Chapter 11: What's Worse Than A Werewolf
"Bring it out!" Orlok demanded.
The Dwergi dragged a large black object from out of the shadows. The moved it in front of Orlok. He ran his long fingers over it.
"The time has come." he whispered. "Together, we shall rule this world."
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Van Helsing knew they were being followed. No, and he meant no one, could sneak up on him. But for now, he would just play along.
He looked at Anna and darted his eyes behind him. Anna nodded. Apparently, she knew they were being followed too. Carl didn't seem to notice the danger. Motioning for the two to follow him, Van Helsing turned a corner.
Erik followed close behind. He was very good at stalking. He had stalked people countless times when he was in the opera house. However, he never tried to sneak up on a monster hunter before. The moment he reached the corner the three had turned, Van Helsing jumped out and grabbed him.
"Not bad, but you'll have to do better to sneak up on me." said Van Helsing.
Anna pulled out her sword and held it to Erik's throat. "Where is Orlok?" she demanded. "What is he planning?"
Erik smirked. "It doesn't matter. You can't stop him."
Van Helsing rolled his eyes. "You have no idea how many times I've heard that. Not take us to him, or you'll find out why I'm the most wanted man in Europe."
"You have no idea what you're getting yourself into." the phantom said.
"I'll be the judge of that!" Van Helsing snapped. "Now get moving!"
He led them through the castle. He had no intention of bringing them to Orlok. No, he was going to bring lead them to their deaths. But first he had to get a head start.
"Keep walking." Van Helsing ordered, when Erik stopped walking.
"Are you not curious, as to why I wear this mask?" Erik asked. He turned to face them. "Let me show you what I'm hiding."
He pulled his mask off. Van Helsing, Anna, and Carl all jumped back. Erik's face was hideous. It looked more like a skull than a face. His nose was pushed up like a big snout. His mouth was much too big as it broke out into an evil grin revealing his crooked rotten teeth. His skin was all wrinkly and was a sick yellow color. He almost looked like a corpse. No wonder he wore a mask.
Taking advantage of the others' shock, Erik took the opportunity to make a run for it. Van Helsing recovered from his shock and pulled out his guns. He fired at the retreating phantom. But Erik ran to the wall and pulled on a torch. The wall spun around, revealing a hidden room. Erik laughed as the door rotated all the way around. The bullets bounced harmlessly off the wall. Erik was gone.
Van Helsing punched the wall in frustration, which only resulted in him hurting his hand. He turned to the others. "I've seen some freaky things in my days, but that..."
"I know what you mean." Anna replied.
Carl could only nod. Van Helsing looked back at the secret door. So much for Erik leading them to Orlok. But no matter. He thought he knew where the vampire was.
Come on, let's-"
But he didn't finish his sentence. The rotating door turned back around, this time it remained open. Erik stepped through, grinning evilly. He had a whip in his hands.
"Now you will pay for messing with us." he said.
He whipped the ground. Something was coming out of the hidden door. It was a large black dog with three heads and a long tail that, on closer examination, was a snake. The beast's blood red eyes stared hungrily at Van Helsing and the others, foam dripping from its three mouths. Was this beast the creature they had heard about. It was certainly twice as big as a werewolf, but was it really twice as vicious?
"Meet Cerberus." Erik sneered. "The master's personal pet." He whipped the whip again. "Kill them!"
Cerberus charged at them, growling and barking like a rabid animal. Van Helsing didn't need to tell Carl and Anna to run. In fact, they were already on the move. Cerberus looked fast, but he was even faster than he looked. There was no way they could out run him.
Van Helsing pulled out his grapple gun. He fired up at the ceiling. Once it was secure, he grabbed Carl and Anna, as the grapple began to reel them in. Cerberus jumped to grab them. His jaws snapped shut as feet inches from their feet.
Once they reached the ceiling, they climbed onto one of the stone pillars. Cerberus was several feet below them, constantly jumping and barking.
"What now?" asked Carl in a terrified voice.
"Give me a minute." said Van Helsing.
There was no way his bullets could kill the monstrous beast. He looked around for a weapon. He spotted two very large axes hanging in a cross shape on the wall. They would certainly get the job done. But would he be able to lift one? Or more importantly, would he be able to lift one and then make a killing blow before Cerberus tore him to pieces? Only one way to find out.
"Stay here." he said, while taking out his circular blades.
"What?" cried Anna and Carl.
Van Helsing didn't bother explaining. He threw the blades like a frisbee. They flew past Cerberus's heads. He snapped at the blades. While the beast was distracted, Van Helsing jumped off the pillar, much to the terror of Anna and Carl.
Van Helsing fired his grapple gun. He swung through the air over to the axes, but Erik stood in his path.
"Going somewhere?" he asked. He swung the whip. Van Helsing dodged. "Cerberus, get over here!"
The dog turned to Erik and Van Helsing. It began barking as it charged and pounced at them. Van Helsing jumped aside, nearly missing being tackled by the giant three headed dog. But Erik was not so lucky. Cerberus slammed into the wall, crushing him. But not even the wall could hold the beast's attack, and Cerberus went through the wall. It howled like a scared puppy as it fell to its death in the dark abyss.
Van Helsing breathed a sigh a relief. That had been way too close. He turned back to Anna and Carl who were still up in the air. They looked back in open shock.
Anna recovered first. "Don't just stand there!" she shouted. "Get us down!"
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Orlok was almost finished reading the passage. Soon he would fulfill his destiny. The world will fall before him. But before he could finish the spell, the door burst open and Van Helsing, Anna, and Carl burst in.
"Hope we're not interrupting." said Van Helsing.
Orlok glared at them. "This time, you're too late." He turned back to the book. "By the power of night, and the power of day, I summon you up from the underworld. From the world of the dead, to the world of the living, I give you eternal life. Rise up! Ride up! RISE UP!"
The black sarcophagus burst open and a loud roar came from inside. Something that had been dead for over 3000 years began to breath for the first time. It was a hideous sight. All brown and decayed. Bits of dried out flesh and bandages could still be seen stuck to its mummified body.
Orlok laughed triumphantly. "Behold the immortal mummy, Imotep!"