Resurrection
Chapter 4: Exodus
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angelplusbuffyequals4ever: Actually, I'm not sure if I'm going to bring Anna back. It's sort of complex. The vampires can come back because the Devil is an evil being: he will bring back the dead if he thinks that it will benefit him. But my belief is that He would not do that. I think she is going to be in the story somehow though. Probably as a memory or something, but I may bring her back from death.
As Marishka flew, she felt her tears leaving her eyes, and became calm again. It was strange that she and her sisters could feel so vividly. Verona had once explained to her that since she was alive when she was turned, she still carried shadows of her feelings. The Master had been dead when turned to a vampire, therefore held no emotions. He could only remember what it was like to have them. Marishka thought about turning back to the castle, but she was hungry and decided to keep on going. Although Vaseria would be on the way back to the castle, she knew she had flown over and she was sure that the villagers would be prepared to hide, and unlike normally, she did not want to seek the villagers out.
Marishka had flown a fairly long way when she heard horses below her. She smiled wickedly and let out a shriek as she flew down, the wind and rain pounding across her face. But as she grew nearer, she recognized one of the humans. Van Helsing. She let out a cry and swooped upwards away from the horses.
Down below, Carl was ducking as the large bat swooped over him. Van Helsing was already alert, crossbow in hand. Emil had been right. The vampires were back. Van Helsing turned on his horse and looked to the sky where the bride was hovering overhead. He could not tell exactly which one it was because of the heavy rain, but the shriek sounded like Marishka.
Marishka glided over the trees with ease, assessing the situation. It was the devil's orders to kill Van Helsing, but she knew that he had tricked her last time, and she had to make sure that it did not happen again. So with a burst of speed and strength, Marishka flew down to the horses, smacked into Van Helsing so that he was knocked off his horse, and soared upwards cackling, headed towards Castle Dracula.
Van Helsing attempted to shoot at Marishka, but his effort was fruitless. She was gone by the time he got up.
" We must move faster. She's heading towards Castle Dracula, I'm sure of it."
Emil looked at Van Helsing with surprise.
" You know where Castle Dracula is?"
Van Helsing looked at him.
" And I thought that news got around fast in that town."
Emil hesitated. " I don't socialize much. I was not outside when Marishka flew over. I heard her shrieking and left at once to find you."
Emil turned away, signaling that he did not want to talk anymore, but then turned back to Van Helsing.
" Mister Van Helsing. What has become of Princess Anna?"
Van Helsing grew uncomfortable. He looked to the sky and remembered seeing her. He can't let memories haunt him anymore.
" The princess is dead." he said looking down.
" Are you sure?" Emil asked earnestly.
" I cremated her." Carl said sadly.
Emil looked down in disbelief. " So Dracula has taken the princess as well."
Van Helsing and Carl glance at each other, not sure of what to say. They could not entwine themselves in a lie and say that Dracula had killed Anna, but they could not tell the truth either, so they remained silent.
" Hush, my darlings." Dracula whispered in a soothing tone. " No one will be going to Vaseria just yet. We must remain until we have a plan. If we go to the village, Gabriel will be here before we know it." Dracula opened his arms out to his brides, and they both clung to him without argument.
That should help with the bickering for now. Dracula thought as his brides nipped at his neck. But we do need to feed soon. We cannot last for long...
Some time went by when they heard screeching and hissing. Marishka was back. Dracula looked up, recognizing Marishka's delighted yell.
Glass shattered as Marishka broke through a window. She dropped her wings and gracefully floated to the ground, her outfit flowing behind her.
" Master! Wonderful news." she said rushing to Dracula. " He's coming."
" Gabriel?" Dracula asked anxiously.
Marishka grinned wickedly in answer.
Dracula dropped his bride's embrace and strode forward.
" How long until he will be arriving?"
" He is on horseback. He should be arriving tonight."
" Is he alone?"
" Two men. That monk and..." Marishka cleared her throat and turned to Aleera. " Your father."
Aleera looked up sharply. " Are you sure?" she asked eagerly, stepping forward.
Marishka nodded. " I'm positive."
Dracula stared at Aleera. " I thought your father was dead. You have deceived me."
Aleera looked like she was about to cry. " No, my lord! Never! I love you. I would never hurt you. I have not had the chance to kill him yet. I killed my mother for you, remember?"
" Yes, but it is your father I am most worried about. He is not a fool."
Van Helsing rode is horse as fast as he could, with Emil and Carl behind him. Then he slowed to a stop.
" We shall rest here."
" No." Emil answered.
" Why?"
" Nymphs." Emil said, pointing into the forest.
Four beautiful women were emerging, all with an eerie blue glow to them.
Van Helsing shook his head, riding on. " You have a lot of problems here, don't you?"
" Every village has it's problems, Mister Van Helsing." he said. " But I think we have the worst of it."
" You've had a lot of pain in your life." It wasn't a question. It was a statement.
" Yes. Dracula has taken everything from Vaseria. Particularly the Princess. Dracula took Aleera from both of us. We cared for her very much, but now all her heart holds is love for that beast and loathing for anyone who gets in her way."
" I can't believe someone would speak so nicely about that demon!" Carl exclaimed.
" Carl!" Van Helsing barked.
Emil laughed. "No, it's fine. The Princess took on the feeling of hatred for Aleera when she left with Dracula. I have remained caring for her. I suppose that a father never stops loving his daughter."
How is it? I still feel bad that I may have ruined Marishka's character. If anyone agrees with me, I will go STRAIGHT to a rewrite! I want it to be as true to Van Helsing as I possibly can.
