Order 30: Cheers
Things started to change even more in the Vatican. Agents were no longer sent out to exterminate a vampire during the night. Security was more of a priority at this point. The Vatican was under heavy security and agents were sharpening their skills in the spare time they have been given. There was a sense of peace in the Vatican. Everyone was taking it easy, either training or resting up. It was all a Façade. Truly everyone was in fear and anticipation. This Wednesday would be a war the vampires been wanting to fulfill. No one in their right mind could rest so easily to let it be called peaceful. Maxwell was doing his best to get everyone on guard duty. Some agents would be up at night to guard the Vatican while others would be honing their skills. Anderson and Skey were up at this time of the day, training on the grass sprinkled with morning dew. It was nothing like the other night when they had tested Skey's full ability as a regenerator. This practice was like a review for a test...only difference was this test she couldn't risk failing. But the Vatican's secret organization Section XIII weren't the only ones preparing for the big battle looming ahead in the future...
Underground Garage. Abandoned Hotel Outside of Town. 10:00 A.M.
Malakai was sparring off in a sword duel with one of the strongest of the Regine coven. Sword collided in shrieking bitterness as the two battled. To one's eyes, it would appear to be a heartlfelt fight...but to these vampires, this was mere training on the lowest degree. The thousands of others were training as well, sparring with partners or trying group attacks and how well one vampire can fend themselves. The vampires trained and attacked viciously like starved dogs. Injuries always healed quickly and once so, they were back in the brawl. Malakai and the Regine coven leader, Holgen, fought as to battle to the death, yet they talked as one would in a regular conversation!
" This woman, is it really worth all this trouble, Malakai? To dare to wage war upon the Catholics like this?"
" That woman I would risk my life for! (swings in hard) I should have taken her when I had the chance!"
Holgen blocked Malakai's strike and pushed him off his sword. Holgen swiftly spun, bringing his sword into a high friction swing into Malakai's. Holgen couldn't believe that Malakai had fallen in love and of all kinds, an Iscariot agent. Section XIII and Hellsing had been long enemies of every vampire on the face of the Earth. For one as ancient as Malakai to fall in love for one of Iscariot's agents was merely remarkable. He knew the rivalries, the dangers these kinds of organizations present, but he gives no heed and rather give headlong battle. Holger scoffed at the idea of the sad romance Malakai felt for this human woman. Wasn't it true she tried killing him? Yet...Holger found a certain seductive aspect when two enemies fell in love. To mend the dark and light together, the opposites into one like the yin and yang was deeply tempting and erotic.
" You better watch your back! You have that priest you keep going on about to watch out for!"
Swords clinged together in a loud resonance. Malakai kicked Holgan's feet out from under him, swung down with the large broadsword and came to a sudden halt centimeters from Holgan's neck. Holgan lay there unphased and smiling.
" I know. That bastard priest will die at this blade's edge. He took the only thing in this cursed world that mattered to me. He knows well the vampire's rage and lust for blood...but he doesn't know the vampire's revenge. (grins) I plan to bring that behemoth priest to ihs knees begging for his life before his "Merciful" god! All of those Judas will be hung by their hemp rope...and I shall collect each of their thirty silver pieces."
Malakai let up and sheathed his sword. The other vampires continued their unethical way of practice, paying no attention to their leader desisting his own training. Holger got up and sheathed his own sword, staightening his long, brown trench coat. He saw the longing look in Malakai's face, but the cold rage hidden within it as well. Malakai was hellbent on winning over this Skey Seryc and ruling over the petty existence of weak humanity. Once he had those two goals completed, then vampires could set right their existence. Humans would no longer be top of the food chain.
" Malakai, let the others hone their skills while you rest. You've been pushing yourself constantly. It's time you rest up. After all...the big battle is coming up."
St. Peter's Basilica. 12:00 P.M.
Sleep had came a bit more easier for Skey. She'd never known a more fitting rest than last night. She had guessed it was no more late nights of hunting grunt vampires. The sleeping order had been returned and now sleeping wasn't so light nor so restless. Now she sat on a glazed wooden bench in the basilica, watching priests, bishops and carindals go to and fro their destinations in the Vatican. The death of her only father still weighed heavy in her heart, but she was trying her best to put it behind her. Though not trivial, it was distracting. The war was coming soon. The enemy didn't expect the Vatican caught wind of their devious plan. If they continued to be oblivious that one of their own had ratted them out, all would go well. Skey looked at a small watch she wore under the flap of the glove. It was five minutes past twelve. Father Anderson had said eleven-thirty and he was far too late. It was ironic. Usually he was the one always preaching about punctuality!
" Skey, let's go. Ah'm sorry Ah'm late. Couldnae help but sleep in ae wee bit. Ye dinna mind, dae ye?"
Skey was startled since he came to her from the right and caught her unawares. A little laugh was issued before Skey stood fully and patted down her coat. Both were going to go to their favorite coffee shop. Storm clouds still hung overhead, varying in shades of gray to pale blues. So far, it was nothing but heavy overcast. Once in a while a few seconds would bring the tinest of sprinkles, but nothing more. The square was busy with cars coming in and out, priests walking back and from the Vatican. Some carried with them briefcases while others carried nothing or a shoulder bag containing their studies. Anderson and Skey brushed past these priests on their way to the shop. there was some discussion Anderson wanted to have with Skey about the upcoming battle facing them like the devil's horrid face. Surely it has struck fear in the hearts of all Catholics of the Vatican, but the fighters, Section XIII and the Swiss guards themselves, had to face this wolf toe to toe and battle its ravenous rage back. Anderson feared Skey was not up to such a job. Many of the previous jobs required no more than beginner skills and some intermediate skills. This battle was more than just a one on one stand off. Skey would have to deal with multiple enemies trying to face her all at once with dripping mouths like that of a rabies infected dog.
They came to the restaurant and settled down outside in the cafe part. It was the same cafe, the Roman Cafe, they loved to come to. Lately it has been impossible to sit back and enjoy such luxuries. Now was the perfect timing to seize the moment and enjoy the little fragments of peace they could grasp. Anderson ordered straight coffee while Skey ordered a caramel cappachino. While they waited for their coffees to be readied, both looked out to the street from the outside cafe. This whole scene was so familiar. Weeks ago they had been here in the same exact spot, with her looking at the stormy sky with those sad eyes and him there to witness the sadness. Anderson chuckled silently to himself of the Deja Vu occurance. He did find one difference finally...the storm may be the same, the same seats and table, same gray sidewalk people treaded upon every day, and the same red and white awning...but the mood Skey displayed was not sadness. Those eyes sparkled with the heat for battle, sparkled with the utmost confidence of her genuine heart. He knew she lusted to feel her katana blade slicing through those unholy, god-forsaken creatures of the night. Even he had to admit there was a meticulous joyment once one of those heathens had been slain. To feel the life of that unholy beast be taken by the smooth edge of a blessed bayonet blade was the highest satisfaction Anderson felt he could get out of life.
" Skey, Ah brought ye here tae talk til ye aboot the battle. Ah'll only ask yin time and Ah expect ae decent answer...Are ye really up til the challenge? Are ye ready tae tak ae life O ae putrid undead heathen wi' the fever O' death beside ye? Are ye ready...tae lay yer life on the line for the Vatican, for the ether Catholics? Dae ye find it in yer heart tae nae let remorse, fear and denial surface when yer in the heat O' battle?"
She chuckled so innocently. It took Anderson back to hear such the innocent chuckle worthy of belonging to a mere child of five. Though the voice should have been tha of a child, the fierce glint in the child's eyes were mature and decided.
" Father Anderson...I plan to slay any vampire who dares to hurt me or my fellow Catholics. I will let my blade sing to them the Hymn of Death, I'll let them lie turning to ash in their blood. No remorse will come out of me for such spineless creatures such as that of the vampire. The vampire is my enemy and shall remain my enemy through my life and even after death. I will lay waste to any vampire that dares to step up and bark its foul breath of the dead upon the people. Father Anderson...I am wholeheartedly ready for battle."
The answer was just the one he was looking for from her. The edges had been tainted in the sin of vengeance yet so was his own intentions when he killed vampires. The first meeting with a vampire scared him shitless, and he vowed to never let it happen again. No vampire would ever be granted the honor of taking away Anderson's valiance. From this point on, Skey and Anderson were the most fearless in the face of the enemy. Skey was breaking through the bondage that had been holding her back. The shine Anderson had seen only so faintly when he found her was beginning to shine brighter and brighter with every passing day. Their coffees were served, the steam raising from the hot contents. Both picked their cups up and looked into them. Skey chuckled.
" Father Anderson."
" Aye?"
Skey held her cup over the table, smirking to him. He chuckled as well.
" Cheers, Anderson."
"Aye, cheers."
both clinked the porcelain coffee cups together and drank deep the coffee. The burning liquid scorched their tongues but they didn't care much. The fire of the battle would be much hotter and burn longer inside them than any coffee would washing down their throats.
