Disclaimer: All of Hellsing and its characters are copyright to Kouta Hirano. Any original characters belong to the author of this fanfiction.

HELLSING

EREBUS

Here standeth the Bird of Hermes,

Eating my own wings to make me tame...

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

A Deathly Invitation

Friday Evening, November 21, 2031, Hellsing Estate...

Crimson eyes gleamed at the sight before Alucard and these humans. This white mass, that lit up the room just enough for everyone to see each others' faces, seemed to stand on the table, arms outstretched with a foreboding promise. Integra clenched her teeth together, eye wide, staring intently at this ghostly figure. Just what was this thing? What did it want? Alexandra looked up at it, her back still against Alucard. This strange occurrence even distracted her from the fact that he was so close.

"W-what is it?" Penwood asked, standing close to an equally shocked Irons, who merely shook his head.

Seras trained her guns on the spectre, waiting for any indication of a real threat. Van also had his pistol drawn, aimed right at the intruder. However, Alucard knew they were watching this thing with their third eye, their own eyes gleaming a bright red. The Count grew aware of the fact that Alex was now clutching behind her, grasping the fabric of his coat. This pleased him, but knew that she was unaware of it, reacting out of fear. His hands ached to just make contact with her, but he restrained the desire, watching as the ghost dropped its arms to its sides, standing straight. The only thing that was visually coherent was the toothy and bright smile, and its blue eyes. For some reason, he knew those eyes. They were like his, matching in ferocity, but of a fierce azure.

"Good evening, Knights of the Round Table," it greeted with a man's voice, the sound resonating like a dark echo, thick with a strange accent that could have been British, but it was...different, somehow. "I come, bearing a message to you all. I am Gabriel. You have something I want. I would very much like you to hand it over."

"And what would that be?" Integra asked coolly.

Gabriel chuckled, misty hands clasping behind his back. "Don't be so coy, my dear Ms. Hellsing. I don't have to explain what you already know. This will be the only time I ask nicely. It is, however, nice to finally meet her. My lovely little EVE." Gabriel directed his eyes towards Alex, and she flinched, feeling cold all of a sudden. "Don't be frightened, little one. I do not wish to harm you. After all, you are very special."

A strange possessiveness overtook Alucard, causing him move in front of her, sending the spectre a challenging smirk. "Well, if this isn't interesting? You're the one I saw in that Bateman's memories. A vampire, yet you seem to have remarkable talents."

Gabriel grinned even more. Alex watched from behind the Count, wondering what he was thinking. "Alucard..."

"Ah, if it isn't the No-Life King himself. A pleasure." He gave a deep bow, standing straight after a moment. "I've waited a long time to meet you, Alucard. However, I didn't come here to have a friendly chat. Although...this presents a rare opportunity to make a formal challenge." Alucard just smiled. "You are the father of all children of the night, and so you have been rightly feared by humans and vampires alike. Your power is unmatched...or at least that is what everyone likes to believe."

Integra's eye narrowed. What did he mean by that? Alucard's brows just rose, intrigued. "Oh? And you would know who my match would be?"

The smile softened into something foreboding and knowing. "I believe you can tell just by looking. I won't boast any further than that, as I'm sure you've heard plenty of that from riffraff." He paused, raising a hand, fingers clenched somewhat in a challenging gesture. "I propose that we put your title as the No-Life King, the one true immortal, the father of vampirism, on the line. Whoever loses, forfeits their life, of course. Something, I am sure, that appeals greatly to you."

Sharp teeth were bared in an unholy smile, Alucard being quite pleased with the challenge. "I've hardly spoken to you, and you're already making my blood boil with excitement. How fun it will be to wipe you from the earth. You're very bold to take me on. I like that." He emitted a dark chuckle, upper body shaking with excitement. "I can't wait! I accept your offer! I look forward to annihilating you!"

Gabriel mirrored the Count's glee. "I too look forward to our battle. However, we shall see who will win in the end, No-Life King." He straightened, then peered past Alucard towards the girl behind him. "As for you, my dear, I can't wait to meet you personally."

Alex flinched, feeling that chill again, resisting the urge to hide behind Alucard. "Go to hell," she spat.

He chortled. "Oh, but my dear...I am Hell. But, you'll find that out soon enough."

The girl shivered. Something about this guy really frightened her for some reason. Without really meaning to, but truly needing it, she reached up, grasping the back of Alucard's coat. Alucard felt it with acute awareness. Alexandra was afraid. Existing as a being that radiated unmatched power, he did not feel fear for anything, but sensing Alex's distress, something enraged him that such a creature would evoke such a feeling in her. It brought him back to that moment so long ago, when Katarina was being violently raped, crying out in pain and fear. Alucard had tried his best to help keep her from experiencing such a feeling again, and now Alex was exhibiting the same emotions, subconsciously clinging to him as a pillar of strength. Alucard would be the walls and the castle that defended her, and the army that would destroy all those who dared to threaten her.

Integra slammed her hands on the table, glaring at the white mass. "What do you hope to gain from this venture of yours?! Answer me!"

Gabriel turned to the director. "It's quite simple. I wish to regain the glory of the vampires. Nowadays, vampires have grown weak, and this virgin business is...well, ridiculous." He paused for a moment, thinking something over. "Permit me to ask you something." Integra's eye narrowed, showing she was listening. "Did you ever find it strange that only virgins of the opposite sex were the only acceptable candidates for being vampires? Do you know why that is crucial? Not once has anybody questioned this. What makes being a virgin so important?"

Integra stared. Honestly, it did come across her mind once or twice, but never questioned it, only accepted the facts. "What are you getting at?"

The blue eyes gleamed brightly, teeth bared even more in glee. "Has it ever occurred to you that vampires are not of the damned?" Everybody murmured at this, Integra staring wide-eyed. "Vampires have always been feared by those who do not bother to understand them. However, even if we are not of the condemned, we are as much cursed as we are blessed."

"What nonsense is this?!" Integra demanded.

"It's unfair that only virgins can walk eternity. Being a vampire is a lonely and wearisome existence. We are forced to watch our loved ones die, because we ourselves cannot die. We cannot produce children. Do you believe it fair that rape victims have been robbed of their right to live forever? Is it right to condemn them, marking them as ghouls before they even become one? Think about that for a moment."

"What useless prattle," said Alucard, cutting into the conversation, grabbing Gabriel's attention once more. "Vampirism is an existence that must be earned, not handed out like an everyday product. Virginity is a fail-safe in protecting the balance that's in place. If everyone was a vampire, life would die, and in the end, so would we. There's no such thing as immortality. Not for you, not for them, and not for me. That's just the way it is."

Gabriel sent him a mocking little smile. "I'm sad to hear you say that, Count. After all, do you not wish for the ability to keep your beloved forever, now that she is right in front of you again?" Alucard's face fell then, his smug expression replaced with an insurmountable rage. "You've already been denied of your happiness. The second time was just an attempt to relive a fairy tale to smother up the pain. Has it eased at all since her passing?"

"SILENCE!" Alucard demanded, a dark aura consuming him. "You will not speak of her!" He raised a hand, clenching it tightly into a fist. "I will crush you for your arrogance!" He grinned psychotically, lengthened hair draping menacingly around his form, covering one half of his face, crimson eyes gleaming. "When I'm through with you, you'll be begging to die!"

The spectre laughed manically. "I look forward to seeing you try. Until then, I'd keep her close if I were you. She will be mine to do with what I please. And your title will also belong to me. Enjoy the time you have left."

The figure began misting away to nothing, and when it was completely gone, it took a couple moments for the power to come back on. The convention members just stood around the table, shocked, and Integra was gritting her teeth. Seras and Van looked at one another then around, sensing that the presence had gone. The dark aura that flamed menacingly around the Count did not abate however, his fury still strong at this point. The old woman looked over at her servant, considering ordering him to calm down, but thought better of it. One could only hold so much anger inside, and they would have to find a way to vent it somehow. For now, she left the vampire alone to calm down on his own.

"Master?" Seras quietly called out, approaching Alucard with caution.

Van reached out to grab her arm, shaking his head. "Best you leave him be. He's not in his right mind." Seras frowned, but nodded.

Meanwhile, Alex still clung to his back, shaking some. It took a few moments for it to register that Gabriel had left and the room regained the lights. Though she had felt the tension in Alucard's form, she was only just now seeing the anger that emanated from him. The shadows writhing around his form barely touched her, nearly caressing the skin of her hands, but never actually touching her. If she tried to touch the black mass, what would have felt like? Could she grasp it?

Swallowing, she looked up at him, and the image gave her a sense of deja vu. The memory of her dream only a couple hours ago came to the forefront of her mind, flashing that scene of the dark knight curled over a dead copy of herself. Fingers tightened in the fabric of the vampire's coat tightly. What did this mean? Why was she comparing it? Alucard wasn't crying, he was seething. Besides, the eyes were completely different, even if they both exuded a powerful presence. The dark knight also gave her a sense of strange gentleness, while Alucard was unadulterated violence and madness.

"A...Alucard," she murmured with uncertainty.

The sound of her voice cut through his anger, his gaze softening. Gradually, the shadows dissipated, his muscles relaxing, starting from where she touched him, the calm spreading through his body. Integra watched the transition with utmost fascination. Even though they had not known each other long, Alexandra had the most amazing effect on Alucard's mood. Did the woman from his past also have this ability? The fact that he easily conceded to Alex puzzled her, even though she knew the reason now. Alucard had told his master that he would not force anything on Alex. He would not tell her a word. Only when Alex willingly came to him without his influence would he tell her everything.

Integra had to give the vampire some credit for his self-control. Most would have succumbed to those urges by now, especially a vampire. Alucard's hair had returned to normal length, but still covered half his visage, expressionless. Alex stood there, watching him revert back to a state of serenity. Fingers relinquished the coat as Alucard turned to face her. Eyes met with some kind of strange knowing from the vampire, something Alex didn't comprehend. Not yet anyway.

Sunday Morning, November 23, 2031, Somewhere in England...

The sound of birds chirping coincided with the ringing of church bells. Church-goers gathered inside, listening to the reverend as he recited passages from the bible. Some recited along with him. The choir emitted a melancholy tune, drowning out the sound of echoing boot steps. Some of the patrons began to take notice of two individuals dressed in long black hooded coats. One was a woman, a strand of red hair visible in front of her face. The other wore a plain black steel mask that was shaped to fit a face, but it only had red eyes on its visage. The choir trailed off, everybody staring at these strangers. Some looked afraid, mothers holding their curious children closely. The pastor's brows furrowed some. This pair moved onto the upper platform, joining the minister while everybody just continued to stare.

"Excuse me? Is there something I can help you with?"

The woman turned her head to regard the priest, red lips smiling. "We have come to confess."

He blinked, not sure how to take this. "Well, everybody has their share of sins. God forgives all."

"Does He now?" She chuckled. "Yes, but we haven't come to confess sins that we've already committed." She and her companion turned toward the others sitting on the benches. "We came to confess to a sin that will happen. For instance—darling..."

The masked man's black gloved fingers clenched, flicking some. A flash of red was seen, but for a moment, nothing seemed to have happened. Suddenly, a spray of blood burst from the choir as each person split apart into pieces. People screamed bloody murder, many jumping out of their seats. The priest had fallen over on his rear, staring in shock, eyes and mouth wide open. What was this?!

"W-who are y-you?! What d-do you w-want?!" he cried out desperately.

The woman smiled again. "To bathe in the blood of filthy humans."

The man screamed for a second just as his head was severed from his body, rolling across the floor, evoking more screams as people tried to rush towards the double doors. They were slammed shut, trapping every soul inside. Those who tried getting close only ended up being torn apart by a red flash of something small and thin. The red substance splashed and drenched everyone, putting them all into a panic.

The woman laughed derisively. "Where's your god now? Pitiful, insignificant creatures. Kill them, my dear Elijah."

"Yes, my master," came a muffled voice beneath the mask. The screams that followed consumed the area, birds flying away, the sun still shining brightly.

Sunday Afternoon, November 23, 2031, Hellsing Estate...

Vampires; they are not of the damned? What did that mean? What did virginity have to do with becoming such a creature? Gabriel had told the head of Hellsing to consider what it meant. If the Iscariot organization had heard such a thing, they would have been going even more insane, crying blasphemy at the creature. And to think, he had personally challenged Alucard. To what end? It was just a title, wasn't it? It was something that belonged strictly to the Count. Only he could be the father of all vampires. The way Gabriel had presented himself only served to baffle Integra. The declaration of a battle to the death against Hellsing, all for the sake of Alexandra. Once again, the old woman found herself rolling around the questions.

"Come in," she said upon hearing a knock.

A staff member came in with a file. "Sir Integra! Something terrible has happened!"

He began to speak quickly but coherently as Integra looked at the photos. Integra's eyes widened at them, unable to believe what she was looking at. "Impossible," she breathed. "Just impossible!"

Bodies were strewn everywhere inside a church. However, that wasn't what disturbed her. What disturbed her was the way their bodies looked. Fatal wounds looked too straight, even if the flesh was beginning to sag at the time the pictures were taken. Beyond that, some of the benches were in neat pieces upon the ground stained with puddles. Fingers clenched the photo tightly. Looking at another photo, she noticed that the floor had a strange pattern upon it done in blood. Realizing that it was words, she squinted her eye, flipping to another picture, finding a differently angled image, allowing legibility. Reading it, her single eye widened once more. Could it be? Teeth ground together as she tried desperately to piece it all together.

"Where is this?"

"Saint Mary's Church," he said. "Reports of the crime scene indicate that it happened during mass. The method was so brutal and inhuman, that they had sent us their findings."

"Call upon Mr. Drake. This case must be addressed immediately."

"Yes, ma'am." And he left.

"Alucard!" Integra called out fiercely.

Before her, a shadow began to appear like a ghost, becoming less transparent and forming her servant, wearing his hat, covering his face to hide from the afternoon sun. "Waking me up in the middle of the day is becoming a constant habit of yours, my master."

Alucard's grin lessened slightly when Integra gestured him over with a finger. When he walked over, he took the photos Integra handed him. "What's the first thing that comes to mind when you look at how the bodies have been destroyed?"

The vampire eyed her for a moment, then looked over the images, flipping through through one at a time. "He's dead," he said simply.

"I know," she replied quietly. "I know..." Another knock. "Come in."

Van stepped through the door, barely taking a glance at Alucard. The young vampire looked dishevelled with sleep. "Do you have a habit of waking vampires in the middle of the day? What's so important that you had to disturb what little rest I get?"

Integra sent him a hard stare. "Something of great interest to you."

Raising a brow, Van ventured over, taking the photos Alucard held out. "What's this?" He looked through them, eyes darkening at the sight. "Jesus..."

"Keep looking," she urged.

He did, and when he got to the one with the message written in blood, his eyes narrowed. "Greetings From Hell. Catch me when you can." he recited. "There's a word in a language I'm unfamiliar with."

Alucard stepped over, looking at the scarlet script, muttering some to himself. "It's Hungarian," he explained, reciting the word fluently, "Hasfelmetsző. It's a signature. It translates as Ripper."

Van gritted his teeth. Years... It had been years since he had last heard of any sign that would lead to this century-old case. Now a long overdue clue was in his grasp, hands shaking. He had vowed to capture this infamous killer, knowing full well how it was capable of such brutal methods of murder. This crime was completely different, but the message was relatively the same. And the reference...

"Judging by the message, I'm being called out," Van explained.

"You are not the only one being drawn out," Integra replied, a puzzled expression directed at her by Van. "Knowing that you will be going there, I'll be having Alucard accompany you. If there is anything you require, take it. This assignment will undoubtedly be dangerous. You will leave the moment the sun sets."

Sunday Evening, November 23, 2031, Hellsing Estate...

Steam curled in the air as Alex relaxed her aching body, soaking in a hot bath filled with a vast amount of suds and bubbles. The tub was made out of cast iron with feet. Though she had been in the mansion awhile, she had never used the tub, always going for a long shower instead. Brown strands clung to her face, her cheeks flush from the heat. Toes emerged from the deep water, and through the bubbles, wiggling some as she stared at them dazedly.

Arms wrapped around her legs as she stared off into space. She hadn't seen Alucard since the Round Table Conference. Why did it bother her so much? It wasn't like he was obligated to provide her company whenever she thought of him. Hell, she wasn't even interested in him. Every now and then, he just popped up to bug her. Her last real conversation with him was the night that he had asked her to a dance. It was strange but she had went along with it. The conversation went downhill from there, in a not-so-bad way. Why did he call her beautiful? Eccentric, he definitely was, but it sounded so sincere. The thought that Dracula had a crush on her suddenly popped in her mind. Relentless ideas of the Count bringing her chocolate and flowers, and handing over a kitten just kept coming. Her imagination then conjured the image of him handing over somebody's head on a plate.

Pop! And she just stared, eyebrows in straight lines, and her mouth in a deep frown. No. Fucking. Way. Alex then burst out laughing. Her imagination was so horrible sometimes. The idea of Alucard ever being interested in her was absolutely absurd. True, he had said things that seemed like he was complimenting her, and maybe he was, but again, the idea of it was truly absurd. Leaning back her head with eyes closed, she imagined Alucard laughing at the idea.

"Good evening, Alexandra," said a sultry voice that she knew too well.

Brown orbs shot open, staring unblinkingly into crimson irises. "Alucard," she breathed. Something about his eyes looked familiar. Realization sunk in and she was shrieking, a fist flying up out of the water and straight into his big stupid nose! "GET OUT!"

Though his nose was bleeding, he was laughing, the sound becoming muffled as he phased through the wall into her room. Alex could still hear him even as she drained the water and grabbed a towel. By the time she left the bathroom, she was tightly wrapped in it, but her bare skin was still covered with suds. Alucard was sitting on her couch, looking smug as usual, his nose perfectly fine. Not a single drop of blood in sight. The vampire looked up, taking in her appearance as she marched towards him with the intent to kill, or at least injure him in some way. Hm, it was a pity that the towel wasn't shorter. Her thighs were completely covered, which disappointed him, as he would have drank in the sight shamelessly.

"You!" A hand grabbed an expensive looking vase as she went at him. "I'll fucking kill you!" she declared, ready to smash his face in.

He caught her wrist firmly, and stood, towering over her, staring her down with those eyes and intimidating her with that smile he always wore. "I'd be careful what you destroy. That's an expensive decoration you've got in your hand. My master wouldn't be pleased to find it broken."

"I'll tell her your face broke it," she readily replied, trying to yank her wrist away. "What the hell were you doing in the bathroom?! Spying on me?"

He laughed, releasing her. Alex fell back onto the couch, giving him that expressive look of anger again. God, how he loved her scowling face. "Please. I don't need to spy on you to know what you look like naked." Alex blinked, turning red. As if he had x-ray vision, she tried vainly to cover herself, despite the towel already being there. He grinned. "Relax. It's called imagination."

That didn't make her feel any better. "Why are you here?" she demanded more calmly.

"I'm leaving again."

This news surprised her, but why should it? He went on missions all the time. Still, she couldn't help a small frown. "Oh. Why'd you feel the need to tell me that? You expecting permission or something from me, just because you're my bodyguard?"

The vampire angled his head. The movement kind of reminded Alex of a confused puppy. Suddenly, he was leaning over her, trapping her in a similar way like that night in the library. His expression softened at the sight of her confused and flushed face. "I tell you these things because I want to. I take pleasure in the look of disappointment you give me when I tell you I'm going somewhere."

"I'm not...disappointed," she denied.

He smiled, leaning forward til his nose almost touched hers. "You look so lovely...even when you're lying," he breathed.

A shiver ran through her body. When she blinked, he wasn't there anymore. Releasing a breath she'd been holding, she slumped against the couch, staring wide eyed before her, breathing unevenly. "Bloody hell..."

A/N: Alucard is such a suave bastard. Knows how to get the heart racing. Chapter 15 will be a violent one, and certain things will unfurl. But now, you've all met Gabriel, the main antagonist. He's so mysterious, even I don't know what he's up to! I was gonna have Alucard semi-molest Alex in the tub, but it seemed too early for that. Some of you, I am sure, are making guesses at who Elijah is. You will never know! Muwahahaha-right away anyway.

Lately, I've watched a couple of shows where Crispin Freeman is involved. For instance, I decided to get acquainted with Noein. I thought that show was bleeding fantastic. I'm totally going to watch it again in the future because Karasu is sexy. Go watch it. Also, watch the outtakes for it. Crispin's got a few in there that had me killing myself.

Now, I said last chapter I'd give you guys the name of the song that Alex was hearing on Alucard's radio. It's Blinding by Florence and The Machine. I don't know when I'll finish chapter 15, but hopefully I can get it up within the next couple of days, depending on my brain power, and my health. I'm still pretty stuffed up from my fucking cold. Anyway, please leave your reviews, questions, thoughts, and thank you for reading!