt himself in the process and save him the trouble.
The vampire's frown deepened, almost pouting. It made him look even more like a troll than before. "You're no fun." He, well, whined. He tried to narrow his eyes menacingly, succeeding only in making it look like he had a squint. "I was gonna try to use you to get ahead in the court, by presenting your haughty little head on a pike to your dear daddy." The grin returned. "But now I've got a better idea. I'll just keep you here until I need you for something. Maybe a few centuries as a paperweight will change your attitude toward me a bit. It's a good idea to have a backup plan, and it looks like you're it." He paused, studying his new prize possessively. Alucard wanted to rip the look off the creature's face, his rage nearly making his blood boil. The other continued on, oblivious. "But, I still like the idea of the fame I'd get at taking your traitorous hide back." He looked around the edge of the coffin, his beady red eyes alighting on the sword sheathed and ready, but unfortunately useless in his current situation, at Alucard's side.
The vampire grinned, and pulled it out of the coffin, running his claws lovingly over it. Alucard's vision turned red around the edges. Inwardly he was clawing and screaming to get out, to move. Had he been able he would have ripped apart this interloper who dared to touch his family sword, before exposing the remains to the sun at noon.
His target chuckled. "Such a pretty weapon. I'm sure this will do. If I show it to his majesty, that will be almost as good as bringing the actual corpse to him." His grin melted into a slight frown. "But his magic could find you if you're still alive." He pondered this new complication for a moment. "Unless, of course, I make it impossible for you to be found that way." He grinned. He seemed to have a limited range of expressions to draw on. Tucking the sword into his belt, he rubbed his hands together eagerly. He looked like a kid presented with a bucket of candy. "There are a few tricks that I've been wanting to try for some time. What a nice little opportunity this has given me." He gleefully rummaged around Alucard again, coming up with the pouch holding his Familiar Cards. Grinning happily at his find, he giggled. "These should prove useful." His find distracted him from any further searching, leaving the rest of the young dhampir's belongings in peace.
Reaching up, the creature grasped the lid of the coffin, and winked at his captive. "I'll be back for you sometime. Now don't you go anywhere." Snickering at his own bad joke, he lowered the lid, sealing off the light.
****
The last thing Alucard had seen besides darkness was that horrible smile. There were some sounds for a while, then nothing. For a very long time, there was absolutely nothing. Not so much as the skittering of an insect along the floor broke the endless silence. Finally, in order to preserve his sanity, he had reentered trance, awakening only when he became aware of another's presence once again. This time, however, it was to a face that he had welcomed. True, he had been willing to see just about anyone at that point, but a part of him had been both relieved and pleased at sight of a face he seemed to know on an instinctive level, yet could no seem to place. All had known was that, against all rational wariness, he trusted this person. This man who stood, as he, between two conflicting lineages.
That trust had only built through time and familiarity, turning into loyalty. Those were the emotions that propelled him forward now, to help that person who had brought him out from the darkness, and into a new world. A world where he just might have a place, where he was needed.
**
Alucard dodged and wove through the rain of blows directed his way as the construct perceived him approach and moved its' ax hand to intercept him. However without its other arm to back it up, the move left gaps wide enough for an agile dhampir to get through.
Reaching the feet, Alucard drove his sword tip into the joint between in the ankle, seeking to cause as much damage as possible before he had to dodge out of the way of the ax and stomping feet. He persisted, weaving around the metal boots and acting as a distraction from below while D's strikes did the same for above. It was apparent that this double attack was hard for whatever the creature used as a brain to process and effectively counter. They weren't making any discernable progress yet, but they were still keeping the thing off balance enough that it wasn't either.
**
From the unseen room cloaked in darkness, malevolently glowing eyes watched them in their newest struggle. A faint upward curl of thin lips revealed that it was deriving some slight amusement from the scene. The gaze then shifted and focused entirely on the pale-haired figure darting around on the ground like a particularly bothersome bee.
In the comfortable darkness of his chamber the vampire smiled. The glint of long teeth flashed in the dim light afforded by his scrying as he uttered one word of command.
"NOW."
The two hunters' complete concentration was focused on their fight with the construct. Neither saw the shadows amassing in the ceiling and corners.
**
Alucard was standing on one enormous golem foot when the leg it was attached to suddenly bent at the knee, swinging back, and then kicked forward. The unexpected swiftness of the move caught the pale hunter off guard, the smooth metal offering no handholds, and he was flung several yards back down the tunnel.
Rolling to disperse the force of the impact, he came up with sword ready in a crouch. From his new position D and their opponent were discerned as mostly flashes of sound and movement. He blinked, trying to clear his vision. The light seemed dimmer than before. Shaking his head, he moved forward quickly to reengage, dodging around or over any debris in his path. Rounding a particularly large pile of rock and metal, his goal was within plain sight.
Above and behind him the swirling blackness coalesced and came alive, arching back like a single entity before it sprang with incredible speed at its target.
Alucard, focused on his goal and senses slightly dulled by the all encompassing evil all around him didn't register the threat until he was engulfed by darkness.
The cold hit him like a blow, his limbs immediately freezing as the chill seeped beyond them, seeming to reach into his very soul with its freezing feelers. He hadn't thought to cry out. Looking to others for help was still too new. By the time it even occurred to him, it was far too late.
*
D had found a promising avenue of attack in the connection between shoulder and helmet. The thing had no neck to speak of, so he had a limited area he could cut through. There was no guarantee that it would stop even if he managed to remove its head. Such things often had to be hacked to pieces before they were truly down. Even then, it was best to scatter the remains.
Intent as he was on his strategy, he couldn't push away a niggling feeling that was trying to get his attention. It deepened into the sense that something was very wrong. Lips pressing together in annoyance, he looked up from his task, casually dodging yet another swing at him. He was just in time to see one frozen arm before what appeared to be a wave of utter darkness engulfed his partner entirely.
"ALUCARD!" He called out, abandoning his perch without thought. He hit the ground running, intent on the mass of shadows at it began to lift into the air. He charged forward, slicing through the few shadows that swooped down to block him. He sprang into the air, his strength carrying him quickly toward his goal.
He was only a matter of feet away when a small swarm of the things rose up from seemingly nowhere and knocked him back. His last glimpse of his trapped partner was the sight of the shadows melting into the darkness as he fell toward the stone floor.
--------------------------
I know. I'm mean. Sorry it took so long. I have been on the mountaintop of Enthusiasm, only to be buried under an avalanche of Procrastination and ending up it the Valley of Apathy. I'm trying! But I feel like I'm struggling against neck-deep mud sometimes. Thank you for your patience. The next chapter is already in rough draft form, so remind me I have little excuse to delay! Threats and compliments help the most!
By The Unseen Watcher
Chapter 9
----------------------------
The light cast by the last of the phosphorescent green moss afforded the two hunters brief glimpses of their new adversary's shape. Metal that might have been the color of old copper in normal light glinted above them as the unknown creature moved. There was no sense of a life force other than their own anywhere nearby, but the sharp smell of metal hung in the air, almost choking them its taste of rust and oil. Moving back a few cautious feet, D got the chance to reactivate his amulet, throwing a blue glow on the scene that only added to the surreal vision, and revealing their opponent in alarming detail.
Before them loomed a behemoth of plated metal, its bulk taking most of the free space in the cavern, its pointed helmet head nearly brushing the stone ceiling. It was covered in spikes from its' metal boots to head, the protrusions ranging from small nasty looking needle-thin ones to the two large ones, the size of most of the bigger stalactites they had seen, jutting from each shoulder. In both gauntleted fists was a weapon, the right holding a sword as jagged as a saw blade, and the other a double- bladed ax. Each was large enough to take out a regiment with one swing.
All this was taken in with one sweeping glance, the rest of their attention being occupied by dodging the thing's surprisingly fast swings. The floors and walls were soon pocked with large dents and gashes where the monster had swung at them and -thankfully- missed.
The metal giant took up the area in the center of the cavern. Whatever was beyond it was still unknown. Unfortunately, it showed no indication of moving out of the way, its huge feet firmly planted. It looked about as immovable as a mountain. It had not paused in its swordwork, its seemingly tireless swings making it impossible to get close to it in the space available. Even backing off made no difference. It seemed to be programmed to go on until the threat was either eliminated or gone. Preferably both.
Then it unexpectedly paused, moving its arms apart to expose its chest area. D took the opening instantly, darting forward and weaving or just jumping over any obstruction. Alucard was about to follow when a grating sound from above alerted him, and he looked up in time to see the constructs breastplate divide down the middle, revealing several compartments lined with a variety of razor-edged missiles. There was no time for standing there in surprise. Battle instincts taking over, he immediately dove to the side, ignoring the bite of sharp stone and rolling for all he was worth as a veritable shower of shuriken, each easily as large as his head, rained down on where he had been. Where D had been headed.
The white-blonde dhampir made it to the cover of one of the last standing large stalagmites, flattening himself to the ground as a half a dozen blades burrowed into it, some missing him by inches as they sheared cleanly most of the stone spike like it was made of paper. When the hair-raising sounds of metal scraping on stone ended, he risked a look up, his sharp eyes scanning the area for his partner. He couldn't help but feel worry stir in his gut. D had been in the direct path of the majority of the fullisade. Fearing the worst, Alucard focused on the area where he had last seen the older hunter.
What he saw caused him to let out a breath in relief, not realizing until then that he had been holding it. The spot where D /had/ been looked like a collection pile for shrapnel, the stone deeply gouged by impacts. Beyond it stood their opponent, still firmly entrenched in place. It was swinging again, but not at him.
Long weapons are great for keeping your opponents at a distance, but are relatively useless if they're already in close. For perched on one large shoulder, easily keeping his balance as his dangerous perch repeatedly tried to shake him off, was D. The tall hunter was quickly and methodically searching the enormous joints for points of weakness with his sword, using the shoulder spike as both a shield and a brace against the metal golem's counterattacks. Somehow he had managed to clear the missile attack before it had landed, heading for the safest place to be from a long- range attack, in close. The spikes had been no trouble, his dexterous hands and nimble feet using the larger protrusions as leverage to quickly scale up, while avoiding the more dangerous miniature ones.
The golden giant made its first vocal noise, rumbling its displeasure at the insect that had dared attached himself to it. The sound echoed through the stone corridor, hurting sensitive ears.
Alucard winced but ignored the discomfort, instead focusing on how he could help. He wished now that he'd thought to bring a crossbow, or one of those rather large looking guns he had examined with some curiosity in the weapons shop where he had selected his new sword. Not for the first time he wished he had the familiar weight of his family blade in his hands. That sword could have sheared through the two weapons blocking his way, reducing their opponent's long-range advantage drastically. Inwardly he cursed the creature that had taken it from him and denied him his freedom for ten millennia. His being trapped by such a pitiful toady still stung his pride even now as he thought back on it.
****
He had never actually met the vampire before, only overhearing scraps of conversation about him in the halls. He never even got a name. All Alucard knew was that he had been one of the more minor nobles in his father's court, and considered quite slovenly and homely even by human standards. Vampires used much less complimentary terms to describe him. The man hadn't even been viewed as all that bright by some of the higher- class slaves. His father, whom he knew could not abide stupidity, must have held him in the utmost contempt. The only reason the creature had survived as long as he had was because he had just enough sense to stay out of the more powerful nobles' way, and a surprising aptitude at traps and warding spells.
He had come to Alucard while the dhampir was in sleep trance, somehow tracing him to his hiding place. Before the young noble could fully awaken at the sense of an intruder, the Amulet of Holding had been around his neck and he had opened his eyes to the unpleasant sight of a sharp-toothed grin adorning the face of the ugliest vampire he had ever seen. His breath alone was enough to drop bats from their perches. Alucard tried to speak, to move, only to discover that he couldn't so much as twitch his fingers and articulate a word.
His apparent captor only grinned wider, and Alucard's nose wrinkled. (That and blinking was about all he seemed to be able to manage, other than breathing). Vampires really didn't need to bathe, but then again they usually didn't have quite the affinity with mud and farm animals that this one apparently possessed. He could just picture him feeding off a group of pigs and his noble-bred sensibilities cringed back.
"Can't move?" His apparent captor teased, his rough accent only confirming just how low down the status ladder this vampire was. Disgust warred with contempt and outrage in Alucard for the place of dominant emotion. Who was this . . . INSECT and how /dare/ he presume to even try this with him, the son of Dracula?! Unable to articulate what he was thinking, Alucard let his eyes speak for him, glaring coldly up at the maggot hovering beside him.
The thing blinked at the intensity of his gaze, shrinking back in an automatic response at the wrath of someone so obviously high above him in both class and power. Then he seemed to remember just who was in control there, and his smug smirk returned in full force as he leered at his captive audience, leaning closer.
Inwardly bracing himself against both the stench and whatever attack might be coming, all Alucard could do was look on. He had been trying to fight whatever spell held him with his own magic, but couldn't seem to grasp a hold of anything to attack.
The fanged goblin snickered, reaching out to lift something from the dhampir's chest that had most definitely not been there when he had gone to sleep. An amulet with an opaque black stone set in the middle, lined by a gold casing carved with intricate runes winked in the wavery light afforded by a torch set in a sconce the wall by his newly acquired tormentor. One glance at the amulet was enough for Alucard to know that he was in serious trouble. He could easily sense the sheer power of the necklace, now that he knew where to look. He wasn't going anywhere or doing anything on his own so long as he had it around his neck. He was effectively trapped in his own body. His father's dungeons couldn't have held him more securely. It was a masterpiece of magic, and there was no way that the creature currently gloating over him could have made it. He had probably come upon it by accident, or stolen it. Alucard favored the latter, enjoying the brief image of what would happen to the low-grade vampire once its true owner discovered that it was missing. All this flashed through his mind in the matter of a moment, his expression unchanged.
His captor was still looking at him, eagerly seeking some response, some hint of the despair he must be feeling at his seemingly hopeless situation. The pale half-breed flicked his golden eyes at the amulet, and back to him, revealing no emotion other than utter boredom. He had long ago learned to hide his true feelings, and he'd die before giving this worm any satisfaction.
Finally grunting in disappointment, the vampire backed off a little, dropping the amulet back to his captive's chest. Scowling slightly, he was evidently trying to think. Alucard, in a brief moment of humor, wondered if he might hurt himself in the process and save him the trouble.
The vampire's frown deepened, almost pouting. It made him look even more like a troll than before. "You're no fun." He, well, whined. He tried to narrow his eyes menacingly, succeeding only in making it look like he had a squint. "I was gonna try to use you to get ahead in the court, by presenting your haughty little head on a pike to your dear daddy." The grin returned. "But now I've got a better idea. I'll just keep you here until I need you for something. Maybe a few centuries as a paperweight will change your attitude toward me a bit. It's a good idea to have a backup plan, and it looks like you're it." He paused, studying his new prize possessively. Alucard wanted to rip the look off the creature's face, his rage nearly making his blood boil. The other continued on, oblivious. "But, I still like the idea of the fame I'd get at taking your traitorous hide back." He looked around the edge of the coffin, his beady red eyes alighting on the sword sheathed and ready, but unfortunately useless in his current situation, at Alucard's side.
The vampire grinned, and pulled it out of the coffin, running his claws lovingly over it. Alucard's vision turned red around the edges. Inwardly he was clawing and screaming to get out, to move. Had he been able he would have ripped apart this interloper who dared to touch his family sword, before exposing the remains to the sun at noon.
His target chuckled. "Such a pretty weapon. I'm sure this will do. If I show it to his majesty, that will be almost as good as bringing the actual corpse to him." His grin melted into a slight frown. "But his magic could find you if you're still alive." He pondered this new complication for a moment. "Unless, of course, I make it impossible for you to be found that way." He grinned. He seemed to have a limited range of expressions to draw on. Tucking the sword into his belt, he rubbed his hands together eagerly. He looked like a kid presented with a bucket of candy. "There are a few tricks that I've been wanting to try for some time. What a nice little opportunity this has given me." He gleefully rummaged around Alucard again, coming up with the pouch holding his Familiar Cards. Grinning happily at his find, he giggled. "These should prove useful." His find distracted him from any further searching, leaving the rest of the young dhampir's belongings in peace.
Reaching up, the creature grasped the lid of the coffin, and winked at his captive. "I'll be back for you sometime. Now don't you go anywhere." Snickering at his own bad joke, he lowered the lid, sealing off the light.
****
The last thing Alucard had seen besides darkness was that horrible smile. There were some sounds for a while, then nothing. For a very long time, there was absolutely nothing. Not so much as the skittering of an insect along the floor broke the endless silence. Finally, in order to preserve his sanity, he had reentered trance, awakening only when he became aware of another's presence once again. This time, however, it was to a face that he had welcomed. True, he had been willing to see just about anyone at that point, but a part of him had been both relieved and pleased at sight of a face he seemed to know on an instinctive level, yet could no seem to place. All had known was that, against all rational wariness, he trusted this person. This man who stood, as he, between two conflicting lineages.
That trust had only built through time and familiarity, turning into loyalty. Those were the emotions that propelled him forward now, to help that person who had brought him out from the darkness, and into a new world. A world where he just might have a place, where he was needed.
**
Alucard dodged and wove through the rain of blows directed his way as the construct perceived him approach and moved its' ax hand to intercept him. However without its other arm to back it up, the move left gaps wide enough for an agile dhampir to get through.
Reaching the feet, Alucard drove his sword tip into the joint between in the ankle, seeking to cause as much damage as possible before he had to dodge out of the way of the ax and stomping feet. He persisted, weaving around the metal boots and acting as a distraction from below while D's strikes did the same for above. It was apparent that this double attack was hard for whatever the creature used as a brain to process and effectively counter. They weren't making any discernable progress yet, but they were still keeping the thing off balance enough that it wasn't either.
**
From the unseen room cloaked in darkness, malevolently glowing eyes watched them in their newest struggle. A faint upward curl of thin lips revealed that it was deriving some slight amusement from the scene. The gaze then shifted and focused entirely on the pale-haired figure darting around on the ground like a particularly bothersome bee.
In the comfortable darkness of his chamber the vampire smiled. The glint of long teeth flashed in the dim light afforded by his scrying as he uttered one word of command.
"NOW."
The two hunters' complete concentration was focused on their fight with the construct. Neither saw the shadows amassing in the ceiling and corners.
**
Alucard was standing on one enormous golem foot when the leg it was attached to suddenly bent at the knee, swinging back, and then kicked forward. The unexpected swiftness of the move caught the pale hunter off guard, the smooth metal offering no handholds, and he was flung several yards back down the tunnel.
Rolling to disperse the force of the impact, he came up with sword ready in a crouch. From his new position D and their opponent were discerned as mostly flashes of sound and movement. He blinked, trying to clear his vision. The light seemed dimmer than before. Shaking his head, he moved forward quickly to reengage, dodging around or over any debris in his path. Rounding a particularly large pile of rock and metal, his goal was within plain sight.
Above and behind him the swirling blackness coalesced and came alive, arching back like a single entity before it sprang with incredible speed at its target.
Alucard, focused on his goal and senses slightly dulled by the all encompassing evil all around him didn't register the threat until he was engulfed by darkness.
The cold hit him like a blow, his limbs immediately freezing as the chill seeped beyond them, seeming to reach into his very soul with its freezing feelers. He hadn't thought to cry out. Looking to others for help was still too new. By the time it even occurred to him, it was far too late.
*
D had found a promising avenue of attack in the connection between shoulder and helmet. The thing had no neck to speak of, so he had a limited area he could cut through. There was no guarantee that it would stop even if he managed to remove its head. Such things often had to be hacked to pieces before they were truly down. Even then, it was best to scatter the remains.
Intent as he was on his strategy, he couldn't push away a niggling feeling that was trying to get his attention. It deepened into the sense that something was very wrong. Lips pressing together in annoyance, he looked up from his task, casually dodging yet another swing at him. He was just in time to see one frozen arm before what appeared to be a wave of utter darkness engulfed his partner entirely.
"ALUCARD!" He called out, abandoning his perch without thought. He hit the ground running, intent on the mass of shadows at it began to lift into the air. He charged forward, slicing through the few shadows that swooped down to block him. He sprang into the air, his strength carrying him quickly toward his goal.
He was only a matter of feet away when a small swarm of the things rose up from seemingly nowhere and knocked him back. His last glimpse of his trapped partner was the sight of the shadows melting into the darkness as he fell toward the stone floor.
--------------------------
I know. I'm mean. Sorry it took so long. I have been on the mountaintop of Enthusiasm, only to be buried under an avalanche of Procrastination and ending up it the Valley of Apathy. I'm trying! But I feel like I'm struggling against neck-deep mud sometimes. Thank you for your patience. The next chapter is already in rough draft form, so remind me I have little excuse to delay! Threats and compliments help the most!