A/N: My first ever 'Vampire Hunter D' fic, the consequence of screaming and clutching my friend for dear life after forcing me to watch Resident Evil: 4 being played. The incident has scarred me for life causing an irrational fear of the undead, flesh-eating freaks. But I digress, any sort of comment, whether a boast, a critical remark, or a flame…please, PLEASE read & review. Have a wonderfully diSTuRbEd day, your lord and master…Kat. Cough, cough.
Disclaimer: I do not own Vampire Hunter D or it's concept. However, I do have D locked in my basement, where I can love him, and hug him, and pet him, and call him 'my little fluffy'.
RESIDENCE OF EVIL
CHAPTER 1
A lone figure astride a cyborg horse wandered into the desolate town. Shutters and curtains were drawn as the cold evening crept surreptitiously into every nook and crevice. Autumn leaves cracked beneath the iron-shod hooves of the horse as it came to a halt beneath a bare elm tree. A cold breeze blew the rider's cape to the side, carrying with it the foul odor of decay.
With one swift motion, the rider dismounted, grabbing hold of the equine's reins. He tilted his handsome visage to the rising moon revealing the youthful looks of a man no older than 20. Thin strands of dark hair waved wildly in the bitter wind. He stood there for what seemed like eternity, listening to the sounds of the approaching night. The blue pendant that hung about his neck began to glow vividly. A low, drawn out moan pulsated, joining in the chorus of the night's lullaby. No attempt to grab the long silver sword strung across his back was made.
Another groan ensued, far closer. The youth turned slowly to face a man emerging from the shadows of the town hall. Torn and bloody clothes hung loosely off the man's emaciated form. He stumbled forward, barely keeping his balance. Raising a mauled hand, he attempted to grab at the rider with the remaining three fingers that were barely connected to a stubby mass of flesh. A flash of silver found the sword across the youth's back deeply situated into the man's chest. He continued walking forward, despite the sound of bone grinding against metal. Effortlessly, the rider pulled out the blade and in one fell swoop, weaved an even arc in the sky, lopping off the man's head.
Spurred by the momentum of sailing through the air, the head rolled roughly down the gentle incline leading back toward the steps of the town hall. After watching it disappear into the shadows it came from, the rider returned to the cyborg horse.
Footsteps descending the stone stairs and a light, airy voice made the youth look back. "Impressive."
The rider released the horse's reins, eyeing the young woman before him. Her petite, curvy form was clad in a faded black, military style uniform. A large belt hung limply around her waist, several empty holsters hanging from it; and another strap around her thigh, held a small silver gun. She stepped forward, clutching the decapitated head of the man in one hand. "You must be the Hunter we contacted."
His voice was both soothing and alluring, sending shivers up her spine. "I don't hunt zombies."
She paused by the decomposing body and dropped the head next to it. "Mr. Hardy. He was attacked by a zombie a week ago; left a widow and three children to manage their homestead." She spoke down to the corpse. "And he wasn't the first victim. Zombies don't discriminate: men, women, children, livestock…they've all fallen prey to those undead bastards."
If the youth felt compassion, he certainly didn't let it show. He remained impassive.
The woman lifted her head, tight auburn curls falling back into place. "The zombies aren't the problem; it's the Noble that's producing them. This Noble is tampering with science. And the fact is, I'm not sure this town can stand to bury it's dead more than once much longer. When the Noble began attacking the villagers, we realized that we required a Hunter. We need you to find it and kill it."
He said nothing. The girl took his silence as a signal for her to continue describing the job. "The mayor is willing to pay you 10 million dallas. That's everything our little town has to offer. It should be more than enough."
Another cold wind blew in from the north. When the rider spoke, his words seemed to travel with the gale. "I would like to speak with your mayor."
The girl tucked a strand of loose hair behind her ear. For a brief moment, she let her serious façade drop and her exquisite features became more apparent. In the dim moonlight, she had caught sight of the handsome face beneath the traveler's hat. Her nose and cheeks flushed crimson, although whether from his beauty or the cold, she didn't know. "The mayor is very ill. I am the acting mayor at present."
She took a deep breath, the frosty air searing her lungs. She removed the glove from her right hand and extended it toward him. "I'm Emily Marlowe, daughter of Mayor Thomas Marlowe."
The rider took her hand. "Vampire Hunter D."
His skin's coldness made her flesh crawl. "Very well. Why don't we go inside where it's warmer? More zombies will be around shortly with fresh blood about."
The room was softly lit, with a high, resonating ceiling. Shelves lined with books occupied an entire wall, while the opposing one had three large windows covered by satin drapes. Beside the large stone fireplace, sat two armchairs with the Hunter and the mayor's daughter in them.
"I won't keep up false pretenses by pretending to not know what you are." The girl stared at him directly, taking in all of his pallid features. "If there is anything you…desire, we'll see to it."
The stoic Hunter said nothing.
"My father was rather uncomfortable hearing that he would be sharing his home with a dhampir, but please pay him no heed." Her sea-foam green eyes studied him, amazed at the beauty that sat across from her.
"There's really no need. I can rest elsewhere." D's eyes ran over the titles of the hundreds of books that graced the wall. An entire shelf was dedicated to the Nobility and their fabrications.
Emily let out a light laugh. "Please, don't insult me. We have plenty of room here. I'll see to it that a servant prepares you a room."
As if on cue, a butler entered the room carrying a tray with two cups of hot tea. He set the tray down on the end table between the two chairs. The girl leaned forward, picking up the cup and saucer. "Nicholas, would you get a bed ready for our guest?"
"Of course, Ms. Marlowe." He bowed slightly before departing, a frown manifesting on his serene face.
The girl sipped her tea slowly, pulling the cup away and running a tongue over her lips. D watched her movements closely. "Is there anything else I should know?"
Emily set her cup and saucer down on the end table. "Yes, we believe that there's someone assisting the Noble. Villagers have spotted a cloaked figure coming and going at night. It's possible this person is a victim kissed by the Nobility."
D sat in silence for a few minutes, contemplating the new turn in the situation. He held his teacup with both hands, but did not drink it. He rose from the chair easily, gliding over to the window. Drawing back the heavy curtain, he stared outside into the inky blackness. The light escaping from the window illuminated a horrific scene playing out right in front of the town hall. Four other zombies had gathered around the decapitated body, feasting hungrily on the fresh meat. One of them, a woman, looked up to the window. Holding a piece of flesh in her hands, she greedily chewed while watching the Hunter intently with her clouded blue eyes.
Emily pulled the drape back further, looking down at the all-too common occurrence. The undead woman hissed at them with a blood drawn mouth and rotting teeth. The words coming from D's mouth were nearly inaudible. "Is there a castle nearby?"
"Not that I know of. We don't travel much beyond the town's limits." The girl closed the curtain and took D's teacup from him, setting it beside its mate on the tray. "However, the zombies come from the east, toward the cemetery."
The Hunter crossed his arms. "I'll go out tomorrow morning, when the night's activities have died down."
"The zombies will still be out, you know." Emily sat on the arm of the chair. "The Noble may be using them as a daytime protection. It's damn near impossible to get to the cemetery no matter what time of day. Unless, of course, you have someone who knows the terrain and how to fight them." She flashed a smile at him, hoping to receive one in return. D, however, remained expressionless.
"Alright, I'll come get you in the morning. Be ready." The Hunter headed towards the door without so much as a backward glance. "But down expect me to protect you."
Emily hugged her shoulders, looking dejected. "I never expect anything." she muttered.
A/N: Something I forgot to mention at the top … am I the only person tempted to learn Japanese so I can read the rest of the series instead of waiting for the translation? sigh August is too far away…